Did you survive another work week? I hope you have some fun plans for the weekend. We do! We have a couple graduation parties to attend & it is (sort of) my first mother’s day celebration. Does it count if the baby is not here yet? I think so! With all the changes lately, the first 8 weeks of feeling yucky, and now finally feeling good as new – I decided I’m celebrating Mother’s Day, by golly!
One of the clean-up projects at the Four Sisters Farm was removing this small shed. It was hauled here many years ago and never had a concrete floor beneath it, so the entire structure was very rotten and worn out. In a previous life, it was used for storing tools and oil for tractors.
It was high time for this one to go! 
John & I came over to feed the cows hay and wind up some electric fence wire. Then, we had some extra time, so he went to work removing this shed with his tractor. Actually, we didn’t have extra time. We made time. It was exciting. That’s really difficult to do!
First, we picked up all the breakables and shattered glass. Then, I couldn’t help but grab my camera and document this event! 
The top part came up easily, but the rotted floor stayed behind. After some more clean-up John was able to pick up the floor and haul that off, too.
Then, we filled two loader buckets with junk and it all went away!
John’s mom had the great idea to turn this now empty spot into our strawberry patch! She is sharing her garden with me this summer, so we decided to expand it a little. Strawberries are perennials, so they need a permanent home. She put some serious consideration into choosing this location. It will have plenty of sunlight in the morning hours and the garage will provide some protection from the wind.
Her great idea was picking the spot, but my great idea to ask John to consider this a two for one Mother’s Day gift!
We are going to get some railroad ties and a make a 16 x 12 raised bed. John is in charge of arranging the railroad ties & finding dirt. We’ll take care of the rest!
Every once in a while, I remind myself of my mother. It is freaky! Does this happen to you, ladies?
For my whole life, my mother always asked for help with yard projects on Mother’s Day.
What did I do the first year there was a little one in my tummy?
Asked for help on a yard project in lieu of a gift!
I’m blaming this on genetics.
What a great first mother’s day gift – and one you will fondly look back on in years to come! And yes, I find myself acting like my mother more and more as I raise little ones. That can be both a blessing and a curse *smile* because it’s partly what we fear as we continue to grow up.
It is what we fear! Ha! But, also just so surprising! 🙂
I’m glad you’re going the raised bed route! Without causing to much alarm, I would be leery of planting anything directly into the ground that was under the shed without first doing a soil test. You never know what sort of ‘stuff’ may be in the ground. Enjoy your first Mother’s Day!
We talked about this, and I think you are probably right! We decided that since it was almost 20 years ago we were going to risk that the soil was “okay” — we also didn’t see any dark spots that would have been a giveaway for oil spots. My fingers are crossed 🙂
Some things never change! This year Schyler asked me what I wanted for Mother’s Day. I said, “I want you to help me stain my deck.” She said, “Really, what do you want?” I said, “Schyler, I love material and scented candles and I have plenty of both. I really just want you to help me stain the deck!” Happy Mother’s Day!!
Consider making narrower strawberry beds it makes it easier to pick them. Take it from someone who knows. My bed is 8X 8 and it is hard to pick the middle without stepping on berries.
Hi! We talked about this, but in the end decided to stick with the bigger one. Since it will take a few years for the patch to develop, we are using it as a mini-second garden space. This year we put onion, spinach, and carrots between the rows of strawberries! 🙂