Happy New Year!

 Finally, an end to a tough year that started out with so much promise and then getting waylaid by a nasty virus that has been relentless.  Trying to keep above the noise, staying positive and hoping for better days, has taken a lot of energy and determination.

We have been able to "dodge the bullets", wearing our masks, washing our hands and staying more than 6 feet away from others.  This seemingly simple set of tasks, has actually been quite challenging, as others haven't seen a need to follow along.  

For Nancy, the summer, fall and winter have been slow going, but upbeat as her struggles with her back continue, but seem to improve every so slightly,  week by week, month by month.  She is now able to walk some distance, ride her trike on sunny days, and do some work around the abode, with rest breaks along the way.  She is very determined to fight the good fight and remains optimistic as ever.

I spent some good days down at the beach house helping my brother Rick, fix up his beach home and put it up for sale.  While the outside siding, roof, and crawlspace were farmed out, we tackled the inside, tearing out the kitchen, painting all the rooms, putting in new vinyl planking throughout the home.  The kitchen was also redone with new cabinets, new countertops and new appliances.  

The house finally went up for sale the middle of October and then the holidays came along.  As the new year comes along, showings are scheduled.

The Magnolia Gardens had a successful season, I would say, despite the Bermuda grass.  We had an abundant crop of potatoes, peas, beans (until the end of October), tomatoes, lettuce and blackberries.  

I need to figure out how to avoid the spread of the Bermuda grass, whether it be raised beds or just putting up with it and cutting it back as it invades the garden.  

I started a raised bed with beans and lettuce and I have 6  - 5 gallon plastic cans for tomatoes. I have a Rutgers, a Parks Whopper (tomato, not hamburger), Sweet 100 cherry, Patio determinate and two gold cherry.  

Here are some photos.

Not quite the same as back home, but we are very limited to what we can do down here.  As the flag says, "Garden Blessings"

The beans got a bit of frostbite when temps went down to low 30's a week ago.  I took off the burned leaves and new leaves are coming up nicely.  We have one of our neighbors walk by every morning and bless the beans for us.

Three varieties of lettuce - Black Seeded Simpson, Little Gem and Bronze Mignonette from front to back.

This is the Patio determinate variety coming along nicely, so far.  Another neighbor, who has a nice garden is having lots of problems with his tomatoes, 3-4 of them wilting, so keeping fingers crossed we don't get the same problems.