Potatoes

Back in April I had read on Pinterest that you could grow potatoes in laundry baskets.  I was intrigued so I decided to give it a try.  I didn't think to take a picture of them as they continued their phases of growth.  I had to do what is called hilling in which you add dirt as the stem of the plants grow, eventually having dirt all the way to the top of the basket.  So, in looking through my photo library, I was able to crop to give you an idea of what I had.



All total I had 3 baskets.  It was stated that each basket would yield 7-10 lbs of potatoes.  I was excited.  Now, knowing nothing about potatoes, my lush green plants died.  I attributed it to the lack of rainfall and scorching heat throughout the months of late May and June.  I thought, well, that was an experiment I dare not repeat.  However, in dumping out the soil to use for another use, I found there were potatoes in there after all!  Not the 7-10 lbs claimed, but enough from all 3 baskets to make a meal.  I did have to throw 7 potatoes out due to rot.  I was disappointed because they were at one time big ones.  The only remnant of them were the skins enveloping mush.  I guess there is a certain time to harvest, but I have no clue when.  The potatoes I have are rather bumpy.  But I am hoping they are at least tasty. 



If I would have harvested at the proper time I would have collected a total of 21 potatoes, 7 in each of the 3 baskets.  Given I yielded a small harvest gives me a glimmer of hope that with a little more research perhaps I can perfect this interesting way of growing potatoes!  The good news is...it doesn't require a lot of space in our quaint backyard.

Clearwater Beach Outing

Today Valerie and I decided to take Chloe to Clearwater Beach for a couple hours, then head over to have lunch with Grandpa Miller.  Needless to say, I was VERY happy as this was the first time I was able to have fun with her at the beach!!!

Because she had a nice life vest on, I took her in the water to swim with her.  This lasted about 15-20 minutes before she decided she had had enough and would rather be in shallower water that SHE could run around in and enjoy.  That makes sense for a 2 year old. :)

Not only that, there wasn't a risk in taking pictures of her there either! (Remember my earlier post about waterlogging my other camera, hence it became toast?)  Anyway, I was using Clif's pocket camera and had to be especially careful.  For some reason, I seem to destroy cameras!  Good thing Valerie was there to take care of things.

Chloe is enjoying jumping the waves with Grandma.



She reminded me of the water birds in that she would run to the water, and when the wave would come, she would run away from it.  She cracked me up because when it was a big water surge, she would stick her hands out to try to balance herself.  Any one who has grandkids can understand the enjoyment of watching this!









One thing I was surprised with... she didn't take an interest in the seagulls.



We tried to get a shot of us together.  Chloe wouldn't cooperate.  She wanted to get down and run around some more.



Ready for Grandpa's now that she's been showered and changed.



We had an enjoyable visit.  Chloe slept most of the way home, but I will say TRAFFIC WAS HORRIBLE!  We left at 2:30 to beat the Tampa rush hour.  Needless to say, although it wasn't the FULL rush hour, you could have fooled us.  What is normally a 2 hour ride house to house was 2 hours and 40 minutes today!  I am glad we left then or we'd still be on I-4!!!