Here are 3 blogging tools I use every day!

I'm all about making things easier for myself.

When I first started blogging, I did many things the hard way.

For example, I used to use 3 different apps to edit my photos.  It would take me hours to edit pictures for a single blog post!

I didn't want to spend the money on more premium tools because I didn't see the worth in it.

Then I realized my time was worth something too.  If I have to pay a price to get back literal hours of my time, I'm willing to do it.

Over the years, I have perfected my blogging strategy & with that came the blogging tools I utilize daily.

Before I begin, I pay monthly for all 3 of these blogging tools, but there are also free versions available of the same tools.  I started with the free versions & when I outgrew them, I went to the premium options. 

So let me tell you about the blogging tools I love!

As you may have noticed, I didn't do monthly garden updates this year.

The truth is that we struggled a lot with keeping up with the garden this year.

Then when we finally got everything back on track, we had a series of floods which really impacted the garden.

Our yard will sometimes flood after heavy rains in the summer but it never really reaches the garden.

This year we had 2 really big floods in the yard which ended up reaching the garden.  The first flood spared a couple rows of tomatoes but the second flood left everything underwater.  

It also has been a very rainy season overall so the garden could never fully dry out from the rain.  I'm still having a difficult time mowing the lawn because it is just so wet & muddy.

Here are a couple pictures from the floods we had:

It has been only about a month since my last update but things have moved fairly quickly with James' cancer treatment.

This past month has been filled with lots of traveling to get the fastest treatment possible.

After receiving the initial melanoma diagnosis, James had an appointment with an oncologist to discuss options for treatment.

It was determined that the tumor in his arm area would be removed.  Before that could happen, James needed to complete further testing to see if the cancer had spread anywhere else.

With lots of help from his care team, James was able to make all the necessary appointments in a short amount of time & get scheduled for surgery.

Hey there, Besties! 🌟✨

I've got some exciting news from my little green corner of the world – our greenhouse finally has a roof, and it's absolutely fabulous! 🌱🏠

Choosing the Perfect Tin Roof for Our Greenhouse Dream

After much pondering, we decided on a tin roof for our beloved greenhouse. Why tin, you ask? Well, let me share a couple of reasons that sealed the deal for us:

1. The Classic Silver Look: There's something timeless about a plain silver roof, don't you think? While traditional metal roofing offers a rainbow of colors, tin's singular shade was just the classic touch we were looking for.
2. Budget-Friendly Roofing: All about savvy spending, we found that tin roofing was more wallet-friendly compared to metal or shingles. We wrapped up the entire project under $300, screws included! Talk about a bargain! 💸
3. Local and Convenient: Living close to a metal roofing manufacturer was the cherry on top. No long hauls for supplies, which was a huge relief!

The Installation Adventure

Now, you know we're all about DIY, but we called in the pros for this project. Metal roofing was a bit out of our DIY league, and let's not get started on my hubby's feelings about heights (especially with this surprisingly high roof!).

We hired a local expert, who, after a quick measurement session, had us all set for the install day. And guess what? My husband lent a helping hand, and together, they had our greenhouse crowned beautifully in just a few hours!

Almost There: Our Greenhouse Journey

We're still dotting the i's and crossing the t's on our greenhouse, but having a roof over it has me doing my happy dance. It's no longer just a structure; it's a haven in the making!

Stay tuned for more updates on our greenhouse adventure – where plants will thrive, and dreams will grow under our shiny new tin roof!

Happy Greenhousing, Besties! 🌿💖

Hey there, Green Thumbs and DIY Dreamers! 🌱✨

It's Tiff here, bringing you another chapter from my garden diary. Over the past five years, my tomatoes and I have been on a journey, discovering the art of staying upright and fabulous. Gardening is my canvas, and today, I'm painting you a picture of three clever ways to keep those tomato plants strutting their stuff!

🍅 Tomato Cages: My First Love

Remember my early gardening days? Tomato cages were my go-to. They're like training wheels for us gardening newbies - simple, no-fuss, and just pop them around your plant. Voila! Although, back then, my plants were more 'petite' before I introduced them to the magic of blood meal. For those who love a sprinkle of DIY, there are some snazzy, homemade cages out there. But hey, store-bought was my jam for keeping it easy-peasy!

🌿 Tomato Trellis: The Upgrade

Fast forward to when my tomato plants started throwing a growth party, and my cages just couldn't keep up. Enter the trellis system - my garden's version of a high-rise! We built these towering supports With stakes, wire, and a little help from my handyman hubby. It's like giving your tomatoes their own climbing frame, weaving them through as they reach for the sky!

🌳 Tomato Stakes: The Space Saver

Now, let's talk stakes - a method I'm currently flirting with. My parents swear by it, and I see why. Each tomato gets its personal stake, like a VIP garden club. As they grow, we tie them up gently with string. It's a space-saving marvel, keeping each plant in its lane neat and tidy.

So there you have it, my dear besties! Whether you're team cage, team trellis, or team stake, there's a method for every garden and every gardener. Remember, it's all about learning, growing, and having fun. Keep those tomatoes high and mighty!

Stay green and creative, my friends! 🌍✨🌼 

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