The Contraption
I love this guy…
Nephew’s Graduation Party – June 2011
I really do. The husband is smart, successful and works extremely hard. He doesn’t get much down time, but when he does, he enjoys spending it with our family and also taking care of our property.
He’s an expert at trimming bushes, planting trees and weeding. All the dirty work that I hate! 
He laughs at my fear of bugs and dirt under my nails. He would love to move us to a huge farm in the boonies where we could work and live off the land.
Uh, no thanks. I need to be in a 2 mile radius of some type of convenience store or I’d feel like Jack Nicholson in The Shining…
Here’s Johnny 
So, instead of vast farmland, we comprised with a small garden off the side of our deck. He planted the foods that were most important to us…
A variety of tomatoes …
Apparently, this one isn’t quite sure what it wants to be …
Our two favorite herbs are in the mix – basil and flat leaf parsley…
We have string beans …
And thriving cucumbers …
They are growing so enthusiastically that they are shooting to the sky. The husband decided they needed a bigger “ladder” to climb on. 
The sky’s the limit …
It started to get a little crazier from there. Before I could hide all the tools, the husband got to work; hammering and tinkering and tying. He wanted his “little garden that could” to have the best chance at survival and production. The babies needed support, nurturing and a strong foundation to lean on.
So proud of his creation, the husband called to me to view it.
I saw wood poles and strings …
Wires and ties …
I had trouble seeing the “vision” of archways of tomatoes and draping of beans. I just saw…. this …
And because he knows me so well, he already engraved it with the name that I would undoubtedly call it…
Ah, that’s what you do for love.
Off to the convenience store.
Have a great day, everyone!
Do you plant the same foods in your garden every year or do you change it up?
Questions? Email me! aloserforlife@gmail.com
33 comments
Marisa, I’m a “lurker” who has commented once or twice before. I love your blog, your sense of humor is great. This post really shows off both your wit and love for your hubs. I couldn’t help but think of “Green Acres” when I looked at the picture of the two of you after reading this post! Do you remember that show? Perhaps you could do the updated version? LOL
Marisa Reply:
June 27th, 2011 at 9:48 pm
Hi Patty! Thanks for de-lurking
And of course, I remember Green Acres, dahling < — said in my best Zsa Zsa voice 
I’ve never planted a garden but I really want to try. My grandmother used to grow peppers and tomatoes in the back yard. When I was little I loved playing gardener to them.
Oh, and I’m kind of in love with the contraption. You have a very creative husband.
Marisa Reply:
June 27th, 2011 at 9:49 pm
Thanks, Allywan. He is very proud of it!
I love it! Your husband is very creative and I am sure the looks of the contraption will more than be made up for by the crops!
We just don’t have the space for food gardening. I have no backyard at all. I save what space I do have for my flowers. I do have a pot of basil growing, though – does that count?
Marisa Reply:
June 27th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
Herbs grow so great in containers! You’ll be able to make some yummy pesto this year!
I love the contraption! Great garden!
We always plant some strawberries, a few tomato plants and some herbs. Unfortunately, there really isn’t room for more…
Have a great week!
Marisa Reply:
June 27th, 2011 at 9:51 pm
We have tried strawberries before and they never turned out ! I was so disappointed
this is our 4th year with a garden. our first year was great but the last 2 have kinda sucked…this year I stuck with tomatoes (10 plants, 9 varieties – 4 types of plum toms), peppers (3 kinds) and cucumbers and basil, of course!!
I am sticking with these because they seem to work the best in my yard but ya just never know what next year will bring!!
gorgeous garden!!
PS – cant wait to see you…when?!!
Marisa Reply:
June 27th, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Soon, Jen!! I’ll text you!
Marisa,
I laugh everyday from the pictures you put on your daily blog.
Today I laughed out loud when I saw the huge cylinder labeled “the sky’s the limit” knowing that you were setting the scene for what Dom was making in the garden. It’s hilarious looking.
P.S. Love you brother Dom
Marisa Reply:
June 27th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Thanks, Linny! He’s so excited for his garden to produce!
Haha! I love “The Contraption,” Such a cool idea!
Love that picture of you guys!! I gave up a long time ago on gardening – the damn deer and bunnies got the bounty before we did – all that work and I’d end up buying bushels of tomatoes for $5 each – I still got my fresh sauce and salsa without all the hassel.
Happy Monday!
In general I plant the same things, this year I added more and made my garden a little bigger.
marisa, what a great hubby and garden you have there
Hi Karia, OMG….how fun is that garden???? Can’t wait to see updates over the summer. And your husband? He’s a keeper!!! Have a great day!
Regarding my comment above….KARIAAAA……holy crap, I need coffee….my fingers were on the wrong keys!!! Maybe I should call you “Karia” though…kinda has a ring to it. NOT!!!!
Marisa Reply:
June 27th, 2011 at 9:53 pm
LOL! Hey Roz, I’ve been called worse
Karia is not so bad! HA!
Marisa, that’s an awesome looking garden!
I just started planting stuff last year bc it was my first year in my house. This year I just planted some tomatoes, cucumbers (my first time here), bell peppers and a hybrid bell pepper, and some watermelon (first time also). So far the tomatoes and cucumbers look great!
Marisa Reply:
June 27th, 2011 at 9:53 pm
Oooh, can’t wait to hear if your watermelon turns out, Amanda!
Oh Marisa! My Grammie would be proud! It must be the Italian in you guys – but that garden is straight from the “book of Grammie”. She used to have wood & strings so her plants could climb. Then her little 4ft tiny frame would climb a ladder to care for her plants. Too cute! Climb away!
I’m all about tomatoes & basil in my garden – can’t get enough!
Marisa Reply:
June 27th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
Aw, what a neat memory, Lori! Gotta love Grammies!
Hilarious.
haha Love it – the contraption – too funny.
I love the idea of different kinds of tomatoes. We just did beefstake and i’m wishing we had done more! Next year I want to do red peppers too (we did green & yellow this year).
Much to my dismay, I finally stopped trying to have a garden. We are away from home much of the summer and expecting someone to take care of it seemed to much trouble. I rely on our farmer’s market which is a whole lot simpler and lots of fun!!!
We have much in common: dislike of yard work and dirt under our nails and husbands who love to do that stuff!! We don’t have a large enough yard with enough sun to have much of a garden, but my hub has grown tomatoes and lots of herbs for me.
Yay for great husbands! He’s so industrious. We don’t plant a garden. Maybe some day when we have more of a yard.
Thanks for the comments, everyone! The husband says he appreciates your support of his contraption! LOL! Gee, and I thought you guys might help ME out
Very cool! No garden here but I did have little tomatoes in a patio pot last year and that was fun. I use to garden and canned tomatoes but no more.
I go to the local Organic farmer’s market and that works for me.
Awwwww ~ “The Contraption” IS LOVE! Your garden is doing awesome!
I love your tomatoes and cucumbers! When those are grown and ready to eat, please check out our website http://recipe4living.com for more ideas on how to cook with them!
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