Checking In After the First Week

We've done SO much gardening this week, in so many different locations and situations. Including: container gardening (herbs & heathers), construction (a stairway railing and the posts for a new gate-all done
by Ed), wild flower plant surveying in a local meadow, weeding and planting in a garden right on the high street (the lady at the chemists across the street brought us tea!), ripping out monster-size brambles (blackberries), nettles & weedy rhododendrons (Rhododendron ponticum AKA 'The Plant that Ate Western Scotland'). We even made a trip to a local nursery as well as to the B&Q, which looks eerily like another big orange box store at home....

How We're Holding Up
Ron & Linda have been keeping our spirits up with their boundless enthusiasm, jokes (Ron), superior sweeping (Linda,who raises sweeping to a level of art) and determination. Celicia, Joanna & Katie are always present, willing & able, and Ed & Julie are all about getting the job done! Brad, Colleen & CJ have been getting out there in the garden as well, in between childcare sessions and project management. Gracie and Henry are loving life in Scotland! Gracie has made some friends here and has been practicing her accent, and a photo session of Henry in a kilt is upcoming.
A Word of Advice

Probably the biggest mishap in the garden so far was not the funnel cloud or the accents, but something that happened to our own Celicia.....word to the wise-if you are going to jam your spading fork (short pitchfork-type tool) into the ground next to you, make sure your foot is nowhere in the vicinity! She is okay, and thanks be to God the fork went right between two toes! So first blood goes to Celicia, and we are all thankful she is okay.
R & R
Today we were scheduled to work all morning in the Marsh Garden, and what with the spitting down rain, the sore backs and beginnings of head colds, we decided to take the morning OFF! We all rested and got caught up on the rest of  life.This afternoon we  felt much better and so we split up between three different sites, working at the Seamill Centre, doing a wildflower survey in the newly planted community orchard & meadow, and planting buddlias in a garden made from a disused quarry. We are encouraged and inspired by all that we've gotten accomplished, the good conversations, prayers (Katie got to pray over a local woman for healing,) and seeds sown. This weekend we look forward to: Saturday-a day off! Some of us are bound for Edinburgh, and others for a wedding in Belfast!! The Franklins are driving up north with the kids to visit the bonny banks of Loch Lomond and to moo at the Highland cows (pronounced coos.) Thanks for all your prayers, we love you all!!!