Mama Breaking the Mold

19/12/2023

Bring on the Christmas games 😊

13/12/2023

Alexzandrea King, MSIT, BSHR 😜

This weekend I did a thing 😌... choosing to get an MA in IT made me question more than my sanity but I walked away with a 3.96 GPA (🥴 .02 from an A in a class cost me a 4.0)...

Stepping into something different.

16/08/2023

The storm doesn't last always 🙂

08/06/2023

When your front flower bed is blooming so well that you use it for product shots 😍

05/02/2023

Our Two Live Crew turns four today!

24/12/2022

Ohhhh my love.... you're old 💜
Happiest of Birthdays...

22/08/2022

26/07/2022

Watching my kids marvel at our harvest gives me all the feels 😊

I'll be honest through the garden is in a weird space right now. It's somewhere between being to hot for fruit to produce and petering off early.

While this is the best year I've had to date for the garden the delayed start and early end is a bit annoying. I'll be looking at different varieties to grow next year to try and rectify these issues.

How's your garden going?

12/07/2022

These peppers will always be a must in my garden!

I stumbled upon candy cane peppers this year at Home Depot and I had to have them so I bought three 🤣

These are unique to me because both the leaves and fruit are variegated and I think their so dang beautiful. I will say they aren't the most prolific pepper I'm growing but I'm okay with that.

I will be over wintering my peppers this years in addition to a few other crops so we shall see how this goes.

What's your most unique crop lol I'm trying to see what I need to buy for next year 🤣

06/07/2022

My Greenstalks are BOOMING & so are those w**ds 🤣

Every year this grass (w**ds 🥴) live rent free off the fertilizer run out of my greenstalk and anywhere else I have things growing. I find best to manage them every week our two but picking them up and cutting them back down.

Being this isn't their permanent spot I just make do and it does just fine.

I know I can be the only one 🤣 who else has those super w**ds?

The video of me planting this up just went live on my channel (link in bio) if you'd like an in depth video of what's growing in here.

22/06/2022

Shout out for my first grandma basket harvest 🤣

This is the most that I've been able to pull from my garden that wasn't cherry tomatoes or cucumbers. So, needless to say I'm excited for the layout of the garden this year and can't wait to see what all comes from my shade garden.

Let me know below what's come out your garden so far.

22/06/2022

I like to consider myself somewhat of a companion planting QUEEN 🤣

I'm real big on using the space I have and companion planting is the name of the game to get the best out of the space you have.

This planter is in one of the spots that gets a solid amount of light. So, I have it filled with some of the plants that I really want to do well this year.

It contains blackberries (all year long so around), one kohlrabi, a sugar rush tomato, and impatiens for my something beautiful. All of which are growing and producing beautifully.

One tip for gardening like this is to make sure you're feeding your soil regularly. Otherwise nothing will thrive.

What's int your cutternt cram bucket and or what are you companion planting this year?

13/06/2022

When you grow celery for the first time and succeed... you have a photoshoot with your harvest 🤣

This year I grew celery from starts next year I plan on getting my indoor seed starting situation set up so I can start all my veggies.

Until then I'm living for my celery bundles.

We will be eating some fresh and the rest will be frozen to be used for stocks and dressings in the future.

07/06/2022

Did you know that all strawberries don't bloom a white single petal flower?

I learned of this a few years ago and could never locate established plants until this year.

The first image is from my sweet berry strawberry plant that produces deep pink double petal. They are everbearing (which means they produce all season) and I found them at Lowe's this year as a part of Bonnie's "Foodie Fresh" line. These hot pink blooms are a great contrast to my other berries that just have the traditional white single blooms.

The second image is of a hanging basket I got from Walmart this year on clearance this year. It was in bad shape so I'm not sure the variety nor did I know it would have double white petals either way it's really pretty.

What is a variety of strawberry you've experienced and loved or can do without?

17/05/2022

Humble beginnings 😊

🤣 I came across my first "garden" of memory. We were in a first floor apartment and I'd always wanted to grow something so I started off buying a strawberry plant. Then planted tomatoes in a small pot and it continued until I got a watermelon kit.

Back then I knew I was doing big things and I remember the joy I felt watching everything grow. Of course things died off rather quickly due to my lack of knowledge.

Now I'm beyond where I could have imagined and have goals of being sustainable for our family.

I say all this to say... just start. Nobody truly has a "black thumb" you just lack the know how. Good thing for you there are thousands of creator like myself sharing across all platforms ready and willing to share their knowledge. You just have to start.

P.S. look at all those tomatoes in that ONE pot 🤣 and yes I was surprised, shocked, and mad when things had the nerve to die lmao

09/05/2022

One small step for my little strawberry tower 😋

I got my first handful of berries the other day and I was beyond excited. I've noticed this is year, the second year for the tower, all the berries are WAY SWEETER than last year.

I'll also be saving suckered this year to expand my tower for next year. Currently, I've only had two and I've managed them by popping them in the dirt to form roots. Once the root system gets bigger I'll remove them to grow in their own space.

How are you managing your strawberries this year?

07/05/2022

My greenstalk is showing out!

Being I can't plant in my greenstalk until my grand birdies leave I've just let everything live its best life. This is what things are currently looking like and the pollinators have enjoyed every bit of these plants.

While my greenstalk has put a major damper in my starts having a place to grow it has been educational for me to see everything grow in full circle.

Look at how tall the beet sprout is!!

04/05/2022

You have chickens and I have a Yogi 🤣

The strawberry tower is in full swing and Yog is happy to take the ones we can't eat.

Between him and the twins I'm sure very few will make it inside. As they check the tower everytime they go outside.

This year I'll be rooting any suckers with homes of expanding to two towers next year.

So tell me, how are you growing your strawberries?

29/04/2022

my first bitty crops of 2022!

Although someone/ something nibbled on my radishes and my carrots are small I'm very happy 😊cause they are yummy.

These carrots were actually from Fall '21 and about to bolt due to this crazy weather so I pulled them. However, I have plenty more coming soon so stay tuned!

What have you gotten out of your 2022 garden so far?

27/04/2022

Ivy... my sweet girl

Thank you for everything ❤️

20/04/2022

Landscaping your own yard is real adulting and you can't convince me otherwise 🤣

We adulted.

We chose to freshen up the front of our home by building a wall around our flower beds in the front yard. With some tips from my husband's uncle we were able to get it done over the weekend

This weekend project really elevated the front of our home and I absolutely love it. I also added two new roses and lillies to the bed and I'll pop some annuals in when it gets a bit warmer.

If you'd like to check out the video feom start to finish head over to my YouTube channel.

19/04/2022

This is what it's come to 🤦🏾‍♀️

Today's high is 54° with a real feel of 49° and I think VA's weather is childish. My plants have been living outside for a long time now and the past two day they have been able to go outside and play.

I've officially ran out of space for them so they need to get in the ground soon. Hopefully, this next 10 day forecast will continue to warm up and they can go in the raised beds.

What have you been able to plant out in your zone?

19/04/2022

A cardinal has made my it's home.

While this is an exciting development I am very sad that I now have to throw away all of my Spring crops and soil currently growing in my greenstalk.

I'm not sure how much longer these babies have but I'll continue to peek in on them everyday.

I'll keep you guys posted on my grand birdies🤣

16/04/2022

"Grow something beautiful..." - Jess Sowers

My unspoken love is photography and now that my garden is coming into bloom prepare to be sick of me 🤣

I took this shot of these absolutely STUNNING osteospermums, commonly known as African daisies, that are a new addition to my garden this year and I'm truly in awe.

While I'm adding flowers for pollinators I'm also adding some that just make my heart happy. My hopes in growing something beautiful in my garden is that it will maintain the peace when the garden is at it's peak.

What is your something beautiful for your garden?

15/04/2022

Happy National Gardening Day!

It's only right I share a shot of this busy bee in my garden enjoying my bolted collards.

This is a first for me as I usually remove plants as soon as they look like they're going to bolt. However, this year I've chosen to leave them and it payed off cause I have a lot of pollinators stopping by. Now I just have to find something to bridge the gap when I have to remove them to plant Spring/ Summer crops. (Any tips are appreciated 😊)

Until then I'll enjoy these little visitors.

06/04/2022

Can you grow 3 Sq. Ft. of produce in 9 pots?

I shall see! I found the 9 Pot Plot in a book I got last year and this year I'm putting it to the test.

The concept is to grow 9 different crops in each pot (or grow bag in my case) rotating them from Spring to Summer crops. Giving you the same square footage as if you were growing in 3 sq.ft.

I've shared in detail what crops they recommend and what adjustments I made over on my YouTube channel. If you're interested please follow along it's not to late to grow your own food!

My goal is to share how easy it is to grow your own food with the space you have. If you know someone who's wanting to start a garden forward this post to them they'll thank you later. 😊

31/03/2022

The potential benefits of this "w**d" was mind blowing

It wasn't until late Summer last year that I learned of the potential benefits of dandelions. Some include:
•Reducing cholesterol
•Reducing inflammation
•Lowering blood pressure
•Aiding digestion

While these are only a few examples I encourage you to do a bit of research on this plant. I was shocked to find the whole plant is edible and provide different potential benefits.

In addition they are also great for pollinators as they are typically the first flower to bloom in the Spring.

I'll be pulling the roots to some of the plants to dry out next.

What are some of your favorite plants with benefits?

30/03/2022

When you get a bird feeder you become a bird watcher.

Speaking from experience 🤣

As you can see I now take pictures of said birds fighting over the bird feeder.

I actually enjoy watching all the different visitors we get. We also have a fat squirrel, named Frank, that eats the bird seed that falls on the ground. While them being in our yard isn't anything new seeing them in a central location is quite entertaining.

The garden is coming to life and I'm excited!

29/03/2022

Persistent to Bloom.

This cabbage had one goal in mind and its not letting anything stop it.

25/03/2022

May my newest cup bring all the bee vibes to my garden this year 🤣

No but really 😐 what methods are you guys using to attract pollinators to your garden?

My first year gardening I had one fat carpenter be and that was it. Since then I notice honey bees which let me know im getting better each year. I invision it like the bees are passing word of mouth that there's a new restaurant in town 🤣

This year I've add more planters where I'll be growing pollinator flowers that can grow in the shade so I'm excited to see how this season goes.

23/03/2022

I'm growing celery!!!!

Every year I add new veggies and fruit to my garden and this year is no different. I missed my timeline to grow celery from seed for my area but I was very pleased to find some starts at Home Depot (which I had never known the to have prior).

I will be growing my celery in this 10 gallon grown bag and so far so good. It did go through the motions cause the day I planted it we got a TON of rain. Which cause blight to the celery and a lot of my other plants. I have since picked off the damaged leaves and treated it so fingers crossed.

Let me know below you experience with grow bag and any tips you found to be game changers I'd love to hear from you guys. 😊 (also I recorded my celery planting over on YouTube if you'd like to go check it out)

19/03/2022

Having the twins in the garden with me is new... and stressful sometimes 🙃. Last year I kept them out of the garden and it ended up being more stressful for me. Often because they wanted to come out with me (and I didn't let them) so I started to limit my time in the garden.

This year they're in the garden and they have each taken their own interest. Mani is more into gardening and loves to plant seeds and play in the dirt. While Wil is a simple boy and just likes the dirt and the puddles. 😂

This year I'm working on being patient cause.... I'm struggling due to these gangster toddlers "picking flowers" off my fruits and veggies 🥴

Let me know who all is also prepping for this year in the garden I'd love to hear what you have going on!

13/03/2022

This curly kale is definitely the Rockstar of my Fall/ Winter garden!

I've had so many wins this season am excited to be prepping for Spring / Summer season.

My first goal is expand my garden large enough to sustain my family and even bigger plans will follow. For now I'm turning my waiting room into my classroom (as Jess from
says).

This is new and definitely different but I'm happy and excited. So I hope y'all stick around for this transition and check out my YouTube channel where I'll be documenting my journey.

13/03/2022

Today is hair day.. doom doom doom 🤣

One shall not be fool by this cuties smile as it is false advertisement for the journey ahead.

How do you guys make hair day "fun"?

08/03/2022

My smallest person but she's my first person 🤣

This nugget will most certainly be the big little sister of them all. Sometimes she's okay with it sometimes and others she's claims she's 6 feet tall.

Either way she's my Liver Nugget and we've had a wild ride to get here 🤪 I've lived half my life being her mama but it was undoubtedly the best decision I've ever made.

Being a teen mom and growing up with your nugget just hits different.

01/03/2022

My forever love
My cut up partner
My constant
My anchor

Excited for forever with you

Happy anniversary my love

27/02/2022

I love a good coffee mug 😊

So recently we added making mugs to our repertoire and I love it so much!

There's something about creating an endless amount of possibilities. This is part of my first line of designs and I love it so much.

You're still whole no matter what phase your in

26/02/2022

If Starbucks ever needs new product testers I've got two that will provide honest reviews 🤣

One was looking for more and the other was throughly pleased.. Although neither actually finished their treat it was funny watching them try and figure out what they were given.

23/02/2022

The "To live crew" turned three at this month and I still can't believe how fast time has gone by.

I still find myself shocked sometimes when I have conversations with them now. Mani is sassy and sweet as they come and has this motherly instinct for her brother like no other. She loves cucumbers, salads, and is the stongest eater of the two. Wil is jumping off everything and punching everything all while mostly consuming cereal and pop tarts. 🥴

Summary: check on your mom friends they're making toddlers different these days

22/02/2022

Pinning anchors ⚓️

This past week we celebrated my husband's advancement to EMC and I couldn't be more proud. He's dedicated so much time and hardwork to get to this point and I'm honored to have been apart of this achievement.

Plenty more to come Boo keep up the good work.