Cody is now working on visual arts and graphic design. You can tell by looking below, he loves monsters. And personally, I love HIS monsters. They are just incredible to me.

Cody designed our logo for Owl’s Nest. Isn’t it amazing?! We just completely love it!

Here are some other pieces of Cody’s.

Cody’s Contact Info:

His blog:  http://ironandbone.com.

His website: http://cargocollective.com/codytumblin

His twitter: http://twitter.com/codytumblin

The first thing you have to do is PLOT. I chose to use a method of gardening called Square Foot Gardening. The reason I chose this is that you get more veggies per square foot.

Rather than planting in rows (which takes a lot of space), you plant in squares.

I found a really cool blog on square foot gardening that has a lot of great resources. Check it out if you are planning a garden!

The way that you create a square foot garden, is by blocking off your garden in square feet. Ah! clever right?

First you will need a few supplies.

Some people use thin pieces of wood to section off the garden, but I’m cheap and used Fence Ties

and Twisted Mason Line

How to Plot Your Garden in Square Feet:

Step #1: Begin by measuring your garden into square feet. If you are making a 4′ x 4′ bed, you will have 16 sq ft. 

Step #2: Mark the squares with fence ties

Step #3: Mark the rows with Mason Line

Continue sectioning off rows…

Step #4: Repeat Step #3 in the opposite direction until all square feet are marked.

How easy is that? Now you get to start planning and planting where your plants will go.

There is a great resource on Companion Planting (which basically means what plants like being next to each other) here. It is important that you do this so that the plants are happy with their neighbors (we all know how terrible it is to have bad neighbors!).

I used these Large T-Labels to mark what plants were it what square.

But I also drew up a diagram to help me know where each plant was supposed to go.

Begin by writing in sharpie the names of all the plants you are planting on your labels and put them in their appropriate square.

Lay out plants and/or seeds in their squares

And then dig dig dig and plant!

And there ya have it! You’re very own garden!

Just a quick note about Square Foot Gardening…

On your plants or seed packaging it will tell you how far apart each seed or plant needs to be from each other and how far apart rows need to be from each other. For Sq. Ft. Gardening, ignore how far apart rows need to be and just pay attention to the distance between seeds.

For instance:

• 12″ apart, plant 1 per square
• 6″ apart, plant 4 per square
• 4″ apart, plant 9 per square
• 3″ apart (or less), plant 16 per square

Now that you’ve got that down, its time to fill them!

With what? Dirt!

I filled mine with a mix of dirt.

For a 4′ x 4′ x 12″ bed, I used: 3 bags garden soil (1 cubic foot bag) , 2 bags mushroom compost (1 cu ft bag) , and 2 bags top soil (40 lb bag);

1/2 bag of Worn Castings (1 1/2 cu ft);

and a 6 lb. bag of Miracle-Gro Organic Choice All Purpose Organic Plant Food (for in-ground flowers and vegetables).

To this, I added a bit of dirt from the ground, cardboard boxes, and newspaper.

How to Fill Your Raised Beds:

Step #1: Start by loosening the ground dirt (and weeds) with a shovel. Then add a layer of cardboard and water. 

It is incredibly important to add water to your cardboard so it will compost! The purpose of the cardboard is to suffocate any weeds or grass that are still left under the bed.

Step #2: Add all bags of garden soil, mushroom compost, and the half bag of worm castings. Mix well and level.

Step #3: Add a bit of Miracle Grow Organic Plant Food to dirt and mix well. Level.

Step #4: Add a layer of newspaper on top of the mixed soil. Water.

Again, this is to prevent weeds from growing.

Step #5: Add all bags of top soil on top of the news paper. Level. Water.

You may need to level again after the bed has been watered.

And there ya go! Next up, plotting and planting!

How to Fill Your Raised Bed Garden (for 4 x 4 bed):

Supplies:

• 3 bags garden soil (1 cubic foot bag)
• 2 bags mushroom compost (1 cu ft bag)
• 2 bags top soil (40 lb bag).
• 1/2 bag of Worn Castings (1 1/2 cu ft)
• 1 6lb. bag of MiracleGrow Organic Plant Food (For in-ground flowers and vegetables)
• shovel
• cardboard
• newspaper

But then, I go to my friends houses and they have nothing. nada. zip. But here’s the deal…there’s nothing worse than being sick and having to run to the drugstore to grab medicine. So my advice is stock up before you’re sick. That way, when you are sick, the only trip you have to make to get medicine is from your bed to your bathroom.

Here are some essentials I always keep on hand:

• Pain, headache, and fever management. I always have a few different kinds of pain meds on hand: TYLENOL – for pain, fever reducer; IBUPROFEN – for pain, fever reducer, anti-inflammatory; EXCEDRIN – best for headaches; and MIDOL – for menstrual cramps, bloating, etc. Also, always make sure to have a THERMOMETER on hand!
• Cold, congestion, and cough. My favorites for cold are TYLENOL COLD- the all in one cold medicine for everything – cough, headache, sore throat, and sinus gunk; MUCINEX – cough suppressant and expectorant, SUDAFED - decongestant; and COUGH DROPS
• Allergies and Itching. Always have BENADRYL – sneezing, itchy and water eyes, runny nose and sore throat (also works perfect as sleeping aid); HYDROCORTISONE CREAM - for bugbites, poison ivy, oak, etc; VISINE – eye drops
• Digestive Issues. – I always keep PEPTO BISMAL on hand – for nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, heartburn, and upset stomach; IMODIUM – for gas, diarrhea, bloating, and pressure
• Bandages & Ointments. I always have the variety pack of BANDAIDS; HYDROGEN PEROXIDE- for cleaning wounds; and NEOSPORIN - to prevent infections on wounds; ALOE VERA GEL – to heal and soothe burns

Once you have these, you will almost never have to go to the drugstore while being sick. You’ll feel a lot more confident about being sick (ha! sounds crazy right?) now that you have all the necessary medicines to help you feel better.

Question: What do you keep in your medicine cabinet? Did I miss anything?

Wye Oak consists of the amazing duo from Baltimore, Maryland Jenn Wasner (vocals, guitar) and Andy Stack (drums, keyboard, backup vocals.

I found their music while searching on iTunes for new music. I had never heard of the band before, but was definitely pleasantly surprised! And I hope you will be too.

Civilian carries dark revelations, with songs that reflect unflinchingly on death, loveless relationships, and the unshakable panic at humanity’s core—“a terror quiet calm,” as Wasner calls it on the ethereal, dread-inducing hymn “The Alter.” Civilian centers on that quiet terror, and like the soothing balm of a good friendship, makes it a little more palatable. -Steve Hayden, A.V. Club

This album is definitely haunting in certain pleasant way. Wasner’s voice sounds like a intimate echo of the dark parts of our hearts. I, personally, can’t stop listening to it. One of my new favorites!

Below you can listen to my personal two favorite songs off the album and also purchase the album or whatever songs you’d like from the link below.

Listen Here:

Two Small Deaths

Civilian

Buy Here:

Click here to buy MP3 download

Question: What do you think of Wye Oak’s latest album “Civilians”?

I did a lot of research on the best, easiest way for starting a vegetable garden and found out that raised beds are the way to go.

#1 they help you contain the garden

and

#2 they don’t get as many weeds (not to mention you get to control the dirt).

So lets get right to it!

Here are the supplies you will need for a 4×4 bed:

4 pieces of UNTREATED standard pine wood. Dimensions are 2” x 12” x 4′

The picture above shows the difference between treated (2 pieces of wood on the left) and untreated (2 pieces of wood on right). I had the majority of my wood untreated but realized after I got home from the store, I was missing 2 pieces and the place I went next only had treated.

The reason you want untreated wood is that it will not leak chemicals or toxins into your dirt and then into your plants. But here’s the thing, if you are planning to use the beds for more than 2 seasons, you will need to get a rot resistant wood like cedar. (I am not using mine for more than that so I chose pine).

Next, you will need a small box of Deckmate 3” Screws.

These screws are made for outdoors, so they are more durable.

That’s what they look like out of the box. 

You will also needs a Screw Driver.

Okay so those are the supplies.

Now to build it.

Step 1: Align 2 pieces of wood up so they are perpendicular to each other.

Step 2: Screw in 3 screws (top, middle, and bottom)

(P.S. It really helps if your guy friends help. Thankfully I have 2 awesome neighbors who helped me!)

Step 3: Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you have created a box.

Step 4: Make sure the ground where your bed is going to go is level. If not (like mine) dig until it is!

Step 5: Place bed onto LEVEL ground and jump! (See my friend Drew below). This is to get in set into the ground.

Step 6: Hammer corners to set them even better.

And voila! You’ve got a raised bed.

Next comes the dirt! Stay tuned. Post tomorrow on how to fill your raised bed!

How to Build 4×4 Raised Garden Beds

Supplies:

• 4 pieces of UNTREATED standard pine wood – Dimensions are 2” x 12” x 4′
• Deckmate 3” Screws
• Screw Driver
  

Number 1: Cover Girl Lash Blast Fusion $8.99

The Lash Blast Fusion by Cover Girl is the best mascara I have found with hard bristles. I have found that I have to apply this twice. Right eye, left eye, then right again, and left again to make my lashes hard, long, and have extra volume. The great thing about this is that it comes off very easily which is a plus in my book.

Number 2: Revlon Grow Luscious $8.99

The Grow Luscious mascara by Revlon is the best mascara I have found with soft bristles. This always makes lashes look full. The soft bristles help separate the lashes to make them all full and touched by the mascara. The only downside is that I have trouble getting this mascara to come off even when it is not waterproof.

Number 3: Chanel Inimitable $30.00

The best pricey mascara with hard bristles is Chanel’s mascara. Chanel, oh my favorite source for make-up, clothing, and accessories! Chanel is such a magical word to me! The bristles are shorter and hard so you have to touch the brush to all of your lashes. This mascara stays on the exact way you applied it for at least 12 hours. It’s the best to use when you go out and want to make sure your lashes look the same all night.

Number 4: Benefit Bad Gal Lash $19.00

Bad Gal Lash by Benefit is the best pricey Mascara with soft bristles. If you want full long lashes this is what you need. I don’t know how or why but my lashes look the longest and fullest with this mascara. They look like I have on the perfect fake eyelashes. It comes off easy and works wonders with just one swipe onto the lashes.

Question: What is your favorite brand of mascara?

It is incredibly important to me to have fresh local food available. And, come on, is there anything more local than your backyard!?!

I have no clue what I’m doing but I’m doin’ it anyway!

I started by doing some research on first year gardens. The biggest thing I heard was, don’t over commit yourself and use raised beds.

I ordered some seeds from Seed Savers Exchange. I heard about this company through Martha Stewart’s show (it’s the catalogue she uses). So I decided why not. I ordered my catalogue and let me tell you. In the words of one of my neighbors:

This is like looking at porn. But better.

And the truth is, it definitely is! It was incredibly hard for me to not order every single thing they offered but here is what I did get (in short):

• Heirloom Tomatoes
• Corn
• Beans
• Lettuce
• Kale
• Broccoli
• Cucumber
• Potatoes
• Leeks
• Tomatillos
• Herbs
• Eggplant
• Pepper
• Carrots

Whoa, maybe I did get carried away! Ha!

I like how the packages give you tips of growing that kind of plant and the pictures are gorgeous!

A couple weeks ago I start by sowing my seeds. I found these cool Peet Seed Starters at Ace Hardware (one of my very favorite places!).

I planted them all and now am just waiting for them to germinate! A few have sprouted.

I’ve realized however, that I started a bit late on sowing my seeds. So I went to a local farm plant sale and bought some different plants that were ready to be put in the ground.

I got:

• Basil (green and purple)
• 2 different types of Bell Peppers
• 3 different types of Tomatoes
• Corn
• Romaine Lettuce
• Herbs (Rosemary, tarragon, oregano, mint, cilantro, lavender, sage)
• Strawberries
• Okra

I am so excited to see how all of them do! I will hopefully be learning that I DO have a green thumb!

So here you go. Want to know how to turn a regular old guy into a gentleman without saying anything…then read on.

1. Don’t open doors for yourself. When you are approaching a door and there is a man around, slow down and wait for him to open it for it. I don’t care if that guy is an 80 -year-old man or your boyfriend. Let him open it for you. And ladies, this goes for car doors as well. Just stand there…he will eventually get it. And I totally understand this is incredibly unnatural to do in this day and age, but just trust me. You want him to be a gentleman right? Then start acting like a lady. And ladies never open their own doors.
2. Cut it out with the cleavage and the short skirts. It might get you a lot of attention, but it doesn’t mean that he is going to respect you or treat you like a lady. You get pissed when his eyes stay below your neck anyway, so just put on a courtesy tanktop or some tights. Please. Other women will thank you, too.
3. Take the dang jacket! A true gentleman will always offer his jacket to a lady…and a true lady will ALWAYS take it. I don’t care if is the ugliest, biggest jacket you’ve ever seen, just take it. He’s trying to be a gentleman, so make it easy for him and be a lady.
4. Trust HIM to LEAD. I know this is hard. But if he says he knows where he’s going, trust him. You may get lost 5 times before you get to where you’re trying to go. But don’t correct him. Just trust that he is a smart enough person to figure it out on his own. Trust him with other women. There’s nothing less lady like than a cat fight. So just trust him. And with that being said…
5. Stop putting up with his crap. He hasn’t called you in a week and you’ve been together for 6 months? He treats you like crap? He ignors you when other women are around? Kick him to the curb and move on. No lady will stay with a douch bag.
6. Stop being a slut. If you want to be treated like a lady, then stop acting like a slut. Ladies require a man to earn her trust before rewarding him with any kind of physical action. So stop giving your goodies away for free.
7. Say “Thank you.”When a guy pays for you, opens a door for you, or says you look beautiful. The appropriate response isn’t, “You shouldn’t have.” “No its okay, I’ll get it,” or “Oh my gosh I look like crap.” The appropriate response is: “Thank you.” Period. Leave it at that.
8. Stop Your Bitching. Girls and guys alike do NOT like being around a girl who doesn’t stop bitching. Don’t bitch about your roommate, your boss, or how much crap you have to do. Just shut up. Its annoying.
9. Stop gossiping. There isn’t anything attractive or ladylike about gossip. Talking about the girl who sits by you in class or how you heard that your best friends boyfriend cheated on her behind her back is just plain disgusting.
10. Respect Yourself. A true lady always respects herself. That means: if someone isn’t respecting her, she leaves them be. Know who you are. Know what you deserve. And don’t settle.

Question for Girls: In your eyes, what makes a true lady? What are you doing (that isn’t listed) to be a lady?

Question for Guys: Do you agree with this list? What qualities make a lady in your mind?