J's Garden and Bacon

Gardening here in Senegal has been a learning experience. Jonathan planted sweet corn right away, but it was all carried off by the ants. He also planted Cucumbers, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Basil, Cantaloupe, and Sweet Potatoes. The cucumber plants are doing great, we have already enjoyed 3 of our own cucumbers. And the other day I used fresh basil in a salad dressing I made. 

The sweet potato grows daily. I guess this should be no surprise to us since this is a commonly grown here. Not planted by us but in full season right now is our grapefruit tree! Although Jonathan is the one with the green thumb, I have to admit there is something about having produce from your own garden. 

I am so proud of Jonathan and all his hard work, and if he's honest he is pretty proud of himself too!

^ Zucchini

^ Tomatoes

^ Cucumbers. This picture was taken about a month ago, they are actually much bigger now. 

^ 3rd Cucumber, I forgot to take a picture of the 1st and 2nd.

^ This is what I get when I ask him to hold his cucumber and look proud. Silly man!

^ Grapefruits

Oh the crazy things we do for love! I let Jonathan get a pig. Since moving here he has begged me for a goat, cow, pig, chickens, and a rabbit. I have said no to everything until last week. Ok, I take that back I did say he could get some chickens if he built them a pin. The bottom line is that our yard is just too small for all the animals Jonathan wants. But last week when he saw this pig, it was like he was a 5 year old boy who had just seen his dream toy at Walmart. He turned to me with the biggest brown eyes, clasping his hands together, and sticking out his bottom lip begging me to let him get a pig. "Please Babe! Please can I get a pig! Please I really want one! Look at that one, look how cute it is?! Please, I promise to take care of it!" And with my arms crossed I replied "NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!.........................Ok, fine whatever. Get a pig if you want it that bad."


He has told me that she (the pig) is not a pet. He intends to raise her to butcher and also to gain more knowledge how raising pigs. So should we ever help a pastor start a pig project he will have know how. To which I said "Yea, whatever you just wanted a pig!"
Take a look at the blog to see a picture of Jonathan and Bacon (thats right, he named her Bacon to remind him of her purpose).

^ Jonathan and Bacon

^ Her temporary pin. 

When we brought Bacon home, Jonathan didn't have a pin set up for her so he had to improvise. He decided that using this metal ring and digging a pit would be the best he could do for now. He picked a nice shady area of the yard and started to dig. At 3ft he stopped and put her in, and she just jumped right out. So he dug another foot and thought there is no way she is getting out now. Not, so! She jump 4 feet and was free again. While he dug a little more I went to find something to put over the top so she couldn't jump out. This is working for now, but we know she needs more space. 

^Bacon in her pit. She seems to be pretty happy. She loves corn on the cob and rice.

I've joked around and said "I think I'm going to regret letting him get a pig." But the truth is I won't, because it has made Jonathan so happy. For proof, just look at the picture above.