Went on holiday to Couple's Negril, Jamaica for a week. Had a beachfront cottage and loved waking up to the sound of the ocean each morning. They had a veggie grill, just steps away from the cottage and so finding something to eat was too easy.
I got a couple very nice images of the beach and will post when I get off my duff and download them from the camera.
Survived Christmas and looking forward to the New Year.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
I'm done with December, already
I'm already tired of the cold and I promised myself I would not start whining about it until at least February.
At least it was dry and sunny, so that Fi and Amy and I got to go outside and play around and not come in dripping with mud. Amy did manage to arrive back into the house with a huge swoop of mud on one side of her chest, but otherwise, not too muddy.
Fat Man Who Smells Like Sausage (fmwsls) made a fire yesterday evening and they were in heaven! He pulled both of their beds closer to the fire and they instantly took to them and slept there for a good two hours. Then, Fiona must have gotten too hot, for she yawned and then lumbered over to the tv area to stretch out on the rug in front of us.
I have been collecting all the poly fil that they pull out of every single chew toy they get and finally got enough of it to stuff a good size 'mattress' for them. I just sewed a zipper into a big dog bed cover that I already had and it made a great fluffy pillow that each of them enjoys mushing down and curling up in.
I must say that the curtains between the conservatory and the study are working wonders along with the baseboard heater we purchased. I can keep the rest of the residence fairly chilly and still be quite comfortable sitting still to surf the net or watch some telly.
I promise to get back to a gardening topic in a few days; it's just hard to transition down from balls-to-the-wall horticulture. I have sort of enjoyed hanging out in the house for a bit, so bear with me until I get my priorities straight again.
Mostly I hide from the leaves.
At least it was dry and sunny, so that Fi and Amy and I got to go outside and play around and not come in dripping with mud. Amy did manage to arrive back into the house with a huge swoop of mud on one side of her chest, but otherwise, not too muddy.
Fat Man Who Smells Like Sausage (fmwsls) made a fire yesterday evening and they were in heaven! He pulled both of their beds closer to the fire and they instantly took to them and slept there for a good two hours. Then, Fiona must have gotten too hot, for she yawned and then lumbered over to the tv area to stretch out on the rug in front of us.
I have been collecting all the poly fil that they pull out of every single chew toy they get and finally got enough of it to stuff a good size 'mattress' for them. I just sewed a zipper into a big dog bed cover that I already had and it made a great fluffy pillow that each of them enjoys mushing down and curling up in.
I must say that the curtains between the conservatory and the study are working wonders along with the baseboard heater we purchased. I can keep the rest of the residence fairly chilly and still be quite comfortable sitting still to surf the net or watch some telly.
I promise to get back to a gardening topic in a few days; it's just hard to transition down from balls-to-the-wall horticulture. I have sort of enjoyed hanging out in the house for a bit, so bear with me until I get my priorities straight again.
Mostly I hide from the leaves.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Murder and Mayhem in the Conservatory
If I was playing the board game CLUE, I would say "The gardener, in the conservatory, with a knife".
I have this pretty little Kalanchoe (well, little for most Kalanchoe cultivars) that has been pretty for exactly one week of his miserable little life with me. I have fought every disease and bug for exactly a year and I finally had enough. I re-potted him into better draining soil; he got a clay pot; he got some extended fertilizing; then he got liquid fertilize; then he got cut back of diseased foliage; then he got the best spot on the patio for sun and air; then he got sprayed with non-toxic chemicals; then he got sprayed with systemic chemicals (cut off any attempts to flower so as not to kill any beneficials that might want the nectar); then he was happy the rest of the summer.
Then he came inside and I gave him the best spot in the Conservatory, in spite of the wails and moans of the orchid who got the backseat to the sunniest spot. Did he appreciate all this work? NOOOOOOO. I go in there and between one water and the next, he is COVERED in mildew!
I mean on the stems, on 90% of the leaves, it's like, everywhere! I look around, maybe somebody gave him the downy flu? Nope, everybody else is clean. He is alone of the table, no competition, no touching; nothing.
At first I think I will combat this problem with alcohol; maybe that will kill the mildew. Next, I spray it with a baking soda solution. As I am doing this, it hits me; nothing I can do will fix this little demon plant. I could cut it all back again, but I hate to do that in winter as it's a struggle this time of year to have the energy to flush out a new leaf set.
Then I decide it's survival of the fittest and I place his infested little butt onto the front porch.
I can't help it; It's over between us; he is dead to me. I can't take it anymore.
Barely recovered from the drama of kicking one plant out into the cold, I turn around and my bonsai poinsettia is 'alive'. Stupid whiteflies! Granted, there are only a few on it, but in one more week it will be Louisville International Airport for the little buggers. What really gripes me is I really love this little guy. He is soooo cute in his little pot with his green and white leaves. I was so proud of him.
So, I took him outside and sprayed him thoroughly and left him outside. Since it was going to get cold, but not freezing, I thought that would do the job. Well, it did. He did not appreciate the 37-ish temps and curled a few on-fence-anyway leaves, but came through my intervention. I brought him in tonight and put him in the garden water closet (little heat and less light) to acclimate. I tell him; 'What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, love'.
I then eyeball the lemon verbena in the water closet and decide she is not infected and will be allowed to join her plant brethren in the conservatory [I imagine I hear a tiny sigh of relief].
The rose geranium is looking rather thin, so I will plop her up closer to the window and give her spot the verbena. Both of them have a nasty habit of being lousy with whitefly, so they best be clean the next time I water, or I swear I will make tea and pound cake out of them.
On a more positive front, I am currently winning the battle over the scale on the lime tree. Cinnamon oil seems to work wonders and is non-toxic. Also I have not had any leaf scorch, even in summer. I just keep a bottle of alcohol and some cotton balls and de-louse it every couple of weeks.
This plant has me at it's mercy. He KNOWS he will not be given up on and so he torments me, endlessly. He gives me a lime as big as a lemon and then becomes consumed with scale. I clean each leaf, each stem, waiting for a warm day to kick him out and spray him. He bounds back and puts on a heavenly aroma a flowers and the process starts again. I'm an enabler, true, but he gives me citrus in winter and I never have to leave my house for it.
Oh, no, I just realized something.....
I am now my lime trees' garden flunky.
I have this pretty little Kalanchoe (well, little for most Kalanchoe cultivars) that has been pretty for exactly one week of his miserable little life with me. I have fought every disease and bug for exactly a year and I finally had enough. I re-potted him into better draining soil; he got a clay pot; he got some extended fertilizing; then he got liquid fertilize; then he got cut back of diseased foliage; then he got the best spot on the patio for sun and air; then he got sprayed with non-toxic chemicals; then he got sprayed with systemic chemicals (cut off any attempts to flower so as not to kill any beneficials that might want the nectar); then he was happy the rest of the summer.
Then he came inside and I gave him the best spot in the Conservatory, in spite of the wails and moans of the orchid who got the backseat to the sunniest spot. Did he appreciate all this work? NOOOOOOO. I go in there and between one water and the next, he is COVERED in mildew!
I mean on the stems, on 90% of the leaves, it's like, everywhere! I look around, maybe somebody gave him the downy flu? Nope, everybody else is clean. He is alone of the table, no competition, no touching; nothing.
At first I think I will combat this problem with alcohol; maybe that will kill the mildew. Next, I spray it with a baking soda solution. As I am doing this, it hits me; nothing I can do will fix this little demon plant. I could cut it all back again, but I hate to do that in winter as it's a struggle this time of year to have the energy to flush out a new leaf set.
Then I decide it's survival of the fittest and I place his infested little butt onto the front porch.
I can't help it; It's over between us; he is dead to me. I can't take it anymore.
Barely recovered from the drama of kicking one plant out into the cold, I turn around and my bonsai poinsettia is 'alive'. Stupid whiteflies! Granted, there are only a few on it, but in one more week it will be Louisville International Airport for the little buggers. What really gripes me is I really love this little guy. He is soooo cute in his little pot with his green and white leaves. I was so proud of him.
So, I took him outside and sprayed him thoroughly and left him outside. Since it was going to get cold, but not freezing, I thought that would do the job. Well, it did. He did not appreciate the 37-ish temps and curled a few on-fence-anyway leaves, but came through my intervention. I brought him in tonight and put him in the garden water closet (little heat and less light) to acclimate. I tell him; 'What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, love'.
I then eyeball the lemon verbena in the water closet and decide she is not infected and will be allowed to join her plant brethren in the conservatory [I imagine I hear a tiny sigh of relief].
The rose geranium is looking rather thin, so I will plop her up closer to the window and give her spot the verbena. Both of them have a nasty habit of being lousy with whitefly, so they best be clean the next time I water, or I swear I will make tea and pound cake out of them.
On a more positive front, I am currently winning the battle over the scale on the lime tree. Cinnamon oil seems to work wonders and is non-toxic. Also I have not had any leaf scorch, even in summer. I just keep a bottle of alcohol and some cotton balls and de-louse it every couple of weeks.
This plant has me at it's mercy. He KNOWS he will not be given up on and so he torments me, endlessly. He gives me a lime as big as a lemon and then becomes consumed with scale. I clean each leaf, each stem, waiting for a warm day to kick him out and spray him. He bounds back and puts on a heavenly aroma a flowers and the process starts again. I'm an enabler, true, but he gives me citrus in winter and I never have to leave my house for it.
Oh, no, I just realized something.....
I am now my lime trees' garden flunky.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
Thank goodness we are going out to eat today, instead of being chained to the kitchen all day and stuck with leftovers for a month!
Right now, it's a sunny, chilly day. The clouds and rain are supposed to roll in later in the day. Forty percent chance of rain, they say. Amy and Fi are curled up in a sunny spot in front of the south facing window in the bedroom. They have had their morning romp outside and some breakfast and are now content to chill out.
Today they get their first Thanksgiving feast; a can of wet food. It's got venison and potatoes and peas. I will mix it with some wet kibble, to slow down the gobble. They really don't inhale their food, unless it's extra yummy, like today, for example.
No Garden work today. I received some great garden books in the mail and plan to spend the rest of the day vegetating on the couch with some "8x10 colored glossys with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back.."
And, of course, catching 'Alice's Restaurant' on the radio.
Have a great day, Internet surfers!
Right now, it's a sunny, chilly day. The clouds and rain are supposed to roll in later in the day. Forty percent chance of rain, they say. Amy and Fi are curled up in a sunny spot in front of the south facing window in the bedroom. They have had their morning romp outside and some breakfast and are now content to chill out.
Today they get their first Thanksgiving feast; a can of wet food. It's got venison and potatoes and peas. I will mix it with some wet kibble, to slow down the gobble. They really don't inhale their food, unless it's extra yummy, like today, for example.
No Garden work today. I received some great garden books in the mail and plan to spend the rest of the day vegetating on the couch with some "8x10 colored glossys with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back.."
And, of course, catching 'Alice's Restaurant' on the radio.
Have a great day, Internet surfers!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Must...break...free.....
Evidently, since GF (you know what it stands for if you have read other posts) was not in the mood to go outside, it must have rubbed off on me. My big outdoor adventure consisted of throwing a bit of ball to the gurls and then going food shopping.
I wasted a perfectly good day, and I ask myself; how many more are there going to be before it's bitter cold?
At least, when I go to work later in the day, I will be forced to enjoy the outdoors, as that's what my job requires. Probably be sawing up cut trees for use as greenery. I find that, after I cut up a zillion trees and lug it all around to make a zillion mini trees, and wreaths, show show a zillion people how to do it in class, and then sweep up and cart away all the leftovers to the dump pile, I start to snarl at the very thought of the holidays.
I think this is probably how a lot of people who are in the retail business and who have a big push around the holiday period must feel. Of course, I'm sure there are just as many people who thrive on the "fun". Weirdos.
Must be like weeding; it's either a challenge or it's drudgery-no middle ground.
I wasted a perfectly good day, and I ask myself; how many more are there going to be before it's bitter cold?
At least, when I go to work later in the day, I will be forced to enjoy the outdoors, as that's what my job requires. Probably be sawing up cut trees for use as greenery. I find that, after I cut up a zillion trees and lug it all around to make a zillion mini trees, and wreaths, show show a zillion people how to do it in class, and then sweep up and cart away all the leftovers to the dump pile, I start to snarl at the very thought of the holidays.
I think this is probably how a lot of people who are in the retail business and who have a big push around the holiday period must feel. Of course, I'm sure there are just as many people who thrive on the "fun". Weirdos.
Must be like weeding; it's either a challenge or it's drudgery-no middle ground.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Good Day for Gardening
It's 9:30 A.M. and already the sun is warm and bright. I actually got some housework done this morning, so I am feeling very productive, thank you very much. I am waiting for the dew to burn off the lawn, so I won't be as soggy (my bum, at least) when I finish weeding the last of the back border.
I have just a few items to get into the ground, and may ask my Garden Flunky to help me, if he is in the mood for some manual labor. I'm thinking the answer is going to be 'NO', but at least I inquired. It's not a big deal; it's just nice to have someone else dig a hole or two. My CTS is very much improved, so I think I can do a little weeding without if flaring back up big-time.
I must get a picture of the view outside our library. A crimson Japanese maple looks so wonderful against its' background of nandina bushes. They are loaded this year with those red berries. Last week the Robins found them and they were so lovely sitting on the foliage and picking the fruit. Their orange chests perfectly complemented the plant grouping. I have been trying to get a shot, but the second they spy any movement from the interior, off they fly.
I'm pretty much down to just working in the front, but that won't take long thank goodness.
And the leaves, for heaven's sake, always the leaves.
I have just a few items to get into the ground, and may ask my Garden Flunky to help me, if he is in the mood for some manual labor. I'm thinking the answer is going to be 'NO', but at least I inquired. It's not a big deal; it's just nice to have someone else dig a hole or two. My CTS is very much improved, so I think I can do a little weeding without if flaring back up big-time.
I must get a picture of the view outside our library. A crimson Japanese maple looks so wonderful against its' background of nandina bushes. They are loaded this year with those red berries. Last week the Robins found them and they were so lovely sitting on the foliage and picking the fruit. Their orange chests perfectly complemented the plant grouping. I have been trying to get a shot, but the second they spy any movement from the interior, off they fly.
I'm pretty much down to just working in the front, but that won't take long thank goodness.
And the leaves, for heaven's sake, always the leaves.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
should have taken 'em both to daycare
These two furry kids have drove me bonkers today. Fi rolled in so much mud, she was brown, instead of brindle. Then, she had a romp session in the master bedroom and got the recently cleaned carpet filthy. It's now drying after a light cleaning and is perfectly fine, but I was NOT planning on cleaning carpet today.
The mud room is a hovel! there is dirt, mud, puppy tracks and chewed up sticks all over the floor. While the new curtains certainly block out cold air, it also blocks out my view of the little vandals until it's too late and the deed is done.
Oh, yes, never try to sweep and mop a floor with two nosy dogs following your every move-all across the freshly washed floor, I might add. Then, they had much fun 'helping' me to re-arrange the food pantry by eating anything I dropped (edible or not) or trying to steal whatever they could reach on the lower shelves and could carry without being caught.
The good news is that fiona likes black eyed peas (uncooked and hard as bb's) and Amy loves rancid pizza crust flour.
I want to yell "just wait 'til your Father gets home!", but of course, right now they are sleeping like two little angels and the tyranny is over.....
For the moment.
The mud room is a hovel! there is dirt, mud, puppy tracks and chewed up sticks all over the floor. While the new curtains certainly block out cold air, it also blocks out my view of the little vandals until it's too late and the deed is done.
Oh, yes, never try to sweep and mop a floor with two nosy dogs following your every move-all across the freshly washed floor, I might add. Then, they had much fun 'helping' me to re-arrange the food pantry by eating anything I dropped (edible or not) or trying to steal whatever they could reach on the lower shelves and could carry without being caught.
The good news is that fiona likes black eyed peas (uncooked and hard as bb's) and Amy loves rancid pizza crust flour.
I want to yell "just wait 'til your Father gets home!", but of course, right now they are sleeping like two little angels and the tyranny is over.....
For the moment.
A Good Rain
It has not rained in a while here in Derby city and so I was becoming quite tired of schlepping water around the garden to all the new plants I had put into the ground. It began raining a very light, wimpy rain last night and I was 'underwhelmed', as a friend puts it.
This A.M. I woke up to a real rain. I got up at 5:30, hoping the catch a bit of the meteor shower, but it's too cloudy, so nothing to see, darn it.
No gardening, just housework today. I have insulated curtains to put up in the office and mud room. That way, I can keep the conservatory much cooler and still be comfortable while working at the PC. Also, the dog door can stay open in cold weather without making the kitchen so cold that it kick-starts the furnace. The added bonus is we don't have to get up and let the pups out every time they imagine they need to go outside and defend the castle!
Decided to make dinner and go over the Good Fairy's house after she got home from work. I think it made it a bit easier for them to have someone to talk to about Bella. We also got a visit from another set of friends that wanted to come by for the 'wake' as we got to calling it. I know they appreciated having people around who understood their pain.
We think Bella died from gastric torsion, which is very common in giant breeds. It tends to happen between the hours of 2 am to 6 am, which is just the time it hit her, evidently. So, to anyone who reads this and has a wide chested dog (small dogs included), it pays to check this condition out, so you will know the signs and maybe Bella's death will save some other pups life.
This A.M. I woke up to a real rain. I got up at 5:30, hoping the catch a bit of the meteor shower, but it's too cloudy, so nothing to see, darn it.
No gardening, just housework today. I have insulated curtains to put up in the office and mud room. That way, I can keep the conservatory much cooler and still be comfortable while working at the PC. Also, the dog door can stay open in cold weather without making the kitchen so cold that it kick-starts the furnace. The added bonus is we don't have to get up and let the pups out every time they imagine they need to go outside and defend the castle!
Decided to make dinner and go over the Good Fairy's house after she got home from work. I think it made it a bit easier for them to have someone to talk to about Bella. We also got a visit from another set of friends that wanted to come by for the 'wake' as we got to calling it. I know they appreciated having people around who understood their pain.
We think Bella died from gastric torsion, which is very common in giant breeds. It tends to happen between the hours of 2 am to 6 am, which is just the time it hit her, evidently. So, to anyone who reads this and has a wide chested dog (small dogs included), it pays to check this condition out, so you will know the signs and maybe Bella's death will save some other pups life.
Monday, November 16, 2009
The leaves are all down
You would think I would be out there today just enjoying the nice weather instead of waiting and having to work in wet ground, but evidently my lazy button must be stuck on sit.
No, that's not entirely true.
My best friend called me this morning, crying, telling me that her dog Bella died. We just had dinner with them last night and everything was fine. In fact, the Good Fairy (My friend will forever be called this after her great "OZ" costume at one of our Halloween Parties.) was a bit worried over her other dog, Katey, who had been losing some weight. So, I am sitting here, crying for my friend and what a huge loss she has suffered today. I'm sure I might feel better if I went into the garden, but I'm trying to decide when I should go see her. Hate to get all dirty if I want to go before lunch. Why do I worry about stupid things in a time like this? I have a shower, for heavens sake.
Maybe I should wait until she gets home from work and take some food over? We never eat Bereavement Food, as I know only too well, but it's what I was raised to do. Every Southern Woman knows you must take some huge dish of food to those we love in crisis. I have this feeling that it's not just my locale that does it. I'll bet Italian women do the same thing. It's probably pasta instead of fried chicken, though.
Bella was a rescue dog off of the streets about 6 years ago. They found her on Thanksgiving day. She was an 82 pound ratty, timid St. Bernard, that quickly turned into a beautiful, huge girl with that sweet temperament that almost all rescues have. "Just grateful to be here" we always thought Bella would say, if she could talk. She had a wonderful life with her forever family, that's for sure. Good food, comfy beds (actually her very own couch), puppy treats, chew toys, a big backyard-oh, it went on and on how much love she was given. There were walks in the morning with Mommy, Daddy, and Katey, and car rides to nowhere. About the only thing Bella was not too happy about was her beauty parlor appointments now and then. 'Pretty Paws' was not her favorite place, but she always had a beautiful coat and good skin because of all the good grooming she got.
How odd, that she left us so close to the day she came into our lives.
And so, my darling God-dog, you have crossed the Rainbow Bridge, where it's always wonderful and fun and happy and there are so, so many old friends, both two-legged and four-legged.
Goodbye, Bella, you sweet, sweet girl.
We grieve, but are so very grateful we got to be a part of your life.
No, that's not entirely true.
My best friend called me this morning, crying, telling me that her dog Bella died. We just had dinner with them last night and everything was fine. In fact, the Good Fairy (My friend will forever be called this after her great "OZ" costume at one of our Halloween Parties.) was a bit worried over her other dog, Katey, who had been losing some weight. So, I am sitting here, crying for my friend and what a huge loss she has suffered today. I'm sure I might feel better if I went into the garden, but I'm trying to decide when I should go see her. Hate to get all dirty if I want to go before lunch. Why do I worry about stupid things in a time like this? I have a shower, for heavens sake.
Maybe I should wait until she gets home from work and take some food over? We never eat Bereavement Food, as I know only too well, but it's what I was raised to do. Every Southern Woman knows you must take some huge dish of food to those we love in crisis. I have this feeling that it's not just my locale that does it. I'll bet Italian women do the same thing. It's probably pasta instead of fried chicken, though.
Bella was a rescue dog off of the streets about 6 years ago. They found her on Thanksgiving day. She was an 82 pound ratty, timid St. Bernard, that quickly turned into a beautiful, huge girl with that sweet temperament that almost all rescues have. "Just grateful to be here" we always thought Bella would say, if she could talk. She had a wonderful life with her forever family, that's for sure. Good food, comfy beds (actually her very own couch), puppy treats, chew toys, a big backyard-oh, it went on and on how much love she was given. There were walks in the morning with Mommy, Daddy, and Katey, and car rides to nowhere. About the only thing Bella was not too happy about was her beauty parlor appointments now and then. 'Pretty Paws' was not her favorite place, but she always had a beautiful coat and good skin because of all the good grooming she got.
How odd, that she left us so close to the day she came into our lives.
And so, my darling God-dog, you have crossed the Rainbow Bridge, where it's always wonderful and fun and happy and there are so, so many old friends, both two-legged and four-legged.
Goodbye, Bella, you sweet, sweet girl.
We grieve, but are so very grateful we got to be a part of your life.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Amy & Fiona's garden perspective
Fi is the guard dog; always on the watch for an interloper-squirrel, bird, or one of those huge dog like things with horns (deer). Amy is Barney Fife when it comes to patrolling. She is almost always the one who is following; too busy chewing on a stick to notice that infidel squirrel is inside the green zone.
Amy is, however, very,very good at stalking. She is a cunning and powerful tiger, waiting in the bushes for the clueless wildebeest. She always pulls her ears down tight to her head to make sure they don't show above her 'cover'. I'm pretty sure Fi can see her behind the clump of daylily, but hey, it works for Amy.
Sometimes, like today, they play an extended game of 'Tag-your it', which is basically racing around at top speed until one of them manages to catch up with the other and roll them to the ground. Then, the game resets and it's the others' turn to get clobbered.
Sometimes they are wild mustangs, rearing up on their back legs, snarling and snapping, pawing each other with their front legs.
I like how they take turns being the top dog versus the bottom dog. Amy was not very good at being the one on the floor for quite a while. I think she must have been worried about being seen as weak, even in play mode. The give and take is nearly equal now.
Fiona likes to play "a little' fetch. That means, throw it ONE time, and NOT FAR! She much prefers to take her ball into one of the garden beds and then play soccer with it; pushing and rolling it with her feet. You have to watch her closely, or else she will bury it on you.
Amy is all about fetch. We call her ballcentric-everything good revolves around the Kong, the ball, anything that she thinks makes for good fetching. Sticks, not so much. Sticks are for chewing, silly mommy.
It was so nice after work today that DH and I pulled up a chair and enjoyed the Amy & Fi Variety Hour as the last of the sun dipped behind the house. It gets dark quick these days, so it's nice to enjoy whatever sunshine we can.
Time to turn off, as my pizza dough is ready to go. I love my Z-machine!
Amy is, however, very,very good at stalking. She is a cunning and powerful tiger, waiting in the bushes for the clueless wildebeest. She always pulls her ears down tight to her head to make sure they don't show above her 'cover'. I'm pretty sure Fi can see her behind the clump of daylily, but hey, it works for Amy.
Sometimes, like today, they play an extended game of 'Tag-your it', which is basically racing around at top speed until one of them manages to catch up with the other and roll them to the ground. Then, the game resets and it's the others' turn to get clobbered.
Sometimes they are wild mustangs, rearing up on their back legs, snarling and snapping, pawing each other with their front legs.
I like how they take turns being the top dog versus the bottom dog. Amy was not very good at being the one on the floor for quite a while. I think she must have been worried about being seen as weak, even in play mode. The give and take is nearly equal now.
Fiona likes to play "a little' fetch. That means, throw it ONE time, and NOT FAR! She much prefers to take her ball into one of the garden beds and then play soccer with it; pushing and rolling it with her feet. You have to watch her closely, or else she will bury it on you.
Amy is all about fetch. We call her ballcentric-everything good revolves around the Kong, the ball, anything that she thinks makes for good fetching. Sticks, not so much. Sticks are for chewing, silly mommy.
It was so nice after work today that DH and I pulled up a chair and enjoyed the Amy & Fi Variety Hour as the last of the sun dipped behind the house. It gets dark quick these days, so it's nice to enjoy whatever sunshine we can.
Time to turn off, as my pizza dough is ready to go. I love my Z-machine!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Movin' mighty slow at the junction
A perfectly nice day today and all I could think about was going Christmas shopping so I didn't have to dig in the garden. Yes, fellow gardeners, I said 'Uncle' today and only worked 1/2 the day, telling myself I was multi-tasking. Well, I was, but the speed I put into digging in the last few bits of this-and-that's was more than just thinking about the possible impending rain showers. Nope, I just wanted to quit early. 'Und I did'.
I did get the two grape vines planted and staked and even had the energy to dig up the third one and put in with the other two. I think they will do much better beside the veggie garden instead of hanging on for dear life at the edge of the ground cover. I would have had four plants, but ahem.. some four legged moo-cows came along and, poof! then there were three.
I know I said I wouldn't go into the front garden until I was done with the back, but I was looking for a place to put the 'Snowflake' Vib. and I just had to deal with the south-bed. I pulled some major weeds, cut down the scrub tree that had literally grown into the fence, and whacked on the butterfly bushes, which was probably a dumb thing to do. They hate late season cuts, but some branches were just willy-nilly and it was driving me batty looking out onto it from my bedroom window. I don't really care; it's not like I don't know where they have more of the stupid things.
Since the yew hedge was staring me in the face from behind the fence, I decided the trim the top back. This was a harder job than usual because I had let it go for two years and so it wasn't as simple as snip, snip with the shears. a few of those branches had to have the limb cutter taken to them. Then I had to balance on a rain barrel to get the basement well side. I just about knocked myself out when I stood up on the barrel when I caught my head on the door jamb.
The best part about today is I found that my fig tree is putting on a new limb, so maybe it will make it through winter. It looked a little lonely all by itself in the front, so I dropped in some lavender plants to keep it company.
Since I was in the front, I divided the last three sedge and filled out the holes in the border on the house bed under the bedroom windows. I really like that stuff; it takes drought, shade, heat, water and poor soil and still looks good. I watered everything in, including the 'Sky Pencil' holly at the end of the walk. Thank goodness the deer haven't found it yet!
My biggest accomplishment on Monday was putting new soil in the bottom of my two thuja pots on the patio. Those puppies were heavy, but the root ball was nice and tight, so they popped out just fine. I top dressed with some new soil and prettied each one up with some fresh mulch. I put a handful of this and that tulips in each pot, so there will be something colorful to see from the family room in the spring.
Since I was on pot duty, I potted up the new pair of azaleas I got to replace the two Sam & Carly ones I put into the ground. I sank in some pansies on top of the grape hy. bulbs and also mulched these pots as well. It's too small an arrangement for those pots, but it will fill in eventually.
I put in the rest of the 'Autumn Bride' heuchera near the gates to the back yard and that area looks nicer already.
Watered some more; no real rain chance until this Saturday. Heeled in the teeny purple heucheras in the herb boxes. Should hold them till spring.
Planted the two 'Frances Williams' hosta in the shade border and put in the 'Black Lace' sambucus cutting that I shamelessly stole from my friend's yard.
Planted the last of the daffodils around the two new blueberry bushes, so that only leaves the last bag of tulips for one of the pots on the patio and the hyacinth bulbs.
The maple tree is really letting loose of leaves this week, so another batch of leaves is on the agenda already.
My left hand has been keeping me up the past two nights, even with the brace, so I made sure that I took an anti-inflammatory pill as soon as I came in from outside. I think that's what made me want to throw in the towel today; just the thought of having to sleep in the chair again was just not worth it. Thank goodness this hand will improve rapidly if I will just lay off using it so much. Have I whined yet about my right elbow? it didn't appreciate the shoveling today, either.
On a positive note I am done with Jersey shopping except for two gifts. I hate going to the mall, but once I year I must make the trek. It wasn't crowded at all thank heavens. And, I got my Aunt Annie's pretzel, as a reward for dealing with the whole thing. Yummy!
Amy and Fi got to play some fetch with me when I got back, so they were happy. GrandMummy comes tomorrow, so they will be spoiled rotten by days' end.
I did get the two grape vines planted and staked and even had the energy to dig up the third one and put in with the other two. I think they will do much better beside the veggie garden instead of hanging on for dear life at the edge of the ground cover. I would have had four plants, but ahem.. some four legged moo-cows came along and, poof! then there were three.
I know I said I wouldn't go into the front garden until I was done with the back, but I was looking for a place to put the 'Snowflake' Vib. and I just had to deal with the south-bed. I pulled some major weeds, cut down the scrub tree that had literally grown into the fence, and whacked on the butterfly bushes, which was probably a dumb thing to do. They hate late season cuts, but some branches were just willy-nilly and it was driving me batty looking out onto it from my bedroom window. I don't really care; it's not like I don't know where they have more of the stupid things.
Since the yew hedge was staring me in the face from behind the fence, I decided the trim the top back. This was a harder job than usual because I had let it go for two years and so it wasn't as simple as snip, snip with the shears. a few of those branches had to have the limb cutter taken to them. Then I had to balance on a rain barrel to get the basement well side. I just about knocked myself out when I stood up on the barrel when I caught my head on the door jamb.
The best part about today is I found that my fig tree is putting on a new limb, so maybe it will make it through winter. It looked a little lonely all by itself in the front, so I dropped in some lavender plants to keep it company.
Since I was in the front, I divided the last three sedge and filled out the holes in the border on the house bed under the bedroom windows. I really like that stuff; it takes drought, shade, heat, water and poor soil and still looks good. I watered everything in, including the 'Sky Pencil' holly at the end of the walk. Thank goodness the deer haven't found it yet!
My biggest accomplishment on Monday was putting new soil in the bottom of my two thuja pots on the patio. Those puppies were heavy, but the root ball was nice and tight, so they popped out just fine. I top dressed with some new soil and prettied each one up with some fresh mulch. I put a handful of this and that tulips in each pot, so there will be something colorful to see from the family room in the spring.
Since I was on pot duty, I potted up the new pair of azaleas I got to replace the two Sam & Carly ones I put into the ground. I sank in some pansies on top of the grape hy. bulbs and also mulched these pots as well. It's too small an arrangement for those pots, but it will fill in eventually.
I put in the rest of the 'Autumn Bride' heuchera near the gates to the back yard and that area looks nicer already.
Watered some more; no real rain chance until this Saturday. Heeled in the teeny purple heucheras in the herb boxes. Should hold them till spring.
Planted the two 'Frances Williams' hosta in the shade border and put in the 'Black Lace' sambucus cutting that I shamelessly stole from my friend's yard.
Planted the last of the daffodils around the two new blueberry bushes, so that only leaves the last bag of tulips for one of the pots on the patio and the hyacinth bulbs.
The maple tree is really letting loose of leaves this week, so another batch of leaves is on the agenda already.
My left hand has been keeping me up the past two nights, even with the brace, so I made sure that I took an anti-inflammatory pill as soon as I came in from outside. I think that's what made me want to throw in the towel today; just the thought of having to sleep in the chair again was just not worth it. Thank goodness this hand will improve rapidly if I will just lay off using it so much. Have I whined yet about my right elbow? it didn't appreciate the shoveling today, either.
On a positive note I am done with Jersey shopping except for two gifts. I hate going to the mall, but once I year I must make the trek. It wasn't crowded at all thank heavens. And, I got my Aunt Annie's pretzel, as a reward for dealing with the whole thing. Yummy!
Amy and Fi got to play some fetch with me when I got back, so they were happy. GrandMummy comes tomorrow, so they will be spoiled rotten by days' end.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Had my very own garden flunky today!
Granted, said flunky is related to me, but I did buy his lunch today, so really, I'm sure that counts as payroll,yes? Whatever his pay-grade, he did a great job these past two days. He wrestled with all the leaves that were planning on smothering the lawn while I planted the last bits of plants still in containers. He operated the chipper/shredder and hauled two huge batches to the area we have set aside for an orchard. THEN, he managed to get the big tiller started (no small feat, as it had sat unused in the cellar for at least four years) and tilled in all the chipped up leaves.
Being freed up from dealing with leaves gave me a chance to clean up the old rose garden. Previous years of drought had done in a few plants here and there, so this spring I had decided to put in a couple new ones. I selected a yellow and a double red 'Knockout' type. I know, I know, how unimaginative! However, the Ohio River Valley is a difficult place to raise roses without resorting to sprays, and so these new introductions have really been fun-not something I usually say about roses. So, holes being plugged, I finally got off my duff to finish under-planting the entire bed with catmint [Nepeta f.] after, of course, having to weed out all the cool-season weeds that had just started to come up. As Miss O'Hara would say: "God as my witness, I will never let pepper grass go to seed again!"
The other issue I took a half-stab at correcting was my horrid idea of using variegated vinca vine in the treds of the rustic steps. Heavens to morgatroid, what was I thinking? that crap cannot be contained, dwarfed or made thick. All it wants to do is RUN..away, far far away! It had begun to invade on both side of the steps. I must admit it didn't look half bad creeping through the lamb's ear [Stachys b.] on the left side, but it was truly nasty trying to creep into the catmint on the right. I'm sure I thought it would be a nice fill-in between the steps and the boxwood hedge, but it's back to the drawing board on this one.
The front of the rose bed is edged in Liriope (oh, yes, I love a challenge) and so it was time for nipping it's slow creep up the bed. while I was shoveling it out, I finally dug out the thin leaved clump that had managed to show up and replaced it with a few clumps of the wide leaved type. I think perhaps it grew from seed, as I never bought any of it and always just broke up existing clumps. Whatever, tragedy averted until the next batch shows up.
Let's see, what else... oh yes, I planted my two last rescued viburnums. I just love 'Blue Muffin'. It's not as huge as most and has lovely blue berries in fall and purply red fall color. I planted one at the top of the rustic steps on the left, and the other I planted on the right of the main steps that are on the far left of the hill bed. There is a fragrant type across from it, so it will make a nice allee as one proceeds up the path to the pergola.
It was so warm and sunny today, that I felt I had to water a few of my previous planting jobs from a few days earlier. The 'Sam & Carly' azaleas got a drink and I am so relieved that they look great after transplanting. I scratched in some acidifier and just a pinch of 10-10-10 to keep them happy going into winter.
After I fed my flunky, he took me to my favorite big (blue) box store for four, 10' pieces of rebar to use as a support for that unruly 'New Dawn' climbing rose. Since it collapsed my cheap 6' pillar, I went with rebar as a temporary support until my custom-made pillar gets completed. one of my relatives is into welding art pieces when the whimsy hits him, so the rebar should hold up longer than another purchased piece. Boy, I sure hope his whimsy shows up soon-I'm totally tired of dealing with Dawn these last few years:(
All that's left to do is finish planting the last tray of lambs ear, find a home for a 'Snowflake' viburnum, and gather up the few last batches of sticks and I can finally say the rear garden is ready for winter. After that, it will be time to pay attention to the front garden.
But not today. Today, we celebrated our hard work by kicking back in the adirondack chairs with a refreshing adult beverage and played fetch with Amy and Fi.
Being freed up from dealing with leaves gave me a chance to clean up the old rose garden. Previous years of drought had done in a few plants here and there, so this spring I had decided to put in a couple new ones. I selected a yellow and a double red 'Knockout' type. I know, I know, how unimaginative! However, the Ohio River Valley is a difficult place to raise roses without resorting to sprays, and so these new introductions have really been fun-not something I usually say about roses. So, holes being plugged, I finally got off my duff to finish under-planting the entire bed with catmint [Nepeta f.] after, of course, having to weed out all the cool-season weeds that had just started to come up. As Miss O'Hara would say: "God as my witness, I will never let pepper grass go to seed again!"
The other issue I took a half-stab at correcting was my horrid idea of using variegated vinca vine in the treds of the rustic steps. Heavens to morgatroid, what was I thinking? that crap cannot be contained, dwarfed or made thick. All it wants to do is RUN..away, far far away! It had begun to invade on both side of the steps. I must admit it didn't look half bad creeping through the lamb's ear [Stachys b.] on the left side, but it was truly nasty trying to creep into the catmint on the right. I'm sure I thought it would be a nice fill-in between the steps and the boxwood hedge, but it's back to the drawing board on this one.
The front of the rose bed is edged in Liriope (oh, yes, I love a challenge) and so it was time for nipping it's slow creep up the bed. while I was shoveling it out, I finally dug out the thin leaved clump that had managed to show up and replaced it with a few clumps of the wide leaved type. I think perhaps it grew from seed, as I never bought any of it and always just broke up existing clumps. Whatever, tragedy averted until the next batch shows up.
Let's see, what else... oh yes, I planted my two last rescued viburnums. I just love 'Blue Muffin'. It's not as huge as most and has lovely blue berries in fall and purply red fall color. I planted one at the top of the rustic steps on the left, and the other I planted on the right of the main steps that are on the far left of the hill bed. There is a fragrant type across from it, so it will make a nice allee as one proceeds up the path to the pergola.
It was so warm and sunny today, that I felt I had to water a few of my previous planting jobs from a few days earlier. The 'Sam & Carly' azaleas got a drink and I am so relieved that they look great after transplanting. I scratched in some acidifier and just a pinch of 10-10-10 to keep them happy going into winter.
After I fed my flunky, he took me to my favorite big (blue) box store for four, 10' pieces of rebar to use as a support for that unruly 'New Dawn' climbing rose. Since it collapsed my cheap 6' pillar, I went with rebar as a temporary support until my custom-made pillar gets completed. one of my relatives is into welding art pieces when the whimsy hits him, so the rebar should hold up longer than another purchased piece. Boy, I sure hope his whimsy shows up soon-I'm totally tired of dealing with Dawn these last few years:(
All that's left to do is finish planting the last tray of lambs ear, find a home for a 'Snowflake' viburnum, and gather up the few last batches of sticks and I can finally say the rear garden is ready for winter. After that, it will be time to pay attention to the front garden.
But not today. Today, we celebrated our hard work by kicking back in the adirondack chairs with a refreshing adult beverage and played fetch with Amy and Fi.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
glad to go to work...really!
Missed posting the last two days, but it's pretty much the same thing-garden tasking. Finally got the last two azaleas moved (both to back border). watered the Sam & Carly Azaleas at the top of the steps, just in case it doesn't rain as much today as they are predicting.
performed some lackluster weeding in the back border, but was just too tuckered out to launch a full assault on the last third. Maybe it's because I weeded the fence line that I swore I would not deal with until later. so much for resolve, eh!
raked up the leaves in a good portion of the back border and a bit in the amphitheater. Oh, yes, I moved a peony from the sundial bed to the amphitheater. I planted the extra butterfly bushes against the fence, but I have little hope any will survive the onslaught of rushing water that will occur. I just don't know what to do with that area. anything I try gets washed away. at least I barricaded the large opening at the fences' base with some old logs, just in case the girls experiment with escaping.
I cleaned up the debris from planting the bulbs along this same area. It still looks rough, but maybe some mulch will pretty it up. I think some dwarf grasses will also look good, and since they can be driven over anytime we need to get a vehicle through, may be the best solution.
I prettied up the left side of the hill bed and planting three 'Gold Lace' junipers. They get about 6 feet wide and 4 feet tall and should look nice against the backdrop of red day lily, gray garden sage, and lambs ear that I finally got moved and planted. Still have some hosta bits to deal with, but was too tired to think or move and just left them heeled in and will deal later.
Of course I just had to whack at the side fence while I was on the hill, but it does look a bit better. I realigned the bed border so it terminates at the 1st step. it is so incredibly wet down there, that I will have to really think what I can put in that can take all that dampness.
I bundled up the last of the sticks/debris and hope I can get them to recycle this week. No rain in the forecast, so odds are good.
I planted the new blueberry bush 'Blue Crop' and will acidify them next week. I pulled up the last of the maters and peppers from this area, but they are just laying there. I could not bear to tie up one last bundle yesterday.
I got the hardy herbs pulled out of the planter boxes and into the ground; all that's left is to plant the last 3 cloves of garlic 'Music' and a couple more hardy herbs.
I considered broadcasting some 10-10-10 around the back border, but resisted. I have already done the yard, and veggie garden, so 75% of the ferting is done, so I'll just hand tight for a while.
I got the 'Skypencil' holly planted in the front yard and tidied up the last of the plants to put in. Hope to get to that this weekend, but it's a nice forecast and we may get invited to hang out with some friends, so that trumps a hortattack in the yard!
let's see, I think that's about it. Oh, dumped the composted poopy-whewwee! it smelled like cow poopy, so I put it outside the fence-so no 'I don't smell like anyother dog' stench.
I got the cryptomeria planted at the top of the yard in front of the dead spruce. I hope it gets enough sun in the full summer. It is supposed to grow pretty fast and should be able to rise over the shrub magnolia in front. I also keep them limbed up, which is good, and now that we have decided to get rid of the trees at the top of the second level, that will really give us some good afternoon sun.
I think that's about all, except for planting that woeful cypress tree I rescued from work in the netherlands behind the back border. the soil is so humus rich, I think he will take off and do me proud. Tiny Tim, as I call him, will not be so for long, I predict.
The large maple tree is really turning yellow, I noticed yesterday. It won't be long until she lets loose and then the real work will start. Bring it on, I love leaf mould, anyway!
I am starting a new string called what's blooming (oh, so original, I KNOW), but it will be a better way to record the stuff than me trying to remember it all. so, for now, just know that the KO roses are still beautiful and, weirdly, an azalea has a single bloom and some lavender is blooming. the J. maple is crimson and looks so perfect with the berries of the nandina it is flanked by. the burning bushes (invasive, I know, but too bad, it's here) are aflame this year.
Today Grandmummy comes t0 babysit and clean house-thank goodness! my house has got little attention in the last 3 days and it shows. I'm off to work to continue propagation on the alpine plants. I am proud to say I am on-target with 90% of the work.
performed some lackluster weeding in the back border, but was just too tuckered out to launch a full assault on the last third. Maybe it's because I weeded the fence line that I swore I would not deal with until later. so much for resolve, eh!
raked up the leaves in a good portion of the back border and a bit in the amphitheater. Oh, yes, I moved a peony from the sundial bed to the amphitheater. I planted the extra butterfly bushes against the fence, but I have little hope any will survive the onslaught of rushing water that will occur. I just don't know what to do with that area. anything I try gets washed away. at least I barricaded the large opening at the fences' base with some old logs, just in case the girls experiment with escaping.
I cleaned up the debris from planting the bulbs along this same area. It still looks rough, but maybe some mulch will pretty it up. I think some dwarf grasses will also look good, and since they can be driven over anytime we need to get a vehicle through, may be the best solution.
I prettied up the left side of the hill bed and planting three 'Gold Lace' junipers. They get about 6 feet wide and 4 feet tall and should look nice against the backdrop of red day lily, gray garden sage, and lambs ear that I finally got moved and planted. Still have some hosta bits to deal with, but was too tired to think or move and just left them heeled in and will deal later.
Of course I just had to whack at the side fence while I was on the hill, but it does look a bit better. I realigned the bed border so it terminates at the 1st step. it is so incredibly wet down there, that I will have to really think what I can put in that can take all that dampness.
I bundled up the last of the sticks/debris and hope I can get them to recycle this week. No rain in the forecast, so odds are good.
I planted the new blueberry bush 'Blue Crop' and will acidify them next week. I pulled up the last of the maters and peppers from this area, but they are just laying there. I could not bear to tie up one last bundle yesterday.
I got the hardy herbs pulled out of the planter boxes and into the ground; all that's left is to plant the last 3 cloves of garlic 'Music' and a couple more hardy herbs.
I considered broadcasting some 10-10-10 around the back border, but resisted. I have already done the yard, and veggie garden, so 75% of the ferting is done, so I'll just hand tight for a while.
I got the 'Skypencil' holly planted in the front yard and tidied up the last of the plants to put in. Hope to get to that this weekend, but it's a nice forecast and we may get invited to hang out with some friends, so that trumps a hortattack in the yard!
let's see, I think that's about it. Oh, dumped the composted poopy-whewwee! it smelled like cow poopy, so I put it outside the fence-so no 'I don't smell like anyother dog' stench.
I got the cryptomeria planted at the top of the yard in front of the dead spruce. I hope it gets enough sun in the full summer. It is supposed to grow pretty fast and should be able to rise over the shrub magnolia in front. I also keep them limbed up, which is good, and now that we have decided to get rid of the trees at the top of the second level, that will really give us some good afternoon sun.
I think that's about all, except for planting that woeful cypress tree I rescued from work in the netherlands behind the back border. the soil is so humus rich, I think he will take off and do me proud. Tiny Tim, as I call him, will not be so for long, I predict.
The large maple tree is really turning yellow, I noticed yesterday. It won't be long until she lets loose and then the real work will start. Bring it on, I love leaf mould, anyway!
I am starting a new string called what's blooming (oh, so original, I KNOW), but it will be a better way to record the stuff than me trying to remember it all. so, for now, just know that the KO roses are still beautiful and, weirdly, an azalea has a single bloom and some lavender is blooming. the J. maple is crimson and looks so perfect with the berries of the nandina it is flanked by. the burning bushes (invasive, I know, but too bad, it's here) are aflame this year.
Today Grandmummy comes t0 babysit and clean house-thank goodness! my house has got little attention in the last 3 days and it shows. I'm off to work to continue propagation on the alpine plants. I am proud to say I am on-target with 90% of the work.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Making the most of 75 degrees
VERY windy day! Leaves going everywhere! In spite of the blustery weather, I got quite a bit done yesterday. I got one of two large limbs of that mulberry tree down. However, no matter how hard I yanked, or twirled, or swung from it, that second one was going nowhere. So, I did what I am best at-ignored it and cleaned up the fence row. This is a total pain as it requires digging under the fence, clipping through the fence (trying not to cut the fence) and yanking vines out of the fence; all while sitting on my behind, hoping that I don't scootch into a pile of doggie doo that I somehow could not smell before I landed in it.
I picked up and bundled all the sticks and debris that were laying around and got them out front, ready for the next recycle pickup. I have one pile left, but it's not easy to bundle up, so, I will get the biobags for that the next time I am in the mood for expensive coffee from the local barista. Lets, see, what else..
Oh, yes, I got totally peeved at just staring at my Recon and hoofed it down to PepBoys and got myself a new 12 volt battery. Talk about relieved when the puppy started right up! Man, that thing increases my productivity 100 percent! I LOVE MY RECON!
Now all I have to do is get that stupid scooter to be inspected, but that's another story.
Oh, I got the grass cut on the top level and it looks sooo nice! I decided to whack all the ground cover down, now that most of the spruce trees are almost gone. Still have to cut the dead branches back, but that is a good cold weather thing and can wait.
I had two loads of mulch left in the trailer and used my trusty wagon and Recon to haul it up to the pergola and got one whole side mulched. Fiona was quite helpful keeping the newspaper I laid down first from blowing away by parking her big brindle butt on it. Amy was afraid of the Recon, so only came out when the 'noise monster' wasn't running.
next big job, boys and girls....Leaves.
I picked up and bundled all the sticks and debris that were laying around and got them out front, ready for the next recycle pickup. I have one pile left, but it's not easy to bundle up, so, I will get the biobags for that the next time I am in the mood for expensive coffee from the local barista. Lets, see, what else..
Oh, yes, I got totally peeved at just staring at my Recon and hoofed it down to PepBoys and got myself a new 12 volt battery. Talk about relieved when the puppy started right up! Man, that thing increases my productivity 100 percent! I LOVE MY RECON!
Now all I have to do is get that stupid scooter to be inspected, but that's another story.
Oh, I got the grass cut on the top level and it looks sooo nice! I decided to whack all the ground cover down, now that most of the spruce trees are almost gone. Still have to cut the dead branches back, but that is a good cold weather thing and can wait.
I had two loads of mulch left in the trailer and used my trusty wagon and Recon to haul it up to the pergola and got one whole side mulched. Fiona was quite helpful keeping the newspaper I laid down first from blowing away by parking her big brindle butt on it. Amy was afraid of the Recon, so only came out when the 'noise monster' wasn't running.
next big job, boys and girls....Leaves.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
productive 1/2 day
Well, I got almost all of my bulbs in the ground. Just have some grape hy. and some regular hys to put in. I don't count the tulips as they go in pots, and that is the easiest task left in late fall.
My big accomplishment was to put the two grown up azaleas into the ground. I had them in pots for the last 4 years and it was time. They got a mini memorial service for Sam and Carly; just me and the gurls were there, but I'm sure the old gals were watching from above. They will flank the steps in white in the spring. I hope they make it.
The final task of the day was installing all the plant material (alpines) around the waterfall. This was no small task, given that I had two galloping puppies trying to 'help' me. If they weren't digging in the hole I had just planted, then they were galloping through the bed itself. Oh, well, survival of the fittest in my garden.
Then, the rain came and ran us all inside. Worked the rest of the afternoon on my garden design talk while Amy and Fi alternated sleeping and chewing that darn stick I KNOW I threw out at least twice yesterday!
My big accomplishment was to put the two grown up azaleas into the ground. I had them in pots for the last 4 years and it was time. They got a mini memorial service for Sam and Carly; just me and the gurls were there, but I'm sure the old gals were watching from above. They will flank the steps in white in the spring. I hope they make it.
The final task of the day was installing all the plant material (alpines) around the waterfall. This was no small task, given that I had two galloping puppies trying to 'help' me. If they weren't digging in the hole I had just planted, then they were galloping through the bed itself. Oh, well, survival of the fittest in my garden.
Then, the rain came and ran us all inside. Worked the rest of the afternoon on my garden design talk while Amy and Fi alternated sleeping and chewing that darn stick I KNOW I threw out at least twice yesterday!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Welcome to my rant...er... my blog!
I have no idea if anyone is ever going to stumble upon my blog, but I decided to get with the 21st century and start one. Since I surf the net more than I keep up with writing in my garden journal, I was hoping this method might just be the thing to keep me current. We shall see......
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