The Gardens

I was out this morning snapping photos because things have changed so much in the past couple of weeks.  Alas, it's overcast and grey, so things look rather drab and dreary.  Sorry for that.

Things are plugging along quite nicely in the gardens.  The peas are ready to start climbing (I'm a bit late, actually) so I put in the tomato trellis.  The beans are looking nice and bushy, and I saw tons of bitty basils starting to come up. :o)  This garden was practically destroyed when we first planted it when the dogs went tearing through it.  Doh!

And, can you see what else I put in?  Are you thinking, but Rachael, those branches don't belong!

Ah, but wait, they DO!

Taking a page from CW's book, I'm using objects found in nature as items for my morning glories to climb. :o)  It'll be a while before the sunflowers are up and tall enough for the morning glories so I thought why not give this a try.

The dogs also tore through my lettuces.  Spoot. 

I hope to get in a harvest before they bolt.  They're a slow bolt variety, so here's hoping!

And, carrots. :o)  They were a freebie.  I figured I'd sprinkle them in and see what happens.

Oh I'm so happy with this planter and pond!  And, I'm loving the new plants I put in.  And, I can still see Lil's red daylily garden behind it. All's well.

I put in this native huchera that I purchased last year from the nice gentleman in Narrows.  It made it through an entire year before being put in and looks marvelous.

I went on a seed scattering spree once it was warm, and you can see my zinnias starting to come up.

Angelica swears I planted this, but I'm not so sure.  I can't remember planting it...I have NO idea what it is.  I may be nurturing a weed.  We'll see. :oP

A visitor.

I can't remember what all I sprinkled over here in Hannah's garden either.  But, I can tell you they're looking awfully happy and growing well.

Sorry these next few photos may make you a bit sea sick. Like I said, I was snapping away fairly quickly.  Here are my tomatoes.  I have no idea which varieties are where and will just have to wait and see when they fruit. ;o)  I find it interesting the ones along the back are doing so much better than the ones in front.

Same story with the cukes.  What's up with that?

And the peppers!! It's so strange.

My Chinese lanterns are apparently quite tasty as they all look like this.

And, the peppers are looking like this...

Time to bring in some ladybugs to ward off the diners?  Do I need some sort of organic insecticide?  I don't want to put chemicals on my veggies, but I don't want them to be bug/slug food either.  :oS

The catch as catch can garden.  I've put a few plants and sprinkled bunches of seeds and we're just waiting to see what comes up.  :o)  Bean and I put in two dahlias today.  This is her garden, you know.  :oP

The columbine are about spent for the year.  Anyone want any seeds?  I'm not kidding.  I'll totally harvest and send them to anyone interested.  Just let me know.

This poor little huchera is practically invisible thanks to the looming hosta!  I'll have to split these guys this year.  They're monsterously huge!  And to think I was worried about the bed being too empty when I first put it in. ;o)

Ah...the spirea is in bloom.  I do so love the hot pink juxtaposed against the lime green.

Looking around the gazebo. (Check it out in 2011 here!) And, keeping it real, if you embiggen this one, you can see all the bikes littering the yard.  Toys too.  Oy.  We were given three bikes and already had four.  It's insane. I have two bottoms who can ride seven bikes.  Sheesh.

And, keeping it even more real, somebody decided the lantern needed a kitty toy.  Seriously?  :shaking my head:

I'm really chuffed with how well my bargain buy clearance flowers are doing. :o)  I have exactly three dollars worth of plants in each of my hanging baskets.  The million bells will continue to do their trailing thing, and the geranium (I'd never seen one like that) should continue to plump up, fill out and mound.

Speaking of happy, thriving bargain buy clearance plants...This guy was close to death's door and was $3.  I have no clue what it is, but was told it WOULD flower.

Whatever it is, it's putting out tendrils.

It's filling out, leafing more, tendrils everywhere.  It's happy.  Gotta love those carts at the back of the Lowe's garden center. ;o) Had I known this guy would be so happy, I'd have picked him up a girlfriend. :oP

And, the Jessamine.  I'll confess, I was worried about her last year.  She just didn't seem that happy.  This year, she's going gangbusters.  Hooray! (Compare to 2011 here.)

Oh, and the strawberries we started from seed are right there in the planter.  This is year four for them. :o)

I can't wait for the morning glories to climb those branches.  It should be amazing. :o)

Things are happening out front as well.  The Bitsys started blooming, and then, two days ago, I had my first Carefree Peach of the year.

Today, there were six on one plant. :o)

And the Bitsys.  I have to tell you, neither of these guys are my most favorite daylily, but they are prolific bloomers and rebloomers, (as are the Pardon Mes and Chorus Lines and Miss Amelias--part of the "Rebloom Collection" I purchased however many years ago now) and give the front a punch of color.  Since I'm so rarely out front in the summer (only to leave and return.  It's so hot out front in the blistering sun we do all we can to avoid it) it only makes sense I put my favorites out back.

And, they're pretty.  They really are. :o)  The Bitsys are tiny and sweet and will bloom from now through October or November.  I really can't complain. :o)

And, looking down the side.  Oh, it's so much more lovely than the overgrown mess that were those holly/boxwood thingies.

I had thought the Bloomerang was spent.  I guess not. ;o)

Isn't it lovely the neighbors allow their trash and recycling to blow into my yard.  They do nothing to clean it up--we always do it.  It drives me BATTY!!!  I'll find trash blown up in and under my hydrangeas.  GR.

From those diminutive sticks two years ago to these healthy shrubs. :o)

And, hooray, I finally managed to kill off the last boxwood.  I'll pull that out and want to put in a trellis and some sort of beautiful climbing vine. :o)  Oh, the possibilities are endless!  This gardening bug is baaaaaaaaaad. ;o)

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Jess is going to watch the girls while B and I go away together--ALONE!!!!!--for the weekend.  Hence the photo blitz today.  I'm SO excited and can't wait to just have some time for the two of us.  It's so important to reconnect with each other, and I know the girls will be thrilled to play with their cousins.  I think Jess may have lost her mind since she'll have FIVE kids instead of her three, but she offered and I'm desperate to get away. ;o) 

I know, I know, how could I want to be away from this sweet face...She makes me tired, y'all!!  She is such a busy ball of energy, and, I'm beat.  I thought it was just me, but no, I've had others assure me she is in fact a busy busy child.  Whew.  I remember my neighbor Kristine saying her third "rocked my world".  I get it.  I really do.  I hear this is normal for the third...;o)

She's such a doll baby and a delight, but the thought of being able to sleep past 5:30 is rather alluring. :oP

Oh, and a quick recap of yesterday for personal records:
*go for walk/run and get really sweaty in the heat and humidity and look forward to a nice shower
*get phone call from school nurse just as I was opening the front door--seriously
*turn right around and go to school to pick up Lil for an orthodontia emergency (wire loose in the back)
(Did you notice I mentioned nothing about showering or changing or making myself even remotely presentable or cute?)
*try not to offend anyone with my sweaty and (surely!) stinky self and Lil says maybe I can just tell them I was working out since I have a bunch of sweat on my shirt "under your ninnies and armpits".  Awesome.
*Lil's wire is repaired and our delightful neighbor (who works in Dr. W's office) told us to just call her next time and she'd make a house call to make the repair--SWEET! Her number is now programmed in the phone
*home again to a message from Discover saying we had a fraud alert--lovely--call B to have him deal with it (I have no card, he does)
*FINALLY get a chance to change and am just getting there when I get a phone call from B.  The phone upstairs is without battery so I go tearing downstairs wearing nothing but my skivvies (thinking I never run through the house half nekkid) and skid into the kitchen in time to answer the phone and hear the doorbell ring.  O.M.G.  I think I streaked the UPS guy.
*B resolved the fraud issue (it was indeed compromised to the tune of $1600 in charges to Kohl's and $400 to Blizzard entertainment :sigh:) and I am almost recovered from flashing the UPS man...almost.  I may never be able to look him in the eye ever again.  *blushes*

Once Again Looking for the Helpers

In the wake of the Oklahoma tornado, I'm once more looking for the helpers.  I'm devastated for all those who have been affected by this terrible event, and can't even imagine where you begin to pick up the pieces. 

Yes, I live in an area that has experienced small tornadoes, and yes, we do get hurricanes, but my goodness that was one destructive tornado.  It took mere moments for it to wreak it's havoc, it takes hurricanes hours. 

I'm looking at all the different ways I can help because I feel the need to do something.  Something beyond praying. 

For now, I'm looking around at all I have and at my girls, and am grateful.  I'm blessed. 

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Sparklies:

1.  Ellie's creativity: 

I guess Lala Loopsy (and her fish) were cold? This is the doormat. 

My Mother's Day card (are those boobs she's added there??). 

Another fun face.  Now to add a body. :o)

2.  They're back:

Hello, little green tree frog! 

3.  My Carefree Peach daylily put forth it's first bloom today! :o)

4.  Ellie and I picked up dahlias (for cheap!) at TJ's and will get them in the ground this afternoon.

5.  It's been sunny today.  Granted, it's been humid as all get out as well (which does tremendous things to my hair...) but the sun is back.  We've had clouds and rain since Saturday.

No milestones.

Date Night with Brien

I know, I know, more photos of CW.  But, there's a reason for them (other than it was beyond gorgeous and I simply had to).  Angelica babysat for us Friday evening and B and I had a date.  Yes, an honest-to-goodness date.  And, I don't think we even mentioned the children once!

I was remembering how energized I was after our marriage retreat in January and went back through the binder Thursday evening as a sort of refresher for myself.  I knew I was starting to slip back into old habits and didn't want to continue down that path. 

So, Friday evening, we went to dinner at Plaza (YUM!) and then forwent our typical date of an evening spent at B&N or Lowe's (we are so romantic), and headed to CW to walk there instead.  I know so many people go to movies for dates, but I've always said my time alone with Brien is precious and we get it so infrequently I don't want to spend it sitting in a darkened room where we can't talk or interact. 

Instead, we walked and we talked and we explored.  I was telling my friend Terri the other evening I was really lucky I had married my best friend.  Even more, I can't imagine B and I will ever run out of things to talk about.  Ever.  We find the world endlessly fascinating and love hearing the other person's ideas. 

It was probably about 8:00 or so when we headed out and around 73 degrees.  It was utterly perfect.  We started by visiting my favorite garden. 

I'm going to keep visiting this garden throughout the spring, summer and fall to see what is in bloom.  I have a feeling this garden will always have something blooming. 

(As an aside, can you imagine how delightful to live in that little white house with that little white picket fence and look out over this garden??  Okay, sure, except for that whole people-are-continually-walking-through-my-yard thing...if you spend that much time on your gardens, you want folks to come and enjoy them.)

I have no idea what the fuchsia flowers are.  Which reminds me, Sara L, I wish I did know what variety of irises those two-toned ones were because I'm sure I could find someplace for them in my yard as well. ;o)

The snapdragons ("snackdragons" around these parts) are so tall and velvety. 

And the foxglove...:swoon:  It's almost as tall as Brien!  There are so many colors and textures and variety of heights in this one garden it's incredible.  Someday...someday I too shall have such a space. 

Oh, and the peonies.  :sigh:

I'm not sure when my gardening gene kicked in, but it certainly has with a vengeance the past few years.  I'm fairly certain I inherited it from Lissie who inherited it from her mother and grandmothers... Jess has it too--you should see her yard.  :swoon:  She's been updating FYB with photos of all that's in bloom right now.

And, then, I happened to look out over the field and see the sheep in the pasture.  Could it be any more bucolic?

There were at least three other couples walking around in there with us, and I couldn't blame them.  I think I could have stayed there all night. ;o) 

But, we moved on to the CW garden/garden market, wending our way through backyards and more gardens.

I spotted this arbor for the first time.  I swear, I'm over there all the time and am continually discovering new things.

Those are roses behind this sweet bench.  I think Brien needs to build me a bench next...;o)

Why yes, I will just come on in.  Isn't that pinky/golden light delicious?

I saw the white, the irises, the lamp post and the dianthus and needed a photo.  As I was finishing taking it, Brien said, "I hope you were careful, that window there to your right is a bathroom." DOH!

Oh, the picket fences.  All the white fences.  Ah.  I'm with you, Peg. 

Shortly after I snapped this, we came to a cross street where a CW security vehicle was approaching with lights on and sounding its siren in bursts.  As we were about to cross that street, B and I stopped instead, moving out of the way.  Suddenly, the officer steps from the vehicle (while it's still rolling--having failed to put it in park O.o!) and announces to us, "I have something that belongs to you!"

Wha...???

We were so confused.  I had my phone.  Brien had his phone and the car keys.  What could the man possible have?

Putting the car in park (yes, finally), he rounded the front of the vehicle (it looked as if he were walking towards us, our faces reflecting our confusion) and headed for the rear passenger door.  At this point I'm wondering how in the world he has our children.  Yes, that was all I could conclude he had, when out popped an elderly woman. 

Wha...????? 

Our faces were really reflecting our confusion at this point, as this man continues to look at us and the woman starts hobbling our way! 

Then, we realize, she's heading for the folks who were behind us as they begin to tease her about being lazy and getting a ride with the cops instead of walking with them.  Oops!! :oP

So, we moved on and visited the Williamsburg Master Gardeners' garden.  I've been meaning to head over there to take a peek and I'm so glad I finally got to do so.  (I was sorely tempted to tea leaf some of the seed pods from those columbine there in the bottom left of the photo...)

And, we cut across behind some more yards and found this lovely little space.

It was an oval whose perimeter was filled to overflowing with dianthus.  Those cut-outs in the hedge are for benches. 

More peonies.  I'm beyond chuffed I'll have some next year.  I'm already trying to figure out where I can add another flowerbed...;o) 

Then, I saw this.  *GASP* What did that fence ever do to deserve such treatment?!? Not lovely, just shocking and sad.  :sigh:

I was really starting to lose the light at this point--it was close to 8:30 or so--but I happened to notice this tree.  I have no idea what kind it is, but I'm fairly certain I have to have one. 

Check out the blooms!  Aren't they gorgeous? 

And, in the right light (NOT twilight--I'm going to have to look tomorrow) it looks amazing next to this white house. 

We cruised back on around the backside down Nicholson and then across the Palace Green and back to Merchants' Square where B informed me it couldn't be considered a "true" date unless we had been in a bookstore.  So, we went into B&N (I think it was just an excuse for us to ride the escalators--we really are just big kids after all), read a couple of Pigeon books and then drove home, stopping along the way for a cherry Slurpee.  Because, you know, it was necessary. :oP

It was a beautiful night and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time strolling along, holding hands and simply talking about nothing in particular. 

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Sparklies:

1. 

I am truly loving this gorgeous columbine.  I'm beyond happy I purchased it!

The other flowers as well.  I'm not sure how long they'll bloom, but I'll enjoy them as long as they do! :o)  See, this gardening thing is rather learn-as-you-go for me. 

2.  S/he's baaaaaack:

Hee hee!  The photo quality is rather lousy due to it being taken from inside at my kitchen sink.  But, you can still see how adorable s/he is. :o)

3.  Ellie managed to stay dry all morning yesterday.  Brien had to go out and run an errand and the girls insisted they needed to go with him (ha!) and later, when he was putting Bean down for her nap he was changing her pull-up only to discover she had on underwear instead.  !!! O.o!!! She made it dry the entire time. 

4.  Talking with my Aunt Hope today.  I'm so terrible about talking on the phone to anyone, I really am.  :sigh:  But, she called and we had a lovely chat.  It made me realize just how much I miss my family back home.

5.  Lil's at a "Mad Science" birthday party this afternoon.  So, really, this is sparkly 5a.  She was invited by a little guy who isn't in her class this year but was last year and he wanted her to come.  How sweet is that? 

5b.  Lil's at the party and I'm at home.  Alone.  Well, except for a sleeping Bean. And, while yes, it's true I have this during the week, the difference is, I have chores that have to be done.  Today, I can just sit and veg and not feel a lick of guilt.  She insisted her daddy needed to take her so he did. 

6.  I had a card recognized by the Paper Players this week. :o) 

No milestones.