Animals in the Spotlight

A couple of weeks ago Kim and I decided to attend our local fair. We hadn't been in years.

Years and years.







We'd forgotten that if you're not interested in the rides (I'm not) or doing some drinking (at the fair? Ditto), then what are you left with? Let's see, the lousy and expensive food (yuck), viewing the exhibits (not too bad) and checking out the 4-H exhibits (yay!).

I loved, loved all the personalized 4-H stuff. Look at this cute sign made by the bunny's owner. You could really tell how much the kids love their animals.





The bunnies on exhibit were precious and beautiful.

















What really got our attention though were the chickens of course. There were some very pretty ones.


The roosters were crowing their little hearts out.










We saw a Barred Plymouth Rock chicken, aged 1 1/2 years so we realized that Tootsie is just about full grown.


Speaking of the chicks (how can I not???), they're making pests or is it pets of themselves; coming into the kitchen whenever they can get away with it. From what I hear it's normal behavior. Either they're just curious or very social. Whatever the reason, Chelsea is so jealous she now shows interest in any treat the chickens receive including corn on the cob and broccoli.








Tootsie is still in charge and pecks Chelsea whenever she feels the need. Chelsea has started growling when she feels threatened though and Tootsie backs off occasionally. There is definitely a duel going on.


This squirrel decided our bird house made a perfect home.




S/he has enlarged the hole on the front for easier access. I guess it loved the "porch" on the house as it was lounging on it the other evening as the sun was setting. Lucky squirrel.








I'm back at work. My flu/cold is manageable at least. Our weather has started cooling down. The asters and mums are starting to bloom. This weekend I'll get to see another couple of local garden blogger's gardens. Looking forward to that. And to visiting with them again.
I managed to pick up some plants at Edward's Nursery plant sale last week. Happy with what I chose.

That's been the excitement around here.


I'll post one pic of the morning glories which are blooming so prettily now.

Ugh.......I have the flu.........

The latest news; our son Casey has gone to fight fires in Northern California, just leaving this morning with the rest of the crew.

Our daughter Vanessa is busy interviewing for jobs in anticipation of her August graduation from college.

And Kim, after saving his pennies for quite some time, managed to buy us one of these;




Yeah, it's nice. 24 inch screen.

We've always been Mac lovers.

And Kim couldn't pass this up also as it was offered with a $300 rebate;




So we've been very busy playing with our new toys, working, and enjoying our garden.

I'll post more when the new photo software arrives.

And so, (having way too much fun), until later.

Not much happening around here.
Warning; this will be another hodge-podge post, a jumble of little this's and that's.

We had a gorgeous weekend with highs in the 70's. Now we're back to normal unpredictable April weather; highs in the 50-60's and lows to 28˚F. A few changes in the garden; a couple different daffodils blooming;






























The Professor de Monsseri tulips are blooming along the "Bunny Fence."
























Kim and I are just about finished with our spring garden clean up. The Moongarden is ready for its firepit, we just need to purchase one. Kim did get a raincheck on one last week.



We left a circle in the center of the brick for that purpose. Can't wait to use the firepit on cool summer nights. When we first planted the moongarden we chose all white flowers; Climbing White Dawn rose, Blanc Double de Coubert rose, Climbing Iceberg rose, Henryii clematis, Halina Noll clematis, Baby's Breath, Casa Blanca lilies, Schizophragma hydrandeoides vine.

But recently I've added pink and blue; Comtesse de Bouchard clematis, ornamental strawberries, Perle d'Azur clematis, Heritage rose, Moon River peony, Coral n' Gold peony, Constance Spry rose and Duchess of Albany clematis.
The Moongarden is the one spot I try to keep "romantic". Dreamy. Heavenly scented. A little nighttime escape. Or daytime.


My winter/spring sowing is going nowhere so far. I haven't given up hope.


We have one orange tulip (perhaps more to come) blooming. It's not supposed to be there but I guess it didn't get my memo. I tried digging up all of these a few years ago when I decided lilac was the color to go with in the front garden. Guess I missed some. Guess I'll let it go.


Kim and I have decided to give the Portfolio diet plan a try. Anyone else doing this? Anyone else with cholesterol levels out of control? I was prescribed statins years ago and like a good girl I faithfully swallowed my medicine. Then I got bored, tired, distracted, low on cash, and stopped. So lately I decided the next best thing would be to drastically change how I eat. Kim is going along with it for the most part (not sure about his cholesterol levels) but he will require some add ons such as occasional meat and cheese. I'm OK with just seafood and veggies and rice and tofu. I'll let you know how it shakes out. We're experimenting with the recipes now.

As mentioned, my birthday was very enjoyable. More surprises; my daughter, Vanessa, took me clothes shopping (something I never do for myself.) She helped me pick out a pair of black capri pants and a nice matching blouse. My friend Steph gave me two bottles of wine (can't beat that), and my friend Carol gave me two skeins of sock yarn because I can't wait to learn to knit socks.

I also received some interesting birthday cards.
First, one from my niece in Denver. She has been to our house many times, but swears she doesn't remember this poster we have framed in our bedroom. Granted, it is behind the bedroom door and really only visible when the door is shut. I thought it was quite the trick that she picked a card I like so much that I have a larger version.



And this card from my friend Carol made me laugh;

























Kim gave me an interesting card. The message was very appropriate for me I thought.

"Dance to your own music! Reach for you own star!
Shine like the delightful, charming birthday girl you are!"

OK so far.
Now scroll down for the card;























That's right, BARBIE. He blames me. Says he liked the message and that I'm the one always playing Barbie dolls. OK, he's got me there.

This and That

Some odds and ends:


As I was carrying my seedlings to the coldframe this morning I heard the strangest sound. Some sort of rumbling from over the neighbor's fence.

Oh yeah, I recognize that racket. He thinks his lawn needs mowing!
Is that possible already? I guess so. I doubt Fletcher would be doing it for his health. Amazing. I think spring is officially here when lawns need mowing.
Ours doesn't although it's nice and green already.



Remember when I bought these for work because my feet were killing me?




Well, my feet are still killing me. And since I have falling arches I purchased these;


They didn't work. My arches didn't hurt yesterday but for some reason the inserts squished my toes up so badly I thought my feet were going to fall off. So today I'm going to use these old standbys and see how that goes. I got the lovely falling arch thing after being on my feet for 12 hour shifts at Micron.















Our new furniture has arrived and we're thrilled with it.








Looks as if we'll be having company for the summer! We're excited. More on that in a later post.


I was out checking the garden today and saw this.



At first I thought it was a lily coming up but it's still early for them. Then I realized it is one of the Fritillaria imperialis or Crown Imperials, that I transplanted around the garden last year. I hope they do well this year.

I also saw peonies budding, both herbacious and tree;



The lysimachia punctata 'Alexander" is showing;



In the shade garden I see both the Polemonium 'Stairway to Heaven' I planted last year are alive.



And of course, the Bishop's Weed is back. I enjoy the coverage this plant provides, but be warned, it will spread like crazy if you let it.



I did a double take when I saw this;




Seems really early for a strawberry bloom, Fragaria or not, but I'll have to trust it knows what it's doing.



I decided to try the Winter Sowing idea I saw on Connie's blog. Yeah, I know, it's not winter anymore. Here's my reasoning; we're still getting freezing temperatures here at night, I want to get a feel for the winter sowing idea, I'm out of light space in the spare bedroom and I got these milk jugs free from work! Justification enough? Works for me.

I planted all three with white foxglove seed;



I like to stuff the area underneath the flowering crab with them.



Next year I'll put some in the moongarden also.

And last thing, I talked my husband into a small act of vandalism.
Well, maybe not vandalism. Let's call it "borrowing", shall we?
He went down to the house on the corner of our block, which is for sale, and snipped a couple of these;





We've always admired their weeping pussy willow tree and these were simply suckers coming up from the bottom. So, really, we're doing the future owners a favor, right?
And in about five years we hope to have our own little weeping pussy willow.


I know all my readers are holding your breath waiting for my seedling update. I promise, it's forthcoming.