Moonflower Pod

I love how plants can surprise you. Anyone recognize this? It' a seedpod for a moonflower. No...not my moonflowers, but my neighbors! I plan to have my own next year, so we'll see what happens with that! Anyway, I claimed this seed pod a few weeks and set it aside on my counter hoping it would just dry out. Instead, the outside, which is a spikey ball, ended up getting soft and I was able to peel it back. This brain like ball was inside. The second you poke at it, the seeds begin to fall right out of this! Those are all seeds that you are actually seeing! Isn't that neat?

Mowing the Lawn in a Pink Diaper

He's a helpful little boy. Often, we catch him saying, "No! Patrick do!" because of course, at 2 years, 10 months, he's more than capable of being, you know, independent, like ALL two year olds! He wants to help, even if the lawnmower really is bigger than he is.



He wants to help, even in the only pink diaper we own, which just so happens to be the most favorite diaper of this little boy. Oh yes, it is! Perhaps we need to own more pink diapers, for Maura of course! He's a helpful little boy, that Patrick Finn!

River Stones for the Garden

I don't know what took me so long to actually finish these. I'd collected the stones forever ago, and they just sat around waiting. I actually did three of them last week, but then I left the others until just yesterday and today I added a quick coat of polyurethane to them to keep em nice and shiny in the pots!



I got my inspiration from Kerrie over at Sea Kettle. Last year, she had done this project, and I loved it so much! It fit into my new herb potted extravaganza very well!



Now I won't forget what I've got in there! What do you think? How do you keep track of your gardens?

Blankets and Gardens in the Sunshine

I hope you didn't think I was kidding. I know I said it weeks ago...my goal? Lay with Maura on the blanket under the tree out back. That's just what we did yesterday. I actually did some gardening as well. I went out and bought some flowers for the new pots my neighbor had donated to my cause. I was going for some disorganized splendor and then I decided it would be kind of neat to do mostly herbs!



I'd like to make some rocks to put into my potted herb garden as well! I think they'll add a nice touch to my new garden area!



Maura napped while I switched in between gardening and laying down to snuggle with her in the wispy summer weather. She slept really well last night too! Maybe we should spend some more time outdoors!

Gardening for Summer

The summer heat this year has killed my pansies. It's really fair to tell you that I never really plant pansies, except this year, the brutal winter made me year for color earlier than usual, so pansies it was! Unfortunately, they needed replacing badly. I'd walk up on my deck after work and just wince when I'd pass them by.




"When school gets out..." I'd remind myself. And I certainly didn't waste any time in getting started! Patrick and I headed out to the nursery the other day to pick up some new flowers. At the point, the choices are different than early spring, but still nice. I had a few spots in mind that needed filling. Filling them we did! Patrick, of course, was willing to help me out with the planting.



This box was given to me by a neighbor. I had originally intended to bring it inside and make it into a "shoe" box. Unfortunately, when it made it's way across the street, we'd realized that it absolutely reeked of oil! As it sat on the side of my house for a few weeks, I could smell it through the window when it got hot. I figured it wouldn't be healthy to plant herbs in it, so I decided on a mixed variety of flowers. I'm happy with the way it came out!



Now, I can walk onto my deck, morning, noon, and night, and certainly not wince at my flowerpots any longer!

Fiddleheads

Several years ago, I decided that the space between my house and my neighbor's house was sorely underused. It needed some kick. It was free gardening space! I decided to build a path, and fortunately for me, the ancient bricks were already there, I just had to dig them up! The area was vastly shady, so I decided that the best thing I could do for this space was to make it into a Fern Garden. I'm so happy I did!



The most exciting thing about ferns is how they form in Spring. Fiddleheads pop up and unwind!



They really are fascinating to watch as they unravel into the most beautiful plants. What's blooming in your garden right now?

Into the Yard

The weather here has been nothing short of amazing! What a week to have off for break!



If I haven't mentioned it before, my little guy would live outside if he could! So of course, we are spending a lot of time out there!



We've been gardening, playing in the water, biking, walking, and a LOT of exploring.



The sun has been shining, making today the perfect day to sun all (yes, ALL) of my cloth diapers!



All of those winter stains are gone!



Last week, we had little buds on the trees..this week? All out leaves! Does it get any better than this?

The Perfect Afternoon



Perhaps this weekend I'll have an opportunity to garden. I haven't gotten much of that in, and I'm really despising that groundhog. He's got this hiding spot, under our shed. It's perfect for him to sneak out and eat my plants. I've tried putting bricks into his space, but he still seems to find a way. I figure a few more bricks and he won't have any luck at all! Perhaps I'll plant Patrick on the blanket under the tree with a few toys and let him enjoy the weather while I dig in the dirt. Looks like the perfect afternoon, doesn't it? Happy Weekend Everyone!

The Groundhog




It doesn't really make much difference. He lives in the neighbor's yard. Of course, the neighbor doesn't care; their house is up for sale and no one lives there anyway. I've never actually seen the beast in my yard, but when I come home, and I find that my Nasturtium have disappeared, I just know. The furry monster has visited my garden! I told myself that if I saw him in the road, I wouldn't slow down, not really thinking I'd meant it. Sure enough, the other day, he did cross my path and I did speed up. Unfortunately, I was not quick enough! Another day, groundhog! Another day!

New Lens Fun (and Irises too!)




Joe was a good husband and picked up the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II for me for Mother's Day. Wow, I think this changes everything! So much fun already! I took it out yesterday for a spin, but unfortunately my battery died before I even got warmed up! Considering these are "cold start" pictures..I think I'm in for a lot of fun!



Every year, here in Bordentown, we celebrate the Irises. Perhaps the reason we do is because Franklin Carr, famous hybridizer of irises lived right here IN Bordentown!

Magnolia




One of the things I love about Spring is how everything is like a surprise again, each and every year! One plant that particularly amazes me is the Magnolia. The flowers arrive and cover every branch of the tree. They look beautiful for about two weeks before they all fall off, and when they do, it's like magic! The tree is covered in leaves! It's almost like Spring happens behind those flowers, like they are wrapping paper, and when they come off, we get a whole new tree!

The magnolia flowers are out already. I can't help but think that in a week or two, all the other trees will follow in suite! Spring is really here!

As the days grow longer...

the time sneaks past, with our bustle of spring activity. I find myself digging out in the garden, hoping for a better garden than in the past, as always. I don't plant vegetables. You see, I'm a flower gardener. I have sage and mint, but for the most part, I just like looking at my garden. It is ever changing, and this year is no different. I've opened up a vast area in hopes of new and interesting plants this year. I'll certainly post pictures when things start sprouting!

The Holidays...Here and Gone!



It seems that every year, Christmas comes in with a whirlwind and just as quickly it's gone. This year was no different. Although he really had no clue, Patrick had a wonderful Christmas. Our time with family was well spent and we even found a day to head to Longwood Gardens for some leisurely garden walking. It was very chilly outside, but oh, the conservatory! It was amazing! Green grass in winter is something everyone needs to experience. It nearly temps me to grow some right here near the window! The next few months bring even colder weather our way. We're lucky enough to spend a week of it away in Disney this year, and then it's only a matter of 2 weeks before I sadly rejoin the workforce...

I Hate My Neighbor

So I went to head out in my car today, only to pass by my coveted fern garden that I slaved over last summer. Ferns? Where? Not a single fern was to be found. I panicked. Every last one had been pulled out. Apparently, my idiot neighbor has pulled every fern out. He thought they were WEEDS! What kind of neanderthal thinks that ferns are WEEDS?! Apparently my neighbor! I give up..so much for fern gardens...

Berry Time!

Joe and I went Strawberry pickin' today with Diana and Barbara. The weather was spectacular. The fields were ripe. The berries were sweet!! We'll be makin a pie in a little while and we've already had some smoooothies! I almost didn't go. The thought of bending over and getting up and down so often was NOT very appealing to me with the imposing tum! I managed fine though! It was obvious that I didn't have quite as many berries as everyone else, but then again, that's allowed when you are nearly 7 months pregnant!

Spring is here!

Yesterday morning, I set out to Home Depot with the intent of picking up lots of gardening goodness. I came home a little while later armed with weekend projects. Of course, it's not nearly as easy as I know it to be with a few extra baby pounds and all, but I still managed to get quite a bit done! My ferns are starting to emerge with their fronds unravelling before my eyes. The smoke bushes are starting to get new growth renewing my hope that they would survive their first winter. After lopping off the weeping pussy willow, it too it starting to show signs of life. The maple's leaves are quickly emerging with renewed shade. My garden is feeling fresh and new again!

Between Colonists and Landscaping



I feel like I've gotten no sleep...like I need another day of rest. The alarm this morning came way too quickly. We woke up on Saturday to head out in the alley. Joe was kind enough to help me dig. We spent the first hour of the day moving bricks, shovelling, and leveling dirt. We wanted to start before the heat of the day. We walked a little more than a mile to get there, after all, no cars allowed in the encampment! I had the opportunity to talk with quite a few Patriots about their way of life. After a while, we headed home. We ate some lunch and headed back again in the afternoon for the battle. It was facinating!

I spent the rest of the weekend working on the walk. Passerbys would look into the alleyway with curiousity. Their eyes would glow and mumble musings about the Garden tour! Neighbors are all too willing to share plants..and before you know it, I've got an amazing garden in the shade, complete with ferns and hostas and some flowers too! It really looks spectacular. I just love looking at it admiring it.

Unfortunately, my body is suffering the aches and pains of my labor. Even my FINGERS are hurting. I wish I could just head home right now to go back to bed. Ahh well, only 9 days left, including today!

UnEarthed!



So I've rather been nesting lately..doing all those things around the house that I won't be able to do when we have a little one on the way. You know? No heavy lifting? I've got to get it in now! First it was the mint garden plot. Isn't that what old bricked up window wells are for? I mean, it's like the perfect container for mint and all!!

Then it was the alley. Now, this is a project that I've been itching to take a shot at. I've got the backyard in control these days, I needed a new big project. Of course, it also involved tiptoeing around my neighbor because I wasn't sure how he'd react. I sent Joe to the battlefield to send out some feelers..

"Oh, well, we were going to put a concrete walk down there, but there used to be a brick path that's now below the earth there."



Uhm, no..no concrete paths, I'm taking over! I'll work like a horse to get this done before I go to Disney so that the neighbor guy has no interest in dropping a truck of concrete down the alleyway!

I went out today and started digging for the path. It was like an archeaological dig! I can't even remotely explain the excitement that I felt when I began unearthing all these bricks! It was perfect for my winding path and shade garden! And the bricks were already there! It's going to be spectacular!

Flowers in Time

Summer has this tendency to go way too fast. Here we are at the end of May and the Irises are in bloom. They won't be for long, so I took some time today to capture them. I present to you this years Irises.

Gardening as Therapy

My mom was always the type of woman to plant annual plants. She liked impatiens, those were definately her favorite..but she was never one to plant perennials. Being stuck smack dab in the middle of two outrageously amazing gardeners, I'm really growing a true appreciation for my garden. It's no longer about instant gratification. I'd rather watch my garden mature over the years than see one spectacular garden right now. It's happening though. According to the neighborly "expects", my space is adorable. I know, sounds like little teddy bears, doesn't it? But really, with a yard the size of mine, that's a great compliment. This year, I took over yet another bed on the side of the house..oh how meager the hydrangeas are right now, but I'm sure that by next year, they'll really be spectacular. In the back, I've planted a purple smoke bush. When it arrived, I swore it was dead. It was merely a twig with some roots, but alas I gave it a chance..it's starting to leaf! Such a big accomplishment! I can't wait to watch it grow!

I swear..there is nothing more therapeutic than gardening all day in the summer. You start the day with big ambitions..some weeding to do, some planting, some grass cutting, mulch..and by the end of the day you get to see the fruits of your labor. I spent today in my garden. Me and my garden simply connecting on another level. Perfect placement of the plants..wedding the entire alleyway between houses that I'm slowly taking over with Hostas, picking the hideous daisy weeds one by one until there are no more..and crocs, covered in dirt, so easily rinsed off with the hose and the cool water. I swear there is dirt on my face and in my hair, but who cares? Summer is here and my garden looks fabulous!