DOG DAYS & FLOWER POTS

Boy, I have really been out of the loop for awhile.  I am really trying to visit everyone in spite of not posting, if you haven't heard from me... you will soon, I hope.  Oh, I have been wanting to mention, I used to have a block on comments which required you to have a blog in order to comment here.  Well, I lifted that after thinking about it...I mean all of my readers can't have blogs!  Duh!  So, if you haven't been able to comment before, feel free to do so.  As long as I don't get a lot of spam I will keep it like this.  

Anyway, I have been up to my ears in gardening and a lot else has gone to the wayside as a result.  I'm spending hours outside weeding, planting pots, watering, sweeping up birdseed. That bird feeder has become a battleground.  The sparrows scare the wrens and the cardinals scare the sparrows.  They line up on my porch railing waiting their turns.  I'm filling the feeder everyday and what I sweep up I toss into the grass.  They are everywhere!!  The Husband politely suggested I move the feeder near a tree and I said, "No!  I want be able to hear them!"  To which he replied, "I don't think you want to hear what they are saying."

Take a close look at the sign above.  It's attached to an old hoe.  I'm trying to nail it to the house, but it's really difficult to hammer nails into brick.  I've done it before though, just have to hunt for the right nails.  Again, The Husband sighs at my outdoor decor and swears one more nail is going to make the house crumble down.

I am going to be a terrible grandmother.  I know it.  This past weekend convinced me when I had my newest grandog for 32.6 hours.  I was really looking forward to it and was up and ready early for him with all sorts of plans for the day.  When my son dropped Tulo off he said, "Keep him outside.  In fact, keep him outside all day."  I thought, hmmmm, that's strange but I had a lot of flowers to plant so I figured that would work.  Within the first five minutes I found Tulo chewing on the hose.  Once I got him away from that he was digging in one of my big whiskey barrels filled with potting soil.  I stared in disbelief as he got on top, dug a shallow hole and plopped himself down in it.  He was covered in dirt, in fact, I think he ate some.

So I brought him inside, I figured he'd do less damage there.  Well at 8 weeks you can pretty much figure he's not housebroken and he proceeded to relieve himself on my living room area rug.  By the time I came back with paper towels, he was doing #2 next to the spot.

We went back outside and I managed to plant some pots while simultaneously rescuing the little monster from near death.  Thankfully Milo wore him out...they get along great.  By 5:00, I gave up planting, gathered up all the flowers Tulo had snatched and spread around the yard, and sat down with a cold one.  And then I saw him lying in a corner of the patio behind my honeysuckle, totally worn out.

 

And my little heart broke.  Maybe this is how a grandmother feels, just not used to running after a toddler, constantly pulling them from harm's way.  And then you lay them down for the night and see their sweet little faces (this one with whiskers and a contented smile on his face), and your heart just melts.  Awww, Tulo, we have a long road ahead of us, Pal.

I am really proud of this picnic table.  We needed one really bad as the one we had rotted in a lot of spots and the wrought iron base had rusted beyond saving.  I really wanted more seating for the family for when I start to have barbeque's (still working on The Husband for that grill).  I researched them online and I found this at Lowe's for a super price.  And it was free delivery, totally assembled.  That was good as we don't have a truck handy and The Husband refuses to put anything together.  I really had my peacock feathers rustling after it came because I sort of made a 'major' purchase on my own without consulting anyone.  Have you ever done anything like that?  I don't know, maybe I'm still living in the 1950's.  And I know The Husband definitely is living back in that era.  He's a "Make do or do without" sort of person.  And no, he wasn't a happy camper.  Not so much about the table...maybe that I had done something like this without 'needing him'.  Finally, after a few days, I was sitting out there at my new little picnic table by my lonesome, flicking through a magazine, when he came out and joined me with two cold Summer Shandy's, a peace offering if you will.  :)

You've seen pictures of this little area next to the patio.  I've always loved the cottagy look of the flowers and various pots but I'm starting to feel like it's looking a little messy and haphazard.  Beat down.   Next year I want to totally clean it up and do something different.  It'll be fun to plan it.  I still love the cottage look, just a bit more civilized.  

I think lobelia is my favorite flower.  They are annuals in our area.  And this planter is my hands down favorite.  The "GROW" part is actually cut out so it's the inside you are seeing.  

My big veggie plot is not going to happen this year.  It's tucked away on the other side of the house.  That area has been ignored since I stopped growing vegetables about 8 years ago.  I just couldn't keep up with it and the work at the lake as well.  And yes, the lake requires a lot of work and not just yard work.  So, I have to start early in April next year, maybe even work on it a bit this summer and fall.  Instead I hauled out some big pots and here I have four different tomato plants.  Marigolds help keep certain pests away and they look pretty.  In a few other pots here and there I have bush beans, lettuce and spinach.  It has been pouring out all day and I took these pictures out in the rain so I'll have to show you my other attempts at container gardening another time.

Remember my junk shop find a few months ago?  I planted her up and made another hole in the brick (egad!).  I don't know if it distracts from or emphasizes the cables along the wall but it is what it is.  I'd like to hang something in the middle.  Any suggestions?

One last pic and I'm done boring you with this stuff.  But seriously, this is all I've been doing!  I'm pretty sure I'm going to pare back on the flowers at the lake this summer.  I truly love puttering around there with my plants and pots, but the first bit of work in the spring is just too much.  I'm just going to try to get more perennials in the ground when they go on sale.  And we're off to the lake Friday!  Father's Day is Sunday and Emily's birthday is Monday so it should be a great time.  There's so much to do but it's a change of scenery.  I'd rather clean out a boat rather than a refrigerator!  You can always jump in the lake to cool off, too!

Well, I'm off to get some reading in before bed.  Now remember, if you read my blog and were never able to comment, now you can.  And you can leave your email address if you want. 

Have a great week all! :)

XO,

Jane