Progress report on my new garden

Early June 2009 I started work on my new Shade garden. Here is a slide show from the beginning up until 8/31/2009. I still have plenty more to do before it will be finished, that is, if a garden is ever complete. Us gardeners are inclined to change our minds about the location of plants, and of course we are always buying new plants to add to our gardens.

I have moved plants from the flower bed in front of the house into the shade garden, and planted quite a few hellebore which were in pots, into the terraced beds and alongside the path which leads down the incline. I am anxious to see how this is all going to look next year, after the plants have had a chance to settle in and put on a spurt of growth in the spring and summer. A friend has offered some ferns from her place so I had better get my shovel and go dig them and get them into the ground before the cool weather gets here.

Makeover completed

The three pots I bought in a garage sale yesterday, (look at the previous post to see how shabby they looked) have been made over using a couple of cans of spray paint, formulated for use on plastic. Next spring I will have fun deciding what plants and the color combinations will grace these pots. Now I am thinking all my older pots are looking kinda' sad and also need a makeover. I will put that task on my to do list.

A day off for fun

This morning Mr C and I decided to go garage sale hopping, and we both found a few treasures to bring home.

I found the large flower pots, the book and the fish shaped serving (for lack of a better word) dish, at separate garage sales. The pots will get a good scrubbing, then painted using a can of the special paint made especially for plastics. I have in mind to use some nice bright colors on them so they will be a focal point in my garden. As I glanced briefly through the book before deciding to buy it, I found there was some very useful information on growing vegetables, and for a dollar I couldn't go wrong.

When I saw this fish shaped 'thing' sitting on a piece of plywood with other merchandise for sale, I was immediately intrigued. What on earth is that, I asked myself? The woman who was hosting the yard sale came by, so I asked her about this unusual 'object D' art' I was told that it came from Mexico and it was used in restaurants to hold, and keep food hot. A can of Sterno was placed inside the mouth of the fish and lit to keep the top of the server hot. H'ors deurves were then placed in the center section, while tooth picks filled the sections at either end. I don't know if I will ever use it as intended, which would certainly be a talking point at a party, or if it will end up as garden art. I nearly forgot to tell you, that I also bought a nearly new push lawnmower for $2 I have wanted one to mow the grass in front of the vegetable garden, but did not want to pay around $85 for a new one. Mr C is going to adjust the blades so it will do a better job, and I will be able to keep the grass under control. The rabbits are way too slow in doing their part to help *grin*

As we were driving down a narrow road after perusing yet another yard sale, I had Mr C stop our car, so I could snap a picture of the bird houses adorning the tops of the fence posts surrounding a garden.
That was our fun morning, and to top it off, we stopped a Dairy Queen for a Blizzard treat.

California trip

Last .Wednesday Mr C and I flew down to Burbank CA, picked up a rental car and drove to Valencia, where we stayed until Saturday. Mr C competed in the World Steel Challenge which was held on a range about a half hour drive from the hotel, at a place called Piru.

Thursday morning Mr C was to compete, and we had to be out at the range very early, so he could register for the match as we arrived too late the night before to do so. As we drove to the range I noticed this finger of fog slowly drifting in over the hills down into the valley we were passing through.

The fog thickened as we drove along, but did not drift in over the road. It was a pretty sight indeed. This is a very dry, hot, dusty place except for the areas which are irrigated for the various crops being grown.I saw chili peppers, tomatoes, oranges, and other crops I could not name, as I saw them from our vehicle, as we drove along.

The day after Mr C Competed, we once again drove to the range to watch more of the competitors shoot. Not far from this orange grove is a fruit stand, where last year we stopped so I could buy some freshly picked oranges. I was sorely disappointed as they were not at all very sweet.

As we made the turn onto a side road which led to the range, this herd of horses came ambling towards us, so we had to stop and wait, until they passed on by.

A section of the range.

The building front you see, are set up for Cowboy action shooting, but was not part of the weeks events.

There was a Steel Challenge stage set up behind the western store fronts.

The last day on the range was quite warm, in the upper 80's, which was a whole lot better than last year when we had to suffer temperatures in the 100 degree range. The only complaint, well almost the only one, is that the wind came up whipping up the fine dust, which found its way into our eyes, down the top of our shirts sticking to our damp sweaty skin. I was very happy to arrive back at the hotel to take a nice long shower and wash all the grit off myself.

Sighhhh!

Yes, that is a sighhhh! of relief you hear.

Last night and into early this morning, we have had a good soaking rain.

The plants and critters seem happy to see this downpour.
I watched a little finch sitting on a branch in the rain, fluffing it's feathers and preening for all it's worth, and happy flocks of birds were bathing in the puddles on the driveway leading to the house.

Visitors to my garden

Pictures from a road trip in New Zealand

I can't believe it is almost two years since I was back in New Zealand and I still have pictures I have not shared with you, and there will be more when I return from another visit in November. Sheesh! I had better 'get with the program'

My brother, took me for a drive up, and around the hills and country roads surrounding the city of Palmerston North where we grew up. We drove through rolling pastures dotted with sheep, through small ravines covered in beautiful lush growth, and wound around narrow country roads sometime pulling over to let a farmer driving his tractor towing a piece of farm machinery.

I have an appreciation for the stunning country I grew up in.

Ahhh! relief from the heat

I'm over all my whining about the heat, as it was a more reasonable 82 degrees here at our house today. It has been nice to be able to get outside and get a little gardening done.
Earlier this evening, I spent time pulling out all the peas which were past producing, and tomorrow morning I am going to plant a fall crop of peas, scarlet runner beans, spinach, beets, and lettuce.

I sure had an audience as I worked in the garden. Three rabbits were almost climbing the fence looking for a handout. You should have seen the excitement from them when I threw some of the pea vines over the fence. One rabbit even went so far, as to grab a whole vine and run, I mean hop off with it, and hide under one of our vehicles to eat it.
Tomorrow the temperature is supposed to be 75 F so it should be a pleasant day to be out doors.
You all have a wonderful weekend.

Whine, whine whine

It is too "bleeping" hot to do much of anything. I have weeds in the garden needing my attention, a dishwasher which needs emptying, blogging to catch up on and a myriad of other chores calling my name. This Kiwi just can't function when the temperatures are in the 90's I am about as limp as a wilted piece of lettuce. We don't have air conditioning in our home here as it really doesn't stay hot for extended periods, but this week will be hot all week. Sheesh!!!!
Last Friday morning we drove to Idaho for the Eddy Brown Memorial steel challenge match. You can read about our adventures HERE
On the 12th of August we fly down to Piru CA for the World Steel Challenge. I will not be shooting in this match, but MrC will. I guess this heat wave we are experiencing is acclimatizing us to the heat we will have to bear when in Piru.
That is about all for now, I am going to get a nice cold drink and see if there is anywhere cooler than this spot in front of my PC.

Talk to them and

they will be friends.

Any time I went outdoors and saw any of the wild rabbits, I would talk to them. Imagine my surprise, a couple of days ago, when this little guy/girl came right up to me as I was doing some gardening. I slowly made my way inside, and asked Mr C to bring the camera while I found something I thought the rabbit would like to eat. I knelt on the ground and spoke softly to the little rabbit, trying to entice it to come and eat out of my hand. The picture tells the rest of the story.

Since that day, every time I went outside, this little one, would appear at my feet looking up at me, asking with it's eyes, for food from my veggie garden.

A short time ago I was taking some pictures of flowers for a blog story, when I felt a tickle on my sandaled foot. I very nearly kicked out and squealed thinking it was some kind of bug crawling on my foot, but no, it was Wabbit (new name) nuzzling my foot. Of course I had to pick some peas for Wabbit, which seem to be rabbit candy.

I sat on the ground taking pictures, to show you how unafraid Wabbit is of me.

Isn't he/she a cutie?
I find I am now paying more attention at looking before I step, just in case Wabbit has crept up on me.

Salpiglosis

Painted Tongue has become one of my favorite flowers. Next year I intend on growing many more, to see how many more of the stunning jewel-like colors there are.

Progress report on our 'baby'

Our furry little friend we are now calling 'our miracle bunny' Most times baby rabbits will die within hours or just a few days of their rescue, but this little one, has defied the odds and is thriving.

6/30/2009

7/4/2009

7/17/2009
We sure do get a kick out of the rabbit's antics. he/she likes to groom Mr C's hands.
I guess that means Mr C is now 'family'.

The quail family

Daddy quail sitting atop a pile of gravel, well at least I think it should be Daddy, watching out for predators, while his family search for food.

I have noticed two quail families which seek the protection of the blackberry bushes near our house. This family, and one other with much younger chicks. I have attempted to take photos of the smaller chicks, but they are very shy, and move faster than I can get the camera ready to take their picture.

There is alway another side

to seeing things.

As I sat on the porch enjoying a cool drink, I glanced down on to a pot of pansies. Instead of looking at their happy faces, I was looking at the back of some of the flowers, and it was then I realized how interesting flowers look from the back or underside.



If we take the time to really look around us, most times, there is always something we have not noticed before, to interest us.

July 4th Celebration 2009

This evening we enjoyed watching fireworks from our front deck. We are fortunate to look out across Useless bay and down onto the beach, where many bonfires glow in the dark, and fireworks light up the sky and reflect on the still water of the bay. I love the way the fireworks in the photos, have the look of modern pieces of art.

Bunny update

As requested, here is more on our little rabbit. We decided to make a little video so you can see for yourself how cute our little friend is. It was his/her left eye, which had been injured somehow, and was badly infected. Well we are happy to say, and you can see, that all the infection is gone, and it appears he/she can see out of the injured eye.

We are a couple of old softies.

Last night I went out to the RV to get something, and something caught my eye. It was a very small rabbit. I called MrC to come out and take a look at the little bunny.

The poor wee thing was injured, so my honey put on his vet's hat, and went to work.
Read MrC's story HERE.
As of tonight, the little rabbit is doing well, but with wild critters you never know, so we are crossing our fingers he/she will make a full recovery. When I came home from work, I went to check in on the rabbit, and when it heard me say "hi little bunny, how are you doing?" it's little ears went up, listening to my voice. It just makes my heart melt.

Butterfly garden.

While in Holland, in Winterswijk, I enjoyed a stroll down some of the trails surrounding the hotel where we stayed.

Upon returning to the hotel after one of my strolls down this pretty trail, I came across a butterfly garden.

This charming little building was at one side of the garden.

An information board showing the many different species of butterflies which visit the garden.

It was nice to walk the narrow mulched paths around all the plants, looking for butterflies.

There were many plants I could name, and just as many I could not.

Looks a lot like a hardy geranium.

So pretty.

A lovely poppy.

Another of mother natures works of art.

There were not many butterflies, perhaps we were a little too early in the season.

The generations

The Silent Generation , people born before 1946.

The Baby Boomers , people born between 1946 and 1959.

Generation X , people born between 1960 and 1979.

Generation Y , people born between 1980 and 1995

Why do we call the last one generation Y?


I did not know, but a cartoonist explains it eloquently below...