I already knew it was hot out...

Ok, I understand that it's going to be in the 90s today. The number 90 is high, it's understood. Did I really need a steaming thermometer icon to drive the point home? Oh great... the forecast increased another 2 degrees to 94 while I was writing this post.

Weekend Visits: Father's Day

Like a good daughter, I went visited my parents for Father's Day weekend. With the Summer Solstice coinciding, and the 4th of July not far off, the whole house was abuzz with chores and preparations.
Working ahead, cranberry orange biscotti get sliced up...
and laid out for their second baking. July 4th guests will get a treat usually reserved for Christmas Cookie tins!
The huge pile of mulch in the driveway became home to a few unexpected guests. Mother unearthed two toads while spreading mulch around the garden.
I quickly chased after them with my bucket and released them into the hostas (kindly donated by Aunt B and uncle T) below the deck.

Patio Garden Pt. 3

I'm glad we got the tomatoes some growing room, they're already sporting blooms!


The maintenance man strongly suggested we paint our homemade planter the same color as the post. We'll see about that... "I'll even get ya the paint and paintbrush", he politely offers.

I don't know what he's talking about, I think hot pink would really provide some character. Should give in?

Mourning the Weekend Warrior

I've got new photos of the patio ready, and a cute tutorial on the way.

Patio Garden Project: Pt. 2

Peter came out to help, but we sent him back into the kitchen to fix dinner.

Sara manages the measurements and cutting, yells at me every time I take another photo.


I put the camera down for a while and help with assembly. Remember kids, to avoid neighbors complaining about noise, always use pilot holes!

Check out our awesome college-kid, folding-chair sawhorse!

Our sawhorse serves us well and we the whole project comes together as the sun goes down. We get dirt into our new planter and call it a night. Final pictures soon to come.

Patio Garden Pt. 1

Marseilles Dress SHABBY APPLE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

If I don't win this dress, I might have to break down and buy something from the Manhattan line.
Shabby Apple, why must you be so beautiful?
Marseilles Dress SHABBY APPLE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

How does Your Garden Grow?

I've been blaming work for my not posting, but writing to my readers is what I think about when the worst of life hits me. A recent post over at The Little Red Hen reminded me that I couldn't ignore posting any longer. (I don't have pictures because my camera charger went missing until just yesterday, and I'm loathe to fork over $20 bucks for a cable to pull them from my phone.) Last weekend my roomies came with to house-sit for my parents.
The garden is starting to produce beautifully. Spinach and lettuce were waiting for another harvest, and the strawberry plants have not only doubled in size, they're sporting blooms! Maybe we'll be lucky enough to have some to share with the family on the July 4th weekend. Peas are climbing their trellis, and tomatoes are starting to establish.
Soon I'll have a garden of my own at the apartment: only a small hanging basket and a pot of basil sat on the patio then, but while I was home in Chelsea I picked up two beautiful purple Delphinium to make a statement and begin building the outdoor "room". Mom lovingly set aside an additional basil plant to make sure there's a big enough harvest for pesto later on.

Thanks for getting me out of my funk!