Back to normal

I think.  Anne's home.  All tests show that she is pretty healthy with the exception of the asthma which needs work.  And we have to lose weight. No problem...we have all these lovely veggies growing in the garden.

Last Sunday, we picked up our seedlings from Maria and planted out the ones that were ready.  Lots of tomatoes. 

Looking at the ones left to harden off, we realized that another garden box was needed.  We had originally thought about growing some in containers but why?  We have lawn left to dig up.  So that was my job last week and it rained.  I started but didn't get very far.  So today promises to be the start of a fine stretch and the rest of the seedlings will be planted snug in their beds. 

I also managed to get the runner bean poles up and ready for the first little leaves to poke through.  The seeds are in a bit late but this was our solution to dress up the bird feeder pole while we wait for the bears to hibernate.  I've planted more  lettuce around the outer edge. 

This week I've been eating lettuce, spinach and Swiss chard right from the garden.  Yum!

Birthday gifts

It's Anne's birthday today.

She's in hospital having tests done for the past couple of days and they don't allow flowers.

I'll take the laptop in with these peonies which always bloom on her birthday. 

And one of the baby chickadees getting around the plants to find their own food.  I think they're teenagers now.  It was awfully hard to capture them.  They skittered away when I got within 20 feet and it was raining as you can see.

Here's a whole bouquet...Happy Birthday!

House Guest

Last night, I turned on the desk lamp and surprised a visitor setting up its sleeping quarters for the night.

I watched, fascinated, as this long-legged beastie spun a web from my keyboard to some papers standing on my desk.  I don't think it's a spider and it's probably something that we don't want to keep in the house.  But I loved watching it. 

When it had spun a good-sized hammock, the movement just stopped for the night.  And, apparently, these creatures are not up with the sun.

 
It was still there this morning.  When it woke up, it stretched out the two longest legs and, using them to find its way, just ambled off  to find some breakfast.  

*Top photos taken with a flash last night;  bottom photo in daylight.

Sunday Wonders - H

H is for Hosta.

Back when we were trying to fill in the garden, we discovered hostas.  What wonderful plants they are.  They don't mind shade which we have; they also enjoy sun; they withstand the rain and best of all they spread out.

We were told that they have insignificant flowers.  Now this isn't true.  They are tall spires of many small purple or white blooms that tower over the leaves. They come out later in the summer and add interest to those shady parts of the garden.

We bought two plants at first and enjoyed them.  Then, the next  spring, we panicked because they were not emerging with the other perennials.  We bought more plants thinking the originals had been eaten by voracious slugs.

Well, they did finally come up and we are wiser now in the way of the hosta.

They have such various leaves.  I love the small and sometimes subtle differences in their leaf colors.

I like how their leaves are so strongly ribbed.

I like their constant variety.  This is our biggest hosta :  "Sum & Substance".  I had to have it just because of the name.  The tulip at back right is there for size reference - this hosta is our consistent favorite and we hold our breath  waiting  for its appearance each spring.