The patio on the morning after.
The yard
One small path...
A path plus the front walk
Notice most of the Christmas lights are buried!
Finally finished!
About Me
- KathyA
- I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 53 years, two years after we met at college. I taught in both middle and high schools as I really love teens and in-betweens. I was also a certified Lamaze instructor, and for a short time a volunteer chaplain at Howard County General Hospital. I am a two-time cancer survivor, ovarian (2003), and breast (2019) I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs with great parents, in a bilingual household. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, the Orioles, and sometimes the Ravens. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy (Kath), and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader, cook, photographer, lover of languages, music, and four-footed furries.
Showing posts with label patio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label patio. Show all posts
Monday, December 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Let the Planting Begin...
I've done a lot -- still have some left, but wanted to share what I've done before the *&^%#*^ rabbits eat all of my efforts. Even with the strongest repellents on the market, they love my impatiens, verbena, and roses. Mind you, the impatiens and verbena are in pots! They're climbing in and feasting. Time to borrow one of the grand dogs. Keep in mind that nothing is in full color, yet. Our weather hasn't been consistently warm enough, but I know it's coming.
These lovelies are waiting to be planted.
My Turtle Garden
The Back Garden
Lemon Tree; Gerbers; Verbena, Red Geraniums, and Creeping Jenny; and a pot in waiting. These are the steps the bunnies live under.
The garden that got away -- we'll be reworking this beginning this weekend.
Heirloom Tomatoes and the patio corner garden
Plants on the patio steps
So now you know that I haven't been spending ALL of my time on Facebook!
These lovelies are waiting to be planted.
My Turtle Garden
The Back Garden
Lemon Tree; Gerbers; Verbena, Red Geraniums, and Creeping Jenny; and a pot in waiting. These are the steps the bunnies live under.
The garden that got away -- we'll be reworking this beginning this weekend.
Heirloom Tomatoes and the patio corner garden
Plants on the patio steps
So now you know that I haven't been spending ALL of my time on Facebook!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Vestiges and Harbingers or What a Difference a Week Makes
It's Sunday morning and the hawks are screeching, trying to flush out their prey. It freaks me out, but I understand everybody has to eat. Today promises to be another mild day. We reached 66 on Friday, 74 yesterday, and currently it is 71 at 12:00 noon. What a difference a week makes as this time last Sunday, we prepared for our second and probable final snow event. I took this today. Notice my glass of iced tea! Also, take a quick look at the photo of the same spot last week in my previous post.
We worked outside yesterday, cutting to the ground the irises, liriope, monarda, and lythrum. I cut back most of my roses and look like I got into a tussle with a big cat and lost -- my hands and wrists were perfectly protected, but the thorns did a number on my arms! Beau, our nextdoor neighbor's Golden, helps me whenever I work in the rose garden. He's good company.
I've decided whatever roses we lost this year, I will replace with "Double Knockouts" as they are extremely hearty, fragrant, and gorgeous. They are resistant to black spot, pests, and don't need the full six hours + of sun that other roses require.
My perennials are 'popping through' already -- daffodils, hyacinths, of course, but surprisingly the shasta daisies, day lilies, liatris, peonies and sedum have already broken the surface. Today, I worked on the beds around the patio, cutting away the old to make room for the new, while Richard cleaned the beds on the other side of the house. Here, the pots await placement throughout the gardens.
It intrigues me that even though I work out five to six hours a week and lift weights in addition, that I could barely move getting out of bed this morning. So now I'm off to soak my tired and sore body and look for the Motrin.
We worked outside yesterday, cutting to the ground the irises, liriope, monarda, and lythrum. I cut back most of my roses and look like I got into a tussle with a big cat and lost -- my hands and wrists were perfectly protected, but the thorns did a number on my arms! Beau, our nextdoor neighbor's Golden, helps me whenever I work in the rose garden. He's good company.
I've decided whatever roses we lost this year, I will replace with "Double Knockouts" as they are extremely hearty, fragrant, and gorgeous. They are resistant to black spot, pests, and don't need the full six hours + of sun that other roses require.
My perennials are 'popping through' already -- daffodils, hyacinths, of course, but surprisingly the shasta daisies, day lilies, liatris, peonies and sedum have already broken the surface. Today, I worked on the beds around the patio, cutting away the old to make room for the new, while Richard cleaned the beds on the other side of the house. Here, the pots await placement throughout the gardens.
It intrigues me that even though I work out five to six hours a week and lift weights in addition, that I could barely move getting out of bed this morning. So now I'm off to soak my tired and sore body and look for the Motrin.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
A Short Tour and Saturday Night Supper
We can finally leave the house by the front door or walk through the garage to the driveway and street. Richard went outside with salt and a heavy shovel and managed to crack through the ice. A couple of hours later he could manage to shovel the ice away.
And now for the tour (all photos taken from the sunporch -- the yard is not navigable, yet)...
What looks like snow is actually all ice. The sign says, "Garden Tours 50 cents." The birdhouse/hat had silk flowers around the brim that are probably adorning a squirrel's nest -- they just disappeared about two months ago.
This is our patio just waiting for a barbecue and at this time of year I don't need the umbrella to shade me from the sun.
This is the sun room. If you look closely enough you can see Azrielle (BIG black kitty) on the far chair enjoying the toasty warmth.
This is a clivia that is about to send up a bloom cluster. In about a week this should be in full bloom. The flowers are bright orange.
This was tonight's supper -- macaroni and cheese. The recipe follows:
2 cups cold milk
3 tablespoons of butter
3 tablespoons of flour
1 tablespoon whole grain or brown mustard
1 tablespoon onion powder
4 tablespoons of chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces of shredded cheddar, smoked gouda, or Havarti (or a mix of your favs)
4 ounces of Velveeta (I know this seems pedestrian, but the stuff really melts well!)
1 pound cavatappi (De Cecco makes these -- they're like an elbow macaroni that is longer, twisted, and totally out of control. If you can't find these, use a macaroni that will hold onto the sauce -- like shells or penne rigate (with lines))
1/4 cup Italian-flavored bread crumbs
1 large baking dish sprayed with butter Pam
Preheat the oven to 375.
Place butter in a saucepan until melted. Add flour and whisk until incorporated. Add cold milk and cook until thickened and bubbling over medium heat. Whisk frequently guarding against burning. After thickened and bubbling, over low heat add mustard, freshly ground black pepper, onion powder, and chopped parsley. Add cheese, whisk until cheese has melted. Remove from heat. Taste for seasoning.
Boil macaroni, drain, and pour into prepared baking dish. Pour cheese mixture making sure it is evenly distributed. Sprinkle bread crumbs across the top and then spray them with butter Pam. You can also drizzle olive oil or melted butter if you prefer. Bake for 35 minutes. Let sit for about 10 minutes before serving.
And now for the tour (all photos taken from the sunporch -- the yard is not navigable, yet)...
What looks like snow is actually all ice. The sign says, "Garden Tours 50 cents." The birdhouse/hat had silk flowers around the brim that are probably adorning a squirrel's nest -- they just disappeared about two months ago.
This is our patio just waiting for a barbecue and at this time of year I don't need the umbrella to shade me from the sun.
This is the sun room. If you look closely enough you can see Azrielle (BIG black kitty) on the far chair enjoying the toasty warmth.
This is a clivia that is about to send up a bloom cluster. In about a week this should be in full bloom. The flowers are bright orange.
This was tonight's supper -- macaroni and cheese. The recipe follows:
2 cups cold milk
3 tablespoons of butter
3 tablespoons of flour
1 tablespoon whole grain or brown mustard
1 tablespoon onion powder
4 tablespoons of chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces of shredded cheddar, smoked gouda, or Havarti (or a mix of your favs)
4 ounces of Velveeta (I know this seems pedestrian, but the stuff really melts well!)
1 pound cavatappi (De Cecco makes these -- they're like an elbow macaroni that is longer, twisted, and totally out of control. If you can't find these, use a macaroni that will hold onto the sauce -- like shells or penne rigate (with lines))
1/4 cup Italian-flavored bread crumbs
1 large baking dish sprayed with butter Pam
Preheat the oven to 375.
Place butter in a saucepan until melted. Add flour and whisk until incorporated. Add cold milk and cook until thickened and bubbling over medium heat. Whisk frequently guarding against burning. After thickened and bubbling, over low heat add mustard, freshly ground black pepper, onion powder, and chopped parsley. Add cheese, whisk until cheese has melted. Remove from heat. Taste for seasoning.
Boil macaroni, drain, and pour into prepared baking dish. Pour cheese mixture making sure it is evenly distributed. Sprinkle bread crumbs across the top and then spray them with butter Pam. You can also drizzle olive oil or melted butter if you prefer. Bake for 35 minutes. Let sit for about 10 minutes before serving.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)