Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty...

The garden seems to be doing well. We've weeded, watered, weeded, and weeded some more. I can't help but think what weeds there would have been if we hadn't put down three inches of mulch and Preen!!
The rabbits are still living under the steps. There seems to be a new litter -- what a surprise-- my sex life should be as good. I think, however, I've found an effective means against them. We continue to put down Deer Scram and spray Tree Guard, but now I'm vigorously brushing Azrielle and putting her cat hair in planters and directly onto some plants. I've even begun to empty our vacuum cleaner right into the garden. Take a close look at the pot with the snapdragons and verbena! It skeeves me out a little, but what the heck! And Azrielle is getting rid of her winter undercoat. I wonder if I could shave her....Azrielle! Oh, Azrielle!!!...

Rosie Returns Day Lily

First Tomatoes - 6/24 - Heirloom Golden Cherry
Heirloom Back Krim by the 4th of July???
Side Patio - Lamb's Ears, Star Gazer Lilies, day lilies, plumbago and planters with geraniums, creeping Jenny, and purple verbena

Verbena that the rabbits have finally left alone -- look closely to see why...
Cat hair!!!!

Before and After

Fanfare! Trumpets and Flourishes! This is my 100th post. Big deal, right? Well for someone who wanted no parts of blogging, maybe it is. It took Cheryl almost two years to convince me to write, and I'm glad she did. I've met some wonderful people through blogging and have also had a whole, wide world of ideas opened to me, gained some technical know-how (thanks to many of you), and maybe even had an epiphany or two about myself.

Today, Sun Nurseries came out and did some sprucing-up of our front landscaping. I usually do this type of thing myself, but was a little overwhelmed and perplexed as to why we were losing our plantings pretty consistently. The design consultant, Donna, was great to work with and the men who did the planting were courteous and exemplary in their work.

Before

After

Before

After
My personal battle with the rabbits continues. Today, however, UPS delivered the Tree Guard that I ordered. I have already donned, gloves, an apron, and protective eye wear, and doused all my plantings in the back with the stuff. It usually works pretty well -- is latex-based so does not have to be re-applied after rain or watering. We'll see. The rabbits have been climbing into my pots and decimating the zinnias, trailing verbena, portulaca, and impatiens. I know that their persistent defoliating of my roses is responsible for my losing quite a few this year. If the Tree Guard doesn't work, I'm considering electric wire or a flame thrower.

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!

Harbingers of Spring and Turkey Puttanesca

I sit here two months too early anticipating what I will plant and where. Taped to my printer is this photo of part of last year's planting -- my 'stepscape'; it makes me feel better. Forgive the poor quality; it's a photo of a photo.


Last night's dinner was supposed to have been Turkey Puttanesca -- a recipe I 'cooked up' a while ago, but time got the best of me and we wound up carrying-out a couple of sandwiches. I'll be cooking the puttanesca tonight. Some of you may have enjoyed spaghetti puttanesca -- (this means old whore -- probably a reference to the dish's spicy, peasant origins) -- a tomato based sauce with olives, capers, and red pepper flakes. This recipe is my take on that, with a nod to the Greek dish, pasticcio.



2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 tsp minced garlic (or more, to taste)
1 red pepper, seeded, cored, and chopped
1 pound of ground turkey breast
1 17 ounce can of tomato sauce
1 tsp salt
1/2 tps ground black pepper
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 cup black olives, sliced in half
1/2 cup Spanish salad olives
1 tbs capers

Saute onion and pepper in oil in large frying pan. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking up large pieces while cooking. When turkey is sufficiently browned, add tomato sauce, salt, pepper, cinnamon and cloves . Stir well and simmer for ten - 15 minutes, adding water or chicken stock if too thick. Add olives. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed. Lightly stir in capers; heat to warm.
I serve this over brown rice, but white rice or pasta would be great.