This is an updated to the Spring Potting Ideas post. Thought I would share a photo of the fruit of my labor!
I will say that all the rain this spring helped out these pots a lot since they drain quickly without liners. Also, one drawback of the packing peanuts used as drainers… they float! So, after a heavy rainfall, one pot had the potting soil pushed up and almost out of the pot.
This year has been all about the pool yard. It is, after all, where we entertain friends and hang out the most. The recent patio expansion had me thinking about adding a water feature to the space. I had been thinking I needed something that is larger than the solar fountain that I already have. The problem is, bigger means electricity to run the pump. Since there isn’t an outside outlet this was posing a problem.
While at the pool store I happened to see a fountain for the pool and I had to chuckle. Why keep looking in stores for a water feature when I have one already – the pool! So, for very little money I acquired a fountain for the pool that provides all the ambience of running water with the convenience of containment right in the pool. After watching it for a while it was time for a nap… it is that relaxing!
The pool opening is not just about removing the cover and treating the water… there are a lot of things that go along with it… such as cleaning off the deck, bringing out the patio furniture, and getting the yard ready for company after a long and messy winter. I recently replaced the smaller table set for one that seats six… this is the St. Kitts design (which reminds me of my first Caribbean visit with my Mom and Dad). It was easy to put together with light stackable chairs which is key in the setting up and storing away. What was even better, it was on sale for the 4th of July weekend and rang up $250 less than the advertised price and the manager let it stand!
Another great score was a huge table umbrella at Christmas Tree Shop to replace our old one that had holes in it. Similar umbrellas cost about $100 but I got this one for under $40. Don’t you just love a bargain?!
I picked the set and the umbrella up during two different shopping trips months apart and they look like they were sold as a set! It really fits in the new space created by the patio expansion.
This is a follow up to the Tomato Success Kit post in May. I just cannot believe how much these plants have grown in a month’s time. As you can see, each branch is supporting the most impressive amount of tomatoes!
This appears to be the one plant that thrives in all of this rain we have been having in New England. My only concern is what to do with all the tomatoes once they are ripe. Let me count the recipes I will have to be sharing with you… I am afraid to fertilize these guys!!
Happy Container Gardening!
mmMac -n- Cheese not only has a laundry list of possible ingredients to their basic cavatappi and sauce, it is made to order, right in front of you! I highly recommend the childhood favorite – cheeseburger mac -n- cheese… but I also heard from my fellow diner that the cajun mac is out of this world. Thanks to Phantom Gourmet for yet another great recommendation!
Oh, and if you saved room you simply must try the Boston Chipyard… they make a banana chocolate chip cookie that is to die for.
While the prices are a bit high at this particular destination… the great people watching makes up for it!
Having seen this movie many years ago… I was happy to see that it was coming to Boston; but as a musical? Then a friend asked if I would be interested in seeing it. I said yes for two reasons. The first reason was that I love musical theater and couldn’t wait to see how they would make such a heavy plot into a musical. Well I have to say it was worth coming home very late on a school night!!
The second reason was that they were great seats at a great price. Andrew, my work bff, is a great discount hound and this is a very good thing in this economy! He said that his favorite site had the tickets but I had to make up my mind that day. Of course this made me curious… so I had to investigate. The site is www.groupon.com and it has several featured cities such as Boston. They offer one coupon per day and they are totally random. From restaurant discounts ($30 coupon for $15) to 1/2 price tattoos… this site shows the power of buying in groups. To see how it all works… use this link: http://vimeo.com/2112924. Then check out and see what deals you can get in on!
Well, as many of my friends know, sea turtles are my favorite things! This birthday I got a whole basked of turtles for just about every occassion. These first guys were for pot legs, but the pot I wanted to use them on really needed three. So, I decided to improvise and use the two I have to hold up my portable hard drive. This way, everytime I sit to work on the computer, I can seem my little buddies!
Another turtle in my birthday basket was a pot hanger. Here is a picture of his final home… I think he will be quite happy here! Thanks Bon for all my new little friends!!
Did you know that the turtle represents long life and patience in many cultures? I think this is why my Mom and I fell in love with these guys. Between the Turtle (water) and Tortoise (land) I have to say I love the Sea Turtle the most.
As a follow up to the Seven Arrows 2009 post that featured my new strawberry pot and plants and this being the usual end of strawberry season… I found a little surprise last weekend. Here is the first strawberry!
This year’s season has been too wet and rainy to produce a lot of fruit free of mold or vine rot. However, maybe because of the pot and good drainage I seem to have a great crop coming in. There are lots of buds and baby fruit coming in so I might have enough for one strawberry shortcake!!
See, it can be fun to plant and harvest your own fruit and veggies! Happy Gardening!
As with any project… once the patio pavers were installed my focus was to clean up the surrounding area. The old garden was overgrown with Rue and needed a little neatening up. So, I expanded the garden to meet the patio extension and planted some new things. There are many plants that thrive in a shady spot so I added Liriope, Crane’s Bill, a new Azalea to balance the other and some annual Red Spike Grass to add some drama. (Every garden needs a little drama!)
Here is the before (as seen from the patio pictures):
Here is the after:
Eventually I would like to plant a miniature Japanese Maple in the corner to add a great zen effect to the overall scheme and add a little height focal point. Happy Gardening!!
OK, so this is my birthday week… and I am enjoying all the attention. What is especially great is talking with friends I haven’t talked with in a while. Here is what greeted me at work this morning from my sister-in-law…
Aren’t they cute?? How is that for a birthday celebration?? It sure makes getting old fun! Thanks Rosie!! Edgar is happy he didn’t have to wear one!
