This is the time of year stores have potted flowers at ridiculously low prices like this pot of miniature daffodils Dave bought me this week, lightly fragrant and a beautiful spot of color. This little pot has six or seven blooms, all with the golden yellow trumpets and pure yellow perianth, … [Read more...]
Bunny Wars IV – Snow Caves with Built In Larders – A Tie
The last two winters have been hard on the wildlife here with bitter cold and deep snow. The snow drifts over the shrubbery around the house make great snow caves for bunnies and squirrels. All winter I watched the rabbits jump in the holes in the mounds of snow right outside my office … [Read more...]
Can There Be Peace Between George and Billy Bob?
George joined our family last May and caused immense grief to Billy Bob, who sees him as an interloper and obnoxious patron of the food dish and my attention. George also likes to chase the others, particularly Billy Bob, and even our calming collars don't stop the occasional brouhaha. (You can … [Read more...]
Waiting For the Birds of Spring
In Kalamazoo we have robins year around although we don't see them often. I have seen them near the suet feeder but usually they sustain themselves on the crab apples or berries left during the winter. Recently I saw a flock of them on the tree in driveway circle that has small fruits on it. It … [Read more...]
The Mailbox Is Groaning!
It's that time of year! My mailbox is stuffed with flower catalogs. I can barely get through one, carefully marking the plants we must get, when the next one pops in. This year we are ordering a few perennials and some annual seeds, then I'll get some annual plants locally for the planters on the … [Read more...]
George Likes to Help – Peanut Trails in the Wrapping Room
I keep a bag of foam peanuts in my wrapping room. The room has lots of other stuff too: Books (lots), boxes, depression glass, my laptop, photography lights, miscellaneous shipping supplies. It's not real neat. George likes to help me when I'm working downstairs. Usually he sits on the desk … [Read more...]
What Flowers Should I Plant This Year?
I'm trying to decide what flowers to add to my garden this year. I know a few that are must-haves. Phlox I had oodles of phlox in our old house, from a couple purchased plants plus seedlings. I let the seedlings bloom and kept the best. My favorite was about 2 1/2 feet tall, had coral red … [Read more...]
Luscious Dessert and Just the Right Size – Mom’s Small Date Cake
My Mom used to make two date cakes, this one in an 8 inch square pan, and a larger cake in a 13 1/2 by 9 inch oblong. I didn't realize until getting married and baking them myself that the recipes are so different. Mom's small date cake has dates with no nuts or spices and you serve it with … [Read more...]
My Poor Zebra Grass – Too Much Snow! And Maybe Too Much Fertilizer?
We have gotten a lot of snow and ice and icy snow this winter. My poor zebra grass (Miscanthus) is showing the effects! Here it is all sprawled over coated with ice. It looks like a sad sea creature washed up on shore. This grass is vigorous and picks itself up after the ice melts or the … [Read more...]
How to Keep Birds Alive During Bitter Cold Winter Days
Birds can fluff up during the cold and survive - if they get enough to eat and if they can get water to drink. This weekend brought bitter cold, wind and a foot of snow to southeast Michigan. It snowed about 8 inches Saturday night. Sunday morning was quite pleasant with no wind and mid 20s and I … [Read more...]