We moved here October 2011. The former owners didn't have a flower garden, only a few small spots with flowers. I needed much more room for the flowers that we took with us. Dave and I picked out our favorite phlox from our old garden. Then he divided most of the peonies and daylilies, dug up … [Read more...]
Before and After – Cleaning the Glass Cupboard Doors in the Kitchen
We moved to our home almost two years ago. Our new kitchen has beautiful custom made cupboards including some with glass panes in the doors. Those glass doors are so pretty! Glass doors are see through - yes, that's part of the charm - but that limits what exactly you want to place behind … [Read more...]
Sweet Williams – Beautiful Sun Loving Flowers Ready to Bloom Next Year
My Dad always enjoyed the Sweet Williams my Mom planted. The flowers are big heads of pink, rose, white, crimson and bicolors and smell like cloves. Mom always grew them and once we got a garden I did too. Sweet Williams are supposed to be biennials in Michigan, but we had plants survive for … [Read more...]
Beautiful Flowers On A Fence – Morning Glories in Pink, Blue, Purple and More
Our yard is planted with grass down a slope for about 150 feet beyond the house where the former owners fenced off the lawn section. Behind the grassy section the land undulates for another mile or so, covered with wild grasses, assorted weeds, and milkweed. This is a view from the back of our lot … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Doughnuts! Homemade Delicious Breakfast Surprise from Dave
Yes, I am spoiled. No question. When your husband gets up and makes homemade pumpkin doughnuts for breakfast while you're in the shower? That's having it all! Can you tell he was surprised when I took his picture? I got out of the shower to this wonderful smell of - can it be? - yes! … [Read more...]
Planting Last Fall Perennials for a Beautiful Summer Garden Next Year
We started with eight plants from the $1 markdown table at the garden center. This collection of perennials needing a good home were all in good health, and most were flowers that I planned to get - sometime - but there are two that slipped in. The plant second from the right back row isn't … [Read more...]
Planting Fall Perennials – Salvia Flowers in Rose and Blue
Last time I shared my new plants rescued from the garden center for $1 each. I'm a soft touch and for a buck, well, it's really hard to say no. You can read that post here: Planting Fall Perennials – Taking Advantage of Bargain Plants We started with this collection of plants: There are … [Read more...]
Planting Fall Perennials – Taking Advantage of Bargain Plants
OK, I admit it. I'm a real sucker for sad plants that need homes. Last week I went grocery shopping and the garden center next door had perennials for a buck. Well! Most of the plants were varieties I have already or am not looking to add, for example ajuga (aka bugle weed). There were a few … [Read more...]
Bunny Wars II – We’re Winning the Battle – Keeping Rabbits Out of the Garden
Bunny Wars: Opening Battle A few weeks ago I showed how my peonies were attacked by rabbits with some of my favorites eaten! It's Bunny War time at our home. No, I'm not going to kill the little cuties. All I want to do is let them enjoy the great prairie acres behind our fence. They have … [Read more...]
The Cat Who Will Live Forever – Norton and Other Fine Cats We Love
As the priest said at my Mom and Dad's funeral, "There is nothing good about death." And as Peter Gethers quoted in this book, The Cat Who'll Live Forever: The Final Adventures of Norton, the Perfect Cat, and His Imperfect Human, "the only thing wrong with our pets is they don't live as long as we … [Read more...]