It's been warm here and I've been busy in the garden weeding and planting. First part of the week I weeded the gardens - got rid of all the bits of grass that snuck into the perennial beds out back and raked out most of the leaves in front - and have it all ready for flowers. First up were the … [Read more...]
Spruce Tree Massacre
Our yard is narrow, only 200 feet across, but it feels secluded and private because of the big spruce trees planted all around the front and sides. This is what casual passersby see from the street: Spruce trees. Lots and lots of big beautiful spruce trees that the original owners planted 20 … [Read more...]
Daffodils, Peaches and Late Snows, Freezing Weather
We had a mild winter here in Michigan with very little snow cover and only a few days below 10 above. Plus March was unusually mild; we normally have one or two March days in the 50s or even low 60s but this year we had 50+ for several days. Trees are budding and spring is coming! That changed … [Read more...]
Heather So Tough and So Pretty – Blooming in Snow All Winter
One of the puzzling landscape features we inherited with this house is a big round garden-ish spot in the middle of the drive. It is divided in half, with black lava rocks on a mounded area and granite rocks on a flatter half. I suspect there used to be more plants as the ones there now are a bit … [Read more...]
Remember Woody Woodpecker? Pileated Woodpecker in My Yard
The other day a big black and white bird flew among the trees by the side of the road. At first I thought it was a magpie - not a Michigan native - before spotting the crested red head. It was a pileated woodpecker. If you're the right vintage you may remember Woody Woodpecker cartoons. … [Read more...]
Adding Warmth to Our Home with Color
Dave and I love our light-filled rooms. The living room and our bedroom floors are covered in light oatmeal colored carpets with cream walls, color choices that enhance the feeling of light and spaciousness. The colors are fine except combined with our furniture the rooms are bland. Our … [Read more...]
Dave’s Birthday Cake: Fresh Orange Layer Cake with Creamy Nut Filling
My Dad insisted I learn to bake in 8th grade: Saturday morning coffee cake, cookies, cakes, all were good, all were from scratch, and I learned well how to make them. I enjoyed baking. Dave took over the baking a few years after we got married and my contributions dwindled to the odd cake or loaf … [Read more...]
Top 10 Gardening Challenges for 2016
My garden has several problems that I need to figure out, plus the usual challenges we face every summer. #10 One of my personal problems is that I feel terrible when I discard a living plant. Last year my iris struggled with pests and took over the best garden spots. When I cleared the plants … [Read more...]
Whose Bed Is This, Anyway?
I make my bed everyday, truly, I do. Every day. Most days you wouldn't know it from looking at the mess. Dave's cat Monica likes to burrow under the bedspread which pulls it around and leaves a bunch of wrinkles when she leaves. Marvin likes to sit on my pillow. She sits on my pillow during … [Read more...]
Beyond Mums – More Beautiful Flowers for Fall
When you think of fall, do you see gardens bursting with chrysanthemum blooms? Mums are beautiful, bringing us golds, russets, pinks, purple and white, but we can make our gardens even better by adding a few other flowers. This plant here is Eupatorium Wayside, vigorous and hardy. It's about 18 … [Read more...]