Another Monday, grey and doldrum-y. I thought to do a bit of deck gardening as Amazon brought a few new pots and some soil. But it's actually raining, who knew? Mizzle, I guess we'd say.
I've been walking almost daily to Mo and my beach entrance bench. Some days further, there's a lovely bench at the top of the dunes and another I'm aiming for at the end of the boardwalk.*
I peeked over the seawall, wondering if the cleanup party on Saturday had removed the wind tossed trash that accumulates between the back dune and the seawall. So windy--I couldn't tell. A prominent McDonalds bag was the star of the show. Usually I d go pick it up myself but the fear of ticks and Lyme Disease has prevented my dune walking in recent years.
But look! How adorable. Beach Balls that escaped and blew here. A party? a beach day w kids?---who knows.
Another day: Mystery solved. These tracks?! Both myself and blog friend Mel google searched these odd tracks with their unusual tail or wing impressions.
We got Alligator [I think not] or opossum [a maybe?]. I continue to see the tracks often. Hmmm. I followed the tracks...
Aha! Rubber Ducky!
Now we know.
He's so cute! Has a beachball too! Gone the next day.
....................................I haven't been doing much garden fence peeking. It's dodgier to do w/out a doggy as camouflage. Mo was always happy to linger and sniff as I peeped thru the grey wooden slats. Now I feel like a creeper. But the other evening I was invited to friends' temporary home. It's a rental while their dream house is being built a block away. The temp house just two houses from the beach!
And the yard is quite lovely I think. No grass, no lawn.
Like a secret garden, peaceful and serene. Sheltered.
Old growth professional landscaping, c.1980---so almost 50 years..
A eucalyptus I think. [ I was wrong. The tree is called European Smokebush. It was once used to create a natural dye. However there are hardy eucalyptus that grow here in coastal northeast. The leaves and berries .really do look just like Trader Joe's euca.]
DeleteA topiary honeysuckle.
Lots of lush sedum.
Roses and a huge hydrangea hedge.
The garden is cared for via the owner. As a renter my friend, a wonderful gardener, is being totally hands off. I was surprised, but he has lots going on. The dinner was deliciously gourmet burgers and hot dogs. (fresh pickles to die for, homemade mayo! Rare perfect burgers, nicely charred hot dogs.) So fun to welcome Summer of 26.
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*Boardwalk is set aside, perhaps til next winter. I got it to a good stopping point. Must make notes tho.
Posies is going slowly but I love it. So rare, I always hate in-work projects
I think it's cute.
Julierose's version is so elegant and further along, check it out. HERE
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Current after walk snack: cottage cheese w crisp spring vegetables. Two favorites here--esp the radishes. From Quebec! Cottage cheese is getting good press lately: high protein, calcium rich, relatively low in protein. In the winter I usually have Triscuits [high fiber] and a cheese of the week, it varies. Plus always vegs. Do you have a favorite lunch/ snack?
And current supplement, gummies. For hair and nails. Month three, hair seems to be regrowing post covid/ flu; nails look a lot better. I'm impressed.
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Have a good week. Welcome Summer!
love
lizzy
gone to the beach...
The OCs have been flying about, teaching their big babies to fly. The terns [arctic, least, and regular--all nest here] are attacking! 😧And the Skimmers have a new flight path, low over my deck.😧 Such an odd bird, prehistoric appearance in flight, little and dumpy on the ground. Not vicious like terns though. black skimmers
More rainy days! The winter clothes have returned.
ReplyDeleteLol, I kinda don't think Rubber Ducky left those tail tracks! Cute that he was there though.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're going for walks but sad no garden peeping. I loved that. Around here if someone caught you peeping they'd come out and talk your ear off about their garden! As long as you're not climbing the fence I don't think most people would mind you looking .
I'm liking Rosie's and looking forward to watching it's progress!
The supplements I take for my hair seem to be helping but nothing seems to work for my nails. They've always been thin. I need a magic wand or something!
Ive been pulling thorny weeds out of the flowerbed this morning. The breeze is pretty nice but the sun got too hot so I had to come in for a while. I'll get back to it...
Take care!!
Hahaha, I like to imagine that Duckie comes alive at night and that's him rolling his ball around!
DeletePeeking: I think if people install 8' privacy fences they assume that no one is peeping thru the cracks to look in! I'd hate to be confronted by an angry neighbor!
Getting hot. I learned from my dad to garden after 4 PM. Some shade, maybe a breeze by then. It's hard to find the energy tho some days....
OHMYGOSH--Posies is so wonderful, Lizzy--just love those vibrant colors--remind me of marigolds --great fabric choices...you have such a fabulous "eye"...;)))
ReplyDeleteThanks for the note about those gummies--DH's nails keep breaking, maybe those would help him (if, of course I could get him to take them!!) .
I was able to walk 25 minutes today--1st time in ages...feels so virtuous hahaha...this from the gal who used to run 4-6 mi a day/every week!! Ah, everything changes, doesn't it???
I feel so great with my new shorter hairdo--always feel so good after a salon session...
isn't that the truth;)))
Hugs, Julierose
I'm amazed that eucalyptus grows up as far north as you are! Clearly I need to do some research.
ReplyDeleteYour post walk snack looks delicious and healthy.
Cheers! Ceci
Hi! I was wrong. The tree is called European Smokebush. It was once used to create a natural dye. However there are hardy eucalyptus that grow here in coastal northeast. The leaves and berries .really do look just like Trader Joe's euca.
DeleteThanks for checking - I also love smoke bushes, which may be back in style after being "old fashioned" in my youth when I thought they were fascinating and the adults who gardened at our house liked azaleas instead.
DeleteWe sometimes pick up toys at yard sales and thrifts to leave at our local playground's sand box. Probably causing trouble for minimalist parents who don't want more clutter brought home! Anyway maybe that's the origin story of your unaccompanied beach balls.
Ceci
I've never seen a smoke bush, at least not in spectacular pink bloom like this one. This is a very mature garden planted c. late 70s we think. The flowering crab apple tree's thrunk must be 24" diameter or more. Very manicured, planted for the long haul.
Deletesnack usually nut-thins or low salt ritz with hummus or slice swiss...
ReplyDeleteNut Thins look delish, I will put them on my shopping list, thanks.
DeleteYour hikes all sounds quite peaceful for the end of June. Just like summer should be. I loved seeing all the beach balls although lost balls mean sad children. I spend an awful lot of my time being unproductive. I'd like to blame it on the heat but today is the first day this summer that we have hit 95. Lazy days of summer, I guess.
ReplyDeleteSome days doing not much is good! Restorative. And some days like today just get away from me, lol.
DeleteI didn't think of sad children losing the beachballs. more likely were party props that got loose? We do still look for lost toys, my son will hunt for his swept away surfer figure forever, I think.
95 is VERY hot.
lizzy
There was a Smokebush planted here when we arrived. It has really spread and the colour is a nice foil for the greens on the bank.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you are enjoying Posies. I have started on Danny & Emma's quilt and need to go flat out on it during this heatwave, when I really cannot do anything outside.
Smoke bush is new to me, the clouds of dull rose bloom are lovely and different.
DeleteYour quilt for D & E will be lovely. Isn't it great they are buying their own house, hope it will be near-ish to you.
Posies are so pretty teamed up with the granny squares of the quilt on the bed! Though I think I'd love any arrangement of the Posies blocks. Summer is supposed to arrive in these parts next week with temps climbing into the high 80s and low 90s. Wouldn't it be nice if the town could place random beach balls on the beaches a few times each summer for the children to find, along with rubber duckies. Cottage cheese is often my lunch too, though generally with fresh fruit or berries. Veggies with hummus, which I need to make soon! More medical stuff this week, guess I'm making up for all the years I stayed well throughout the seasons.
ReplyDeleteThe weather sounds yucky, and so odd after we struggled w the cold and ice for so long!
DeleteI love the idea that the beach toys magically are bestowed for kids to find. [In Oregon, glass artists make and hide glass balls one day a year! Or used to. Like the fishing floats. What a joy to find!]
Thanks about Posies!
I
Beautiful photos and lovely projects!
ReplyDelete