Planning My Garden

 

Hi! The past few weeks I've been planning my deck garden. Every August when I'm overwhelmed with the heat and twice daily watering, I say I am not going to garden out there any more. But where's' the fun in that. Seeds are so tempting, so deliciously hopeful, aren't they.

I did get rid of the two very old, very big, decrepit meadow pots. One remains. The guy I paid to clear up and winterize last December did a great job, but sadly he pulled out everything including the red lilies and both coreopsis perennials. Hoping these take and replace the ones removed, though I see I didn't buy yellow.

Last summer, coreopsis, age 7 or 8.

My pansies are so adorable. I do love them. These came from the grocery store, very pretty, very cheap.

A reader mentioned how they had done a whole yellow/ orange pansy display---of course I loved that idea. But when you get grocery store flowers, you get what they offer or you get nothing.

                                     

Amazon delivered potting soil, but I misread  the Buy It Again and was given enormous bags of Miracle Gro soil. A friend had to come help me top off the pots. And  then--I decided to try something new. I planted baby lettuce and radishes, so fun. 

I only ever grew cherry tomatoes on my deck, years ago. Gave up bec the wind makes the outer skins tough as old dry leather. So this is exciting. The seeds of both have sprouted. The lettuce says harvest in 30 days. 

I also planted, yes, very late--sweet peas. I nicked them and soaked them[wet paper towel, baggie, in the dark], am seeing a few fine tendrils. I saved most of the pack for next year, bec they prefer cold weather and one of these days, it will be very very hot here at the beach,

For the rest of the pots, probably sow late next week:

The seed packs' art is so cute.

Wouldn't it be great if the Chinese Lanterns actually grew? They and the one wildflower packet will go in the pot where the lettuce is now.

The thank you pack came with my seed order. I gave it to my friend who helped refill the pots.

Do you garden from seeds? Do you grow veg or only flowers? 

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This is a new project. It was a gift to me from my little artist friend at Christmas. I tried to explain to her that if the trees grow, many many years from now, she will inherit them, and must care for them and ensure their futures. It may be warm enough to sow the seeds now.

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I must share this book. Maybe years from now I   will find it aon the used book website, though I suppose that's rather unkind to the person who produced this stunning book.

They did a book on daffoldils too.

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It rained most of this week. I finished the pillow and pillowcases project, the blue seashells. Will deliver them tomorrow. Today I made a doll outfit for my little friend mentioned above. Her doll is a 14: American Girl Doll, harder to sew for than the original 18" dolls, but right size for a little one who is just 5.

I think this makes it fun: "Color the dress!" It won't matter if she colors outside the lines, or uses crayons. Or not at all. I have neon fabric markers too. I'll ask her mom when we do the project.

have a great weekend

love

lizzy

gone to the beach...

Mo is poorly, but I love him no matter what, rarely leave his side now. Today was a good day despite the rain. His beloved dogwalker carried him out for a gentle walk and Mo was so happy. 

Happy Mothers Day

Out and About ~ It's May [ so we went to Home Goods]

 

Hi everyone. Yes it is May.

The ugly locust tree has the tiniest green leaf buds starting.

I was out with a friend last week, errands with a bit of girly shopping while we still can afford a a spring doodad or two. It was a beautiful day, and so warm on the mainland. Away from the oceanfront, spring looks so pretty. I loved seeing all the pink crabapples in bloom. My town replaced our white Bradford pear trees after H Sandy, with these pink pretties and now 10 years later they are quite the show.

The marshes are still brown, no hint of green, the water is a deep midnight blue, so cold.

We are receiving text warnings not to swim [lol, lol!] due to the risk of hypothermia.

We popped into our favorite Home Goods for a quick shop. 

Mushrooms are still being shown. These are handmade glass, some quite large like the makers really took the name Toadstools to heart.

Smaller garden 'shrooms in dark carnival glass. Too dark for my taste, maybe they light up?

Pink is ''in''!

There was little  ''coastal'' style, but lots of blue white grey. Bowls and plates, but not the soup bowls or doggy water bowls I need right now.

Many many decorative pillows/ cushions. In a way I am surprised my client wanted my handmade ones instead.

I did love these chairs, all of them,  from the lightweight wicker for the deck [no scorched butts!] to the wonderfully upholstered Seashell accent chairs.

A small amount of Fourth of July, a hard sell here when so many of us are bewildered by our nation's direction. Once I'd have been so proud and excited.

I went to check out and the cashier was wearing a mask! Omigosh, I hate that--to me that says they have [had?] Covid or their kid does but are working anyway. I think if you need a mask you shouldn't be handling stuff for people to take home. But I paid anyway, left the bags downstairs for days while the germs died. [yes I know, maybe she was only protecting herself in advance, but that's just not how people use masks, is it? Really?]

 I almost forgot to take pics of what I got! Nothing extrav, but fun.  Shopping used to be my number one favorite hobby, also was a daily part of my job. Still enjoy it so much, my treat instead of dinners out or fancy clothes, movies, theater; I don't travel--- shopping to me equals inspiration and joy. ["just looking" is fine!] 

So: a wicker wrapped jar to hold a candle, for the deck. I'll fill the edges with tiny seashells.  And a set of blue and white placemats, two for deck or dining table, two to cut up for water bottle carriers.

Pretty backing, like polka dots.

My current bottle slings are pretty shabby. I need one for my lovely Yeti bottle.

Lemon infused oil and vinegar for dipping or spring salads. Lovely for quick blanched asparagus on a bed of baby greens, for example. Or, how about the lemony oil on bowtie pastas with spring peas, goat cheese crumbles, fresh shaved parm and lots of garlic and black pepper. Yum! Dinner tonight!

Some cheapy lip balm in pretty colors to remind me to hydrate my poor chapped lips.

Back home Mo was deeply asleep but right by the door. I felt so bad to leave him, but doing my best.

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Sewing: My planned shibori accent pillow was a big No, a fail. These folks do not like quilts or patchwork--''too busy, too granny'' and were unimpressed with my brief boro explanation: "not a granny style American patchwork piece...". No is no.

And for everyone who enjoyed my fabric pull for the Whatnots appliqués, here they are sorted into color groups, for when i get back to the little Whatnot motifs.

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Nature notes:

My friend had a wild turkey in his NYC office building's atrium!

She is famous, called Rosie or Astoria. I told him to give her water and food but he said no, she is big and scary. NYC Bird Watcher Society says to leave her be, she is a wild bird who must forage for herself; do not approach or try to capture her. Looking for a mate, willing to brave the city singles scene.

Astoria the wild turkey

And I am still seeing a pair of red breasted grosbeaks. How exciting if they stayed and nested here.

Have a good weekend! Here's some Tiny May Baskets:

                                                        

love

lizzy

gone to the beach....

pics from another spring time...