tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88525722129371772572024-03-13T16:41:19.667-07:00The Green BThe ongoing saga of a Georgia garden's transformation (and maybe the gardener's, too)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-89686767239685466912017-05-02T15:10:00.004-07:002017-05-02T15:11:26.484-07:00A Dream Comes into Focus<div style="text-align: left;">
Tell me, what is it you plan to do</div>
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With your one wild and precious life?</div>
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--Mary Oliver, "The Summer Day" </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkh38z9yzyqhw3ERBXz5bkjlUIcUZ4XMbLBiN5kaF9FrxrMX2f6TW3sa2ZjB72B2r9WVXDaytHlIK6C7rg7cEBwNM2nedUgZe80WzGaLBQ29aQvwzPt0BMVK1dKT-IwCNMlMRlUaOdmJZp/s1600/DSC_0041+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkh38z9yzyqhw3ERBXz5bkjlUIcUZ4XMbLBiN5kaF9FrxrMX2f6TW3sa2ZjB72B2r9WVXDaytHlIK6C7rg7cEBwNM2nedUgZe80WzGaLBQ29aQvwzPt0BMVK1dKT-IwCNMlMRlUaOdmJZp/s320/DSC_0041+%25281%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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I mentioned in my last post that I would soon have news. I had anticipated delivering it sooner than this, but there are always glitches in the plans we make, and I have seen quite a few of them in the last month. I'm learning, though, that every time an obstacle appears, as long as I keep my mind set on what I mean to achieve, I can get over it. Maybe I'm not learning that, after all, just remembering.<br />
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I have, for some time, been imagining a life more connected to my passion for gardening. As I've laid out and executed the plans for creating the vegetable garden and overhauling the neglected spaces on our land, I've always done so with the vague idea of a business. Last year I read a book that finally gave shape to those nebulous plans. And then I discovered a podcast, <a href="http://slowflowers.com/" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Slow Flowers with Debra Prinzing</a>,<i> </i>that began answering so many of the questions that sprang up from my reading and research. As I drive to and from school each day, I've been receiving a valuable education.<br />
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The title of the book will make the announcement for me, I suppose. It's called <i>The Flower Farmer: An Organic Grower's Guide to Raising and Selling Cut Flowers</i> by Lynn Byczynski. Since last October I've been working night and day to bring the plans for my own cut flower farm to fruition. It's been pretty difficult to manage the demands of my day job and the new farm, so I've been giving up a whole lot of sleep to maintain my standards at school and to get things going here. I'm desperate for the end of the semester so that I can return to a blissful 8 hours of sleep each night. More than anything else, I'm looking forward to handing over bouquets of beautiful flowers I've grown here and seeing the pleasure that they bring to others.<br />
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So, why don't I introduce you to the farm? Thanks to a fabulous graphic artist I hired, I have a lot to show you. Just click on the logo to take a little tour.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bloomsburylanefarm.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4z1l9fYp7XI8gDU_j4GbybU9huqi4k2mGNx0t-Iukz1lJhrBo2boCYmyQhje2R4El7LnOzhiPM7faPsoluDTw-iyTZL83-sn_QnScSUUxChwy2FUKLK-AFWEkOFN9r8QlS1M495d9i9Yu/s320/Bloomsbury+Lane+Farm-Black.jpg" width="279" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-12922773271963783222017-03-29T14:05:00.001-07:002017-03-29T16:39:43.817-07:00A Change is ComingThings have gone a little quiet here on the blog lately, but that doesn't mean the farm has been quiet. We've been settling into another stunning spring and making preparations for the growing season ahead. This season will be considerably different than any before it, as I'm headed into a new venture that I've been dreaming about for years. But I'm not quite ready to make the big announcement.<br />
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So in the meantime, let me take you around the farm and show you some of the things that make us so happy that this magical place is our home.<br />
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And stay tuned for some big news (really big) coming soon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPr5p-7bSmor7ZyovMUVlGePPtGmTp_3i7rTl3Tl_bUvZ4D7l0oo0SdtP-3q6QgqJJ1cZNUK_MKBRJEWTTr5AyXmTUWSZY7nBWKjARmUTftHlGfo-UtudOUNcpvDXuf65qSnccbgEu8fw/s1600/DSC_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPr5p-7bSmor7ZyovMUVlGePPtGmTp_3i7rTl3Tl_bUvZ4D7l0oo0SdtP-3q6QgqJJ1cZNUK_MKBRJEWTTr5AyXmTUWSZY7nBWKjARmUTftHlGfo-UtudOUNcpvDXuf65qSnccbgEu8fw/s320/DSC_0009.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've been letting the girls out for a free range when we're<br />
working in the yard. They love it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhti2V-Qvrn7ztJaHJVGgoRgHIPJSZxy2rX6gwUlX5GP3D2nEb37MNG0KSFqD384GHNCvAecbk3M0tl_3akVCWMrMSIrDX_M3ufyryFCYtqFE3rBeRHJ9LFupZr6OpWIf_Mvadn26M9oCn0/s1600/DSC_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhti2V-Qvrn7ztJaHJVGgoRgHIPJSZxy2rX6gwUlX5GP3D2nEb37MNG0KSFqD384GHNCvAecbk3M0tl_3akVCWMrMSIrDX_M3ufyryFCYtqFE3rBeRHJ9LFupZr6OpWIf_Mvadn26M9oCn0/s320/DSC_0014.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's Miss Virginia, looking me straight in the eye.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuoDftc0zBxlKXztKbR9zl0nmrJu2sRHLUYCroDlCEQAAFMxHE6Q6rPl6pGSGgixY-8FfVTcs_PANIKV3J_0CP5xwHNn3BoTYgXvd6wc-OOwhbaozHehexYb4DEbr1qU6Jpdb8hMfbjse/s1600/DSC_0034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuoDftc0zBxlKXztKbR9zl0nmrJu2sRHLUYCroDlCEQAAFMxHE6Q6rPl6pGSGgixY-8FfVTcs_PANIKV3J_0CP5xwHNn3BoTYgXvd6wc-OOwhbaozHehexYb4DEbr1qU6Jpdb8hMfbjse/s320/DSC_0034.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keats may have called fall the season of mists, but spring<br />
seems to be outpacing it.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVLSMKoxwbUfcdjI8WN-YvXdLwaxD15j_YtcwXOrnmI87Kj1JLUMe8qy5QK5VtVEYLdYJY2d1dwXGoTVW6gi_iScsXMXzqOdCG-W360J5F0aS6Md9uzlzz2cFgE-XggeZRJ6KlHrhhxrs/s1600/DSC_0041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVLSMKoxwbUfcdjI8WN-YvXdLwaxD15j_YtcwXOrnmI87Kj1JLUMe8qy5QK5VtVEYLdYJY2d1dwXGoTVW6gi_iScsXMXzqOdCG-W360J5F0aS6Md9uzlzz2cFgE-XggeZRJ6KlHrhhxrs/s320/DSC_0041.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This morning's mist was especially lovely.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0C6MYPJcLCEyGneDQG0shHrpKACkTn9Qjx5lOCFQ1V06H8Afi7szdjYRjbxm_0Jbmm5g4eU9mNHNDcsTfiJrGBOQWDjYN1OMRTNtG7gqHmg3fBWIeeK6crXUM990eu4lWGKH3tjMHkNTX/s1600/DSC_0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0C6MYPJcLCEyGneDQG0shHrpKACkTn9Qjx5lOCFQ1V06H8Afi7szdjYRjbxm_0Jbmm5g4eU9mNHNDcsTfiJrGBOQWDjYN1OMRTNtG7gqHmg3fBWIeeK6crXUM990eu4lWGKH3tjMHkNTX/s320/DSC_0043.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cherry trees are in full bloom, and the pollinators are<br />
playing a symphony.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDPs6oTkpLaPZhSv1OkvlKlQf5QMLDBWNOSg1MhGkJ3CJ6ivvFBp5x6IM0mx_PpMO2uAhW-A1DW1dm2ex3gCdFQJ84wi8OhXkQ4s_lpaadagNmiqujtu58YcWjk6JYfWCRkjjlqHAzxd3/s1600/DSC_0047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDPs6oTkpLaPZhSv1OkvlKlQf5QMLDBWNOSg1MhGkJ3CJ6ivvFBp5x6IM0mx_PpMO2uAhW-A1DW1dm2ex3gCdFQJ84wi8OhXkQ4s_lpaadagNmiqujtu58YcWjk6JYfWCRkjjlqHAzxd3/s320/DSC_0047.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I may have to spend a little more time beneath the<br />
flowery canopy.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-80047097017418257792016-12-20T11:38:00.001-08:002016-12-20T11:38:25.829-08:00Egg Watch 2016 - Raising Chickens<div style="text-align: center;">
Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no </div>
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seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that </div>
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you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.</div>
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--Henry David Thoreau </div>
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I marvel every time a seed germinates. I will never get over that feeling of joyful incredulity when a seed sprouts and begins its journey to a full plant. Although I know that seeds <i>want</i> to germinate, I always worry that I will do something wrong and disrupt the natural order of things. This is why, when sowing new seeds, I keep a ridiculous watch on the soil surface day after day, hoping for the best but expecting the worst.</div>
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I find myself in a similar situation with the chickens these days, albeit on a much larger scale. After having studied chicken books assiduously, I know that I'm supposed to start expecting eggs between weeks 18 and 24. Now that the chickens are 19 weeks old, Egg Watch 2016 has begun in earnest. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIn3gWms1dACx3VUnagMgLV5INxLeM9j-HYpQ9sC4VQMX6qd_G4inynHfR9Hmug9l_YUiLSPVm0SWqySBzBwgoB1TabQu3FvSWn3wt07-sWxPkGyq_ff20FMleIoVN2rtZNtrI5gxzIbK3/s1600/DSC_0633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIn3gWms1dACx3VUnagMgLV5INxLeM9j-HYpQ9sC4VQMX6qd_G4inynHfR9Hmug9l_YUiLSPVm0SWqySBzBwgoB1TabQu3FvSWn3wt07-sWxPkGyq_ff20FMleIoVN2rtZNtrI5gxzIbK3/s320/DSC_0633.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanessa likes to be the first one out in the morning</td></tr>
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In preparation for the blessed event, last week I took down the hardware cloth that has barred the girls from entering the nesting boxes. Then I lined them with a layer of hay to make the spaces a little more inviting. Turfman graciously donated a sleeve of golf balls to the effort, which are supposed to encourage the girls to lay their eggs in the right spot. Virginia inspected my work and seems to be the most interested in the space. The other day, when I opened the nesting box door, I found her peering out at me from the coop's lower roost. She's been hanging out in there longer than the others the last few days, which makes me wonder if she'll be the first. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYovXdhyphenhyphenmWF7s4335dDZamc36toSVeLDVgfLX-gCPged-GU6nZ8Rua6GRiUoOVbLLXoln-xHa8viJsvMnfpBY70htMtOkTrTr3SSSXoLWnqnwDb2OfXUgV5NSAE0O5sKzekJlUNI3elwP/s1600/DSC_0636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYovXdhyphenhyphenmWF7s4335dDZamc36toSVeLDVgfLX-gCPged-GU6nZ8Rua6GRiUoOVbLLXoln-xHa8viJsvMnfpBY70htMtOkTrTr3SSSXoLWnqnwDb2OfXUgV5NSAE0O5sKzekJlUNI3elwP/s320/DSC_0636.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The training "egg"</td></tr>
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Apparently, there are signs that may signal the time is getting closer. I inspect their wattles and combs each day, anxious for growth and a little more color. Last night I read that I should be looking for a submissive squat when I reach my hand out to them, so they'll be subjected to another bizarre form of inspection in the coming days. I still think we're a couple of weeks out, though.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMxyxxJXhbIN0QvDdj62ts52jVMKF3NdDPkkUH1i8itsSHQ31eYoXR9EKCc1bMRNQIiQDuI_-OMZxbFsTmDgHmycGMjN_aoNtudImPj4ahU5iBg2q4mKl-zobWWweREhI2OaV8sHsdWx8/s1600/DSC_0640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMxyxxJXhbIN0QvDdj62ts52jVMKF3NdDPkkUH1i8itsSHQ31eYoXR9EKCc1bMRNQIiQDuI_-OMZxbFsTmDgHmycGMjN_aoNtudImPj4ahU5iBg2q4mKl-zobWWweREhI2OaV8sHsdWx8/s320/DSC_0640.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia is the furthest along (she's on the left)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUQAzFaf08yHSPdRNKMmQkE9XFCQGhmAtI1TAD_cCvxrLw9ue5kynbz92wGOyuNJxU_yQZXdhIND4rvgXlgApUZreK9jpEkQriOK7l2BRiWDGpRqqMhUkbRObKcrCuP9XsPtUTAwIbX4q/s1600/DSC_0672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUQAzFaf08yHSPdRNKMmQkE9XFCQGhmAtI1TAD_cCvxrLw9ue5kynbz92wGOyuNJxU_yQZXdhIND4rvgXlgApUZreK9jpEkQriOK7l2BRiWDGpRqqMhUkbRObKcrCuP9XsPtUTAwIbX4q/s320/DSC_0672.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia's developing wattles and comb</td></tr>
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I am prepared to expect wonders from them, but I do have quite a bit of the doubting Thomas in me. "Trust but verify" seems a perfectly reasonable motto. I'm not sure how I will respond when I see the first egg resting somewhere in the coop or run, but I suspect it will be very similar to the moment when I first see the curled neck of a seedling pushing out of the soil. It will be bathed in a heavenly light, and I'll hear some angelic choir singing. It may, in fact, seem like it's golden. Then I'll finally take a deep breath and relax in the reassurance that I haven't somehow screwed up the most natural of things. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-13622514457618261562016-11-29T17:49:00.002-08:002016-11-29T17:49:49.250-08:00(Very Late) Potato SowingOn Sunday, after the first frosts had come, after the potato leaves withered in the biting cold, after the stalks surrendered and fell on the dry soil, my mom and I walked up to the vegetable garden to excavate the potato beds.<br />
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Earlier in the year, I had ordered seed potatoes from <a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/" target="_blank">Seed Savers</a>. Apparently I had ordered too many, for no matter how closely I laid the tubers in the ground, I still could not fit half of the total order into two 8'x4' beds. In an attempt to preserve the remaining tubers, I placed them in the refrigerator. There they sat for months until I realized that it was probably too late to make a second sowing. In my defense, the summer was so ridiculously hot and dry that I thought it would be a waste to plant the remaining seed potatoes. Of course, keeping them in the refrigerator simply produced the same effect with the opposite approach.<br />
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In mid-September, it seemed at least worth a try to grow more potatoes with what remained. I really had nothing to lose, so I planted the rest and waited. Less robust plants grew, and then they got hit by an unexpected frost. I assumed the effort had been wasted.<br />
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This weekend, my mom, armed with my border fork, was too curious and had to investigate. So she sunk the tines deep into the soil and brought up a few wonderful fingerling potatoes. I sat on the gravel path and rescued the little gems from the soil. Again and again she sank the teeth of the border fork into the earth and delivered more unexpected potatoes. She began to chuckle every time I said, "Oooh!" and grabbed at the harvest.<br />
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The potatoes were mostly small, but they fed us for two nights. Maybe I waited too long for the second sowing. Maybe I'll get them in a little sooner next year. But sinking my teeth into those last creamy, tasty bites of the summer garden was a pleasure I may remember until the next batch of tubers finds a spot in the garden on the hill.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEZB8XR3dhlKYhOcdyPcXSPzkAkL3uNxvBKbZzaTZEEpK-JXUh-P_rovYCvm4AosoO1VBmAAaP1SMvVYUDgB17vQm-qa_SV9IlIuLAi1g3seF14HydvkPHQCyw3zYQa6yPADcSZE3Mlvh/s1600/DSC_0615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEZB8XR3dhlKYhOcdyPcXSPzkAkL3uNxvBKbZzaTZEEpK-JXUh-P_rovYCvm4AosoO1VBmAAaP1SMvVYUDgB17vQm-qa_SV9IlIuLAi1g3seF14HydvkPHQCyw3zYQa6yPADcSZE3Mlvh/s320/DSC_0615.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The photo isn't great, but the potatoes were</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-28219334079679869422016-11-19T18:48:00.003-08:002016-12-08T20:04:54.735-08:00Putting the Garden to BedLate this afternoon, as the sun sat just above the horizon and cast a golden glow over the farm, Turfman and I took part in what has become an annual ritual. The temperature is expected to drop overnight and bring frost with it. We have wrapped the sugar snap and shelling peas in a frost protection blanket, anchoring it against the blustery winds. The radish, lettuce, cabbage, and kale seedlings are nestled under old sheets. But everything else that has, perhaps, overstayed its weather welcome, remains exposed to the elements and will likely blacken and wither in response. In the coming days, I will make my way around the garden and begin adding the damaged plants to the compost pile.<br />
<br />
It's always a little sad to gather one last harvest before winter sets in. I hate leaving behind so many vegetables that are so full of potential but appeared on the scene far too late to reach it. I'll still be able to grow plenty of things underneath the protection of poly tunnels, and next year's summer growing season will (hopefully) be better than this year's disappointing results after too many days of brutal, withering heat.<br />
<br />
But it was still hard to close the gate behind me today.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcX_lnQ5tGX5Q71Cf4evo39eaPd43jU_qZonjnyHHeYAXxjVGBIYCGNE0xrw8DcvqI6wnQ5tU0PIOHl_X3Iuo2K103qXFKwXRuLoZl3QxF9zjhIOg2TRhex3AZaxTPppL_QTtshZo91Hm/s1600/DSC_0612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcX_lnQ5tGX5Q71Cf4evo39eaPd43jU_qZonjnyHHeYAXxjVGBIYCGNE0xrw8DcvqI6wnQ5tU0PIOHl_X3Iuo2K103qXFKwXRuLoZl3QxF9zjhIOg2TRhex3AZaxTPppL_QTtshZo91Hm/s320/DSC_0612.jpg" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last haul of summer 2016</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-5536464181234482912016-11-15T05:24:00.001-08:002016-11-15T05:24:32.933-08:00Raising ChickensThis is just one of those brief weekday posts to send all of you a little bit of cheer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMVQRM8ZKG3fHF_sHYaOMWePeSb2qVMT_WOnP2X3PDobiJy8Qnttb1mLcywbBoLv8XGY1UdHYL8r7ferKxH5Mq14C5lUkGuw3iRtXORM4YrgfPuazV030-YHO0-RvYelM8B7HyaeoKWs6/s1600/DSC_0583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMVQRM8ZKG3fHF_sHYaOMWePeSb2qVMT_WOnP2X3PDobiJy8Qnttb1mLcywbBoLv8XGY1UdHYL8r7ferKxH5Mq14C5lUkGuw3iRtXORM4YrgfPuazV030-YHO0-RvYelM8B7HyaeoKWs6/s320/DSC_0583.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I have been falling in love with my hens, and so has a certain little dog in the house. Zoey cannot allow me to go up to the coop without her. She stands with her head resting on the top of the coop ramp and greets the girls as they descend. The chickens run to see her when we visit during the day, and at night, Zoey always needs to be with me as I tuck back them into the coop.<br />
<br />
We're both besotted.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-71794837460406779782016-11-13T12:34:00.001-08:002016-11-13T12:34:42.894-08:00The Fall Vegetable GardenI got a late start on the fall vegetable garden this year. I blame the chickens for that. Of course, I was the one who decided to get chickens before I had even begun building a coop or run, so maybe it's unfair to blame the girls. Maybe the blame should rest completely on me.<br />
<br />
No matter who is at fault, the late start meant that I had to cut back on my plans. Starting a fall vegetable garden is not as easy as one might think, especially when I have to completely remove the summer vegetable garden in order to focus on the fall. In the end, I planted some lettuce and spinach, then followed two weeks later with another sowing. Of those two sowings, I have a grand total of two lettuce plants and two spinach plants. Only one of my Chinese Slow Bolt cabbage seeds germinated, as well. I'm not sure why I'm having such trouble. It's either that the seeds are bad or the soil is. Even though the drip irrigation is working fine, I think the complete lack of rain for two months now has really caused some problems.<br />
<br />
It's not all bad news up there, though. I also started my two favorite types of radishes--lovely and mild French Breakfast and the wonderfully spicy Watermelon, and they're coming along nicely. I also planted sugar snaps and regular shelling peas, and those are growing really well. And now loads of Dwarf Blue Curly Kale seedlings are peeking out of the soil.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Zb-x7F_mROI8DkDdz5_wJVordGL-aqW2gpW0BEgpmhqfGfaBjkZ3kcJ7zLmLE0igq7X6-mFzn70yYlgFBOqtwfLUuNbagI6dPNnhgX3C2PBfahR0AHRCAPSXXBHKwA3Whz0IBs2qk0an/s1600/DSC_0535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Zb-x7F_mROI8DkDdz5_wJVordGL-aqW2gpW0BEgpmhqfGfaBjkZ3kcJ7zLmLE0igq7X6-mFzn70yYlgFBOqtwfLUuNbagI6dPNnhgX3C2PBfahR0AHRCAPSXXBHKwA3Whz0IBs2qk0an/s320/DSC_0535.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The peas are now scrambling up their<br />trellis supports</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Some elements of the summer vegetables are still in place, largely because they have been producing heavy yields in the cooler weather. I can't keep up with Asian eggplants, and the peppers of all varieties are going crazy. But they likely won't last much longer unless I start protecting them. We woke up to 31 degrees on Friday morning, and the first kiss of deadly frost has damaged parts of the plants.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlv_lBLCNDYd_2UDfOeR7CD9h6cVR_e7Nx_L7mcjwW5latOfQxIpBcyelo3DALVxnEHyDp4ulTgP83WVfi6cQjR46x27wBGWcJflGZxffcKXy1CNjr0w4ZVg56gtyphrkzPkbcjWJOM1FV/s1600/DSC_0543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlv_lBLCNDYd_2UDfOeR7CD9h6cVR_e7Nx_L7mcjwW5latOfQxIpBcyelo3DALVxnEHyDp4ulTgP83WVfi6cQjR46x27wBGWcJflGZxffcKXy1CNjr0w4ZVg56gtyphrkzPkbcjWJOM1FV/s320/DSC_0543.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These eggplants like the cooler weather</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNUJL3DGy2LsZXfn8Ydx1KQv47wKvpA5SauUelakZrOimxQ5GLJysX08akesNZUqWB7Um96W-D3tTLNC4hfFBaO5JXTX4rUedCbi3DTDYECEa2SubHgGIJujQaHiNsD37_vzwHJ31kke5/s1600/DSC_0570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNUJL3DGy2LsZXfn8Ydx1KQv47wKvpA5SauUelakZrOimxQ5GLJysX08akesNZUqWB7Um96W-D3tTLNC4hfFBaO5JXTX4rUedCbi3DTDYECEa2SubHgGIJujQaHiNsD37_vzwHJ31kke5/s320/DSC_0570.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some leaves are browning and curling</td></tr>
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<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvrOYP4HyNWsdiCryjdJ9bowfNXN7i9iSmW_cueJlC1YvLVDZWdcPgz1JPpeGpqtiQ6u32xzC93Y2q0mncnZLJVoriGTXronzQxFzc8i1b0Vgtpa5jxZxlfPEZ2GKY4Owau9zRO-JW6Iv/s1600/DSC_0571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvrOYP4HyNWsdiCryjdJ9bowfNXN7i9iSmW_cueJlC1YvLVDZWdcPgz1JPpeGpqtiQ6u32xzC93Y2q0mncnZLJVoriGTXronzQxFzc8i1b0Vgtpa5jxZxlfPEZ2GKY4Owau9zRO-JW6Iv/s320/DSC_0571.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The upper portions of the pepper plants have suffered, too</td></tr>
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<br />I'll likely try the lettuce and spinach again in another bed to see if I can get a better germination rate in different soil, but even if they don't produce, we'll still have a good showing from everything else.<br /><div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-52261946507739473702016-11-07T03:32:00.000-08:002016-11-07T03:32:49.952-08:00Growing Peppers in the Garden (Still!)[Note: I'm going to try and provide mini dispatches from the garden during the week in case anyone sitting in an office needs a little pick-me up. Here's the first. I'll still aim for the longer reports on the weekends.]<br />
<br />
I'm so glad I decided to leave my pepper plants alone when I started clearing the summer garden in preparation for fall. They really seem to love the cooler temperatures at night because they are producing profusely and looking lovely. (How's that for a little alliteration?)<br />
<br />
The little golden ones came from an unmarked plant, but I love finding all of those little babies hiding among the green leaves. It seems that the slender light green peppers are now unmarked, too, but they are delicious. And the Iko Iko sweet peppers (the purple ones) are beautiful to watch ripen. Summer was a little harsh in the garden, but the peppers are making fall pretty sweet.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpnIr7adKmP7a5zwtK-0opGb-9wr8wDeCuu8Ln8CyLpj0tQyB7l3lFTxE-zDbJnHjyD1lcxC5yT2_lgfTchJkEnNuNeZA6ftl37QWUjZfI7LUnQlVy4JzdffXICBblTiFBbaq9ZcLzi9N/s1600/DSC_0564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpnIr7adKmP7a5zwtK-0opGb-9wr8wDeCuu8Ln8CyLpj0tQyB7l3lFTxE-zDbJnHjyD1lcxC5yT2_lgfTchJkEnNuNeZA6ftl37QWUjZfI7LUnQlVy4JzdffXICBblTiFBbaq9ZcLzi9N/s320/DSC_0564.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rainbow of organic peppers</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-63556795975270169632016-11-04T14:47:00.002-07:002016-11-05T15:27:34.945-07:00Garden Demolition Team--Deer Damage EditionWhen we lived in Orlando, the squirrels and I were almost always at war. The battles never ended in any casualties (unless I count my pride), but we were always trying to outsmart each other. Those squirrels were downright cunning, and though I thought I was, too, I had to wave the white flag of surrender in the end.<br />
<br />
On our new property, squirrels aren't much of a problem. Of course, the property is massive in comparison to our small Orlando plot of land, so perhaps I simply don't see the impacts as much. Even though the larger property would seem to harbor far more critters capable of damaging things, the only trouble I had initially was with a certain chipmunk who seemed to have an affinity for Lily of the Valley bulbs. There's also been an armadillo problem, but since it was always rooting around the lawn, that was more of Turfman's aggravation.<br />
<br />
In the last couple of months, however, things have taken an ugly turn. It all began with a seemingly ravenous rabbit (identified by certain "gifts" left behind) who treated my vegetable garden like it was his personal all-you-can-eat buffet. First he took every leaf off of my bean plants. Once those were completely destroyed, he was lucky enough to discover my sweet potato plants. Again, he removed every leaf and added the flowers to his diet. Annoyed but unimpressed, I covered the sweet potatoes with chicken wire. Goodbye, rabbit.<br />
<br />
The last month has ushered in a new destructive force, and to identify it, dear readers, all you have to do is think of what rhymes with foe (but it's likely I'm not just dealing with the females).<br />
<br />
I'm not sure why I haven't had too many issues with deer previously. They've always roamed our property in the mornings. The worst they've done up to now has been to prune one of my plum trees (and yes, the pun is most certainly intended). I stuck a pinwheel in the tree, and I haven't had a problem since. But now they are destroying my front garden, and along with it, my hopes and dreams for so many plants I've nurtured from seed.<br />
<br />
First they stripped the leaves from two branches of my <i>Philadelphus </i>(mock orange). I reassured myself that it is virtually a weed and should easily recover. Then I saw they had ravaged my David Austin 'Olivia' rose. That's when I felt the first spark of hate ignite in my belly. Then came the hollyhock. Then (surprisingly), the <i>Salvias</i>. On they went, methodically working their way through <i>Rudbeckia</i> and the tree form <i>Hydrangea</i>,<i> </i>stoking my anger fire. I cut pieces of chicken wire to defend my precious, damaged plants.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR72hymOJ0xJlZauT6aIOZcXtjRMG8BiWjVejtPT3LM-ZTx5N_IY8YTnftJalSimPXbZQh0UYNkOxtFPgQRx4rFBytGGtwr-g64LFT0mkw65aPLqARFvZYlmgztXRMbDjl6FO93vOy6vZQ/s1600/DSC_0553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR72hymOJ0xJlZauT6aIOZcXtjRMG8BiWjVejtPT3LM-ZTx5N_IY8YTnftJalSimPXbZQh0UYNkOxtFPgQRx4rFBytGGtwr-g64LFT0mkw65aPLqARFvZYlmgztXRMbDjl6FO93vOy6vZQ/s320/DSC_0553.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, they've left half of the <i>Philadelphus</i><br />
so far</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoY8IhvZHgrknnPq5jGA4DQ2WCNd57H0hFbFElFvH4IaxR7ykY-xq1dX9v2Cp3TZNS0KXg8qFfi93rFBFDTjXUdZ0-fTey2HPfy_HF9XfGmeWeJrTEt5lX2f2DSFNErx4oVQ_pR6MQr16/s1600/DSC_0555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoY8IhvZHgrknnPq5jGA4DQ2WCNd57H0hFbFElFvH4IaxR7ykY-xq1dX9v2Cp3TZNS0KXg8qFfi93rFBFDTjXUdZ0-fTey2HPfy_HF9XfGmeWeJrTEt5lX2f2DSFNErx4oVQ_pR6MQr16/s320/DSC_0555.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought the <i>Rudbeckia triloba</i> was a goner, but it's sprouting<br />
new leaves at the base</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BIwX10P7gkzvdEkE_f431Zg0d0Krgx-yhx0VsLEt2Bh-SlhbKsM8YpMeja_N_vU90SxKkSzqBdJl8U7wcIWLfLf0txSsnbpvf6uBi7k6wYyy-WI66JPASN-Vb1csme0rGW5qC2XjTwGz/s1600/DSC_0556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BIwX10P7gkzvdEkE_f431Zg0d0Krgx-yhx0VsLEt2Bh-SlhbKsM8YpMeja_N_vU90SxKkSzqBdJl8U7wcIWLfLf0txSsnbpvf6uBi7k6wYyy-WI66JPASN-Vb1csme0rGW5qC2XjTwGz/s320/DSC_0556.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's left of my 'Becky' daisy. Are you kidding me?!?</td></tr>
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<div>
<br />
<div>
<br />
When I discovered this morning that they had actually removed the cage I had placed over one of my grown-from-seed <i>Echinops</i> (globe thistle) and completely removed it, let's just say little children's ears would have required covering. And now it's war. I don't know exactly how I will defend my turf, but most options are on the table. The deer are soon to meet their match, I hope.<br />
<br />
If anyone has suggestions for me, I sure would love to hear them. Please post your ideas!<br />
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-38135642575228360172016-10-15T13:55:00.000-07:002016-10-15T13:57:00.858-07:00The New AdditionsI have wanted chickens since I started watching Alys Fowler's BBC series <i>The Edible Garden </i>on a fall day in 2011. When she brought two chickens, named Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, into her garden and sang their praises, I was hooked. There was only one problem--I lived in Orlando, and chickens weren't allowed there.<br />
<br />
When we planned our move back to Georgia, chickens became part of the plan. A friend gave me a book on chicken keeping as a farewell gift. Neighbors asked me to send photos of the chickens as soon as we got them. When the reality set in that I could have them, though, I began to worry about whether I was making the right choice. So the chickens, oddly enough, became like the story of my tattoo. I had an initial desire, worried about the decision, and waited three years to finally get one. The only difference is that the chicken decision only took two years to make. Well, two years from when I could get them. Five years total.<br />
<br />
Ultimately, I made the decision on a whim. I had been trolling a Facebook list for people selling livestock for more than a year. When a friend at work asked me in August why I just couldn't get the chickens already, I looked at the list that evening, saw a post for week old chicks, and picked three up the next day. The trick was that I hadn't made any preparations for them.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPh86zmWG1yME4XPSh5yxOMzgdFWLBytKF1vPxa2pNdEt3wfdDH20IRqZNyObBuRdbwbrUtXUujL6txe_OdGxVVwxj7t7IpdW6Qz91oxuRnt60k3CUT-LsPSAPyvW0EdT5HSHs0Jibg5_/s1600/IMG_0701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPh86zmWG1yME4XPSh5yxOMzgdFWLBytKF1vPxa2pNdEt3wfdDH20IRqZNyObBuRdbwbrUtXUujL6txe_OdGxVVwxj7t7IpdW6Qz91oxuRnt60k3CUT-LsPSAPyvW0EdT5HSHs0Jibg5_/s320/IMG_0701.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia, Vita, and Vanessa on their first day<br />
with their family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Enclosing the left bay on the barn and building a chicken coop had been on my list of projects for the summer, but the list was long and the coop at the end of it. As the summer wore on, I fretted about spending too much money on accomplishing all of my goals. The estimate on the coop design plans I had was $600, and with the other things I needed to enclose the run, I figured the total cost would be $1,000. I couldn't justify such a significant expense.<br />
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<div>
But one day, as I was walking the property, I thought about the many structures that the previous owner had built and I hated. Maybe instead of demolishing all of those things, I could reuse or repurpose them. That's when the hideous archery shack started to look a little more appealing to me.</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pdTn6pNgSktDtN9_IGQLa5LzxT4GSMve2S-feO5K6Sq16VfVkdCVu1WIvZwzlseSiMerMH3ke_oWAE1bCDS94ixHS_RsTWIh0Y220-ivIQG1tUy1pE-TaDLom4rkFummnn6Urt-lpdtV/s1600/IMG_0704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pdTn6pNgSktDtN9_IGQLa5LzxT4GSMve2S-feO5K6Sq16VfVkdCVu1WIvZwzlseSiMerMH3ke_oWAE1bCDS94ixHS_RsTWIh0Y220-ivIQG1tUy1pE-TaDLom4rkFummnn6Urt-lpdtV/s320/IMG_0704.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That? Really?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUDa_PZWXPOUPAk0o5vsivgzQsCp_SSlj9jwzztAvtMgtys6x53PPmOjVhw87ZS4kkiCp7p0R9PUn1_BGP-B6F88p9Vh4KqpxtO46m2Q77o51gVtFfLNtDCmpSoIIuUDDTpAmY67nXrDc/s1600/IMG_0705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUDa_PZWXPOUPAk0o5vsivgzQsCp_SSlj9jwzztAvtMgtys6x53PPmOjVhw87ZS4kkiCp7p0R9PUn1_BGP-B6F88p9Vh4KqpxtO46m2Q77o51gVtFfLNtDCmpSoIIuUDDTpAmY67nXrDc/s320/IMG_0705.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The target inside (which was filled with old<br />
clothes when we dismantled it...ick)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerQysS1wlkszjY9J2lRxifXpvOyWCAcYu_ivTYJZm1796JXf2AchuIb2d7u1PBE5wFDlgWYseexpR6KKPn9P1fmDQ9nHW97cnboqzNTWioxgHtl5XA-jMc9yL03lmy690ZOkN-BnYozdb/s1600/IMG_0706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerQysS1wlkszjY9J2lRxifXpvOyWCAcYu_ivTYJZm1796JXf2AchuIb2d7u1PBE5wFDlgWYseexpR6KKPn9P1fmDQ9nHW97cnboqzNTWioxgHtl5XA-jMc9yL03lmy690ZOkN-BnYozdb/s320/IMG_0706.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A side view of the hideousness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The measurements were perfect for a coop, and I figured that I could use the planks on our ugly covered bridge to enclose it. That would save me both money and time. It took me forever to get the target out, but once it was, I had a nice pile of wood and trim from it to use on the coop. The only issue left to deal with was that this enormous thing was cemented in. I attached temporary legs to it, and as Turfman braced it, I took the ripsaw to the 4x4 posts that it stood on. Then we removed the temporary front legs, climbed inside, carefully tilted it forward, and began to drag/carry it into the barn bay. I built a new base for it, and then we stood it up again and put it in its final position. We worked on the coop every free moment we had, and the chicks grew on in the large box in the garage as the weeks went by.<br />
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Friends came one Saturday in September to help install the framing for the run and hang the hardware cloth, which moved us a lot further along and made the work more enjoyable.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZhcxVgpTFTZbj0cCGGMIbpBQVFsECaaCH1tGU6EzIWH93Y46mKY2IYPvY3V7f7uaSo6Xb1x5VfQKVOlWX8wZAuiQ0LfQCL9jRjqXrpP6SMvtFdoXUsqY37A6xbMmHGwBLZV0E5k7LNb-/s1600/DSC_0466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZhcxVgpTFTZbj0cCGGMIbpBQVFsECaaCH1tGU6EzIWH93Y46mKY2IYPvY3V7f7uaSo6Xb1x5VfQKVOlWX8wZAuiQ0LfQCL9jRjqXrpP6SMvtFdoXUsqY37A6xbMmHGwBLZV0E5k7LNb-/s320/DSC_0466.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's our crew!</td></tr>
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</div>
<div>
We buried the hardware cloth around the entire perimeter to discourage any critters from trying to get in, and we prepped and painted day after day until I thought I might break. But then we made it, and the girls got to move into their new home.</div>
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Nearly every part of the coop is repurposed from the archery target and the bridge. Even the ramp into the coop is built from the frame of the target. My dear friend Maureen (pictured in the center of my crew) gave me her old French patio doors that she replaced with sliding doors a few months ago (don't worry, she's getting eggs). We used white paint that the previous owners left behind, and the blue paint was left over from painting the doors to my vegetable garden. All of it saved me a lot of money. The big expense was the huge roll of hardware cloth and the lumber to enclose the run, but after all of that, my expenses came in under $400 for a very lovely coop and a 20'x30' run for the ladies. In the end, I think they love it, and I'm pretty chuffed at the result. Now the rest of you can judge for yourselves.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWTYqOhY47KCHOLyQniPUZu1rQBIP9w1m56FxVC9r4ln9Z8EkBlo9odmc9yW8JNDOniGzr6Lsvwk19TDmStk6PwxUGWFBKc4MMO4GawB_xd5wa0fediJYhnDw6AnoCq8RvAq8A268_o2z/s1600/DSC_0501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWTYqOhY47KCHOLyQniPUZu1rQBIP9w1m56FxVC9r4ln9Z8EkBlo9odmc9yW8JNDOniGzr6Lsvwk19TDmStk6PwxUGWFBKc4MMO4GawB_xd5wa0fediJYhnDw6AnoCq8RvAq8A268_o2z/s320/DSC_0501.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome home!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5xwjMBl8PidFYQYqsRQqDWEsgGtjzaXRaI-eD-Gu5nqRyHbgR8iX33YwXkQdjcENoNfpZBaLxPravgnhu_PDcGNzdNQXoLAORM0vM-zArGex5TuGJHFrfRhHyhP2Vl7kK7O7K4xr62EE/s1600/DSC_0504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5xwjMBl8PidFYQYqsRQqDWEsgGtjzaXRaI-eD-Gu5nqRyHbgR8iX33YwXkQdjcENoNfpZBaLxPravgnhu_PDcGNzdNQXoLAORM0vM-zArGex5TuGJHFrfRhHyhP2Vl7kK7O7K4xr62EE/s320/DSC_0504.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Announcing the residents<br />
(sign from reused bridge parts)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fmROEi_fXxUlyndo8BlsXSEJtfmBivDgLBOaPOvoMn-rzfd9D043hSF3tWL23gPho_aL6mxw2ZPrvYa4ZKLBVUFO1vtJtnvwNPvz42ZMye_Kqld-ytaOLqlRqzD6RkdkMl61rFOSHuoP/s1600/DSC_0519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fmROEi_fXxUlyndo8BlsXSEJtfmBivDgLBOaPOvoMn-rzfd9D043hSF3tWL23gPho_aL6mxw2ZPrvYa4ZKLBVUFO1vtJtnvwNPvz42ZMye_Kqld-ytaOLqlRqzD6RkdkMl61rFOSHuoP/s320/DSC_0519.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure if I'll enclose the bottom for <br />
storage. The girls like to hang out there.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELrGebXIxqII2fkrJ-8JrvbD08VxbqX-6EdRvL0pLBTkigmOdQ10F-zo1Ktin6e3112nVoWFzYfB5zrTr2oJ5Ibu9A4YmD4Fp1m8BOGFQ-oS3UvDf_zN2_Z2u6H2nzjB_6G1qUXZQdClS/s1600/DSC_0520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELrGebXIxqII2fkrJ-8JrvbD08VxbqX-6EdRvL0pLBTkigmOdQ10F-zo1Ktin6e3112nVoWFzYfB5zrTr2oJ5Ibu9A4YmD4Fp1m8BOGFQ-oS3UvDf_zN2_Z2u6H2nzjB_6G1qUXZQdClS/s320/DSC_0520.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ramp that was an archery target</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-pTFvK7BJ-C_utM97wcwPt7O-fvB5RmNd74tsMxM4sYJ2nwqXmRfxdyp3GIATGHX6UnEFNtDGh3sMeyfsAGanAx6YJEMtQkOFxVB7n9T4K0MPVnAgPhIzwZJBLAMPUOECyHNFuYnCSrb/s1600/DSC_0522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-pTFvK7BJ-C_utM97wcwPt7O-fvB5RmNd74tsMxM4sYJ2nwqXmRfxdyp3GIATGHX6UnEFNtDGh3sMeyfsAGanAx6YJEMtQkOFxVB7n9T4K0MPVnAgPhIzwZJBLAMPUOECyHNFuYnCSrb/s320/DSC_0522.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had to buy plywood for the back and<br />
nesting boxes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmhSRM4Soiw0sFQG3czF8HyTIk58R25Wm64Ey_tEPVVgqHlV2q1ifobREr_SrJlUBZtl8m0VufBS3NwPt4YFBUlFEF44XZqmf0RT1q5xhHuRL-CgYaLESov_UEEGE3rSBkT6VlvFJFEXe/s1600/DSC_0516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmhSRM4Soiw0sFQG3czF8HyTIk58R25Wm64Ey_tEPVVgqHlV2q1ifobREr_SrJlUBZtl8m0VufBS3NwPt4YFBUlFEF44XZqmf0RT1q5xhHuRL-CgYaLESov_UEEGE3rSBkT6VlvFJFEXe/s320/DSC_0516.jpg" width="279" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inside, which is dusty. I use a sand bed, and the<br />
girls like to take dust baths in it.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXc7FyzQxyxFEP899oZMSQRKorUu4i7yjOkBA7Kk9R1dmcHnn5uKhHm2BxbiJbmroo-B29A__WRgOztcw-lhh144VmFOMMFrmAjuDQ6xoTxOriu-e9rQ8-byJ4Njg6pirZLlksQWdbxwid/s1600/DSC_0508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXc7FyzQxyxFEP899oZMSQRKorUu4i7yjOkBA7Kk9R1dmcHnn5uKhHm2BxbiJbmroo-B29A__WRgOztcw-lhh144VmFOMMFrmAjuDQ6xoTxOriu-e9rQ8-byJ4Njg6pirZLlksQWdbxwid/s320/DSC_0508.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying their jungle gym</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEN-lDwQVhgbpcN5fGjerqeH18YWPe0oOuiI-TqOCgzGaHjYVm_XoegBWanu4QY-2SPQviy-oSMmBrCwGf8o6kwMmpfiv8ilF9psl1UKcF2zHizZ6MFQbtFyxAgq1A-wwgB7b1IgH2aaYQ/s1600/DSC_0510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEN-lDwQVhgbpcN5fGjerqeH18YWPe0oOuiI-TqOCgzGaHjYVm_XoegBWanu4QY-2SPQviy-oSMmBrCwGf8o6kwMmpfiv8ilF9psl1UKcF2zHizZ6MFQbtFyxAgq1A-wwgB7b1IgH2aaYQ/s320/DSC_0510.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia on her throne</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKVlUDuACJoSKfyJxzu6KVJ5n8BvzHi63sd2RmZHChVs0omPC_CYArvUj4IZ-T5WzgQE3LwZMaDquqFNxl5qtPXgoT6-qU1dXSUduye-p4iJ0zm_gU7Kfpo_lyvrKgfKSUc2RCSZla2xY/s1600/DSC_0525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKVlUDuACJoSKfyJxzu6KVJ5n8BvzHi63sd2RmZHChVs0omPC_CYArvUj4IZ-T5WzgQE3LwZMaDquqFNxl5qtPXgoT6-qU1dXSUduye-p4iJ0zm_gU7Kfpo_lyvrKgfKSUc2RCSZla2xY/s320/DSC_0525.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They seem pretty happy</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-44528386809201677612016-10-08T08:51:00.002-07:002016-10-08T08:51:24.264-07:00The State of the Pond, Fall 2016Turfman loves watching the weather report. A hush must fall over the house so that he can hear every word uttered. He's most often listening for words like "rain" and "high chance." Most forecasts this summer have ended with him being dejected.<br />
<br />
I, too, would love to hear those words, but I have come to loathe the weather report, not just for the lack of rain in the forecast but for a curious and disturbing narrative that the reporter invariably delivers. I don't know exactly who the local news stations consider their most important audience, but I'm guessing it's tourists who hope that we don't get rain while they're here. Otherwise, it's locals who have no idea or concern that we need rain in order to have--well, you know--water.<br />
<br />
Here are the two basic forecasts one might hear (and I suspect this is true all over the country):<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>"Well, folks, I have some bad news. We have a 40% chance of rain today, which will make the commute a soggy one."</li>
<li>"It's going to be a great stretch of days. We have almost no chance of rain in the next 7 days, so get out there and enjoy the sunny weather."</li>
</ol>
<div>
Rain is the enemy.</div>
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<div>
For those who don't garden, it is likely pretty easy to become unaware of how much or how little rain has fallen in a given month. Sometimes a gardener, too, thanks to the aid of drip irrigation, might be less attuned to precipitation levels. But a pond is an unmistakable indicator of rain patterns. I'll demonstrate just how much by sharing a series of photos. </div>
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<div>
On Christmas Eve, the pond and its series of draining canals had succumbed to four days of deluge. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2EVZMyoWRWhmjgRavarv7qcu021qEU_yonwOdc0jDBnLoN6TITO59yV8PzEiVUXmk2XCIOprFihCw4NJOXrHOUs7Lbm6AMnxyY59xz5Rv37zPwnc8mFQPvUc3d3qZzoMXj6zx9rfjS-5/s1600/IMG_0490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2EVZMyoWRWhmjgRavarv7qcu021qEU_yonwOdc0jDBnLoN6TITO59yV8PzEiVUXmk2XCIOprFihCw4NJOXrHOUs7Lbm6AMnxyY59xz5Rv37zPwnc8mFQPvUc3d3qZzoMXj6zx9rfjS-5/s320/IMG_0490.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The canals are no longer to be seen</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9aS-WTY3LUyhBshrXyTFxaBa9zwJ7GhDviuIWhZyvHo9_gE-U2SU61U_l95MelT27osQwgl75WRcs6DUIjnkXsqez3XkNyu1Z9FfFw8lxcwGxBWhSlph-Q4gO8aYHzqiZu7fXEuta-Cd/s1600/IMG_0491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9aS-WTY3LUyhBshrXyTFxaBa9zwJ7GhDviuIWhZyvHo9_gE-U2SU61U_l95MelT27osQwgl75WRcs6DUIjnkXsqez3XkNyu1Z9FfFw8lxcwGxBWhSlph-Q4gO8aYHzqiZu7fXEuta-Cd/s320/IMG_0491.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And neither is the driveway</td></tr>
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Over the course of the winter, our driveway washed away four times.<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWrLyLe3sYMjCph4Eh-v-czfy2cF9MgTnJtLJ5wsnv-lC875bZsr_usfZzvH7hlaL36GPV6pe7sS8IRi4j6_OH2s95ruX5xWFkh8eXlvoirv_yy1lX5EJan2zTA4-qZlUw5ofFP2zAx-X/s1600/DSC_0318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWrLyLe3sYMjCph4Eh-v-czfy2cF9MgTnJtLJ5wsnv-lC875bZsr_usfZzvH7hlaL36GPV6pe7sS8IRi4j6_OH2s95ruX5xWFkh8eXlvoirv_yy1lX5EJan2zTA4-qZlUw5ofFP2zAx-X/s320/DSC_0318.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The level settled a bit (and we had some pretty flurries)</td></tr>
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<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-vmjQ89IxKess-fz-Ji_X6U-DBNbvcwYNy9WWVMI66bTCyYLMJZUinlLTRCmn9bvQFSNyd-tzPtAaUmXXLvCXrZNtu2b0o3JAu5saIuPrXxdxbwlK4e5cYgRlDUCfj50Hc4XJy5caWAB/s1600/IMG_0492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-vmjQ89IxKess-fz-Ji_X6U-DBNbvcwYNy9WWVMI66bTCyYLMJZUinlLTRCmn9bvQFSNyd-tzPtAaUmXXLvCXrZNtu2b0o3JAu5saIuPrXxdxbwlK4e5cYgRlDUCfj50Hc4XJy5caWAB/s320/IMG_0492.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And over it went again</td></tr>
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We were hopeful for a summer of consistent rain, but it virtually disappeared by May. Although we occasionally had rain, it clearly wasn't enough in the face of far too many 90 degree days. It rained yesterday while I took the photo below, so the water level was a little higher than it has been, but the scene is shocking.<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBz6mFXKc_np2-fPtvxvh6I80V16dKOts7I_47j6UFLl_izANvi9ZgfB1LI8otbOJT74YmYFFntFdxQyk0NEsV0Y-HWNjldWlRxdGUR6PD4k13ieflQqHaZzFCxe7v7nMrU65zqpjr_qEV/s1600/DSC_0484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBz6mFXKc_np2-fPtvxvh6I80V16dKOts7I_47j6UFLl_izANvi9ZgfB1LI8otbOJT74YmYFFntFdxQyk0NEsV0Y-HWNjldWlRxdGUR6PD4k13ieflQqHaZzFCxe7v7nMrU65zqpjr_qEV/s320/DSC_0484.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's all the water left. The bridge is just beyond.</td></tr>
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<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERvQll7LLbnHI7jBaMDRPF926PS4jb6UWQ_ZV6CPyzhwamEyskhDJsmNGOv7dQVUz5XTE8RrCDSrhdW97VWXDCRIkd293cP8hu_inbTkmCmH7-bPROo7TElYhBgyxNXcRLbx2-9SdUp5o/s1600/DSC_0487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERvQll7LLbnHI7jBaMDRPF926PS4jb6UWQ_ZV6CPyzhwamEyskhDJsmNGOv7dQVUz5XTE8RrCDSrhdW97VWXDCRIkd293cP8hu_inbTkmCmH7-bPROo7TElYhBgyxNXcRLbx2-9SdUp5o/s320/DSC_0487.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The soil is cracked, and sedge has taken over in most spots</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Rain in one season does nothing for us in in the next, especially when we have a pond that we don't want to be a serious eyesore. And whatever we see happening above ground, we can be sure is going on below ground in really important areas like aquifers. I hope we all keep that in mind the next time we watch the local forecast and listen intently for a promise only of sunny days. Rain really is one of our dearest friends.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-41639533483211088622016-06-29T16:38:00.000-07:002016-06-29T16:38:20.582-07:00Surprised by JoyI am, of course, not the first to use this phrase. Wordsworth used it as the title of a poem in which he describes being struck by something wonderful and turning to share it with his daughter, who unfortunately, had died long before. The rest of the poem is a lament on her loss.<br />
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C.S. Lewis, too, used it as a title. It was for his autobiography, primarily about his search for the moment at which longing has been satisfied. Curiously enough, after he published the manuscript he met and married a woman named Joy, and his friends claimed that he had, indeed, been surprised by Joy.<br />
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I have to borrow their words for what happened to me today on two separate occasions. I had been working in the vegetable garden, harvesting the last of my first potato sowing. As is my habit, I loaded them into a container that had drainage holes and headed back to the house to rinse them with the hose. I placed the colander on the back porch, and when I turned to reach for the hose, my eyes alighted on the rusty red daylilies blooming in a small bed at the family room chimney and then on to the Zebra grass and Japanese maple beyond. It may seem strange for people to read this, but I suddenly drew breath and felt like I might cry. The beauty of the scene was overwhelming. I thought about how strange it was, wondered if anyone else would feel the same way or merely ask what was so special about the view. But the feeling did not leave me. At the risk of sounding ridiculous, I felt as if I had touched (or had been touched by) the miracle of existence. I felt privileged to have had some hand in the making of such a view.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AdAS9DrPUfKuDUE_pcWkEpquEJxJcBu3zjF0TPTu99JsPZ4n_lG4dRkl-tIpcgx1Jl18LWg9Tcd1-7bNeJNWlqp-AkXcXxQOnrHuw7QeoN4vdWFzhi21k-4zG9vQZibf_Wok_fUdPxpw/s1600/DSC_0330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AdAS9DrPUfKuDUE_pcWkEpquEJxJcBu3zjF0TPTu99JsPZ4n_lG4dRkl-tIpcgx1Jl18LWg9Tcd1-7bNeJNWlqp-AkXcXxQOnrHuw7QeoN4vdWFzhi21k-4zG9vQZibf_Wok_fUdPxpw/s320/DSC_0330.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe it's not so overwhelming to anyone<br />else, but there it is</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Once I had rinsed all of the dirt off of the potatoes, I headed to one of the front flower beds to deadhead. Again, in the midst of this, I was struck by another beautiful moment. A small moth was devouring the nectar provided by a <i>Gaura</i> 'Lindheimerei' flower.<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOJE60EBPZFJaypNjV15xbH6txY-Ialk8dLd5CTmN7h12qfh0xoKN_0PlvYnmhn11e7ejdAwADIuungeNEhlJnhPcjjWzpQBAdmF4gP5jumdIy5gPWuo2WuKRF2_uL6neWGyAGxAjoBhV/s1600/DSC_0331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOJE60EBPZFJaypNjV15xbH6txY-Ialk8dLd5CTmN7h12qfh0xoKN_0PlvYnmhn11e7ejdAwADIuungeNEhlJnhPcjjWzpQBAdmF4gP5jumdIy5gPWuo2WuKRF2_uL6neWGyAGxAjoBhV/s320/DSC_0331.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He sat so patiently</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />As I tried to find the best perspective for the camera, I caught another amazing sight in the viewfinder. A ladybug was scrambling up a nearby shoot. Again, I was surprised by an overwhelming feeling of awe to have been witness to this.<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfKSk8QjqS1DXmdmc40IUNJcuhIek-S_dnjWfj1SDnZb4qo_fOq9hALyyyD-68Qgi7lk17ceksX3lJ9RTMATK1kG7bROBedymKeVBOYdvwAUBH3Eg-CuxvGUItU0t3Ocipu4El12-iBKL/s1600/DSC_0337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfKSk8QjqS1DXmdmc40IUNJcuhIek-S_dnjWfj1SDnZb4qo_fOq9hALyyyD-68Qgi7lk17ceksX3lJ9RTMATK1kG7bROBedymKeVBOYdvwAUBH3Eg-CuxvGUItU0t3Ocipu4El12-iBKL/s320/DSC_0337.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There she is, just to the right of the moth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Some may call me altogether too easily impressed, but this is what happens when you tend a garden. You notice the little things that suggest you're part of something so much bigger and miraculous than you ever imagined.<div>
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And in case anyone is wondering, I do, indeed, walk around with my camera thrown across my torso. I never know when I might be surprised by joy.<br /><div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-2514027688050820362016-06-23T08:28:00.004-07:002016-06-23T08:28:54.692-07:00Pergola Garden RevivalSince we bought this property two years ago, I have wanted to give it a name. This all started with a trip to the Cotswolds in 2013. So many properties we visited or walked past had lovely wooden signs announcing their identity, and they had nothing having to do with the owners' names. They were descriptors of the places, and I thought they gave them additional character. <div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3qOSyrxwf_pF1dw_MGVGm7KNvHHC2TtaWLa6dikhxS0u6_an0srUjyVJlGiS2hYvN7_aRLX69qr-75hGBKLxVcIC-o5SlwUJrEgnUslaCUfWIsWyuAeAp_rm0t1-YMKVo0xpW0N1-oD3/s1600/Old+Chapel+House+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3qOSyrxwf_pF1dw_MGVGm7KNvHHC2TtaWLa6dikhxS0u6_an0srUjyVJlGiS2hYvN7_aRLX69qr-75hGBKLxVcIC-o5SlwUJrEgnUslaCUfWIsWyuAeAp_rm0t1-YMKVo0xpW0N1-oD3/s320/Old+Chapel+House+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's an example</td></tr>
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<br />For a while, I was lobbying for Dixter Grange because Great Dixter is my favorite garden, and the word grange seemed to describe our property quite well (a country house with farm buildings attached). We have buildings and structures aplenty around here. While I have always loved the barn, the rest of the structures have been a little less pleasing. They have potential, but they look so tired, largely from their grey wash stain. The pergola is one such structure that has bothered me a bit.<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXpJZqQOvH6sGce1Ky2PRdYPnTvJmVt579atEfKgr37MGRPZiZur2iU-5bRkwaMMUVHVjlQBsS2WM4UJ-fL2xB4Pq5z4tRIvY8owZWKUNuxmvk7Lej_7bU1FBpbhcWujOLODiJ5TceQqD/s1600/DSC_0171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXpJZqQOvH6sGce1Ky2PRdYPnTvJmVt579atEfKgr37MGRPZiZur2iU-5bRkwaMMUVHVjlQBsS2WM4UJ-fL2xB4Pq5z4tRIvY8owZWKUNuxmvk7Lej_7bU1FBpbhcWujOLODiJ5TceQqD/s320/DSC_0171.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the sad pergola sitting in an overgrown mess</td></tr>
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<br />Once we had cleared the lower tier of the garden next to the pergola last year, I started planting the area and creating a relaxing shade garden. Its tidied appearance drew me out on a few days this spring. I stretched out on the small bench to grade portfolios and enjoy the beautiful weather. That made me wish I had an even better, more comfortable space, so I set about creating one. That, my friends, proved to be a very slippery slope. <div>
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It began with changing the color of the pergola stain. That made the pergola look better but the slab beneath all the more tired. So I stained the slab. Then the abandoned lanterns bothered me, so I scrubbed them clean, painted them copper, and moved them to the inside of the posts, along with two of my own lanterns that I cleaned and painted to match. Then I deemed the bench too small. So I built an enormous bench, 6.5 feet long by 2.5 feet wide. I modified <a href="http://www.ana-white.com/2014/06/plans/modern-park-bench" target="_blank">a design by Ana White</a> so that I could have more of a daybed, and I used 2x6s for the main frame so that I could put a lid on the seat and make a storage area for the cushions. It cost $170, which is $20 over my budget, but after much building, staining, and sewing, I really am pleased with the transformation. It's now a comfortable, inviting place to find some shade during the day.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzvOaZQgy7gQk3HQQU859b7rpRKQtCtwyjZjIBg-Svw_E1slTM4uiiIy7I5TQywLKbXQt1BeFF4lWVnoMjhs9Ew1usd3Q4Zg2A7C0dwmX-15X1bgKRwww1S3UjE6rPut4GR1l100Q0kAm/s1600/DSC_0283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzvOaZQgy7gQk3HQQU859b7rpRKQtCtwyjZjIBg-Svw_E1slTM4uiiIy7I5TQywLKbXQt1BeFF4lWVnoMjhs9Ew1usd3Q4Zg2A7C0dwmX-15X1bgKRwww1S3UjE6rPut4GR1l100Q0kAm/s320/DSC_0283.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It barely resembles its former self</td></tr>
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<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LDCty7yLgNQKrxzW9SYCtRsMaNWzN3j9HO6XWUpBsYR3NiFQVQIqWbCQf4kZWI2KiK_0nX6xzbNhyShtLS9kB79nFL6UuTLhcP7J6UzcNu1-jbmQKKq873A2N8kek6mjfufTwyQi6oEt/s1600/DSC_0291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LDCty7yLgNQKrxzW9SYCtRsMaNWzN3j9HO6XWUpBsYR3NiFQVQIqWbCQf4kZWI2KiK_0nX6xzbNhyShtLS9kB79nFL6UuTLhcP7J6UzcNu1-jbmQKKq873A2N8kek6mjfufTwyQi6oEt/s320/DSC_0291.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fountain makes this a really relaxing space</td></tr>
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And at night, it has a whole other atmosphere. I wrapped the sphere in the center with solar lights. Although I would prefer a warmer color to the lights, I do like what they add to the space. <div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SCDBqvQHxUcCsF_cj2dR-D-w_B_HLtLsxRF_4tqvVSKRDdZ5hiCrkGgu7UM7ubm88dQabZv-cny2jQX2X92kakuPZfo0HHQbvgRRs_zOMycJOE1eVK0K5qfePNG4ODgDiCgGiLNoE3ry/s1600/DSC_0290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SCDBqvQHxUcCsF_cj2dR-D-w_B_HLtLsxRF_4tqvVSKRDdZ5hiCrkGgu7UM7ubm88dQabZv-cny2jQX2X92kakuPZfo0HHQbvgRRs_zOMycJOE1eVK0K5qfePNG4ODgDiCgGiLNoE3ry/s320/DSC_0290.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a little someone who clearly approves the changes, <br />probably because the cushions are so comfortable</td></tr>
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<br />Now all we have to do is clear the upper tier of the garden, which will take some doing since there's poison ivy running throughout, and we're both terribly allergic. It's a job that needs to be done this summer, though.</div>
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And we still need to come up with a good name for the property.<br /><div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-8614922284397769822016-06-16T08:47:00.002-07:002016-06-16T08:47:52.919-07:00Three Days of Selective HarvestingThe heat is making me wilt these days. Luckily, things in the veg patch seem to be getting along just fine. Here's a brief pictorial update of what I'm starting to harvest. Looks like I'm having roasted root vegetables for dinner tonight.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRhHMJyD2XfAcQltj51tsvTM2NgFwYg7Upi_8zRFmSUqbB0CSCw78O0wE4bKrlixTZaaIQTRLm0nIY-cPvZUGD2iXW5Vz6Ia3gAbADqAiBRRV0gdV-bJVRBcQzeL0I0rvHIed5ttOpfK1/s1600/DSC_0271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRhHMJyD2XfAcQltj51tsvTM2NgFwYg7Upi_8zRFmSUqbB0CSCw78O0wE4bKrlixTZaaIQTRLm0nIY-cPvZUGD2iXW5Vz6Ia3gAbADqAiBRRV0gdV-bJVRBcQzeL0I0rvHIed5ttOpfK1/s320/DSC_0271.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuesday: The last of the garlic</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3A5JYX0pSo1iBE4WyJHTDDlcCmZBPxLwMwy4MBdYmLA0jXtbVBlalqno5TFwyso5kKxAYgH6aRNuaizjNqfea7lpmYPNl70SZ9cw6gqsDu4f2KlSVuuLBJmiXA2Z-odlusZaHyYZt-1wq/s1600/DSC_0270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3A5JYX0pSo1iBE4WyJHTDDlcCmZBPxLwMwy4MBdYmLA0jXtbVBlalqno5TFwyso5kKxAYgH6aRNuaizjNqfea7lpmYPNl70SZ9cw6gqsDu4f2KlSVuuLBJmiXA2Z-odlusZaHyYZt-1wq/s320/DSC_0270.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wednesday: First of the Purple Viking <br />and Rose Finn Apple fingerling potatoes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjKvu4kMmb0Po9uH0U7yv3UUcy_vwlyiJLacaf0U0J87-DMv2Ra7-QOb1xhIab01IoHJGRV7mutx5RnAoNec-B4sJFZ0FqIq0Uxr8DvG1Lz6MlQAk8ORjyEWalCEr22Nd0zV04s4FpeZq/s1600/DSC_0269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjKvu4kMmb0Po9uH0U7yv3UUcy_vwlyiJLacaf0U0J87-DMv2Ra7-QOb1xhIab01IoHJGRV7mutx5RnAoNec-B4sJFZ0FqIq0Uxr8DvG1Lz6MlQAk8ORjyEWalCEr22Nd0zV04s4FpeZq/s320/DSC_0269.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thursday: Root Veg Melange (with one<br />carrot that must have hit a hard spot)</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-62906806986864067132016-06-09T11:21:00.003-07:002016-06-09T11:21:34.806-07:00Teetering on the EdgeI have been worrying lately that I make gardening seem like it's all sunshine and butterflies. It often is that, but I don't want to give the impression that there aren't some disappointments and sacrifices. Beautiful low-maintenance gardens may exist, but I'm not personally aware of them. In fact, I tend to subscribe to the legendary Christopher Lloyd's maxim that "low maintenance is low braintenance." A garden needs attention--sometimes a great deal of attention. In the last few weeks, for example, we've been coping with yet another drought. While we watch the margins of the pond recede rapidly yet again, I carefully monitor how dry the soil is around the plants. I watch for signs that they are under stress as a means of minimizing any damage they might suffer. Pests and diseases most often attack plants that are struggling.<br />
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Even under all of my fussing and care, the garden has begun announcing that it is under siege, and I am now springing into action. The first worrying signs appeared on my purple verbena and my thyme. They seemed to be bleaching in the sun, their leaves lighter and spotty. Leaning in for a closer look, I discovered the culprit--spider mites. For the organic gardener, the only thing to do is reach for the Neem oil.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmlJhrrZI2-YYudgvn5dwn7l_Pd1rSWtO5KOrRJGa_KAuM-PFRHVEgJXLLQsHLDnOhv6a_sEkiaWe5iVJJqE0YwYu1UMvmSzjb2RHw2_dvUTtKWHUdb2AGE5BY8lkrCPHY3xHdi-nO3pc/s1600/DSC_0248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmlJhrrZI2-YYudgvn5dwn7l_Pd1rSWtO5KOrRJGa_KAuM-PFRHVEgJXLLQsHLDnOhv6a_sEkiaWe5iVJJqE0YwYu1UMvmSzjb2RHw2_dvUTtKWHUdb2AGE5BY8lkrCPHY3xHdi-nO3pc/s320/DSC_0248.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Study the leaves carefully, and you'll see that the one in the<br />center is showing the signs of spider mites</td></tr>
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Luckily, the damage is not catastrophic just yet, and armed with my sprayer of Neem oil and water, I will be doing battle with those dreaded mites. <div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEosASdAEdtKFhbC7HAxnwFiNfdPRcURWVRaIxxXDVkayvxrhhtgnbznreOouXKoGWjUGVAO8Z0B50s0CsH45Ro-jfIeePE0G-7Jdv60kmORmHgyTatMtXkjbjf224gK2M4D9ikJxjoVIH/s1600/DSC_0246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEosASdAEdtKFhbC7HAxnwFiNfdPRcURWVRaIxxXDVkayvxrhhtgnbznreOouXKoGWjUGVAO8Z0B50s0CsH45Ro-jfIeePE0G-7Jdv60kmORmHgyTatMtXkjbjf224gK2M4D9ikJxjoVIH/s320/DSC_0246.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lower leaves may be damaged, but I'm encouraged by<br />the condition of the new leaves</td></tr>
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The other pest that is attacking a wide array of plants is the loathsome Japanese beetle. When I first saw them on my David Austin rose 'Olivia,' I picked them off and stepped on them. This was when there were just a few. Now they are absolutely rampant. <div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeelebKGwzBKc4AiOyOHZXa9Xq7oLGk7wAYC3pdvHPwK-Ga4Pif13HfU-pTjSoat5SB9tj5MJKlnnubpWZhG6ttMRV9odXhr4J_Q2CUbQqauptK_PV3Zszd5fB5ahiK-g_ugY6avnnbzVY/s1600/DSC_0237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeelebKGwzBKc4AiOyOHZXa9Xq7oLGk7wAYC3pdvHPwK-Ga4Pif13HfU-pTjSoat5SB9tj5MJKlnnubpWZhG6ttMRV9odXhr4J_Q2CUbQqauptK_PV3Zszd5fB5ahiK-g_ugY6avnnbzVY/s320/DSC_0237.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's 'Olivia' with her unwanted guests tucked away within<br />her petals</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MCZMaRCBoblkbon0eVGN8qbgoa_HEFz3VXOISeew8joYy4tfb0E_xWqhNz7WoTLtwBo44DjFRDIGH4EBeyNuC-Q_Z3QzqZgng87UJ2UAlbHIiEXUPI-93o67IwgtbQrt4bEh8l3HXV1M/s1600/DSC_0241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MCZMaRCBoblkbon0eVGN8qbgoa_HEFz3VXOISeew8joYy4tfb0E_xWqhNz7WoTLtwBo44DjFRDIGH4EBeyNuC-Q_Z3QzqZgng87UJ2UAlbHIiEXUPI-93o67IwgtbQrt4bEh8l3HXV1M/s320/DSC_0241.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's turned into a dirty Japanese beetle condo!</td></tr>
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They, too, will get an evening spray of Neem oil, but as there are so many of them, I have to employ a two-pronged attack this year. In the mornings, I go out with a jar of soapy water, pick off the beetles, and drop them into their sudsy, watery grave...with great satisfaction.<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyE4wWxFhq4zo8sxJ0L7RBIGHEmMiBfBxIa9s7v-88HN3MFNLSGYtSYUgMWooc9DzDcBiuJLEXyVrScouwKoEGFQfsy7pJC9k8_t8ohRRG5BCqHO-JyUmslhQfLXVTxMCgyIH_2P-pa2_H/s1600/DSC_0256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyE4wWxFhq4zo8sxJ0L7RBIGHEmMiBfBxIa9s7v-88HN3MFNLSGYtSYUgMWooc9DzDcBiuJLEXyVrScouwKoEGFQfsy7pJC9k8_t8ohRRG5BCqHO-JyUmslhQfLXVTxMCgyIH_2P-pa2_H/s320/DSC_0256.jpg" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One seems to be a little heavy...</td></tr>
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Since I don't want to struggle for years to come, I will be spreading beneficial nematodes and an inoculation of milky spore. They proved very helpful when we had this problem before, which was when we lived in this area 10 years ago.<div>
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It's not all bad news this week, though. As I carefully comb over the garden for the unwanted pests, I have found so many other wonderful creatures.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMiLSYxC2uNkh3_1cFYpJjqwAhWU1FX6Hl2-SPcDcM_f-6oupsT4olFZRjLYT3qq6MuibFFqZjKlUpidjQt8_3g6akIIzsDKuYNsRtXfHcKF1xJWsq2wojuU0Uad5URIJAlQHerRQFiqe/s1600/DSC_0249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMiLSYxC2uNkh3_1cFYpJjqwAhWU1FX6Hl2-SPcDcM_f-6oupsT4olFZRjLYT3qq6MuibFFqZjKlUpidjQt8_3g6akIIzsDKuYNsRtXfHcKF1xJWsq2wojuU0Uad5URIJAlQHerRQFiqe/s320/DSC_0249.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tiny frog rests amid the <i>Hydrangea </i>'Limelight' foliage</td></tr>
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I love watching the flowers of <i>Gaura </i>'lindheimerei' bending and bouncing as a bumblebee grabs on for a taste of nectar.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjogTnSYffItxNeN-4LjM4aH0irSVa7T2sPBNaCOJUBBX_VgIJBRAc19IoxC6B7jRdgIs7Z6SfDjU3T-izHzeaHt826lJSrxSi9Wsyx5gAILrFTW6DiF78227402aVL1EOjoJk8_5oQLD1/s1600/DSC_0261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjogTnSYffItxNeN-4LjM4aH0irSVa7T2sPBNaCOJUBBX_VgIJBRAc19IoxC6B7jRdgIs7Z6SfDjU3T-izHzeaHt826lJSrxSi9Wsyx5gAILrFTW6DiF78227402aVL1EOjoJk8_5oQLD1/s320/DSC_0261.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These fellas are hard to capture on camera</td></tr>
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Even though the garden is teetering on the edge of greatness or disaster at present, I'm feeling like we're still leaning toward greatness. The first blooms of <i>Leucanthemum </i>'Becky' and the wonderful, showy heads of <i>Allium sphaerocephalon</i> are keeping my hopes up and encouraging me to fighting the good fight.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhua-V8umYt6yHwcNYkv36CBM9WoR14YtAZ6DEnVdbnvq_4uhXM82eRhs01XI7O0BSF23VPNbwCbfYIOV4OYe7dUVp8RB5m3Cn8Kk74hqACcNMOCgRLvNo-OVf7OmXr4mb_-PMpHOhQunPL/s1600/DSC_0236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhua-V8umYt6yHwcNYkv36CBM9WoR14YtAZ6DEnVdbnvq_4uhXM82eRhs01XI7O0BSF23VPNbwCbfYIOV4OYe7dUVp8RB5m3Cn8Kk74hqACcNMOCgRLvNo-OVf7OmXr4mb_-PMpHOhQunPL/s320/DSC_0236.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello, 'Becky'!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAV5XfDhBgEUvvpmf3lW5yhzBzrM0X-5cIjg1m-9g8Djnmm_DrDSlrRzR3pmuklhfLR9UDz0TeHCx2pzQewCf5B_Gt73r3__moiXZ_NLfY4vP2gjif0CL1RtqsP_bDfdRaJ0Ubw3cqEer/s1600/DSC_0251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAV5XfDhBgEUvvpmf3lW5yhzBzrM0X-5cIjg1m-9g8Djnmm_DrDSlrRzR3pmuklhfLR9UDz0TeHCx2pzQewCf5B_Gt73r3__moiXZ_NLfY4vP2gjif0CL1RtqsP_bDfdRaJ0Ubw3cqEer/s320/DSC_0251.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As soon as these opened, I ordered a<br />bunch more!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-64356899448491865542016-05-30T10:38:00.001-07:002016-06-01T08:33:13.139-07:00Bloom UpdateA number of somewhat sizeable projects in the garden are keeping me really busy lately. I'll reveal those as I complete each one, but I wanted to share a few photos of what's happening in the garden right now.<br />
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First is the surprise of my <i>Clematis </i>'Avant Garde', which grows 9-10 feet tall. It has small reddish-pink flowers with a burst of white anthers in the center. I was interested in this <i>Clematis</i> when I lived in Orlando, but I didn't want to risk killing it in the Florida heat. So when <a href="http://www.gardenvines.com/" target="_blank">Brushwood Nursery</a> sent me an email announcing a sale just one month before we moved to Georgia, I considered it a sign that this plant should end up in my new garden. When it arrived, I planted it promptly, and then I waited until the next season to see those precious little flowers. Well, precious and little described the flowers exactly. They were tiny and bore no resemblance to what I had seen in photos. I intended to take a photo and send it to the folks at Brushwood to ask if they knew what it actually was, but I got busy, as I so often do, and I forgot about it.<br />
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Last week, I walked past the trellis that 'Avant Garde' (or "whatever it is," as I had begun calling it) and found that it had transformed itself into the very <i>Clematis</i> whose photos had first captured my attention. I don't know what caused the insignificant flowers the year before, but I'm so thrilled with the change.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOTpRWy3E0R5X4o_vpy3yiYPtwqjXRmH2oj6JOsVONqcKvOFw4WMjJwXZfBQIGg6YoRLVNsiMMfU7VuwEy-iynyNuZhCzNchT2ORHYGDk7HqmnXh_qUhrYzVR5ihxIKKx1QjhPiWioBHy/s1600/DSC_0200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOTpRWy3E0R5X4o_vpy3yiYPtwqjXRmH2oj6JOsVONqcKvOFw4WMjJwXZfBQIGg6YoRLVNsiMMfU7VuwEy-iynyNuZhCzNchT2ORHYGDk7HqmnXh_qUhrYzVR5ihxIKKx1QjhPiWioBHy/s320/DSC_0200.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here she is, blooming like mad</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioksAtnLHbs99sqHd3XOAzqFteAtXTlzCDxrqzCDx1Kwb5Btlt5iEijCPh-FbL1z7y_wyxJLhU772t760KJ7MxqsXMee9NIZavqh4GbAfhPu-Y32-O_ShRVI3C7owCyNOSepubCRQfmv-S/s1600/DSC_0201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioksAtnLHbs99sqHd3XOAzqFteAtXTlzCDxrqzCDx1Kwb5Btlt5iEijCPh-FbL1z7y_wyxJLhU772t760KJ7MxqsXMee9NIZavqh4GbAfhPu-Y32-O_ShRVI3C7owCyNOSepubCRQfmv-S/s320/DSC_0201.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flowers are no more than 2" across</td></tr>
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In the beds surrounding the front porch, many plants are beginning to put on buds, but a few are already beginning to flower. One is my beautiful red lily, which is putting on double the buds it did last year. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLeq-BPq4R3Rf7pZQ6Iis9L9jdwKLFcI_18BRGMbo69YmHgXmNJQBgOPL6cVH9KErvKtTVIXjpWlKpXGHG94z7PNTIWu8Nvu_yxWYjiD_CdXPtkqxrkrj6zZuiZZEr2wT-XFEYdDWcF4M/s1600/DSC_0216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLeq-BPq4R3Rf7pZQ6Iis9L9jdwKLFcI_18BRGMbo69YmHgXmNJQBgOPL6cVH9KErvKtTVIXjpWlKpXGHG94z7PNTIWu8Nvu_yxWYjiD_CdXPtkqxrkrj6zZuiZZEr2wT-XFEYdDWcF4M/s320/DSC_0216.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a stunner</td></tr>
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This morning, as soon as I woke up, I went outside to check on the lily and one of my David Austin roses, a climber called 'Graham Thomas'. He has had buds on for about a week now, so I've been monitoring their progress rather closely. Two of the buds had started to open this morning. Those are some gorgeous flowers.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBSZv2Vx_1Wpa6P1tBMkoBVXnb5KaKQWpM4fBlalYHY7olBreJz1Q_iQ9rnzNmGhUcwIG1MlbLMJgs1Ag2KJ7lSf97kgoG7-qxyNfhAFzuURMSZfeS5L4NzzKBHARc2LVcWupsfzakcu7/s1600/DSC_0214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBSZv2Vx_1Wpa6P1tBMkoBVXnb5KaKQWpM4fBlalYHY7olBreJz1Q_iQ9rnzNmGhUcwIG1MlbLMJgs1Ag2KJ7lSf97kgoG7-qxyNfhAFzuURMSZfeS5L4NzzKBHARc2LVcWupsfzakcu7/s320/DSC_0214.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He has a lovely, musky scent</td></tr>
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I haven't yet built the trellis for Graham and the <i>Clematis</i> 'Rebecca' that is growing with him, so Graham has been lolling all over the place. The trellis is on my list of projects to complete this week, but I sort of enjoyed seeing the rich yellow roses peeking from behind the lily. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVddvB9CQAoA5FJLZ0yVYme1Ksa7vH6JoLLJUBqZfhBtKgcqsAV05lKkNGrSTAg_maEYQITRMEhyphenhyphenF01n0h24DZcn4aWPG8zJTHpKkNqi6Z6x9l9KLQ5nuS7v2zu3rTrcTTDlJH82dvDtW/s1600/DSC_0210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVddvB9CQAoA5FJLZ0yVYme1Ksa7vH6JoLLJUBqZfhBtKgcqsAV05lKkNGrSTAg_maEYQITRMEhyphenhyphenF01n0h24DZcn4aWPG8zJTHpKkNqi6Z6x9l9KLQ5nuS7v2zu3rTrcTTDlJH82dvDtW/s320/DSC_0210.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Graham Thomas' is vying for attention</td></tr>
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I have a feeling that it's going to be an amazing summer in the garden.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-13376250719047457292016-05-27T09:40:00.000-07:002016-05-27T09:40:13.904-07:00The Difference a Year MakesSome of you may recall that when we first moved into this house, I discovered that the previous owners had left a shocking amount of garden ornamentation behind, both large and small. Some of it was nothing more than detritus. Other items were simply not my taste or needed a facelift in order to suit it. The trough water feature, however, was one of those items I was determined to get rid of until I realized how difficult an undertaking that would be. So I decided I would have to make friends with it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlKZfTbLQUgeJa7Ax-HdKo2E3SnpyGlDomTSuMsfYhUO_a1TpFX2aYriaMX5exHxZOyXPsgFqSIKcadWy_Zkeujl4lTfiIyuGIvCTH7HbvxISZCFGaojJr_V1beHKI8418W9RHgEgOnxO/s1600/pump+and+trough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlKZfTbLQUgeJa7Ax-HdKo2E3SnpyGlDomTSuMsfYhUO_a1TpFX2aYriaMX5exHxZOyXPsgFqSIKcadWy_Zkeujl4lTfiIyuGIvCTH7HbvxISZCFGaojJr_V1beHKI8418W9RHgEgOnxO/s320/pump+and+trough.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There sat the eyesore in the middle of the yard</td></tr>
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In the depths of winter, I began drawing out plans for situating the trough a little better in the landscape. <div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtQOqufj1gIrkTceJ2RJkvtdqykv-EAKDaWSb_mFZQ8tHLtutw096MaEcR3rLtP4qVdMWqfEKzmywXCa0XAyXMCcAqtoXyJ0il1cJUxQgEaKIsDNrvke_i6L-ur8w8IPMThXdNFJ0m0qM/s1600/DSC_0634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtQOqufj1gIrkTceJ2RJkvtdqykv-EAKDaWSb_mFZQ8tHLtutw096MaEcR3rLtP4qVdMWqfEKzmywXCa0XAyXMCcAqtoXyJ0il1cJUxQgEaKIsDNrvke_i6L-ur8w8IPMThXdNFJ0m0qM/s320/DSC_0634.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing up plans</td></tr>
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Last spring, as our landscapers were waiting for a delivery of gravel to repair our driveway, they decided to make use of their time by removing all of the sod (well, mostly weeds) to create a planting bed that matched my drawing. Then I set about painting the pump, trying to clear up the water, and staining the hideous grey exterior of the trough.<div>
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As I began planting in this bed, I worried that it would take forever to fill it in and make it look nice. The plants were so tiny in the massive bed.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit17zWPB-McJgrw6AjXSeFq6_85RsCYVVjPCn1d_cqYg_w3-DpP3dSosbdNbZM4-DBkTsV6bPLpeCRmbrbO20E7JGoMddBtHerlP8xQvm2diLkwP-rEX_Js53RmhPgzlYkZ6X5iGkiMJHO/s1600/trough+reborn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit17zWPB-McJgrw6AjXSeFq6_85RsCYVVjPCn1d_cqYg_w3-DpP3dSosbdNbZM4-DBkTsV6bPLpeCRmbrbO20E7JGoMddBtHerlP8xQvm2diLkwP-rEX_Js53RmhPgzlYkZ6X5iGkiMJHO/s320/trough+reborn.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's what it looked like exactly one year ago</td></tr>
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It's pretty remarkable to compare last year's photo with this years. It's the main reason I spend so much time photographing the garden--I clearly have an inability to grasp the incredible changes taking place in my own garden without visual evidence. And the evidence is staggering, I think.<div>
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So what does it look like today?</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVa5n_5XcvC399lCgPeF-bBWdQpZB0w0kXAIo1HiuxXGw8fJcuz8ZWNSYRfsx8Jf1GWTB_nUJZliQYBRW6JwVLTAc28kTXh6rTpW81HqimHazApPjRLDJDqaivY33BG5J0Di3i-RAmf6J/s1600/DSC_0178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVa5n_5XcvC399lCgPeF-bBWdQpZB0w0kXAIo1HiuxXGw8fJcuz8ZWNSYRfsx8Jf1GWTB_nUJZliQYBRW6JwVLTAc28kTXh6rTpW81HqimHazApPjRLDJDqaivY33BG5J0Di3i-RAmf6J/s320/DSC_0178.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Things are filling in nicely</td></tr>
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When I go outside these days, I think about how packed this space will be in another year or so. In the meantime, watching the garden mature is a daily thrill.<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivw256f5UijDxwQ1KMdbq9SBv9KrdKdpe785i6KA85k_CoblgBPgZcyZnTZrVsFbzlykrskYxs_7ceugbuutmm5daW0srlmFP49VGsiZzaeEfjp279UUOUfEMvmRulC5HUyyvngmJv4KrU/s1600/DSC_0186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivw256f5UijDxwQ1KMdbq9SBv9KrdKdpe785i6KA85k_CoblgBPgZcyZnTZrVsFbzlykrskYxs_7ceugbuutmm5daW0srlmFP49VGsiZzaeEfjp279UUOUfEMvmRulC5HUyyvngmJv4KrU/s320/DSC_0186.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trough is growing on me</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Duaucs_hBVmNZsyHbRDITamC_Yaj4fvMAr20CDDmYj0UEQ06ZRIYXjchfzrDAAbBQ91XZTWBKeKo9mrtGHSj5ZvrzmGSuVOhk7PXEx6MJcqNN3gSTEhlN9jq4zD68JizJQB9HjUf4isl/s1600/DSC_0196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Duaucs_hBVmNZsyHbRDITamC_Yaj4fvMAr20CDDmYj0UEQ06ZRIYXjchfzrDAAbBQ91XZTWBKeKo9mrtGHSj5ZvrzmGSuVOhk7PXEx6MJcqNN3gSTEhlN9jq4zD68JizJQB9HjUf4isl/s320/DSC_0196.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In fact, now it looks like it was a deliberate addition<br />on my part</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-64464481059664440582016-04-15T15:42:00.003-07:002016-04-15T15:42:58.124-07:00Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day 2016It seems that I've been out of the loop for quite a while about the significance of 15 April to garden bloggers. Just this morning, I discovered that it is the day on which bloggers like myself walk around and photograph what's blooming in their gardens.<br />
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So for today, I shall be rather short-winded and leave you with a selection of photos of what's happening here on the farm. I'll leave enough hopefully to make up for the years that I've missed out on such a wonderful celebration.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTqJDitAz93xmewQkuFBMy5l8IuZhNUPxJuSuSclCQp0n6cepKyOwjdisxtHZnPMqHngrRYqyExHgnAPGIc86BQjXkr8te7hXY_tkhiekJW7hvV9vCqaujWCTqaNzknwHcVGJCmeXUGre/s1600/DSC_0480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTqJDitAz93xmewQkuFBMy5l8IuZhNUPxJuSuSclCQp0n6cepKyOwjdisxtHZnPMqHngrRYqyExHgnAPGIc86BQjXkr8te7hXY_tkhiekJW7hvV9vCqaujWCTqaNzknwHcVGJCmeXUGre/s320/DSC_0480.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love seeing my burgundy Iris in spring</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7avDAE88ISQRmLmZGVqa80rGeV0xovlc0Hu1RvOqsPAbOwCMNOCZz3-74z2_rZDqLp2LyAwMVxDTj_DuRDaMx3Qzbg2L3nBBLI-q79UYGPLpbNtJCeg6kVuUEaVUiVxRmtALlS4zIidD/s1600/DSC_0490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7avDAE88ISQRmLmZGVqa80rGeV0xovlc0Hu1RvOqsPAbOwCMNOCZz3-74z2_rZDqLp2LyAwMVxDTj_DuRDaMx3Qzbg2L3nBBLI-q79UYGPLpbNtJCeg6kVuUEaVUiVxRmtALlS4zIidD/s320/DSC_0490.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the Wolfie garden, the Saxifraga have been adding color<br />for a while.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGARCi_0Ow2QneTPVZf8USBcR1BcApkVIVr0gDLpZYy5eu8T-PdKcmj0fb2Qg5aW8c78y0XbT2MQCeCd7pclIkQJooZ6W7NZwPHBH9vgFRoA72lWbe2EJEV0DMwp7kc_cfnUb7k6hckTqT/s1600/DSC_0495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGARCi_0Ow2QneTPVZf8USBcR1BcApkVIVr0gDLpZYy5eu8T-PdKcmj0fb2Qg5aW8c78y0XbT2MQCeCd7pclIkQJooZ6W7NZwPHBH9vgFRoA72lWbe2EJEV0DMwp7kc_cfnUb7k6hckTqT/s320/DSC_0495.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The <i>Clematis </i>'Bourbon' seems quite happy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0Dv3FXjOG8YYjd89t4h1wBYrs2QN4rbbQdYMcE4IKXfmnbzfdHfLc5v3RE3kobKK_TSL98NyR3DX7ZAjf33hRL2pG2IAcnNPonpqZ5MAVLikZ6rANM0uXY42X89NuI1jpXCavN6nRV5K/s1600/DSC_0498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0Dv3FXjOG8YYjd89t4h1wBYrs2QN4rbbQdYMcE4IKXfmnbzfdHfLc5v3RE3kobKK_TSL98NyR3DX7ZAjf33hRL2pG2IAcnNPonpqZ5MAVLikZ6rANM0uXY42X89NuI1jpXCavN6nRV5K/s320/DSC_0498.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I planted this <i>Lonicera</i> last year, but<br />this is its first bloom. Worth the wait!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhq5e_pNVfaFFO_xetbKHKyM-XuWmndH_cuY1FFZbW6xfgRYyNFSuQeGs3JRPfm0bjWOb3flvTp75nI7AtLAwkfq93mSYokhqB70A-Bz67PgRXJqAuuqGvn5WKwMc6Rs7TGl3d9Hruaha/s1600/DSC_0503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhq5e_pNVfaFFO_xetbKHKyM-XuWmndH_cuY1FFZbW6xfgRYyNFSuQeGs3JRPfm0bjWOb3flvTp75nI7AtLAwkfq93mSYokhqB70A-Bz67PgRXJqAuuqGvn5WKwMc6Rs7TGl3d9Hruaha/s320/DSC_0503.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the "Trough Garden" quite a few things are blooming.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYOv6_vh87Asa_CuNwQoOqGzRnKOTvevygUYN95_i5Y-zbLzhUz1WB3Y9JKm2HywQ1aNgbrQj4CSjx5cMlWV4xAXEoCaKXiC1Cm5MtR2BX-Hs-YnDaWgALX03dBQxH2i6UYGkeyVdBv40/s1600/DSC_0506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYOv6_vh87Asa_CuNwQoOqGzRnKOTvevygUYN95_i5Y-zbLzhUz1WB3Y9JKm2HywQ1aNgbrQj4CSjx5cMlWV4xAXEoCaKXiC1Cm5MtR2BX-Hs-YnDaWgALX03dBQxH2i6UYGkeyVdBv40/s320/DSC_0506.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first of the <i>Gaura </i>'Lindheimeri' are peeking through.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIFgmblP1E7gqtjhfCKtIsqJCxxqbZ7l8svv6Mh6Pm6DUugQ5CjYbkpCPNex_r8eIyicAGtZEaug1oMMwM8NT1RDnB7jMI1NVRLSmC7fvak3BGXB6UP9diNNzhT8Wr_i8TtgYBgZl8ie2/s1600/DSC_0482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIFgmblP1E7gqtjhfCKtIsqJCxxqbZ7l8svv6Mh6Pm6DUugQ5CjYbkpCPNex_r8eIyicAGtZEaug1oMMwM8NT1RDnB7jMI1NVRLSmC7fvak3BGXB6UP9diNNzhT8Wr_i8TtgYBgZl8ie2/s320/DSC_0482.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The purple <i>Verbena </i>is spreading across most of the upper<br />Trough Garden. <i>Scabiosa </i>and <i>Armeria</i> add to the palette.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsLFoCDNBIuIMfcjIiN0fvdlr0xzDI6OnBn1QLvFDyPD5iu9EiMimmlIjDrUeEeobWpcerM1JjnzicSqEx26ryLl3oV6TqbyeMjDg88Yqz4aCCmKoNlgIAmsnLwXAD98ZKNh6l8I0q28_/s1600/DSC_0516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsLFoCDNBIuIMfcjIiN0fvdlr0xzDI6OnBn1QLvFDyPD5iu9EiMimmlIjDrUeEeobWpcerM1JjnzicSqEx26ryLl3oV6TqbyeMjDg88Yqz4aCCmKoNlgIAmsnLwXAD98ZKNh6l8I0q28_/s320/DSC_0516.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the post behind the garden, <i>Clematis</i><br />'Giselle' puts on her annual show.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLQQdln48-WR-gMhp4c9KgbkVjprtfUCqPz6_5kWI8Sq_cdgYhOm15UUfXFRIFFpM9yRj1JVW7rktS6Oew6P8hneQQnFl0Fs8V5uZj8vVJB-8cwRe2QBZKYWE2EME6T0q-uXzTWWeBCKO/s1600/DSC_0487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLQQdln48-WR-gMhp4c9KgbkVjprtfUCqPz6_5kWI8Sq_cdgYhOm15UUfXFRIFFpM9yRj1JVW7rktS6Oew6P8hneQQnFl0Fs8V5uZj8vVJB-8cwRe2QBZKYWE2EME6T0q-uXzTWWeBCKO/s320/DSC_0487.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giselle's close-up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AoBE9jkdNL5JhtEmhsxAMAKQP4d9cQVxra_Mk8rfvyBtoD7mAwjYXwKs9Nk0pPPRu-56r3tD8vWvtAV1GRNgvNCR4_2nS5pZ9VztxZGKsCqj_TUeItAMGk_Xtg5c28fvHqMdgjo8M4X8/s1600/DSC_0488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AoBE9jkdNL5JhtEmhsxAMAKQP4d9cQVxra_Mk8rfvyBtoD7mAwjYXwKs9Nk0pPPRu-56r3tD8vWvtAV1GRNgvNCR4_2nS5pZ9VztxZGKsCqj_TUeItAMGk_Xtg5c28fvHqMdgjo8M4X8/s320/DSC_0488.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And 'Giselle' lit by the sun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Er7MhURHAD7tHn-o5LFO_9T9oGW1iN57fXj3_Ap2BicfCsrfxKt07h18qCRP3pObBBMpPapg8yfPAYs_k6HplqBFWiqAMb9MxVjAGxy2mglGRPrwALoshSdXrKfuQ3QwBxeyc2nlnvBl/s1600/DSC_0512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Er7MhURHAD7tHn-o5LFO_9T9oGW1iN57fXj3_Ap2BicfCsrfxKt07h18qCRP3pObBBMpPapg8yfPAYs_k6HplqBFWiqAMb9MxVjAGxy2mglGRPrwALoshSdXrKfuQ3QwBxeyc2nlnvBl/s320/DSC_0512.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, I leave you with <i>Clematis</i> 'Rebecca'<br />in her new home with the David Austin rose<br />'Graham Thomas' in the foreground.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I hope to send more regular dispatches from the farm soon, but perhaps these will tide you over until then.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-42321005797029449552016-03-04T18:00:00.001-08:002016-03-04T18:00:16.269-08:00The Life Underground<div style="text-align: center;">
In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
me there lay an invincible summer.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
--Albert Camus </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Even when I was a little kid, I loved stories. I loved having stories read to me, and I loved being able to read them myself. I still recall a Sunday at church when an adult approached me, handed me a book, and said, "I was at the bookstore this week, and when I saw this, I thought of you." I remember turning to my mom afterwards, feeling a little troubled by the exchange, and asking, "Why would she think of <i>me</i> in a bookstore?" My mom laughed softly, patted my head, and told me that everyone knew that I loved to read.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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One of my favorite stories was of Pablo the penguin, who hated the cold. At the time, I could not explain why I had such an affinity for Pablo. My only experience of the world was limited to Ohio. I didn't fully comprehend that there were warmer places in winter, but there was something about his desire to escape his icy world and head somewhere warm that resonated with me. Now it all makes so much sense. I really only like winter for a month or two. Once we reach the beginning of March and I'm still wearing layers of clothing to take the dogs for a walk, I feel a combination of resentment and despair infiltrating the edges of my consciousness. All I want to do is escape. </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
But when I go into the garden these days and crouch down among the decaying leaves of fall, I find that there is a warmth coming from the soil. I marvel at what must be happening just below the surface. It must be a flurry of activity to produce the little nubs of <i>Hosta</i> leaves-in-waiting that poke their heads out of the tight network of roots.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzi5ZGhved0pI2IFc1HkbiRShP38xu3_LAxYsO4z_yTms8iIlBPzXJ9TU7_HbdLKnqeoUHnK3VxUBNniGasqRi0nE6-V1tmEFgVvuKbUl7edGlzyFaUY5Zq9Dz2dETBKYYlEaiXys274V/s1600/DSC_0349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzi5ZGhved0pI2IFc1HkbiRShP38xu3_LAxYsO4z_yTms8iIlBPzXJ9TU7_HbdLKnqeoUHnK3VxUBNniGasqRi0nE6-V1tmEFgVvuKbUl7edGlzyFaUY5Zq9Dz2dETBKYYlEaiXys274V/s320/DSC_0349.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The <i>Hosta</i> is preparing to unfurl its leaves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />The <i>Cyclamen</i> tubers that my mom and I planted in late December and fretted over from that moment on are now producing the familiar heart-shaped leaves, proving that all of our fears were unnecessary. We simply didn't have enough faith in the energy they had stored, but now I can see that all will be fine.<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOmiupkknEntlDULHEkBfHjdhsiEUYcRFO0CFwVH_YPb4nsO2k0KyilgRxJi52a6lRtnn3fADHZxPrpwd-1wq92a8MM7wjIUJewDQDAh4TydBlUlErgO0oPo29R-ABF-sJkJewOq62tN9/s1600/DSC_0352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOmiupkknEntlDULHEkBfHjdhsiEUYcRFO0CFwVH_YPb4nsO2k0KyilgRxJi52a6lRtnn3fADHZxPrpwd-1wq92a8MM7wjIUJewDQDAh4TydBlUlErgO0oPo29R-ABF-sJkJewOq62tN9/s320/DSC_0352.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first of the <i>Cyclamen</i> appears</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />The 'New Dawn' rose, which grew over eight feet in its first year, is sporting its first fresh leaves of the season. It's now reaching through the upper beams of the pergola, and I'm tying it in, hoping that it will scramble across the top and provide some shade this year. <div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUfeWcsYbRPUi0ynIPQAfMS4SUL9kgXV0T277tf88ei7f8Qu1bJKaAQmBToydpINZ7p86bYRyyhNT10nKmfBw_sgq4elTIsG_Fmggpeyl6fNQbtFaDpmTFf5dEnpUt2iQetpmyTsuUF8k/s1600/DSC_0356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUfeWcsYbRPUi0ynIPQAfMS4SUL9kgXV0T277tf88ei7f8Qu1bJKaAQmBToydpINZ7p86bYRyyhNT10nKmfBw_sgq4elTIsG_Fmggpeyl6fNQbtFaDpmTFf5dEnpUt2iQetpmyTsuUF8k/s320/DSC_0356.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a 'New Dawn' in the garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />The 'Painted Lady' ferns, which had retreated into the clay over the winter, are beginning to creep out and unroll their fronds, stretching out into the warm light before the crepe myrtles leaf out and plunge them into shade.<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjd76nP8CQdCeMGp4wbhzoQCWMQi8LXGKY2Bn2cARm4qHZAs1NhiRxpPQtKle7eMJAhpYukvdLfxB3ZcTOyvv0BRRb4wlPuh4Vl0zYoMKXxpnOl0K83BhMiXFfMh1OkXu3D_xnHDE1hEf6/s1600/DSC_0359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjd76nP8CQdCeMGp4wbhzoQCWMQi8LXGKY2Bn2cARm4qHZAs1NhiRxpPQtKle7eMJAhpYukvdLfxB3ZcTOyvv0BRRb4wlPuh4Vl0zYoMKXxpnOl0K83BhMiXFfMh1OkXu3D_xnHDE1hEf6/s320/DSC_0359.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ferns actually seem to be multiplying</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />And scattered across the property are the real harbingers of spring, the daffodils. Their sunny heads assure me that the cold will soon be escorted out. There's no need for me to take the perilous trip that Pablo made. The signs of warmer weather are all around us, and little unseen things are hard at work, making ready for the season to come. <div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRKMFhvH1GNySr_F9zWfe3DSLRV0Cjb_5ss1-GoNa2CR15QSL9gkdOn6UUeLTl9m1rvyrScsUhc5LMyP6DxsWI-xu_f0C8cHhmkGVIOvZbXmcjTqUl9gTnd3XysXRyvCLSbYTqPhB3060/s1600/DSC_0343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRKMFhvH1GNySr_F9zWfe3DSLRV0Cjb_5ss1-GoNa2CR15QSL9gkdOn6UUeLTl9m1rvyrScsUhc5LMyP6DxsWI-xu_f0C8cHhmkGVIOvZbXmcjTqUl9gTnd3XysXRyvCLSbYTqPhB3060/s320/DSC_0343.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-30890656280628072612016-02-22T19:07:00.000-08:002016-02-22T19:07:10.641-08:00Seed Starting Season Begins!<div style="text-align: center;">
Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed.</div>
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Convince me that you have a seed there, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I am prepared to expect wonders.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
--Henry David Thoreau</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
It's the beginning of the magic season again here at the garden, and I'm full of relief and excitement. I can't say how many times I have opened the refrigerator, seen the plastic container filled with seed packets, and felt my heart flutter. In fact, my heart and mind have waged a mighty battle over the last couple of months. One so desperately wanted to get the seed starting modules out and stuff them with homemade seed starting mix, but the other knew that the time wasn't right. I'd squeeze my eyes shut and quickly close the door again, feeling a little breathless.</div>
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Two weeks ago, though, the battle ended. The seeds came out of their cold storage, and the containers took a bath. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Jb5rrdY-kDOHzjZtb-m38uV54AxVheSIsVr_3YtDBwxYS1Ij8c_rICn5IPWcaqW0ieyVfOOSeMAW4N10fU3F3WZ29ndrqmsc-X0xrks9nhjtEVpdLQZUZZ10yFS1CIjccIaMVKUFo4BJ/s1600/DSC_0325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Jb5rrdY-kDOHzjZtb-m38uV54AxVheSIsVr_3YtDBwxYS1Ij8c_rICn5IPWcaqW0ieyVfOOSeMAW4N10fU3F3WZ29ndrqmsc-X0xrks9nhjtEVpdLQZUZZ10yFS1CIjccIaMVKUFo4BJ/s320/DSC_0325.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The modules are taking a bubble bath</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, mom and I carried the trays out to the patio and began the process of seed starting. I'll be adding new seeds to trays in waves as we inch closer to the warm weather.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PUAfUQVtu7QHlz89iDvDgzU_sclOGwwX75geWrBCK07iCBh1NNHG_pfPltpZpUSJ_yJU7_TJ8aQNowV4sp3A3_QwH7X7LG1tjVmiv-uwZbCwk9oS8J8fzx4C46gcARWCXwwoZurwvHDQ/s1600/DSC_0326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PUAfUQVtu7QHlz89iDvDgzU_sclOGwwX75geWrBCK07iCBh1NNHG_pfPltpZpUSJ_yJU7_TJ8aQNowV4sp3A3_QwH7X7LG1tjVmiv-uwZbCwk9oS8J8fzx4C46gcARWCXwwoZurwvHDQ/s320/DSC_0326.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trays awaiting their seed assignments <br />(Get it? <i>Seed </i>assignments?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />In the meantime, I'm watching over my little seedlings with much anticipation, watering them gently with my turkey baster. Such a tiny little thing a seed is, but it sure packs in a whole lot of hope. <div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZTZqjaWs7YZK72AvRHRAXUgo0Kju7B-qSboN5ReD1WS75QYgDCnULKOK9TKHRWDQCQiP-Lg5VVTttomCdGjatxxt404zewWedkWqhUmHj1ug8xc7l0dp58xOTqOYFM5tLMAQ2niPLi_3/s1600/DSC_0334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZTZqjaWs7YZK72AvRHRAXUgo0Kju7B-qSboN5ReD1WS75QYgDCnULKOK9TKHRWDQCQiP-Lg5VVTttomCdGjatxxt404zewWedkWqhUmHj1ug8xc7l0dp58xOTqOYFM5tLMAQ2niPLi_3/s320/DSC_0334.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Echinops </i>(that's Globe Thistle) reaching for the light</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-58460635242878733302016-01-31T10:51:00.000-08:002016-01-31T10:51:27.712-08:00The Garden Under Cover (and Under Water)We've had a very strange winter here. I had plans for the pond pier during the normally dry winter months. The pond had receded enough for me to add more support posts and both widen and extend the platform. A few days before Christmas, though, the rains came. They came so heavily one night that everyone--to include houseguests--was awakened in the midst of a deep winter's sleep. We were able to see off the guests with no trouble, but on Christmas Eve, after three days of heavy rain, we endured another deluge. When the rains let up a little, out we trudged in our Wellies to survey the damage.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2uk9EwEvoEYWvGhm4q7EBTrxxoeFcUvPLHEU7tlIq5qPW6KrzN-RJHZ65VqHRXb9ybF3Ec0c08p1jm5_dh7rkS_BiFjlhGIl6eQML7ZBsXBJL7XCxZ6dDHTH-KlGkE5kfhuUpiMkuUMTL/s1600/IMG_0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2uk9EwEvoEYWvGhm4q7EBTrxxoeFcUvPLHEU7tlIq5qPW6KrzN-RJHZ65VqHRXb9ybF3Ec0c08p1jm5_dh7rkS_BiFjlhGIl6eQML7ZBsXBJL7XCxZ6dDHTH-KlGkE5kfhuUpiMkuUMTL/s320/IMG_0492.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the pond from the house</td></tr>
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<br />The pond was nearly out of its banks on the long driveway side, and we could see that it had flooded the entire canal system (in place for pond overflows) beyond the bridge. But we weren't prepared for what we found once we got to the bridge.<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6MB_xP19ZLVk2Dh9INf6fxZDxzExvZGoqeB8hW2rXwfT5jfQL4_IMmZlZOfIgjhNRDWwBLuxCy6cHDWcnYiq5Wtp2iGIWOZZVLD3pYBM59e4-kl6_pj5f1X8tStSQTKeiA7A-CN2M_u2/s1600/IMG_0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6MB_xP19ZLVk2Dh9INf6fxZDxzExvZGoqeB8hW2rXwfT5jfQL4_IMmZlZOfIgjhNRDWwBLuxCy6cHDWcnYiq5Wtp2iGIWOZZVLD3pYBM59e4-kl6_pj5f1X8tStSQTKeiA7A-CN2M_u2/s320/IMG_0490.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once a tiny drainage ditch, now a raging river</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iLwxpxlx-liuNtkOp7g4nRPrkJw7pWTabGLm4tdncjCIMSVhoOZ4f0DTBWpPgtGTSbqc6MfqydMTPlGyLfaki1pxjlfOGkmiJG2YeuD-JDGacJeB6N0iU7LoHLtEAak_vYilzfssjZSG/s1600/IMG_0491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iLwxpxlx-liuNtkOp7g4nRPrkJw7pWTabGLm4tdncjCIMSVhoOZ4f0DTBWpPgtGTSbqc6MfqydMTPlGyLfaki1pxjlfOGkmiJG2YeuD-JDGacJeB6N0iU7LoHLtEAak_vYilzfssjZSG/s320/IMG_0491.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once a driveway, now another raging river<br />and a lake beyond</td></tr>
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<br />We were able to leave the property for Christmas Eve services, but only after I decided that no one would mind if I showed up to church in my garden Wellies. We planned to have the driveway rebuilt a couple days after Christmas, but the never-ending rain delayed the project until after the New Year, which made for a long stretch of very bumpy rides.<div>
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The vegetable garden fared rather well in the midst of all of this, likely because it is perched on a hill. The raised beds drained pretty well, and I could still harvest lettuce, kale, radishes, and sugar snaps. For the first time ever, I was also prepared for cold weather, having made poly tunnels for the especially cold nights. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEB2x4Mt_0XSs5sSuZZ3prTTPAMwCiI6rSRyjFlrC9xcoDrDTJ-ji6K_ImtocLMqpA2F-GmO5gqIAVYIxGdItow-s-S8IXd7iX40941ngvcd-B9M8-5JNWqmskCaC7eLbI6AR1GWhNEKcG/s1600/DSC_0312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEB2x4Mt_0XSs5sSuZZ3prTTPAMwCiI6rSRyjFlrC9xcoDrDTJ-ji6K_ImtocLMqpA2F-GmO5gqIAVYIxGdItow-s-S8IXd7iX40941ngvcd-B9M8-5JNWqmskCaC7eLbI6AR1GWhNEKcG/s320/DSC_0312.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Season extenders groaning under the weight of rain</td></tr>
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<br />The poly tunnels kept us in good veg until the middle of this month when a heavy rain late one night flattened the plastic. Then frigid temperatures moved in quickly and froze all of the rain trapped in the beds. We had ice dams in the garden. The kale, radishes, and cabbages survived, but everything else was lost. I still think the poly tunnels are fantastic, but they need a few adjustments. Since the experiment so well this year, I'm confident that they'll give us great harvests next winter when we no longer have to deal with <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">El NiƱo</span><!--EndFragment-->. <div>
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But I really can't wait for the warmer weather. These fingers are itching to get dirty again.<br /><div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-42174547086446360592015-10-15T16:43:00.003-07:002015-10-15T16:43:53.320-07:00The Payoff for Effort<div style="text-align: center;">
What I am pointing out is that unless you are at home</div>
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in the metaphor, unless you have had your proper poetical</div>
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education in the metaphor, you are not safe anywhere.</div>
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--Robert Frost, "Education by Poetry" </div>
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I often refer to Robert Frost's comments on metaphor at the beginning of each semester. I feel it only fair to warn my students that I regularly speak in metaphors. I use them to help me convey significant, sometimes difficult ideas. But really, my motivation in deploying them is rather more selfish. I simply like playing with metaphors and seeing how far they will take me. They almost always break down, just as Frost said they would, but the ride is always fun for as long as it lasts.</div>
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As I crouched in the garden with my camera today, photographing the first blooms of the Japanese anemones, I felt a metaphor asserting itself in my mind. It is one that I will have to sit with for a while in order to fully understand its import.</div>
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I have wanted Japanese anemones from the moment I first saw a white variety growing in the garden of the Historic Kenmore Plantation in Fredericksburg, Virginia a few years ago. Their seemingly fragile flowering heads, held aloft by arching stems, swayed on the September breeze. I was hooked. When I found anemones for sale at <a href="http://www.porterfamilynurseries.com/" target="_blank">Mill Pond Gardens</a> this summer, it only seemed appropriate that they should come home with me. They were not in flower, but with a name like 'Lucky Charm,' their color was insignificant. Standing in front of a table full of them, I looked up their general growing requirements. When I saw that they performed best in shade, their future was confirmed. They were destined for the garden I've named for my beloved <a href="http://thegreenbg.blogspot.com/2013/03/good-night-sweet-prince.html" target="_blank">Wolfie</a>.</div>
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As is my habit, I gently placed them in the holes I had dug when I arrived home, enveloped them in lovely cow manure, and gave them a good drink. The plan was to keep them well-watered for the first two weeks and then let them get on with their new lives. After that initial period, however, they showed persistent signs of stress, a condition that only seemed to be alleviated by frequent watering, sometimes as much as two times a day. </div>
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After a month of coping with their demands, I became a little ambivalent about these plants that I had dreamed of incorporating into my garden. They were fussy. They required too much work. I was, as Alan Titchmarsh would say, "running around like a scalded cat" to keep them happy. The emotions associated with this period ran the gamut. First there was concern, then worry, then frustration, the beginning of righteous indignation, and ultimately resignation. But I continued watering them. The question nagging at me for those few months was "Are they really worth all of this effort?"</div>
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Then the first bud appeared last week, and suddenly, despair gave way to hope. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRtdTTJLh1BbVVaJ2VXHI8WZZmlkAjasgqx6Ju86BYNFgamQtKg9iTCC1y4PAnPmFSt8IQGN9BIZSOI9qGcM6pNNBjSraj86TDEFrjhWe-j0RFrtLHkLCdpe7mhpDi3S3m8lyqE4I_Mod/s1600/Japanese+anemone+bud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRtdTTJLh1BbVVaJ2VXHI8WZZmlkAjasgqx6Ju86BYNFgamQtKg9iTCC1y4PAnPmFSt8IQGN9BIZSOI9qGcM6pNNBjSraj86TDEFrjhWe-j0RFrtLHkLCdpe7mhpDi3S3m8lyqE4I_Mod/s320/Japanese+anemone+bud.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first, slightly damaged, 'Lucky Charm' flower</td></tr>
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<br />One little flower changed everything. To the right of it was another flower-in-waiting. <div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtzJgdNzvL_6-Lp-yRNKYmfy1u5MypHtSVzz3jGf02-J65Wt_qwr42my6QR5yS1dUwbnbPZOiRCuCUBmeFjmJKHzquEYQYhOGTDF1iDC3iMKdzqGtzbKdRsothro8SPjTWST-SW9U87oR/s1600/Japanese+anemone+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtzJgdNzvL_6-Lp-yRNKYmfy1u5MypHtSVzz3jGf02-J65Wt_qwr42my6QR5yS1dUwbnbPZOiRCuCUBmeFjmJKHzquEYQYhOGTDF1iDC3iMKdzqGtzbKdRsothro8SPjTWST-SW9U87oR/s320/Japanese+anemone+close+up.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The plants still require a lot more attention than I am usually willing to give, so we are at a significant moment in their story here. Their form is the most magnificent I've ever seen in a flower. I can't explain why. But there they are, those perfect flowers, the result of incredible dedication on my part. Only two flowers have appeared on one plant, though I've planted three. Their production is incredibly insignificant, it would seem, but I still marvel at them and find myself confounded by that overwhelming question: What value is there in giving so much input for such a minimal (though breathtakingly beautiful) output?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyS9km80Rn1S7txz3odnBH92ynrbD7v8r3Mwq08yfG_3516xxxWs8BIdB-6fPNC_T11uyP0-4isqPq2ppAe6dAplR89pk4LIv3CHF_AEcDp3_PGomA3GYuo-WnRvATcqIDn2Q5ziuBZ5MZ/s1600/Japanese+anemone+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyS9km80Rn1S7txz3odnBH92ynrbD7v8r3Mwq08yfG_3516xxxWs8BIdB-6fPNC_T11uyP0-4isqPq2ppAe6dAplR89pk4LIv3CHF_AEcDp3_PGomA3GYuo-WnRvATcqIDn2Q5ziuBZ5MZ/s320/Japanese+anemone+back.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And that is where I leave the question to you, dear readers. Take the metaphor as you wish.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-4493750537079514702015-09-30T17:27:00.000-07:002015-09-30T19:08:56.387-07:00Restoration<div style="text-align: center;">
The world is too much with us: late and soon,</div>
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Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers.</div>
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--William Wordsworth</div>
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I did something today that I haven't done in far too long. I took a moment for myself.<br />
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During the walk with the dogs this morning, I tried something new, an experiment that most people would find a little strange. I closed my eyes. I let the dogs lead me. They proved themselves completely worthy of my trust. Their skills were confirmed when they started pulling me in a diagonal line, guiding me across the road just as I have done for them on countless walks and just at the same point (okay, I peeked to be sure). Leaving the leadership to them afforded me a different perspective. I listened to the frogs and the crickets sing in the still morning, felt the soft, cool breeze. I noted the complete lack of traffic noise. I heard the cadence of my shoes hitting the pavement, the syncopation of the girls' tags jingling softly as they pranced. It was an amazing experience that I wanted to last as long as possible. Of course, I appropriately opened my eyes as soon as we reached the main road again. They may know where they're headed, but they're dogs, after all. I couldn't trust that Tippy would look both ways, and Zoey is distracted by pretty much everything and could drag me to my death.<br />
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As our walk neared its conclusion and we reached the head of the driveway, making the turn toward the side steps of the house, I noticed how the morning light made my <i>Artemisia</i> glow. I'm quite awestruck by them. They started life inside the house this spring as seeds in a little planting module, and now they tower over me. One (when not toppling over, as seen in the photo) is over 6 feet tall. They are beautiful in full daylight, but there's something about the low light of dawn or dusk that makes the white panicles shine. All I could think about was getting into the house and grabbing my camera. For once in a great while, I had no thoughts of getting to work on time or the myriad issues that would vie for my attention once I got there. I thought only of the light, the flowers, and my camera.<br />
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The world looks different through the camera lens. It forces me to stop and absorb every element of the scene in front of me. I've spent too much time away from the garden, from my writing, from my camera, and ultimately from myself. But today, in the quietness of morning, my garden restored me, plainly and simply, just as it has so many times before, and I don't intend to allow distractions to take that peace away from me again.<br />
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Do something that is solely for yourself. Seriously, the world can wait for you.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-91349043130803396322015-07-31T15:05:00.001-07:002015-07-31T15:05:05.184-07:00Accounting for My TimeI've been away for a while. I reassured myself that no one would really miss my dispatches from the garden, and so I stopped sending them for a while. If you have missed them, please do let me know.<br />
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In all honesty, I've simply been wallowing in summer. Mornings are spent walking the dogs, meditating, doing yoga, and tending to the veg patch. That last bit often determines what will happen for the rest of each morning, but in the last month it mostly has demanded that I spend time in the kitchen preserving the harvests. My skin should be magnificent by now after all of the inadvertent facials I've received from the hot water bath canner. I worried a few times that I may end up pickled myself. It's been an amazing time of poring over home preservation cookbooks and mixing up all sorts of aromatic elixirs to pour over the fruits of my labor. I think I have quite a lot to show for it.<br />
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So without further delay, let me attempt to account for my time away. Hopefully you can forgive me when you've seen what I have been doing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5iW2qXM1swRLRs51QyIzZxv-D9a701OQlNLE9qIBphWaHOeLiTJ7_Y118chhlMgSZ3_5nhobixsJmwNR6rnt5vw9brT1b_ObL3hmAWhV200EmfxhRVpo36PUIeAR2v9YekYFUn1oyw5R1/s1600/big+harvest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5iW2qXM1swRLRs51QyIzZxv-D9a701OQlNLE9qIBphWaHOeLiTJ7_Y118chhlMgSZ3_5nhobixsJmwNR6rnt5vw9brT1b_ObL3hmAWhV200EmfxhRVpo36PUIeAR2v9YekYFUn1oyw5R1/s320/big+harvest.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nicely mixed harvest</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8jh6Dl5SAvoc2x2JXQr9CdLFh8bRVnbue1oLvKUHE-qrEOgwJ1C1v1lG6gnUqQlnRlpIHs9mlNKLOwTsVe_TVt4sSBhSQDpEpw8755B47z1mlvojx-Crk0Li5xngnS24_ywtETd7T5ZZ/s1600/watermelon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8jh6Dl5SAvoc2x2JXQr9CdLFh8bRVnbue1oLvKUHE-qrEOgwJ1C1v1lG6gnUqQlnRlpIHs9mlNKLOwTsVe_TVt4sSBhSQDpEpw8755B47z1mlvojx-Crk0Li5xngnS24_ywtETd7T5ZZ/s320/watermelon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first successfully grown watermelon (this is Sugar Baby)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22kPPrFkFVv5fTBgBvVqFRSY_3-62F73xo1Rug9N4mDAYYhYoCyNUiMFG_HwC9iFVUDzx0RM9ki0iLzUzhS89GCZH9yb10uYlRxPtuScAna0XRLcZMgUK9IszZpL-7F-utix_7pQCIaqZ/s1600/tomato+chutney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22kPPrFkFVv5fTBgBvVqFRSY_3-62F73xo1Rug9N4mDAYYhYoCyNUiMFG_HwC9iFVUDzx0RM9ki0iLzUzhS89GCZH9yb10uYlRxPtuScAna0XRLcZMgUK9IszZpL-7F-utix_7pQCIaqZ/s320/tomato+chutney.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato chutney and Honeyed Bread & Butter <br />cucumber pickles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYffYPxVxughSxrm_wDm0P9oQ1XtREau55Z0viYrudy8D4fayDCXquxh-xzpzkG3ZmoMvHzG0j8U7zPt-gitru6X4oxiFSNP7Y2-xK11A5NOFD-GoQWDNiPGEh_Rf40twSg1Jm1Z9KbbsE/s1600/cherry+peppers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYffYPxVxughSxrm_wDm0P9oQ1XtREau55Z0viYrudy8D4fayDCXquxh-xzpzkG3ZmoMvHzG0j8U7zPt-gitru6X4oxiFSNP7Y2-xK11A5NOFD-GoQWDNiPGEh_Rf40twSg1Jm1Z9KbbsE/s320/cherry+peppers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many treats now in the pantry</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngX_i8iuwZ8e7LoI_nK3hnDDdKr6d4yXNztGTmIheADWT5QAIm3NicHE0_qZ4ZuIGNyJ4qsjXVwWF0XoeRtFF3yHhhWWQsg5YGB6O73dhLRlWfnRAVv_VTPeaGEI8herHqvQ9cDE2pr0D/s1600/tomato+sauce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngX_i8iuwZ8e7LoI_nK3hnDDdKr6d4yXNztGTmIheADWT5QAIm3NicHE0_qZ4ZuIGNyJ4qsjXVwWF0XoeRtFF3yHhhWWQsg5YGB6O73dhLRlWfnRAVv_VTPeaGEI8herHqvQ9cDE2pr0D/s320/tomato+sauce.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato sauce to see us through winter</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyHMNl1IQMvNLpALRfBkC6COkYerfw2QIy9Yj77MdflrHglYiwmA6g5cIS5YQs3IwCTKrJCVo3UJwuMkv705yoELNiaNFBeF565Y3DVpQ5fCG5vFtJsllJdehyQnJUz7yAg0eZhtNjAXp/s1600/panoramic+pantry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyHMNl1IQMvNLpALRfBkC6COkYerfw2QIy9Yj77MdflrHglYiwmA6g5cIS5YQs3IwCTKrJCVo3UJwuMkv705yoELNiaNFBeF565Y3DVpQ5fCG5vFtJsllJdehyQnJUz7yAg0eZhtNjAXp/s320/panoramic+pantry.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How's that for a panorama?<br /></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852572212937177257.post-78112121463594457872015-06-25T17:17:00.001-07:002015-06-25T17:17:36.463-07:00Flower Arrangement Challenge, JuneThis one is pretty special, thanks to a combination of <i>Rudbeckia</i>, <i>Echinacea</i>, and for those saavy gardeners or foodies out there, yes, the greenery is parsley. I had to get creative.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEr6PZLNXm-yaq95WhCs-eI0EaviQTG_g5akxGljKsgUODiSR-kdMrRSz7dsOCMdYvqTzz_6LKw0FbvN4_QkcmEcKdPW1xzObrJMHnli17lluPUtOo5_7Vz0F5DcwuoEV8XhH6fvxuKdP/s1600/June+flower+arrangement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEr6PZLNXm-yaq95WhCs-eI0EaviQTG_g5akxGljKsgUODiSR-kdMrRSz7dsOCMdYvqTzz_6LKw0FbvN4_QkcmEcKdPW1xzObrJMHnli17lluPUtOo5_7Vz0F5DcwuoEV8XhH6fvxuKdP/s320/June+flower+arrangement.jpg" width="314" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527271561640503359noreply@blogger.com0