Monday, June 27, 2011

How Does Your Garden Grow Part 4

Looks like we had a few little visitors in the garden this week.
Ahhh...welcome and bring your friends!





Uhhhhh no.... 





I don't think they do damage to the garden but...






  They sure made me jump out of my flip flops, drop the water hose and run screaming for Kaiser!!

   
Now this guy, I can handle!


Sunday, June 26, 2011

You Know It's Summer When.....


It's coming!
You know how I can tell?






I see sprinklers, and flip flops, Kool Aide stands, popsicles and

kids pumping thier bikes to the pool with a beach towel draped over one shoulder.






I hear lawn mowers, locusts, air conditioners and that ringing slap of a screen door.






But most of all I know Summer is coming because I am itching to read BEACH BOOKS!!!













I started the summer season with a dandy! Mary Kay Andrews brand new release "Summer Rental" and I literally can not put it down. It's better than chocolate and I am truly trying to savor it. It's about three lifelong girl friends who meet for the month of August at Nags Head, on the outer banks of North Carolina.
Of course they each have a secret and there is a love story and a mystery to boot! Mary Kay Andrews has a talent for making you feel as if your living the story with the characters.
I have to warn you I am stuck on "Outer Banks" books since that is where Kaiser and I will be going on vacation in a few weeks.

Next book up...."Folly Beach: A Lowcountry Tale" by Dorothea Benton Frank.
Bring on the summer...bring on the books!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

How Does Your Garden Grow Part 3

As I was pondering the garden the other day I saw my neighbor and called her over to take a look. She's an old hand at gardening and you see things just aren't growing the way I had envisioned. If you remember I am using Ed's high yield, never-fail W-O-R-D system. I have read the book cover to cover and followed Ed's advice to the letter.
  • Plant in a Wide bed-CHECK                            
  • Using Organic method- CHECK
  • Raised bed- CHECK
  • Deep soil- CHECK




So my neighbor ambles up and I say, "It's not going so good, what do you think?". She calmly takes one look and says, "Yep, you got bugs!". I just looked at her with panic in my eyes. I have alot riding on this garden. I am using this garden as proof positive that "reading is fundamental" and that you can accomplish anything if you just have the right book. FOR PETE'S SAKE....THAT IS WHAT THIS BLOG IS ALL ABOUT!!!!
Now that the diagnosis was made, I needed a cure! Quick as you please she sends me to the pantry for self-rising flour and tells me to dust everything good. I thought about seeing what Ed had to say about it but threw caution to the wind and got the flour.



Two days later the plants look better, they all have new leaf growth and some are producing fruit! WOW!!



So long Ed...you've been replaced.












As my neighbor walked away her parting advice was this:

"By the way Dawn, thanks for bringing over some lettuce from your garden BUT...when you harvest it don't pull it out by it's roots, it won't grow back!"
Dang it Ed, your really makin' me look bad!