Garden - Blooming!

Things are beginning to bloom!

I don't know what the flower in the middle is called, but I love it. It was already in the bed when we moved in. The leaves are a dark purple color, and the flowers are pale pink. Together, they are an amazing contrast to all the green.
I am happy to notice, that it has propagated to the other side of the path also.




The pots on the porch are doing well. I love the contrasting colors and am glad I chose the marigolds. I cleaned out the weeds and dirt between the pavers and put down mulch. Looks much nicer. I love the view down the side of our house.
When my favorite neighbor lived next door, I had plans to divide my hostas and put them in her bed on the opposite side of the walkway. That would have made the alley so welcoming. I don't want to do anything nice for the new neighbor.




Azaleas, purple double columbine!, and dianthus...

Happy Birthday to me

This is the table of food and cake from my birthday back in JANUARY! I can't believe it took me so long to post this!

Garden - An addition

Ever since I started working on the garden, I have wanted a spot to sit and be able to see everything.

Well, added a bench today!


It's whimsical, which I like, because it goes with the birdbath.

Here is the view:





An update on all the beds:

The blue flowers are still blooming, the Heuchera is about to bloom, and the hosta is actually coming back!
What color are those Heuchera obsidian flowers going to be? I can't wait to find out!


The opposite bed:

This is the biggest that rose has been - year 3. I guess I am pruning it properly.
The sage is starting to grow through the support. I'm hoping to keep it more upright this year.

... and FYI, the neighbor has not yet identified the bushness of the Peony.



This is the most established part of the garden. I love it. Just you wait until I post photos of that lily. Amazing color.


Today I put plants in the pots:




The one in front with the fuschia is a hanging pot. I will wait until everything is established before I put it in the hanging holder.




Beautiful day to be outside!

PeepCakes

I had so much fun today! Last year, I made a joke with my friend Keri that we should bake peeps into cupcakes. We didn't have time, but I made a mental note! And this year, with the advent of peeps, we made a date! We tried four things... Peeps, frozen peeps, marshmallows, and frozen Cadbury creme eggs. We used a chocolate cake recipe for all the cupcakes. They didn't turn out the way I expected, I was expecting little peeps inside cakes, all chewy and soft. But the marshmallow exploded! In all cases. But not the eggs, the did very well. Here is the documentation...


Peep ready for burial.



Covering the peep.



Peep is gone.



An 8YO client of Keri's suggested we cut off the heads before baking, and replace them when the cupcakes are done.
Here are the beheaded peeps.



...and here are the peep heads.



Baking peeps.



Peep heads on top of cupcakes.



An array of cupcakes.
So, the ones in the back are beheaded peeps, the ones in the middle have peeps inside, and the ones in front have marshmallows inside.
In all cases, the marshmallow exploded out of the cupcakes and became a sticky tacky ness on the top.

There is no marshmallow in the cupcakes.
Back to the drawing board! if what you want is a complete peep inside.
(they still taste great!)


Now, the creme eggs....

The baked cupcake.



Preparing to slice.



Ta Da!!! egg inside!

All in all, it was fun to experiment... and of course, great to share.

Garden - Spring Whimsy

I enjoy making wreaths. I have made some pretty cool ones over the years... fall leaves pinned to straw, late summer grasses in bundles on wire, fake fruit on grapevine. I feel like the door to my current house requires a wreath! It is a green door, with a brass knocker.

I had this one on the door for winter.


A Martha Stewart dyed corn husk. I thought the colors went well with my green door.

I left it up for a long time because I had nothing to replace it.
With my work travel slowing down, and things getting under control on the schedule, I made a trip to Michaels to get some idea.

I got an idea, they did not have all the supplies, so I ordered the rest on-line, and as soon as they came, I made it!
I think it is pretty cool.
What do you think?

Garden - Spring Flowers

Last year during the bleeding heart bloom, I gathered this collection of flowers from the garden.


Here is this year's pickings.


This year is so different because of the early heat wave, and then back to cold.