Rearranging

Funny how buying three new plants leads to changing the entire front flower bed around. I'm thankful for my husband who never tires of the lists I give him. It's a pleasure to work by his side.

Black Widow

I went to move a few 2 x 4's off the driveway this evening and found this little beauty. I knew what it was right away, but wanted to get a little closer for a better look.

Yes. I am crazy. My lens was about three inches from her.

I followed her for a few minutes, snapping away with my camera, and moving backwards as she crawled toward me. Finally, I'd had enough, and flipped her over for a look at her hourglass.

And then I grabbed a big shoe. She is very poisonous after all.

Cinco de Mayo

Though we have no Mexican heritage, Cinco de Mayo is a good reason to make some tasty treats. Chicken quesadillas on homemade flour tortillas, freshly made guacamole, and Pina Coladas were on the menu.

Collin whipped up a strawberry pie for dessert, but we need to work dinner off first.

Early Harvest

We've had broccoli twice now, and boy, has it ever been good! How about you? Are you eating from your garden yet?

Four Years Apart

When she was born he would hold her hand for hours. He sang to her and brought her Matchbox cars to hold, but never would I have thought that these two would be as close as they are. Yes, they do fight. Daily. But if one of them is gone for a day or an overnight, the other is lost until they return. May it always be so.

Green Smoothies

We've been enjoying these smoothies just about every day, changing up the ingredients to use what we have on hand. There's always an apple, cored and seeded, skin left on, and most always a pear, prepared the same as the apple. Variations include pineapple, bananas, blueberries, and frozen strawberries. And greens. LOTS of greens. About 4 cups! I started with kale, and have moved to spinach. Parsley is good thrown in there, too. We always add freshly ground flax seed, and some liquid. Some folks like to mix their fruit/greens with milk. You can use water and add a bit of honey or maple syrup to sweeten it, but we all love orange juice.

I puree everything in my Cuisinart blender, and serve. Four of us can have a pint from my one blender full.

Adding strawberries makes a more murky looking smoothie, but they taste great!

A Successful Trip to the Nursery

A trip to the local nursery proved more successful than the chain home improvement store, and I found my Annabelle hydrangea as well as a snow queen oak leaf variety. Bliss! Too bad I don't have a small pond to put this water lily in.