garden explosion

We were only gone four days but the warm weather made our garden burst into bloom while we were gone.

knock out roses

variegated wegelia

peony, we didn't have any of these last year because of the drought

iris almost none of these last year either

rummaging

We spent last weekend visiting my parents in the big city. Several subdivisions in the area were having garage sale days.  We hit several and found some great treasures.  Here's just a small part of what I hauled home.

etched mirror $4.00

mini gazing ball $1.00

great frames $1.00 Groucho looks a little scary 

picnic basket $2.00

The deal of the weekend almost new still had the tags on it recliner.  The red is much darker than  this pic  looks.  Under $300.  We've been wanting a new recliner and a good quality chair runs $700-$1000.  SCORE!!

What was your biggest rummaging score?

Good by

When AH and I moved to this house we had seven hard maples in the yard.  Age and disease have taken then down one by one.  This week the last tree was cut down.  It had been struck by lightening and was rotten most of the way through.  We knew it would have to come down soon.  The power company tree trimmers were working in the area and offered to cut it down for free.  Much as we hated to see it go, we let them cut, it saved us having to pay $1000+ to have it done later.  I hate the way the side yard looks now, but we will plant a new tree in the next couple of weeks.  Now I have a new opportunity to redecorate the space and plenty of fire wood.  Where are my strong young sons when we have this kind of heavy work to do???

Even bad things that happen can be great new opportunities if you let them.

pork carnitas

This dinner got rave reviews from AH and my friends.  I think it's a keeper.
4# pork cut into 2" cubes I used pork roast
1 onion cut in half
1 lime juiced and thrown in pot
2 cloves garlic
1 orange same as the lime
1tsp oregano
1tsp cumin
1T honey
salt and pepper to taste
1C water
Throw everything into the Crock Pot and cook 6-8 hours until meat shreds
You could also do this in the oven, increase water to 2C and cover.  Cook at 300 3-4 hours
When the meat is done remove to a foil lined jelly roll pan cut each piece into 2-3 smaller pieces but don't shred strain liquid into a sauce pan and discard solids.
Boil the liquid until it thick and syrupy about 1C
Pour liquid over meat and place under broiler about 5-8 minutes until meat is brown and crispy.  Turn meat over with a spatula and brown the other side.  Serve on flour tortilla shells with your favorite taco toppings.

This salsa is a must for all of our Mexican favorites
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 can whole tomatoes 15oz
1 onion
2 clove garlic
1 jalapeno seeded
1 small bunch cilantro
1tsp salt and pepper
1 tsp sugar or honey
Throw everything in the food processor and pulse until it is small pieces but still chunky.

growing patience

Being patient is not one of my virtues.  I can pray every day for more of it, but always at the end I want to add "God please hurry up"  When it comes to my garden work I want to get everything done as quickly as possible so I can do the fun and creative stuff.  When walkers going by the house comment on how beautiful my flowers are, I find myself making remarks like "there is so much work to do".  Well I finally have decided it is time to stop looking at what needs to be done and enjoy what is there.  If I can't like what is right in front of me in that moment maybe I should put my tools away and go inside.  So that is my biggest task this year.  I hope I have the patience to do it.

big pots are planted

aloe is ready

shelves are staged

house is moved to new location

bench along new path from street

flower tower and chair ready for plants, we got close to freezing last night

lasagna garden is planted and looking good

killer on the loose

In my unending attempts to eliminate toxic chemicals from our home, I have searched a long time for a natural weed killer.  When the dandelions are winning the war in my yard, I can't pull then all.  I found this recipe on Pinterest and it does work, mostly.  With the cool damp weather we have had lately I will need to reapply to a few places.
1 gallon apple cider vinegar
1C salt
1T Dawn
Mix together and pour into a sprayer.  Apply to weeds on a warm dry day, they should be dead by that evening, if not reapply the next day.

lilac time

I love the spring it seems like every day something new is popping open adding to the glorious spill of color through the yard.  When I walked out my back door Thursday i could smell the lilacs, they had come into full bloom almost over night.  They are beautiful out doors or cut and brought inside. Just cut the stems, pull off the leaves below the water line and put them in a wide deep vase. I only wish they lasted a few weeks longer.  All the rain and wind we've been having has left them pretty tattered already.