Well now. I haven't posted anything since March and everything has changed! I used to be able to select photos while in Picasa and then blog from there. Can't do that anymore. Don't have time to figure it out right now. These changes ought to come with written instructions for those of us who are computer-challenged. Grrrr.

another project in progress

 The cottage garden looked a bit (bit?) bleak this winter so after some consultation on consolidating, I went a bit crazy. First a load of topsoil for a mound on which to plant a rainbow phormium,
 Naturally the hens were quite excited about a fresh pile of dirt so I had to fence it.. hopefully temporarily. They are leaving last year's perennials alone, and I am excited to see that all those lovely plants are coming back to life. The "blah" area will be quite colorful in another month or so!

 Then came the pea gravel. This is called "salt & pepper" and it is what I used for the path by the hen's pen. I love it. Leaves blow off and the gravel stays put.
 Pathways are not yet completed but I figure a few days of rest are in order. I unloaded two 1/2 cubic yard loads of this on Friday. According to the internet, 1/2 cubic yard of pea gravel weighs 1.3 tons.
 My empty pot collection is growing. Thank you, Taylor, for insisting I do this. I'll think of something to do with the pots.. perhaps succulents in the dog's yard where the deer won't dine on them.

blue fish planters

I couldn't help myself. One fish came home with me last Wednesday. Friday morning found me picking up its pal as well. Couldn't have just one! Besides, they had been in the same display at the nursery. I love happy reunions. They've both been planted with Mexican feather grass and string-of-pearls. (Photos soon) I'm so happy to have them because I've recently (since then) been admonished to un-pot most everything else and plant it in the ground. Guess I'll have to have a "Garden of Empty Pots" somewhere.

Bloom Day

last day of January

Hopefully this ladybug will manage to hide from the hungry hens!
Had an olive tree decide to self prune on sunday. It scored a direct hit on one of my bird-feeder set-ups. Only one feeder broken, two slightly askew, one totally smashed weather dome and a broken pole, which later put a hole in the palm of my hand. Mess is all cleaned up now and a new pole is offering two feeders to the hungry birds. My greens cans are FULL of bite-sized olive branches and there's some future firewood for anyone who will haul it away. Guess I'd better start saving my money for another full day of tree pruning! (Olive trees should never get to be 40' tall anyway!)

fur and feathers

Let's try this again. (first time I tried this nothing happened. Maybe now it will post twice. Or not at all.) I have been down and out for the past 5 days with a nasty cold/sinus infection. I don't get sick often but seem to do a really good job of it when I do. Somewhere under the dog and the cat is I.

Felt almost human this afternoon so wandered outside with my camera and found this lovely grouping. Nobody was picking on Eyelean! She has "only" been with them for 9 months. Really, its Karla (who also chases the dog) who likes to run Eyelean off. Amelia has never been aggressive and Bette-the-Diva is only aggresive when she thinks about it. Nice to see the peaceful little feathered community.