Thursday post

 Three down and 12 more to trim in front of house.

I don't mind trimming; it's the raking up of trimmings I don't like.  Tarp doesn't catch all of them.

The big ones in front are no fun either.

plants purchased for pots to plant today

Butterfly for front door.  I don't think birds will be nesting in this. 

Frog among Herons Pirouette 

'Begonia Grandis'

variegated queen Annes lace

One that is not variegated

Eventually the flowers will fill in.  

more flowers purchased to plant

and tomatoes I started from seed

A visit to Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel to look for French curtain rods 

Not happy with either store as far as rods go

I want the two rod French rod.  Neither had them.

I guess now a specialty rod store. 

We stopped at Starbucks for a iced coffee for me and the both of us had a sandwich.   I had the vegetable.  It was very good.  Spinach, tomato, cheese. 

Steve had grilled cheese

The Town center had beautiful plantings although there needed to be some attending to the shrubs and maybe refresh a few flower gardens. 

This is the view from our table outside for lunch

The sound of the waterfall was even nicer 

I like window shopping and I like this table setting

Bye for now 

Happy Sunday

 Still picking few June strawberries.  I have everbearing ripening also. I try to get them before the squirrels get them.  I have the berries covered but they try, and I am not letting them win.  Glad the owls are back out and I hear them calling in the evening.  I think they are good at keeping prey away from my vegetables and berries. 

I made jam or preserves

 The white berries in here are Pine berries.

Large June berries here

Natural color with less sugar than called for, I always put in an apple slice or two to simmer with the strawberries because apples contain pectin.  They help thicken and cook down to where you don't know they are in there. 

Certain apples contain more pectin than others like Granny Smith, Red delicious and Gala are a few. I didn't use the skin or core which is where most is found.

 I just added a few slices 

Some lemon juice added to the strawberries.

Tastes so much better than store bought.

Perfect thickness

I sliced some for drying

They taste tart and have a strong strawberry flavor.  I use in baking. Some ground for cakes and frostings. 

Mothers day and husbands birthday fell on same day

I got roses from children 

They were large enough amount that I made an extra vase for den.

I separated them

We drove out to the restaurant called The Ice House in Gordonsville Va. 

very good food

Pretty scenery along the way

From the table I was sitting, the view out the window of the structures reminded of a couple I saw while visiting in Maine.  I felt like I was in New England for a moment.  I love the old architecture. 

Steve had chicken 

I had flounder

Chantilly cake with strawberries and blueberries from Publix was delicious!  The cakes I have noticed are just a little smaller it seems.

A lovely day for both of us

💖

What's in bloom and sharing while it lasts.

Happy Saturday.  Will be out in the little garden area spreading good dirt and fertilizer. Some plants go in tomorrow. 

 

Some shots of our largest Azaleas in bloom

Up close

it's looks like an orchid to me. I can't help but notice how the little spots on flower are lined up. So delicate looking and perfect. 

Grand daddy's beard as mama always calls it, Fringe tree to most shown here behind azalea

My spring flowers and trees bloom in succession.  First the forsythia then the dogwoods with some early azaleas, then later azaleas with the fringe tree. 

Fringe tree is highly fragrant especially in the afternoon. 

Mostly porch sitting these days after working outside.  I need to get to work inside.  I rather be out most days.  Will be needing to throw out this furniture before long.  It has been outdoors and indoors off and on for 18 years.  It's not real, it's plastic and now it's breaking, not sure what I will put out here next.  I would love to replace the jalousie windows but not anytime soon.

This used to be just a cement floor showing.  We decided on having tile put down about 10 years ago.

Blueberry salad I am finishing up.   I love this stuff. 

It is Grape Jello, blueberry pie filling (Comstock) pineapple crushed canned. 

Topping sour cream, confectioner sugar and cream cheese.  Don't know why it's called a salad.  Maybe because it's got different fruit tossed in?

For lunch, I took out some frozen chicken tenders, cooked in air fryer.  Heated up some honey with tad bit of butter, added some pepper flakes.  Drizzled on my chicken, served with mashed redskins and kale.

Needless to say, I am more than full

For dessert was the blueberry salad. I had that before my lunch.  I don't like to take a chance that I may be too full to eat it, but that's just me.

Back to the garden

til next time