One Down!

I had four raised beds delivered last fall just before the snow started to fly. I managed to get them in place with many layers of cardboard/paper on the ground, and a thin layer of peat (it was all I had time for!).  And now it's spring and I still find myself short of time.

I got one bed planted this weekend with kohlrabi, lettuce, carrots, kale, chard, radish, etc. I really wanted to plant cabbage, but couldn't find any seed in my stash! If you could see my seed stash, you'd find that nearly as impossible as I do. I usually have 3 different seed packets of everything under the sun. Guess I'll have to make another trip to the garden center - like I need another excuse!

It might be the only bed I get planted this year.

I also managed to get a dozen other things planted up (see the milk cartons between the beds). There are some flowers in those jugs - mostly annuals - and a few others. Honestly, I can't remember what I planted - but I did remember to write it on the jugs in paint pen, so I should be OK! Moon flower, lemon grass, echinacea, rudbeckia ...

It's currently 37F, so I probably have a little more time than I thought to get things in the ground. Tomatoes, peppers, and beans would certainly not be happy with this weather!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Cathedral Window Pillow

I have been enamored with the Cathedral Window quilt pattern since I first got into quilting. I think it's amazing and lovely. I keep pinning more and more of them to Pinterest. Truth be told - it intimidated the crap out of me! 

I got some new furniture a couple of weeks ago and decided it was time to conquer my fear of the windows.

I was more successful at sewing it than at photographing it, I think!

Now that I've completed a project, I can see how this would be totally addicting. I like to have a hand sewing project going for those days when all I want to do is sit in front of the TV - but still be productive. It's sort of delicate, so it's hard to imagine using it as a quilt, but I'm contemplating a large wall hanging to go above my bedroom headboard.

In the Garden

The Hardy Hibiscus has finally made an appearance! I really thought it was dead. The woman at Linder's warned me that they come up really late - sometimes not until June. I had no reason to doubt her, but until last week, I was certain these things were dead. Must have faith. ;)

The poppies in the hellstrip are blooming, too. Based on how they seem to stretch for the afternoon sun,  it seems that they're not in a very good spot. The blossoms tend to flop onto the ground. I will collect the seed heads and try to seed them in some other spots this winter.

The Hope for Humanity is gorgeous right now. The pictures don't even come close to doing those roses justice. Work has been pretty difficult lately, and I often wonder about whether or not there is hope for humanity. Dramatic, I know.

The pink peonies are in their glory right now. The white ones will be opening soon. My living room and office both smell wonderful as I've brought many in to enjoy. I decided after they all got flattened in a storm last year that I should just cut them and enjoy them - I spend more time in my office than I do in the garden anyway.

Hummingbird!

I was at Dad's this weekend and happened to have my camera in the car to capture the action at the hummingbird feeder. The light wasn't great to get the colors on the bird (this one is red-throated), but the wings on this guy were amazing!