the mabel tour

Gladiolus sprouts by the garden hose.

Some of you, most loyal of readers, may remember this post from last year. If you are new around here, take a minute and click over and read it. You need to be in the know for this.

I decided that although my garden has yet to burst into full bloom, it is high time for another Mabel Campbell tour. Humor me folks, I'm hanging on by a very thin thread these days with the Earth's revolution slowing down and all.

I need these little things to keep me from eating obsessively and twitching.


Soooo...


Without much ado, I give you my garden in May.

Here we have my tootsies nestled next to some of my most favorite of flowers that I can't for the life of me remember the name. A lady once rung my bell and asked me what they were and I had to send her away without any information. I'm quite sure she thought I was being rude and not giving out the name like some old prune and her recipes.

The climbing roses are just starting their fireworks show that unfortunately only lasts a month or so, but happens three time a year.

The Hollyhocks are almost eight feet high by my estimation, and blooming like there is no tomorrow. I dream of buying an old corn field and planting it with row upon row of hollyhocks for the mere purpose of running through them.
And the succulents. They have been commandeered by tiny spiders, but for some reason, I don't mind a bit.

This little ball of popcorn is the very first hydrangea to burst forth. I have ten hydrangea plants sprinkled around the yard, and I'm looking forward to hydrangea arrangements in my kitchen all Summer long.

Last but not least, there is this happy little plant that has yet to show its brilliance. It is covered with red blooms and the dahlias around the bottom will be happy little colors of pink, yellow and peach.

So there you have it. You've survived another Mabel Campbell tour. I'm quite sure she is up in heaven smiling down on me and trying to channel good garden vibes.

Two weeks from today we will be in the hospital getting ready to welcome Amelie to the world. I'm worried about my plants while I am gone. Sugar Daddy will be home part of the time, but the guy never remembers to water my plants. I am worried about Finnigan and Thom missing school and my jewelry business and people starving in China.

I need a chill pill. What I really need is a good massage and two weeks to pass.

I'm pretty sure these things will happen. But just in case the Earth comes to a complete stop, pray for me.

letter of discontent

Because when it comes to confrontation I am a gutless wonder, I post this letter here. More letters to follow.

Dear Miguel-

I feel I need to have a word with you concerning your work, or lack thereof, in the yard. Please understand that when you don't show up to mow the lawn, it doesn't go unnoticed. In fact, it bothers me immensely. It makes me feel, disorganized and mangy every time I go outside.

You may have noticed that I am a wee bit behind on my own yard work. I am aware of this. However, when the lawn is cut, it adds a certain orderliness to the garden which allows me to further procrastinate my chores of weeding and trimming and therefore leaves me more time for crafting and playing.

All I ask is that you show up once a week. Mow and edge. Have a drink from the fridge. Enjoy yourself. If I can do anything else to make your time at our house more pleasurable let me know. Please help me to help you, help me to feel organized.

Sincerely,

Mrs. M

P.S. At this point you may be thinking back to the day when I arrived home from the beach with my swimsuit hiked up to keep it from touching my very sunburned bottom and I tumbled out the the car with bags and towel and boy in tow, and I stumbled over the garden hose loosing my sunglasses and scraping my knees and I crawled around at your feet for a while trying to get my bearing. You may be thinking of this day and saying to yourself, "I don't have to take this woman seriously." Just remember who writes out your pay check. Well- actually my husband does, but I could protest at any time if I wanted to.

fruits of my labor

I came home to 77 degrees and a peach tree full of ripe fruit. It's peach pie for dessert tomorrow!

The nest in my fuschia plant is full of baby birds as is the nest under my bathroom window. They chirp wildly every time a parent arrives with a morsel. I am so glad they have survived. It isn't easy to water around a nest full of chicks.

I picked a couple juicy tomatoes for breakfast tomorrow. Nothing is quite as good as garden grown tomatoes with cottage cheese first thing in the morning. The Kyoho grapes are finally turning purple and will be ready to harvest in just a few weeks.

It feels good to be home.

manual labor wednesday

Today is a yard day. I have saved all the muscle jobs for my brother to do. We are headed to the nursery and down to the beach to pilfer some large rocks. I plan on having a very hard working, satisfying day. Sugar Daddy is lawyering at his office so I will have my brother to myself.

Here is a little something for you to enjoy while I work. This man makes me happy.