Garden Helpurrrs

Bartholomew and Jemima have been a part of our family for a dozen years. We like to say that "Maine Coons are helpurrrs" since they are always around when we do any projects around the house. These two lend a paw, no matter what we are working on.

After a thorough inspection, we were granted the go-ahead for planting their favorite herb, Nepeta Cataria, a.k.a. catnip. These two have stringent QC standards!

B&J were especially interested in helping with the garden, since there was catnip being planted just for their consumption.

Jemima is requesting a tossed "salad" of her favorite greens -- hold the dressing.

Welcome, Spring!

Our front door has sprung into Magnolia Mode. (I'm not really sure what that means, I just made it up.) Magnolia blossoms are a favorite of mine -- they smell sooo yummy; however, the blossoms on this wreath are not fragrant. They are silk. ;-) After a trip to Hobby Lobby, Millie Girl and I created this spring wreath for the door. I think it turned out pretty doggone good. Best of all, it cost a fraction of a similar looking wreath that I had seen at Pottery Barn. As a bonus, I managed to craft this without getting any hot glue gun burns! 

I may be able to make a wreath out of fake flowers and leaves, but I'll leave the job of creating natural beauty up to God. He has obviously been busy, just in our yard. Both the backyard and the front are awake and full of color.

 Texas Red Bud blossoms

Violets -- These were planted a few years ago, in memory of my mother. Violets were one of her favorites. I planted one very small plant, but it has spread like crazy. I, too, love these sweet, little harbingers of spring! 

 Ajuga

Texas Mountain Laurel smells like grape Kool-Aid, only wayyy better!

We HAD to have lilacs in our garden to pay tribute to our son's hometown of Spokane, WA, where the word lilac is not pronounced lahy-lack but it sounds more like lahy-lock. They smell WONDERFUL, no matter how you say it!

 Trumpet Vine

Indian Hawthorne -- Although this is not an exciting shrub, at least it is pretty this time of year.

 "Hot Lips" Salvia -- lots of lip with no back talk!

 Vinca Major

A Thundercloud Purple Leaf Plum and a Coral Bark Japanese Maple team up nicely.

While Mr. Smith pruned, I played. I mean, created.

Spent Crepe Myrtle Seed pods make a kinda scary looking bouquet!

We got a new rain gauge that adds some yard art with a purpose. The design of this contraption is credited to Thomas Jefferson. It is pretty accurate! And, believe you me, we have had plenty of rain to test it out. I'll bet Tom had one of these at Monticello.

Even the pots on the patio are full of color.

 Coral Bells and Ajuga -- I love the contrast of colors!

 Daisies

 Last, but not least, volunteer Hollyhocks came up in the garden.

We have more plants and shrubs waiting to burst forth in living color, and there are already a few too many weeds making an appearance. We will definitely take the bad with the good, and keep the gardening gloves AND the Roundup at the ready. No complaints.

It's About Time -- For a Birthday

Although the Birthday Boy is firmly entrenched in his mid-50s, he is still a kid at heart. 

It could have been coincidence, but I am sure that it was just meant to be that Mr. Smith's b-day fell on a Friday, which is typically pizza night at our house. 'Za happens to be the b-day celebrant's favorite food -- especially when paired with a really good brew. Since it was pizza night, it only seemed fitting to have pizza for dessert.

The old guy got some really great gifts, but the timeliest of all was the gift of time. I had to search and search to find a clock repairman who would take on the task of getting this old clock ticking again. Yes, it has taken a licking...

This "kitchen or parlor" clock is from the late 1800s, and is in great shape now that it has been cleaned up and tuned up. It was a gift to my mother-in-law back in 1950. We like to say that Papa Smith, who was a barber, acquired it "horse trading" or as barter payment for a shave and a haircut -- or other goods/services. I'm certain there is a really good story behind the acquisition of this clock. 

A worn out label on the back of the clock says that it is a New Haven Clock Company, 8-Day Dandy Line Striking Clock. Wow -- what a mouthful! When Mr. Smith was growing up, this timepiece counted the minutes and hours from atop the fireplace mantle. We have it on the buffet in our dining room. It has a comforting tick-tock, and according to the teenager who sleeps near the dining room, the chimes are annoying -- especially in the wee hours of the morning! They sound melodious to me.

The b-day boy was certainly pleased to get this gift of time, and I think he also had a good time turning older; however, in spite of being given a timely gift, he still doesn't have quite enough time on his hands.