Bountiful garden

Mark and I have been doing some major gardening the last several weeks to beautify and simplify the gardening season. This year's vegetable crop started off a little late, as the unexpected rain we had a few months ago found it's way to the stash of seeds I had on my potting table. I was disappointed to discover soaked seed envelopes. The thin layer of waterproof lining simply melted away in each envelope, resulting in a glue like substance. I lost some sweet basil and parsley seeds, but was able to dry out most of the remaining in the sunlight we were blessed to have after the rain. Section one consists of green and yellow beans, cucumber, butter lettuce and volunteer tomatoes. Section two includes spinach, unknown melon or squash volunteer sprouting, more tomatoes and green beans. Mark loves green beans, so they are prepped and frozen for future use :) In the main garden I've planted some seedlings purchased from the store...bell pepper, squash, Mr. Stripey orange and yellow striped tomato and a black cherry tomato. In the corner of the garden, where corn grew last year thanks to some messy birds eating at our feeder, I have planted two varieties of blueberry bushes. My goal is to make fresh blueberry muffins, pies and tarts next year. I had time/energy to transplant strawberries to some hanging baskets since a rodent somehow found my strawberry planters and devoured the first few berries. And I have placed several hydrangea plants in the ground along our fence off to one side of the yard. I am looking forward to having several varieties to cut blossom clusters to decorate the house this fall. We have started a rose garden in the front and back yards. The front consists of a very fragrant yellow and pink rose my grandfather planted years ago. I've added two pink and red hybrid called Dick Clark, a lovely peach one named Peace, a bright yellow Gold Medal and a shocking pink called Perfume Delight. Soon, when our wooden arch is reinforced, I will be adding two red and yellow variegated ones called Climbing Pinata. I've discovered a gorgeous purple and lavender variegated variety called Purple Tiger and a pink and orange variegated called Party Hearty. They will grace the back yard, probably near the avocado tree I planted for grandpa, which is bearing fruit like crazy this year. Mom gave us a raspberry vine, which is very happy along our fence in the back. Mark and I have both been able to enjoy some berries. And we just planted the beginning of the Miki-Chiavaroli vineyard...2 Thompson, Red and Black seedless grape plants each...they will be trained to grow up our patio support beams and allowed to hang gracefully over the years to come. Mulch has become Mark's new best friend, as he has dug up the majority of our weed infested "lawn" out front and covered it with weed fabric and brown wood mulch...a little at a time as his health allows, but it is starting to look like a finished yard for the first time in years. It's a thrill to see him walk out to the front yard and look at it with pride and show it off to visitors. I do the same with the back vegetable and fruit orchard. The best part is to sit in the patio with a glass of wine or bowl of ice cream and just sit back, relax and enjoy the view and ambiance. Thank you, Mother Nature :)

Catch up

This past week was catch up time for me. Mark's parents were in town for a few days and we got to visit, sight see, entertain and bond. We had a wonderful night out at the Magic Castle, courtesy of uncle and his membership. Such a great evening of excellent food and awesome magic tricks. I highly recommend the tempura Portobello mushrooms and the New York strip steak...soooooo good! We were able to get mom out of the house for the night too, which made it a wonderful early mother's day celebration. Of course mom spent that night and the next few days trying to figure out how certain tricks were done.I'm sure she'll be spending many hours trying to figure them out! I got to spend a day at home having lunch with mom-in-law while Mark and his dad spent a day out looking at cars and scooters at the Petersen Museum and eating hot dogs at Pink's. Mom and I sat in the patio, enjoying the garden eating a salad made of homegrown greens, cucumber and tomato as we chatted and caught up on each other's lives. I also had the pleasure of seeing a high school friend visiting from out of state. We managed to get a little group of friends together at a friend's restaurant for a night of drinks, food and great conversation. It was great to hear about every one's spouses, kids and lives. It was also great to be among my circle of friends....my support group...to talk about Mark and his upcoming treatments. I sometimes forget how important it is to talk about certain things with other people to help clear my mind and refresh. Sometimes it's nice to be out of the house and among my peers :) And today, we got to spend some time with my cousin and his wife visiting from Colorado...had a great lunch and got to show off the garden of veggies and recently planted roses, which are in full bloom. It's always great to have the extended family members "home" for a visit. I guess I also forgot how much fun it is to entertain and bond with people, especially those I love and care for so much. Everyone should take some time out from the craziness of everyday life to relax, refresh and reboot :D