Picket Fence Planter Update

Here's another update on my Picket Fence Planter. At the very least, I am happy they are growing and enjoying our kitchen porch. The trailing variegated vinca is doing nicely and and the white "Snow Crystals" alyssum is flourishing. I will need to rethink the spike plants. I like them and they add interest, but they are distracting in this planter. I am definitely not doing the wax begonias again and the impatiens aren't really doing anything for me. The metal pig watering can was a *must have* addition.

Mr. Toad

Each morning, I sit outside on our small kitchen porch while the dogs run and play in the yard and I revel in God's handiwork as I watch my flowers and veggies grow and bloom.  I tend to each garden spot, flower bed, and planter.

As I was checking on the Hedgehogs & Crocks, I went to remove what I thought was a dead leaf.  As my eyes adjusted, I realized it was a baby toad.  He was no bigger than a quarter!

How he got there, I don't know.  I guess I really don't care... I am just tickled that he is my guest.

Tinted Pentas & Zinnias

I recently downloaded the trial version of Adobe Photoshop CS5 and have been playing with it, trying to learn it as I go along... there is no manual or instructor with a trial version. With the help of AdobeTV and a few tutorial videos (some watched over and over in full screen mode until I finally understood what they were saying), I was able to turn a color picture into black & white and add color tinting just where I wanted it. The text addition was simple, but another thing learned none-the-less.

Hedgehogs & Crocks

I have a thing for hedgehogs. I'm not sure where it started, but it's alive and well today. I added them to my original Crock Planters display and thought it made a cute display.

The latest addition is this ceramic hedgehog planter. I picked it up at a large nursery just north of us. They were closing down for their summer break the following weekend and all pottery was 20% off. When I saw it, I just knew I had to have it and I immediately knew more Hens & Chicks would go right along with his pointy exterior.

Entenmann's Chocolate Chip Cookies

We got a new camera... and a new camera means tons of random pictures. I took this picture as I was playing around with the settings while reading the User's Manual. I love how the cookies are so clear but the edges are blurry. The lighting was just right. And, who doesn't love a chocolate chip cookie?

Crock Planters

The leftover spike, begonia, impatiens and alyssum were not doing well in the small crock so I replaced them with Hens & Chicks. I don't know what exactly it is about Hens & Chicks, but they make me smile! I replanted the leftover flowers in the Picket Fence Planter and it is chock full and looking great!

My friend, -B-, graciously planted Creeping Jenny in the big crock and gave it to me. She said it didn't match her stuff... but it matches mine perfectly! Thanks, -B-!!!

My husband had the piece of slate laying around and I painted the crows and sunflowers on it (names have been blurred to protect the innocent! LOL).

I love this corner of the porch!

First of the Season

I am very happy to present our first vine ripened cherry tomato of the 2011 growing season!

This is just one of the many babies growing in our cherry tomato hanging basket purchased at our favorite Amish greenhouse for only $8! With multiple plants in the basket, I have some trailing over the side and some trellised up (if that's not a word, it is now!) the hanging supports.

I am so excited about this basket I'm itching to drive out there yet again and buy another one. When I was there a few days ago they only had 2 left.