Thursday's Treasure

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We have done far better with our gardening this summer than last year.  Part of that is because of the awesome planter from Mike that has kept us loaded with basil, mint, rosemary and sage.  Part of it is that we switched from growing regular tomatoes to cherry tomatoes.  And the other part is due to a cool gnome garden growing kit that Sophie received as a gift from her special Michigan peeps.  She has 3 containers with several things growing nicely.  These are her radishes that we harvested last night!

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Another nice thing about this week... I finished something else!  Two things in one week!  This mat was such a joy to make- I love these mellow colors and all of the subtle shading.  She turned out to be a healthy 19" in diameter.  Large enough to serve as a table centerpiece or to host a couple of pet bowls on the sun porch.

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What are you feeling happy about this week?

Thursday's Treasure

My sister-in-law gave me this planter for my birthday several years ago.  I never had a great place to put it, so I have had it in our sunroom holding various gardening tools this whole time!  When Mike got close to finishing his front deck project, however, I realized that this planter would look stunning hanging from the brick chimney that is by our front door.  So, Sophie and I loaded it up with potting soil, petunias, vinca vine and sweet potato vine and it is a happy sight to see as you cross the deck to enter the house.  Yay for a finished deck and curb appeal!

Growth

OK.  So one tomato does not a green thumb prove.  But, so far this plant has been doing REALLY well, and I'm hopeful that we'll have enough tomatoes for a couple of good salads this summer.  Maybe even a tomato tart!   How are your veggie plants doing so far?  Do you have a favorite tomato recipe?  Please share!

All Abloom

Sophie and I took a little field trip around the back yard yesterday. Daddy worked in the yard all weekend, so we wanted to admire his handiwork and see what plants were coming to life.

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We found loads of little wild violets in the side yard.

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The bleeding heart plant that I bought as a gift for hubby a few years ago comes back stronger each year.

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The berries are bright on the ornamental bamboo.

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The azaleas are just beginning to blossom. Yes, that's a bee. A large bee!

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I love to plant annuals in our windowboxes at this time of year, but it is always so exciting to see the perennials pop up. It makes me feel hopeful and full of appreciation for the nature that abounds in our little corner of the woods. What's blooming in your part of the world?