Well. I am certainly being ambitious. And I have never planted so many actual seeds. I generally buy starter plants at the nursery -- but this year, I am going to be adventurous. I did plant zinnias from seed last year and they turned out great. And my seed tape was a huge success. So, I have hope. My next project is figuring out my watering system. We have an automatic sprinkler system that is rather unreliable. All of the little sprinkler parts that provide water to the var

I love looking at the Iris catalogue! And so I always have to buy at least one new iris each year. The iris collection that I bought this year included 16 iris bulbs and I'm already thinking about where I will plant them. I didn't buy any of the new hybrid irises - that was a little to pricey for me. I was able to buy 16 irises in the Adventurer Collection for the price that I would have paid for two of the new hybrid irises. So that felt like a better deal to me! The thing a

Even the thumbnail is boring. But that's how it is in gardening. You have to put in the hard work of preparation in order for the beautiful payoff in spring. I think it's like that in life too. Nothing satisfying comes without the hard work. That's the problem with a garden blog. There's lot of not glamorous things that are required in order to get to the glorious things in the growing season. And not glamorous things are not that exciting to watch. I submit this video as evi

I can't count the number of people that have walked by our house and thanked us for our decorations. It's a little lift for everyone in the neighborhood, and we feel good about that. Recently, we were questioning whether we should spend the extra $20.00 on lightbulbs for a new display, and I said, "Look, we get a lot of joy from our decorations, and our neighbors do too -- so I say it's worth it!" And since that day we haven't looked back. We're not buying clothes, or going o

Birthdays are occasions to celebrate people you love. And there's no one we love more than our three daughters. We've had so many memorable birthday parties for each of them - and I've planned every single one. It's a legacy that I hope I have passed down to my three daughters so that they can make as many fun memories as we did. One of the key traits of our birthday parties, iwas that they were always in the back (or front!) yard, and they are always homemade. I've invited d

I haven't been to the zoo in forever. You can probably tell from my reactions to all of the animals. It was such fun, but it also heightened my awareness about he fragility of their existence. And then I felt grateful to Betty White for all that she has done for our Los Angeles Zoo. Ok. I'm overthinking it. Maybe. But bottom line - we had a zooper time -- and it was great fun to see Abby enjoy the zoo as well. Favorite Animal: Flamingoes! Scariest Animal: Cheetah! Most Disres

The video seems like we had a really relaxing trip. Well. Not so much. We were busy traipsing around the city, (read: driving) watching playoff games, (just: wow) and planning for our daughter Jackie's birthday party (destination: zoo!) It was an eventful weekend, but lots of fun -- and made more comfortable and easy by the graciousness and generosity of our good friends Dan and Sandy, who hosted us in their home for the weekend. Their home is so beautiful, and the views were

Lots of laughs and no more mess! Just what the doctor ordered! Plus when I made Instant Pot rice last night, Robert said it was the best rice that he had ever eaten. Hilarious. Looking forward to the weekend, less routine, more time with Robert, sunshine, and Playoffs on the TV! What could be better? Maybe Pot Roast in the Instant Pot???

The recipe said that it took an hour and a half to complete. Brunch was at noon. I started at 10:30 a.m. See the problem? Here's the recipe. https://www.marthastewart.com/868430/broccoli-cheddar-quiche It was really delicious, vegetarian, and robust because of all the broccoli (which I was worried would be too much) . I recommend it! I served it with a light spinach salad, and lemonade. Perfect. And tea and chocolates for dessert. It was nice to have a guest on our patio fo

I took myself to the nursery this weekend, on the lookout for color in the winter garden. And I found the Senetti! There are pinks, purples, and multicolored ones too -- all spectacular. I feel like going back and getting another one! They look a little like the African Daisy, but are way more saturated in color, in fact, they sparkle! Just up my alley! I don't care that they will probably be an annual plant. They're just what I needed right now, so that makes it ok! I'm just

Lots of good news! Great morning oatmeal -- AND no mess! Couldn't be better! I might soon be an oatmeal convert! And Robert is a happy camper. Plus I heard from so many of you about improvements, recipes, and tips for Instant Pot use. I forwarded them all to Robert and he was immediately on Amazon buying all the accessories that he thinks he needs for his new toy. My OTHER new kitchen appliance is the Air Fryer -- also something that Robert has wanted me to have for a very lo

Robert is such a good sport! He allowed me to tell our Sunday story...and we laughed the whole day! The end result was a delicious baked apple, sans recipe, in our new Instant Pot! Plus bonus -- we will avoid the the oatmeal explosion, and Robert has a new gadget to play with! It's funny how the little things can give us such joy. Even during times like these.

Lots of kneeling in the garden and schooching along the border on my derriere, but worth it! And thanks to hubs for helping out! We had a limited amount of time before we had to dash off to San Diego for family business, so it was super fast pansy planting yesterday morning. I pulled out most of the alyssum - it will reseed itself soon, and it was looking rather mangy, but I left in the dahlias, and will cut them back further to help them grow strong for the spring. Right now

Actually, our cat couldn't be more perfect for us. I'm allergic to cats! So, really, an outdoor cat is the only kind of cat that we could have. I feel bad when the weather is too cold, or too hot, and I want to protect her, but she will have none of it. She's used to the life that she's made for herself, and we've given her a good home for the kind of kitty that she is. And that's really all there is to say about that. Except that if I get up in the middle of the night and tu

Now that I've watched the video all the way through -- I feel worried that it's rather gloomy. It's sunny here, but it's not a garden day. So, I'm inside, unwilling to go anywhere because of Covid, and...maybe feeling just a little bit sorry for myself. But perhaps that's ok. I know how fortunate I am. I am acutely aware every day of the blessings in my life. And honestly, there is no real reason for me to be blue. BUT... Things have changed so dramatically during Covid, that

More hard work today. But I am loving the result. The winter garden is never as lovely as the spring bounty, but there is a certain peace, and calm to it that doesn't happen any other time of year. There is no expectation of large blooms, or disappointment at failed veg. When you have properly winterized your garden or your containers, the soil is clean, the plants are trimmed, and everything has it place. And there's lots more space to dream about filling in for the spring a

I love this thumbnail! So colorful! I can't deny it - there was a moment today, after I cleared all the underbrush in the back garden, after I turned the earth and everything looked fresh, and as I was spraying the pavers so the patio and garden looked sparkly clean, that I felt like everything was right with the world. Being in the garden can do that for you. However, digging, clearing, and bending for an hour when I haven't been in the garden for such a long time...I'm def

I woke up feeling not great - with a headache that I was worried would turn into a migraine. I lounged around most of the morning, did some yoga stretches, and put a cool cloth on my head. When that didn't work, I decided to get into the garden. (I did take a Covid test - and I was negative.) My garden needed attention badly. Mostly because I need to get it in shape for the winter so that it can thrive in spring. ( I probably should have done this even sooner!) The roses, t

You already know that Iove china. But I've been trying to think why that is so. My mom never really had any china to speak of except the Franciscan Apple China - and that is really ceramic table ware, not fine china. My Aunt Anna, my mother's sister, had several sets of china, though none were especially unique. But whenever we visited her in South Dakota, she would always have a gathering and use her china. But I'm not so sure that is it either. My mother was, however, commi

Ok, Nancy. You've got to watch this video. Why am I wearing a headlamp? And why am I laughing? It's all about the lengths I will go to in order to show you the beauties in my garden!