Out and About

For those of you who don't follow me on Instagram, I regularly post photos of what I see while I'm out walking. My neighbors have beautiful gardens which put me to shame. I've never been an avid gardener--I have a black thumb, although I try.

Last year I promised myself my yard wouldn't be the ugly one on the block anymore. It's neat, trim, tidy, but after surgery a few years ago when I wasn't able to get down on the ground, I stopped planting annuals. Year before last, I realized I WAS able to get back to the ground, and was kicking myself for not planting at least one veggie plant, so last year, I planted several. Aside from the ones I shared with the rabbits (they found my plants pretty quickly), I managed to grow some very delicious tomatoes. Funny fact, when I pulled the tomato plants at the end of the year, there was a rabbit living beneath one of them! I tugged and tugged and tugged, stopped to take a breath, tugged once more and dislodged my tenant, who went scampering off across the yard. 

This year, I'm trying to get ahead of the game. Instead of waiting for everyone else's gardens to bloom, at which time it will be too late to start my own, I've picked some perennials to plant, and some annuals, as well. My neighbors give me so many things to enjoy along my walk, it's time I returned the favor. 

Cross your fingers for me. Hoping my black thumb doesn't sabotage my plans!

Haven't killed my azalea yet!

Buy it here!

And while you're here, a quick reminder that the fourth Hillendale novel is available! I'd love it if you'd give it a read.

Gardens and Topiaries

My latest obsession is topiaries. This from someone who definitely does NOT have a green thumb.

I'm very fortunate to have a house once inhabited by someone who knew how to garden. I've been able to plant and have success, although not nearly as much as the previous owner. With very little maintenance, I can actually grow things! I have tremendous respect for people who take the time to make their plants more beautiful. When I walk around my neighborhood, many of the yards have beautifully landscaped gardens.

With a little fresh air and sunshine, this is what my vegetable gardens look like. For a number of years, I had a strawberry patch that thrived out there, but with a couple of years where I was unable to do any gardening, even the strawberries suffered from lack of attention.

Inside, I've had *this* plant for probably 20 years. It's an ivy, and I have it creeping over my cupboards. It keeps growing, but this is what it looks like. Bare vine on one side, leaves on the other.

When I visited Disney, these sculptures were made from flowers and plants. Aren't they amazing?