A New Pretty For My Patio Wall

I have had this "Lovely" for quite a time . But , just now getting it up on the wall .  The shading of the colors seems somewhat unique and to my liking . 

And , it is a nice 16 inch size .

Not much going on for me today even though it is the start of the Holiday Weekend . But , that's not new for me , now is it ? And , with the pandemic a lot of people are staying home . At least I hope they are . Because that is where they belong as far as I am concerned !!! The weather is starting to get very hot as forecast .  Oh , Am I ever happy that my air conditioner is working in good order .

The veggie garden is still put - putting along .  The acorn squash has some blossoms .  And look at those large leaves . They are huge !

 And , there are a few more tomatoes .  But , not much to get very excited about .

I am far from certain about planting any veggies next year . And if I do , I plan to empty the raised bed of all the soil and place a weed barrier at the bottom prior to replacing good fresh soil with nutrients .  If I follow through with that idea , I will definitely have to find someone to do it for me .  From what I understand , the fact that the area is filled with old and large trees , the raised bed is saying to all the tree roots "come on over - the soil is nice and rich and moist and you will like it over here".  And , that may be the reason for the copious amount of roots which are competing with my young vegetable roots when I plant in the spring time !

The end of the gardening season is drawing near and there are a lot of tasks I would like to be able to do .  One of the major tasks is to separate and replant  lots of the Iris . Especially , in the White Garden .  Speaking of the White Garden - The Fig Tree is huge this year after my severe trimming last year .  BUT , there are very few figs this year which is very unusual .  However , the ones I have eaten are very plump and sweet .

One of the many wonders of gardening .  You never know what the garden is going to be like from year to year . And, you can be sure there will be a few challenges and queries without an answer .

Wishing you an Enjoyable Holiday Weekend .

Mary

Another One And More And More Even A Fox

Yes, another Zucchini . The first one became Zucchini Fritters along with Sour Cream .  So , good !

And , I think this one is going to become Spiced Zucchini Bread . 

The ingredients are -

• 1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini absorb moisture with a paper towel
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 heaping teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 6 ounces non-fat Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup oil

1. Mix together your eggs, yogurt, oil, sugar and zucchini till combined.
2. Combine your dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
3. Add your dry ingredients to the zucchini mixture and mix till just combined.
4. Pour batter into a greased bread pan and bake at 375 for 45-55 minutes.

From - https://www.domestically-speaking.com/spiced-zucchini-bread-greek-yogurt/

And , look - it's a Watermelon .  And , not just one but nine more are growing larger day by day. They are all over the place !!  And , look at all that growth from just two little plants . It has spread fourteen feet across in length and is still growing longer and longer .

This is Acorn Squash .  Growing like crazy trailing everywhere . Looks promising for some Squash but nothing so far. 

Delightfully , the Tomatoes are starting to produce a few on almost each plant .

Lovely late summer blooming Sedum that will open soon with domed flower heads packed with a profusion of tiny starry flowers in a pale pink that turns to a darker pink .  Every year toward the end of summer I look forward to these blossoms when so many other flowers have said goodbye until next year . 

This is another late in the season bloomer. A beautiful Rose of Sharon that resides in my White Garden .

And, this is an interesting plant that I call a "pass along plant" . It was given to me years ago from a fellow classmate when I was taking the Master Gardeners Certification class .  I am not certain about the name .  Perhaps a Sedge plant .  Possibly , a Japanese Evergreen Sedge . It never fails to produce a beautiful clumping border .

Why am I showing you a photo of this beautiful Red Fox?

(google image)

The answer is because these creatures have been visiting my garden at night time . All kinds of things have been pushed over like a small wheel barrel and different small garden statuaries. My security camera at the front of the garage has shown them at the front gate and also drinking from a bird bath on recordings from a couple different occasions at night time .  Additionally , people living in this area have reported seeing coyotes as well as foxes and have been concerned about their small pets .

Very surprising - two mornings ago at about 9 AM while I was hand watering at the front of my property I noticed an animal moving slowly in my neighbors yard about 25 feet from me on the other side of my fence.  It was a Red Fox ! It walked a few feet one direction and then turned around and walked the other direction .  And , then it was gone .  It was beautiful in color and markings . And, looked very much like this photo. I was surprised but I would have been shocked if I wasn't aware of their recent night time visits. It was the first time I have seen a Fox.  And , it was special !

I have had night time visitors like Skunks , Raccoons , Opossums and Mice and Deer . Oh , and a Snake recently . And , this year I have seen small Lizards almost every day . Also , there was a large Frog . Haven't seen one of them for years . But this was a first time for a Fox !

Just a few more sentences for my stories of a City Girl living in The Country .

California is experiencing an unbelievable number of wildfires primarily caused by lightning strikes over a period of 72 hours which started yesterday .  Currently there are 367 reported fires with 26 considered major . 124000 acres have been torched with 100 structures destroyed and thousands of people have been forced to evacuate . The air quality throughout a lot of California is extremely poor and unsafe . The Bay Area as well as many areas are in very dangerous circumstances .  It's difficult for me to wrap my mind around the reality of these emergencies along with the dangerously high heat wave and the pandemic . 

My immediate area has had many fires but they have been contained quite rapidly .  And , our air quality is slightly smoky and quite safe

 

Stay Safe . Stay Well .

Mary

Unexpected Visitor

Much to my surprise - - - THE DEER have come inside my fencing to explore and eat a little of this and that along the way ! I don't know how they breached the fencing.  I have checked the fence line and don't see any opening where they could enter. I guess they possibly jumped it and that would be a first .

(google source)

It was just a few days ago that I noticed some deer footprints nears the house and thought it was unusual and curious .  And, then three days ago I noticed the tomato plants which are at the other end of the property had been nibbled on .

I am very happy that the one and only near ripe Heirloom Cherokee Purple Tomato was spared . Yes, I picked it knowing the deer had already nibbled the stems at the top .  I hope the others get a chance to ripen .

And, this morning another plant was (hopefully) enjoyed by the deer last night.

It is such a nice blessing that this event is happening at the end of the season .  I have had enough great tasting tomatoes for some excellent tomato sandwiches and delicious tomatoes to add to my salads .

I think I will put some bird netting over the top of the tomato cages to deter further loss of the tomatoes since it appears as though this location in on their midnight route .

My Precious Ivy.

This is the first time that she has slept in this part of her Cat Condo.  The top is where she usually hangs out .  This was taken with a flash because the room was almost dark .  Ivy is still growing in her trust of me .  By no means is she a lap sitter but she will let me hold her and talk to her for a short time and then she wants down .  However, for the last few days she has been sitting at my feet and trying to tell me something .  So, I moved my computer/table over to the sofa and sat there and before long she jumped up and lay down beside me and went to sleep .  I was so happy because that was a first .  And, then last night she jumped up and sat on some papers I was working with and I tried to move her gently and that was not to her liking and she jumped down .  It is great that she is still progressing in her comfort level with me .

Take Care Everyone.

Mary

A Little Late To The Party

But, I am so happy that I was able to plant some tomatoes and basil before it would be to late.  Actually, this may be better than earlier because the sun will be hotter and longer each day.  I don't think there is anything close to 6 hours a day of which is usually recommended.  But, I am optimistic.  In some years past I have been able to grow really nice tomatoes.

There are four different tomato plants and two Sweet Basil.

• Cherokee Purple - Heirloom
• Bonnie Original - Our Favorite Tomato
• Phoenix - Heat Tolerant Hybrid Tomato
• Early Girl - 50 days Hybrid Tomato 

I think this is the first time I have bought Bonnie Plants.  I was at Walmart (which is a rare event) when I spotted these plants that looked surprisingly healthy compared to most of the  plants on a very hot day.

They are growing fast, like one to two inches a day.

I have not made pesto in a couple years.  I sure hope I can preserve some basil this year.

This beauty jumped into my shopping cart yesterday when I was in the local Ace Hardware Nursery.

I quickly placed it in the veggie planter at home to be safe from falling over because it is top heavy.  Not sure where they will settle.  Amazingly, there are four different plants in the one pot. I love, love, love Sunflowers.  They remind me of cool lemon sherbet.

And, now just a couple newly opened flower photos.  Can you see all the rock throughout the property.  I am surprised that I can get anything to grow.  I wish I had more top soil of some sort.  I try to use planter mix with any new plants.  Unfortunately, I am not very good at regular fertilizing. In fact I haven't fertilized even once this year.  Always too much to do like watering at least 1 1/2 hours each day. And, longer on the hot days.  Ninety degrees is forecast for today !

While I was out in the garden taking some of these photos I almost jumped out of my skin again when this little creature was laying in the sun where my next step was about to be placed on the ground.  Just out in the open, not in a hiding place!  About 12 inches long.  Look how he blends with the ground surface.

From a beauty standpoint.  He (or she) has got it all.  The last time I saw him he was at the base of a plant and his colors were like an iridescent green in his stripping. Quite stunning.  Wonders of Nature!

I am working on my computer/blog trying to repair and refine some issues.  Please notify me if you come across anything of concern that would be of help to me. 

Sweet Ivy is doing Super.  She is becoming quite a love bug - but on her terms !

Wishing you a Grand Day.

Mary

Seems Like It Happened Overnight

THE FIGS ARE TURNING PURPLE !

AND ,  THE TREE IS LOADED!

This year it looks like I will have enough to make a few jars of Fig Jam.   How nice that will be.

I've been noticing fig recipes lately from bloggers that sound really good.  I especially like the appetizers with feta cheese and honey.  There are so many ways to be creative with this interesting and tasty fruit.  Last year I prepared a Chicken recipe with figs and I plan to repeat it again this year.

This exceptionally large fig leaf with fascinating sun shadows captured my attention.  And, of course some infant figs tagging along.

Fig Trivia - The fig is a false fruit or multiple fruit, in which the flowers and seeds grow together to form a single mass.    It is a fruit without a visible flower - not like a tomato.


Also, very surprising to me ,  I have some nice looking Tomatoes that I anticipate being very tasty when they fully ripen!

Looking healthy , so far.   No sign of annoying Hornworm Tomato Caterpillars. The plants are in a raised bed and that may help.  At least it helps to inspect them daily since they are elevated. 

I have been quite surprised that the tomatoes are growing so nicely since the raised bed is a lot more shady than years past because of all the trees growing so tall.  Years ago,  I was able to grow huge amounts of tomatoes when there was more sun exposure.   At the time I had a large piece of trellis leaning against the redwood planter and my Cavalier Doggie , Lily would climb up the trellis to eat the Cherry Tomatoes that were planted especially for her ! ! !    OH, how I miss Lily - as much as I did the first day without her.   And, I sure miss My Special Man.

I am enjoying  the more comfortable weather .  Hope your weather in  your neck of the woods is pleasing you .

Mary