Thursday, April 30, 2009

Jaded


A gray day. Not enough hours in the fun parts. Rain likely tomorrow.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

On Deck


This tomato plant (Japanese Black which apparently hails from Russia) followed me home yesterday. There's no room in the garden so it's in a huge pot on the deck. We'll see how it goes--especially since the weather's turned unusually cool.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Onion Dome


I would swear this was a full moon because people were truly odd and I was nonplussed. Not the case, however. At least it's nice, but cool, outside.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Bracts


Spanish lavender with its ostentatious headdress and harsh scent isn't my favorite but the English lavender isn't blooming yet. It was terribly windy all day and, therefore, cold. Looked good from the indoors, though.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Curlicue

Delightful weather; spring part deux. Wild grapes are ranging along the river and cottonwood fluff is in the air. Saw goslings following their parents.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Fremontodendron californicum

I do not understand bumble bees. They hover all around the flowers but very rarely land. The flannelbush sure attracted them, though.

Friday, April 24, 2009

All Choked Up

Rain this morning, shockingly. Picked the first strawberries this afternoon. Nice and cool outside.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Gazing at You


The marine layer moved in and it was cool and breezy all day--much nicer. The garden is still burgeoning. The bees were nowhere to be seen.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Nemo Me Impune Lacessit


The male carpenter bees were hovering all over the weed patch. They're odd creatures and elusive. As soon as I got the camera out they disappeared so I snapped a thistle instead.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

And Then There Were Nine

The ducklings are still as energetic as ever and noticeably bigger. Today was still hot but there's relief in sight. The ducks are lucky: they get to hang out in the water.

Monday, April 20, 2009

The Bachelor


News of the day: record high temperatures. The new plants seem to be settling in fine. The daily ritual of checking whether they need water begins.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

The Plot


We got all the new plants in the garden by noon. For now, the newbies are: four tomato plants, pole beans, eggplant, jalapeno pepper, zucchini, cucumber, and basil. The strawberries are ripening and all the herbs are going to town.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Galling

The cynipids have been busy, apparently. Much warmer today--almost hot. More garden prep work but no planting as of yet.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Lowly

Stirring up the compost bin getting ready for setting up the garden this weekend. The worms have been chomping away doing their job. Must decide what to plant.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

And the Lemon Flower is Sweet


I hope some bees have dropped by. Last year I had only three fruit. It'll be almost like summer tomorrow and time for lemonade.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Make Way

Exuberant, peeping ducklings exploring the world with gusto. I counted ten altogether as they rushed about. It's spring all right.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Dogwood

Punishing winds. The dogwood blossoms danced. Clear skies and chill tonight.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Mondays

Feeling slow and sluggish. The to and fro is changing and I'm a bit discombobulated. Gorgeous weather but I saw most of it through a window.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

What Was

Lots of cooking interspersed with running outside to look at more flowers. New traditions have started. Thinking of old ones was bittersweet.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

The Easter Bunny?


A coyote was stalking this one. Hope he got away. We soaked up more sunshine and even saw a monarch butterfly that wouldn't sit still for the camera.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Framed


The clouds are leaving. The sun is back. The trees have fully leafed out.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Gathers No Stones?

My house faces north and moss grows on the roof. In today's storm, balls of it fell off. What's the proverb for rolling moss?

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Starry, Starry White


The buds are lavender but no hint of color remains in the open petals. We had quite the rain last night which battered other flowers but these escaped. Dramatic clouds but no more moisture today.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Raindrops on Roses


A satisfactory drumming on the roof is going on right now. It won't last for long but the air's getting cleaner by the second. Saw a turkey on my street--they're invading.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Tiptoe

Made it to 80 degrees for the first time today. Not bad, actually, for a Monday. And then things were shattered.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Wild Cucumber

One of the first plants to move into the burned area. Alas, my pictures of its spiny fruit were lousy. Picture perfect day outside--I think I'll go out again.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Snake on the Mountain (Striped Racer)


This little snake couldn't wait to get away from us. A gorgeous day to picnic, hike, and gaze at wildflowers. Hard to top that--we even saw a turkey overhead.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Shiny and New


Such a windy spring. It's probably normal and I just don't remember. My bay laurel was doing a jig in the gusts and wouldn't sit still for its close-up (note the blur).

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Sweet, Citrusy Perfume

My eyes are glazed over today but the nose is working. The freesia are at their peak. Their scent lingers.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Summits

Still snow on the peaks. Rapid melt starting. But, the air is fresh and it's cool and spring-y.