Sunny Side Up

Nighty night, everyone.

Maybe It's Maybelline

I wasn't even outdoors when I first spotted this little creature through the back door that leads to the patio. He flew randomly around the back windows before falling down through a side opening of a kennel on the patio. I opened the kennel door, shot some pictures, and left him to his own devices as far as getting out. I was concerned that an attempt on my part to pick him up or move him in any way could possibly injure him.

He is a striking little guy. His body, a leafy green, reminds me of the outer leaves of cabbage and is dotted with a few off-white circles and other markings. The top edges of his wings and his head are dramatically outlined with a soft, sable color, quite similiar to one of my favorite eyeliners. And grabbing onto the eye makeup theme and running with it, each of his antennae resembles the brush end of a mascara applicator.

Well, we've had a most pleasant weekend, and I hope yours, too, has been nice. Have an enjoyable week, all.

Nighty night.

In the Pink

Today was nice and sunny and quite the day for getting out and about, which is exactly what the five of us did. I hope your day was pleasant as well.

Tired and ready to fall into bed.

Nighty night, everyone.

Rub a Dub Dub

When Squidley telephoned me one recent afternoon while on his way home from a golf tournament he had participated in, teamed up with three of his colleagues, he delivered good news: each of the four had won a brand new set of golf clubs. I was jumping for joy, happy that he and the others had done so well. Incidentally, I was figuring Squidley might also be willing to hand down his old set of clubs to me. Well, I guess no further explanation is necessary on my part. That is, of course, if you've checked out the above photo. Cute, huh?

The bell peppers are not going to be outdone by anyone else on that patio. And I have to say, they sure look cute (yes, cute) in their present "miniature" stage. Oh, and does anyone else think the bell pepper cap somewhat resembles the little beanie worn by Elroy Jetson?


so lovely

Because this picture was shot during the daytime, it's pretty much impossible to see that this is a double spider web.

another photograph shot on our patio this evening

Well, our day has been quite busy, and we are tired, perhaps even more so for a Friday evening. So it is off to the beddy bye for the five of us. Oh, and just a by the way: three of us that are going nighty night are squeaky clean. Squidley, tired though he is, threw a pool party for Deutsch and Scout and India. And I must divulge that those three smell remarkably better than the two of us!

Wishing everyone a good weekend.

Nighty night.

Tailor Made

Just want to share a another handful of blooms with you, starting with these colorful and dainty snapdragons. (These are a variety called Tahiti Mix.) This is the first year I've tried my hand at growing this particular type of flower, though I've had a strong liking for them since childhood. The blooms are quite delicate but are shaped in such a way it seems a bloom would "pop" if pressed between forefinger and thumb (kinda along the lines of bubble wrap). These snapdragons are, I must say, odd little creatures. Just when they look as though they've nothing left in them, new buds appear, and the results are glorious. And seemingly as quickly as they appeared, I'm left dumbfounded by their speedy exit. And then the process begins again. It's such a little thing, yet it's fascinating.

This is the first bloom on my second dahlia, a flower that looks as though it was tailored. Its fluted, lemon-colored petals lie in a precise, origami like arrangement.

This yellow squash blossom is part of a volunteer that showed up unexpectedly this spring.

Wishing everyone a pleasant weekend.

Nighty night.

Green Berets

Those bloomin' plants are at it again. And the white blossoms and green, pleated "caps" look like they were delicately carved from white linen-colored and bell pepper-colored wax.

As pretty as the blooms are, they are, one by one, bowing out gracefully to their successors.

Love those jalapenos.

Twins!

More are "in the oven."

Tomatoes, jalapenos . . . hmmm . . . I'm thinking, maybe, salsa.

There are many, many gardens out there, and most are probably much larger than ours. However, if one enjoys gardening, as we do, even raising one plant can be pleasurable. So, no matter where your home is, chances are you can grow at least a little something.

Wishing everyone a very good day tomorrow. Take very good care.

Nighty night.

You Say Tomato, I Say "Tomotto"

This little girl is such a beauty, and it is exciting to watch her grow. And growing up right alongside her are her many brothers and sisters and cousins . . .

. . . like the grape tomatoes . . .

. . . and the Romas . . .

. . . and the patios, just to name a few.

The tomato is one of our favorite things to grow on our patio. I especially like the smell of their vines. And the tomato must surely be one of the more versatile items the garden produces. It is, of course, perfect for adding to salads, great on a chicken salad sandwich, a chicken sandwich, excellent on a burger. And delicious, tomato based sauces are a great reward for the tomato grower. We use some of the small tomatoes in appetizer recipes, and sliced tomatoes are a yummy addition to homemade pizza. And making stewed tomatoes is a cinch, as is fresh tomato juice.

Well, it is time for beddy bye.

Nighty night.