What the Hail?

Sunday evening we were treated to the wrath of Mother Nature in the form of a hail storm. The stones ranged in size from the relatively harmless pebbles in the photo to a fair number that were an inch in diameter. As far as the gardens go, the tomatoes were heavily damaged, though I will prune out what is shredded and see what we get. I'll harvest that last few green beans but the cucumber plant is a goner and the yellow zucchini and summer squash are likely too damaged to produce any more fruit. I likely lost one plant in the rock garden in the front yard, a lupine that I will trim back and water and see if it survives. The deck pots all look a little sad but with a little tlc may bounce back. In other parts of the yard, the salvia and Russian sage and yarrow look great or just mildly the worse for wear. I put in a dozen blanket flower plants today alongside the yarrow I planted a couple of weeks ago, they will form the border between the grassy area and the wilds of the backyard to the fence. In that area I hope to have a field of marigolds that with any luck will naturalize to fill the space. I started with five clearance plants that I have already pulled dried flower heads from and collected the seeds. The next big project I want to get done this summer is seed in the lawn. Serious weed clearing is necessary, which I will accomplish over the next couple of weeks a little at a time as my hands will tolerate. Approximately nine square yards of space is what I'm willing to devote water and upkeep to. But I do crave a barefoot-worthy bit of lawn. In other storm related news, it seems that the roof of my car being pummeled by hail stones is what was needed to make the dome light start working again. It's a mystery. Or a miracle. Maybe both. 

Brooching the Subject

In recent news it has been speculated that Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England, may be sending subliminal messages with her choice of jewelry. Specifically, brooches. Madeleine Albright, former US Secretary of State, has admitted that she has done the same. I have decided to emulate them.

I have a ridiculous amount of bling, some pieces are precious, some have mostly sentimental value, most of it I actually wear.

Looking more closely, many of the brooches have a holiday theme. It may come in handy to wear them out of season to convey a message. Many of my pins are not on display here, some of them have taken up permanent residence on my jean jacket or other outerwear. I'm still a teensy bit disappointed that the elder son didn't pledge the engineering fraternity that he was invited to join when he was in college. It was totally self-centered. I wanted him to join because you got a really cool pin along with membership. I wanted to swipe it and wear it! 

Let's zoom in even closer and take a look at my favorite. See the little insect with the pink pearly stone?

Yes, that one. It was one of a set of three bug pins that belonged to my mother. Insect inspired costume jewelry was all the rage in the 1950's, and has recently become popular again. I think I ought to wear this one when I don't want people to bug me. Or perhaps to express that I think they should take a flying leap. This could be a whole lot of fun. 

Totally Safe Weed Killer

Some people buy mulch and actually open the bags and spread it around in a decorative manner in their yards. I have discovered that the bags work well to define areas of the yard. For instance, these bags lined up in an arch served to divide the future lawn area from a less tamed part of the yard. Then I got distracted with other outdoor tasks while those trusty mulch bags continued to do their job. Weeks went by. Then I was thinking about plants I could use to form a border between the lawn and the mostly untamed area and brought home some yarrow plants that bloom in a fun yellow-to-orange color. When it was time to plant them, I scooted the mulch bags out a couple of feet and to my delight discovered that they had been there long enough to kill off the weeds! Leaving me with a cleared area to put the yarrow plants! I love it when my distraction and procrastination turn out being the most productive and smart thing to do. 

It's On!

Nothin' happening here, folks. Move along. Said the hoya in the sun room, seemingly uncaring that the much smaller cutting in the dining room has been blooming regularly for months. Then a week or so ago I took a closer look and found five blooming spurs starting buds!! 

 Sunday they were just beginning to open up.

Today we have three bunches fully open and another ready to pop. Up on the top of the plant is another spur that should open in just a few days. I've heard of plant competition in the wild, but this is ridiculous.

Happy Girls

All I can say is, if you have the opportunity to take in a production of the musical play, Fun Home, you most definitely should. Especially if Allison Mickelson is playing adult Alison. Because she is beyond fabulous as far as talent goes. And because she is a terrific human being to boot. Back in April, Dakota and I were privileged to be in attendance at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center to see Fun Home. It is everything theater should be. Entertaining, thought provoking, tugs at your heart, inspires laughter as well as tears. We were lucky enough to visit with Allison after the play for a few minutes and take a photo. I hear she is returning to Oregon to play Alison once more, this time in Eugene. They are in for a treat!

Best Birthday Greeting!

And, of course, Erik sent it to me. 

Sixty Plus One

Once again, I am prime. I have had lovely food and a pedicure. I have opened cards and a present from my sis Martine. Video chatting with the son and DiLly are in order, as is a movie and ice cream. It's been a most excellent day.

When Life Gives You Lemons...

...make dessert! My fave dessert flavor is lemon. I have made bars similar to the ones pictured, and have also made up the recipe in a springform pan, so the result is a little fancier and more tart-like. Many Starbuck's locations serve up a wonderful lemon cake, a generous slice topped with delectable icing. A local Italian restaurant has a lovely layered lemon mascarpone cake that is served smothered in white chocolate shavings and whipped cream. Last year for my birthday, I baked my Mom's standard lemon pound cake and served it with scoops of vanilla ice cream and lemon sorbet. I haven't decided what I want this year. I still have a week to think on it.

July!

Birthday month has commenced! Soon I will be prime once more! I'm celebrating by drinking one of these. I picked up three six-packs at Safeway in Spearfish two weeks ago before heading home from the Black Hills. I intend to celebrate in some fashion every single day this month! Celebrate with me!