We haven't shirked all responsibility this weekend, we managed to get quite a bit done in the yard today in spite of very hot and humid temps, and knocked off at about 1:00 to get ready to other things that didn't involve sweating buckets!
My new friend - he decided to ride in my tool caddy around the garden while I planted a few annuals. When I was done, I told him he had to go do some work and he hopped out into the pea bed :)
Ladybug eggs deposited on a pepper plant!
Hubby and Finn creating a place for my pumpkin plants, this area was otherwise a wasteland full of weeds with a perfectly good fence asking for vines. He rimmed it in a few pieces of scrap lumber for me so my newly amended soil wouldn't wash away in the next big storm, and you know it's coming!
After we all got cleaned up, it was off to a picnic at Gina's house! You may remember that Gina of Back Bay Botanicals is a fellow blogger that lives nearby. Her place is fantastic and the kids always have a great time there. We had a relaxing time just wandering around with some good food, her place is really pretty and perfect for a summer picnic!
Their new farm stand is nearing completion, and looks fantastic! Those are all cutting type flowers, zinnias, etc growing in front so from the road the farm stand will look very cheery and inviting!
More Cornhole playing... I think the boys are going to want daddy to build a set!
I was pleased to find one of my "native land" brews for sale on base, so I had to grab some, in spite of the fact that we brew our own. It's a nostalgia thing :)
One of the backwater canals of Back Bay runs right through the property there, very pretty -
No visit to Gina's is complete without the chickens of course!
Gina, Loch noticed you left the keys in it, haha!
The girls relaxing in the breezy shade
Gina made sure to instruct everyone where to bring their watermelon rinds when they were done! Good times for us, good times for chickens :)
Tomorrow will start with chores no doubt, as we have a long list of things to do, but we are determined to fit some fun in as well. Not sure what it will be yet, but we have to take advantage of the weather while we can. It's hot out, but a little breezy and storm clouds are constantly passing by, dimming the sun a bit at least. We actually had a bit of rain today and dark skies, but it passed quickly without incident. I feel lucky about that since it seems everywhere is experiencing some very trying weather. What's next - locusts???!!
"What's next - locusts???!!"
ReplyDeleteBite your tongue!
I haven't bought a watermelon yet this season . . . somehow it just doesn't sound too appealing at 40 degrees! Last year when we had the nine geese in the poultry pen, the chickens could hardly get near the watermelon rinds because that was the geese's very favorite snack.
ReplyDeleteP.S. We will drink a couple of Leinie's just for you tonight!
P.P.S. Gray and drippy all day. Heavier now and very dark.
Sounds like a really fun day! I love the picture of your little one with the chicken - so sweet!
ReplyDeleteLocust - please don't even go there after the year we had.
Granny, it's been crazy!
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Mama Pea, no frozen watermelon chunks for you in front of the woodstove? I don't blame you! You're still in Bailey's and Coffee weather :)
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Anke, I am taking full advantage of Finn's cute face right now, his front tooth is now loose and it will only be a matter of time before he gets that awkward look LOL!
Mama Pea, do they go crazy for pumpkins too? Seems that they would!
ReplyDeleteYup, they like pumpkins but not like the watermelon rinds which they go crazy over. Last year I had some over-sized zucchini (oh, how easily that happens!) that I chunked up and threw in the poultry pen. The geese thought it was watermelon rinds, I'm sure, the way they attacked it, dug into it with a big beak fulls, stood back, shook their heads as if to get the taste out of their mouths, said, "This isn't watermelon!" and walked away in disgust.
ReplyDeleteYour new garden helper is a cutie--he'll do a fine job on bug patrol.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend, Erin!
I just love Gina's place. On line it looks great, but hope some time to get down and see her place in person. When all the flowers are in bloom of course. Have a great day #3.
ReplyDeleteHow do you know what eggs are what? I get nervous of any eggs on the plants. Now I think I may have removed ladybug eggs too. Darn. They all look the same to me.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, my word verification was 'fatme'. I dont think I like your blog calling me names.
ReplyDeleteMama Pea, that zucchini story is hilarious!
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Sue, yep, I talk to toads.... LOL
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Lorie, you would love it! They are are really nice couple too, and would probably be more than happy to have you come explore! Friendly people are becoming so rare these days, but you can usually count on other gardeners for sure!
Jane, don't feel badly, I've squashed my share too! The thing with those egg "clusters" is you have to look around and partly guess. The ones that look like that that are shiny or metallic are the squash bugs, squish!!! The bright yellow ones can be either Mexican Bean Beetle or Ladybeetles. I have never had (yet) Mexican Bean Beetles, but I do have lots of ladybugs and they will lay their eggs near a food source for larvae, in this case, my fading pea plants that are directly behind the peppers where the eggs were laid have a few aphids on them, so you just kind of make an educated guess LOL. But the yellow clusters are usually MBB or Ladybug. My ladybugs also overwinter under the sitting ledges hubby built around the raised beds so they tend to have their "home" in that garden :)
ReplyDeleteLucky ducks. I wish we could have come along too. ;)
ReplyDelete:) Looks like so much fun! The only way we can come anywhere close to the heat you already have is to sit in the car with the windows up. Which I have done a few times this spring. ;)
ReplyDeleteHow Fun! That farmstand is a beauty. Hopefully Mr. Toad eats his fair share of bad bugs!
ReplyDeleteFinn sure looks good in that shirt! You are so talented...
ReplyDeleteAll that talk about locusts and that Camping fellow will be calling asking what you know! ;)
ReplyDeleteLove the chickens, tractors and BEER here!