…And like most births, it was accompanied by long hours of sweat, pain, cursing, and some blood loss 😉. I will let the pictures do the talking for the most part, as this is going to a very picture heavy post of the backyard transformation at my new home.
Map of my backyard as it existed in early March, with proposed patio sketched in. I’m not a fan of all the straight lines, but I’m going to work with what is already in place so much as I can…for this year at least. The vibe will be mainly kitchen garden.Garden in early March. Can you spot a certain someone in the yard? The long unbroken wall of siding is the side of my daughter and SIL’s place. View of garden from corner near patio door. Bowser in shot too, natch! Those are bricks I dug out of the ground, in front of the Pit of Doom. This backyard has provided a few surprises like that.Another Before View. I had to remove all of the irrigation tubing from where my SIL laid it last year, as my garden will have a different configuration.Taken from the cedar deck. Ever the impatient optimist, I am already bringing home shrubs and plants!Bowser is playing with a squeaky ball. One of the first things I did was power wash the siding, the little cedar deck, and the extra concrete slabs I revealed when digging. Another surprise!Modest 2023 Garden goals. Spoiler alert: CRUSHED ‘EM!I decided to start with only 2 raised beds, for growing pole beans and what-have-you (yet to be determined at this stage).My SIL enjoying his successful install of the cattle panel arch. Thank you, Kevin!!!My SIL also did a superior job of laying patio stones for me!Beginning to work my way around the perimeter of the garden, laying cardboard to kill weeds, and then topping with bark mulch. The fern is a volunteer that I don’t have the heart to get rid of.Bowser inspects the laying of the cardboard and the bark mulch. The Trench of Doom (that I am trying to fill up with compostable materials) is in the background . I have already planted my blackcurrant, black raspberries, and elderberries at this point.Wheelbarrow load by wheelbarrow load, I am covering the yard with cedar chip mulch over cardboard. It took close to 40 loads. The hosta and lupin in the far right came up this spring. The daylilies at the back were a gift from my neighbour. There are herbs planted in the pots. The birdbath followed me home from a trip to Buckerfield’s Country Store 😉. On the left in the back is rhubarb and a hydrangea. Weeds pretending to be lawn Lawn be gone!Pergola assembled and in place; many thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Retirement Reflections for the help!!!!
So that’s it for the bare bones of this garden. The next garden post will be what it looks like now!
Too many cute photos of Bowser playing with his toys to put them all in one post, so I decided to break it up into 2 parts. (Plus I am out of town this weekend so I had to work ahead!)
His “other” favourite: blue squeaky ball.Tossing and catching the blue squeaky. I love how he amuses himself this way.Resting, with both squeakies nearby.
Last month I had a good friend come to visit me (and attend a work conference in Victoria, but yeah let’s say the main reason was to visit me 😉). Kalena invited me to come down to Victoria with her, and amuse myself while she was busy doing the conference thing. As I am easily amused, there could only be one response: HELL YES. So this month’s post is going to be about that time, and some of the wonderful things we ate and drank during her visit.
We made sure that a stop at The Butchart Gardens (enroute to Victoria) happened!
Ready to visit The Butchart Gardens! Taking the Mill Bay ferry across the inlet.It was gently raining when we first arrived. Luckily the gardens have umbrellas conveniently placed throughout, for just these occasions!This is easily the most photographed view of Butchart Gardens – overlooking the sunken garden.Not a bad place to hang out and refuel after touring the gardens! Sitting down to nosh at the restaurant at the Butchart Gardens.We split the tea tray, which was just perfect for our lunch! (That’s the Italian Garden in the background.)
We had several memorable lunches while Kalena was on a break from conference-ing (is that a word?) but my favourite meal was actually at the hotel (Marriott Inner Harbour). It was a meal for me, but a snack for Kalena as she had a gala dinner to attend!
Of course we had to start with a drink. Cocktail hour at the Marriott in Victoria. Kalena chose a glass of wine while I decided on something fancy-shmancy, for a change! There could be no other choice, for me. It was amazingly delicious!I had to order this cocktail. With a name like “The Butchart Garden”, how could I not?The top view: a work of art!Kalena: looking like a gorgeous model for a fancy lifestyle magazineDelicious charcuterie plate, at the Marriott Inner Harbour in Victoria. Kalena could only nibble at it due to the gala dinner awaiting her, but I happily chowed down. I could eat charcuterie for dinner every day!
After the conference, we had only 1 full day before Kalena had to fly back home. We decided Cathedral Grove and Goats on the Roof were two good ways to spend it.
The goats were putting on a show that day. Nice and close to the edge. At Goats on the Roof aka Old Country Market, in Coombs.What’s that, Kalena? Something about standing in the danger zone?!?!Caution stickers, available for purchase at Goats on the RoofDining al fresco for the first day of “patio season” at Cuckoo’s Italian restaurant in Coombs (behind Goats on the Roof.)Cocktail – Aperol spritz. Not too sweet and plenty refreshing!Appetizer – spicy meatballsOur lunch at Cuckoo’s. I had the Cuckoo pizza, and Kalena had a pasta dish – some kind of shells stuffed with cheese (forget what it was called, sorry…but the leftovers of both tasted great the next day!).
I think I gave Kalena a good enough “taste of the island” that she will come back to visit me again 😉. I know that I certainly enjoyed myself!
That’s what was on my plate in May! Please join Donna and myself in sharing what was on yours, either in the Comments or via the Link party (if you wish to link your blog post). Note: When this post goes live I will be traveling by plane to Ontario for a very quick visit to my hometown so please forgive me as I may be tardy in replying or visiting your blogs.
Lucky Bowser got a new squeaky toy because his mommy and I shopped at PetSmart while he was at the doggy spa last week. This dog LOVES his squeaky toys, more than any other schnauzer I have known. They must scratch his prey drive itch.
Bowser with his latest squeaky: the purple donut. He is taking it from my yard to his own. Must shake!Pure bliss.I swear I do not pose this dog.
It’s been unseasonably hot here on the island this past week. Bowser and I retreat to the coolest, darkest room in the house during the heat of midday, when there is little shade to be found outside.
Where did his head go???? (Bettie Page the Kitchen Aid is on the floor because I had to clear off the counters so my kitchen backsplash could be FINALLY installed. Still no baseboards. Another project for another day…)Wait, are those whiskers I spy?Yep. There’s his head. Bowser likes to hang it off of the bed when he sleeps. Weirdo.I always rest easier when his head is firmly placed on the day bed. Mommy is taking him to the groomer next week for a long awaited doggy spa day. Hoorah!
We hope you are beating the heat (if it’s hot where you are) and staying warm (if it’s not). Enjoy the long weekend if you’re lucky enough to be having one. We are.
Bowser here. Oma said I could write another dog blog since she’s been busy with a friend from The East (where Oma lived when she was a pup and where she had her pups).
We had just come back from walkies and Oma took this picture because she said I looked especially cute.
Oma and Mommy were talking outside, so I went to find myself something to do.
I found this great stick. So I dragged it to where Oma and Mommy were sitting so I could listen in case they were talking about me protect them from ne’er do wells.
Even though I am a big dog now – with big dog teeth – I still love to chew, especially on wood or cardboard.
Bowser invited himself over one night, after his Mommy and Daddy were back from their trip.
Suddenly he was at my patio door, in the dark and in the rain. Of course I let him in.
Make yourself at home, why don’t you? I see you brought a friend in as well.
I texted my daughter to let her know that her dog showed up at my place. Then about an hour later, I texted her again to say he was still here. She asked me if he was going to stay the night. So I asked him. And the answer was yes, apparently.
The next morning…
Sometimes your house guest just doesn’t want to leave. Luckily Bowser seldom wears out his welcome.
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy any unexpected guests that drop in.
I probably should have titled this “What’s In My Glass” as there is nothing to put on a plate in this post, but here we go…
I have been pretty busy lately with my backyard. Buying and assembling together patio furniture; buying patio stones and sand; buying plants, mulch, soil and wood chips…and now I am at the stage of implementing my grand vision for the space. And this involves a lot of dirty, sweaty labour. That means I don’t feel like spending much time in the kitchen. But a gal’s gotta keep her strength up, ya know?!?!
Bowser supervises my work in this garden bed.
It’s protein smoothies to the rescue! I am no stranger to protein powders – been using them for years – however I have never found them to be all that good at keeping my hunger at bay. But recently I tried a pre-mixed protein drink and it’s ability to keep me satisfied for hours and “going” in the garden has been nothing short of amazing to me. Thank you, Premier Protein!
The basic start to this protein smoothie.Today’s add-ins: frozen baby spinach, collagen powder (for my aching joints 😉), Vitamin D oil (for my sun-starved hide), peanut butter (for my soul and taste buds 😁). I like to pack in as much spinach as I dare.Sometimes I add some ice to make it thicker and colder. Using ice from the cute silicone cube tray I scored as a freebie at Ye Olde Libations (Liquor) Store.Blending it all together. Please excuse the state of my manicure. Yard work…what can I say? 🤷♀️Finished peanut butter shake – Delicious! (With a many-year’s-old bubble tea straw I kept and keep re-using.) I don’t taste the spinach. Just a salty sweet peanut buttery glass of refreshment!This meal drink snack drink is a lifesaver for when you can’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen for whatever reason. Back to the garden-in-progress!
That’s it for me for this month. Please check out Donna’s post where she presents a feast for the eyes, from her recent trip to visit her son in Hong Kong. Looking very much forward to your comments!