late winter early

Lots to do and discover when you love and plant tons of trees and flowers as I do. Last year, at various times, I planted well over 200 bulbs, from lilies to lesser known flowers, all around our almost 2 acres. There was just a tiny pressure on myself (from myself) with about 60 of the bulbs as they came from my mother’s yard and were estimated to be at LEAST 70 years old. I planted them last year in April and expected them to at least push up and show some green. They. Did. Nothing. Yikes!!! I resisted the urge to dig them up and throw them in the burn pile and just pretend they were too old and pooped out. Then late January 2022, all 60 of those precious OLD bulbs poked their green leaves out of the dirt and I broke out in a little dance! Woot!!

I had to also prune back all 16 of my knock-out rose bushes. Pruning is easy. Pruning 16 rose bushes that are 3’x5′ – not so much because somehow you have to get the clippings to the burn pile. But it has to be done IF you want a bazillion roses in the summer and fall… and I do. And it’s also good for the health of the plant.

As I was doing the normal clean-up, tending to, pruning, taking inventory, general assessment of my beloved gardens it became obvious I’m not the only one who LOVES my flowers – THE DEER DO!!! Last year I put in 9 trees. The deer have nibbled on 3 of them and a 4th has been stripped of its bark. I’m not sure if I should be sad for the 4 that might die or be optimistic that 5 lived. Thankfully, I got them from a non-profit in my area and didn’t spend Lowes or Home Depot prices. Still… I HATE it! I was in Tractor Supply buying deer repellent and a fellow shopper told me Irish Spring soap did a better job than what I was going to buy. We will see!

In between all my garden activities, Miss Bonnie MUST play Frisbee and people MUST eat and clothes must be washed.

I have been on a quest to bake the perfect ciabatta and baguette loaf. Today I got prob as close to a perfect bagette in all my bakes. They always taste perfectly yummy, but visually and esthetically – not quute there. Today – 85%. Until I achieve 99% (no bread maker achieves 100%)…we will eat GOOD bread!