Just in time

I went out with my camera to "catch" some garden photos.
Because I knew Frost would pay a visit real soon.

This past weekend was a perfect cool 45 degrees to work in the garden.
I pulled up some lily-of-the-valley that was unchecked for way too many years and cut back the peonies and hosta. But I couldn't stand to cut down the Marigolds that had provided color after everything else had stopped.

The Elephant ear is a tropical plant. Frost came and kissed her last night.
I'll cut down her large trunk that has doubled in size and is as large as my thigh. I'll uproot her gently and shake off the dirt from her roots and place her in a box. The box will be put in the root-cellar where its dark and cool. This is our second year with this plant and she had babies about 5 new shoots.


Everyone who comes in the driveway always asks about it.
Next spring we will try again to see if she'll grace the corner of the house.

It was 28 last night and most of the plants got some frost bite.
I'm hoping a few of the hardier ones are still good to harvest.

SHE'S BACK...after a summer internship at Epcot.

We're celebrating her return to New Hampshire.

Our daughter on her last day as a Culinary Intern At Epcot.

Leaving was easy, saying Good-bye was tough.
Roommates for a summer.

Niagara Falls, Canada

We stayed at the Sheraton over-looking the falls.
The view was magnificent.

View from the balcony.


Millions of gallons of water come over the falls per second.
You can feel the power of the water when you're there.

Out and about ....the month goes quick.

Gardens in Niagara Falls Canada

Gardens in Hershey PA

Canons in Gettysburg

Cats waiting for our Return.

How the garden grew!

New Tomato patch in the front yard.

Cucs and Zucs with herbs and flowers.

With warm weather and humidity and a little water sprinkled in, the plants grew quick!

Porch interior finished.

Afternoon diversion

Porch Project keeps us busy.

Installing this new Window was easier with the help of
our brother-in-law and the truck.

After insulating the exterior wall, the vapor barrier went on.

The windows are trimmed with simple pine.
4 inch pine bead board tongue & grove went on the wall.
The ceiling has 4 inch tongue & grove cedar planks.

Charlie & Nick ran new wiring and lights were attached inside and out.

This view is from the kitchen.
The old entry door and frame have been removed.
(We took it out to the street and put a free sign on it
and a few hours later it was gone.)

This view is from the porch to the kitchen with the new window
installed where the old door was.
The guys installed cedar shakes on what would have been the
exterior of the house before the porch.

Now it's my turn: Paint and Stain.
White wash on the bead board, exterior paint color on the shakes.
The cedar ceiling we are going to leave for now and see if it will gray naturally.
When I'm done spilling paint, the guys will come back and install oak flooring.

Morning walk with Maui

New door and window on porch.

New door location.

Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron in the side yard.

Maui takes a walk every morning before I head off to work.
One of his favorite stops is the cat-mint for a quick nibble.

The Muzzey Rose Bush in all her glory!

Roses and Renovations

This rose bush planted long ago by the former owners; the Muzzeys, is like a gift from the past. Last year I think it had one or two blooms. I cut it back hard in the fall and gave her a new trellis and a little food. She has thanked us by providing 50 plus blooms this year.


The renovations are in full swing. The new screen door above goes into the basement. Another place for the indoor kitties to view the chippys and now much easier to bring out the laundry to hang on the line. We customized the size; 10 inches off the top and fit the cross piece back in and restrung the screening. I added heavy wire cloth to the bottom in case one of the cats tried to scratch their way out.
Something is missing!? We are making the back-porch into more than just a hallway. Down came the ceiling, off came the paneling on the walls, up came the rug and tiles on the floor and lastly the door and storm windows gone.

The plan: put in insulated windows and door, rewire this whole end of the house (that includes part of the kitchen, the garage and out-door lights), new beadboard ceiling and walls and then lay down hardwood floors. Oh yes, we'll be building new temporary stairs because we are moving the door location. (The deck is next year.)

Bits of Boston

Where did the month of May go?