cat lady

I had been planning to make a rustic looking coffee table for my deck for some time now- in my head it will be paired with this couch even though it is far out of my price range. Some day. So I had some flaky white painted wood (which has been sealed so they can't chip it off btw) and for some reason that I can no longer recall decided that I should make a channel for grass in the table. I think it was originally to make the pieces of wood I had work out better. It then occurred to me that the cats would like it (they are grass fiends and there isn't any in the yard) and I added a second planter for catnip. It has turned out to be such a successful cat table that I don't really get to use it much. On the bright side this (so far anyway) has cut back significantly on the sitting in/on potted plants that was starting to be a problem. So everyone is happy. Now if only I could get that couch...



***Update*** I added directions hopefully they make sense.

grilled corn

Grilled corn with cilantro butter, chili powder, queso fresco.

fried squash blossoms

sempervivum

I have been obsessively collecting sempervivum (hens & chicks) since I was a teenager. I don't actually know how many I have anymore... hundreds. I am not even sure how many containers full I have at this point. My very first one was a hollow log that I made my little brother drag out of the woods for me when we were kids. I still have it and it's going strong 15+ years later. I have been noticing them getting trendy lately-- I guess I was ahead of my time. This is one of my favorite dealers... I have been known to pinch cuttings whilst on vacation too. If only I could afford to convert my house to a green roof it would be on. So on.

early girl

This little early girl tomato fell off while being transplanted.

easter eggs

Yeah... I still dye easter eggs like a toddler. Then I take pictures of them! I keep meaning to experiment with natural dyes, but I never quite get around to it.

Stout Float with chocolate covered pretzel...