Sweetshrub "Aphrodite" has large cerise blooms that smell like apples

Summer Garden Heats Up (Six on Saturday, 6-30-18)

One of the best shows so far has been a one year-old sweetshrub that I sensibly protected with deer net.  It has been sending out these beautiful cerise blooms on last year’s growth.

A brick path, set on the diagonal. leads through leafy green plant borders

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens: Finding Diagonal Lines

If you have a chance, visit this magnificent manor.  This is one home and garden tour worth your time.

You Can Survive (and Thrive) on a Vacation Off-the-grid

It was warm and sunny during the day, and cool at night.  We didn’t need heat or air conditioning.  This is a huge energy saver.

Summer Winner: Cucumber-Lime Craft Cocktail

Fresh lime juice has no substitute, so don’t even go there. You won’t regret the extra effort!

pink petals with cream triangles in the center, and rust-colored freckles decorate the lily

Lily, We Love You! Six on Saturday, 6-23-18

Yes, I have been teased about my urn planters sporting cherry tomato plants.  That’s okay, though. I’ll enjoy popping those sweet, sun-warmed tomatoes right into my mouth while I sit on the deck reading the latest thriller.

Snap peas and broccoli mixed into cooked red quinoa.

Quinoa and Veggie Salad Is Healthy, Easy, and Delish

This quinoa and vegetable salad is really easy to make, and you can use whatever vegetables you prefer, or that you have on hand.

Full bodied red and white wine glasses

A.Joann a Year Ago This Week: “Choosing The Best Wine Glass”

In the end, what really matters is that you find what pleases and brings enjoyment to you.

It’s Not Me; It’s You — Table for 5

My sister-in-law pinned this down perfectly! Cars, people, dog poop. Ah, summer in the city.…

shadows of skinny, fat, and in between sized women

Why You Should Watch “Dietland”

Dietland delves into sexual violation and exploitation of females, and the story is not pretty.

A ruby-throated hummingbird feeds at a traditional red hummingbird feeder

The Buzz on Hummingbirds

Don’t be fooled into thinking that you need to purchase “hummingbird nectar,” or that it must be red. Neither is true.

Siberian iris is a deep purple-blue

June Garden: Six on Saturday June 2, 2018

We walked over to the footbridge he had recently built over our little creek.  There, quite clearly, where the large paw prints of a bear.