The definition of a weed is:  a plant out of place.  OK.  These are my weeds:  black-eyed Susies.  They are growing in the walk path, so that means they are out of place.  But to me they are fabulous, and they can stay there as long as they like.  Oxalis, not so much, but I love the black-eyed Susies.  

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

And what could be a better way to welcome summer than a trip to the beach?  OK, we did it last week, but it sure felt like summer.  I loved walking along the beach, up to my knees in the Atlantic Ocean.  

 

Now we can welcome summer in our garden:  day to day.  I will share pix as the season moves along.  There is always something fun happening in the garden.  Well, to me anyway.  

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

Dads come in all shapes and sizes.  Here's my favorite.  

 

I'm sure you have your favorite.  Let's show 'em some love today.

 

 

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

 

We were in Nags Head for three sunrises, and we saw all three of them, from the beach.  We walked the two blocks to the beach at 5:30 AM!!  and watched as the sun rose out of the Atlantic Ocean.  

 

It was so great to have shells in our pockets and sand in our toes.  I can't wait til the next time.  

 

 

HAPPY TRAVELS!!!

 

 

 

We are home now, but you know we couldn't go all the way to the Outer Banks and NOT get a picture of THE SIGN.  

 

Of course you've seen the one just inside the NC/Tennessee border that says:  Manteo NC 563.  Well, the counterpart to that sign is in Manteo.  And since we were so close (10 miles) we HAD to get a picture of it.  

 

You're welcome.

 

 

HAPPY TRAVELS!!!

 

Look how healthy our cilantro is.  I planted the seeds in early March, and this is only about 5 plants;  aren't they gorgeous.  

 

You can see cilantro leaves at the base of the plants, and flowers at the top.  It is all edible, and we eat the leaves and flowers, but the best part is the seed.  The seeds are called coriander, and they get dried and put into jars in the spice rack.  We grind some of the seeds in a coffee grinder, and then add that to everything.  

 

Fresh, dried, ground, it's ALL GOOD.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

The apples are growing.  And they are a little too big for the squirrels to carry off.  So maybe we'll get some this year.  

 

These are Golden Delicious, and they really are delicious.  The deer usually get the lower ones, but we keep our fingers crossed that they will leave us a few.  I'll let you know.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

This is my patch of lemon thyme.  Karen invited me to come over and dig up some thyme that was taking over her garden.  That was about 5 years ago, and mine just keeps spreading too.  Last winter it got a little sad, and big areas died off, but I trimmed out the dead stuff, and it came roaring back.  I love it.  Thanks, Karen, for sharing.

 

The best time to harvest most herbs is right before they bloom, so I'm keeping my eye on it for flower buds.  Then we can harvest and hang little bunches in the kitchen.  Lemon thyme adds both lemon and thyme flavors:  it is awesome.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

I hope you remember to fly your flag today.  

 

Here's a link to The Farmers Almanac for a little bit of history and flag etiquette:

 

 https://www.farmersalmanac.com/flag-day

 

 

HAPPY FLAG DAY!!!

 

This is last year's Mullein in the driveway.  Like ox-eye daisies, Mullein establishes a rosette of leaves the first year, and blooms in its second year.  Unlike ox-eye daisies, it gets huge!!!!  This plant is almost as tall as I am, and the base is at least 10 feet around.  I LOVE IT!!!!  

 

So, of course, last year when the old one went to seed, I walked all around the yard shaking the seed heads.  And, this year we not only have this big one in its bloom year, we have lots of little ones all over the place.  

 

Here is my driveway:

 

 

Baby Mulleins coming up all over.  And just think:  next year they will be 5 feet tall, and 10 feet in circumference!!!!  I love my life on the mountain.  We have lots of space to grow whatever we like.  OK, maybe we will weed some of them out.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!