what were they thinking????

I think the photos say it all. At 8 am Mark went out and took some garden photos for me. The top photo shows how beautifully the rhubarb had recovered from the poodle assault.

The second photo was taken at 11:30 am. Stupid dogs.

a new adage

Back in a post on April 29th, I shared a saying with you.

An African saying that translates:

"When the elephants fight, the grass suffers."

I told you that at our house, we said it slightly differently:

When the big dogs play, the grass suffers.

Well, as of yesterday, we have a new saying:

When the big dogs and the small chipmunk meet,

the rhubarb suffers.

I can't even show you the chipmunk. It was too sad.

new blooms

Isn't this little blue anemone cute?? I ordered blue and white anemone when we were at the Keukenhof. When they came last fall, I planted them in several places throughout the garden - I think I ordered packs of 25 of each color. Over the winter, I was at the Breck's website and looked at their anemone - zone 6!!!!! Oh-oh. So I wasn't really counting on them making it - but there are several coming up. So fun.







These are the tulips by the side door - the one where I planted 10 bulbs - 10 came up last year. And then this year... well, actually two so twice as good as I was predicting. I didn't get the pansies planted, so they're just hanging by themselves. Kind of cute little blooms - and the foliage is burgundy striped, so that's cool. But next fall I have to remember to get some other bulbs planted here.

Here are my new hyacinths in bloom - I think the yellow must be a little later because all I have so far are the blue. The name was Delft Blue - they smell wonderful, of course, and are very pretty.

This is another species tulip - very, very tiny - the leaves are similar in size to scilla leaves. I think these are adorable. Several up, but only a couple in bloom so far. They take a beating - they're planted along the fence, so whenever the dogs have to check out what the neighbors are doing they run right over these. But I guess they can hold their own! This is the second year for these guys.

And look how much the rhubarb is growing. The temps have been great here - looks like we'll get some rain today and we really could use it. I expect lots of things to just pop - grow several inches - after it rains. We put the lake pump in yesterday, but I'm glad I won't have to use it right away. Lake water is great, but nothing beats real rain.

And I leave you with my pontoon. It's a beater boat - 20 feet long, basic interior. I wanted something the dogs and I could take out when Mark is traveling. Something so they could get out of the sun, and I could easily get back to the dock. This is perfect. Last summer it was used several times for an afternoon with girlfriends, sisters, and neighbors - a day of food and drink, floating on the water, and lots of gabbing. It might not look like much, but it is FUN!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PATTI! A day late - but I hope you were camping and horseback riding all weekend, and won't get a chance to check this until tonight anyway!

more tulips

Patience is a virtue, right? Wish I'd had a little yesterday! Today there are 4 more tulips open, and they look a lot better than the one I posted yesterday. They are really short this year - the cold weather or rabbits? Or maybe old age - I've had these tulips a very long time.

Anyway, scilla looking great and first tulips are shaping up.


Look how nice the rhubarb is coming - looks very healthy. There are tons of things coming up - the delphinium is really tall already - lookin' good!

We put the pontoon in the water this afternoon - the dogs are so happy to have "their" boat back. They came scampering down the dock and jumped on when I brought it in. Spoiled little monsters!

Oh - French this morning, and Nadine showed us how she makes her bread. It is so yummy. Of course, she is a non-measuring cook, so trying to tell us how much and measuring it all out was pretty funny! I'm looking forward to trying it this week - one of our homework assignments is to report back on our bread attempts this week. Think I can handle that! Susan brought almond biscotti today - yum! I am totally enjoying this - but I guess I'd better come up with something to share too!

Happy Birthday, Anni!!! (sorry - forgot to add that when I first posted this!)