Wordless Wednesday – July Garden Update

The star of the garden – the arch!
What’s dangling inside the arch – pole beans
One day’s harvest
Kabocha squash blossoms, with bees hard at work
Close up of pollen-coated bee
Results of the pollinators’ hard work
Gifted to me from a neighbour – orange daylily
Purchased pink daylily
Black cap raspberries (done now, for this season)
Black currants (harvested and dried at this point)
Swiss chard, cherry tomatoes, butternut squash and cucumber plants
Potted herbs and flowers
Close-up of borage
Figlets
Monarda
Marigolds peeking out from under the squash
Last but not least – zucchini!

Rock on,

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – Critter Fest At The Creek And Beyond

It’s been very hot and dry here and the family has been walking to the ever-shrinking creek nearby, to cool off. When Bowzer’s daddy and siblings are involved, there will be critters found!

First up – a froggy friend getting a ride on Daddy’s shoulder:

Next up: a crayfish was found (and quickly released).

Bowser got brave and worked on his swimming skills (not his favourite activity, but needs must at times 😉). We were all very excited to see him actually swim in case you couldn’t figure that out 😂:

We went to our favourite tree, dubbed the Magic Tree. It seems a bit other-worldly, with all those exposed roots in the water. So many little fish love to hide and swim among these roots:

Bowser loves climbing on this tree to better watch all the water shenanigans.

Although Bowser is not a fan of swimming per se, he loves exploring the shallower parts of the creek.

Here he is, crossing the creek where it is shallow enough he doesn’t have to swim (always his first choice!):

We eventually made our way back home again, but it didn’t mean the critter fest stopped. Bowser’s big brother (henceforth to be known as The Snake Whisperer) found the most beautiful little snake in my garden. Who was quite content to wrap him/herself around his hand and observe us all. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree – just saying!

All this exploring and critter-talk makes a body tired:

We hope you have some fun this weekend, and also take time to rest.

Rock on,

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – Looking Pretty

Bowser here. Oma has been pretty busy the past couple of weeks so I’ve had to stay over at Mommy and Daddy’s more than I am used to, during the day. There have been big white trucks in the front yard and strangers over at Oma’s. Here is a picture of me looking good at Oma’s – she just washed her kitchen yum-yum room mat and I am decorating it.

Not so Patiently waiting for you, Oma. Let’s do something fun please. At least drop something tasty!

Oma asked me to show you what she has been busy with.

It’s behind that solid door in her entry way. The entry way is currently in the process of being renovated as well – Oma

Here are the before/in-progress photos.

And here are the photos of after.

New ceiling lights

Oma is so happy! She says now she has another useful room in her little house.

Can we play now Oma?

Bowser says he hopes you have time to play this weekend. Oma says she will be busy painting the entryway.

Rock on,

The Bowz 🐾

The Sunday Schauzer – Patio Life

When I bought my new patio furniture I knew I was going to get a lot of use and enjoyment out of it. I didn’t realize how much someone else would enjoy it as well.

Guess who hogs the best seat in the house?
I ask you: who can resist this face?
Cozying up to Donna.
These snacks are for Book Club. Book Club is for the PEOPLE who have READ the book. Capisce, Bowser?

We hope your weekend is filled with snacks and lounging in the shade.

Rock on,

The WB

What’s On Your Plate Blog Challenge – Donna-Approved Edition

Donna came over to my house last month (surprise, surprise), one of several visits actually. I forget why or what we were doing this particular time but I don’t forget what I made for lunch! Or was it supper?! 🤣

My daughter had served me this meal previously, and I not only thought it delicious but perfect for my mostly-vegetarian friend and co-host. Here is the recipe: Instant-Pot Mujadara.

I would describe this lentil and rice dish as comfort food that is easy to prepare, and quite healthy (as opposed to most comfort foods 😉). I think you could spice it up easily, if you wanted. For my first time making it (don’t you love how I make my guests my guinea pigs?), I made and served it exactly as the recipe stated. I don’t know who I am anymore either. I made it the day before so there would be less time in the kitchen and more Donna-time.

Lentils soaking.
My favourite brand of brown rice, measured out and ready for the rice cooker.
Sauteing the onions for almost 30 minutes. I stopped at about 21 minutes as I was afraid they would start to burn. Also, I was damn sick of hovering over the pot and constantly stirring.
Looking plenty caramelized to me!
Reserving half the onions for a topping.
Finished dish – ready to go in the fridge, for heating and serving the next day.
Plated with yogurt, lemon, and salad. Fresh herbs from my garden top the salad, and the mint leaves came from there too!
Donna approves of this meal. She even had seconds!

That’s what was on my plate in June! I’ll be adding this recipe to my repertoire, especially for the colder months. Please join Donna and myself in sharing what was on yours, either in the Comments or via the Link party (if you wish to link your blog post). 

Rock on,

The WB

The Sunday Schauzer – Family Trip

Last Sunday the whole pack went on a road trip to see Bowser’s “other” grandparents for their birthdays (only 1 day apart!). Grandma Judy suggested we go for a walk on a trail she had discovered nearby.

Did someone say walk? Ready for action!
Bowser’s other grandmother points out our route.
This trail has spectacular views.
Waiting for us to catch up.
Bowser trying to figure out how to get down to the river.
Bowser says it is important to stay hydrated!
Friends were made on the walk.
Hurry up, you guys!!!
Checking out the street forest art on some abandoned buildings along the trail.
Post-hike Bowser. Chillin’ like a villain.

We hope your weekend has some fun walks and some chill times too. Happy Canada Day long weekend, to my fellow Canadians!

Rock on,

The WB

Garden Update for June

Warning: Picture-heavy post!

Pole beans and squash in raised beds:

Wind chime that followed me home from the Butchart Gardens gift shop:

My tea/herb garden this year:

Hostas and lupin that emerged this spring:

Planted a foam flower in front of the bird bath. Hope it does well in its new home:

The black currant I planted this spring:

One of the two elderberries I planted this spring:

One of the 3 bare-root black raspberries, also planted this spring:

My fig tree (new to my garden) – which looked for the longest time like a bare stick planted in a pot – is now leafed out and (gasp!) growing actual figs:

I bought a patio set for the new patio and pergola. Very comfortable and doubles as an outdoor dining space (long-time readers may recognize the dick pillows):

I have not forgotten to make my garden magical at night. These are solar colour-changing dragonflies (a gift from my landlords, for Mother’s Day last year):

Solar lantern on the patio table:

Fairy lights (also solar), under the wisteria:

And my most stunning solar light, in front of the black currant. Weighted down with a cool rock I found on Bowser’s Secret Trail:

Close-up of the light in action:

Full-effect of this particular solar light. Isn’t it stunning?

Stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses. Future plans include enjoying the harvest, building 2 more raised beds, and creating a fire pit space!

Rock on,

The WB

A Garden Is Born…

…And like most births, it was accompanied by long hours of sweat, pain, cursing, and some blood loss 😉. I will let the pictures do the talking for the most part, as this is going to a very picture heavy post of the backyard transformation at my new home.

Map of my backyard as it existed in early March, with proposed patio sketched in. I’m not a fan of all the straight lines, but I’m going to work with what is already in place so much as I can…for this year at least. The vibe will be mainly kitchen garden.
Garden in early March. Can you spot a certain someone in the yard? The long unbroken wall of siding is the side of my daughter and SIL’s place.
View of garden from corner near patio door. Bowser in shot too, natch! Those are bricks I dug out of the ground, in front of the Pit of Doom. This backyard has provided a few surprises like that.
Another Before View. I had to remove all of the irrigation tubing from where my SIL laid it last year, as my garden will have a different configuration.
Taken from the cedar deck. Ever the impatient optimist, I am already bringing home shrubs and plants!
Bowser is playing with a squeaky ball. One of the first things I did was power wash the siding, the little cedar deck, and the extra concrete slabs I revealed when digging. Another surprise!
Modest 2023 Garden goals. Spoiler alert: CRUSHED ‘EM!
I decided to start with only 2 raised beds, for growing pole beans and what-have-you (yet to be determined at this stage).
My SIL enjoying his successful install of the cattle panel arch. Thank you, Kevin!!!
My SIL also did a superior job of laying patio stones for me!
Beginning to work my way around the perimeter of the garden, laying cardboard to kill weeds, and then topping with bark mulch. The fern is a volunteer that I don’t have the heart to get rid of.
Bowser inspects the laying of the cardboard and the bark mulch. The Trench of Doom (that I am trying to fill up with compostable materials) is in the background . I have already planted my blackcurrant, black raspberries, and elderberries at this point.
Wheelbarrow load by wheelbarrow load, I am covering the yard with cedar chip mulch over cardboard. It took close to 40 loads. The hosta and lupin in the far right came up this spring. The daylilies at the back were a gift from my neighbour. There are herbs planted in the pots. The birdbath followed me home from a trip to Buckerfield’s Country Store 😉. On the left in the back is rhubarb and a hydrangea.
Weeds pretending to be lawn Lawn be gone!
Pergola assembled and in place; many thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Retirement Reflections for the help!!!!

So that’s it for the bare bones of this garden. The next garden post will be what it looks like now!

Rock on,

The WB