some random pictures...

I took a whole bunch of pictures the other day... most of them were pretty random shots from around the yard and of the cats. Here are my favorites

This is our "observation deck." We built this deck so we could sit and look out over the swamp. We recently moved the bench we made for the deck to our fire pit area... so I moved my little bistro set onto the deck. The lantern thing on the table was 30th b-day gift from our friend Allison. The first night I tried to sit out there with the citronella lamps going... a storm started to roll in. It got really windy, really quickly. When a large tree limb fell close to where I was sitting, I decided to call it a night and go back inside.



I know that I have already posted pictures of a hydrangea in bloom. Well, that was a hydrangea I got for my birthday last year. This picture is of one of four hydrangeas Mike and I planted the first year we were in the house. Anyway... this is the first year that these guys have bloomed!!!! Mike and I are very excited...we had all but given up on these guys!



I love this picture! It is a close up of an annual I recently planted. I don't normally plant annuals. Put I fell in love with these when I saw them at walmart. I bought three... Once I got them in the ground, I wanted more! Of course, while I was at walmart again last night... I couldn't find any of these. I guess everyone else liked them too!



This is Mr. Froggy... he has been hanging out in our pond the last few days. Well... I guess he could have been there longer, but I recently cleaned the pond out and now we have clear water...instead of yucky, murky green stuff. Anyway... I thought this was a good picture of Mr. Froggy.



This is our hanging basket... her name is "Minnie # 3 or 4". We got a hanging basket back when we lived in our townhouse in Salem. It was the same kind of flower... a bacopa. Anyway, we named her Minnie b/c of the small white flowers. We have since gotten quite a few re-incarnations of Minnie throughout the years. This one, I got on clearance at Lowes. It looked as if she hadn't been watered in a few days, so it was marked down to $2.50!! Well... with all our experience from all of our other Minnie's, I knew that a good healthy watering would liven her back up! I used some fish pond water on her...and look, she is already flowering again!!
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The next two pictures are of Milo and Emmy playing. I particularly like the look on Emmy's face... what a little stinker she is! Milo is such a good big brother... he is very gentle while playing with her.



The whole time I was taking pictures of Emmy and Milo playing, Lydia was in the basket watching. It took me a while to even realize she was in there. Of course, as soon as I started taking her picture... she got out. Oh well. At least I got one good one.


And lastly... a picture of my monster man Mustachio! I sware it feels like you are picking up a lead brick when you lift him up (and I am someone who owns a lead brick (seriously, I have one) and they are heavy!!).

Pie Iron Recipes -

To follow up on yesterdays blog about camp fire pies and pie irons... Yes, I did buy one! a double pie iron! Unfortunately it was just too darn hot yesterday to make a fire and try it out (or at least that is what mike said... I said, it is so hot outside, we really wont notice the heat from the fire!!). Anyway... in addition to the pie iron, there was a pie iron cookbook!! yeah, they actually have a cookbook for this sort of thing!! who knew... and, as many of you know.. I have a thing for cook books, so I had to buy it too! I am really wanting to try the peanut butter and marshmallow sandwich!! mmmmmm....

anyway... here is a site that has a bunch of recipes for pie irons.

Pie Iron Recipes - Chuckwagon Diner Outdoor Camping Recipes

Tipsy...

The vet called... Tipsy's ashes are ready to be picked up. At least they (the cremation company) now provides urns... I requested a black one for Tipsy (the choice was black or white). Lexi came in a plastic box which made a sad situation that much worse... luckily Mike's parents were able to find an urn from their work for her (one that matched Wheezie's ...only a little bigger, which was certainly appropriate). Ok... enough rambling... just wanted to let yall know....

camper pies

ok...since not everyone is familiar with camper pies, or camper pie irons. here are some pictures and a description. I have a lot of fond memories of making camper pies. We used to make them as a treat in our wood stove! some bread...some pie filling...yummy! Top it off with some powered sugar and it is a great treat! They now make a double pie maker! Which is what I think I will get...why make only one pie at a time when you can make two!! And... as you can see by the picture, you are not limited to just making pies... I am anxious to try a grilled cheese sandwich!!




Camp Chef Cast Iron Pie Cookers
Campfires just became more fun with these cast iron sandwich ovens. Simply insert a slice of bread, add your favorite filling, top with another bread slice and close the iron. Cook over a campfire flame, in the hot coals or over your Camp Chef burner. Fun and easy.
Total Weight = 3 lbs.

Makes Delicious Toasted Sandwiches, Pies, Grill Cheese, and Treats
Fries: Potatoes and Eggs, Hamburgers
Grills: French Toast, Sausages, Steak, Sloppy Joes
Bakes: Rolls, Pies, Corn bread, Biscuits
Toasts: S'Mores, Breads, & Camp Treats

Heavy Cast Iron for even heating and long lasting durability
Unique design seals in the Flavor

our new firepit...

Here is a picture of our new firepit! Of course, this is not our actual firepit, but rather a picture off of the Target website. We dug ours into the ground a little bit and put some big rocks around it...so it has more of a built in look. It is much bigger than our previous little fire pit and we have already roasted hotdogs and marshmallows on it! I am thinking of picking up a camper pie maker tonight from Plow and Hearth.

Pictures from around the yard...

A view of the house at dusk...


My new green and yellow variegated iris! A birthday gift from my friend, Karen. She got herself the white and green variegated one...so we can exchange them once they are big enough to divide. It has purple flowers.


Some sort of sedum (another purchase from my hosta hunt!)


My 30th birthday hydrangea from Dr. Aceto.


Some gerbera daisies...my favorite flower! I have orange, yellow and pink ones ...and I just added some red ones to the mix. I have been really lucky to have most of them come back every year! Some are 4 years old now!!



My first gladiolus bloom of the year. I planted a bunch of bulbs a few years back and have had some flowers every year, but never any red ones! So...these were quite a surprise! I can't wait to see what else pops up. We got a good bit of rain last night so I will probably have a few more things in bloom this afternoon.



My stella's ... which are in much need of being divided once they are done blooming.


The last of my azalea blooms. This little guy has been moved around the yard about a half dozen times and continues to thrive...actually he likes all the spots we've put him better than where he was when we moved in!


My new fern... A japanese painted fern. Another purchase while hosta hunting...and quite a steal at only $4!! Like I said before... I really like this new garden that we found! So beautiful... and much more reasonable than the larger greenhouses or nurseries in the area.

hosta additction...

As many of you may remember, my co-worker and I recently went on a "hosta hunt". We actually ended up going to the same garden two fridays in a row... taking another co-worker with us on the second trip. Such a beautiful place to go... and, my co-workers now have me addicted to hostas too!! While they each have over 20 varieties... I am not quite there, but working on it.
Here are some pictures of the hostas from around my yard.


Francis Williams (a great bargain at only $2 each at walmart!!):


Guacomole (another walmart find from a few years back):


Golden Tiarra (this one is a hardy little bugger that I have divided quite a few times):


Some of the hostas near our little goldfish pond:


Ginko Craig (I was able to get quite a few plants out of these two pots and planted them around the back of my house near the hot tub).


Fan Dance (I planted this near the pond... I really like this little one and I am hoping it does well so it can be divided)


Abba Dabba Do (it is the hosta on the left...don't know what kind is on the right. they are planted in front of my clematis, again...near the pond).



This little guy is Dream Weaver. Hopefully he wont stay little for long. I am really excited about this one. I have him outside my front door in the new bed we made when we put in the retaining wall.



Praying Hands (this one was planted to honor my mom and baby Rachel, and all the prayers that have been said for them.) This little guy was named b/c the leaves look like hands lifted up in prayer, he should get a bit bigger.


Gold Standard (planted in amongst my pachysandra...which has finally taken off and is going bonkers!):


I have a few others...I have previously pictured the hosta with the white center...which we have decided is Undulata Variegata (an oldie, but goodie). I have some that resemble "patriot" ...standard green with white margins and then quite a few all green ones. all of which have come from co-workers. One of the all green ones has been frequently referred to as the "crazy mutant hosta" b/c of how big and vigorous it is. Here are a few of my unknown hostas...