Squirrels in the Sunflowers

{sunflowers in vase by my friend Liz Vigoda}

When we lived in our city house years ago, I couldn't plant sunflowers because the city squirrels would chew them off at the base of the stem as soon as the flowers formed.

When Evie decided to plant some sunflowers this year I was happy to see the first large glorious blossoms survive. Then smaller sunflower buds started branching off the main stem and we had lots of flowers, and a constant stream of cheery flitting goldfinches to eat the seeds.

And then a bold squirrel found the sunflowers - and chewed the plants off at the base of the stem. I scooped up what was left for the compost bin, but was able to save a few blossoms and put them in vases around the house.

Any suggestions for keeping squirrels away from sunflowers?

Loretta

Consignment Sale Jeans

{26 pairs of kid's jeans, ready for the sale}

Tonight I'm dropping off clothing to a new kid's consignment sale in Albany, New York. Called "Kids' Stuff Consignmnet Sale at DCS", the sale is a fundraiser for the non-profit Delaware Community School's PTA.

A group of Moms decided to hold the Kids' Stuff Consignment Sale at DCS sale after a long-established ten year old kid's consignment sale (The awesome Pass-It-On Sale) in the neighborhood had to move up to the town of Halfmoon, New York.

Kids' Stuff Consignment Sale at DCS is CASH ONLY and open to the public this weekend:

Saturday, September 15 11am-5pm
Sunday, September 16 9am-noon THEN 12:30-4pm everything HALF PRICE
Delaware Community School, 43 Bertha Street, Albany, NY 12209
 "Kids' Stuff at DCS" facebook page

Since kids grow so fast, consignment sales are a great way to outfit your child with gently worn items at unbeatable prices. Did you see that on Sunday after 12:30 everything in the sale will be half price? You can't beat that!

Loretta

What Brocolli looks like when you go on Vacation - Flowers!

{Yes. it's brocolli!}

We came back from a ten day Florida vacation to an overgrown garden. The brocolli has blossomed! And it grew as nearly as tall as me, too.  Those "florets" in the grocery store are little buds waiting to bloom. You can still see some unopened florets in this little bunch of brocolli flowers...

I'm thinking of putting some in a vase when I tackle weeding out our overgrown jungle of a garden... Aren't the yellow flowers pretty? I saw a hummingbird visit them yesterday - too cool!

Loretta

p.s. didn't forget the carrot soup recipe! It's coming up in a new post!