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!

Leftover Carrots

{Making Carrot- Sweet Potato Soup from Farmer John's Cookbook}

 When we're camping, how can we come home with so much food? I'll blame all the guests who show up at the dock bearing grocery bags! We had four pounds of extra carrots after our camping trip and I had to turn to my favorite carrot soup recipe when we got home.

 

The recipe calls for roasted cashews. So good! Just toast unsalted cashews for a few quick minutes in a pan. It's a pureed soup, so I like to make it ahead of time, put the pot in the fridge, and puree it when the mixture is cold. It's too hard to wrestle with hot mixtures and a food processor - especially with a double batch!

 

{No rows here - just a big clump. Broccoli above it!}

Pictures of finished soup and a recipe coming in part II! Here's the little carrot patch in our garden.

Loretta

Potential Photographs for my New Book...

{lichen on an oak tree}

{daughter Rosie climbing}

{a pinecone among fallen leaves}

I've been going through YEARS of photographs I took to find the perfect ones to illustrate the new book I'm writings, Eco-Happy: Three Steps To An Earth-Friendly Life.

It's been fun to look at images I've taken in the past to see if they capture the moods I'm hoping to portray... Obviously, years ago I never thought I'd be writing a book, so photographs I took in the past then that fit the theme are so serendipitous!

I think it's actually harder to have a book in mind and try to take photographs for it! But, while in Lake George I shot a bunch, hoping to get what I needed. Here are three photographs I just took on my last vacation that might make the cut - which is your favorite?

Loretta

p.s. Ericca, this is for you!

Vacation!

{Vicars Island, Lake George}

This past weekend my family just got back from a two week vacation in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.

We camped at Vicar's Island on Lake George, this photo shows the blaring sun rising above the foggy clouds on a morning where it rained at night. I love nothing more than sleeping with gentle sound of lapping waves and waking up to bright birdsong...

How was your summer vacation? Or have you not left yet?

Loretta

One Hundred!

bathing beauty - my grandmother Honey

My grandmother Geraldine, or "Honey" as we know her is 100 years old. 

Happy Birthday Honey!

Loretta