What's a "Looker"?

Well, clearly, anything that's a "Looker" involves the eyes,.... like when you travel and the sightseeing gets out of hand and you announce "that's it....my Lookers are gone!"

Our it could be some fantastic flower, like the Hibiscus above. Our neighbour K gave hers to us when she couldn't overwinter it. I would call the above beauty a real "Looker!".

"That's a Looker" came into our vocabulary in earnest a number of years back when our boat crazy (now drum crazy chuckle) nephew D came to visit. The equally boat crazy Captain, with his own collection of boats, including those (ahem) which could be termed toys, categorized his collection for D.... some were "available" to play with.... others...they were just "Lookers". ...don't touch!! ))))))


So when this beautiful apron arrived in the post as a thank you gift, I knew straight away it was going to be "a Looker" and used sparingly. Embroidered carrots, asparagus and scallion poke out of the denim pockets on a crisp red and cream background...It is truly one of the loveliest aprons I have ever owned. Thanks C...you are very kind and most welcome!

Cherry Brandy Surprise!

It was quite a surprise to see both Rudbeckia Hirta Cherry Brandy plants come into bloom. Was ours mislabeled perhaps, or had there been a mix up when they were purchased? One was just about exactly as seen on the plant label but the other one, is a frilly thing, and an unusual burgundy red almost with a hint of brown (above) but lovely in it's own right. Searching on the web I found helpful advice stating the seeds are being marketed as a red Rudbeckia but the plants that the seeds produce will actually be varying shades of burgundy, brown and purple. I must admit, the single is not the color red on the label, but a purple red (below),... still outstanding though! I like both of these newcomers and maybe in the future we will have a variety reseeding.

Wonder if anyone else had a few surprises with this Rudbeckia?

Robins, Tomatoes and Sunflowers..New Beginnings

It was a stellar day. The Captain came inside the house, early afternoon.."the robins are leaving their nest". Those of you who follow this blog, know the robins nested right above our front door in the Virginia Creeper and for weeks we have been on eggshells trying to be quiet... Well...the first babe flew and landed on the upper deck looking so sorrowful...those early feathers must itch terribly!! Watching carefully for mom..he was not ready to take the big flight into the trees for a few hours yet!!

Mom worked hard finding food and meanwhile both she and dad would land and try to entice this first fledgling to take to the air.


For our UK friends who have their dear English robins,..ours are quite differerent, so I hope you like the photos for comparison.

There were two babes ready to fly, but number two was going nowhere..no not..not flying today..sorry...no..ahem..no!! But by six o'clock..being ignored by the parents..he was perched on the edge of the nest..and finally fluttered down to land on the vehicles..."come on then" the parents said..and away it went finally...SIGH.. Number two sure looks fed up and grumpy))))

Back to the garden..and quite a shock to discover our first red cherry tomatoes...Sweet Million...!! The Chief got one (remember he is in love with cherry tomatoes) and the Captain the other. Two others are ripening further on the kitchen window sill.

When closing the garden gate, I realized, the sunflower the birds (it's always about the birds)))) planted was open...and not just any ole yellow one..but a deep choclate burgundy with bronze tips.


Like I said..a Stellar day...!..new babies, new fruit, new flowers..all good!

Dusk in the Garden

The Seagrass mosquitoes are fierce about nine-thirty at night....so just before the "big bite time", we had a quick walk through the garden.


Whites were just starting to glow...the air still and quiet, birds gone to bed. The squirrels are hunkered down in their nests and thankfully, the loud earpiercing sound of the chipmunks has stopped. Ahhhhhh....bliss.

The pond is our quiet place; we like to sit with our feet in the water during the hottest of summer nights. The goldfish don't seem to mind.

I don't have photographs of the Captain and son, digging the pond with their shovels, or photos of the layers and layers of newspapers they used, placed under the "recycled" (and free) liner with holes we had to seal, and nor do I have photos of the local firemen with their truck who filled the pond with fresh water from a nearby stream all for a donation of sixty dollars...but I have the memories, and the photos while not hard copies, are there in my heart and soul, to enjoy while my toes are wiggling in the water.

The Blight and Carrots

My horoscope said "you could be lulled into a false sense of security in the week ahead". mmmm...maybe I should check the tomato plants once again to be sure all is well...NOT! The dreaded blight has hit! All that rain, and then the heat and humidity...while it's just the German Gold's right now, it can spread so fast to the rest. We accept our fair share of blame however, as those GG's were planted too close together.


So what to do? I hate to use anything on my plants, and I mean anything, even during signs of disease, hoping nature will take care of all. However, this year we are really really hoping to get a tomato crop and so, I sprayed with copper after removing and destroying all diseased leaves. We sure hope that works. It is confusing reading sources who say it's organic... not organic, toxic and kills all bugs..does NOT...says the responder. Sigh...should have had a science degree))))

On a brighter note...The Rainbow Mix Carrots (with a few Purple Haze in this photo) are just at their prime, gently crunchy, full of flavor, and really, in my mind, best eaten raw!

Mango Cheeks, whose blog I follow, has some great recipes for carrots, so if you are looking for inspiration as I am, let me recommend her blog Allotment 2 Kitchen.