Our Exciting Announcement

Marilyn and Mike
are pleased to announce their engagement
on December 15, 2007.
A spring marriage is being planned.

December 16, 2007 ~ Deep in "Hibernation"

Snowstorm, December 16, 2007

Hi Folks,
We sure miss our garden and posting our progress!
But it is Canada, not the tropics, so there are a few months of "Time Out" every year.
Hope all your plans for Christmas are going well.
From our home to yours,
Have a wonderful Christmas holiday,
Marilyn and Mike

Pleasant Surprise!

When we took over what little flower garden was inherited when taking possession of our new home in late July, we found the few plants around here had been sorely neglected. This was understandable since we too had just devoted our lives to packing for a couple of months, throwing most other activities to the wind.
Up on the east end of the berm was a pathetic, flowerless and almost leafless little rosebush begging for water .... the berm is well above any water table and unless it rains Noah-style around here, those plants will probably always have to have some extra water.
We deadheaded the plant completely and cut it way back, hoping to save the little guy.
Our efforts have been rewarded!
This is the first flower it has produced for us, photographed this morning. What a show!

Common Garden Scene Around Here

All summer and fall this has been one of the most common garden scenes at our home.
You'll be working away and suddenly get that feeling that someone is staring at you.
It happened for the umpteenth time early this morning, but unlike the hundreds of times before, this time I finally had camera in hand to capture the moment.
Ruffy will come up behind you, drop one of his four dozen tennis balls we have scattered all over the garden, (see the end), and stare at you, probably thinking you have eyes in the back of your head, know he's there, and will pick up and launch the ball for him to chase.
He's not very patient. If you don't react in a minute or two he'll start to whine, then bark, until you drop everything to play his game.
Ruffy lives for tennis balls. As a housewarming gift in July we found a deal for a few dozen balls at Giant Tiger for less than five bucks. He was in seventh heaven the day we opened the pack and threw them all over the garden. No matter where he is, he now has a ball at the ready!

For those New to this Site: Meet Dennis!

Keeping QEW Traffic Safe Once Again!

First Twilight Back on Perch

This Time He's Locked and Secured

If you are a faithful reader to this blog you know about our gnome and his temporary demise into our town's overflow flood area.
Today he was placed once again on his perch, but this time with a set of plastic ties, doubled to be safe, all wired through holes drilled clear through the cement wall.
All the King's Horses and All the King's men would be extremely proud!
There was one final thing to do: baptize him with a name, for until now he was just The Gnome.
The solution was in the concerned E-mail from our Town's brown truck driver.
On Saturday, as seen in an earlier post, Dennis from UPS was concerned with his whereabouts, so we feel that will be the most fitting name for him.
From now on he's Dennis the Gnome!

Reply Back to Our Sister-in-Law in Saudi Arabia

Thanks so much on your Gardenmania! comments. They are much appreciated!
Glad you liked this weekend's happening with Mr. Gnome.
We'll have him back to his post soonest to keep Dennis, our UPS driver, and all others transversing the QEW, safe and sound.
Love
Mar and Mike

What a Great Growing Year!

Wowwee Kazowwee! and Holy Smokes!
Is this a great year for growing, or what? It's mid-October and we're still picking tender fruit!
Here are some of the cherry tomatoes we just picked in the garden for tonight's supper ....


.... and they are still flowering!!!!


... or is it perhaps the warmer clime in the Niagara Region? Is anyone else still picking tomatoes?

Saving Mr. Gnome, (A Movie NOT Coming to a Theatre Near You!), with a Funny Ending

For the several faithful readers of this site, being family and friends who are enjoying our garden's growth from afar, this weekend's 'happening' will kill you.
You'll remember Mr. Gnome from many posts ago, which we acquired from a hardware store in St. Catharines, with the stipulation to give him a good permanent home.
He's quite short, but being made from cement weighs 60 to 70 pounds, (except after dark when rumour, as in our daughter Ali's conjecture, is that after we fall asleep, he does come alive and plays in the garden).
He was placed atop the cement wall at the back of our property which separates us from the bustling of six lanes of the QEW and four more lanes of Service Roads.
Facing these ten lanes, we decided his responsibility in life was to now watch over all the drivers and keep them safe.
Little did we know how fast he was to become iconic in other people's lives!
Early in the week Mar's Mom Ruth asked, "Where's Mr. Gnome gone?"
Hmmm. Was my daughter right????!!!!
I've heard of Gnome's being stolen, but this one would be tough.
On the other side of his high wall perch is our town's 30 foot buffer zone, fenced and locked, with a huge ditch full of rocks, plus trees and brambles galore. I think it is a flood prevention overflow thingie ... hardly a safe place to transverse to grab a gnome.
Our yard is fenced and locked ... who'd want to trespass from our side?
Hmmm ....
Every day this week Ruth was asking where he was. Her bedroom window is closest to Mr. Gnome's perch and we suddenly realized that this joke to us was now more significant to her: Mr. Gnome had become part of her routine, seeing him perched, watching traffic, had quickly become one of those daily things that become truly iconic and habitual with those her age, seeing him from her window had become a comfort to her.
Where was he!

Mr. Gnome Before the Fall

Suddenly mid-week I realized where he must have gone.
Even at such a weight he must have blown off into the town's property during one of the high wind storms we had experienced a few days earlier. Standing on a bench and peering over .... there he was, lying on his back in the grass on the other side. (To tell you the truth, he looked very cozy and relaxed! ... and as grumpy as ever ... he does have a very dour face.)
But how to retrieve him??????
I did not relish calling the town and asking for the key to their storm overflow area to retrieve a gnome. People have been taken away in white coats for less!
I could not leap that high wall in a one bound ... my gymnastics agility garnered at Royal George High is now totally a fast fading memory. From the other side it has to be a seven or eight foot return climb, with zero foot or hand holds, so that was the LAST option.
Suddenly, on Saturday morning, I had it! Lasso him just like a cowboy would grab a steer!
So with a ladder, rope tied like a lasso, and a long rake to push the rope around his neck, up to the wall I went.
I did not realize Mar was following me with camera in hand.
The event is recorded for all to see.
But it all came to a very, very funny ending! Mr. Gnome has evidently become an icon in other people's lives too! ... as you will see at the end.
So here's a pictorial of the rescue and be sure to read the ending ....

Showing My Best Side!

Mr. Gnome Home Again!

The Victory Dance, a la Rocky

Several hours after the rescue, all at home were now relieved to know Mr. Gnome was back and in one piece, especially Ruth. At least that's what we thought.
Later in the day we got an E-mail from the United Parcel Service delivery man, (Dennis is known by ALL in town and he knows everyone even better!). He drives any one or all of those ten lanes many, many times a day.
It said simply, without even a signature, "Where's your wee man on the fence?"
Even professional drivers know what is now REALLY keeping them safe on the QEW!
Better get him back up there asap, this time with anchors!

Gnome Sweet Gnome!

Look what Mar brought home as a gift for me last night!
Bonus .... it's a solar powered unit!
The two little mushrooms light up at night, powered on the back by the little solar panel, as seen in the last image.
Now where shall we put our new little guys ....
Thanks Mar!

Bluebeard ~ Our Latest Arrival

Our New "Baby", Bluebeard

A Bluebeard as found on the 'Net

Yesterday, when I went through the very, very down-sized Home Depot gardening department on the way to another, I saw this poor little underwatered guy marked down to a paltry three bucks. How could I resist such an orphan!!!
Wowwee kazowwee! On arriving home and researching what he is, (LINK), I was very excited to see that next year he will probably be a very exciting addition indeed!
Don't these surprises make gardening much more enjoyable!

Images from Atop the Berm

My son Michael was looking through Gardenmania! and suggested I post a few angle shots from atop the berm, giving another perspective of the developing garden, its pathways, plantings, etc.
Great idea and here they are!

That Should do the Trick!

Here's a shot of the east end of the garden as at today, taken in the late afternoon sun. What a difference from being just a patch of grass on July 23rd!
On the right is the new brace that is now almost complete, built to hold back the section of the original retaining wall we just noticed was starting to cave forward. That should do the trick!
It also nicely offsets the stones forming the rhodie garden, bringing a nice balance to this section of the garden.
Up the centre of the new brace you can see the stones which have been strategically placed to form a stairway up to the "bird sanctuary", Ruth's feeder and the bird bath. The cardinal couple we posted earlier last month were here all morning using the facilities. (Why haven't they gone south?) The male spent the entire morning jabbering. Guess he was staking a claim to the garden.
Going up these new stone steps is fine, but it is quite steep for a down trip; but that's okay, there are four other return routes. Doesn't stop Ruffy though ... if he's after a ball he scoots down them no problem. Scruffer is the wiser old dog and, like us, takes an alternative flight down.
Hmmmm ... maybe a railing would be a good project for another day ......

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Here's a closer view of the new brace/steps:

Everything a Man Could Want is Right in this Picture!

No gardening today!
We had a beautiful, quiet, and intimate family Thanksgiving supper this year.
Most of you know our family ... Ruth, Ali, Mar and Michael ... and guaranteed Scruffer is under the table.
For those of you thinking I have a heck of alot on my plate, all I can say is they are VERY small plates ... hahahaha.
.... and I had pumpkin pie and whipped cream after that!
Better walk a few miles .....
Back to the garden tomorrow!

What a Thanksgiving Day ~ Hang the Weather Forecaster!

Weather predictions have bounced around this week like a billiard ball.
As of yesterday, today's clime was supposed to be in the 60's and very rainy, so we did not plan a stitch of gardening.
Well right now it is 81, sunny, hot, humid and we just put the turkey in ... nothing seems balanced with the norm!
Oh by the way, that beach is not near here ... it's the weather that is tropical at this moment.
BUT! Guess there is a cold mass lurking nearby ... now thunderstorms are predicted!
Just might end up being turkey by candlelight only! ...
Happy Thanksgiving All!

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To Our American Friends
Yes, you are in fact reading correctly, it is indeed our Thanksgiving.
We have ours well before yours in order to get the best turkeys.

One Door Closes, Another Opens ...

With the poor weather conditions some fall garden chores were put aside, (who wants to dig in mud ... not us or Scruffer), but HALLELUJA!!!!, look what I found!
In lieu of being in the garden, I was driving past a massive new housing project up on the mountain. Although not one house has been started, the streets have all been shaped and some curbs have been poured. There were no barriers set up for the long weekend to keep anyone out so I decided to have a look ... and so glad I did!
Rocks!
Tons of limestone rocks!
I drove up and down the newly plowed streets through what were cow pastures just a few short weeks ago and picked up rocks like apples off a tree.
One door closes and another opens ....

So Much for a Bright and Sunny Thanksgiving Weekend Forecast ....

The garden needed it, but why couldn't the rain wait till Tuesday!
The long range forecast from the beginning of the week called for a sunny weekend in the 80's, so we had all kinds of things-to-do planned for the garden.
Oh well ....

The Lighter Side of Gardening! ~ "Suburbanites"

GOD: Frank, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is going on down there on the planet? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honey bees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colours by now. But, all I see are these green rectangles.

St. FRANCIS; It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers 'weeds' and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.

GOD:
Grass? But, it's so boring. It's not colourful. It doesn't attract butterflies, birds and bees; only grubs and sod worms. It's sensitive to temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?

ST. FRANCIS: Apparently so, Lord. They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn.

GOD: The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy.

ST. FRANCIS: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it - sometimes twice a week.

GOD: They cut it? Do they then bail it like hay?

ST. FRANCIS: Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.

GOD: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?

ST. FRANCIS: No, Sir, just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.

GOD: Now, let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow. And, when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?

ST. FRANCIS: Yes, Sir.

GOD: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work.

ST. FRANCIS: You aren't going to believe this, Lord. When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.

GOD: What nonsense. At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn, they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. It's a natural cycle of life.

St. FRANCIS: You better sit down, Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and pay to have them hauled away.

GOD: No. What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter to keep the soil moist and loose?

ST. FRANCIS: After throwing away the leaves, they go out and buy something which they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.

GOD: And where do they get this mulch?

ST. FRANCIS: They cut down trees and grind them up to make the mulch.

GOD: Enough! I don't want to think about this anymore. St. Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?

ST. CATHERINE: 'Dumb and Dumber', Lord. It's a story about....

GOD: Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story from St. Francis.
Thanks for sending this to us Sue!

In Full Bloom for Thanksgiving Weekend

The mums Gloria and Don donated to our happy garden are now in full bloom, right on time for turkey, stuffing, homemade cranberry, and pumpkin pie & whipped cream.
Bring on the Weekend!

Hello Sunshine!

We have planted our new baby Royal Purple Smoke Bush on the berm in front of "Bruce", our 'first' locust.
Boy, is it ever digging the sunshine rays bringing unseasonably warm temperatures here in the Niagara .... the themometer hit the mid 70's today, and the predicted highs for the next three days are 77 for Saturday, 79 for Sunday, and then 81 on Monday!
What a Thanksgiving!

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Here's our newest acquisition taken from another angle. In the background you can see the bird bath, and further back, next year's project ... our planter box love seat.

Let the Good Earth Begin!

"Now Accepting all Dumb Cats, Eh!"

Today Scruff helped us install our composter in the far west corner of the garden, against the berm. (You can see how exhausted he is after a job well done.)
From here in the coming years it will be just a few feet from the vegetable, (read cherry tomato), garden ... handy to keep feeding the crop for our table.
That reminds me! We must run to the local farmer's market for a couple of bushels of squash before it's too late!. They only charge about 12 bucks a bushel and they'll keep fine in the root cellar, (after being washed), until February.
Yum pass the brown sugar and cinnamon please ....

..... from our E-mailbag : from Edmonton, Alberta

The Wild Rose
Alberta's Official Flower

I want to tell you how much I enjoy watching the progress you and Mar have made in your garden. It's a remarkable undertaking and coming along quite nicely. I am so jealous of the warm temperatures you people are still experiencing and which ultimately let you enjoy your blooms so much longer.
I have a huge yarrow plant, deep pink or purple in color. It started out as 2 meager stalks transplanted from my niece's garden. After only 2 summers I was able to divide it into 3 plants. It is one of my favorites. When my eldest daughter was around a year old and just beginning to talk, her word for water was "yarrow"...no idea why...so it holds a special sentiment for me.
My other favorite is a the prickly pear cactus. It blooms every summer, either late June or early July, but only for a few days. I don't do anything to prepare it for winter. It just slumps over and collapses but perks up again every spring. If it can survive an Edmonton winter you should have no problem whatsoever.
Happy gardening!
Linda
(Nantel)
Linda also grew up in our home town of Greenfield Park, Quebec and attended good old Royal George, (before our gardening days), a high school we hold with lots of memories.
(Hey Linda ... I'm not referring to you as the Wild Rose of Alberta! hahaha)

The Lighter Side of Gardening!

We Have a Purple Smoke Bush!

Here's Our Latest "Baby"

Here's its Mummy in St. Kitts

Recently when Mar and I met Lynn & Marv in St. Catharines, we commented on how much we loved their Royal Purple Smoke Tree, (Cotinus Coggygria 'Royal Purple', for the technically-inclined botanists among you), and that we were planning to acquire one to add some foliage contrast to our mix.
The young one is green, but the foliage does become a beautiful burgundy.
They kindly said they would unearth one of the babies spouting beneath it and yestersday we drove over to pick it up.
Now we must find the best place to plant it ... it is a very showy specimen, especially when it flowers, which look like clouds of smoke.
Thank you Lynn and Marv!

Our Ladybug Has Come Home!

We put this ladybug over our front door when the children were 5 and 3. She sat there for 12 years.
We have missed her ever since we moved.
This morning when we looked out our window, there she was!
She has come to watch over our home and garden once again.
Welcome Home Ladybug!

Problem Solved?

We inherited a four foot retaining wall which runs along the berm for almost the full width of our back yard.
Previous owners had decorated it with hanging juniper which looks great, but until this weekend, was also hiding a future catastrophe.
The section seen in the image above was falling forward!
This is probably the result of improper drainage behind the wall and years of winter freeze and thaw slowly pushing the wall forward.
After staring at it for a few days, wondering what to do, we have come up with what should be a solution.
Last night we started a new project not only to save the wall but also to create a quick route to our budding bird sanctuary ... the feeder and bath.
We ran out of rocks halfway through the job but so far there has to be at least a ton of rock and clay backfill making up this brace.
Now that should do the trick!

Welcome Dominican Republic!

Your visit today represents 26 countries which have come to visit our garden!