Category Archives: The Garden

Kentucky Derby, The Garden

Of Hats and Horses

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We so look forward to the first Saturday in May, and the fun in Louisville in the couple days before. And this year, no rain in the forecast!!

We took Kayla and JR to their first Derby. Not only are they terrific traveling companions, but they really got into the spirit. We landed Thursday afternoon after a very smooth flight. I so appreciate a very smooth flight! Anne and Scoot scooped us all right up. So good to see them both again. And it’s off to lunch at Doc Crow’s.

I’m not sure what JR’s sandwich was called, but I know it had a burger, pulled pork and something else towering inside a burger bun. I also don’t know how he managed it, but manage he did. That’s a young man with a good appetite.

Then it’s off to the hotel to unpack, chill out before the night’s festivities. Since I was coming off either a nasty cold or seasonal allergies, I took a nap. Then roused to change for Club Night, hosted by the perennially fabulous York Sisters, Tonya and Tammie, who founded and run Unbridled.

Great venue, big bar, comfy seating, music. And best of all, familiar faces. One of the best things about this weekend is reconnecting with what’s become our Derby family. We have a table upstairs, and there’s a buffet, another bar, and a dance floor. Eat a little, drink a little, and it doesn’t take long before that dance floor’s put to use. All girls at this point, and I join in that fun.

Back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep as Friday is a big day for all.

Anne picks up Kayla and me at ten, and Scott will gather our men shortly for their Oaks Day at Churchill Downs. BW has my bet on the Oaks race—Lilies for the Fillies. Spoiler alert—my losing streak on this race held once again.

The rest of us are off for mani pedis, at the lovely Bourbon and Blush. Fun place, happy energy, and we leave with pretty fingers and toes.

Lunch is at Guacamole, so that calls for a margarita. They have a whole menu of them. I planned to go for a traditional, but our server insists I try one of the fancier ones. I’m glad I listened! Relaxed and fueled up we head to Rhodes for a little shopping. It’s always nice to see Beth, whom I’ve worked with there for years.

I score what will be one of my favorite easy summer dresses—with pockets!—a scarf that’ll work very well as a wrap for my gala dress, and a bit more.

Back to the hotel where Anne tells me the owners of Bridleberry Leather Tack want to gift me  one of their fabulous bags. Who am I to say no to that? Their selection is simply gorgeous. No way to go wrong here. Now I have what will surely be my plane bag when we go to Italy this summer. And on many other trips in years to come, as the quality of the craftsmanship is as gorgeous as the style. These bags are beautifully made.

I will absolutely treasure this gift, and put it to excellent use.

Up to the room to take a few breaths. JR texts Kayla some pictures, and our men look sharp!

Time to fiddle with makeup, hair. Then men arrive. Won some, lost some, and had fun doing it. BW reports that JR caught onto the betting protocol quickly. I’d expect no less.

We all glam up. Kayla looks just lovely in her pink gown (with jewelry borrowed from Nana’s Treasure Box). JR’s pink tie is a perfect match.

Anne’s arrives, also glam, and it’s time for some photos before we go down, meet up with Scott and make our way to the ballroom. Red Carpet first. Kayla and JR have that first experience, and handle it with style.

People to greet, people to hug, and doesn’t everyone look fabulous! As always, I have to check out the silent auction items. Lots and lots, and it’s all for charity. Blessings in a Backpack is one of the main organizations, and one I’m always happy to contribute to.

Get a drink, get our table. As the powers that be decided to change the hours on Oaks Day, with the big race late in the evening, the clever York sisters have a big screen where the race will stream, and a loaded buffet as a plated meal just won’t work as well.

We’re seated with the lovely and talented Danica McKellar and her husband. BW was a huge fan of her Winnie in The Wonder years. She’s entertained me many times with holiday movies during my wrapping marathons.

The always incredible Crashers get the music going. It’s a wonder to me they’re also able to back the variety of music stars—country, pop, rock—who headline the night.

Meanwhile, I’m watching my bids—don’t want to leave empty handed. We walk down to the Photo Booth for some silly fun. On the way a we see the other activities provided. Karaoke—and the obviously well lubricated duo singing are flat on every single note. Just makes it more fun! And Silent Disco. So you see people with headphones bopping, boogying in silence.   

I win my auction item—what it is, I’ll keep to myself for now as it’s a gift.

Definitely time for bed. The Big Day is only hours away.

Up and at ‘em. Time to get pretty. I’ve gone with a fascinator this year, and discovered it doesn’t want to stay in place. So I make use of one of the pretty hat pins the clever Kat made me. Works like a charm!

Kayla went pink again, and with her straw hat and trailing ribbon is pretty as a cupcake. The men look handsome and ready. My dress is so, so comfortable, shoes, too, which is a kind of miracle. Since the forecast warned of a very cool day, I’ve brought a topper. And I need it.

And here’s Scott to drive us. It’s always a smooth ride with Scott at the wheel. There’s already a good crowd and we wind our way through, then up to our floor. Happy to see Kim, our long time server. Sorry Amy, another long time server, had a conflict. As always, I have to go out on the terrace and just look. It’s such a beautiful track. I’m so happy to be here again, and to be able to share it with my girl and her boy.

Place my first bet, settle in. I’ve already decided on my Derby horses. I pick one for each family member as well as for me. We bet, take pictures, bet some more. I start out in the hole, but that’s going to change. And it does.

Lots of people to see, take pics with. Danica and her husband are at our table today, too. Lots to talk about. She’s just delightful.

Nora and her table mates.

And love to see all the finery, the clever or gorgeous hats. And best, to watch those magnificent horses run. Especially when one of mine comes in!!

The day whizzes by, and it’s time to bet the big one. I bet on a gray, of course, but on a number of others. Including for Jason and me, Golden Tempo, as his trainer would be the first female trainer to win the Derby.

Pano by BW.

Logan’s horse scratched, so I pick another for him and me. Great White suits him.

The energy rises, it just buzzes. We all crowd out onto the terrace. Time for My Old Kentucky Home. Almost before you can blink, they’re loading the horses in the gate. And just before he was loaded, Great White spooks, throws his jockey and flips. Fortunately, neither horse nor rider were injured. But again, Logan’s scratched, and no time to pick another for him.

And they’re off. I always forget who I bet on, what number to watch because, God, they’re just magnificent. And the sound, a wall of sound from the thunder of hooves to the roar of the crowd.

But I do see the horse, back of the pack, weaving its way up, and up, and up. Honestly I started rooting for him before I realized—#19, Golden Tempo! He weaves, weaves, passing horse after horse, and comes neck-and-neck with the favorite who has the lead. The riders of these two horses happen to be brothers. And at the finish line, #19, by a neck!!

Cheers, applause. A hell of a race. Seriously breathtaking.

And when I check, I see I bet, across the board, at 23 to 1. A very nice payoff for Jason and me! And as I’d also put a bet on the favorite, across the board. A little something for me and Logan’s Lauren.

We stay till the last race, saying goodbye to Derby family, and home we go. Anne delivers pizza, which is perfect!

Sleep like the dead. Wake up, pack, organize, dress, and off to the airport. More goodbyes to Scott and Anne, and hope to see them both next year.

A smooth ride home, unpack, and pretty much crash.

A pretty much perfect derby weekend—though Louisville? Maybe a little warmer next year.

I had my second shingles shot scheduled for Monday afternoon. And unlike the first, which was nothing, this one put me in a coma for two days! LOL. Slept, slept, slept.

Then, speaking of hats, it was Girls Night Out in Boonsboro. So much fun, and this year the theme was hats, with a contest Kayla and I judged. Such creativity and cleverness. We just couldn’t pick one, so Natoma at Gifts, who set this up, let us award smaller prizes for second, third and honorable mention.

All the entries.
Nora and Kayla with the winners.
A closer look at the first place hat.

I wish we could have awarded everyone, as they all deserved it.

Now I have some time for regular routine. Then!! It’s Girl Spa Week.

Nora

Nora also sent some photos to give an update on the garden:

Bird bath and rhododendron still life.
Knockout roses abloom.
Columbine blooming amid the pavers.

grandkids, Nora at home, The Garden

Finally Spring

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Can’t quote The Beatles because it wasn’t lonely, but it’s been a long, cold winter. I’m very happy it’s over.

Right before we planted, and after a week of 90s, the temps dropped—collapsed for a night where it fell to the mid-20s. My poor yellow bells came up too fast and felt the brunt. I have to get out there and prune off the damage.

Otherwise, we made it.

As usual, BW and I hit Sunny Meadows hard. Their wide selection is always so lovely, so well maintained. We filled the bed of the truck, stuck more in the tub BW keeps in the bed, had a flat on the floor at my feet, and another on the seat between us.

Whew! (Then BW stopped in Boonsboro for another flat and a half an impatiens, a few more begonias and some rosemary at the excellent Cronise Market.)

No foxglove for me this year. They got swamped during that 90s week and just ran out. So I substituted, and this year I’m trying some different things in different places.

The best? Spending two entire days digging in the dirt, placing plants, shifting, deciding, arranging. Beds first, and that was a full day. And so worth it.

I’d already soaked and planted nasturtium seeds, and this year some sweet peas. Fun to see those starting to pop while I planted our truckload.

The second day, finish a few spots in the beds, then focus on pots. If my count’s right, that’s over 30 pots! BW’s clever idea was to half bury a broken one, then plant something at the mouth of it. I like it!

I have one more to do yet—some dianthus in a pot BW can see out his office window. But currently our front is dug up as the crew hunts for what’s probably a broken pipe in our septic tank. Finding it’s been an ordeal. And I’m trying not to think about it! And remind myself, the rest looks just great.

I’ve already enjoyed some walk-abouts, and get my smiles seeing how those seedlings grow, how the bedding and pot plants soak up the sun.

Cooler and some rain today, but I have inside activities. Sunday family dinner tomorrow to celebrate Logan’s 22nd birthday. He requested his Grandda’s flank steak and his Nana’s roasted potatoes, roasted carrots. Since Kat and Kayla can’t eat the steak, I’m trying my hand at risotto. Going to make that today, to be sure it doesn’t suck, and tomorrow, since Logan’s not fond of cake, I’m going to make his fave chocolate chip cookies to go with the ice cream cake for everyone else.

Then, on Thursday, we head to Louisville for Derby! We’re taking Kayla and J.R.—their first time—so lots of fun for a long weekend.

Then it’s back to work and gardening, along with Girls Night Out in Boonsboro, our Girl spa week, a shopping spree for Kat’s birthday (doing it early this year), a family week at Nemocolin. Then . . .

Our big summer trip. Ten of us are heading to Italy! A few days in Milan, then two weeks in Lake Como. I’d say I can’t wait, but I really do just love springtime in the gardens. And I have a book to write! So I’ll enjoy it all as it comes.

Hope your spring (or fall for those in the Southern Hemisphere) brings you a lot to enjoy as it comes.

Nora

girl time, grandkids, Nora at home, The Garden, The Greenbrier

High Summer

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Summer’s been a busy one for me and the family. The girls—me, Laura, Kayla, Kat, Sarah, celebrated Kat’s birthday with a two-day shopping spree, ending at Saks with our pals there.

Our group and the Saks team.

Nobody left empty handed—and we all had plenty of pretty new things to take on our upcoming vacations. *

Sarah and her family were heading to England to see the Black Sabbath concert, tour around London, head to Stonehenge. Laura and her husband flew off for England, Scotland, Ireland—and Mark had a side trip to Belgium.

Whew!!

We had about two and a half weeks in Ireland. Fun, lovely, wonderful in every way. And my daily travelogues are here for anyone who missed them. **

Days after our return, BW and I hosted our annual summer party. We couldn’t have pulled it off without Kat, Jason, Kayla, JR, Logan, Colt. We also got lucky with the weather, and the forecasted rain never showed up. So a full, busy, happy day.

Almost on the heels of that, it was girl time again with our annual week at The Greenbrier. A little work, lots of fun, and plenty of ghosts to make it interesting. ***

Home again to a house and garden, and dogs, who needed some attention.

I’ve had and am having, my usual battle with deer. They got my lilies, again, but I saved my hostas. Although I think maybe our newest member of the garden family helps with that.

Last fall we needed to take down a significant number of trees. Some dead, some learners—and too close to the house and/or lane. We’d had a couple of big ones come down in storms, so needed to deal with it.

BW had the idea to leave one of the stumps standing, at a pretty significant height, in the area across from our water feature where we have hostas and shade plants and pots. His idea: Commission a chainsaw artist to carve something.

This was an idea I could get behind. I wanted a dragon, and found an image I liked. Our clever manager at Gifts, Natoma, knows area artists, and put us in touch with Jason Stoner. One look at his website told me we’d found just the right artist.

He carved the dragon head and body in ONE day, right down to the fine details. After, he ran a torch over it—to strengthen the wood and give it character. Sealed it. And we have a dragon. For the wings, he created them in his shop—one day—came back and installed.

What a talent. This beauty grabs me every time I take a walk. And maybe, his size and fierceness convinces the deer they really don’t like the taste of hostas anyway.

Photo by BW.

At least for now.

Today, I spent some time out there weeding, deadheading. And trying to ignore deer damage. Everything’s blooming and spreading and spilling. All my pots have filled in. The basil which looked very sad when I left for Ireland (so much rain here in May) has not just rebounded but is tall and happy. I have cardinal flowers that self-sowed all over. And I said: Go right ahead, mix it up!

I’m as happy as my basil. I finished a book Thursday, so I’ve had time to take a breath—garden, tidy up and pack.

It’s off again, with the whole family, for a week at Nemacolin—and the last trip of the summer.

Nora

Some details from Laura:

*We also learned about orchids!

** Start here for Nora’s trip. Start here for mine. And Sarah was sad about his passing, but so happy she and her guys were at Ozzy Osbourne’s last show.

*** We had our usual fun time. On the work front, Nora wrote several mornings. We also spent a day filming content: The Q&A for the next season of In Death In Depth as well as one for The Seven Rings, the last book in The Lost Brides trilogy.

Speaking of the trilogy, I’ve been greatly remiss on a follow-up post. I mentioned a mirror at The Greenbrier several times, but on this trip I realized I meant the FRAME of a painting which contains 3-D depictions of implements of war. For some reason, Nora’s idea of snarling animals around the frame of a mirror is much more comforting.

Nora choosing a room service option under the watchful eyes of the boy with war stuff.

We also played with glass. This year we did glass fusion instead of glass blowing. And Griffin was old enough to join in.

The glass creations. Upper row, from L: Nora, Sara and JoAnne. Lower row: Griffin, Kat, Kayla and Laura
Ready for our annual steak dinner.

And in other news: Kat finished that dratted mermaid puzzle from March!

Last Christmas Sarah gave Nora a puzzle that made for a much happier experience at The Greenbrier.

And finally, the happy Black-Eyed Susans greeted us when we returned from The Greenbrier.

Nora’s Black-Eyed Susan in bloom.

dogs!, Nora at home, The Garden

See how they grow

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May decided it wanted to rain. And rain, and rain. I doubt I watered pots a half dozen times through the month. It also decided to sprinkle in unseasonable cool.


But now it’s June, and I’m hoping for more sunshine.

Still, the pots and gardens seem to have enjoyed the rain—except for the basil which looks pretty sad. I hope it perks up.

Warmer weather’s due this coming week, and I’m looking forward to throwing windows open again, and taking walks around outside after work.

Meanwhile everything’s growing and budding and blooming and making me smile. Except when Milo decided to dig in the impatiens, then went at the zinnias. We were able to save most everything, and shame Milo—who really does know better.

I only have to point at the destruction, put on the Mom face, use the Mom voice: Did you do that??? And he hangs his head and slinks away. Then I shun him for the rest of the day, which for a dog who craves his humans, is a hard lesson.

Milo’s thirsty! – Photo by Nora

He came out with me today—Atticus opted to stay inside as it’s still pretty damn cool out—when I took pictures. Since The Incident, he’s behaving himself.

BW’s in charge of sprinkling dog repellent and spraying for deer. So far, except for The Incident, we’ve had pretty good luck.

I thought you’d enjoy seeing the progress since the April planting. I don’t think I’ll fit in another gardening blog before we leave for Ireland later this month.

If the sun’s shining where you are, hope you can get out and bask a bit. I know I’m going to.

Nora

grandkids, Nora at home, The Garden

Buds, Blooms and Blossoms

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Finally, after April decided to revisit February, it regained its sanity and opened the doors to Spring.

BW and I took our annual trip to Sunny Meadows to load up the pickup with plants. I find this nursery absolutely magical, so many beauties, so well tended, smiling, happy faces everywhere. And everyone who works there is so helpful.

After that lovely experience, we haul it all home. My first job is to start laying it all out, standing back, considering, adjusting as necessary until I’m pretty happy with the plan.

Now, let’s get dirty! It’s physical work as well as creative, and I really do love every bit of it. Good thing, as this stage took hours—and netted me, without a visit to my gym—23,000 steps. Whew! Now everything in the beds, and the flats waiting to be potted, need a good drink.

Up the back drive.
A close up.
The top of the front drive.

And so do I! So I pour the wine, and take a nice, long walk around. Very satisfying.

But we’re far from done.

We’re having family dinner on Saturday for Easter, so on Friday, I make the fan fave deviled eggs, get a workout in, then it’s time to build the pots and planters.  I have many. I have many of many. Some for the patios, some for the walls, some to fill in beds until perennials take off, and some for the shady areas.

I love figuring this out. The thrill, fill, spill, what colors and shapes work well for any particular pot. And because I workout—and lift weighs—I can handle hauling pots into place until BW gets home to lend a hand.

Milo poses with the pots.

This is another full day, with some overtime.

Give everyone a drink!

Saturday, workout, bake a pound cake—my mother’s recipe and another crown pleaser. Since I’ve got some flats left, let’s haul out more pots!  Go inside, put the ham in the oven, go back out and plant some more. I’ve just planted the last begonia when Jason and family arrive.

Griffin helps me water pots, then his mom waters him, to his delight. Jason helps BW with some outside springtime work. Kat peels carrots, I prep potatoes. Make the glaze for the ham. And when the rest of the gang arrives, we’re about ready for the feast. That is, after the big Easter egg hunt. I already know where the eggs are as Griffin, who helped hide them, has taken me around to see if I could find, and if not, to tell me.

Later, when it’s dark enough, I walk Griffin out to see all the fun solar lights. My friend JoAnne added to my collection last Christmas with a plant stand that’s a stump-shaped faerie house. Griffin’s fascinated when I tell them all these things light up at night so the faeries can see to play.

Note from Laura: the fairy stump is on the right. Will make sure we get a lit up photo over the summer.

I’m up early enough on Sunday to take a walk around, take pictures for the blog. Much cooler as it will be through the week, but still springlike. The air smells of sweet allysum and heliotrope. Ahh.

Before he leaves, Griffin has another piece of cake, and tells me it’s the bestest cake in the world. My mother would be delighted.

So a very happy, very satisfying, very productive extended welcome Spring weekend for me. Now I can look forward to seeing how my gardens grow.

Nora

dogs!, Nora at home, The Garden

Stepping Into Fall

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It’s here, so might as well embrace it. It’s coming on time for boots and sweaters and reading by the fire. Time to cook up weekend soups and stews, and admire the show my surrounding woods will put on.

My garden’s getting ready to go to sleep, though I still have plenty of bright spots. The nasturtiums, after struggling all summer, are finally spilling and blooming. I have a whiskey barrel of impatiens that continue glorious. While my basil pretty much failed—some critter enjoyed most of it—the rosemary, thyme and oregano are champs. I’ll be harvesting soon.


BW and I added a couple more solar lights and wind spinners by the water feature. Gives the whole area a nice glow at night.


Milo continues to be a big, energetic puppy. Except when he and Atticus play each other into a coma.


We had family dinner last weekend, always fun. Then I had a quiet, work-focused week to follow. I should have another couple of those work-focused weeks coming up. Then a big chunk of the family heads to New York for a week.

That means plenty of shopping time, and my goal there is to finish a bunch of Christmas and fall birthday shopping. Also time to hang with my pals—and editor and agent—see a show, visit the big toy store with Griffin, maybe a trip to the Central Park Zoo. Gotta fit a foundation meeting in there.

I’m hoping for pretty fall weather while we visit, but we’ll take what we get.

Meanwhile, in my work-focused weeks, I’m visiting New York in my head, a few decades in the future. It’s always fun to toss a dead body at Eve and the gang and see how they ferret out the how, why and who.

I hope you enjoy the change of seasons—the fall color and crisp air,  or for those in the Southern Hemisphere, the bloom of spring.

Nora

PS. But wait!

After I embraced fall and switched out my summer clothes for cooler weather stuff, I took a walk around outside. And saw this!

A friend divided her toad lilies and gave me this a couple months ago. She’s a fall bloomer, and she’s got her first flower of the season. Plus more buds. I’m so delighted! One more thing to embrace.

A quick note from Laura:
I’m still holding on to summer but will be in NY with Nora for all the fun fall stuff.

grandkids, The Garden

How they grow

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Twenty-two years ago this July, I took my first look at my first grandchild. I still remember my first thought: Oh, my long-legged, lanky girl. She was so tiny, but oh, those long legs! She was my first girl. I had brothers, I had sons. I’m so grateful I’ve had the chance to watch her grow into a long-legged, lanky, lovely young woman.

Last weekend, BW and I drove down to High Point, NC for Kayla’s college graduation. Let’s get this out of the way. HORRIBLE drive. I don’t know how our girl managed to make it as often as she did over the last four years. Trucks, trucks, trucks everywhere!

Was it worth it? Oh yes, and then some.

The campus is simply gorgeous. Such a wonderful environment for the students, faculty and staff. No wonder she loved it. We stayed in the hotel on campus, and that, too, was lovely. Friendly happy people everywhere—much better than trucks!

We had a great time Friday night at a reception, then out to dinner with our grad, her other grandparents, her mom and younger brother. Joined a little later by her guy, JR. Fun, casual restaurant with good, southern food.

Normally, they hold graduation outdoors, and early on Saturday. But the rain wouldn’t quit. So they worked hard, held two ceremonies in their big auditorium. The first for those getting a Bachelor of Science degree—that would be JR—Congrats, JR! (We lived streamed that one.)

Then that afternoon, those who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree—that’s our girl. Who graduated summa cum laude. Talk about working hard! You don’t get straight As for four years without putting in all you’ve got. Add smart and strong to the long-legged and lanky!

We couldn’t be more proud of her.

Lovely ceremony, with a warm, personal touch despite the size of the graduating class.

Kayla’s maternal grandparents rented a house off campus, and we had a fun party—and finally got to meet JR’s family. Now I know why he’s such a sweet, warm, loving young man.

Despite the rain, and excluding the drive (!) an absolutely perfect weekend.

And fortunately, the drive back on Sunday wasn’t nearly as awful.

Milo was so happy to see us, he tried to jump in my lap—I drove the last leg—before I got out of the car, and did the same with BW. Atticus, equally happy, has a little more restraint.

Our house/dog sitter reported she woke up about three on Friday night, and discovered Milo in bed sleeping beside her. LOL. This we don’t allow, but I guess he thought the new human would.

No, get in your own bed.

Meanwhile, the gardens are growing and blooming and giving me a lot of pleasure.

Thirty years ago, BW and I planted a wisteria. It never bloomed. No matter what I did, year after year, nothing. At one point as we were adding onto the house, we moved it. Thought the shock (I read to treat them rough) might inspire it. Vines galore, but no blooms.

We hacked at it, yanked it out as it tried to take over. It wound itself up a couple trees, and we gave up. Over the years, we were satisfied to see maybe a handful of blooms way up on the tree.

Thirty years later, I look up. OMG! Countless blooms dripping down, a fountain of that gorgeous purple. No, a waterfall. I don’t know why it suddenly decided to put on a show, but it got a standing ovation.

In the beds and planters, things are putting on their own show. Weekends have been rainy—and we’ve had plenty of rain during the week, too. I’ve only had to water pots off and on. I’d be more than happy to if the rain would just quit for awhile!

Our water feature sprang a leak in the liner. That meant the crew had to take it all apart, replace the liner, rebuild it. Well, they built it back better! I’m thrilled with it, and love it’s all done as the yellow flags start to bloom.

Religious spraying has, so far, kept the deer at bay. Also Milo barks at them, gives chase. I’m knocking wood that I’ll actually see the day lilies bloom this year.

Since we’re having yet another cool and rainy Saturday, I’m going to make soup. I’d rather spend time in the May sunshine tending my gardens, but I’m not quite dedicated enough to weed and deadhead in the chilly rain.

So soup it is.

We had Girls Night Out in Boonsboro on Thursday. What a crowd—again despite the rain. It was great to get out and see readers again. We all signed for over three hours, so whew! I managed to get into Gifts before the event started, and planned to breeze around the others shops during the evening. Well, that didn’t happen! Thanks to everyone who came out on a cool, rainy evening to see me and the other authors, who explored the town, the shops and restaurants.

And a fun bonus for me? Both Logan and Kayla worked the event. Yes, see how they grow.

Then.
And now.

Whatever the weather in your world this weekend, I hope you find something to enjoy.

Nora

grandkids, Nora at home, The Garden

Wonderful, Glorious Spring!

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It came early in my part of the world. A full two weeks. Generally I earmark the last weekend in April for planting. But the weather—long range forecast—said start now! My tulip magnolia bloomed for St. Patrick’s Day.

Crazy.

My ornamental cherry trees have just bloomed off, and it’s April!

So BW and I took a Friday, and hit the nursery. Oh, boy! Everything looks so pretty, so ready. Of the scents, the textures, the colors! We, of course, filled the bed of the truck as always. In fact, BW had a big tub in there, and plants went in that, too. So many pretties.

He had other things to do elsewhere after we got home, so we unloaded, I set out, changed my mind, set out another way. Then I started digging.

We have a new tool. It’s called a Rotoshovel, but I call it Magic! It’s like a big battery operated auger, just press the button, and you have a hole in seconds. I’m in love. I couldn’t have done so much so quickly or easily without it.

By the time BW got home, I had a ton in already, then together we put in more. Much more than I’d assumed we’d do in a day.

So, so satisfying. So, so pretty. I wanted heliotrope and Dragon Wing begonias, but the nursery wanted at least another week for those in their growing house.

No problem. I know where they’re going, and can save that space.

The next day, I filled pots. Lots and lots of pots, all before the family arrived to celebrate Logan’s 20th (!!!) birthday. He’d requested flank steak—that’s Grandda’s deal. I did the sides, and make the requested chocolate chip cookies as he likes them better than cake.

A fun time for all, with lots of Griffin/Nana play in there.

Sunday, I sent Kat and Jason home with a ton of Black-Eyed Susans I’d had to dig up, and some Solomon’s Seal that wanted to migrate where it didn’t belong.

We had rain almost every day the following week, and the new plants loved it.

Then today, with the heliotrope and dragon wings, and the dozen day lilies I asked BW to add to the list, I got on it.

Now everything’s in its place, and looking happy.

So far, Milo isn’t pulling a Parker and digging up plants. We hope that holds.

Oh, last weekend we kept hearing a Barred Owl in the middle of the day. We ended up following the call, and spotted him—BIG bird—in a tree near the house. We hear owls all the time, but we’ve never spotted one so close to the house. Just up there, calling for a mate.

Since we haven’t heard or seen him this week, I hope he found his girl and moved into her place.

Now, a week after that initial planting, everything looks happy. Things are budded up or already blooming. Filling in and filling out.

Nothing’s quite as happy or gratifying for me as a garden with happy, healthy flowers. It’s worth every bit of the time and effort as now I walk around, or just look out a window, and see that color and life.

If spring hasn’t sprung early for you, I hope it comes soon!

Nora

cooking, Nora at home, The Garden

Fall into Fall

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While I’m grateful it’s mostly stayed warm enough to keep the windows open, summer’s definitely over around here.

Things are still blooming—more grateful—and I’m snipping a bit here and there to have some pretty in the house.

For the most part, my nose has been to the grindstone, and no complaints from me. Working hard on the second book of the new trilogy—the first book, Inheritance—will hit next month.

I’m having fun with ghosts!

But this weekend, I’ve been busy around and outside the house. I’ve harvested most of my oregano—chopped it up, froze in ice cube trays for use all winter in soups and stews. Did the same yesterday with basil. Smells so good.

BW requested tortilla soup, so after my workout this morning, I got that started. And decided to make some sour dough bread while I was at it. The house smells so good!

As we’re heading to NY in a few days—BW, me, Kat, Jason, Griffin and Kayla—I spent way too much time packing. Don’t want to take a work day to deal with that, so it’s mostly done.

Our week in NY is pretty well packed as well. But we’ll carve out time for shopping! And a visit to the Central Park Zoo, which Griffin couldn’t get enough of last fall. Laura will also be there, so we plan to do a Facebook Live sometime during the week.

I’m meeting pals for lunch tomorrow. BW points out it’s the first time I’ve left the house since Mexico. I think he may be right, but my response was: And???

Still, it’ll be nice to get out and about for a day, and see pals face-to-face.

Then it’s back to work until it’s time to load it up for NY. Excited to see Kayla on her fall break from college, and have time to play with family and friends.

I hope this first day of October is treated all of you well.

Nora

Nora at home, The Garden

Blooming May

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I’m back on my feet—a little shaky, but back—after a nasty bout with vertigo. Hit Thursday morning, and knocked me flat. I had to miss our Girls Night Out as my world was spinning. Felt like crap Friday, but at least I could sit up. Slow but steady progress, and my first sloooow walk around the gardens on Sunday.

I’m not wired to spend three days in bed, but that’s pretty much what I did.

The walk outside lifted my spirits, a lot.

So much progress with all the flowers—though yesterday’s all-day rain has some heavy-headed.

I managed to mostly pack for our upcoming Girl Spa Week. And have to be grateful the vertigo didn’t strike a week later than it did.

I hope to be back to work on Monday.

But on this Mother’s Day, the sun’s shining and my flowers are blooming. Nasturtiums are starting to pop up, delphiniums blooming, yellow flags showing their color. Everything looking happy and healthy.

And of course, my f’ing wings are in place, right behind the front garden wall by our lane. I think they’ll like it there.

F’ing wings where they belong.

Laura’s out of town for a family wedding, so she’ll post this when she gets home. And before she faces the dreaded scoreboard our clever Kat’s making for our spa week.

I’m going to select and organize the Fabulous Prizes, then suspect I’ll take a nap.

Nora

I’m not home yet, but had a moment to get this set up. Now to take some deep breaths and ready myself for the scoreboard of doom.

Laura