Bottle Tree

For a few years I have been wanting a bottle tree. Apparently it is a Southern tradition to ward away evil spirits. I've seen artistic creations for sale for lots of money and creative homemade models that require a lot of wine bottles. But no more dreaming-I gathered all my unused colored cases and strung them from copper wire and hung them in my trees. Money spent =nothing!

Hot hot hot

It is hotter than Hades today. In fact we seem to have broken a record at 102 degrees. This little guy seems unglazed by the heat as he wandered around our local park. Slight cool down tomorrow-temps in upper 90's!

Cherry season!

Sour cherries are in---and in limited supply because of the warm-then cold-Spring. So we bought several quarts, added some sugar and bathed the concoction in vodka. Which caused a little controversy. I asked Dan to pick up some vodka on his way home but specifically said "Not top shelf". He came in with a pricey bottle of Belvedere but his reasoning was that because it was 5 dollars cheaper than Gray Goose it was "middle shelf". Oh well---all the better for our Cherry Bounce.

Toad Hall

I guess the Fairy Garden is now known as Toad Hall. There was a suspicious little hole in the ground and upon further inspection, there was a pair of eyes looking out at me. And nestled inside-next to the Fairy cottage was a little toad!

First harvest

The first taste of the first vegetable from the garden is always the sweetest! Almost too pretty to eat but these beauties went into a salad and their old garden spot has been replaced by radish seeds.

Fairy airport

Not to be outdone by me, my Honey has installed his own Fairy Garden--or rather a Fairy Airport! Complete with runway and plane. And he was rather sly about it---trying to direct my eye to where it was so I would be surprised! And I was surprised---and delighted.

Remnants

When I hear Remnants I think of fabric and half off sales of unwanted bolts. Whenever I pass this sign on the Slippery Elm bike trail I think of Little House on The Prairie and then fabric. Calico faded by the sun and made into sunbonnets. Sunbonnets worn by Melissa Gilbert as she tells Ma and Pa how much she loves them. Oh--and on this remnant prairie there is a forgotten fruit tree or two with some old fashioned perennials
. Probably planted by Laura Ingols Wilder. Or not.

Little Big League

Another Friday nite at the ball diamond. A double header and luckily the may flies haven't made their annual appearance out of Lake Erie yet. Now we are home and dusty but let the weekend begin!

Baseball weekend

Yesterday we traveled to a beautiful town in Ohio called Upper Sandusky. Not to be confused with the city of Sandusky which is above Upper Sandusky-but that is another story. We went to see Dan and Matt play in 3 vintage baseball games and then treated ourselves to barbecue ribs in New Riegel Ohio. I grew up hearing about the deliciousness of New Riegel barbecue and they lived up to the hype. Part of the appeal, to me, was the sweet mannered Golden Age Gals on the wait staff. And the generous portions will make for a good lunch today. A great day in the Buckeye State