i gardened. again.
I cannot get enough of gardening this year! I watered everything, had fresh blueberries and raspberries for breakfast. Wacky Girl made me an iced coffee. I hung out laundry. And more laundry. Then we grabbed rakes and cleaned up underneath one of the rhodys, around (what’s left of) the upright fuchsia, the champagne bush, around one of our ferns. We pulled up weeds and cleared out a messy corner, pruned down suckers from the hazelnut tree, went crazy! We filled up our ginormous yard debris bin the city left, plus our two regular bins, and STILL had a huge pile left over.
After all that excitement, Wacky Girl and her Wacky Brother dragged a blanket under the champagne bush and hid out. (I don’t know what it’s called, this bush, but they grow like crazy. Ours drips long clusters full of white blossoms; my neighbor has one with pink blossoms that look just like pink bubbly. So pretty. And they thrive on neglect — my favorite kind of plant.) They needed a good place to hide. Did you have places to hide, growing up? I did. My favorite spot was right next to my grandparents’ front porch. They had these hedges (a type of laurel? I think) growing up tall and sheltering the porch. It was dry, cool and shady and the perfect spot for me, my two baby dolls, and a handful of books. I spent hours out there.
My other favorite spot (this was at my Dad’s folks place, too) was under the apple tree, sitting perched on a rock. It was the best spot for thinking. Ah, memories.
More from today: Folded laundry, WATCHED GENERAL HOSPITAL (BlackFriend and Laura — finally, some good storylines coming on), baked a fruit tart (with peaches, nectarines and plums), had Indian take-out for dinner (al fresco, the only way we dine around here in the summer) and then… glazed the coffee cake and had dessert outside. This was an A+ day. A+++.
“How much butter?” my husband asked, putting another forkful of cake into his mouth.
Me: “Just a couple tablespoons.”
Our daughter: “Try a couple sticks.”
Oh. My God. So good, with a little lemon extract and vanilla extract, powdered sugar glaze on top…
It was so good that we’re never making it again. No, I’m not including the recipe. You’d make it, eat it and regret it like we are.
Two cubes of butter! Damn. I just lost 10 pounds and I want it to stay lost, not find its way home.
The yard looks great. We’re plotting ways to turn that last empty corner of the yard into a hidey place for the kids. A teepee? A clubhouse? Tents? Trellises, to make a canopy to hide under? We don’t know yet. And we’re missing our fairies! No signs of them so far this year. Maybe they’ll be back soon?
Happy weekend, y’all.
wm
, 
.
MMMMmmmm gardening. There’s just somethin’ ’bout it that feels good. And right.
What is a champagne bush? I think I might have an idea…..it blooms early, and is fragrant, classic Portland shrub? Lovely.
Camperdown Elms make amazing secret forts for kids, but can take years. Tee-Pees of vines not so long, and so much fun. Beans, peas, all things that climb.
Yeah for gardening!!!!!
July 11th, 2008 | #
Okay. I am days and days (about four) behind on GH, but I promise to catch up in the next couple of days. Your yard cleanse sounds lovely. I do wish it weren’t so hot here because I love that al fresco dining. We often eat Thanksgiving dinner out on the deck…it’s cooler here by November.
July 12th, 2008 | #
Could you come do that over here? We need alfresco dining, fresh blueberries, raspberries and CAKE. We have general hospital, though. SoapNet marathon.
Can you do a wacky mobile outdoor living thing? like a mobile library van? we’ll be waiting. .. . . . .
July 12th, 2008 | #
Plant Dr. Lelo, I need a consult over here, stat.
TOL, November sounds nice, too. By then we’re all depressed from the damn rain.
BF, sure, be right over!!!
July 12th, 2008 | #
**sigh** I miss gardening and a yard and privacy. Oh well.
Thanks so much for not listing the recipe, I already gained two pounds just reading about it.
July 13th, 2008 | #
But… The recipe? Cuz I’m so skinny and all anyway?
July 13th, 2008 | #