Stephi Gardens

40 years ago, Steve and I camped in the Outer Banks in Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It was fun to revisit the lighthouse, (even if it was under renovation and had been moved), see the campground where we camped. As a bonus there’s a couple of photos from 1984!

Go Blue!! 💙💛💙💛〽️〽️

So much fun today watching Susan and Laura work their magic to create this amazing event - the Charm Weddings Toilet Paper Dress Contest!

First time I’ve ever seen the event live and couldn’t have been more in awe of the talent these designers/crafters have to create these beautiful dresses made of nothing but toilet paper, tape and glue.

Such a memorable day helping behind the scenes with Peggy, spending time with such wonderful friends and their families, and just being part of something so fun! ❤️❤️❤️

Mural fun in Raleigh!

Skye couldn’t get enough of the fresh snow ❄️ A little thing like surgery wasn’t going to keep her down for long when there is fun to be had!

Little bed, big bed. Apparently makes no difference in how Skye sleeps.

Skye just knows what to do! I just need to figure out how to encourage/train this.

End of summer zinnias! Tried some new varieties and they did not disappoint!!! Love the red candy cane variety with the 2 splashes of color. How does that happen ?????

Skye visited all our favorite places in Door County!

Introducing our newest family member-Skye! 🐶🐾

I just love this time of year when every meal has some kind of goodness from the garden 🍅🫑🌶🥒

I am getting huge harvest of tomatoes, which thankfully so far the squirrels and chipmunks have left alone, and my squash and zucchini plants have not succumbed to the squash vine borer yet.
The peppers are coming along nicely, and all my yummy greens are perfect for my morning smoothie.

Biking and hiking on Washington Island!
Took the Washington Island Ferry over with our bikes and spent the day trekking the island. ⛴ 🚲
Started with some fuel from ☕️, then on to , Schoolhouse Beach, Stavkirke Church. Even had time for some wonderful Door County Land Trust Hikes!
# doorcounty

Door County Succulent Dish 🌵 I made this wonderful creation with the help of Barbara at in Sister Bay.
I signed up for their Succulent Workshop class. There was an array of handmade cement dish and decorations, Door County pebbles and driftwood, and awesome succulents to create my own dish. Just needed my imagination and some great instructions. I think it turned out pretty good 🥰

With all of Barbara’s great advice, I am hoping I can keep these little gems alive!
I also got some great home sewn treats she makes🧵☺️.

So much raspberry goodness! Such a great harvest this year. Freshly picked, sun-kissed warm fresh raspberries have been adorning our Cheerios each morning, and today I made jam. There’s still more to come ❤️❤️
-jell

Beautiful day kayaking on the Mink River from Rowley’s Bay. A bit of a headwind, but it kept us cool in the heat ☀️
Saw Fragrant Water Lilies, Bullhead Water Lilies (yellow), Blue Flag Iris, White Pelicans, Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Yellowthroat and a Belted Kingfisher.

It’s garlic time! I’ve been waiting so patiently for just the right time to harvest these lovelies.
When’s the right time? When the bottom third to half of the leaves have turned brown. Don’t pull too soon and don’t pull too late! You need it just right! Now it’s time to cure them by hanging in the porch.
What did I grow this year? Music and Duganski, both hard necked varieties from company that grow well in my northern garden.
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Last year I spread a bunch of poppy seeds-nothing came up.
Surprise!
This year I have beautiful Nudicaule Iceland poppies and Mission Bells California poppies. Just randomly scattered about in the garden. Hopefully they’ll self sow and I’ll get even more next year!!!
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Where are all the hummingbirds?
Has activity slowed down at your feeder? Here are some possible explanations:
• Blame the weather! It is normal for hummingbird populations to fluctuate from one year to the next due to the changing impacts of weather on natural nectar sources. Studies show that favorable weather conditions will produce an abundant crop of nectar-bearing wildflowers and this will reduce the number of visits that hummingbird make to your feeders.
• Look to the landscaping! With the recent popularity of using native plants for landscaping, the amount of nectar-bearing plants in many suburban locations has increased dramatically. The abundance of these nectar plants also reduces the number of hummingbird visits to our feeders.
• Blame your neighbors! The popularity of feeding and watching hummingbirds has grown rapidly in the past few decades. There are more hummingbird feeders in use than ever before. More feeders in your neighborhood means the potential for fewer hummingbirds at your own feeders.
• Blame the bully! Adult male hummingbirds are fiercely territorial and will attempt to drive other hummingbirds away from feeders located in their home territory during the spring nesting season.
• Blame Mom! After an initial flurry of feeder activity upon their return, female hummingbirds settle down to nest and raise their two broods of youngsters. Once the eggs hatch, females spend a large amount of their time gathering insects to feed their nestlings, so they probably aren’t spending a lot of time at your feeder.
• A change is coming! Activity should start to increase by mid-summer as the first brood of chicks makes their appearance at feeders!

Tulip time at Longwood Gardens 🌷💐 The colors were spectacular! Each bed and garden area prettier than the next. Some conservatory flowers as a bonus 🌸 🌺

What a wonderful place to finally get together post-covid! Our quarantine is over! Time for some fun ❤️❤️❤️

We stumbled on the Stanley Tucci show 📺, "Searching for Italy" 🇮🇹 and I was inspired to try my hand at some authentic Italian cooking (or maybe someone else watching suggested I make it 😉😂).
So from Campania came Spaghetti alla Nerano (spaghetti, provolone and zucchini). Probably not as good as what they ate on the show, but wow, we thought it was amazing and so easy to make!

Tried my hand at making khachapuri (Georgian Cheese Bread) today. said it would be easy to make, just looks difficult. TRUE, and so tasty, perfect brunch food.

Winter storm Peggy blew in last night. Perfect for a little night walk.

Winter has arrived! Garden is hibernating. The birds are all fed. Time to hunker down