It's Good to be Home

Tyler caught this picture of me enjoying the greenhouse the other day. Getting those window boxes planted up, I think. At this point, I'm just trying desperately to plant things up and out before they suffocate in their small pots that are so outgrown! Aaaaah!

I wish I could just plant these all together. But some are deer chocolate and need lots of water and part shade, while others are deer-repellant, drought-tolerant and need full sun. Not the best idea to keep them together.
This bed makes me happy, yet again.
Sweet pup Annie, although her adventure while I was in Alaska was not so sweet. She had her third encounter of the SKUNK kind, and the worst yet. Perhaps you can detect the brown sheen over her black coat, caused by the treatment of choice: much baking soda applied directly to skunk-sprayed dog, rinsed down with much hydrogen peroxide. Three times. I kind of like the two-tone look. But I am SO glad that I wasn't here for the event!
Summer sunsets down the valley are a treat to my soul.

And Alaska, the finale

I love weddings. They celebrate beauty.

Plucking petals after the wedding - Laura decided that Rachel should have pot-pourri from the table flowers. It was fun and kept our hands busy for a while.
It was so much fun to be with Jon and Leah. We laughed rather a lot on a sight-seeing trip to Palmer on Sunday afternoon. Nik joined us and laughed a lot too!
I never get accustomed to the mountains on the trip back over Alaska.
They astound me every time.

More of Alaska

Lovely wedding cake, just for Drew and Rachel.

Rachel was such a beautiful bride.
Drew and Priscilla enjoying the reception.
One of the few serious moments, while the best man addressed the happy couple.
You didn't expect her to wear heels, did you?

Pictures from Alaska

The view out the church window where the reception was held. Beautiful. Notice the trees just starting to green up.

Drew's family stayed in this home in Rabbit Creek right over Turnagain Arm and hosted us there twice. The views from their deck were amazing.
I think this may be my favorite picture from the whole trip.
Chris and Katie make very pretty, squishy girls!
Reception tables.

Just a Garden Moment

Five rose bushes thrive within the greenhouse, safe from marauding deer and chilly winds.

This is Gertrude Jekyll, for any of you who know way too much about gardening.

This one is unidentified but quite lovely.
Enormous tubs within which to grow potatoes this year. Harvesting is supposed to be so much easier - just dump and sort!
The new tables, bursting with plants needing attention! Oh dear - for the next two weeks our faithful assistant is on vay-cay, and I will be doing her job - I foresee busy evenings until dark!

Officially Spoiled

The Strawberry Lie - wait - Todd insists he's not lying. He never claimed to be a baker, you see, and somehow that rationalizes his being pies and mine being - well, you know. Anyway, let him have it his way for now, the Fresh Strawberry Pie was delicioso! And I got to choose my favorite pot roast, slow roasted in my antique cast iron Dutch oven - YUM! And smashed taters, and roasted yam bits. And steamed broccoli.

And (but wait, there's more) there were two folding sturdy plastic tables for the greenhouse for holding flats of baby plants, some of which are fairly bursting, and I have seriously lost count of flats. I know, I need to post pictures, and will try to after Alaska and wedding pictures, which will likely take precedence for a bit. Anyway, the tables are already in good use!

Traveling, Hobbit Style

In honor of Mother's Day, I indulged in watched The Fellowship of the Ring, extended version, of course. I had already been thinking of making blog mention of the Traveling Song, since plans would have me in Anchorage by mid-Tuesday night. Here it is, with additional lines from the book:

The Traveling Song

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with weary feet,
Until it joins some larger way,
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

OR:

Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

Catchy tune in the film. I like it.

Watching the movie reminded me of another time-appropriate quote:

"Remember what Bilbo used to say. 'It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.'"

Sounds exciting! Except, maybe not to those of you in Arkansas right now.