Gardening 'Til We Drop!

We have been doing more yard work. It is really different from working in our yard in California! Much easier to move the soil which is sandy and loamy. We have have been clearing the edges of the landscaped areas and are finding some really nice native plants. Beautiful fern included! We still have a guy mowing for us though. Today Paul put the first fertilizer on our sod that was planted in December. It is pretty healthy; hope we can keep it that way.

We planted some alstroemeroia last Saturday. It always makes me think of Perry and Monica's wedding because Monica had it in her bridal bouquet. This is a dwarf version. It does well up here, so I want to get some more! 

We just planted the lilies in the foreground, and in front and to the side of them you can see some little flowers that I planted from seed. In back is our "rock river" that we are building from rocks we find while clearing the land. This area is north of the house and was covered with wild shrubs and downed trees pushed to the side when they leveled our lot. We have left some of the native plants including fern and a plant called salal, which is often found in floral arrangements!

We planted some lavendar over the weekend. It smells really good! In the background you can see our little "rock river" which we are creating from rocks picked up as we clean up the wild areas.  

In the wetland behind our home is a large group of the wildflower "foxglove." It is poisenous, but also helpful because the drug used by heart patients to control chest pain comes from it. It is blooming along the roads and in the fields around here right now.  

This is the sign on our property in the rear that borders the wetland. 

This is foxglove, or digitalis up close. 

Our new deck furniture. Fun to sit and enjoy the woods. 

Racoon Sighting

The other day I walked over to check on our bird feeder in the back yard and looked up to find a huge racoon staring at me from about fifteen feet away. He wasn't afraid of me at all. . .just stood looking as if to say, "Who said you could live here in my habitat??" He was about the size of a medium dog. After a few moments, he just turned and ambled away into the wetlands.

Gig Harbor Maritime Parade

On Saturday we went down town to watch the annual Gig Harbor Maritime Parade. It was two hours long and lots of fun. On Sunday they had a "blessing the fleet" ceremony for the fishermen's boats.

Lining up for the annual Gig Harbor Maritime parade on Saturday, June 4. 

Our former Bishop was in the parade...Here he's stopping to give some candy to us. 

Lauren got in the act with a health-care group. 

Even bag pipes!  

Cute preschoolers....everyone in the parade threw candy to the kids on the sidelines. 

Lots of small-town color! 

Work Crew Assembles in Gardening Party

In spite of ninety-degree weather, the Fields folks helped us clean up the wild spots in our yard left by our builder. It was lots of fun and we got quite a lot done. Karl cut down several dead trees and cut them up for our outdoor fire pit planned for the future. Plan to have a hot dog roast next time you come to visit!

Recognize the wheelbarrow and plastic garbage can? 

We found many native plants that we were able to leave after pruning. 

Karl did many dumps to the wetlands (called "orchard" in former days.) 

Lindsey and Mel "dig" in!