Kaseys Korner

waiting patiently

but beginning to get anxious to get into the ground and do some "real" growing ~ my little flat of annuals, started from seed the end of April.  Some people might think it's silly to start seeds so late in the spring but I do it to fill in the holes left after the poppies and bleeding hearts finish blooming (and the dead foliage is cut back).  They'll be planted this week, be much happier and bloom till the end of the season (so hang in there little guys)!!  Now off to do some Monday chores....

pass the syrup

My daughter loves pancakes.  Any flavor, any size, but this chocolate chip version especially called her name when we were selecting something new to try from the "Chocolate Celebration" recipes by Paula Deen.  They were a bit sweet for my taste (even being the chocoholic I am) so next time, I'll put fewer chips in the batter.   Super easy tho and fluffy too (you separate the egg whites from the yolks and beat them until stiff peaks form).  I will repeat that technique with my other favorite pancake recipe because I enjoyed the texture so much.  If you care to try them out, here's what you'll need:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 Tbsp Sugar, 1 1/2 tsps baking powder, 3/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp baking soda,      1 1/4 cups milk, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs (separated) 1 cup mini chocolate morsels

Mix all ingredients together except egg whites (which you beat separately) and add the mini chocolate morsels last.  Spoon batter onto the griddle, cook, serve and enjoy!! 

hiding out

and laying low today.  I'm battle weary with the scars to prove it.  All because I decided to tackle my three "ginormous" lilac bushes and give them a much needed buzz cut.  Okay, no, I didn't completely buzz them to the scalp but they certainly received a very severe trim.  My "harbingers of spring" haven't been blooming much the past few years and have gotten really "leggy" (sparse foliage around the bases).   While that's all good in the super model world, it's not the look I'm shooting for in my garden (nor is it the best shape for a floriferous lilac).  Like everything, they need "maintenance" and it's my fault for being negligent about providing it.  I doubt they've ever been pruned (either before I bought my house and I know not since).   After a little research, I found the stems should never get more than 2" around for maximum blooms ~ ha ~ mine look more like small tree trunks!  egads.  What was I thinking?  or should I say I wasn't thinking?  However, now that I am cognizant of the problem, I'm wondering if I should have started this project much earlier, like the end of May??  (since they set next years buds almost immediately after blooming)  Most likely I've sacrificed most of those.   Now that I'm bruised, scraped, and scabbed, I still don't know if I pruned correctly or not?  Let's hope they're very forgiving and just happy to get some attention??    

tibouchina heaven

Remember my tibouchina buds from an earlier post??  They looked like this (red tipped and hairy ~ leaves you sitting on the edge of your seat, wondering what's waiting to unfurl, doesn't it!!??)

Wonder no more!  Every day for weeks now, I've come 'round the corner, breath backing up in my lungs, hoping to see color peeking thru the tips until finally, Monday, I could let it out in one giant sigh.  This is the moment I've waited three, yes three, long years to see.  I'm deliriously happy to the point of bursting.  The blooms were worth the wait (and the drudgery of hauling up and down the basement steps to overwinter). 

Aren't they "show stopping??"  Exotic and tropical looking (for my area), they command attention nestled in the semi shade alcove along the north side of my house.  The blooms don't last very long but there are lots of them so it will keep me entranced, and visiting, for weeks on end.   One "itsy" little snag, I don't see "panicles" of flowers yet (maybe it's saving those to "wow" me later) as described on the tag when I bought it??  The lack thereof does not dampen my enthusiasm in any way, I just thought it was noteworthy in case anyone else has experience with this plant.  Completely off the subject, yippee for typepad on bringing the photos back to full size again.  We were not lovin' the smaller images, were we??!!  :-)

Land of plenty

This is the story of a powerful hunter.  Patient, vigilant and indomitable.  Perched on a prominent, elevated ledge, the best vantage point in the garden, he sits, surveying the landscape 180 degrees around him.  Shhhh.  What's that??  Nobody move!  In one giant leap, SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another brilliant strategy executed ~ landing on the outside edge of a teaming anthill, catching them completely off guard, then conquering them one by one with a sure, swift and unerring weapon ~ his tongue!!  He leaves the vanquished, with a full belly, to digest in the pool, secure for the moment in his supreme reign over this little kingdom.

Epilogue:  I promise we'll be back to flowers tomorrow, for those of you not as fond of toads as I am.  This little scenario was too good to not pass along.  It's why I don't use pesticides in my garden.  Look what we'd miss!!! 

cool in the pool

This morning, as I was enjoying my first cup of coffee on my front step (a summer ritual), I spotted a toad on the patio (he was probably there when I came out, I just didn't notice 'til the caffeine kicked in).  He sat perfectly still while I sipped, savored and polished off that cup then, as I was getting up to pour a refill, he nonchalantly hopped into the pool.  Surprised me.  I've had this mini birdbath for at least 10 years but this is the first time it's been ground level (normally I elevate it).  I guess my thinking was wrong as I (and the toads) were missing out on a whole 'nuther purpose all these years. 

Looks like I need to clean it out and keep it filled for my four legged visitors instead of the two legged kind! 

happiness is...

a sweet fruit tart.  YUM!!!  Besides ice cream, is there any more perfect summer dessert??  If so, I'd love to hear so I can try it out!  :-)

Match making

When it comes to gardening, don't you ever wonder if it's worth all the fuss of planning, grouping, arranging, etc., when Mother Nature does it so effortlessly??  I'm beginning to think I should just plant things in the ground randomly, let the spent blooms seed themselves then pull out whatever doesn't work!!  It seems like it might be just as successful?  Walking around the garden this morning, I snapped this picture of two such unplanned companions that are perfect matches ~ a purple penstemon (I don't recall the name at the moment) and campanula portenschlagiana.  Too bad I didn't think of pairing them up but thank goodness they found each other as look how great they go together!

Sunday repose

Taking the day off today.  Perfect timing too since today is Sunday.  I wonder why we ever gave it up as "a day of rest??"  Maybe some people still preserve it as such but not any in my world?  It seems like just another day of going and doing.    Most Sundays, I'm guilty of that just as much as the next person.  But today is different.  Today I will do almost nothing.  Maybe just sit under the ceiling fan, drink lemonade and read.  Wonder if I can pull that off??!!!  I just might be able since my garage sale yesterday wore me out!  lol  It was 90 degrees and the second day spent out in the heat (first day was preparation).  So, while I rest up, here's my yellow (yes, it was yellow) foxtail lily now blooming.  Isn't it beautiful?  Makes me want one in every color!!! 

p.s.  the chairs are once again freshly painted in "Key Lime."

sum sum summertime!!!!

Yippee!!!  It's once again officially summer!  The season I wait for, think about, dream of, etc., all year long.  It just makes me happy and energized.  To celebrate, I thought I'd post an appropriate card (with coordinating envelope) that was published in the July 2007 issue of CardMaker magazine.  Very simple and quick card to create ~ snap a watermelon photo, add the "summertime" sticker, some rub on's then tie on a pretty ribbon and you're done.  Nothing could be easier, right?!  Now I'm salivating for some watermelon!