I was feeling a little tired this weekend, so I post-hole dug a four foot hole, carried an eleven foot post from the far side of the barn and assembled a place to rest. I’d feel a little better if I added some cable to replace to rope, but it’s safe enough for the moment. Plenty fine for a little relaxation and a glass of lemonade and/or a beer.

I think it’s funny that my first real thoughts of spinach involve a formless canned green I watched Popeye consume in order to gain strength to defeat his tormentor. I’ve never really seen spinach sold in a can. I presume this happened at one point in the history of spinach, but I cannot imagine why.

We’ve been eating Spinach by the bowl-full lately. Other greens too, but spinach is the big producer. One way Anne has discovered to make use of large spinach quantities is a spinach pesto. It’s quite good on either pasta or pizza (in lieu of tomato sauce). Here is a rough break-down of the recipe: spinach, olive oil, garlic, pine-nuts, lemon juice, salt and pepper, Parmesan cheese. Smash it all in a food processor and you’re done. We’ve even frozen a bunch in little pesto cubes (without the cheese added).

Spinach is also very good in lasagna, but we have yet to do this.

Lots of action in the perennial garden right now. Every few days the landscape changes. Here’s what was blooming on May 26.  I’m always trying to get it all in the frame, but somehow the shots never turn out as good as hoped.  This  garden is in its third year. I am now able to “subtract” from it, as it’s quite dense with self-sowers and vigorous spreaders like Anise hyssop, Cleome, Bee balm and Saponaria.

There are many reasons to have dogs on an acreage, but my favorite is the contant reminder or inspiration that time for play is essential. Not that Jake is playing in this photo, but his paced droppings of sticks and balls near my dismanteled mower deck were the motivation I needed to grab the camera and join him in the field.

Yep, the mower deck broke. Kind of bad timing because the grass is out of control already. I swear grass did not grow this well last year. Someone has been fertilizing without my knowledge. It isn’t terribly broken, but it does need some replacement parts. That will take time, and the grass will keep growing. As will all the pretty dandelions. They really are kind of attractive.

To see more attractive views of growing things and projects, check out the new galleries I added on the right. New ones for 2009 season.

It was amazing outside all weekend! And it still is. But I am exhausted. Oh, I took my fair share of breaks to soak in some of the Spring. Never jumped in the hammock though.  Might be because we don’t have a hammock. Plus I get a little sea sick.

There is so much going on in the garden now. Our tulips and daffodils are finally open in full and the Magnolia shrub is incredible. Peas are sprouting along with spinach, lettuce, radish and asparagus. Mmmm, asparagus. I worked at setting up tomato cages and support systems. Decided I might as well plant the cherry tomatoes. Also planted more peas, soy beans, carrots, fennel and zinnia seeds.

Amidst all that planting and preparing, Anne discovered a nice natural patch of trout lilies. I can’t say I had ever seen a trout lily before, much less one in bloom.

It’s tree blooming time. Plums and wild plums appear to be the first to bloom.

And then I might place my money on the cherry trees, but the red buds aren’t too far behind. The crab apples have sprouted small clusters of leaves. I’m not sure, but I think they will leaf out more before blooming. The plums are very fragrant, or they would be if it would stop raining long enough to smell them. We did need the rain, but I’d like to have it stop now for a bit.

A lot of times when I say I’m out there “gardening”, I am actually converting grass into planting beds. The weedy grass in between the mulch paths in this photo will soon be gone and more interesting or edible species will reign in its place. These beds and paths were made by laying down heavy landscape fabric directly over the grass and covering them with either mulch or straw. It is extremely laborious. And costly. Enough so to make me compromise my principles and use Roundup for the rest (I won’t plant anything edible in that area). 

At the end of the comfortable season last year, Anne cleaned out and trimmed back an unruly and overgrown corner of our property. In the process, some attractive trees were exposed and the space was transformed from eye-sore to natural wonderland. But it was a dead-end wonderland as the trickle of the stream isolated this spot from the rest of the property. All we could do was turn around and walk back along the same path. The solution was to incorporate some railroad ties into the landscape.

With the addition of the bridge, the steps beyond seemed like a natural extension. Now we have a wooded/shade garden area to consider. I can smell the hostas blooming already.

Peaches, the barn cat who showed up at our door about 2 months ago, has recently relocated to the shed presumably to get away from big old Barney,  the more senior barn cat who can be a bully. Or that may not be it at all. We will probably never know. 
As I’m partial to Peaches, I like the fact that she’s in a cozier space now with more windows and a little sun porch. Al and I made a sturdy space for her in the loft and I bought her a soft padded “kitty cube” that she  actually sleeps in! (as opposed to our dog who stubbornly refuses to use anything purchased with his comfort in mind)