I never knew poppies could grow so well in Iowa – particularly the wispy orange California poppies. I thought they were only suited for drier climates; I was obviously misinformed. And that’s fine by me. I rather like them. I think they are one of my favorite flowers to photograph. Not as flamboyant as sunflowers and not as long standing either. I suppose their short bloom time makes them less ideal garden flowers (if you want lots of long blooms), but this also makes me more appreciative. After the bloom is done the seed pod forms for post-bloom interest. I’ll be sure to add more to this slide show as the seasons continue.

Want to add some poppies to your garden? Not sure if it’s necessary, but we usually sprinkle the seeds toward the end of winter. All the better if it’s snowing a little. The silvery, jagged-leaved seedlings emerge early in the spring.

The workshop is still a work in progress. And we started back in May! That’s crazy, what is taking me so long?! Anne just reminded me that I work full time, so I shouldn’t feel bad about not being done yet. Today was an early release/partial snow-day so I took advantage and did a bit more. These photos might not show it, but the lights are working now! And all the outlets too! That’s major. I also had the lumber yard deliver the makings of a shelf-wall. If we are snowed in tomorrow, I know what I am going to be doing.

(If the slideshow above doesn’t play for you, check out the photos directly on our Flickr pages.)

It’s no wonder that Jack’s magic seeds were beans. The way the vines twist and grow and climb lend themselves to fantasy and imagination. And they produce beaucoup amounts of beans too. Something I am not sure Jack was ever too aware of. Or perhaps his grew so fast and then he had to chop down the stalk so soon after planting that he was never able to harvest anything.

I like to think the beans of the Jack’s plant would also be magical. Maybe a few seeds have survived and have been past down through the generations. And maybe one day I will trade those seeds for a cow. I’ll need a cow first.

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.