From Dog Room to Play Room

We started tearing apart the family room this weekend to get ready to turn it into a play room. It needs a lot of work so we kept putting it off. With it being so nasty out today, we decided to work on the inside instead of the garden. I planned on helping, but the children decided they didnt want to nap much today, so we mainly watched Dan work:)

Garden in August

Broccoli

we are getting some side shoots now that its cooler

Naked Lady/Surprise/Magic Lilies
Front Garden

Salvia

Side Garden

this lavender has gotten huge


Veggie Gardens

the beans are actually doing pretty well

we had some for lunch yesterday

ta-da!! finally some tomato blossoms!

the lone purple basil - I have tons of Genovese, but only one Rubin made it

Crape Myrtle

So, we have a huge crape myrtly in our front yard. Every year I debate getting rid of it because it is in a horrible spot, but then July rolls around and I can't. When its in full bloom its beautiful! Of course, I never got around to taking pictures last month, but I did take some today (while being attacked by mosquitoes). Its not as spectacular right now, and it needs some trimming of dead wood, but these will have to suffice until next year:)

We also have a little baby one growing. We will have to move it next spring, though I am not sure where to put it yet. (You can also see my rose is getting blackspot in the background:( )

Double Yolkers

Every once in a while, we get a double yolk egg. I always wonder what the poor hen must be thinking when laying it!

Here is a regular egg and then the double yolk.

Bye Fingers:(

Well, Fingers is in his new home. I listed him on craigslist and got several responses. He went to a very good home where he will be free-ranged on 11 acres and spoiled rotten. I will miss him, but I am sure Bleu is glad he is gone. He was relentless in his pursuit of her and she was bothered enough to quit laying. Kiev and Dumpling were pretty funny though, whenever he would go after Bleu and they were around, they would chase him off. He was pretty scared of them.

The baby girls dont really seem to be acting any different which surprises me as he was definitely their leader.

Garlic!

We pulled our garlic this past weekend. It is now curing in the porch room. When its done, I will put it into braids for storage.
I made a pizza out of some of the garlic:) It had a cornmeal and parmasean crust with homemade pesto, fresh from the farmers market goat cheese, and mozzarella....yummy!

And its a.....rooster!

So, Fingers, a light brahma and my favorite, is a rooster. I have been thinking he may be for some time, but all chickens seem to go through a phase where its difficult to tell. He started trying to crow a couple days ago, and his tail is starting to get longer. Now, I am not sure what to do with him. I think we will try to keep him for a bit, hoping he is a quiet and nice rooster. If not, I guess I could adopt him out.