Garden Inventory
Posted by Erin | Filed under House, Outdoors
Our little patch of dirt in the city is fraught with flora. We have more vegetation than we know what to do with. The last three years have been about maintenance – just ensuring that the shrubs don’t take over the house. Last year I made some serious progress on cleaning out the back yard and starting the compost. This year, it’s time to really assess what we have.
So this evening I started an inventory while doing a little clearing. I hope the weather stays fair so I’m able to work my way around the entire property and classify most of what’s out there.
Arborvitae
The two large “pillar” trees in the front of the house are not a true Cedar as originally thought. Arborvitae – more a Cyprus than a Cedar. The protectors of the home (ugly in their current state).
Blue Spruce
Huge tree in the front yard. I’m fearful it’s getting too big… yet I love how it grounds the entire property to the Earth.
Barberry
Barberry
Two, maybe three of these babies around the house. Never really gave them much thought other than the thorns always stick in my pants when I’m out working in the yard. Time to figure out how to thin them or shape them… as I’m reading my old books I see the berries may have healing power. We’ll see what happens with these.
Unknown
I think this is a type of Yew. I think. It’s huge and is growing a little too close to the house for comfort. Did I mention just how large this shrub is?
unknown
So here’s another unknown. I’m holding a small plant in my hand to show the structure. To the left you can see they’re overgrown in clumps. I have only found these in full-shade, damp soil that is protected. None of them flower, though you’d think they would. Again, very overgrown so they may be choking themselves out. Please let me know if you can ID these or if you want any (and are in the area) because I have loads. Loads!
Lilly of the Valley
Several Lilly of Valley are trying to poke through the sea of irises. Goodness I have some work ahead of me.
Iris
I seem to remember these being yellow when they blossom. Again, completely overgrown and choking themselves out. At least in one area – I think there may be more tubers under some brush in other sections of the yard.
Well there’s the first evening’s worth of work. More tomorrow!
Spontaneous Saturday Hiking
Posted by Erin | Filed under Outdoors, Travel
What to do when you have a few hours to kill on a chilly, cloudy Saturday afternoon? We head down memory lane – and spent time hiking along the river where Drew spent much of his teenage years.
flooded with memories
The Wolf River runs through northwestern Wisconsin. Apparently it’s known for whitewater (this is what I learned yesterday, anyway). Drew wanted me to see the river and the land… so we went.
Everyone has these places – where as soon as you turn down a specific road, you can essentially close your eyes and finish the journey from scent and memory. Where a curve in the road brings a smile to your face. Even after almost 15 years, he knew most every trail, every building, every rock.
These photos don’t quite do the area justice. You’ll have to use your imagination to feel the forest waking up after the winter, the Trillium budding on the hillsides, the ferns uncurling, the sea of forest bells about to burst open.
dam and locks for the "waterfront" area
delicateness along the river
pretending to be 16 again
early blossoms
hop from rock to rock, don't touch the ground!
a lullaby
the new sign
Rebirth
Posted by Erin | Filed under Everyday, House, Outdoors, Technology
Same site. Same players. New host. Fresh eyes. Fresh mindset.
After a mighty long hiatus, it was time to dust off the old website, vacuum out the cobwebs, and have a fresh start.
To christen the fresh site, I offer photos taken of the budding garden during Sunday’s rain. These are the perfect images of rebirth and growth and well, things I see every day.
Things are blossoming almost a month earlier than normal – hosta coming up, Virginia Waterleaf showing its silvery leaves, spruce buds, lilacs blossoming – everything just alive.
Had to have at least one image of my constant companion in the garden – Po was not amused by the showers as they came through the neighborhood all day.
Episode 2: Music in the Park
Posted by Erin | Filed under Challenge, Everyday, Music
Attend a free concert at Peavey Plaza. Play in the fountains, people-watch, enjoy the music. Take photographs of yourself at this location. Describe the music being played – including which group/musician you saw. Would you consider purchasing music by the artist? What about other music in the same genre?
The Minnesota Orchestra hosts an annual event known as Sommerfest. These concerts span every genre of music (or close to it) and focus on an easy-breezy, light, intro to certain types of music. Three solid weeks of music smashed into Peavey Plaza and Orchestra Hall.
This episode in life focuses on trying out music… something new to do. After scanning the artists available to view I settled on Halloween Alaska as the artist for me to see. (Yes I will probably go see Ticket to Brasil too because who can resist bossa nova, whatever, posting about this one first)
Halloween, Alaska is not a new band to me. I’ve heard their stuff, enjoy the beats, all that. Yet I’d not heard them live nor had I gone to concert completely alone in a very long time. Yes alone – me, my camera, and a library book hanging out in the plaza at sunset.
As the band warmed up, the plaza filled with couples and groups – grabbing snacks from the vendors around the area, settling into plastic chairs and the concrete risers. Patrons from the concert inside Orchestra Hall streamed out to be greeted by these guys from around town and their indie rock goodness. The smooth melodies and eccentric beat filled the air – it’s a sound I really don’t tire of.
Sitting alone at a concert allows you to envelope yourself in the sound, no worries to what your companion is doing or thinking. I found myself focused on the drummer most of the night and how his joy of his art radiated under the white canopy. I could feel his energy from my concrete seat. I found myself smiling along through the entire set. For this reason alone I think I will pick up their newest album the next time I’m at the Electric Fetus. I could use more chill music in my collection.
I did spend the time playing with the new camera reminding myself how little I know about aperature and focus and megapixels and shooting at night. As such, the photos of me at the venue were horrific (if not just shots of blurry darkness). The four photos in this post are truly the only that turned out of the 89 photos I shot that night. Less than 5% success rate. Eh, I’m learning right?
So I leave you with my final shot of downtown – 12th St & Nicollet Ave around 10:30p on a gorgeous Friday night.
Cooking Experiment – Weeks 5 & 6
Posted by Erin | Filed under Everyday, Food
The summer keeps going; so does the food. We just finished up week 6 (can you believe we’re 6 weeks into the proper summer? because I cannot) with the CSA.
Week 5 was bountiful as always. The photo includes the produce in the box as well as a few items we picked up at the Wedge to round out the meal.
Notice the little brown bag in the back? Birchwood Cafe granola. Yum. Week 5 left us with a changing of the team. Due to a toddler who decided it was better to go to bed at 6:30p, one of the households had to drop from the experiment. No problems whatsoever because this summer is just that – an experiment. Didn’t work for them. Next summer should be better when Mr. Abi is 3.
So week 6. Ah, challenging week 6. The replacement household had a canoe trip that came up last minute. The other half of my household was sick. Household #3 was only half there since Mr. Nick ran off to the deep south for a bit of vacation. So two people tackling the box of food… This box of food:
