Sunday was a beauty of a day!

This is my two-day behind blog! 

I decided the best idea was to water the garden in the morning. I meant to do it after dinner the day before, but you know how that goes. Doing that, I even rinsed out the Bluebird nesting box, leaving the doors open for it to dry. We don't seem to have any more takers. It's a great design. Both side doors open.

It was a hot day! The air conditioner is on.

I washed floors, kitchen and bathroom, did kitty litter, and set the laundry to start in a half hour. We try to space out our well water use. JB asked if he should fill the water fountain now, or wait until the laundry is done. I explained that I 'post-dated' the laundry, and he could do it now. Where does this expressive language problem come from?! He knew what I meant, though, so that is the important thing.

One of my chores was to trim the weeds on either side of the driveway. I spotted a red squirrel (DRS) having a nap in the tree! It was a bit tricky to photograph it, but it is evidence. Can you see the little thing? They must be hot with those fur coats. She just looked exhausted.

     

While the bugs are bountiful, the berries are lovely. The cedar waxwings and the robins love them.

I cleaned the goldfish pond pump out front, and spotted a gray tree frog on the side of the house.
   

The back deck is busy. I found a Bee Fly that had hatched in the aquarium. I am waiting to see if the tiger moth arises from its cocoon. So far, just two bee flies!

There was a huge grasshopper on the Hops vine.

The backyard is looking pretty dry, but the Bugloss is attracting bees, the Monarch, moths. They are hardy weeds. It buzzes with activity. I love those colours!

As I sat and read, I looked up and spotted a red-tailed hawk, which beat a retreat back into the forest. I think it spotted me and flew away in haste.

The hanging planter is looking fine. The Begonia looks sharp. As I watered it, I found Maple the tree frog. She was on the move.

Also on the back deck was an Eastern Comma caterpillar.

I noticed maybe a leaf hopper, along with eggs, and the comma caterpillar. When I went back to it, not a great photo with the video camera, but you could see it laying eggs. Also, the caterpillar has gone into chrysalis. This was Sunday, it'll be about 10 days like this. I know they turn black the day prior to emerging. You can see the colours. I made a video of the process way back when: Eastern Comma Instar .

I made a mistake of putting the orchid too far into the sun. There is a burn spot. Me bad. It has a lovely long branch growing out, I'm hoping for more flowers! 

Crete

In the meantime, Caitlin and her family have gone from:  New York => Istanbul => Athens => Heraklion, Crete. Today they are driving from Heraklion to Chania. 

The food looks wonderful. Lunch on a patio under a tree! Tis the season. 

They went to a fancy place for dinner. Isn't this beautiful? It reminds me of the restaurant in Brockville, with a similar plexiglass half wall to look out of. 

JL had a slick new haircut. 

My new, old terrarium

I bought this, 2nd hand. A lovely, 40-year-old terrarium. All the plants are silk. I began, Jan. 26th, to look for some ideas. I thought a fairy garden would be fun. 

Hooper reached in and took out some of the dried dirt. I have some doubts, but we'll plow ahead!

I was going through the Bits and Pieces catalogue, and found this set. In the catalogue, it was listed for $59.99.

Woodland Fairy Village

This set contains the following: 

- Fairy Tree House

- Four Little Sprites- Riding Gnomes
- Wishball Fairies
- Four Resin Animals
- Miniature Log Table and Chairs
- Miniature Bridge, Bench & Trellis
- Miniature Fence, Welcome Sign, Birdhouse & Lantern Stakes

 Sadly, I went to the website and not only was it sold out, but it was a higher cost. Say what?

I endeavoured to figure out how I could make some. 

I've had terrarium before. What I find is that my thumb is too green, and the plants outgrow their containers! I did some research, there are many wee plants that are suitable. Great plants for terrariums...

Cryptanthus bivittatus,  Fittonia,  Peperomia Orba,  Pilea, Selaginella - club moss, Tillandsia

All our nurseries are closed. I recalled an Almonte store that had interesting plants, hubby checked their webpage. Off we went on Friday. Aren't they pretty? The palm is probably a mistake, but we shall see. 

Hooper had been outside for the 4 hours we were gone. We had lunch at the pub, after we'd shopped. He had a bite to eat, and then thought he'd help. The extra potting soil, stored on the back porch,  I had I put in the microwave to thaw it!


I recalled this little tool, as I'd dropped some soil on top of the plant. I sprayed it clean.


We shall see how it goes, I got them planted. I'm wondering if I want to clean the copper? It's a bit dull. It'll sit on my coffee table, for now.


This morning, it is a tad chilly out,

and Hooper is climbing the walls. I've been firing cat treats down the hallway for him to fetch. It's a good game, as he cannot get traction, and seems to love the thrill and the speed.

I just chased him out of my begonias. He keeps getting into the dirt...
I managed to save the orange and yellow from the summer. The violets are doing well, also the goldfish plant.

 The bulbs in the rabbit are growing well. About a cm per day!