Larry honors America's veterans

In honor of America's veterans, Larry's wearing an authentic 1950's-60's era Army uniform.  Larry is proud to honor and acknowledge the sacrifices of the members of all of America's Armed Forces; Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy, both full-time and as members of the National Guard, who have served and continue to serve, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy the freedoms many of us take for granted.  From the citizen soldiers of the Colonial Militias who fought for freedom from British tyranny to the volunteer soldiers currently serving domestically and overseas, this country's citizens have a proud tradition of military service to defend not only American soil, but in defense of citizens of other countries threatened by the yoke of tyranny from their own government as well as foreign invaders.  

Veggie happenings

Finally got all the Halloween decor packed up Friday, and just in time, as it rained for several hours that night.  It was too wet to do anything on Saturday, so I didn't get back into the garden until today.  I decided to do something different with the window boxes, so instead of planting flowers, I planted a variety pack of leaf lettuces in one and spinach in the other.  I also planted a couple of heirloom tomatoes, picked more okra and some peppers.  In looking over the yard, I found a small tree growing right next to the back of the house, so I dug it up and potted it until I can decide what to do with it.  I think it's a mulberry, but have no idea how it got there; perhaps I'll take it to my daughter's house and plant it in the front yard.  Tomorrow's forecast calls for more rain, so I'll probably start some seeds for the raised planters I've decided to put in the back yard.

Halloween!!

I love Halloween, it's definitely one of my favorite holidays because I get to decorate the yard in whatever scary mode my heart desires.  Yesterday I molded Halloween candies; the red skull is white chocolate I dyed. I also carved 2 Jack o'Lanterns, one from an orange pumpkin & one from a gray one.  As you can see from the photo, they're surrounded by an array of animated items, along with some ghoulish drinks and roaches.

I set up the candy dispensary in the drive way, since it's easier for strollers than grass, with the Jack o'Lanterns, etc, stage right and the items in the photo above on the other side, including "Gertrude", who lights up and speaks.  Printed vinyl backgrounds hide the front porch and carport and are backlit to highlight the graveyard theme.

The kids, grandkids, nieces & nephews posed for a group picture before terrorizing the neighborhood and I posed for a picture with Larry.  I then revealed the truth to him, I am his father; can't you see the family resemblance?

Fun @ the plant & seed swap

 

Quite of few of the area Dave's Garden members got together today for a plant & seed swap; I brought numerous varieties of pepper seeds, some vinca seeds and Stapelia gigantea cuttings.  In exchange I wound up with  the seeds of 2 varieties of pickling cucumber, yellow Italian squash, black and brown tepary beans and jack o lantern pumpkin.  I also got some lime basil plants, Italian garlic bulbs, rain lily bulbs, surprise lily bulbs and some walking onions.  Can't wait for the Spring swap!!

Basil

Harvested basil seed yesterday afternoon and then spent the next 6-7 hours hand picking thousands of basil seeds. It was tedious work and eventually I decided it would take too long to completely separate the seeds from the seed heads, so got as much out as humanly possible. I have a 3" x 5" bag 2/5ths full; enough seed to plant a small field; do I really need to have lawn in the backyard?  BTW, if anyone knows of a simple way to separate the seeds from the dried seed heads, please let me know.

Inside kind of day

Today was an inside kind of day, as it was blustery and dark clouds came scudding in, looking like all hell was about to break lose, but all we got was thunder and lightning.  Since it wasn't exactly gardening weather, I designed and printed some seed packets for the plant & seed swap on Saturday, then put some of the excess chile seeds from the New Mexico State University Chile Institute in them.  Ran out of colored ink, but still have more chiles to pack, as well as vinca, sunflower, salvia and Iceland poppy from the garden.

Bonsai, gumbo and more

Got the Bouganville bonsai potted and wired, then toured the yard to see how things are looking.

The petunias came back from their transplant shock and are blooming profusely and the mint really appreciates the cooler weather.

 The grapes have decided to start leafing out again and I noticed some small grape clusters forming, so I'm going to leave them and see what happens.

Made chicken gumbo from scratch, using okra from the back garden and it was yummo!