Flower garden talk . . .

These lupines are an absolute HIGHLIGHT in my garden this year!

Got the plant from a good friend a couple years ago and this year they really took off.

This pachysandra bed is an absolute LOWPOINT of my gardens every year!

I am tempted to rip every bit of it out (well, to have SP rip every bit of it out...including the snakes)...and fill it with...

These!

Unfortunately they don't bloom all summer but they stay silvery. We'll see.

Hear ye, hear ye!

If you're anywhere near the A2 area you must get over to the Peony Garden in the Arb.

Go in the Washington Heights entrance. There's a free lot after 5p.m. across from a dorm and a few meters on the street during the day. Other wise there's a $2/hr lot by the hospital.

Trying to learn how to sniff.

Not actually an easy concept for an 18 month old.

I loved the look of that lady, her hat and the garden.

Testing how the scents of different varieties varied.

Also,

This is the head of a 35" skin I found in the bushes on the east side of the house.

When I went to pluck some weeds out a snake was coiled up right next to this skin.

I imagine it was the owner.

Right now, in that same area is an egg that is just a wee bit large than the jumbo eggs in my fridge. There is a small hole at the end of the egg, though it looks like nothings come out of it. We need to go investigate. It's been there since yesterday and I was surprised to find it there today. Thought for sure a coon or skunk would find it.

Finally, today is the kid's first full day of summer vacation and so far (2:59p.m.) I have let them be on computers, t.v. and wii ALL.DAY.LONG! Say what???? What kind of deranged mother am I?