Friday Flowers: The Many Shades of Hosta

Last week we told you why we love Hosta. In fact, most of the pictures were of our favorite Hostas the big green monsters that provide us with so much cover. However, Mom likes variety and color. So, of course she didn't stop with our favorites. She continues to acquire a variety of colors of Hosta to add to the garden even though we'd be happy with the big green leafy stuff. Some of this stuff doesn't even provide much in the way of shade. Just say'n.

Bringing us back to our favorite Hosta:

Mama keeps finding more colors and patterns she likes. However, Dog Dad has reminded her there is limited space and she has not picked up any new Hostas recently. So which ones do you like?

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The Rabbits are Back

We warned the Mama. Stop sighing over those fuzzy bunnies. They are varmints. Remember these are RABBITS, not the cute and charming Easter Bunny. They destroy your gardens. However, she spots them and does she scare them off? Oh, no she has to take pictures. Now they think they are movie stars. Instead, they should be on most wanted posters. These little critters will kill off Mom's lettuce crop before she can blink an eye. However, all she can do is say, "But they are so cuuuttteee." How could they possibly be evil?

Well we have no trouble taking on the problem. Shortly after the Mama caught these shots, we started barking. At first, we were ignored. However when we got to the windows we made it very clear what we would do when we got outside. The bunny decided to leave and its hypnosis over the Mama was broken. If it were a snake, we'd have no problems convincing Mama it had to go. However, show the Mama a rabbit and she gets all mushy.

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Wordless Wednesday: Our First Kongs

Mom promises she'll get all the Whisker Walk pictures posted next week. However, for Wordless Wednesday this week, she chose us enjoying one of the many prizes we won at the Tennis Ball Fetch game. We've never tried Kong products before. We had fun getting to the treats.

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Keeping Up With Mom's Veggie Garden

We went out to check on Mom's Veggie gardens yesterday. The weather has been odd, wet to the point of being almost tropical to really hot and dry this weekend.

The tomatoes have grown past the first level of their crates cages and seem to be liking this strange weather. They are at the highest point of all the three veggie gardens so they get the best drainage when the rains come fast and hard. This might be why the rain hasn't been as much of an issue for them, although heavy rains have caused the plants here to rot in the past. Mom isn't complaining.

So far, the middle garden is also thriving. The peppers and zucchinis are having a good summer so far. Mom is hopeful about the peppers. They've had a rough few years. She is hoping the new methods Dog Dad tried are going to bring them around.

The back gardens are having the most challenges. This is the lowest point in the yard and also the darkest. With the heavy rains and thus fewer bright shiny days the plants back here are not having as good a time. Dog Dad noticed a couple of lettuce plants had died over the weekend. However, the zucchini seem to be thriving despite the challenges.

Mom thought she had an infestation of weeds growing in the back garden. Turns out the trees sneezed and dropped all their pollen on our gardens. Who knew trees needed tissues.

Bruins Fleece

If you've read our blog you know we love fleece. The Mama has been collecting sports fleece for dog Dad and he had blankets in almost all his favorite major professional sports teams except hockety and soccer. Then Mom heard that JoAnn's had got the rights to sell NHL material including our beloved fleece. She got out her coupons and shopping they did go.

Not only did Dog Dad get fleece, but Katy and I each got our own blankie.

Mom doesn't have a sewing machine so a friend of hers sewed the hems on our blankies and now we have new fleece to enjoy.

If you have sports fans in the family, these fleece blankies make great presents. Mom and Grandma have become very popular providing the family with their favorite sports fleece for Christmas gifts. She does suggest using coupons and waiting for sales as the sports stuff can be pricey. She even picked up Dog Dad a couple of fleece sports pillows at a fundraiser we were at a while back. Sometimes we even let him use them. Don't tell Dog Dad, but she's hoping to talk Grandma into sewing him Celtics and Bruins pillows if we don't find them at the fundraiser first.

Welcome to Monday Mischief – The pet blog hop that wraps up the weekend! This Blog Hop is brought to you by Alfie’s Blog, Snoopy’s Dog Blog, and My Brown Newfies.

Friday Flowers: Hosta

Of all Mom's flowers the Hostas are our favorites. They provide much needed shade in the heat of a summer day.

They provide us with places to stealthy stalk observe as we conduct our daily property survelience.

Can you see where Katy has tucked herself in waiting for those pesky predators to strike our veggie gardens? The Hostas provide us with many advantages.

Protecting the Compost

Mom has been composting since long before she knew it had a name. She doesn't have the land she had when she was a kid, so now she has a container to keep it in.

We not only protect the compost from intruders, but we provide escort service for Mom to and from the composter. See, Mom is cool with the composting, but she's not so crazy about the bugs inside the composter. She also likes company when its dark and its time to empty the storage bags she keeps in the kitchen. Who is she kidding she likes company when it is bright daylight. The Mom just doesn't like traveling alone. So, being good dogs we head out with her.

As you can see, it is nice and shady back here. So, of all the chores we have, watching over the compost isn't the worst. It is shady, the larger animals haven't figured out how to break in, so others than using it as a landing point from the trees, we have limited need to clear them from the area. Just don't tell Mom or she'll be thinking of tougher jobs for us.

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Wordless Wednesday: Where's Bailey?

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Garden Update

We can't believe it is June already. The weather has been good to the tomatoes and they are adjusting to their cages. We helped Mom with the weeding over the weekend. Mom was surprised that even with all the tropical weather, the weeds were minimal this first week.

Dog Dad only used to use newspaper wraps for the tomatoes. However, with the funky weather and the extra critter and bug attacks last year, he decided to experiment and use them on some of the other plants to give them a starting chance. He is pleased by the process and has seen stronger than he had last year.

Dog Dad added spinach and more lettuce to the back gardens this week. Mom remarked that the spinach looks remarkably like the weed grass we generally remove from the garden. We've never tried growing spinach before so it is a whole new area we are exploring this year.

They've been cooking and using spinach more in salads these days, so it seemed like a logical choice to add to the gardens. Along with squirrels, we noticed more chipmunk activity in the backyard since the gardens have been planted. We scared one into jumping into a tree. We are inspiring new heights in squirrel and chipmunk gymnastics.

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Whisker Walk 2014 is Coming

Whisker Walk is one of our favorite events of the year. This year the event is being held on Sunday June 8 from 11-3 at the Lancaster Fairgrounds, in Lancaster, Massachusetts. You can find all the details about the event here.

While the event is important because it raises money for so many of the local rescues and shelters, it is also just lots of fun for dogs and humans. It is fitting that it takes place at the fairgrounds because it does have the feel of a dog fair. Where else have you been that you can win a prize in a poop raffle for having a responsible pet parent scoop your poop and get a ticket for a raffle? Like tennis balls? Compete in the Tennis Ball Fetch and win a prize for you or your human. Bailey won the comfy bed he and Katy use downstairs at the event. These are just some of many exciting fun events that await you at the Whisker Walk.

This is the last of our walking fundraisers this year. Mom contacted Baypath Animal Shelter and was told they because they have a new Board of Directors they’ve opted not to run Bark in the Park at Hopkinton State Park this year. They are doing a golf tournament instead. They said they might bring it back next year. We will miss the event, but hope their new fundraiser works out for them and brings them new people who might not already be involved.

We do have some concerns with Bailey's foot. The Vet seems to think he should be up for the day. If not the walk ,perhaps just a chance to be outside and visit some of the exhibits. DH and I will decide based on how he's doing. Thankfully, unlike a child, he can't read a calendar and won't realize the date has come and gone if he’s not physically able to manage the trip. I do hope he's up to it as I've seen huge growth in Katy's social skills every time we've been at one of these events. Generally, she isn't a fan of crowds and busy places. However, there is something about these dog events that she loves.

If you are in the area, please consider coming out and supporting the Whisker Walk. Bring family and friends; it is a great event for all.

Welcome to Monday Mischief – The pet blog hop that wraps up the weekend! This Blog Hop is brought to you by Alfie’s Blog, Snoopy’s Dog Blog, and My Brown Newfies.

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Friday Flowers: Iris

One of Mom's favorite spring flowers is the Iris. She loves the purple ones the best. They've taken a beating lately with the rain and she wasn't sure she'd even get a shot of a yellow Iris before they were completely gone. She thought she had one ready to take last week, the rain hit and it was gone before she even had a chance to capture a picture of it.

Mom is hoping to get a weekend soon with good weeding weather that she and Dog Dad can get out and attack the weeds. When the weather has been good, they've had other commitments. When they've had the time, its been wet and rainy.

We like it when the parents come out to garden because we can usually distract them with a ball. Then we cool off under the Hostas while we supervise them working.

Bailey's Foot

Nurse Katy is inspecting Bailey's foot after a trip to the Vet. He's had a growth on his paw for a while now and it irritates him. The Vet continues to test the growth and it is benign. Each time the determination has been to keep it under observation. We've discussed removing it with the vet, but it’s in an awkward place which would be challenging to heal.

We are hoping surgery can be avoided, but if he insists on attacking it, the Vet believes at some point surgery may be are only option regardless of the challenge of getting the wound to close after the growth is removed.

We are all saying our prayers that we can find a solution that gives him relief and doesn't damage his paw in providing it.

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Wordless Wednesday: Supervising the Planting

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Getting the Veggie Gardens Planted

It was a strange weather weekend. Short bursts of clear weather followed by almost tropical rains. However, Mom and Dad worked hard to get the annual Veggie Gardens dug up, cleared of weeds, and planted for a new season. First up is the tomato garden. We think its kind of odd that the tomatoes have cages. However, they do seem to get a bit wild as the season progresses so perhaps that is why Dad keeps them caged all season.

Mom calls this Veggie Garden 2. Here they planted zuchinni and peppers. The chives are a perennial and grow back every year.

Guarded by Hostas, this is what Mom calls the back Veggie Gardens. This year Mom and Dad decided to plant more of some stuff and get other stuff from the local growers. Back here she hopes to grow more rows of lettuce, spinach, and more zucchini.

Now that the plants are in, we have a great deal more work to do to keep the pests out of Mom and Dad's food. We think we are just putting out a welcome sign inviting more pests, but Mom and Dad are quite excited about their fresh veggies.

Happy Memorial Day!!

We had Mom prepost this because with Dog Dad around we know she'll be too distracted to remember to put up anything. We love long weekends. An extra day with Dad is always a treat.

The morning starts early on Memorial Day. The City has a Memorial Day parade that visits all the war memorials in the area. It isn't like the more formal Labor Day Parade that Mom and Dad go to in the fall. However, even if you aren't there, you can hear it from our house. The bands and the guns are pretty loud. No sleeping in on Memorial Day.

Memorial Day has a special meaning for Mom because her Dad was a Veteran of WWII and Korea. She was always taught to remember that while it was nice to have a long weekend, this day was about more than a day off.

Mom and Dad usually start thinking about the veggie gardens this weekend. They check out the local garden shop and see what he has in for veggie plants and start working on the raised beds. As of this posting, the weather is questionable. However, Mom will still probably talk Dog Dad into checking out the veggie plants. Those go quick if you don't hunt early.

We'll let you know how all of that works out.

We hope you are all enjoying a beautiful Memorial Day with your family and friends.



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Friday Flowers

I know you all thought you were going to get the Lilac bush tree this week. Well, Mama got distracted by other flowers that were blooming. She was actually disappointed that the first yellow Iris was destroyed by rain before she could get a picture. However, she still got some other shots for you this week.

First up are the Bleeding Hearts. These were Mom's Dad's favorites. She had looked for a while to find them at the various Garden Club sales, but always managed to miss her chance. One year she arrived to find they had one sad nearly dead plant left. The stem was broken and they were only asking a dollar for the plant. Since it was a perennial and had a shot at coming back she decided to take a risk. This plant has rewarded her faith more times, than you can imagine.

The City pulled up the street at one point and ended up paving over part of Mom's front perennial garden without ever telling her they intended to do that even though it meets the legal setback for the street. She was sad because she had several flowers she had collected and lost because she didn't have time to transplant. The next summer the Bleeding Hearts emerged pushing along the edges of the tar and continued to spread and grow to the point Mom plans to share the wealth with some friends.

When she spotted yellow from the porch, Mom thought she had discovered the first yellow Iris of the year. Instead, it was a late Daffodil and it was a beauty. We haven't had one here in a few years. We thought it had been destroyed a few years ago when we had critters eat some of the bulbs we planted.