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.

Hosted by Ruckus the Eskie and Loved is Being Owned By a Husky

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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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