Monday, April 22, 2013

April: Flowers In The House Of Much Affection


Sunday was my favorite kind of day, sunny, breezy, cool and busy.

I was having friends for dinner and decided to make a spring lasagna with  asparagus, spinach, zucchini,green onions and a bechamel sauce finished off with pesto, parmesan and the remainder of a tub of burrata. Gotta use the oven while we still can.

The 5 year old got steamed broccoli and rice.

The 17 month old got all the attention.

The kittens got out of the way.

Everybody helped. GG and the Lab came by Saturday evening and mowed and edged the farking lawn. You know you all missed a chapter in the lawn mowing saga but let's keep that for another day.

I raked (again), pulled more weeds and oh, pulled some more weeds.

And then I picked some flowers.


Forget me nots, violas, heuchera leaves and a dash of red honeysuckle vine.


It's the first spring for the lilac.  I was hesitant about picking one of the few blossoms but then decided to give it up for Boston.
The fennel fronds and bokchoy bits are from the yard. The peony tulips and garden roses traveled from California to do their part.


 As did a foxglove but the honeysuckle and fennel are home grown.

 

Please don't think that the cats were just lazing about in the sun while I did all the work.
They patrolled the perimiter.
And found a fly.

Watchdog never sleeps.
We're coming by the check out your house. Please have treats at the ready.
And I have a few slices of strawberry rhubarb pie for the early birds.

So link up and eat up.

xo jane







33 comments:

  1. Not exactly big spring bouquet, but I did pick a flower from a Hibiscus mutabilis just so I could join you all.
    I love lilac, Jane!

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  2. Jane your flowers look beeyootiful!

    Of all the things we have in our garden we still don't have a lilac although I see my neighbours lilac peeping over the fence and we live on the sunnier side so hopefully free lilac will soon be coming my way:)

    Paul

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  3. Hope there is some pie left!
    I am envious of your lilac. I don't have one growing but know where one grows in a public area. I have a map in my head of where I can purloin lots of things! x

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    1. I too know where there is a huge bush just down the hill from me in a now construction zone.

      I might have to take a walk later.

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  4. Got to run to an early meeting, so am passing on the pie, tho I would love to have your recipe. How do you get Forget-Me-Not to grow. It dies and dies for me!

    My lilacs are running late this year, but i can always count on my neighbor. Hers blooms early like yours.

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    1. We scattered some seeds about a year ago, miraculously here there are. It has never worked for me before either.

      I have a friend with a garden full, every year. It's easier to get a good tomato, almost...

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  5. Thank you for plucking the precious lilac for the people of Boston. Boston loves lilacs best. I'm amazed by the things you have in the garden. I've not nothing.

    Your poor screens!

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Ha we were outside. That was the window itself he climbed up and stayed on.

      My poor house!

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  6. Wow your garden is doing great, lilacs already! I'm so jealous. I also want some lasagna and some pie. Those kitties are the flying Walendas.

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    Replies
    1. Plenty left, I'll send some over for lunch. xo

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  7. Remember what we said when you first got those two kittens: Trouble with a capital T. I've never seen a cat attached to a window screen before.

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    1. Even crazier, not the screen, he was on the pane of glass.

      physics?

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  8. Your forget me nots and violas got my heart fluttering. I could look at them all day! And I can smell the glorious lilac--thanks for sharing. The forsythias are just starting and it will be another month for lilacs in Boston, so it is super-appreciated. The fennel looks really coo!.

    Your cats are welcome any time! My cat's idea of being a watchdog is sleeping on the ottoman while I read. She insists that she's a light sleeper and will alert should danger arise.

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    Replies
    1. Okay then,and after their visit you can reupholster all your furniture.

      I'm living like Miss Haversham here.

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  9. seriously the cat catching the fly? omg, so funny.

    i joined! i'm a joiner!

    your garden and mine would get along great, they both sound like unruly teens.

    xo

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    Replies
    1. Ha! I'm going to send mine off to boarding school!

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  10. Your dinner sounds delicious Jane! Such a pretty little bouquet!

    Happy new week,

    Madelief x

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  11. Your flowers are gorgeous! And you have strawberry rhubarb pie?! Well. Before you visit my place let me just say I know, I know, I just haven't felt ready to let them go. I hope my photo is something a florist can stand. xx, Denise

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  12. As always such pretty flowers. And the wonderful kitty photos are great. We had a kitty that climb up to the top of our screen doors and just meowed constantly to be let in. Hope you have a wonderful week!

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  13. The yellow flowers are Bok Choy? They look like mustard. I think you're right. Max and Gus are soul mates - too bad they won't be making trouble together!! or not.

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  14. Truthfully... did you Photoshop the cat to the window? The flowers are lovely, the dinner sounds delicious, and cats are adorable. Thanks for hosting another swell party!

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  15. I missed FITH this week,but had only some sad tulips left. Things are appearing in the garden, but a month late; the lilac is just showing signs of leaves, so it was good to see yours.

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  16. Jane,
    I am so excited I got IN this time. BTW, I forgot to link back to you; just fixed it (or I think so). Thank you for inviting me. Those cats are very lively. Great action picture.
    Christa

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  17. CRAZY cats! I love that photo.

    Also the pansies with the forget-me-nots. Sweet, in the best possible way.

    I am very late. I am very sorry. I was high on my Earth Day horse, yesterday :/ One day I will fall off it.

    I do still have cookies...

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    Replies
    1. I wish I had known Tuesday was the new Monday before I went into work today.

      Damn, could have another day off....

      When you fall we will catch you.

      Cookies?

      xo Jane

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  18. I haven't seen our cats today. Now I know why.

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  19. Sorry I have no flowers to show you .... just thought I would drop by and see your beautiful ones... they are lovely..
    And so pleased that GG and the lab came by to help with the damn lawn and sorry if this sounds a bit personal but is it really hard seeing her ? You are very brave... S X

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  20. Just found you via Most Lovely Things and am glad I did. I look forward to all your posts and wish I had flowers to share but, sadly, none today.

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  21. Your flowers are all so delightful, and the feline fly patrol as charming as ever. I'm jealous, while you were announcing FITH we were digging out from another April snowstorm! I don't recall ever getting this much snow this late in the season, and I'm 56! Well, the tulips are emerging anyway, even as the snow lingers. Thanks for the vicarious spring. I'm off to take in as much flowery goodness as I can. Cheers!

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  22. Hi Jane,
    You have amazing flowers. I enjoyed looking at them. Here on the east coast not many flowers in bloom yet. The buds on the trees are starting to show. Thanks for showing the pretty pictures. That's a great shot of your cats. I have an orange one myself.
    Julie

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