List Lovers Thursday

So it's my favorite time of year - in case I hadn't already mentioned that. Even though the daylight comes a little later and goes a little sooner every day, I must, must, MUST get outside everyday. We have enjoyed some time each evening after work on the back patio. I get home, kick off my shoes, grab a big glass of water and the day's mail, and retreat to the loveseat out back. Hubby is usually there already enjoying a cold drink on the glider. On Tuesday I moved my little TV (that's also very old) out there and we sometimes have our dinner there. I think I even caught a cat nap on Monday evening. It's become our little oasis.

I have a few palms, a couple of cacti and succulents, some ferns and spider plants, and even a little lemon tree in pots on the patio. Out in the yard I've planted a few herbs in a small bed, trimmed up some fountaingrass in a couple of beds and borders, and still need to clean up a couple of other beds to get ready for some new plants. And here's where I always get into trouble.

I always plant tomatoes - it's a given. After that, anything goes. I'll prepare the spot for the tomatoes and dig out the tomato cages. I make my trip to the store to buy a tomato plant or two, but usually come home with much, much more. I just can't resist the happy little faces of a pansy, or the texture of a lamb's ear, or the way a little succulent seems to grow in a spiral, or even the idea of cutting a bunch of kale and digging up a couple of beets to cook for supper.

So here is my list - a list of things I'd like to plant this year. Some are practical and do-able, and some are just pie-in-the-sky, but fun to dream about nonetheless.

• lettuce (red oak leaf, deer tongue, Simpson black-seeded)
• radishes (German Giant and Pink Beauty)
• chocolate mint
• lavender
• society garlic
• Baja Fairy Duster
• violas
• Mexican Primrose
• shallots
• millet and purple millet
• lamb's ear
• yarrow
• Mexican Red Hat
• butterfly bush
• popcorn bush
• catnip
• zucchini
• beets
• yellow beets
• swiss chard
• kale
• basil
• nasturtiums
• salvia
• flame tree
• alyssum
• hollyhocks
• sweet peas
• morning glories

Here's to playing in the dirt!

Mornings

I love it when I am able to catch a glimpse of the details of a person’s life. Nothing too private, nothing too personal, just some little component of what makes that person’s day special and complete. I love to uncover a little snippet of what gives them comfort, a little tidbit of what feeds their soul. It makes it easier for me to believe that we are all somehow connected, even with all of our differences.

For this reason, I really enjoy seeing the pictures of other bloggers’ special places – the sunny window where they enjoy their coffee every morning, the bistro where they always find the best croissants, or the gorgeous garden with the violets they grew from seeds that they carried back from grandma’s house.

So today I’m sharing a couple photos of my patio where I love to have my morning coffee. It’s comfortable to me because it’s kind of private (from the neighbors), but a breeze can still blow through. I have a couple of canaries in a cage that love the morning as much as I do and sing often to show it. I have a water garden with a couple of goldfish in it and a small pump that makes just the gentlest little gurgling sound. I have comfy chairs and a glider (on which I’ve had some wonderful naps when the weather is just right), and lots of plants. Even on the weekends, I often get up early just so I can enjoy the morning before the day gets too hectic.

Sadly, though, summer is here. And it will soon be too warm to go out, even very early in the morning. When that happens, I’ll find a quiet spot inside to enjoy my coffee - maybe with ice.