#SunRainbow

First moments of the May 24, 2020, Daybreak

Happy Memorial Day

Today is the second day of continual rainfall, and that is all good. I feel sorry that it is probably ruining family gathering plans, but our earth really needs a good soaking.

Before the rain started yesterday I noticed the eastern sky starting to light up. The view through the lens was spectacular!

After a couple of quick shots I turned around. Filling the western sky was a magnormous rainbow! The colors in the rainbow were quickly fading but the sky was still awash with blues and pinks. The entire experience lasted maybe two minutes. Hubs and I stood there, in awe. Isn't this Universe something else?

No filtering, but you know that already, right? 

This coloring job is entirely Mother Nature's!

Let's take time today 

to remember those 

who didn't make it home from their service.

Memorial Day 2009

#StrineBackYard

#Mud

This is South Florida's Rainy Season.  

I love it - there is rain nearly every afternoon (woohoo, less time for me to spend watering the garden since Nature takes over for a while!). 

However -

Rain + BackYard = MUD

Mud + TWO DOGS = A Mess!

Our new couch was delivered this past week. I put the dogs out back so the delivery guys didn't have to worry about the Doberman eating them. 

After they left I just stood there a few minutes admiring the new piece of furniture and thinking about what a great choice we made with the style and fabric. As I was patting myself on the back I opened the back door and in rushed two very excited, wound-up canines who promptly jumped on that beautiful couch with all four feet. 

4 x 2 = 8 Very Muddy Pawprints

🐾🐾🐾🐾

Yes, I yelled. The dogs ran for cover in their kennels and I cleaned that fabric within the first 10 minutes of the couch's life with the Strine's. 

Note: LazyBoy was right- this fabric is amazing and cleans right up!

So then I covered the couch with blankets and that made me feel sad. OK, angry. We could have picked up an old couch at the thrift store and thrown blankets on it for the same effect. Why can't we teach these guys to stay off the couch? 

"Yes, let's do that," agreed with no Doberman Dad ever.

But something magical happened. Hubs showed me a Facebook video that involved teaching a cat to stay off the counter by laying down a long section of aluminum foil. 

💡

All I can tell you is that it works! 

Now no one - 

not human or canine -

sits on that brand new couch.

Foiled Again!

Update: 

Fast track a couple weeks and we are all enjoying this couch. 

Together ☮️

What's the use of having something if you can't use it? 

#Snacks

Do You Ever Crave Salty Crunch?

Man, I do sometimes. All I can think of is that the big bag of Doritos the Hubs has hidden in the pantry. But from experience, I know how crappy I feel after I dig into those. Know what I'm talking about?

As an alternative, I try to keep fresh vegetables cut up in this 

serving tray container. 

As long as they already prepped and I have a shaker of salt handy, 

I'll choose this every time over the chips.

Left to Right: Celery, Radishes, Green Peppers, Cucumbers, Carrots, Cauliflower

#Tomatoitis

Crazy Tomato!

This guy grew around its cage.  I'm not sure how I feel about this variety of tomato. With the exception of one, so far every tomato has had deep brown gullies, cracks, and bad spots. 

This could be the fault of the gardener, of course. 

The taste is good but not the best of the best. I've spent more time coddling this one than the others. It bears a fair amount of fruit and we've been able to salvage some good parts of every tomato so I can't be too critical. 

I might not plant it again though, so let's just enjoy this:

PINK BRANDYWINE HEIRLOOM TOMATO

Crazy, right? 

🍅

#Sun

Today marks Firstborn's 36th birthday. He and his wife became parents to boy/girl twins six months ago. 

I loved that this morning's fog gave me a unique view of the sun. Actually, I was sitting in the hot tub when I noticed it so I jumped out real fast and ran into the house soaking wet to get my camera. I shared these photos with Firstborn in the Happy Birthday text at the beginning of his special day. Isn't life just breathtaking sometimes?

#Gardenitis

We moved to South Florida in May of 2005. 

After a lifetime of heavy sweaters, coats, boots, gloves, scarves, dead car batteries, stuck in the snowbank-call the tow truck, with very few days of sunshine, we packed it up and moved to where the climate suits our clothes. 

Happy 15th Relocation Anniversary to us!

"Us" includes my Hubs, Mike. He is a Deputy at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. He's one of the good guys, and I'm so proud of him. 👮‍♂️💕

In 2016 I incorporated my own business called All Things Administrative. 

Take a peek: Cathy's Business Website. 

So I work from my home office and get to spend lots of time out in the backyard where all sorts of fun and weird things happen. 

I'll show you around #StrineBackYard right now!

Looking out across the pool, facing North. Notice the gentleman sunbather in the pool.

HINT:
For best viewing, right-click on a picture
and select "Open link in another window" 

Looking easterly toward the canal.

Wildlife in the canal is a whole world unto itself.
Stop back for those picture stories!

This potato plant is a few days away from harvest.

This was a beautifully blooming Hibiscus plant when I brought it home from Lowes.
The Doberman tells me Hibiscus is a delicious snack.

We like to sit out here on the patio and do nothing.

Have you ever smelled Night Jasmine? You need to!
But you have to be quick- it only blooms with aroma at night.

Baby Lemons

Brussels Sprouts

I love homegrown tomatoes more than anything.

I love radishes right from the Earth, too.
Well, I do rinse them off first.

The vertical pole is all flowers and strawberry plants.
The raised beds are full of tomatoes, peppers, swiss chard, pole beans, cucumbers, and onions.

Remember the "down & dirty" I promised? Right there- that trash can 🤣
Otherwise, this is a nice shot of the tomatoes lined up against the fence.

Just put this guy in a week ago.

This is Aloha, aka Plumeria. They make Hawaiian Leis from this flower.

Corn growing in burlap bags.
Have you ever done this?
Our first year trying it.

Green Pepper. It looks like the leaves are getting snacked on.

Jalapenos! Some like it HOT! 
I don't, Hubs does.
So I keep containers of raw and roasted Jalapenos for him.
They freeze well, too.

Very last tomato on this vine- the runt.
This plant was the first to feed us this year, and it is nearly ready to retire at the Compost Pile.

Dwarf Lockspur, with Plumeria in the background.

Hubs just built these new beds, and they are fantastic.
With the heat of the season upon us, I might wait until Fall or Winter to plant these.

Bloom of a pepper plant.

Blooms of the Night Jasmine.
We moved it (all 150# of it) to a spot right outside the backdoor.
If you ever see me standing there sniffing, now you know why.

Pole Beans.
Had the first harvest last night.
Steamed them a bit with butter and 3 cloves of minced garlic.

This guy and his partner oversee the pool area.

Potato Plants and Lavendar.

Red Pepper

Swiss Chard.
I like to add it to tossed salads or add to stir fry like you would with spinach.

This is a baby Navel Orange.

Looking out from the back door at #StrineBackYard

Yard Deco