Memorial Day Weekend

 It's getting late. I promised myself I would catch the blog up, including everything I could remember from May before June 1st came. That means I have 25 minutes to finish everything up. I can't make the deadline at this rate. Memorial Day weekend was full of 'stuff'. So, I am changing my plans. Not my promise, but my approach. Welcome back to the days of  photoblogging:


Friday we took the kids to see Kung Fu Panda II. The favorite line: "I'm hungry for Kung Fu!" (Stomach growls.) "That was my fist." The favorite scene: The Dragon Warrior and the Fabulous Five are disguised as a dragon. As they encounter bad guys, it looks like the dragon eats them up and then poops them out. Xander almost fell out of his chair laughing and Eva laid across my lap trying to catch her breath. I probably rolled my eyes at the scene and smiled at my kid's obvious joy.


Saturday was a family trip to Farmer's Market to chose what we would plant in the garden and to pick up some meat, cheese, bread, and produce. We ran into friends (repeatedly), watched a magic show, listened to Boo Bradley and a few other street musicians, had lunch out, and then headed to Jung's Nursery for the plants that would replace the Junipers.


In taking the first Juniper out, Jeff pulled a muscle in his back. At that point, he decided on counsel from the neighbor's, to use a chain saw to cut the main branches off the plants and then clippers to cut the roots off. We'll probably have mushrooms growing in the yard over the next few years. I guess we'll deal with that when we get there.


By the end of the day, the front bed to the right of the door was completely torn out, preened, new weed block cloth laid, plant planted, mulched and watered. The rest of the beds were weeded, mulched and watered. Two new plants were planted beneath the bay window to add some color, texture, and height.


Sunday was cold and rainy, but the kids and I still managed to get the garden planted. This year's array includes Sweet 100s (cherry tomatoes), Roma tomatoes, Valencia peppers, cucumbers, green beans, and sugar snap peas. We also pushed back the strawberries and transplanted two small raspberry bushes that didn't stay within the designated area. (I'm not sure they are going to make it.) While we dodged the rain drops, Jeff worked under the deck putting chicken wire behind the trellis to keep the rabbits and other critters out of the garden. Last year proved too frustrating to allow them continued access. 


We also switched the bird feeders around as kind of a science experiment. The thistle feeder is almost as full as the day we hung it up. The standard feeder has been empty for at least a week now. I think squirrels are eating it. Jeff thinks the thistle feeder is too close to the dogs. I think we'll know in the next couple of weeks.


Monday was more work on the yard in the morning. Mowing, dandelion removal, and mosquito population reduction were the primary chores. Around noon, we began getting ready for friends to come over. It was great having a dozen people over for food, games, and just plain old fun.


Ahhh!  Five minutes to upload pictures and get them placed. I think I can forgive myself if it is 12:01 before I am done. Maybe even later.