July 27th, 2007

Enjoy some of my latest photos.

I had to pick man y of the melons. Some are very small but the stems came off and that usually means they are ripe. This is my first time growing melons and I learned that you have to check them every day. Some of them had their stem come off and I did not notice. They were attacked by insects and started to ro. I lost 4 melons to the compost pile.

They taste great but could be sweeter for my taste. I must find out how to get them to be sweeter. E-mail me if you have some suggestions ginette

My cucumber plants are doing fantastic. Up to 10 cucumbers a week.

Chinese Eggplants is doing great.

A new bed of beans and sweet peas.

Planted about a month ago end of June.

July17th, 2007

Last year we lost our beloved Tommy.

As you can see in this photo Tommy in the front & Josi where best buddies.

 Tommy was one of a litter of four and he died at the tender age of just over two years. It was especially devastating for Josi, he was looking for his brother for a long time and used to run in to his own reflection  as if he said "Oh here you are!" only to look confused and lay down sad. It was a very dark time in our house for a long time. 

That is why it was such a joy when little Buster Casey stumbled in to our yard just over a month ago. He was a stray maybe just a couple of months old. His mannerism and antics immediately reminded me of Tommy. Tommy was a red and white tabby and little Buster- Casey is a gray and white tabby. We decided to keep him and 3 days later he had his first vet appointment. Since then he's been vaccinated and thriving. Each day he is reminding me in so many ways of our beloved Tommy. There will never be another Tommy but I can't help wondering if Buster's sudden appearance in our yard, amidst the tomato plants was more then just a coincidence. He immediately acted as if he wasn't going to leave, as if he found what he was looking for, as if he had been here before.

Even though it's been only  seven weeks, since Buster-Casey came to us, Tommy's brother Josi short for Geoseppi has already excepted him and they play together just as Josi and Tommy used to do. I'm si happy over this  little guy. Enjoy the pictures.

Buster Casey & Josi short for Geoseppi

As every cat owner that tried to introduce a new cat can attest. It can be impossible or at least a long endeavor. It's been almost miraculous how Josi and Buster-Casey have gotten close so fast. I took these pictures today. 
It's the first day that they began grooming each other.

July 12th, 2007

Mr. Stripey is a wonderful mild tomato. 

The flavor is very tomatoee but with less acidity. Mr. Stripey is a sweet tomato.

The plant does not produce lots of tomatoes but their taste is so great that I will plant them again next year. Each of these are well worth it.

The fruit get pretty bid, this one weights 12 ounces. They have known to produce fruits over a pound in weight.

July 11th, 2007

Today I picked all these cucumbers, tomatoes and sweet peas. 

Looks like tonight, we'll have home made Marinara Sauce. 

Anyone out there has an unusual use for cucumbers,  some special recipe.. e-mail me. 

Ginette

July 9th. 2007

My garden is doing great. I am so thrilled about the Tomatoes, Cantaloupe, Squash, Eggplants (Aubergines), Bell Peppers,  herbs and sweet peas. 

I hope you enjoy the pictures. If you are an artist feel free to use them to paint from.

One of my parsley has a caterpillars on it. 

Growing my own vegetables give me a great sense of independence. Knowing how things grow, how to make them grow and get great yields from what first was a small seedling is a very rewarding feeling. When I see the prices of fruits and vegetables in the local store, I gladly walk by the tomatoes that seem to cost more every day, knowing I get home and pick them right off the vine. An added benefit is that I grow them organically (it does take some pampering) and the home grown taste is unbeatable. Yesterday I picked at least 4 pounds of cherry and grape tomatoes and gave a large cup to my neighbors. So you also make friends. Their kids look over the fence  and get excited when they see the cantaloupe and boy we have many. You can see picture of the cantaloupe patch and how it looked in the beginning in my May Blog

I am still painting lots of ACEo's. Take a look at these colorful collectables 

ACEO's at auctions

I am also listing a few oil paintings.

Here is one of a beautiful Swan. It will end in a few days. Click on the image to go to the auction

July 5th, 2007

I hope you had a great 4th of July. I certainly did. 

I am painting some ACEO's again. 

ACEO = Art Card Editions & Originals.

They are very collectable and once or twice a year I get an urge to paint small paintings. They are the size of 2.5 x 3.5.

Right now I have many at auction. I hope you find them enchanting and please bid as often as you like. To the left and right are some of what I am painting./ Lots of Landscapes, Flowers and anything that gets in to my head.

SEE ALL MY ACEO ORIGINALS  HERE

To the left is our first Mr. Stripy Tomato. Many more are on the vine. This one with a bit of olive oil and cider vinegar basil and pepper and salt and it's delicious.

Eating fresh vegetables is one of the best things you can do for your health and skin. 

I eat little cocktail tomatoes as my little treat and in-between snack. They are sweet, juicy. and healthy. Leaded with vitamins. I grow my veggies organically. 

July, 1st 2007