Low Country Boil '08

This year, our friends put on their Fourth Annual Low Country Boil, a tradition from their days living in South Carolina. It's a veritable feast, boiling all ingredients - onions, potatoes, corn on the cob, smoked sausage and shrimp in a single pot, with a large bag of Zataran's Crab Boil for additional flavor. When finished, the entire contents of the pots are placed on a newspaper draped picnic table and the guests are then called to the table to help themselves to heaping helpings of the goodies.

There were a few unexpected guests, who wandered among the blueberry patch, helping themselves to a free meal. These ducks live in the lake and make themselves right at home.


Despite the deluge of rain we've had every day for what seems like forever, the garden is producing quite nicely. Here is one day's bounty from my very small veggie garden........


The morning glories are about to cover the fountain arbor completely!

No post to this blog is complete without mentioning the antics of Sluggo. This boy absolutely loves H and will not leave him alone while he's trying to do his daily crossword puzzle.

H gets a kiss from Sluggo. I think he likes his mustache!

Time for the belly rub!
And so ends another day up north!

Life is Good,

Hugs, Giddy

The Veggie Garden

Sometimes, I'm not too bright. It has suddenly occurred to me that I've been blogging about my garden and have totally neglected to feature the veggie part of it.

With the price of food spiraling out of control, much like gas these days, I decided to increase the veggies in the garden. Heretofore, I had only planted a few tomatoes, some zucchini, and green beans in amongst my herbs. This year, I increased the size of the perennial bed and have planted a few new things.

This is the original herb garden behind the house. The lettuce in front has provided us with many nice salads so far.

I put in a couple of jalapeno peppers for H. He dearly loves anything hot. I also planted one green pepper. I have not had much luck with peppers in the past, but I'll try to coddle them a bit more this year.
The yellow squash seems to be taking off. And this marjoram has gotten totally out of hand. I'll be thinning it out this week.

The tomatoes are making good growth and have blossoms on them. I purchased 5 different ones and a friend gave me one of his grape tomato seedlings. I love munching on them while I'm working in the garden.

I dug out rocks for weeks to make this little bed. Filled with lots of composted manure, I hope the cabbage and basil will like it. The pole beans are in the bed next to it.

I expanded the perennial bed in the flower garden and interplanted veggies there, as well. The red cabbage is adding a bit of color. I also have yellow squash and zukes and Red Russian Kale planted.
The kale seedlings need transplanting

Sluggo, of course, is no help at all. He has co opted the top of my recliner as his favorite napping spot.
I know you shouldn't let your herbs bloom, but the bees dearly love this sage

This afternoon, the boys were kept busy watching squirrels and chipmunks coming up on the deck in search of the peanuts I had thrown out for them. The "kitty show" keeps them busy for hours on end.

Life is good,

Hugs, Giddy