My new compost bin...

Making compost...

This is my new compost bin.
It is made from one of those storage boxes
that you use to store trash cans.

My DBF  added some air vents to each of the sides...

This is a peek at what's inside, so far...

There is a bar across the front to hold the doors closed.
 When I remove that bar,  I can open the doors
to pull the stuff out.

Then I can mix it up real good and put it back in,
or use it, if it is ready.The top lifts up, so I can also mix it with my cultivator.
I am excited to see how well it works...

I'll let you know...

'Til next time,  Love ya,  Jean

A transformation...

This was a very hot,  humid summer here in New England.  It made gardening very difficult,  but I persevered and did get some things accomplished.  This is the area under my old ornamental cherry tree.  This tree is about 55 years old,  has fire blight and is on the decline.  An arborist came around about 5 years ago and wanted to cut it down.  I couldn't bear the thought,  and it has rebounded a bit.  I will have it trimmed again in another month or so and I will keep it as long as I possibly can.  I love this tree.

This area of my garden went from this...

to this!

I took out the scruffy cedar trees that had grown there,  cleaned out the pachysandra that had taken over, and put in tons of compost and mulch.  I like how it looks now.

I'm  looking forward to cooler weather, so that I can work more comfortably out there.  The garden will be put to sleep again for the winter before we know it.

'Til next time,  Love ya,  Jean  

Happy 4th of July...

.

(Cake and cupcakes that I made for the 4th,  3 birthdays,  and Belated Father's Day...)

              Happy Independence Day to all!
                               'Til next time,  
                               Love ya,  Jean

Garden Views...

It's a jungle out there!!

(Click on pics to enlarge them.)

'Til next time,  

Love ya,  Jean

Baby Quilts...

I made these charity baby quilts in the last few weeks...

Baby Boy...

Tigers...

Animals...

Multiple boy things...

Bugs & dogs...

Silly farm animals...


These are so much fun to put together!
'Til next time,
Love ya,  Jean

Flower Carpet Amber Rose...

This is a small section of my backyard.
My daughter gave me the rose bush a few years ago.
The yellow below the rose is a sedum.

It is loaded with roses and blooms for a long time.

It is interesting because the yellow-orange flowers
change to pink as it (the flower) matures.
It is a "Flower Carpet" Amber Rose.
This rose comes in 9 great colors,  too!

I love this rose.
And what's better is that,
it doesn't even get any bugs on it.

'Til next time,
Love ya,  Jean

Graduation Fun

My Grandchildren are all growing up!

We have had 3 graduations in the family this year.

Chris graduated from college,

Kayla graduated from college,

and Connor graduated from high school.

Here is the cake I made for them this past weekend.

The cake flavors were Chocolate Fudge,  Fun-fetti and Yellow...

The cap is made with cake and fondant...

Buttercream Icing...

Very Yummy!

There was a great party with a shrimp boil,  salmon,

 and lots of other goodies to go with it all!

Lots of family and friends came to celebrate...

And it was fun!

'Til next time,

  Love ya,  Jean