Gone Feral In Idaho

Although it's been up to the 50's the past few days, winter is here and there isn't as much color as I'd like. Since I didn't feel well today, I decided to set myself up with a few hot mugs of coffee and some photos I took earlier at Edwards Greenhouse. The variety of poinsettia flowers they carry is very extensive. I figured I'd share some with you.  This last one was my favorite of all, but I couldn't find one in a more affordable small pot. I brought home one the the creamy white ones called "Polar Bear".

 I can't believe we just put in a new garden and planted 100 bulbs Tuesday. It started snowing last night and we got about 10 inches in less than 24 hours. The stock tank and fish are winterized, and our decoy owl and hawk are now wearing funny hats.  View of the bit of foothills we have, this was taken in the dark. I also did my third round of shoveling and Kyle did another last night as well. The snow is piling up. The dogs are having fun romping in the knee deep (for them) snow.

Pumpkinrot, as usual.

We had perfect Halloween weather last night. Cool, but not cold, the fog hung low all night. I've been pretty worn out today, so much energy goes into our little yard haunt. I was a little better prepared and set up bit by bit during the week. Yesterday, I put out all the little finishing touches such as new ivy on the tombstones, the little LED candles sprinkled everywhere, some skulls, and four cow skulls our neighbor gave me last minute that I put on top of the new cemetery columns. The night before the light show had a problem and one of my skeleton ghost's set of eyes was misfiring, so I also completely redid the electronic project box with fresh parts. The amount of anxiety I have each year as to whether the light show will work or not almost makes me want to ditch the project and run the old fashioned par 38 spotlights. When I was done I started a diagnostic on the lights which requires turning on one channel of lights, running outside to see if it works (all the while...

We are almost fully set up. Some more additions, light show, and fog to come...

My dearest husband thought it was a shame to not have lights out on the graveyard in the irterem before I have the light show set up. He was very helpful and also thought we needed an extra red floodlight in the background before I threw in the towel and went to bed. I have so many more plans for this year. We'll see what I get done.

The cemetery just got set up. The characters go in tomorrow and the lights go up this week.

Just getting in the mood.

The incessant heat is driving me bonkers. I am looking toward fall, just one evening when I need to wear a hoodie seems a dream, never possible. I have begun to toil and shovel up the tons of gravel lining every edge of the lawn wheelbarrow full by wheelbarrow full at bit each day. We went to the botanical garden yesterday to see what is working at the end of summer in the intense heat. We finally have proudly become household members for the first time as well. The Bot. garden here is small, but neatly planned and I hope to see it grow. This time of year I miss the Chicago Botanical Gardens- oh what an Eden.   The back yard is still completely in experimental phase that I am certain will continue as long as we do. My proud Costco purchase was our second "bone daddy" featured on the rickety bench. I have half a heart to leave him out there and let the deadly morning glories overcome him. I'm sure I'll hate myself when I have to cut him out this fall, but I love th...

Solar lanterns in the garden at night.

I got these seeds from Baker Creek Rare Seeds, but no longer see this variety on the website. My seed packets are long packed away for next winter. From what I remember it is a German wandering tomato. It is multi-lobed like a bunch of fused cherry tomatoes. This one seems a little small, but is much firmer than the first one I picked. I'm waiting for Kyle to get home to try it.  stem end, strange, but not crazy blossom end, crazy