Sunday Selections

"I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers."

-- Claude Monet

Lazy, Hot Saturday & a Fuzzy Butt

It's 95 degrees here right now!  It's not officially summer yet and we're watching the mercury rise daily.  I've mentioned before that I am NOT a summer person.  Here in California's Central Valley, we get three digit temperatures on a regular basis during the summer months.  It will occasionally go up to about 115 or so.  Dangerously hot for all of our critters and just plain miserable for all of us. 

Today is the first day that I have given in and turned on the AC.  Mom can't breathe very easily when the temps get too high and we've been making do with the fans.  But the cats were already laying on the cooler living room floor trying not to move at 10:30am this morning so I knew it was time. 

*If you look closely at Bugsy's furry little rear-end, you'll see actual bits of white fuzz similar to dryer lint.  This is about the third time he's appeared (from who knows where) looking like this.  It reminds me of those annoying & tacky toilet paper commercials with the bears.  Maybe he's using that particular TP when he steps out of the litter box?  Another of the mysteries of living with cats..........

Thrifty Finds or Presents

Look what my other mother (Billie Mom) found for me!  She was given a box of things to put into her yard sale and pulled these out for little ol' me.  I just adore that woman.  She's my best friend's Mom and mine by osmosis.  One of the real bonuses is that she and Pops live literally right around the corner from us (1 mile in country-speak), but that's very close out here.  Anyway, on to the goodies:

Aren't they great?  I'm always looking for unusual pots and things for the garden.  These all fit the bill perfectly.  I already planted a little baby jasmine vine in the hanging pot above on the left.  You can barely see the green poking up.  Thanks Billie Mom!!!

CSN Stores EarthBox Garden Kit review

Back in March, I posted about a review I would be doing for CSN Stores on their EarthBox Garden Kit.  (You can find the original post Here).  I know it was quite a while ago that I started on this review, but I wanted to really give it a thorough test and not just an "oh it's cool", "I really like it", etc.  even though I hadn't really put it through it's paces.  I won't do a review post on anything that I haven't truly tried out personally.  So, without further ado; my unbiased opinion - I love it!!!!

I planted the grow box the same day I received it back in March.  I put young strawberry plants in both the EarthBox and also a similar planter that I already owned.  The planters are roughly the same size and shape.  I put a total of six strawberry plants in each, all the same size and variety.  The plants have all had the exact same conditions and treatment.  I followed the directions on the EarthBox exactly as they instructed.  Since the EarthBox did come with fertilizer, I added the same type to my white planter as well.  I really believe the system they've come up with is a winner.

This photo is of the EarthBox on the day I planted it:  (I'm sorry I can't find the photo of the white planter from that day - I believe it was part of the laptop casualty files.)

The photos below show the EarthBox and the regular planter now:

regular planter

EarthBox

side by side

Above photo shows them side by side.  Isn't the difference in plant size amazing?  I was very impressed with this kit and I think I may just have to get myself one or two more for next season.  I like that the planter is on wheels and is very easy to maneuver around.  I think it would be great for some of the delicate plants or those that don't seem to make it here due to gophers....

As for CSN Stores, I was very impressed with their service and communication.  James was the representative who had initially contacted me for the review and was extremely helpful from start to finish.  Once we decided what I would be reviewing, he placed my order and it was here within about three days.  Their huge inventory and major amount of selections are very impressive as well.  They offer free shipping on many of their items too so it's a great idea to check them out!

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Disclaimer: I received the above EarthBox Garden kit for review purposes. The opinions and views expressed here are 100% my own. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review.

 

What I See Wednesday

mock orange

pretty in pink

a little sparrow sits on this windchime & watches me in my office

I am loving nasturtiums this year

sweet williams?

5am - ball of yarn starts in the sewing room/office,
migrates drunkenly down the hall, takes a detour into mom's room,
 and finally comes to a stop at the end of the hall
(notice one of the accomplices at the door to our room..)