Adapting to Climate

We believe there should be no doubt in global warming.  Each year here in Kansas our summers have become more extreme.  Last year we started planting in mid March.  By July it was a struggle to keep things alive. 

Last year our zone was changed to a warmer climate.  And because of the previous year's drought, we adapted then. My husband came up with a system for catching rain water. See my post about our "pond" here.

So this year we've pushed things up by one month.

A modified cold frame built with our old windows.  It sits on a drainage line of our grey water from our kitchen and laundry and then a soaker hose lying inside.  It gets watered from the top and the bottom.  As soon as the plants are too tall for the windows we'll change to a hoop system. Lettuce, spinach, radishes and peas.

I started my seeds about 10 days ago.  Yesterday about half got larger homes.

I'll be starting another round this week.

An idea from Pinterest, these micro-greens are growing in the drawers of an old card catalog, radish and cilantro. 

My fairy garden in a drawer sits on top.  It got a spring makeover too.  Granddaughter seems to get the sand everywhere.

And grass sprouting in the A Green Desire book for Scout. He's a very pampered rabbit.

Small Wonders

 

I am smitten!  I love miniatures and working with my miniature gardens:  http://keepingnotes.typepad.com/blog/2011/03/spring-greening.html.  But this has made me want to branch out and try something new. 

The artist is Annina Gunter and her work is amazing!

 

See more of her work on her blog: http://anninagunter.blogspot.com/

Spring greening

 St. Patty's Day's weather in eastern Kansas was spectacular.  The thermometer read 78.  Needless to say, I couldn't resist finding myself in an overwhelming gardening mood the last couple of days.  I have started my seeds indoors and yesterday got out to the garden and planted peas, radishes, blackberries and lily of the valley.  And then I decided the house needed some spring treatment as well. 

The fairy garden in the vintage jewelry box received a new orange/mint plant and I dug up some gorgeous fresh moss out of the yard and then moved it into the kitchen .....




The fairy garden in the antique drawer got a couple of new succulents and more of the same awesome moss......






 The kitchen got a new bay leaf tree, in honor of my dad......


and a rosemary tree ....





I brought in some forsythia branches to force last Saturday, they bloomed today....




and a forced hyacinth in water....




and the living room got an Australian Cherry bonsai.  I



I also found some seed pods while visiting my daughter.  They were perfect for my little tripple vase.



 


And finally, my latest chocolate addiction.  If you love sweet and salty, melt the finest dark chocolate you have, sprinkle on a few grains of sea salt, smooth over the top, let them harden and then devour them.  Or maybe you can control yourself better than I and just nibble on them!  I can't stop making them!

Happy Friday!!!!!

Meet Jack! He's a year

Meet Jack! He's a year and a half year old English Angora. He is just what a 2 year old granddaughter obsessed with Alice in Wonderland and a grandmother obsessed with wool crafts needs!

And just look how much gorgeous wool I've already collected!

Some time ago I broke the mirror in a vintage vanity set. So I decided it would make a nice miniature garden ...

And finally, I've finished half of the Rebecca gray beach skirt. This yarn is so fine it's a bit difficult on my hands.

Miniature gardens, large insect

Tea cup stemware with miniature clay pots....

miniature silver chair and tea set in a silver creamer.....

rock cottage and miniature swing....

miniature bike, wheelbarrow, garden boots and tools, and swing in a vintage wooden drawer.....

and a vintage jewelry box with a tea party.....

and a praying mantis spotted yesterday on my lunch hour....

he was massive!!!!