Goodbye Mr. Tumac

After much agonizing and weeks of discussion Daniel and I decided that it would be best for all concerned if puppeh-lou was not part of our lives. We just do not have enough time to give him the attention and training that a puppy requires. We were all miserable, especially puppeh, and it isn't fair to him or us to continue the way is has been going.


Yesterday I took Tumac to the Shelton Adopt-A-Pet no-kill shelter and left him in the caring hands of the wonderful volunteers there. Everyone exclaimed over how handsome he was and said they didn't think they would have any trouble at all placing him with a family that will love him and give him the attention he deserves. They have a beautiful facility where he can be around people all day long and play with other dogs to, until someone takes him to his forever home.

Goodbye Mr. Tumac. Thank you for teaching us we are not dog people and that we should stick to cats. It is valuable lesson.

Daylilies!!!

The dayliies really enjoyed the delayed summer and are looking fantastic this year. here's a few that are blooming now.























DId some weeding and finally caught some shots of the cats outside with me. They are enjoying the nice weather and are out quite a bit now. Gracie caught two mice yesterday and ate them both.

Productive weekend

We finally got started on the new fence around the courtyard. Daniel put in the new posts and I took down the old ones. Of course a deer was right in the middle of it when we got up this morning. Will add the new fencing tonight and then work on gates.


Here's some JI's, LA's and an English iris that are blooming right now.

Floral Fireworks

There's plenty of bright bursts of color in the garden today.

June's floral parade

A few photos of flowers around the garden in late June. I couldn't decide which of these shots of the black lace elderberry to use so I added both. Isn't it gorgeous?!




These lupines got a lot of attention during open garden. They really put on a show this year.


It is always fun to see the native plants blooming. This bright orange lonicera adds a touch of color to the evergreens along the driveway.


A bed sown with a 'northwest wildflower mix' brough us sweet william, which then became the only one to reseed and cross tha past two years until we have this beautiful display. They get no water and have poor soil and could care less


Here are two of my favorite lilies. I've had both of them forever and they are just vigorous and floriferous and always perform well.




Verbascum in a beautiful dusty salmon tone.


The cats are spending more time outside, as long as the doggie isn't around. And yet I still only get pics of them laying about.


There are still all kinds of iris going here, so watch for a post of them soon.

The Irises of Grace Sturtevant

Grace Sturtevant was known as the First Lady of Irises due to her early involvement with the AIS and her amazing record of hybridizing. What a legacy she ahs left us. Sadly, of over 200 introductions only a few dozen of her varieties are still with us. I think they are some of the loveliest ever created.