Handsome Husband vs. Beast

We live at the edge of the foothills and water is scarce! The wild pigs are coming down to quench their thirst. But, the bad news is that they are ripping up the sprinkling systems to get to the water! So, handsome husband got a pig permit from the friendly game warden.

First one down was a baby of about 40 lbs. Our friend, Mike the former butcher and his brother in law "G" the gutter came to handsome husbands rescue. Because handsome husband didn't know what to do! Alas, we got the thing skinned, gutted and butchered and soaked it in salt water for our enjoyment later!

We had pig-a-bobs with fresh veggies over rice! Mmm good! Actually handsome husband didn't think that the tenderloins needed to be soaked, so they were a bit tough. But that there was no sign of that gamy taste you hear about.

A few nights later, while handsome is on his nightly ride giving Holly the Terrorize some exercise they ran across a pack of 10 more. This time the bigger one went down. We're guessing 120-150 lbs.

I thought it most important to include a, oh so cute picture, of Holly the Terrorizer cuddled up with her one of her bff's, "monkey". Holly faithfully sits in my office with me daily as I work away. She guards me with her life, just ask the UPS man.

Sure glad that this pigs didn't make it into my garden. I hear they eat anything and just about time to pluck those pumpkins.

September is hotter than the dickens in CA!

It's still hot enough to call it summer, but the calendar has turned to September and that tells me it should be autumn. The garden is looking pretty depleted.

Tomatoes are still blooming, but the actual fruit is very small. The pumpkins have started turning orange and the sunflowers have fallen over. And I'm just plain hot.

I've inserted a picture of the flowers on the chive plants. They are alive with a buzz of activity. Bees and small orange colored moths. I do like this part of my herb garden a lot. I haven't had much luck with the lemon thyme though. It grows and then just dies.

We had a beautiful lilac bush at our previous home. The renters didn't want it and so, I convinced (twisted his arm) my most wonderful husband to move it. He had to pull it out with a chain and a truck! And what a hole did it leave. Oh and then someone (not me) had to dig the new hole. I do have a great husband. Anyway, the lilac did well all summer - big beautiful purple blooms and oh the fragrance was sweet. About a month ago all the leaves on one of the limbs started to curl and turn brown. Before I knew it the entire bush seems to have died. I have no idea what happened. If you do, please let me know. I still have the hummingbird feeder in the bush and they would be enjoying it, if only someone could remember to fill it.

That wonderful husband I spoke about earlier, wants to yank it out now! I think we should reflect a bit before yanking. I'm hoping it has just decided to go dormant...wishful thinking I know. Anyway, if we have to yank it out, we will probably add another tree, as our new yard is in need of shade . Don't you wish one could just blink and have big lovely shade trees!

I did buy a few dozen tulips, but will wait until October to plant those babies. Anyone up for a bulb planting party? Just let me know.

We're off to the B-52's next week. Wonderful husband bought tickets for the anniversary of my 29th birthday! Wonder if I should get a bouffant hairdo before we go. Take care and I'll chat with you soon!

Fall & Pumpkins

Pumpkins...soup, jackolanterns and raviolis. Things I like! We currently have 4 pumpkins on 4 vines. I was hoping that I would have to choose which pumpkins to keep and which to pinch, but that was not what Mother Nature had in mind. You can see that they are beginning to turn orange. This is the biggest of the lot. One other is close is size, while the other two are small. So much for giant pumpkin seeds.

I began the pumpkin adventure in the raised bed with 1/3 vermiculte, compost and moss, but soon realized that this mix just wasn't working according to the book. So, I added two bags of miracle grow to the top soil and also periodically watered with horse manure tea! Yes, horse manure tea. I created this concotion by stopping on the side of the road and picking up road apples. I then put them in a 5 gallon bucket and added water - let this sit a week or so and have been slowly adding this to my watering regime. I've also added more water to the bucket daily to tone it down a bit! Keep looking and I'll keep you updated! Have a great fall!