The Wee People May Be Next

I live in Los Angeles. I have heard, as well as Have read that this is a almost a desert. But things are changing or this is just a damp time for us. I found this in the garden yesterday. I call it "Fungus Giganticus". It is the largest mushroom that I have ever seen. Of course, I have read of larger but this is the biggest that I have seen. this lovely example of fungus measure 6 3/8" across.
I was in my studio and happened to look out the window. I thought that a plastic bag had flown over the fence. I looked again and decided that it needed a closer examination. I went out there and the dogs and I discussed this phenomena. They found it hard to believe as well.
I don't know what the official name is but it does remind me of a lost falsie. I have not dug it up because I am still entranced with it.

These will soon be on my table. I can't believe that I will have tomatoes. What with dogs and birds, I gave up trying to have home grown tomatoes. This year, I had a friend make a raise bed. I filled it with dirt and mulch, just to see if I could have some tomatoes. I plead with the Garden God, Please! And this year it looks good. Now, I have plans for doing it better next year. I think a soaker hose will be in order. And I will investigate a better drop cloth to cut down on the weeds. I have been feeding the plants but I should actually put the plan on a calendar and not go by my gut.
I am so excited!

When In Doubt-Photograph

My nose has been to the grindstone and plumbers. In between sewing and worrying about whether I can wash dishes, I hadn't look up to see my Queen Elizabeth rose. Yesterday, when the plumber finally arrived, I felt relaxed enough to look out the window. I looked and wondered when had all this beauty occurred? I went out to look and really was blown away.
I believe that our rains came at the perfect time for the roses in Los Angeles. I had noticed the roses on my walk but not in my own backyard. That is so telling about life. The are many sayings about "your own backyard" and I guess they are all true.
I may also be making headway on my new project as well as being able to wash dishes.
All is well.

Clearing House

My garden is giving me the last promise of 2009. The last flowers are losing petals. I will miss the colors and happiness but I know that it will come again. Isn't that wonderful that we always have next Spring?

I Rely on the "Bounty" of Strangers

Aren't these beautiful? They taste as good as they look! I did not grow them but a friend, who grew up on a farm in Nebraska, did. He told me of his secret. In the fall, he covered up his vegetable plot with all the leaves he could collect. He said that he had over 6 inches of leaves. In the spring, he parted only enough of the leaves to plant the tomato seedlings. He does well with tomatoes.

I, on the other hand, have been a dismal failure with tomatoes. It appears that the ground needs to be re-invested every year with lots of manure or compost. I thought that I had done that but evidently not enough. They would start to grow but something would get them every time. And year by year the crop would get smaller and smaller.

So (thanks to Hollywood and Blanche Dubois) I rely on the kindness of strangers.

Spring! Spring! Spring!

Right around the middle of February, I start looking for signs of Spring. By then I am so tired of the cold, no sun, wearing too many clothes and a watery nose that I think Spring must be coming. Tra La, Tra La! Of course that is all in my head but sometimes the dogs and cats do get to hear my meanderings.

But in the last two weeks, the signs are here. They are definitely here! That is wonderful. I love Summer best of all and Spring is a very close second.