Hummingbird Feeder

This morning, I happened to see a hummingbird swing by our front porch, obviously looking for a feeder. It flew by the same place we always hang the feeder every year. I don't usually have it out until later, but these hummingbirds are thirsty. We'll get one ready for you. Don't be a stranger now, little birdie! 

Hummingbirds can rest there....

This is what we see from our living room.

We are ready for you!

This hummingbird feeder has little twigs for the birds to perch on. That way they can sit on them while they have a little sip of nectar, not that they need to perch to drink, but who wouldn't want to rest every now and then?


AND later the same day....

Herb Garden 2013 Starts

I've got to get busy. I got a few new planters ready for my annual herbs, and as usual, tiny patio tomatoes. Husky cherry tomatoes are great because you don't have to prep the whole raised garden, just good soil in a planter is all you need. We snack on these little tomatoes all season long. I still need to get the seeds for shiso leaves and Japanese shishito peppers. Chop chop!

Two planters are ready for seeds.

Sweet basil and Thai basil

Rosemary and sage

Husky cherry tomatoes

"I like edible garden...."

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Early Summer Earrings 2

It almost feels like early summer has come and gone already and now real summer is in full swing. (And it's still only May!) Is it just me or the weather has been a bit wacky? It's like there is no "in-between" weather, and the temperatures are either all the way low or all the way high. I kind of miss moderate weather.

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Honeysuckles

I love this time of the year when there's not much pollen flying around, but you can smell flowers in the air. Walking our dogs is extra fun when you're breathing in the scent of roses and honeysuckles.

Honeysuckles smell like summer to me.

Honeysuckle shrubs in the backyard.

Knockout roses

A little branch of honeysuckles in the living room.

Bring in a piece of backyard. Fresh-cut flowers from outside brighten up my day.


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Early Summer Earrings

It's been awhile since I made the last pair of earrings. I've been focused more on getting the office ready for it. I like sitting there with an incense burning. It's just the jewelry making tools, the beads and me. (And sometimes my dogs. They follow me wherever I go....) Time just passes by, and I forget everything else. 

Love those little bows!

These pastel colors are perfect for spring and summer. 


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Flowers in the Backyard

Summer flowers are starting to bloom in the backyard. Some seem to come out a bit too early, and the others have come out later than usual. The plants are confused just as we are by the extreme weather. 

Daylily

Daylilies don't usually bloom until later. Over the past week, the temperatures were way too high for May. 

Knockout roses

Knockout roses grew to 3 feet tall with lots of flowers. I pruned them to about a foot earlier this season. Good to see them doing so well. 

White hydrangeas have healthy leaves and buds on them.

Potted plants on our patio

The potted flowers all came back this year. No matter how dead they look during the winter, they always come back. It's like seeing your relatives again whom you haven't seen for awhile.  

"Hey, I remember you!"

Gotta grow something for my cooking!

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Matcha Ginger Smoothie

Since the weather is nice and warm, I've been making iced Matcha tea everyday. Good green tea is really green in color, and it tastes and smells clean, like fresh cut grass. I made a smoothie this morning using good quality Matcha powder. 

Store in freezer to keep it fresh

Matcha Ginger Smoothie

1 cup almond milk
1/4 cup 0% fat Greek yogurt
1 tsp Matcha powder
2 tsp agave nectar
1 piece ginger crystal

Blend all of the ingredients until smooth. 

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Cocktail Night at Atlanta Botanical Garden

We had a date night at Atlanta Botanical Garden. We got married 9 years ago there, so it's a very special place for us. They have a nice exhibit of topiary art by International Mosaiculture of Montreal. The weather was perfect for strolling in the garden with a cocktail in your hand. 

Nestled as part of the garden...

Awesome!

Ogre and the Prince...

Look how big this cobra is next to the little boy!

I didn't get the horn in the picture, but this is a unicorn.

Five feet tall shaggy dog. The "hair" moves in the breeze.

"Where did we all come from?"

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Caramel Espresso Banana Smoothie

I don't drink coffee except for the Turkish coffee at our favorite restaurant. But I like coffee flavored ice cream. I like how coffee smells in the morning, but I don't like how it tastes. I do feel that I'm missing out on a big piece of American culture by not drinking coffee. This smoothie has a hint of coffee in the background, but caramel and banana come through more. Hey, coffee isn't so bad!

Instant espresso. I only use this for cooking.

Caramel Espresso Banana Smoothie

1 cup almond milk
1/4 cup 0% Greek yogurt
1 banana
1 Tbsp caramel sauce
1/2 tsp instant espresso
Unsweetened cocoa for garnish

Blend all of the ingredients until smooth. Garnish with cocoa powder.

Wonderful caramel sauce from Ladurée

I could drink this coffee again!

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Summer Haircut

It almost feels like mid-summer now. It's hot and humid outside. We decided to give our dog a summer haircut (a.k.a. a puppy cut). I know it's only May, and we don't usually do this until July, but hot weather is not good for him. He gets to grow his hair long again in winter. 

"It's that time of the year again."

"This is my pin-up look."

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