Earth Day in San Clemente

There were lots of fun activities in San Clemente celebrating Earth Day. We were excited that Aubrey and Garrett could spend the weekend.
Started out on Saturday with a butterfuly/native planting at the San Clemente State Park.

Love this shot of Garrett (almost 4 yrs.) planting his first plant. Note the plastic pot is nestled tightly in the ground. He did it all by himself while I was a few feet away digging another hole.

Aubrey, 6 years old, knew what to do and just went from plant to plant, digging holes and getting the job done. I love that the time their parents and I spend with them in the garden shows and sets them apart from most children. They love digging for worms in my compost pile...

Then we headed to the SC Pier for their Earth Day activities. The kiddos are chasing bubbles.

And we must take time for a corn dog and playing tag with the waves!

Casa WWII tree planting

We had a lovely ceremony at the Casa at the end of the very emotional 2 month exhibit of WWII photos etc. The Casa is a Cultural Center "and gardens". The cultural part and the gardens were combined in this ceremony. I had 5 minutes to thank my volunteers - standing behind me at the front of this photo.

A month or so ago, I was asked where we could plant a tree, somewhere in the community, to honor veterans. I had a great spot that needs trees, right here at the Casa , the Woodland Garden. I asked for a donation of 1 tree and was given 10! by local Tree of Life Nursery owner and Casa board member, Mike Evans. Can't wait for the forest to emerge.

ME a Floral Design Winner!

This weekend was our Garden Club's annual GardenFest. Mike and I worked long and hard helping set up on Friday and a long day Saturday during the event. The theme was Green and Sustainable. There were lots of vendors, children's activities and contests. It was a great event that the San Clemente Garden Club gives to the community every year.
I entered the Floral Design Contest. That is not my forte, but gathered a handful of things from my garden and put together a Floral Arrangement to enter in the contest.
Voting was Peoples Choice and I won First Place!

I am looking a little exhausted after two long days. Anyway, my arrangement consisted of everything from my garden. Lemons, yellow hibiscus, Texas Gold Columbine, Yellow roses, Calla Lilly, Papyrus, and Japanese Tea Tree. I almost 'named ' it Mellow Yellow-until I added the Tea Tree.

I also entered my planted 'toddler's bed' in the Funky Container contest and won 2nd place :)

My Gardens this week

My view from the kitchen sink. Bottlebrush tree, top left. Yellow Texas Gold Columbine (brought the seeds from Texas in 1998). Pink blossoms of the dwarf peach tree, just above the fountain and a sprinkling of Plum blossoms at the top.

This is at the Casa. A dramatic plant called Whipple or Our Lord's Candle. It shot this bloom up within 2 weeks. It will last about 3 months then the entire plant will die. It is so awesome!

The Spanky garden bursting with joy. You have probably seen my post from 2 years ago with nothing but dirt!

Talk about nothing but dirt. That is what these gardens were 16 months ago. The rosemary waterfall was there on the top left but the herb garden below has been so much fun...artichokes, basil, lemon verbena, lettuce, curry, lemon balm, thyme...
The planter on the right has a few palms and a beautiful bed of Calendrina. Everyone loves that plant. I have just put some on the bank side of my driveway. Shoots a 2 foot stalk with a vibrant purple flower.

I have about 97 more photos I could share :)

Dryer Sheets and Garbage Disposal remedies!

Don't you hate it when the dryer sheets show up on the floor, exiting your pant leg at the office, or peeking out from your sleeve. And, if you do the laundry, try to find the elusive sheets to use for the next load.

About 15 years ago there was a product on the market I loved-didn't last long. It attached to the dryer and lasted forever. Dove has now come up with a 'bar' that does the same thing. You attach it to your dryer and you never have to worry about those little nuisance sheets again. I have had mine in the dryer for a month and it is still going strong. They are a little pricey at $8 but the Sunday papers have coupons.


My next new discovery, today at Lowes, is a sink top push button to turn on the Garbage Disposal! I cannot reach our switch without using a wooden spoon to lengthen my arm and hover precariously over the dishwasher. This device is so simple to install and allows you to use a hole on your sink top to install the button. It is like turning on the jacuzzi...press the button on the sink top and the garbage disposal is on!

Grandchildren on bikes

I jumped at the chance to watch Aubrey and Garrett for the day. Headed out Tuesday (an hour+ drive) for an overnighter as Nicole had to leave at 6am and Mark didn't get home from work until 7am on Wednesday.
Took Aubrey to Kindergarden, played 'transformers' with Garrett then we all spent the afternoon outside. We planted seedlings of corn and beans that I started then headed out front for some bike riding.

Here they are, so cute, stopping long enough for me to capture a quick photo in front of their home.

I learned that Grandma was much more conservative about where they could ride their bikes...No turning around in the street on MY watch!

It was a wonderful 'escape' from my daily commitments.

S & T weekend

We enjoyed playing with Siena and Tegan while Randy and Staci escaped for their 7th wedding anniversary.
I remember Mom Gould doing the same for us 25 years ago and what a special treat it was to be able to travel knowing our children were in good hands.
Fun with Siena, 3 and Tegan 9 mos. in the children's garden.

Siena likes to act silly and Tegan just giggles and giggles...makes us all laugh.

I pulled out the Easter box. Siena is having a picnic with the bunnies, 'feeding' them cookies then taking the tiniest bite of the cookie herself.

Tegan is cruising on the deck in her walker. I tried to place toys for her to go for and grab but she preferred the flowers.