Happy Mother's Day!

Per my request, my husband took me plant shopping for Mother's Day. I wanted to go early and get them planted before the big day, so I could relax on the deck and admire the plants on Sunday afternoon. Here are some of the new arrivals, as well as some oldies that are in bloom. The hosta and fern garden is really filling out. The perennial bed on the terrace is looking really wild, just as I like it! Also, I couldn't resist putting in a pic or two of my baby girl's first trip to the dentist. Happy Mother's Day all!

hostas:






low-growing yarrow:


stevia:


lemon thyme:


I can't remember the name of this one:


perennial geranium:


iris:


My baby's first dental appointment:




Brennan was such a big girl! She was calm the entire time. The dentist said she did better than many grownups. I'm a proud mama.

Ugh.

I feel yucky today. I had a headache last night before bed and woke up this morning with some sinus pressure, a headache and absolutely no energy. Hence the "ugh." All I have wanted to do all day is curl up under a blanket on the couch with a cup of tea and sleep. Alas, I am a mommy and don't get sick days. I guess I set myself up for this. I mean, you feed a child, change her diapers and read and play with her every day and she comes to expect it. Demand it in some cases. Then there's the dog. She insists on being walked and fed as well. So, I haven't gotten much couch time today. I guilted myself into doing some dishes and sweeping too. Oh, where are the carefree days of my youth? To be honest, I have no desire to return to my youth. I just like to pretend that I do. On a brighter note, Brennan and Molly (the toddler and the dog) haven't been arguing as much today. Brennan did hit Molly with a book and sippy cup, but, fortunately, Molly didn't throw a water dish back at her or anything. This led to a conversation with LB about hitting and how we should never do it. She seems to make a distinction between humans and other animals that we will have to work on.

I did spend some time today fantasizing about gardening this summer. Last summer was our first in our house and I was on some meds that made me very heat and sun sensitive. Yes, it's probably the one you're thinking about. Anyway, I couldn't stand being outside much and the gardens suffered from it. I would plant something and then neglect it. I have big plans for this summer that involve the Amish greenhouse in Jackson, Ohio, a lot of weeding and, hopefully, not much water. I'm trying to think about water conservation and plant things that don't need a lot of it. Last summer I put a lot of lavender, russian sage and sedum in the front gardens. We're on a busy street and those plants get hit with a lot of dust and sunlight. They did well last year, but didn't grow quite as much as I would like. I was checking out High Country Gardens (http://www.highcountrygardens.com/) today, a company dedicated to xeriscape gardening and came across these little gems:

Silver-Edged Horehound
http://www.highcountrygardens.com/catalog/product/70450/



Silver Nailwart
http://www.highcountrygardens.com/catalog/product/74878/



Legacy Buffalo Grass
http://www.highcountrygardens.com/catalog/product/27050/



I could definitely get away with the first two, but I don't know about the buffalo grass. I'm not sure that my neighbors would approve. I'd like to maintain good relations. Then again, I do really, really like it.

So LB and Molly are both asleep. I think I'll try to follow their example.