Monday

 

            So tightly bound waiting for tomorrow to show us again what gift we will receive again. 

The first thing I'm going to share is my recipe for Hibiscus Tea. 

                            Soon to be gone with the promise to be back next year.  I like promises.

I cut the fuzzy center off the flower.  Pick the flower apart, laying each part of the flower on parchment covered cookie sheets.  The oven is turned to the lowest setting of 175 degrees. 

                                    These were pretty pink peddles when I started the drying process.  
The pan stayed in the oven until the flowers were completely dry.  They were put into a plastic bag and crushed into small pieces.  

Now for the red/pink tea. I stuff about a tablespoon or two or more of dried hibiscus and some mint tea leaves into a cup and pour boiling water over them leaving them to steep in the hot water for a while. The mixture gets strained into a tall tumbler adding more water, ice cubes and a little lemon and the surprise happens when red peddles are used.  Add raspberries and rest your feet.  It 's time to pretend you are a queen.

                    The color stays with the flower unlike the pink blossoms where the color leaves. 

I going to try the light pink blossoms this afternoon and see what happens.  And,here are the results.

I thought they tasted the same.  Dark red on the left and pink on the right.  Eventually I poured them together and got a big pitcher of pretty pink.  

Now my brother-in-law Dee/Cassion Russell skipped the mint while in Senegal during his Peace Core  years.  So it would seem...make it as you wish.  My taste buds tasting flowers must be gone but the mint is wonderful. The pretty pink makes me feel like a pampered lady.

Now on to the rest of the day.  My bag of energy was delivered during the night with a no wake up at all.  Woo.  I like that.  It was breakfast and then I grabbed the cart and clippers and rake and shovel.  And on to the first bed with weeding and fluffing the ground.  The rain made it so east to fluff and the weeds cooperated par excellently letting go of their foundation grasp.  

                                            Edging and weeding.  This was a quick job. 

Then it was on to the herb bed and that one was weeded and the edging around the bed was perfected. It received an A plus sort of grade from the cultivator teacher gardener.  It looks pretty spiffy. The chewed up buggy vegetables will be pulled out and the area replanted with good fall vegetables when it arrives at Rosies. 

        There are a lot of yellow peppers in this bed.  The heat is bringing them on like gangbusters. 

The third bed received a do over moving some things and clipping some things and pulling out completely some things. It has received a minor remodel in other places.

                        The fairy tree stump was moved to an empty spot that needed to be filled. 

My brain finally seized on a use for this old log holding fireplace grid.  It's a shallow tray holding water that butterflies can use without drowning.  I knew I would think of something although I didn't think it would take so long. I need to give it some water. 
                             
Seeing something new in the beds is such a boost even though it just might be a move from here to there.  I planted some dill and holly-hocks with a hope I'll see them next spring. It was about a 2 1/2 hr work time in total.  I needed a shower and a sit that included my usual lunch that tasted so good. An unexpected, good sleep came along. 

The cucumbers should have received a little attention.  Lack of attention led to their demise.  Mr. Wolf from an Alaskan trip finally was trapped while snoozing in his Leslie chair.  A garden surprise I would say. 

                                Native cup plant with a lot of Susans.  Could the theme be yellow?

Then I was off to my diabetic doctor who answered questions. The health issues that she takes care of was all excellent in nature.  See you in 4 months Dr. Baker. I am a well-cared for patient. What a blessing to have such good doctors.  All of them! I feel such gratitude for their friendship and care. 

                            Beautiful yellow marigolds that start out orange.  I like both of them.

A nap was part of the afternoon.  A little TV was part of the afternoon.  The flower beds not touched today have been weeded and worked just a week or so ago. The rain has done a bit of flattening, but the weeds are waiting.  I would suggest a long wait is what they should give me. 

        Another one of my favorite zinnias with beautiful blooming grass behind.  More Susans to see.

Once again the butterflies were with me as the morning warmed flitting around a usual.  They are such good company.  The birds need a little attention with more food and more water.  The caterpillars are doing a bit of sitting.  They move on their own time schedule.  No bunnies, chipmunks or deer have been seen lately.  But life is good with the butterflies.  

                                                And I couldn't resist with thinking yellow.