I Think I'm Turning Japanese...

I've made a big decision.

I am going to attempt to make a Japanese Tea Garden right off the den and the side yard leading to the kitchen garden. I won't even have to change any of the current plantings if I do it right. Except, of course, one rose and two society garlic. The prospect of pulling this off properly is quite thrilling and I am getting tingly just thinking about it. The hard part is saving the money to do it.

Saturday in the Garden

I woke up at 8:30am this morning and greedily consumed the coffee that Mr. Donaghy had prepared for me. I noticed that the air was a bit more chilly than it has been and when I looked up, I could see gray clouds moving in our direction. Within five minutes, the sun poked through and for most of the morning, although there was still a chill in the air, the threat of rain did not loom so near.

So I wandered out to the front garden and proceeded to water the lawn for, o, I'd say 45 minutes. Seeing as how I haven't watered in a while, I figured the plants could use a little H20. I looked at the roses and felt that a Spring weeding and fertilizing was in due order.

There I was, wide brimmed hat and all, sweatin' away, hacking at the earth, and on all fours ripping long weeds out of the thorns of my roses. I applied organic rose food. Synthetic rose food. Bone meal. Blood meal. I was about to bust out the shredded coconut shells for mulching when I decided that I should water well first.

I watered and watered and watered. I soaked my David Austin babies at least twice and checked for aphids. Aha! None! Know why? 'Cuz they are pretty healthy plants and aren't I doing such a good job? I may even spray insecticide/fungicide--hey wait a minute! My hat was blown off my head! The wind was picking up something fierce and Mr. Donaghy, who was outside painting and cutting the baseboards (those damn baseboards!), yelled for me to help him bring them into the house because it was raining. Since I had the hose in my hand, I did not even notice that it was raining!

And then it stopped.

And then it started.

And then it stopped again.

And now it's starting again.

I will keep you posted.

Just Kidding.

If I ever have a son, I wanna name him Cormac.

I know that I am late to the game, but I recently saw No Country for Old Men.

One word can describe the experience...EXCELLENT.

I love anything written my Cormac McCarthy. He's so...so, so, I mean he's such a...such a...dude. He's a dude's dude.

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The baseboards arrived today. They were supposed to be here on Wednesday. Alas.

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This evening, Mr. Donaghy had a meeting with a Hollywood man about a job as a producer or something like that. (I don't really know the ins and outs of the BIZ and I am certainly not fluent in the language.) Anyways, Mr. Donaghy had a very good feeling about the man; felt he was really down to earth and all. They talked for a few hours over a few beers and when Mr. Donaghy came home, he was still in a fairly jovial and somewhat celebratory mood which was nice to see altho I wondered why.

When I mentioned that I was about to retire to a soaking tub, Mr. Donaghy sheepishly asked me if I would accompany him to the market to purchase some more celebratory spirits. I saw the hopeful glint in his eye and I submitted happily.

At the store, he did not reach for his usual cheapy beer. Instead, he reached for Blue Moon. Eyebrows raised, he knowingly informed me that, "This beer is goooood. I just had the first time tonight." I giggled to myself knowing Mr. Donaghy does not often veer from his "usual".

I tried the beer once we got to the house. And, yes, indeed, Mr. Donaghy, that beer IS really good.

P.S. I figured out why Mr. Donaghy was in such a good mood. 1. The Meeting went well. 2. Stupid me, I forgot that this is the Friday before the greatest Irish Day of all Irish history!!! I think he just wanted to get started early being that all that Irish blood is coursing through his veins. Erin go deo, Mr. Donaghy. Erin go deo.

Some Favorites

One of the best moments ever in television history...I think...











careful!!! this might be offensive to some of you

Oh Yeah!!

Basebaording

This morning Mr. Donaghy called Home Depot to verify the arrival of our baseboards. I splurged and ordered a "delivery" so that the baseboards would not have to be cut so that when we install them they will be seamless. Funny how something so small can make such a difference. I was eager to have them arrive today, but, alas, they will arrive tomorrow instead.

Rafael's crew came and fixed the floor but it took them another week to come back and grout. Mr. Donaghy is incensed but I just shrug it off. Is it possible that the kitchen might be done within the month? After the baseboards, there is only backsplash and door and window framing that must be done. I do not dare think it may be done.

Also, the den is coming along quite nicely. The only thing left is baseboards and trim to be painted.

O, and did I also mention one other important tidbit? Whilst I was away, Mr. Donaghy received his GREEN CARD!!! O Happy Day! He is now an official landed immigrant, legal as an eagle, and can assume a comfortable residency as an alien with all the perks de la Americana such as income taxes, medical insurance, war, and an oppressive economy staving off the threat of a recession. Mr. Donaghy, why did you leave sweet ol' Canada? Nonetheless, he is happy as a clam and I am happier for it.

The garden is spectacular. I find myself wandering through it at least three times a day just looking at everything and being so pleasantly surprised when I see that something new has sprouted or bloomed. The jasmine have bloomed in abundance and the heady fragrance saturates the air all around the house. My favorite thing so far is that I only have to leave one window open and the whole house fills with that sweet romantic smell. The roses are red from sprouting new growth and the wisteria have burst with furry heads of blooms just waiting to hang from those twisty branches. In the shade garden, the calla lilies' foliage is lending quite a tropical feel with those huge plumes of green leaves and the hummingbirds drink water from the trumpets of those grand creamy white flowers.

I have two azaleas my uncle gave me and I think I am going to plant them in urns and site them on either side of the entrance to the garden.

Southeast Asia '08