Red Worm Composting

Anyone that knows me and my fear of bugs isn't going to believe this one....

I'm now composting with red worms! My friend, Ruth Ann, brought over hundreds to add to my compost pile this past weekend. She says all I need to do is to continue to feed them my kitchen scraps and they should be happy. I'm hoping that the proof will be in some killer compost next summer for my veges! Time will tell....

Right before adding them to my compost pile....

Check out this site to learn more about starting your own vermicompost bin!

BBQ Pork Buns!

I've slacked a bit on my postings this week and am playing a little catch up!

Last weekend my niece and I went to Eastern Accents to get some BBQ Pork Buns and Sesame Balls - YUM! Well, at least I thought so! She was more into the Hot Dog Bun (above)!

Stormy Weather!

Wow! Last night we had a fantastic storm! Unfortunately, I didn't pay attention to the forecast and tried to walk home in the crazy winds. A BIG thank you to my friend Mike who came and rescued me! I didn't realize how bad the storm was until I noticed lots of trees down on the way home. Plus, my power was out until 11 p.m. To keep myself and Navin (my cat) occupied, I took these pics by candlelight. Let's hope for better weather for the rest of the holiday weekend. !!

TGIF!

Lone Oak Vineyard Estates - Photo courtesy of LJG

I'm off to enjoy a glass of wine. Enjoy your weekend!!

Creeping Charlie!

Creeping Charlie is taking over my yard (and the gnomes!). Time for some major weeding!!

Can you identify this bush? I have no clue what it is, but love it! It is located next to my driveway and I almost cut it down thinking it was a shoot from a neighboring tree.

In the yard at LaNa!

With my house I inherited over 20 peony plants - lucky me! Unfortunately, our heavy rains this spring meant they weren't around too long. However, I did manage to get one bouquet for my livingroom. They smelled incredible!

Photos courtesy of LJG

The newest addition to LaNa!

If the name is good enough for Gwenyth's kid, then it is good for my new LAWN MOWER!

Meet Apple!!!

Who knew I would be so excited about a piece of yard equipment??!! She is green in many ways besides her beautiful color (note: she matches my front door!) No gas, no fumes...just an extension cord (or two seeing as I mowed over one during my first at bat)!!! Thanks to Mike at Stadium Hardware for hooking me up!!

In the garden at LaNa!

My lettuce is growing like a weed and VERY yummy!

Pictures of my container spices and tomatoes in the galvanized tub gardens to follow soon!

In the yard at LaNa!

Can you identify this bush?

Note: my compost bin is almost invisible underneath!

I have no idea what it is called, but it is beautiful!

Father's Day!

I spent a great Father's Day with my awesome Dad! We had a yummy bbq over great conversation and many laughs. Fun times!!

Got Rhubarb?!

Photos courtesy of LJG

Holy cow! Look at this rhubarb plant!!! My Grandma Gray would have been so pleased!!

While I can never make a rhubarb pie like she could, I think I'll try my hand at some rhubarb chutney. I've got to do something with all the rhubarb in my freezer!!!

Container Gardens!

Photo courtesy of Ngoc Minh Ngo with Real Simple

I saw this photo in my recent edition of Real Simple and plan to do the same with some tomato seedlings from my local farmer's market. At a recent estate sale, I scored some old galvanized tubs just in time for this project!

Stay tuned for some photos of the completed project!!

Enjoy your LONG weekend....

Photo courtesy of LJG

A new sewer....

So glad that I knew about the Orangeburg tile before buying the house! Was able to get this taken care of before I learned the hard way like many others (yuck!!!!!). Needless to say, my house has gotten a lot of attention this week from curious neighbors. Big holes in the front yard along with trucks and bulldozers start some great conversations!!

P.S. Did you notice my new window boxes? I guess they don't stand out with all the commotion in the yard!

The fairies found LaNa!!

Door courtesy of My Fairy Door!

Navin trying to catch a glimpse of the fairies!

Lilacs (my fave!) are in bloom!

TGIF!

Enjoy your weekend....

More surprises in the yard!

Previous owners must have loved gardening! Every time I turn around there seems to be something new in bloom (lucky me!).

Here is a pic of my planter in the front yard...loving the bright green colors!

LaNa Updates

My recent Etsy purchase was a "No Soliciting" sign from ScribbleIt.

I'm loving it because it is right at eye level when you approach the front door...but not so obvious to the general public.

My Fairy Door!

Thought I would let you in on one of my fave Etsy stores run by a

close friend here in Ann Arbor

My Fairy Door!

photo credit: My Fairy Door

I'm convinced the fairies will be coming to visit

LaNa sometime soon!

It's been busy....

Things at LaNa have been VERY busy lately!!!

I've got a houseguest (my old roommate, Jen, from San Francisco!) visiting me this weekend. She will be in for the fundraiser in honor of my sister - Art for the Cure of Cystic Fibrosis. It's the Second Annual and we are SUPER excited!

Needless to say, my postings have been sporadic as I prepare for the big day.

More to come soon!!

Got Compost?

Composter by Presto Company

After feeling guilty for tossing kitchen and yard waste, I've decided to start composting! I looked for a composter for a while before deciding on one sold through Washtenaw County for the low price of $12!

The bin, produced by Presto Company, was simple to put together and isn't an eye sore in my yard. Now those tea bags, coffee grounds, and the TONS of leaves in my yard will be put to good use. Now, I've just got to be patient and wait for nature to take its course....

Before & After

I finally got an opportunity to paint my buffet! Thank you to everyone that voted on color options. As you see, I decided to go with International Orange in honor of my love for San Francisco. I LOVE how it turned out!

More pics of LaNa!

I'm shopping for a tree or bush to go in the front (to the right looking from the street). I'm thinking that a Mock Orange may be perfect!



A bunch of you have been asking for more pics of the house...so, here are some of the front yard. Everyday there seems to be more flowers sprouting. The previous owner loved to work in the yard and it shows - lots of bulbs!! More pics of the rest of the house to come....

What's that in my garden!?

It's amazing what finds I come across now that the snow has melted! Seems the previous owner LOVED gnomes and various yard art.

A BIG thank you...

...to my dad and friend Marty. Between the three of us we have transformed my one-and-only bathroom into a spa-like retreat! I'll post some before and after pics when the finishing touches are all said and done.