The first flowers of summer

 Yay!  The first summer flowers are coming into bloom after a tropical start to the week.  On Monday and Tuesday it was in the 90s, hot and humid.  Perfect for the plants to grow.  And of course, this being Wisconsin, a few days later, the temps are back in the 60s.   Above is one of the dahlias I planted.

This rose is called Moon Dance and it's going on its fourth summer in the gardens.  I love the way the early evening sun hits off the center of the bloom.  Almost looks like a painting. 

 My one and only peony bush is just starting to open.  I love that smell. 

This is tickseed and in theory is a perennial.  However in my gardens they only seem to last one season. 

I'm having fun this summer doing some container gardening.  This Hen and Chick looks so cute in the pot.  It loves the hot sun on the patio.

Cool way to look at blogs

Google has a few cool tools for looking at my blog.  If you'd like to see more photos - try this view - http://wisconsinvoices.blogspot.com/view/mosaic

If you use Chrome as a browser you can download an extension that will allow choice on how to view blogger-based websites like mine. https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/mmoheajlpfaigefceljflpohdehkjbli

The end of an era

It had to come, the final voyage of the best slippers ever.  As you can see, Todd has finally given up the ghost.    Purchased in Berlin, these slippers traveled the world and comforted Todd's feet every night for the past 10 years.

They should have met their maker a few years ago, but we've never found another pair to fit Todd's very specific requirements of comfort, warmth and fit.  

Guess we'll have to go back to Berlin to find another pair.  The department store, KaDeWe, was pretty amazing.  Here's a link in English to their website

Teiko watches the garden grow

Kind of been wondering why I have a few flowers not thriving in their current location.  Guess I have my answer now.  Of all the places to lay, Teiko chooses the rocky/muddy spot where I have a few flattened flowers.

Trixie from Dixie

Trixie is the newest foster dog to the family.  She is staying with my parents where she'll get tons of love, affection and a great place to decompress after her past month spent in a shelter, temporary rescues, tons of vet visits and a 2 day car transport from Tulsa, OK.  Yep, that's right we have Trixie from Dixie.  We're working on the accent and training her to the joy that is Wisconsin.    Having just got her today, don't know alot but can say, this is one sweet girl.  Loves to give kisses and is so very human focused.

Feels good to help another.

We've had some narrow misses this May with temps plunging to freezing at night, but my hopes now spring eternal that the last of winter's grasp is beyond us for a few warm months. 

The Magnolia tree opened its flowers and shed them all in a weekend.  Kind of messy if you ask me.  These trees really look great on someone else's lawn....

The grass needed lots of help this year.  I'm not a big fan of it - I rather spend time with the flowers, but I thought I'd give it a boost if I could.  Seemed neighborly of me.

May, really?

I was so proud of myself, I had made it through the winter, unscathed this year.  I wasn't battling the seasonal effective disorder I normally develop through the cold harsh Wisconsin winters.  March was nice, daylight savings kicked in with sunny days to boot and the warm promise of a soon-to-come Spring.

Thought I had it licked this year. But dang,  April was the longest, coldest, snowiest damn miserable month I've experienced.  My psyche was worn out.  I was not seeing the joy in life or even caring.

And five days into May it wasn't much better.  Yes, the plants are finally coming out, the grass is green but 48 degree days with freezing nights just doesn't bring to mind warm summer days, gardening,  or sitting on the patio with friends.

Until this afternoon,  Mary and I took a little trip to heaven when we went to Kopke's Greenhouse north of Oregon, WI.  With Mother's day just around the bend, I knew their greenhouses would be overstocked and plum-full.  And they failed me not.

I think I actually asked one of the very friendly women who work there when I could move in.  I don't remember much from a cognitive level - it was just pure soul happiness.  I was surrounded by rows and rows of the most beautiful gigantic geraniums, fuschias, dahlia, digitalis, coneflowers, hostas and six million other plants.  I was in heaven.

So, of course, this being Wisconsin, the annuals I bought, which I consider cheaper than a therapy session, must remain indoors for a few more weeks.  But that's okay in my book.  I'll just lay down by them every day and enjoy their beauty.

I'm a simple woman, really.  Flowers make me ecstatic, whole and and very grounded.

Yep, the life of Rylee....it's a good place to be.

Dang close to Kobe beef

Stopped by our favorite little grocery store on Saturday - Jennifer Street Market.  For a small space, they have everything you need; good produce, a great meat counter, Amish hand-rolled butter (the best!), wines and a great bakery.  

We saw that they had Kobe beef - or an American approximation that we had to try.  We bought one bistro steak (the top part of the sirloin) for about $6 (7 oz)  The meat is well marbled and cooked nicely.   The taste was very good, texture was almost melt in your mouth and the flavor was as one would expect from a great piece of meat.   We'd definitely buy this again.

Finished the plate off with a couple of nice prawns marinated in garlic, pearly couscous and some delish zucchini (again cooked in garlic).

Yum!

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Spring has finally, almost, oops, it's gone

Spring made a spectacular entry this past weekend.  One of the longest winters in my recent memory, Spring finally hit my frozen, addled soul with a double whammy this past weekend.  Temps raised 30 degrees overnight.  By Sunday, we were at 82 degrees.

So, of course, my Spring bulbs finally made their appearance.  And as one can expect, the rabbits did their darnedest to eat them - but this being a hard winter and all, I don't beget them their food.....

As this is Wisconsin, and as I write this four days later, the temps are back in the low 40s and we can expect high temps this weekend of 46 degrees.  At least the weatherpeople have taken back their earlier threat of weekend snow...so far. Last year, the crocuses were up by March 25.

Anyway...I'm enjoying my three crocuses that survived the hungry bunnies so far and I wait with baited breath the arrival of my tulips.  

Was Franti in Madison tonight?

Word was that Michael Franti was coming to Madison tonight to support the April 4 rallies at the Capitol.  Not sure if that happened.  I had to go to my dance class.  But here's a great song from Michael.