Salade Nicoise

Here are the delicious ingredients for a mixed version of the classic composed salad.




Combine, and dress the salad with:

Garlic
Parsley
Brine from the Kalamata olives
Olive oil
Lemon juice
Black pepper

Give it a toss. Bon appetit!

Community Garden Report

The peas are podding.




The squash are blossoming.




The cabbages are crinkling.




And everything is green, green, green, thanks to marvelous June rains.

Aunt Iris

My mom was Rose(anne). Two of her seven sisters were Myrtle and Violet. Why didn't Grandma just go for a whole bouquet? Iris, Daisy, Lily, Hyacinth, Primrose, Poppy, and of course Dahlia would have fit the theme. Instead Bessie chose to mix it up a bit and bestowed Winnifred, Arletta, Sharlene, Verna, and Eldonna on the remaining sisters. Here at nameberry are some thoughts on flower names from trendy to classic.

Congratulations to the Happy Couple(s)

The lovely-as-a-bride Bridal Veil Spirea - Spiraea x vanhouttei




Going to the chapel
And we're gonna get married
Going to the chapel
And we're gonna get married

Gee I really love you
And we're gonna get married
Going to the chapel of love

Spring is here (ooo-ooo-ooo)
The sky is blue (sky is blue)
Birds all sing (oh the birds all sing)
Like they do (yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah)
Today's the day (wah-hooo-oooo)
We'll say "I do" (ooo-oooo)
And we'll never be lonely anymore

Because we're
Going to the chapel
And we're gonna get married
Going to the chapel
And we're gonna get married

Gee I really love you
And we're gonna get married
Going to the chapel of love

Bells will ring (ri-ii-iing) (bells will ring)
The sun will shine (hey hey hey yeah) (the sun will shine)
I'll be hers (yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah) (I'll be hers)
And she'll be mine (oh oh oh oh oh oh oh) (and she'll be mine)
We'll love until (we'll love until) (hey hey hey) (we'll love until)
The end of time (ooo hooo) (the end of time)
And we'll never be lonely anymore

Because we're
Going to the chapel
And we're gonna get married
Going (goin') to the chapel
And we're gonna get married





Listen to Chapel of Love - The Dixie Cups

We're Still Here

And we're a bit miffed that even at half price no one has chosen us. That goofy bowler behind us (Old bowlers never die, they just don't score as often.) will probably get outta here before we do.

Zombies are so yesterday. Now the kids are all about those bloodsucking pretty boy vampires. Well they'll be sitting on this shelf too someday. That fifteen minutes is pretty short in the life of a novelty figurine.

Don't make us beg. Take us home and maybe we can help with that little chipmunk problem you've been having in your back yard.

Button Love(-In)

I know you all think that when I say I am going to buttonclub it is really a cover for the runs I make the big city to feed my Target addiction. Well, I do really attend the meetings. Okay, I confess some of my incentive to show up has to do with the fact that the meeting venue is within spitting distance of the big bull's eye, and we do usually need milk and eggs, and gnomes and cute shoes and watering cans and picture frames and summer dishware and...

Well anyway, button club is a real thing and there are real, official button collectors who belong to real button societies around the country and world. They get together for annual conventions in each state to purr and paw over each others' beautiful buttons, then they get together for a National Button Society convention and do even more serious button business.

Our state convention was held last weekend in the nearby big city. There were competitive button trays to be admired and speakers to be heard and learned from, but the big draw of the event is always the showroom. Vendors come from across the country to display and sell their beautiful and bodacious buttons. Here is photographic proof that buttonclub is not a figment of my overactive imagination.












I felt compelled to purchase a few bits of physical evidence for further proof. Just a few, really.




A few stencils.




A few vintage button cards.




Some cute boots. Oops!




And maybe a few more than a few modern glass.

Convinced?

Rocky II

It is rare that a sequel equals or surpasses the original, but when a flying squirrel was detected in our house for the second time in one week we were less panicked and could more thoroughly enjoy part II of our unexpected animal adventures.




We were able to get photographic evidence of his visit this time. National Geographic won't be calling for my services anytime soon (although the director of Hoarders might), but I hope the photos are good enough to show how interesting these little creatures are.




The capture was easily made with an ice bucket that doubled as a close-up observation dome for a few minutes before the little guy went outdoors.




He was hesitant to go, and while given the opportunity for a dramatic aerial exit, he would not leave the board he was on until we set it on the ground.

We suspect both little Rockies are juveniles and had not yet been outside the protection of our (varmint ridden) walls. Are there more siblings waiting to fledge?

Good luck little guys. Eat all the slugs off the hosta that you want and look out for those spotted owls!

Let's Give Old Pop a Day to Remember

Father's day was a bit off this year. "Owly" was the descriptor heard repeatedly during the course of the day.

Chez Laura the father was unavailable for receiving displays of adoration. The good news - NDL had no agenda for the day other than saving the day (and putting off yet again, mulching the garden).

Next door the little princess was not amused, and was not afraid to let her subjects know it. Some swingtime with NDL led to a catnap that improved her little attitude for awhile. Later the aunties tag-teamed her with goo-gooing and jiggling to successfully get through a lovely Father's Day dinner without a single fuss. They don't call them Great Aunts for nothing you know.



Meanwhile, back in the alley there were skinned knees, tears, and not enough of the desired type of wheeled ride available to avoid the constant refrain of "my turn, my turn - I had it first". (Parents, remember: we have been there and done that and don't mind a bit hearing it all over again now that we don't have respond or arbitrate unless we want to. Actually it's kind of entertaining to listen to other peoples' kids do it. Sorry.)

The holiday was in peril. It was up to SuperNDL to bring out the whole bag of tricks.

The alleyettes were already jaded to ordinary bubble wands and it wasn't even the first official day of summer. Fortunately the big bubbles still impress, and some of NDL's little padawan are becoming true bubblemasters.







After the bubbleuphoria wore off, and the same child skinned the same knee for a second time, nothing but artificial dye and sugar could keep the situation from becoming unsalvageable. Popsicle time! (Sorry HealthMom. DesperateDad said it was okay.)






That's what I'm talkin' about - Father's Day with happy, smiling, sugar-buzzed kids.

You're welcome. Just doin' my duty.

Solstice on Grand Art Faire

On a long, languid summer day, in the shadow of the historic Cook Rutledge Mansion just two blocks from here, artists gathered to display and sell their wonderful creations.




Hip and funky bumped up against classic and traditional to delight and surprise art lovers of all ages. There was something for everyone.




Van painting was an inspired activity anyone could participate in. We are all artists after all.






We contributed a doodle or two to the collective effort of creating an art car.




Some of us are lucky to live close enough that we could make multiple browsing stops during the course of the day.

Walking the dog is a good excuse for "just one more look" to see if that tempting item is still there. If it is, surely it's a sign that it is meant to go home with you. Can't argue with serendipity.





Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language. ~Henry James

Enjoy this beautiful summer afternoon and all the rest.

Baby on the Block

It hasn't yet reached the crazed competition level of Toddlers and Tiaras, but there have been some not-so-subtle attempts by a certain mother/grandmother duo to have a certain (supercute) baby named NDL official mascot. The main strategy seems to involve parading the (supercute) baby around the neighborhood dressed in darling clothes in NDL themes while displaying heart warming behaviors, and providing ample opportunity for porch swing naptime bonding.

Well, the official judge has just one thing to say about that plan, "It is working beautifully."

Also contributing to the contestant's front-runner status - the judge has not yet been asked to change a diaper.

Competition categories already aced by the contestant include:




Sleeping like an angel. This stunning feat was performed while wearing a (supercute) garden-themed kimono and allowing grownups to shop, socialize, snack, and show off a perfect baby to friends and relatives.




Nature appreciation.




Hat fashion. This grandma-crafted chapeau features an uncomplicated, sleek design and very NDLish sayings - We are all artists. Fashion fiends(?). Winners and swimmers(?). Garden gals. Silly fun. Magic moments. Beautiful world.




Talent. Extra points awarded for dimple.




And not officially a competion category, but totally swaying the judge anyway - fungi fashion.


Unless there is a glitch in the consistent performance of the front-runner during competition in the remaining categories, I believe you are looking at your official 2010 NDL mascot.

In the Rearview Mirror

A last look.

























It was a blast (from the past).