The Logical Conclusion...

...is that we can't seem to get this ball rolling!!  So, today we hired someone to help us come up with a plan for this garden.  We've had too many trips to the nursery with no luck and this garden looks strikingly similar to how it looked two years ago.

We have found we're pretty good at doing things once given some direction, and it's the direction we're having trouble establishing.  So, onward and upward.  I'll be introducing our new designer real soon.  Stay tuned...

Mr. Whitmore

For your listening pleasure.  Don't get excited, the picture doesn't change.  Plus, give me some credit, it's my first embedded video.  Christ, Turling, welcome to 2008!!

Veggie's Are a Bit Closer

Just a bit, though.  Lots of work still to do, but at least we have dirt!  Err, sorry, soil.

Looks a bit like concrete, doesn't it, but I assure you of ye' of little faith, that it is fluffy and whatever other quality plants like.

After Spurs complete destruction of Liverpool this morning, I felt inspired to actually accomplish something.  Which I still didn't, because as you can see, I have a couple of inches space left to fill to reach the top of the box.  I want to hit the top, so when it settles it won't look half full.

I made a mix of 1/3 compost, 1/3 peat moss and 1/3 sand.  The recipe I had found online called for 1/3 vermiculate instead of sand.   Then, I went to the store and priced vermiculite.  Sweet mother of God that crap's expensive!!!  I would have been better off using 1/3 14kt gold!  Luckily for me, one of the bag's at the gardening center had "accidentally" been opened.  Funny how that happens when you wedge your finger in the top and pull, but I digress.  So, I decided to take a look and vermiculate = sand.  Yes, people, it's f-ing sand.  So, you know what I got???  Well, I got a bag of vermiculate, because there's a little Catholic left in me and the guilt was overwhelming, but after that I got SAND!!  So, it's 1/3'ish sand you could say.

Anyway, now I need to tackle irrigation, because let's be honest, I sure as hell won't remember to hand water everyday, and then complete some fence requirements to keep the rabbits out.  Then, we'll actually plant something.  But, not today.  It's 95F (35C) and I'm grabbing a pint.  Plus, I'm dog sitting a chihuahua and, to no fault of my own, it's barricaded itself under the television console.  I'm sure it's pissed its little brains out down there, too.  It's sure peed every where else.  Where's that pint??

Listen Up, Wankers!!!

Honestly, quit setting crap on fire over there!!  You're now seriously about to disrupt my Saturday morning of coffee drinking and enjoying our beloved Tottenham Hotspur beat the bejeezus out of Everton!  I've been looking forward to this since May, so don't fuck it up!!

Don't make me open this, damn it!

Just Another Wednesday. It is Wednesday, Yes?

Well, I was going to have one of two exciting posts, but alas, I can't.  Why do you ask, oh curious reader?  Well, they would have required pictures.  And, my lovely wife, whom is not home at the moment, took the card from our big, expensive camera to put in the little handheld camera.  Now, I do find it funny that the little, inexpensive camera can take a few pictures without a card, but I'll be damned if our big expensive camera (which I have) can't do jack diddly squat without the card!!!  So, what's one to do?  Yes, exactly.  Sit around, drink beer, smoke cigars and watch the lawn be watered.  Very important that I keep an eye on the hose to be sure some mysterious kink doesn't appear.  A fate worse then death, I say.

But, all is not lost.  I do have have a little tidbit for those of you waiting by your computers with bated breath for my next words of wisdom.  I have three words for you.  (I learned this from Kyna who has her "What Are You Listening To" posts.)  Three words.  William. Elliot. Whitmore.  Go to ITunes.  Now.  No, wait, not yet, I have a few more words.  If you don't believe me completely (shame!), then just download "Johnny Law".  You're welcome.  Now...go.

P.S.  He has a new track here and it's free!!!

The Report of My Death Was an Exaggeration

We have, shockingly, been putting a few plants into the ground here at Castle Turling.  See???  I have pictures to prove it.

Looks like we knew what we were doing, eh?  Well, it's the benefit of going to a nursery, and not to a big box store.  We went to our local Village Nursery and told ourselves that come hell or highwater we weren't leaving until we had the plants to fill this area.  We rounded up a couple of employees, who happened to be husband and wife and also landscape designers.  We had our measurements, so we marked out in one of the aisles the size of our plot.  Then, we (read:  they) set to work.  Three months salary later, we ended up with this:

We took some photos, they set us up with planting plan and off we went.  Something is actually complete!!!!  Sweet Lordy, hallelujah!!  Granted it's 7/10's of 1% of the yard, but every journey starts with a single step.  Or drunken stagger as the case may be.

Here's what's in here:

1 Golf Ball Kohuhu
2 Red Kangaroo Paw 'Big Red'
1 Gold Kangaroo Paw 'Gold Velvet'
A Buttload (yes, it's an amount) of Senecio Mandraliscae
1 Riceflower
4 Red Hot Pokers
3 Pittosporum Crassifolium 'Nana'
1 Iceberg Rose

Now, we just have to get some irrigation in the works here, so I don't have to remember to water.  Anyone who knows me understands that the words "I" and "remember" are like water and oil when it comes to me.  Hopefully, mass plant genocide due to starvation isn't our next report.

Keep calm and go plant something.

Go Watch TV!!!!!!

I am usually not one to promote the idiot box, but your beloved Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan start in a little over half an hour.  You should be glued to your televisions!  Come on you Spurs!


Update:  We did it!  0-0 against Milan and the lads are through to the quarterfinals!  It couldn't have been done without the support from both of you, of course!