Don't give up

For the next couple of weeks, postings will be slim, but don't give up on me. I'm not giving up the blog; I just will be busy with other things. I'll try to pop in once in a while so you don't forget me
:-)

Happy gardening!

Home-grown Strawberries

In her Arkansas garden, my grandmother never was without several rows of strawberries. In the summer, Sunday dinner usually was topped off with strawberries and cream (her poor-man's version was cold Pet milk and sugar whipped together). I still can taste those plump, ripe berries, best when still warm from the sun.

My little pot of strawberries is coming along nicely. I took this shot yesterday of the first ripe berry. I've been looking at it each day, waiting until it's perfectly ripe to pick. This morning, I went outside. salivating at the thought of that perfect berry - only to discover that a #%^@ 'possum or raccoon beat me to it! I'm thinking it probably was the 'possum I saw having a good time in the back yard and on the back porch yesterday. I am not happy. I'm not sure where I can put it that a critter can't get to, since I've seen them scale metal table legs to reach the tabletop.

Maybe a net is in order.

Pecan trees budding out

OK - it's official. Spring truly is here - the pecan trees are budding.

Pecans are the prudent sisters of the tree family. They don't want to take any chances in being trapped by a frost. If they are leafing out, they are pretty confident that no more cold (not cool - cold) snaps are coming.

The pecan orchard across the highway from us is coming to life and our two old pecans are following suit, as this photo shows.

Now I'm hungry for pecan pies!