A Berry-Pickin' Good Time

At Rachel's suggestion, she and I went strawberry-picking this morning (once we found a farm that was open on Memorial Day).  We were prepared to sweat with sunscreen and bug spray, but failed to bring our own collection containers.  Oops.  Thankfully, the proprietors gave us some small cartons.  A very nice old gentleman named Harry directed us to a specific strawberry patch location and provided pleasant conversation.  (He told me rhubarb season should be ending this week, so I'd better get on that!)

The best part about strawberry-picking is testing the merchandise while you work.  Mmm, yum, strawberries off the vine are delish!  I filled two cartons of strawberries and paid $5.43 ($2.19/lb).  There are already two cartons of strawberries in the refrigerator, so I'd better be baking some strawberry shortcake and strawberry-rhubarb pie pronto.  I might be over-strawberried!  Is that possible?

Then, after I returned home, I helped Mom replant her old and new cacti into a planter that, oddly enough, came with sympathy flowers for my Mamaw's funeral years ago.  We sure know how to make a mess and I loss count of how many times Mom pricked herself on that nasty bugger with the thorns.  With a touch of pink in the decorative stones, the cactus garden turned out pretty nice.

My Brain Logic: Topiaries --> Flashdance

Doxie Topiary

Browsing the June issue of Lucky Magazine I found the cutest topiary dachshund for a mere $110 (HA!) and I thought to myself, "How hard would it be to make my own topiary?"  Well, considering my garden thumb is a pale shade of green, I struggle with patience, and I'm a cheap-ass -- probably pretty hard.  First, I would need the appropriate topiary form (i.e. a dachshund), but I would be unwilling to shell out $50+ for metal framing.  If I had any skill with a welding torch, I might be able to create my own, but no dice.  And of course, welding inevitably makes me think of Flashdance.  Cue the Irene Cara!

Anywho, then I'd have to decide if I want a vine topiary or a shrub topiary; choose, purchase, and plant the selected green stuff; and train and prune it.  Sounds like a lot of work, but if you're the kind of person that likes Bonsai trees, you might enjoy topiaries, so go here.

Speaking of Flashdance, here's something I can do: Make a Flashdance sweatshirt!