On Garden Patrol

Ellie's all time favorite activity is patrolling the garden for varmits. It doesn't seem to matter what kind of varmit -- basically she'll chase anything with 4 legs (for that matter anything with 2 legs, a beak, and wings she will chase too!).

Ellie has a few places in the garden where she is sure to get in some good hunting. Under our deck, in the crevices between the rock wall, and near the firewood pile are apparently hot spots of small creature activity.

The area near our side shade garden is of particular fondness for her. I look at it and to me it's just a nice lush patch of green, but to her it's party central.



Right near this garden is big oak tree that both squirrels and chipmunks climb up. They dig in the garden and then make a beeline for safety in the tree. So I guess logistically it's perfect for them (I'm trying to think like a varmit I guess).

There seems to be one particular squirrel that isn't afraid of Ellie and instead usually makes chirping noises at her. He sees Ellie, runs half way up the tree just out of reach of Ellie and then taunts her.

See him here. He stayed in this position for quite some time - yelling at Ellie in squirrel speak and waving his little paws around.

Can't say I blame him because right below him was this.


Yup -- that's my devilish little terrier doing what she does best.

Memere's Cape Cod Woodland Garden

Cape Cod is best known for it's beaches.



But, to the area's full-time residents it's so much more. We are lucky enough to live only 30 minutes from the Cape and since we have family who live there full time it's like a second home to us. Ellie Mae's Grandmother and Grandfather (Memere and Pepere or how we pronounce it - Meme and Pepe) live in the quaint seaside town of Mashpee. The town is just southwest of the more well-known Hyannis and is also unique as one of the remaining homes of the Wampanoag Nation, the Native American tribe which met the Pilgrims at Plymouth.



Meme has a beautiful woodland garden that she has carved out of a small space behind her townhome. Meme is a seasoned gardener who at one time tended to many large perennial beds and vegetables gardens outside of the historic New England home in which she and Pepe raised their family. After retirement the couple moved to Mashpee. But moving to a townhome with common areas that are mostly shaded, didn't stop her from creating her own version of Eden. Proving that you can take a gardener out of the garden but you can't stop her from gardening!



I have learned much about gardening from Meme over the years and she has inspired me create a little magic in my own world. And when I say magic I do mean magic. For example, she has honeysuckle that blooms gorgeously in a shaded area.

Here is a picture I took of it this weekend. See how the honeysuckle vine is being trained to grown in a topiary shape over chicken wire. This summer it will be filled with flowers and the chicken wire will be covered with lush foliage (click on the photo to enlarge and get a closer look).





Follow me as I take you on a small tour of some more of Meme's Garden during a misty spring day.


Hostas in all shades of green.











A little happy frog sits like a garden gnome near a bright pair of clogs. Just look at the cute little clog stand that Meme made. It's assembled from some scrape pieces of wood and corks - I love that she used corks - such ingenuity!





These little ducks are nestled in the leaves.



More woodland treasures...





















A bright burst of color from a hanger... just waiting for hummingbirds to arrive.



I'll show you more in the upcoming months of this treasured little haven as it blooms and bursts forth with life.