The Back Garden in May

 

The Back Garden in May

Time for a quick look at the back garden at the end of May.

We have some roses:

Roses

A white iris:

White Iris

California poppies and phacelia:

California Poppies and Phacelia 

And oleander:

Pink Oleander

Wax beans and squash seedlings

Wax Beans and Squash Seedlings (at the back)

I didn't realize that the wax beans have light purple flowers:

Wax Bean Flower

Quite a few clumps of gazanias growing here and there:

Gazania

The plums are just starting to form:

Baby Plums

But the peaches are ripening and birds have already started pecking at them!:

The Peach Tree in May

The curry leaf tree that was severely pruned is showing new growth:

New Growth on the Curry Leaf Tree

The scaredy cat (coleus canina) is not scaring any cats, but, it is growing well and I love the purple flowers:

Coleus Canina (Scaredy Cat Plant)

Nearby, the first of the Early Girl tomatoes are ripening:

Early Girl Tomatoes

The Stonery is looking a bit bare in places, but, the cabbage plant, which is going to seed, provides a spot of interest, I think:

The Stonery

A closer look at the Stonery reveals my first day lily flower:

Day Lily 

And guess what?  We have another nasturtium plant growing in the stonery!  

Nasturtium Plant

It is not quite as vigorous as the previous nasturtium plant was, but, it is growing and flowering and I couldn't be more pleased!  

Just behind the stonery, we have the blueberries that are ripening and showing every color they can turn while ripening:

Blueberries

And this planter we put together with a lemon grass plant in the middle, asparagus sprengeri spilling out around it, a gazania and a purple Martha Washington geranium grown from a cutting (the only geranium cutting I've been able to grow so far)

Planter

The original lemon grass plant has started to flower!  I had no idea that they did that!

The Original Lemon Grass Plant

But, the plant sent up these really tall stalks:

Lemon Grass Flower Stalks

And they turned out to be flower stalks!  

Lemon Grass Flowers - Close Up

As you can see, the back garden is doing well in May.  Thank you for visiting my garden in May.

How is your garden growing in May?

Monthly Photo Challenge: May - Circles/Circular

Eileen at A Bracelet of Days set the theme for May as "Circles/Circular".   Here are the photos I took for this month's challenge:

Canning Jar Rings

Embroidery Hoop

Stitch Design Dial on the Sewing Machine

Circles of Decorations on a Metal Coaster

Toothbrush Holder

Metal Bobbins

Planting Circle

Circular Planters

Circular Garden Chair Seat

Circular Frame

Wheel

And finally, 

Target (Company Logo)

It was fun to look for circles to photograph.  I'm looking forward to seeing what the June theme will be.  

The Front Garden in May

 

The Front Garden in May

Welcome to the front garden in May.  I don't think there is much change from April, other than fewer lantana flowers:

The Front Garden in April

The temperatures have been fairly mild for the most part, but, there aren't a lot of showy flowers.  However, the succulents are thriving:

Succulents Border

Euphorbia tirucalli or "pencil tree" at the very back to partially screen out the motor homes parked in my neighbor's driveway (they have people living in the motor homes), a type of aloe in front of them and a jade plant in the foreground.

Towards the middle of the succulents border, I have aeoniums growing with a bulbine plant in front of them:

More of the Succulents Border

And at the end of the succulents border, my favorite section featuring the stumpery:

The Stumpery

One of the few flowers still blooming are the red roses:

Red Rose

And the pomegranate flowers:

Pomegranate Flowers

Less noticeable are the flower stalks on these succulents:

Succulents with Flower Stalks

Sometimes, I think I should grow more flowers in the front garden for color, but, then, I don't want to water more than I currently do.  I'd rather use my water allocation to water the fruit trees and vegetables I'm growing in the back garden.  

What have you planted in your front garden?

May Meal Planning - Week 4 Review and Week 5 Plan

May Week 4 Meal Plan:  Leftovers!  I didn't make a proper meal plan because I had a lot of leftovers in the fridge from the previous week and daughter left on Monday evening.  But, here's how the week's meals turned out:

Monday: 
Brunch: Leftovers: Rice. beef teriyaki, pickled vegetables

Dinner:  Leftovers: Rice, curried pork chop, lentils
Snacks/Dessers: Cherries, sliced peaches with chili powder and salt

Tuesday:
Brunch: Leftovers: Rice, beef teriyaki, broccoli
Dinner: Leftovers: Ham and mashed potatoes with some freshly cooked frozen green peas

Thursday Dinner

Wednesday:
Lunch: Rice, chicken curry, broccoli, leftover dhal (lentils) - friend R and friend M had lunch with me
Dinner: Roti and chicken curry

Thursday:

Brunch: Scrambled egg with a little ham added to it; tangerine

Dinner: Chicken curry and roti
Snacks/Desserts: Homemade yogurt, cashews, and a piece of jaggery; peanut butter on crackers

Friday:
Brunch: Fried potatoes with bell pepper, ham, and scrambled egg
Dinner:  Leftover Sukiyaki; buttered toast
Dessert: Yogurt with peaches

Saturday:
Breakfast:  Cereal and milk

Lunch: Cheese and crackers, fresh fruit at cousin V's
Dinner:  Leftover sukiyaki; bread pudding

Sunday:
Brunch: Leftover waffles with the last of the homemade cranberry sauce
Dinner:  Leftover sukiyaki; fried potatoes; strawberries
Snacks: Cereal; bread pudding

That brings us to this week - May Week 5.  I still have some leftovers in the fridge to be finished up!

Here's the meal plan for this last week in May:

Brunches:  Fresh fruit; Leftover Roti and chicken curry; cereal and milk; scrambled eggs or omelet;  leftover waffles with blueberry compote; salad; leftover fried rice

Dinners: Leftover Sukiyaki; Fried rice; Rice and shrimp curry with broccoli and cucumber salad; Hamburger, baked potato wedges, and salad;  Sauteed chicken with green beans and carrots; Leftovers

Snacks/Desserts:  Fresh fruit; yogurt and fruit; granola bars; crackers and peanut butter

Those are my meal plan options for this week, based on what I have in the fridge, freezer, and pantry.  I am going to try and keep to the plan, but, there's always a chance that I might decide to have something different!

Are you making a meal plan for the last week in May?

On Saturday

 

Not Dancer

On Saturday, afternoon I visited my cousin V who is recovering from a knee replacement surgery.  She has the most beautiful Maine coon mix kitty I've seen.  He is so friendly, too, and very vocal.  

In the morning, I made a bread pudding to take to my cousin's because, when I asked her if she'd like me to bring her anything in particular, she requested a homemade dessert.  I also took her some freshly picked blueberries from the garden.  V had prepared a lovely charcuterie board with an assortment of cheese and crackers, string cheese rolled up in salami, bowls of strawberries, blueberries, and clusters of grapes, and a small bowl full of chocolate covered almonds set in the middle.  

I spent a couple of hours visiting V and then, came home.  I had made myself a small container of bread pudding, too, so I ate a piece of that, watched the evening news, and then, took a nap on the sofa.  

On Saturday, I was grateful for:

- Being able to visit my cousin
- Time spent together, catching up on each other's news
- A safe drive there and back
- Naps on the sofa
- Exchanging emails with a friend

Saturday's joyful activity was visiting my cousin.

Plans for Sunday include a sewing project.  

How was your Saturday?  Do you have any special plans for this Memorial Day weekend?

May Grocery Shopping - Part 3

Groceries: May 23, 2025

I ordered and picked up some groceries from the supermarket, today.  I mostly wanted to stock up on daughter's coffee that was on sale, again, for $7.99/12 oz. with a digital coupon.  I now have a good supply of coffee for her.  In addition to the coffee, I bought half a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, and three bananas.

Here's the receipt:

---

Order Summary

Original Item Total$65.96

Item Coupons/Sales-$20.00

Fulfillment Fee+$0.00

Sales Tax$0.00

Order Total$45.96

---

Item Details

8 Items

Fresh Banana - Single, 1 ea$1.03

1.37 lbs x $0.75 each (approx.)

Kroger® White Sandwich Bread, 20 oz$1.99

1 x $1.99 each

Ralphs® Vitamin D Whole Milk Half Gallon, 1/2 gal$2.99

1 x $2.99 each

Starbucks Espresso Dark Roast Ground Coffee, 12 oz$39.95

5 x $7.99 $11.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Total$45.96

My total came to $45.96

I had $46.19 left in my May grocery budget and I managed to stay under that!

My May grocery budget = $150.00

Spent to date = $56.66 + $47.15 + $45.96 = $149.77

Balance remaining = $0.23

Well, I've stayed under budget, so far!  Of course, there's another whole week left in the month, but, I don't anticipate needing any groceries between now and the end of the month.  But, if I do, it'll be close enough to June that I'll borrow from the June grocery budget.  

I am grateful for:

- Being able to buy groceries, both in terms of having the money to buy groceries and items being available to be purchased
- Being able to order groceries online and pick them up at the parking lot
- Digital coupons and sales
- A safe drive to the store and back
- Being able to stock up when there's a good sale

How are you doing with your grocery spending this month?  

On Thursday

 

Guard Kitty on Duty

Dancer keeps a watchful eye on what goes on outside.  

Thursday was another warm day, with highs in the mid-80s.  The doctor's office called me in the morning to remind me of my appointment which was at noon.  I appreciate the reminder, although I had made a note of it on my calendar.  I left the house in plenty of time and got to the clinic in good time.  

The appointment went well.  We are still trying to get some referrals authorized, but, there is some progress on that front and hopefully, I'll be able to get the appointments set up.

After I came home, I had brunch - a scrambled egg with a little leftover ham added into it, followed by a tangerine.  Dinner was chicken curry with one of the roti I made yesterday.  Snacks included homemade yogurt, cashews, and a piece of jaggery (palm sugar)

I rested a bit after I came home. Then, I did another load of laundry and swept and mopped the kitchen floor.  I also called to check on friend R as she, too, had a doctor's appointment, today.

On Thursday, I am grateful for:

- Access to medical care
- Medical insurance
- A safe drive to the clinic and back
- Working appliances
- A warm sunny day

Thursday's joyful activity was chatting with my daughter.

Plans for Friday include:

- Another doctor's appointment
- Order and pick up groceries
- Pick more blueberries
- Tend to the garden with M 

How was your Thursday?  What are your plans for Friday?

Company on Wednesday

 

Succulents Flowers

More of the individual flowers on the aeonium flower stalk  are opening up

Close Up

The bees are very happy!

A Bee Enjoys the Nectar

Wednesday was a sunny and warm day with the afternoon high being almost 90F.  My friend R had said she will visit on Wednesday afternoon, so, in the morning, I cooked a chicken curry, a fresh pot of rice, and some sauteed broccoli for our lunch (along with some leftover dhal that I warmed up).  

M arrived to tend to the garden just before friend R arrived.  I chatted with him for a bit and left him to water the garden, which I chatted with R.  I did ask M if he'd like to join us for lunch and he did, although he preferred to eat his lunch outside in the garden.  I chatted with him while he ate and then, R and I had our lunch.

R stayed for the rest of the afternoon and we chatted about various things.  Then, after a cup of tea (no cake, this time) I dropped her off at her apartment.  It was nice to have her spend the afternoon with me.

In addition to cooking and having company, I did two loads of laundry, did the dishes, and tidied up the kitchen.  Then, I watched a few online videos, exchanged emails with a friend, and chatted with my daughter.  

I didn't make a meal plan for this week as there are plenty of leftovers in the fridge.  The chicken curry was something I had planned to make when my daughter was visiting, but, didn't make.  For dinner, I made some roti (flat bread)  to have with some of my chicken curry.  I made a very small batch with just a cup of flour; the dough yielded four small rotis.  I ate one and a half rotis for my dinner and the rest will be for another meal.  

On Wednesday, I was grateful for:

- A sunny, warm day
- M's help with the garden
- Friend R's visit
- Having company
- A safe drive to drop R off and back

Wednesday's joyful activity was spending time with both friend R and M.

Plans for Thursday include an appointment with my doctor, putting away the last load of laundry, and maybe some tidying of the house.

How was your Wednesday?  What are your plans for Thursday?

A Visit to the Vet's Clinic on Tuesday

 

"What do you mean I have to go to the vet's clinic?"

Dancer had his monthly arthritis medication injection scheduled for today.  The appointment was at 3:00 p.m.  I had wanted to give him his sedative at 1:30 p.m., but, a phone call reminding me of my own upcoming doctor's appointment and wanting confirmation that I would keep the appointment meant I was otherwise occupied at 1:30 p.m.  So, he received his sedative at 1:45 p.m., instead.

"I don't want to be in here, Mummy!"

Oh, he was not happy to be put into his carrier.

"I'm giving you the side eye"

He protested a bit on the ride to the clinic and he panted and drooled, but, we made it to the clinic without any drama, for which I was very grateful!  I'm sure the clinic staff were also happy, not to be told he needed to be cleaned up before being taken in!

At the clinic:  "I'm not going to look at you"

He was taken in, given his injection, and I paid the bill and made the next appointment when he'll have a thyroid panel test, as well.

"Can we go home now, please?"

He was very quiet on the way home.  After we got home and I opened the flap to the carrier, he ran to hide:

"I'm hiding (and drooling) under Mummy's desk"

After we got home, I had leftover beef teriyaki, broccoli, and rice for lunch, did a load of laundry (my bed sheets) and remade my bed.  The new grocery ads arrived in the mail and I checked them out; I don't need a lot of groceries, but, daughter's coffee is on sale, again!  Dinner was leftover ham and mashed potatoes with green peas.  Dancer had some tuna and I think I've been forgiven for the trauma of being sedated, put into a carrier, and taken to the vet's!

Today, I am grateful for:
- Vet care for Dancer

- Dancer had a smoother car ride to the vet clinic than on many previous visits
- A safe drive to the clinic and back
- A lovely, warm (high of 85F), sunny day
- Working appliances

Today's joyful activity include watching some videos online.

Plans for Wednesday include:

- M coming to tend to the garden
- Friend R coming over to pick up some of her packages that were delivered to my address
- Preparing lunch for her (rice and curries)

- Doing more laundry
- Some paperwork and filing

How was your Tuesday?  What are your plans for Wednesday?