jammin'

Mmmm... homemade strawberry jam! I made four batches (about 15 jars) today after Dad brought over a huge bunch of strawberries from his garden. It's freezer jam, which I like better than regular jam because it tastes more like berries and less like sugar. I think I'll make some more before the end of strawberry season, since we ran out mid-way through the winter last year. It's so much better than store jam - no comparison.

my new favourite...

...plant! It's called something like 'thumbergina' but that's not it. I bought it the other night at Dayton Fruit and Vegetable, and it didn't have the tag in it. I thought I could remember the name, but nope. Anyway, I LOVE it! I planted it in a pot I had and made the trellis-y thing from an old raspberry cane (I have found many uses for them - I suppose the thorny ones wouldn't be so useful). I think it looks fabulous, and I can't wait for it to start growing up the frame!

nellie m

A couple almost-past-their-prime blooms on my Nellie Moser clematis. I had to cut down all of the old growth last fall, and I wasn't sure if this was the type of clematis that liked that, but it seems to have thrived. I've already seen more blooms than all of last season.

poppy

Some yummy poppy goodness. I adore poppies and don't have any in our yard - I picked this one at our friend's house and have enjoyed it immensely.