Memorial Day

We took a rest and did not do any digging, transplanting, mulching or hauling today--a holiday.  Much needed after two weekends of really hard work in the garden. You don't get those garden moments unless you put in some sweat equity, I guess.  The work we did usually gets done in late April or early May when it's not so hot and humid. 

Yesterday we went to Ballek's Garden Center in East Haddam to find a garden bench. I told Sara the garden center would remind her of Ohio with the cows, silos, old barns and open fields on top of a hill.  She took this photo and posted it on her Facebook page.

She also loved the cat who wanders the greenhouse and entertains customers at the check out counter.

It's amazing how a cat can amuse people when he's only taking a cat nap!

We found a bench to put at the end of the hosta leaf stepping stones

I made with Alice a couple years ago.

And we bought a weather vane on a pole. I broke it when I tried to straighten it, but it was in bad condition anyway.  Larry is trying to fix the pole and I spray painted the weather vane and the ball with some bronze Rustoleum.

Flower power moments for today--no sweating needed.

The poppy bloomed fully this morning.

And looked like this in the afternoon out of direct sunlight. 

Papaver orientale 'Burning Heart' with candy pink petals, bright red centers

and reddish-purple pink stamens.  The petals really look and feel like tissue paper.

A great holiday weekend despite the loss of the Bevin Bell factory in town to fire.