If it's Tuesday... then this must be Jane's Jewels!

Greetings and I hope your past week was a good one. Above is a metal sign I hung in my garden shed office the other day. It gives me a chuckle each time I look up. Some highlights from my week include our fantastic weather (the weekend and first part of this week have been a write-off though), finally completing a long over-due garden project, digging out a new flower bed, many thanks to my dh* and giving my house a much-needed big cleaning over the weekend (well, it was raining anyways).                 *dear husband 

This was Wednesday afternoon, looking down from my deck; my completed project, sigh :) This seemingly simple creation was three years in the making, due of course to me dragging my feet! When we first made this area (six years ago) these blocks had a different finish and there were also small rocks in between and around the perimeter. Also, the center area had an extra four blocks in it. The rocks were a bad choice - you couldn't walk across without knocking them onto the patio blocks... grrr... and then the weeds and grass eventually made their way through the garden cloth. After digging out the rocks and removing the garden cloth, I applied a new finish. (Flexstone)

(Expand to see finish)

A conduit pipe for the electrical cord and sod completed the job. The fountain (a gift for our 25th anniversary two years ago - thanks again Mom :) was previously located in another part of the yard. To me, this area now gives my garden the over-all serene feel I was hoping for.

Here is another angle yesterday. The vines are hops, they completely enclose our covered deck as well. 

The other day I planted a Virginia Creeper at the back of my yard against the fence, which I expect will engulf the fence in time. I hope that wasn't a mistake! - if anyone has experience with this vine, please let me know anything I might find useful. I've made peace with the hops (we've had our battles), and in retrospect I would have chosen a different vine, but I guess that's all a part of the joy of gardening, isn't it?!

Greetings Gardeners! 

I also hung this slightly creepy wooden Watcher.

Not something I'd want in the house, but fun for the office :)

Here she is mid-howl!

We fear what we don't know, and our puppy Emma is no exception. On Thursday she had a fit over an empty plastic bottle we'd tossed on the floor. Instead of playing with it, she barked non-stop for 15 minutes - no exaggeration. However, Friday she barked for only 10 minutes and then something clicked: she got her nerve up and attacked, lol!! Too funny!

I'm relieved to see that she isn't the only animal 

with an irrational fear of everyday objects...!

This went viral last week.

Isn't this a gorgeous shot? Unfortunately, it marks NASA's last space shuttle for at least three years, possibly five or more. Atlantis and four astronauts roared into orbit on Friday and it was noted that the crowds (and resulting emotions) were on a scale not seen since the Apollo moon shots. In response, Former NASA Chief Michael Griffin had the following comment: 

"The regret in retiring the shuttle is not that we're retiring a 30-year-old system. That's to be expected," Griffin says. "The regret is that we're not moving on to something that can do more for us. We're not moving on to anything. … I was in favor of retiring the shuttle if that was the price of building a system that could take us back to the moon and beyond. I'm not in favor of retiring the shuttle and replacing it with nothing. … That is what is going to happen."


I agree. It's pretty disappointing.

Shouldn't we be halfway to this by now?

Or at least here?

Meanwhile, back on planet Earth lol, here's something not quite 'out of this world', but stunning nonetheless :) In fact, this short video is perhaps the most amazing thing I've seen in a very long time. Robins built a nest in a hanging basket and the next four weeks were filmed... Let me know your favorite part, mine was dedicated Mom sticking to her post, even in the pouring rain.

That's all for now, I hope you enjoyed this meander through my week...
As my profile states, Jane's Jewels is a "cornucopia of my interests" lol!!

Have a great day!

What a difference a day makes! After our horrible weather on Thursday the sun managed to peek in and out on Friday (clear skies by early evening) and we made it to +1C. Late afternoon the robins were out in full force, industriously taking advantage of a small exposed strip of grass. Please excuse the quality of these photos, they were snapped surreptitiously from inside.

Loving the bright green grass shoots :)

At some points there were up to a dozen robins - all jostling for position!

Did you know that if you shop 'till you drop: you'll live longer? 

... I'll bet that got your attention lol!

Besides subscribing to the Posit Science newsletter, I also look forward to a regular update from Dr. Andrew Weil. Perhaps you've heard of him? He's authored quite a number of books, including Healthy Aging which I purchased a few years ago. This week's newsletter reported the rather humorous results from a nine-year study conducted in Taiwan, which showed that seniors who shopped several times a week (or even daily) lived longer than those who never or rarely shopped. I find studies like this so interesting and while I am not (yet!) a senior, I believe it's never too early to take positive steps towards more healthy living.

The investigators said that shopping may provide an opportunity for additional physical activity which is considered more 'heart-healthy' when compared to formal exercise programs. How many times have we heard it said that walking is one of the best forms of exercise? Going to a mall is at least a lot safer for us northerners than trying to maneuver our sidewalks in the winter! 

As well, the shopper may seize the opportunity to purchase more fresh, healthy food seeing as they are already out and about. I would also surmise that getting out on a regular basis could help ward off depression and alzheimer's. 

Unfortunately, except for the grocery store, I am one of those people who rarely shop retail: unless I need something and then it's in-and-out as fast as possible. Quite the departure from how I was in my twenties and thirties. At this point in my life I thankfully have everything I need and like what I have. On the other hand, I find fleamarkets and second-hand shops more of an adventure, and I'm guessing they would also qualify as long as you go often enough... so I'm thinking I'll be ok :)