Jewel orchid

On By CarynIn Garden

Since I put my jewel orchid in a small jar of live moss in a frosted front window, in an upside down clear cylinder vase, it has been very happy. It grew great big leaves and now looks like it is going to bloom!

Photo description: Jewel Orchid under “glass” (really acrylic) with a flower spike developing

I have heard that the flowers of jewel orchids aren’t very showy, the plants are prized more for their striking leaf pattern than for the floral display.

I may have to figure out how to get better pictures. Hm.

Finished diagonal blanket

On By CarynIn Craft

I was finally able to weave in all the ends for the diagonal crochet blanket made from scrap acrylic yarn. Yes, I had to negotiate around persistent cats to do so.

Photo description: white, cream, gray, and green diagonally stripped crocheted acrylic blanket laying over a barcalounger chair

I did not add the edge because I’m so pleased with how even the edges came out, and how crisp the corners are, that I didn’t want to overshadow it with more stitches.

Photo description: calico cat curled up on the same blanket that is folded up on the ottoman

And the blanket will be staying in house, since it is a cat magnet. Izzy the calico is pleased.

The blanket is narrower than usual throws, but it works well on the chair, and is more a summer weight. The narrowness makes it easier to stick out a foot for temperature control.

First cucumbers

On By CarynIn Garden

This year my husband moved the metal trough “raised” garden bed out into the meadow where there is more sunlight. I set a trellis in the middle and planted cucumbers. I have meant to run a timed watering line out there, but it hasn’t happened yet. I haven’t had to hand water often, though, because we’ve been receiving frequent rain. It has worked. I’ve been harvesting cucumbers!

Photo description: first two cucumbers from my garden in a metal water trough with trellis

I’m training the vines up the trellis to keep the cucumbers off the ground, which works really, really well.

I have not installed deer deterrent yet in the form of a fence or barrier. That is on the to do list.

The challenges

On By CarynIn Craft

I finished crocheting my diagonal scrap blanket, and now just need to weave in the ends. The challenge is extracting the cats so I can actually do the work.

Photo description: two calico cats managing to be touching the same blanket, on which I need to work
Photo description: blanket separated from the cats to show all the ends that need to be woven in, done in scraps of white, gray, tan, and green acrylic yarn

I don’t mind weaving in ends, but this blanket sprouts cats as soon as I sit down, so it will take awhile.

Gate keepers

On By CarynIn Cats
Photo description: gray tabby on the windowsill inside, calico on the shelf outside the window cat flap looking at the gray tabby

So who is gate keeping whom here? Does Izzy the cat want in? Or does Thor the cat want out? Probably both, and they are stubbornly sitting there, but the looks on their faces was worth the picture.