Category Archives: Garden Chic

I Was Surprised Too

Posted on July 4, 2016 by Julie-Ann Baumer

Yesterday was a glorious summer day; sunny and comfortably warm with no humidity plus the luxury of a refreshing breeze.  Today is the Fourth of July and I’m hosting my first family barbecue.  Handy thought I needed a gas grill … Continue reading →

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Kennebec Garden Bliss

Posted on June 27, 2016 by Julie-Ann Baumer

It’s 5:00 a.m. and I want to be in my garden.  Weed one little overgrown patch, stick in a few marigolds for color while I wait for some blooms, and then water the parched soil.  It’s a blissful way to … Continue reading →

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The Wizard

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Julie-Ann Baumer

Last Friday, I wrote about a recent David Brooks’ New York Times piece.  The article was part confession; the author admitted he’d grown out of touch with the average Joe and his neighbors.  Mr. Brooks outlined his plan to better … Continue reading →

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First Mow

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Julie-Ann Baumer

Last week I exchanged some e-mails with one of my friends from New Hampshire.  We were talking about news and weather and she said “John mowed for the first time yesterday.” Is there anything that says you’re a homeowner louder … Continue reading →

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Summer Pajamas

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Julie-Ann Baumer

Spring arriving late and all, we’ve had a long stretch of not-so-wonderful weather.  Drizzle, rain, and lots of cloud cover.  Combine that with tepid temperatures and it can be discouraging after what seemed like the longest winter ever.  I’m not … Continue reading →

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The State of the Bonide

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Julie-Ann Baumer

Last night was the state of the wha wha wha wha on the Tee Vee.  It was probably on the radio, too, on En Pee Are and on some static-filled right-leaning AM stations.  It was quiet here last night, by … Continue reading →

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The Joy Killers

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Julie-Ann Baumer

Wednesdays are generally “Tiny Steps Gardening Days,” here on the blog.  It’s also “Five Islands Week.”  Fortunately, for the sake of thematic blog unity, there is a “Five Islands Farm.”  They were closed when I walked by on Saturday night, … Continue reading →

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The Castor Bean Plant

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Julie-Ann Baumer

In my first summer at the Secret Garden, one of the gardeners grew a stately ornamental called a “Castor Bean” plant.  The Latin name for this plant is “Ricinus communis” and because these lovely species so enhanced the Secret Garden, … Continue reading →

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They Follow the Sun

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Julie-Ann Baumer

My sunflowers have started blooming and as I look at them, I realize I didn’t put much thought into planting them.  I made random decisions about the type of sunflower seeds I planted and as a result, I have a … Continue reading →

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Tootsie Roll Candy

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Julie-Ann Baumer

It’s ironic that I wrote about preparing for the Apocalypse yesterday because when I got to work, I had a hissing tire that was flat by the time I finished calling the auto club.  Had the “you know what” hit … Continue reading →

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