Summer Is...

I'm still trying to find my rhythm as I return to blogging, so I decided to participate in the SITS Girls Summer Slump Writing Challenge.  (I promise I won't put their adorable image up every day that I participate!).  Today's prompt?  Summer!!

To me, summer is...

Being on the water.  My summer isn't complete without being out on a whale watch or lighthouse tour at least once.  I've had people tell me that I'm spoiled to live so close to water.  And, they just might be right.

The beach.  What can I say?  I love the water!  Admittedly, I'd rather swim in a pool (shh...I'm afraid of sharks!), but there's just nothing like ocean air!

Road trips!  It doesn't happen as much as I'd like it to these days - but sometimes, I just love to pack up a few friends (or a few dogs) and just GO!

Gardening.  There's nothing like picking a tomato from your garden and eating while it's still warm from the sun.

Chasing after the pups.  For such petite dogs, they can sure get into a lot of trouble!  But I wouldn't have it any other way!

(Meadow from a few years ago)

(Paisley and Beckett last summer)

(Brady last summer...and yes, he is in a pink collar.  He and Paisley went through a fun phase where they chewed collar off each other... *sigh*)

What says summer to you?

And, Then They Ate A Poisonous Plant...

It goes without saying that I adore my dogs.  They are freaking awesome (if I do say so myself)!

Paisley and Brady are still at the age that they want to taste everything regardless of what it is.  Yeah...they're just over a year old, but dachshunds stay in that "puppy" stage longer than larger breeds.  Generally, I don't take issue with them (or Meadow & Beckett) picking up a stick outside and giving it a good gnaw.

We all learned something the hard way last Thursday - hydrangea bushes are mildly toxic to dogs.  Paisley and Brady decided to nibble on a hydrangea branch before dinner.  They came in, and ate dinner as normal...five minutes later I hear tummy rumbles.

First Brady started vomiting.  Then twenty minutes later Paisley started too.  Between the hours of 7 PM and 2 AM, they emptied their system of EVERYTHING.  To make matters worse, Meadow decided to "help" me clean up a little (read between the lines folks) and got sick herself soon thereafter.

As my washer and dryer ran all night (let's just say the didn't warn me before they puked), I decided to start googling.  I keep a list of all the plants that are toxic to my pets.  Hydrangea was NOT on that list...but it is now.   Everyone was just fine after getting everything up; but I did call the emergency clinic to see what signs I should watch for.

Spring is going to arrive any day now, and I'll be updating my list of "safe" plants before I do any gardening.  I ask all my fellow pet parents to do the same!  Here are a few plants to get you started:

• Autumn crocus (Colchicum): Its active ingredient, colchicines, triggers an anti-metabolic effect that can cause rapidly dividing cells, shedding of the gastrointestinal tract, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.
•  Azalea (Rhododendron): This popular plant can harm a dog's cardiovascular system and trigger vomiting or gastrointestinal upset.
• Daffodil (Narcissus): Toxic ingredients in the bulbs cause convulsions, tremors, lethargy, weakness, and upset stomachs.
• Hyacinth (Hyacinth): This popular plant can cause severe vomiting, bloody diarrhea, depression, and tremors.
• Japanese yew (Taxis): Extremely toxic to dogs, this group of ornamental plants can cause seizures or cardiac failure. The plant and red berries are toxic.
• Lily of the valley (Convalaria): This plant can cause heart failure, coordination problems, and vomiting.
• Oleander (Nerium): Extremely toxic, this popular outdoor plant contains cardiac glycosides that harm the heart, decrease body temperature, cause abnormal pulse rate, and can cause death. Beware: Even people have died from eating hot dogs roasted on an oleander twig.
• Rhubarb (Rheum): Although the stalks are used to make pies, the leaves pack the potential to cause kidney damage.
• Sago palm (Cycads): Resembling an upside down pineapple, this plant thrives in sandy soils, especially in warmer states such as California, Texas, and Florida. A few seeds can kill a dog.
• Tomato (Lycopersicion): Surprisingly, the greenery of this common plant, not the tomato itself, contains solanine, a toxic ingredient that can prompt gastric upset, depression, weakness, and a decrease in heart rate.

If you have any other plants that should be on the "no plant" list - please let me know!

A Dose of Random...

Sorry that my post lacks direction today.  I have lots of little things that would be a waste to post on their own.  Bring on the bullet points!

• Friday night a had an amazing girls night with some of my favorite ladies.  We did a little shopping (if you follow me on Twitter, you saw the adorable sparkly pink headband I picked up at Charming Charlie), had dinner at Toby Keith's "I Love This Bar & Grill", and saw Hunger Games!
• For our viewing pleasure, we saw Hunger Games via Lux level.  The comfy seats, drinks and prime viewing spots are worth the ticket price. 
• And... because there are five of us that went, I ended up being the girl NOT sitting next to one of her besties.  Which is totally fine!  What I hadn't anticipated is having to sit next to a guy who proceeded to drink FOUR beers and then beer belch at me through the movie.  *gag*  And that says nothing of the running commentary he had going.
• You may notice the April book poll in the top left corner.  Please vote!  The poll will be open through April 1, and the book will be announced on April 2nd.
• A huge THANK YOU to those of you who gave book suggestions.  They'll be showing up on the long list rotation soon.  :-) Please keep the book titles coming!
• Quick reminder to please link up your posts about our March book - Disengaged on Friday.
• I planted my peach tree!  I love it already.  I bet it doesn't bloom for a few years, but that's OK.  I do think she needs a name.  Any suggestions?
• The lovely Andrea and I will have a little something fun to share with you all soon. We're both really excited about it!
• The second annual flip flop swap is coming soon!  It's a great way to celebrate the warm weather and find a new bloggy friend.  :-)

Gone To Seed... AKA It's Garden Time!

It's that time again... time to think about planting the garden.  I had grand plans last year to turn a raised plot of land in my backyard into the perfect garden.  However...holy sh*t, that soil is dry and packed.  It's going to take a lot more work than I anticipated.  Maybe it will be fabulous by next spring. Maybe.
In the meantime, it's container gardening for me again this year.  Which I'm perfectly happy with!
This year my garden will feature:

Everbearing Strawberries.  It's my first year with strawberries, but I have hopes that I do well with them.  :-) {All pics via}

Heirloom Tomatoes.  Honestly, these suckers aren't as pretty as other tomatoes...but the smell and taste are like none other.  They are one of my garden staples.

Roma Tomatoes.  These tomatoes make the best sauce.  So yummy! 

Jalapenos.  Another staple in my garden.  My dogs absolutely love them (yes, my pups are as weird as I am), so it's a race to see who can get to the peppers first - me or them.



Cubanelle Peppers.  Sweet, yummy and they freeze well. 

I had the tree in my front yard die this winter, so I'll be replacing it with a Weeping Cherry!  It's so pretty!

Elberta Peach Tree. I'm most excited about this tree!  I've wanted a peach tree for YEARS.  I named the first dog that was just mine (as opposed to a family dog) Peach Blossom.  The tree has special meaning to me. 

Is anyone else as excited to plant their gardens as flowers as I am?!?!  Please tell me I'm not the only geek!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

What?  Too early to start talking about gardening?

I've already plotted out where my garden will be next year.  Along the back of my property line is a raised place that the old owners used as a parking spot.  The dirt is too compacted for me to fix it up this year...but next year, it will look gorgeous!

Or I'll just take the empty lot next to my house by eminent domain. I'm joking!  Maybe.

In the meantime, it's container gardening for this girl!  My parents have always maintained a garden, and it's become quite the tradition for me. :-)  I can't wait for the weather to warm up and to start harvesting some yummy home-grown veggies.

Wanna see what I've ordered for this year?

Biggie Chile Peppers... Hot.  But not too hot!

Cubanelle Peppers... Sweet and good for stuffed peppers.  Plus, they freeze well.

Jalapenos! I do them every year.  And every single one of them gets used or given away to others that swear they'll use them!

Golden Rave Tomatoes... about the size of a quarter and slightly oblong.  Everyone RAVED (pun intended) about these last year.  So yummy and the color livens up a salad.  :-)

Heirloom tomatoes.  Something about them just tastes better!  And I love not knowing which of the varieties I've been blessed with until they start growing.

Red and yellow Pear Tomatoes.  Super sweet; cook well and are just fun in general. Love them!

Dwarf Meyer Lemon Trees.  These lovelies lived until I had surgery in February.  Then they died a swift painful death.  Not casting blame on anyone *ahem*, but my brother doesn't have a green thumb. I ordered two more and I'm sure they'll live a long, happy life!

Dwarf fig tree! I saw this and just had to order one.  Who knows if it'll grow...but trying to grow new things is always fun.

Have you started thinking about gardening yet?  If so, what'cha gonna grow?

BTW, you still have time to enter my mystery giveaway & join in on the flip flop swap!

Farmer Beckett

Beckett and I are having a difference of opinions.  I think I'm growing tomatoes for my fun - to share with friends and family.  Beckett thinks I'm watering the plants...and it's his job to pick the tomatoes...sharing occasionally with his people.

I have no problem sharing (do you HEAR me fuzzy-boy?!?!) my tomatoes from time to time, but I have never met a dog who has his nose buried in my garden the way Beckett does.  Does anyone else have a dog that enjoys "farming" from the family garden?

The tomatoes are lip-smacking good, Mama!

Oh, I agree!  What?  Beckett said I could have a tomato too!  Wait...Mama, why are you moving the plants off the ground?!?!