on Gardening, Baking, dogs and life in general

Front entrance to my home, which I am proud to say has been in the Redican family for 3 generations.

side entrance to the backyard oasis

perennial garden heading to the backyard oasis

and below is the front Hosta garden

So many projects, but an very uncooperative Mother Nature!
I have tons of painting and staining to do but we can not get more than 1 day of sun without moisture. It is getting old!  I have taken pictures to document my projects for the Summer of 2013 and I have a tight budget I want to stick to and I plan on doing as much recycling of one person's trash to my treasures as I can. So here are the pictures of the front yard before a majority of the work has taken place or will take place.

This is the front door and I am proudly displaying my first completed project of the summer a fun flip flop wreath! I made many of these for friends and family and sold quite a few. Thank you Kathy Ryks for finding such a cute idea!
I decided to get into the whole blogging thing because so many of you have told me I should write a book of all the projects and hints I have found so useful . Well, this is not a book but a place for me to share thoughts, hints and a few recipes. Many of you know, when I find a good recipe, I tend to hold it hostage till I die. I love to research and when I go to all that work, it becomes my little secret!
I am a Master Gardener for the state of Minnesota and I am constantly taking classes or as they call it continuing Ed. I have access to a whole wealth of knowledge and have tried many tips out on my own gardens and have had great success! I will share a few of those with all of you.
I wish I had a dollar for every time I have heard "What do you do all summer?" I would have a nicer vehicle,more updates done on my home, and maybe some more debt paid off!
YOU!! ,will find out through this handy dandy little blog. I will try and keep you updated everyday that time permits.
I started really getting into gardening as therapy. I have lost both my parents and both deaths were so unexpected. I became severely depressed . Depression is nothing to mess with, it will consume your whole life if you let it! I fought it for many years, over 20 and I can finally say I have been medication free for about 5 years now! A wonderful feeling. Don't get me wrong I still deal with some bad times of the year and I do my best to work through them. I started the majority of the gardens the spring of 1994, I needed the therapy of digging in the soil and reaping the rewards of beautiful blooms and foliage.
So get out there and enjoy the breath of fresh air, sounds of chirping birds and an occasional bark! OK more then an occasional bark sometimes. The dachshunds are very vocal! Play in the soil, plant a few flowers,or a vegetable garden and enjoy the rewards that you shall reap.