Twist and Shout!

It was my boss's birthday in May. She buys herself anything she wants, all year long, so she's difficult to buy for, for celebrations.
So, I planted her a garden. Rosa colored annual vinca, Victoria Blue Salvia and Twist and Shout Hydrangeas. I planted these so she passes it on the way in and out of the house to the business shop where we work. She can also see it from her desk...
 I also added some Red Fountain Grass, but didn't get a photo of it. Almost every day, she mentions it, telling me it is one of the best presents she's ever received!

Twist and Shout, close up

Couple of Classics

 A Bluish Mophead Hydrangea

 A perfect hot pink (supposed to be red!) rose.

 Not red, not really....

 The raindrops looked like tiny diamonds in the web

Crash hot potatoes. Absoltuely incredible!
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add in as many potatoes as you wish to make and cook them until they are fork-tender. 
On a sheet pan, generously drizzle olive oil. Place tender potatoes on the cookie sheet leaving plenty of room between each potato.With a potato masher, gently press down each potato until it slightly mashes, rotate the potato masher 90 degrees and mash again. Brush the tops of each crushed potato generously with more olive oil.
Bake in a 450 degree oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. . Sprinkle potatoes with kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper and fresh chopped rosemary (or chives or thyme or whatever herb you have available.) Add sour cream and chives and bacon to your heart's content

Thank me later!

Aging Gracefully

In a dark corner of the landscape

 I wish I aged as well as this lady does...

The view from my kitchen window, Limelight, Anenome Robitissimo, Endless Summer

In the Limelight with Endless Summer

These are photos of the shrubs in front of the house. They are sheltered from the West wind by the garage wall, they face north. I hope John B logs in today. He asked me about the hydrangeas. These are much better cultivars than the one you are struggling with, John!

Limelight with Endless Summer

Limelight blossom

This is Endless Summer. She probably should be deadheaded as she blooms on new and old wood, but I can't stand to think of her with all those blooms cut off...

I found a recipe for flatbread tacos. These were wonderful!

After a beautiful August day in the Northern Illinois area, the sky was almost smokey with clouds!

Zinnia, Purple Prince. Mine do not look like RoseM's. Mine are weird looking.