this week we got a lot of work done in the garden....

well, ken did the most of it....

But now the lattice is up around the base of the deck,

 the kale, dahlias, peppers and golden beets are planted,

the cyprus is trimmed, as are a lot of dead branches in the cherry trees,

the lawn has been mowed,

the blackberry vines are cleaned up,

and the big gardening beds in the back are cleared and the soil has been turned over.

mimi has also been a very big help.

there is oregano, lemon balm, thyme at the base of the steps, on either side.

the 5 little peppers and how they grew (we hope!)

 with volunteer sunflowers from

 last winter's bird seed ,

and golden beets planted in between.

the mint, in it's joyful exuberance, on its way to taking over the garden.