Kim -- I love that mental image! D -- Thanks, I am happy to be back in my garden again!

Mom -- I talk to you all the time. You miss my photos, not me! Katie -- It's not a bad thing in the slightest, just made me a little crazy because I'd been hearing how awful the job market is, but knock wood I didn't have that experience at all. I actually got the first job that I applied to and withdrew myself from the application process at the other two places where I interviewed when I was offered that first one.

Mom -- You know you're the biggest fan of the blog! Katie -- It was such a satisfying day!

Only five years? It seems like I've known you for much longer!

I think 2011 was the second year of the butterfly house. It is seasonal as well, opening in April again this year, closing in October. I hope I have a chance to visit again. Such a lovely place.

We just got power back today, 7 days, 11 hours in "the dark." I had lots of catfacing on my tomatoes this year, thanks for letting me know what it was called and how it happened.

Katie -- Thanks, we just went back on at 5:00pm today (Sunday). So that was 7 days, 11 hours for those who were counting. Mom -- I don't think I could take another hurricane. Jan -- Just came out of it with a couple of issues like the fractured relationship with a neighbor over generator noise and hurt feelings. Hopefully it will pass. Dawn -- We just came back on today (7 days, 11 hours out). If I had anything that I cared about enough to save, I would have tried to find someone with power to keep it for me. However, it was a little bit more complicated down here since Branford, Guilford, and Madison were 100% out. We didn't have too many resources beyond that. Our town was also giving out ice and water, but they asked that those of us with the resources to get to a store and buy them do so and leave the limited number of supplies to those without that ability. Interesting experience...yes, fun one...no.

Mom -- Well our neighbors have power and we now have an extension cord to their house powering our internet, tv, phones, and computers, so I guess Tuesday sort of. The shoreline is kind of a battlefied. I will do a post with some of the stuff I photographed after the storm. Commonweeder -- I've heard about the insane flooding that's going on in northern New England. Some of my work colleagues in NH can't get to the office from their homes because bridges are out.

Well, I really wanted to go, but Lee convinced me to stay put, thus giving me plenty of fuel for I told you sos later on. Yes, mom, the storm has lost some intensity, but Goeff Fox is saying comparable or worse damage due to more rain with this storm. We'll see. I'll probably do a post on our storm prepped garden before we lose power!

Sage Butterfly -- Thank you, our veggies have been delicious. Mom -- My tomatoes are pretty darn ugly too, but they keep giving fruit! Paul -- I had ornamental edible peppers pop up all over the garden for 2 years after growing them, but last year they were very slow to develop and I don't think they actually got to seed because I haven't seen any this year. Aren't bonus plants fun?

Rhonda -- Our first year growing kale and we quite like it! Bernieh -- I like the coleus flower spikes too, but they tend to get leggy if I let them bloom. HB -- I keep waiting for a cooler day that's not muggy and overcast (cue the swarm of mosquitoes), but it hasn't come, or if it has, I've been stuck in the office that day! Kim -- I know, I laughed too. I'm sure I planted the right nasturtiums in the right pots, but I guess they had a mind of their own. Definitely a banner year for basil in our garden. Larry -- Thanks! Lee -- Thanks, happy GBBD to you too! Christine -- It is nice to finally have blooms on those darn zinnias. Bom -- It's a great year for basil...not so much for some other plants though.

Wendy -- Everyone enjoyed it, even the picky 4 year old son of my friend. Mom -- Thanks, but I'm not overly fond of sweet potatoes, but it's going to be a good long time until we see you next, which leads to the no on the peanuts.

Layanee -- That's no help! Yes, I love harvest time the most. Literally having more fresh produce than we can eat is nice problem to have. Nadia -- Thanks, I'm leaning that way too.

Of course I plant tomatoes! Only I plant starts from the nursery because despite trying I have yet to successfully grow a tomato on a plant from seed. And I can plant a little earlier than you here on the shore, I think around May 15th they go outside. Yes, they're ready and coming in fast and furious! So far the winner this year for taste, looks, and amount of fruit is a new one to us -- Lillian's Gold. The black varieties are still the tastiest, but they're a little more finicky to grow.