Slices of life, both written and photographed.

Monday, April 4, 2011

"Spicy" Brew for the Bushy Tails

Today's Monday Metamorphosis has to do with the "changing of the yards" around our house. It's not Buckingham Palace, by any means, but it's a good house with a back and front yard that serve our family well.

The backyard has a gravel patio and a fountain my husband installed last fall. The post on this project can be found here: http://writingstraightfromtheheart.blogspot.com/2010/10/dreams-do-come-true-for-metamorphosis.html There's a picnic table and chairs that have, thankfully, survived the winter.

When the warm weather arrives, the big umbrella will be brought out from the storage shed and placed over the table.

The table and chairs set looked like this a short time ago:



Now, it looks like this:





That's progress!  That's the fountain, to the right, all covered up with plastic and waiting for the "real" spring to arrive.
The rest of this post is about squirrels and how they like to destroy our yards!  Last fall, it was thrilling to find daffodil and tulip bulbs at the Christmas Tree Shops.  We planted them in the front yard, dreaming of the beautiful flowers that would come up and grace our yard this spring.

Well, the pesky little rodents have already dug up one of the bulbs. Just a hole, shown at right,  remains. They may be thinking there's a smorgasbord planted, just for them, but they've got another thought coming.



The dug up bulb called for swift but humane action. Reading about the ability of cayenne pepper to deter squirrels from raiding the bulbs and other plants,  I took it a step further and mixed together cayenne pepper,  crushed red peppers, and half a jar of jalapeno peppers and their juice. It turned out to be a potent brew.





























To that mixture, I added some water, then went outside, and poured the cocktail on all the little daffodil and tulip shoots coming out of the ground.






This is not a mixture to serve to guests!  I was afraid breathing in the fumes coming from it would sear my lungs. 

If  it works in deterring the wretched squirrels, I'll let you know. It is my fondest hope that sooner than later, the little tulip tips will result in pretty flower bouquets such as this:




Today Writing Straight from the Heart has joined Metamorphosis Monday on Susan's blog, Between Naps on the Porch. Be sure to go there to check out other home projects. Just click http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/   .

12 comments:

Susan said...

Wow Big difference in the snow and the now!

Linda O'Connell said...

Hope you don't fry the tulips with that potent mixture. :)

diane stetson said...

Glad to see the snow finally melted. I do NOT have any squirrels in my neighborhood...haven't seen any wildlife at all lately...hope your concoction works for you.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

That snow mound is just amazing. Glad things are morphing around there into spring time weather. That hot pepper brew sounds like something I would put on my food. HA! Hope it deters the squirrels. Best wishes, Tammy

Bookie said...

I hope this works for you. Squirrels have chewed ON our deck and the handles of my wooden wheelbarrow.Hubbys says they are sharpening their teeth which they have to do...well, try a tree trunk then!

Jeanette Levellie said...

Your patio is lovely! I hope this super duper brew keeps your posies healthy this spring!

I found you from Karen Lange's blog.

Blessings,
Jen

MeMeSue said...

I can't wait to hear if you "brew" works! We have "killer" squirls! They ate through our trash can lids and then they have the nerve to bring their bounty up on our porch...eat it...leave the left overs and also leave us little presents...if you catch my drift. I haven't planted any flowers as yet but I'm afraid of the squirls and the bunnies eating everything! Keep us posted!

Terri Tiffany said...

My husband bought a squirrel trap and we have transported 28 squirrels to new homes:)) Nothing else worked!

Chatty Crone said...

What a difference a season makes. I hope it deters those little squirrels - I haven't had to good of luck with squirrels myself. Here's to your tulips. sandie

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

Good luck! I hope it works, nothing worse than seeing your hard work half eaten and lying on top of the ground! Been there . . .

Susan said...

Hello Everybody! I want to welcome Phyllis, from Wichita Falls, Texas, this blog's 206th Follower. Hi Phyllis! Hope you come to visit often.

Hope everyone had a good Monday. Susan

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Love your outdoor table. So glad to see the snow has melted. Hope the concoction works and you get tulips!! hugs, Linda

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