How was your weekend?

I spent mine deep-cleaning my house and preparing my backyard for the harsh summer conditions. The first order of business was to bag up all the patio throws and blankets we use on chilly fall and winter nights and store them in the rolling crate-ottoman.

While I was at it, I vacuumed the rug and dusted off all the furniture – a never-ending battle!

One of the prettiest things blooming in the backyard is the Lavender Snail Vine (Vigna caracalla) that is completely covering…

… the rusty arch at the far edge of the patio.

I discovered the first Canna Lily (Auguste Ferrier) of the summer. It is a promise of things to come.

Another nearly weekly activity is the cleaning and refilling of the hummingbird feeder.

I have tried all sorts of ways to clean the bottle, from bottle brushes to pipe-cleaners, but the most effective method I’ve found is this: Fill the bottle about halfway with hot tap water, add a tablespoon of bleach, and then a handful of dried beans. Shake and roll the bottle and the beans will clean the sides better than any bottle brush known to man.

Next, triple-wash the bottle and then wash it again to make certain that you’ve gotten all traces of the bleach out of there before filling it with sugar syrup. I use a mix of 1 cup sugar to 4 cups water.

I’m barely able to turn around from hanging it up before the hummers get back at it.

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