Kittens Keeping Warm

Yep. More kitten content. What can I say... this is what's happening in Brooklyn's Backyard these days.

So I'm Mildly Obsessed with the Kittens...

I have to admit that since their arrival to my backyard about six weeks ago I’ve become mildly obsessed with the kittens. This first pic was taken the days I discovered them.

Despite the fact that I have not fed or watered them, they come. They return. They stay. Earlier this week I spotted a pile of kittens stacked against the wall, keeping each other warm.

A few weeks ago, I wondered how on Earth they managed to hunt, kill, and devour the squirrel who used to hang out in my windowsill. Today, I figured it out. Turns out the kittens like to climb the stairs and tightrope their way along my rosebush in order to make their way to the windowsill, hang out, and hunt.

They are relentless. But I've gotten used to them. And while I hope I don't find any more squirrel bits in my yard, I kind of like having these little guys around.

This is "Tux" because he looks like he's wearing a little, white bow tie.

And this is Lux because he's got long hair and jewels for eyes.

I mean really, can you blame me? They're beautiful. But I'm beginning to wonder how strays like these guys make it through winter.

Sail Away

My friend Laine and I hopped aboard the Carnival Triumph for a quick summer getaway. We sailed from New York City to Saint John New Brunswick Canada and back. Here's a video of our trip!

Princess Electra

In a faraway land called Brooklyn, Princess Electra snoozes her way to a cookie.

A Backyard Full of Basil

All this rain sure has made my basil bountiful. Considering I started the plant from mere seeds this spring, I'm pretty proud of all the leaves that have formed. Not to mention my trustworthy chives that have sprouted back to life three summers in a row.But what's a girl to do with all that basil?

Pesto!

Chives and basil from my garden, garlic from the grocer, and olive oil from Italy (okay, fine, from the grocer). Add a touch of salt and a splash of lemon juice. And p(r)esto!

The savory topping went great on a freshly grilled steak with a side of Israeli couscous. And those yellow and green string beans are fresh from Long Island through my CSA (community-supported agriculture) membership.

Delicious.

Red, White, and Bike

July 4th, 2009. The weather is perfect for a bike ride, and since some of the best views of the Statue of Liberty are just steps away from my apartment, I threw my camera into my pack.

First stop about a mile south of me I hit the boardwalk near Fairway in Red Hook.

Next stop, the view from the fishing pier at Coffey Park. It's a small park, but the views are unmatchable.

Next, a visit to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. The terminal was empty today as no cruise ships were docked. When you look in one direction, there's this amazing view of Lady Liberty.

Turn the other way and you find yourself in the middle of urban decay. That's New York for ya.

About an hour and a half later, I rounded the corner back onto my own block and suddenly, the left pedal flew off my bike.

Next stop will be the repair shop!

Back in the Back

FINALLY! The weather has sprung and I've been back in the backyard.

This year, I got fancier with my so-far-sorta-failed gardening and decided to try my luck at some herbs planted from seeds (rather than buying a plant someone else already nursed), so about a month ago, I planted cilantro (which actually sprouts from coriander seeds) and basil.

The cilantro has really taken off.

And the basil, well, it's got a long way to go, but there are signs of life there. I swear. Tiny, green signs.

Today, I added a splash of color with some hot pink impatients. We'll see how long these last. Everything else I've planted in these spots has withered away.

Meanwhile, I'm not sure what this is or where it came from, but this pretty, pink flower is hiding in my prickly raspberry brambles.

Last year's garlic experiment failed but I decided to try again. This time, I planted the cloves at the first signs of spring. So far, so good.

For the third summer in a row, my tried and true chives have returned. This seems to be the only thing I've planted that likes me enough to come back.

Thanks to no doing of my own but the doing of some wild gardener who presumably lived here long ago, the insane, wild rose bush is back and lush and showing very early signs of hot pink buds!

Here's a close-up of one of this season's first of my roses.

So there you have it. There's no parsley, sage, rosemary, or thyme in this yard. But there's a whole lot of other stuff.