Things I'm Lovin' Tuesday: Catty Wagon

In 2015 I started a monthly blog series called

THINGS I'M LOVIN' TUESDAY!!!

Come back every last Tuesday of the month for a new post.

Now onto what I'm lovin' this month...

Towards the end of Summer my boyfriend and I went to Melrose Trading Post.

I was there mainly to look, possibly buy some chairs (that didn't happen),

but as soon as we pulled in I spotted the best thing at the flea market that day -

Catty Wagon - a mobile cat adoption truck with super cute kittens!!!

I didn't adopt any kittens that day, 

but that didn't stop us from playing with them.

I mean look how cute they are - we couldn't resist!

And the employees were happy to let us get our kitten cuddles.

One of them did want to go home with me though...

He climbed in there himself and was so content!

If you're LA local and looking to adopt, make sure to check out Catty Wagon!

Decorating for Halloween!

I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it a million times more, 

but I really LOVE Fall and everything about the season!!!

I love the crisp air and the cooler temps.

I love wearing boots, scarves and sweaters.

I love that it's the beginning of the holiday season.

And that means it's time to decorate my apartment!

I decorate and get all festive for a lot of holidays, 

but I tend to start to go ALL OUT for a few months -

starting the end of September for Halloween!

I get in the spirit with both store bought and DIY decorations.

I've accumulated a variety of things over the years, 

but I'm a sucker so I keep adding a little here and there.

Now, take a look below at the Halloween fun I currently have at my place!

Front Door Decorations with a homemade wreath.

DIY Spook Banner (link at bottom) and entry table.

TV Stand Festiveness.

Mantle decorations and fun DIY pumpkins.

The two large pumpkins are covered with fish nets,

the medium pumpkins have rhinestone stickers

and the small ones were painted and glittered!

Multiple black cats, a skull and some pumpkins!

Fall leaves over the french doors and bats flying in the hallway.

Guest bath Halloween spookiness!

Dripping blood and spiders all over.

And Halloween cuteness in my bathroom!

I even have a mini pumpkin in my bedroom.

And finally, the mini gargoyle that's more cute than scary!

If you're interested, here are past Halloween Decoration posts:

Halloween 2013 Part One

Halloween 2013 Part Two

DIY Spook Banner

Fall Garden Guests

Halloween 2010 Part One

Halloween 2010 Part Two

Pumpkin Carving 2013

Pumpkin Carving 2011

Pumpkin Carving 2010

Garden Progress

In my most recent Garden post, I mentioned that I'd planted Snap Peas and Cat Grass seeds. I've grown both before, but I was very excited for what was to come! 

I was on vacation last weekend and when I returned early last week, I had a few tiny little sprouts coming out of the soil in my Snap Pea container. I decided to let them grow a few days and by the end of the week there were TONS of little Snap Pea shoots starting to grow! I cannot wait for them to vine up and grow delicious and sweet pea pods! 

The Cat Grass was actually a lot further along than the Snap Peas when I came back from vacation, but I gave that a few days to fill out as well. It's super full and thriving now and my cats can't wait to devour it!

I'm going to be adding a few more things to my garden in the coming weeks, but I don't know if I'll be as much of a green thumb this Spring and Summer. It's a lot of work and can get very frustrating if bugs infest your crops! We will just have to see though, so check back soon for more garden updates and progress!!!

New Additions In The Garden!

Last week we had really strong winds in Southern California and my poor balcony took the beating! 

When I saw that the wind was picking up, I moved a few plants off the stucco ledge to be on the safe side. It's a good thing I did too because the wind not only destroyed the material I was using to cover the openings in the railing, but it knocked over my completely full storage unit too! Bad wind, bad! That night, I was NOT a fan of the wind!

My radishes took a little hit, but in the end most of them made it without being damaged too much. 

Since I have two wonderful furry friends, I can't keep the balcony railings wide open. 

After a lot of thought, advice and online research, I ended up purchasing Hardware Cloth from Home Depot and used wire to secure it. It isn't nearly as private, but I like it and think the plants will end up getting more sun.

The cats really like it too! They can see so much more and love people watching every chance they can get.

In addition to the Hardware Cloth, I got a few other goodies while on my shopping trip. I'd originally planned to go to Sperling Nursery to get the rest of my "crops", but the wind on Monday changed my plans. Since there were plants at Home Depot, I decided to kill two birds with one stone! (No - not really... C'mon people!)

I came home with...

A new Cherry Tomato Plant for my Topsy Turvey Tomato Planter!!! I didn't plant it in the planter yet, but keep your eye out because I'm doing it soon. 

A Jalapeno Plant. Last year's did SO well that I couldn't resist doing it again. The memories of homemade Pico De Gallo and Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers helped me make my decision! :)

A Basil Plant. Similar to the Jalapeno Plant, and Tomato Plant too, my Basil last year was a superstar. It produced so much that I couldn't use it and give it away fast enough! It's a lil sucker right now, but if it's anything like last year's plant, it'll grow like crazy.

Not only did I get food producing plants, I got a few flowers too! The ones I planted a few weeks ago aren't growing fast enough and I wanted some beautiful flowers!

Here are my Pansies. 

My Laker colored Pansies!

And my Ranunculus!  

My what?!?! Yeah - I know. I'd never heard of them, but maybe I live under a rock... Anyway, when I was getting out of my car I saw a lady with some in her cart and thought the flower was so interesting. When I saw how cheap they were and this beautiful orangy color, I couldn't resist! 

Enough about the new stuff. As exciting as they are, I can't forget about some of the old favorites. Some of them have been around since LAST Spring. Some of the non food producing ones have been around for a few years!

I'll start with my pride and joy - my key lime tree.

While it has lots of flowers and mini limes, it's a Winter bearing fruit tree, so I don't think I'll get anything usable for about a year.

I mentioned last week that multiple Garlic had sprouted, but now they are ALL (I planted 10 cloves) growing like crazy. The sprouts are about six inches tall and very green. They get bigger every day.

I was very worried about my Shallots.  I planted then the same day I planted the Garlic and I hadn't seen anything.

It didn't make sense to me and I was getting really disappointed until I discovered a tiny little sprout on Saturday. I noticed another one this morning while enjoying the cool March day.

And the herbs. I can't forget them! They're all so useful and I'm so happy I have them fresh on my balcony. 

The Mint.

The Rosemary.

The Flat Leaf Parsley.

It's small now, but I used and ton.

It'll be back to normal soon!!!

The Thyme.

The Forgotten Chives

It wasn't until this weekend when I was taking pictures for my blog, that I realized I'd forgotten to update everyone on the chives! I don't know how I forgot and can't believe I did it either.

Anyway...

Without making you wait ANY longer since I know you're dying to see them!!!

Here are the chives:

Hahaha.

HA!

I know - they haven't changed much, but they are doing very well. So well, that I think I'll enjoy them tomorrow night on my baked potato! :) 

But to be honest, they are doing the best I've seen them do. They're getting thicker and heartier. Just the way they're supposed to be.

Kahn tried to eat them the other day because he thought it was tasty kitty grass. He soon learned his lesson.

And it's not the chives - or anything like the chives really... 

But my Paper Whites are AMAZING.

They smell SO good and have inspired me to buy more flowers for my garden this Spring. 

What's Going On With The Garden???

I'll finally admit it. I haven't wanted to, but it's true so I might as well. 

My Fall Garden isn't nearly as cool or plentiful as my First one last Sprint was. With that said, I can't wait to plant my Spring Garden THIS year! :)

Even though my Fall Garden isn't doing amazing, the few things I have left are doing quite well.

My pride and joy at the moment though are my Paper Whites! I know they aren't edible, but gardening isn't ONLY edible plants. I like the little mix I have of edible and non edible.

Back to the Paper Whites!

On Saturday, I noticed that the bulbs I'd planted with care had not only sprouted, but were now blooming! I had one full flower and many other buds. I'm so happy and excited to share. I can't wait to keep you updated with the blooming progress now.

The herbs are still doing quite well. The Flat Leaf Parsley and the Upright Rosemary are STILL alive from last Spring. Both have been used an uncountable amount of times, but keep coming back and are heartier than ever.

The thyme is doing well and seems to have new sprouts coming up from the soil.  

And the mint.  Well - part of it, a main chunk of it in fact, was turning brown and not looking so healthy. I decided it was time for some mint pruning and that's what I did!

The spinach is almost all gone. Three of the four plants I had left were dead or near dead on Saturday so it was time for them to go. 

The one and only spinach plant left!

I haven't really had tons of success with the beets and carrots, but they look pretty!

And lastly, what my cats enjoy the most - their cat grass!

Nom nom nom!