Goodbye to the Crepe Myrtle

Goodbye to the Crepe Myrtle in our front yard, after living probably more than fifty years, the house we live in was built in the mid 1950's.
Crepe Myrtle trees live well past 50 years so we assume it was planted sometime after the house was built so could easily have been 60 years old.

Two thirds were dead and the rest struggled to produce any flowers or leaves this last summer. So this week we replaced it with a deciduous flowering Ash, a great shade tree that will give shade to the driveway and the front of the house in our hot summers but let sunshine and light in in our chilly winters.

The wood from the Crepe Myrtle will make fine firewood for the wood fired pizza oven this friday evening. Hmmm pizza - http://wfrblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/hmmm-pizza.html

 

 The new

 The old

In situ

Helen Week 1

Helen 9 Weeks old and settling in well.

Our newest family member Helen.

After the passing of our beautiful English Staffordshire Terrier, Hermione last October we needed to fill the space she left. Hermione, in Greek mythology, is the only daughter of Helen of Troy. So Helen was the name chosen for our new blue and white American Staffordshire Terrier.

Helen, a pure bred American Staffordshire was born on the 16th of April and is currently 8 weeks old.

Here is a picture of her Mum.

History

In the nineteenth century in the English region of Staffordshire, crossing among the Bulldog and various terriers developed the muscular, active, combative Staffordshire Bullterrier.

Introduced to the United States, the English Staffordshire breed was developed by American breeders who increased its weight and gave it a more powerful head. Now recognised as a separate breed, the American Staffordshire is larger and heavier than his British cousin, the English Staffordshire Terrier.

The American Staffordshire Terrier is extremely strong for its size. They are agile, very muscular and stocky with a broad, powerful head. Dogs of this breed make good family pets and are loving with children.

This breed is recommended for an active owner who is firm, confident and consistent with their dogs training. This is a brave dog which is loyal to its family, tenacious, tough and will make a good watchdog. Ironically the dogs are usually a great big loveable sook.

Wild Caught Organic Blue Fin Tuna

 The harvest

 Smoked Tuna

Sushi