Friday Favourites (7)
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Slim Paley photo
The roses and the snowballs have bloomed!
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Compiling the various pet photos for the previous post left me in a good, but slightly wistful mood. I drifted back through so many fond memories as I’m in the midst of transferring all our old, hard copy photos into digital and then onto DVDs (Dear Lord, please help me to be a faster, more organized person soon. Failing that, which I’m guessing will be the case, if You’re really listening- just a little more sleep would be good 
) I never did find the great photos of our 15 year old cat that I was looking for. She remains an enigmatic beauty, even in print. Not so elusive however are the pack of marauding raccoons the size of sheep that have chosen our porch as their personal drag strip at night. Oh MY God! They are bold and they are ginormous. I’ve opened the door to find eyes just staring defiantly up at me, indeed they mock the blast of an air-horn (don’t ask). Raccoons Without A Cause. Which leads me to late last Saturday night, sitting downstairs at my desk where I could hear them disgustingly heaving themselves up the trunks of my wisteria to the porch above. I banged on the windows, I flicked the lights…to no avail. Finally, I went up to the porch and yelled at them. Five minutes later they were back. “What did you tell them?” my husband asked me (I swear to God- like perhaps I said the wrong thing) “Well, of course I told them to GO AWAY!” I replied. The good news was that the elliptical machine is in that room so I thought- I’ll show them and make some noise myself. So on it I jumped and turned on Saturday Night Live and laughed my butt off (I hope) for 23 minutes, which for me is a miracle! I wondered what the raccoons made of this crazy lady bobbing up and down, laughing away, through the window. Then, and this is the best part, I left the TV and the lights on in the gym all night just to piss them off.
Therefore…I’m adding SNL to my “Friday Favourites” list this week because what’s 23 minutes on an elliptical machine equate to? Like around 2.3 pounds??
For some inexplicable reason, perhaps my run-in with midnight exercise, most of my favourites this week were food or drink related, so apologies for the next few photos to anyone dieting right now. 
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Slim Paley photo
The West-side highway for raccoons
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Slim Paley photo
The roses climbing to the second story porch!
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Slim Paley photo
These snacks, from Target, are SO GOOD!! I tried to keep the bags from getting totally empty before I managed to get a photo- I barely succeeded. Ingredients in the S’mores; white chocolate covered peanuts, pecans, graham squares, chocolate chunks and coated marshmallows. Tex Mex; Spicy peanuts, sesame sticks, salsa corn sticks, almonds, chile bits & pepitas. Chocolate Cranberry Crunch; chocolate covered cranberries, almonds, walnuts, raisins, sweetened pineapple and soybeans. Genius!
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Slim Paley photo
The “Pinks” (Dianthus) are also out like crazy. These smaller, hardier and prettier relatives of the carnation have been around since the Middle Ages! Although not particularly glamorous, ‘Pinks’ , such as “Summertime” above are extremely easy, profusive and realiable in pots or front borders and the strong clove-scent is quite lovely in arrangements. The name probably derives rather not from the colour, but relating to the deeply serrated ages- as in “Pinking Shears”.
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Photo from The Hungry Cat website..
Slim Paley photo
My Favourite place for a Lobster roll, onion rings and absolutely FANTASTIC fresh cocktails in Santa Barbara is The Hungry Cat (Santa Barbara & Hollywood)
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Photo The Hungry Cat
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Slim Paley photo
Nuvo L’Esprit de Paris “The World’s First Sparkling Liquer”
Speaking of cocktails- What girl in her right mind could resist this packaging?! A blend of premium French vodka, French sparkling wine and natural exotic fruit nectar. It says to serve on ice, but make sure it’s super cold before-hand as the ice removes the sparkle pretty quickly. $20 at Costco!
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Slim Paley Photo
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Favourite new TV show? 9 By Design Have you seen it? It’s great! A young couple, self-taught designers in NY with 7 children including a brand new baby, flip fabulous houses they’ve renovated. My husband knows all the children by name already.although admittedly, they do have rather memorable names (including the fifth boy named “Five”) and he noticed when they changed the voting paddles on “Dancing With the Stars”…but that’s another story. The wife is beautiful and has the patience of Jobs and the husband is very …husbandy. Check it out if you haven’t already. Tuesday nights on Bravo.
Lastly, I leave you with a fun old song in memory of Malcolm McLaren- His rendition of “Madame Butterfly”
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Happy Friday!!
Stumble It! 
How gorgeous the colours. Puts me in a wonderful mood for a Happy Friday
Happy weekend to you too
I always love your posts. But the raccoons, I wish I could have been there!! Jones (huge poodle) would have gone absolutely mad with excitement. Have a wonderful week-end filled with sun and the gorgeous flowers from your garden.
It’s 5:00 here on the East Coast – I’ll take at least one of those cocktails, please!
Your flowers are GORGEOUS!!
LOVE the Hungry Cat cocktails!!!! Not sure how I missed that sparkling liquor bottle during my weekly Costco trips. I will add it to my list for next week. And you have convinced me to add “9 by Design” to my Tivo list. I was hesitant because I am 5 episodes behind on Lost from watching Housewives! Sad…..
The Target snacks look yummy and I have the first two shows of 9 By Design taped, but have not watched them yet. I love watching anything that has to do with NYC and Bravo does a good job with shows like this. Would love to see more of your house, filled with flowers from your garden, of course. The top photo is stunning!!
I’m green with plant envy!
I LOVE your flowers and from I’ve seen of your garden so far it’s stunning.
Happy weekend!
I am obsessed with 9 by Design. How cute are those kids? I agree that the husband is husband-y.
We also had raccoons for awhile. They are so intrusive and bossy. How about the way they look at you when they are racing down your porch? Like, “what, i’m walkin’ here.!”
I love your posts…& this one is great. I’ve only been to Santa Barbara once as I live in
Kansas City but your photos make me want to come back again. Also, thanks for the
wonderful music at the end.
Wow Slim, that first photo of your flowers is to live for. Truly a beautiful post. Your garden must be grinning from ear to ear, it is going to be difficult to leave home this Summer with such a blowsy garden all around you. That beautiful pink bottle makes me ask “Is it 5 yet?! ”
Thanks for sharing, until next time, have a great weekend.
Pests
RACCOONS
The number one reason for raccoons roaming around outside a house is food. As food becomes scarce because of urban development removing their natural food sources, the raccoons are forced to forage around homes. The second most common reason raccoons come into a house is warmth. It should be noted that raccoons do not hibernate in winter.
Raccoons are nocturnal, they go out looking for food at night. On occasion they will forage during the day, particularly the female if she has children. Contrary to popular opinion raccoons seen during the day are not necessarily rabid and not all raccoons have rabies.
Why is there a raccoon in the house
The number one reason is warmth – somewhere to spend the night, during the spring and early summer it could be to have a family. As January progresses, the female starts looking to breed and by March or early April she is looking for a warm place to build a nest for her babies. It is at this time that home intrusions increase.
Raccoons typically have one litter of three to six young per year. Their mating season is from January to March with a gestation period lasting 63 days.
The three most common areas to find raccoons that have entered a home, are the chimney with a nest in the smoke chamber just above the damper, in the attic, or in the crawl space under homes that have one. Raccoons will also find shelter under decks.
Some raccoons will only visit you once or twice and never reappear, in most cases these are males.
Raccoons are large animals with a lot of strength. They can do a tremendous amount of damage to a house in a just a few days, if not discovered and dealt with quickly. Unlike squirrels they do not chew constantly, this reduces the likely hood of damage to electrical wiring.
Looking for your visiting raccoon?
Take extreme care, raccoons can carry rabies.
Attic or Crawl spaces
The raccoon will most likely be in there during the day, if you enter and have a bright light the raccoon will move to try to get away from it while making loud hissing sounds. Raccoons have a habit of making a toilet area, and the pile of excrement will be obvious. If the animal has been there for a while (not necessarily that long) the smell of the feces when the access hatch is opened will alert you to the unwanted guests.
Are there babies?
If you hear mouse-like squeals, there are probably baby raccoons in a nest. March through early June is when most of the babies are born. If there are young the mother coons generally move the babies when they are about 8 weeks old.
Chasing the raccoon out and sealing off the entry area will not work because the raccoon will return and force its way back in. You will need to convince the raccoon that your home is not a raccoon friendly place.
They are in the Attic or Crawl space
Raccoons dislike, bright lights, loud noises and strong odors.
Home owners should not attempt to trap wild animals.
Place bright lights in the attic or crawl.
Put a radio where the raccoons will hear it. Tune it to a loud music or talk station, with the volume set as high as possible. Leaving it on all day will disrupt the raccoon’s sleep pattern.
Rags soaked with dog urine or Ropel (available at hunting stores) can be placed near the nesting area. Bags of naphtha flakes or moth balls can also be used, but not near the nesting area.
Feces
Any area the raccoon has lived in for more than a couple of days will have feces and urine that needs to be addressed. When cleaning up the fecal matter – wear rubber gloves and a mask. Clean up all fecal matter, the feces should be buried or burnt. In some cases areas of insulation may be contaminated by the urine or feces, these areas will need to be replaced. Raccoon feces can harbor organisms that if left exposed pose a hazard to humans and wildlife.
They are in the Chimney
Do not burn a fire in a chimney that has raccoons. This can be dangerous, the chimney could be blocked and the smoke will kill the baby raccoons causing a terrible smell and possibly, an infestation of maggots.
Keep the damper closed.
Put a radio in the fireplace where the raccoons will hear it. Tune it to a loud music or talk station, with the volume set as high as possible. Leaving it on all day will disrupt the raccoon’s sleep.
Rags soaked with dog urine or Ropel (available at hunting stores) can be placed near the nesting area or dropped down the chimney. Do not use bags of naphtha flakes or moth balls.
Once the raccoons are out of the chimney, place a screen or cap on the top of the flue pipe. Trim back any overhanging tree branches.
Your Pets
Keep pets inside, especially at night, while trying to get the raccoon out. The mother raccoon might not move her babies if there are pets are outside. Check that your pets rabies shots are up to date. Pet food outside attracts unwanted animals.
After they Leave, if you did not have them trapped.
Sprinkle cayenne pepper around the entrance area, or spray a repellent, such as Ropel, dog urine or a mixture made of 2 Tbs. of Tabasco sauce to 1 qt. of water sprayed or painted around the entrance area.
Before permanently sealing the entry, secure a sheet of plastic over the entry, checking to see if returning raccoons have broken through. Try this for a few days. Leave the light and radio on until you are sure that there are no unwanted guests, and then permanently seal the entry point.
Trim back tree branches that might have helped them access the roof. The recommended distance is ten feet.
BEWARE
Do not confront, corner or attempt to capture a raccoon, particularly a mother raccoon who has babies, they can become extremely agitated and can attack.
If methods discussed fail to remove the raccoon, contact a raccoon rehabber in your area (Dayton: Bunnie Heinz 294-3865) or have the raccoon trapped by a nuisance animal control company.
For a control specialist see out Technical/FAQ contractors list
Wonderful post! Enjoy your blog and LOVE your garden.
Please share the name of the rose climbing up to the second story.
Thank you Sandra!- the rose is Cecille Brunner (please see added comment below)
Your roses are the best thing I’ve seen on the internet this week.
Wow.
~janet
Love the top floral arrangement. I love putting flowers in silver trophys and the way they stick out, dislike tight ball designs. I know all I need to know about raccoons…..
Love your Friday Faves and your flair for a story – take THAT! raccoons! lol! And I haven’t heard MM’s Mme. Butterfly in ages … wow, you took me back! Have a great weekend!
love the pics of the flowers and that new cocktail is to die for
You’re roses are amazing and such a cool song for a Friday…I love your blog.
Thanks!
Your climbing roses are otherworldly.
Am quite curious about roses raised in various zones.
I’m not particularly a rose “bush” fan, however, climbers and ramblers take me to my knees…..
What type of climbing roses are on your house? What is your zone?
Are they climbing a trellis?
Thank you Ali!
I am in zone 9, Santa Barbara, CA, and the roses are Cecille Brunners. They’re not on a climber- I know it’s not the best thing to do, but they are just tied up here and there with gardening tape and now pretty much support themselves. I have them planted outside my second story bedroom too and occasionally in the warmer months let them grow right through the window on to my desk!
Thank you for the info SP.
Meandering through your window – dreamy !
My newest flora foray is that of climbing roses (zone 4) being careful not to displace or dethrone my garden royalty (aka: hydrangea)……
“What did you tell them?” He said “What did you tell them?” OMG I am STILL laughing!
My friend had raccoons come in through the doggie door, eat the dog food then as she “TOLD” them to leave they one by one washed their hands (paws? claws?) in the dog’s water bowl before casually exiting back out the doggie door.
I think you’re 23 minute elliptical strategy is the way to go….
OMG! That is hilarious! I’m surprised they didn’t ask for hand/paw towels!
too funny!
I’m going to try and hunt down some of those Archer Farm snacks today, they sound delicious! of course our Costco will probably carry the non-alcoholic version of Nuvo L’Esprit de Paris, so not much use in hunting that down:(
Your climbing roses look amazing, if I were a raccoon I’d be hanging out on your porch as well….maybe they’d like to play scrabble?
Little s—- would probably beat me!
Okay, I was going to do a blog on my blog about getting my house ready for a houseful of company that are coming to my house to stay for a Chick Filet golf tournament out here at Reynold’s Plantation..um SEC coaches and players and stuff. (None of which I know (except for their names)…. but I feel so inferior after seeing your beautiful pics! I guess I’ll still do it cause I can’t think of anything else to blog about. Wish I could just steal some of your pics and pretend it’s my house. Could I just tape the pics outside on the porch and say “this is what I want my house to look like????” Just stunning Slim!
kb
Kendall you must be an incredibly organized person to be able to pull your home together for unknown house guests AND still write your blog- Impressive! I do believe the Martha Stewart Apron goes to you this week!! Wear it with pride
Slim, I am so happy that you had your lasik surgery recently. Based on your latest post, this could have been you!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZOeWFBy75A
Jackie’s comment and video, were hilarious. This post was just too funny.
thanks for all the smiles, chuckles, food pictures and fashions.
BJ
The cocktails and the flowers are lovely and evocative as always, but what really exercised its power over me was the one two punch of onion rings and a lobster roll. Sigh.
I can practically time it: in exactly two days, I will be hit with an urge to eat an onion rings only meal. And then I’ll have to swing by the market for some lobster for later.
Thanks. I think
Reading your blog is like sitting down with your favorite friend. You always learn something new, hear about great find you can’t wait to try and know you will always be laughing! Thanks for sharing Slim Paley with us.