One Plant at a Time

A "Hummer" of a Week

2011-08-04T05:22:00.000-07:00

Wow, haven't been here forever this garden season. We were blessed with a new Granddaughter and my garden kinda took a back seat. Thank God my gardens love me because they wouldn't have survived this season without the care I have given to them previously.

Anywho, I have a new friend in my life. Alot of drama has been happening in my little corner of the world and when I can exscape into my office this is who is waiting for me, like an old friend. My male hummingbird has been here everyday from about 5:30 am until 8:30 when I leave my office. Every once in a while I check back and there he is protecting his stash.

I think I must be his favorite place to eat. I'm not sure if he has a family or not close by. But I'm glad he's here. I get great joy watching my little friend chasing away all other "Hummers" and even watching him take a bath and preening his feathers. I never thought about Hummingbirds and feathers, because their so smooth. But now I can see him everyday close up and watch him, it's amazing this little guy. Such beauty and such a strong little guy. I love his little feet.

And as I watch him, watch me, he's proably thinking my house needs painting, and my gardens need weeding really bad, and when the supply is gone he flaps his wings in front of the window to get more.

I'm really enjoying this little guy and hope you enjoy my post about him. I'll be back soon with garden news as long as my plants hold up for me and don't die from "Grandma" neglect. Thanks for stopping by and excuse the running sentences.

Watching the Birds and Daydreaming

2011-02-08T19:37:00.000-08:00

Today I moved one of the Bird feeders closer to my Office window so I could enjoy the birds while I'm in there doing whatever. Today I found myself "Daydreaming" about spring while watching the birds feed. I caught this cute little Titmouse with a seed in his mouth. Today was Windy, with gusts up to 40mph and cooler temps. And the birds were having a hard time staying put on the feeders. The beginning of the week started off in the 50's now back to 30, brr.

I did notice today while outside walking with Gracie that a few of the daffodil bulbs and a few others are up under the leaves about 1" high. These bulbs were planted in the front garden area so full sun all day. Not to many other things are showing signs of life yet. I do enjoy looking at the Perennials I left for visual effort in the garden over winter. Can't wait to get out there and clean all this up but still have alot of Winter left. I"m just siting here watching the birds and Daydreaming about everything and anything garden and those warm days outside with the sun on my face and a smile you can't wipe away. I'm in my glory come the first signs of spring. I get Cabin Fever really bad so the sooner the better for me.

And this spring are family will have a BIG LOVELY SURPRISE, I will write about soon!!!

So I hope you have time to sit back and Daydream too. It's almost Zen like :)

To Garden and even think about Gardening is Divine!!!!

Loss of Our (4legged) Family Member HARLEY

2011-01-30T08:17:00.000-08:00

Woe is me!!! It's been a horrible week here. I have lost a best friend on January 25, 2011. My Heart pains for my Harley. I don't think I have cried this hard in a very long time. We had to make the decision to send him to the "Rainbow Bridge". What a horrible decision to have to make. But it's better then him suffering here for our benefit. So now he is with my Mom and Day who loved him very much. I'm still struggling with this decision, why. I prayed hard for the strength to be able to except out decision and if this was the right thing to do.....

Then I spoke to my friend and she said to Blog about it this would help also!!! This is a picture of my "Prick Ear" Buddy in Better times. What a beautiful warm face and beautiful big brown eyes!! Now on to the qualities that make him special:

Believe it or not he always smelled like Powered Grape stuff. Just his head. We use to call him "Grape Ape".

He had soft fuzzy Prick ears that felt like velvet.

He loved everybody and greeted everybody the same human or not. And loved other animals.

He was a very vocal family member. And he never licked, don't know why just didn't he would sniff you and snort on you and that meant you were part of his family :)

His place was on the couch on one of the pillows, like princess and the pea.

The only bad thing is We let him sleep in our "BED" don't do that, it's like sleeping with a cow in your bed.

He protected his yard from the "SQ's" we couldn't say Squirrel in the house he went ballistic, where, where...

He was larger then life and was a beautiful addition to our family. Our other member "Gracie" is grieving and looks for him in and around the house and outside. It is super quiet here. We have beautiful memories and nice pictures of our buddy. He will always hold a place in our hearts and just maybe we'll see each other again.
I love you Harley and Thank You for making our lives and my life a little easier to bare some days!!!! Goodbye ole' buddy and love from your Human Keeper and Caretaker...Joyce

Get Your Bake On!!

2010-12-20T07:39:00.000-08:00

Today is the 20th of December and I'm so out of sorts when it comes to my baking.. I haven't made pumpkin rolls, or cookies, or breads or any homemade anything. I'm so bummed . These things are my gifts for my neighbors and friends.-ugh. I'm usually done by now , and the house is done too and ready for Christmas. How did I get so behind. This is not like me!!!

Please someone send a "Whiff Kick" my way- please. I did get the trees decorated and I even have my first gift under it...Wait that's the dog!!!

This year I did a Holiday Craft Show and made alot of Christmas cards and holders. But I've yet to get my own cards sent. Shame on me. One of favorite times of the year and I'm blowing it.

I will be attending "Christmas Tea" on Tuesday so maybe that will give me a nudge to get going.

Well anyway I do have one thing I made. I would like to share the recipe with you all. They are "Chocolate Cookie Balls" and they taste like a "Ho-Ho" if your familiar with the cake thingy. They are very messy to make but fun to eat-only a few they are very rich!!

Ok, I'm done here I'm moving over to my craft blog. Check me out and what I'm doing over there. www.kardkreationsbyjoyce.blogspot.com
Thanks for stopping by and to all my friends "Happy Holidays" . And don't forget the "Full Solar Eclipse Tonight. The last time this was here was in "Galileo's time". So be a stargazer I think the full Eclipse is 3:17am tonite EST. I'll be there from the beginning. Don't forget your Camera. I don't take good night pictures but I'm gonna try anyway... Bye for now, Joyce

New Craft Blog for me

2010-12-13T14:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I decided to create a new Blog for my Craft stuff. And keep my garden and other stuff here on this blog. If you like crafts and Cards and knitting and other stuff well visit my new Blog at:

www.kardkreationsbyjoyce.blogspot.com

On this blog I'll upload my cards with directions.
Thanks for taking a peek and do come back often. Thanks for visiting..

Ou, today we got a dusting of the white stuff early this morning, how pretty. The cold front is moving in.

HAD TO LAUGH AT MYSELF ALREADY!!

2010-12-10T06:09:00.000-08:00

I was in a little bit of a hurry this morning. And well, this is what happens!! After I did this I started laughing because the coffee grounds landed right on the Coffee Rug...I love my coffee strong but not just the grounds.

So I'm off to help out a friend in need and just had to post this silly thing cause I thought it was pretty funny. And yes my family thinks I'm crazy also :)

Coffee Grounds on the Coffee Rug, get it. It might be funny but you know who had to clean-up the mess . Forgive me it's been a long week!!!!!!

Love to all and stay warm with a "BIG CUP OR TWO OR THREE OF THE BROWN STUFF IF YOU NEED THAT EXTRA KICK!!!

JOYCE

My Christmas Elf Cards and more.....

2010-12-08T07:34:00.000-08:00

Wow, it's been forever since I've Blogged!! Lots going on. Well I know this isn't garden related but come Winter the garden is sleeping and this is the best time for me to do other projects I enjoy.
This past weekend my friend and I did our first bazaar and well lets just say I made back the cost of the table (Big Smile). We were at a Local Elem. School and a High School. Everybody loved our Cards, Buttttt, well the market just wasn't there. Oh well, now I have Christmas/Holiday Cards to last a couple of years :)

I'm posting a few other Christmas Cards I designed. I've made 20 elf cards, 2 different designs. I love these guys.

My next is a more traditional type. Along with some Gift Card Holders made with DSPpaper.
I love the new folders that Stampin' Up offers in their catalogs. I don't have a Big Sizzix, I have the Cuttlebug and these folders work great with that also.

I glued down the DSP ornaments on Kraft paper after punched and ran them Thur the cuttelbug with the "Square Lattice" folder. This makes a beautiful effect. Used Cherry Cobbler Seam binding and paper. Made quite a few of these also-ugh. Alot of work but pretty in person.

And here are a few more cards I've been working on. I love the pearls on the many thanks cards, they go from big to little. Used some new colors. Well, hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed making them. I love to make Cards for my friends and Family. And they make great gifts!!!

Well have a Marvelous Day and "KEEP WARM"..........Joyce

A Beautiful Poinsettia Punch Card....

2010-11-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

The other day while browsing the Stamping Blogs I came across this beautiful card along with an AWESOME stamping blog!!! Her name is "Dawn" and I cased a card she had posted on her Blog that she received from someone,,,, it's the Poinsettia card you can find her blog here:

http://dostamping.typepad.com/dostamping_with_dawn/
Dawn is a Stampin' Up Demonstrator with ideas out of this world. So if you need a SU Demonstrator their you go, she's awesome... Please visit and see for yourself and get stamping!! OK here are the things you will need to make this card.

Cardstock color of your choice, I used Real Red and Very Vanilla along with a retired SU paper color I think it was Glorious Green, I have lots of scraps of. This card is great cause you can use lots of your scrap paper you have! :)

So here are the supplies you will need: Mine are all from Stampin' UP

-Stampset: Hostess set- Peaceful Season
-Punches: Bird Punch you will need( 7) green punched birds &( 7 )red punched birds- First adhere the green direct to paper the pop-up the red tails. Note the birds on the card are placed green tails going one way and the Red Bird tails on top going the other way, and use dimensionals under the Red Bird Tails and leaves to pop. And you need (5) red wings only for center-which I sponged with Cherry Cobbler ink and sponge. And (3) yellow for center of flower add with glue.
My VeryVanilla Cardstock panel measures 4 1/8 X 5 6/8 just showing a little Red around corners. I added the gold ribbon on the side to pop.

Hope this helps you making your card. These are too pretty not to make one for yourself. Takes a little time to get all your birds straight they way you want them. But I have OCD so nothing ever looks straight!!!!! smile OK, I'm not a demonstrator so the directions could be a little shotty. But you get it once you start looking at the card and playing around with it.

Thanks for stopping by today. Nov. 1st already, wow. Today I'm giving blood down at the local church blood drive. GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE TODAY AND WHEN YOU CAN!!!! IT DOESN'T HURT AT ALL IT ONLY GIVES BACK 10-FOLD.

Have an Awesome Day. I know I've put my Gardens on hold until next spring, So you will be seeing fall and winter crafts. Joyce

Peace on Earth Card-Idea 1

2010-10-31T07:23:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year for me to get my Christmas Card Ideas together. I've been playing around with some new Stampin' Up sets and this is one of the cards I've come up with. My First card I make is always my Sample card to use as a guide for measuring and keep in a file If I like it. And it's funny how we stampers all go thru the process of taping down and then taking stuff back off until I think I'm done with it. I know less is more and I have a problem stopping. Please tell me what you think?.............Don't be bashful, I love comments it helps create. So here is a little description of what I did....

First I punched out the hole for the sentiment with the large curly punch but you don't have to. I might change it up. Then I punched 4 Christmas Balls from Tags for Christmas scored in middle and used a Quickie Glue Pen and Glittered each one, then used my Tom bow tape and attached them together to make it 3-D and attached it to the Very Vanilla Panel. And stamped the holly leaves from Bells and Boughs with Stazon Ink Black and colored in with markers.

I popped the Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla panel at the bottom and punched out a separate piece from the curly punch and adhered a very vanilla oval for the sentiment.
I used my white gen pen for the inside of the poinsettia flowers. You know while typing I might go back and stamp another one and pop that up to give the holly dimension, huh.....a thought.

I have alot of Always Artichoke and I wanted to use some up so this is what I did. Hope you like. Back to the drawing board for me.

Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Chery Cobbler,Very Vanilla

Stamp Sets: Tags for Christmas, Bells & Boughs, Sentiment (Ret. set Peace on Earth

Accessories: Scallop Time Punch, Poinsettia Folder, Large Curly Punch, Oval Punch, Gold Ribbon, Gold Glitter on Ball, White Gel Pen, and Gold Stickles, and Dimensionals to pop-up bottom panel.

Thanks for stopping by and Oh Yeah, HAPPY HALLOWEEN .....JOYCE

I'm in Love with "Fall" Color and Seaglass Hunting

2010-10-25T10:05:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love this time of year!!!!!. You get just as much color this time of year as you do in spring. Just a different Color Palette. So much has been going on here. I've been rather busy with making cards, Halloween decorations, Baking, Sea glass hunting, Organizing my Craft room/office/ dog lounge :) But I haven't stopped noticing the beautiful color all around me in my own Garden. Yes, the pretty flowers from spring and summer are a beautiful memory in my mind's eye, but the color I'm seeing right now just blows me away. The temperatures have been up and down but nothing to cold yet!!

And don't forget my other favorite thing: HALLOWEEN. Here is a Flag I've had forever:

This was a Beautiful Weekend and of Course I went "Sea glassing" with my favorite 2 people. The tides were way out on the beaches we went to so we were able to do alot of searching. I came away with some awesome finds and beautifully frosted pieces to add to my collection.......Here are a few:

I pick-up everything of interest to me while beaching. I found a beautiful fish lure and a (red) reflector. I yelled "I got Red" and everybody looked up. They should know me by now that I'm a jokester!!! Hey, it's red!! Nice pottery and beautiful Aquas and whites and greens, some are so dark and thick. Just like I like'em. Woo-Who what a nice haul for a great day at the beaches. Oh yeah, can't forget my rocks and shells and brick pieces. Why I don't know I just like them!!

And I found this really neat pottery/ceramic thingy. My husband thinks it's a thing to make fishing nets/knots something like a "Marlin Spike" it has "Germany" printed on the back? Any clues? Write down a comment and let me know.

Ok, that's enough excitement for one day. But I'll be back to show you some really cool Cards the girls and I have been working on. I just can't fit everything in right now. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.......Joyce

"Heirloom Country Gardens", A Book Recommendation.

2010-10-10T08:25:00.000-07:00

I went to my local Library a few weeks ago to pick-up some fresh reading material. I've been buying to many books lately at my local Big Food Store that has everything. And I thought to myself why buy when I can go right down to my local library( about 2 miles away) to see what kind of new materials or old was waiting there for me. While there I picked up a book that caught my eye and looked like it had potential. I went on Amazon.com and put in the title and low and behold there it was!!!! And it was only $3.00!!!! (New) from a recycle book store. It cost 27.95 new, so I HAD to purchase it for my garden book collection. OK, Here it is: "Heirloom Country Gardens" by Sarah Wolfgang Heffner -ISBN0-87596-818-X . A Rodale Organic Gardening Book. Here is the cover and Contents page for you to take a glance at. If you can go to your local Library go check it out or put in a request to get a copy. A nice quick read of information.....and to look at.

Soooo, you can never have enough Garden books big or small, fat or skinny, Perennial, Annual, Cacti, Houseplants, Landscaping, bulbs, Photography, well you get the picture. And I adore Big Tabletop books to display in my house. What fun picking up a beautiful Hardcover with awesome Garden Photography inside from all over the world. The reason I love these books , I lose myself inside and can see me walking thru and enjoying these gardens with my own camera and a bottle of water for the journey. The information is the added bonus. Yes, I'm a Art and Garden Book-a-holic!

OK, maybe I need a program for books but who doesn't love a great book!!!! . I can't get enough, I swear I drool when I see a huge beautiful garden book. Ok, what's your obsession? Well, I'm off to a Stampin' Up Card open house today with a friend and I'm going to have to great time making cards. So have a blessed fall day . Joyce

When is a "Toad" not a "Toad" -When it's a "Toadlily".

2010-10-09T11:47:00.000-07:00

When it's "Tricyrtis Hirta"-'Sinonome', Toad lily..I love this time of year and can't wait to see my Toad lily in action. ( Don't pay attention to un-kept growth behind it, I need to trim.) The leaves got a little crispy before this week due to drought cond. but then we got 10" of rain and brought my Toad lily to life.

This was a gift from a friends garden some 12 yrs ago. And the flowers I just love. They remind me of an Orchids flowers and fell kinda waxy. This one is white with purple blotches. And it always has 50 million flowers on it. I have only giving pieces away twice. I don't want to lose it. It's just beautiful. I would like to move it to another location because it's getting a little out of hand where it is. If you are someone who can shed some light on how and when to move this plant or even divide please leave me a message. Someone saw a photo of this on a garden site and told me mine had a virus but that isn't so. It's gorgeous! Hope you enjoy my photos of my never-ending bloomer.

And speaking of Toads. These are my Favorites. But I think they're Frogs. Don't they look all innocent looking, like they just ate something they weren't suppose to. These guys are inside porch dwellers. I don't what them to get messed up. Haven't seen these guys anywhere else. What do you think? Too cute.

Oh, one more thing. I think my special plant is going to bloom a stinky flower. I forgot the name of my succulent. If you can help let me know the name, I forgot. It's only one year old. One of my favorite inside plants......

I hoped you enjoyed reading about some of my favorite things today. Thanks for stopping by and have a marvelous FALL Day.....Tomorrow I have more projects I'm working on I want to show you so check back soon..Joyce

Could-duh, Would-duh, Should-duh, in the Garden

2010-10-03T05:38:00.000-07:00

Another Spring and Summer gone and as I look out into my gardens I get that feeling that yet again I've missed doing things I said I would in the garden!!! Procrastination what a nasty word, it gets me all the time and I can get trapped in this world longer then I should for sure...

Here it is "FALL" and my gardens aren't showing as much color as I need. This year it's hard to believe how many berries are on the dogwoods, Pink and White ones, just loaded. My father always said that this was a sign for a cold winter (I hope this isn't true). I don't want another like the last one!! So here's a pretty butterfly to look at instead of thinking about "Winter".

Another year of poor planning. "I said I would have color each season" and I'm not holding up my end of the bargain. And then everytime around this time of year I get the same thoughts. Could-da, Should-da, Would-da. This season I did do some hard-scaping and painting and trying to tidy stuff up a bit. Plus making new beds, and sometimes forgetting the old. Yes, I have pretty grasses to look at and Sedums and Cosmos and impatients. But I didn't plant any fall bulbs, nor did I plant any asters, or late blooming lilies like I said I would. I can't believe I got sidetracked with other things-ugh. So nows the time to plan for next season. Yes, theres always next Season, a little late and not promised yet but thinking about it gives me comfort to go on..

I want to plant some bones (not real ones) in my garden before frost. I need more of these (shrubs, small trees and premanent fixtures). I really should have planned the bones first. But I'm a Perennial Flower addict and Hosta addict, but these things die back this time of year and I'm left with bare pickings here and there. So even tho this happened again here are a few flowers still blooming......

And this one here I didn't plant in this pot. It's a gift I will dig out and put in the garden. It's kinda funny how this is the best looking flower in the garden.

Have a great Day!!!!! And look forward to visiting other blogs today that I've missed. See ya real soon, Joyce

Side- Step Cards and New Bulbs

2010-10-02T18:39:00.000-07:00

Today I thought I would take a break and stay inside and make some cards. The first card is what you call a side-step card. I needed a baby invitation so I thought I would give this one a go. I love the little dresser and babies. What do you think? I think it's a go!!

My next card I just starting playing around and came up with this cute little Halloween house and graveyard scene. These are made with various punches. It was fun to do. And when you fold these two cards flat the baby folds up and the tombstones fold up also. Kinda cute.
Then we're getting ready for Card Club Friday on the 15th so I came up with this card to make. Something simple. It's made with a new set called: Bells & Boughs out of the mini. Catalog. Here is a Christmas card. Made with all Stampin' Up products. This picture looks awful, it really pretty. With glitter and beads and brads. The colors are Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, and Very Vanilla. It looks white, it's not...

And if I've held your attention this long. The Garden is a little crispy. The Cosmos and Joe Pye Weed are still blooming. Thursday we got 10" of rain!!!!! So today when we went out. I bought myself some bulbs, two bags of Red Tulips, and 1 large bag of assorted Alliums. I'm addicted to these bulbs. Can't wait to dry out a little so I can plant. I can't believe September is GONE, where did it go?
Anyway time to look forward to fall and all it's glory.
Have a great evening and see ya' real soon......Joyce

Vacation pics. from MB and Georgetown, Shell Island, South Carolina

2010-09-12T13:24:00.000-07:00

On my first day at the beach I was followed by a bunch of sandpipers and seagulls. They are so cute and fast running on the beach, darting here and there to avoid the crashing waves coming in. I call this shot. Me and my Shadow. Jerry and I come to Myrtle Beach every summer for the Golf and I do all the historic tours and suck up all the local cuisine and beautiful places off the beaten path to find. This is a Mecca of beaches and Southern History waiting to be found. And there's Pawley's Island and Shopping, just beautiful.

So this year I took a Low country Plantation tour to 'Shell Island'-this Island is where Lafette landed when he got lost. The locals or Cap'n Rod calls it Lafette Island . I love collecting shells and driftwood. This is a Barrier Island excess able by boat only. The Georgetown Lighthouse is there and most gorgeous. The lighthouse keeper would have to stay in the little house and not leave the island for 5 straight years. A boat with supplies would come over to him once a month. Wow...Here is the Beautiful Lighthouse and the little house that was rebuilt due to a Storm, I think it was Hurricane Hazel that wiped it out. The lighthouse is automated today.

On the beach it is covered with Driftwood, Large and Small. Of course I had to pick up a small one. But first this was our tour boat Captain.....Capt. Rod. He was a hoot, he explained everything and showed us all kinds of stuff and local history out on the water. I saw alot of Shrimp Boats and he said the boats with all the birds around it mean it was a great catch that day. And there are so many EAGLES there. I couldn't keep up with my camera there was so much too see!!!This isn't a great photo the rail got in the way. But you know what it is. He was beautiful way up there on his perch. You can't see but he has a fish in his mouth...

The day was awesome. We landed about 45 min. later on the Island and disbursed onto the beach for shell collecting. We got there in the afternoon so the first trip over had better luck with the shells. Note to self. Next time take early boat. Well I left everything on the boat and walked around like a dummy with no shoes!!! Also I was soaked from head to toe. You would have thought I'd been in a wet t-shirt contest :) But I did found some nice shells a couple of old conchs and pieces of others. With treasure in hand I headed back to the boat and wouldn't you know it I STEPPED ON A PIECE OF DRIFTWOOD AND CUT MY FOOT!!!!! The bottom of my left foot, good thing I came prepared. Dang-it that hurt like HELL. But you know I didn't care and it didn't spoil my trip...Here are my finds. I will go back again. Great fun.

The day ended and I met up with my husband for a great dinner out. I was exhausted and happy from a wonderful adventure. And knowing that the next day I had another adventure waiting for me to do!!!

Thanks for reading my blog today and if you lasted this long I must have caught your attention a little. Have a marvelous day and I'll bring more Vacation shots tomorrow. My Gardens are a little Crispy, my fault, but no rain for weeks. Today we are having rain, Thank You God. I am my Gardens keeper and I'm not doing to good a job right now. Fall is coming and more projects to blog about.......Peace Out.Joyce

THANK YOU TODAY AND ALWAYS

2010-09-11T07:17:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful Morning here in my little corner of the world. Here is my Firefighter Memorial garden area that my husband and I put in after Sept. 11.My daughter painted his badge number on his helmet. Today the Sedums are almost as tall as this 4ft Statue. I love looking at this front garden. Sometimes it gets a little wild but it stills make me feel good when I see my firemen out there

So I would like to THANK those people who have made all this possible to write about. I can't imagine not seeing the beautiful sky every morning. My husband is a Firefighter and I know every time he went out on a call to do his job I prayed so hard that he would return back to the station safe. What a hard job! And they are all just like Brothers in ONE family no matter what station or state they live in.

I remember seeing him back with Icicles on his mustache in the winter after returning from a call. And him sweating to death from also heat exhaustion in the summer. And I can't imagine all that heavy equipment they wear for there safety. So my heart goes out to the families of the Firemen that have put there lives on the line so others can be safe. And I know my husband wouldn't have had it any other way. He loves being a Brother.

And Also the Policemen families. What a job!!!! Thank you

And also I would like to Thank the "Veteran's" and the Military Men and Women who have left their families at home and are fighting right now to make sure that I see that sky everyday. So don't forget to thank these people everyday you can.

A BIG FAT THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU -WHOEVER AND WHEREVER YOU ARE. THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING ME AND MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS...............................

The Vultures are starting to Circle the Garden!!!

2010-08-24T06:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Morning before heading out for a bit I noticed a bunch of Vultures circling around the Garden areas. Does this mean my garden has died and the stench is bringing in the local riff-raft? Are they here to pick up the pieces of my broken down flowers?. Is this a sign to pack it in for the season? Oh Woe is me. I've never had the Vultures tell me before that my gardens really stink!!! But apparently it's in the air! But the more I think about it the Gardens have had a rough go of it this Summer. For me this has been a bad last couple of months.
I've watered when there wasn't any, I've amended, I've mulched, I've composted, I've weeded and I've poured my blood (roses pricking) sweat (laboring all those new ideas) tears (when I couldn't get it right).

And yeah, speaking of mulch I've got these little mushroom fungus looking things in my mulch that I'm not really crazy about. I got my mulch from a different source this year, I'm not really crazy about the outcome of how it looks. I guess I'll have to loosen the grip I guess.

But you know each time I walk outside in the Garden I still get a sense of worth. I know my Garden won't let me down. And I know each year it's teaches me something about what I need to do to make it better next season!!! I'm blessed to have a garden. Alot of people aren't able to have one much less get out and enjoy their bounty. Sure, I complain, and -itch, but all in all I'm so glad to be a Gardener. I love that the Garden teaches me to be quiet, and slow down, and enjoy the beautiful colors and shapes and surprises that I get each year. My favorite garden months are January thru December.

And all is not lost I still have my annuals to keep me going thru the frost. I'm waiting for the sedums to bloom and the grasses are almost ready to show their plumage. So I'll sign off for right now with this thought!!!

Life is Good, Gardening is GREAT now it's time to take that Break!

Have a great day. Joyce

Pileated Woodpecker Sighting, Garden stuff and No Internet for 3 Days!!

2010-08-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been awhile since I've been back online!! No stinking Internet for 3 lovely days-not. I've missed all the Garden Gossip. But I've seen alot of stuff here around the gardens. And sometimes it's nice not to sit inside clicking away at the keys. You've seen my neighbors dead,dead, dead tree that all the big birds love. Today while outside expecting the last of the pretty flowers. This big bird threw overhead and headed straight for the Big Tree. Not until I got inside and looked at my Photos did I notice that it was a "Pileated Woodpecker". They are few and far between here. But they do come. He was huge and that red head is so funny looking. It's not a great picture. But they don't stay around long and my camera wasn't doing what I wanted it too!! It's me not the camera. But I just thought you'll would love to see him. I love surprises like this in my garden...

So I missed the Bloggers Bloom Day on the 15th and some other stuff. The other day while coming out of the garage I noticed this BIG moth sitting in the Azaleas next to a piece of bark. Don't know who he is but he was sure awesome looking. Had to run and fetch my camera for him. I will research later He kinda reminds me of a Jet Plane.

So like I said I missed posting bloom day but right now there's not much blooming in the garden. Just the old stand-bys--Coneflowers, Tall Phlox, Black eyed Susan and Brown eyed, Red Shift Coreopsis, Butterfly Bush (White and Purple) and the Beautiful "Royal Standard Hosta" with there big white blooms. I love white and this is a great performer for your Big Everyday Hosta. Shiny leaves and lots of white flowers. Great Performer if you like green and white flowers.

The other thing that;s happening is -I bought some "Foxglove Plants about 2 months ago and the foliage has gotten pretty big, well one is giving me a flower!! It's Cream. Will it die and not come back, this is my first. I know they are Bi-ennials. If someone could let me know!!!!

The sky has been beautiful this week also. Here are the morning pics. from Friday. We have been having some really bad storms here but when I see these clouds it makes me so happy and they kinda remind me of fall. I love these kinds of clouds. Do you see the Buffalo in the right hand corner :) Well, it's looks kinda like one. I love seeing shapes in the sky. The sky was super blue and the morning was a cool crisp morning. I had other stuff happening but lost track of it. So for now I'm signing off and wishing you'll a beautiful safe garden day. Peace Out. Joyce

Back in the Summer of "69"-My life Mentor

2010-08-11T06:13:00.000-07:00

I can remember that summer like it was yesterday. I had just graduated from Elementary School. Back then we went all 6 grades in the same place. So today's post is about my "MENTOR". My father, the farmer, the gardener, and "Jack of all Trades". He lit the passion of 'Gardening' in my Soul. And as a small child I didn't take interest in his gardening because back then to me it was only to put food on the table. Not until I got older and got a Life of my own did I understand why he did what he did....

My father always had a smile on his face. He was a fun person to be with and could talk about anything. I think he could have been one of of the great debaters :) Don't get me wrong he had his moments, but there were more good then bad for me. He was always there for me. Homemade Ice Cream in the Summer (Peach), Cookouts, Snowmen in the Winter, he shopped for our clothes and did the grocery shopping as well, and he fixed everything. My Mom loved roses but had a Black Thumb so he grew them for her so she could see them when she came outside. I lost my Dad on August 12, 2003. And my world was crushed cause I thought I wouldn't have anybody like him in my life ever again....but that wouldn't be true. Everyday I walk my gardens and play in the dirt and open my eyes, I'm with my Father. I think all the time "What would my Father do". And darn-it where are you now to show me how to grow these Vegetables in this horrible weather. I know he would say your not doing that right, or don't baby that stuff so much. Leave it alone, let it grow with a gentle voice. And trust in yourself......

And my Dad loved his grandchildren! In the spring and summer he would have them out there in his gardens weeding, and picking up little stuff. Here is a photo of my happy team: almost a happy team...and later on in life when he was done the team came to help him.

And here is Joe. Very serious about everything but still fun. . Just like his father. But when it came to Pop-Pop that was his world too. My son has a Tattoo that honors his grandfather on his arm. It's beautiful! This was how he dealt with his loss.

So today is a 'Great Day" and I just wanted to share and Honor my "Garden Mentor with you. And yes, I'm still learning about life and garden stuff everyday without my Mentor, but now I know what the word means.: WISE ADVISOR and that was my "DAD". I love you Dad and thank you for all you gave me. Espesically the Passion to Grow and Garden. Love Joyce

Great Bird Book and Hummingbirds today.

2010-08-09T06:45:00.000-07:00

I would like to recommend a great book if you enjoy watching and feeding and housing your birds in your back yard. It's the "National Audubon Society North American Birdfeeder Handbook". A great little reference book for a quick pick-me up to see what bird is at your feeder!

I keep this book in my kitchen on the counter along with my binoculars for a quick pick up. The feeders and woods are in the back of the house and that's where I bird watch most of the time. I do keep a small pair of binoculars on the end table in the front just in case somethings going down:)

Here are a few pages out of the book. Contents, Illustrated bird pages and I gave you a page on how to make a scrap feeder for your birds if you aren't able to get a book.(Click on Photo to view larger so you can get directions). I use to work for the Library system and I had the privilege of seeing EVERY book first. I'm not sure if that was good or bad because at times alot of my paycheck when back into buying books. Especially GARDEN books!!!! Oh the beautiful books they would order upstairs was awesome. I love hardcover books and table top books and I love the history of gardens, and folklore, and garden stories by other gardeners. Anyway, The reason I'm recommending this one is today the 'Hummers' were outside this morning fighting over who's feeders they were. Good thing the Cameras not to far away.

Aren't they awesome. I could sit and watch these guys all day. Squeaking, fighting and drinking. (Oh, what a minute sounds like I'm at pub.No offense I like a pub!) And if you don't fill the feeders quick enough they come looking for you. They will look right into the house saying "HELLO" it's dinner time. Here are a couple more pics. I can't refuse. There not great but who said I was a professional photographer :)

I think this is a young one.....

Well as usual I've said enough to keep you and me a week. But I do love to share. Thanks Again for visiting my blog. And I'll be visiting yours real soon. Thanks Again Joyce

It's a Hen's & Chicks kinda Morning

2010-08-08T09:43:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful morning. So I needed to do something. Yesterday I weeded a couple of beds that were lost in space...Sooooo.

Took a stroll out to the garage to take recycles this morning and forgot all about this little Wrought Iron Heart Plant Stand sitting on the side. I have had this forever, again from a Flea Market or something. I use to have violets in the four holes but didn't work out inside. I have this area coming out from the basement that gets Morning Shade and half of the bed gets Afternoon Sun. So in this bed is "Ferns, Hosta, Jap. Iris, Bleeding Hearts, Sedums in front and even Gooseneck loosestrife (invasive). So I wanted to Kick it up a Notch. Here is the BEFORE photo in MORNING.

I also had some little wrought iron fencing that wasn't working somewhere else so I moved it here around that gosh ugly concrete pad that never got used for purposes we won't mention. It's a honey-do kinda project. Not anymore. Anyway I have Hens & Chicks from my Dad's House that needed to split up. So I made up some clay pots of these dressed them with gravel and blue glass shards from a broken Garden Globe that you know who broke with flying debris from tractor. I couldn't throw it away. I knew it would be handy some day.

Here is the Little Stand with the potted 'Sempervivum-Hardy mix' I will put them in the greenhouse to overwinter. I have shared these plants with everybody I know my father would have loved that.

So anyway, I pondered, I moved fence, I gathered, I planted, And now I'm happy with this little area. You can't see the concrete pad too much and that's what I wanted. I didn't want to take away from the 'Standard Hosta' and that HUGE 3ft sedum. This is the picture at 12:00 o'clock today with the Sun moving in. Finished Project.

Thanks for stopping by today I hope you enjoyed seeing my little project as much as I had fun making it. Have a Marvelous Garden Day and I'll be visiting your blog too. Joyce

This little Piggy had a Garden...

2010-08-07T08:45:00.000-07:00

And the Gardener ignored the little piggy. She had gotten so busy and procrastinated with taken care of everybody else's needs. And so the little piggy ran and hid under her big Hosta. The Gardener thought her little piggy got throw away and was very sad that she hadn't paid him any attention. She thought she hadn't seen him around in the garden. And that's because she was off doing other garden areas.

And then one morning in August the temperatures dropped and there wasn't any humidity to speak of. Mean-time the gardener was disgusted with her messy gardens! And was envious of those who had such nice clean gardens! Over time she had carefully planned this garden, it was her first in the new place. She worked her gardens always by herself with the little piggy near by. But it got to be too much for the Little Piggy, and he too was disgusted and didn't want any part of the garden any longer.

So she thought and thought and she shut off her Computer and went outside. She wasn't worried about the inside chores they would come later. So off she went with her 'Blue Garden Crocs' and tools in hand and of course her camera. Before she knew it she had weeded those awful messy gardens and low and behold there was her friend waiting for her underneath the big Fat Hosta with a big fat grin!!

The moral of this story is: " That no matter how messy your gardens are your friends will be there waiting for you!!!

Cosmos solphureus-Orange one

2010-08-05T11:00:00.000-07:00

A Beautiful Rich Orange Color this little guy has. It kinda reminds me of a daisy. It's about 16-22" tall, and shorter and bushier then the Thread-leaf Cosmos. The foliage is not the usual, but it reminds me of a fern-like leaf. Caution: Some states have this on their invasive list so check before you plant this one.

I received this seed from a "Swap" last season. Last year was my first "Seed Swap". But then the club closed and no more seed swap. Luckily I have enough seeds for a couple of years. I went a little crazy!!! Anyway I rec'd this one not knowing what it was going to look like. I'm very pleased. I just love Cosmos and this is going to be another favorite for me each year in my garden. I just have to remember to collect the seeds and not let them fall. I want it in another location next year. More out front of the garden instead of in the middle. I thought it was going to be taller but that's ok I love it.....

And here is a quote I found that I thought was nice...

The Best Place to Seek God is in a Garden.
You can dig for him there....
-George Bernard Shaw-

On that note I will leave while I'm ahead. Have a marvelous Garden Day and hope all your dreams are garden dreams. Peace Out-Joyce

It all Started w/a Blue Birdbath

2010-08-02T08:46:00.000-07:00

This is my side Garden in the Year of 2007. This garden was one of the first I planted when we moved to this location. There were no plants to speak of. The owner had dug everything up after the Contract was signed. So I had a blank slate to work with. Our property is 3 acres. One of those Acres is woods. The top of the property is pretty flat with a few little hills and the back half drops down to the lower forty I like to call. That's where all the wildlife play and eat. Thank Goodness or I wouldn't have a garden!!! This little garden was planned while I was still working . Now I'm retired and have taken this little garden to the next level. Here are the steps to my side Garden that is now my "Sitting Garden".

The Blue Birdbath I made out of Terra Cotta Pots for this garden, then one winter I didn't put it away and it cracked. So when I retired my best friend gave me a beautiful Birdbath we had seen together on a trip to the nursery and at the time I didn't have the money. And then when I went back to buy it, it was gone-:( But to my surprise it now sits in MY Garden. Here is the story of how it all began:

1. The Birdbath. June 2005, this birdbath has been in a few places in my garden until it found the right spot......

2. Plan and Rototiller and Amend the Area. Move all those stinking heavy boulders. August 2008

3. Here it is in 2008. Planted with a few perennials. Some since have passed.

4. A path to the birdbath. I planted dwarf mundo grass in the empty block sections. And planted Catmint around the base of the birdbath. I never thought until just now about CATmint and BIRDbath :) No injuries to this date :)

5. Bed with mulch the following Spring 09... I added that trellis. The trellis was from another part of the yard. But it needed to be over here.

And this is my Garden today August 2010. I have added a Garden Shed, Paths, A new Hosta side bed, Sitting Area, Compost area, Raised Veggie beds, and 2010 came a new Greenhouse for me to see if I can grow my own stuff. I am very happy with this area and still not done I have another 3ft added to the plant area that I will plant next year. This year I will just amend that part of the garden soil for next years planting.I have more plans in my head.. Well I hope you have enjoyed seeing all my hard work. And I love this little Cottage/Sitting Area. It's not professional but it's mine to enjoy, read a good book and a cool glass of Sweet Tea. Thanks for coming over and see you again soon. Joyce

Who told the "OSPREY" I (had) Fish!!!

2010-08-01T12:33:00.000-07:00

What a glorious Sunday here in my part of the world. The temps are only 88 and maybe a little rain to come later. Today is my last day for House/Cat sitting. It will be strange to sleep in. And I have "Chiggers" from the woods.....man they itch.

Anyway, I awoke to a beautiful August 1st. My birth Month :) Yes I'm a Virgin, I mean Virgo the Virgin :)

When I went out with the 4-leggers this morning I had to turn around and run back in the house for my camera! You know I can't go outside without it, but it was too early to think about extra outside activity happening. I could hardly think straight it was so noisy. Our Neighbors have this huge dead tree and perched on top of it this morning was a HUGE OSPREY. And flying around it was the resident Evil (Black Birds) so noisy. I've never the Osprey so far in before. We are about a mile or so from the beach/Water. They are mainly down by the water. Well, I think I figured out why he was here.........I have no fish in my pond! He must have dined while I was sleeping. So I guess I will make a fish run and now put a stupid net on my little pond-ugh Here are the photos of the osprey and the crows.

And here is the one crow sitting on the branch behind the Osprey, it looks like he's sitting on his head he was that close. Those Crows are big too.

And while outside I was able to capture a shot of our little Deer Family. Aren't they cute...they don't run off until the dogs bark and these guys hadn't been spotted by the 4 leggers. So I will sign off for today and return to play another day. Enjoy my wildlife, I sure do. I'm so blessed. Have an awesome Garden Day. And thanks for stopping by!!!

It's almost as good as Gardening-Estate Sale Shopping!!!

2010-07-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I haven't been here for awhile. I've been really busy the past week. I am house-sitting and Cat Sitting 8 beautiful Cats-5 Siamese (3 Seal Point and 2 Blue Point & 3 outside kitties). These are my Step-kitties since I can't have Cats. The Jack Russells would not appreciate a Cat in the house much less on the property-he,he. So I get my fix with my friends Cats. I am watching them for 2 weeks. Along with a gazillion plants I have to water, Pool, and house. It's all good tho!!! The White Bowl I needed because you know who broke the original bowl and pitcher, so now it holds my big fern. And I finally found a Printers type box to hold my little stamps and seaglass and rocks and whatever.

But anyway this weekend I hit a local Estate Sale. We went to look for a Dresser for my Daughter we were succesful with that but I couldn't resist the other stuff -soooo, WELL, here's what I got everything was $2.00 and under. And I am a Sucker for Pottery and Plant Pots-Old or New. And I love all copper. And things for the garden too..

Hoosier Glass-my glass frog will work in this real nice for flower arranging!!!!Heathrow by BRODY N-404A copper Fish, yeah.A really cool Blue Glass Sun Plant Holder, yeah! OK, I gotta go meet a friend for a Pool Luncheon so have a marvelous Garden Day. We finally got some rain, about 2" so I'm happy and so is the garden for now. I'll be back in my garden soon!!

Planting, Pulling, Weeding, Choping and Clicking the Garden.

2010-07-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

You haven't seen this garden because it's been hidden under weeds!!! This is part of the front garden coming down our driveway. Today we are having an overcast morning so I took advantage and finally got my big butt in there and cleaned it out It was still hotter then two H's but no SUN . There are big clumps of 'Heuchuera-Purple Palace and other Coral Bells in there with big stepping stones a white azalea and a 'Varigated Yucca' I got from a friend that was being hidden by tall grass in the lower part of the bed. The Upper part of this garden has sedums, peonies, daylilies, Miscanthus, Canna lilies, Iries and other stuff. I took out 3 not so happy 'Ostrich Ferns' and moved them under the window by the garden shed, they will bounce back nicely. My beautiful Japanese Maple had a hard go this winter as the top split right in the middle from the weight of 3ft. of snow-ugh. We planted this maple tree when my daughter graduated from High School on her way to college. It is now 13 yrs. old and still standing tall. I was scared I would lose the tree because of the damage but she has bounced back nicely. You might notice the top is a little bare with exposed limbs but I don't care it gives her character. So I pulled are the grass and I trimmed up the bottom of the tree. I know some people gasp when you tell them you prune your Jap. Maple. I don't prune, I trim :)

And this picture is the extension of the front area leading up the the Sun room. This area has taking alot of different changes. I'm still not happy with it! I might take out the tall 'Liatris' and the 'Toadlilies' and move them into another bed somewhere and just put in some low growing stuff so you can see the hedges I've trimmed to look like bonsai. I forgot I had 'Speedwell' in there and the 'Creeping Sedum' needs it's own area so you can see the beautiful purple color. And there's a 'Helleborus' behind the Cooper bees and a there's a couple of resurrection lilies that come up in August in the mix.

And the Clicking part of the garden is me walking around taking pictures of other stuff I'd like to show ya! Today the "Eastern Tiger Swallowtail" and the "Hummingbird" were battling over the hummingbird feeder. While the Zebra Swallowtail was just enjoying the flowers.

And here is a Volunteer 'Hollyhock' that I left to grow so next year I think I should get the flower stalks. I had these in this area and last year I decided to pull them all out because of rust. And this year I purchased 3 Foxgloves to put in the garden so I guess this year they will grow leaves and next year I'll get blooms hopefully.

And the other picture is the "Book Gnome" sitting next to a 'Agapanthus' plant that has never bloomed. I need to read up on these. It's been there for 2yrs. now. I might dig up and put in a nice pot and then overwinter in the greenhouse.

So with all that said and done I'll be leaving. I hope you have a blessed day and Happy Gardening .......Joyce

A New Climbing Rose for Me and My trellis, and of course Garden blah, blah, blah.

2010-07-20T11:42:00.000-07:00

Oh smack! Yesterday I went to the Local Nursery (Homestead Gardens) and used what little bit of (Myrtle Money) I had earned, only $27 big ones, it was a bad year of buying things, but it worked out for me. This was a whim purchase, but I've been needing a climber rose for my trellis. This fragrant pretty rose is called "White Dawn" and it grows 12' to 14'ft. So this should cover my trellis nicely. And I'm going to incorporate a 'Purple Clematis' to intertwine with the rose and maybe some morning glories. I think this will be pretty. Purple and White, Oh, I can just see it now. I know this isn't the best time to be buying plants with the extreme heat we have been getting but I will take care of this after I plant it!

Here is my rose in bloom. They aren't big but they smell nice. The only thing I hate about Roses are the THORNS, man I hate those things. But I guess you can't be a gardener without experiencing the pain along with the beauty. I guess like "Beauty and the Beast" the thorns that is.

This is my new Hosta "JUNE". She was only 5.99 and it rounded off my need to purchase yesterday. They had a humongous one in a Gallon container but I settled for this little one. And this little guy actually has two in the pot. I am not a instant gratification gardener because I can't afford it. But my rewards come later after watching it come back every year even bigger then the year before. I adore Hostas. I saw a beautiful one there I was going to buy but it was 22.99 (I will go back and purchase this one when I get some cash :) and I really came for the rose. I had to stay focused, whew I did pretty good only leaving with what I came to get and sticking to the plan. That's hard for me to do. I have Adult ADD :)

Here are a few other things going on in and around the garden today. It's overcast so I weeded some and took a few pics. of stuff. This is Dicentra x. something. I call it 'Dutchman's Breeches' This is a great plant. I brought this plant with me when we moved and planted her in a sheltered area in the bright shade. I adore the Gray/Green Foliage. And the little flowers are Pink/Lavender. And it looks delicate but this one is a real trooper in my garden.It blooms in spring and summer. She struggled for awhile but has really taken off. Last year I gave her a new neighbor-Ostrich Fern. Here is a photo of the spores, I love Ferns and their spores they are awesome to look at.

And here is just a pretty shot of the Pink eyed Tall Phlox in the side garden. They are so pretty and their presence in the garden are so nice.

And I don't know if you remember but the "HYDRANGEA" has little roots on the stem I buried!!! I couldn't wait I had to look. I won't be cutting this off for some time but I think it's working. Here is a pic. Not a great photo down here in the dark and dirty space under the bush.I did put it back in the hole. So it should be fine.

Oh yeah, here is also a book I've been browsing thru. It's a look-see book, that's what I call it because it filled with lots of Ideas. I love Ideas for the garden. OK, that's it for now. And I hope I've kept your interest. So from me to you thanks for visiting and come back often.HAPPY GARDENING!!!

Gracie wants to show you her Terrarium and garden blah, blah, blah!

2010-07-18T15:54:00.000-07:00

Evening Everyone. It's Hot, Hot, Hot and don't forget Humid. I walked outside and to my surprise this was waiting for me. My first Veggie Bounty. 3 Maters and 1 squash. My Veggie Garden hasn't done what I thought it would do this year, I don't have a clue and I feel like a failure!!! Oh Well, there's next year. Anyway there's enough for me to have a scrumptious Tomato Sandwich, YUM. That's all I crave in the summer. Is my first bite of my own tomatoes, melting in my mouth coating every taste bud with their tomato goodness. Yes, Dinner is soon :)

OK, Gracie wanted to show you what she did today since it was so hot outside to do anything. We made our "Zen Terrarium". It has Moss from outside, Lemon Button Fern, 'Sylettas' Viola grypoceras exilis, x 'Platt's Black Leptinella. One Chinese Fishing Guy with blue glass beads for water and a ladybug. So here is 'Gracie with her terrarium. And yes we made it on the floor of my office and I have stuff sitting around that will be moved since I saw the photo,laugh. And here is it's final resting place on the Dining Room Table. Not a good picture. But you get it. We hope it will live :)

While outside for a moment I noticed this big 'Praying Mantis' trying to fit in with the color of the big 'Miscanthus' Grass in the front. Can you see him? The master of disguise. He's on the window shutter. Pretty cool. I was getting worried I hadn't seen any up to this point.

And the other weird thing I noticed today while taken a picture of a dragonfly was- that my 'White' Butterfly Bush has purple flowers on it!! What's up with that. If you can tell me, please do. This is my first Bush. And first year for this one.Well, that's all I have for today. Not to exciting. But the garden is holding her own in this heat wave. Hope your having a safe summer and your gardens are just gorgeous. I want to do so much outside and I have alot of plans but I CAN'T do anything in this stinking heat. And it's killing me, sitting inside. I'm tired of cleaning and rearranging everything. I'm sitting looking around and thinking to myself I need a inside make-over. And a fresh coat of paint, Well I know that's not happening anytime soon. So thanks for reading my blog I'm surprised people get this far with all my ramblings. Peace Out from me to you!!!! And Come Again :)

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day-July 2010 (first)

2010-07-15T07:33:00.000-07:00

Good Morning everybody. Geez where do you begin. Today the 15th of every month Garden Bloggers from all over are blogging about what's blooming in their gardens. And their posting it so we can enjoy their gardens. If you would like to join in go visit: www.maydreamsgardens.com or just click on her blog link on the right side over there, see, and check out how to begin. It's simple. And while your there check out all the bloggers who attached their blog so you can go check them all out.

So anyway this is my first time posting for Bloom Day and what a terrible month to show what's blooming in my garden right now. We have had alot of extreme heat and humidity before this week and since Saturday past I think we have gotten almost 5" of rain. So if the H & H didn't knock down anybody the rain surely took a beaten. But I'm not complaining about the rain because we had a rain deficit. So Hoo-ray for the RAIN!! OK, so here's what blooming today in my gardens.

My Hot Pink Phlox. This was rescued from under that darn 'Gooseneck loosestrife' this spring I'm so glad I noticed the phlox leaves and moved it and this is one big branch so far this year.

.And these are the pretty orange marigolds in the raised veggie bed keeping away the bugs. Back in colonial times they planted flowers in with their veggies to keep away the bad bugs. I think that right. And as for my veggie garden I don't see bugs but my 'Tomatoes' haven taken a beating this year-ugh

And this is Monarda 'Jacob Cline' I have had this plant a long time. Here the flowers and the second wave as I've already pruned once this year.

This is Blue and White Salvia. I know I need to prune this one back I will get to it. I bought this plant together in one pot a 2 for 1 plant. It is huge and beautiful addition to pond garden. This picture does not do this plant justice. My photos look better on my laptop and when I upload they look washed out, oh well.

And this is my Beautiful Big Blue/Pink/Purple Mophead Hydrangea that has come with us when we moved some 18 yrs ago to this house. This makes great flower arrangements. What a show stopper. I'm trying to root some limbs this year. Dug a little hole bent down the branch, cover a little and put a brick on top to hold down. I'll let you know what happens. Everybody wants a piece so I'm trying....

And here are a few others blooming in and around the gardens. A late daylily named "Common Sense" gee I wonder why I just had to have that one (ok you can laugh now).And this is my beautiful Purple Verbena (Annual) growing up on the deck.

Like I said 'July' isn't very productive here. The Phlox are in bloom along with the Gooseneck Loosestrife, Beebalm, Hostas, Platycondon blue, and the Echinacea 'White Swan' and others that are blooming in the garden right now. The other thing I have going right now are alot of beautiful leaf colors in the garden from the things that have stoped blooming. But I think my main concern at this stage is to keep everything alive and look at bulb books :)

So it's been a great Bloom Day Blog for me and I hope you visit often to see what's going on in my life around my gardens. Peace Out and Happy Gardening from me to you!!!!!!!!

New baby-Fawn and some plant talk.

2010-07-14T16:23:00.000-07:00

Yeah another addition to the Deer Population in our Woods. Isn't she/he beautiful. As you can see Mama Deer was trying to protect her from that young male lurking in the woods. And believe me he wasn't in the woods just lurking for long, he had a mission (that part was censored). Poor Mama. Wish she could've just kicked him!!!! Usually every year one of the Deer at the bottom have twins, but I haven't seen any twins this year. This is my first sighting of a baby...Too darn cute. We have alot of Deer on the property but they know we don't bother them as long as they stay down in the lower forty. Plus the dogs keep them down in the wooded area.

And now a few plants I'm really digging in the Garden...These are called :Agastache 'Sunset'. I bought these on a whim this year from a lady with a beautiful cottage garden who sells really cool plants. I also bought some 'Clary Sage'. But back to these. The little flowers are orange/pink. Very pretty.

Last year I put in a blue variety called "Summer Sky' and loved it. As you can see it's being a little crowded by the locals. So I will probably move it over with the other plant. But for now it's ok where it is. The hummers will enjoy these I think, they are tubular flowers. I was going to do "Wordless Wednesday" but I couldn't find where to post so I'll try again next week. I don't know If I can do a wordless post :) So off to have some dinner and take the 4-leggers out. Have a Marvelous Evening and hope all your garden dreams come true.....!

A new Window in the Garden (Shed) and help answer a few questions!

2010-07-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

OK, here is the side of my little garden shed that didn't have a window. So I put in a 'Faux' window. I had acquired a few sets of old windows out of a older beach home.( I'm going to make 'Memory Tables' out of them). I had one odd-ball size so I used that. So I sanded and caulked and painted it to match my shed. I was going to put a beach scene behind the glass (still might do it) but I was anxious to get it up to see what it would look like. I will be planting big ferns under this window when the rain stops.
My little garden area on this side of the yard is coming together nicely. I still have alot of work . The more I walk around this area the more the ideas pop into my head. Like MORE PLANTS. And maybe even a small knot garden, who knows what I'll be doing next. I do have alot of time on my hands now that I'm retired. But these things are what I was thinking about having while I was working all those years. And now I can finally put the plan to work. It might take a while and alot of hard work, but I'll do it "One Plant at a Time, One plan at a Time"

I am a collector of all things but I have been collecting plant seeds for only a year now. That's why I wanted a little greenhouse so I could get a jump on this issue (another day another story). Let me know what you think?

The other day I painted another birdhouse. It is my 'Watermelon' house. Eventually these will go out in this part of the garden. I did a flower one I think last week when I posted. I have to get some poles and hardware first. Have one more I'm working on, but I've got painters block. #1-The house hasn't told me what it wants to be yet!!! It's shaped like a barn so maybe that's a clue. Let's see who will come up with an idea for me and my birdhouse. Let me know and I will pick and post after I paint it. Nothing hard I'm an amateur with the brush.

Today while walking in the garden I took pictures of all the different blue butterflies that were feasting on the flowers.

OK, here's question #2- I have a pink 'Crape Mrytle' in my yard that I noticed a couple of little 'Mrytles'inches away from the big one. Can I dig these up and transplant somewhere now? I don't think they are connected to the mother shrub. Here's a picture:

#3-And one more question for my gardening friends. Who is this bug on my Purple Coneflower??? Is he good or bad. Doesn't he look like he's sporting a 'Tommy Bahama' tropical summer shirt. It's so bright! Ok So I will just leave with a couple pictures of what's blooming in the garden today!! I love Marigolds and this one caught my eye this year. Orange and yellow!!! It seems they are the only flower doing well in my Veggie bed!!!Black-eyed Susan-Maryland State FlowerAnd my last one is showing 'RAIN-DROPS' on my potted Caladiums. I can't help it I love these things. Why did I wait so long to put them in my garden?I want to thank you for stopping by and hope you enjoyed all the things that I do. I'm so excited that we have had rain now about 3 1/2" my plants are happy and so am I. So Peace Out from me to you. And I hope you are having a marvelous garden day!!!!!

Lost Garden MoJo and Empty Pots

2010-07-09T07:33:00.000-07:00

Today I think I've lost my garden mojo. I've been inside a week and I've let things go and before. I had to show that I've been neglecting. Usually If I walk by this it would bother me big time. But I just don't feel like fixing this in the heat. I never have an empty pot. Even the Cherubs are upset with me. And I try to weed out all the bad things that spring up in my gardens. The more I look at these things the less gets done lately. The picture you see here is a long bed that goes down the yard side of the garage. It's beautiful in the spring with pinks, and spring iries and bulbs. But now look at it. It has overgrown to the point of no return!!! I have a problem with Virginia creeper and those vines that get the orange tubular flowers that hummingbirds love. I can't even think of the name of it. I remember playing with these flowers as a child, putting them on your fingers. But I don't want them here in my gardens. I can't believe people pay for these invasive vines!!! They grow everywhere here.

I could just kick myself for letting this go, now I have more work.

This is a picture looking at the side garden coming out from the basement area. This big deck is being shortened and I will landscape around this maybe next year!

On a little happy note nobody is hurt from this and it will get cleaned up soon!

I make a promise. So anyway yesterday went to one of my favorite stores Bed,Bath & Beyond and picked up a BIG Jar so I could make a "Terrarium" . I have to go pick out some plants to put in it and get some charcoal but other then that I think I'm ready. If any readers out there have any suggestions please leave a comment for me. Love to learn new things. I really would like to put my favorite Seaglass into this Jar but I will refrain and use it for what it was bought for. I'll get another later.

And here is one of my buddies "Harley" sitting in the dead grass waiting to go back inside, doesn't he look happy to have his picture taken.

So hope all is well with everybody and your grass doesn't look like mine. Have a fantastic day and don't forget to smell the Roses!!

Maybe I should!!!

Garden Thoughts for Today

2010-07-08T08:11:00.000-07:00

Today for me is one of those days where I feel I'm just walking around in a daze. The weather here is unbearable for me. I hate the humidity and it makes the heat index go up even more.
This morning I got up like any other and did the normal routine things like going out with the dogs, oops coffee first and taking a leisurely stroll around the garden areas to see what I need to do to keep everybody alive here in the heat. Yes, I know Water, but you have to be careful living with a Well... The above picture is of my beautiful Lemon Yellow Daylily. This photo doesn't capture it's true beauty. It's super bright and she is one of the first daylilies you'll see by the driveway and porch when you visit.

So I put the dogs back inside out of the heat and dragged out the hose to water yet again at O-Clock Thirty because it's just hot and I swear I'm drenched when I come in from watering. No, I didn't squirt myself, but I should have, maybe next time.
Anyway I'm back inside and I think that's where I'm staying!!! I hate being in the house, because I see things I should be doing and I don't even what to do those things either..

So instead I'm picking up a garden book. Not a how-to garden book ,or a design your yard one, NO this time I need a little humor and historical facts and just a great all around read. The book I'm reading is : GREEN THOUGHTS: A writer in the Garden-by Eleanor Pere'nyi...

While I was doing a amazon search in the garden area I found this and ordered it along with a few others to read. Now they have come and I'm grabbing some tea and putting my feet up and hibernate for a few hours.Just me and the dogs and a comfy spot. So don't call I won't answer the phone.
I hope you all are enjoying your gardens and I hope your temps are better then mine for gardening.. So Peace Out and Enjoy the day.

Glass, Grass and Rocks and some Plant issues too.

2010-07-06T10:11:00.000-07:00

Afternoon to all. Here in Maryland we are having a "Code Red" couple of days-UGH. Nasty hot and humid. Not fit for man nor beast. As you can see we did some 'Glassing' on Monday. Here are some of my favorites in an empty egg carton. My favorite piece has to be the thick blue pottery shard, it's awesome. And some real nice dark browns, chunky thick whites, blues, aquas, different shades of green and some milk glass. And yes, I collect rocks and tumbled bricks. I added a couple of flowers to keep with the garden theme :)

And here are a couple of rocks I painted to sit around the gardens. I love to just pull out a paintbrush and start painting on stuff, very relaxing.

I love grasses and here are just a few of what I have so far. I will be putting in more. But here are the names. Ribbon Grass, Dwarf Zebra Grasses, Miscanthus Something (I forgot) Mexican feather Grass, Black Mundo Grass, Dwarf Mundo Grass green, and a few Lirope Variegated and green.

And here are my plants issues. First off My beautiful Yellow Coneflower-Echinacea x 'Matthew Saul' someone is eating the leaves. This plant is so pretty with the golden yellow leaves and a bronze center, what to do HELP! I really don't want to use chemicals...but I really don't want to lose anything in the garden. Or should I just forget about it and wait for another season. And here is another issue-My Texas Cactus has a boo-boo. I pulled off a leaf last year to give to a friend and it's turned black. It has been in this pot for 3 yrs now. Do you think I can plant this in my yard. I wasn't sure if our winters would kill it? HELP.And last but not least is a past memory of the winter. We had alot of snow and while I was sitting here out of the HEAT I thought I would post a memory of a cooler time :) So thanks again for visiting my blog and I love your feedback and great comments.. There are some very talented gardeners on my blog listed on the right side here. Please pay them a visit and learn a thing or two and even get a 'CHUCKLE and even go traveling to beautiful gardens around the world'. Gardeners are caring, happy, Informative, funny people with an obsession to make things grow and look good too!!! Have a marvelous Day!!!

Happy Independence Day

2010-07-04T07:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence Day, Happy 4th of July, and May Old Glory wave her colors forever. It's good to be an "American". It means alot to me because this is all I know. And my father and husband are both veterans and flying the flag gives me great pleasure. Today is a day to gather with family and friends and celebrate our Independence. I don't know about you but I got my plans all laid out for today-woo who. Gather, laugh, hug, eat, talk about the good times, eat some more talk garden with my girlfriend and have fireworks tonite :) Life is good!!! And I am passing on great happiness for your day also!!

OK, on another note. My mystery plant turned out to be a beautiful White 'Gladiolus x hortulanus'.

I hate these I don't know how this got into the garden. It hasn't bloomed for two years so I probably forgot I even put it in. I do love the color "White" in the garden maybe that's why it's here. I thought I was going to have my first "CROCOSMIA" plant!!! Oh well, I guess I'm going to have to go to the nursery and purchase a one!!! Don't get me wrong this is a lovely flower and it has a hint of purple on the inside, I love purple. But just not these, they remind me too much of funeral flowers and I can't get passed that. I hope I'm not offending anyone. Gee you think I have strong feelings on this one!

Anyway on to something that makes me smile. That would be my hostas.Here is 'Sum & Substance' with flower in the early morning sun. You can see how she is a real nice pale green and is humongous sitting next to that real dark green hosta which isn't that small either. That one was a baby off of someone, don't know who.

And here is my 'Pink Crape Mrytle' that was destroyed a few years back by Winter Ice. She has come back nicely but I've neglected to trim her this year. So I will get to it!

And here is what Jerry and I have been working on this weekend. My Greenhouse. 1/2 day job my Aunt Fanny. The book says 2 people 1/2 day. They must not take into consideration of older adults. Who need to take potty breaks and water breaks and breaks from working with each other that stop the work so you can re-group your thoughts in the hot sun :) So it wasn't too bad to get up, the only thing is that the foundation part of this is explained on page (30) after you have the dumb thing together. Then you level the stupid foundation and move the greenhouse back on top and secure. Then you have a load of nuts and bolts and braces to put on to stabilize the dumb thing. And pray like HELL that a Storm doesn't blow the darn thing away. Mine isn't GLASS but a poly something. So not operational yet. The Heat is coming back so we have to work after 4 in the shade. But my little house gets Sun all day until then. I still need supplies and you know me I have been thinking about what plants I want to place around my little greenhouse already. The ground over there is like a ROCK, boy I have my work cut out for me. I have alot of amending to do over there if I want anything to grow!! Hey, it's a new toy.

Early this morning I painted this birdhouse I had laying around. Just need to clear coat and out it goes!! What do you think? So I will leave you with that note. Thanks for stopping by me and my ramblings. Again Happy 4th of July and see you soon!!! And thanks for stopping by with my silliness.

HELP too many Iries-I need a 12 step program-quick!!!!!

2010-06-30T13:02:00.000-07:00

Today the weather finally broke!! Low 80's-woo-who! The humidity will be giving me a break for a few days. So I had to get outside and tackle the Iris bed that has been bothering me for some time now! This is where my new Greenhouse is going so I had to dig up over 100 plus Iries to make room over there to put the greenhouse in the full sun. And I'm sharing photos of all the Iries I dug out and laid out to dry for a few days. I will wash them today in bleach and water and cut back the leaves to about 6" before I replant them. I had a hard time letting go of some, but I just had to. I separated the babies and put them in my "Share Bucket", there is over 50 babies in there. I can not for the life of me throw any of these away because I'm not sure which one is which. Some are labeled but most are not. I had my trusty magic marker to write on the leaves of the ones I knew. I am going to scream trying to find places for all of these, but I will do it...if it kills me:)
I feel like one of the persons on the "Hoarder" shows. I just can't part with these, it was hard enough to have that share bucket. I wished some of you were closer I could share. I am an 'IRIS ADDICT" and I need a 12 step program. Maybe I need one of these anyway-big smile. Needless to say the greenhouse isn't going to be put up today because the 'MUSCLE" went golfing. And I know the "MUSCLE" isn't going to feel like dealing with it when he returns!!! Too bad I need 2 people for this project or it would have been done by now!!

June has been a very, very hot, humid month and not alot going on just trying to keep things alive. No rain to speak of. My Rain Barrels sit empty-ugh. And don't see any rain till after the 4th of July holiday. It's been a challenge. I did get my first pickings of bush beans today-11 to count :) Hey it's a start. My Squash plants have alot of flowers. I keeping my fingers crossed on all my veggies this year, it's been a strange one. Here are some daylilies blooming that will keep me happy.

OK, that should do it for now. I think I need a 12 step for Daylilies too, What do you'll think? Thanks for stopping by and have an awesome day. And think about me planting all those Iries!! I think I need an extra pair of hands, GOT ANY? This is me signing out for sure!! If I don't get to thank you for leaving comments on my blog it is greatly appreciated!!

STOP PUSHING ME-Allright-Allready!!

2010-06-29T08:28:00.000-07:00

Today's topic is "Over-crowding". Every year at the end of the season I find myself going out and buying plants that I feel sorry for, and also looking for a good bargains-too funny. Well at the time it's a great bargain, but alot of times these plants wait till the last minute to be put into the ground. Then I scurry around like a Mad-Women trying to fit everybody in! I know I'm not alone by a long shot because well you know who you are! When I go shopping I have no idea where I'm going to plant these poor things. But I know me, I either saw them on someones blog or garden or just in a book and I had to have these!!! I don't do this all the time, actually I am pretty organized . But at the end of the season I start getting really bored!! And yes this is the final result, OVERCROWDING. As you can see from this picture, which was taken from the porch side, this garden has alot of plants and this is the back side. This year I didn't count on the "Hydrangea" to taking over this area. I think because of all the snow we got this past winter this shrub has grown leaps and bounds. Plus I pruned early in the spring because of winter damage and it's pushing it's way into the perennials now. Here is the list of plants pushing and shoving in this area:( 'Heuchera-Prince, 'Coreopsis'Red Shift', Daylilies, Agastache-'Summer Sky, Japanese Irises, Sempervivum, and blue-eyed grasses and some containers. Plus there are 'Platycodon g. 'Mariesii' Blue seedlings all over the place. This plant is invasive for me. If you need any seeds let me know and I will surely send them to you...I have replanted this plant forever, don't need anymore, but I can't just pull them out and discard. OK, so for me this is what happens without a plan of some kind. NOW it's hot as HELL and the plants are surviving but the gardener is feeling a little overwhelmed, this happens, because I can't move anything in this stinking heat. I don't what to sacrifice my plants by moving them now!

OK, so here are a few plants that I really like and that are working for me where they are planted. The First is Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate' known as Joe Pye Weed. This is a smaller version of the big one and this gets little white flowers on it. I said I wouldn't put Joe Pye Weed in my garden but I found this Medium size guy and I love the foliage. It's like a burgundy/silver/green. Love it. Yes, I'm noticing alot of bite marks on my plants, I don't use ANY chemicals on my gardens, but I do need a good insecticide. Maybe just soap and water (it works for me)!

And speaking of bite-marks I've been invaded by "Tomato Hornworms"-UGH. My poor maters are having a ruff go of it this year. I've always had good luck with this raised bed but this year the they are taking a beating. Here is the culprit

I hate picking these things off so I got out the pruners and cut that limb off into a pot and threw them down on the ground and mashed them. I was reading somewhere it said if you see white egg sacs over their backs leave them be. These eggs are a parasitic Wasp called 'Braconid Wasp'. Let them hatch and they will defend your garden against all kinds of pests. Well, I didn't see any eggs so I killed'um. Now I feel bad, that's sad.

And this is the "Hosta Fairy" she needs a make-over. I will take her out paint the original colors back on her. She was very pretty with all her color but now she is a little pale. I'm going to antique the urn behind her. Using black concrete paint first and then dry rubbing brown over it. I let you know how it turns out. I have 4 of these to do. So with that in mind and not as humid today I will sign out.

Have a marvelous garden day in your yard and watch out for all the arguing of the plants trying to stand their ground in the garden.....Remember plan, plan, and plan again (sounds good). I guess I should take my own advice :)

This is why I love to Garden......

2010-06-27T04:21:00.000-07:00

Morning All, for some reason I couldn't sleep this morning. So what better to do then sit down and blog :) Anyway yesterday morning when I got up to see two squirrels outside on the Black Walnut trees playing around. So before I let the dogs out of course I had to run to get my camera and see if I could get a shot. We have quite a few of these trees and (SQ's)-another name for squirrels here with the dogs we have to talk like this around the them or they will bolt after them so we have a little language of are own for the dogs and the animals around us. Anyway I'm always finding these nuts in my gardens hiding and I swear sometimes I see the SQ's throw them down at the dogs. The dogs have an Invisible Fence around the yard but aren't allowed down in the lower 40. So they're far enough away from Nature to let the other animals be. Like Deer, Groundhogs, Squirrels, Foxes, Turkeys, and a Murder of Crows!!!

Anyway the story is I think this is a "Mother SQ and her youngster trying to hold him/her still long enough to clean. I can relate!! They are so cute up there but when they come down their they reek havoc!! They dig in my garden, hide nuts, eat all the bird seed (I don't mind cause they need food too.) I just wish they weren't such pigs. The dictionary calls them: "Tree Dwelling Rodents with a bushy tail. Well take off the tail and I have 2 living in my basement, eating all of my food too-and you know who you are:) But anyway, I just love walking around the property, it gives me a peace of mind that I really don't get anywhere else and it stills my head. I swear sometimes I have Adult ADD! If you've ever seen the Movie "UP" I'm the Dog!!! Where-Where-Where that's my head. And I have a gazillion ideas in there popping up all the time.Ok, back to why I was here. It's been really hot here in Maryland and really not a sun worshipper. I'm a shade dweller, but I do like the beach with cover :)
Friday two things happen that I really hate!!!! My pond pump stopped working so had to invest in another, and the other thing is 'Harley' rolled in Deer Poop, yes I said it!! Man I hate that. He had a good ole' time before I could yell at him. So needless to say it was in the tub for him and me, first thing in the morning too-ugh! So all day I took him out on the leash so not to tempt him again. I cleaned up the mess! I don't mind cleaning up after the dogs but the resident wildlife really needs to do their own and stay down at the lower 40!! So Life goes on here and I still having to water alot and the humidity is really up there also. Today the Heat Index will take us to 105degress-ugh. OK, garden stuff below.........................................

Here is mystery plant that I had talked about much earlier, well it has some kind of flower heads now here is a picture, I hope it will be a 'Crocosmia' I can't wait. I'm sure I planted it just don't remember what I put in there. Last year I only had leaves last year and this year it's going to bloom-woo-who!!

And here's a plant my friend gave to me,these are little babies. I just loved hers. And hers grows all over the place. We found these guys back in the wooded area. So I got to bring them home. They are very tender and need alot of water and I've got them in a sheltered area in the bright shade :) I'm not sure what it is, maybe a bloody dock, it has red veins thru it just like beets, but not a beet plant. This gets a white flower spike. And my friend doesn't keep notes, or tags she just pops stuff in. It's tough being a plant there cause if you don't look good your out of there. Me, I pour my soul into my gardens and get a little sad if something dies, because I know it's ME not the PLANT, usually.

And here are some other things that keep me gardening, I love nature!!!

Just the little things make me happy in my garden and to see all the beautiful gifts I get outside everyday, weather good or bad I'm thankful for sight to see it all and be part of it. And my gardens aren't perfect and my flowers don't stand at attention but I know that when I go outside they will be there to greet me and put a smile on my face. So Peace Out and I'm off to paint some Windows-woo-who. Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I didn't know Caladiums have flowers!!!

2010-06-23T09:02:00.000-07:00

I didn't know that these Caladiums gave a beautiful flower!! Wow, I saw this on a few the other day and didn't pay any attention. I walked by thinking it was just another leaf. Then this morning I looked at it closer because it opened up and it looks like a 'Calla Lily' bloom. What a treat, I learned something today :) I guessed if I had researched these bulbs they would have told me in their description.

And I had a teeny-tiny visitor this morning over by the pond in the mulch. Here is his pic. a little toad I think. No bigger then the top of your thumb.

Not much too talk about here which is unusual but it's been too stinking hot!!! Even in the shade. This morning it's already 100 on porch. My plants seem to be doing ok. Last evening we did finally get that rain. I have been watering every day, I don't think I can remember when I have watered everyday. I'm a little worried about my Tomato Plants, they seem to have a little wilt, don't know if it's the weather. I don't see any bugs just wilt. Maybe a Bacteria Wilt. I did amend that raised bed with a new Lobster compost , but that shouldn't make a difference. The beans are in the same bed and are doing fine. I know different needs for different plants. Ok, well back to flowers. Here are some flowers growing now. Alot of the white flowers are blooming, Gooseneck loosestrife, White hosta flowers, Pina Colada Phlox, and 'White Swan Coneflower' and a new 'Heuchera'to name a few. Oh I have a 'White Butterfly Bush' blooming. I will take a picture and show.

And here are a couple of my 20 plus daylilies blooming right now. I love my only Star Daylily 'Cleome' it's a pale yellow with beautiful purple inside. And my other favorite is this 'Triple leaf Daylily-orange. Just awesome. And a photo of the front walk with about 10 different ones in there( Buttered Popcorn, Lavender Vista, Red Volunteer, Wild Horses, Mini Lavender, Peruvian Market, Orange Crush, Lullaby Baby and others. The only thing is they all don't bloom at the same time-duh. They are all over grown so I will dig up this fall and relocate a few. There's so many things to do in the gardens. Alot of weeding in the front but I'm just being a lazy gardener and don't feel like going out in the heat-ugh. Actually I don't want to encounter the black snake. I have been putting my energy these days into other beds in the back and have pushed the front areas to the side and that's not good because it's the first areas you see. I'm not happy with that area and I planted it without a design on paper. Have to rethink. Well, I'm signing off to have a bit of lunch and maybe go read a bit in the cool house. Have a marvelous day. And Happy Gardening to my blog friends..................................

A Barrel of Thoughts....

2010-06-18T06:18:00.000-07:00

Morning All, I thought I'd get in a few thoughts and photos before I head out in the Sun. Here are my pics. of what I've been working on this past week (on and off). I finished the long brick walk. I've extended the bricks out in front of the little garden shed. I know your sick of seeing my garden shed but this is what started it all last year!! I was determined to take away as much grass as possible and make this area my own!!! I ended the walk with a circle pattern around the "Barrel".

As you know I love to walk on the beaches and pick up everything and since this past winter I have quite a collection of rocks, big, small, black, white you get the picture. Well they were starting to take over my office so I had to figure what to do with them. Here is what I'm using them for...I put white and brown sea glass around the beginning bricks and put the little rocks on around the bottom half. As you can see I need more rocks. Won't be able to pick up any this weekend so will have to wait. Not to shabby for a self-taught and alot of time of my hands gardener,yeh. Here are the picks of the area now. I have gained about 3ft more of gardening space on the right of the barrel. This year I will just put down 6 layers of paper and more mulch and try and wait for next year to plant in. I will be putting a Herb garden on the left side of the barrel. And this weekend maybe the Greenhouse will go up. Wish me luck. This garden area get FULL SUN all day on the left side so I really have to thing things thru, what to buy and plant. As a gardener I know I need "Bones" for my garden and I haven't quite got that down. I need to read more about what to do. Yes, I need help but I'm a self-taught everything kinda of person :) So with that in mind I will sign-off and you can look at my photos and give your opinions. Peace Out and have an awesome Garden Day!!!!

Angels To Watch Over Me

2010-06-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

Evening All, I hadn't given this alot of thought before but while walking thru the yard taking pictures I noticed alot of "Angels" (I see a theme) watching over me. These little guys have been here a long time. I don't normally buy cherubs, angels, I do like fairies-who doesn't. I have alot of stuff in my gardens. I like to look at these things as much as my flowers.

The first little guy was half price because he didn't have his original ball to hold in his little hands. But I didn't see a problem with that and snatched him right up out of the 1/2 price area in the garden center. Boy he was a heavy one too. I gave him a Glass Fishing Float I had laying around , he's been happy ever since. Doesn't know any difference.

My next little angel is a kneeling angel, small and very quiet watching over my Japanese Maple. This Winter my better half pushed him right off his rock moving snow and broke his little hands. But I'm going to fix him.

And the next one I call the "Pond Angel" he's been with me for about 14 yrs. and has watched over my flower gardens until he got an official title. I put in a small 100 gallon pond a couple of years ago and he's been there ever since, sitting quietly with his little hands folded in front and his legs crossed dangling in the water by the "Rush" and the "Water Iries".

But for the past couple of years I think I need to put a cactus by the pond. Why you say, well I've been losing all my fish lately and don't know who the villain is.

We even went so far as to buy an "Alligator" (Bob) to spit on whoever entered the pond area. But he spit all the time and well, he was shooting water out onto the ground and I was losing to much water, so now he just sits and watches thru the "Pickerel Rush".

I just like to show everyone some of the things in my gardens that keep me entertained and easy on the eyes. Here are a few plants blooming in the garden right now. The first is Stachy's 'Hummelo" mountain lambs ears. Cute little lavender flowers and great in the front of the border. I use rocks as plant markers. The next one is: 'Gooseneck Loosestrife" this is invasive for me and I'm constantly pulling the runners. But I like how the flower heads look like geese.

And another thing is easy on the eyes are the 'Playtocodon and the Big Blue Hydrangea'. This is looking out from the sun room/porch. And last the 'Caladiums-Miss Muffet and I forgot the red one :) So I won't keep you any longer. Have a fantastic evening and I'll be back tomorrow with more projects. Peace Out and happy gardening to all...And I hope everyone has a garden angel to watch over them!!

Oh, The Dog Days of Summer And More.....

2010-06-15T07:59:00.000-07:00

Here are the 4leggers taking a break from the "Heat"!!! This is their couch in my office. The little one is "Gracie" and the rather large one is "Harley". Just thought I'd show a photo of my garden buddies (sometimes).

And remember that SURPRISE I was talking about well "IT's HERE" Oh my Gosh, Jerry bought me a little Greenhouse (6 X 8). This year we are celebrating our "35"yr. Anniversary :) Hope we'll still together after putting this thing together, just a little marriage humor there. I can't think straight since it got here. I have to be patient because I have alot of garden work to do before my greenhouse has its final resting place......

Anyway, alot of course goes on when you have gardens to tend to and life in general. I took a break on Sat. and went "Glassing" with my friends Sea glassing. What a fantastic day, the wind was blowing, the sun was hot and all the surroundings were just awesome. I even had a lady on the beach help pick-up a few pieces.
We always make a day of it because we go far away from home to find it!!! Not telling it's a secret :) Here is a picture of my stash for that day-not a great picture but there are prime pieces in there and more.

OK, so much for the goings on in my little world. I would like to show you some more of my favorite plants blooming right now.This is Japanese Iris "Lady in Waiting" I rec'd this from a dear friend. When we buy stuff we sometimes get one for the other friends garden, share and share alike.

OK, this one is yellow "Lantana" it's an annual here and one of my favorites. I love all "Lantanas" but the yellow is my favorite. And one of my treasured little mini,mini hosta that I protect. Don't know the name I've had it forever, when I didn't keep the tags and write stuff, that long ago. It gets beautiful purple flowers with a white stripe, just cute, cute, cute...

So I will cut it short for now because I'm a chatter box of information waiting to get out. Today I'm having a break in the hot,humid weather so I'm back outside doing a little planting. So everyone have a "Fantastic" day and enjoy your gardens and don't forget to read a good book and a glass of Iced Tea in your favorite garden chair. Peace Out until tomorrow....

Rocks, Bricks, Herbs, in the Hot Sun!!

2010-06-10T12:38:00.000-07:00

Afternoon All, wow you turn your back and take a break and the weather gets Hot again. Yesterday evening when I walked outside with my journal and pencil in hand I had a vision of what else I could do to this area of my garden.

And the pictures tell the story. Let me back up a little. The other day while I was visiting my friend she gave me a couple of little Japanese Maples-Umm ,where can I put these?

So the wheels starting turning. When I went out in the yard last night I took a paper and pencil and starting designing this area. I finished the long brick walk and added an additional 5' walk in front of shed leading you to a Barrel with bricks laid in a "Sun/Wheel" pattern thingy (Not done yet). I am going to plant one of the maples in the Barrel!! Maples like Sun, right? And I'm extending the garden out around the bricks. I am putting in a new "Herb" area and the left side. And I'm moving some grasses to give a focal point as to where to come into the garden. And here's a close-up of the unfinished barrel pattern.

Ok, on too next project!!! This is the finished little Gnome Cottage that I painted on a rock for a friends Birthday. Front/Back/Side Views, What do you think?So I'm going to take a break for now and be back later with more of my favorite plants. Peace Out from this gardener to you! Happy Grilling :)

A New(old) Brick Path for the Garden....

2010-06-08T08:36:00.000-07:00

Morning All. This is the new walk I put in yesterday .There was a break in the weather (74) so I decided to lay the brick path(3'x22') so far not finished yet . This is a natural walk just layed the bricks on landscape cloth to kill the grass underneath. These are used older bricks that I acquired from a "Freecycle group". My husband and I last year picked up about 600 plus bricks and stored them until the idea came to mind. Plus I got 2ft more on the left for more flowers-yeah!!!!! I layed alot of newspaper down and mulch and will plant this area either the end of season or wait for next spring.

I was going to use my bricks for another project , but that one bit the dust. I was going to make a patio with a raised brick fish pond but got discouraged when I couldn't find the exact water feature that I was looking for so I quit, oh well, another day...So when I designed this garden area the bricks were a great addition to the plan.

Actually I put down the pea gravel path between the Raised Vegetable Bed and the Vegetable Garden and the ground, you can see in the background.

This walk is under a big tree and I had to accommodate for the roots so you will notice a couple of areas that have no bricks. This will be planted out with steppable plants I purchased. One plant at a time.

Here are a few plants that are catching my eye this week in the garden. This is "Wild Horses" Daylily. She is Creme and Burgundy and a large flower. I bought this plant last year when it was cheaper then it's debut year was quite expansive. I love it. And glad to have this addition to the daylily garden. I try and buy a new one every year or so. Can't get enough.

Here is another favorite Hosta I fell upon at a garden center

about 5years ago. It's called "Abilique Drinking Gourd"

The leaves are blue/gray and the curl up to catch the rain

and what ever else comes its way. I have seen the birds

drink from the leaves. Very cool and now it's blooming

a beautiful white flower. I have giving this one away to

many a friend but this year I won't divide. It's awesome.

Gonna get back outside and do some planting of seeds and plants along the walk. There is just so many beautiful things happening here, birds, weather, friends, fish pond dilemma, and the best is yet to come.

Jerry and I will be celebrating our 35th anniversary come June 21. First day of Summer, that way we wouldn't forget the date-funny. But bless his golf ball sized heart he bought me a...... I will let you know when it arrives, keeping you in suspense. I can't wait. Isn't it nice that someone knows what you like and need ... Well, happy planting and enjoy this beautiful day. See you soon and "Peace Out"and see you on your blogs!!!

The Gardener is way Happy!!

2010-06-02T11:08:00.000-07:00

You know that saying "If momma ain't happy nobodies happy" Well this gardener is happy. It's been too long getting back on my feet. This week in the garden alot has been going on and I'm slowly but surely coming around to tend to everything the way it should be taken care of.

Wanted to show you a picture of one of the side gardens that's always a work in progress. This is looking down from our back deck (also a work in progress) Talk about that another day:) This area is where alot of my cutting perennials are and butterfly flowers. The ones blooming now are Coreopsis 'Early Sunrise', Kniphofia 'Red Hot Poker', Asclepias tubersa (yellow/orange) and 'Soulmate' which is a pink Butterfly weed and my pink yarrow, only to name a few. They are gorgeous this year and the butterflies are enjoying there bounty while I enjoy the beautiful colors!! And let's not forget the beautiful Lilies that are blooming. I just started getting into lilies of all kinds and have been planting new varieties each year. Here is my Orange Asiatic Lily with a friend to the garden. And I have a bunch of Daylilies that haven't bloomed yet, will post pics. when in bloom.

There is another area of the backyard that needs attention and that's the fern and hosta area that is older that needs to be redesigned and extended (photo above). And one of my favorite show pieces in the garden is my beautiful "Hydrangea" shrub. My kids gave me this shrub Mothers Day in "91" and it was pink and when we moved we brought it with us and the soil here turned it purple blue, pink and other shades it's just beautiful. The big mop heads are 12" across.

There are so many beautiful flowers in my garden and I could sit here all day and upload images to look at.
Sunday I took plants over for a friend and helped her plant them and received some in return. I stopped on the way home and bought some plants from a lady selling them at her house. Her gardens are just breath-taking and I admire her work, so I stopped and bought a few new for the garden. Clary Sage, Foxgloves (Don't know why I don't have any). Really cool Coleus, and a plant that the leaves smell like licorice "Sunny Agastache" I'm dying to see the flowers. I already have one that's blue called "Summer Sky". I also picked up some mint and a lilac. So much to do and plant. I'm so excited I'm better now so I can get back out and get dirt under my nails who cares about getting dirty again.
So I'll wrap it up until tomorrow. Wow, everyday is something new in our gardens, don't you just love that feeling of accomplishment of getting stuff to live!! I just love this time of year. I hate the humidity but I love gardening and can't get enough!!!
So thanks for stopping by my little corner of the world. Peace Out and Happy Gardening from Maryland Zone7.

The Ugly Truth About Gardening!!!

2010-05-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Sunshine the gardener is still under the weather with Bronchitis-ugh. But now I have real presciption drugs to fight my battle for me.

The Truth I'm talking about is "Weeds" no mater if your out of your garden for one day or 21/2 weeks the weeds are there to greet you when you come back. And mine have grown with leaps and bounds. Didn't realize I had so many weeds. I think I'm pretty good about taking care of these guys when I do a new bed and I even use layers of newspaper and mulch to amend the gardens each year!! I don't like to use chemicals of parts of the gardens because of run-off to the bay and I don't want my animals to get sick. Plus I love the birds and butterflies that visit my gardens.

With that said, moving on to the garden walk this morning. So many flowers are just busting at the seems and I have alot of shifting all of a sudden. I guess my gardens are coming full circle when it comes to space. So I really need to get out there and dig and move. Usually by this time of year I'm pretty much done moving everything I've wanted. I haven't even put in annuals yet-ugh. If I'm up to shopping for plants I think I might go out this Holiday weekend and catch some sells maybe!!

I did go out and take some pictures of what's blooming this week in the garden. I have a "Mystery Plant" coming back that I guess I put in a couple of years ago when I made this bed ,but it's never bloomed so I don't know what it is. I know it's not glads. don't put those in. So I'm waiting to see if it will bloom this year. Don't you just love surprises and gifts in your garden, I do!!

The First Asiatic Lilies are up (yellow) so pretty! The pink and orange/black ones aren't blooming yet.

And while I've been inside sorting seeds and writing in my journal I've managed to plant up a couple of plastic Salad containers of seeds that I punched holes in and now I'll wait to see if I get anything. Here is the pick of one:

I also managed to squeeze out a new card for the Friday nite Card Club here it is---

Have a blessed day and remember amend, amend, amend!!!! Peace Out

The Garderner Is Sick!!!

2010-05-19T08:22:00.000-07:00

Oh Goodness what a week without being in the garden. I'm finally feeling a little better so I thought I would get up and walk outside with the dogs to see some green life outside of the bedroom walls. This week I have downed 2 1/2 gallons of Orange Juice, Water, Hot tea, and Some Homemade Chicken Soup. And have lived on Dayquil and Nyquil. In and out of sleep. Oh how I hate laying around doing NOTHING it drives me crazy!!!!!!

I was finally able to walk about without being dizzy today so went out to see what has bloomed and what I've missed. This week thankfully has been overcast and rainy so I haven't felt so bad being inside! Bless Mother Nature for taking care of my plants while I've been down. Haven't had a cold like this forever. Anyway,

I brought the dogs back in and I went back outside and saved a couple of the peonies from the rain. My friend gave me this really beautiful Pottery Flower Pin Frog(kenzan) so I used it to bring in some flowers from my room to look at. The big white Peony is "Shirley Temple" :) And the little red one I can't remember because it was bought when I was a young gardener and didn't keep track of what I bought. Now I'm kinda "Anal" about saving everything and keeping records of the gardens every year for my own enjoyment.

Yesterday in the mail my new garden flag arrived that Jerry ordered for me, he knows I like a little whisical in the garden. It's a "Fantasia Flamingo Flag" kinda silly but cute.

Here are a couple of photos of some flowers blooming this past week. The rain has beat down the irises and the peonies but still some nice color. The Blue and White Salvia (love this plant it blooms forever) the columbines are blooming and the Yellow Water Iries and the shasta daisies and the coral bells, the blue and the white spiderwort, ferns are going crazy and I know I'm going to have to rescue the hostas in the bed later.

So I'm off to rest a little, don't what to burn myself out on the first day of feeling better. So will have more later to talk about and I just want to say "Hello and Good-bye" to my garden friends and wish everybody peace in their gardens and lives........Peace Out

What's going on In the Garden

2010-05-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

Hello Again it's been a while since I've been here. I took a little reading break since my books I wanted to read were plying up. This gave me a little more time to rethink some of the plants that needs to be moved and painting and dodging a "A Big Black Snake" around the garden. I call him the "Resident Evil" even tho he eats the field mice. Personally I think he is too close for comfort and my birds think so too!!!

Well,I headed to "HD" and brought my paint for my little garden Shed. I choose "Victorian Purple, and Rainforest Fern" both are awesome colors. I have only painted the trim so far and I have to go out and buy the wooden gingerbread molding to paint the fern green. I'm not in a hurry so in time this will be done.
After I finished painting the trim I still had paint on my brush and was wondering what to do with it so a really cool limb fell from the nearby tree (kinda looks like an old fashioned water stick) so I beat the rest of the paint from the brush on that and liked what I saw so finished painting it purple. Then I stuck a old glass hummingbird feeder that never worked right on top and "Voila" Garden Art :)

After I painted the shed I noticed that the nearby Clematis was blooming and it was the same color purple, wow what a treat, the two look beautiful together. The Clematis name is "Comtesse de Bouchard" kinda fancy name. But she is just gorgeous. I will try and figure out how to get more. In the middle of the side garden last year I put in a birdbath with paver bricks around it so I could plant some "Catmint" around the base since it is blue for contrast. Garden is always a work in progress. But it looks pretty their in the middle. The bath is too deep so I put a rock in it for the birds to bath and only keep about an 1"or 2" or water so the birds don't drown.

This past Saturday I went glassing with my friends it was a beautiful day to go to the beach and pick up glass. I found some very nice frosted, rounded pieces for my collections and I even came home with alot of rocks for my gardens. ALWAYS have more rocks and shells then glass sometimes :)

Sunday when I got up to take the pooches out I walked the around the different garden areas and was just amazed at all the flowers that were in bloom, Iris, Peonies, Perennial Geranium's, Spider wort, Climbing roses, and the list goes on. I think alot of the flowers are about 3 weeks ahead of schedule for flowering. I think it's because of the 80degree temps we have been having. I hope we get some rain soon. I'm trying to hold out from watering everything. And theres no rain in the rain barrels.

Today (Thurs) I cleaned the pond (100 gallon) only,what a mess, I have green water so I took out about 1/3 of the water and replaced it. I now only have 2 fish left!! The water Irises are just gorgeous. I love Iries anyway. I have alot of different ones. I will post again about just my iries later.

Oh yeah, and I picked up a first for me, a beautiful "Highland Rhododendron called "Purple Passion" I think I'm going to plant this over by the garden shed in dappled shade, I think this will be OK. It says it only gets 6 X 5. So I'm looking forward to taking care of this one!!! I had a Red one a looooong time ago and lost it so I was hesitant on buying another.

I really happy today walking around and the all the different ferns are just beautiful and the corral bells and well just everything. There is a older area under the deck that I have to thin out very bad so that will probably be my next project.

So if you lasted this long I appreciate you stopping by my little ramblings about me and my gardens and garden friends. So have a great garden day and pray for RAIN for me.

Peace Out from me and my Four Leggers!!!!!

New Vegtable Garden And More!!

2010-04-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

Afternoon All. This weekend I'm out there again taking a little more of the "green stuff" away. I already have a nice size raised Veggie Bed/Nursery but last year I noticed I needed more room for the squash and other vining plants. So I have made a new bed. And yes as always you always need more space-lol

This new one is only 8 X 10, Jerry and I measured it out and placed poles so I new where to till the soil. We got "Big Red" out of the big shed and dusted it off and it started on the 2nd try!!! Jerry tilled the first row, but soon discovered his bad elbow and shoulders were taking a beating. So I glady stepped in. I felt like "Tim Allen" more power. I had a great time (doesn't take much) rototilling the new garden area.

When I was younger my father always had the best Vegetable gardens in the community and I know he was looking down giving me little tips yesterday :) Plus when I garden I'm always talking and thinking about him. I remember one time when he came over to our house and while walking around I thought I would never hear him say, "Joyce, everything looks nice" in his own kinda way but my Father and I had a connection to the gardens and we always talked gardening that was his passion and now it is and will always be MINE. Anyway- I got the tilling done and I only had 1 bag of Leaf-gro in the shed left so I threw that in until I can get to the store tomorrow. I swear as I used my "Hoe" I felt like a good Witch brewing up a stew the way the dirt just moved around in the garden. Now all I have to do is finish amending the soil and get a barrier for the deer and rabbits now that I'm on the ground level and then buy plants and I'm good to go!!

Here are a few other things I'd just like to share. Last year I put in a few new plants and wanted to share how they are doing. First off I wanted more spring color and I purchased just one of "Geum-Fireball Avens" (see photo)wow it's beautiful in the garden. Such a presence! A beautiful orange/yellow.

Next for the first time I put in "Allium Gigantica"(see photo) a beautiful magenta/purple globe flower. I'm in love with this one. And will purchase more this fall. Last year I also purchased (7) new hostas and all are doing well!! If you would like the names I will post. Also I just wanted to put a plug in for one of my favorite hostas "Sum and Substance" OMGosh this is a big fricking hosta. Mine is I think 3 or 4 years old and is now in the new hosta bed (See photo!)

Oh yeah, I almost forgot I'm down to (4) fish now!!! I have to put up the fishing line and just haven't, but I better if I want to keep my fish. And my beautiful frog (Herman) is back. (See Photo)

And I recommend this awesome "TOOL" to help dig holes and break up the clay in some of the beds. I borrowed it from a friend. (See Photo)It is some kind of Auger that fits on the end of a drill. OMGosh, it makes digging a breeze and gardening!!!

So last Friday was a friends Birthday. She loves frogs so I made her a frog card. I had seen this punch idea somewhere on the Net so thanks. I added the inner tube around the frogs neck I couldn't get it around her body:) And we also went to this awesome Restaurant called "Brio" in Annapolis, I so recommend it. I'm still dreaming about my lunch!!! Go! You will return often :)

OK, I'll sign-out for now. And if you like my Blog please don't hesitate to post some comments.

Have a blessed week.. And "Happy Gardening everyone" I know I will. Peace Out!!

Cloudy with a chance of "Gazing Ball"!!

2010-04-21T12:34:00.000-07:00

Wow, can't believe I haven't been here since April 2nd. So lots of things going on in my gardens. I just finished one of the new beds from the plan I had posted earlier. It's the Hosta area the pictures on the right. The photo on the Left is the already excisting bed and now it has an "Garden Entrance".

I transplanted (7) hostas from around the yard that needed to be transfered. Here are there names:

"Sum and Substance" (1)-Light green HUGE
"Patriot"-(2)-Green w/white brim
"Guacamole" (1) Gift from a friend -Green w/pale green/yellow brim HUGE

"Wide Brim" (1) Med Green w/yellow brim

"Ernest Markem" (1)- green w/green brim

"And one name I forgot" (1) made ya smile

These are just a few of my collection in my gardens. I adore "Hostas"..... I can't wait to see them grow and fill-in this area. They are surrounding my pretty "White Hydrangea". .I'm taking an oath-" I will try and not plant anything else in there this year I will leave it alone" you read it here so I have to be true to my word!!! Maybe some annuals:)

Over the weekend I painted the "Garden Shed" beige (I know BORING) BUT I'm going to paint the trim a blue/violet and I will dress it up with some gingerbread molding of another color. And on one side I will paint a garden mural on there. I will post pics. when finished with that. The garden trells is painted and up. Just have to figure out what to grow there, still thinking!! This gets morning sun and dappled afternoon shade.

The other great things to look at this time of year of the "Ants on the Peonies". This one is "Paula Faye" a beautiful single Herbeous Peony with beautiful bright Charteuse Pink with yellow center. I know it doesn't look that color yet but the buds are still pretty tight.

The other day I went out to the little pond as always to give my fish some food and I didn't see anyone-ugh. On NO, not again this year. I thought "Oh Man" someone ate my darn fish, I knew I shouldn't have taken off the net and cleaned it. Well I stood there for awhile threw in the food and finally a couple came to the top,grabbed the food and took cover again. I had 6 now I'm down to 5. And you know they took the biggest darn one. His name was "Big Gold" so you know they had a buffet meal with him. He was one of the original pond dwellers and now he's gone-"A moment of silence please".

So ok you say, their just fish, you look in their little fish eyes everyday and tell me you can just walk away and not care!!! Well for me I like taking care of stuff and I really get attached !!!! :)

OK with that said- off to petsmart :)

I could sit and here and upload spring flower photos forever. I love flowers and gardening. And my gardens will never be finished!!!

The other thing I'm working on today which I'm a little late on doing this is I'm making a little "Gnome Cottage" on a big rock for a friends birthday I will post a pic. when finished. House is still under construction!!!

So today we are finally getting a little rain and that's why I'm doing inside work and updating. Have a beautiful garden day and hope you come back to see me and what's happening in my Gardens. Peace Out...

Here's The Plan!!-Garden Spring 2010

2010-04-02T09:26:00.000-07:00

Afternoon All!! A new garden season is amongst us. The sun is shining, the temperatures are up and staying there and I've got a "Plan in my Head". See What happens when you give me Sun!!

The other morning for some oddball reason found myself dreaming about garden changes in 2010. I immediately awoke with a plan to take away more grass, move stuff around and beautiful my little corner of the world. So with that in mind I went into the office and started drawing everything down on paper, so I wouldn't forget what I had seen in my dream! Sometimes if I don't jot stuff down then it's forgotten about. And I really liked this one. Here is the plan:

I'm always changing with and in my gardens. If I were finished the garden would be done and then what would I do? Pick-up another hobby, oh no that's dangerous. I already have to many to speak of !! Anyway, come spring my mind is all about the changes to the garden before it gets too hot to enjoy. I love to create...and every year I sit back and think what can I do different this year to make it enjoyable..Ok here's a pic. of the "Before"...I took these photos 7:00am so the shade is still on the garden. And the big tree doesn't have all it's leaves.

#1-Big Picture

#2-Trellis Area, this will be moved over to make the Entrance to the side garden. Yes, the trellis it will be Painted!!!

#3-This area is under the big tree which I'm enclosing to make a big Shade Perennial Area. I will be putting a "White Hydrangea" in this bed. I love white flowers in the shade. They really pop!

#4-And the other project this year is to actually have a concealed "Compost Area" for my garden and PAINT my little shed. I'm leaving the shed "Tan" with a bright color to accent, not quite sure yet, maybe purple, maybe pink? I want this area to be fun and up-lifting. Have more projects in head like using "windows" and "Seaglass" and fun stuff.

Ok, well this is my plan I will keep you posted on my progress with photos and thoughts. I moved the 10 big rocks yesterday-ugh, have more to move today plus trellis so if I don't shut-up and get moving it's gonna take longer and I'll lose the SUN. Plus I have eggs to dye!!!

*If you would like to see photos "Larger" just click photo!!*

What is that I See-Could it be the "SUN"!!

2010-03-16T12:06:00.001-07:00

What a beautiful day. The Sun is shining and I'm able to get outside and walk around the gardens since the snow has disappeared!!! Now everything is a "Muddy Mess" but that's ok,mud you can get rid of real quick, snow stays around and lingers a while.

I just love, love, love this time of year. Everything is starting to come alive again, including me :) Been battling a wicked Sinus Infec. for the past week and have been feeling like crap, I'm also getting a little "Vertigo" with it so unable to really get outside and work much less think.

Hey but I'm getting ready, and here are a few new additions for my gardens.
Bought 2 new plants to stick in and try. My first is a bare root Peony named "Karl Rosenfield" I think he had something to do with peonies. It's a beautiful Red with flowers it says to be between 6-8" across. I can't wait but I have to wait until the ground is workable before I plant because if I plant in the muddy soil it will turn into concrete and kill my plants!!! But I know this will take about 2 or 3years before I get one flower. He might surprise me, let's wait and see.

And my other addition is 4 "Rosemond Cole Canna Rhizomes" they look to be Orange and yellow and standard size. Won't plant these until the ground warms up a bit!!! I saw these in the retail garden section and had to have for a fix. Yes they only cost $5.00 a piece but if all turns out this is a real bargain. I like to buy things and watch them grow into beautiful plants. I don't think price matters, just look over what your buying really well.
I can't wait to get some good deals on "Perennials" this season. I like to buy the bigger pots and then divide and watch how my gardens will multiply over the years. I sometimes can be a patient gardener when it comes to what I can afford at the time and planning my yard.

I did want to start cleaning up but I'm a little scared of what "Mother Nature" will do here, don't want to rush taking off protection from around my flowers and then have them freeze and die. I've worked too hard to cultivate what I have to be disappointed by a freeze warning!! And then "BAMM" before you know it there's a foot of snow again, I know "Shhhhh". So I will wait to pull stuff off. I will cut back the "Sedums" I left over the winter, they are so pretty all dried up and standing tall in my gardens over winter. That way I will get a little bit of a garden fix just being outside doing a little pruning.

And this is kinda funny, I said I wouldn't buy one of these but Jerry got a good deal and so I am now the proud owner of a "Topsy-Turvy" thingy. I will give it a shot. And I'll let you know later how my experience is going. Not sure if I want to put a "flower" or "Vegetable" in it. Decide later.
OK, so don't want to lose your attention so I think I will sign off for now and here is a cute picture of those two legged friends with a goodbye salute to you-"Bottoms Up" until next time.....

My how times FLIES!!!

2010-03-08T11:57:00.000-08:00

Oh my Goodness what a Winter to remember and put down in the history books of Winters past! This statue of our Firefighter is a little over 3ft. high!! And with the blizzard winds the big shed was almost out of commision..

There is so much that has happened since the last time I blogged that I'll try not to make it- too long, too boring, too complicated or too much drama :) I think you will enjoy!

Ok, where we were last? Ok, I remember I was just starting out on my "Seaglass Adventures" with friends and long walks by myself. Above is a pic. of a Samuel Adams Mug with brown and white seaglass to look like a beer. I get bored alot:) I have collected alot of awesome pieces of glass and parts of bottles .(Haven't found that old bottle from the sea yet)! Still looking, but I did find an older model "Anheiser Beer Bottle". It figures I would find a beer bottle first-lol I don't even drink Beer-ugh but a nice fou-fou drink sounds good about now.....I will incorporate pics. of stuff as I go if that's ok, so you can get the whole picture-hey,hey

Ok, New Cool thing. Jerry and I escaped to "Disney Fort Wilderness Lodge" for the holidays this year. Thank Goodness it was right before Father Winter decided to dump 28" of snow our way the first time. Anywho- back to the Lodge. It was a beautiful, wonderful place to stay. It was a little chilly for Florida the first part of December but all in all it was a great time for us to have some down time together (rarely have this). Disney as always dresses up for the holidays and this time was no exception as usual. The big "Display Tree" in the lodge was absolutely beautiful, decorated with little tee-pee lights and canoes and drums and just everything, it must have been about 20ft tall. WOW. Will stay there again for sure. Oh yeah and it has it's own little "Guiser" that blows every hour. And as for the pool it was too cold to go in but was enjoyed by the locals (mallards). Ok next subject.....

Snowed in for a long time and haven't done much glassing until about a week ago. And I even went to the "2010 Philadelphia Internation flower Show". Their is a little slide on the side of my page for you to look at and enjoy some of my pics. Just wonderful day!!!!! And I so needed a "Flower Fix". Oh yeah, I got two pots of beautiful "Mini Dwarf Irises named Purple Gem" and 4 new "African Violets" one is yellow, I'm really syked about these.

So this is just a little of what's been happening in my world I have been doing some cards but I have to say I haven't been in the Card mode lately! Starting to pick up because of spring tho. Will post cards later. Oh yeah, got a new Camera "Cannon Rebel T1i" and a couple lenses I have to learn all over again. I've been doing point and click for so long that I need to take a course in Photography!! I need to learn how to take great photos of my beautiful flowers.

And speaking of flowers as of TODAY I see the tops of the daffodils and early lily bulbs and Iris.

Well, I don't want to keep you here all day reading my posts but I can say that I will be back around for another post soon. So Peace Out from me to you!!!!!!

Adventures of the Week

2009-10-24T10:43:00.000-07:00

OK, This past weekend friends and I took a Daytrip over to the Shores of Jersey on the "Cape May Ferry" what a real treat. The morning started at 4am and was overcast, but who cares. We were on are way over to the beaches on the other side to look for "Sea Glass". The Ferry ride was a little rought as we were having a Noreaster on the bays. As soon as we drove off the ferry Mother Nature's Furry was upon us, it figures. But that never stops us "Sea Glass Hunters". The tides were extremly high so some of the beaches were a wash up.(he-he) Didn't find alot of glass that day but found some really cool beach rocks and some hugh Clam Shells. I even found a baby Horseshoe Crab washed ashore (dead of course) to take home for my collection. These are beautiful creatures and soon they will proably be extinst :(
Anyway had a great day and all the "lighthouses" over there are just magnificent and just beautiful so I added just a few for you to see. That day was chilly and wet but there was great laughs, good food and alot of Hot Coffee. I adore walking on beaches and collecting the little things.

We even found a "Off the beaten path beach but with all the rain it had flooded over here is a picture of the marsh lands. Awesome. So there will be more day trips and more collecting to do. I have another adventure right around the corner............

So-OK, Here's the card I promised last week:)

2009-10-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

This is the card I designed for our Friday Nite Card Club. Didn't feel like making a seasonal card. That will come in time. So I will just give the details as I have alot to catch up on.
All Materials used are from "Stampin' Up".
Standard card size for me is-5 1/2" X 4 1/4".
Papers: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Yo-Yo Yellow, Vanilla

-I first took stampin'write markers to rubber stamp image and (very)lightly spritzed with one shot of water to get the watercolor effect.
-Next punched out a black piece from the "Ornament Punch" and cut off the bottom to make it look like a plant pot.
-Then I used my "Essential Glue Pad" (no heat required) and stamped the image onto paper and used "Gold Glitter" to finish the look.
-Then stamped a sentiment on the side.
Very simple, yet elegant. Hope you like this card. Not hard to make and took a short time to come up with idea. Thanks for looking.

Head in the Clouds

2009-10-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

Morning All....Actually it is now afternoon.. When I awoke this morning to the new bird sound I rushed outside to see what I could see but it had gone. It sounded like a new hawk or eagle maybe. They are around here, just scarce.

So after the 4leggers and I took our morning walk about. We returned back inside for treats and Coffee, (Coffee was for me). They are Jack Russell's they do not need anymore caffeine:-)

So anyway I noticed how beautiful the sky was this morning so I had to try out my new "Tripod" for my camera that my dear husband purchased for me after listening to me say how much I needed one, bless him. So I set up on the back deck and starting shooting the clouds and trees (I love trees). I wanted to share my clouds with you so you could see how lovely they were.

After I was done I came back inside to download the pics. to my computer and the dang things wouldn't upload-ugh. So I thought maybe I needed more room on my computer so I started organizing my photos into new named folders and deleted photos that I didn't want anymore, it kinda felt good to trash some stuff. I tried to upload again, no luck, I was really getting bummed. So I had to install new camera software because my device drivers were missing. Man go figure, I hate and love all at the same time. So after 5hrs. I finally got everything uploaded and now here I am telling the story. Oh happy day!!! Like you really wanted to know:)

Well, this Friday nite is card night so I have to come up with a card. Doesn't look like I'm getting anything done. I think I do my best work at the last minute. I'll let you know when I get an idea.

I haven't accomplished a squat today, what a waste of time.

Also I'm already having garden withdraw. Every moment I can't spend outside doing something drives me to do something inside I don't want to do (like organize or clean) you get the picture. I'm sitting here listening to "Mannheim Steamroller" very relaxing I guess I could ramble on forever listening to that. I didn't want to listen to anything that would push me over the edge today since I was pretty darn close already. I did start out with "Michael Buble" what a cutie and great voice. Daughter and I saw him in Concert for my Birthday. What a treat. So I think I will close on that note listening to nice music. Have a great day and thanks for reading my "ramblings" it helps.

It's that time again......

2009-10-11T13:36:00.000-07:00

Fall Festivals..Who can resist, certainly not me. I'm a sucker for every festival I can get too. This past Friday I went to the "SugarLoaf" Festival in Mont. Co. and what a real treat for me since this was my first time. I was invited to go with some good friends.

What a Beautiful day we had, the sun was shining, the company was great and the smells that hit you in the face as you got out of your vehicle.

As I walked around the covered stalls I know I looked like a kid in a Candy Shop with my "Eyes wide open" and my mouth dragging on the ground from "Awe" for these people who can produce such beautiful works of art, no matter what medium their working in.

I'm not much of a Jewelry person but I can appreciate the hard, tedious time that goes into this work. I love the Photographers, Potters, Glass Blowers, And the Watercolor Artist . I met a great watercolor Artist by the name of "John Sovjani" what a lovely person and his work is just awesome (go see for yourself). I had to get some prints to adorn my walls.

And what a real treat for me to meet one of my favorite pianist "Bob Geresti" he's awesome .What a down to earth kinda guy and so talented and the sounds that he has created that come out of the piano, well need I say more. I have him on my "Ipod" for listening pleasure.

Well, it was just a great place to be and as we left the grounds we discussed today's finds and had to stop for some coffee for the long ride home.

Thank You Fall and Thank You to all the talented people in this world. Without you I haven't traveled anywhere!!!

Cards on Friday Night Club

2009-10-11T07:56:00.000-07:00

Goooood Morning..What a beautiful day in my Neighborhood, glad you are my neighbor. The sun is shinning and today is a good day. Little brisk when I woke up this morning.

Today I'm going to introduce another passion besides Gardens and Plants that I do. But from April on until Oct. it's a little hard to stay focused on making cards inside when I'm out and about in the gardens with my behind up in the air and dirty hands. I belong to a lot of blogs and card making sites and enjoy it a lot. I have been stamping for about you get the picture....he-he

My husband and I installed cabinets in one of our extra bedrooms and that is my Office/Craft/Plant/Dog/all around good feeling room that I love to be in.

Here are just a couple of cards I designed (all stamp materials are "stampin'up). Nothing fancy just one for "Halloween" and one just for a friend .

I am part of a group of lovely women who get together to eat, drink and make and exchange card ideas. There are 11 of us. And you make a card and cut for 10 and everybody goes home with 11 card ideas. So we stamp the night away making each others cards and enjoy each others company on another Friday night. It's a lot of fun and if you need cards you have them ready to send. So here are two I have done. I will post card pics and ideas you might want to use and feel free to use my designs just give me a little credit by telling people where they come from and send them here for the deets. If you like my cards leave a comment, it helps me make more :)

Leaves on the Impatients

2009-10-08T09:11:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful fall day to wake up too. While doing my morning rituals of taking the 4 legged children out to potty I looked over the gardens as I always do. I love walking the yard in the morning it has a calmness to it. And the fresh smell first thing really gets your body pumping into full gear for the day.

The gardens are so pretty on fall mornings with flowers that have dew dripping off of them and the spiderwebs with little droplets of morning dew that make the webs look like "Strings of Pearls". (I think these are the only pearls I will be able to afford) but these are most price-less.

So I continued my walk around and gathered a few of the last remaining Cosmos flowers blooming in my little gardens to press for winters projects.

And one of the things that caught my eye this morning was the leaves lying all over the impatients like fall blankets protecting them from the chilly nites not yet awake. I had to run and get my camera because I couldn't pass up the thought of not remembering the feeling I had when I saw that. My Camera is my best friend because we share so much of the same passions like when it comes to the gardens and places where I've been. I need to capture the moment right there and then. So I can remember what it was like-that day, that time, that plant, that moment.

Another interesting site this morning was a big ole fat caterpillar chewing on the Yellow water iris leaves getting fat before he has to hibernate for the winter.

These are the things that I appreciate the most and "Thank "God" that I have the sight to see all these wonderful things around me inside and out.

Until next time.......Who knew keeping a blog would be work-VBG

Today is the first day of the rest of my blog.....

2009-10-06T10:12:00.001-07:00

Today I woke up not thinking about having my own Blog. But as the day progressed I thought what a good idea it would be to do something different today. So here I am contemplating what I'm going to do next.
I love gardening and getting my hands dirty. And I enjoy the rush that I get from creating or planting something and watching it grow. I think I like the challenge of keeping everything alive and happy. I'm not sure what it means when people say That your gardens reflect your style. Haven't quite figured out what my style is yet or If I will even have that label. All I know is what my passions are and follow those things. And then I'm happy.