Sunday, September 9, 2012
Cake Walk
Among my other passion besides working out in the gardens is my rental children! I've collected quite a few over the past 16 years and among the traditions that have come out having my kiddos is that I make their birthday cakes. Whatever they ask for, I do my best to make it happen. I thought I would post a few that have been requested. I can tell they have all been fun!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
What's blooming in August?
What a rare treat to have rain in August! It has certainly perked up
the garden at a time when she is not generally looking her best. Here's a
quick look around!
Here are the babies catching some rays!
Loving the pops of color from the coreopsis contrasting with the pink hibiscus and purple mexican petunias. Not loving the zinnias like I thought I would though. More tweeking for next year.
You remember that pathway I was working on earlier this season? Here is the final product sans one more stone. I am amused that the birds has started their own sunflower grove here. And golly moses, a girl definitely knows we are nearing the end of summer. The lil boogers are going through 10lbs. of seed a week right now.
The tropical sage have definitely proved themselves hardy. Going strong all summer and keeping the hummers super happy. The rain perked up the purple lantata too. I just have to get some more.
A housewarming gift from a fellow gardener and friend. I can't wait til it starts leaping.
And my new evil plant of the season. Who knew wild morning glory could be so insane. It's tried to eat the shed twice now this season. I don't think I will ever get rid of it.
Love the portulaca and the contrast with the rock rose.
Really LOVE my portulaca, I think more will be in the garden next year. It just stays so happy throughout the summer.
My fairy rose has gone nuts. If this is creeping, boy I am in trouble next year. Well, not really. I figured out she is really too thorny to be in a place where people will be hanging out when visiting,so I am going to relocate her to a trellis on the fence nearby this fall.
This is the volunteer potato vine from last year. It has a mind of it's own.
Here are the babies catching some rays!
Friday, June 15, 2012
Celebration and Remembrance
June 15, 2006 my world here on earth changed forever....my mama went to be with the Lord.
I still remember it so vividly, as if it were yesterday. It was unexpected, it was devastating...but it was a blessing for her....as the Lord knew the exact right moment to call her home, and as much as I miss her everyday, I am grateful that she no longer worries or is in pain and knows no fear or anxiety. She is free, she is at peace and she is now our guardian angel...
Every year, my brother and I take a trip down memory lane and go visit the sacred spot where we scattered her ashes.
A place in the country on a hill by a tree....that overlooks hills and valleys
and is a magnificent spot to watch some of the most amazing sunsets you've ever seen.
We talk about how much we miss her and about what she would think of where we are now, and that we are thankful for the blessing that she was in our lives.
This year, we did something that I have wanted to do since the first anniversary, but never have. We brought wildflower seeds to scatter.
I realize that it would be just about an act of God for them to germinate with no love to give them once they are on the ground, but I figure a little faith and some cow manure might just do the trick. Alas, I will keep scattering seeds each year to come with the hopes of someday creating an ongoing living memorial.
We take a few pictures of the house we used to know as a special place for our family and discuss how if we ever won the lottery, we would buy it back and restore it to it's old glory.
We cherish the time together as brother and sister...catching up, sharing memories and enjoying the sacred time that is just the two of us.
Before we can leave, it is tradition to always stop for lunch at one of our favorite local haunts...and we indulge in some of the best comfort food around.
We celebrate her life and her legacy and know that God is good.
I still remember it so vividly, as if it were yesterday. It was unexpected, it was devastating...but it was a blessing for her....as the Lord knew the exact right moment to call her home, and as much as I miss her everyday, I am grateful that she no longer worries or is in pain and knows no fear or anxiety. She is free, she is at peace and she is now our guardian angel...
Every year, my brother and I take a trip down memory lane and go visit the sacred spot where we scattered her ashes.
A place in the country on a hill by a tree....that overlooks hills and valleys
and is a magnificent spot to watch some of the most amazing sunsets you've ever seen.
We talk about how much we miss her and about what she would think of where we are now, and that we are thankful for the blessing that she was in our lives.
This year, we did something that I have wanted to do since the first anniversary, but never have. We brought wildflower seeds to scatter.
I realize that it would be just about an act of God for them to germinate with no love to give them once they are on the ground, but I figure a little faith and some cow manure might just do the trick. Alas, I will keep scattering seeds each year to come with the hopes of someday creating an ongoing living memorial.
We take a few pictures of the house we used to know as a special place for our family and discuss how if we ever won the lottery, we would buy it back and restore it to it's old glory.
We cherish the time together as brother and sister...catching up, sharing memories and enjoying the sacred time that is just the two of us.
Before we can leave, it is tradition to always stop for lunch at one of our favorite local haunts...and we indulge in some of the best comfort food around.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Working Hard
Not much difference to you, the viewer, probably, but I have been working like crazy! Mostly digging grass out of the flower beds and laying newspapers down and mulch. I still have to work on the back of the beds, but ahhhh, the front of one of my bigger beds is finally done. The big pile of mulch I posted the last time, gone!
I also finally got the old trellis up that I have been wanting to recycle! I liked the design, and if you
look, it has Mickey ears! At the base, Climbing Pinkie! It should look great in a few years....she is strategically placed on the fence between two vitex planted a bit further up!
Last year, we had an abundance of Cardinals, this year, the theme is Blue Jays. They love hanging out and don't even seem to mind the Sam too much ( he is our little tornado).
Once I finally got the grass dug out of this little space, I discovered that my potato vine from last year survived and had come back, so I am glad I found my little chartruse treasure.
I love this daylilly!!
And these cannas!
Henry dalhburg
This weekend entails whittling down the compost pile and you guessed it, digging out more grass! This time it's on to the memorial garden.
I also finally got the old trellis up that I have been wanting to recycle! I liked the design, and if you
look, it has Mickey ears! At the base, Climbing Pinkie! It should look great in a few years....she is strategically placed on the fence between two vitex planted a bit further up!
Last year, we had an abundance of Cardinals, this year, the theme is Blue Jays. They love hanging out and don't even seem to mind the Sam too much ( he is our little tornado).
Once I finally got the grass dug out of this little space, I discovered that my potato vine from last year survived and had come back, so I am glad I found my little chartruse treasure.
I love this daylilly!!
And these cannas!
and my tropical Hibiscus!
This weekend entails whittling down the compost pile and you guessed it, digging out more grass! This time it's on to the memorial garden.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
A Peek at May Projects
It seems as though I have not had near enough time in the garden this year, but I continue to make slow but steady progress on reaching the goals I set for myself this season.
One of my biggest goals has been to go back and make up for my haste to put in so many new beds my first year. I had forgotten how unforgiving bermuda grass can be if you leave even a tiny hair of root in the ground, so slowly but surely I am going back and digging out the grass, putting down a heavy layer of newspaper down and mulching around the plants.
Another goal is to get rid of all the grass surrounding the pool. Nothing like fishing it out of the water for days! I started at the end where a small bed had already been established and just expanded it. I finally got my palm replacement in, now if I can just keep it alive. I am hopeful that palm trees do not go in my category of plants that I kill ( don't we all have a few?).
I am a Disney Nut! One of my plans for the garden is to have bits of Disney throughout the garden. While shopping with my SIL and niece and nephew, we stumbled across this great decorative stone. It is especially dear to me because of Eeyore....my heart dog looked much like Eeyore, hanging his head low when I would not give him tomatoes from the veggie garden.
Here we see my new squirrel prof bird feeder that so far, the birds detest! I may have to trade it in for another platform feeder and just endure the squirrels.
I finally got the repairs done on my deck and have power washed it myself (that was a fun adventure). I still need to do some sanding in places before putting the stain on, but with these March winds in May, I may never get a chance to stain. I was dismayed to learn that growing roses up the pergola is probably not a great idea, as it was apparently not built sturdy enough for that according to my handyman. I had planned on climbing pinkie. I do have a fairy rose that is already going crazy on the other side, I am going to let her go and see what happens.
I finally found someone with a trailer willing to get me some compost and mulch from the city and spend a few hours shoveling and dumping. Now it will be fun to wittle the pile down. I have a feeling it will go fast.
These shots are for my cuz! I just had the great joy of introducing her to gardening and know that of course, she needs to have some of the family iris from our memaw's and my mother's garden.
Also, here are some of mama's daylilies that are blooming their heads off right now.
One of my biggest goals has been to go back and make up for my haste to put in so many new beds my first year. I had forgotten how unforgiving bermuda grass can be if you leave even a tiny hair of root in the ground, so slowly but surely I am going back and digging out the grass, putting down a heavy layer of newspaper down and mulching around the plants.
Another goal is to get rid of all the grass surrounding the pool. Nothing like fishing it out of the water for days! I started at the end where a small bed had already been established and just expanded it. I finally got my palm replacement in, now if I can just keep it alive. I am hopeful that palm trees do not go in my category of plants that I kill ( don't we all have a few?).
I am a Disney Nut! One of my plans for the garden is to have bits of Disney throughout the garden. While shopping with my SIL and niece and nephew, we stumbled across this great decorative stone. It is especially dear to me because of Eeyore....my heart dog looked much like Eeyore, hanging his head low when I would not give him tomatoes from the veggie garden.
Here we see my new squirrel prof bird feeder that so far, the birds detest! I may have to trade it in for another platform feeder and just endure the squirrels.
I finally got the repairs done on my deck and have power washed it myself (that was a fun adventure). I still need to do some sanding in places before putting the stain on, but with these March winds in May, I may never get a chance to stain. I was dismayed to learn that growing roses up the pergola is probably not a great idea, as it was apparently not built sturdy enough for that according to my handyman. I had planned on climbing pinkie. I do have a fairy rose that is already going crazy on the other side, I am going to let her go and see what happens.
I finally found someone with a trailer willing to get me some compost and mulch from the city and spend a few hours shoveling and dumping. Now it will be fun to wittle the pile down. I have a feeling it will go fast.
These shots are for my cuz! I just had the great joy of introducing her to gardening and know that of course, she needs to have some of the family iris from our memaw's and my mother's garden.
Also, here are some of mama's daylilies that are blooming their heads off right now.
Monday, April 23, 2012
In a Day
That's marked for me
Left me smiling til my cheeks hurt.
A start with my Father
and then a talk with my dad,
a brand new playlist and music that stirred my soul.
Breakfast in the company of love,
pampering from my beloved,
Words from many who stay close to my heart.
Perfect weather and a stroll with my dogs,
Lunch with a cosmo
and my beloved.
More pampering and some dressing,
and dinner on plastic pink plates with my beloved.
Purple toes and pie,
Comfy clothes and hopes that rice will work.
And time with my beloved.
Off to bed and then back to the world.
A day of contentment and celebration.
Blessings counted and cherished.
Left me smiling til my cheeks hurt.
A start with my Father
and then a talk with my dad,
a brand new playlist and music that stirred my soul.
Breakfast in the company of love,
pampering from my beloved,
Words from many who stay close to my heart.
Perfect weather and a stroll with my dogs,
Lunch with a cosmo
and my beloved.
More pampering and some dressing,
and dinner on plastic pink plates with my beloved.
Purple toes and pie,
Comfy clothes and hopes that rice will work.
And time with my beloved.
Off to bed and then back to the world.
A day of contentment and celebration.
Blessings counted and cherished.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Slow but Steady
Projects are going slowly this season, but I am plugging along as time and energy allows. I am thrilled that my Iris are blooming like crazy this year!!
These Iris are especially dear to me, as they came from my mama's and gramma's gardens. I had no idea what I was planting color wise and am excited that there are two lighter purples on either side of the little girl! I think mama snuck out from heaven to arrange this for me! I did get my passion from gardening from her!
My Hot Lips Salvia is a happy camper! You can't really see it in the picture, but just behind the yarrow is my new baby vitex that I planted. I can't wait til it's gets big!
I had to abort working on the stone path for a spell as the hedge ( I think it's Cleyera) is blooming like crazy. We've never seen it bloom like this in the year and a half we have lived here. It's pretty but boy the bees are going crazy around it. We've watched countless bumble bees spar in front of the hedges and knock each other into the pool. With me having a venom allergy, I decided the path would wait until all the hub bub passed.
I have to admit, I've already hit the nurseries shopping. I have a wish list of roses that I want to get started this year and I am excited that I have found 3 of them locally already!! Below is a climbing Iceberg Rose. I also found Mrs. Dudley Cross ( yellow) and Climbing Pinkie as well!! As soon as I am able to get them in their new homes, I will share where they went!
I have told myself no new beds this year! I have others projects to focus on this spring and yet here we go. I just couldn't help myself. I really do want to work more on the front yard, it's just that my backyard is my paradise. However, just about everyday when I am walking the dogs, I see my naked mailbox when we come home and just had to spruce it up.
These Iris are especially dear to me, as they came from my mama's and gramma's gardens. I had no idea what I was planting color wise and am excited that there are two lighter purples on either side of the little girl! I think mama snuck out from heaven to arrange this for me! I did get my passion from gardening from her!
My Hot Lips Salvia is a happy camper! You can't really see it in the picture, but just behind the yarrow is my new baby vitex that I planted. I can't wait til it's gets big!
I had to abort working on the stone path for a spell as the hedge ( I think it's Cleyera) is blooming like crazy. We've never seen it bloom like this in the year and a half we have lived here. It's pretty but boy the bees are going crazy around it. We've watched countless bumble bees spar in front of the hedges and knock each other into the pool. With me having a venom allergy, I decided the path would wait until all the hub bub passed.
I have to admit, I've already hit the nurseries shopping. I have a wish list of roses that I want to get started this year and I am excited that I have found 3 of them locally already!! Below is a climbing Iceberg Rose. I also found Mrs. Dudley Cross ( yellow) and Climbing Pinkie as well!! As soon as I am able to get them in their new homes, I will share where they went!
I have told myself no new beds this year! I have others projects to focus on this spring and yet here we go. I just couldn't help myself. I really do want to work more on the front yard, it's just that my backyard is my paradise. However, just about everyday when I am walking the dogs, I see my naked mailbox when we come home and just had to spruce it up.
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