Amazing how plants blooming in December seem like Christmas decorations. That is a beautiful "old beauty"! Some of the other blooms that look decorative are the Bromeliads in their reds and greens.
Got my possum bell phone service reattached this evening. DH was chopping up some rich lighter pine for fireplace starting fodder on Monday and managed to chop thru the phone line. I had kept a stump to chop on and a young man that has been helping us chopped up firewood ~ including my stump. Gonna have to drag up another one.
Yesterday, in between the showers I noticed a lone bloom on a wild Carolina jessamine vine. Delightful as it is a temptation of springtime ahead.
Let me go throw another log on that fire!
A nice day to sit by the fire and visit... Come sit a spell
As an item of interest, if you haven't discovered this new feature
http://davesgarden.com/guides/freeze-frost-dates/
Nice site. Maybe I will look at that before planting out those spring tenders. Last year I planted too early.
I am sure there are lots of stories of "help" that didn't quite work out. What an overachieving young man!
A little chilly this mornin', Pod..(upper 30's here)...do ya need for me to throw some more wood on the fire? Got all your Christmas shoppin' done?
I have only gotten something for DH so far. Too much going on. Yesterday, DH had minor surgery on his foot. They hadn't planned on doing general anesthesia, but ended up ruling out the alternatives, so it took quite a while. We might see the sun today...not sure, because it's been foggy/overcast since last night.
It is sunny here this morning, 36 last night but warmed up to 54 already.
Linda I hope your husband recovers quickly.
Jo, dont you think it is a cold 54?
Yes, it is still cold but bearable since the sun is shining.
I have been out on the patio planting a lot of seeds in pots, 20 different kinds, I hope they all do well, sometimes wildflower seeds can be difficult, but I have to try because I love them all.
Josephine.
You are an inspiration.
A LOT chilly this morning!!! Thanks WillisTx for keeping that fire stoked. I was amazed that although it was only in the mid 30°s this am, we had ice on the truck windows. We have a burn pile from some dead tree limbs and boxes leftover from construction. When I walked with the dogs, I stepped on a piece of cardboard by the burn pile that was icy and slippery. It really surprised me. And now, I'm hearing the mid 20°s tomorrow night. BRrrrr!
LindaTx ~ hoping your husband is feeling better and you will have some sunny days ahead.
We have a large blue heron that winters by our pond every year. This morning was the first time I've seen him this winter. The first year he came here, he was wounded. He spent the winter standing on our dam on one leg. When the dogs and I would walk down there, he would fly to the yard with the bad leg hanging down and wait on us. The leg is better but he is still alone. We look forward to seeing our snowbird every winter and glad he made it back.
No Christmas shopping here. Just the two of us and we pretty much enjoy things year around. I think I'll be satisfied with the greenhouse this year. We work in retail so get burned out on shopping too. I like to shop online at this time of year ( for normal things we use ) as there are discounts and free shipping. I write letters and send Christmas cards but am usually late. I have sent Happy New Years cards instead so they will be right on time even when late.
Josephine ~ tell us what wildflower seeds you have just started? A friend gave me seeds from Hearts a Busting ~ Euonymus americanus. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/66157/ Have you ever germinated them? I think I need to get them planted but am at a loss.
Well, I have never grown Euonymus americanus, but it sure is pretty, this link has some advice as to how to treat the seed, towards the bottom of the page.
Today I planted Purple coneflower, Zexmenia, white Prickly Poppy, Velvetleaf Senna, Lanceleaf coreopsis,Woolly White, Pussy Toes, Plantago, Primrose, Stickleaf, Clammyweed, Red Columbine and Yellow Columbine, Partidge Pea, Basket flower, Hop tree, Parsley, Liatris and Antelope Horns.
I can't think right now of the other name, but any way a lot of them. I hope they come up, some are very hard to germinate, we shall see.
I might be sending New Years cards this year, I guess. Sometimes I wonder why I do cards anyway. People just don't seem to send them much anymore. DH is okay, just has to stay off that foot for a while. One advantage to having Peripheral Neuropathy is that he really doesn't feel the pain caused by the operation, just his usual PN pain instead. My grandson is leaving soon for South Korea...to help at a mission over there. That's just seems so far away! Today was warm and the sun came out, so a few butterflies came out.
I haven't sent CHRISTmas cards in over 30 years. Always have a pang of guilt when I get such pretty cards with sweet notes in them.
Cold this morning ~ 39° ~ throwing another log on the fire.
The notes are what I want! To hear from loved ones with a Christmas card only is hollow. I want to get a letter. To sit down with a cup of coffee and visit. To know what is going on in their lives, their hopes and dreams for the coming year. That is why I am slow. I won't send cards without a lengthy note or letter.
Josephine ~ could you post that link? I've read where the seeds need to be processed thru animal or bird. I've read they need chilling, soaking, drying. No two sources seem to agree. It was a beautiful shrub, done blooming at Thanksgiving but loaded with berries. This friend has a Japanese Maple arboretum that he has developed over the years. He has arranged the plants like an artist with focal points and blending of colors. In the fall, it is absolutely gorgeous, looking like a painting. This plant was in the blend and he offered seed. It grows wild in this area but not commonly. Beautiful enough plant to be worth the challenge.
Off to get some ironing done before work. Hope y'all keep this fire going today! It is nice to come home to a toasty fire... have a good one.
Oops, I forgot the link thinking about the plants, here it is,
http://wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=EUAM9
I think along the lines you do, Pod,.....regarding "cards" in general......especially these days. A letter/note (even a "typed" email ) is what I'm talkin' about. I've never been an advocate of card giving.....with the exception of any hand-made variety
....that is,...hand-made by the sender(s)....which is entirely different.
Strawberry Bush.......interesting plant.....wonder how long it takes from seed to flowering plant?
I've been planting seeds as well.....Herbertia (Prairie Nymphs), Heart-leaf Hibiscus, Pineland Hibiscus, various Irises,
and a few other things.
Oh Lee, the Heart-leaf hibiscus is so pretty!! I have two potted plants that i started from seed too.
I first soaked the seed overnight before planting, did you know that the seeds are heart shaped too?
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/120001/
I am afraid to put the plants in the ground for fear of loosing them to frost.
http://wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=20158
Most of the seeds I planted yesterday are for butterfly nectar or larval food.
From a garden column in the paper:
Drain hoses and watering equipment and store in an accessible location in case you need to water during a prolonged dry spell.
Must be nice to live where you can put your hoses away. This fall has been pretty good, but I still don't think I should put the hoses away. Still don't trust the weather, even though the drought seems to be over.
Emails ~ yes they are wonderful to stay in touch too if only people weren't inclined to forward their entire junque mail box. Grrrrr!
LoL on the garden hoses. Do you drain yours to keep from freezing? I leave mine handy but more due to possible fire hazards than plant watering. Soggy right now, in some parts of the yard we squish and sink up to the ankles. Where, oh where does this rain go in August?
I have a row of red tips or Photinia which I want to take out. It is a desire of mine to plant a border for the birds although the woods surrounding provide excellent habitat too. I need to start researching food and cover sources for that border.
Y'all are planting some interesting varieties ~ off to do some research.
We're in a drier area here than you are in East Texas.The main thing I do here is remove any spray attachment thingies from the hoses. If those are left on in winter and it freezes, the hoses could be badly damaged.After having just gone through the worst drought we ever had, I can't imagine ever putting all the water hoses away.
I'd add some of those wild chile petin bushes for the birds. They love eating those little peppers!
Well,....my friends all know I don't care much for the "junque mail"....some still send it....but I hardly ever bother to open such. I prefer a personal note.
Had some frost this mornin'.....but it's warmin' up quickly.
I've seen Mockingbirds sit on my chile petin plants and feast away.....they must not have pain-sensing nerve endings in their mouth or esophagus....or elsewhere in the body....'cause they don't seem to blink an eye when eating. I find a new plant each year, it seems,....usually close to a fence....where they sit and deposit their digested caliente leftover seeds.
I bought a couple of small Heart Leaf Hib. this fall at the Walker County MG Sale....and was pleased to have some seed pods ripen later.
We shred the junque mail and eventually mix it in the compost pile. works great.
It's quiet here tonight by the fire and cold and windy, better put a stack of logs on the fire.
We are at home tonight, Christmas Eve, altho we had planned to be elsewhere with family. My husband is not feeling well so we had to change our plans. I baked a turkey yesterday and made homemade turkey vegetable soup for this evening supper along with apple crumb pie, Mrs. Smith's frozen suits my husband just fine, altho made from scratch is better.
Memories of childhood Christmas Eves past are of getting all dressed up in our Sunday best and going to church with our family. We were excited to be in the Christmas Eve program of the story of Christ's birth. I still get tears when I hear or sing Silent Night. If we had a speaking part we were nervous and didn't want to mess up. After the program and carols were done, we received a paper sack of fresh fruit and whole nuts and maybe a candy cane, which we loved, this was our gift from our church.
We would rush home as while we were at church, Santa had come. We didn't have many gifts, but we didn't know the difference and each one was so special! Then mama always had some great food and hot cocoa for us. It was a wonderful time to be a child and is a great memory.
The Christmas tree was also special as our whole family would go out and find one and chop it down. Being in Texas it was a cedar tree and smelled so good. My dad always was in charge of this and he would fix a stand and help get the lights on and then we would put on garland, some ornaments and the silver icicles. This seems strange now, but we would save each icicle and put them neatly back on the card for the following year. We were poor and didn't know it, but everyone else we knew was in the same boat. Oh how I would like to revisit one of those Christmas Eves again.
Yes, poor but happy... your memories bring tears to my eyes too. So much was so familiar. We had Christmas Eve candlelight services. My favorite part was with the church lights out, we would all light candles and sing Oh Holy Night. The pride when we were old enough to have our own candle rather than share with an adult. There are no religious Christmas carols that I don't love and the memories are dear to my heart. We saved the icicles too and carefully wrapped them around cardboard to store them. Homemade ornaments and a few glass ornaments that had seen better days but were lovingly hung each year and sparkled even better with age. Santa came after we went to bed. We would leave a plate of cookies and a cup of hot cocoa and there would only be crumbs left in the morning. We would lay in bed quietly and listen for any sound of Santa. It seemed he knew to wait till we dozed off. Oh, I long for the mystery of Christmas... now, it seems to be Christmas every day.
Thanks for bringing in some wood and throwing a log on this fire. Merry Christmas to you and to all of you...
Going to bed and listen for Santa but the wind is whistling so hard I won't hear him.
We just got back from church, we sang the beautiful Christmas carols and attended Mass, it was icy on the roads but we made it home safely, thank the Lord.
Tomorrow we get together for dinner with family and open gifts.
Merry Christmas everyone. SANTA came last night to our house! What a difference, experiencing it thru the eyes of a 4 yr old. We're on our way to have brunch at DD's and see what Santa dropped off at their house. Neighbors' this afternoon....and then a nap!
Hope the weather hasn't stranded anyone's kin, and everyone's safe and warm.....happy and grateful.....
peace....
Merry Christmas! Woke to the glorious leftovers of yesterday's snow. It's so pretty with the sun shining on it! Wasn't fun driving home from work in it yesterday, but it is certainly pretty to look at today. Have the Christmas music going, dinner started, and mt precious old kitty-girl snuggled up on my chest. :o) DH's tinkering on his computer in the other room and the other kitty is snuggled in her heated bed. What a wonderfully relaxing way to spend Christmas morning!
This afternoon, I plan on perusing the Baker seed catalog that the Santa postman delivered to my mailbox yesterday!
Merry Christmas
Steph I beat ya I browsed and marked my catalog yesterday but am going to go back and look again today then dream of making an order LOL
This morning I did my first official smoked brisket on the grill my folks got me for Christmas...LOL..mind you they sent the money to go get it from Lowe's but it sure turned out good I think
DH and I are enjoying a lazy day just us and the dogs
Yum ~ looks good! I baked a turkey in an oven bag here and it was so tender it fell off the bones. Quite tasty.
I spent some time basking in the GH today in the sun at 70°. I have been puny so it felt wonderful.
Bakers seed catalogue ~ vegies? bloomers? Whatcha earmarking?
These have been in bloom for a week...
I got my first seed order last month! I missed the blooms after everything got zapped, so I got cheap gazania daisies, pansies and a pot of violas on clearance at Lowe's. I don't usually buy big box store plants, but they were very cheap!
Just finished eating some excellent-flavored ham.....along with scalloped potatoes, turnips, broccoli,.....etc...a late dinner that was very good....so we are set for the evening. Lazed around visiting today and did go see another movie....."Have ya heard 'bout the Morgans?"
or somethin' like that...........my opinion....ehhh....Hugh Grant hasn't gotten any better than the last time I saw him....and Sara J. Parker isn't one of my favorites...it was just OK.....but majority of the family wanted to see it........was fun just bein' together with the family.
I received a couple of seed cat.yesterday..... that my Mother had sent to me.....Jung's and another I can't remember which....haven't studied those yet....but will soon.....mostly interested in veggies. Another night of freezin' tonight....so I've cranked up the heater system in the GH......cozy inside and will be retiring for the night.....better place another limb on the fire!
This message was edited Dec 26, 2009 10:13 AM
I've been learning to use the wood heater in the greenhouse and think I'm getting the hang of it. The temp out there dropped quickly when the sun went down but since then it has held right around 50. I'm learning to set the draft and the vent to burn the wood slowly but efficiently. Hope to keep the temperature tolerable over night. No electricity or gas hooked up yet. 32° outside right now and looking at mid 20°s tonight.
WillisTx ~ I appreciate the movie reviews. Last time I was in an actual theatre we saw Blazing Saddles. Since vcrs, dvds and satellite, we just don't get out much anymore. Used to be a family event growing up. My folks loaded us up and went to the movies... lots of westerns and Ma & Pa Kettles and I am sure many others. It made for good memories.
Seed catalogues ~ hrumpfff! I only got one Pinetree and I don't think they even ship this time of year. The ink will be worn off the pages before then.
LoveDiggin ~ hope your husband is perking better today.
I am delighted to see the Hoya plants seem to like the lighting and temps in the GH. Dare I hope for winter blooms?
Thanks, Podster, DH is feeling better each day. We had a visit with our daughter and family today and had a great meal of ham, turkey, dressing, mashed taters and etc. oh yes, pies. Yum. All in all a fine Christmas, even tho feeling puny too.
Your greenhouse looks awesome, that's one thing that I have not wished for and this late along will not have, but I think that would be the neatest thing to have.
My christmas cactus are in bloom. Have them in the house now and do not really know how to care for them. So they like dry and cool? They survived the summer out in the yard in shade and thrived. Dumb luck.
Probably not "dumb luck" ~ I suspect you figured out what they like if they are blooming right now. I have little experience with them managing to have killed the one I had years ago. I always admire them when they are in bloom. The good folks on the Cacti & Succulents forum have been posting some gorgeous blooms on them lately and in some of the most amazing colors.
Listen, I am to turn 60 before the years end and never dreamed a greenhouse was in my future either. I was content to drag the plants onto an enclosed back porch. I am one of those folks that resists change and am having to keep an open mind. My first instinct was to bring all my "keeper" plants on the back porch but I knew that would hurt my husbands feelings so am keeping fingers crossed while I learn about it.
Frosty morning here... will bring in an armload of wood and load up the fire. Off to work today, y'all keep the home fires burning.
Went to see "Blind Side" last week. We, too, very rarely go to a movie. We did the unusual, went with our good friends to a matinee and then to Chili's to eat and watch the Cowboy's game. Our men were thrilled to actually have a crowd to watch "the" game. The acting is not the best but the story is great. Especially since it is true and still being played out in real life. Nothing ugly and leaves you feeling good. Not many of those out there these days. Have heard the real family have been making the rounds of the morning tv shows but we don't turn on the tv much. Will watch it again when it comes to cable.
Hope everyone had a great CHRISTmas.
Christi
We still have 4 inches of snow on the ground in the country just North of Gainesville..check out an album of the white country Christmas on www.picasaweb.google.com/jackieshar/winterchristmas
This message was edited Dec 26, 2009 8:42 AM
Oooo Sharon......sorry you're still frosty up there.....and glad we're not.....it's nice for a day or two,...but it doesn't belong here.....up in the panhandle maybe, but not here.
Nice lookin' GH Podster....I usually get blooms during the winter months.....crinums, hibiscus,.....I've got a Porter tomato plant bloomin' right now....who knows,...maybe the Hoya will!
Christi - y'all picked a good time to watch the Cowpokes....last week.....I wonder if they'll meet again in the playoffs?
If the real family IS makin' the tv circuit....I'll be disappointed. Too many people tryin' to get their " x number of seconds/minutes of fame"....whatever Warhol said.
lots of snow still on the ground here in my little valley. It's the longest I remember having it stay. if it can last a couple more days we are scheduled to have some more.
Sharon, our pics are gorgeous! You should enter them in the photo contest next year.
I've still got snow in some areas of my backyard. I'm not used to it staying around this long!
I remember the snowfall of 85. It snowed 13.5" the early part of January. I didn't think I'd make it back to Denton for the start of the spring semester. Got back, started the semester, then got another huge snow a couple of weeks later! I remember using all my moving boxes as sleds on the big hills around campus. My friends and I had so much fun! Don't know if I'm limber enough to sled down a short hill on a cardboard box anymore, though! LOL
college in 85?.........didn't realize you were so young ........chickadee
We had just bought the property here in the country that year. The first 20 acres we bought had never been lived on. Briars and poison oak in abundance. We lived in Irving then and drove to camp here on the weekends in our motorhome (after we built a road into the property).
I remember that storm and also remember being stuck on 35E for numerous hours trying to get back to Irving. I never saw so many commercial trucks in my life. Stuck in the roads, on the sides on roads, and over turned from Dallas to Oklahoma City......After many hours trying to cross the red river bridge we found a way to turn around and go back to our property in Thackerville just 5 miles north of the bridge. It is all Casino country now, we moved up here to retire 5 years ago and built our home.
I love picturing it almost as much as I enjoy living and gardening in it.
Pictured across the meadow is a trailer home we put on the properties back in the 80s, taken from my north bedroom window. We use it for a guest house now. It came in real handy when some of our grown children got stranded here this Christmas eve.
