Spending spree #8

good for you!

Welcome to the 90's!! ^_^

Patti, I love your jungle, so inviting on those winter days.

Today I was at Home Depot and found a blue/purple phaelenopsis orchid. Not a color I've ever seen on these orchids, just had to bring it home.

it has been so warm, I put two evergreens that I'm going to winter over in the sunroom back outside.

http://carolynsshadegardens.com/2011/04/01/woody-plants-for-shade/

Here's a catalog where I'm looking at shade loving perennials and shrubs, with special emphasis upon native plants. In her blog Carolyn tells us that over 500 species of insects and birds make their homes in the native red oaks. Mea culpa because I've planted so many peonies originally from China, Europe or Russia, it's time to look for more eco balance at my house. And since our three oak trees are suddenly much skimpier, it's time to find and plant some red oaks for sure.

Crosspost. I am drooling at the orchids on sale at the local historical society greenhouse. Guess a beginner like me ought to get a moss orchid first

Patti - we were pretty restrained at the native nursery...We got a second yellow elder, 2colorful corkscrew crotons, 2 white angelonia, and a pretty shell pink tropical salvia. My ipad won't let me attach photos, and that's a bummer. I can't believe you still have honeysuckle blooming! How cool!

Wow, Memory - you are ahead of the game with your sets order! I am waiting for my green bean and sunflower seeds from Johnny's. So far, I have planted 2 tomatoes, 3 peppers and chives. I'm so busy learning how to draw ( with nightly homework) that it reminds me of Harper's awesome botanicals....BUT, my drawings are way different from hers. My neighbor and I are taking a 7-week class for one afternoon a week... Today we had to draw each other's face...not the slightest resemblance! But, it did look sorta human...LOL

Glad to hear you treated yourself, Granite! Sounds beautiful!

Jen - Merry early Christmas to you!!! Woohoo!!

No, Rosemary!! Go for the Gold! Life's too short, and you are a real GARDENER!! :)

I hope that you can get over to Bedford on Sat. & hear iris breeder, Paul Black. Lexington is not very far away.

Hmmm. I'm very close, but might as well be miles away! Next year at this time, please tell me when and where, Iris! The kid itinerary is a head spinner. The NE historical society green house orchid sale is near my place of work in Waltham, so that's a lunch hour stop. The golden orchids are totally stunning...they are calling, calling...

Drool, drool Louise! So wish I was going to a nursery now! I think it's wonderful that you are taking an art class! My Tues. class keeps me sane....don't know what we're working on today, but our teacher emailed us & told us to bring masking fluid, white tissue paper, & an old credit card....sounds interesting....

Hmmmm - that DOES sound interesting. Let us know what you do with those things. Our assignment this week is to do 5 different "studies" of the same body part. I'm doing a mouth from 5 different views. :) .... See, isn't that good? LOL

Louise, don't let Victor read that post! We used the tissue today to create texture on greeting cards....drew simple botanicals on folded cold pressed water color paper...a pear, a pumpkin, cherries.....masked them out with frisket, then slopped on deep pigment in several colors & pressed on the tissue paper until almost dry. Left mine in class to finish for next week.

^_^

Robin - I certainly did throw Victor a good lob! :). What you're doing in your class sounds pretty advanced! Today we worked on negative value by blacking out a 4 x 6 rectangle, and then using a white vinyl eraser to create a sketch by just erasing the black. It wasn't easy...we had to draw a seafaring man's face with a hat and a pipe. My carpal tunnel gave me problems - maybe too much practice - but it was a good class...they all have been.

Nice weather here too!

Dave - so glad to hear you are doing so well!

Wow...sounds like a tough assignment, Louise!

Not any artistic talent here, but I can do pretty good stick people.

It was difficult to keep the scale accurate, in particular. We also had to draw a bunch of bananas by looking at a photo negative. That was more difficult for me for some reason.

No talent here either, Lucy. I am in a beginner's class. Anyone can learn to draw if they work at it. My friend and I didn't realize how much homework we'd have. Who said retirement is boring?? In January we will also take a weaving class through the Alliance for the Arts if my carpal tunnel will cooperate. Gotta keep learning new things! :)

I would love a weaving class!

I think it will be fun.

Sounds like a blast!

Oh yeah! The friend I take all these classes with is a lot of fun, so we always have a blast, and sometimes we learn stuff.

Pfft!!! That cracked me up! Sometimes I learn in spite of my self too. It's just way more enjoyable doing things with a friend.

Sure is! We have a similar approach to life, and neither of us takes the things that are meant to be fun too seriously. Not that we don't try to do our best - we just don't get very hyper about perfection. For us, it's about progress and not perfection, as well as enjoying whatever we are doing. I just love learning new things in general.

I think many drivers have taken a weaving class.

I think you are right, Victor. Heehee

Here in CT it's "how close can I get to the car in front of me without actually touching?" Busy week for me....church bazaar is Friday & Sat. I'm in charge of Sat. luncheon...need to bake and make candy for both days.....

You will be BUSY, Marilyn! I hope you enjoy it!

I had an addiction slip today after telling Hank to cut me off yesterday! I forgot to cash in a Lowes coupon for $10.00 when I made my last carload purchase.

So, while he was playing in the SW Fla Amateur Golf Tournament today (yesterday too, and that led to 2 days of indulgence trips!), I went back to Lowes so my coupon wouldn't expire (tomorrow), and OH MY, what a nice new load of plants they got in! I bought more Sunpatiens and some gorgeous good-sized pots of big zinneas and more snapdragons and a lovely large basket of blue/lavender callabrocao for $12. When Hank came home, I said,"now you REALLY have to cut me off!". He said, "Not so fast, I finished 3rd in my flight in the tournament!"
HAHAHA...I'm sure I can help him spend his winnings! LOL

I have no doubts that you can help Hank spend his winnings. :)Way to go for him placing so high in the tournament.

Thanks from him, Jan. I took him out to dinner to celebrate tonight. He didn't even have to pay! LOL. I have to report that he did roll his eyes a bit when I took him on a tour of my latest acquisitions. Can't say I blame him. I really have to stop!

No you don't. Wink wink.

Well, it's all your fault, Jan! After all, I can't have you come to see a boring, non-vibrant bunch of blah little non-gardens in January, can I??? No way! LOL

Oh, yeah, go ahead blame me. I have big shoulders. I can take it. There, now do you feel better? glad I could help.

Heavens, though, please don't go to a lot of trouble for little ole me. Heehee.

Just kidding, Jan, but I may have to drop your name in future "discussions", like the one we had at lunch on our front porch when I remarked that the bright orange zinnia looks lonely and might need another companion just like him. ..."Well, Honey, how can we have a DG friend visit and have a dull yard?". LOL!!!!

In that case, use my name all you want. :)

Hello, my name is Jan and I'm an enabler.

This message was edited Nov 14, 2011 3:18 PM

Oh, goodness.....that shopping trip sounded like what I need right now, Louise! The temp was so mild today it smelled like spring, & I wanted to plant! Wonderful news on Hank's accomplishments......I know it takes talent to win something like that......

lee valley catalog arrived yesterday and ordered a few things for stocking stuffers (maybe one or two things for me too)

Always nice stuff. Just placed an order the other day.

Pine Tree Seeds of Maine arrived yesterday....circled a few things....

I planted and mulched two extra princess hollies for the foundation, then came home from the orchid sale with with hardy camellia hybrid ' Waterlily' in full bud, planning to overwinter, and a gorgeous Wilson orchid, aloha sparks 'Ruby Red.' Already had to move it into a brighter location far from our gas burning kitchen stove.

My catalog cart at the Camelia Forest is growing and changing regularly since now I want to create a camellia arch at one garden gate starting next spring. Ackerman recommended one of three cultivars for that. His charts also show amazing frost tolerance for about six fall blooming camellias tolerant to minus 15 F without even bud damage for some, and Ashton's Supreme rated at -17 F as surviving, so i've got to get that deep pink beauty, too. I am learning that with planning, a person could keep different camellias in bloom in the garden from September to May.