Spending spree #8

You folks have way more sense of design than I do......I cannot picture anything! Patti, glad the kiln products were good...we'll be waiting for those as well....

I love the atrium designs that became Spanish courtyards.

We're still building on our house that we purchased 20 years ago. I recognize the structure of the living room overhead beams is the same as a summer school art camp design project. Last winter the fireplace was the design task to qualify for the tax credit. This year I hope to finish a combination entertainment center/ laundry that needs a sliding door off the living room. I have some doubt , because getting kids through senior year and into the college of their choice is not easy.

You're not kidding! I have to say I'm happy to have 3 college educations behind us.

Nice DL choices Robin. :)
I finally aquired the DL i've been eyeing for awhile now as it is a dormant with teeth. Normally im not one who likes teeth but this one caught my eye about a year ago. It has 4 way branching and 31 blooms with rebloom. ^_^
http://agin.homestead.com/collections1.html
Scroll down, it's the 2nd one, "ALAN LANE AGIN"


This message was edited Nov 20, 2011 8:34 PM

That is a beauty! I had never seen a toothed DL, but I really like them.....oh, dear, must stop looking!

Ditto, Robindog!! Gorgeous! I really like the one almost at the bottom of the list....something Tommy ( can't remember the first name). I like the teeth, and I love the colors in the one you got, Celeste!

Celeste, You made me look. Cool choice.

I got more pictures from the wrecking crew today doing the house renovations in Vt via email. I decided today to make the renovated part all at the same level as the main part of the house for my future life as a old lady. The old kitchen was a half a step down and the laundry another half a step down. My knee is still bothering me big time, so I thought it prudent while they are pouring all new foundations to think for the future. I also got the last of my bulb orders from Van Engelen today, but I am going to hold off planting for a few days to hopefully not be so gimpy. I should have that backhoe driver dig a few new bulb beds while he is digging. Just kidding. Patti

Lots of work Patti! I've had Brian use his bucket on his tractor to scoop me out a garden bed or two. ^_^

Thanks Ladies, I really like the red coloring on this one. Louise, it's "THANKS TOMMY". :)

thx for the update on the construction patti - go my box from van e yesterday - was pretty heavy - i did not open it yet - hoping to get all bulbs planted this weekend if i can get the raking done, so far only the back yard is done.

Wha, I was just thinking about how many new leaves you have added to your raking job with all the Japanese maples that you lovingly planted over the past few years on your property. Worth the work. I am about to mark my bulbs and distribute them into the labeled bags as to where they are going, but not planting today, though I should as it is gorgeous outside today. I may try to rake a bit more, we still have a much to do too. Patti

Glad the house project is on track....good idea about the steps......our living room was supposed to be down several steps, but I nixed that, and am glad I did....can't wait to see those spring bulbs blooming....it keeps the long winter hopeful .....

Smart decision, Patti. One level living is much easier as we "ripen nicely".

Love the red, Celeste! Thanks for the reminder on the name. I really like them both! Groan!

Good planning, Patti. I want to 'ripen nicely', too.

I'm just happy to still be ripening - nicely or not ! LOL. The other option doesn't excite me.

Well, I do have a big hole already dug if I get too ripe to fast. Patti

This message was edited Nov 26, 2011 5:22 PM

Patti, look at your Mom....I look at mine & marvel she's still living by herself......

Gardeners Supply is offering free shipping over $75.

That's a bonus!

pulled the trigger and purchased a canon 60d and a couple lens - i guess i should say purchased a couple lens and got a camera body to go with them :)

Cool! Which lenses?

Very nice, Bill! We will expect lots of awesome pics from you.....as if you don't give us those already! :)

they better be louise after the $$ put out! :)

ef-s 17-55 f2.8 is usm - supposed to be the quality of the L series
ef 100mm f2.8L macro is usm

will get a telephoto sometime is the future

Wha, I am so envious. Perhaps after you learn how to use it, I can come have some lessons and see if it a camera that I want to move up to. But after seeing the latest pictures and hearing the news from the carpenters doing the project in Vt it appears that I won't be spending a nickle on anything other than the reconstruction. The second Chimney and the one in the kitchen turned out to be in dire straights and needs to be taken down. Sad as I had hoped to save it and build a wood fired oven to attach to it. Pipe dreams. Foundation going in this week. Snow be damned. I am hoping to get up to see it next weekend after I have more minor surgery on Weds in Boston. Hope all had a festive day yesterday and that your teams won. It seems never ending. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Patti

that is too bad patti although better to find out now than later - good luck with the surgery - btw you may want to ask boojum for those camera lessons:)

Did you get the same one as she did? The Last camera I got was the same one she bought a few years back, which I like, but now want more options. Patti

i do not think so the 60d was released last year and i think she got hers before then

Chimneys are dangerous (& so are cameras). I'm glad they found out while they are building.

Back to the drawing board or just a hiccup? Best wishes.

Way to go, wha!!!

Isn't life always one big hiccup? Nothing was set in stone as the whole project was dependent on what we found and most of it hasn't been good. The old chimney was built on a wooden pad....duh....wood has rotted. Who knew someone could be so dumb. Though sorry to tear it down. But the new space will be better than ever once it is done. Sort of like my health. Tomorrow is bulb planting day. Whahoooooooo! Patti

Good luck with the surgery, Patti....I'd like a new camera also, but that's not going to happen! Looks like the house project is progressing ...that's a good thing...hope they don't find any more 'surprises'! My stepdaughter just had her kitchen gutted, & the carpenters found open live wires behind a wall......

Horrible things they find in houses. Lucily we built this one (by a builder). It was 1972 but there should not be any nasty surprises built in.

I want that ef 100 lens too

Robindog, We too found some serious wiring concerns in the demolition. Scary stuff. One ceiling light fixture in the laundry/ bathroom was wired with an old extension cord pulled through the walls and wired to an illegal box behind the sink that was not a Bathroom GFCI outlet receptacle. Too dumb. We found some chewed wired in the ceiling over the kitchen too. No insulation, so having safe wiring in a warm space will be such a joy.

We planted bulbs all day and as we went through the beds drilling all the holes, we did the final clean up. We did a lots more raking and cutting back all the lily stalks which I leave up so I can see where not to plant more bulbs. We always hit a few previously planted bulbs. When that happens we just call it a scale division as they get drilled by the auger. My DH keeps saying we have no more places to plant bulbs, but I always find some virgin ground. We have a full day more to do and we may not be done and have to work on Monday morning to finish up. But we will be done before Dec this year which is great.

I want a camera that is specifically for close ups. But I don't think that there is one, so I may need a camera with optional lenses. I take so many shots of flowers and also close ups of my pottery that I want a better option for that then what I have with my point and shoot cameras. Always wanting something. Patti

I'm really enjoying following your project, Patti. I'm sorry you had to lose your chimney, but it sounds like it's for the best! You won't want to leave VT once this is all completed! Your bulbs will be so beautiful in the spring! Any chance you'll get down to Sanibel this year? We really have to meet soon! :)

Gosh, I don't know, but there is a chance that we will be going to Fla and then on to Cuba in March as tourists traveling legally from the US. My Mom is arranging for us to go with her to celebrate her 97th Birthday. She so loves a good party and traveling. She has invited one of my brothers and our Son too.

My DH was last in Cuba in 1961 with his Grandmother just before his families property was taken over by Castro, so he is very excited to go back and see if anything is left of the old place. He spent time there every year as a child and can speak Spanish fluently. If we leave from Miami we will definitely come over to Sanibel for a few days. I would love to catch up with you finally. But all depends on the border being finally open. I don't want to go from Canada or Mexico. I assume we will be herded around like cattle, and not have free reign so we may not be able to travel to his families land. But Mom is treating so I am good with whatever we can do. Patti

That sounds great, Patti! I hope you get to come! I must meet that Mother of yours also! She is something else! She reminds me of my good friend Barbara, whom we lost last March at 102 years very young! I'll keep my fingers crossed, and we'll have a garden party when you come!

That would be awesome if he could see the old family place. Hoping things pan out for you. It's wonderful that your mom has such joie de vivre.

Rejoicing with you that your bulbs will all be in before Wed.

It was a gorgeous day out today. I just counted up the bulbs that we planted today and the total number planted today was1449. I haven't done the final count as I don't want to know until they are in the ground, but it will be more than double that amount. I may be doing some double handed dibbling to get them all planted by Monday.

I have a new helper, Miss Penny, a 7 month old rescue puppy from Mississippi that belongs to my SIL and BIL in Boston. They had long ago planned to go to Ca to spend T-day with his grand kids. I couldn't bare to have this sweet little dog have to go to a kennel when she has just been adopted this month, so I brought her down here for the week. She is beyond the sweetest dog ever. Our girls have been tolerant and keep pretending that they could care less about the intrusion, but I think they are enjoying her puppy energy. She very proudly started digging up the tulips that I had just planted when I first started out this morning, but she learned quickly that wasn't going to make me happy. I did growl at her. Here she is in the garden today along with my stash of bulbs, now the pile is greatly reduced. Hopefully by tomorrow they will all be in the ground. Patti

Sorry about the house problems Patti! The yard looks wonderful and the puppy is adorable!!!!!! I too have a new white puppy and he is learning not to dig my yard up also. He keeps me on my toes!! Can't get over the amount of bulbs you have AGAIN! LOL