Did you notice this 10-day weather forecast? After being in this 50's this week, the temps are supposed to keep climbing, reaching 66 on Sunday. Not much of a chance of rain until Monday. I'm really sad about global warming -- except when it makes weekend gardening possible in January!
Your Neck of the Woods Chat- Winter Solstice 2012
I wonder if the warm weather interrupts the Winter Sow containers that are already outside. Probably not since it will get cold again before any germination occurs. At least I hope so. Anyone know?
Interesting question. I think at the least you'd need to be careful that the planting material doesn't dry out if it gets too hot out.
Do people south of us winter sow - North Carolina, say? Their experience might be helpful.
Fine day to lose a camera. My very nice neighbors across the street are having a new driveway put in. The huge construction bin is on my side of the street, parallel to my awful front hill. We don't have a sidewalk so it is literally flush with the curb -- and the area I have been planting. Ok, fine. It actually was kind of nice because we had some junk concrete I had been planning to take to the dump, and they let us put it in the bin (I had been planning to rent a truck to get rid of it). Anyway, I'm working in the basement and I hear what sounds like an explosion. I go outside, and they are dumping huge loads of broken-up driveway into the bin. Each load sounds like a bomb. And of course debris is flying everywhere over my awful but precious front hill. And worse, they've got a 3' stack of construction debris piled on my hill, right where I was last planting.
I run out screaming like a banshee and told them they had to move it. And I called my neighbor to ask him to call the construction company to complain. My neighbor of course offers to repay me for anything damaged. But it's the blood, sweat and tears that went into digging up that hill -- and the horror of seeing the soil we slaved to fluff up totally squashed (not to mention the squashed $2 plants). Ugh. Now I'm worried that the weight of the bin -- it is really huge -- is going to crack the street which was just rebuilt last year. Grrrr. My camera is MIA (my daughter must have borrowed it), and I left my cell in my husband's car. So I can't even take photos to remind myself how mad I am. Maybe that is as well.
This message was edited Jan 8, 2013 5:35 PM
Holy Moley, Happy!! That's too much to bear. Do they still sell disposable cameras? Do you work from a laptop computer that can snap pictures? Do you have any other neighbors who can lend you a camera.
Funny thing is that today I was thinking of your hill when I was ordering ground cover seeds from Outside Pride.com.
I know it's no consolation now, but for the future, take a look at the great prices for bulk groundcover seed that they have.
http://www.outsidepride.com/seed/ground-cover-seed/
Thanks, Roses. In a way, it is probably best that I don't have a camera because I'd just as soon forget this event -- no point in staying mad over it. I do wish I knew where the camera had wandered off to, though. I'm back in the basement, pretending this isn't happening!
And yes, those prices look good.
This message was edited Jan 8, 2013 5:19 PM
Oh MAN How aggravating !?!!!!
That reminds me to run out to my garden shed and look for the camera I just misplaced within the last couple days...
Oh, Happy, that's horrible! I agree that you should get photos... IMO, the construction company is entirely liable for damages, and that doesn't just mean replacing the plants, it means replanting damaged areas of the hill... assess the scope and see what a landscaper would charge for the job, and *that* is the amount of monetary damage involved. You've got "before" photos, so it's clear that the area was cleaned up and freshly planted...
I know you don't want to get into a ruckus with your neighbor, but if the company they're using is bonded and insured, then your ruckus is with the construction company's insurance corp.
The damage was minor -- it was mostly the shock of the whole thing! And I hate to think what they might have done if I hadn't come screaming. My neighbors have a front yard that is very carefully landscaped and maintained; I'm sure the contractors knew not to put anything on their front yard! Mine was just a yawning open space.
Eeeeek!! I'm so sorry you had that happen Happy, that's so frustrating and nerve-wracking! It really is a good thing you went out there like a banshee; just because your yard doesn't YET look like your neighbor's, doesn't mean there's less blood, sweat, and tears in it. It's just not there YET. I hope that job is done and the dumpster/bin is gone now... yes? =)
Back to the Nandina talk... there different varieties of Nandina, some are more receptive to moving and replanting than others. one (that I know of) even has a 'combination' growth habit, so that you can prune them to be tree-like (like a Crape Myrtle), or trim them low to keep them shrub-like. (or let them go, and have a tall shrubby-footed tree-looking thing!) :) Some self-sow readily, but not all; like Judy said, some need a counter-part for fertile seeds. I guess it all depends on the need one is trying to fill.
As for the lack of 'real' winter weather affecting Winter Sowing; I will answer with a resounding YES. Many seeds require the freeze-thaw-freeze-thaw cycles in order to ... darn, now that word is not coming to me! Not striate... STRATIFY, that's it! Without nature .. uuhhh, naturally stratifying the seeds, you're left with 2 choices: stratify them yourself, or be faced with a load of lack of germination. :(
Not all seeds are like this mind you, but many of the ones that do best with Winter Sowing **will** be affected by this climate change in this way. =(
I am looking for a hat pattern to make, knit or crochet, for my DD. I can just barely knit but I think I have to buy this knitting book--see this comment on a hat pattern--
"Pattern description from Crazy Aunt Purl’s Drunk, Divorced, and Covered in Cat Hair: “Great for covering wrinkles on your forehead.”
Oops, its a website.
THe knitting patterns include, after yarn and needle size, the WINE SELECTION
ROFL
http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/archives/2005/06/easy_rollbrim_k_1.php
This message was edited Jan 8, 2013 7:33 PM
Sally--
I have knitted a zillion hats and have never used a pattern. Just plain old knit tube--and then,
as you get close to about 2/3 done, you start decreasing stitches every row to round it off.
Does the hat you are trying to knot have a fancy "pattern" in it or is it just straight knitting?
In knitting, there are just 2 stitches. Knit and Purl. How you use these creates all kinds of patterns and designs.
Depending on the yarn, you would need to figure out how many stitches to cast on to start.
These, knitted out, should go around the head. You could find a sweater or another hat about the same thickness
and count how many stitches it takes to go, comfy, around her head.
Casting On is done differently--I do not like the way I have seen it done by people.
In my opinion--casting on has to be done over 2 needles. I wish I could show you.......
I also knit differently than is common in this country. To me--it is easier and faster. Less wasted movements.
Do you have a time frame? Maybe I could show you sometimes....maybe after the swap?
Then again--I am sure you know someone who knits... Too much to get into writing a Post.....
Gita
Happy, I'm glad there wasn't more damage. Good thing you were home to hear the ruckus.
I didn't have a lot of germination with winter sowing last year and figured it might be because we didn't have much of a winter. I tucked the containers under the deck for the summer, figured I'd give them another chance this year before re-using the potting mix (or adding it to the garden). The hot temps this summer may well have killed the seeds, but it doesn't really cost me anything to keep them over another winter just in case.
I may try stratifying a few seeds in the freezer this year... I'm thinking along the lines of put a pinch of seed into a baggie with a little barely-damp perlite or vermiculite and cycle them in & out of the freezer & fridge a couple of times before winter-sowing as usual. I don't usually do any winter sowing until after Groundhog's Day, because we often seem to get these January warm spells followed by much colder temps in Feb -- so anything that germinates in Jan. probably won't make it to spring.
I *love* the name of that website and the wine selections etc. I've made up my own patterns for receiving blankets, scarves, etc... trick for me was that I tended to get to complicated and then couldn't remember quite what I'd done when I tried to reverse the pattern for the other half. (Heaven forbid that I take notes; that was just for classes LOL.) I'm not anything like a skilled knitter, but I do like to play with the possibilities, even if it's just knit and purl and drop-a-stitch-on-purpose (to create a lacy effect, and yes I'm sure that stitch has a real name).
Gita, do you knit your hats with 3 needles?
Gita those are some good thoughts. My sister got the knitting gene in this family but she's in FL. I crochet more but have made a couple sweaters, way back. She knows the 'right' cast on also. I'll have to check a book - or google it. Yes, there are two style of holding the needles too . And of holding a crochet hook.
I just need some time.
There is a mid-atlantic nursery and trade show in Baltimore this weekend. I'm not going but was curious to hear if anybody was planning on attending.
Funny descriptions about knitting she had. My Nana tried to teach me to knit. I did better with crocheting. I see people hold their hook one way and I've tried that way, but it feels awkward to me, so I do it the way I learned. Sometimes I look at how people hold pencils and think to myself that looks awkward, but I guess it just depends on what feels comfortable.
Is that show for anybody, Terp?
This message was edited Jan 8, 2013 10:53 PM
Paul--Do you have more info on this? Location? Day? Time?
I do not work on Saturdays--and it is supposed to be near 60* this weekend.
It would be a great outing. Anyone interested???? Of course--i do not have any facts.
Paul! YOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!
Jill--Yes! I use 3 needles when I make anything circular. Four would be OK too--but then you end up
with a 'pointed" finish at the top...Kind of like smaller version of a jester's hat.
Depending how you decrease the stitches. If you do it evenly on all the needles--it will be rounded.
Most often--I use the "knit 2 stitches together" at the beg. and end of each needle and then knit a row
without decreasing and than do it again--until I only have 4-5 stitches left on each needle.
Then I thread the yarn through all those and pull it all together. I like Pom-Poms on top--
but it may be "childish" for an older girl.
I have a box-full of very small baby hats I have knitted. I want to contribute them to Franklin Square Hospital NICU .
Have never gotten around to it yet. Shame on me!!! It is only 5 miles from my house.
Sally--all you have to do is go see a Senior center. They knit up a storm.
Here in Baltimore , there is actually a "Senior Craft gallery" where you can shop for amazing things made by Sr.'s.
Nor just knitted and crocheted goods. Hand made cards...Wood cuttings, Baby sets...everything.
It is in an old Elementary School now owned by Baltimore County.
http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/aging/programsandservices/crftgall.html
http://www.mants.com/
I just heard about it this week. I thought maybe a few MAGrs would be going since there will begrower there. Take a look at the flyer. The masterpiece of trade shows..ha.
This message was edited Jan 9, 2013 6:23 AM
Soooo cute, Gita.
Paul, looks like an interesting trade show, wonder if my Boss Lady knows about this or plans to attend. The only sponsor I recognize there is Proven Winners, wonder if there are any others that are not listed.
Gita, what wonderful little hats!! I'd LOVE a pink one... but I think my head is too fat. ;)
Completely OT: I need to replace the cabinet pulls in our kitchen -- I need 55. I'd like ceramic pulls (or at least not metal). I don't like the ones at Home Depot or Ikea -- too dull. I loved some of them at World Market -- they were really fun and inexpensive but none was quite right for our kitchen (we bought a bunch to sample them and they just didn't work). I looked on-line at Amazon and Restoration Hardware, but didn't like what I saw. I don't want to spend much -- many are in the $10 range, but my kitchen isn't worth a $550 knob upgrade! If you see a nice assortment anywhere, please let me know.
I bought some years ago at "myknobs.com". Not sure what they're offering now.
Thanks! I'll look there.
It's a great site. Of course, the one I like the most is $13.21 each...
Happy, not that I'm trying to encourage you to spend more money :) but I've heard that you should splurge on materials that you touch -- drawer pulls, countertops, faucets.
I'm sure that is right; I just can't justify spending a lot because our kitchen is old and needs a remodeling. I actually really like the way the World Market ones feel (we used them in a powder room), but the colors aren't right for the kitchen.
Happy, I've been halfheartedly looking for kitchen cabinet knobs for a while now also and have just about concluded that I may end up making my own from polymer clay (probably will go for a fancy "stone" look with a thin layer of clay over an unfinished wood pull with a good feel to it). If you can get ceramic ones you like the feel of and the only thing wrong is the color... think about getting them in a light color (white if possible) and refinishing them with porcelaine paint (fires in the oven, not a kiln).
Now you have me looking at World Market... I'll check out myknobs.com, too. Thanks!
:-)
WHOA! Does anyone else have crocus and creeping phlox that are blooming already?
I went out to check on the crocus leaves that I pulled out yesterday, and there are pink and blue buds poking through the leaves. O_o
Oh, and there's someone in Vienna VA who is getting rid of about 10 Japanese hollies, about 6 feet tall and just as wide. Please DM me if you'd like more info. He's chopping them down this weekend if no one else comes to dig them up.
I couldn't find anywhere in the trade show info ,if there is a admission fee, or anything specific...
happy, you can come feel my knobs, they feel nice. Holly has some knobs like mine.
I got them online, it might have been Myknobs, or someplace else. Yes, I think so
http://www.myknobs.com/haf13745352.html
Egg knobs and cup pulls. I wish I had ordered a couple spare, in case one breaks, then I can be sure I can replace, and not take a chance on being mismatched couple years down the road.
YEs there are some crazy gorgeous $$ hardware things out there.
Wow Terry. I'll keep an eye on my C. tomassinianus, they are early but never THIS early.
THe breeze coming in felt mild tonight.
Sally -- I really like your knobs (sounds kinky when I write it, doesn't it?), but we wanted to get a near-white color, or maybe blue, rather than metal. So I was hoping to find ceramic.... We might go with these, which I think are pretty but they don't have such a good "feel". http://www.worldmarket.com/product/bubble-glass-knobs-clear-set-of-4.do?&from=Search (We bought one of the tinted version and didn't like the tint, so I need to track down a sample of the white one.) The knobs we have now are fake white marble, and they look ok; but we added some new cabinet doors and they don't have knobs, so I need to replace all the knobs to have the kitchen look uniform. Or not.
there's an $8 one on this page just for starters...
http://hardware.myknobs.com/?name=knob+glass
Those are lovely, but I was aiming more for $2.... I know, I know, lot's of luck.
"white cabinet knobs"
http://hardware.myknobs.com/?name=white
Eh, lots of these do look 'cheap' after looking at the glass knobs.
Give us a new thread with a pic of your cabinet, we can go to town suggesting...
YEah, I did the $2 ones!
Sally's new kitchen is just gorgeous, and her knobs... ooh la laah!
(((chortle))
Jill I did consider making knobs by glueing some stones to some sort of screw/ post, they'd have all been just slightly different from each other..but decided knowing me I'd never get around to it in time....
My kitchen cabinets are an old white. Dark metal stuck out too much -- spouse didn't like the way it looked (his role is to veto, not to suggest, sigh). I want something cheerful. I don't think I'll start a new thread -- I'm too fussy and I'd spend all my time saying "no", so you'd all get tired of me! But I'm happy for any and all suggestions.
Some of the marble/granite places offer matching knobs, which I thought was a very nifty idea (even non-matching ones would look cool... I like rocks & stone). You can get some good imitations of various types of stone, including semi-precious ones like adventurine or malachite, using polymer clay... I was thinking I could twist up a batch and roll it out with the clay/pasta machine, making it pretty easy to use to cover some knobs... fire in the oven, spray with PYM II. But like Sally's river rock idea, it has to be done... and I have a few other projects with higher priority at present, LOL.
I definitely am not looking for a craft project here!!!! I can hardly find time to turn around!