Coffee and... Part 15! : )

M5...if it *is* you causing this weather, PLEASE stop it! It's blasted FROZEN outside! :-D (Do you still play golf even when it's *this* cold?)

Hi Mary! Yep! I think that's the senerio, alright...just too short to see across the...in my case, it's the garden. LOL Thanks for the prayers on the surgery. Nope...they're only going to do one eye at a time. First one will be on Monday...then, if everything goes ok, the other one will be done three weeks later.

I'm really glad I went ahead and scheduled the surgery when I did. The vision in my right eye is deteriorating noticably every day. It's gotten so that now I have double vision even with my glasses *on.* DH had to go back for an adjustment on his glasses a day or so ago...and while he was there he mentioned that it seemed my vision was getting worse. The Doc told him that when cataracts get to an advanced stage, like mine are, they can grow really fast.

Betty...I used to like the external modems too. On the system I have there's an external satellite modem but I still have the little monitor icon on my task bar. Without that, I wouldn't know whether I was hooked up or not. And it doesn't show on any other set on the network. (Ain't it nice to have a 'geek' or a 'nerd' for a kid? LOL I got one too...but he learned everything from me. Now I just have him do all my dirty work...I'm too lazy to mess with computers anymore. Besides, they make me nervous. hehehe)

D.cat...a Jack Russell? TWO Jack Russells??? Oh my, you won't have *any* rest with them in the house. LOL I just love J.R's but I sure don't have the patience to get them to the age when they calm down a bit. We used to have one that visited us at work. He'd come in every day looking for handouts from the guys in the plant. Then he'd manage to watch the door to the office and sneak in to sit in my lap. I think he was around for the full 20 years we worked there. Super little critters!

Sarv...were your cannas from last year the full sized ones, or were they the dwarf variety? My full sized ones have made it through storage for years on end...but the dwarf ones? Well...I don't know whether those are going to come back to life yet or not. I do know that this winter I'm going to store mine in peat moss like you're supposed to. Up til now I've just put them in mesh bags and they've been fine. Usually I only lose a few but I don't want to take a chance on the ones I paid for. LOL

Geez...this post only took 45 minutes to complete with all the interruptions. Guess I'd better close and see who I missed. :-D

~julie~

HI all...I'm just killing time until my DD picks me to go "dumpster diving". Not really ALL dumpsters...but she has permission to "dive" the one outside a tile company. She wants to do a mosiac table top for around her new inground pool. Also, this is the day that the Officer's Wives have their Thrift Store open on base...we can usually pick up some great bargains there.

I love this time of year....not too hot and certainly not cold! Oppps...DD calling...on her way. See ya later. Jo

Sarv, my energy comes from self preservation!! Having a neighborhood cookout in 2 weeks, and want everything to look good. Got several good gardners in the community, don't want everyone saying how awful my yard and beds look!! I have been sick for 2 years, and unable to do anything, so now that the problem was diagnosed, I have tons of energy, on the go all time.

Julie 88, my Jack Russell is a 1 year old male, and surprisingly he is pretty laid back. The first one I had was so hyper that she made me tired just being around her. The one I am puppy sitting is a female about 6 months old. She is so sweet, but my Bruno has never been around a girl, and he is showing his maleness. Maybe he will get used to her in a day or two, if not, she is going to be worn out!! Aren't they the sweetest things? My Bruno, knows everything I say, I think he tries hard sometimes to answer me, if only he could talk!!

Had a little shower here, so I am taking a break. Looks like it is clearing, so I will probably be back out to finish some work.

Just a note-thanks M5 for the weather-see, I didn't really clean out the clothes-I jsut stacked my sweats on the shelf-knew that I would need them.
Mary-I still get lost in stores-I will never see 5' again and those racks are high enough that if I am shopping with someone-can't keep track of them in the store-sheesh.
Julie -will be thinking of you..take care and also go shopping again this wkend-may have re-stocked those plants..:)
My plants are still on the porch and in the house-crappy weather....
Lots of garage sales this week-end, hoping to find something to hold my orchids-have 5 in bloom and would like to show them off better. As it is, they look nicer in a greenhouse-I can't arrange pots well-cut flowers yes-not pots or landscaping.
RR will be thinking of you in getting goodies.
DeFoe-want to bring over the dogs-will have a real circus with 2 over active mini poodles-could sell tickets and use the $$ to buy more plants.
Okus-what kind of shrubs did you get.?
Darius-please take care-wish WI was a more moderate climate..both in temp and cost of living nowadays.
Sarv-good thing you foiund the cannas-the last ones I had got lost in the basement for a couple of seasons-little canna mummies.
Gotta go-cuppa tea is calling.

Marcia, that would be fun. We have horses and cats also, maybe we can start recruiting, and have a real circus!! Just when I clear 5 things off the to-list, I add 6 more. Surely there will be some down time soon. Worn out from todays labors.

HI ALL.. just a quick post to say good nite. I had to go to work today.....to tired to stay home....I needed the rest....LOL Don't let that get around....

All is well on the southern front.....Balmy breezes...'bout 85............very bright sunshine........geez. what I have to put up with to live in Florida...Sorry folks.........LOL

ya'all have a safe nite.


Hap

Well, last man out, or somethin like that... I lost us and never realized it because I too am in the middle of several projects. There's some other way to do things??? Hmph.

Son has now installed 5 windows and the curtains are all back up.. I will miss the wider space at the top of the bottom window. Don't know where I'm gonna put all the stuff that used to live there.

Here's a pic of one of the windows and the stuff that used to live on the ledge.

How about a thin piece of birch plywood as an extension/ledge screwed to the top of the bottom window to hold your pretty glass bottles ?

Well that's the used ta be. Will still hang the crystals but maybe it's time I got rid of some of that junk.

Meanwhile I'm planting and pulling, watering and hulahoeing, just keep changing which muscles I'm abusing. I try to only look at what's accomplished instead of how much needs doin'.

If I just look at the pink and purple flowers the garden doesn't look half bad. The the grasses come into focus and I despair.
I'd heard that a perennial bed would one day need redoing and of all years this looks like the one for mine.

Punkin pie, can I hae some please.? ~Blooms

Paid bills this morning over coffee. Hate that job!! Heading out to finish putting down mulch. Yesterday was very rewarding, in the amount of work I got done. Have to tend to the hummie feeders first thing though. Don't want them to abandon me!! The weather is supposed to be good today, then rain moving in on Saturday with a cooler period next week. Make hay while the sun shines!! See you later.

Wait....no one has any cookies this am? Oh well...it would only slow me down getting outside. Today's main project is putting proper washers on a new thingy on my faucet. I now can attach 4 different hoses, etc to one faucet. Great idee, but at this point I mainly get a bath. Of couse when DH came in he was all-agrumble....God forbid he would just fix it.....He likes to remind me that it IS MY garden.....but it IS HIS pants.......

See ya later...

Hap

Hap...His "pants"? LOL (I'm sure that is a typo for "parts" but PLEASE don't fix it! The whole story reminds me of a huge 'fight' my DH and I got into *many* years ago. (I was being stubborn, I'm sure) But it boiled down to me sitting at the downstairs kitchen table, with him coming down the stairs "arguing" with me that I needed to go to bed instead of sitting 'out there' making a mountain out of a molehill. I told him to leave me alone (or something to that effect)...I was told that I should *listen* to him because HE wore the *pants* in this family. I turned around to tell him that he had 'another think coming'...and when I turned to face him, he was standing on the landing wearing absolutely *nothing*! Needless to say, the combination of the "pants in the family" coupled with that sight has always reminded me that a GOOD laugh will usually end an argument. (And trust me, I know about taking "parts" from my DH's stash too! Man some people can be SOOOOO posessive! hehehe)

Good morning, everyone. It's still dismal here in my part of WI. We're getting caught up on all that rain that we missed in April. Thank goodness we've not had anything severe yet.

Marcia...I did a little 'accidental' plant shopping yesterday. I only went to town to sign papers for the second eye surgery. And wouldn't you know it! Right next door to the eye docs is a GARDEN supply store. I told DH to go in a see if they had any Iceland Poppy plants while I went to sign the papers. Tsk tsk tsk...it took him TOO long and I got inside the store. He's just lucky I *didn't* make arrangements to have one of those beautiful boulder and river stone water features installed in my yard while I was there. (OH MAN! I want *that* one SOOOOO bad!)

QUESTION While I'm thinking about it. Does anyone know a GOOD source for Geraniums (pelargonium)? My hairdresser is looking for a specific kind. It has pink flowers and variegated green and white leaves. (I'm going to go look in the PF now to see if I can find anything similar.)

Guess I'd better go do *that* while it's still center front in my brain.

~julie~

I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm soooo sorry!! I should have known better! Generally when the gold league starts, it's early May, but if it's raining we cancel. Yesterday it was 40* and the wind was blowing a gale, and they didn't cancel. So I called up (I'm just a sub in that league, play when one of the regulars can't make it) and I flat out lied and said I had a family emergency and couldn't golf. LOL I don't think she believed me, but what are they gonna do, take me off the sub list? I'm guessing quite a few regulars didnt show up either. Was supposed to golf today but it was called off because of rain.

Lumch was terrific. Went to a pricey "bistro" which had sent me a $15 coupon towards my next entree. DIL ordered the beef bourgenoi...uhhhhh French beef stew which was superb, I ordered the ravioli stuffed with goat cheese and it arrived room temperature so I asked the waitress to reheat it. It took a really long time. She apologized and said they had remade it instead of reheating. We had ordered crepes for dessert when we placed our food order, and when she brought it she said it was complimentary due to the reheating problem.....so, we had scrumptious crepes filled with chocolate mousse, and creme anglais, and my bill was only $16.00
So, I left her a fat tip.....and it was still a very good deal. (Also caused ,me to remember why I don't like Goat cheese.....never again!)

Still using DH's computer. Techs tried to talk us through resetting, nothing worked except it also took down DH's hookup....Tech making a home visit tomorrow. to fix it, but no time frame so it will require someone here all day. Likely me. DH managed to get in all the trees and shrubs we piceked up last weekend before I ruined the weather.

Tonight's dinner will be lamb stew with leftovers from the bonesless leg of lamb I roasted a couple weeks ago, done in the slow cooker, and maybe some fresh garlic/herb bread from the magic machine. This time I will push all the right buttons and not boil it. LOL (I hope!!)

NOT bringing down the winter wear, just leaving the stepstool in the closet for easy access but if it stays cold like this all weekend, I will reconsider.......

Also, peanut butter toast is one of my favorite breakfasts.....extra crunchy..mmmm

Good Morning!! Rainy & windy here again. Saying severe weather this afternoon - tornadoes etc. I put my brugs outside and the wind ripped them to shreds- narry a leaf left on them. Oh well, they'll recover!

Went out for breakfast this morning and was sorely disappointed. Ordered belgium waffles ( I thought they came with strawberries and whipped cream) Out came this huge waffle - dry as a bone. Waitress never returned to the table, so I picked at it, but it was totally awful. I seldom complain, but was going to today however, they never asked how the food was (aren't they supposed to??) Paid the bill and will never order that again!!

I should clean up the house- mop the floors etc, but would really just like to sit and read, so I may just do that!! I do need to do some grocery shopping, but I spent so much for mother's day groceries, that I was hoping I could wait an extra week. But we are out of bread, milk and hamburg!!!! Staples here!!

Not much more new here- kinda a boring day, but for Friday the 13th - that's ok!!

Sarv...If you gots plants that all the staples that you really need..

Hap.

Hi GOBs,
Marcia we have planted a variety of shrubs; 4 oleander (2 red, 1 white and 1 pink), 2 Buddlea( Black Knight and Pink Delight), a Texas Mountain Laurel, a Sweet Broom, a Blue Sky Flower( Duranta Repens), a white Texas Redbud (now there is a contradiction!!), and 5 named variety Crape Myrtles (2 red, 2pink and one white). They all seem to be happy exept the white Crape which is a bit miserable but perks up every time I water it so I expect it will sort itself out. The local Ace was having a sell off, so apart from the Texas Laurel they were all very cheap.
Had our property tax assessment , need to sit down and recover, ouch the school stuff is a killer and we don't have kids! Perhaps I should let the front yard look a mess then we won't be worth as much as they think!
Carol

Hiya, GOB's!

Man, I go away for a day or two and y'all really get busy chatting!

Had a great visit (plus lunch at the new Chinese Buffet and a great dinner John cooked) with Woodspirit1 and her husband. Stated up too late talking, of course. But, good for me because I was reminded of options to my current situation.

Here'a neat fence idea I saw along the way... Just local twigs inbetween store-bought lumber.

Had another busy day. Replenished the hummie feeders early this morning. Watered everything. Planted flower boxes on my deck with petunias that I had started from seed. 6 big boxes. Unloaded a pick-up truck load of mulch. Mulched 3 annual beds. Then to DM and DMI|L to do odd jobs for them. Then to pick up DGD home fried fresh fish that we had caught 2 nights ago, with cole slaw and hush puppies. Great meal. They are predicting rain for tonight and tomorrow, so maybe will get caught up on the indoor stuff. BTW, planted 30 tomato plants, have 40 more, then in about a week will have several more. All of these grown from seed. 13 varieties. I can for me DM and DMIL, so it takes a lot of tomatoes. Sweated so much today, took 3 showers!!. I make sure I have plenty to drink all day. Post again later.

Wow, defoecat... makes me tired just reading what you did today! : )

Hi, Cold here..anyone want some rainy weather in the 40s--with wind!! Defoe--would cool off the garden heat a bit-would jusst send a few cool degrees.
Okus-lovely selection-gorgeous when in bloom, I bet. Sure can hear you about the taxes-every year up-the real estate tax is tied to the school system and some of the area schools are not only expanding, but are putting up refs for no cap in spending. Don't have kids, a gazillion nieces and nephews scattered all over-wish they would cut a break for those of us on fixed incomes.
Julie-plant shopping--Whee. Will keep eye out for the plant-may get out to the stores-to cold for garden work. Oh those water things....
M5-wanna lunch with you.
Sarv-sounds like you could have had a textured Frisbee. I have gotten used to complaining recently. Too much good $$ to get crappy food at some of the popular cafe's-had veggie soup that made Campbells taste like haute cuisine..
Happy_1-maybe cookies tomorrow. Too tired tonight and when I am tired-make bad mistakes-but want to make Dragon Cookies this week-end-recipe in the Daves cookbook here.
Darius. love that fence-need to make a screen to prevent sunburn (again) for Japanese maple-maybe able to use the branch idea.
Going to try mantra, read appt. book-missed med appt. yesterday-drat. Had the book on last week (also missed a sister's BD- sang a message (bad me) and will send out a card tomorrow-have had it for months. Just lose track...often.

Well....this evening was the first time to go swimming in DD's new pool...water was about 86....very nice. Then we got into the Jaccuzi. I think that helped my back more than anything else has in a while.

Marchia, I buy cards away ahead of the need...then forget to send them. I have had one addressed to Melody for 3 years now!! Maybe she'll get it next year! Then again, maybe I'll take it to the KY RU and GIVE it too her.

OHHHH those fish and hush puppies sound devine! Have any leftovers? Jo

Defo - slow down......you are working way tooooo hard,plus it makes me feel like a lazy pup here!! I don't get that much work done in a whole week let alone one day!!

Have I ever told ya my problem with cards? I can't throw a one of them away - I have every card sent to me since we were married some 38 yrs ago - sick??? you bet!! I also buy a zillion to send and often find that the envelops are stuck shut by the time I get around to sent them.. grr

We're supposed to be having very cool weather for the next week - I hesitate putting any annuals in the ground as they will sit there and rot. I'm keeping them back in the greenhouse for warmth. This hot/cold weather is really annoying.

Future DIL asked me what I was able to give for their rehearsal dinner $$ (remember they already got all their wedding $$ towards a house) Anyhow, I told her I would give her what ever, but it was coming out of their wedding gift $$ (couldn't believe myself!!) She didn't bat an eye- I couldn't believe it!! I think things will be ok after all!

DS has a hot tub and I think I need to make a visit over there - my arm is still bothering me and our tub is too shallow to sink down into. I am never sure if I should 'ice' or 'heat' soreness.

Fish - yum....love the deep fried stuff!! We ordered out subs last night, but they weren't very good. Guess it was my day for crummy food!!

I took my grumpy MIL a loaf of homemade banana bread (receipe from here too) for Mother's day. She always complains about food, but low and behold she said that the bread was the best she has had!! Wonder of all wonders!! I'll have to remind myself to make her another loaf in a bit.

Well it is 1:20 am and I just got up - no sleep in me tonight - maybe I'll watch some tv and take in a movie or two. I hate it when I get up in the middle of the night. Sleep tight everyone!

Well it is cooler today, we had some rain last night, and it is still sprinkling this morning. After my last post last night, DH and I went to the veggie garden, and set out more tomatoes, planted a row of lima (fordhook) and green (white half runners), then back for another shower!! 4 in one day. If I keep that up I will have to have a skin transplant!! When I fry fish, I fix my DM and MIL a plate and take it to them. So last night I fixed enough for 5 people. My MIL rarely has anything nice to say about me (or anybody) but has told many family members that I make the best hush puppies in the world. Now that is a rare compliment. DGD is here this weekend. Brought her hampster with her, so my house is a zoo. Have 2 cats, (mine) 2 dogs (one dog sitting) hamster and turtle. BIL brought it this morning for GD. Got 3 friends in hospital, going to visit them this afternoon. Happy saturday to ya'll

Mmmmmmm...fish and hush puppies....(if you know Homer Simpson's "Mmmmm Beer"...then you have a good idea of how I said that. LOL)

Just came in for lunch. I've been weeding (de-grassing) my big daylily island bed this morning. And I did a little quick planting of some seedlings that desperately needed more room.

Say...does anyone here have problems getting their hands cleaned up after digging in the dirt? Well...last year I had a heck of time trying to my hands and nails clean...not to mention how dried up my skin was getting. This year I accidently found something that works miracles! I'm using Dawn *Complete* dish washing liquid! I've got a little nail brush by the sink and in just a few seconds my hands are CLEAN *and* they're moisturized! I'm going to fill up a liquid hand soap dispenser with it.

I got a call from the hospital yesterday. I have to be there at 6:30 a.m. on Monday to get prepped for 8:00 surgery. I'm going to be glad when this is all over.

Better go eat my sandwich and 'chili' fritos...

See y'all later!

~julie~

Good Afternoon... I cannot believe I slept until noon... but maybe I caught up on the 2 previous night with insufficient sleep and travelling. Sure makes me feel lazy, though.

And I cannot BE lazy today as I have to make a run of strawberry/lemon marmalade/preserves today or lose all the fresh local berries I bought yesterday (just a gallon). I've almost eaten myself sick with them already so have to process the remainder! That means washing and sterilizing jars & lids, finding my pectin, probably don't have enough sugar or lemons... and then the mess in the kitchen afterwards, LOL. It's rainy so probably a good inside project for the day.

Julie, I'll be holding you in prayer and good thoughts Monday morning!

Hi all!

I've been a busy girl! I pulled up wilted pansies and redid by bed around the mailbox yesterday and weeded the irises. Then today, I spent all morning doing a down-deep cleaning of the bathroom, then worked outside weeding the front bed and starting the digging to set the edging. And, while weeding I shared worms with a momma robin that has a nest with 3 (I think) little ones in our pear tree. She was very appreciative. Now I'm tired and thought I'd check in on my friends.

Edited to add - DH is sick with a bad chest cold, so I was trying to be quiet and let him rest....

Julie, good luck and God bless on Monday. Post as soon as you can!

Darius - did you get your preserves put up? We had rain this morning - which is why I weeded more this afternoon. It was needed and it's much cooler behind the front - so tomorrow I'm hoping to get more done.

Well - gotta go peruse the other forums!

;-)

This message was edited May 14, 2005 7:05 PM

Julie good luck on Monday, I will put you on the church prayer list tomorrow. Went to see the 3 friends in the hospital. One had gone home earlier today, (good news) the other will be there for 2 or 3 more days then to a rehab facility. He had a 6 artery by-pass. The other with congestive heart failure. Doesn't look good for him. They are recommending that he go to a nursing home, because he is unable to care for himself. Sad. He lost his wife about 1 1/2 ago. I think that this is part "broken heart". Will post again later.

BB, Yes, got the preserves canned, but just 6 half-pint jars because I cut the sugar from 6 cups to 2 cups! (You can do that with Pomona's Pectin, but not Sure-Jell.)

Will take a photo tomorrow when they are set and there's some sunlight. The color is great! They taste wonderfully slightly tart and strong on strawberry flavor! I had forgotten how strawberries float so I keep turning the jars as they cool. Pomona's Pectin sets as it cools but all the jars have already sealed.

I actually did some weeding between rain showers today, but not enough. And now it's time to run the weed-eater again in my "mini-pasture". With a mower I could do it in half an hour but it's really a dish shape so the mower won't work in there. Pooh.

My kinda housemate (the woman who rents the wing upstairs) actually made a friendly gesture yesterday and invited me to share watermelon her boyfriend had brought over. They were in bathing suits because they had been making dams in the creek for an adjacent pond, and it was sunny and warm on her terrace.

I have absolutely nothing in common with either of them, not even gardening, but it was a nice gesture.

I'd love to share some watermelon. And wish I had a creek to build a pond in. That sounds like fun.

I'm feeling pretty good, got my new little triangle garden all in today, at last. No one showed up to do any other thing so I finally got it finished.

Here's something my gal pal in LaSal sent me - good giggle.

But then I'm a 'little' warped. ~Blooms

Blooms, that's EXACTLY the expression of my cat when I had her shaved last year! She didn't "talk" to me for a week.

Darius, I put the other one over in the parking lot Slump Down forum. It's even weirder. ~Blooms

Yeah, I just saw it, LOL. He/She's REALLY mad!

There's a joke traveling through cyber space about a kitty getting shaved like that, supposedly a southern lady brings her cat to the vet and asked if they could do a "line cut". and they understood her to say "lion cut".....regardless, that kitty isn't forgiving anyone real soon!!

Finally my computer is on line again!! Guys from Time Warner came at 7:20 this evening (time frame was 8 am to 8 pm) and they gave me a $20 credit because they were so late. I'll believe it when I see it. Home network is working, and I could finally sit in a decent chair to view/type etc.

Went to see "Crash" Friday, it's not a cheery film but it's very well done. Sort of like "LA Story "with intertwining lives of the characters. Don Cheedle is extraordinary.

It's late. I'm tired. Think I'll get horizontal in bed and watch the tube.

We'll be thinking of you, Julie and sending goood thoughts for Monday. Betcha a quarter you'll be back on the keyboard by Tuesday...........garden by Friday.............!!!

Darius, were you going to move us again...???
And Julie, if ya don't get back before ya go, my best will go with you on Monday - as always. No bending for'd till doc sez so.

Blooms, what does this mean?

OOPs that was the other thread... time for me to go to bed?
I'm watching too many, plus there's a lunatic movie on tv scifi channel right now. sorrry /;-)

Good luck Julie on Monday - it will be over before ya know it and you will be able to see all the dust bunnies in the house -ugh!

Yum, Darius that looks and sounds good!! How in the world can you cut the sugar that much??

Well, I went to bed at 11:30 and woke up at 5:30am - that is a record for me!! Usually I am up around 2, wandering the house.

Went to DS and DIL for ribs. DIL family was all over from across the state. They are wonderful and loads of fun. Two of them are deaf and we decided to play eucher - what a hoot. I am awful at it tho!! And with all the hand signing going on, I am sure they cheated!!!

Weather continues to be crummy - I really HAVE to get some things in the ground... I did plant another flat of seeds - morning glories and 4 o'clocks - we'll see how they germinate.... (old seed)

Back on line with a modem that actually works. had a rough long week, that ended with a historic preservation awards dinner Friday night and acting as docent at a historic house during a garden show.
Going back to bed........zzzzzzz

My lovely beloved just returned from her touristing sojourn and brought back the requisite spoils. Now I have to choose between light and dark Truffle Oil and I'm at a loss. Having never had a close encounter with a truffle makes it doubly hard. Has anyone a recommendation ?? I'll have to do some research for ways to use it, but it should be fun.
Darius, the strawberry-lemon marmalade sounds scrumptious
Blooms, that little lion looks so embarrassed,but cooler I bet.
Julie, best of everything tomorrow.
Another bundle of shingles, egads, at $200.00 per 100 sq. ft., and a couple more days should see the front and back projects completed.
Have a great day everyone

Sarv, the secret to using less sugar (or no sugar) and still getting a jell is Pomona's Universal Pectin. http://www.pomonapectin.com/order.html

Robert, the taste is wonderful, lemon tartness with a strong strawberry overtone. The recipe didn't call for much lemon peel so it's more like a jam in texture rather than marmalade.

Photo desn't do it justice as it's a beautiful clear red, but it's dark and rainy today so I didn't have any good backlighting.