"Dreaming" Wishing most wanted Christmas present.

This is the sun room..inside...now we have birds..so they live there..with all the plants...lol...here..are a few..we are now..up to 8....I know nuts...but the hobby..and pets..grow..heheheh...

one more I think....sunroom...now everyone remember..this is not a new house now..just the sunroom is kind of new..the rest of the house..is...mmmmmm? 35 years..we built it widdle by widdle...the house itself..was built in Trenton where we lived..I had a builder down the street..he built it...and we had the full basement dug...and everything ready...and he brought it..out..on a truck...all the side walls..and he finished it here...way less money to do it that way..then...that summer...we had a house and a roof...lol...insides my hubby did...took a long time..for sure..remember we had another house in Trenton...and we both worked..so there you go...There are alot of things..that went wrong..too...hehe..we said..one step forward two steps back..but...it got done..It is not a fancy house..for sure.. If you want a dream it can come true...even if it is not perfect..hehehe...

kkkkkkkk ? Smiles..Diana

Diana, I'm so jealous of your sunroom and lake view. It's lovely and looks so inviting. You've done a great job! Thanks for sharing with us.
Debra

Debra you are most welcome we like it too..hehehehe In the spring we bring up a rack...with lights..and start our seeds out in there...lol...Hubby says..I thought you wanted that for plants..heheh I said yes..but they have to share...it is ok..Really is nice in the winter..to set out there..and read..as the snow is snowing all over the place..and you are toasty..heheheh...We also...feel like it is up..north..we have deer..and all kinds of wild live..come a visit..but they also mess with our flowers..Hosta's they love to eat..and acorns..with all the big oaks we have..in one of the pictures..we have a black hole..hehe I call it...all shade..well almost..but Have to settle for Hosta's which do well..along with very shady..plants..hehehe...This area is called the Irsih hills...so it is very hilly...but it sure would be nice..if we had more property...heheh we have a 150 x 60 foot lot..so...oh well...vacant behind us. We wanted it close...so we could come here..every weekend...only 1 1/2...from downriver...Did you ever live around here? Well Michigan I mean?....AR..is so far..heheh never been there either......

Smiles..Diana

Can't imagine using that pretty space only for plants. That's a great spot for a cup of hot tea and a good book. the Irish Hills sounds like a very nice area. No, I've never lived in Michigan. I've never lived anywhere but Little Rock or just outside as we are now. DH has lived all around the world, and I've stayed right here. We hosted his high school reunion in LR this past October (he graduated from the Karachi American School in Pakistan - father worked for Exxon) and there were quite a few who had never been to Arkansas before and were very complimentary. I'm glad they had the opportunity to visit. Come on down if you ever get a chance. I'll show you around!

We have problems with deer also. I can only grow hostas inside the gated courtyard or next to the house. I call hostas "deer candy". And dag burn it, they keep my japanese maples and viburnam nipped down too.

Forgot the hosta pic!

Wowow that is so beautiful. looks really nice there...never been to AR...do you know the names of the hosta's? Mine are all named...with widdle tags..on a metal stick...lol...so beautiful..Debra...you are blessed...

We have a big deer, hanging on our fireplace...it is a 10 point...sorry to say shoot about a mile away..HIs name is buster..hehehehe...my sons..did it...we also have some mounts of fish..too...his again...Wish he would take them to his house..hehehehe...oh well...I will be the keeper..of the mounted things..lol...

Smiles..Diana....

No, Diana, I don't know the names of the hostas and am no way near as organized as you. I'm a very hap-hazard gardener (ie; lazy) - just picking up plants from Home Depot or Wal-Mart if I like them and I never know scientific names, etc. They had varigated leaves and pretty purple blooms. That's all I know! They get too much late afternoon sun so I'm trying to grow wysteria on the fence above them to provide a little shade. If I can talk DH into it, I'd like to plant a riverbirch tree in the fenced in area behind the retaining wall. That's where the dogs stay. It would really help the heat problem. It radiates off the concrete and brick and makes it very difficult to keep plants alive during a drought!

A 10 pointer, huh? I'm sure he was proud of that one! Do you eat the venison? We have two deer feeders next to our pond and have lots of deer - often there are 6 or 8 at a time. Saw an 8 pointer and a couple of 6 pointers on a regular basis this summer. Haven't seen them very often since hunting season started in Nov. The acorns are plentiful this year so they don't need the corn and they tend to hide during hunting season. We hope to start seeing them on a regular basis again soon. We consider them pets and couldn't imagine shooting them, but our neighbors don't share the same sentiments! We may or may not ever see them again. (did see one 6 pointer last night - so we know at least one survived) Your son would probably get a kick out of seeing the deer that come to our neighbor's feeder. He has several feeders, keeps them full, and has a great location. A herd of 27-28 show up every evening. It's fun to see such a mixture of bucks, does and lots of little babies frolicking around! Have never been able to get good photos of them, but here's a couple of does in our front drive.

Debra

I go away for a wee bit and there's a whole ton of conversation going on here,lol.
Diana, I just love that sunroom you got there and your view of the water is beautiful. I'd love to wake up to that each day! We'll build our cottage little by little as well and I think a sunroom is going to be in the plans. I can see myself sitting there reading or crocheting or just putting my feet up.......dreaming does a soul good!
Debra, you just had to tell me about that fire, LOL! I'm so glad that no one was hurt, with the exception of your DH having a bit of a bruised ego maybe :p I read your post to my DH and he was giggling at the part about a lawyer being on probation. I think maybe we'll get a wood chipper to turn some of that wood into chips for the paths I want to create in the forest. As for the bigger pieces, we'll I'm sure we won't have a problem giving them away if we post a sign for free wood. DH wants to keep some for a project he has in mind (don't know what that is) and I want to see if I can make my own arbor. There is no way I'm letting him do a fire now......no way! lol.
Now did someone say hostas??......oh, don't get me started because I won't stop,lol. Very lovely hosta bed Debra. I have mine marked with those metal markers as well Diana.....when it comes to my hostas, I have to know all their names.....they're my babies :o) I highly doubt that I will be planting any hosta on my land when the cottage is built because the deer would get them in my absence. I would like a stand of purple coneflowers however at my entrance but I don't know if the deer would make a buffet out of those or not.

Thanks for posting pics everyone!

Erynne

P.S. in case I don't get back on here for a few days, have yourselves a very Happy New Year with many blessings to come for 2007!!!

little bridge on our land

Oh, Debra how nice.. They are beautiful..heheh we have a family of about 4...that eat the bird feed, from our birds..just across the street..on the edge..Yes we do eat Vension..but..my son..knows not to shoot near the house..hehehe..you are right..""Pets""" well not really but they are not afraid of us...Do you have wild Turkeys? We have those too..but they are more in the away from people places..sometimes we can hear them.. They are very careful..lol...Right now..our lake is filled..with Canadian geese...heheh you can even hear them in the night..haha...they come up on our lawn..near the lake..and make a mess..sorry to say...We have white swans..and all kinds of ducks too....In the spring and fall...a loon stops by..for a few days..then off they go...

Your place sounds great..hehehe...Since joining DG....I started marking all my plants...they must have names..heheheh...I have 63 named Hosta's...even the old ones I have...We live very near to Hallson...the great hosta place...so when we go..we can take leaves..and usually Chris can name them for me...heheh..just a hobby...till they are all named...maybe yours are Ginko Crieg....It is a common one..I have many of them..they are very showy...there are many many...named ones..I have a big book..too...have you ever checked into the hosta library...on line...might check that out...that one is there..hehehe...

KKKKK...so fun...waving...smiles

Diana

Christmas wish would be to add on to the loft and put in a bathroom and bedroom upstairs. Probably won't happen though due to cost of getting labor and materials to the Island. It is still a nice getaway though. Took 10 years payday by payday to finish it.

The Island is small enough to know most everybody, and big enough to enjoy the privacy.(and Bald eagles, occasional whales,a few salmon and a Dungeness crab or two)

Erynne, woodchips for walkways is a great idea for using the wood! I suppose you can make your own mulch, too. I hope to try my hand at an arbor this spring. Nothing, fancy. Just something for vines like clematis, moonflower or morning glories to grow on. Love that little bridge.

Dianna, I think I have the plastic stakes that came in the pots. Of course, they are not organized, just all tossed in a box. I'll try to find them and see if I can identify those hostas. Yes, we do have a lot of turkeys. They gather in the spring and fall and we will see as many as 50 at a time. Sometimes they are crossing the road as I leave for work in the morning and I have to stop and wait for them all to cross. It's like having to wait on cattle! They have gotten accustomed to us enough that, if we don't make any sudden moves, we can roll the window down and sit in our car and watch them up close. How nice to have swans! And loons. Oh, I didn't understand the fascination with a loon's call until we went to Maine and I heard them. Beautiful, sad and eery at the same time. That was worth the trip just to hear the loons. Canadian geese are on ponds near us, but they don't like ours because the woods are too close - not enough space cleared around it. We do have wood ducks and they are very pretty.

Erynne, here are some of my purple coneflowers. They are so easy to grow.

Wow, Balvenie! That's a real dream house. On an island! Do you have many warm months up there for being outdoors, gardening, boating, etc.? I'm not familiar with WA but noticed you're 7a zone.

Debra

Oh, my a house on a island..cool...gosh just think of it..we all live so far away from each other..but..we have things in common too...water...animals..flowers...all kinds of things. And we have a place like DG..to share..hehehe...I love to hear about..peoples places and things..and dreams..so great...
Keep it going...we have a long wnter.. Having a blamy..day here..52..right now..sun no wind..hehehe...hope it last all winter..I just looked out and there is a fisherman...parked out in front..lol...there should be ice fisherman..there..hahaha...Not complaining at all....

Smiles...Diana

I agree, Diana - it's been fun learning new things from people all over the country (and other countries, too) and seeing how much we have in common also. When I tell friends and family about things on DG, I've begun describing you all as my "internet friends" because I really feel as though we develop friendships. Besides gardening, I've learned how they make saurkraut in Romania and mozerella cheese in New York, what diseases raccoons carry, how to print my digital photos, and lots of others things!

Erynne - here is a pic of our house 3 years later after we finally got sod inside the circle. Yipee!!! I was so tired of looking out at what still looked like a contruction site. DH doesn't even mind mowing it. We both enjoy seeing the green grass instead of the dirt like before. I still don't have the berms shaped and landscaped but hope to do that this spring.

Debra

Hehehe...yes there is a lot to learn ..here...oh your road looks great...smiles..

Well everyone going to hit the hey ...as they say....smiles....all...

Diana

That last pic was of the driveway in front of the house. My computer room looks out directly over that section toward the inner circle. This is what I see while at my computer........the pic was taken last summer just after the sod was layed and it had not "knit" together yet. It's going to be pretty after the berms are landscaped. I hope to plant them with bird friendly shrubs, etc. It's not unusual for me to look up and see a deer, pileated woodpecker or sometimes a turkey.
Debra

Once your done there...you will have a beautiful view...Whats those grassy looking plants in front of those bricks????

Oh, my that is so beautiful..wowowow...Nice thanks for sharing...smiles..
Diana

Diana, I did find some hosta tags. Looks like I have both Hannah and Albo Marginata. Does that mean anything to you?

Let me take a closer look.......oh, that's varigated liriope (monkey grass), Dem! From Home Depot I'm sure! That little space is a problem. It runs along the driveway about 1/3 of the way around the circle. There is not much soil. It's just backfill behind the wall DH built. It gets a lot of sun and dries out quickly. In the pic above the last one, you can see the three little crepe myrtles I transplanted there. I hope they do better this year - were just getting esablished last year.

Anyone good at design? My biggest problem area is in the courtyard that we look out onto from the dining room. The most seen area is the least landscaped! I've had something different in there each of the 4 summers we've been here. It gets hot back there because it gets the afternoon sun and the heat radiates off the brick walls and concrete patio. I'm thinking of planting a large crepe myrtle in the corner and centering the fountain in front of the retaining wall. The fountain splashes and keeps the area immediately around it moist so japanese iris and such do well. I'd move them with the fountain, then probably put azaleas under the crepe myrtle since the are evergreen. It gets so ugly out there in the winter when everything dies back. Would probably add some butterfly bush too. They have done very well in the bed below the dining room window. We have lots of birds and butterflys in the courtyard. Any suggestions? (the roses and trellis have been removed already)

Oh My...that is beautiful...I am jealous..hehehe I will trade you the sun room for your house and gardens..hehe..really nice...I was a Interior designer..long time ago..so inside...I can do..but...outside I have trouble.. Are those day lilies...there..? They like hot..hehehe...Some will come and help I am sure...We have mostly shade..

Did you go to the Hosta Liberary..hehehe... http://www.hostalibrary.org/ mark them..or take a picture of them with the names..if you do not want markers.. Then when they seed..you can trade the seeds..hehehe...I do not have Hannah...hehehe...so see..important......

your place.is beautiful...show us more...

Smiles...Diana... ps...happy new years..waving...from the north country..hehehe...

Thanks, Diana. I do have a lot of space with "potential" for landscaping. Too much really. I ordered 100 stakes from a DG co-op today! http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/681067/ I've never tried to save hosta seeds. Didn't know you could do that. I'll be more that happy to send you some. Wouldn't it be easier to grow from some of the bulb/roots/ whatever it's called when I divide them? If you will help me remember, and tell me when it should be done, I'll be glad to do it.

I think what you are calling daylilies are River of the Nile - agapanthus. I have 2 or 3 or 4 different kinds. Just kept buying them when I saw a good price or was willing to pay the high price. Their blooms last a long time. Do you have any?

Interior decorator?! No wonder your sunroom is so cute. I wasted too much $$$ the first 3 years in this house and decided to hire a professional this past summer. She has been great. My livingroom doesn't even look the same. We painted built-in shelves that had been stained too dark, bought a rug, couple of lamps, accessories, and drapery. I've been VERY happy with the drapes - panels really. I'm anxious to win the lottery so we can start on the dining room!

wowow..really nice...yep sometimes just a few changes..can help out...I worked for a furniture store..so they did not have to pay..hehehe...made some people happy...hehehe...It is nice ..to have someone come in and say..oh..you could do this or that.hehehe...and they ask you a budject to go..by.hehehe I liked to help...with young couples..with out much money..hehehe give them a great look...and not spend a bundle..doing it..hehe..fun..for me too..but..I do not do that anymore... Your room looks great.. See I am not up to date anymore....my choice..

Well 5 and onehalf hours..left..I was just in a chat..hehehe a girl from Spain...this is cool...at mid night there...they each eat..12 green grapes..for luck for the coming year..hehehe...hubby and I are going to do just that...eat 12 grapes..each..hehehehe...Just for fun...lol...

hang in there all.....2007 is coming...lol

Smiles...Diana

Happy New Year. Here's to friends near and far! We must eat 12 grapes, too!

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcardm.asp?cont=1&hdr=3&mpv=GE11EN

Debra

I don't have any grapes. I have a bottle of wine though......

hehehe grapes..make wine. Mgh ..so I hope you had that..hehehe...Good morning..all...hehehe...

Well it is here..2007...now I have to get used to writing that on my checks..hehehe...I will mark ahead..a few..cool...that way...I can not make a mistake...

Everyone have a great day....waving...smiles..

Diana

I too had lots of grapes.........I know for sure more then 15...so see I kept up!!!

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!*2007*

heheheh....Dem...great...now..watch out 2007....you are going to be good to all of us..

smiles...Diana

Hi Diana..........come on tell us,was your grapes liquid form???...LOL..I did do a toast for you & Rockey 2..right at midnight too!!!

Hehehe...Dem...Rockey 3...they were in a solid state...but..the beer went with it too..hahahaha....thought about you at mid-night too...glad you had a great time..Guns went off here...and the lightening..hahaha...thunder welcomed in the new year..hahaha...Stopped raining...but looks ekkkk now..hehehe...windy a little.

Think I will read a widdel..and cook of course.. enjoy...Mexican sounds good Dem...(Rockey 3)... Having..roast pork, taters mushed, salad veggy..and cold shrimp..hehehe...easy...

Enjoy your day everyone...smiles..
Diana...

Pork roast sound yum, Diana! I had to sacrifice and consume my grapes in liquid form, also. I hope they bring good luck that way, too! We are having a very traditional southern New Year's meal. Black eyed peas (for luck), hog jowl (anyone know what that is???), and cornbread. It's just DH and I. We will watch the Razorbacks in the Capital One Bowl. We are playing Wisconsin. It's starting now.......gotta hurry.

It's beautiful here today. Bright and sunny in the 60's. DH and I dug up a wheelbarrow full of elephant ear bulbs that we never got around to this fall. I may plant some narcissus and dutch iris that didn't get taken care of this fall, either! Might as well stick them in the ground and see what happens.

Happy 2007 everyone! I'll be back after the game.

Debra

Wow, Debra...Hog jowls are pigs cheeks??????? hahah my checks are a bit fat..haha...love black eyed peas..and of course corn bread..mmmmmmm good idea I will make corn bread too..hahaha..nice to add I think hehehe....Football is on here..too...lol...Smells yummy in here..do you know..comfort food..hehehe...Well good luck..with the Razorbacks...need a little cheer from here...they need a few more points..right now...See you later....

gooooooo Ar....smiles...Diana

Grrrr....not doing too well. That first missed field goal was a bad omen.

Happy New Year Everyone!!
It's January 1st and not a lick of good snow yet!!! (minor dustings do not count!) I'm wishing for snow like crazy.......this IS Canada I live in right??........I got plants that are all confused and sprouting....yikes! Way too mild up here; this is a concern for sure.

I'd never heard about eating 12 grapes to bring in the New Year. Actually the only tradition I know about is to make sure you're wearing red underthings at the turn of the clock to promote love & romance, haha.......look where my priorities are eh!
We just had a quiet evening at home, DH & I. Just cuddled up and watched a couple of movies and had popcorn. My two boys (ages 13 & 8 yrs) are down in Dominican Republic with their father soaking up the sunshine no doubt and DH's two girls were with their mother, so we really didn't know what to do with ourselves,lol.

Balvenie, your Island getaway place is beautiful and that water is soooo blue in your pic! We'll be doing our cottage pay cheque by pay cheque as well and by the time it's completely done, I figure there will be grandchildren running around,lol (at least I hope).

Debra, great pic of the coneflowers! I started some seeds via wintersowing last January and had great foliage throughout 2006. I figure this year they should bloom for me. I will start more using the same method this month so I have a good stock of them for my entrance way. BTW, you can grow hostas from seed but they are not likely to come true. You can do it for the fun of it though and who knows, you may end up with something you really like anyway. Your best to divide your hosta if you want to make more of what you have or to share with others. I had a really mature clump of Golden Tiara given to me by my neighbor last May and I divided it into 10 separate plants to make an edging for my bed. Saved a bundle doing it this way and it was super easy too! Go check out the hosta forum when you have a chance, but don't blame me if you get hooked :p

Erynne

oh yes Erynne you are right you really get hooked with them..I hear that seeds..if they are striped..they will come close to true...??? I tried it once..and they came out.. I just like to try stuff...and when winter is here..for sure..lol...I have gotten two cuttings of Chinese mini Rose...lately....and are trying to root them..one has leaves...the other does not..heheh I am excited about it...lol..

.We have not snow either..but sure have had the rain..all cloudy today...few snow flakes...but nothing to talk about..hehehe---- but I do not need any so sending...them to you Erynne....

17-14....right now..Debra...get up and do a dance or something..ok? hehehehe....

KKKKK everyone enjoy....smiles...Diana

Well, I ended up not having my liquid grapes last night because my stomach was already not feeling so good. Played poker with my DH and 8yo DS (getting him started early LOL). Then went out on the porch and yelled Happy New Year to our neighbors and did some poppers with the kids. Then I spent the night on the couch with this darn cough I can't seem to get rid of. Not a good way to start the new year.....good thing I'm not superstitious! LOL

Think I'll go dig in the freezer and see what I come out with for dinner tonight. We don't traditionally have a nice meal on NYD, but roast and mashed taters sounds good.

Diana, I'll take every snow flake ya got! I remember over 20 yrs ago, trudging through snow up to my knees to get to school in December and January. Winter just isn't the same. I feel sorry for the snowmobilers and skiers because all the trails and hills are not operating. Not good for business.

I started some hosta seeds that were given to me last year and they all germinated just fine. They came from Hosta Patriot but all the babies are just plain green unlike their mother who is green/white. I'll still keep them though as they'll make great fillers.

yummmmm, roast and mashed potatoes.....if that isn't great comfort food, I don't know what is......Enjoy!!

This message was edited Jan 1, 2007 5:33 PM

Speaking of comfort food, in addition to the "pigs cheeks", black eyed peas and cornbread, I decided to fry a pan of okra in the grease from the "cheeks". There was nothing healthy about it. Even the peas had been cooked with a ham bone and ham scraps. I cannot stick to a restricted diet, but am going to try to eat more fruits/veggies and less cheeseburgers/fries in '07. Food is my real weakness.
Debra