Best/Worse/What did I learn today? Pt.29 Visit with Friends

LOL..Morning..I just HAD to go back and look at the backward printing in the photo....interesting.

Betty..about the electrical..I would just check and make sure there are no frayed wires..and keep the original wiring.
Maybe plug the lamp in and fell for any hot spots on the cords too..I'm going to get my garden fix this morning by listening to Marjorie Mason-Hogue on the radio at 9am. She is an expert gardener and the program is called Let's Get Growing.

Ruby..boy, all those goodies sound so yummy..what is a Christmas Stollen?

Hi Trop..you can actually watch the petals open in the evening..and the bloom is finished in the morning on that plant. Problem I ahve is the rabbits like it too...but it will grow back.

I have another plant called Sundrops that is in the Evening primrose family too..but it blooms all day..and spreads quickly ..quite a different look to the leaves

Hey There Starzz - A Christmas Stolen is a bready type of sweet. It is made with yeast bread with fruits and nuts inside and drizzled sugar icing on top. I have never made one and it looks rather complicated, thus putting it off so long. But.....I did buy all the ingredients, so I will make it at some point soon.

I am having a hard time getting up and getting going today. I have felt like this for a week or so. Not getting much done around the house either, so that bothers me a bit.

Yesterday I did go in to spare bedroom where a lot of my houseplants are and worked on getting them in better shape. Boy I had a lot of scraggly looking things come off of some of them. I didn't get to vacuum in there after working yesterday because i had spilled soe water on carpet and needed to wait for it to dry.

Tackling that room should be my first chore, but am putting it off for some reason. Oh well. It will be waiting for me whenever I get there. ha-ha

Be good ladies.

Thanks Carol, will do..been sitting here dressed waiting for 8:45 as the studio opens at 9 am..nothing like waiting for the doors to open...

Ruby, what a talent to be able to create deserts..I'm great at pies, but that's about it...you'll have to show us the goodies, so we can drool while having our coffee..lucky hubby to be able to eat these treats...

Evening primroses..has many at the other house but not here..must put on my 'want list' when going to the nursery..
Guess all you and I can do is look at photo's of our gardens, many of the others can actually see theirs and plant a few things..how lucky..

Well, time to start the vehicle to let it warm up...have fun..

Ruby, off to the Dr's you go..you could have an infection..that would make you tired..and, if it's not your norm then it's something to look into asap....

The Christmas Stolen sounds yummy..let us know how you make out~

Betty, the lampshades are lovely. It makes me want so much to get back into stained glass, but even if I did I have never tackled anything 3 dimensional, so I still wouldn't be able to do them. And it is really something that you used the quilt design for the one you did yesterday. What an idea. It would really look good to use beside a display of quilts.....like mine.....Ha.

Ruby, I can't/don't cook, it has never been something that I liked doing, though i can if I have to. But not creatively, and I admire people who do. I think we most admire the things we cannot do and others can. So there is another creative talent that you have.

I have a feeling , Carol that you are hiding tons more photos of your flowers.....you are a wealth of information, and it is so nice to look at lovely gardens this time of year. More please.

On my way to pick up another load of estate frames. I must have hundreds of picture frames of various sizes stashed away in this house. I do have to get rid of some of them, but it sure is a windfall.

You all have a good day, will chat later.

Starzz,

Your yellow Evening Primrose jogged my memory back to the first years I lived in my house. I had them in a flower bed--all over! They spread so quickly I eventually got rid of them.

I also have a lot of the Rose Campion (aka Corn Cockle) in the same picture. Once you have that flower--you will always have it. I love the way my eye goes right to the brilliant, little flowers.
Ruby,

I have the same problem with planning on doing things and then putting them off--again and again. Mostly this happens, like you said, if it is something I really don't want to, or don't know how to--do.

Come on, Spring!!!!! This is my "Multi Blue" Clematis.
Gita

My neighbor's beautiful 2-tone, blue Iris. The house is empty as she moved into assisted living over 2 years ago. I have "rescued" a few of these for my own Garden. They are all over the place in her yard.

That is also where I dug up and divided that red Daylily I posted. They needed dividing so bad! Now I have them in two places to enjoy.

My all time favorite Rose---"Sweet Surrender". VERY sweet fragrance! Like Granny's perfume. The blooms must have 99 petals in them! It is such a dense bloom that it usually has 2 whorls to it and when fully open, it is almost flat.
Have had it for many years. About 4 years ago, I cut it back to almost nothing, as the main stem had gotten so big and loose the whole bush "rocked". Well--next year it re-grew as if nothing had happened....

Well--just waanted to send you a bit of "Spring".....Gita

Shar...am sure Suzanne will love the lamp..just got back from SG studio, shovelled and now I'm ready to get back into my comfy jammies and work away...tell you what I do with regards to cleaning the house...have t.v. on while I work..when a commercial comes on I must do something constructive that way I don't feel guilty playing in craft room...

Love the flowers..I'm going to go back and look, there was one that I particularly wanted to paint..work project in the office..lol..so will let you know which photo AND ask permission to paint..

Dawn, as I play here with Sailor I'm thinking of what you must undertake this afternoon, now my thoughts are with you on this very sad day...

Gita..Love that Multi Blue clematis..I'll keep that name in mind when I go to the garden centres.

I have several clematis..the more common ones. I would like to find a white one this year as well.

Haven't seen Sweet Surrender rose up here.....love roses that have a fragrance. I'm going to
helpmefindroses.com
and check it out.

Sharon..I have a huge amount of garden photos..I keep them in folders by the years..but of course a lot of the same plants from year to year. I also have lots of photos of plants that I have loved and lost..LOL..

When I was working I would always go out in the mornings before work with my camera to take photos of what was blooming. This is the gazebo in the morning sun last Aug. 5.

I came across this website through Doug Greens newsletter.
http://valwebb.wordpress.com/

It is called the Illustrated Gardener...and I am sure you girls will LOVE this site..
Betty have a look at the recent illustration about journalling..
all you artists who love to garden will enjoy this I am sure..

Recent posting...from The Illustrated Gardener. a blog.

Carol, that garden is to die for...working my way to have one look just as lovely as yours..but know it takes years of work, $$$ and creativity...

Working to get the lamp done by this evening so I can drop it off to Suzanne so back to work I go but will definately sit this evening and check out the site...

Dawn, you probably are wakening right about now...prayers sweetie..wipe those tears you know Mushi is suffering and is looking at you with deep regret that he must leave your side, but knows it is out of love you are taking him today!!..Be brave my friend..lean on Greg...am sure he's sad as well....

Good Morning!

...Oh my gosh, Mouth is drooling over here at the thought of Ruby's sweets.

Carol and Gita, I am amazed at all the floral you both have...Beautiful to see
first thing in the morning...and makes me dream of Spring almost around the corner.
I actually am missing my flower photos...(sigh, in my old computer) But will be fun to
take new one to share with all of you.

Gita Sweet Surrender is Stunning, as is your clematis, wow!

Carol, I just love your Gazebo. Is it's strucure from tree you had taken down? I am sorry
can't remember. Well anyway, It sure is a place of relaxing beauty. Would you mind if I printed this picture?

Betty, The lamp for suzanne sounds beautiful. LOL, was a tad jelous on your shopping spree, sounds like some grand buys.

Dawn, Thinking about you today...

Gilli...Was glad to hear you were able to visit with friends. Now what is Curling?

Cat, We have been dealing with all this outsourcing for quite a while...Been bought, sold, merged 8 or 9 times now. LOL lost count. Of all the times just went with the flow. This time I am pretty sure My time is next. They cut our IT down to 4 people. At one time we had a crew of 15. The one guy that comes to handle our office is going bonkers...Until my printing computer gets fix i am back to old fashion way of things...all manual, takes forever, Well maybe monday he will have me up and running.

OH Tropi, Happy Birthday to you lil girl! 7 is such a fun age, does she like to play princess? How fun to go ice skating.

Jeannine, yow...so sorry to hear about your garden. The Murph will have to learn where he can't go. Maybe this year he will now that he's older.

Well, I have my Brother in for a visit so I better go make a pot of coffee. Everyone have a wonderful day.
See you all later!

It's going to be roller skating actually (we don't do cold well..lol), but thanks everyone for asking, we're having the party next weekend

Carrol and seed,

The Sweet Surrender Rose is an older variety. No longer patented. Every now and then you can still find it in the assorted pots in garden centers. The below link is for this Rose. You may have to c/p it in your search bar.

http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/pl.php?n=6068

I bought the Multi Blue Clematis at my HD about 3 years ago. I never shop at fancy schmancy nurseries. They charge so much! I should go lurk, though.

Carol--That World Press site is sooo cute! Oh my God! You could spend hours on there! If you have just scanned it and not looked at it seriously--PLEASE open all the links where she has posted all her "Tags". Each one is a treasure!

You all have so much land! Makes me jealous.....Your gazebo is so restful! And all the expanse and trees.....:0(

See! If all I do is take close-ups of my flowers, no one will ever see how yukky some of the surroundings look. Shhhh...that's my secret!

Gita
My big-blooming Peony! This is the oldest one I have.

These are Wood Hyacinths.

Here's my lovely Camellia by the front steps. 2006.
It has now been there for about 8 years.

This is a bloom (2006) on my Hoya Carnosa. This HB got too big and I gave it away to the Conservatory.

This is Rosamond Brugmansia. BIG bloomer!

OK! Enough for now.....Gotta get back to vacuuming my house or I will never get anything done. It is just way too much fun to sit here and share stuff with you all.

G.

they are lovely..you have so many varieties...never had luck with roses or clematis..do tell me your secret...

Thinking of Dawn and Mushi...

morning and afternoon,

well your all to busy lol cant post today but im glad everyone is staying out of trouble.
pictures are beautiful

my thoughts are with dawn i hope she is pulling through

gita big hugs to you got my seeds today :) found one decent bloom left on my poor camilia
cant for the life of me remember the name hope everyone is having a good day first break of rain so i must get out and do something talk later

Liz,

Oh my! That was fast!!!! I just mailed them out on the 24th!

Your Camellia is beautiful! In the Conservatory's Spring show they had several camellias--all in full bloom. many were pink--some were really big and double.

Betty,

I have NO secrets! I only follow basic care for these plants. There are a few things people do sometimes that is a no-no.

For Clematis--
it is important to know WHEN to cut it back. Many people just look at all the dead branches this time of year and cut the whole thing back to the ground. DON"T! From those 'dead branches" will grow all the leaves that will become the vine for the next season. There are 3 different "classes" of Clematis-=-1--2--3. Knowing which one you have is important as those numbers will dictate WHEN you are supposed to cut it back. Most of them are class #2, which means that you wait until Spring and see where the uppermost new growth is (those little bunches of leaves). Then you may cut back anything above that.
Also--Clematis likes it's top in full sun but it's roots cool and shaded. Many people plant a bushy perennial in front of the root area to shade it. Also--feed your Clematis as you would bulbs--with Bulb Food or Bone meal.
When you get a newly purchased Clematis in a pot, plant it so the crown is 2" deeper that it was in the pot. Nice loose, fertile soil.....Mulch lightly. Provide a tall trellis for it to climb.

Roses!!! Oh my goodness!! There is so much to know!
I only have Tea Roses (No floribundas or bush roses), and for the Teas, you have to feed them once a month with Rose Food of some kind. The Systemic kind is good as it will prevent sucking insects from making a meal of your plants and flowers. That is sold everywhere! Along with the first feeding of the season (when you notice the new growth), and ONLY the first month--scatter a big hand full of Epsom Salts around each bush. This promotes new canes at the base. Water roses regularly too. DO NOT feed roses (at least here) after August! August should be your last feeding. Too much new growth going into the winter is not good.

In the Spring, clean your rose beds of any fallen leaves from last year. Remove the old mulch and apply new. In out area Roses suffer from "Black Spot" which is a Fungus. If you have this in your area, an early spring spraying with Lime Sulfur is recommended.

Correct pruning is essential! If you have the "Teas", Trim the Rose bush back by a good half in the Spring--but be selective WHERE you prune on the canes. By that I mean--ALWAYS make a slanted cut about 1/4" above an OUTWARD facing leaf bud, because it is from there that the new growth will come and Roses need to have good air circulation. So, an "open" structure is essential. Cut out any dead canes or any that criss-cross and rub against others.
Never, cut back a rose in the fall!!!! Allow the spent flowers to remain on the bush as this will signal the plant that it is time to go dormant.

Well--this should help you some, Betty. Are you guilty of any of the above no-no's?

I have another favorite Rose in my garden and that is "Proud Land". What a beautiful, tall stemmed red rose that is! Also among the older varieties.

Here's a picture of that!

I have one climbing Rose. It is called "Autumn Sunset" and has done pretty well for me.
The buds start out bright orange/reddish and then open up to a yellow. As the bloom fades, it turns to a deep melon.

Betty--and you never really prune a climbing Rose......

Here's a close-up. You can see the different colors.

morning.. gosh your all so busy while i am sleeping!

now as for the angel, what you need to do is find someone who does beading perhaps and see if you can get a crimp off them.
a crimp is that little metal piece at the base of the hanging loop?
you need to cut the loop off, then feel the crimp on, loop the wire again to make it shorter, feed it back through the crimp again and then squash it closed with a pair of pliers so it holds the wire for hanging.
if not, you could go to a bead store or craft store, angel in hand and tell them what you need to do and maybe they could see you a couple. they are but a few for a penny so to speak. I would be more than happy to do it but the postal service here is not that good it seems.

now as for those shells, how lucky are you! you just dont get them here and if you want one you have to hunt around and pay big bucks! maybe put some moss in them and minature orchids??? that would be nice or moss and some really nice air plants and sit them on your kitchen windowsill? wouldnt that be gorgeous! thats what i would do.

well another warm day, had the family over for a BBQ yesterday which was nice.

had feedback regarding my work issues... will talk about them another time, dont want to spoil my weekend!

xx
ps
long weekend here, australia day!

Laura,

Thanks for the ideas about my shells. I like the moss and air plant idea. Not gonna mess with any size orchids....I also don't have big windowsills anywhere. Maybe only 2"+, so I can't set anything on them. How i wish i had deep, deep windowsills everywhere! I have so many plants and nowhere to keep them.

In my bathroom, though, the toilet tank sits right below the small window. That might work.....Besides, the toilet is right under it, so there would be a certain amount of humidity. But--so is the heat vent! That would defeat all that.

Dawn--forgot to say that you are in my thoughts too today. Please let us know what has happened......Was it a 'go" or a "no go"?

Gita

Here is my LR window!!!! It is a jungle, I tell you! I did put a long shelf all along the bottom of the 3 windows. I can set my smaller pots on that.
This is the only place I gave any decent light--but it is not as good as it could be, as outside this whole side of the house (facing the back yard) is a high patio roof. It does have 4 sky lights in it so the light can come in. My Ex built all that......

And this is the 2 windows in the DR end. The two rooms are all one.

fabulous!

Ah, Gita....I see my steps to Jerusalem on your wall. I can't look at the plants for looking at it.

A beautiful tour of roses and your home... thanks to all of you.
Gita, I got my seeds today, too. Thanks.

I am not going to linger tonight, had a rough day and am about worn out.
Maybe tomorrow will be better. Thinking of you Dawn.
Take care..
Shar

Gita..loving all your photos..what a great looking Christmas Cactus. I noticed the painting on the wall there between the living room and dining room. It is larger than I had thought. Lovely to see it there. I did spend alot of time at that Garden site today..and then branched off to other sites she linked to. It is a wonderful read.

Judy..of course you may use my photo of the Gazebo..happy you enjoyed it. The gazebo was built from Cedar logs that the man who built it, brought here that he had cut from his parents land. I worked with this fella and he had built one for himself..and when he showed me I fell in love with it and hired him to build me one.


Liz..you are lucky to have camellias ..very pretty pink.

Dawn..thinking of you..

Hi Laura..mmmmmmmm..a family BBQ sounds lovely..we had a few flurries of snow today.

Betty..how is the lampshade coming along..can't wait to see it.

Cheers, to all
Carol

I am worried about Dawn. I wish she would post.

Hi everyone!

What a LONG day I have had! I was up at 6:30 with my little rat of a dog!! :) Hit the grocery store at 8, then hit the road again at 10 to head down and pick my parents up to drive them down to Va Beach. Didn't get back home until 5:30! But DH had done the laundry for me again. Such a sweetheart!!

Guess what I'm doing? I'm growing mushrooms! Not he poisonous ones - button s'rooms like the kid you get in the grocery store. I bought a kit from Gardener's Supply Co. and got it all set up last weekend and I see my first little fungis!! I should get s'rooms for up to 3 months!!! I've had to really baby them though. I've got them under a lamp on a table in the family room and I spray it with water all the time. It's so cool - to grow something in the winter!!

Here's a pic of the box. The little white buttons to the middle right are the s'rooms!

Here's a close up.....

Oh, GG....I have never seen anything like that. what a neat idea.

I think I might go search for that kit, sure would be a novel thing for this time of year.

Hi Everyone - Funny how we make plans for the day and then end up doing just the opposite many times. I did not do desserts like I was thinking. I did prepare a brocilli and bacon salad though and that took all the creativity I had for the day.

I believe that Betty asked what a Surprise Pudding was. Here is the very simple recipe for those who might want to try something that is truly very rich and yummy. /my older son wanted this instead of a cake for his birthday a few weeks ago.

Surprise Pudding

2 stacks of Ritz crackers
1 stick of butter
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream
1 tub of Cool Whip
2 small or one large box of vanilla Jello Instant Pudding
1/2 cup of milk

Crumble crackers and mix with butter. Pat in bottom of baking dish. Soften ice cream. Add pudding and milk, spread on crust. Spread Cool Whip over mix. Sprinkle cracker crumbs on top. Put in refrigerator until set, about 1 hour.

This is a dish that my mother used to bring to all get togethers that she attended. Everyone always loved it. I have found myself missing some of the things that she used to prepare for us and getting together a collection of recipes that I now use for my family. Another favorite around here was Apple Sauce Cake.

I forgot that some of you are in Canada and Australia and so measurments might be different. If anyone has problems converting, let me know and I will see if I can help.

Off to some other forums. I hope that everyone will have a good Sunday. Thanks to all who shared photo. Lovely plants Gita and Carol, I too love the gazebo and all the lovely plants around it. Outstanding!!!

Ruby

Moved US here dear friends...

Come along, coffee's on, sorry no goodies, Rudy has to bring those.

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/807862/

Morning all,
Jeannine..what fun that must be..I'll bet the kids will enjoy watching the mushrooms grow too.
I would love to see what it looks like when you ahve a whole crop.

Ruby..your Surprise Pudding sounds easy to make and I'll bet it is yummy. I'm not sure if we get Ritz crackers in stacks here. But I haven't looked for them either. The stick of butter here would be half a cup.

Sharon..hope you have a better day today. How is the painting coming along?

Betty must be working hard at finishing her lampshade.

I'm looking at my garden photos..and I chose this one to show you.
The plant on the left with the little blue flowers is Brunnera Hadspen Cream. The other green and white leaf on the right of the pic is Goutweed and the tall Hosta in behind is Krossa Regal. This was June 1 07.

morning all ,

horrible night! woke at 12.30 hard rain so got up then the troup followed watched a english movie then tryed to go sleep again no chance finished planting the ruhbarb already had a leaf starting to grow out of the package,
put up a few valentine things, got my car smogged, went to sil work omg her and dh are the prime example of brother and sister love...
he said something smart, she yelled he put his hand to use claws then hissed at her she said get out then he says leaving you know i love you she looked at him an said ya right.
then i have to hear it later from her lol.

gita, all your pics are a breath of fresh air and move over im taking over one of those couches that room looks so warm with the sun comming in

carol, enjoyed the garden again i had those evening primrose i dont remember if their still in the planter out frount i had those pink primrose omg they took over i had to pull them out they became to much i pawned of a bunch to my next door neighbors and they gave some to another across the street you should see their pink borders lol

betty, have enjoyed watching the stained glass comming to life just wonderful, now how many more bargains did you find? oh and before i forget your sisters dogs are just beauties so white, did you get some stuff for sailor, that was early for hot spots mine is starting that scratching so i have some spray im going to use before he gets out of control and did i see the cutest thing while driving a lady walking her dacshund in a camouflage rain jacket just adorable.
ok im fit to be tied what are all of you paying for green onions? $1.23 a bunch now im going to home depot to get blubs

ruby, all those goodies you are making thanks for putting down recipes sure sound good

laura, glad the family came over sounds like you had a great weekend

jeannine, what were you doing up at 6.30 those are cool now will it keep producing over and over or do you have to replace it? dont know a thing about mushrooms

shar, i hope your back to felling better and eating need to get your stregnth back up how is ashley doing

vicki,tropicanna, cat, gilli, rachel

Again--I hate to leave this part of this Thread! Same as #28! Seems I left so much of myself here--in the "dust".....now it will all disappear into oblivion.....
But--as with everything in life--must move on.......I put the "Illustrated Garden" in my Favorites. Did not want to lose that!! Thanks again, Starzz....

Bye!!!! Gita