Took a photo of a couple..I did the iris and Kyle did random use of glass..nothing too exciting, depends how much time you want to spend on them..I don't do the entire piece in glass as I think it would be much too slippery so I leave a good section just cement..think on these I might have put coloring in the cement...
I will as soon as my top soil comes and I start my friendship garden make one on behalf of each of you and make a walkway..
How many of you start to clean, make a complete disaster? Well that's what I've done, here I wanted to find a home for the things I got yesterday and in the middle of doing it, I came across a piece of linoleum and thought, why not, wouldn't it look nice leading to my front door, so up on a table it went, now I'm playing at 'crafts' as well as 'cleaning'..shucks the girls come tomorrow so I'd better get focused...lol
Betty I do a country or cottage type. Nothing manicured or tame in what I prefer. This was last year.
Morning all - Looks like it's going to be a nice day - maybe not too much sun, but the breeze is warm and the birds are chirping!
Taking the kids to see 'Ironman' today. I have no clue what it's about as I was not/am not a comic reader. It's gotten good reviews though and my neighbor has seen it and said she liked it (and she's like me - no comics). So we will see......
Loads to do today - literally! :) Laundry, ironing (yuck!), studying. So I'll be busy after the movie.
I will check back in later today to see how everyone's day has been. Hugs to all!
Jeannine
PS - Liz, on the alpha dog thing - Cesar Millan says you need to nip that in the bud - WE are the alpha dogs. Make him step back and let you go thru the door first, etc. Murphy was doing that too and then I saw Cesar's show and Murphy now stands back and I go then let him out. I don't know how old yours is and if this is even possible to correct, but YOU'RE the boss, not him! :)
Have fun Jeannine, Suzanne and Lenny went to see the movie yesterday and quite enjoyed it..
Vicki, that's EXACTLY the type of garden I loves, worth every drop of sweat..
Taking a bit of a break, headache coming on, think I'm moving to quickly...hmmm...
While cleaning, finding mega things just not the 'SEEDS' LOL and came across this poem...might have posted it at some time but worth re-posting...
Two Boxes
I HAVE IN MY HANDS TWO BOXES!
Which God gave me to hold.
He said, "put all you sorrows in the black box
and all you joys in the gold"...
I heeded His words, and in the two boxes,
Both my joys and sorrows I stored,
But thought the gold became heavier each day,
The black was as light as before...
With curiosity, I opened the black,
I wanted to find out why?
I saw, in the base of the box, a hole,
Which my sorrows had fallen out by....
I showed the hole to God, and mused
"I wonder where my sorrows could be?"
He smiled a gentle smile and said
"My child, the're all here with me..."
I asked God why He have me the boxes,
Why the gold and the black with the hole?
"My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings,
The black is for you to let go!"
We should consider all our friends a blessing...
Let them know you are thinking of them and that they are a joy in your life...
A ball is a circle, no beginning and no end.
It keeps us together like our Circle of Friends...
But the treasure inside for you to see,
Is the treasure of friendship you've granted to me....
Tody I pass the friendship ball to you
Pass it on to someone who is a friend to YOU!....
Betty, what a lovely poem. Thank you for sharing. :)
I'm off shortly to re pot some of the lovely herbs I bought yesterday at the farmer's market. A couple I'm not at all familar with but I'm going to do some research on the internet for them. The Cuban Oregano has the most striking leaves and smells like heaven. I also got some German Chamoille. I was really impressed at the quality of the plants and the prices were very reasonable as well. She has a website if y'all want to have a look and it's all organic. It's a pleasure to go to the market and the majority are doing "natural" gardening. Who can afford the certs, that is so ridiculous and stupid! goldenowlherbfarm.com is the site for the herbs. I want to make a list of what I have and what else I want to get and she will be there again, so I think I'm going to have to back for more. LOL
Just wanted to wish everyone a very happy Luke Skywalker Day. May the force (fourth) be with you. This lesser-known celebration is held very seriously in the Plumb household. Yesterday we visited went to a friend's house for some goose and took along dessert. Sonora made a cake and decorated it with a scene of Obi-wan Kenobe and Qui-Gon Jin fighting Darth Maul. It's sort of a combinations of scenes from the movie because the place is the desert on Tatooine but Obi-wan didn't actually fight Darth Maul on Tatooine. Ian and I made an edible Jabba the Hutt - Tomato soup cake with one layer baked in a bowl and custard covering it.
We also started watching the movies starting on Friday evening. I like the movies but I find it hard to just sit and watch them as a marathon. Keith and the kids enjoy it though and it's just once a year.
Here's Sonora's cake.
And here's Ian with Jabba the Hutt.
gillbean that is toooooo cute! May the force be with you! LOL
Gilly, what an artist you have, so creative...tell her I loved it..just wish I could taste it...
Still muddling through and wouldn't you know, the sun is coming out..so decision/decisions lol..maybe I can play outside and come in here and there to finish the basement..lordy that a lot of junk I have stored here..not junk really, what craft stuff is junk? Love to paint, I've enough paint for 10 people to paint everyday of their life..lol..no exaggeration..
Managed to get the books sorted and shelves somewhat organized..at least on the left hand side of the cupboard, don't want to peek at the right hand side...lol
Gilli,
What great kids you have!! Sonora is such an artist, and Ian is absolutely wonderful....I sat with my kids through many hours of Star Wars, but in movie theatres since my kids are in their 30's now....and I think my son has all of them on CDs......He is already showing them to 3 year old Ethan.
And how does Baby Girl like them??
I would think she would rather be outside, don't you?
I always love to read your posts. Reminds me of the time I stayed home with the kids when they were little.
Thanks for today's memory.
sharon
Sonora got a new bike yesterday. Her old one was way too small for her - knees touching the handlebars. It was on the small side last year but we wanted to hold out till this summer. She's just big enough for the bike she has now with the seat all the way down so I'm glad that we waited the year. This bike should last her till she can buy her own so it will last a while.
Vicki, I love how you have your garden on the hill with the rock walls. I think that one of the frustrating things about living here is not wanting to put a lot of energy into landscaping when we're not sure how much longer we'll be living here. It's nice to enjoy the pictures.
Ruby, I think you confused Vicki and me. I have a daughter who is almost 18 months. She's been walking for a while now but this is the first she has really been able to do much outside. Once our back yard dries out I think we'll enjoy a lot of time outside.
Gita, awesome pictures. I especially like the 'punch me in the stomach'. I remember you once saying that I reminded you of your younger self. I have to say that I see the resemblance more and more - that is totally something that I would have done. I used to play a lot of sports, I even won an armwrestling contest in high school.
Also, welcome to Jaye and Bev. It's nice to 'meet' you.
What a cutie patootie she is!! And so stylish too! LOL
Well Good Morning!
So much to catch up on.
Lets see first things first,
Congratulations Doc. A Wonderful accomplishment. So very proud of you. Clap, clap, and smiles too.
Wishing you all Healthy and Happy vibes today. Will be thinking and praying while I work today.
Got alot to accomplish today so, first thing is to hunt down my heat gun so I can finish stripping the side of house.
Dawn, You gardens are so Pretty. Will be lovely with the row of roses. I get so confused with Xeriscaping. Is that where you have just little sections of plantings? I love the silvery plant you have there looks beautiful.
Jeannine, Oh my you are busy busy lady! How fun you finally got to see Van Halen, Great concert huh. OH, I am glad you got the kitty painting. Are you going to share a picture?? Uh, I am sort of lost on this part of conversation but obviously Betty did an oustanding job on your gift!
Wonder, It is good you are loving the sewing machine. Will be exciting to see your grandmas quilt.
Carol, I've got to tell you, your friend is a doll. I hope she is ok. You've got quite the array of hostas wow! It is going to be wonderful to see how you mix them all again. So..has your weather been good to you so you can paint the garden furniture? Was thinking Smoosh painting might be kind of cool...At least for me I'm getting ready to paint my long bench out front. well, thats kind of last priority for the moment. but I am thinking Smoosh!
Ruby, I sure hope you are feeling better today! hahah, on the buying of baby clothes for our flour sack! LOL, cant have a naked baby though, and she was so excited about the project I found it hard to say no, lol beleive me it wat the cheapest outfil. Now here is the really insane part...we got diapers and a bottle too! ROFLOL,thank heavens for dollar stores. just shaking my head! But it's all for the contest...whoever has the best made baby gets a mommy award. Besides got to be a good gramma. Today taking him outside while i work in the garden, you know for freshair!
Gilli, How fun! yes May the force be with you today. you know I just caught the entire Star wars episode two summers ago. I actually enjoyed it. We had a lunchtime marathon. It took all summer to get through the series. My favorite is the Big Hairy guy, but duh I forgot his name.
Bev, You do have Lovely lovely garden, great photos! What's the name of your Park, We have a friend who camps in Lake Will. A privately owned place too. I love to go and camp with them. A nice solitare to just walk around and see everyones gardens. It is one thing I miss about camping. Looking forward to see you second gardens.
Hi Jaye..So funny, Well you just come and tyalk to us and we will learn to decipher! haha.
I forget who had those adorable little pups..I love the little bitties.
Ves, glad to hear you are feeling Better. Yes you have a very pretty spot. Just love the boulders. I think it gives the gardens such a unique look, natural too. So nice to work leisurely...My gardens are kind of the same..Just as Long as I have color throughout the season. I am happy. So enjoyu your warm day today.
Betty, You are just incredible!! I am inlove with your new stones. What a grand idea. So happy to see your garden again, pretty soon she will be full of blooms! LOL, we always have every tv on, Well you enjoy the day, I am enjoying getting out as soon as I have some breakfast! I'm starving,stomack really letting me know too.LOL. hahah, yep can just imagine me and Liz, we are definately two peas in a pod, Lucy and Ethle long distance eh? LOL imagine she called me a meanie already first thing this morning...Pout pout! And poor DH's double up on thhem with our Thelma and Louise caos. hahah, what fun!
I hope you are in Better Spririts today.
Waving Hello to Gita, Hope your not teatering on the top ladders anymore. Has your house friend moved in? Does she like to garden too? This will be good when you go on vacation Yes?
Shar, I hope your day is good, maybe working in the garden will cheer you up.
So...Introducing the Grandson. LOL I called him an it and got scolded that it's a boy! His name is Alexander.
Oh bummer thats the wrong picture...That is my mini treasures from the Garden Swap!! So exciting just received them yesterday...MINI MINI...so much fun.
LOL...Judy you are quite a character..
First Ann dropped in for a visit and then June brought me what, she called it a bread but it really wasn't more like a sweet loaf..the best I've ever tasted..apparently it takes about 10 days to make, you put an ingredient in each day and then bake..has applesauce..she gave me a loaf and must tell you it's moister than moist..actually, it's pretty much gone..going to call her for the recipe..of course I'll share!
Paints/paint and more paints...
Oh my Gosh Gilli, Look at your lil Ella..she is adorable...And Sonora riding her new bike in the backround, so cute.
Yep forgot to say what a great little artist she is, Love the cake scene.
Waiting on DH, who was rushing me to get out side and now I am finally ready..he is not, sigh. Will start something without him then.
OK trying this again...
Gilli, just can't believe how big the children have grown...so exciting for you to be a 'stay at home'!
Hell smell, lol, just had a girlfriend, her daughter and hubby drop in to check the frame outside..she wants one so he wanted to take measurement and here I am still in p.j.'s - 1:00 in the aft...if you didn't know me you'd think I had a lazy streak..you'd vouch for me that I don't right?
No one more bottle can fill these trays so off to look for a new hide-away..no seeds yet...couldn't possibly have planted them and forgotten could I???
Grandma Judy, you have me in stitches..looks like the cabbage patch dolls, don't be upset know she's (he???) is your treasured child..what an interest you've taken..sure hope she wins for the 'best mamma' DH must be shaking his head..
Did I tell you I babysat for my 1st grandchild overnight..omg he cried and cried, I'd try to feed him in hopes that he'd stop crying, but NO, just kept it up..I was sooooo pleased to have Greg and Mel arrive in the morning...OMG/OMG you know those little white things they put on the bottle before they put the cap on so the milk won't dribble out...guess who didn't know it was there...poor child almost starved..no wonder I babysat only a few times..got to the point they'd count the diapers to see how many I used...NOT GOOD WITH BABIES...
just know you all are not laughing right???
You just need a little "refresher" course is all Betty. All these new a wonderful things, I have to ask.........LOL
I have to show off my Queen Elizabeth which is going great guns right now! Finally, something is blooming besides the daffies.
Well duh, sigh
How beautiful...now will you have roses all summer long or are they in bloom for a few weeks and then they go dormant??
Whew..just got cuaght up...you are all so busy..enjoy reading your stoires and looking at your photos.
I started reading a book last night..read till I fell asleep....and as soon as I got up I had to sit and read it till I finshed it this morning. ..Cold this morning and windy, but sun came out this afternoon. Went for a drive and guess where I ended up..another garden centre!
So that makes three days in a row..different one each time. Friday was the Joseph's Coat climbing rose but I aready mentioned that one.
Yesterdays purchases were three double impatiens and a four pak of basil. I love basil with fresh tomatoes drizzled with balsamic vinegar in the summer.
Today I bought a plant I wanted last year..but never really found a nice one.
This time I got a nicely started one. I am collecting plants a little at a time so when the time comes..I'll have them all here....plus it gives me a bit of fun to go out each day or two to all the garden places ..
It is Brit Marie Crawford Ligularia
Not a good photo..but I will get the link to the plantfiles..and post it.
Cheers,
Carol
Here is the plantfile link
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/72948/
Brit Marie Crawford Ligularia
morning all
lousy nights sleep last night or should i say no sleep! grrr just couldnt switch off the old brain. never mind today is a new daya though i will be taking it on a little slower. lol
busy weekend but a quiet day yesterday which was nice. quilt coming along nicely tho all the handstiching is making my fingers sore! lol have to wait for the calusses to harden.
best get ready for work...
chat tonight..
xxxx
No the roses go until Oct, sometimes Nov depend on the cold weather.
My tulips in the little garden in the main backyard opened today.
In the pot is a Martha Wasington geranium..I put it in the garage at night for now.
Another nap, lorday, no energy whatsoever, almost got my craft room cleaned though..absolutely no idea still where the seeds have gone???
Just woke up again, gave floor mats another coat (3 in all) - need one more basecoat then start dabbling with color, one has the check already so am deciding what to do that's simplistic but nice..
Carol, as always love your gardens, so much land! Lucky you...fun taking a ride to entertain oneself..did much too much riding last week to try another outing..lol.. NIce purchases .. what was the name of the book you read?
Laura, brains are a funny thing..maybe it was all the excitement of having your family there...did you read my post inquiring as to if July 17th is your birthday? Roger's was the 18th of Judy, would be easy for me to remember..key words, key dates..lol ... hoping today is an easy day for you, you'll soon venture out to work..Monday/Monday!
Doc, am going to pick up a couple of climbing rose shrubs and as Judy is looking after her new granchild you can all help me raise them..who knows, might get a rose as yet...must say though, along the railway trace about 4 yrs. ago was hundreds of fet of wild rose bushes, I went back and dug a couple up, they are still alive but never a rose? Any ideas anyone....
Just decided to call it a night..in the morning I just have to move my floormats and it's good enough for the girls!
I would take the day off tomorrow I think but with needing May 14th aft. off don't think I will..everyone has appts. tomorrow so should be there..can always nap...lol
Have a good sleep Betty. Your plants are certainly looking good..Maybe this year will be the time your rose will bloom.
I dug a wild rose up fomr a ditch and I think it took a couple of years to bloom. Now it spreads itself out and I have to cut back the canes that grow into the grass.
The book I read is called
Away from it All ....by Judy Astley.
I borrowed it from the library
This is a publisher's blurb about it.
From the Publisher
Alice has a scrupulously organized, comfortable life in West London with Noel--her second husband whose main ambition in life is to sharpen his golf handicap in time for retirement. But when Alice's once-famous bohemian mother Jocelyn, residing in shabby splendor in a crumbling cliff-top house in Cornwall, becomes ill, Alice, with her daughter and stepson, goes to look after her. She is appalled by what she finds. Her glorious childhood home is falling into decay, her brother and his wife are …+ read more
Alice has a scrupulously organized, comfortable life in West London with Noel--her second husband whose main ambition in life is to sharpen his golf handicap in time for retirement. But when Alice's once-famous bohemian mother Jocelyn, residing in shabby splendor in a crumbling cliff-top house in Cornwall, becomes ill, Alice, with her daughter and stepson, goes to look after her. She is appalled by what she finds. Her glorious childhood home is falling into decay, her brother and his wife are not too fussy about the domestic arrangements, and their twin sons run wild. Alice's children love the freedom and beauty that they discover in Cornwall, and Alice herself beings to wonder whether her chosen way of life is necessarily the right one...
It was a good easy read...
Betty,
The Rose you dug up does NOT really look like a typical Garden Rose.....The leaves are so very small....NO branching of the canes......
I am wondering if it is a wild rose of some kind? Maybe all under stock growing--NOT the "good" upper parts?????
Post it on the Rose Forum!
Gita
Hi! all. am back from church,got hubby fed twice and my middle son Rick came to visit my computer that is! No we had a nice visit.
OMG Betty, you have more paints than the stores have. While you are making your pretty stepping stones you will have to put a dragonfly on mine you know. TEE HEE Thank you for the beatiful poem.
Vicki, I love your garden and I am also a rock hound.
Jeannie, Hope you enjoyed the movie. I can't sit still long enough to watch one at home.
doccats, What is your real name so I can put you on my keep track list?
Gilli, Nice cakes! Never heard of tomatoe soup cake. Got recepi?I still have the remote R2 D2 that my boys had when they were little. Thank you for the welcome am enjoying myself here very much.
Judy, The name of our campground is Temberli Estates but is not fancy place just nice get away.
Ruby, I am praying about you headaches,
Sharon, How are you? Miss talking to you!!!!
Wonder, We must have been thinking alike last nite because I could not shut my brain off even with meds.
Well this is enough out of me for a while. I did get to plant some winter sown galardias today!! I am sending some more lilacs for all of you. CU LATER BEV The first is Abraham Lincoln and the white is a double and very fragrant!!!!
Abraham Lincoln
Double white
Very fragrant!!
Hey everyone. Looks like you've all been keeping busy, as usual. It's been a gorgeous weekend here and I'm making the most of it. Been outside trying to get a few things done. I joined way too many coops this year and have WAY too many plants to put out! :-)
Beautiful pictures ladies. I can't wait until I get something in bloom!
Cathy, I sent you some seeds in Aug. 07. I am with you. I went overboard with the plants and the seeds. No way I am I going to get everything in.I don't think I will need anything next winter but you watch!!!! Good seeing you here. Hugs BEV
Doc when I was in Maryland (Bethesda) I noticed it was hot and humid but still a hazy and shady cast in August. All the houses had moss and ivy banks. I have a feeling that it may not get atleast 5hours of blazing sun, and 6 to 7 would be even better. You are the MG so I don't want to seem like you are not knowing this already, but it seemed like it would be hard to get a rose to bloom where my aunt lived anyway. No moss around here, probably nowhere in California because of the sun and it is too dry.
Have you tried the usual stuff like epsom salts to help the rose try to bloom?
Now you tell me why my wisterias seldom or never bloom?
Judy, I think it was you or maybe Jeannine who asked about xeriscape, it is just low water gardening, nothing more than that, usually a lot of native plants, it can be done anywhere, just is a need in the dry western states. I have too much land and am on a well, if anything ever happens like mandatory water conservation, then I want to be set to keep my landscape.
We all sort of vanish in the summer so it is nice that we are all waiting for each bloom with excitement together before the big hyatis. (hyadis???)
I'm not real knowledgable about wisteria, but I got a MG buddy who is, I'll pick her brain, she's the perennial expert, I'm the veggie, rose, bugs guru.....LOL Roses really need about 6-8 hours of full sun a day to do well. Some can tolerate a bit of shade, but you don't get the profuse bloom.
Betty, my darling that doesn't look like a rose. Would you get a closer shot of the leaves? It could be one of the wild types. And if you are buying climbers, do check for their cold hardiness. They do have them for your zone, but you need to pay attention that. There's a wonderful rose nursery in Ontario called Palantines that make me drool on my keyboard. Do take a look, they have spectacular plants. Be warned! Once you get one going, it's not going to be enough! LOL Roses are not hard, but they do have some rather specific requirements, if you give them what they need they will go like crazy. My Sheer Bliss is starting to open up. I'll try and get some pictures tomorrow. And the quack grass that's trying to crowd it out is going to have a little accident. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr I hate the stuff. Do keep in mind, the ones I'm showing you are mature rose bushes that are at least 20 years old. They got the bases to back it up. Young roses don't fill out like that until they're about 3 and then they start to really pick it up. The Sheer Bliss is the one on the left. My pain in the tushie, but one smell is enough to make allowances for it's bratty self. LOL It is truly well named.
Doc was that retorical when you asked us pea brains about your wild rose not blooming? lol
I want to take a pix of my friend's roses, they are giant.
No, y'all aren't pea brains, but roses are one of my passions, not that anybody noticed I'm sure, LOL. I just can't make out the leaf structure on Betty's pretty and until I can see it better I'm thinking that is not a rose bush. But some of the wild ones don't look the same as the "cultivated" types. Got to get a better look. LOL
Do find out what variety of roses they are please. zuzu in the rose forum just turns me assorted shades of green with rose envy! Gawd, they are gorgeous, but then she's another rose freak.........LOL
