Best/Worse/What did I learn today? Pt.44 Visit with Friends

Ah..gorgeous bloom, what is that, Celia?

Helleborus orientalis. I have three that are still in flower.

Celia, do they look like miniature holly hocks, had a few plants last year that grew maybe 3 to 4 ft. and I loved them, wanted to mark them in a journal...didn't and am looking in same area and see no growth??? beautiful...

Shar, loved the memory you shared of the Purple Passion Plant..is it meant to be inside? or you just preferred to have it inside..must be on the lookout for one, although you know me with indoor plants, they just don't survive..

In my zone it is a houseplant, but it is much more colorful if it is in sunlight. I do put my houseplants outside under a covered area most every year, but when it is cool, they come inside.

In your zone it would spend most of its life inside, I think. And yes, I do know how you are with houseplants!!

Good Morning!

Betty, yep it sure is our long weekend.
A very Big one too. So Friday is Julia's graduation from off Campus.
Telling you all how proud I am is an understatement. I am also, so very pleased, Her Aunti will be able to attend the ceramony too!! Then she will head back up North.
We have decided to to take advantage of the Gorgeous weekend we are to have and go to the Cottage. Boating I am sure is on DH's mind. While, I will enjoy my peaceful bliss, of Nature around me. Oh, my feathered friends probably missing me.

Most likely we will have company, our cousin likes to enjoy some quiet time.

Then we have to head back on Sunday because Julia has her Final Parade on Memorial day here in Glenview. So most likely we'll have a bbq, maybe invite some friends. I actually would like to do some planting so it works out nicely.

So, I have a ton of stuff to do tonight, iron the Graduation gown...Wash the linen from the cottage, LOL, I have only had it since the last time we were there, nothing like the last minute...I got a billion reasons why it wasn't done but bottom line, ROFL, in case you haven't noticed...I am a procrastinator to the bone!

...Liz, Ha, Are you talking about me??? You know full well I would not holler at you here...I'd pick up the phone and give you a what for, hands on hip again, I am not, Not trying to trick you, LOL, dunno, i am as bad a trixter as i am a guesser, But if I do happen to guess?? Don't listen to her Secret Pal, she isn't even giving me a little bitty clue.

What a nice memory Shar! I hope you will find another plant. It is very pretty.

Gosh, Celia, What a Beautiful Plant!!

Awww, Betty, Don’t feel so bad. Everybody else close your eyes. One plant I have placed in a wrong spot and sort of forgot about it. I know, head hanging in shame, I should go directly to Plant jail for murder in the pure negligence.

...Yikes running away now...See you later.

Heh heh heh...I have one like that. ☺

LOL Judy, I've got about a doz. that look just like yours....not quite, did throw a few out recently...guess if I put them in areas I see all the time I'd remember to water, some of there I'd need a ladder to water each time...soooo funny, remember I was telling you they have a skyplane that is now patrolling the 400 for speeders, well this morning the plane was in the sky, remember Fantasy Island, the midget would say, 'the plane boss, the plane!" well jokingly I said it and Suzanne replied, 'that suits you, you are both about the same height"..not nice is she...

Then last night we were both in a playfull mood, saw a limo going by, on it's way to Rama, would assume it's the entertainment, so as we rode side by side, I'd wave, and blow kisses...if there really was an intertainer and they saw our antics I'm sure they'd have good adjectives for this 'Canadian' girl...sometime you just have to play like a child to take away being sooo serious all the time...

Hey Seed....if you cut that wandering plant back and give it a good bath, it will probably pop right back out. They are pretty resilient.

Betty, you are so funny. One of these days somebody is going to take you up on those little blown kisses.

Shar, could it be today!!!!

^_^

Love the Helleborus - just studied those in class last night!! I love the green one! That one is Helleborus viridis. Helleborus foetidus is another pretty one that is a yellowish green but the foliage is supposed to stink when bruised. It's called "Stinking Hellebore". If you have pets or small kids- they are highly toxic!

Liz, Murphy is doing great. I am totally in love with that dog! He is so cute I could just eat him up! We should find out in the next week if he's going to be a big brother! His mom and aunt were hopefully impregnated a couple of weeks ago. They will do ultrasounds to see if the procedure took so our fingers are crossed for a little sister! It's all so technical. I thought they just put the 2 dogs in the same room together and that's all there was to it. Nope! That's done some of the time but normally, breeders will use a stud from another location and things are done at the vet. I know - TMI! Anyway, the boy is doing good!

My garden is coming along too. Not having the knock out success with my veggies that I would like. I think I should have amended the new compost soil I got cause my tomatoes look sickly. My lettuces did great but I think I should ahve put some chicken poop in there to give it a boost! Hopefully, they will perk up!

I'll chat back at y'all alter!

J

Jennine,

Chicken poop is very high in Nitrogen.
In the case of Tomatoes--that would give you a lot of foliage and not so many blooms. A composted cow-manure would be better....

Just my 2cents worth....Gita

morning all,

sorry havnt posted much, have been down with gastro, had my head hanging over the toilet yuk!!

your all so busy with oyur gardens im jelous!!
gosh hello to all the new people on board! lovely to have you here.

now who's crispy critter was that plant! hahahah I wont look.

I have a couple of african violets that usually you cant kill. they are ok but looking like they need a little something. any suggestions?

so i am off work for a couple of day.... oh they wont like it but u cant help being sick.

well you all have a great day or night.... lol


xxx

Hi Gita,
Thanks for the info about the Purple Passion plant. You are a fountain of knowledge.

Sharon great story..chuckled at the thought of your hubby being attacked with "passion"..LOL

Well, I mailed off the half a yard of fabric to Laura for her friendship quilt. ..wonder how long it will take to get there.

No gardening today..cold and windy with showers. Weekend is going to be nice they say.
Apple blossoms on one of my apple trees.

Laura, sorry you've been sick. I hope you are on the mend. Take care of yourself, girl!!

Gita, thanks for the info for the garden. I'm really surprised the soil wasn't that good. It was "compost" and looked real pretty but I guess was lacking some stuff. I did buy some 'Garden Tone' and sprinkled that around and worked it in the soil. Not sure if it will do any good but we'll see. Amazingly, my tomatoes on the porch (in pots) are gorgeous. Guess I should plant everything in that moisture control mircle-gro soil!! Thanks again!!

Hugs all!

Jeannine

Carol, as long as you didn't mail it surface..if you did it goes on a slow boat to China and then Australia..ask me, the shirts I sent only took about 3 months...lol...

Laura, OMG the flu's that have been going on from what I've seen are of a terrible strain..you be careful..they'd not want you at work when you are that ill..you'd only pass it on to them...

Well, tired tonight, everyone just left..makes for a long day..still need to have my bath and maybe sit for a few minutes to unwind..got home around 6:35 and they arrived at 6:55pm..just enough time for me to change my clothes...

So I'm here yawning, bed is calling me..
Lord willing we'll visit tomorrow...

Good night, everyone. I'm at work at a different location than usual tomorrow. The good part is I USED to work there. It will be fun to see old friends.

Awe, just love that kitty...enjoy your day Celia...

Morning Betty,
I managed to get the fabric in a 6 by 8 1/2 inch brown envelope. The lady at the post office said regular mail??? and I said as long as it doesn't go on a slow boat LOL ...she said it all goes on a plane to Australia....Who knows?? It cost $3.94 to send it. When you sent those shirts they must have bogged down somewhere..surely it can't take that long normally.
Laura..let us know when you receive it please. I gave it a hug before putting it in the envelope.. :) It is lemon coloured background with pink hearts...the colours you asked for. Hope you like it.

Did you manage to see American Idol last night..I was hoping that David Cook would win but wasn't sure if he would ....it was a close call.. David Archeltta was wonderful too..but still a wee bit too young. He will have a great career too. Cook should stick to the rock songs..that is when he is at his best. IMHO.

Cheers,
Carol

Carol, I had purchased extra-large bubble envelops and think the cost was in the $20's to ship so don't think it should never have taken that long..about the same time as I sent mine Jeannine sent one and it was there in less than 2 weeks...so who knows...nice material...

As for Canadian Idol I don't normally watch it as I have a painting class, but this season they asked if I would turn on the t.v. for them to watch..so last night even though we finished a little early (all projects completed) they stayed to watch the entire finale...was hoping for the younger David because I enjoyed his type of singing...lol..

Laura, do hope you are feeling better today? Wasn't up to going to town last weekend but will pick up my material and send it off tomorrow as well as I'm sending out my "Red/White/Blue" swap item..

It's still so cold here, sky as black as can be an drizzling...I'm sitting here with micro furnace trying to get up enough energy to take out some painting projects to do...

Oh that's encouraging to know Jennine's package got there in two weeks.
I was outside doing a tour of the garden..sun came out for a bit and now it has clouded up again and windy..so back here I came.

The Hostas are coming up nicely ..this is the Hosta east garden.

Starzz how pretty that will be when all leafed out. Wish my DH liked trees better. LOL

Wish I had BIGGER trees. When I visit my DB and SIL (who live in Oregon), I'm envious of their trees.

Celia is that in your brother's yard or yours..do love the trees...
My yard is surrounded by trees and in the front are 3 oak trees that virtually cover the entire front with foliage..lovely for shade but the raking doesn't impress me when it's fall time...

Carol, just love your yard...I aspire mine to be as beautiful one day...

That's my brother's. Here's another.

Hi all! Laura hope you feel better today & you Betty. After Tywoods Therasa left for Penn me and Scotty got ready and went camping. Was cold and wet this morning so are waiting for next week to go back. Scotty went to get in the truck and fell down. I can't lift him from the ground, not 260 lbs so just so happened the fellow down from us was there and helped me get him up. He didn't get hurt thank God. Will post pics of visit with Therasa later. We had a wonderful time. Starzz, love the hosta with ferns. I have started putting ferns with mine. Have much to do so will get back in here later. You guys get so far ahead of me. I have to go tomorrow and find something for my SP for June. Hugs and LOVE to all. BEV Oh! Shaon my beatuiful blue irises are starting to bloom. My shade garden is coming along said I would update here and there, Did move the birdbath and think it looks better there, Tell me what you all think.

OMG Bev you must have been terrified...thank goodness for neighbors..looking forward to seeing photo's of your visit..your garden area is progressing nicely..won't it be beautiful dabbled with hostas

Thanks Betty..
It still hasn't gotten very nice outside yet...but it is trying..but still windy.

Bev..are those ferns at the corners of the birdbath? They will be nice when they grow up a bit.

Kwanjin..your DB and SIL have a beautiful garden.
I noticed the bordered raised beds..is that their veggie garden? So neat and tidy.

Stazz, Those are two xmas ferns and two Japanese painteds arround the birdbath. Since this pics I have added lava rock and looks much better. Need to get out there and get busy again for another pic. BEV

The orioles are mad at me! They want their jelly! I stopped for lunch and a break. This gardening is tiring. LOL I always think I know where I will plant something and then forget or change my mind.

Think I will plant a castor bean in a pot by the pond or is that to dangerous? Gita-Ruby any ideas on that before I do it.

Kwanjinn we have plenty of trees in the woods but he doesn't like to mow around them so not many in out big yard. It takes longer! I thought he found mowing relaxing!

Need to get back out.

So sad, my Castor beans have done nothing....had a nice resting place for them but they did not co-operate..

Sky is finally blue, cold is still here but weatherman says it will improve just in time for the weekend...

Hi guys, I feel like I've been road hard and put away wet! LOL Did MG stuff at Belmont yesterday and MWH today. Think I'm going to skip the Belmont for awhile, the goldenrod is in full bloom and was just tearing me up. We had a bunch of 1st graders from No VA come thru on a tour yesterday. That was a hoot, this area is fenced and then divide one half being the butterfly garden and the other a small demo garden for the house. She has some neat stuff in there, including 2 box turtles. The kids were so thrilled, then we took them thru the butterfly garden and they found "worms" and lady bugs! That was a real hit! LOL
I forgot the camera this morning when we headed out, was one of those kind of days, sigh. Anyway I hope an new batch of Japanese peonies are blooming next week when we go. These things are breath taking, I've never seen anything quite like them, and I'm not real sure Martha did either, but what the hey. LOL Got some cuttings of several of the rose bushes from the garden and they are under tent. Also got some cuttings of rose and purple campion(sp?) lovely little pretties and they can go under my black walnuts. Seeds from red and purple columbine as well. There's enough variety of different seed there to do most of VA, I am quite sure. Fresh strawberries for a snack, all warmed by the sun, yummy! Small garter snake which I did not handle! Nice turnout today and this bunch is fun to work with. I spent part of the time pulling ivy from around the baby box wood hedges. Man that stuff is tough! Talked the Holly into trying a little subtle lasanga behind the box wood hedges. They don't looks so good, so we'll smother the invasives behind them and see if we can coax some "worm" action in and around them. None of the "experts" can figure out what's wrong with them. LOL I would say they are being choked out by the ivy which was wrapped all around them. Don't think these people got down close to the area to have a good look.

Hi everyone. I'm finally back and glad to be home. I just don't sleep well in motel rooms anymore.
Starr I've had what I call "Purple Passion" plants for years. Love them!!! The colors get so dark and beautiful.
And I am just starting hellebores this year.
I just skimmed the posts, but if there was anything about your test results I missed it Betty??

Hi, all! Hubby doesn't like mowing around trees, either. But I told him it was either that or sit in the sun all day on the weekends.

Beautiful, Bev! Wanna see more!

This was a day for pretty gardens, makes us all smile.
More roses...

And another

And more...

Cat, glad you are home....and Bev I love the way your garden is progressing. Carol, what can I say...I already told you I want to be there.
Celia, your roses are lovely, I am so rose challenged, these are my first ones and you would think I would not get so excited, but I do with every new bloom. Neighbors think I am nuts doing cheers in the yard, but what can I say. I am excited.

Judy, this is your big night..and Julia's...excited for you both, too.

OK, what has everybody else been into? Betty? Ves, Liz??? Everybody...?? Doccat, enjoyed your tour, Gita..where are you? Laura, be well, dear. GG, let us know about Murphy's little maybe sibling...if you ever slow down. Ahhhh, I missed someone, I know...but here's a hug if I did.

I got my first ever secret not so secret pal gift.....Whoo hooooooo! A beautiful gourd basket. I am so excited about that too. AND....Jaye, I want you to know that the cats kept me awake playing Bat the Mouse across the floor last night, thank you very much! They don't get their tuna yet either, maybe tomorrow if they behave tonight. Can you all believe her, she sent Jazz and Daisy gifts too. Jaye, you are the best ever. Thank you so much. J and D have worn themselves out today, and me too. Probably the mouse is exhausted as well. I can see him beside their food bowl trying to hide.
Isn't life beautiful.

Hi all! Is everyone ready for the weekend? I know I am!!!

Laura, how are you feeling?

Shar, you are just so sweet remembering everyone in your posts!! No news yet on Murphy's potential sis. Paws crossed, though! Yes, I have been busy - both at work and home. Today I cut the grass so the kids could roll out their new slip-n-slide and ruin the grass! While cutting the grass I must have run over my sunglasses that I must have dropped last night in the yard so off to walmart for new ones! I decided to repot 4 of my tomato plants that I had in my new garden. They aren't doing anything and the tomatoes on my porch are beautiful. So I now have 9 tomato plants on my porch! Next: cucumbers!

I took a few pictures in my yard yesterday and wanted to share with y'all. First though is my boy (the hairy one) just being adorable!