Best/Worse &What did I learnt today/Chat with Friends #49

Well girls you were all so chatty while I slept like a baby..Sailor poor girl had difficulties most of the night because of the storm..downpoured for most of the night so no watering of gardens this morning for me..almost stopped (for now) Kathy who drops in to let Sailor out each day and who takes it upon herself to cut my grass every Thursday does not drive, she's in her mid'30"s and finds no need to, lives with her parents...so long story short, she was here last night, asked her if she'd like to go to Barrie incase their are garage sales, which she loves, I'll take her for breakfast and will hope to be back by noon..might not be any, because there is a light mist falling but perhaps in Barrie it's Sunshine...so, will respond to all of your posts when I return...keeping on my weekend schedule...lol...told her I'd pick her up in 20 minutes so better rush off...

Enjoy your day..

Gita - I hope that I am posting in time for you to see before leaving on your trip. I hope that you have a fabulous time and make lots of good memories. You will be missed while away.

Very interesting ready from all. I hope that everyone will have a great weekend. Will check the thread again later on today.

Ruby

Morning all,
I see Betty has "left the building" LOL
It is pouring rain here..really hard..

Bev..enjoyed your photos..that coleus and impatiens is gorgeous.

I have excitng news..Gilli is comiing to visit..we are going to try to see if Betty can manage to visit at the same time..
Just have to co-ordinate.

Gilli enjoy that train ride..I can understand it could be a bit stressful getting things ready for the whole family.

Gita..look forward to your stories and pics when you return.

So Betty..it is Wisteria that you had me guessing about.

I was thinking maybe a clematis. The clematis on the gazebo has just stated to bloom a bit.

It will be fun to see where you decide to put the wisteria
It needs a strong support.

You have done so much in a short time with your gardens..

Starzz, You talk about a stong support for the wisteria. We put one on a tv tower next to my garden shed and in 3 years it had gotten so heavy thar it ripped the framing board off the roof and fell. We proped it up but was so ugly that way that and so heavy that I am going to killit out and clean up the area. I love wisteria though. My mother bless her soul had one growing on the old back outside toilet that I just loved the look of when I was little. My nieghbors have one on a tall windmill and it has sucked thier good well dry. So must be careful with it. Good morning all. Hugs BEV

KY Wisteria....

That is the one in the front yard, here is the one in back, in final bloom.

When I planted them, I used an old broom stick for a stake for the one in the front yard, but eventually it disintegrated so the wisteria was left to support itself, it is now self supporting but leans slightly on the front yard incline.

This is the trunk of the one in back. I started it against a "used to be" clothesline pole. It is totally self supporting now, and a beautiful "tree". When the new tendrils start at the roots, I just wound them around the trunk and tucked them in. I keep them both trimmed, but when they are in bloom in early spring they look like huge lavender umbrellas.

KY wisteria is not as invasive as Chinese wisteria, but I think it could be treated the same way when very young. I have another one started in the back yard.

Whoops....wrong photo.....sorry....I will try again....

The wrong picture above is of a friend originally from Guatemala and her son...great family. They now live in Carbondale, Illinois, and I went with them to the lighted boat parade that I told you about maybe a month ago. The little guy is 12 and already has his boat captains license for young boaters. His older brother sang the National Anthem for maybe 500 people during that same parade....it was on Memorial Day. He sang from the boat on a major sound system and it was magnificent over the waters of KY Lake.

Happy trip, Gita..

Happy weekend to all of you.

SP ends this weekend!!!

Good Morning!!

Bev, I have been adoring all of your photo's. They are just incredible to see.
Your gardens are glorius, so thank you for sharing them with us.

Hello to everyone...I am off till tomorrow, Got a wedding today, yippeee a beautiful young couple.
(DH's cousins)

Anyway i am seriously behind schedual, got to pack a small bag and iron our outfits,

See you all on the morrow, Have glorius day!

Gita, your probably alread y gone....Have spectacular trip, safe and full of love, lol in any language! it will be fun to speak your native tongue, enjoy.


Really now just wanted to say hi...
See you all tomorrow!
(P.S. Yep Betty will take pictures!)

NOT gone yet....taking the "last break".....

It is now 11:30AM here. About ready to jump in the shower---load up the car and then will stop at my daughter's on the way and drop off some food and fruit that I have extra and then will scoot from there. If there are no major tie-ups, it is a 3 hr. trip. ADIOS!!!!!

Thank you ALL for the best wishes for my trip! I so appreciate it!

Love anf hugs, Gita

Had to show you this....

In 2006, when we were all in Alaska, my cousin and her husband were there as well. You know from my pictures and stories that there is a beautiful beach at Homer. It is called "Bishop's Beach". The whole beach is covered in all sizes and shapes of smooth rocks. I picked up a bunch of them and one was destined for my cousin who was there as a memento. Never got it done for Christmas, 2006, so--now that I can carry it over there and not have to mail a heavy rock, I will.

On it I painted the two of them on the beach and my sister's dog. The background turned out really nice---had a lot of trouble with the man. Unfortunately, he does not look like himself at all......I am sure we will all have a chuckle about that.

So--here is the rock. behind it is the iron, folding stand you can display it on.

Here is one of the pictures I used to paint from.....

And--the other--of the two of them. Indrikis had to carry this big bucket as we were hoping to dig for some clams--as it was VERY low tide. never did get any.....

Maybe this one shows the lighting better?????
I sprayed it with some lacquer so it is a bit reflective...

Sharon, Those wisterias are beautiful when trained that way. Too bad I din't do mine that way. Here is my nieghbor's Chinese Wisteria that I gave her. Mine didn't make it. BEV

Alright girls.....you are going to have to stop posting pictures of so many pretties.....I want each and every one that I see. The Wisteria is out of this world.

Gita, what a beautiful job you did with the painted rock. I am so in awe of some of you ladies talents. Wow!!!!

Thought that I would come in and try to post some pictures. I am really bad about posting them. I am going to try and FINALLY post a picture of my Secret Pal goodies. A whole box full of wonderful surprises. Even goodies for my dogs. I loved it.

Well, actually this is a picture of one of John's Day Lilies. I will keep trying to find Secret Pal goodies pic.



Ruby

I have a whole camera full of hundreds of day lilies.

Carol, am sure the rain is going to stop shortly, took Kathy to Barrie to garage sale and out for breakfast..poured rain..no garage sales, took her to buffet restaurant - closed till 11:30 for brunch (this is 8:10am) so down the street is a Cora's so we ate, know a friend of mine keeps telling me she 'wants' a muskoka chair so picked it up at Canadian Tire so I can do hers at same time I do mine, by now rain is starting to die down, of course, couldn't pass the garden center, picked up a few more shrubs (knock me silly!) told her as she doesn't get out much I'd take her the back route, WELL we got to Elmvale, sun is shinning AND sign says 50 garage sale/vendors at community center for July 1st celebration..didn't take long for the car to turn..I purchased a silver plate for a project I'm doing and they had a black metal type candle light for $10.00 was a must have so it came home with me, will take a photo and post...then outside OMG they had hundreds of lilies, now people were purchasing them like hotcakes, not before I bought 3..they are extremely tall (as you can see in the photo) and they take sun/sun/sun I'm told and they bloom late July, later than all the others, I've a black red/ pink varigated and I believe a yellow one, will have to check the tags..

So I'm extremely pleased with my day so far, now I have to do some planting, came in to change because it is sooo hot and muggy, wow is it muggy, put my coolant bandana in water so it will be ready and I'm off to 'play gardener' for a while, then will put the chair back together and fill the screw holes ready for basecoating tonight...

Now you all have me wondering about the wisteria, went and checked the tag and yes, it's called 'Chinese Creeping Wisteria' must get more info before I plant it..sounds as though over the years it could do damage...

As you can tell, I'm on a high, can't stay long, will respond to you all when I come in..July 1st parade in town will be happening shortly..we're a small town not much to the parade but you know, it's just on my street so I don't want to miss it...kids do so enjoy it...I'll take some photo's...

Better run...

Here is a couple more pics of that Wisteria.

I like this one the best.

Finally....I cut the Gladiolus this morning. There are also pink Asiatic Lilies in this vase.

Some of my houseplants spending the summer on screened porch.

Oh wow, parade over lol..remember it's a small community...now tell me about the wisteria, is that the Japanese? I'm a little concerned now, but it sure is beautiful...

My parade...started with the Pipes and Drums..

Coleus I started from seed planted in my mother's day gift from oldest son, Ben.

Another pot of Coleus.

Ruby, love the flowers, not gladiola's but Lily's right..same family?
OMG look at the plants you have..and they'll find their way back into the house this fall? Couldn't do it because as you know I kill most indoor plants..lol..isn't it absolutely fantastic to go out into the garden and cut a bouquet..

These are the 'vets' from the Canadian Legion, you know I get a sick feeling in my tummy when I see these wonderful people (so few left) who fought to give me my freedom..

I'm hoping my coleus do well and I WILL try to overwinter them..

oops they were the younger Legion members..

Now here's a few little gaffers that do not take 'Canada Day' lightly..they were so proud!

An entire parade of antique cars but I thought you'd enjoy this...it's a minature 'tow truck' called the "Happy Hooker" lol

Don't know if this little one quite knew what it was all about...but enjoyed non the less..about 30 lawnmowers all decorated..

And fun was had by all...Happy Canada Day yet to come..

My treasure...black rod iron lamp..now to find it a home..

Best get back to work..lol

Oh, how much fun is a parade? Love the photos, especially The Happy Hooker.

Finally, finally, finally getting correct photos being set up. This is a way, way late picture of my secret pal goodie box. If you will notice my sweet secret pal also sent treats for my three furr boys. They loved the treats too. Thank you so very much. The Freesia smellie goods are wonderful. Note pads and pencils, plus a pencil sharpener always come in handy. Thank you SP.

Ruby

A Clematis that has certainly put on quite a show this year.

Back yard Lily bed.

Lily bed at driveway entrance.

Ditch Lily Bed.

Lily bed in front of greenhouse.

Front Yard Lily Bed.