Best/ worse/ ? did you learn today #57 visit with friends...

Ahhhh GG, how fun, how adorable!!!

Ohhhhh, they are both so cute, you just want to pick them up, and give them a big hug! Thanks for sharing.
Linda Kay

OMG Jeannine, how precious is that...looks as though they know their boundaries...now how about that garden of yours, still have the fencing up..glad you enjoyed your holidays...

Hello Shar, how are you doing? Was Ethan up for the long weekend, was he anxious to start school..know all 4 of mine thought another month would be better...Lisa is a teacher home on maternity leaves, Caleb and Braedon were hoping she could home school them...

Guess now that summer is over you'll be starting the art shows more regularly??? or did you do them all summer long?

Just got back from lunch, nice breeze, warm - just the perfect day to be off...telephone rang while in the restaurant and Suzanne was praying it was her call to leave - baby coming, but NOT, daughter just called to chit/chat so we told her she must not call for chit/chat only when in mega pain...lol...

Hi everyone,..and welcome to the new ladies who have dropped by..Betty is a hard one to keep up with..as you will see.


Hey Sharran..read your story of the old farmhouse and doing the preserving and making dyes...good one..thanks...

Oh my..what fun for you Jeannine.
and how exciting it must be to have Sailor home. What was the "fancy name" you finally decided on?

Bev..fabulous pics of the butterfly.

Hi Betty..I am feeling just fine now thanks..back is 95% good now...and I have had a lot more energy since I stopped smoking this past week. I find keeping busy is helping me stay away from the cigs. You mentioned staring a diet this week..or at least cutting back on fast food take out. I am trying to eat a low fat diet..

It is indeed a glorious day today. I sat outside in the Secret Garden and had my lunch. Then I gave my neighbour a tour of all the fall blooms. She was quite taken with the Joe Pye weed and I gave her a bouquet for the house.
She likes to have flowers inside as she is not so much an outdoor person as I am. I like to leave them outside so I can go visit them.
She was blown away by the size of the Luna Hardy Hibiscus. It really is magnificent.

Hardy Hibiscus 'Luna"

Hi Guys,
Betty, art shows continue, never a lull. Our DG Melody has a show up at the moment. She does wonderful work, particularly with fabrics and photography.

Thanks, Starzz, hope you are feeling better. My hibiscus is blooming again also, it took a break there for awhile and thought it was done for the summer, but not.

Did not have Ethan this weekend, so had dinner with friends on Saturday night, then will again with other friends tonight. I also have been working in my garden since a friend sent me some daylilies to add to my collection, and another friend send black iris. It was a nice weekend to plant, though so dry I had to water, water.

And I have a ton of seeds that have been sent my way, but think I will winter sow them so they will be good and strong for spring.

Only frustrating part of the weekend is that my coffeemaker died, and I realized I was not handy enough to fix it. So went out and bought a new one...then found a small 1 person crock pot, bought that too, since I have not been cooking much for the past year. Maybe it will get me cooking again.

Waving to you......will be back again soon.

Glad you are feeling better Carol...so enjoyed eating outside over the weekend as well, nice to sit and enjoy for a change...

What a glorious "luna", spectacular in size isn't it...meant to get out to the front and take photo of much the same the other day, when I thought of it, it had died...last year I purchased 3 hardi hibiscus and one only had dead roots this spring so took it and for fun planted it, well that it the one that opened..only 1 branch but had 3 buds...perhaps tonight the other 2 will have opened so I can show you.....

Carol do you ever go to the Markham fall craft show??? it's early November this year and wondered perhaps if you did we could meet on the Friday afternoon and then go out for eats???? asking early, know you are always on the go....lol

Afternoon everyone. Starrzz, that hibiscus is so pretty. I have never seen one so dark. If you ever get any extra seeds from her, I will gladly send you some postage.
Glad to hear your feeling better, and trying to quit smoking. It is not an easy task! Good luck to you.

Linda Kay

Shar, truly frustrating when you realize there are things however brilliant we are that we just can't do..don't you find though that many of our appliances are now 'throw aways'...with fall/winter onset it would be nice to make a meal fit for one..I made spaghetti sauce on Friday and lordy could have sent you all a container..when Roger was alive we always had loads of company so he would cook for an army, guess I'd prepare much of the necessary ingredients and got used to that and now don't know how to cook for 1 or 2 or even 3...so freezer is stacked to the brink with sauce....

Always nice getting plants...Echoes sent me a big box of various plants last week, I was amazed at how cleverly she had packed them and how it looked as though she had just taken them out of the garden...have been watering them these past few days, am sure all will survive...

Now how did your 'black' garden fare this summer...were you pleasantly pleased with it? or are they mostly perrenials and will take next year to truly get a sense of their beauty?

Carol, yes I forgot to say congratulations on your efforts and yes, started this morning no sugar in coffee, instead of ordering western as usual I ate an apple..very little lunch, will stop to shop tonight to purchase appropriate snacks...had thought because I love cabbage and love soup that I might dig upmy old 'diet soup' recipe...

Betty, can one send plants from the USA, through the mail to Canada, or seeds? How can they tell what is in the boxes?
Linda Kay

This is another Hardy hibiscus..not sure of the name..I was given these plants by my sis..and she forgot the name. They were part of a professional landscape job she had done in her back yard many years ..but she decided they took to long to bloom..and wanted something with colour all summer..so of course I found a spot for them.

Oh Betty..I remember that diet soup..lots of veggies..tomatoes and cabbage etc..eat as much as you like..
Good Luck girl..

This is a long shot of where the hibiscus grow..near the entrance to the Secret Garden

The plants I received from Echoes came from Manitoba so it wasn't a problem, doubt you could send them from USA however, I've received many in seed form..

Carol, they are quite different aren't they...

I purchased I believe 3 hibiscus plants this year from Norms Garden here in Midland, planted them and within the week the flowers that were to bloom as well as all the leaved died, so cut them back, let's hope next year they prosper...

Just so beautiful Carol, amazing...are you starting to feel sad about the fall and the gardens slowly going to sleep...If personally find it (although I love fall) the saddest part of they year...

Carol, went back to look at my calendar, the Markham Show is Nov. 21st....

Oh..how disappointing..hopefully the roots are ok and will come back next year. Just remember that they take a very long time to show themselves ..so don't give up on them in the spring.

Ok...I read earlier that you were feeling like not going to work today..don't blame you..
I have a surprise..it was all ready to give you when Gillian was here..but you were uable to come that day.
So it has been waiting here for you. Just had to show you..I thought it would be fun to pass on to you.
I had it in my living room on a little plate stand for several years while I was working....but since I am retired now..I want it to go to you.

This will give you a chuckle..

Thanks for the mention of the crafts show..but Betty I am not much of a "crafty person"..
I would love to come to visit you before then..or you come here..before the season is over.

Some of my garden is winding down of course..but there are other things to take their place. My rose are giving me more blooms...adn the hydrangeas are lovely.
I grew these asters from seed..first time I have had asters..and they are gorgeous colours..and different types..they were just a mixed packet of seeds. I will start some seeds again next year..as these are such a wonderful surpise
The lime green leaf with lavender blooms is caryopteris.

Starzz, looks like my rose of Sharon....

Carol, this Friday I'm meeting all the girls to register for painting classes for the fall so wouldn't be able to come, let's see what the 12th will bring, perhaps I can drive and and swing over for a visit...let me know about the date...should be more than 1 1/2 drive from work and not much longer from your house to mine...

OMG isn't that the cutest garden plaque, won't it look lovely in the friendship garden??

Thank you thank you Carol...let's plan on the 12th if ok...

Shar, is Rose of Sharon part of the hibiscus family???? Have one blooming about same color as what Carol posted....not very bright in color though...

Carol, the Markham Craft show really is not JUST crafty items, lot of different garden art, great Christmas ideas and/or gifts, lots watercolors/oils/sketching, foods, jewelery items etc. really a fun aft. just to browse...still consider it please...maybe you've friends that would love to come as well..wouldn't be that far from your place I don't think....

Checked things out, from home to your house it says 2 1/2 hrs. drive, wow didn't think it was that far...from your house to Markham Fair grounds 55minutes....piece of cake...lol

Here is my oldest hibiscus, from my great grandmother's garden, the one you mentioned reading the article about, Carol....anyway, it looks a lot like it too, but don't know the name, it is just very very old.

Can't find a photo of my Rose of Sharon, will have to go out and take one, i guess.

Yes, Betty...Rose of Sharon is of the hibiscus family.

It's beautiful Shar...bet you are on guard all the time watching that nothing happens to it, can you take a slip from it, won't it eventually get woody and die???? or have you tried to take seeds?

When I lived on the farm the elderly gentleman and his wife had gardens but over the years they went wild, here I am unable to grow a peony of any size and there I was, each and every year trying to rid myself of this one that kept coming out, so I'd take a shovel and dig it, transplant it hoping that it wouldn't come back in the unwanted area, did this for about 7 years..anyway, they all took and so did the unwanted one...

This one day, I see several cars along the roadside, thought perhaps they had hit one of the children or one of the goats got away so went and offered to help..when I asked what the problem was they told me the house belonged totheir grandparents and could they come in and see the changes...they were amazed at what we had accomplished in just a few years...so before leaving I dug up the 'peonies' and gave them each one....I do hope they are cherished as much as your grandmothers...

My grandmother had the most beautiful snowball trees..would love to go back and ask if I could try a slip .. wonder if they've cut them down???

This message was edited Sep 2, 2008 8:19 PM

Betty, the hibiscus came from the house that I talk about in this article, and you can see the house, too. It was planted to the left of the front porch, sort of in a corner.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1563

Then another one of my favorites, the oak leaf hydrangea.....well here's a story about it too, and it is still growing at my mom's old house as well....

http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1489

So, yes.....those old plants do get woody, but continue to grow and grow and grow.

Do I feel better, just got home, hair cut..almost feel human now...I've gotten perms from same place now lets see, think 3 times and they last no longer than 3 or 4 weeks so while at Walmart I picked up a perm, guess what's on my 'to do' list for the weekend..Lord hates a coward!!! lol...

Getting dark but I managed to go out and take a couple photo's...

Shar and Carol, can't imagine how this beauty, the one before it and the one that still remains unopened could grow on 1 stalk and look at those leaves, nothing but lace remains but here it is...

This plant looks pretty even though the flowerets are not vivid in color...

My rose of Sharon didn't do well this year...but I do have some flowers...

Beautiful flowers Betty. The first one looks like a very nice bouquet!
Linda Kay

Thank you Linda Kay, when I purchased this vine I thought it was a summer blooming vine but it's just starting to flower now...really is growing rapidly..

Did I tell you that a DG member about 3 years ago sent me seeds called Sadie's beans, came from the mountains..save the beans each year and always give many away as she would not take $$$ for beans or shipping, told me to 'share' which I do..will take a photo tomorrow for you...anyway, it's mixed on the side of the deck with this lacy vine...eventually will have white and orange throughout the climbing vines...

Oh how pretty, does it grow in the Texas heat, If so, I would love to have some of the beans when you get extra.
Linda Kay

Hi everyone! Love the pictures and garden plaque! I hope everyone gets to feeling better, prayers sent to ya!
It is wet, wet, wet here. Gustav decided to come up to Arkansas for a long visit, he has slowed down so much he's stalled out right on top of us, so we'll probably have 10 to 15 inches of rain by the time Thursday night comes around, and since he's stalled that doesn't decrease the winds, right now it's sustained winds of 20mph with gusts up to 40mph, I don't know how to calculate that into metric ☺, so I hope my trees don't topple over on my house. Mississippi and Louisiana have been getting tornadoes all day, Arkansas supposed to get them tomorrow, so on top of all the rain and straight line winds, we're probably going to get tornadoes too. Joy!
Because of the storm I decided to drive 6 hours home last night, and I am glad I did.

Just went outside (in the dark) just for you Linda Kay..not sure if you'll be able to see the flowers/beans..have to go back to the d-mail to check the history, know they were omg what is the word for 'antique' in plants??? anyway there is a history to them and I'll look for it tomorrow..now lets see if we can make out what's in the photo I just took...

I'll have loads it's just full of beans..lol..would that be considered a pun...lol and am most willing to share, just remind me next month...

OMG Crissy he almost looks porcelain like, bet you truly did want to take him home...not good about the weather, long drive for you, cut your vacation a little sooner but you'll feel better being home with DH..nothing like being safe in ones own home...you do have a lot of trees right around the house don't you?

Listening to the news/weather report constantly, worrying about you all..will include you once again in my prayers tonight...

He used to be mine! We decided to give him to our friends since we were moving to humid Arkansas and he's a dry desert tortoise. His name's Timmy!
Yea, I live in a forest.

Betty, Isn't that a Scarlet Runner Bean. They are really pretty. I tried to grow one in the clay at the camper but lost it. HUGS BEV We are to get up to 8 inches of rain Thursday. Maybe floating because all the property arround us is higher so will drain into ours. Last time we had 3inches our dog Blue had 3 inches of water in the garage so had to put him in another room. May have to bring him in the house this time. He was up on the shelf of the bench out of the water poor baby. Well I am going top fix me a rootbeer float. HUGS BEV Look what I learned to do today. Sharon, bless her heart taught me how.

Here is another one.

Went back in time, it was Tree_Climber and she ordered them from a company that sells heirloom seeds only..not sure, she called them Sadies Horse Beans and she did sent me the info but goodness knows where it's located...very fast growing...could be scarlet runner as well???? not sure...

Love the photo's, yep, need to be framed..although I've mega butterfly bushes I don't have a lot of butterflies however this year I have seen more than in previous years so maybe it takes awhile for them to return (or find me...)

Hi...Whew what a day.

Good to see you got home Crissy. Yikes, you be careful with all the storms.
I just prepared my deck for whats coming, I hear we are due for storms for the next 3 or 4 days.
Wind is picking up, which for now isn't so bad.

Marion, ya doing alright?

EVERYONE in the Path just know we are with you...be careful,stay safe. Prayers going up.

OMG GG, the photo of Sailor girl and Murphy sharing is absolutly adorable.

Hi Shar, good to see you. Read your article, I've got to say, Love is truley a miracle.
Thanks for posting some of your garden...

Carol, so nice to see your gardens blooming. I love Hibiscuas and Rose of Sharon...all are just beautiful!
Glad to see you are doing so well with the no smoking. Busy is good! eh?

OK, so..I rushed home because someone needed a ride. not nice they weren't home when i arrived. but I guess good to because they ended up gettting a ride. Just wish I knew, so just a little aggetated. Well got to do other things so I guess I'm over it...LOL. Think I am just tired been interupted in sleep for weeks now...Have been have very bizaar dreams too.
I don't know, I am kind of thinking it's because Carol Bears birthday is coming up. My mind keeps racing to because I haven't written a word for her...is that a weird thing or am I being ROFL, I don't know what I am being with that. I did write, not long after she died, but nothing since and now I feel different about things. Not quite sure if that makes sence either....

Sooo...I guess I will talk about something else. Betty, I love the little sign Carol is giving you. It will make such a nice touch to Friendship Garden. I sure hope you two will be able to get together. That will be such fun! Heheh, Glad you finally got your haircut...Plus, whoever cooks, will be nice to have family for dinner! Enjoy.

Beleive it or not I am tired, going to call it an early night again.

So, hope you all have a nice evening.

see you tomorrow.