Best/ worse/ ? did you learn today #58 visit with friends...

Good Morning everyone,
I'm awake early today..and came here to see Congrats are in order for Dawn and her daughter..great fun to be had now. I am happy for you.

So sad about Marguerite having an accident. Hope she recovers well and they get her BP under control and fix her heart.

What a sweetheart to buy you a new cell phone! Jeff shows that he is very caring. Now..will he be paying the monthly charges too? LOL..but really the phone will be a comfort since you do so much driving.

I went to the garden centre yesterday..a few plants came home with me. A couple of the red sedums..a couple of hardy asters..an Oxalis and a little Lantana.
I was looking at a couple of hydrangeas
there too. They were only marked 5 dollars off..not much of a deal so I didn't buy them...but they are on my mind now..and since I am not spending money on cigs,,I think I will go back and get them today.
One is an Endless Summer and the other is an upright form called Pinky Winky (I think).
I also bought a bird bath for the garden...looks like metal but is plastic..we'll see how it holds up.

This is kind of an interesting misty looking pic. Joe Pye Weed is the tall magenta bloom.

Have a great day all.
and as my friend always says.. "Stay in the Light"
Cheers,
Carol



This message was edited Sep 4, 2008 5:12 AM

lol..knew Carol you'd find something for the garden with those extra $$$$....are you finding it more difficult than you had expected? would imagine keeping busy/busy is what you need right now so off to the nursery and pick up those plants...you know you want them and at $5.00 they must be at least a 50% savings...

Slept hard last night, guess I was tired, good Lord must forgive me as it was in the middle of my prayers naming each and every one I know individually hoping their needs were met and all others included..didn't quite finish but he knows who ...

Beautiful out there this morning, they are calling for rain, let's hope we have it so we can enjoy the weekend...

Girls were fun to have, of course all had to stay beyond normal class hours as Bones was on for a 2 hour special then gab/gab at the end..went through my books/pattern packets and most decided they want to do a witch, lordy she looks sexy - she's about 4' could always add 11 inches and we'd be same...maybe I can dress in black and substitute myself on my door...guess I'll have to get busy to cut all the piece out for them..might as well have one for me right???

Almost time for Suzanne to call..hope she didn't fret all night about Marguerite...all goes well today I'll go to the hospital and have a visit tonight...would do it tomorrow as I'm off early but going to register for class tomorrow with the girls...

Must be the witch thing, she won't photograph well..but it will give you an idea of the piece, she really is brilliant with bright orange and green socks, long green finger nails..she's a beauty...

Hello to Everyone - I enjoyed reading all of the posts, but seem to be at a loss for words. I do have a question for Gita that I will ask here in case there are others who don't know the answer and can benefit from her expertise.

A while back you sent me Hibiscus seed for a red one. I plan to begin growing them this winter indoors. I haven't even opened the envelope and just have it with the other things that I plan to wintersow. Anyway......How does a person go about gathering seeds from a hibiscus plant. I am at VA Beach this week and there are several very pretty ones around here that i would like to have seeds from. Two days ago I picked a couple of the blooms, but didn't see any seeds. Do they all produce seeds, or just a certain variety? What am I doing wrong?

Thank you in advance Gita.

Ruby

From what I have been told only certain ones will produce seeds. I have several colors and types of hibiscus, and so far I have had only one seed pod from the hardy pink. None from my tropicals so far. Are they hard to start from cuttings, I don't know, I have never tried it before.
Hope someone can answer this better.
Linda Kay

Thanks Linda Kay. I am suspecting that seeds are hard to come by for the beautiful plant. Thank goodness that Gita knew how to find hers.

Are are you feeling today Ruby, are you getting out and enjoying the area? eating different foods can create havoc with vacations can't it?

We are having here an outbreak, forgot the name, something like Listeria..our major packaging company in Toronto has recalled all their packaged meat and meat counter type sandwhich meats, I believe 13 have died to date and many dangerously ill...then a few days ago same disease in mushrooms and on my way to work this morning a cheese company is recalling some of their product..with hundreds/hundreds of items on the 'watch' list, makes you wonder what and where to eat...

Linda Kay, sending you a get-well card from all of us!!!



http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcardm.asp?code=1555045343461&ob=1

Morning all!!! We are getting up to 5 inches of rain today. Have to stay in and pay my bills anyway. Congrats on the new baby and hope all others are well.
Gita, you were talking about naked ladies. I sent out 39 bulbs to 3 people yesterday and dug another bunch last night for 5 more people and I know I have 100 this time and probably another 200 in three more places. Take care all. HUGS BEV

Bev, sure wish I lived across the border..lol..

Jumped the gun, it isn't until next Friday that Linda Kay has her operation..but that's ok..better early than not!!!!

Just sat and finished outlining a 'garden santa' ready for me to cut out..I just love him, he's dressed in gardening garb, poinsietta wreath, watering can, with a lipstick kiss on his forehead..so cute...will cut out a few to do..

Isn't he adorable..now on to figure out dimensions for a birdhouse I want to do...day is going fairly well as these few things are taking up much of my idle time..how about you Judy??

Hi Betty and everyone...

Was very sorry to hear of Marguerites accident. Said a prayer immediatley.

Dawn...Yay!! Congratulations Grandma. What wonderful news.
can't wait to see pictures.

Carol, So glad you got some more plants, The fall secret garden sure to be beautiful...

Bev, raining here too...will be good to get some indoor stuff done, even yucky bills.

Ruby, Waving hello...

Betty, Oh what fun! I love the witch...Makes me think of Liz! roflol only because you know she loves to decorate for halloween.
And You know that Garden Santa is absolutely perfect! What are you making them out of? Wood, stained glass?

Me, well...another long boring morning. Bounced around the threads, shed some tears, had some laughs...It's pouring rain, so no walk.
So, I've decided to perk my self up and work on blue prints for my second house! Which reminds me to tell you Steve is getting US a small table saw!!!
LOL, will see if we can get it soon...got a fun swap to do, and I want to be ready.

UGGGG, don't want to hurt someones feelings but fear I might just have to do that, nope, not DG friends but with Cathy..

Cathy housecleans for DIL Melanie and looks after my house when I go away for extended period of times, she's I would say mid to late 30's very/very nice girl and has a heart of gold..

For some reason she's taken to me, drops in for visits (which I like) actually drops in on Thursdays and spends 3 hrs. cutting my lawn at no charge, drops in from time to time during the day to let Sailor and cats out and in...wonderful lady and I am so very appreciative of her kindness...

But she for lack of better words it clumsy at times, a few weeks ago she broke my chicken tea pot that I really loved..so what's a teapot...cut grass too close to gazebo, heat of lawnmower burnt the screen in several places...I never leave home without the house being very neat and tidy, in fact always do a tour of each room to make sure nothing is amiss, but on an odd day, like the morning after teaching class I get up a little later and oh woohh is me, didn't unload dishwasher and left my coffee cup and cereal bowl in the zinc...well Cathy trying to be very kind, wanted to empty dishwasher, dropped a glass onto the cannister set that I purchased because it was so different...it's plates/ bowls, cups , vibrant and matching my decor...well, sad to say one got broken...

She often tells me her parents tell her not to do anything in their house, not to help as something always goes wrong..so I'll try to glue together but in the garbage it will go..guess it's not worth hurting her feelings...she most likely feels bad enough..left me a note to say I might want to use her glue gun...dah..that won't work...

So guess the Best of my day will be grass is cut...
Worse - well guess losing more of my knick knacks..not the end of the world but I did like it...
What did I learn, NOT to leave the house with dishes in dishwasher or zinc...

Other than that I'm home, tired and am putting my feet up..was almost tempted to give myself the perm tonight rather than on the weekend...but think I'd best wait...

Dawn, any photo's yet...getting antsy here or is it auntsy...

Judy, hope you made it through your quiet day...

Crissy, you home, ready to get back to work?

Drats, ear ache again..maybe that will be my worse, can I change my mind???

Carol, counting the days, this time for sure!!

Betty---

So sorry about your dish--BUT--------The broken, white part looks just like the map of Latvia...almost...

Tried to c/p the map from Google results, but it did not transfer to here as a link. You can Google it yourself....

Gita

On my way home I stopped at a little boutique, didn't she have the cutest black rod iron birdcage, just the size I wanted to put that little chirpie pretend bird in..lol...so of course it had to come home with me, guess you gain a treasure when you lose a treasure...

But came back on to post the following...

ha/ha/ha/ha/ Marion, you didn't share your butter tarts so guess what I bought..yummy!!!! Couldn't resist..boys will probably be over so they can have a treat...she wanted me to take 1/2 doz, but thought I'd pass...

Going to try and pass this computer one more time...need a quick trip next door for dog food, put drops in my ear and then bath and off to bed I go..

Thanks Gita, know it's a silly thing, but sometimes you just like pretties...

Forgot the photo for Marion...

Ruby--

The seeds I sent you were from the tall, red, perennial Hibiscus. it will only bloom after 3 years after it grows from seed, so you will have to be patient.

I do not have to "look for" seed pods at all. EVERY bloom on this makes a seed-pod. Each seed-pod has at least 50 seeds in it. This is the time of year they are all ripe and drying up. need to pick them every other day.
One word of caution from my experience......I don't know HOW, but many of the seeds end up having these tiny, black weevils in them that chew out the center of the seed, making it look like a bead.
Trying to prevent this (don't know if it will work?), I am putting all the seeds I have collected on a plate over some paper towels saturated with an Insect Spray. Then putting the whole plate in a plastic bag. Not sure when, or if, these weevils form, but I am trying to avoid the issues of seeds with their cores chewed out. Don't think these seeds would sprout.

Here's a picture to show you how many seed pods there are at this time on my Hibiscus. One does NOT have to search!!!!

Here's a cluster closer up.

And here is a single seed pod all popped open. I better get out there and collect them all!

Are those the butter tarts on the table Betty? Shame on you for making us look at those. LOL Do they have a pecan half on top. My nieghbor makes those for Christmas every yr. They are so good. Been raining all day here but no flooding of my yard yet. The city cleaned my culverts last time so that helps. The best thing I did today was pay my bills!!! Here is another collage of some of my flowers this yr. HUGS BEV

And, Ruby, in case you forgot--here is what the red Hibiscus you have seeds for looks like.

I think in VA, you can start these seeds outside in the Spring. Mind you--the first year it will just grow one tall stem. Next year, it will get a bit fuller and the third year, you cam plant it in it's permanent spot. Then--the following Summer, it will bloom.
Give it plenty of room. Mine grows about 6' tall and 4' wide--and that is ONE plant!
I am pretty sure you can winter-sow them also, as they just might sprout from seed if any drop in the beds.

A bit closer up. Different but very pretty!

Just came in from the store..lordy this is addictive..lol..had to have one more peak and am I glad I did...

Gita, that's amazing, perhaps when I deadhead them I pull the entire end off and that's why there is nothing that resembles seeds...have a few just opened so will be on the lookout...

I am being patient with the ones you sent..3 years worth of patient right??? hope I can do that...

Bev....OMG, you know how the photo studio's put photo's on canvas...that one really should be done, wow, look at the colors, wouldn't it brighten up any room it was in...

You are all so smart with your camera's and programs..must take time to see what possibilities lie in my program..

Bev, I'm not Betty but oh my yes, those are butter tarts. I just came home from being in Canada for 5 days and I am surprised there are any left after the number I ate. Guess I need to exercise twice as hard before doctor appointment.

Betty I would have shared!!! You just never knocked on the door to let me know you were here. LOL

So sorry about you things being broken. I know how you feel as this is a member of our family who is uh--shall we say :Clutzy?

Love the color Gita, so stricking...

Marion, not a family member just a young woman who wants to be kind to me...I do appreciate all the things she does around here, she and her mom often drop of home cooked meals and sweets so better let it go..if it glues back together ok if not, go in search of a new cannister set that is different..

Know you'd share Marion, was just trying to get a rise out of you..lol

You did it!!! Shared with my GDs tonight. I think they will be wanting more butter tarts!!! If Grandma likes them then they like them!!!!

Oh/Oh now you'll have to spend time in the kitchen..sitting here, thought I'd catch up on a few, get lax in doing so..called mom to see how she and Jim are doing, no answer so left a message..always says I don't call but then they are never home..lol

Called Darlene to see if she was going to make tomorrow aft. gathering but she can barely move
Diane will meet me there as will the others...but not till 3, that's ok, wanted to go to the wool shop to pick up materials to start the knitted blanket I want for Danielle's shortly to be born baby...also want to order a part of the electronic knitting machine..can't seem to find it amongst my stash...

For them I would do anything. I made a meatloaf yesterday (son's absolute favorite meal) well this afternoon I got an email from him at work asking if I had any left. So I told him yes as I made a really big one. Next question: did you make macaroni and cheese? Yes. Did you cook butter beans? Yes. Well I will be by about 6ish to get some for dinner. Typical of him!!

Girls were with him and the youngest ask me if I had cooked her macaronicheese (yeap all one word) when I told yes I got a huge smile and "Oh thank you Grandma" I melted right then and there for sure!!!! Funny how they can do that to you.

Children and grandchildren can sure tough the heart strings...love it..my greatest sadness comes from the fact that Roger was never able to meet these lovely children nor see how his boys grew up into such wonderful men...

Can't seem to settle down tonight..I've spoken a lot about Roger and family who have passed on - on threads today, about our life, grandma used to say " the dead are asking for prayers" so must go and offer prayers, that way I can settle in for the night..

night/night everyone..

Oh Betty so have I so I do understand. I too will offer my prayers a little later. We share some of the very same feelings. Ross died 2 days after we learned the youngest one was on the way. So he never really got to see what a great father our son has turned out to be. Was trained at the foot of a master. I do feel like they do know.

Good nite and take care.

This message was edited Sep 4, 2008 8:37 PM

Thanks guys. They are all living here with us and have been fine for the last 3 weeks or more. All is fine so far. Greg is trying not to be real depressed and I can not come home and run around in my underwear anymore but oh well.

Abbisgranma that is so darn sad, it would have broken my heart and my dd's too if her dad was not around to see the next generation that we created.

I want to start winter sowing too as soon as I get this next granddaughter's baby shower over and done. I got the taste for it last year and want to start earlier.

No seed trade here this year? I need to get them since a lot of them are faded already. I have a gopher problem and am fixing to blow up the yard. lol

Betty--and Ruby....

If you have the common, Tropical Hibiscus that is sold everywhere (mostly red), forget looking for seeds! I have NO idea how they are propagated--but they do not make seed-pods or seeds of any kind. Only the perennial Hibiscus makes seeds (to my knowledge).

Even my HUGE, "Kopper King" Hibiscus does nor produce any seeds. Oh, it starts out making the seed pods, but then they turn yellow and fall off. It must be a Hybrid! They do not make seeds....The very first year I had it--ONE seed pod matured. I have about 4-5 seeds from it from 5 years ago--or so. I should try to grow them out. I just don't have anywhere to plant them....if I should succeed.......o(

A regular, perennial Hibiscus with the "dinner-plate" sized blooms (Red, white or pink) will flower the first year from seed. Not much more than a single stalk--but it will have a couple of blooms on it. These grow about 2' tall and wide.

And remember---All perennial Hibiscus is very late in breaking it's dormancy/sprouting--so mark the spot well. You will not see any green growth on it until late May/early June.

OK! Meant to add all this to my reply to Ruby. So, here it is!

Gita

Here's my Kopper King Hibiscus.....Huge--and beautiful!

Dawn, are going to wait until after the winter solstice to start your winter sowing? I love wsing too. I'll be direct sowing wildflower like poppies and violets and also some native seeds in October, then around February my winter sown containers will be set out.
I winter sowed some hardy Hibiscus in '07 and was pleasantly surprised to see it bloom that same year. This year, it bushed out more and is now covered in big burgundy blooms. One of my favorite winter sown plants.

Nite nite y'all
Deborah

Oh Betty, Thoughts and Prayers are sent to you and Marg, and the whole family.

Congrats Dawn! Her weight and length is identical to what mine was when I was born! Cool!

Betty and Carol, and anyone else up there in their part of the world, are you getting an uninvited visit from Gustav? It knocked my power out for a couple of days and caught the building I work in on fire yesterday, so no workypoo for me today! Gots to go back tomorrow though. Now I'm behind again and trying to get caught up, but I have to go to bed. Night Night!

hi there all

congrats on the baby.... lovely u were there


my garden is waking up except one, my weeping cherry didnt survive, im so sad as its first year was wonderful... now its dead :0(

the orchids are starting to bloom and i will post pics.

back at work a few hours a day so getting there slowly.....

howdie and hello to all

hugs to seed and cat...

blessing to the rest

xx

Ruby,

I see where "Logees" is having a sale on all kinds of Perennial Hibiscus. There are some really beautiful colors! They say their Greenhouses are overcrowded with them.

Their ads always end up in my "Suspect Spam" folder. I am sure you can find a way to their website.

Gita

Morning! Have been reading and keeping up. Have been so busy and today will be another busy one. I am taking tomorrow off and running away. A GF and I are going shopping and out too lunch!

Yesterday I was starting to harvest Sunflower heads. The birds don't believe in sharing. I just want them to feed to feed to them this winter! Here is a picture I call Beauty and the Beast!

Hope you all have a great day!

Vicki look at the size of those, I keep trying every year to grow them and only once did I have 2...was so very proud, must have bought about 20 packets of different kinds and not a one..they just don't like me I guess...you enjoy yourself on your runaway day..those are the best kinds aren't they...heading out to any particular area??? sometimes it's fun going around our own or nearby communities to see the sites..what gets me is seldom do we visit our own always wanted to drive for miles to see others and yet some of the most interesting things can be found in our own..

Laura did the Cherry Tree die because of the extreme cold? won't it be fun for us to enjoy your garden...interesting to see what kind of plants Australia has...

Gita, drove in on my own this morning and dropped into Home Depot and they had hibiscus, looking pretty sad or I would have bought a few at $5.00 anyway, here I am, alone in the entire dept. and there are pods on the dead ones so broke some off, went into my car and checked things out..there was 1 black type cone in the middle, I thought it might be the seeds of the luna but not...that's what I get for trying to salvage dead flowers..lol...

We've high winds this morning, dark sky so would imagine a storm is brewing..hopefully I'll get to the studio where I'll meet the girls before it starts...always nice to go to open house and see all the neat projects she has scheduled for fall..

Last night I glued some of the pieces together on the cannister lid..some wouldn't fit because I guess once broken and glued it take up area, this morning I decided to take 'dap' and fill the area in, will try to paint it similar color but doubt it will work, might just spend time looking for new set..