Lol.. That would be fun. I'll rais e my cup of cocoa with ya though. A piggy sent some cocoa for the sorter, so will have a cup to enjoy.
Do have to admit already drank one cup of it while sorting out buckets. ; )
I aint got all them hot pepper seeds on my bed though. Was afraid that the heat in them would get out through plastic and paper and I would be havign hot spots in places I didn't want when I eventually get back in my bed. LOL I know they some real hot stuff in their.
Cottage Garden Seed Swap & Chat #20
Boy howdy - keeping pepper seeds off your bed is a good idea! Imagine one of those puppies getting loose, and getting on your hand, and you rubbing your eyes or such in your sleep. EEEYOW! I do wish you had someone close enough to help you too Star, if only for the company. I think that was the best part for me with the last swap - it was just like being online and chatting except none of the delay and such - a lot of fun, like a coffee klatch or our personal RU!
Awww! That is so sweet Trishann! I love your stocking Star! It has such a pretty tree on it too. : )
Thanks Suzie! : )
Thanks for the well wishes. I have a very bad immune system, and it doesn't take much for me to get sick. I'm going to buy stock in chicken soup and hot chocolate. Then again there is my all time favorite, hot tea with Honey! LOL!
Mostly I just need to keep warm and dry.
I have to laugh at your mail lady and how many packages you've been getting. You might want to tell her about the seed trade Star, so she doesn't think you're buying out eBay! LOL!
WIB!
SW
Robin, I was a big chicken and didn’t understand the whole process either but the jugs will be fine as long as they are out where they can get rain :) I don’t think it’s that much easier than sowing in seed trays just makes more space under lights for me lol
I’m going to get some seeds to the orange mimulus for this year, I don’t think anyone had seeds for those in the swap or I would have been right on them, I did get some mixed seeds from Fairy :
Lynn, we need a picture of that beautiful ring :) So the BL Elderberries come out from the bottom from runners maybe, good I was hoping they would spread, didn’t know anything about them when I bought them just liked how they looked but I can see now I’m going to need lots more of them lol I bought it a couple of times and the pl ants didn’t make it, I hope they do this winter! You don’t have to measure I can see them, I planted mine 6’ away from the tiger sumac then when I take my cuttings I’ll do the same with them :) Thanks! The snow looks pretty!
Ella has it going on with those pots doesn’t she, you’re doing so great Ella I just can’t imagine trying to keep all of that straight lol You even gave your bed up for us piggies :)
I think everyone needs to be doing the apple cider vinegar thing, 1 tsp . of a. vinegar and a tbls . of honey in a hot cup of water, quarter a lemon and squeeze in it after you nuke the water, it’s good to drink this all winter for colds, takes care of mine :) If you feel a cold coming on it’s best to start on it then and drink a few cups thru the day, it works really! SingingWolf this might be esp. good for you with your bad immune system and it will keep you just as warm as hot tea :)
Robin are you still drinking your vinegar and water lol It’s harder in the winter for me to drink it so I just do the hot cup of water thing, keeps me warm :)
LOL - Lea, yep - I'm still drinkin' the cider vinegar and water - AND honey! One cup every morning. Such an acquired taste that I don't feel right in the winter if I DON'T drink it. And that tablespoon of honey packs enough jump to it that I don't drink coffee any more. (AND I don't have to worry about Nora accidentally picking up my cup and draining it...)
Good Girl lol Nora is just going to have to learn to drink it too lol Maybe you didn't put enough honey in it for her, she may need more :)
Whew! I didn't have time to read all the posts this morning. But I jumped to the bottom to be sure I left a note for Lynn.
Big Congrats Lynn. I'd love to see a picture to the ring if possible.
bluespiral, I love that Iresene! I do like the way bright oranges and yellows pop with a background of near black foliage!
Terese, I've got both Purple Emperor and Black Jack Sedums. They're so easy to propagate, don't buy any, I'll send ya cuttings in spring! They're both really nice, but Black Jack is hands down my favorite.
Ella, don't sweat it, just have fun with it! You're doing a great job, and most of us piggies won't even notice the odd pack making its way in our trough,...or in someone elses :-)
Neal -- that would be awesome!! I once was supposed to get it in trade... but the Black Jack never made it. I quite pestering the gal after about 3 Dmails, and eventually let it slide. [as in, it was never sent, not that it died]
DO let me know if there is anything i can send you in return.
OK -- i just have to ask.... Who is Nora? Robin -- I musta missed something along the way.
OMGosh! I miss a day or two and you're on #20! So much catching up to do...but I did read about Lyn's proposal. Best wishes and congrats to you both!
I'm sorry - I just keep mentioning her like everyone knows - she's my other half :) A city girl (Brooklyn and Chicago before we moved to Indy a couple years ago) she had never had a yard or played in dirt, and thought the garden would be mine since I loved it so. Our very first day in the house (it was October) she headed out to the back yard, knowing we didn't want to keep all the wild squash vines the previous owner had decided to put there, so she started pulling some out. She quickly learned about gloves, and by the next day had discovered the joy of weeding - LOL! She's like me, and finds weeding to be therapeutic. Now she loves to see what birds we have at the feeder or watering places, and loves to sit on the front porch and look at all the flowers and such. Another convert :)
Wow you little piggies - I'm gone for a couple days and so much to catch up with......but first: Big Hugs of Congrats to you Lynn!! WOO HOO! That is the best news of all!
Ella - love the pictures and can't believe you have given up your bed for us. You are doing such a great job!
It is so sad to hear so many of my piggy friends being sick this close to Christmas. :-( I wish I lived close enough to deliver soup - my bff says I make the best home made chicken noodle soup ever. It's a favorite of my girls too. I also believe there is something healing in it. It is a must have when you don't feel well. It's cold enough out, do you think I could mail a container? hee hee
Lea, that tea sounds wonderful and I'm excited to try it. Even not being sick. I LOVE a cup of tea! Supposedly I was raised on tea. I had what sounds to be baby reflux - but they didn't call it that in the 60's. My mom said I threw up everything I ate - she breast fed all of us - I would wonder if I was lactose intolerant, but I'm not now............anyway, they finally gave me tea and I kept that down. So whenever I'd throw up too much mom would just put tea in a bottle. I blame that on my growth size as I'm the runt of the family but the only other affect I've found is that I love tea. I am planning a "tea" garden and studying all the herbs that I can use to make some tea. I would love to be able to grow my own tea!
TrishAnn - Love the stocking you sent Ella!!! What a wonderfully sweet gift! Tiss the season.
ok, there is just way too much I could comment on. Was missing my piggy friends in this busy season and wanted to pop in. I now have 19 threads to go back and read. However, reading is one of my favorite things to do so I can snuggle down in January and do that.
Neal, what is the difference in Black Jack and Purple Emperor , I've got the PE and it gets leggy just before it blooms so I have to trim it back when it starts coming up but I may not have it in enough sun, I stuck a piece out in my middle bed and it started taking off, it gets more sun out there. I was going to surprise tcs with a couple of pieces and you ruined it lol
It's so dark and gloomy here today, it's suppose to sleet and rain late this afternoon but it just started sleeting a minute ago :(
Lea, Purple Emperor has bigger leaves (more like Autumn Joy in leaf size), and is pickier about its location. It doesn't color up well if there's not enough sun, but mine now has the problem of parts of the leaves bleaching out (sun scorch) in the hottest part of summer. I think it benefits from some protection from evening sun. Black Jack on the other hand is always pretty. The leaves are smaller and glossier, and a darker black/purple color. It needs sun for good color, but never looks scorched.
Thanks I looked it up in the plantfiles but couldn't tell the difference in them :)
I'd be happy to send you cuttings in spring too :-)
Just another quick note on the apple cider vinegar concoction - I use a tablespoon instead of a teaspoon (of both the vinegar and the honey). Lea told me about it last year when Nora had that nasty flu and I was in rather a panic as I am the only one who drives and if I go down then we're pretty much outta luck until I'm back on my feet again. I started drinking two cups of that a day, and when Nora got better dropped to one in the morning - and I swear I was not sick one day last winter. Haven't a clue what makes it work, but it does. Sis even has some apple cider vinegar in her pantry for me so I don't go without when I visit.
frausnow - don't worry about the "missing" posts - there aren't any. The number change was a function of switching from the Seed Trading thread to the CG thread. Glad you found us!!
Robin sounds like we need to go to the natural food store and get apple cider vinegar, I was wondering if it was natural at the stores and it's not, the old man that told me about it always said to buy K roger 's vinegar because it was 100 percent vinegar and always though it was rather strange cause it was so clear, read this:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/health-benefits-apple-cider-vinegar.html
Also it says we should use two tbls. of vinegar and honey in a glass of water the old book that Sturge had just said like we are drinking it now :)
Oh Neal, I would love to have some but I really don't want anymore plants this year besides what I have coming, if I keep saying yes I'll end up planting all summer again and won't get my beds tweaked like I really want to do this year, maybe next year and maybe I can get a sedum bed made like I really want too with a grass in the middle, someone on here has one can't remember who and it was soo cool looking! I think I saw a picture of it from last year's swap :)
I use Braggs [the one with "Mother" ] ... it;s a staple in my house... i even use it to clean my hair. gotta love Apple Cider Vinegar.
We only have two choices of vinegar in the grocery stores here one from the store and Heinz neither are 100 percent. Next time I'm in Clarksville I'm going to a natural food store. Never heard of Braggs :) Never tried it on my hair either may have to try that tcs!
Hi all!
Just one big seed envie today.
Dryad.. Yours arrived. : ) Happy day for you!!!!!!!!
yep using that honey and vinegar does work. Also if ya have a raw throat or larengitis hot water and lemon as much as ya can stand of lemon juice works great too.
The thign with the vinegar and honey. Soem folsk just can two the two teaspoons of vinegar alone a day. Not me, but the vinegar is what does th etrick mainly and the honey to kil the taste, but the honey also helps ya so ya don't have major sinus problems during pollen seasons.
It like getting a doubleshot at one time.
This what I gonna be lookign like in a day or so only doing seeds to evrybodies buckets. LOL
http://www.bragg.com/
Lea -- it's great for brunettes, like lemon juice if for blonds. with a cleansing shampoo, it strips the build-up or yack our of your hair.
i also love Braggs Amino Acids... makes a great Soy Sauce replacement.
Both my parents swear by apple cider vinegar (78 yrs old).
I buy them extra cider from an orchard , the kind with no preserves and not pasteurized. They drink half sweet then put the rest out in the garage , first it turns ''hard'' then to vinegar, so you might consider making your own.
I on the other hand am a tea drinker,
Cheles..in the herb forum there is a thread on tea garden , might check it out.
Thanks gardengus - I will. Also a big thanks for the apple cider vinegar tips. I don't have any on hand and would have probably bought the "pretty" bottle. ^_^
OH -- i get mine from the health food store... but i did see it once at our Dominicks [Safeway] in the health food section.
I wonder how long it takes to turn to vinegar, I'll have to check that out we have apple orchards here, thanks! I never would have thought about that :)
LOL tcs, I use to be a true brunette now I'm a fake one lol I've lost the shine in my hair I think I'll try it in my next shower :) Don't believe the comercials about Natural Instincts keeping your hair shinny lol Probably just too much build up! I don't use hair spray or any of that other stuff, just cream rinse can you still use cream rinse afer the vinegar?
I went out to get my dogs water and change it for the second time today and almost fell in the door lol It's a solid sheet of ice and it's sleeting and raining now! This day is only fit to go thru seeds lol
I had no idea that it was so distilled - but the next time I hit the health food store I'll pick some of the "real" stuff up.
Star, you got me laughing at a memory from college when you mentioned wondering how long it would take to turn to vinegar. My sophomore year I had a roomie who was a "returning" student. She'd gone straight to the job market out of high school, but after a while decided to get a degree, so she was over 21 years old. We had a small fridge, and kept things like butter, cheese, lettuce, etc. She had picked up a glass bottle of hard cider and kept that in the fridge too. We were sitting (backs to each other, the way they set up the room) at our desks one Saturday studying and listening to the football game on the radio. All of a sudden we heard this "WHOOM" and turned around in time to see the little fridge (which was between us, underneath the desk ledge) settle back down and liquid start to come out the bottom. We looked at each other and each grabbed a towel real quick - and then opened the fridge. That cider had gone a bit beyond hard, and the glass jar exploded. That poor head of lettuce was absolutely ravaged with glass. We couldn't stop laughing while we cleaned the fridge! I'm thinking if I get some cider and let it turn to vinegar I'll make sure it's in a plastic container, and probably will leave it in the garage - LOL!
I'm glad my envie made it, whew!
That is why they drink half sweet and put it in the garage. You can watch it('' do it's thing'') by putting a balloon on top of the container.
Wow, the things you learn!
Ok, I've heard of the apple cider vinegar & honey drink and it is often mixed with Lemon. I'm one of those weird people with allergies to all citrus. I have to get my vitamin C from rosehips that I grow and collect myself. No wait, I'm just weird! My Dr. has me on a magnesium drink, I drink warm with the raw honey. It's working for me when I remember to take it.
gardengus, thanks for the info on the tea gardens. I'm like 'Chelle, and I'd like to grow more of my own herbal tea blends. : )
I am ignorant when it comes to apple cider. dryad, did the cider ferment and explode? Glad I didn't have to eat the lettuce! : )
I just have to share this photo of a strawberry bush that is providing the exterior or my house with some Christmas Color! I do not know the Latin name of this bush, but it flowers and fruits at the same time.
WIB,
SW
LOL Robin that story was too funny!
So you can keep that jug in the garage even in the summer? Of course I never refrigerate my vinegar in here but it's air conditioned in here, I just can't believe I've been drinking the wrong vinegar all these years lol gardengus, how long does it take to make vinegar, just approximate time, is it when the balloon is as big as it will get lol I'm still laughing at Robin's story and can just see the balloon go flying off into the wild blue yonder LOL
Lea, I was thinking the same thing - what if the balloon explodes? LOL
SW, glad you brought up rose hips.......I have read on several different occasions about rose hips in tea......are all rose hips ok to use or are there any poisonous varieties out there? There are so many different types of roses. Confused about the roses! HELP!
WOW SW, that strawberry bush is really beautiful! Do you eat the fruits I guess? Love all the color!
I'm not sure if there is a difference in rose hips 'Chelle. I use the wild Dog Rose I picked from along Idylwild creek close by me, it seems to be the best, although the others (hybrid roses, and a few heritage) have bigger rose hips. The Dog Rose hips seem to be the best tasting (to me).
LeBug, I don't eat the fruits, I have problems with strawberries too. They are edible. I bought the bushes from the County Soil Conservation people back in the early 90's and they said it was native to the area, drought tolerant, and the wild ones like the fruit. I have a bunch I should go pick up off the ground and feed to the chickens. I should look for seed too. : )
I bet if I can find some, some little piggies might like it! : )
I'd better be a good girl, and get some Christmas stuff done.
WIB,
SW
Sw what a beautiful bush. Had heard of it but never actualy seen some good pics of one.
Dryad.. Lol that so funny. Sure glad it was the lettuce that got the bath and not you and your friend. Ya would have both been wearing air freshners aroudn your necks for weeks. : )
SW - that is such a beautiful bush - I am envious of your 9a climate.....but I do love the snow. We just don't get enough of it. I am one of the few with grey all the time and cold. Yesterday it was 9 degrees and tomorrow it is to be 50 and rainy. We are in the middle. Argh. So if you were to find some seeds, I probably couldn't grow it......but it sure is a beauty!! Can I make tea out of it? hee hee.
I was wondering the same thing too - how long it takes the cider to go from sweet to hard to vinegar. But then again, experimenting can be kinda fun.
SW - that almost looks like a kumquat tree, but then I've never seen one that big. In fact, that's a really interesting plant - are the fruits edible? (And yep, that cider went REAL hard - we had to open the windows in the dead of winter to get the smell out of the room before anyone came by and got us in trouble!)
SW, found your strawberry bush in the plantfiles :) Is it the same as yours they say in there the berries aren't edibile? But it sure is pretty, I sure would like a cutting of it in the spring if you could handle that, maybe we could find something to trade or I could do postage :) I'm all for feeding the wild ones, I've planted quite a few shrubs for the birds.
Some friends out here in CA found them in the plant files too, and let me see if this piggy has learned anything. davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/53834/
Hopefully, that will turn into a hyperlink and take you to the Strawberry tree, arbutus unedo. If it does, all thanks for tcs explaining how.
I guess I'm going to be collecting berries and locating the seeds. A DGer out here says that the hummers love the flowers and the Blue jays and Mockingbirds like the berries. I've seen house finches eating the fruit too. Mine are spaced closer than they recommend.
'Chelle they won't survive in your zone. : (
Dryad, someone out here said they were members of the mesquite family?
LeBug, if the seed can't be collected, we can certainly try for a cutting. Actually that might be better, then you won't have to wait until next winter to sow them. I have to trim them back soon anyway, but am not sure when to prune this one. I'm gonna wait til she is done blooming and fruiting. I'll try to find seed for the Piggy Trade next year too.
The Cider did ferment! I think it all depends on heat and the sugar content. Oh where is ~wind? She'd know!
WIB,
SW
W
SW, a cutting would be better in the spring when the tips start coming out again, I'm really not sure when you should trim the tree if you want probable after it quits fruiting. I would love a cutting I'm getting too old to wait on seeds for trees lol They say cuttings grow quicker :) I found the link to them last night and forgot to post it lol How many of those trees do you have? They are so cool! You have to highlight the link then copy and paste it :) I just love it cause we can do links lol I've got some shrubs and hollies I'll have to check and see what are good in your zone and when I get my cups that Lynn is ordering I'll throw the names at you and you can decide which you want :)
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/66157/
Just checking in I fell out for a while... If I don't get back to the computer today Id like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!
Caren