Best/Worse &What did I learnt today/Chat with Friends #84

Thought I'd move us over...

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/948488/

If it's ok with AnnMarie and WoodSpirit..I'll move their photo's over, they are a must see...

Spirit (Betty) posted the following..

And yet another..can't wait for her to post her DH's link where he sells them..now look at this cutie..painted colors are superb..love his grin!!! looks as though he's up to something doesn't he..

AnnMarie, when she was suppose to be relaxing got her patio done..now I'm hoping she was making the lemonade, giving orders and not over extending herself..never get better working that hard...

Can't you just see it with creeping greenery between the rocks..

the last few post on the previous thread has the girls designing and planting this lovely area AnnMarie..you'll be back from town and will have so many design ideas to read through..all of which will make the area a showpiece..

Still a little more to clean then I can play, feel as though it should be late supper time by now..temps must be dropping as I'm feeling cold, NOT as cold as Thursday night though...brrrrr was colder in our room than outside...lol..imagine, never occured to me until 4am to call management to complain, they put the heat on in the adjoining room but lordy, it was colder than our room, their heating system must not have been working, nor were their hot water system...don't like complaining but sure should have done so with that room..slept with clothes on, blankets on, 2 pairs socks on and then threw our coats over ourselves..heads under cover, laughing all night while freezing..stupid ladies...

At breakfast, Debbie had a pretty gift for me...won't these pieces look lovely in my DG friendship garden? and paperwhite...they'll flourish in the gardens as well..Debbie, no kidding aside, they are my favorite candy..

Stacey, no you can't have her, isn't she pretty, think I'll leave her out until she can be set into the garden...will be able to put seed in her leaf and maybe attract some 'birdies'

My birdbath..have to see if perhaps I should plant it indoor now so that it's in full bloom come spring...

Did purchase 3 quilts, gave one away..later this evening will open one up so I can show you just how pretty...you will not believe how much I paid for them...bet you can't...

This was the gift my mom wanted to get me at Cracker Barrel, Debbie will tell you, she wouldn't take NO for an answer..honest! lol....love it though, not sure it will go out in the garden, perhaps the covered deck, she thought when candles are lit it would be so pretty...Debbie, when they packed it for me they forget to give me one of the light hangers, have to figure something out..called them but said there were no more, must have lost it..right, the others were tied with a ribbon, oh well, I can make something...it's big, can't wait until tonight to light it..

Debbie are these type of stores all over the USA (not the Christmas/Christmas ones but just like this one with all the garden things)?...

Betty I like that that is neat. I go for the unordenary. Things have to hit me square in the face. HUGS BEV

Keep thinking about how much stuff mom has at her house/cottage and in Florida..I always shake my head, however, she's 17 years older than I, with all this junk I keep collecting I won't be far behind her..would think my kids are thinking same as I..lol...oh well..

And yes, I do love the unordinary..the light unit is very pretty, who knows, I might just find a place for it inside..

Took a meatpie out of the freezer, tummy starting to say it's hungry, about another 1/2 hr. of cleaning and then I might try out my sewing machine, make sure it's working properly..

Bev, when you say you put a sweat on outside working, does that mean all your gardens are raked? How much longer before you can get to the trailer?

Talk later..

Betty....
Just so you know....
There is a Cracker Barrel about a mile from my house........
Just off I 24

wow, cant believe I finally got the photo to post! I clicked send, and puter froze up again! grrr! hoping its the site and not my puter! lol!

now will try to post the other pix, this is coming from the side yard (junk storage area now! lol!) into the patio area....



Fire bush says it needs part sun or full sun...this area gets maybe an hour of sun each day, will it still bloom?

No Betty no gardens raked until mid April. I was just picking up limbs. Anji fire bush doesn't have much bloom just fire red leaves in fall. BEV

Betty, there are quite a few Christmas Shops around. They just recently moved up in our area. My DD's went to visit CT...and that is where they first saw Christmas Shops....and came home to tell me. I then found the one in Rochester. That is where your garden goodies I gave you came from also. LOL Saw the frog on the shoe and thought of Cedric. I had almost got the garden fairies...but didn't know if you would have room to get them home! haha

I had such a wonderful time with you and your DM. I will say I got a bit teary-eyed looking at the lovely gifts you gave me....but the one with the rose on the card and little saying about the sun & children have Moms....got me! What a treasure! Thank you!

Did you ever make it to the Outlet Malls? Give me advanced notice on your next journey here....and I will let you know of other places you might really like. We have a 2 story Craft & antique co-op up Rochester way also.

I have never been to a Casino up here. Went to one in Atlantic City before I had kids....and one in Paradise Island Bahamas....loved it too much, and know I shouldn't go back. LOL HOWEVER, DD says the one in Niagara Falls has the best steak house and also food buffet she has ever scene. DH and I want to head there one time.

Betty, your DM's dolls are beautiful. I will have to go up in the attic and get pictures of mine to show you. I had to put them up there because of our cats. They have no respect.

Woodspirit, I so love your artwork! Breathtaking! You can see the "soul" in them.

And the garden/patio....ohhhh that is going to be so beautiful with all grown in. I love the style and can just picture it all.

I am making chicken and biscuits for dinner....have to get moving on them. DH worked all weekend...he is beat and hungry!

Dare I say Betty...that the outlet malls are having sidewalk sales this coming weekend. LOL

Debbie

you just had to tell me that Debbie didn't you..Presidents Day..we here in Canada celebrate the same long weekend..ours is in honor of families...Family Day..wonder if they'd like to take mom across the border..lol

Debbie just love my Frog planter book and the prayer stone..know just the place for them..

Don't you worry, I'll be visiting you again, that's a promise...

Shar, I-24 right, got to put that on my map as well...

My sewing machine works well, did the kittie rag quilt for Darlene's kittie, the other one I had finished when my machine went kapoot..John did a wonderful job in servicing it, rockey start but he came through..lol

Didn't get out of my nightie, just been plugging around getting things done...looking forward to a long weekend coming up..

Best go fold my clothes before they crinkle..wouldn't want to have to iron it all..

AnnMarie, Bev is right, a firebush would be perfect..I've several which have about same amount of sun and they do fine...this year is the 1st year they went vivid orange/red...try it..I can see you've planted some greenery between the slates, how long do you think before it's all covered?

How many of us will be going to look for re-cycled cement to do a walkway...Jeannine, you there, know it's a project you'd like...

My DD is doing a front walk with the recycled cement. Her DH picked it up from the farm he works, it was huge...but a few wacks with hammer and is just the right size for her pathway to the house.

I think more and more people are using their minds and seeing great potential with recycled objects.

Who was asking about the bottle tree with lights? I saw one in our area. They had covered the tree in the white lights...then slid the bottles over the branches. It was very unique.

Betty,
I missed this, sorry, but how many blocks in a row on your rag quilt, and how big are the blocks?

Anjil Here is one of my Fire bushes untrimmed. BEV

Mine were 8" squares (2 back to back-sewn with an "X' in each block to hold them together), I just wanted a couch throw so mine was 8 blocks wide by 10 blocks long..you can make them as wide or as long as you wish...each and every seam I did Shar I did it twice so that when I clip there is a better chance not breaking the sewing seam...one one rag quilt I did the seam 5/8ths of an inch but on the other ones I did 6/8ths. seam allowance and clipped about every 1/4"..

ooooh! I like that! gotta go take a trip around the corner to Regans to see if they have any! LOL!

any ideas on what to plant along the fence area? its only a 12" wide bed that runs along the fence....cant do any vines cause that neighbor is VERY picky! :( was thinking of hostas, but need something for color higher too!


My DH frowned when I told him my idea of jackhammering up the cement walkway in front yard and recycling to patio and side yard in the back....but now he loves the results! LOL! AND...more importantly.... I have a new HUGE bed in the front yard! teehee!

Vicki meant to post when you said you could hear our 'giggles' think it was more than 'giggles' loud laughter best describes it..was so nice to hear mom laugh..hadn't hear her in quite some time...

POSTING IN NEED OF PRAYERS......

Moving the post our Laura (Downunder) posted awhile ago, devastating to say the least...please keep her/her family and her country in our prayers...

Her post read:


hi all

well we have had some great tradedies in our contry today. so far 108 lives lost including one of our newsreaders. many whole families are gone and towns wiped out. many of the fires were deliberatly lit!
i waiat news of my brother as he stands to defend his home. i am not near the fires so dont worry about me. the temps were 48c and the winds so strong that in minutes lives and property were lost., there was no time to get people out it seems.
so much is gone and all the wildlife with it. very sad indeed.
pray for our country, our fire fighters who lost families while they themselves tried to save others. those who are so badly burned and those who have lost everything.a
we as a country are in mourning today.

1AnjL, what about coleus with the hostas? We do that out front, and it looks so pretty. They can have touches of pink, yellow, white...many varieties.

I am in hot water with DH with my morning glory vines ever spring/summer. I just love them...but...no matter what color I plant...they come up white!

Betty, when I was at the CS...I found red morning glories and pink....so he is going to get even more thrilled with me! LOL

Betty, thank you so much.

Now on the back side, it is smooth, is it not? No lining, and no ragged edges?

Betty-are you sure you want me to come now-you know she might just sneak into my car B4 I come home;)LOL

Laura-so sorry to hear-I will keep your brother in my thoughts...

AnnMarie-soooo pretty!!! A total transformation!!

Here is Black Night Coleus in front of hostas.

Shar yes the back is entirely without seams, all are on the top of the project, those you clip...

Stacey, I'll let you look at her, admire her but she's mine, she'll remind me of you, my Fairy...

Bev, that bush is outstanding, mine are only a few years old so not big at all and only started to turn last year..I look forward to them growing...took some ideas from Carol's garden, my hopes are that they grow enough that they can form an arbor..that's what I'm hoping for..

Carol, how did breakfast go with your brother...where does he live? nearby?

Debbie, red morning glories, won't they be gorgeous..didn't they say coloring had a bit to do with soil?

I'm so pleased that we're all in the garden mood, before long the snow will have gone, even today as cold as it was you could feel the warmth of the sun coming through the window..

Chilled tonight, put heat up and turned fireplaces on..won't be long and they'll be a thing of the past...

I'm looking forward to driving in to work one day this week so I can go to the Garden Center and enjoy more of it's beauty...

Betty..my brother lives in Barbados...so it is a big treat when I get to see him.
He flies for Air Canada though ...out of Toronto.

I have enjoyed seeing your photos of all the goodies you bought..and hearing about your weekend.

I am also dreaming of when we can get outside and play in the garden again. One of our local garden cnetres opens again tomorrow..I think I should go and just take in the aroma of plants for inspiration.

Laura I've been following the story also, I read it on the internet last night. I'm praying for your family and brother, and the devastation on your country.

AnnMarie that patio is gorgeous! It's going to look so good once you get your plants in there!

Bev, what kind of red bush is that? I like it!

I'm tired tonight, spent most of the day bored off my gourd, very nice day but no yard work to do, it's too early in the season still.

LOL Betty, he just left the ad on the couch for me to find, just for the crock pot. I decided to get everything else after I got there, since I was there anyway, I needed new black slacks, of the two I have, one pair is too short and the other is wearing out. I didn't really need a purse but got one anyway, plus a wallet to match lol! Yea, I guess I am spoiled, as long as I can find good quality stuff at a good price he doesn't balk, it's when I pay full price for something, he gets a little upset because it's a waist of money. He has taught me how to shop!

Well I have to go to bed, so everyone have a great night and stay out of storms way and I'll see everyone tomorrow!

I guess when it comes to a new room you are going to have to put “new room” in Bold, Three or four times in a row like my Laura does, to get our attention before posting the new thread…..I am behind again…..

I do dearly love the Woodspirits……..

Betty if you don’t like the boot planter with the frog and the lady bug you can send them my way….
This is a boot with a slug on back that I made for one of my clay classes several years ago…….

Zhinu...one of the new "trends" up here in farm country...is recycling your DH's or DS's work boots. They turn them into planters! The flower and garden shops make a pretty penny on them. My favorites are a pair of little boys workboots....with mother hen & chicks planted in them. They usually pull the laces out of the boots, loosen the tongue way down....and put all kinds of flowers in there....and one boot turned on its side as it spilled....makes quite the artwork. LOL

If you really want one of those little boots....let me know and I will pick one up my next trip to the Christmas shop....They had such cute ones.

Debbie

A big wave to everyone I have missed....

And again Laura glad you are in a safe place...our prayers go out to you, your brother (do hope he is safe) and to your country......we have our share of fires and they are quite devastating !

I didn't figure you would want to give up your boot....this is a little one I picked up half price at RiteAid last week....thought he was kind of cute.....Good night all!

Debbie, they use old hiking boots and running shoes here.....it is hard to find the old real leather ones, they make the best planters........

My sis lives in Niskayuna.....she is always sending us stuff from the Christmas Store....wish we had one here!

Thank you all for the compliments on the patio :o) was only 3 days worth of work and thankfully my DSS did most of the heavy lifting!

I have coleus planted in my beds now! funny I never even thought of putting some in that patio area! where is my brain these days?! LOL! alos have lots of begonias, so can put lots of potted begonias there too! LOL!

guess who came to visit me tonight? My lil sunshine David!

and he's walking now!

gave up on downloading the photos from my cell phone and just took new ones today of DD's tattoo.......

and taught David how to smack it to "set the ink!" LOL!

(not really! we were just trying to see how much his hand had grown in one year! LOL! )

That is so cute!!!!!!