Best/Worse &What did I learnt today/Chat with Friends #93

Hello To All;

Well - I keep walking out to the back yard. There must be a huge magnet out there...Finally the evening rain started so forced me back in.

I believe everytime I walk out there, something has grown an inch and I must find it !

I planted 4 hibiscus last year that DH said would be "Annuals" here. So I was happy (and quite smug) when all 4 made it through the winter....although each in a different stage of "made it through".

So then DH says "Well it won't bloom till May". Don't you know I have 3 blooms on the one that is in the best of shape? The others don't look so good...but I'll baby them & see what happens.

Betty - DH is still so surprised that I am into gardening for now the second year...he actually buys whatever plants I want. I'm sure that will get old....hopefully not soon.

I wonder if you have picked the hotel we stayed in? It had a pool on the rooftop with a lovely view of the Capitol BUT it was 5/31/06 when we went, and still too cold (to our surprise) to swim up in D.C....

Don't we have a friend on this blog in VA ??? Perhaps she can advise as to swimming in April....Unless the hotel you are looking at has a heated pool perhaps.

That would be lots of fun for the boys to swim at an unusual time of year for them.

You'll have to bring them to Cajun Country for a swim sometime! We're planning to heat up the pool next Saturday for DS's 17th bday (which was 3/10).

Shadow is our indoor/outdoor cat...he doesn't sleep the same place every night but he sure likes my brand new Down Comforter!

I'll pop in a bit later....

Hugs,
Mary

I should have specified, sorry, riding a bike of any kind will make my knee hurt so bad it's not even funny, especially a 3 wheeler. There were times in the past I do wish I would have had that rain cover over the top of me, I didn't see that when I first looked at it, all I saw was yellow! But wouldn't the rain still get you if you were riding right into it?

The house came with ceiling fans in every room, but at 2 years old 2 of them froze up (I've never heard of a ceiling fan freezing up, has anyone else?) The all are identical, well, were. That's the only one we put up to replace the old one. Here's what they all look like:

LOL Ya'll, all that took all day yesterday, we started that fan at noon and didn't finish until 5 and he had to work all night last night, we were pooped and he's pooped even more. I think I'll go start some dinner.

The driver gets all the rain, the cover is only for the passengers unfortunately.

Can't say I have heard of a ceiling fan freezing up, some of my regular ones have have in the past. I can't believe my first ceiling fan here does as well as it has.....I run it non stop in the summer, and reverse it and run it a good part of the winter also....I got it for $9.95 at WalMart about four years ago.

Hello Night Shift! I'll be popping in & out now if anyone wants to chit chat...
:)

Mary

Hi Mary, I'm in and out....got dinner in the works....trying to keep up with the comments thread on the Write Robbin, and trying to keep the dog from getting too neurotic cause the wind is blowing...

Hey Trisha;

What's for dinner? :) I should have cooked today but some unknown force kept drawing me into the backyard... Send me a plate. :)

What is Write Robbin? Is that the book that Sharran and others are writing?

Maybe I need to read it.....it'll give me something to do.... :)

Headed to Hibiscus blog.....back in a jiffy....

Mary

mary, here is the first story, finished now:

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/951519/

And here is the beginning of the second:

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/962315/

Corned Beef and Cabbage, a bottle of Guinness..........I'll pass some over when it's done.

Yes, I have gotten sucked into the stories Sharran and the group are doing.....and the comments thread they have is a good read also!!

Need to heat the oven, have a Sprite to cook once dinner is done...

Sometimes the comment threads are better than the story!!

Did DP know what he was getting into??

Hey Trisha & Sharran;

AH - A little St. Paddy's Day treat! I've never cooked either but LOVE both! If you get a chance to D-Mail recipe...I'd appreciate it!

Yes - send over a plate and a Guinness!

Then you'll have to explain what a "Sprite" is! (Unless it's a soft drink in a green can!)

Sharran - Did you have a good day?

Okay - I'm so curious about this story thing....headed over to read for a bit....

I want so much to say "Top O the Morning to Ya" but I can't ....so "Top O the NIght"

I'll check back soon in a bit....

Mary

Mary, not much of a recipe the way I do it....I pick up a corned beef at Safeway, it comes with a seasoning packet enclosed and per the instruction just place the beef and seasoning a pan cover with water and simmer covered, until the meat is tender, about 50 minutes per pound the last half hour I add a one pound package of peeled baby carrots and halved red potatoes....the last ten or fifteen minutes I quarter a small head of green cabbage and place the pieces cut side down on top of the meat and other veggies...cover and continue to simmer until the cabbage is just tender. Place it all on a serving platter, slice the meat, butter the veggies, add a good loaf of bread and bottle of Guinness and it is a meal that is hard to beat......only do it once or twice a year cause I make such a Pig of myself when we have it....

Sprites are the smallest of the garden fairies.....I will try and remember to post a pic when she comes out of the oven and I get her wings on...

do go over and read....a bit, if you can keep it to that....you get sucked into these stories... and top 'o the evening to you my dear...

I am not sure what DP thought, Trisha, but he is really a lot of fun. I have gotten to know him just through the threads and the d mails over the week. He is new to DG, but seems to be having a good time. And he is an excellent writer, just what we needed to add a new spark to the stories. I have no idea where he will take us, but you better believe I'll box him into a corner and let him fight his way out.

I am doing good, Mary, thanks.

Sharran-how do I get to write in the next one if there is one??

Well reading is all I've been doing since I last wrote.....

That is a wonderful story - and I'm nowhere near the middle of the first story.....

It looks like so much fun!

I copy/pasted the Corned Beef recipe into the "Family Cook Book". I'd like to try it soon....I love Cabbage! And Corned Beef!

Hard to type....SHadow has decided to jump up under my right arm....he kind of automatically gets petted as I type!

More later....

Mary

I'll put your name on the list.
Already done...OK?

And there will be more, because lots of people are seeing them and seem to be liking them, so Fairy, I have you down.

Speaking of Fairies (not you Stacey)....here is my first sprite.....need more practice and the picture isn't great...will have to see if I can get a better one (and make a better one)...

Passing plates, dinner is done...will be back in awhile if you are still around!

Hello Sharran; Stacey, Trisha;

Looks as though we've got the night shift kicked off !

Thanks Trisha for dinner...it was delish !

I'm glad to see you all - I was a bit lonely last night....

I do have a strict 11pm curfew tonight....It's raining a slow steady rain tonight. Change is in the air....

Spring will arrive next weekend...and the backyard knows it! Planted Red Pepper, Roma Tomato, Sweet Basil and Lemon Basil today....

Looking forward to next weekend!

Hugs,
Mary

Trisha - She is Precious! Does she sit in your garden?

Sharran - You could get these published! If not for profit, then maybe for charity?

Wonderful reading so far....

I'm back safe sound..With 37 straw bales..Nice seeing all family.Even under the circumstances.A nice service..Weather was pleasant, little windy..The American legion was there..They definitely need to practice folding the flag..I couldn't see. Was told they started wrong.And just kept going..Its the thought that counts


Trisha I didn't read where ya got any raking done at Laura.!!!..LOL

Betty rug seems to be coming along fine
That bike cost more than I spent a several first cars..LOL

Mary glad you liked the stories..Can't print most of the ones I heard this weekend..LOL
Not real bad ,BUT

crissyr You need a Moped..LOL

I took Cousin Jack Wife Sue..& tomatoes plants.(seeded peat pots)
!0 Hybiscus plants I had started a while back.They where 6"+
Browny Points..LOL

I was a good Samaritan.Elderly lady had a flat tire.I turned around went back & changed the tire.
She has 6 kids,5 boys 1 girl 14 grandkids 7 GGK..What else ya want to know..She must have been nervous..She never stopped talking..LOL She was afraid car jack was going to slip..Funny how she would keep walking back and forth ..Side to side looking..LOL

Good Nite All

Hey Terry -

Wow - did you get to know her entire life story? Or were the kids DGK's, DGGK's, all in the vehicle?

Good for you for helping her....

50 points for Terry. :)

were the Hibiscus from seed?

Hugs,
Mary

Oh Sharran-thank you!! I have wanted to be a writer since I was little!!! I can't wait to be in the next one-not sure I can wait!!LOL

^_^ We wrote Emma in a month, so not sure how long Susan will take, but probably about the same. A good thing to do is to take a segment, before you read the next one, and practice, on your own, writing what you would make happen in that moment. Then when the real segment is written, compare. Not for good or bad writing, but just to compare.

See what I mean? Just practice with each segment when it comes up. It is fun to do, and sometimes I have an idea that I want to use, but by the time it gets to be my turn, somehow the idea gets shot down, so it is pretty unpredictible, but very fun. And hang out in the comment thread. That's pretty fun reading in itself.

Trisha, your cabbage sounds good. I am not a great meat eater, but love cabbage. And a very cute Sprite.

Mary...I am so envious of your gardening right now. I want to be outside. This will be a nice week, though, but still, it is a bit risky to plant much of anything in the seedling variety.

Mary She was all alone..Headed for DSs for a birthday party..LOL

Hybiscus were from seed..I was testing to see if they were viable ..Just couldn't throw them out when they sprouted in wet paper towel..LOL We have a 95' row on south side of garden & 32' on west side


NOW IT IS JOKE TIME





A woman arrived at a party and while scanning the guests, spotted an attractive man standing alone. She approached him, smiled and said, 'Hello. My name is Carmen.'

'That's a beautiful name,' he replied. 'Is it a family name?'

'No,' she replied. 'Actually I gave it to myself.. It represents the things that I enjoy the most - cars and men.

Therefore, I chose 'Carmen'. What's your name?'
He answered 'B.J. Bustsengolf'

The different writing styles are quite interesting....although I haven't had time yet to read enough...

Ya'll are going to ruin my diet....I wasn't allowing myself to read until I lost "x" pounds.....

(Because I often read when I eat...therefore gain weight).....

So tomorrow....coming home for lunch for Ramen noodles and will read on the computer...that will be different....

Hello All;

Sharran - well - we could still have a freeze according to some....this is my first FULL YEAR as a "Beginner Gardener" but DH is trying to guide me...
So I suppose he would stop me if he thought I was planting too much....I'm thinking a few plants each weekend.....will be okay...

DH says to wait until lows are in 60's to plant Bell Peppers, well - they are right around 55-58 this week....so I started early....BUT he also wanted them staggered to give us peppers at different times...

Tubby - How do you seed Hibiscus? DH seeded Texas Star Hibiscus but I would like to try seeding the others that we have....

Sharran - You can "Garden Vicariously through me" until then. :) When do you get to start?

Hoping to get a lot done this weekend, first day of Spring...BUT have DS's 17th bday party to plan so there goes that time...PLUS there is a Gardening Weekend Show at LSU, PLus DMIL may have a bday party at her house for the 2 DGS's (including my DS) that have bdays....a LOT going on in March...so working ahead...

Hugs,
Mary

I'll start in a couple weeks, Mary...depending on the weather. Two years ago we had a hellacious killer frost in the middle of April, then it turned 80 and went upward from there. But it wiped out all early blooms. Then last year there was nothing unusual, and I planted maybe the second week of April. I don't plant lettuce or peas or any of the early crops usually.

Mary, Most of my polymer is indoors or in flower pots....too much sun tends to bleach out the colors.
As for the diet, grab some baby carrots, broccoli florets and fat free veggie dip and read away....


Terry, glad you had a safe trip.

Hey Trisha & Sharran;
Well - I don't think we can do lettuce or peas....due to the heat (Although DS asked me where lettuce comes from and I wasn't sure what to tell him. )

And I'm dumb....I don't know what "polymer" means......

But - Good idea on the Veggie Dip and Carrots/Broccoli. You also reminded me to put that on the list for DS's Big Bday Party for Saturday...

We'll have a Vegetable Tray with Veggie Dip....Chips, Dips, etc. Any other ideas?

They are 15-17 year olds so probably just a bunch of Snack Foods....I'm glad - DS has never wanted a Pool Party until now....Just glad he wants one...

Probably about 30 invited....

Hugs,
Mary

Polymer is a word for a product similar to plastic, but is pliable until heat set.

Like acrylic is a product like plastic, too.

That is very simplified, but basically what it is. In this case it is a very workable type of material that you use in the same way you would use clay. But the heat setting is low, maybe 275, in a regular oven, and no water is used. It remains flexible until heat set.

Polymer is a plastic based clay that stays pliable until you bake it in the oven to harden it.

I live on those veggies when I am trying to lose weight.....also a lot of fruit....something to crunch on.....none of my diets would let me have Ramen.....and I do love it!!

Okay - So Broccolli and Carrots in low fat - dip tomorrow.....

I can do that.. :)

Strict 11pm bedtime...Night Night Ya'll :)

Night Mary, sleep well.

OMG wrote a big post to you before going to bed, what do you know, must have been dozy enough not to have pressed 'send'

Talk later

Morning Betty, Hope you have a great day at work, and safe trip to work.
LK

Mary I read here on DG..You put seeds in pill bottle with some peroxide ..Add boiling water ..Let set for 24Hrs..Not more than 3 days..Seeds will get a little root start..Couldn't find it this morning.If & when I do I'll post it for you

This is what I found..on google

Start seeds indoors at 70-75° F (21-24° C) 8-10 weeks before last frost. After danger of frost is past, set in the garden in average to moist but not soggy soil. The species below prefer warm weather.

Tubby

Shar loved the Tyrannosaurus Tex!"..I can just imagine the look one his face..Grinning BIG

Copied this from joke forum.Funny..LOL

An Irishman had been drinking at a pub all night.

The bartender finally said that the bar was closing.

So, the Irishman stood up to leave fell flat on his face.

He tried to stand one more time; same result.

He figured he'll crawl outside and get some fresh air

and maybe that will sober him up.

Once outside, he stood up and fell on his face again.

So he decided to crawl the four blocks home.

Again, he fell flat on his face.

He crawled through the door and into his bedroom.

When he reached his bed he tried one more time to stand up.

This time he managed to pull himself upright,

but he quickly fell right into the bed and is sound asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

He was awakened the next morning to his wife standing over him, shouting,

"SO YOU'VE BEEN DRINKING AGAIN!"

Putting on an innocent look, and intent on bluffing it out he said,

"What makes you say that?"

"The pub just called; you left your wheelchaiir there again.