A Southern Garden by Becca

After The Storms

2012-01-26T20:06:00.002-06:00

Storms on the Way

2012-01-26T08:34:00.000-06:00

Yesterday it was mostly clouded and very windy but I managed to catch the sky looking south between some clouds. I love cirrus clouds. They are so wispy.

Today on the other hand is not looking so good. Lots of rain and winds are on the way and we are under a tornado watch. You can feel the disturbed weather. You can feel pockets of hot air blowing. Praying for our people up North AL to have to deal with this weather today after the destruction on Monday from tornadoes. I forgot the death toll but 4-6 people were killed. It is so sad that the same areas that were hit last April saw this stuff on Monday. Yikes. Over 400 homes were destroyed.

But look what I found blooming this morning. My first daffodil. The plants look so scrawny and small. I expect that they aren't going to do so well this year since we haven't had any winter to speak of. I expect that that would be the reason the hyancinths didn't have any size to them. Anyway it is pretty even if the photo is blurry. It is hard to get that low to the ground without shaking.

Take care and have a nice day. Hope everyone is safe today.

This N That

2012-01-23T12:59:00.000-06:00

It is hard to believe we are in the last week of January and we are so warm and not expecting any cool weather any time soon. I managed to get out and enjoy some of the weekend outdoors. This is where I spent a little time while I was monitoring a project Saturday. I don't think I've shared pictures of my shed out back. Actually it's pretty big. There have been a few interesting things to come out of here. It is a great big ole mess right now and it is taking some time to get it cleaned out. It is snakey and I'm not going in here by myself because I am a scardy cat.

This little pooch is Molly, my friends rat terrier I gave him.

(On this side of the shed I plan to put some camellia's and something else undecided.)

It's just a dirty old shop. Big enough to hold six cars comfortably.

This is John's idea. He is a metalsmith and designed the stepping stone frame to make stones. The flower is his idea and he created the flower frame also. This is a sample he had set up for me to see.

Actually they turned out too thick and the cement wasn't quite right. May have bought the wrong kind. This mixture had a lot of rocks in it. They are about 2 to2-1/2" thick. Way too thick to walk on. I'm thinking garden art here.

Buddy enjoyed being outside even if he had to be on his chain. He likes to visit neighbors and wants to cross the main road near me so this is what he gets.

I spent my time with my gloves and a shovel. It was time to work on the garden I planned on putting down. First I had to dig out the grass. I do this because I HATE to contend with grass in my gardens. I can pull weeds but grass is hard to keep out when it gets around the flowers. Plus I also back fill with new Miracle Gro Garden Soil.
(The area on this side of the shed is where I plan to put some roses and some flowering vines.)

I got this much done. I'm going to make it bigger but this is the beginning. The digging and loading the sod is easy enough but hauling my load down the hill to drop in some low spots kills me. I'll get there though and it will be a pretty spot.

Anyone know what this is and if I can expect a flower. I have a couple of them and don't if it was in some seeds I spread in the fall.

Daffodils will be in bloom soon. Actually I think it is early as is everything else this year.

What to do with these containers? Plants? Help. I need ideas. They do not have a bottom so they can easily be used them in the garden.

Anybody throwing out seeds yet in their gardens? I'm thinking about doing just that with this warm weather. I'm thinking it will be an early spring and long hot summer.

Gotta run. Have a great week.

A Bright Spot

2012-01-19T17:18:00.000-06:00

Just a couple of blooms. A bright spot in an otherwise dreary garden.

I am still having problems commenting on some blogs. Don't know what is going on but many of us are having the same problem. Just know I have been by to visit you and sorry I could not leave a comment.

Happy Hump Day...

2012-01-18T12:23:00.001-06:00

Aaaahhhh the sun is out today and we are expecting some nice - almost spring like weather over the next 6 days. I hear gardens calling... do you hear it.

Hope you have a nice day.

FYI don't know why but I am having problems leaving comments on some blogs. Connie I have been trying to leave a comment all week on your blog but when I hit comment my screen locks up. It is only happening on a few blogs. Hopefully it will be fixed soon. Ya'll I have been by to visit.

It feels like winter...

2012-01-14T08:48:00.000-06:00

How are you today? Me I'm good on this nice Saturday morning. I was enjoying the warm weather we were having but now it feels like winter. I don't think it's gonna last though.

I've been working on getting some things organized around here. Kitchen cabinets just get so disorganized and when I reach back into the cabinet and grab a can and pull it out and I say well I didn't know I had that or I've looking for this. So I looked around the house for some containers that would fit into the cabinets upper and lower and got to work. I have a box in the kitchen of expired goods and some went out of date in 09. Oooh thats not good.

My two spare rooms have both become the dump all so that is needing attention so I have been getting some things cleaned out to haul off to goodwill. It's still in the trunk come to think of it. Still have more to load up. Also carrying out a lot of stuff to the trash can. I am also making a stack of items I intend to use in some decorating and crafts. I am hoping to finally get one of these rooms ready for guests and not a junk room. The other room will remain my sewing room with a little more organization and craft room.

And that brings to mind my other projects I'm getting ready to do and that is to get crafty. I use to be so imaginative with crafts and would sell them back in the day and made some money too. I've had my thinking cap on so we'll see how the crafts come out. I will share if they turn out to be usable. The sewing machine is catching dust. Got it last year and haven't completed the curtains I started last year. So I've got plenty to do and catch up on.

And let me not forget those gardens. This year my goal is to create some more gardens mostly featuring a start of a hydrangea garden and a rose garden as well as a perennial/annual garden(s). I have lots of seeds I ordered back in the fall and have been blessed by seeds from fellow bloggers and I will be getting these started indoors somewhere in the house with a grow light. I will direct sow some of these zinnias and maybe a couple more kinds of seeds. I may be looking for some advice this coming week as I begin the seed sowing process. I want to direct sow as much as I can. A greenhouse is on my list of things I have to buy when the money is available.

Well, I'm gonna get busy here. Hope you all have a great weekend whatever you are doing. Blessings...

January Warmth

2012-01-09T13:00:00.000-06:00

We are having some crazy weather this year. I think everyone is experiencing warmer than usual conditions. Here it is warm and sticky. Worked in the gardens some clipping and triming. Probably shouldn't have done that but it was so nice and things are greening up already.

Look at the hyancinths. Way too early for this.

My hyancinths are not gonna get any height on it. This little thing is only a couple inches from the ground.

Hope you all have a great day and wonderful week. I'll be coming by to visit.

I'm Running Behind...

2012-01-06T21:40:00.000-06:00

Hope you all had a great New Year. Mine was quiet. I'm ready for a brand new year too. A new year for me means a fresh start and I'm all for that. I'm gonna say I expect 2012 to be a year of changes. I just hope they will all be good ones.

I'm running behind on my blogging. I have a mouse I can control now and that makes all the difference in working this laptop.

On New Years Eve I took pictures in the gardens and fully intended to make a post then but I just didn't get around to it. I hope you'll let me share a couple of blooms with you.

Things are looking pretty straggly in the gardens but when I got to looking I found some signs of life in there. I have to say that I'm not a great gardener during November and December. But now that January is here I'm ready to get the ball rolling. Went shopping today too. I'll show you what I got in just a minute.

Dianthus is in bloom.

I thought this beauty died on me after I moved in Sept (I think). Darla you told me it would spring back.

I can't believe I have parsley still doing so good. It looks better than it did in the summer.

The osteoporum has new growth all over and the blooms just keep coming.

The geraniums had a nice bloom on it but sadly it faded with the most recent cold snap we had 3 days ago.

And the pentas have also given to the cold. Just don't look at all that dead stuff on it. Just don't even look.

Daffodils are popping up. Yeah. Anybody think we're gonna have an early spring. I do.

Hyancynths are one of my favorite blooms. I'm looking forward to these babies.

I don't know what this is but I can't delete. I hate that because I've got to move on and you do to.

I am so pleased I still have these blue babies blooming.

I was surprised to find this one sprouting new growth. Of course it's gone with the cold now. I have a couple of layers of leaves in my gardens. I tend to think it adds a layer of protection to the roots of some plants.

Yes that's a little bloom on it too.

Ooops. Blurrrryyy. Azalea in bloom.

I love clouds. I probably have said that before but anyway I caught a couple sky pictures today.

this morning

mid-day

evening

Oh - I told ya I went shopping. I'm getting in the mood for some more pretties in the garden. I also have my seed starting stuff. Don't yet know how I'm gonna do this since I don't have a green house. I'm thinking a grow light.

Hope I didn't bore ya too much.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2011-12-30T11:08:00.000-06:00

I want to wish everyone a bright and sunny day New Year. Happy New Year blogging buddies.

I'm thinking about gardening now. Just sayin. In the planning stages.

Merry Christmas - This n That

2011-12-21T11:04:00.000-06:00

Yuck - look at our weather today. And tomorrow will be 80% rain but the weatherman is calling for a slight chance of rain for our Christmas day (that is so far - subject to change). It is rather warm for this time of year but the cold front is coming down to cool us down over the next day or so.

I hope you all are having a nice day even if the weather is nasty where ever you are. Are you ready for the holiday? This is a busy time of year and with it often comes stress due to just trying to so much. I used to worry about making sure my kids had enough presents of the things they asked for and things I thought they needed. Always thinking are they equal. Wouldn't want to do more for one than the other. My stress consisted of getting dinner on the table. Trying to see everyone I needed to. Since the children are grown I don't worry so much. It is what it is and that is all I can do. And that is how I see it now.

I was thinking of doing something different than the traditional Christmas dinner we ALWAYS have. Was thinking of grilling steaks and all the fixins. Maybe.

I stopped in the local Goodwill and I was happy to find these plates. They will be perfect in my red kitchen when I get it done. I am going to hang them on the wall.

I ended up with lots of pecans this year. Roasted these and they are very good. Melted 1/2 stick of butter, mixed in 1 tea of sugar and poured over the nuts. Sprinkle with salt and bake at 225 for about 30 minutes stirring every 15 minutes. Increase the heat to 250 and bake for 40 more minutes stirring every 10 - 15 minutes. Let cool and enjoy.

I have done lots of baking and candy making this year. Loving the memories that is coming with the baking this year. Haven't done this much since my kids were home and my kids would get in the kitchen and help me out. My butter cookies with the icing on it - well let me say they taste way better than they look. Butter cookies, shortbread and PNB cookies. Butter cookies here http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/the-neelys-butter-cookies-recipe/index.html - Gina and Pat Neely's recipe. Of course Gina has these cute little piggy cut-outs. I sliced mine. Gina loves her little piggys I tell ya. The icing on the cookies is a first for me. The cookies turned out ugly with absolutely not color so I decided to add some. Needless to say it didn't turn out the way I wanted but they taste super good. I flavored each of the three icings with lemon and butternut and third with caramel flavoring. The shortbread cookies here http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/shortbread-cookies-recipe/index.html and Ina makes some good cookies. I added butter flavorings to all my cookies in addition to the vanilla.

Fudge, Martha Washington Balls, PNB fudge, Snowballs.

Took this sky pic last week and just wanted to share a prettier sky pic than the one at the beginning of this post.

I just had to share my house babies. Sorry about the poor pic quality. These two don't sit nicely for photos. In fact Buddy will hang his head when he sees the camera. go figure.

This one still doesn't have a name but I think Kitty will do. She answers to Kitty and nothing else - well she does answer when I shake the cat food bag. She is running toward me.

Wishing each and eveyone of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Hope you have the best family time this year. Be safe out there. I will be traveling on Friday and Saturday and I'll be watching my speed. (got pulled over for speeding yesterday and talked my way out of a ticket and got a warning. I was doing some smooth talking too and pleading for him not to spoil my perfect record).

My Christmas Tree and a Recipe

2011-12-14T10:08:00.000-06:00

My Tree.

Martha Washington Balls.

2# conf sugar

1 can sweetened cond milk

1 stick butter

4 c finely chopped pecans

1 pkg of semi sweet choc chips

1/4 block of parafin wax

Mix butter and milk and add sugar - mix and add nuts. Roll into balls. Melt choc and wax together in a double boiler. Using toothpicks dip balls into choc and set on wax paper to cool.

Scrumptious Peanut Butter Fudge

2 c sugar

1 sm can of evap milk

1 tbl butter

1 tea vanilla

1 tea caramel flav

3 heaping tbs of smooth peanut butter

combine sugar and milk in saucepan and stiring constantly and bring to boil. Boil for 4 minutes or till therm reaches 234 degrees. remove from heat and add margarine and flavorings and peanut butter. Stir till combined and pour into a buttered square pan.

Fantasy Fudge (oh and the crumbs you see well they will not go to waste. just saying) recipe on marshallow creme jar.

Have a great day. Only 11 days to go till the big fat jolly man pays a visit to the children. Oh the magic of Christmas in the eyes of those little ones.

2011-12-13T19:04:00.000-06:00

Happy Holidays

2011-12-13T11:12:00.000-06:00

Good morning everybody. I can't believe it has been over a month since I last posted. Not much to catch up on here. I've been cooking/baking a lot and enjoying every minute of it. Busy making candy and cookies. Made my first batch of peanut butter fudge and it is so yummy. One fav I haven't made in a very long time is Martha Washington Balls. Sooo good. All this candy and cookie and cake baking just takes me back to when my kids were young and we used to do this every year.

I received my seed orders and looking forward to a beautiful spring. I have put down lots of seeds this fall and many are coming up already. I'm hoping for some beautiful breadseed poppies. Catherine blessed me with these poppy seeds a couple years ago and they have been passed on to many of you and I still have plenty. Seeds go on to live forever. I love that.

I bought myself a present - a Gateway laptop. Don't laugh but I don't know how to use it. I'll figure it out. Now I won't feel so bad blogging and posting while I am at home instead of at work.

I do have some things in bloom and I'll get my lazy carcus out and get some photos. Does anyone else just kinda forget about the gardens this time of year? I'm just not that into it right now but wait till January and all that changes.

Hope you have a great day.

PS thank you to all who have asked about me.

Fall Blooms

2011-11-08T11:28:00.000-06:00

I'm still here ya'll. I know I've been MIA and don't really have an excuse other than I just am. Anyway not much going on in my world. I took these pics a few weeks ago and just haven't gotten around to posting them.

Bougainvilla is doing great considering the time of year. I am falling in love with this plant.

Kitty Cat loves the garden.

Have ya'll seen the new 'skinny houses'. I really don't know what they are called but they appear very small. I first saw these on HGTV during one of the reality shows where they each had to decorate one of these type homes. Notice they are long and narrow. This is how homes were built a long time ago and were called 'shotgun' houses'. They got that name because you could open either door and shoot strait through to the other side. These are the only 'skinny homes' I've seen. It will be interesting to see how these fair in a hurricane.

I bet they are designed for efficiency and storage. Probably making use of every inch of the home including the ceiling and attic if it even has one but I bet it does. These two homes are facing each other as you can see.

I just thought they were interesting so I wanted to share them.

This is what fall looks like here on the gulf coast. Very little color but the weather is so nice. Our weather has been seasonable for the most part with hi's in the 60's/70's and lows around 50 or so.

I've been doing some baking and still loving it. This is Sand Tarts and the recipe is can be found by going here: http://beccascookingspot.blogspot.com/

Hope you all have a fabulous day.

2011-10-18T13:42:00.000-05:00

Changes are on the way for our weather. Expecting a 20 degree drop by tomorrow. Highs today in the mid 80's and tomorrow it will struggle to reach the mid 60's. Brrrr is what we say here on the coast. Most people here are still wearing summer tanks and such.

Hope you all are having a nice day.

I got to work this weekend on digging a new garden for the spring. I'll share pics later when I get most of it done. It felt good to be digging again. It is such a stress reliever. But let me get stressed and digging is not what I'm thinking of.

I was busy in the kitchen this weekend. Baked up a red velvet cake and a carrot cake. They both turned out so good. I only tasted of the carrot cake since I filled it with pecans (I'm not suppose to eat nuts) but it tasted heavenly. The red velvet cake was divine. So so good.

Anyone know what this is. This is growing wild along the roads all over the place and I never really noticed them before but they sure are pretty. Perhaps in the goldenrod family?...

Have a great day.

A Little This n That

2011-10-12T08:23:00.000-05:00

Good morning blogger buddies. I found a few things blooming this morning. It is cloudy and it is morning and I was shaking while taking these so I hope I don't hurt your eyes too bad.

I am surprised at some of the things in bloom right now. I don't remember my canna's blooming this time of year. I appreciate it though because the yellow adds a lovely bright spot in the garden.

Osteoporum (sp?) has only a few blooms. I suppose I should douse everything with some fertilizer.

Love these begonias. They bloom freely throughout the season taking a break during the hottest periods.

Ya'll I picked the best out of pics. This one is horrible blurry. The buddlei is blooming well. I forget which one this is.

Red verbena laying on the ground and hardly any leaves.

Mums.

Bougainvilla blooming again.

Pulled this old bed out of the shed this weekend. Originally I had thought I would sand it down and use it in a bedroom. Now I'm thinking I want to put it in a garden. It is extremely heavy and the iron is thick. It's not real fancy but I like it. I'm not sure how it will stand in the garden since it is so heavy. It may need to be anchored somehow. I also like it leaning against the tree. I'm planning to let vines run it. Of course you see there is a footboard and I'm thinking it may not be so hazardous to use it in a garden if I can bury enough of it.

I spent my time in the kitchen this weekend. I baked some apples, brownies and banana bread and cookies. Didn't get a pic of the brownies or apples. Oh well sometimes you just have to dive in before you think of the camera.

Perfect bottoms on my cookies. Just the right amount of crunch. You can get the recipe here http://beccascookingspot.blogspot.com/search/label/cookies

Here I have bagged everything to give away (except the apples - they were all mine).

I love baking and love to share. I got this idea I've had for as long as I can remember - it is to bake/cook for a cafe or bake shop - rather to own my own place. I am getting ready to put myself out there and see where this may go with selling my baked goods. My ideas for an avenue include online site, flea markets, festivals and flyers. Down the road perhaps to have a permanent location. The town I live in does not have a bakery so that is wide open right now. I do not decorate cakes as that is my sisters specialty and she is definately good at it. As I said I've thought of this for a long time and possibly working my way towards that goal. Still thinking though. Sure could use the extra money too.

Hope you all have a great day. It is hump day so counting down to the weekend.

By Ivan - Welcome Kitty

2011-10-07T11:10:00.001-05:00

Good FRIDAY morning everybody. Not much going on here thus the lack of posts. We are having some gorgeous fall weather. We had some cooler weather move in last week and we are in the seasonable range of the low 80's and low 60's at night. It just makes me feel good when the seasons change.

I know that I introduced ya'll to Ivan the dog two weeks ago. Well Ivan didn't make it in my home. He was a very good dog but I was too worried about him visiting the neighbors too much. Plus he wouldn't stay out of my gardens. I work too hard on the gardens to let a dog tramp through it all the time.

The Kitty may or may not work out. I'll have to see with the neighbor. But still she'll be confused too... I just don't know. But she sure is cute and cute with Buddy.

Well I'm trying this sweet little one out here. She is about 3 months old. The kitten belongs to my neighbor but she has taken a liking to Buddy. She got to the point that she would come up to him, even though Buddy is barking and just want to love on him. Well I took a liking to Kitty. If she likes Buddy then I like her too.

The kittens were so bony and underfed. I hate this about my neighbor and I am gonna have to say something soon. Neighbor has 4 cats and 3 dogs and none are fed well and I know none have ever had shots.

I'm trying her out in the house and have already checked with the vet if I decide to keep her and get her shots. After feeding her for a week while she went back and forth next door she is fattening up nicely. A plump little thing now. Buddy and Kitty are here nose to nose. I love it. I let her stay indoors last night. By the way the neighbor doesn't miss her so I knew it would be OK.

She is beautiful and has some nice markings on her. She answers to Kitty so I will call her Kitty.

Found a few blooms this morning.

I told ya'll I don't do pansy's well. There is only one live plant out of 6 here.

Wish all the pansy's would have lived - oh well.

Help me out here. This thing is big and it is heavy. It is made of clay and came from Mexico 30 or so years ago. I have no place for it inside and it doesn't go with anything I have. I had an idea of placing it in a garden but I'm afraid that the clay would disintegrate. Any ideas? Maybe I should just take it to Goodwill. What do you think? What would you do with it?

I thought I'd taken a more recent photo of the dead Rose of Sharon I transplanted 3 weeks ago. It didn't make it. Sad face.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend. I bet there are lots of fall festivals or sorts going on this time of year.

New Blooms

2011-09-27T13:43:00.002-05:00

Hope you all are having a great day on this Tuesday. Me I'm working - but I have to get a post up so here I am. I went shopping this weekend and this is what a I bought. Purchasing new flowers always makes me feel good and happy. Mums, pansy's, portulaca, pentas, and snapdragons. I was so happy to get some new color in my gardens this weekend.

The penta were so pretty. I love purchasing plants from Lowe's. They always have good healthy plants. I loved the colors I found too. I have four pentas now and they are all different shades of pinks.

The snapdragons were so pretty. They are so bright at night too.

I pretty much put everything in containers except for a few snaps and the pentas. I am planning on re-doing the gardens (again) and I want to be able to move these plants.

I potted up two containers like this one. I love the shade of the pansy's. I rarely have pansy's in my gardens. I haven't had much luck with them in the past but ya know sometime things change. Maybe they'll live for a while.

Don't ya love the color on these two pentas.

There was orange and pinks in the portulaca and I'm loving the pretty full blooms.

OOPS! Donut alert. I simply could not turn down the lady standing outside the grocery store selling the donuts to raise money for a cause. I went to the store hungry and I know that is a no-no.

I cannot resist a good FRESH Krispy Kreme donut. These were fresh. They melt in your hands on the way to your mouth. Ooohhhh - Girls I ate the entire dozen in 24 hours. I binged. I hardly ever do this but I have to admit I enjoyed every bite. Won't happen again for a LonG time. Have you ever binged on something like this?

And back to the blooms.

My first of two orders came in the mail and I was so happy to see them arrive. I can't wait to see them next year. I will have to purchase some grow lights. I cannot stand to set up in my bedroom again. My bedroom has the only good south window in the house that receives any sun. This time I will set up in the utility room with lights and hope for the best. Many I will direct sow in the spring. I know it's hard to see those dark shiny packets.

There is so much dead undergrowth on the osteoporum (not shown but are next to the marigolds here) and the marigolds. They look horrible. The blooms are looking good but the plant looks horrible. I hate to cut it back so drastically. What do you think? This is showing growth right up from the ground. The straggly branches have plenty of blooms on them.

I follow you guys and I know that you move your plants around. I am a little leery of doing that but I moved this Rose of Sharon and it looks horrible. I hope I didn't kill it. I have another that I want to move but I think I'm gonna wait to see how this one does. I initially planted them in a spot that I was anticipating moving them once I established where I wanted them.

One of the pentas I already had. Pentas have been one of the best plants for me this year.

And tomorrow is my birthday. I'll be turning 56.

PS I think I mentioned in a previous post that I had tried to load another photo in my header and blogger said I had reached my quota of photos. Well this is the first post since then and I am able to load photos onto my blog but not in the header. Doesn't make any sense. Any ideas?

Facebook

2011-09-20T13:53:00.001-05:00

I don't know but maybe my Facebook account has been hijacked. I am unable to get into it and can't get into it to deactivate it. I'm at a loss. I posted a complaint to them but you know it will most likely go unanswered. I have set up new email and new facebook accnt. Unfortunately I will not be able to find all the people I had friended under my original site. My new email is posted on my sidebar. If you would like to join me on FB you can find me as: beccasgardenspot williamson . Wish I could have come up with something better but oh well it is what it is.

A New Member Of The Family

2011-09-19T13:33:00.000-05:00

Uh oh - I lost my header photo when I went to upload another. Now it says I have exceeded my limit of photos. OK blogger so I have to go figure out what to do next. I don't have time today darnit.

We have a new family member. I'm excited to introduce you to Ivan. He is a six year old springer spaniel. He is so laid back just like Buddy. Buddy was frisky at first wanting to play but Ivan was having no fun at all trying to play. Since Ivan is a bigger dog Buddy still has his place in my chair. Ivan is at my feet - all the time - wherever I am - he is. He is a sweetheart.

But he has got to learn - you don't get off of the porch over the gardens. Not allowed. Jumped right off into my new bed. I've got to put something on the porch to prevent this - it will really piss me off when I have it full of beautiful blooms. Loads of grass dug up here. The big cart which you can barely see is full of grass. Wish I knew someone near by who wanted some since I dig it in clumps easy for laying.

Ivan was pretty ragged out when I brought him home with hair matted bad and long enough to drag the floor. I immediately got the scissors out. I cut hair for almost 3 hours. This is just some of it. Too bad you can't make a wig with dog hair.

I think he is a pretty baby.

And Buddy is still number 1. He is sharing just fine.

I got the pruners out and the rake and the cart and shovel and of course 2 pair of gloves. One pair is heavy duty for the digging and raking. The other purple pair is for gardening and weeding. No weeding this weekend. Finished it up last week. Yea! Here at the back door I cut these bushes down to size. I want to have them removed and put a patio/deck area here but that is for another day/year etc. So I just cut them down. I don't like shrubs around my doors and edges of the house. Makes it too easy for people to hide.

This is the shade garden that I tore up last week. I've raked it out and watered it. Couldn't work in it with such dry dirt.

So this one is finished. It is bigger than it was before and more squared off in front rather than curved. When someone cuts my grass they were always knocking the stones over so maybe with it being squared off that won't happen so easy.

I ran out of deco stones so I resorted to the plates. It's different that's for sure. Can you see Ivan on the porch? I ran him off the other way.

My seed order has been placed with Park and with Thompson-Morgan. I'm so excited. I've never ordered seeds before and can't wait to see what I have blooming next year. The seeds I ordered are all new to me so this will be fun. Zinnia's, columbine, echinacea, delphinium just to name a few.

Well I gotta run - well uh get back to work.

Hope you all have a good day and week. I'll be around to see you soon.

Happy Monday

2011-09-12T12:39:00.000-05:00

Good Monday morning blogging buddies. I've been MIA but not really. Nothing going on in my li'l ole world. We are having some awesome weather with temps ranging from the low 60's to the mid and upper 90's. For us down here on the coast it feels like a nice cool down. Actually felt kinda fall-ish last week. I am ready for a change in the seasons. I always feel this way as one season begins to change. Leaves are beginning to fall here.

I started the weekend off on Friday by working a little in the yard and gardens. I ended up spending Sat and Sun working outdoors. The weather was so nice lending itself to cool mornings and warm afternoon. Loved it. I'm getting ready enlarge the shade garden I put in earlier this year. Can I dare say that I showed my butt last week with the shade garden and that is why I am working on it. Someone swept my rooftop off and swept the trash all over this garden. I was so mad that I went out and tore the garden up letting my frustations out. When I was done and looked at what I had done I felt guilty and sad for pulling my plants out. Oh well it's just a garden but I intend to make it bigger and better. Just wondering have you ever done such a thing or pitch a fit over something... sometime I just lose control for a moment.

Did anyone spend anytime watching the many number of specials this weekend honoring the victims of 9-11. I watched a lot of the programs and many featured video's made by everyday people who were living the disaster/event. It's hard to look back and see where we were as a counry then and then flash forward to today. A lot has changed. I personally haven't been affected. Are we safer today than we were on that day in 2001? I wonder. I really don't think we are so much safer from terrorists. I think if they really want to harm us they can. I watched the programs and cried like everyone else as we recalled that sad day for our country.

Hope you are all having a nice Monday.

A Couple of Blooms

2011-08-30T08:11:00.000-05:00

I was thrilled when I saw these two butterflies on the pentas and ran and got the camera and they were still there. Yea! They come and go so quick. Actually the pentas are the happiest of all the flowers. Not many blooms going on this time of year and the ones that are there are so sad and puny looking. We have had a lot of dry spells this year and it hasn't rained in quite a while.

I'm getting ready to place my seed order and maybe a couple of plants too. My goal is to plan for blooms throughout the seasons. I have to admit my planning for this year wasn't what it was the previous year and my gardens are showing it too.

This sweet canna is one that was hiding when I moved them this year. I'm glad that it did. It adds a bright spot in the garden.

Check out the black widow found in the shop at the office. Could have come here in some equipment. No matter how he got here it is frightening. This is my first time to see one. I don't know how the guys got it in the bottle and didn't get bit. I wouldn't have done anything like that - I would have stomped it to death. Check out it's hour glass on the belly. A perfect hour glass. I take that to mean you only have hours to live if bitten.

I have been very busy at work these days and that is a good thing. It means that business is picking up. It also means that I have less time to blog and visit and work is more important. I still haven't replaced my home computer. I'll be by to visit as I can.

Hope you all have a wonderful day.

Almost TGIF

2011-08-18T10:48:00.000-05:00

Not too much going on in my gardens this time of year. Actually all of the gardens are looking puny and straggly since I haven't had any rain to speak of lately. Haven't been able this week to get the garden hose out since I'm having some plumbing done this week. Anyway just thought I'd share a couple blooms today.

Canna

Red vervena

Geranium

My Little Buddy

I love stormy clouds. Well I just love clouds but especially stormy ones. Wish I could say I got some rain out of this. It went all around me. Made for a nice photo anyway.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Cottage Flora Thursdays and Fertilizer Friday

2011-08-11T08:35:00.000-05:00

I'm joining Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Flora Thursday's and Tootsie Time for Fertilizer Friday. So happy to find some blooms this morning so I could join you gardeners.

http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/ and http://www.tootsietime.com/

I was not impressed with the pentas when I first put them in the ground earlier this year but they are proving to be a wonderful performer. Tolerating our varying weather conditions from dry to too wet to the extreme heat we've had this year. I definately want more of this next year. I also love that they mound.

After clearing away some plants from in front of the geraniums they are giving me a few more blooms. This one is so hard to photograph and appears bright. I have to admit that from the road this one is easy to spot.

The okra hibuscus are not nearly as big as last year but I smile big when I can catch one blooming. Have to catch them early in the day because by the time I get home today this will be a memory.

The dahlias are blooming sporadically this year. They are not so happy with the weather. They are not happy when it is so hot and often times dry. I am needing some rain. Though it has rained a good bit I haven't had any in the past 8-10 days.

This is Bill McKnight Dahlia.

The beautiful Rose of Sharon is gorgeous. But they are like the okra hibuscus in that this will be a memory when I get home today. They are very tolerant of the varying weather conditions. I'm planning on moving both of the ones I have. As you can see the plant is still small standing only about 15".

I hope you all have a wonderful day and great weekend.

Just want to say that I appreciate all of you blogging buddies. It's a good feeling when I can get on here and share things with you and you all are right there rallying for me and praying for me. It also feels good when I just feel like complaining and you cheer me up. You remind me that I am not alone. I love you all.

Just and FYI my son has moved back to the area 30 miles from me and that is nice to have one of my kids near me. May not be for long - depends on finding a new job. He lost his job and housing when he was admitted to the hospital. I'm thankful that he was able to move into the home owned by his dad. He and the ~~bitch~~ witch are divorcing. Thank you for your prayers.

Bloomin Tuesday and Tuesday Garden Party

2011-08-09T09:10:00.001-05:00

I've tried a few times on some blogs to comment and blogger is being very selective today. Anyone else having a problem?

Hooking up today with Jean at Ms Green Thumb Jean
http://msgreenthumbjean.blogspot.com/ for Bloomin Tuesday and with An Oregon Cottage for Tuesday Garden Party. http://www.anoregoncottage.com/

I am finding a little color left in the gardens. They are the same ole plants as I've been sharing for a while now. Darla has stated and I agree that it is challenging to find anything interesting in the gardens this time of year. I am hoping I get the planning down pat so that I might have a more interesting gardens next year.

The pink vervena is definately a stand out and am sorry that I didn't purchase a flat of these. I only bought one pink one. sad face.

The red verbena is also a show stopper. I put down 4 plants of these and am wishing I had more. Any plants that are still blooming are keepers for next year and will add more. The plan is to put down a couple more garden areas. Keeping the fingers crossed I get this accomplished in the fall to better prepare for spring.

I have quite a few patches of the white dianthus and am really loving the dianthus this year. The white glows at night.

Happy to see another bloom on the Endless Summer Hydrangea.

Begonias were the show stoppers last year. But the plants that I have are hanging on and keeping their blooms.

The bougainvillea is still holding onto a few blooms.

Critters in the garden. What is this?

What is this little fellow? His wings never stopped. Reminded me of a hummer.

Look at the roots on just a couple of the weeds I complain so much about. Can't shake it back into the garden since it is loaded with these spider roots. Will be adding more soil to the gardens when I get ready to put out seeds for next year.

I love interesting clouds and I love rain. Thought I'd share what our weather has looked like lately.

And yes it brought some much needed rain.

Hope you all have a great week. I'm thinking of you guys in Texas. That is some HOT weather you are having.

PS check out my recipe blog -

http://beccascookingspot.blogspot.com/

I'm Still Here...

2011-08-03T08:04:00.000-05:00

Good morning girlfriends. I am still here if anyone is wondering. Just going thru some things and a little stress. I'm feeling like I need to take a few more days away from blogging. Not much to share from the gardens. Gosh it's so hot here. I'll be by to check on you guys and what you are sharing.

Tuesday Garden Party and Bloomin Tuesday

2011-07-26T10:58:00.000-05:00

Good Tuesday morning blogging friends. It's rainy here and has been for a few weeks now. You won't here me complain though. And it'll be OK when I get wet in the rain - I discovered that I don't melt. Go figure.

I'm gonna hook up today to a couple of memes so check them out at the end of my post.

It is hard this time of year to get anything interesting for you to see. Our gardens here in the south are mostly mundane with the same ole same ole this time of year. We are well into our summers here. So these are new photos of the same ole stuff blooming. A few I haven't shown in a while. Take a stroll with me...

The dianthus in all of the flower beds are blooming again. I absolutely love plants that are re-bloomers. Notice those pesky weeds there. They have roots three times the size of the weed. When I pull them often the root of the flower comes up and I have to pack it back down.

White dianthus.

Red Verbena. All of my plants are happy with the abundance of rain.

I love this shade of pink verbena.

White zinnias.

Portulaca is a good performer and multiplies and roots easily too.

Orange zinnia.

Strawberry dianthus.

Okra hibuscus. So far I haven't been able to get any seeds.

Raingardeners snapdragon.

Bill McKnight dahlia.

Pentas.

This is one canna that escaped the dig up in the spring. All were transplanted but this one. I like that it is one plant but if I leave it here there will probably be 5 next year. The spot where I placed the transplants needs some tending and they will be blooming pretty too.

One thing I like about the very wet grounds is that when I do go out to pull a few weeds they come up with just a little tug. I'm a rain lover anyway and it gives me a good excuse to lay around with a book or just be lazy. And I like lazy sometime.

Ya'll go check out these blogs for more blooms: An Oregon Cottage - Tuesday Garden Party.

http://www.anoregoncottage.com/2011/07/tuesday-garden-party-corn-garlic-story.html

And Jean at Ms Green Thumb Jean for Bloomin Tuesday.

http://msgreenthumbjean.blogspot.com/2011/07/its-bloomin-tuesday_25.html

PS: Check out my new blog. Beccas Cooking. I'm looking forward to sharing some awesome recipes with you.

http://beccascookingspot.blogspot.com/

Introducing my Newest Blog

2011-07-25T10:26:00.000-05:00

I want to introduce my newest blog.

http://beccascookingspot.blogspot.com/

I hope you will visit me there and become a follower. If you like to prepare new and exciting recipes I think you will like it here.

Summer Blooms

2011-07-21T08:37:00.000-05:00

I'm joining Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Flora Thursday's and Tootsie Time for Fertilizer Friday.

http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/

http://www.tootsietime.com/

I checked the camera and it was on the right setting. I hate when my photos come out blurry. I think a weak battery could be the reason. I decided to share them anyway.

The bougainvillea is beginning to turn pink. Everyday I notice more and more blooms opening up. The little trellis it is on has gotten too small for this big baby. Unfortunately it will have to be brought in over the winter so I probably won't trellis it any further this season and just cut it way back in the fall.

The begonias haven't performed so well this year. What I have came back from last year but they are scrawny compared to last years. And the red one didn't even show up. See the weed next to the begonia - those are the worst weeds. Their root system is twice or three times the size of the plant. Every time I weed and pull these up they pull up the root of the plant and then I have to pack the dirt back in. I hate those weeds.

Glad to see the dianthus blooming again. This particular dianthus is looking very healthy.

Most of them are beginning to flower again.

I love this red verbena and it is a true red too.

Begonia.

This bloom on the Endless Summer Hydrangea is huge. I bet it is 7-8 inches across and the plant is still small. It has more buds on it though. I am definitely gonna be adding more of these to my gardens.

The zinnias are as tall as I am. This is my favorite.

The pentas are taking the heat and setting out new blooms.

My neighbors Rose of Sharon. It is loaded with ants.

I was one of the lucky few who received rain last evening. Was so nice to be at home indoors and listen to the gentle rain for several hours (while looking at gardening books). I hate it for all you folks who are experiencing the heat wave. The weather man said worse than in decades. Stay hydrated and in the air condition if possible.

Hope you have a nice weekend.

(PS please keep my family in your prayers. There is a lot to deal with right now)

I Found a Couple of Blooms

2011-07-19T13:41:00.002-05:00

Hooking up with Jean from MsGreen Thumb Jean for Bloomin Tuesday.

http://msgreenthumbjean.blogspot.com/

Can anyone identify this plant. It must have come from some seeds I spread but I have no idea. At first I thought Verbena but I don't think so. One of you out there will no it. It is tall and lanky and I only have 2 stalks. I bet it looks good planted in masses.

Glad I found another Okra Hibiscus in bloom. I love their sunny look. Wish they lasted more than a day.

Lots of zinnias blooming. These were on the same plant so it made a nice photo.

Glad to see another dahlia rearing its pretty head.

Bougainvillea are coming around for their third round of blooms. I'm loving this plant more and more.

I am so disappointed this year that this is all there is of my Johnsons Blue Geranium. Last year it was awesome and bloomed early in the season and continued into mid summer. This year there is barely a plant.

Check out my snapdragon here. The only foliage is on the tops of the plants and a couple of blooms. All I can figure is the dry conditions in Apr May and Jun contributed to their appearance.

Here you can see better that the foliage is nearly gone. I watered the gardens but I don't think it was enough.

Love the sun against the clouds.

I am excitedly planning my next spring garden. Getting it all on paper. I love perusing the catalogs and dreaming of what I want it to look like.

What websites for plants and seeds do you prefer? I'm interested in checking out more sites. I use Bluestone Perennials and Park Seed.

We have had plenty of rain over the past couple of weeks.

Hope you all are having a great day.

Mental Illness

2011-07-18T11:48:00.001-05:00

I am sharing here things that I would not normally share with people. I feel like when I put myself out there and share personal stuff that people will criticize me or my family. But instead I hope this will help someone. But here I am opening up...

I want to thank you all for your prayers and concern for my son Jimmy. He is doing better now and is expected to be transferred to another facility for 14 days for treatment. On Thur (I found out on Fri morn) when he was taken to the hospital it was bad. On the way to the hospital he bottomed out and they had to do an emergency trach so he could get air. He says he doesn't remember doing this to himself. Anyway the thing now is for him to get mental help and to take this seriously. He will be in a facility now for the next 14 days.

I could hear this coming in Jimmy's voice when I've talked to him on recent occasions. I've tried to be there for him and telling him that He and I and Ethan would take a trip soon just to get away and have some down time. I've told him that I would come over there if he needed me to. Having temporary sole custody of Ethan for the past couple of months has been stressful. As many of you know Ethan requires care 24/7 and for a working man this has been hard on him. The estranged wife now has Ethan and that is where he should be for now.

Depression and mental illness are not the same but depression is a symptom of mental illness. Someone can be depressed but easily recovers and goes on with life. Sometime when we are depressed it is hard to reach out for help especially if you've never done it before. For someone who is depressed most times they keep those feelings locked away till they know what to do or till it just eats them up. If you know someone is going through something and they don't talk about it - be concerned. There are many families who deal with this sort of thing on different levels and severity. It is hard on those looking in to not understand and don't know what to do for their loved one. Mental illness can be extremely difficult on all the people involved in that persons life.

Mental illness is displayed in a persons life in different ways. Often times the family doesn't even no and many don't understand. It is hard to understand why an incident might cause someone to go off the deep end and then a person who has no mental problems deal with the same incident totally rational.

Mental illness effects people in many different ways. Some become inward and don't talk. Some become outward and lash out at others not really meaning to hurt their feelings and then the vicious cycle begins. Feelings of guilt and shame and then not knowing what to do to help themselves to get better. For some people the extreme occurs - the feeling that their loved ones would be better off without them.

Friends I don't know what your dealing with or if you have family that has these sorts of problems. But let me tell you -
Be there for them.
Be understanding even if you don't understand.
Listen and listen carefully. Often you can tell in someones voice.
Tell them how much they mean to you and that you want to do everything possible to help them to feel better.
Go with them to psychiatric appointments and therapy appts.
Let them know that you want to understand what they feel.
If they say something to hurt you - don't lash out at them.
Take them seriously especially when they talk of ending their life.
Pay attention because it is likely they won't say anything of their intentions if they are thinking on these lines.
They will withdraw and stop talking or just go through the motions to humor you.

Life is not easy sometime. There are things that come up that we have to deal with - decisions to make - and sometime it's hard especially when others are involved.

For me - I have learned to follow doctors instructions, speak up when I need to - I have a voice and have learned to us it. I know my body and my psychy and recognize when I'm not recovering from stress properly. I have learned to not be silent about my problems when they seem bigger than me. I know how to ASK for help now and will in a heartbeat.

Please Pray

2011-07-15T07:49:00.000-05:00

Ya'll my son has done it again. Overdosed on purpose. I'm getting ready to head out to LA to the hospital. He is in critical condition. I need your prayers as I travel (upset) and for my boy. His son Ethan was with him when he did this. I'm so upset right now. I don't know what else to say. Just pray.

I'm Still Here

2011-07-13T09:52:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to let you all know I'm still here and kicking. There just hasn't been anything going on here lately. Thankfully we have begun to have our regular summertime thunderstorms in the afternoons and that is bringing a relief from the heat and humidity as the temps drop into the mid 80's. I set out this morning to take some photos of the gardens and as you can see by the next photograph after taking this one I gave it up.

The humidity fogged up my glasses and the camera as soon as I set foot outside this morning. Here I was gonna show you just how pitiful my gardens are looking. Due to the extreme drought and due to the lack of rain in May and June my plants have suffered like I've never seen before. The plants are now taking on some buds and reblooming but the foliage near the ground - beneath the mounds are nothing but dried and pitiful looking foliage. There is no foliage on the bottoms of some of my plants but are showing growth and new leaves towards to tops.

This time of year I hardly find myself in the gardens. There isn't much going on and I'm not into moving any plants in weather this hot. But...can you guess what I've been doing... perusing the catalogs and planning my gardens for next spring. My poor planning this year is obvious. But next year I am planning on bigger and much better variety of blooms. I love this stage of the game - the planning.

Hope you have a great day everyone.

Butterfly

2011-07-05T13:33:00.000-05:00

The elusive butterfly. This must be the same little one that came last week that I got a photo of. I wish I had more butterfly activity in the gardens. This one has been munching on the nectar for a couple of weeks now.

Ya'll just don't even look at the brown spot hanging there. It isn't suppose to be there. Naughty gardener should have tidied up a bit.

Roses, Rainbows and Butterflies

The most lovely of wonders…

Roses:

Open petals display anticipation.

They invite fascination.

Their fragrance is pure intoxication.

Rainbows:

They appear only after the rain.

They speak brilliantly…

Though they have no brain.

Butterflies:

They are beautiful to see.

They are almost weightless

As they flutter worry free.

If I could possess these qualities;

A combination of the three.

I would have a beautiful glow

And express myself contently.

by Theresa Ann Moore

And this is what I have in the shade garden. Isn't it pretty. The Endless Summer Hydrangea. I will definately be purchasing many more of these babies. They are awesome.

And this head here is awesome big. I love watching and waiting on them to open - a little bit at a time for days. Really gives ya something to look forward to when out checking around the place. The flower seems so huge for such a small plant - about 18-20" tall.

Hope you have a great day everybody.

A Few Blooms

2011-06-28T14:55:00.000-05:00

Can you see the butterfly. I chased him around for 30 minutes and waited and waited for a perfect shot... but this is the best I could get of him. He is enjoying the milkweed.

I found myself out in the yard doing a little at a time. By the end of the weekend I had weeded both of the front garden beds and cut and manicured the plants. These photos were all taken before I finished my work.

I was thrilled when I caught the Okra Hibuscus blooming. It was a surprise since I never saw the bud there. It is blooming about 6" from the ground. Last year they were 3-4' tall. But this year I just spread the seeds plus the plant reseeded itself last year.

I love the big pom-pom like blooms on the zinnias. These are my favorites.

To my surprise I also found more snapdragons coming up from seeds I threw out in the spring. Found three blooming right here together and all three are different.

Portulaca is coming up everywhere. And I mean everywhere. I don't remember it jumping all over the place like this has. I'm happy about it though because this is such an easy plant and tolerates all of our weather challenges.

My first bloom on my hosta. It is only a few inches off the ground. I'll tell ya what - I just can't get down on the ground and get a photo without blurring. I'm too old to get down on the ground to get photos.

The shade garden is showing off now. Looks like it needs to be enlarged already. That will come next year.

This is Bill McNight Dahlia. It looks HOT.

Hope you all have a great day.

Finally Rain

2011-06-22T13:18:00.000-05:00

As much as I have whined about no rain I had to share. These clouds yielded this...

Sorry it's so dark but it got real dark. Lots of rain.

And expecting more rain today.

Hope you are having a good day.

Happy Summer Solstice

2011-06-21T09:29:00.000-05:00

Happy Summer!!! The longest day of the year. Here in the south it has been summer feeling for a while now. Rain is in the forecast though for the next 5 or so days. That makes me happy. My garden hose broke last week and my plants went 7 or 8 days without water and they didn't look so good. Finally got the hose on them and they are going to make it. I didn't have time to get the camera out this morning so I have no blooms today.

Thought I'd leave ya with a poem today to welcome summer.

SUMMER

Summer season brings

Colors to the face of earth

As season's birds sings

Summer season is

Warmest of all the seasons

Weaving dreams of bliss

Season of summer

Fills heart and soul with laughter

Like blooming flower

Summer brings shimmer

By benevolence of nature

In beams of glimmer

Summer's arrival

Signals fun and festivals

And soul's revival

Summer is warmer

Shining brighter is the sun

Solace is water

Summer's diverse sounds

Is the nature's symphony

Without doubt astounds

Summer is the best

To feel the comfort of breeze

Which needs no attest

Summer is the peak

For the soul of sun to shine

And it is unique

Summer is for fun

Soaking in sweat and water

And is never done

Summer holidays

Sprinkles delight everywhere

In so many ways

Summer is the time

To think of spring and autumn

As it is sublime

by Mittur Ramprasad

A Couple of Blooms

2011-06-16T14:37:00.000-05:00

I found a few things in the garden that wasn't burn up from the extreme heat and dry conditions. The gardens really are needing attention but this ole girl isn't feeling like giving them any lately. I'm just gonna leave ya with some pics of my flowers.

Sometimes its best to not say much... but to keep my thoughts close... going thru some stress right now.

I updated my other blog today.

http://beccashealth.blogspot.com/

Apple Blueberry Brown Betty and Tequila Lime Chicken

2011-06-13T15:38:00.000-05:00

I have been enjoying cooking on the weekends lately. This weekend I tried a recipe I printed off of one of my favorite blogs. Sue shares recipes every week and they are so yummy.

This weekend it was the Tequila Lime Chicken. I got the chicken drunk. This is not my photo nor my plate - I borrowed it from Sue - go here - http://oodlekadoodleprimitives.blogspot.com/2011/06/things-i-miss-tequila-lime-chicken.html and check out the recipe. I promise you will love it. But let me say that I altered the spice a little reducing the amount of chile powder and cumin.

I am enjoying the recipes using blueberries this year. I found the recipe for Jays Apple Berry Brown Betty in this issue of Food Network Magazine. Those hot dogs on the cover look so yummy and that probably why I picked up this issue.... oh but then again it was just time for another mag.

Jays Apple Berry Brown Betty

1 stick unsalted butter melted divided in half
4 golden delicious apples peeled and cored and cut into pieces
2 cups blackberries or blueberries (of course I used the blueberries)
1/2 c sugar
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
grated zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
2 T all purp flour
6 crushed sugar cones (ice cream sugar cones)
1/2 c packed lt brown sugar
1/2 nuts
1/2 kosher salt (I didn't use since I used salted butter)
Ice Cream or Whipped topping (optional)

Preheat oven 350. Butter a 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Toss the apples, berries, granulated sugar, 1/2 t of cinnamon and 1/4 t of nutmeg, lemon zest and juice, flour and 4 T melted butter in a large bowl. Pour half of berry mixture into the buttered casserole dish. Prepare topping - combine crushed sugar cones, brown sugar, remaining cinn and nutmeg, nuts salt and remaining butter. Put half of the topping on the berries in the pan. Add remaining apple/berries and then the remainder of the topping. Bake until the apples are soft and is brown. About 40 - 45 minutes.

Cottage Flora Thursdays and FF

2011-06-09T13:57:00.000-05:00

Joining Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Flora Thursdays and Tootsie Time for Fertilizer.

http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/

http://tootsietime.com/

Finally a cloud came up. I was watching and hoping and praying that this cloud would settle over my house for a little while and it did. We have been so dry here in the south. The governor has declared a state of emergency for the drought conditions initiating a state wide ban on burning. There have been fires due to the dry conditions.

I thought while I was watching the cloud come up that I'd take a couple of pics before the rains come and knock down the blooms. The white dianthus with the red verbena is beautiful together. Your eyes aren't bad - the photos are blurry. Don't ask me...

And then the winds came. Ya'll it is still early in evening - not dark yet but the cloud overhead made it real dark.

Darla wanted to see my butterfly lit up. Isn't it pretty.

And it rained and...

then it rained some more... I'm not complaining.

And it rained yesterday too. When I got home yesterday I caught a few pics before it started raining again. Everything was beat down pretty good. The red verbena is laying down.

The winds beat up the larkspur. I'm still not complaining.

I hate to hurt your eyes. This the best out of 6 pics of the tiny balloon flower. Darla sent me the seeds. This baby was hiding behind the snapdragon. It was so low to the ground I couldn't get myself down low enough to get a good pic. Sorry. These ole knees are bad and I can't stoop down.

I dashed into the rain to get this one for ya. Had to hold it's face up for the camera. Why do dahlias hang their heads so bad. This ones wet so thats the reason it's hanging its head but I've noticed that about dahlias.

I am just so thankful to receive the rain on my pretty flowers. I heard them singing when the rain fell. All the ones that lay on the ground will perk up. Thats the good thing about flowers - they take the damage and will probably be prettier next week. Its time for pruning/deadheading and fertilizing. I wouldn't dare put any fertilizer on while we were so dry.

I hope you all are having a good day and have a wonderful weekend.

Lemon Blueberry Muffins/Cake

2011-06-06T13:50:00.001-05:00

I picked some blueberries this weekend and went searching for recipes. I went to searching for a good blueberry ‘anything’ recipe. I found this one in Southern Living Annual Recipes 2009 edition. It turned out so good. The only thing I’ll do different is add more berries. The lemon adds such a nice zest and to me it says summer. I think you will be delighted when you try this. To me this is much like a crumb cake or coffee cake.

Lemon Blueberry Muffins

4 C baking mix (plus 2 TB

Baking mix, for topping)

¾ C sugar (plus 3 TB sugar for berries)

1/8 tsp ground cinnamon plus 1/8 t for topping)

¾ C Mayonnaise

½ c milk

2 large eggs

2 tsp lemon zest (zest of 1 lemon)

2 TB fresh lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon)

1-1/4 fresh or frozen blueberries

1 TB butter

Preheat oven to 400. Mix the dry ingredients and remove 3 TB to be used later on the topping.

Make a well in center of dry ingredients. Add to the dry ingredients mayonnaise and the next 4 ingredients and mix until moistened. Add 1 TB sugar to the berries and stir. Fold into the mix. Spoon into greased muffin cups filling almost completely full.

Topping: stir together 3 TB of the dry sugar-baking mix you set aside earlier with 2 TB baking mix, 2 TB of sugar and 1/8 tea cinnamon and 1 TB butter. Mix together and crumble over the top. Bake at 400 for 18-20 minutes. Cool for 5 – 10 min before

What I did different: I added a tiny bit more of cinnamon. An 1/8 of a tea is such a small amount . I used about 3 TB of brown sugar added to the topping mix along with about ¼ c of nuts and more butter. I use real butter too when I’m baking, anything. Use more if you like. The brown sugar gives it a little more substance to the topping. I use a non stick pan and I spray it with Pam. Could not find the muffin pan so I used a square pan. I had to bake it longer because number 1 it is in a pan and not muffins and 2 because I reduce the heat when baking in a dark color pan. I ended up baking this 9 x 9 about 38-40 min at 375.

PSSSS... It is hot where you are. We are scorching here in the south. We have set records everyday for the past week but on Saturday it reached 103. Some areas slightly warmer. Rain is scarce. This time of year I wish I lived in Alaska.

Have a good day buddies.

Fertilizer Friday

2011-06-03T10:54:00.001-05:00

I'm hooking up with Tootsie at Tootsie Time for a party today that I'm late for. http://tootsietime.com/
Hey it's Friday and I've had a bad week. I haven't had time this week to visit and having my office computer down this week sure didn't help any. I'm ready for the weekend.

I'm so proud of the Larkspur. It has really impressed me and want it in my gardens every year now. It came up easily from seed I spread in February and seems to be tolerant of our drought conditions. But I do water regularly. Speaking of watering I am draging my garden hose almost everyday for 2-3 hour run. It's so bad here. We are over 16" below our rainfall and no rain in sight unless you call 20% a rain chance. I don't. I'm whining now so I'll go on. The heat is almost unbearable. We are breaking records here with temps of 100. It's HOT girlfriends. Needless to say I haven't done any gardening lately. Mostly staying indoors with the air conditioner.

The bougainvillia is awesome. I love the soft pink blooms.

Jean Marie Dahlia.

I forgot to check the name of this beauty. I am in love with it. Didn't think I would like the orange but it is beautiful in person. Let me tell ya that if colors could talk this one would be saying HOT too. While many of my plants can tolerate some dry conditions the dahlias can't. Everyday they droop. I do the best I can.

Can't really garden so I added a new character to the garden. It is beautiful at night all lit up blue.

The first couple of blueberries this year. I'm keeping the huge bush/tree watered well or I wouldn't have these. I will pick a big bowl full today before they drink more water.

Yesterday I had my hair done and this was in the restroom. I had to take a picture to share. I love it.

And this is what is says. Cute. (Speaking of hanging - oh well never mind...I wear my bra a lot...just saying)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

I'm out of here in 1 hour so if I don't get by today I'll come visit you the first of the week.

Cottage Flora Thursday and FF

2011-05-26T08:47:00.001-05:00

I'll be joining a few parties today. You can find their link at the end of this post. Head on over after viewing my post and check out the other bloggers sharing blooms today.

Who knows whats going on with blogger/google but it is irritating that I can't leave comments on some blogs. I am hearing from many other bloggers that they also are having problems. Don't know if everyone is having the same problem but I'm sure it is irritating to anyone to not be able to comment. I'm not sure if this will fix the problem but it seems logical to me since this is the problem I am encountering with comments. If your setting is on Google Accounts only - Google isn't allowing me to sign in on these blogs. Thinking it was me I reset my password 4 times. It isn't me.

On to some fun stuff. Rain please come to visit our area. We are in a drought. It is bad now. All of the crops are dying. I water my gardens at least 5 times a week now. Today rain is in the forecast but it isn't expected to be more than a 1/4 inch and spotty at best. I really shouldn't be complaining with so much devastation over the past week. Poor folks in Joplin - it breaks my heart watching the evening news. I can't help but to cry for them. Prayers continue for them.

Lovin that this snapdragon is blooming again.

Red Verbena is showing off again.

I'm so lovin Linda's Snapdragon. I love the pink and soft yellow. Sweet.

Bougainvillia is going strong for another round of blooms. It is beautiful as the petals turn from green to pink.

Daisy.

Pink zinnia just starting to bloom. I don't remember this one from last year. A nice surprise.

Love the larkspur.

Thank you Lord for all these re-bloomers.

Hope you all have a great day.

Wishing you a happy and safe Memorial Day.

I'm joining Tracie with Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Flora Thursday.

http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/2011/05/cottage-flora-thursdays-21.html

AND

Tootsie at Tootsie Time for Fertilizer Friday.

http://www.tootsietime.com/

I'm having an issue with google

2011-05-24T14:56:00.001-05:00

Seems blogger is still acting up today. If your blog is set for only comments from google accounts then I can't comment on your post. Each time I try to sign in google isn't recognizing my password to my email. I have reset that dang password numerous times and still I can't comment on those blogs. Sorry ya'll - I visited you. I've never had this problem before so hope google gets it fixed.
.

I got a problem. Is anyone else having a problem with blogs where you have to sign in to your google account to leave a comment. I can't sign in that way. It isn't recognizing my password. All other blogs I can leave a comment. If you have a blog with these settings - I came to visit you but could not leave you a sweet comment.

Dedicated to Raingardener

2011-05-24T08:59:00.001-05:00

I'll be joining a few parties today so check out their links at the bottom of this post.

Today I am dedicating my blooms to Linda Karr aka Raingardener of Gardening by Trial and Error. On Friday I learned that Linda had passed away on Wednesday May 18. I was horribly saddened by this news. I have followed Linda since I began blogging. She and I celebrated our blog in the month of Feb more than 2 years ago now. Linda had the prettiest flowers and she loved gardening. While Linda invited us into her gardens she also invited us into her life as many of us do. Linda had only learned of her cancer in April and it quickly spread throughout the rest of her body. It could be any of us. Linda you will be missed by so many. But we know that you must be walking through the most beautiful gardens you could have ever imagined. A garden where the soil is just right and the perfect amount of sun and rainfall. You don't have to drag a sprinkler around anymore. I bet you have the most beautiful golden ornaments of yard art everywhere.

Linda Karr - Raingardener you will be missed.

I received the following information to share: Hello, Linda’s brother posted this poem, and a picture of her, on her face book. I think it’s a beautiful poem to remember her by. Ronda

HER JOURNEY'S JUST BEGUN...

Don't think of her as gone away,--Her journey has just begun.-

Life holds so many facets,--The earth is only one.-

Just think of her as resting,-- From the sorrows and the tears.-

In a place of warmth and comfort,--Where there are no days and years.-

Think how she must be wishing,--That we could know today.-

How nothing but our sadness,--Can really pass away.-

And think of her as living,--In the hearts of those she touched,-

For nothing loved is ever lost,--And she was loved so much.

By: Ellen Brenneman

Hello Everyone,

Bob (Linda’s husband) just stop by here, he had just come from meeting with the minister to get Linda’s memorial set. Her Memorial is set for June 11th, at 12:00 (pot-luck afterwards) at the Jackson Prairie assembly of God Church in Chehalis. Her obituary should be in the newspaper’s (The Chronicle-Centralia, WA, and The Longview Daily News paper -Longview, WA) on Monday. You should be able to go on-line and view it, and there should be a on-line guest book for anyone wishing to sign it. I will let you know of any changes. Thanks everyone! Ronda

This snapdragon just began to bloom on Wednesday last week. This one came from seeds I received from Linda. This snapdragon is now named Lindas Pink Snapdragon. Thank you.

Darla this is the larkspur you sent me. They are loaded with buds and are now opening. Beautiful. Thank you.

The milkweed is also from Darla. I love that there is more and more butterfly activity.

Nemesia is blooming nicely thanks to MG Bloom Burst. (note to self - need more bloom burst)

The marigolds are liking the bloom burst as well.

The portulaca kinda bounced around in this garden like jumping beans. I have small clusters in a number of spots in locations in which I did not plant there.

What can I do to encourage more and larger blooms on the hydrangea? One of them isn't even looking like blooming. This one is a new one this year and was blooming when I purchased it. Perhaps I need to move the other one to this shadier location.

I cut the dahlias, daisies and the zinnias. They made a nice even if small arrangement.

I toss Buddy a cherry tomato and he will play with it for a half hour. If it was on a salad he might eat it but otherwise he just plays with it. Buddy also loves when I toss him a peach or pear. He takes off running to go inside like he got a prize and isn't giving it up. Funny dog.

I hope you all have a fabulous Tuesday.

Prayers for the Joplin. This has certainly been a year of seemingly record breaking twisters. More than two times as many this year as last. Last night the reports were more than 1100 this year compared to 500 last year. The worst part is that they have hit in more populated areas. Prayers for a quick recovery and rebuilding.

Ya'll go check out the other bloggers sharing today.

Jean at Ms Green Thumb Jean for Bloomin Tuesday.

http://msgreenthumbjean.blogspot.com/2011/05/its-bloomin-tuesday_23.html

Sidewalk Shoes for Garden Tuesday.

http://www.sidewalkshoes.com/2011/05/garden-tuesdaythe-random-edition.html

An Oregon Cottage for Tuesday Garden Party.

http://www.anoregoncottage.com/2011/05/tuesday-garden-party-sad-day-for.html

A fellow blogger has passed away

2011-05-20T08:47:00.001-05:00

I just received this email. I am heartbroken ya'll. Sitting crying over this. I don't know what to say except I am praying for the family

Hello Becca, my name is Ronda Sigler and I am a friend of Linda Karr’s (Gardening by Trial and Error – rain gardner). I tried to post to Linda’s blogging site the other day, to let everyone know that she was diagnosed with cancer just a few short weeks ago. I don’t know if it worked, as I’m not familiar with her site, and I don’t see anything when I look there. But Linda passed away yesterday(5-18-11) around 4:10pm. Is there anyway that you can get the information out to the her follower’s. There will be a church memorial for her in the near future. If you, or anyone needs to talk with me, my number is 360-785-3523. I live in Winlock, WA just down the road from her house. She did a blog about my little cabin on the creek some time ago. Thank you, Ronda

I was able to get an address for those of you who wish to send a card or something.

The Karr Family
c/o Ronda Siglar
113 Kollock Rd
Winlock, WA 98596

HELP! With Blogger

2011-05-20T08:34:00.000-05:00

I accidentally deleted my background. I can't find the gadget to add it back. Can you help me find it?

Cottage Flora Thursday - Fertilizer Friday

2011-05-19T09:23:00.000-05:00

Hope all of you buddies out there in blogland are having a good day.

I'll be joining Tracie at Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Flora Thursday and Tootsie at Tootsie Time for Fertilizer. Ya'll go check out these blogs and see their pretties and check out the other partiers.

You can find them here http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/2011/05/cottage-flora-thursdays-20.html

http://www.tootsietime.com/

I have a few things to share today.

I was dancing the happy dance this morning when I found this Rose of Sharon blooming. I've been watching these buds form but I really didn't expect this. The plant is still a baby and is only about 15" tall but let me tell ya this plant is loaded with buds. Last year when I planted this tiny thing it was only about 3" tall. I didn't hold out much hope but boy was I wrong.

And also this morning I found this one spreading its wings. I'm so glad to see that it opened up more than the last little thing that bloomed. I would love to start a garden with just bulbs and have a lot of iris in it. That is a dream right now though.

Love that the shasta are really yielding me lovely blooms. They last a long time and the plants are loaded with buds and every day I see more buds forming. I'm pleased with the Shasta Daisy but I didn't realize how big these plants would be.

The pentas are awesome after shooting them with MG Bloom Burst.

I need to know why my Sarah Bernhardt peony still has no buds. This is the third year for it. I feel like ripping it right out of the garden. But I won't. Maybe it isn't happy where it is. It receives more than 8 hours of sun. The soil is good. I enhance the soil every year with fresh MG Garden Soil and I fertilize regularly. Any ideas?

Last weekend I worked my hiney off weeding this big garden. As you can see I have a lot of vacant spaces. The plants that occupied this space last year are no shows this year. I have given them ample time and now I'm needing to fill this space in. This garden is part shade. The front side gets more sun than the back. I live in Zone 8. Do yo have any ideas on what would look good in the back? It was a beautiful space with the dahlias and milkweed and okra hibuscus and a few others last year. I suppose these probably weren't the right plants for this space either since I didn't realize the amount of sun this part of the garden receives.

Inside I'm a furniture mover. I'm thinking I need to do the same thing in the gardens sometimes. I don't usually move plants around but I'm thinking maybe I need to move things around. Do ya'll do that? I'm afraid I will lose plants.

I'm wishing for rain. Rain come... I'm watering the gardens regularly now. Our grounds are so dry. Way too dry for one of the rainest cities in the US. I'll take thunderstorms - anything.

Prayers for the flood victims. And for the economy. Fuel prices.....trickle down effect... everything cost more.

Have a good weekend whatever you find yourself doing.

Some Blooms to Share

2011-05-17T08:29:00.000-05:00

I'm happy that I found a few new plants to feature today. I was about to get bored with the same old blooms. Not that they aren't pretty by any means but it sure is nice to see new things.

I shared this one yesterday but I think it deserves a repeat. I'm proud of the Jean Marie Dahlia.

The bougainvilla is revisiting with some new blooms. I've never seen one as it was going into a bloom stage. It appears as if it is taking on new leaves and growth and then this. The blooms start out looking like leaves and are turning pink as they age. Neat.

Glad to see the milkweed blooming now. I've noticed some activity but not as much as it should be. But I expect it'll pick up soon.

I can't get enough of the geranium. I think the name is strawberry sherbet. Ya'll correct me if I'm wrong.

I have two shades of the butterfly weed. This one is more on the pink/fushia side. They are very hard to photograph.

While this one is more purple. It is blurry - sorry. The flowers in the background look nice this way though.

The marigolds are looking nice now. I gave everything a fresh shot of Miracle Gro Bloom Burst this weekend. I think bloom burst works pretty quick - perhaps within 36-48 hours. I noticed a big difference. You can see the nemesia behind the marigold taking on new blooms as well.

This is my first year to have the Shasta Daisy. They sure do get bigger than I thought. But they are so pretty. The plants are full of buds.

Today I'll be joining the following parties:

http://msgreenthumbjean.blogspot.com/2011/05/its-bloomin-tuesday_16.html

http://www.sidewalkshoes.com/2011/05/garden-tuesdayblueberries.html

http://www.anoregoncottage.com/2011/05/tuesday-garden-party-still-waiting-for.html

Ya'll head on over and check out these parties and see the other blooms gardeners are sharing today.

Hope you have a great day.

Happy Monday

2011-05-16T11:06:00.000-05:00

I cooked the best grilled salmon this weekend. I used frozen salmon steaks and fresh pineapple. First I cooked bacon till it was cooked just right and used the cooked bacon for another dish. I used fresh pineapple and chopped some up and cooked in the bacon grease. After it browed slightly I placed the cooked pineapple with a tablespoon of liquid over the raw salmon. Seasoned with salt and pepper a dash of onion powder and garlic powder. Grilled the fish and grilled pineapple. Basted the fish with bacon pineapple drippings and after turning the salmon one time placed the grilled pineapple on top of the fish and completed the cooking. Also grilled some fresh parsley and topped the fish with the grilled parsley too. It was so good.

For the rest of the meal I cooked fresh snap beans with new potatos and fresh squash with fresh onions. All of the fresh veggies came from mom and pop's garden. The squash was so sweet.

I smiled a great big smile on Friday when I came home and found this baby blooming. This is Jean Marie Dahlia.

Hope you all had a great weekend.

I'll catch ya'll here tomorrow for our favorite garden meme's.

Blogger

2011-05-13T11:53:00.000-05:00

I knew I loved blogging. But I was not prepared about how much I love blogging till I couldn't blog or comment on your blogs. If I read a blog I leave a message and it isn't no fun reading if I can't tell you how I enjoyed that post - ya know what I mean?

Anyway I'm glad blogger is back up. I see everyone who posted recently the post has dissappeared.

I'm leavin work now. Ya'll have a good weekend.

Catch ya back here on Monday.

A Few Blooms

2011-05-12T09:02:00.000-05:00

I don't have much going on in the gardens right now. Most of the plants have bloomed out for a spell. The grounds are dry. We are in need of rain something terrible. I have been watering regularly so as not to lose the pretty babies. We have rain in the forecast tomorrow and saturday as the high pressure system moves away. We will have temps once again hugging 90 today. Next week a reprieve from the heat with highs more seasonable around 80. I hear its suppose to be around 95 in Tallahassee - Darla. Ya'll didn't really care about my weather but it's what we gardeners are so mindful of.

This new bloom on the Full Tide Iris is kinda wierd.

These little straglers came up from last year. I just noticed them all by there self. No other plants to bother them right now. I'm so ashamed of how my garden bed looks.

Haven't showed ya these dianthus in a while.

I really do not like mums this time of year but hey they're blooming.

I dashed in between the sprinkler and caught this one yesterday.

Look at those weeds. Last year I had all this space full. I don't know what happened this year. It really looks bad and needs my attention. I need to do something different with this front garden space. I'm not pleased right now so I'm thinking....

My newest piece of garden art. A mothers day gift. I'm always happy to recieve somthing for the gardens.

I'm joining Tracie at Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Flora Thursday and I'll link up to Tootsie at Tootsie Time for Fertilizer Friday. Ya'll go check them out and see who else who has a bloom to share today and tomorrow.

http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/2011/05/cottage-flora-thursdays-19.html

http://tootsietime.blogspot.com/

Hope you all have a great day and can get out and enjoy your gardens.

Prayers for the people who are being affected by the terrible Mississippi River floods.

Tuesday Garden Parties

2011-05-10T09:45:00.000-05:00

Today is Bloomin Tuesday at Ms Green Thumb Jean's and its a Tuesday Garden Party at An Oregon Cottage and it's Garden Tuesday at Sidewalk Shoes. The links are at the bottom of my post.

I hope all you mothers had a great Mothers Day on Sunday. I sure did.

The weather has been beautiful.

I love the breadseed poppies. They brighten up a garden.

Happy dianthus.

Begonias will be huge this year.

My plants have recently been deadheaded and trimmed. Love this daisy.

Penta.

Shasta daisy from seed.

Look what I found when I got home Sunday. It is huge and blue/purple. This looks like the package - Full Tide Iris.

Wishing for some rain. This is a teaser. No rain in those clouds. We are needing some rain so bad.

Don't laugh ya'll at my 'mater. It is a cherry tomato so it is suppose to be small. I popped in my mouth as soon as the photo was taken. This is the first ripe one and the first one taste the best. It was so good and can't wait to have more. The little bush is loaded with tomatos.

Ya'll head on over now and check out these blogs and see who else is partying today.

Jean at Ms Green Thumb Jean for Bloomin Tuesday.

http://msgreenthumbjean.blogspot.com/2011/05/its-bloomin-tuesday_09.html

And with An Oregan Cottage for Tuesday Garden Party. http://www.anoregoncottage.com/2011/05/tuesday-garden-party-great-asparagus.html

And with Pam at Sidewalk Shoes for Garden Tuesday.

http://www.sidewalkshoes.com/2011/05/garden-tuesday.html

Hope you have a great day.

Cottage Flora Thursday

2011-05-05T08:14:00.000-05:00

I'm joining Tracie over at Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Flora Thursdays. http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/2011/05/cottage-flora-thursdays-18.html

I can't believe it's been slightly over a week since I have posted. Sometimes things just happen that way. I've had a few things going on and lots of work to do too here at the office.

I haven't felt good in a few weeks since I am dealing with a bad tooth. Have to go back to the dentist on Monday. Yuck!

I've missed you guys and will be by to visit as I can today. I love blogging and visiting so I hate when I can't check out your gardens regularly. Ya'll mean a lot to me, each and every one of you.

I've never seen the poppies in this stage right as they are opening up. They are so pretty. I need to know how to extract the seeds from the poppies. Help me out here.

I love the hydrangea I recently purchased. This bloom is only an inch from the ground. I had to get way down LOW to get this pic.

This bloom is on the same plant as the one above. I fertilized a few days before I took these pics with Miracle Gro All Purpose. I usually use the all purpose and then a week later I spray them with Bloom Burst. I fertilize about every 3 weeks alternating.

How do plan your stages when you fertilize with what and how often?

The begonias are really taking off now. This one is crowded though. The salvia I planted next to it is a larger plant than I first thought. Would this be a bad time to move some of the plant?

Mums blooming.

The butterfly weed is looking good. I've noticed more butterfly activity but can't capture those pretty things on camera.

Beautiful dianthus.

Check out the blueberry bush. The entire bush is leaning towards the ground loaded with berries. They are beginning to turn. Soon I'll have some cobbler. Yummmmmmy!

Enlarge and check out the critter. (PS it's a fake) Can you see the berries?

Beautiful snapdragon.

Put on your sun shades to look at this four o'clock. The sun is bright, shining on this yellow beauty. There are many more to come. The plant is loaded now.

More butterfly weed.

I love the blue sky and the wispy clouds this morning.

No rain in the seven day forecast so the sprinkler will be used regularly. I bought me another sprinkler from Ace Hardware and hopefully it will last the entire season.

I'll be visiting my daughter this weekend for Mothers Day. Can't wait to get some kisses and hugs from everybody. I miss them so much.

Since I'm taking tomorrow and Monday off I'll be back to visit on Tuesday.

The state of Alabama is still cleaning up after the tornadoes a week ago. This will be a long road for these people as as there is so much loss. There are 38 counties in Alabama that are disaster areas. The death count in Alabama alone is above 250. Please continue to pray for these people as they pick up the pieces and put their lives back together.

Have a great day and a lovely weekend.

Tornadoes and Cottage Flora Thursday

2011-04-28T09:16:00.001-05:00

Did anyone see this post before I changed it. I had Bloomin Tuesday on the title. Duh Rebecca check the calendar. Today is Thursday.

The tornado destruction in Alabama is widespread. There are 128 deaths in Alabama this morning. There are a number of bloggers in the Birmingham area and north. This year it has been so bad all across the middle of the country all the way to the southern parts of Alabama and to the Atlantic. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones. I know that everyone is praying for these people as I am.

It feels a little bit somber this morning but I'm going to share a couple of blooms today. I'm joining Tracie over at Fishtail Cottage for Flora Thursday. http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/2011/04/cottage-flora-17.html

I was so delighted when I caught this bloomin this morning. I'd been watching the bud for several days. Finally it popped and it is beautiful. Sorry about the blur. The wind was blowing the flowers so they were hard to capture.

I'm enjoying the penta.

See the vacant area here - this is where I had dahlias last year. All of them are no shows this year. The ones you see were planted this year. I put down 6 new bulbs earlier this year. I can't figure out why they didn't come back.Could a hard prune in the fall cause this? I did cut them back good when they had bloomed out in the fall.

My first shasta daisy on plants I had threatened to pull up. The plants are huge and need to put out some blooms before I get disheartened with it.

I am feeling the ~~need~~ ~~itch~~ ~~desire~~ gotta have more feeling I get so often this time of year. I will be making a trip to a garden center somewhere to find some more blooming beauties. A new garden area may have to go in to accomodate them. Ya'll know how I hate to put in a new garden - NOT. I love it.

Let me say something about sprinklers you hook up to a garden hose. Why is it I end up buying and having untold number of sprinklers only to have them work a month or so and sometime not that long. I don't buy the cheapest ones. I've bought expensive ones too and they eventually don't work. What's the deal. Have you found a great sprinkler that may last for more than a couple of months? Tell me about it.

Well I'm done. Hope you all have a wonderful day. Pray for those who have lost family members and lost their homes.

Bloomin Tuesday

2011-04-26T08:52:00.000-05:00

Linking up today with Jean over at Ms Green Thumb Jean for Bloomin Tuesday. Ya'll head over and check the others who have a bloom to share today. http://msgreenthumbjean.blogspot.com/2011/04/its-bloomin-tuesday_25.html

I've waited long enough on the dahlias to come up in the vacant spot you see toward the back here. I'm gonna have to fill it in with a new plant(s). Awe the drudgery of shopping for plants. NOT. I love to buy new plants.

I'll be so glad when all that daffodil foliage has died down. I hate that about daffodils.

Happy Nemesia needs pruning again.

I am happy to see this container beginning to fill in nicely. That's butterfly weed coming up next to the container. Happy to see the purple white eye verbena.

This was my big ole project I had planned for myself this past weekend. I painted my front porch and door. It was a job getting it cleaned and ready for paint. I worked hard and am happy with it. It certainly isn't perfect but I did the best I could.

Hope you all have a great day.

(Anybody besides me gonna be tuning in to the Royal Wedding. If you watch any television then you will since it seems that every network will be carrying live coverage beginning at 3 and 4am on Friday. I'll be watching and looking forward to the dress.)

Cottage Flora Thursdays

2011-04-21T09:21:00.000-05:00

I'm joining the party at Tracie's Cottage Flora Thursdays at Fishtail Cottage. http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/2011/04/cottage-flora-thursdays-16.html

Just a few things today.

These are nice pom pom like marigolds.

After trimming back the blooms on most of the plants a couple of weeks ago and giving them a shot of Miracle Gro Bloom Burst they are taking on a lot of new buds. This snapdragon is getting so big I may have to transfer some of it to a new location. Thats for another time though.

Nemesia is doing well with a shot of fertilizer. The purple nemesia is rather puny. Not bushy like the salmon colored.

I have a ton of work to get done today. I'm taking the day off tomorrow so I won't be around a computer for a few days.

I am working on a project tomorrow. I'll share that next week.

Hope you all have a wonderful time with your families this weekend.

Happy Easter

Bloomin Tuesday

2011-04-19T08:11:00.000-05:00

I'm linking up today to Jean at Ms Green Thumb Jean or Bloomin Tuesday. Ya'll go check out who has a bloom to share today. http://msgreenthumbjean.blogspot.com/2011/04/its-bloomin-tuesday_18.html

I have to admit I don't have much to share. I didn't take many photos this weekend and I was just too lazy when I got off work yesterday. So this is what I have today.

I couldn't resist taking this when I was working on the new shade garden. If you enlarge it the photo picks a more blue flower. That is what it is suppose to be. I have two opened here at the same time. They are a memory and a photo now. They sure don't last long.

Buddy loves to be outside when I am working and I love to have him near me too. He has found a stick to play with and chew on.

I have a very busy day ahead so I need to get a move on. I'll be by to visit as I can today. I hope you all have a great day. Enough snow already for you guys up north.

Hope you all have a great day.

A New Shade Garden

2011-04-18T12:34:00.000-05:00

I changed my mind over and over about where I was going to put the plants I bought last weekend. After having them for a week I had to make up my mind. After sitting them down in a few spots I picked this area off the side of the porch. This area is on the west side and the big pecan tree is above this area. After watching carefully the amount of sun here is minimal. It will receive mostly dappled sun after 4:45 for a couple of hours. Hopefully this will be perfect. The area will drain but will retain a moist area due to it's location.

Behind the grass this is what it looks like. A pecan graveyard. I expect I'll be cleaning out a lot of pecans from the garden this year. Oh well.

After clearing and digging the grass and ground up. This is what I had when I quit on Saturday. I stood there and looked and thought 'this is not gonna work - girl gotta have a bigger garden'. After all the hostas are too crowded here and no room for the caladiums.

So off the Lowe's I went and purchases more edging stones and went to work. Always when I put in a garden by the house I leave room behing the garden so rear access is available and also I want to get to the sides of the house.

Here I am also able to pull in the azalea bush in and include with this area and that will also make the azalea more healthy.

The first bloom on the hydrangea going into this garden. Isn't it pretty.

A bloom on the begonia. It's barely off the ground and already blooming. Begonia's are usually kind to me so I'm looking for some hefty plants and blooms.

A bloom on this one too. Look how tiny the plant is.

Help identify this plant. It is in the garden where seeds were put out and mixed up. Those tiny sprigs are grass.

The storms were horrible this weekend. There was a tornado only about 25 miles from me but other than the wind my weather didn't get too bad. There were so many lives lost during the storms that roared through on Friday and throughout the weekend. Prayers for those who lost loved ones and their homes.

Hope you have a great day.

Happy Friday Ya'll

2011-04-15T08:46:00.000-05:00

I'm hooking up with Tootsie at Tootsie Time for Fertilizer Friday. Here ya go http://www.tootsietime.com/2011/04/fertilizer-friday-flaunt-your-flowers.html - head on over and check out the others flaunting a bloom today.

Guess what if you set your camera properly you get photos that aren't blurry. Amazing.

I am falling in love with this new snapdragon. It is so different than any snapdragon I've grown before. It is a very slow grower. This flower has been opening up now for almost a week. It is tall - 15" and only has the one bloom. Most snapdragons spread but not this one. Snapdragon Giant Tetra from Hometown Seeds.

The fourth bloom on the Full Tide Iris.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Cottage Flora Thursday

2011-04-14T09:25:00.001-05:00

I'm joining Tracie at Fishtail Cottage today for Cottage Flora Thursday. http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/
Ya'll head over and check out who else has some blooms to share.

I cannot believe that I took probably more than 30 photos yesterday and all of them came out blurry. These are a few that are just OK. I called myself checking the setting but apprently I didn't look close enough. Sometimes my hands shake too.

The azalea bush is still putting on a show. But the blooms are beginning to fade.

Peaches - well there just won't be any this year. I had a feeling the drought last year would affect the peaches. sad face)

The blueberry bush is loaded. Click to see all those berries.

I don't know the name of this invasive shrub/tree. They are a nuisance to me except this time of year when they yeild some pretty flowers for the bees. Bees love this.

I'm so glad today is Thur and wish it were Friday. It's been a tough week. I have an enormous amount of work to do so - I'll be around to visit you all as I can today and tomorrow. As you know Fridays are half days for me so I'm not around much on Friday's.

Bloomin Tuesday

2011-04-12T09:01:00.000-05:00

Jean over at http://msgreenthumbjean.blogspot.com/2011/04/its-bloomin-tuesday.html made a major announcement yesterday and said that Bloomin Tuesday is back. Yea! Ya'll head on over and check who just might be sharing a bloom today.

I have been anxiously awaiting a bloom on this snapdragon I planted last year from seeds I started. This is the only one that survived after planting the seedlings last year.

Check out the color of it. I think it is mixed up. I see a little yellow, burgundy, purple, white and maybe even more colors. It'll be interesting as it continues to open up. This is Snapdragon Giant Tetra.

This little marigold is blooming it's heart out.

This is a new dianthus for me this year. I'm lovin the white edges here and the pink is actually a little softer than it appears. I think this one is called Pink Picotee.

This is the second bloom on the Full Tide Iris. The bloom I shared yesterday was gone when I came home yesterday - so they don't last long.

Love this salvia. It is so fluffy looking.

I will be having me some cherry tomatos soon.

Hope you all have a great day.

A Few New Blooms

2011-04-11T15:01:00.000-05:00

This patch of seeds put out last month is doing so good. I think you identified these as blue bedder salvia. If wrong please correct me.

The penta is struggling to open a flower. The pentas don't seem to like it in my gardens. Oh well there are others that do.

Did you guys hear me singing to the top of my voice when I walked out and found this baby open. I've been anxiously waiting on this. I put out 6 Iris last year and this is all I've got so far. There are 4 other buds on this one. This one is called Full Tide.

As you can see on the package it doesn't look like this one. I like what I got best though because you know I love my purple and pinks.

And speaking of pinks I have to show my Strawberry Parfait Dianthus again. I'm in love here.

And with this sweet thing too. I love the pom pom like balls it puts on.

After all the other azaleas have bloomed out here comes the this one. This is the late bloomer every year and I'm glad that it blooms after the others are gone. It puts on rose like flowers all over it.

I didn't do much gardening work this weekend. Shame on me... not. Well I'm kinda planning now. I started off like I was gonna garden when I made a visit to Lowe's this weekend. I spotted so many things I want to go back and buy but I settled on a start to a shade garden that I was gonna do this weekend but... then I changed my mind. I'm about to make a new garden right along the front of the house where I cut down the shrubs a couple of weeks ago. But its something I'll be working on for a couple of weeks. Get back to ya on that. (I could change my mind again).

I love hostas and these 4 will be nice starters.

Never seen a Persian Shield before but I love the contrast in color and texture.

I was wanting another hydrangea and am happy to find a nice healthy one here from Endless Summer collection.

Oops the caladiums didn't load. Bought a few caladiums too and they will look nice next to the Persian Shield and the hostas.

I swear this is a zinnia but I don't remember a seeing one with such huge leaves so early on.

This is one of the mystery plants. Do you know?

I believe this is okra hibuscus.

Last year this area was full of dahlias. Why are they no shows this year? I pulled weeds from this bed but haven't seen any dahlias from last year.

I'm happy to see that my begonias will be returning on their own.

Hope you all have a great day.

Party Time

2011-04-07T09:41:00.000-05:00

I am linking up with Tracie at Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Flora Thursday and tomorrow with Tootsie at Tootsie Time for Fertilizer Friday. Ya'll go check out these great blogs to see what others have to share today and tomorrow. It's that time of year when the parties will be getting bigger as most of us have some pretties blooming. I just love this time of year.

http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/2011/04/cottage-flora-thursdays-14.html

http://www.tootsietime.com/

The weather is just gorgeous today. Wish I could take this desk outside to enjoy the warm sunshine or better yet be in my gardens enjoying the sweet smell of the soil.

These pretty skies are expected to last thru the weekend with the exception of a 20% chance of rain tomorrow. Well that means I probably won't get wet or even have too many clouds. We are expecting temps to be in the upper 70's and warming into the mid 80's this weekend. Could be a beach weekend.

On to some of the flowers I have to share today. I love how the snaps look with the pink verbena.

The red verbena is also showing off. This one is a true red too.

I have toyed with tossing the broken down bird feeder in the trash. I have repaired it so many time now that a nail wouldn't hold the feeder onto the bottom. I was on my way to the trash when I thought I just can't do that. So I placed it in a pot with some white dianthus coming out. Around the bird feeder I placed more white dianthus and purple white eye verbena. Hope it fills in good later on.

Can't believe all of the mums are so loaded with buds.

Orange marigold is in the herb garden.

These are the newest yellow marigolds. I love the petals on this one.

This is the size of my only blueberry bush. It must be at least 10' high. The berries on the top will be for the birds unless I take a stool to the tree. I don't really need that many berries though and the birds really appreciate them.

Kinda hard to see here but there are berries everywhere you look. Hope they will be big and juicy like last year. Remember last year we had a drought for a couple of months so we will see. The peaches are definately affected.

That's it for me today. Hope you all have a beautiful weekend where ever you are or whatever you are doing.

Mostly Pink

2011-04-06T08:39:00.000-05:00

For some reason I gravitate to the pinks and purples. I have to consciously think and look for yellows and whites. Yellow and white is what makes a garden pop with color. So this past weekend I went shopping specifically for white and yellow.

I have never seen dianthus in white before. It is really going to look good in the gardens. I didn't buy enough of it. Hope Walmart has some left when I go on Friday. Really, I need to find somewhere else that has more variety than Walmart. I have some plants on my wish list so I need to find them somewhere. Do you have a wish list too?

The lemon yellow marigolds look good with the purples of the daisy's.

I added some soil around the snapdragons since the animals decided that was a good place to hide or hunt for a pecan. They are resilient though and are springing back already. Those are the prettiest flowers on the new verbena next to the snapdragons. Wish I'd bought more. It is shown in another photo here today.

I couldn't resist the purple white eye verbena. The flowers look like velvet it is so soft.

I had to have these Strawberry dianthus. They are so full of buds.

This is my favorite of the geraniums. The prettiest pink flower.

This dianthus from last year is really putting on a show here. I love that they don't mind the cold winters and come back a blazing in the spring.

This is the first bloom on this dianthus. I think it is called 'picotee pink'.

This is the verbena sitting next to the snapdragons. Such a pretty shade of pink.

The bougainvilla is about bloomed out for now. Most of the blooms fell with the strong winds we had Monday night.

The azaleas are also about gone. This was taken on Saturday but it is already looking ragged now.

Little nip in the air this morning. We have a cool 40 degrees but is warming to the mid 70's today.

Hope you all have a nice day.

Some Blooms

2011-03-31T12:24:00.000-05:00

Today I'm linking up with Tracie at Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Flora Thursday's http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/2011/03/cottage-flora-thursdays-13.html and with Tootsie at Tootsie Time for Fertilizer Fridays http://www.tootsietime.com/. Ya'll go by and visit and then check out the other bloggers participating in these memes.

Can't believe that this is the last day of March. The saying goes - March winds bring April showers and April Showers bring May flowers. It is certainly windy here today and much cooler. Woke up to 50 degrees this morning. Nippy for me. Seems that winter just doesn't want to turn loose of you guys up north. I'm sending warmer thoughts your way and hope that ole man winter is saying its good byes.

This is the view from my front porch. A beautiful pink hedge of azaleas.

Four O'Clock returning from winter.

Help me ID this plant. I put it down from seed last year and they didn't do anything but it is coming back. Perhaps a coneflower or balloon flower? I don't know.

And this one too. I'm thinking this is a balloon flower?

This penta looks sad as it droops everyday except right after watering but check out the guy sitting right next to it in the next photo... One Unhappy Penta next to

One Happy Penta. This one is all perky and doesn't droop at all. Bought at the same time and planted at the same time.

Sarah Bernhardt Peony... still hoping... it is growing much faster and looks so much better than it did last year.

ID anyone? From seeds I put out 3 or so weeks ago but I don't know what these are.

New pink flowers just opened up on the newest verbena.

Animal damage right into the center of a beautiful batch of snapdragons. It really ticks me off when I walk out and see something like this. It happens to us all I know but we hate to see our plants get damaged.

That's all I've got for this week.

Hope you all have a good weekend and some prettier weather.

Today I'm thankful for the rain we had yesterday. (Drown out some of the yellow and green floating in the air - pollen - sneeze - runny nose)

This N That

2011-03-29T08:45:00.002-05:00

I spent a good part of the weekend in the yard. It was a nice weekend even if a little on the partly cloudy side with temps in the mid 70's.

The azaleas are almost full bloom. It really depends on where you look because they are blooming everywhere now. I'll post more azalea blooms later this week.

This one is in my front yard and it is so full. The color is hard to photograph.

There was activity all over the azaleas but all I could capture is some bee action. I can tell you they are busy in my yard right now.

I've had a couple of requests to see the big picture in my gardens. This is the garden at the front porch. I'll show the others later this week. It is starting to fill in nicely. I have a lot of stuff planted here. On the back side here there is butterfly bush, mums, hydrangea (a small one), and some iris and a few other things. On the front side there are snapdragons, verbena, shasta daisies, dusty miller, dianthus, daffodils and a few I can't think of right now. The flower pots are in need of some flowers and that will probably come this weekend.

There is room for more plants and flowers so that will come soon. The gardens had just been watered.

I can't wait for this one to bloom. It is a little different than the ones I already have.

This is my next planned garden area. This is my best producing pecan tree in the front yard. It is in need of some color but the area is mostly shade. There a number of shade loving flowers to pick from. Any suggestions from you?

The garden centers should no better than to sale me some cutters because when I get started look what happens. Now I've got to cut the others down and put some flowers in. Looking forward to getting the area done. First a good cleaning. I was too tired to carry on though from other yard work that isn't worth mentioning.

I had to have a grilled burger on Saturday - you know the feeling - so I decided to try adding fresh sweet basil and something else I've never tried or even heard anyone else do and that was some Cheez Its since I didn't have any crackers and they were so good. Ground chuck 80/20, 1 egg, a little worsterchire, some ketchup, green onion, salt/pepper, dash of garlic powder and onion powder and a good handful of crushed Cheez Its. Add more Cheez Its to soak some of the moisture in the burgers. Enough so that you can shape the burgers without them being too sticky to shape. And grill. BBQ sauce is good on them too but I didn't add any.

Buddy got a grooming on Saturday. I love when he is fresh from the groomers and his hair is so silky.

Ticks and fleas are very active so early this year and they have begun an attack on Buddy. He has had several ticks this year. Now I can do about anything including cleaning up nasty as you can imagine but removing a tick that is not something I can do. So I go to the vet and change products from Comfortis to a new product called Vectra 3D. Buddy had an allergic reaction and by Sunday morning he was almost bloody from scratching. Immediatly I applied peroxide and benadryl topical and neosporin and watched closely so he doesn't scratch. We saw the vet yesterday and he received a steroid shot and a benadryl shot. I didn't know dogs can take adult benadryl and she prescribed 1 adult benadryl 3 times a day. Well I'm not that keen on giving my dog meds since my Sam died 2 years ago from too much prescribed meds. I did give him one last night but don't plan to give him anymore. He is acting dopey and lethargic. Hopefully he'll be back to normal tomorrow.

Blogger isn't acting so nice this morning and it has taken forever to make this post.

I have to get to work. I'll be around to visit as I can.

Hope you all have a great day.