Wheelchair Gardener

out of commission

2011-05-26T13:37:00.000-07:00

Started 6 weeks bed rest by Dr.'s order.
Bummer!

Daylilies today

2011-05-12T11:04:00.000-07:00

St. Francis

A beautiful day in the neighborhood

2011-05-09T13:43:00.001-07:00

Cucumber

baby Tomatos

2 Raised gardens & Greenhouse

Ed checking on the cukes

May 2011

2011-05-08T13:40:00.000-07:00

It's been a difficult year for me. I had a stroke in February.

I lost a lot of memory and I forgot I had a blog.

Here is some of our garden

Tomato vines

Lots of lilies blooming

New Year

2010-12-28T15:22:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

I PRAY THAT THE COMING YEAR WILL BE GOOD TO ALL OF YOU.

BE SAFE!

2010-12-21T14:40:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Happy Thanksgiving to all

2010-11-25T11:19:00.000-08:00

"Thanksgiving" cactus

Fall Colors

2010-11-24T13:55:00.000-08:00

Hickory trees across the street from our house.

Those leaves will wind up in our yard.

Aloe cactus (light green plant behind the bunch of daylily greenery.

Ed took all of it out yesterday.

Babies kept coming up from the roots-- all out into the grass.

I told him to get it out.

I had no idea it would multiply like it did.

2010-11-15T14:20:00.000-08:00

Hickory trees turned overnight

Welcome

A non-native tree (yellow).

Japanese Fernleaf Maple

Gettin ready to lose it's leaves.

2010-11-13T13:13:00.000-08:00

Orchid

Mushroom - looks like a fairytale

Gold mum

African violet

2010-11-05T14:04:00.000-07:00

White Trumpet Flowering

It stands at about 5 ft tall

Cactus care

2010-11-01T14:42:00.000-07:00

Easter Cactus:

Jan: Resting period

Feb-Mar: Pre-Flowering Period

Keep dryish and cool until flower buds form.
Then increase water and temperature.

Apr-May: Flowering Period
Water normally. Maintain a minimum temperature of 60 deg. F.

June-Aug: Outdoors: place in a shady spot, protect from slugs.

Sep-Dec: Resting Period
Keep cool (55deg F). The soil ball should be moist, but do not overwater.

*************
Christmas Cactus:

Jan: Flowering Period

Feb-Mar: Resting Period

Apr-May: Treat normally; water thoroughly when compost begins to dry out.

Jun-Aug: OUTDOORS
Place in a shady spot; protect from slugs.

Sep-Oct: Pre-flowering period
Keep dryish and cool until flower buds form.
Then increase water and temperature.

Nov-Dec: FLOWERING PERIOD
Water normally. Maintain a minimum temperature of 55 deg.F.

*************
Epiphyllum:

Jan-Feb: Resting Period
Keep cool (maximum temperature 50 deg.F)

Mar-Apr: Pre-flowering Period
Keep dryish and cool until flower buds form.
Then increase water and temperature.

May-Jun: Flowering Period
Water normally. Maintain a minimum temperature of 60 deg.F.

July-Aug: Outdoors
Place in a shady spot, protect from slugs.

Sep-Oct: Treat normally, water thoroughly when compost begins to dry out.

Nov-Dec: Resting Period

Enjoy your cacti!!

2010-10-30T15:36:00.000-07:00

CHICKASAW FOUNDER'S DAY 2010

The Sheriff
Won the cake walk (Ed gave her the money to walk)

Cute boys-- wanted me to take their picture

The Chickasaw Garden Club sale of Mums & Pansies

Collard Patch

2010-10-30T15:28:00.000-07:00

Angel Trumpet tree

Ed's collard patch

2010-10-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.

Pinecone Ginger

That roadside weed that I love

In full bloom

Mums

Today's ride

2010-10-11T13:20:00.000-07:00

I just had to get out and ride the neighborhood today (in my wheelchair).

I found the Garden Club's YOM down on 109 Ridgewood Dr. It's beautiful. They are having to water to keep it looking good.

I'm so fortunate that Ed put in a well and has plumbed the entire yard to auto water.
My mums aren't open yet-- but, soon.

These are some random pictures of flowers blooming along the way.

Beautiful day

2010-10-10T15:46:00.000-07:00

Today was gorgeous! I spent a little time pulling that dang weed -- the "mimmosa" weed. Got out the Roundup and hit a few spots- a lot of violets coming up in the grass.
Be careful about where you plant violets. Pick off the dead blooms before they make seeds. They will spread into your grass and it'll be hard to get rid of them.
10/10/10

October

2010-10-04T14:49:00.000-07:00

Well, this month has blown in! It has been the windy-est! Today was one of the windy-est days I can remember other than during huricane weather. It has brought some cold with it and I stayed inside all day after sticking my head out the door and testing the air.

Pictures

2010-09-26T12:57:00.001-07:00

Purple Potato Vine

Wandering Jew

Lone Spider Lily

Water Hycinth

Flower Garden slowing down

2010-09-23T15:05:00.000-07:00

The lipstick plant
Probably the last hurrah for the Orange Zinnia

Blooming Rosemary

Bougainvilla

Keep Saraland Beautiful Workshop

2010-09-11T14:06:00.000-07:00

Ty Chandler introduces speakers

One of the organizers

James Miles

Today was another meeting of the KSB. I believe this makes two, about a year apart(?)

Ed and I were asked to speak-- me on flower garden, he on veggie garden. Jim Miles from Auburn Extension Agency was also a speaker. He was really informative. Enjoyed his talk.

Nice day

2010-09-05T14:28:00.000-07:00

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

Here is a picture of the dwarf maple tree that my daughter gave me while it was only about a foot tall:

On a gloomy rainy day

2010-08-27T13:07:00.001-07:00

Achimenes

a lone Gerbera Daisy

2010-08-20T14:14:00.000-07:00

Finally a day with sunshine.

I had to get out of the house and look around.

Path to the Greenhouse

Sago Palm

End of season for this Limelight hydrangea

12-Sister's Rose

Banana tree blooming

White Liriope

Pinecone Ginger

Begonia & ferns

Harvest of Butternut Squash

2010-08-16T12:26:00.000-07:00

Please enjoy this beautiful trip:

www.andisle.com/creation/magnificent.html

We've had so much rain lately that the lawn grass is turning yellow. Yesterday evening we had 3.11" in about 2 hours along with 55 mph winds. One of Ed's peach trees broke down and he had to cut it back.

Fall Catalogs

2010-08-14T11:08:00.000-07:00

Time to think about Spring bulbs. You'll probably be receiving Fall Catalogs soon, so be planning your Springtime garden. It's time to order those bulbs.

Zinnia's

2010-08-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

Caladiums are looking pretty

Ginger Blooming

2010-07-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

Cicado

Ginger

Plants that grew from bird seed

Here are pictures of a ginger blooming in my neighbors yard:

Name of the plant

2010-07-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

I believe I found the name of the plant in my encyclopedia of Gardening - Shade Gardens. It reads:

Achimenes, the monkey-faced pansy

Related to gloxinias and African violets. That's where they get the hairy leaf.

2010-07-06T14:32:00.000-07:00

"Limelight" Hydrangea

I've lost the name of this beautiful plant.
Found name: Achimenes

This is a swamp hybiscus:

Today was our Chickasaw Garden Club meeting and the speaker was from Cleveland Florist, who spoke about orchids. He brought all colors of phaleonopsis and dendrobiums.

Back at home:

Ed's gardens -butterbeans, butternut squash, corn, lettuce....

Bell Peppers

"the barn" and garden

Water Hycinth in the gold fish pond

Time for lillies

2010-06-29T14:04:00.000-07:00

Black Beauty lily Hybrid

Cahaba Lily

Cahaba & Tiger

Black Beauty

Tiger Lily asiatic

2010-06-25T12:01:00.000-07:00

Plums harvested from Ed's plum tree (there were more-- but, eaten). I never knew a plum tastes so good and sweet. These are so much better than what you get in the store!

2010-06-18T15:02:00.000-07:00

Cut a stem from an orchid that had finished blooming ages ago... stuck in water and surprise!
It put on a bloom stem and bloomed!

Purple Hydrangea

Varigated Hosta bloom

White lacecap Hydrangea

The heat has really been tough on the hydrangeas...they are not as pretty as ususal.

Blue Hydrangea

Japanese Fernleaf Maple

Canna

Phlox

Hot June

2010-06-16T13:19:00.000-07:00

A stroll along the drive

A whimsical plant feels like chenile

This "Maize" came up where we feed the birds.

Small pink daylily

Phlox with a butterfly feeding.

Yesterday I bragged on Ed's blackberries. I made a cobbler last night. Wow! It was so delicious!.

Here is the recipe for anyone who is lucky enough to have some berries. It works for blueberries and others.

_______________________________________________________________

BLACKBERRY COBBLER - Easy

Preparation time: 10 minutes Servings: 6 Cook Temp: 375

__________Ingredients______

4 cups blackberries

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1 large egg

1 cup sugar

1 cup all purpose flour

6 tbsp butter

__________Instructions__________

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place fresh blackberries in a lightly buttered 8" square baking dish; sprinkle with lemon juice. Stir together egg, sugar and flour in a medium bowl until mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle over fruit. Drizzle melted butter over topping. Bake for 35 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly. Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes. Serve warm with/without a side of your choice: vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

2010-06-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

Blackberries in the freezer!

Ed put 5 quarts of blackberries in the freezer yesterday. Many more are on the vines. We have several thornless blackberry vines. He has potted several to share with others. If you are local, give a call and come get one.

2010-06-08T13:28:00.000-07:00

Iris surprise

2010-05-28T14:41:00.001-07:00

Today, I was cruising in the yard and caught a glimpse of light lavender. When I got there, this is what I found:

I ordered this iris a couple of years ago and had planted it in an out-of-the way place down the hill, semi-shaded composted area. Now I have to find out it's name!

Hydrangeas and others

2010-05-25T12:22:00.000-07:00

The most stunning orange

Louisianna Iris

Lilium (Easter Lily)

Getting okay!

2010-05-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

Yeaaaaa! Finally got things straight with the computer. The sales person at Office Depot sent me the info needed to connect my camera and it worked! Ed went ahead and bought a new printer. Ours was so old I couldn't locate the drivers online for the model and the scanner lid was broken. The new printer loaded up with Win7 just fine.
So now I'm back to "normal" with the computer stuff.

More computer difficulties

2010-05-21T15:11:00.000-07:00

The new computer has windows 7 and it's not recognizing my printer or my camera. I've tried loading the software for each, but it hasn't worked. I have asked HP tech help and I'm waiting on a response. In the meantime, I won't be posting any pictures. Sorry!

New Computer

2010-05-15T12:59:00.000-07:00

My computer gave me a problem with not connecting to the Internet, so we went over to Office Depot and bought a new one.
I was way behind the technology and this is "taking some getting used to."
But, at least I back online!

A day for Daylilies

2010-05-12T15:01:00.000-07:00

First I had to check out the garden. Here is the thornless blackberry bush. You can see it's loaded with new berries.

The Zucchinni

A tomato with onions

Looking at the raised bed full of new potatoes
We've been enjoying those for quite a while.

A little stroll in the garden to see the daylilies blooming

Here is "Pardon Me"

A really tall one!

Monday stroll

2010-05-10T14:54:00.000-07:00

Red Asiatic Lily

Double yellow daylily (lost name)

Red-orange daylily (lost name)

Pink old fashioned rose

Here are those baskets of gold again. They just keep getting fuller with blooms!

Walking Iris

2010-05-06T14:52:00.000-07:00

Big Geranium blooming today

I just love the Walking Iris. Like a spider plant, it sends out a long stem that has a bloom bud which makes it hang down and touch the ground (unless in a basket) the bloom opens and if left alone will send down roots to make another plant. And in doing so, it "walks."

Red Rose

2010-05-05T15:03:00.000-07:00

I rescued this rose from a yard nearby -- foreclosed. It has certainly rewarded me this Spring with beautiful basket-sized clumps of blooms

Another stroll in the garden

2010-05-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

Thornless Blackberry

Green Beans

Tomatoes

Zucchini

Minature rose "Mardi Gras" ??

The first daylily bloom of the season

Japanese Fernleaf Maple

Baskets of Gold

under the Maple

Another Iris

2010-05-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

Louisianna water iris

A "Flag"

Rabbit pot holding Dianthus

Here's a favorite iris:

Beverly Sills

April 30th

2010-04-30T13:01:00.000-07:00

Today marks the 15th year since I was shot and paralyzed.

2010-04-25T13:54:00.000-07:00

Rose Garden

Tickseed border around the rose garden

Yellow Knock Out Rose

A spray of collard seeds - I think it is so artistic

Old fashioned climber

minature yellow rose

More Iris Pictures

2010-04-20T10:50:00.000-07:00

Indigo Bunting in the feeder Iris - Pink Cherub

Clematis opening

Ruffled Iris

Tall Bearded Iris

Louisiana Iris starting to open
Opened

2010-04-11T14:22:00.000-07:00

Take a stroll through my garden

Looking down the street at the azaleas blooming

The wind has been tough this Spring

Bridal Wreath

Pink "million bells"

White azalea

A dwarf Japanese Maple sent to me by my daughter from Oregon

The most widely planted Formosa Azalea in Mobile

A native dwarf iris I brought from the woods of North Carolina

"Rosebud" azalea

Red stuff

2010-04-05T15:13:00.000-07:00

Beautiful red cactus in bloom (epiphyllum! There are about 13,000 varities) :

Redheaded Woodpecker in the feeder:

Tree removal

2010-04-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

Trimmed down to the nub:

The stump measures 61" in diameter:

Bye Bye old red oak

2010-03-31T12:53:00.000-07:00

Ed called the Deep South Tree Experts to take down the red oak by our house and to trim down the sweetgum tree. The red oak is huge and is taking all day to take down. The clean up may take 2 days.

Sweetgum trimmed

Yep! It cost a bundle.

Spring day

2010-03-27T11:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a somewhat Spring day. I attended the Chickasaw Garden Club's annual plant sale and came home with a flat each of red and white impatiens to replace the ones killed this winter. I couldn't resist buying another 2 pots of Gerbera Daisies. I love those things!

Here is one of my favorite border plants starting to bloom: "Tickseed"

Browsing around, I found the Apple Blossom amyrillis bloom open:

Old fashion iris getting ready to bloom:

2010-03-20T13:40:00.000-07:00

I love to see the violets blooming. "Spring is here" they say!

Browsing around the backyard I see the Cherry tree in bloom

Then there is the Pear tree

And, the Camellias have been beautiful this year. The bushes have been loaded with blooms.

The Greenhouse

2010-03-14T16:06:00.001-07:00

Here are orchids that friends gave me for my birthday

One of my bromeliads

Epiphillium (cactus) getting ready to bloom

Tomatoes & peppers

Tomatoes

Inside back of Greenhouse

Inside right of GH

Profile of Greenhouse

Front of GH
Rose garden on the left by the patio

Path to the GH

Beautiful Day!

2010-03-11T11:38:00.000-08:00

Oh, boy! What a beautiful day!! 77 deg. Just perfect! Had to get out and do some tidying in the greenhouse. Dumped a lot of plants that had been killed by the cold-- mostly, the orchids.

A good friend sent me an email about the wonderful properties of a cucumber and I just have to share this on my blog. Enjoy!

WOW WHAT A LITTLE GEM THE CUCUMBER IS,
I WILL LOOK AT IT DIFFERENTLY NOW.

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5 Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm your fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

Pass this along to everybody you know who is looking for better and safer ways to solve life's everyday problems

Springtime growth

2010-03-10T13:13:00.000-08:00

It's time to start watching your mums. I see new growth on mine and as they get taller (about 4"), they will need to be pinched back (and again x2) to make them bushier and have more blooms. Keep them moist but not waterlogged.

A beautiful day at last

2010-03-07T16:21:00.000-08:00

Daffodils

Forsythia

Vinca

It was so great to be able to get outside and enjoy the day. The sun was bright and no wind. It was the first time in weeks that I was able to enjoy being out working in the flower beds, getting out weeds and tidying up the winter debris. Checking in the greenhouse I find that I have no more orchids. The cold got them all but 2 small ones that were hanging, rather than being on the bench as were the others. Heat rises! I lost some Peace plants also.

no good weather

2010-03-06T13:05:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry! I just haven't been able to get outside to do anything due to the cold, windy weather. I hope that this weather will settle down soon so that we can enjoy some Spring. My daffodils have been blooming and the cherry tree is finishing it's blooms and leafing out.

Drinking From My Saucer

2010-03-04T15:12:00.000-08:00

Drinking From My Saucer

Cedar Waxwings

2010-02-28T15:32:00.000-08:00

My friend from the "Eastern Shore" of Mobile Bay sent this picture of Cedar Waxwing birds flocking to her yard. I haven't had any come here as far as I remember. I'm on the upper west side of Mobile Bay at the mouth of the river.

Starter Plants

2010-02-27T16:57:00.001-08:00

Ed has his starter plants growing in the greenhouse... here are some.

Banana Peppers
Butternut squash & Tomatoes

Bell Peppers

The Camellias are starting to bloom

Pink Camellia

Red Camellia

White Camellia

Collards

2010-02-21T14:35:00.000-08:00

Today Ed picked collards. His collards are so beautiful, and tasty! Later, he cooked a huge "industrial size" pot full. From those he will put several bags (ready to eat) into the freezer. We'll have collards to eat all this summer. There are still nice plants producing in the garden. Anyone want a mess?

Keep Saraland Beautiful Garden Workshop

2010-02-20T13:43:00.000-08:00

Ed and I were asked to speak at the KSB Garden Workshop today. It was held in Saraland's Library and the meeting room was filled. Other speakers were:

Rodney Smith, Smith's Hardware, Saraland, AL
Thomas Daugherty, Alabama Extension Service Agent
Marie Waltman, Member & Master Gardener

Topics covered were: Ornamental edibles, sound purchase and care of bedding plants and seeds, how to prepare your garden space for planting, companion planting, challenges of gardening organically and options for organic pesticides and many others.
There were many questions and answers and everyone had a great time.

Thanks go out to Jaunita Chandler, President of KSB, and to Ty Chandler who organized it all.

Getting ready for Spring

2010-02-19T13:09:00.000-08:00

I'm soooo ready for Spring. So is Ed. He's been in the garden today planting Strawberry plants.

2010-02-15T15:37:00.000-08:00

The largest flower in the world was blossoming in Blanco
Veracruz , Mexico .
2 meters high and weighing 75 kilos, it has the peculiarity of
blooming only
during three days every 40 years.
You'd only see it once or twice in a lifetime!
Shouldn't this qualify as the "8th Wonder of the World"?
Amorphophallus titanum (Araceae), also called "cadaverous flower"
has the peculiarity of blooming only during three days every 40
years, a privilege that Mother Nature bestowed on this town in Veracruz

Raising the Garden

2010-02-15T14:56:00.000-08:00

For a lot of us, we need to raise our garden to make it more accessible. If you can get railroad ties/landscape ties to make raised beds about four feet wide and as long as you like, it makes working the beds and harvesting the fruits of your labor so much easier. Make your outline and start with filling it with compost and adding those things I mentioned in the previous post. It might take a while, but the benefit is worth the effort.

Starter Garden

2010-02-10T14:19:00.000-08:00

As cold as it is, it is time to think about your Spring garden.

Here is an idea for a starter garden:

1. Parsley
2. Tomatoes
3. Basil
4. Pole Beans
5. Sweet Peppers
6. Hot Peppers
7. Broccoli
8. Summer Squash
9. Cucumbers or Sugar Snap Peas
10. Butter Beans or Swiss Chard
11. Beets
12. Early Carrots then Lettuce
13. Scallions
14. Lettuce then Fall Carrots
15. Strawberries/Alpine Strawberries

What should you grow?

Start with what you love to eat. Shop around for seed packets to get started. Since you won't need all the seeds in the packets, and most stay fresh for at least three years, the yearly cost is very small. You could grow as much as $500-600 worth of food, and today we need it.

Remember that tall plants such as pole beans should go on the north side, to avoid shading the others. The strawberries are kid magnets. The children/grandchildren are excited to pick a strawberry to eat and it generates an interest in the garden. They learn that growing food brings joy and that dividend is priceless.

It's all about the Soil -- The very best garden investment is a healthy, fertile soil that's the consistency of crumbly chocolate cake. It should be alive with worms, plant-nourishing bacteria, and other tiny microbes that help crops grow. Create soil like this by adding plenty of organic matter; the best is your compost pile of dried leaves, grass clippings, and veggie scraps from the kitchen. It takes time for these to break down into nature's "black gold," so you might need to buy some organic matter to improve fertility. A couple of 40lb bags of manure (and a bit of lime if your soil is acidic).

You can get your soil tested through your local Agricultural Services for a small fee.

In Alabama go to www.aces.edu/soiltest for more information or email soiltest@auburn.edu .

Playlist | irisloverB4 Account

2010-02-08T14:52:00.000-08:00

Playlist irisloverB4 Account

Coral Ardisia

2010-02-08T13:41:00.000-08:00

I was so proud of my Coral Ardisia plant. It sits there by the fence-line looking festive with it's red berries. Now, I read on "Dave's Garden" where they are extremely invasive!

2010-02-07T16:52:00.000-08:00

3 Doors Down tribute to our soldiers:

http://media.causes.com/686842?p_id=48330477

Let's Say Thanks - Thank You

2010-02-05T13:46:00.000-08:00

Here is a way to thank our troops. Send a free card to a soldier. Click below.

Let's Say Thanks - Thank You

How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one.

Or, If you go to the web site at www.letssaythanks.com you can pick out a thank you card and the Xerox Corporation will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can’t pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these?

Feel Free to Pass this E-mail on! I did!

The Cherry Tree

2010-02-03T14:28:00.000-08:00

I had busy visitors in the Cherry tree today. Looking in the Audubon field guide it looks like they are Purple Finch. Very colorful!

They were working like crazy pecking the centers of the flowers and they had to be creative to get to the flower center as it hangs downward.

The first white camellia to bloom. It has just a little streak of red/pink.

More Camellia

2010-01-28T15:13:00.000-08:00

Spent a good day outside trimming back cold damaged plants.

Had to take another snapshot of the varigated camellia:

The flowering cherry is blooming.

I have another bit of info I would like to share with my viewers:

I recently had to purchase a new battery for my laptop computer. Searching around on the internet I found "Laptops for Less" who sells batteries for the laptops. I ordered the one for my computer. When it came and was installed, my computer sent a message across the screen that the battery was "incompatible".

I logged on and requested a RMA# from Laptops for Less so that I could return the battery.
(You only have 30 days to do this.) So far, after two requests, I have not had any response from them. I'm probably stuck with spending that $75.

Beware of this company!

My Greenhouse

2010-01-21T16:19:00.000-08:00

Someone asked that I show off my GreenHouse, so while it was a beautiful day I grabbed the camera.

2010-01-21T16:10:00.001-08:00

The dirty work side of the GH

A bench for a rest stop

Ed's barn

Pink Perfection

A trip to the greenhouse

2010-01-20T14:47:00.000-08:00

Peonies that I ordered are up and one has a

bloom formed.

Christmas Cactus

Pitiful! My beautiful Night Blooming Cerus

is badly damaged. I'll leave it alone to see

what it does to come back, then I'll prune.

Ed's tomatoes are up.

First Camellia blooms

2010-01-20T14:40:00.000-08:00

Camellias

A little Tip

2010-01-20T13:04:00.000-08:00

This is just a little tip for you gardeners. It is not a paid advertisement.

A couple of years ago I started using a creme on my face that I ordered by the name of eb5 (Heldfond Formula). I think I saw it in the newspaper--not sure. Although it was used on my face, the side affect was that it softened my hands that were so rough from gardening. They stay soft from rubbing it onto my face!
They have a website
Overall Impression
EB5 has minimal marketing to sell this product, and it seems to be something that is geared more toward a mature age group. The company also does not post any clinical trials to prove that the product actually works to minimizes wrinkles, but it is still a very inexpensive product. The main issue that comes up is the use of parabens in the formula, which can irritate and redden the skin, especially if you have sensitive skin or rosacea. There are no unique ingredients found in EB5 that cannot be found in many other skin care products. This product does not stand out from other skin care products on the market, especially since there is not detailed information available as to its benefits.

Finally, a day in the sunshine!

2010-01-18T16:07:00.000-08:00

It was great to be able to get outside in the sunshine today! I spent the afternoon cleaning up in the greenhouse.
Unfortunately, the greenhouse wasn't able to keep out some of the extreme cold that we recently experienced. I had to do a lot of cutting back and some pitching into the trash. I lost a lot of orchids, but maybe some will come back--we'll hang on to them to give a chance.
It looks a lot better in there now.
Ed raked out the flower beds and mulched it with the lawn mower. Next, he will top them off with fresh pinestraw.

Brrrrrr!

2010-01-06T12:36:00.001-08:00

It has been a long time since we've had weather this cold in the Mobile, Al area. Our heater has been running non-stop to keep up a somewhat comfortable temperature.
Last night was the end of many of my plants. Some will come back from root, however, some are gone for good. I had a split leaf philadendron by the porch that had grown as high as the porch roof--now gone.
Thankfully, we have the greenhouse for safekeeping of the potted plants such as orchids which have been in bloom.

2010

2009-12-31T10:47:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all with wishes for your new year to be a healthy and prosperous one. Above all - have fun and be happy.

Merry Christmas 2009

2009-12-24T12:02:00.000-08:00

From our house to yours--

It's Christmas Eve and I want to wish you all a very merry Christmas and remind you of the reason for the season. God sent Jesus, his only begotten son, to take our sins away. Christmas is the day Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph.

I love Nativities and have several. There is a large collection of figurines by Fontanni and a minature one by Fontanni. I have others that I also show at this time of the year. Here are a few of mine:

5" scale

We have had "Nativities from Around the World" shows by our local garden club in the past, but this year chose not to have the show. It's a lot work and we feel that the support from the community wasn't strong enough. Perhaps alternate years of show will be best.

2-1/2" scale

2009-12-15T13:58:00.000-08:00

MORE RAIN!!!!! This town is about to float away! Thankfully, we are on a hill not far from the Chickasabouge Creek and the water quickly percolates from our property.
We are eating collards and sharing with others. Boy, are they good!

The wheelchair repairman came today and installed the new power cable. I am so glad to have it. The loaner cable was to short to be able to use the features and to raise the arm piece on the right side. It was tough to get out of the chair on the right side without raising the arm. The "features" that come with this chair are: It rises up to 10 inches, the footrests elevate, the back reclines, and the entire seating tilts/reclines. It's a wonderful chair--Permobil.

2009-12-04T12:03:00.000-08:00

We're having a little cold weather here in south Alabama. Not fun! But, at least we're getting a little color here and there.

Here is the Japanese Fern Leaf Maple my daughter sent me several years ago.

Garden bench covered with Blackeyed Susan Vine

More garden items:

Mature collards

Young carrots along the edge

We eat a lettuce & tomato salad every evening for dinner. We do have to buy the tomato at this time of year.

Oranges are ripe

2009-12-03T17:01:00.000-08:00

Click here for music of Andrea Bocelli's "White Christmas"

http://www.youtube.com/user/andreabocelli?blend=6&ob=4#p/u/1/LZjRuMxWWxQ

My wheelchair repairman came and installed a temporary cord while he orders a replacement cord, so I'm rolling with power again.

Ed is busy peeling those sweet potatoes to parboil and put them in the freezer. He doesn't want my help...I just get in his way when he's scurrying around in the kitchen. What a man! He grows them and puts them up!

Our weather is too blustery and cold for me to get outside, so here I sit just 'putering.

Bounty from the Garden

2009-12-02T16:59:00.000-08:00

A little bounty late in the season:

A little surprise in the greenhouse found this colorful orchid in bloom. I have a stainless steel tray filled with gravel that I keep wet with the orchid pots sitting on top. They love it!

Sweet Potatoes - they grow well in this soil that has a lot of sand in it.

Butternut Squash - Bake it with butter on top

Anyone have a recipe to use these? Let me know.

Moving right along

2009-11-27T17:18:00.000-08:00

We're moving into the Christmas holiday season and it always makes me feel sad. I'm so far from my children and grandchildren, it's rare that I get to see them over the holidays.

All the grand's are boys and I have 1 great-granddaughter (this pic when she was 1 yr). I would certainly love to be near the great-granddaughter so that I could spoil her a little, but she is in Elko, Nevada. Brrrrr! Ughhhh!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We were planning to go to the Rock & Gem Show this weekend but, as luck would have it, my coat button caught on the cord that runs along under my chair arm from the joystick to the battery. It caused the plug end to dislodge from the joystick. When I tried to reinsert the plug, it didn't align correctly and caused one of the little (and I mean "little") pins to bend. Of course, when Ed tried to straigten it--it broke off. Now my chair is dead until the repair part can be ordered. I hope I'll have it before Christmas!! I'm rolling in a manual wheelchair now.

Busy week!

2009-11-25T14:40:00.000-08:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

It has been a very busy week leading up to Thanksgiving. I've never seen so much traffic!!

I pray you will all be safe and have great fellowship with family.

Marilyn

Around the yard today

2009-11-14T14:52:00.001-08:00

Ed's first oranges

White Datura (Angel Trumpet)

The collard patch-- We're eating them now!

They will be on the table for Thanksgiving.

Baby bananas

Point Pelee Mum

Mum pics

2009-11-09T12:19:00.001-08:00

Here are a few mum pictures. I didn't do my pinch backs as needed, but they are still pretty.

"Point Pelee"

Shasta

I love this little minature purple-- it blooms so profusely and for a long time.

Dogwood berries

Another grandson's visit

2009-10-25T16:18:00.000-07:00

We are hosting Ed's daughter and grandson from San Francisco, CA. Yesterday we took a driving tour around Mobile and then out to Magee Farm. I couldn't get into the house as it is not handicapped accessible, so I picked up pecans while they went in for the tour.

Brick at the first step

The Tour Guide

Desk with Constitution of the Confederacy displayed

Willow furniture

Back at the house

Ed, daughter Donna & grandson Buddy

Playing a little catch

A Day at Battleship Park

2009-10-18T14:52:00.000-07:00

We spent the day at the park and by chance the overseer of the aircraft building caught sight of Ed's grandson and came over to explain some things about the planes. He continued until he had given us a privately narrated tour of the aircraft and allowed Ed & Connor to enter the area behind the roped off area and for Connor to get into the helicopter that was used by the Presidents. I don't know who was the more excited, Ed or Connor!

Past President's helicopter

Stealth Bomber

Stealth pilot- Jack Weeks

Connor

Rose Garden

Rose USS Alabama

A Visitor

2009-10-14T12:27:00.000-07:00

We have a visitor! My husband's grandson (14) from Colorado Springs is here for the week. Ed is trying to make the most of every moment. Of course, the weather has been rainy! But, they have fished and hunted, and today they've gone to the Camden, Al, graveyard to visit his grandmother's grave (his special request). We hope for a little sun by Friday so that he can visit Battleship Park. Ed will be "whipped" before he's gone home on Sunday.

A few pictures before the rain

2009-10-12T14:12:00.000-07:00

Elephant Ear in bloom

Pinecone Gingers in rear

Elephant Ear bloom close

Fall Coleus colors

A little Bougainvillia late bloom

Shasta Mum

Phillipine Petunia in back

Mums

2009-10-09T12:47:00.000-07:00

When Autumn Ambles In

When Autumn ambles in

In her golden days aglow,

She wears cloaks of scarlet colors

And skies of indigo.

She wears silver-sparkled sunbeams

And cotton-candy hair.

She paints the night in frosty white,

Spreading magic everywhere.

God ushers in His miracles

And each year as they begin,

My soul with joy will overflow...

When Autumn ambles in.

-Nora M. Bozeman

Isn't it exciting to see mums popping up everywhere and the decorative bales of hay, maybe a scarecrow or two?

Here are some basics on mums:

When night temps drop, generally in mid-September, look for plants that are just starting to break bud.

Don't try to buy a lot of different colors for a given area. Stick to one color for impact.

Darker shades such as bronze and burgundy look better longer and spent blooms are less noticeable. The same is true for mums with double, as opposed to single, daisy-like blooms.

Buy the bigger plant!
They will be happiest in a sunny location. But they will bloom anyway if you buy one that's budding. However, if you keep them in the shade, you may have to compost them after blooming.

Keep flowers coming by watering and pinching. Soil should be moist, but never wet. Check daily while weather is warm, every other day when it's cooler. Remove faded blooms to encourage more buds to open. Fertilizing is not necessary.

Difference between a floral mum and a garden mum-

The blossoms of floral mums are large and showy. Grown in greenhouses and forced to bloom, they are available year-round primarily for gift giving. The blooms of garden mums are smaller and more prolific. They are cheaper than the floral mums and make up the lion's share of what's for sale.

When planted properly, both types will return year after year. Once flowering is done, cut plants back to 8 inches. Cool days and short nights may coax a few spring flowers. Pinch several times through the summer. Stop pinching on Labor Day in the Coastal and Lower South, sooner in upper regions. When buds form, flowers should follow.

A Sneak Between Showers

2009-10-05T15:46:00.000-07:00

I sneaked out with the camera between the showers today. Took several pictures and then I saw-- Oh no! A huge mimosa weed!! The next thing I knew I had been bent over on my knees for over an hour, pulling weeds! Ed came in from the Dr.'s looking for me, so I came in and started a pot of homemade soup for supper.

It's bye, bye for the Vincas

Gulf fritillary

Here are some pictures from my little trip outside:

Blue Salvia & Phillipine Petunia

A roadside weed!

Brown Thrasher was taking a bath

Fall preening

2009-10-01T15:30:00.000-07:00

I've been pulling out dying off zinnias, marigolds and other annuals. Pulling weeds is a full time profession for me! The flowers are part-time in comparison, it seems.
Pulling weeds is a good thing for someone in a wheelchair--it gives a lot of pressure relief! Sitting in place for too long can cause pressure problems. You know what I mean, if you are in a chair. So my gardening is a healthy thing for me!