Gone Fishin'

Yep, we're going fishing. Or at least, Mark is. I'll be reading all these really great books I've been collecting, plus a big stack of magazines, and oh, yes--getting around to making all those bookmarkers and cards. Although I have had these vacation plans before and I've wound up taking naps and watching Oprah for the whole week. In the meantime, check out this article about buying tulips at Sign of the Shovel.
http://www.signoftheshovel.com/ And Grace is back home from her honeymoon, posting pictures of her beautiful wedding. http://graceuncensored.com/v-web/b2/

The garden looks pretty good for late September. There is so much that needs to be cleaned up, but I still like the wild look that's happening. Lots of verbena blooming and the garlic chives are going to seed. We tied the grasses up with bungee cords on the fence. And there is larkspur sprouting everywhere!

Best in Show

This was my very favorite from last week's show. It was done by True Colors. I think it needed a better display table to show off it's balancing act. But still it was lovely--probably a hundred pieces of reed were individually wired with gold wire and strung together along with yellow roses, orchids and seeded eucalyptus.

New Guinea Impatiens

The slugs have been working on this little plant, but it's been so pretty all summer. I just put one plant in the container and it's grown to fill it nicely. Sometimes I think that all that cramming they tell you to do is just so they can sell more plants. (The pinecone is chipmunk repellent. They're in all the pots this year.)

Fall Pansies

This mix is called Trick or Treat.

Another Song Entry

Don't know who did this one, but it's really sweet.

September Song

We had planned to go to the botanical garden in St. Louis today to see the art glass exhibit. But it was such a nice cool day that I thought I would just stay home and work in the garden. Now I can barely walk! These shots are from a flower show that the local garden had this weekend at Bergner's, one of the department stores at the mall. This one is by Lisa at FloraScape.

September Saturday

Last Night's Therapy

Boy, did we need it. Kelly took us on a walk by the DOT pond.

50 Degrees

It's cold out there this morning. I've been looking forward to the anemones blooming all around this little guy. They don't mind the chill.

Before and After

Here's a picture of me leaving for the wedding. In one hand, I have one of Grace's beautiful hand-painted bottles, of which I neglected to get a close-up. And in the other hand, the toss bouquet. I just heard that it held together through the toss. And the second shot is of Grace's bouquet at the reception. I loved her ribbon.

Just Because it's Monday

Perfect Wedding

Grace and Kevin had such a beautiful wedding. It was perfect. I had a great time helping with the flowers. It was a surreal feeling to see her carrying the bridal bouquet. I have a few pictures, and will post over the next few days. I was so focused on finishing each piece and moving on to the next one that I totally forgot to take pictures along the way. I even forgot to eat! When has that ever happened??

Wedding Day

Congratulations
Kevin & Grace!

Friday Coleus

This is Freckles. Which gets an honorable mention today because it came back as a volunteer!

Alabama Sunset

My all time favorite coleus. Here with King Humbert canna. Next year I will use a pot twice as big, or one pot for each, as they seem a little crowded.

Kong

It took a while for this one to come on strong, but it finally did. Good with Sum & Substance in the background. Warning: The slugs love this one. I've fought them all summer--and they've pretty much won the battle.

Fishnet Stockings

Definitely a keeper. Thick foliage with lots of veining. The slugs never even considered it.

Another Leaf

I went to a floral demonstration earlier this week. Lee Russo was the designer and she has a shop in Edwardsville. She made several beautiful designs with fall colors. Her final show-stopper was a design with soft pink roses and lots of brown accents like cat-tails. It was just beautiful. Anyway, when I saw this fallen redbud leaf in the anenomes, it reminded me of her design--combining fall colors with other softer, more pastel colors.

September Leaf

The coleus in the background is called Big Blond.

Another Combo

Canna Tropicanna and Coleus Alabama

Tuesday Combination

Religious Radish coleus with an angelwing begonia. They both grew to giant proportions this summer. Together they are getting close to four feet in diameter.

Pictures from Peggy's

A new kitten named Walker, after the Texas Ranger guy. Because this little guy has a BIG personality, evident even from all these miles away. And the yard looks great--even in September.

Anniversary Tree

Fruit of the kousa dogwood that Mark and I planted for our tenth anniversary.

New Paint Job

This used to be one sad-looking lawn chair, but Mark painted it wildcat blue for me and now it has new life. Next to it is the hydrangea that Kathy gave me last year. It's come a long way too.

Tidal Wave and Black Pearl

View From the Top

This was a fun one. There were so many zinnias out there, and they needed to be deadheaded so they'd keep making. It's a really low arrangement, maybe 6 inches tall, and was made just for Jefferson Hall, because they bared their souls yesterday and did good work--the kind of work that makes us remember why we all decided to become helpers in the first place.

More Beets, No Bag

Is This Not a Miracle?

Today's Therapy

Happy Birthday

Happy Day, Sissy. With love from your Sisterbelle.

Garlic Chives

. . .in the garden and in the vase. Love these. Even tho, as Mark says, they do smell like green onions.

Eighteen Years Ago Today

Wedding Flowers

Eighteen years ago tomorrow, Mark and I got married. And because I've been so immersed in wedding flowers lately, here's a shot of the flowers that we carried that day. Did we get them from Blanche Rottering? I think so. She was the florist we always called. These look pretty dated compared to the ones that are popular now. But you know what doesn't look dated in this photo? The pearl bracelet on Ellen's wrist. Some things never go out of style. Grace, I promise your flowers won't look like 1988!

Four Weeks from Today