Book Reports

I love to read out on the boat while Mark fishes. And I love to read in the car while he drives. It's harder to resist all the distractions when I'm home. The tv calls, the garden calls, the computer really calls. . . The boat and the car are great reading places because those distractions are far away.

I finished The Last Bookstore in America. Written by Amy Stewart who wrote Flower Confidential and Wicked Plants. It was such a cute, lighthearted story. Found out about it over on her blog Dirt. (I have to plant one of those caster bean plants next year--I remember Emma or maybe Addie planting those in Pine Knot. Okay, so they are poisonous. And huge. I've got just the spot for one!)

Anyway, Last Bookstore is a quick easy fun read. And it sounds like she had a fun time writing it too.

Also finished A New Earth. It had lots of thoughtful points in it that I would ordinarily underline in a paper version of a book, so I tried out the highlighting tool on my Kindle. We'll see if I can get back to them.

Tonight I have some reading I have to do before work tomorrow. And I can already hear this computer calling my name. . .

More on Container Management

This container is turning out really pretty. The hybiscus is from The Farm and it's perennial, so I'll have to find a home for it this fall. The japanese beetles think it's put there to be their snack food. I was knocking them off into soapy water for a while, but then I got tired and now I just knock them off. I know they'll come back, but at least I make them have to work a little harder.

The crack in the container started out as a hairline when I planted it. It's growing along with the rootball.

All summer I've been using flower food that Kathy sent to me a while back--Super Bloom by GreenLight, 12-55-6. I used the last of it a few weeks ago and then started using the common-type food that's everywhere. You probably know which one I mean. A big difference. Fewer blooms, and some drooping foliage. Not good.

So I went over to see Gayle at the Apple Barn for a consult. She says I'm not feeding enough and that the plants are starving. She recommends Ferli-lome's Blooming & Rooting Food. 9-59-8. Full strength, most days. So that's the new plan. As for the crack, I'm okay with it cracking wide open as long as the blooms keep going til frost!

Happy Anniversary

Five whole years! Blessings and many many more happy years.

Love Story

On My Own Time Art Exhibit; Springfield Area Arts Council ; Gina Growe, Artist

My Favorite

How could you not fall in love with this love story?

Another Container

The hummingbirds have been feeding from the black & blue in this container. Even while I'm out in the garden, so I get a close up view. They perch on that little curly willow stem and it just makes me stop and hold my breath. They are amazing!

I Promise

This year I made a commitment to my driveway pots. I would water them every single day (unless it rained) and I would feed half-strength every week. They are beautiful this year! I hope it is my formula, but I have this little suspicion that all this nice mild weather

may have helped too.

It's Me, Grandma

V and I were at Penney's shopping yesterday and we ran into a friend of hers. She said she received a call last week from someone who said, "Hi grandma! It's me." She assumed it was her grandson.

The caller proceeded to tell her that he had just had an auto accident and was stranded in New York because he had to pay for the damages before they would let him leave the state. V's friend was suspicious and said no. When she called the police, she was told that they had recently taken reports from two other victims of the same type of scam, both in her same tiny village of Rochester.

So if someone calls and says "hi it's me grandma", you could try to help the police catch them by getting a phone number or an account number and reporting it. Or, you could just be a mean granny and say h*ll no, I'm not sending you any money!

Red Lime

Mama gave me these seeds to plant. I think they were called Red Lime. Why don't I keep the seed packets? By the time the seeds have sprouted and bloomed, I have always forgotten the name and where they came from. Anyway, I LOVE these! Each one is different. By the way, the flower arranger is from The Farm. Very reasonably priced and perfect for just a few blooms. Made by a local potter too.

Happy Birthday Lori!

Wish you were here. We'd go through the garden and then shop all day!

Wednesday Scene

Design Ideas

Mama had Jean Bremmer paint this old stove for me years ago. The painting is wonderful. But I'm a little tired of the blue on it. So I sent a picture to Ask Kari & Kijsa for some design ideas. We'll see what they think. I could just paint the blue parts black. That would make the other colors pop. Or maybe I will just keep it the way it is. I wonder if Jean Bremmer is still painting?

Fruit Smoothie

Beautiful, HUGE, orange and red zinnias growing at The Farm.

Sunday Bouquet

Start with a Really Good Stick

Thursday Zinnias

I planted green and white benary's giant this year. The white ones are a little ahead of the green ones. And mama gave me seeds for red limes. They are just beginning to bud and that center is RED! Can't wait to see them in full bloom. Stay tuned!

Black Pearl Bybee

I love how the black pearl pepper goes with the Bybee flower pot. I bought several of these pepper plants this year, and the rest are all in combination pots. But I really like the "monobotanical" look of this one.

Red Hot Orange

Have no idea what the name of this one is. But Red Hot Orange would be a good name, don't you think?

Book Review

Just finished Still Alice by Lisa Genova. My mother was right. I couldn't put it down. It's a beautiful story about a 50 year old Harvard psychology professor who is diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Highly recommended.

Bowling Ball Garden

Our newspaper is presenting a series on free spirits. I have a bowling ball here somewhere. It's pink, if I remember correctly. I'll have to do some digging and find it.

Sunday Breakfast

featuring blackberries from The Farm. Eric picked these yesterday. He and Gail have been so nice to me. These are without a doubt the nicest blackberries I've ever had! I feel blessed this beautiful Sunday morning.

Saturday

Look a little familiar? This piece was originally done with bright pink silks, but now reworked with The Farm's beautiful dried flowers. Much nicer!

Scene from The Farm

Love this!

Composite Lily

I had such a good visit with my mom and sister (and Jeff too!) this past weekend. I'm so thankful for the computers and cell phones that keep us connected over the miles.

More Daylilies

Some are starting to fade out. Gayle at the Apple Barn told me to cut them down when they've finished blooming. Her source says they will come back up and bloom again. Even if they don't bloom again, the foliage should come back fresh and pretty again.

Book Review

Finished Home Safe the other day. That's Elizabeth Berg's new book. The main character is a writer who lost her husband and then wasn't able to write any more. Really liked it. Quick read and much better to read just before bed than the last book (Columbine, which probably triggered a few bad dreams). Still Alice is next. Let me know what you're reading!

Monday Monday

Just a little trio of lamb's ear-covered boxes with some decorative wire. The Kent Beauty Oregano is from The Farm.

Front Door Sunday

Happy Fourth!

This one is called Ezekial. Loved the name and love the daylily. It's almost black, and the yellow/lime green center just glows.

Daylilies!

Look

what is happening with my white coneflowers! I LOVE them! Have no idea why, but hope they stay that way. They make me think of the green envy zinnias, which are about a foot tall now and several weeks from blooming yet. This was a beautiful night in the garden.

Oakleaf Hydrangea

As requested by Jo-An's friend Karen. I love getting comments!

Another Old Purse Design

Sunday Night Fishing

Sunday Morning Garden Tour

Driveway Pots

Here's one of the pots along the driveway. Her skirt needs hemming, otherwise we're going to be driving on it.

Missing Our Girl!

I've been going over our pictures from the last few weeks. It was wonderful having Betsy here for such a nice long visit. I'm sure she's glad to be home though, and her mom and dad glad too. This shot makes me smile.

Thursday Hosta

Love this Yabba Dabba Doo hosta. I didn't know if it would survive last year's digging disaster --brought about by Lilla--but it's gorgeous. Hoping that Lakeside Kaleidescope can make the same comeback, as it too had a digging disaster this year--thanks to Cookie and Gumbo!

Vintage Purses At The Farm

One of my very favorite places of all time. The shop is full of beautiful things right now and the gardens are wonderful as always. If you haven't visited lately, it's time!