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babs_clare

#257- PreSpring things to do...

babs_clare
18 years ago

...or make that 257,000,000,000 tiny sticks,pine needles and general yard particles to clean up before spring gets here; )

You know what to do...

Comments (101)

  • babs_clare
    Original Author
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    OH NOoooo!!! Taryn you are enabling me with seed enticement!
    lol; ) This is my problem...(well the printable one of many; )I will have to dig a new bed(s) if I take more seeds so I have to be selective. I showed AJ the time lapsed pics of your moon flower. He thought it was pretty cool to watch. I kid you not that he asked during dinner tonight if we could plant white moonflowers this summer-I had already planned to. Isn't that funny about the name because I only knew of Ipomoea alba as moonflower and didn't know of other ones.We know of the one you have as evening primrose. My dad planted it one year when I was a kid and every evening around dusk we'd all camp out waiting for the popping buds and sweet scent-a wonderful memory. OK SEND some lol.
    BTW what do you mean you aren't sticking with the orange and lime green bathroom color scheme???: )lol! The moment I saw that pic I said I bet she changes THAT! It will be so fun to make your house your HOME: ) I have my fingers crossed(STILL) that you don't have to fund both houses simultaneously-that would be terrible!
    Seseli gummiferum is a beautiful plant!(I won't say more because then you'll send me seeds...wink wink)

    Marian-I do appreciate your indepth posts to so many individuals here. I was in lurk mode and didn't comment but was thinking how good that you took such effort to comment to people individually(I know it's a hard task!). I too have been silent because I have had Ei on my mind. She's such a good person and I feel at such a loss because she has been through so much and I am feeling sad for her and her family. The ovarian cancer part scares me because my mom had it so I know how that cancer goes. At least my mom escaped with her life intact; I so want the same for Ei's sister.
    Please understand that I can't get here to idyll as freely as I did before because of our family life(MIL's health needs,kid projects,etc.)so I only show up when I am able. Many times there's so much to comment on and my time is limited so I can't speak individually to all idylls-I just do the best I can. Yikes-track season starts for Aj tomorrow so I will be limited further. I read,I care,I might not always comment,but I appreciate everyone's input.

    Want some good news? I don't need bifocals!!! honestly I was sure I needed them and the Dr. almost gave me them but I'm able to read with lenses just short of bifocals so for now I'm getting regular lenses. I hadn't been to the eye Dr. for *17* years!(very naughty). Thanks for those of you asking about Chris' appt. with a retinal specialist-it will be on Wed. morning. We talked further with the optometrist and he doesn't feel this is wet Mac.Degen.(that's the advanced one). He says it would more likely be dry. He also indicated that it isn't necessarily MD so Chris feels more at ease. Chris is only 41 but has the eyes of a 65 yr old(we didn't like hearing that).

    Martie-that is weird about the lurker and it angers me that someone would seek you out. That person should have commented here instead-it seems cowardly to me. You have every right to say what you feel along the guidelines of this site so that person had no right to question comments made here. I enjoy your sense of humor and I appreciate the more serious advice or events we share.

    Yeona while my immediate family is normally adjusted I have a cousin that I have mentioned before who is pretty messed up.It's either schizophrenia or general brain damage from drug abuse(pain meds) but in either case there's serious manpulation going on to the point that her family(siblings and mother)are forced to separate themselves from her for safety's sake not to mention emotionally. It's disheartening to have a family member(s) as an enemy. She just started threatening her sister-a new development and it just gets to a point when you have to separate yourself just to 'save' yourself as a coping mechanism. You will never understand why a person does what they do in the case you are dealing with-you really do end up having to do what's best for you-and it's not selfish and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.
    All those symptoms of your sister's sound like they come from the depression-is her BP high? I know from my mom's depression that her BP was pretty high and I wonder if BP affects eye pressure too? Just a thought. Hopefully the meds get everything under control and she can heal her psyche.
    ((Yeona))we do care about you: )

    Wishing Honey a great trip-oooh look at those tanned gams; )

    Love the robin pics! Will I burst a bubble if I say that we have robins during winter so they really aren't a sign of spring?(ouch-wet noodle) Here,when we see black-winged blackbirds or turkey vultures both are harbingers of spring. At any rate I do love the crisp almost touchable robins you captured Deanne! I saw a turkey vulture on Sat.: )

    Chris and I had a date! Well we went out to lunch sans kids...I had a MAI TAI!!! Chris had a margarita and we actually had complete conversations lol-a few things we don't always have a chance to enjoy when the kids are under tow(too bad no karaoke, Brenda!). We were at Round Robin's and I had a tasty BLTA-bacon, lettuce,tomato,avacado and turkey on a croissant with a cup of french onion soup(slurp). We went there after our jaunt to the vision center. MIL actually watched the kids and she managed well-I think having them there lifted her spirits.

    MARY!! I imagine your quartet performance a smashing success! May I ask what pieces you played? I'm with Deanne,if I was in your area I'd definitely come to listen. Imagine all the idylls coming to hear you play....that would be so fun!

    Today was heavenly outside-no coat,the plants are definitely growing so I guess I am a happy camper-yep!Ryan was even sporting shorts!! He was quite pleased to be wearing a hand me down pair of AJ's and told everyone he saw today about his 'new' duds.
    Unfortunately it's too wet to do much in the gardens. I won't even remove winter mulch because it's supposed to snow yet I'm sure. Always at least a St. Patty's snow storm here. St. Patty's(Fri) is the 4yr anniv. of my dad's passing. I miss him but still feel like he's close. Ya know what's weird in a cool way? I realized that AJ was born 3 days before my dad's bday and Ryan was born 2 days before the anniv. of his passing-what are the chances of that happening? I think it's so we always remember him.

    So,like-am I talking too much?

    ~Blah blah blah(Blabs)

  • martieinct
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Good first Robin of the year morning!! I didn't see it, but Rich called from the road with a report of seeing four in the neighborhood. Will check with the cul-de-sac boys later for verification ;-)

    Anybody else get excited about the NCAA basketball tournaments? Two teams are seeded #1 from the Big East and UConn is one of them!! They are playing in their own time zone for Round I and this is a good thing.

    Moles have gotten the better part of about 300 bulbs and yesterday broke Waaaaaaaay down and called a "safe" chemical lawn guy to come get rid of the grubs. This is a first for me and if I come home and find those little flags warning off kids and animals I will be ticked. But, the moles are definitely winning so drastic measures need be taken. My mom has suggested that she bring over her Cairn Terrier for mole defense. A little too late :-((((

    Sue -- How's your back? Was thinking of you last night whilst downing three Advil Liquigels after turning several yards of compost. At least you have cool new restaurants to haunt if it gets really bad! Enjoy your time away from CT. The weather is okay temp-wise but it's cloudy and foggy and you'd be inside, anyway.

    Eden: So, so, so sorry you "accidentally" hit the link and "had" to find more stuff. I love this website and, given that this is a "bones" year, have been truly good about not piling up my shopping cart. Only seven things thusfar. I will be emailing them about next season, though, asking them to put my name on some of the sold-out stuff. Wouldn't it be fun to take a field trip to NC and hit the nurseries there? We'd need the Suburban Sue rented X 6. BTW: I think Bella will love the wreath.

    To Kenzie, Wyatt, Wendy's two, Taryn's three, Mary's two, Bella and all other Idyll kids. You are officially invited to Mrs. Martie's seed planting party on April 9. We will be eating Lemon Verbena cookies, having Mint "tea", and planting basil, bronze fennel, pineapple sage cuttings, "cat grass", alyssum and generally having a great time getting dirty. RSVP so I can pick you up at the airport :-) Your respective adults can come, too.

    The shower beckons ...

    Martie, keeping an eye on the every multiplying Phals LOL

  • drema_dianne
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi Everyone

    Ei, I was so sad to hear about your sister. I hope you are as okay as can be. Remember to take your vitamins. My heart goes out to you and your family. If you can, please pop in just to say hi.

    Yeona, you shouldn't feel bad about your sister. I have a sister who is an alcoholic. I haven't seen her for many years, and don't even know her address. I love her, but I had to pull away from contact a long time ago. I just got too sucked in. I would try to help her in the way I wanted her to be, and it never worked. You know, go to school, stop hanging on to that guy.....finally I just had to stop talking to her, because it just caused me too much pain, and she didn't want to hear it. I still care about her, but I know that our lives can't touch except on a very superficial level. And I'm okay with that. So is she:) Now I don't nag her anymore.

    Deanne, thanks for the beautiful Robin pictures!

    Babs, glad you and Chris got to have a little fun out on the town.

    Sue, hope you have loads of fun skiing!

    Is Cynthia posting on the other forum? I miss hearing from her.

    Martie, too wierd about people sending emails. If I get one from someone whose name I don't recognize, I delete it before I open.

    Well, it was pouring down a warm rain when I got up this morning. The mells of spring is out there. It is supposed to get up to the 70's and it is already 64. Snow tonight. And it looks awfully dark outside. I had thought I might run to Orchidmania today. But I forgot to bring my camera. I am definitely going to go one day this week. This week Mary said she was upset because she didn't know Jen was having hand surgery on Friday. So I thought, well, since everyone is so scattered, I would have to come up with an alternate method of communicating. It is too hard to call everyone every time something happens, and I can't remember who I told what. Plus I have my mom and sister and brother to call. And inlaws. So I am going to start writing an email newsletter every week to catch everyone up. This weekend we cleaned the yard up a little. Well, the boys did the cleanup part. I was mostly looking under leaves to see what kind of growth I might have, and wondering if I should rake them off. I always get over anxious, and I know we could still have some pretty vicious weather. But there are some leaves coming out. I can't wait.

    I have to scoot, but I hope you all have a great Monday.

  • deanneart
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Good morning all,

    It is a beautiful 40 degree, misty morning here and feels like spring. Neat! Im thinking Im going to go to the gym and then spend the rest of the day outside, well until it starts raining that is. Doug finished up installing the new kitchen faucet and Im so pleased with it. We bought a Moen fixture in polished pewter that is just lovely and so functional. I wish wed been able to find a new sink but no go there. The one we have now has one large deep bowl and one small shallow bowl with the garbage disposal. The large side of the sink can fit just about any oversized pot youd care to wash and Ive loved it since we bought it ten years ago. Unfortunately it is pretty beat up now. Im wondering if it would be worth having it resurfaced. I know they re-enamel bathtubs so they should be able to do a kitchen sink.

    Anyway, for some unknown reason I have been having hungry horrors lately. Last night I had a bowl of veggie chips, a couple wedges of hard parmesan cheese and then made myself an ice cream (frozen non-fat yogurt) sundae for dessert. So we just skipped dinner altogether. LOL I need to get a handle on this.

    Martie, LOL about the Phalaenopsis. I keep chuckling about it every time I walk through my living room where I grow most of my orchids. ~~ Loved the link but did not succumb to temptation and buy anything. ~~ OH no about the moles! That is dreadful. Im hoping you dont get an invasion of voles as well because they are just the absolute WORST. I cant tell you how many things Ive lost to the drasty (dratted-nasty) rodents. They especially love clematis. For a very long time it was a joke amongst my friends and family because I could not grow clematis even though I could grow everything else. One day my DDs kitty (we were cat-sitting) caught this funny looking rodent in my garden and when I looked it up and found what it was then researched what they ate it all became crystal clear to me. I now plant the clems in cages and am having better success with them. ~~ I know Monique and Les are big fans of NCAA basketball and UConn in particular.

    Hi Babs, you never talk too much. Glad to hear you and Chris had a date. Im salivating over your food description. Nice! Also very glad to hear that they dont think he has the wet form of MC. He is really young to have that problem. ~~ Glad to hear you are having nice weather there too. ~~ BTW Ive decided that I can always dig a new bed as long as there is any grass left! Sue is my inspiration on that front. LOL

    Honey, have a WONDERFUL time!!! Thanks for the Thomas Edison photo. I remember that one with the bee. What a beauty. I cant wait to see my hedgerow of Thomas Edison dahlias since everyone on this forum is planning on sending me some. LOL

    Eden, that wreath with the Easter basket sounds neat. Why wouldnt Bella have liked the one with the eggs and twigs? Did you see the fuchsia pics? LOL about collecting Hellebores now. Seems to me your garden is perfect for them. I found a really neat croton at HD yesterday so, of course had to buy it. Have you ever used them in your containers?

    Taryn, thanks for the message from EP. I sure miss her posts. ~~ It sounds like you were afflicted with the same "eat bad stuff" thing I had yesterday.LOL ~~ Thanks for asking about the Stairmaster fiasco. Im really, really sore. I must have wrenched my right arm and shoulder trying not to fall because it feels like I did way too much weight with an upper body workout and I cant lift my arm all the way over my head. Today it seems like it is getting better though. My left hip and knee are also in the sore category but not so bad I cant work out. What a drama. ~~ Love the pics. I couldnt find the reference as to what it is.

    Michelle, I really need to go and take lessons from you on getting projects done. You zip along at light speed. ~~ Yes indeed all except one of my City of Portland cannas were yellow last year. Sue liked it though. I left mine out for the frost last fall.

    Hi Drema, great to hear from you. I love your idea of an email newsletter to send out to keep people informed as to what is going on. That way if they dont read their emails that isnt your problem. I need to do the same. Too many people to keep in touch with and not enough time. BTW what is Orchidmania? Sure wish I could go with you.

    OK I really must get off this computer and get to the gym. Have a great day all.

    Deanne

  • Lara Noles
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Good Morning, It's raining cats and dogs here. We've been having thunderstorms all night. It's supposed to stay warm most of today and then we're supposed to get 60mph wind gusts this afternoon as a cold front comes in. After that we aren't looking to get warm weather again in the next couple of weeks. I want more days like yesterday! Grocery shopping's on my agenda for today and maybe a trip over to Goldner Walsh to check out the begonias and other tropicals.

    Hi Drema, I have the same problem of keeping the family all updated on what's going on. Wonder why that's automatically the mom's job? I hope Jen's hand surgery went well? I really wanted to uncover all of my beds too but knew more cold weather was coming so I left them all tucked in for another month or so. I can't wait for April to get here and we're almost half way there. I'm counting down the days. Cynthia is posting over on the other forum. I posted a reply to her last night over there.

    Babs. good news on your peepers and great news for Chris except the part about his "old" eyes. Your date sounds like it was lots of fun too. Brad and I always tried to get out and do something without the kids once a week or so when they were small.

    Honey, hope you have a fun and relaxing trip!

    Deanne, thanks for the fuschia pics. The size of those blooms are unbelievable. Can't wait to try that one this summer. I thought of you yesterday when I was at Telly's, the nursery that has the coleus standards. I saw one that looked like tilt-a-whirl that was about 2 1/2 to 3 ft tall and the "ball" was probably 12" in diameter. I was wishing I had my camera to take a picture of it for you. It was so cool.

    Martie, Bella ask me to send her regrets as her mom won't let her travel alone quite yet. She would have a ball at your party though and would probably eat lots of soil. Do you really have a recipe for lemon verbena cookies?

    Taryn, I did watch Desperate Housewives last night but it didn't hold my attention very well. I have a harder and harder time sitting down and watching any TV for an extended period these days though. There just doesn't seem to be much on that I'm interested in.

    I wish Norma and Ei would check in and let us know how they are. They've both been on my mind alot.

    Time for a cup of coffee. It's quit raining for the moment and the sky seems to be brightening. Have a good day everybody.

    Eden

  • Sue W (CT zone 6a)
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Good morning folks! Being on this mountain time is odd. I start sleeping poorly around 4 AM local time but don't want to get up so I wait til about 6:30 which is really 8:30 and much too late to stay in bed. Last night I forced myself to stay up til 10 to compensate.

    Anyhoo...I ordered stuff from Lazy S last year and was very pleased with the quality and size of plants. The only problem I had was they don't send plants hardened off and I like to start planting hardy plants early so I had to wait a bit.

    Martie, have you been contacted privately by lurkers from here before? How odd. In all the years I've been posting here that has never happened. I just must not be controversial enough I guess...lol. My back feels pretty good. The other people we ski with are intermediates and we all stay together so that slows me down quite a bit. Yesterday after skiing I took a walk around the neighborhood here then did my daily stretch routine. Hopefully that will help.

    Honey have fun on your trip!

    Deanne, great robin shots. I saw some around my place a few weeks ago. I love hearing them at dusk on summer nights. It's one of my favorite summer sounds. Tom and I went out to dinner last night to a place called Purple Sage. Delish! I had salmon grilled to perfection served creatively over black rice and covered with a gorgeous blue cheese sauce and fresh steamed asparagus. For an appetizer, plump grilled shrimp stuffed with jalepenos and wrapped in bacon with chili sauce. Dessert was almond cakes with fresh berries and chantilly cream. Hope I can fit into my pants by the end of the week...lol.

    Hi to everyone else. I have multiple choices of wireless networks in this condo but none of the open ones have great signal strenth so I'd better hit send before I disconnect and lose this whole post.

    Happy Monday!

    Sue

  • deanneart
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi guys another quick post. I've put the pics of the new painting up over on TGF if you want to take a peek.

    Eden, Ooooo.... wish you'd had your camera. I've really been wanting to try my hand at doing a standard with a coleus. Maybe I'll start one now. LOL

    Sue, ROTFLMAO!!! You are like a restaurant critic from the newspaper. I'm salivating over your dinner last night. Love the detailed descriptions. Glad to hear your back is doing Ok with the skiing.

    OK now I'm really going to get to the gym.

    Later
    Deanne

  • michelle_zone4
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Crappy day here. Windy and snowing. I started out for work but turned around. Rick did go in, but he doesnt have as far to go. Maybe Ill go later. They say we got 3-4" but we have drifts that are 2.5. Rick had to get the tractor with the snowblower out for only the 2nd time this winter. So Im sitting here on the computer sipping my cappachino.

    Sue, your meal sounds fabulous. We were in the Park City area last summer. We took I-80 home.

    Eden, the coleus standard sounds very cool. Ive seen some standards of the fancy leaf geraniums locally that were pretty cool too. I think that Bella has you and Brad wrapped around her little finger (the egg wreath) LOL Shes lucky to have such adoring grandparents.

    Martie, the seed starting party sounds like loads of fun. Several of the local nurseries here have different activities for kids, I cant wait to take Kenzie. In fact there is a nursery on a farm about 5 mi. from here called Grampas Fun Farm. Its got stuff for the kids to do while mom plant shops.

    Babs, I hope that this is our St. Pattys day snowstorm ;o) How nice that you and Chris found some time together (very important) and nice that it worked out for the boys to stay with your MIL.

    Honey, the Italian restaurant sounds like a very interesting place. I may have to look for Thomas Edison, yours is so pretty. I love the little bee in the picture too.

    Taryn, thanks, if there is any plant divisions that you want this spring or fall let me know.

    Deanne, your new faucet sounds lovely. Faucets arent just functional anymore. I checked out your fruit box and it is fabulous. I was sure fooled, I thought you had painted on tiles.

    Those of you who have nice weather enjoy it for me.

    Michelle

    Here's a few shots of whats blooming in my indoor garden.

    {{gwi:152073}}

    Rosebud geranium:
    {{gwi:152075}}

    View from my living room window this a.m.:
    {{gwi:152077}}

    This is the iris garden stake that I made last night. I might donate a couple of these to the school auction next month and maybe a couple of stepping stones.

    {{gwi:152079}}

  • Lara Noles
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I love the painted box project Deanne. Those grapes look like you could reach out a pick one. And I love the "tile" background and the paint technique on the box sides too. As always, beautiful job!

    Sue, your dinner out last night sounds delicious. I had to laugh when I read your "Happy Monday". Funny how when on vacation Monday's are the BEST day of the week. Have fun!

    It's still raining here and I've had to break out the wet vac in the basement and take care of a few leaks. On the good side since I got everything cleaned up and put on the shelves last week there's nothing on the floor to get wet which makes for easy cleanup. We're under tornado watch until 4pm. So far March has been a wet month, lots of thunder and lightning. Isn't lightning supposed to be good for the garden? I think I read somewhere that it puts nitrogen into the soil. I should be off to the store before we get the next round of weather, which is 60mph winds later today then a plunge into the 30s (close to 70F now). Gotta love Michigan weather. It's keeps you on your toes.

    Michelle, just saw your post. Please keep the snow out there and away from here. I say just take off the whole day. Beautiful geraniums and love the iris stake. I would love to find the time to learn to do stained glass. It's on my "someday" list of things to do.

    Eden

  • gardenbug
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Well the weather was interesting again today...warmish, enough to melt most of the snow and flood the creek once again. The hooded mergansers arrived on the pond and spent the day diving and showing off. Only two females and five males. Tonight is windy and tomorrow we expect white stuff once more.

    I heard from Monty and Cynthia, Chelone and Woody. Woody is busy working on another project. Chelone completed some sewing for herself (tablecloths etc...). Wonder where Janie is these days.

    I've been finishing up painting details in the kitchen. Should be done by the time the ceiling guys arrive next week.

    Would enjoy hearing about Mary's concert. Was it Martie who said she was tired of turtlenecks? I'd be lost without them. How else do you know what day of the week it is? Today is my bright pink one, to wake me up for Monday. ;-)

    Deanne, glad you sent off your project before the weekend. When is Doug's surgery?

    My computer is making clanking noises. Hope that doesn't mean bad things in the future!

    Early to bed I think. My brother brought me some "Cat Who" mysteries which are good reading for this empty brain tonight.

    Reading everything with interest but just can't compete!
    CHIRP!
    'bug

  • triple_creek
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi, everyone. Since I am to far behind to comment on everything, plese don't take it personally. I am interested in everyones posts. Most of all I want to tell Ei I am thinking of her and her sister. I hope you are holding up. I know its tough.

    It has been a long week here. My brothers memorial wasn't until Sat. To try to fill you in, he had many health problems. Diabetes and heart among them. His surgery though was for bladder and prostrate cancer, which the doctor felt confident he had taken care of. For some reason his kidneys shut down. Things just went wrong. He was on a ventilator and dyallisis for a week, he never came around. The results won't be known for another week. I just prayed that god would do what was right for him. I didn't want him to lead a miserable life. We were'nt especially close for many reasons, but he was my brother and I loved him. Thank you all for thinking about me.

    On a lighter note, I went to grandparents day at Wyatts daycare. It was good to see how he spends his day. We made decorated graham crackers with icing and candies etc. They recited what they were learning and sang some songs. Very cute. I was so impressed by a high school boy who came for his little sister in place of grandparents that couldn't be there. He really cared about her and it was touching. Wyatt came home with me and spent the night as his dad was having minor surgery that afternoon. The funny thing was that he was sleeping in the living room and I heard him crying softly around 4 am. I went and brought him back to bed with me and he slept until around 8:30. Later I asked him why he was crying. He said he thought there was a monster. I asked him if Rebel had been howling and he said "no it was the coffeepot!" LOL. It is on a timer and it does make some gosh awful noises. His older brother Jacob came home with us after the services Sat and stayed until tonite since he had no school today. So we have had some quality time with both of them this week. Its kind of nice to have them one at a time since it eliminates the ocassional squabbles and to much roudiness.

    Sunday it was so warm out and I needed some stress relief, so I spent the day cleaning up one garden bed. I can't believe how much growth my LA lillies have. They should'nt be up already should they? I just put them in last year so this is their first spring in the ground. I'm sure we will have some pretty cold weather again. Anyway, I guess there was something in the air because by nighttime my throat was sore and scratchy and I could hardly talk this morning. Allergies I guess. DS said he had a problem with his too. I think we neither one slept much last night and he called me at 2:30 am to warn us of a possible tornado in the area, and I was still awake. Fortunetly everything went north and south of us. Some people in the state weren't so lucky. Jacob gets pretty upset with storms so I think his dad was mainly checking on him.

    I know there were a couple of other things I wanted to say,but it is escaping me now. I will do better next time. Going to try to catch up on some of that sleep I lost last night. gnite, Norma

  • martieinct
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Norma: So good to her from you! It seems that time with the boys was just what you needed. It also seems that your brother passed just when he was supposed to.

    Deanne: Glad to know you've recovered from your Stairmaster calamity. It's why I stay away from exercise machines. The first time I tried one of those weights that you pull down on from over your head something snapped and it snapped me across the noggen. I'll take walking :-)

    Babs: Was thinking a lot about your boys' birthdays in relation to your Dad's dates. "And the seasons, they go round and round and the painted ponies go up and down ...." Can't remember all the rest of the words but like Norma's brother, this just seems right. Can they come on April 9???? :-)

    Eden: Bella can eat all the dirt she wants while she's here but it'll really be gingersnap crumbs. (A trick I learned long ago with Kyle while I was planting. I gave him his own "dirt" until he was about 18 months old.) For Lemon Verbena cookies I use a good shortbread recipe, add a touch more sugar than called for, and chop up fresh/frozen LV leaves for some ZAP. I then sprinkle the top with finely ground LV sugar, made the same way as Lavender sugar, and it's just enough. Yes, I am bad and use real butter for this one :-)

    Sue: Send dinner out east. Now. Glad you're enjoying yourself on a Monday!!

    Mary: Your iris stake is, well, Wow!! I've never seen anything like it. I'm not crafty except for things with fabric or roots and am truly envious of the projects that get done around here.

    Hoping Honey made it to Phoenix in one piece and is having an absolute blast.

    Must run and getagoing. Very, very foggy here and I have a trip to the Vermont border that will take longer than usual. This may be an extra cup of coffee (with thus obligatory extra b-room stop) trip so up and atta'm.

    Sending sunshine to everywhere there isn't..

    Martie

  • deanneart
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Good morning all, It is a wet 44 degrees this morning after a night of torrential rains that came with thunder storms. It seemed so strange to see lightening in March. That is really unusual for us here. We did need some rain so that was good timing. When I watched the weather last night I saw the storms heading this way and it looks like Marys area got nailed with these storms before they got here. I guess it is supposed to be warm for another couple days then another cold front coming through will bring winter weather back just in time for the beginning of spring.

    Thank you Michelle and Eden! Im so pleased you like the new painting. Ive got some plans to expand on this design and paint it on a tilt top table with some foliage in the background instead of just a blended background then add some additional fruit, a granite table edge in the foreground and put in that Monarch butterfly and maybe a few other things. Im stewing on the ideas right now and will wait until it comes together in my head before I try to paint it.

    Michelle, did you wind up going into work yesterday? I hope you just stayed safe at home. That snowy view out your window looks pretty cold. ~~ I love the photos of your geraniums especially that light pink one. That would look great with my hypoestes. Im going to have to pick up a few for myself this year. They seem so cheerful in the dreary weather. In fact, Ive seen some really nice geranium standards and think Im going to have to try my hand at that. ~~ Now, I absolutely LOVE your iris garden stake. How tall is that and so you sell them?

    Eden, You could easily do that faux finish that is on the sides of that box. I just layered several colors of paint including gold and textured it with saran wrap. Lots of fun to do and it doesnt take any time at all.~~ Bummer about the leaks in your basement but good that you didnt have anything damaged. ~~ Yes I do believe you are right that lightening fixes nitrogen in the atmosphere so it is good for the gardens. ~~ Did you wind up with that snow I saw on the weather radar last night?

    GB how great to hear from you! I can just see those mergansers on your pond. I love to watch these birds display in the spring. Doug and I saw a flock of Red-breasted Mergansers in a bay in Wiscassett, ME a few years ago and they were doing their spring courtship displays. Very interesting birds. I think Ive only see the Hooded a few times. ~~ Hope your computer doesnt quit on you. I hate it when machines start making alarming noises.

    Norma, thanks for checking in and Im glad to hear you and family are doing OK. Your time with Wyatt and Jacob sounds like fun.

    Martie, have a safe drive to VT today. I dont envy you that driving today. The fog here is pretty thick Oh yes, I absolutely love that Joni Mitchell song,

    Circle Game

    Yesterday a child came out to wonder
    Caught a dragonfly inside a jar
    Fearful when the sky was full of thunder
    And tearful at the falling of a star

    Then the child moved ten times round the seasons
    Skated over ten clear frozen streams
    Words like, when youre older, must appease him
    And promises of someday make his dreams

    And the seasons they go round and round
    And the painted ponies go up and down
    Were captive on the carousel of time
    We cant return we can only look behind
    From where we came
    And go round and round and round
    In the circle game

    Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now
    Cartwheels turn to car wheels thru the town
    And they tell him,
    Take your time, it wont be long now
    Till you drag your feet to slow the circles down

    And the seasons they go round and round
    And the painted ponies go up and down
    Were captive on the carousel of time
    We cant return we can only look behind
    From where we came
    And go round and round and round
    In the circle game

    So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty
    Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true
    Therell be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty
    Before the last revolving year is through

    And the seasons they go round and round
    And the painted ponies go up and down
    Were captive on the carousel of time
    We cant return, we can only look behind
    From where we came
    And go round and round and round
    In the circle game

    Have a great day all
    Deanne

  • Sue W (CT zone 6a)
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Idaho trout last night with dill whipped potatoes and grilled asparagus (asparagus is big out here). For dessert, a warm berry cobbler with a scoop of ice cream. Yes, meals out a cool places are a big part of vacation for me. We skied at Deer Valley yesterday. It must be school vacation somewhere because the place was crawling with kids. So far the skiing has been cold and crowded. It snows almost all day and the temps won't budge out of the 20s. Last night was the first night it didn't snow since we've been here. I'll take the rainy 40s. Today we're off to Alta, about a 45 minute drive. It's only about 10 F right now-hope it warms up. I did take a dip in the hot tub yesterday after skiing. You appreciate it alot in this weather.

    Hi Norma, nice to hear from you. It sounds like Martie summed it up perfectly and your brother did go when he needed to. Glad to could have the time with your grandsons.

    Hi Marie! Say hello to all the lost idyllers for me.

    Brrr, Michelle. Neat stained glass. We have so many crafty people here. Deanne, I checked out your painted box-very nice as usual.

    Ooooh, the sun is out. Maybe it will be out on the mountain too.

    Happy Tuesday (it's how I keep track, Eden...lol),

    Sue

  • babs_clare
    Original Author
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi guys....hey remember when we really had guys here? I wonder what happened to them.

    SO I kept thinking of any GW midwesterners yesterday and was stunned that so many tornadoes hit there. Am I right that Michelle,V,and Ei were north enough not to get the very hazardous weather(besides those heavy winds)? I wondered how Marian was and EP-then again I wasn't looking at a map so hopefully they were not affected. Norma-I'm relieved that the tornado stuff went around you.

    It's good to hear back from you Norma-we had all been thinking of you these last couple days. Having Wyatt overnight was such a good diversion for you. He just sounds so sweet about how he was afraid of the monster: ). Coffeemakers ARE scary sounding things lol. I understand about the benefit of having individual time with your grandkids-my kids also tend to feed off each other when they get riled up. Surprisingly my mom is always willing to watch them despite that lol.
    What happened to your brother sounds so sad especially when you say that his passing was unexpected. As a kid and now, I could never imagine any of my siblings dying but I imagine it must be so hard to go through-even if the relationship is strained.

    Michelle that glass garden stake is beautiful! Is it from a kit or did you design that? I would so love to make one of those. I really like how the petals overlap. Fun!
    Wow you got some major snow! I was amazed yesterday to see that pic while we were having warm temps. Don't worry,we've joined you in the cold and now we're getting snow. I just loved the last few springy days.

    Deanne-that box is wonderful! I also thought those were actual tiles. Did you come up with that box design yourself or are you told what to create(as far as the tile idea goes)? I think you need to faux paint a *mosaic* next: ) : )
    Hopefully what should be landing in your mailbox soon will make up for my last comment lolol.
    Thanks for posting the lyrics-Ei will be proud of you!)

    Martie-the other interesting thing about my dad's dates and the kids bdays is that the whole time the kids knew my dad he wasn't able to verbalize(dementia) so that date connection really seems interesting. Aj had a very close bond despite Dad's limitations. AJ always mentions my dad's bday before I even realize it's coming up-so that's kind of cool. Also since he died on St. Pat's day we certainly won't forget him! He wasn't Irish but he thoroughly loved the holiday-it always makes me wonder if he somehow chose to leave on that day. That's such a great song.
    About the planting party-the boys would love it. They've been really interested in my seed starting efforts but being able to eat dirt would be a blast...Ryan would want to bring gummy worms; )

    Eden-sorry you had leaks: (. I was surprised that we didn't get the huge amounts of rain nor a large volume of thunderstorms-I think things started to fizzle out here after the midwest got it. How lucky that you got everything off the floor ahead of time. Aj was actually able to have track because the sky suddenly cleared! As soon as track ended the winds and rain came back-eerie!

    Ok I need to move some dust around..

    ~Babs

  • flowerluvr
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Morning! This will be short..my keyboard is on it's way out. Lol, I'll let you igure out what keys are not working ;)

    Just had to comment on a couple o things. Deanne, that box is gorgeous..wish I had some o your artistic talent! Love the robins, haven't seen any here yet.

    ((Norma)) Glad you checked in, you're in my thoughts. Just as I was reading about your "monster", Jim was brewing coee (have we iugured out one o the missing letters yet?) and ours sounds like a growling monster, too! Need to run some cleaner through it. Glad you got to spend some time with the boys. Very sweet about the high school boy coming to grandparent's day :)

    Michelle, your stake is just too cool!

    Mom is doing better, they had her up walking yesterday, and she may get out tomorrow.

    Okay, I'm going to cut this short...aggravating to try and think o words that don't use the bad keys :( New keyboard should be here tomorrow.
    Have a good day, all, and HOWDY to everyone I didn't comment to individually!
    Brenda

  • gardenbug
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    FOR BRENDA...and everyone else of course:

    Count every "F " in the following text:

    FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS...

    _________________________________________________________

    HOW MANY ?
    3?
    I'll add the answer later.

    Just back from taking the kittens to have their stitches out. They were not so sure they enjoyed the drive. The weather is nasty here, but the creek is going down a bit. The flurries have begun

    DH is installing a light next to the new phone. (NO FAX MACHINE! YEAH!) Now we'll be able to look in the phone book and read recipes at last! Such small details make a huge difference. :-)

    OK, here's the answer you were waiting for:
    WRONG, THERE ARE 6 -- no joke.
    READ IT AGAIN !
    Really, go Back and Try to find the 6 F's before you scroll down.

    The reasoning is:
    The brain cannot process "OF".
    Incredible or what? Go back and look again!!

    Anyone who counts all 6 "F's" on the
    first go is a genius.

    Three is normal, four is quite rare!
    Send this to your friends.
    It will drive them crazy! And keep them occupied for several minutes

    Now enjoy your day and do something creative and horticultural for yourself! (No, not taxes...)

  • triple_creek
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Gb, that is to weird. I just couldn't see the other three fs. I wanted to mention how much I liked your turkey pictures. Also thanks for the updates on Woody, Cynthia and Chelone. I miss them and try to look up their posts on the other forum when someone posts a link there. Otherwise I don't get over there to often. I was thinking of Woody on sunday when I was down on the ground pulling weeds and my pants legs were getting soaked. I should have had protective ones on like she wears, but the thing is I only went out to see what was growing and wound up working. Just can't pass up those stupid weeds. LOL, Seriously, the seasonal weeds are bad out there and producing their nasty seeds already. That really bugs me, knowing how many more weeds will show up if I don't get a handle on them.

    After our almost to warm weather over the weekend we are back to pretty chilly out there. I am glad though, because the daffs and other bulb flowers will last a little longer with cooler temps. This is one of those years when they all seemed to burst out together for a good show. I need to document where I want to add new ones next fall.

    Deanne, Your painted box is so neat. The dimension you create in your paintings is phenominal. Jacob first saw the redo of the laundry room this weekend and wanted to know who took the neat bird pictures. I was proud to say it was an internet friend of mine.
    I had to laugh when I saw he had rearranged a couple of nick nacks in the bathroom more to his liking though. He is quite creative.

    Martie, Jake would have loved one of your planting parties. He has always wanted to and still does like growing things. He was pointing out all sorts of things he thought I should try at walmart the other day. In fact he did convince me to buy a echinop because he thought it was so neat looking. I also bought him a box of wildflower seeds to scatter in an area beyond where they are trying to establish a new yard. Everything was destroyed last year with the big redo of their house. I'm not sure Wyatt will be into plants to much, he seems more tuned into playing ball and things.

    Marian, I had to laugh when you were telling about seperating the hypostes. I bought one of those same pots with just that in mind. I can't wait to see what you do with your new raised beds. Very creative of you to use what was on hand. The slabs will certainly help to contain your composted materials as well as much needed moisture. I am excited that I will have more of Jains iris bloom this year that were not developed enough last year. The red flax never did well for me here. I love the blue flax, it does reseed for me.

    Yeona , it was good to have a nice post from you. I am happy to hear that times are a little better for you. Sounds like you are pretty busy keeping up with the work though. Find some yard time too.

    I'm off to take care of the dryer and a few other chores. I was getting so frustrated yesterday when the dryer just wasn't getting the clothes dry. After venting several times about it, DH took a look and pointed out that I had it on a delicate cycle. Well duh!. I had forgotten that I put a good Jacket in there to freshen up a few days before. I'll be back later to catch up some more. Norma

  • just_t
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Good morning!

    These guys came by this morning for a walk through visit & to munch a bit. I thought I'd grab the camera & attempt to take a photo to share with you.

    {{gwi:152081}}

    Thinking of all.....
    T.

  • triple_creek
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    T, it looks like the elk herd is growing. The word must be out that your place is a safe haven. I wonder how many babies there will be this year. Are you getting any breaks from the rain?

    Brenda , good to hear your mom is doing better. I have an aunt in about the same situation right now.
    re cleaning the coffee pot, mine needs it too but it seems everytime I do that it goes out. So I just buy the cheap ones. I've had all kinds.
    To bad about the keyboard. How is the bedroom coming along?

    I have been so draggy today. I haven't accomplished anything, and DH is starting to get on my nerves looking over my shoulder all the time. I am ready for him to go back to work. I still have some loose ends to tie up in the laundry room, but just couldn't get into it today. Thats why I hate leaving a project before its finished. We have a bad track record on things like that.

    Babs, I sure hope Chris doesn't really have macular degeneration. It was nice you two could have a little one on one time. Its hard to find that time when raising kids. I know our son and DIL enjoy their time when we have both boys for a weekend now and then.
    I think some of our conversations here must overwhelm our guy friends, but I hope they check in and let us know how things are going with them. I enjoy reading their posts.

    Sue, sounds like you are enjoying vacation even with the cold weather. I hope the sun shines and warms your days a little. Your meals are sounding delish! I love asparagus. I am thinking of moving my patch . It really takes up to much space where it is. I need to put it in a more out of the way spot.
    Since I don't go out to work it is easy to lose track of what day it is around here.

    Honey, hoping you are having a great time with your friend. And soaking up some sun.

    GB are you replacing the ceiling in your kitchen?

    Eden , How did Bella like the new wreath? How nice that Brad was thinking of her seeing it when she comes in the mornings.
    Thanks so much for thinking of me this last week. I hope your weather clears up soon so you and Bella can get out more.

    Michelle, that iris stake is beautiful, and blue is my favorite color. I'm sure they would be a big hit at the auction. I' happy for you to be done with the drywall. It goes up fairly fast but I hate all the finishing part of it. It will be nice for Rick to have a nice spot of his own and give you more room in your garden shed. Your geraniums look so pretty. My red one has white ones mixed in the same pot and they were blooming nicely together this past week. For 25 cent throw aways plant last year they have given me much pleasure.

    Drema, did you get to Orchidmania yet? Good idea about the news letter. I usually get to anxious to clean up the beds too, but I have so many I just take my chances and do it when I can. Most of what I grow is pretty tough and if It gets nipped it usually comes back, although I am always disapointed if it does get nipped. Here though that can even happen in May.

    Taryn, so the boys liked the new house too? Did they pick rooms? I hope it all works out for you. Jacob is moving downstairs into his parents old bedroom and Wyatt will get Jacobs old room. They painted the walls beige in Jakes new room with a camo leaf border at the top. He got a new bunkbed with futon type lower bunk. It is turning out to be a neat room for him and his buddies to hang out in.

    DH has just made me a nice spinach salad and after me saying he was getting on my nerves I don't deserve it. But how nice. Going to go eat it. Later, N

  • michelle_zone4
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I didnt go in to work yesterday, but I sure wanted to. I hate using a vacation day for snow instead of gardening ;o) Deanne, would you like some of the variegated geranium cuttings? I could do some cuttings from the light pink also. The only pieces of stained glass that I have sold except for charity auctions are a couple of lamps. I rarely get around to doing as much as Id like to. The stake is 22" tall, but can be made any length.

    Sue sounds like she is enjoying herself. Quite something to stay so in touch while on vacation.

    Babs, I think the hormones were just too much for the guys LOL No kit, you can buy pattern books, but I usually draw up my own pattern.

    Norma, glad that you checked in. Ive been thinking about you. What fun to spend time with your grandsons. I got quite a chuckle about the monster. Now I know why I dont drink coffee! What a relief that you werent affected by the tornadoes.

    I got an "F" on the F quiz. I guess Im no genius :o) I did find 3.

    T, thats where youve been, chasing after the elk with your camera.

    Brenda, good to hear that your mom may be released.

    Have a good evening
    Michelle

  • gardenbug
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    The good and the bad...

    Bad: Marian has not been able to log in to this site since Sunday and has comments she would like to share with several of you. It must be awfully frustrating.

    GOOD: "It has returned to more seasonal temps here. My yard is bursting with blooms. My Daffodils and forsythia are outstanding, and the serviceberries are coming into full bloom."- Marian

    Norma, I am having a tongue and groove ceiling installed in our kitchen. Sleek and modern just doesn't work in an 1870s farmhouse! I hope it makes things look more homey and warm. I'll try and share a photo when things are DONE.

    'bug

  • just_t
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    The elk were back this evening.......grazing in the front yard. DH got to watch them for about 30 minutes until it got too dark to see them any longer.

    Here is a photo I took of the herd from our attic window.

    {{gwi:152083}}

    Sorry to just pop in and pop back out, but wanted to share with you the elk picture....sending good thoughts to all!

    T.

  • just_t
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Here the elk are from the living room window. (Nice porch railing? 2x4 and beam....some day there will be a lovely railing.....some day).

    I've left the photos big so it is easier to see the individual animals.....I hope they don't bog down anyone's computer and I'll take them down soon so others can load pictures to share without slowing down the page loading.

    {{gwi:152085}}
    T.

  • martieinct
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Good sunny but chilly morning!! I'm with Sue, I'd take the fog and 40's over 20's on a chair lift :-)

    The lurker has been cyberlly excommunicated. Three different email addresses (with the note "This Message Originated from Garden Web") went back to one IP address and that person is no longer going to be around. What some people will do to try and stir up their lives ....

    This needs to be VERY short so I'll send a huge Hello, Love the Pics, glad sad folks are feeling a bit better, and Very Special Invitation to Sue to join us at the kids seed planting party. LOL!!!!! Her mint tea would need to have some Annisette ?sp? from last year mixed in :-)

    Best to all ....

    Martie, heading off to put in the results of a Very Good Trip yesterday, and deleting Lazys's from my favorites after sending the order. No More!!! :-)

  • gardeningmary
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi everyone

    All well here, just busy. Hope to be back later to chat. I love the Elk!! Glad Sue is having fun dining (keep those descriptions coming!). Hope Marian can join us soon. Martie - what fun a Seed Starting party would be! Still thinking of Ei, Norma and others with challenges.

    The recital on Sunday went well. It was part of an Adult Chamber Music Workshop. Not all the groups elected to play, but I'm glad we did. We played the first movement of a late Mendlessohn Quartet. It wasn't perfectly flawless, but we gave it our best. Unfortunately DH was struck with a stomach bug that day and wasn't able to bring the kids down to listen. It would definitely have been fun to have the Idylls there instead!!

    have a good day

    Mary

  • deanneart
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Morning all,

    It is 34 degrees out this morning with some pretty strong winds. Im hoping we dont lose power again. I guess we are supposed to get below freezing by the end of the week with some snow on Friday. Ah well, it is March after all.

    How awful about the dam break and the rains in Hawaii. I was just watching the news and Kauai has received 25 inches of rain in the last five days and there is another storm coming in so no break in sight.

    Thanks to everyone for the nice feedback on the new painting. I appreciate your taking the time to look.

    Sue, that trout sounds divine and dill whipped potatoes, yum! I didnt realize you were going to ski at so many areas on your vacation. Thats pretty neat. So what was dinner last night? BTW did you and Tom ever figure out a place to put in a hot tub at home?

    Babs the box is made by a company in Wisconsin. The editor of the magazine had seen it at our annual convention last year and asked me if I would do my feature article on the piece. ~~ You are a hoot, mosaic? Not! ~~ So what is supposed to be landing in my mailbox? Inquiring minds would like to know. I did get a notice that the place in WA I ordered my fuchsias from has mailed out my order. Can you see me rubbing my hands in anticipation? I cant wait. Im hoping Doug can get my new lights set up soon because Ive got about three dozen coleus that are rooted and ready to be potted up and no place for them. Im finally going to be able to start some cuttings from the Pineapple Wizard this week. For some unknown reason they were really slow to grow and get going for me but theyve put on some nice growth in the last week since I got the new light bulbs.

    Brenda, hope you got a new keyboard so you are back in business. Glad to hear your Mom is doing better and that she might get out of the hospital today.

    Bug, how strange about the f thing. I saw the one at the end of the sentence but missed the two ofs at the beginning of the sentence. Even though I looked at it letter by letter four times. Very strange. ~~ Cant wait to see your finished kitchen. The tongue and groove ceiling will be perfect there. Will you paint it or stain it?

    Norma, how neat you are enjoying the bird photographs. That put a big smile on my face! Thanks. ~~ LOL about the clothes dryer. I hate it when I do something like that. ~~ LOL about your DH getting on your nerves. I so know what you mean. When Doug is on vacation if we dont have any specific plans I really dont like him hanging around and when he reads what Im typing over my shoulder it totally makes me crazy.

    Martie, glad to hear your trip to VT was successful and that your phantom emailer has been xd.

    T, great photos of the elk herd! How neat! I simply cannot imagine having a herd of anything browsing in my yard. Better you than I though. I cant imagine what theyd do to my gardens. So whats new? Weve been missing you here.

    Marian, I cant believe you are having log in problems again. What a pain. Hope you can figure out the problem soon.

    Michelle, yes Id love some cuttings from your geraniums. You can let me know what I have that youd like some of and Ill send them along with your Golden Tiara hosta when I dig that up. I was actually checking on that yesterday to see it any eyes are up yet but not yet. Soon though. So where are you going to use your iris stake?

    OK time to get out of here and get some exercise. Have a great day everyone.
    Deanne

  • Sue W (CT zone 6a)
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Good morning again! Im going to be smart and compose this message in Word because the internet connection is so unreliable and constantly disconnects with no warning. I think Im getting a variety of wireless networks because were in a condo. The only ones with a strong signal require a password. Were getting a snowstorm right nowwhiteout, maybe a foot predictedperfect timing, today is our day off. Deanne, Im convinced the bad weather is following me around the country..lol. Anyone in need of snow? Ill just fly in.

    Yesterday we enjoyed some beautiful sunny weather at Alta but with some hideous wind. Man, its always something. Utah is great for a ski vacation. There are many world class ski areas within a 45 minute drive of Salt Lake City. The ski jumps from the 2002 winter Olympics are behind the condo complex where were staying. I got a good look at them on my walk yesterday.

    OK, dinner last nightit took three tries before we could get a reservation. I cant believe how much the area has built up since we were here 11 years ago-new development everywhere and all high end homes and condos. We ended up going back to the place we had lunch on day one. I had tender shrimp served over a tasty tomato risotto. It was filling but not so much that I didnt have room to split a lemon ginger cheesecake with Tom. Tonight Im making shrimp stir fry over linguine for the group so were staying in.

    Martie, if kids will be present at your party just skip the tea for me altogether and crack open a bottle of winelol.

    Hi Mary, glad your recital went well. Its odd how some people have intermittent problems logging in here.

    Time to go rustle up some breakfast. Vacation is half over-how time flies.

    Enjoy your Wednesday!

    Sue

  • Jerri_OKC
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Idyll Alert! We are having grassfires all too close to the house. Please send positive thoughts and prayers towards OKC. DH and I rushed home in case we have to pack up the furbabies. They've shut down the interstate and even air traffic at the airforce base.

  • Lara Noles
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi, My pc died yesterday so I'm now Idylling from my new wireless laptop. I think it's going to take me a little while to get used to though. Just wanted to check in and say please stay safe Jerri.

    Eden

  • Marian_2
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hey all ....I'm back! Dum de dum dum.... I 'knew' iVillage didn't recognize capital letters in your username, but I didn't think it applied to your password! Well, it does! I do not know why I was logged out, because I have the site bookmarked with me logged in. Ofcourse the reason it would not log me back in was because I always put the capital on my password!

    Jerri, I am so glad you checked in. I have been worried about you, and was wanting to find out if you are okay.

    I have other things to say, but need to go back and read so I will make the appropriate comments. :-)

    Thanks, Marie , for passing along my message to you.

    Marian

  • gardenbug
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Jerri! Thinking of you and concerned! There's been no rain there for ever so long. We leave on the 31st for Bartlesville. Keep in touch and let us know what's up please.

  • gardeningmary
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hello everyone

    Jerri - I'll be thinking of you and watching the news. Let us know how things are if you can.

    Welcome back Marian!

    Deanne - your painted box is gorgeous and so clever. I've always loved tromp l'oeil effects. When I studied Art History illusion in painting and those great old pictures with curtains and violins hanging on doors were some of my favourites. I hope yours was fun to do. Has your package arrived?

    Brenda - so good to hear you Mum is doing better. She sounds quite a lady.

    Michelle - your Iris stake is just lovely. What a perfect flower to work in stained glass. My little neice is called Iris - some day I'd like to try something like that for her. I think at the moment though her chubby 2 year old hands would make short work of it!

    GB - I only found 3 F's. I love those sort of puzzles, even though I'm obviously very poor at them. Perhaps I should stick to Soduku.

    Martie - that lurker had too much time on their hands if they were emailing you from 3 addresses. Hope pressing the "block" button was satisfying.

    The weather here is horrible. We've had gale force winds, snow and the high tomorrow will be 34F. Its been down to the 20's at night - brrrr. I'm so glad I have my seeds to keep me sane. Growing up in England March really was Spring with daffodils in full bloom and things leafing out. I still expect Upstate NY to follow that timetable, and am disappointed each and every year.

    Tomorrow I'm leaving work early to attend the Rochester area Garden Show. I'm going to hear Pamela Harper speak, and to breathe in the sights and smells of soil and plants. I've also got my eye out for an Orchid. Annie's best friend has a birthday next week, and she has been begging her Mother for an Orchid. I thought it would be really cool for Annie to give her her first plant, and of course, I would have fun choosing it. Hope there are some nice Phals at the show.

    I'm feeling rather pleased with myself as I just cleaned the mountain of paperwork off my desk, filing everything in my file drawers. This is a bi-annual event at best, so I'm celebrating with a mid-week glass of wine. I have pulled pork in the oven, its been cooking at 265F since 9 AM and the smell is delicious. It will be a real stick-to-your- ribs meal with rice and beans, and coleslaw.

    I just have time to start a fire with the papers containing personal info before the boys get back from Karate.

    Best to all,

    Mary

  • babs_clare
    Original Author
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi Jerri good to see you,though how scary things sound!-please be safe! Let us know what happens when you can.

    Chris saw the retinal specialist today and he doesn't have macular degeneration!!!(thankfully though I kind of figured but wondered what else it could be). We had a funny moment when Chris told the Dr. that he was worried so he looked online for answers and the Dr. asked with genuine interest,"And what diagnosis did you come up with?" The Dr. smiled broadly and said "Nope!" when Chris told him MD. What Chris does have is called Foveal Telangectasis-ever hear of that one?
    It is an eye defect he's most likely had since birth that does cause leaking of blood vessels on the macular but it's definitely treatable should it progress.(I naturally have to google it and learn more; ) He goes back in 4 months to see if it progresses then he goes back every year if there are no changes.It's definitely something that needs to be watched. He has a grid chart for checking his vision for added distortion which he needs to do weekly.
    Chris is so relieved(me too). He doesn't have to change anything with diet or exercise so he's happy. They injected him with dye to get pics of the macular-he says it temporaryily makes your pee neon yellow lolol. Sorry I just knew you'd appreciate that; )
    Chris wants me to say he appreciates your good thoughts and wants to hug everybody he sees, so look out!I thought he was going to kiss the Dr.!(I wanted to lol)

    Today was such a big day-Ryan is now an official 5 year old: ). His party is on Sat.....I need to make a cake!! I did decide to make beef brisket for the dinner but the menu is still in planning stages.

    Deanne-yikes I hope your package arrives soon!
    You crack me up about Doug reading over your shoulder-I GET IRRITATED TOO with Chris lol. It's not like I'm typing juicey stuff but I tease I'm and tell him GO AWAY! lol

    GLad you're back Marian!

    Mary that's interesting how you are still on an England timetable for the seasons-what a disappointment it must be with what we get! How old were you when you first lived in the US?
    Hope your DH is feeling better by now. Hey if the idylls were closer we would have brought your kids to your performance for you! Glad it went well.

    I have some Googling to do...

    ~Babs

  • triple_creek
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Mary your dinner sounds yummy. Just what the cold weather calls for. Have fun at the garden show. Hope you will have a picture or two to share.
    I would love to attend one of your recitals.

    Jerri, I sure hope you and your house are safe. Let us know as soon as you can.

    GB, I like tongue and groove ceilings. I would like to do that in our basement.
    It amazes me that you have been so cold and snowy, yet your forsythia and daffs etc are not that far behind mine. Maybe it has more to do with day length than temp.

    Marian, I'm glad you figured the log in thing out.

    Eden, congrats on the new wireless laptop.

    We worked outside today on the swing arbor. It was our last warm day for awhile I think. I'm hoping tomorrow to cut back all my grasses and have a fire to burn up a lot of debris.
    I was just looking back through some pictures of last year to see what I had growing where. Its hard to believe that all the bare spots now will be so filled out again in a month or so.

    Have a good evening all. Norma

  • veronicastrum
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi idylls! I haven't read much at all of the current idyll but I will try to catch up tonight. Thought I'd better post in case I run out of steam before I'm done - a lot of reading to catch up on!

    A few quick notes. We spent Saturday morning burning about a third of our property - and as I type that I am hoping with all my heart that Jerri and her family are safe. Fire is such a strange creature; so helpful when it's under control but such a dangerous beast when it's not, and it can change its nature in less than the blink of an eye.

    Anyway, while we were burning the sandhill cranes were busy migrating. I started out trying to keep track, but in the end there were far too many. Literally hundreds of them passing over! There was a stiff wind out of the south, so it was ideal flying conditions for them.

    Then we had a bout of severe weather, with bad thunderstorms Sunday evening and night, and high winds Monday and Tuesday. No damage here, and my friends in Springfield, which was hit hard with two tornadoes, all came through safe and sound. But all the weather made the internet a bit trying to deal with. And today was quite busy at work.

    The good news is that most of my bulbs are starting to break through the ground! The bad news is we are supposed to get 6" of snow tonight and tomorrow. Yeah, you read that right - 6 inches! aaarrrrrgggghhh.

    Things have been busy at work, and I had a minor situation with a frosty coworker for a couple of days. I'm not too sure what caused the sudden chill, other than she happened to be very busy at a time when I wasn't quite as busy. But I think I thawed her out at lunch today, so tomorrow should be better. I just dislike it when you feel like you have to tiptoe around the office, you know?

    Okay, time to post and then do some emailing!

    TTYL,

    V.

  • triple_creek
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    V, happy to hear your friends escaped the tornados.
    I imagine things will green up fast where you have burned. Yes fire is tricky. I had a scary incident here several years ago. I am extremly cautious now.
    I used to work with a girl who could really fly off the handle, not usually at me and we were friends but it made for some difficult days. Glad I don't have to put up with it anymore. N

  • Sue W (CT zone 6a)
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Jerri, take care. I hope all stays well for you. All digits are crossed.

    Sue

  • michelle_zone4
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Evening everyone,

    Jerri, thinking of you - stay safe.

    Babs, that is great news, I am so happy for Chris. What a relief. A big happy birthday to Ryan.

    V, I think you are going to get our weather. We had a snowstorm on Monday and are expecting more tomorrow with wind I believe. Good to hear that you and friends were safe from the storms. Tiptoeing around the office, how well I know.

    Mary, LOL, Ive never lived in England and I still expect to have spring in March. Especially, after we have had such spring like weather. It is really hard to go back to snow. My DS was born in April 1982 and we had such a blizzard early that month that another gal I knew had to go to the hospital to deliver in the snowplow. How fun about the orchid.

    Marian, good to have you back.

    Eden, lucky you to have a new laptop.

    Deanne, I took more cuttings tonight and potted them up. Im also potting up some cuttings I took of Algerian ivy. It has a nice large glossy leaf. I also did some wintersowing tonight, so I really got my hands in the dirt. Ill wait a bit to send the cuttings as I want to include some of the light pink one. Ive started a shelf under the 8 light above my stained glass table. Ill be donating a couple of stakes to Ricks grandsons school auction.

    Martie, good to know that you were able to get rid of the emailer. Did GW help with it?

    Bug, the tongue and grove ceiling will be very neat.

    Does anyone grow Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate? I ordered seeds for a variegated one. It sounds neat.

    Thanks all for the nice comments on the garden stake. I think Ill work on another tonight.

    Michelle

  • Marian_2
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Mary, thanks for the info on the Movie "Crash" . I wouldn't have known that, and I sure don't want to see a "sick, sad film" ! You are so kind with your concern about my less than ideal marriages. I know I could make this one better if I were not chronically ailing. It 'colors' my entire being.

    Brenda, I bought a box of milled flax seed at WalMart tuesday, and some yogurt. I ate one container of yogurt for supper tonight , with a teaspoon of the flax in it. I like it. That is not surprising since I am the farm gal who loved to eat the fresh thrashed wheat ! Now I must remember to add it to other things. Between the healthy foodstuff, and Taryn's Lakota, I may end up being spry healthy old lady! LOL
    A very dear friend knows that I have a low opinion of my self and my looks, so she emailed me a great message entitled " Good Morning, Beautiful ! " It is sort of like what you said is inside you..." a tall and well built woman." Only with me it is a 'beautiful woman '.

    Deanne, those are really beautiful robin pics.
    It's funny, I don't remember being emotionally abused by my family. I also don't remember any close loving relationships either. I don't remember ever being told that I excelled at anything, or that I was special in any way. I do know I was very strong-willed, and was threatened ( more than once ), with being sent to a reform school!
    I guess I'd better not get into the waterplant business. I don't need another plant addiction! lol. I bought 2 more Phals Tues. They are quite differant than what I already had. One has miniature blooms. I also bought a bunch of bags of outdoor plants. I feel rather guilty spending money that way when I need to be getting Nolon to various Doctors.
    :-(

    LOL, Martie ! We warned you about those orchids! Wow! that's rather scary about the anonymous e-mailer. I sure hope you have put a stop to it.

    Babs, that is wonderful news about Chris's eyes. How great that it is not MD, and is a treatable condition.

    Teresa, those are great elk pictures, but I am so glad we don't have them here ! We have a herd of at least a dozen deer instead. :-(

    I guess Honey is still basking in the Phoenix heat, and Sue is shivering in the Utah cold !
    As for me... I am ready to call it a day!
    TTYAL
    Marian

  • deanneart
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Evening all,

    Jerri, Oh no! I surely hope you and yours stay safe! Sending positive thoughts your way. Id better check with my DS who lives in OKC. Ive been worried about her too. Those fires are just dreadful

    Sue, sounds like you are having a great time even though it has been really cold there. I used to love to ski but I dont think Id enjoy the frigid temps anymore. I dont seem to have as much tolerance for the cold weather as I used to. The weather here has turned cold again and is supposed to stay cold for then next five days or so. We got about an inch of snow this afternoon. Wah. Im so ready for spring

    Eden, bummer about your PC but good news about getting a laptop. Are you hooked up with a wireless connection? The good news is my fuchsia order came today and all the plants look really good. I cant wait to see all those new babies when they start blooming. The other good news is that Doug started setting up my second light cart in the basement for me today. Cool! When this one is full Im shut off. LOL

    Marian, the caps in the password thing caused me difficulties too. You are not alone. Glad you figured it out.

    Mary, so glad to hear that you enjoyed the recital. Im so sorry your DH wasnt able to attend. As I said, I wish Id been able to see you perform. ~~ So happy you like the new painting. Wish I enjoyed doing it but when I have to write instructions to things it really isnt fun anymore. Bummer. ~~ I also love those old tromp loeil with the violins oh the wooden doors. ~~ So what package are you guys talking about??? No package except what I ordered from the fuchsia place. ~~ Have a great time at the flower show. Wish I was close enough to join you.

    Babs, Woohoo!!! So very happy to hear that Chriss eye problem isnt MD. You guys must be breathing a huge sigh of relief. ~~ Happy birthday to Ryan.

    Norma, I so know what you mean about all those bare spaces filling in. I was looking at a few of my 05 photos and it amazes me how much grows in that space.

    V Im jealous of your Sandhill cranes! I love those birds and havent seen one for many years.

    Ok time to get myself into bed and get some sleep. Have a great evening all,

    Deanne

  • ccsuzy
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Prespring things to do - return to the Idylls again. Hello to everyone old and new. It's mid March and I think I really must hibernate in the fall/winter months. I think I disappeared early on last summer - too much going on and it's been a tough year for me. I shouldn't complain, I don't have near the problems or heartaches that some others here have (and my heart and thoughts go out to you all). But I guess when it's your own "backyard" so to speak, it seems very big and ugly.

    It's late so this is just a quick hello. I'll try to come more often, now that the sun is around more.

    Taryn, lovely house photos, so much promise there. Good luck with it.

    Deanne, I have a pine cone story also - once offered to pay my young boys a nickel for every two pine cones they picked up. It cost me over $30. I found out years later they even cleaned out the neighbor's yards. Needless to say, I never did that again, although there seemed to be a bumper crop that year and I don't think we've had that many since.

    Sue, I'm not much of a vacationer anymore either. Seems like for me it's a case of I do all the preparation and planning to go and all the work when there, and then all the packing up to come home and unpacking when we get home. It's just not very enjoyable that way and anymore I'd rather just stay home.

    Marian, I have always enjoyed your lengthy posts. It's nice that you recognize so many of us and comment. Makes us feel good. BTW, I too have one of those men who probably should have stayed single. Maybe I should have stayed single, also!

    Martie, hello, a note about bulbs and moles. I was told by a "mole doctor" (he came to the house and trapped them) that moles do NOT eat bulbs. It's the mice that run in the tunnels the moles create that eat the bulbs. I lost a large number of bulbs one year, and it was a year we fought mice all winter. That spring the mole runs were everywhere through the gardens.

    V - don't send that snow here, I don't want it. I'm ready for sun and warmth.

    I do have daffs and tulip bulbs up. Once again the clump of daffs I planted about 7 years ago (the year we had the mice eat the bulbs) have come up thick and with fat buds, but I wonder if they will bloom this year. Every year they get fat buds, and then the buds wither and die. I've never once seen them bloom, I don't even remember what they are supposed to look like. The hellebore is also blooming, the daylilies and iris are up.

    And I'm skipping the Flower and Patio show this year. Mom and I have gone for several years, but it's now $9 each to get in and $3 to park, not to mention the price of gas to get up there. So I'm saving my money for a small trip to the garden center later on.

    Thinking of you all!

    Suzy

  • martieinct
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Good March Wind Morning! 40mph and it's only 7a. Brief snow yesterday afternoon has not melted.

    The March winds doth blow,
    And we shall have snow,
    Then what will the Robin do then, poor thing?
    She'll sit on the byre,
    Quite near to the fire,
    And hide her head under her wing.

    - Author unknown and from childhood memory

    I feel about the same way but will stick with all the cold and wind in the world instead of Jerri's situation. Stay Safe!!!!

    Happy 5th Birthday to Ryan! What is your one big desire? Tell your Dad Yippee about his eyes.

    I didn't ask GW for help with the lurker and blocking the email addresses didn't help. It's way too easy to just create new ones. BUT -- with the help of one of Kyle's techie-wizard friends, I was able to block the IP address. Now it won't matter what the email address is. Done Deal!!!

    Marie: I, too, adore tongue in groove Anything! Rich did a ceiling with factory finished hardwood flooring once and it was a very cool look. Still loving your kitchen ...

    Deanne: The box is, well, something I would get in a heartbeat. Ever envious ... :-)

    V: Glad your frosty co-worker is thawing. Yet another good thing about being on the road is being able to get outta Dodge when stuff like that happens.

    Mary: Your concert sounds wonderful, perfection or not! In Springfield (Massachusetts, and they sent a huge donation to the Mayor of Springfield, IL yesterday as their "sister" city) the symphony has lunch-time concerts. It's the best deal in the State -- $12 for a 45 minute concert and then a really great box lunch to go. Respite like that is just right ...

    Sue: Keep the snow in Utah but bring back some of that food! Just guessing that you are as big a risotto fan as I am :-)

    Marian: LOL about the water gardening. You might remember my Papyrus dilemma. We weren't planning to do any new garden areas other than my nursery bed this year. WWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEeeLLLLLLLLLLLL, took a combination of all suggestions and got a 4' round preformed tub made of really thick plastic, about 10" deep (usually used for mixing cement by hand) and will be sinking it under a downspout and it will be planted. Hey, my friend, you enabled me with the Phals!! Turnabout is fair play. LOL

    Eden: Have a great time with your new toy!

    Suzy: It sounds like you faded out just when I came in. Good to "meet" you! We were told the same thing about moles vs. mice but I figure if the moles are gone so will be the tunnels. Thus, it won't matter what is munching -- the entrance and escape roots won't be there if there aren't any grubs for the moles to eat. Pretzel Logic at it's best, but I love bulbs ... Thanks for the reminder -- will keep traps out.

    Kinda pooped out this morning and need a second Cuppa to kick start the thinking process. Will be spending some time at the Hadley Garden Center in Hadley, MA. Walked in expecting not much -- instead found a to-die-for commercial greenhouse filled with healty, great plants. Also found begonia tubers I'd trialed about 6 years ago!! It's always fun to think I had something to do with a great plant coming to market. Yea, it's only happened three times in my life but I'll take it! Today will be talking to them about running some spots for their business but also mentioning (as a "donation") the New England Wildflower Society location in Whately. It's a bit out-of-the-box but we'll see what happens.

    Best to all.

    Mart

  • vegangirl
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hey everybody! A funny thing happened:-) I was cleaning out my email inbox which I haven't done for a l-o-o-n-g time and found the original welcome email from GardenWeb when I first joined! And there, lo and behold, was my password! So I am able to post again. Still probably won't post too often because of busyiness adn my very slow dial up.

    I can't remember everyone I want to comment to but do want to give my sympathy to Norma and all those with ill family and friends. SO happy about Chris and his better eye diagnosis!!

    Somebody said their first sign of spring was the return of the redwinged blackbirds and turkey vultures. Mine too!! They've been back here for about a week. Next I watch for chipping and field sparrows, brown thrasher and blue-gray gnatcatcher.

    We worked ALL DAY on woodwork yesterday. When we get this done, you all will hear me woo-hooing from T's to Chelone's.

    I hate having to tiptoe around people's feelings. With DH's family there used to be a lot of that! I finally decided if someone gives me the chill, I just flat out ask them what's wrong. Sometimes it turns out to be something totally unrelated to me like they have a headache or something and sometimes I have unknowingly said something that hurt them but it's better to get it out in the open, I think. His family are the world's worst communicators!!

    Jerri, you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    Marian, I always enjoy your posts as well as everybody elses.

    Deanne, the box is gorgeous! I admire your talent. And Michelle, the iris stake is goregeous too! I've enjoyed all the pictures posted:-)

    Daffodils are just starting to bloom here. The red maples aren't even blooming yet. a few things are peeping out of the ground-sedum, columbine, Dutch hyacinths. It won't be long:-)

    I know there are others I want to comment to but must run. DD and I are going to clean for my parents for a few hours this morning. Hope everyone has a nice day.

    VG

  • Sue W (CT zone 6a)
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Only two days of vacation left. Today were off to a ski area called Solitude. I sure hope the name is indicative of the crowd level. Yesterday we didnt ski and spent the afternoon having lunch and poking in shops. Lunch was at a place called Zoom. Its owned by Sundance, an area about 45 minutes away and namesake to the famous Sundance Film Festival that is held out here every year. I had a delectable salad of mixed greens sprinkled with crumbled blue cheese and tossed with a mild garlic vinaigrette dressing. For an entrée, a spinach pasta with sundried tomatoes, calamata olives and sausage in some sort of alfredo sauce. Great restaurants are everywhere here. We stayed in for dinner and I made shrimp stir fry from a pile of veggies I bought at Wild Oats. What a neat store.

    So far our pictures have come out crappy. Tom carries the camera around his neck under his jacket and the setting dial turns. I caught it the other day but we totally forgot to check it at Alta the other day and all the pictures look like they were taken during a white out. Too bad too because the views from the top at Alta are spectacular.

    Jerri, check in if you can.

    Hey Suzy! Hows the pup? Mine are with their "grandma" this week-my MIL. Yesterday I saw the most beautiful giant schnauzer in a car parked at a local mall. Take my dogs, pain them jet black and add about 70 or 80 pounds and you have one of these gorgeous creatures.

    Oh and I see VG is back too. Hi VG!

    So the weather is turning back to crap just in time for me to come home? Yesterday I picked up a warm and cozy fleece jacket at a ski shop that was having a 50% off sale. When youre me, you can never have enough fleecelol. Martie, I like your poem.

    Mary, enjoy the Rochester garden show. Boston is this week. I miss it just about every year because it always coincides with this vacation. Someone posted a really nice series of pictures of the show on the New England forum so at least I got a somewhat virtual tour.

    Babs, so glad Chris doesnt have MD. I bet thats a load off your mind. Happy BD to Ryan.

    Deanne I dont like to ski in frigid temps either. The reason we sold our house in VT was lack of use. By the time it was warm enough for me to enjoy skiing it was also time for early spring gardening. Guess what won out? Usually when we come out west its sunny and reasonably warm. I told Tom this is my last year. Next year Im going to rent a villa on some Carribean island.

    Allright then, time to rustle up some breakfast.

    Happy Thursday!

    Sue

  • chloehoover
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Ive been trying to read along but no time to post work has been a bear (retribution for my days off) and too tired at end of day to look at computer at home (sigh). . . .

    Quick comments Michelle I did notice that gorgeous garden stake before the photo came down just beautiful youre so talented. And of course, you too, Deanne that box looks so real! I am so envious of anyone whos artistic.

    Believe it or not theyve had a few brushfires here in the DC metro area the Maryland area yesterday and some small ones out in the Blue Ridge I guess we will actually be thankful for the rain/snow were supposed to get here tomorrow that should tamp things down. From last weekend almost 80 degrees to snow tomorrow! No "normal" Spring here this year.

    I hope youre okay, Jerri!! Stay safe.

    Teresa I missed the elk pics, whaaaa.

    Gardenbug tongue & groove ceiling should look smashing that lovely farmhouse kitchen. Cant wait to see pics. I had actually seen that "F" test before and so I could count the "fs" I personally think its that weve trained ourselves to not read every word in order to "speed read" so we skip over prepositions and "articles". .
    . .
    Sue, I cannot imagine a vacation without "food" experiences to me, when I go somewhere, I want to dine and wine you make me terribly hungry reading the lovely meals youve been having you and Deanne could both be food critics! Yum (so says the "desperate dieter"). I confess Ive never been a fan of skiing the family did it when I was a teenager & I was always the one who wanted to stay by the fire inside!

    Mary, Im envious of you hearing Pamela Harper speak I admire her tremendously and shes such a fantastic writer I have all her books. I believe shes going to be at Winterthur later in the year, but the seminar is a bit pricey and I suspect I wont be able to cough the $$ up. I am hoping to go to a workshop locally in May on Clematis Raymond Evison is doing Im sure Im bound to pick up info I havent read or heard. Its a 6 hour workshop so there should be a lot of info given out. (& p.s. your dinners always sound so yummy! for several weeks after you had "lemon chicken roast" I was dreaming of it & looking for recipes finally had to given in & try one Id found). [as all can see, food is always a great occupier of my poor mind, if not flowers...]

    Babs thats great news about Chriss eye not good to have a condition that needs treatment but good that it isnt MD.

    Ok, I think this is the Year of the Dahlia!! I just happened to go by a stand at Costco and somehow 2 bags of Dahlia tubers leaped into my cart!!!! I just dont know how that happened but. . . . . And, Deanne, if you need another Thomas Edison for that hedgerow, let me know & Ill send you one! I guess one should never say Never about anything. . . .

    Eek I saw a rabbit last nite as I was pulling up in front of the house guess I better get out this weekend & put hardcloth around the clematis & other munch-ables.
    Welcome back Suzy & Vegangirl!! Maybe this is the Return of the Lost Idyllers!

    Martie - I think it's really cool how you combine a sales job and your "garden" love! Im very envious, altho I would make a terrible sales rep.

    Ok Ive snuck enuf time from work better hit the piles of paper.
    -Cindy

  • Lara Noles
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Good Morning, I think I'm getting a little used to the new laptop and I'm loving the wireless connection. It's cold here today but Bella and I may venture out later on an outing to buy her some new shoes. She has lots of shoes but none that have been professionally fitted and grandma thinks she needs a good pair of Stride Rights now that she's walking. She had her blood drawn Monday and we're still waiting for the results but the poor baby has a bruise on her arm where the needle went in. I got her a new babydoll for being a good girl at the Dr. and she's so cute feeding it a bottle and singing to it and then she'll do something like poke it in the eye or hit it in the head with the bottle, lol.

    Babs, I'm glad Chris got a good report on his eyes, what a relief and Happy 5th(?)birthday to Ryan. Whatcha got planned for his party this weekend?

    Michelle, I ordered the variegated KMOTGG seed this year too but haven't gotten around to starting it yet.

    More to say but no time now. I'll try to get back later.

    Eden

  • gardenbug
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    It is a sunny day...so nice!...but so cold too!

    I spent hours cleaning out the pantry, moving all those canning jars to the basement fruit cellar, pitching junk, organizing batteries and lightbulbs into baskets, etc. Then I found where the mice had been living! ****UGH**** DD had left a large bag of rice in the pantry that I didn't know about. The bag was empty but down in one corner of the floor behind some boxes there was a huge mess of rice and mouse evidence. Everything is hauled outside to the garage for the dump now and the floor is cleaned and my hands sanitized! It amazes me how many plastic grocery bags multiply in that little room, how many jars reproduce, how much junk expands there.

    Last night a lady drove by and Charlotte let me know someone had come. WOOF WOOF WOOF! She was selling aerial photos of our place. It was a good photo, but the deal started at $50 and frankly, I'd rather have my $50 for Idyllunion or plants, tree trimming or garden tools. I also dislike having those planes flying overhead so close while I am out there. Probably a good thing they can't hear what I am saying when they do!

    I hope to organize my huge collection of seeds this afternoon and dispose of the oldies and plan for the newbies. Need some soil mix first though. I have KMOTGG seeds from a couple of years ago...as well as the self seeders which show up each year. Never tried the variegated ones though.

    I hear Jerri is OK, which is a big relief to know!

    I too love Sue's food reports. I shouldn't read stuff like that though, makes me hungry.

    The kitties are all lounging in the sun and they sure look contented. I'd like to do that too, but there's more laundry and those seeds to deal with.

    May the sun always shine on your windowpane;
    May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;
    May the hand of a friend always be near you.

  • ccsuzy
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Morning all. It's a nasty 48 here, no sun, I want it to be sunny and warm, like NOW. I get so depressed in the dreary winter months.

    Sue, Cinders is just fine and dandy. He turned 8 years old on the 14th but acts like a 2 year old. Toy basket is overflowing and he loves them all. Last week there was an ad in the local paper - free to good home, registered miniature schnauzer. I'd have gone after it in a heartbeat if Cinders weren't so jealous. You should see the looks I get even if the cat sits on my lap! Honestly, he's such a big baby. I just don't think at this point he'd adjust to another dog and the attention it would get.

    We have a birthday coming here this week also - my youngest will be 18 on Saturday. I can't believe that he is that old. *sigh* I know I'm not that old.

    Nice to meet you too, Marti! I've resisted putting something down to kill grubs because of the beneficial worms, but my yard is a mess this year already and we may have to bite the bullet and do something. But I won't treat the flower beds, so maybe the worms can refuge there.

    Better go get something done around here.

    Suzy

  • babs_clare
    Original Author
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    YAY! good to see you back VG: )
    and Suzy too!

    I am in a rush so I can't comment now but I did hear from Ei regarding all your thoughts and prayers for her sister & family...

    Ei says: "I want (the idylls) to know how much I appreciate their kindness and support and what wonderful people I think they all are and to thank them all."

    Ei's got a rough road ahead helping her sister out so it might be a while before we hear from her. Regardless,we'll still be thinking of you and wishing the best for your sister,Ei!

    ~Babs

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