Category Archives: gardening

Aug13

Lefty day

Posted on Monday, August 13, 2007 by Dianne

Thanks to my pal Wendy for sending me this card from American Greeting online:

Last year I made this digital collage of famous left-handed people. My mom, older brother and I are in good company:
(clickable)

I just picked a ton of tomatoes and two more squash! The number is growing in a small way. Bri used the buzz saw to take down the rest of the apple tree. At first he didn’t think the cord would reach. Too bad he didn’t try it days ago instead of using a hand saw. Men can be so stubborn.
I woke up yesterday with a red left eye. I know I’ve been rubbing it, but it’s been getting red a lot lately. Also, my lashes on the top seem to bend down instead of curl up like the other eye. I may have a sty or just a bit of a saggy eye lid. I’m going to the eye doctor tomorrow afternoon to see what he says. I don’t like to not get my eyes checked out since my mom has had eye problems (and her mom too). Wish me well.
Getting ready for the two day trip to the beach. We vowed not to pack too much. I hope the van will do okay on this trip.

My mom (and Jim her boarder) went out to see my uncle yesterday and he’s doing well and even ate the entire steak meal she cooked for him. She said he’s thin, but his color is good. He’s really glad to be home.

Aug5

Another surprise!

Posted on Sunday, August 5, 2007 by Dianne

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A few years ago (pretty sure), I bought ‘dinner plate’ hibiscus seeds from an eBay seller. I actually raised about 4 little plants and planted them where I have the glads, irises and box hedges. Last year a plant came up and I was sure it was just a weed, so I snipped it off. I didn’t want to ruin the garden with a big, gangly weed! Sure enough, up it came again this year and some of my brain’s cobwebs cleared as I thought to myself, didn’t I plant a hibiscus here? Look what bloomed today!

I know what you are thinking-not quite the size of a dinner plate-more like a saucer! The link above considers these ‘hardy’ hibiscus and that they are a perennial. Check out all the buds (and you aren’t seeing all of them) and they are suppose to bloom until the first killing frost. The guys were visiting Pops and I ushered them out to see the blossom and hadn’t a Japanese beetle started to nibble it! Pops got my old cellphone as I am getting a flip phone in a few days.

Here’s what was for dinner last night:

Squash frittata-with a little turkey bacon, cheddar, fresh Italian parsley and basil thrown in!
Does this remind you of Little Miss Muffet?

Awesome Autumn Beauty Sunflower (background-8 power/ cable lines!)
I’ve getting so organized in certain ways (nesting because my baby bird is leaving maybe?). Last night I tidied up my photo files here on the computer. What a job and a half! I have lots of new folders and deleted things too. Today I tidied up a big pile of my ATC papers, etc. I am learning from my mom that you have to do this or you will forever be looking for one little thing like she is.
Tonight we are having a pot roast and some of the fresh green beans we raised.

Keep cool and hope for rain!

Aug4

Just had to share

Posted on Saturday, August 4, 2007 by Dianne

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I saved this little waterlily flower the other day. I purchased two waterlilies at Wally World a few months ago. They were suppose to be orange and yellow. I put the yellow one in the in ground pond and the orange one in my above ground container. They come in a mesh bag with the peat moss packed inside. In the middle are the waterlilies. First the smallish leaves appeared and that was it until a few days ago. I noticed the little flower head was still entrapped in the mesh. I stuck my hand in and it was free. In one day it was touching the surface. Today it opened! It’s more of a peachy color, but so pretty. I am lucky to get one or two blooms and this is the third I’ve gotten. The first two were from it’s neighbor plant and they were white:

My two buck Peace rose is blooming. It looks like it belongs on a wedding cake!

Here’s a trio of more pale yellow sunflowers. The deer left them alone in my yard but nibbled all my brother’s flowers and he lives in a well populated neighborhood and his were planted on a steep hill!

I’m not showing you the weeds of course, but the first cooler day, I’m out there with the weed wacker going to town. More photos from today will be added to Flickr on the right.

Aug3

Time for green beans!

Posted on Friday, August 3, 2007 by Dianne

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I went out after dinner and it was still really warm. I feel like I had somewhat of a workout bending and picking and mostly doing so with my left hand as I have my right hand wrapped up. These are almost perfect, no blemishes-I’d say about 2 or more pounds. I only planted 4 very short rows.
The only thing now we are having a hot, dry spell. I just think all that rain earlier in the summer is giving us a good harvest so far. Not sure how things will fare in the next few weeks. Bri planted cucumbers and they are coming along slowly. The yard long beans I planted a few weeks ago seem to be growing and attaching to the fence. I also picked some more tomatoes and 1 MORE SQUASH for those keeping count. I’m waiting on the next round for those. I only planted about 9 squash plants but they are huge.

I’m playing with my blog theme as you can see. Do you like this one or prefer the one I’ve had for a while?

Aug1

Say hello to my little friend

Posted on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 by Dianne

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The few times I ventured out today I was scolded by a catbird. Now I know they are usually very friendly birds and I have had a few sing to me as I rested in the chaise lounge, putting on a fine show and making me smile. So I figured there may be a young one around somewhere, but where?

After dinner I promised the kitty I’d take him out and he did ‘his usual’- walking, scratching, eating grass and sniffing. We neared a little spirea bush and I felt eyes on me. Sure enough, there was this little fella watching us while mom kept scolding us nearby. I was completely startled for some reason.

After tying Cos up, I ran in to get the camera and Sean followed me out. I took about 5 photos, probably dazed the poor little thing! I then got it in my head that he was way too close to the ground in this bush (like a few feet up) and that the neighborhood cat or some other critter would eat him as a snack. So I found a stick, hoping he would perch on it, but he just flapped his wings and hopped across the yard to the forsythia along the road. Cos was watching all this and went as far as he could on his harness, creeping along very low to the ground. Birdie must have found his roost as it was quiet once again.

Earlier, Bri came out and planted my three $2 (or so) rose bushes from the Kmart sale. He thinks they are too close together. By the time he planted, I tapped down the soil, found the rose food and watered them, I was pretty sticky. Bri went in the garden to weed around his ‘$15 peppers’ (that’s what I call them as that’s how much they cost) and he was just drenched to the skin. I think we are finally finished planting things! Now we’ll get a heat wave and dry weather so it will be harder on the new plants.

Sean goes for his first fillings ever tomorrow morning and wants me to come along. I hope my post nasal drip and itchy throat will be better by then. Major annoyance the last few days. My eyes have been red too. I was also a little grossed out by boneless turkey breast I had for dinner, it’s rather sticky, but I followed a recipe on the package and it was good! You dip the turkey in a soy sauce and lemon juice mixture. You are suppose to use scallions for the center of the roll-up, but all I had were chives. Stick them on wooden skewers and broil them for 6 minutes on each side.

I hope for a cooking break tomorrow, but I’m not counting on it.

Aug1

Comparsion of a garden

Posted on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 by Dianne

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Here’s my herb/flower/veggie bed in May:

Here’s the same space in June:

And at the end of July (where did my birdhouse go?):

Here’s what’s going on-I lost some of the bright pink Nicotiana that were doing so well, also a Lavender plant. Another Lavender is holding on by a thread. I’ve gotten some Roma Tomatoes, a green pepper and one green eggplant with two white ones almost ready to harvest. Herb wise the Basil is doing well as is the Italian parsley and Rosemary. I think I still have Dill. The Marigolds and Salvia really like this spot. The other plants in this well packed garden (made mainly to hide the ugly wore metal basement doors and for me to run out and snip herbs for cooking) are: Autumn Joy sedum, Sweet peas, a big pot of mostly petunias, some milkweed (and I am starting to see some happy Monarch butterflies who eat it) and a pretty perennial with a pink pom pom like flower-will look for it again!

Jul30

Yellow squash invasion

Posted on Monday, July 30, 2007 by Dianne

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I was just cruising recipe sites (this is bad as I own so many cookbooks but wasn’t in the mood to thumb through them today). About.com has several tempting recipes, but I was missing an ingredient or two, like sour cream for many of them or I didn’t feel like grating them. I settled on a Squash souffle-oui oui! It takes a little prep time, but I’m sure it will go fine with the shrimp I plan to have with it.

Chocolate squash bread is next!

Yum! It tasted like the creamed spinach (but with yellow squash) that Boston Market sells. Even the cat liked it!

My eyes are bothering me big time today when looking at a distance without my glasses. They felt grainy, so something is in the environment that is disturbing them or maybe I have eye strain. That may be why they look so puffy in the photo below.

I am thankful for the following foods (all frozen!): frozen biscuits, so good; Boston Market frozen entrees-we use to have one around here but it’s gone (I had the turkey medallions and mashed potatoes for lunch) and for Sean-Dippin’ Dots that are frozen treats. What are Dippin’ Dots (or similar name in the supermarket brand)?? They are pellets of ice cream in one little container. They can mix banana, strawberry, vanilla and chocolate ‘dots’ and you get-Banana split flavor! Those Dippin’ Dots places are big at the beach resorts and malls around here.

Look who else likes them!!!

So back to the squash, I see about 6 more ready to pick tonight! I better start freezing them! And if you are interested, I will share recipes and if you lived near me, I’d give you some! We have about 50+ green tomatoes, so you know what that means-yep, they’ll all get ripe at once! My green beans got pushed over by the heavy rains, but I do see little beans forming. To think I was leaving the veggies up to Brian. Dang.

Update-Look what I picked tonight-it’s a big bowl! I’m not telling you how many, but it was almost twice as much as the first time. I’m going to start a game-‘Guess the number of yellow squash from Dianne’s garden’. Really. Until the last one is harvested. And if you are the closest, you win a little prize from me. Woo hoo! Watch for a banner in my side bar.

Also picked were some green peppers, one Early Girl and several Roma tomatoes.

Jul27

Just in time

Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 by Dianne

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Whew! I harvested these yellow squash just a little while ago. We are having a much needed rainstorm go through right now. I have to watch the lightning, etc.

And then here are some ATCs I have been working on:

This is Flower lady. I found some sweet Victorian graphics on the web and added some neat flower tissue paper designs as her clothes and earrings.

This is a card with a little door (click on it to see it closed and opened):

Be sure to look at my Flickr photos for more ATCs and tons of other things. The link in my blog roll will take you to the tag page, a fun place to explore!
I still have to post my Photo Hunt and I think it’s a tough one this week.

Jul16

More travelin’

Posted on Monday, July 16, 2007 by Dianne

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We decided to help Sean move into his dorm next month. We originally were going to take a run up there at the end of this month and then he was going to fly solo in August. I just couldn’t see him doing all that, though we’ll have two cars heading there instead of one. When I moved in the dorm way back when, I had my mom and grandmom to help me. So he went to book a hotel room on campus and couldn’t get one. We have to drive 12 more miles and stay in a Holiday Inn in a small town up there. I’m glad we got that room!

And next month we are headed back to Fenwick Island, DE for a few days at this quiet beach community. I may bring along my mom if she is able to travel. She’s gotten herself in a BIG stew and I sure hope she can get out of it with the help of her kids and the friend that lives with her. I still think she needs to think about selling her house and moving into an assisted living place. They seem to be sprouting up all over the place. There are 4 nice ones I can think of within an hour of mom’s house. Her car is also on the blink. She was driving it with a bum air conditoner compressor and my brother the mechanic (who was away all last week) said it could have caught fire! She is also getting a new frig, and I plan to go on Wednesday to see what I can move out of the way so the delivery guy has room to breeze in and out of there quickly

I actually picked up the Nicholas Sparks book I put down months ago. I think it’s a bit wordy, but now that there is a new conflict, think I’ll finish it up. So many books, so little eye power. My brain is foggy and my eyes hurt today. Brian cut the grass over the weekend and all those catkin flowers from the chestnut trees are breaking down and I know they are getting to Bri and my sinuses.

I went outside to check out the tomatoes and pulled some weeds. I gave that up quickly as the humidity was making me sweat bullets. My coleus experiment is still going on. I have now planted 4 baby coleus in my one shade garden. I’m curious to see how well they do. To me they are plants that like pots, like geraniums.

Rory, from the Next Food Network Star show has me on her mailing list and I got an email to ask me to vote for her. I checked out how many people she sent it too-there must be 100s-I sure hope I don’t start getting lots of undesirable mail. Speaking of ‘that’ show-I can’t believe what happened last night. It’s Jag and Rory as the final two. Then they find out that Jag lied about being a culinary school graduate and serving in Afghanistan. He withdraws and now it’s Amy and Rory! I read where Rory is being compared to Rachael Ray- I can see that. Amy’s more like the Barefoot Contessa. I think both stand a fair chance of winning. I didn’t even know Susie the judge was expecting (she had a big belly last night!)

1st veggies of the garden-a Roma tomato and a green pepper though Bri said the pepper was on the plant when he bought it (cheater!)

Jul13

Zinnias for my grandmom

Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 by Dianne

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I grow these every year and it’s a bumper crop!

I wanted to add that I made some comments about someone’s looks today that I regret. No one is perfect on the outside, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. My little grandmom had very homely feet. But she stood on her poor little feet many an hour to cook us hot meals and suffered finding shoes that were comfortable for her. By the time she was an elderly lady she didn’t worry that much about her feet. So from a middle-aged, near-sighted, chubby, gap-toothed lady with some capped teeth and dyed hair-I wish you a good weekend! (I feel so much better)