Category Archives: nature

May6

Walking path at the park

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Walking path, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

I decided to take a walk here today. I made it around twice (ouchie knees) as the wind almost blew me away. I did take my little camera but didn’t see any Bluebirds this time. They were just finishing cutting the grass and I had the place practically by myself. Pretty there isn’t it? I did 1/4 mile.
I made a few more stops-gas (never have filled the tank up in the Mariner since I got it); Goodwill to get rid of a few things and Big Lots. I wanted to go to another nursery but there wasn’t any place to park. I got home from Big Lots and my house keys were gone! I had to go all the way to Sean’s work and get his keys. I was hoping (praying to St. Anthony) that they would be inside the house, but I don’t see them anywhere. Thinking the cat pushed them someplace out of sight as I swear I don’t remember seeing them since yesterday. I called three places and the park lady is calling the police to see if anyone turns them in . I just hope they weren’t in the driveway and someone got them. Brian is at his dad’s tonight, so he may have a set for me. Crossing fingers.
May go to a plant sale at Brandywine River Museum tomorrow or Sunday. They have unusual plants, but a bit pricey.
Have a great Mother’s Day my fellow moms!

View of New Garden Township building in the distance
Our township building
Pavillion in grassy area
White Dogwood

May2

Dianne loves Coleus…and shopping for plants

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Dianne loves Coleus, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

Brian was kind enough to take me on a little excursion up in lower Lancaster County plant farm. Such a pretty area! We cross from our county Chester to Lancaster over the Octoraro Reservoir.
Octoraro Reservoir
It was in the 60s, but not really sunny. We had a good time looking in the greenhouses and looking at about half of the perennials-I think there were 20 rows of them! I only bought a couple as I want to do a little more research on the ones I really want. It’s nice they offer two sizes- a $2.49 pot and the bigger one to see if you like it I guess. I did buy one apricot color iris and a few other perennials.
Some of my plant haul
We then went down the road a bit to a flea market.
Nottingham Flea Market
The place is poorly lit and the prices were a bit high. I found a Snowbabies music box-it sure looks like one and I got this strawberry ceramic ‘house’ that went right in the gnome and fairy garden-she gave them to us for $5. The music box was really dirty and I had to dunk the top in soapy water and sand off the old glitter. The one baby came off and he got a bath. It looks like new again and plays ‘Twinkle, Twinkle..little star’.
Snowbabies music box
We came home and grilled up steak, chicken and hot dogs, some for other meals. I made homemade mac and cheese with chives and a variety of cheeses. We had a nice day and it was especially meaningful when we heard that Bin Laden was deceased. It’s about time!

Mar20

Plant flowers for the bees

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Chocolate Sunflower with Bee, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

When you go to buy your flowers and seeds, remember the bees. We need them more than most people realize! They pollinate the veggies in the gardens for one thing. Unfortunately they are dying and we need to help them anyway we can. I am happy to say I saw more bees than any other insects (maybe not skeeters) last year, but I feel they love the flowers I plant and also most of my perennials. They love red and even flowers that that have more that one color (variegated) because they use the stripes as ‘landing pads’. Be a keeper of bees in any way you can.

Dec19

A peek of Christmas

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Brian did some outdoor shots last night-some with a tripod, some not. I like this one of the front bay window and the tree showing.
Star lights line the walkway
These are the new ‘moving’ (inside) stars along the sidewalk.
Wreath sparkles in the spotlight
This is a wreath I got at Big*Lots that was about $7, but originally close to $30 if I remember. The gold bow was added on. I never pay full retail if I can help it. : )
Snowflakes
These snowflakes are pretty!
White, blue and aqua lights grace the hedges
Extreme long shot of the house.
Fallen tree covered with snow
Brian thought this was interesting as the snow is mainly on this dead tree out back.
And last but not least-chocolate chip cookies!
First batch of cookies-chocolate chips
These were the last batch, so not as many chocolate chips.
Crinkle Sugar Cookies were made tonight and Sour Cream Drops with the burnt butter icing tomorrow!

Jul23

Photo Hunt-Hanging

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Huge shark, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

I could have used a hanging basket here as I have tons of photos of them. I always look at my Flickr photostream and do a search. I came across ‘Mr. Shark’, who was seen in the Shipwreck Museum in Fenwick Island, DE. I just saw him a few weeks ago when we stopped in to see if there were any new exhibits (it’s free and you can take photos). Sure enough, he still was. I think many visitors miss him because you need to look up as he’s so close to the ceiling. And when you are done checking out the treasures, you can go downstairs and shop in Seashell City, one of the best souvenir places in the area.

Jun16

Late Spring plantings

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Best Pots of the year so far, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

I have these pots right near one of the seating areas outside. Seems the coleus like the dapples of sun they get here. I’ve have these black kettle flower pots for years. Besides Coleus, there are Pinwheel Zinnias, White Petunias and Blue Lobelia. I’m still potting up a few things and adding some annuals here and there for a surprise of color.
There are things that I’m not happy with-so much things are getting munched on and I have to spray here and there. Branches need trimming and don’t get me started on the weeding! I haven’t mulched. You think I would have learned to wait until the Chestnut trees dumps their catkins which are so messy. I wish we could get those trees cut back sometime.

Jun9

My front step welcomes you

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Front step, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

This is just one side of my step. The fuzzy plant under the birdhouse is new, really pretty and called Nicolletta (I have a friend named Nicolette-I should root her a piece!). I added a few Nasturtium seeds in with it. I also have a pot of pansies and that unnamed pink daisy like flower keeping it company. I have a pretty coleus and peachy begonia on the other side.
Splish Splash Coleus
Splish Splash
We are expecting much needed rain today. My mom needs to come out this way and hopefully get her very pricey hearing aid. Unfortunately she isn’t the only family member who is hard of hearing, so is Bri’s dad and Bri was tested to have slight loss. I’m blaming headphone use! Bri is going to the eye doctor today(we are still trying to figure out why he doesn’t feel well so much). Sean and him were playing a little baseball and he thinks he hurt his knee and is limping around now. The poor guy!
I am so looking forward to Thursday evening as my ‘new’ high school friend Lorin and I are going to see James Taylor and Carole King down in south Philly. She asked me back in January if I’d like to go and I said sure, so she gifted me with a ticket. Will give you a report. If I take my camera, you’ll probably see a little video if I can sneak one in. And maybe Lorin’s hubby can take one of both of us. He’s driving us as she can’t drive at night and I don’t drive to south Philly! I guess I could, but I can’t drive Lorin home.

Jun6

Pond Garden 2010

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First of all, yes, this in on a slight incline. : )



Pond Garden 2010, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

This is finally weeded and edged so it is now worthy of sharing a photo of it. The Japanese irises were just ‘so-so’ this year. The foliage they leave behind looks nice next to the pond. The Red Hot Pokers on the other hand are gorgeous!
Red hot poker plant
I have them in about 3 places around the yard. My mom said she’d like me to dig some up for her. They are actually the orange topped plants. The large bunch of plants in the foreground are Shasta Daisies. They have a bit of a disease on them like last year. I have some next to the overgrown (never trimmed) butterfly bush there on the left. There are some Pinwheel Zinnias and Red Salvia around the gazing ball and also some potted Lantana
Orange Lantana
and another with white Salvia and a peachy Diascia.
Apricot Diascia and White Salvia
I have a pot of two tone white and wine colored petunias hanging up
Two tone purple/white Petunias

and some yellow calibrachoas there too.
The double light is solar powered and flashes different colors at night-very cool. The pond lights all got new batteries but aren’t working well. I have one frog resident that I see. : )