Last Day of 2006!! Yippee!! Good Riddance!!

Well I am glad to see this event filled year come to an end. I worked today at the candle store for 9 hours and I am exhausted. It was invigorating though. We (mom and me) made good progress. We finished getting down Christmas and changing scents and then putting up some Valentines Day stuff.

Roby is at work and Baylee is at Coys so I am just chillin with the dog. Don't know what I will do probably just sit down and rest in front of the tube or surf the net for fun.

We will be leaving to see Ben tomorrow and this time the dog is going too. Baylee will be staying with Grammy and Pepa. It will be nice to get away for a few days.

I will be looking forward to an awesome eventless 2007.

13 Things that annoy me

Just thought I would clear my mind and vent!! Feel free to join in! I saw this on another blog and thought I would make my own.

13 things that annoy me:

1. Liars- especially people who lie when there isn't even a reason to lie, they just lie for the sake of lying. Pathologically I guess.
2. People that are always late. Wasting my precious time. At least if you are going to be late try to contact the person who is waiting on you and let them know. This should not be hard with cell phones and all.
3. Foul language. I mean the real real bad stuff. It seems to be used too often these days just in casual conversation.
4. Takers!!! People that expect you to do for them but never seem to want/be able to do for you.
5. Excuses..... wow this is a big one.....if you can't or don't want to just say so dont make up an excuse, ( guess this could go in the lying category.)
6. Bad drivers.....i.e. people who want to run up on you bumper or speed around you when you are going the speed limit.
7. Snotty nose kids....I am talking about the ones that have not had their noses cleaned in a long time and then proceed to wipe it on whatever they see around them.
8. Lazy bums.... the ones that expect a handout and then refuse to lift a finger for it, like they deserve something for nothing.
9. Drunk Parents....especially the ones that give alcohol to their teenage kids or get drunk in front of them.
10. Cigarrettes....I just plain downright despise these and everything about them. But especially finding all the butts on the ground and walking thru a cloud of smoke to enter in a place of business.
11. Girls who where tight fitting short shirts with their big ole belly hanging over their jeans and they dont even care that they are showing it to the world and the world doesnt want to see it.
12. When someone doesn't return a phone call!!!
13. Overflowing trash cans! Come on how hard is it to take it out.

Wow! I feel better now. I cleared my chest. I could have kept going but thought I should keep it at 13. The lucky 13. hehehheeheehee!

Have a super day. I will go to something more positive tomorrow.

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas today. Enjoy those around you and cherish the moments.

A Buck!

Wow, this morning I saw a Buck out the kitchen window. It was just walking around grazing.

Yesterday I got some work in the yard done. The weather was 80 and sunny. I pulled down the passion vine and some of the moonflower vine and managed to trim up the crepe myrtle so it wouldnt block the sprinkler head. It was invigorating working out in the yard. I am going to piddle around today too.

I didn't get around to making Christmas cookies yet. There is one week until Christmas. I haven't wrapped any gifts.

We went to see the movie The Pursuit of Happyness. It was alright. I think I would rather read the book. It is probably much better.

April called yesterday and they are in Portland, Oregon. I think that is where they are going to stay. Too cold and wet for me.

10 days til Christmas

I am still working nonstop. I have to get in the Christmas Spirit. This weekend I hope to look at lights or make Christmas cookies. I need to do something of tradition. I am distracted. The weather is very warm. We need rain. I saw deer out of the kitchen window again yesterday. I love our home. It is like we are in the country but we are not.

Working nonstop!

Need a candle, need a plug in, we have been so busy!! Christmas time is awesome. Tree is finally all decorated! Almost half the gifts are bought. Christmas music! Car is in repair shop. I am driving a rental KIA! I need to be in the repair shop. Ben gets out of school for the Christmas break next week. Baylee has to go until the 22nd.

Saturday Morning BAH-humbug

I survived, however, the neck and back pain are getting worse as the day goes on. Unbelievable, this guy slammed into me this morning while I was waiting at the stop sign at Cromwell Marine Creek and Old Decatur Road. I was just waiting my turn and then boom!! a Ford F150 slammed into me. What a shocker, I guess I am not too good at dealing with wrecks because this rear ender shook me up quite a bit. Anyway, I am just glad Baylee was not in the car with me, she would be in deep pain right now. So now I am without a car and I have a busy work week ahead. Since there was ice this week and wrecks galore, I imagine it is going to take awhile to get it fixed. It is not drivable because the brake lights in the back do not work. I was surprised at the bumper being steel under the plastic. It is definitely a well built car, my Saturn would have crumpled if it had been hit like that.

Christmas MeMe, come play with me

Here it is Marcia, this was fun.

Christmas MeMe, come play with me!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Both

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?White!!

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No, but we should!

5. When do you put your decorations up? The week after Thanksgiving

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Dressing, crispy not mushy

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Coming to Fort Worth and visiting all my crazy relatives, staying up late and then waking up the next morning to a pile of people laying all over the floor and you could walk without stepping on someone. Family!! Gotta love um!

8. How and When did you learn the truth about Santa? Whats the truth? I love Santa, he is awesome.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Always, it is the Malone(my dad's family) tradition.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? With all the decorations our parents have given us and the children throughout the years

11.Snow, Love it or Dread it? Love it! But not ice. I love the Colorado type snow and only for a few days, I am more of a green grass girl!

12. Can you ice skate? No, I wish I could.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I love them all!

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Celebrating Jesus birth. Spending time with my awesome family!!

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Pistachio dessert that my mom makes. Once my cousin Paula and I took the whole dessert to the car when we were at my grandmas house and we ate the whole thing. We were so sick, but it was so yummy!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Playing who got the nut at Christmas breakfast so that we can see who opens the first gift and working the Christmas puzzle on the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

17. What tops your tree? A beautiful angel

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Both

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Silent Night by Aaron Neville

Doctor Day UGH

Today was the dreaded annual check up visit. The day all girls dread. In fact I do not know anyone who actually enjoys it. But yippee!! It is over. The report was good so far. Just have to wait for the test results. And I actually lost 5 pounds since last years annual. If I can do the same before nest years visit I will be real close to my goal weight. The weight I want to stay for the rest of my life. HA! I love being 40. Such freedom.
Anyway, after the doc visit I decided to celebrate and I went to the mall to buy me some winter clothes. There is a cold front coming thru, the first freeze of the year, so of course I needed some NEW winter threads. It was fun, there is just one item that I got the wrong size in and will have to exchange (which will probably cause me to buy something else while I am there).
It is downright hot and humid out there today. The cold front doesn't arrive until Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, but I am preparing for it and sad that all the beautiful flowers that are blooming in the garden will be gone by Friday. I am going to take some pix and maybe cut a few roses.
I actually hung the wreaths by on the front of the house by myself this year. With the new ribbons they look spectacular. Now I just need a couple of the electric candlesticks for the 2nd story windows. The tree is up but not decorated. I received my first Christmas card today from my dear friend Caren, boy she is on the ball.

More fun pictures from our trip

Family Shot

Scary Baylee in the bamboo!
Scary Spider in Bamboo
Fall Reflection

Thanksgiving Trip

We had a good trip to visit Ben in Houston. Baylee had to go shopping some and found a few good deals. We ate at the Cracker Barrel on Thanksgiving Day and it was nice. Roby fixed a few broken things in Ben's apartment and we both did a little cleaning. We went to see the movie Dejavu and it was good. We also managed to hike around at the Mercer Arboretum in Spring. Roby stopped on the side of the road and we picked up some pine cones for the front porch. My goodness they do have a lot of pine trees. It is strange to be right there by that huge city and yet step into the forest and it feels like you are a million miles from nowhere. It was awesome. I was exhausted after the drive home and crashed in bed until morning.

Mom's Birthday Party

We celebrated my mothers birthday this weekend. It was nice. We ate dinner at the new Steak and Shake in Lake Worth. The food and atmosphere was good. Ben came up from Houston and we were all excited to see him. Kylee and Luke had a great time as well. Overall it was a nice party. I wished it could have lasted longer but things come up. Baylee enjoyed playing with her cousins. The cake was so scrumptious. I just love Creme de la Creme. The fruit was so juicy and fresh.

Thanksgiving is this week and we are going to go to Houston and see Ben. I worked all day today at the candle store so I am exhausted even though it was nice to be occupied. My mind was full of delicious scents.

Work and Frustrations!!

Well, all that I have been doing is working and sleeping. How did my life get this way? I don't know. However, it is nice to have my days filled when life is so out of whack! But it will be great to have part of Thanksgiving week off. I am excited that we will be visiting Ben in Houston for Thanksgiving since he will be working on black friday this year. I am missing him more and more as time passes.
I do not know what to think about this cold weather. So sudden! I am going to curl up tonight in my blanket and watch some great television (I hope). I love The Office and Survivor.

I leave you with words from Tom Spencer, he describes how I feel at this moment in my life.
"I have found no discernable path out of grief. With every step, the way either opens, or is obscured. There is no predictable pattern, just the randomness of the everyday mixed with a sense of being lost."
I do not know what I am supposed to be doing. I have prayed, studied, discussed, meditated, gotten furiously angry, cried my eyes out, thrown my hands up, dug in the dirt, worked til exhaustion, cried some more, researched, talked til it hurts to talk, and I still don't know what I am supposed to be doing. I need to do more! How can I help someone who refuses help? How can I protect someone when someone stands in the way? I feel helpless, I need more education, more direction, I need something! BUT WHAT!

Look what I grew!

It was a beautiful morning. So after I returned from taking Baylee to school, the great outdoors called me. I decided to work on the side bed by the driveway. The potato vine was looking a little rough and it was time for it to go bye bye for the season. So I pulled it up and threw it over the side of the cliff. When I went back to spread out the dirt evenly I noticed a large purplish bulblike thing bulging from the ground. Here is a picture of it. It must have come from my potato vine, I guess I grew a potato the size of a cantalope. Haha! so funny looking. Anyway, I am not sure what to do with it. I wonder if I can store it for the winter and then plant it next year and get a potato vine. I am going to do some research and find out. Hot afternoon!

Pink Cosmos

I just love this view of my cosmos. They look like butterflies from my living room window. Yesterdays rain really helped the garden. Everything looks alive and happy. The colors are so vivid. What a beautiful fall day we have had today. The trees are beginning to change colors too. I hope we don't get a freeze anytime soon, I can't bear to see all the gorgeous fall blooms come to an end. I even have a daisy blooming today. Weatherman says it will be in the 80's for the next couple of days. I am going to try and make it to the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens this week and see if the Japanese Maples are changing color. This is such an exciting time of the year with Christmas just around the corner. I love it. I am shopping for our new Christmas tree. There are so many to choose from. I think I like the fir tree the best.

Saturday

I awoke so early all this week and was hoping for some extra rest since it is Saturday. Well, not my luck. I was bright eyed at 5am. Up to make coffee, and read the paper. Boswell lost the game. So sorry for those guys, I know they so wanted another win. Next week, big game, the first time ever, Boswell and Saginaw play. I hear it is gonna be standing room only.
I decided to do some laundry and then braved the great outdoors. It was quite nippy outside, but the lawn was in great need of a good mowing. Hopefully, the last mowing of the season. Ha! Wishful thinking, if this weather continues we will be mowing until January. It took forever to mow and blow, next year I need more flowers for sure. They are much less maintenance. The cosmos are absolutely gorgeous. And my mum gets more beautiful every day. I even had a Zephrine rose blooming on the arbor. I would like to cut down my lantanas to the ground but I am holding out for now. The ground is so dry, we need rain.
After I dropped Baylee off at her friends house, I went by to see mom at her garage sale. She had her first sale by herself today and made a killing. I am so glad for her because I didn't see much but it turned out to be a bundle. Goody!!! After she closed the sale at 2 we waited for Kylee and Luke, that never happened, the visit was cancelled after we waited 2 hours Kylee called and told us she couldn't come, her Daddy had to go somewhere. Bummer!! This is getting old. Anyways, so then mom and I watched a little tivo, Oprah, yipppee! It was doctor Oz. I like him, he taught us a lot. I want his book!
Then I left and Baylee called and wanted food. So I stopped at the Texas Pit (YUMYUM) and got us both a sliced brisket sandwich. More laundry. Check email. Remember Richie's Reception Jan 6. Work on Puzzle. Called and checked on Ben. He was having fun and too busy for me so he will call me back. Ha! I am reading a book I got from mom at the garage sale and I love it. It is about Lillian Carter spending time in the Peace Corps at the age of 67. What a lady! I love the book. It is a journal and letters from the time she spent in India in the middle 1960's. Away from Home: Letter to my family. So far it is wonderful. I think after this update, I am off to read again.
I just love relaxing on Saturday.

HaPpY hAlLoWeEn! Happy Birthday Aunt Sondra!

Hope everyone has a great trick or treat night. It is so fun to dress up and get free candy!!

We ventured out for an awesome birthday celebration yesterday. Aunt Sondra had her birthday at The Magic Time Machine. Always a fun place!! A definate escape from the real world. I posted a photo of Baylee and her cousin Morgan with our waiter, Willy Wonka. He was great at his job and earned an awesomely large tip! It is super to have a person wait on you that totally loves what he is doing. Anyway, great escape from the day to day monotony! Food was good too. Seleta bought an awesome cake. YUMMY!

Happy Halloween to all!!

Baylee's Beautiful Freshly Painted Room

I finally finished painting Baylee's Room. I have to say she did a great job picking the colors. At first I was thinking , "oh my, kinda bright" but now I think it is stunning. The colors fit Baylee perfect, so bright and shiny. It is always nice to have freshly painted walls (even though I absolutely abhor the task of doing it). Plus everything gets a good cleaning and some stuff gets thrown out. This is my get better soon gift to her. She has been thru a rough breakup and she says she is over it but I still wanted to do something special for her. She has been keeping busy with her girlfriends and that is good. Maybe tomorrow we will have time to carve our pumpkin.

Something to Ponder

My friend, Lisa, sent me this and it is definitely something to ponder....

Charles Schultz Philosophy

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners .

Here's another quiz....

See how you do on this one
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with .

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care .

Friends and Memories

Friday I went to La Madelines with Caren. It has been awhile since we got to meet up and be together. I so enjoyed it. We got to get together more often. I love my friends. Caren is so good to me. I wished we could of laughed more but I was so weighed down with the weeks soap opera drama that I probably needed a few more hours with her to really loosen up. The cappucino was okay and the creme brule was too sweet, so we shared her crossiant. Our time was over so soon because she had to go get Meredith from school. Next time I am hoping we can have a picnic at the Botanic Gardens. Peaceful and outdoors. She gave me some delicious halloween candy. Baylee and Lilann dipped into it too.

Last night I did my purses with Mom at Northeast Mall when the girls were looking around. It was nice to finish up that work for the month. Then I took Baylee, Laura, and Cassye to the last quarter of Boswell's football game. It was quite nippy out, great football weather, but I think the team was worn out. They were undefeated before last nights loss. Hopefully they will come back stronger next week. It is always nice to see the home team boys do good. I listened in the car while the girls were inside the game. It was interesting at how many memories popped in my head of when I was at Bos 22+ years ago. We had so much fun at the games. All of us hollering until we had no voices. Dancing around being goofy.

Memories.

I am just hanging out today. Mom stopped by to go to a garage sale on the street. And then Marcia stopped in and ended up locking her keys in the car. But that turned out nice because then Richard had to come over and bring the keys. So we got to see him too. Richard and Roby had a nice visit. Longtime friends and neighbors, we raised our kids next door to each other for their childhoods. So lucky to have great neighbors all those years!! Anyway, so I guess I should take a shower and make myself useful.

Beautiful Fall Mums

Here is the bargain buy from last year. Redenta's Garden was having their winter clearance. I saw this tiny mum in a 4" pot. No idea on the color. I came home put it in the ground and waa lah this is my surprise. Isn't it lovely and I only paid .25 for it. So be sure to look for those winter bargains in the garden shops. You may be able to save a plant and have a surprise next year.

Funny Potato Pun

Well, Girl Potato and Boy Potato had eyes for each other, and finally they got married, and had a little sweet potato, which they called 'Yam.' Of course, they wanted the best for Yam. When it was time, they told her about the facts of life. They warned her about going out and getting half-baked, so she wouldn't get accidentally mashed, and get a bad name for herself like 'Hot Potato,' and end up with a bunch of Tater Tots. Yam said not to worry, no Spud would get her into the sack and make a rotten potato out of her! But on the other hand she wouldn't stay home and become a Couch Potato either. She would get plenty of exercise so as not to be skinny like her Shoestring cousins. When she went off to Europe, Mr. and Mrs. Potato told Yam to watch out for the hard-boiled guys from Ireland. And the greasy guys from France called the French Fries. And when she went out west, to watch out for the Indians so she wouldn't get scalloped. Yam said she would stay on the straight and narrow and wouldn't associate with those high class Yukon Golds, or the ones from the other side of the tracks who advertise their trade on all the trucks that say, 'Frito Lay.' Mr. and Mrs. Potato sent Yam to Idaho P.U. (that's Potato University) so that when she graduated she'd really be in the Chips. But in spite of all they did for her, one-day Yam came home and announced she was going to marry Tom Brokaw. Tom Brokaw! Mr. and Mrs. Potato were very upset. They told Yam she couldn't possibly marry Tom Brokaw because he's just....... Are you ready for this? Are you sure? OK! Here it is!



A COMMON TATER

Passion vine

Something Beautiful!!!

Pansies

Well I chose a hot day in autumn to work in the yard. Mom bought me 2 flats of pansies. Thanks Mom!! Today is very humid and no breeze, but the weatherman said this afternoon it will all change, rain and coolness is on the way around 4pm. Texas weather, keeps us guessing. So that sent me to the garden. I dug out all the zinnias (boohoo, they were still pretty) and tossed them over the wall. Then I worked thru all the ants and roly pollies to work the dirt (found some nice juicy worms). The pansies started getting wilted as I worked. I pulled out a few other things that didn't perform well this summer and tossed them over too. So anyway, I worked up a sweat out there for over an hour and it is done. I will wait and see.

Life is as messy as gardening sometimes and this has been a week of mess for me. Everywhere I look there is some kind of problem. I think it must be the change of the seasons that makes people weird. Anyway, as I was working I was thinking of how when I don't like something in the garden it can be taken care of so easily, just ditch it and start over. Life is not like that, we have to work thru our problems. However, it does help to surround ourselves with beauty whether it is a sweet smelling rose or a sunny day or a good friend we have been missing. I am going to try and look at all the beauty around me and drown out the ugliness of this selfish world. I need some rose colored glasses. Anybody have some?

Forever Friends

Melissa is visiting this weekend. She is a hoot! The house is booming with laughter. Baylee and Melissa have been best of friends since Melissa arrived from Germany in the 2nd grade. They immediately were drawn to each other and it is fun to watch them grow up having each other to lean on.

Baylee + Melissa = Forever Friends!!








Here is my forever friend. She is always there for me. She comforts me when I am down, relaxes me when I am stressed, protects me when I am scared, walks me when I am lazy, and greets me when I come home. Lilann = adorable

Amazing Grace

I received a spray fragrance for my birthday called Amazing Grace. It is in a beautiful pink box and distributed by philosophy. This is what it states:
"how you climb up the mountain is just as important as how you get down the mountain. and, so it is with life, which for many of us becomes one big gigantic test followed by one big gigantic lesson. in the end, it all comes down to one word. grace. it's how you accept winning and losing, good luck and bad luck, the darkness and the light."

I am inspired by this thought. What a wonderful company. I can't wait to search out their other products. Oh yeah, the perfume smells great too.

Dad's Birthday

We celebrated my dad's 62nd birthday over the weekend. Baylee and I dressed in our grays for the spirit of the occasion. My neice, Kylee, and my nephew, Luke, loved the candles and balloons. I love parties especially when littles ones are there. Luke just loves balloons and he had 2 in each hand, then he went to lay down on his spiderman couch.

Love the Rain! Plant the Stock...

It is a wonderful rainy day and I just love it. Even better is that on Thursday we are expecting our 1st real cold front of the season. Yikes! It is supposed to dip down into the 40's.

Home Depot got in their stock. The yummy sweet smelling flowers of fall and spring. I planted 9 Sunday and gave 9 to mom. They are blooming and the front porch is smelling so sweet. With the ground being so moist I will be out working Friday in the yard. My zinnias are still holding up nicely and the cosmos have started blooming. I am hoping for fall color after the cold front hits.

Ben is coming for a visit this weekend. Yay! And Baylee's friend, Melissa, will be here too. It should be a full house. Love it.

Halloween Decorating

I was inspired by the newspaper photos yesterday to decorate for Halloween. So I gathered some things that I had from Halloweens past and made a small "scary" scene. Ha Ha He He !! It was fun. I needed to expend some of the creative side of me. Who knows I might find something else to add before Halloween actually arrives in 3 weeks.

The air is cool and brisk this morning. My feet actually got cold on the trip down the driveway to get the newspaper. Yippee! This is going to be a fabulous week for fall. I am really looking forward to it. I hope the colors start changing soon.

Autumn in New England

With all the heat that has come back to our fall days, I am longing for my 2004 trip to New England. So I have been looking thru some photos and thought I would share some. If you haven't experienced Autumn in New England you should find a way to get there soon. It is absolutely breathtaking. The photos are mostly from Vermont and New Hampshire and the actual colors were much brighter than the photos.

What are your memories of fall? Mine are the pumpkin patch field trip from my kids Elementary years, running thru the leaves in Botanic Gardens and throwing them all over each other and then my sister in law lost her wedding ring and we did not know it until we left. We developed the photos and saw where she last had the ring on and then went searching. Guess what? We found it. Amazing. Botanic Gardens in the fall is a beautiful place for a Saturday afternoon walk. I also think of the cool crisp air, the apple cider, caramel apples, pecan hunting on the Air Force Base Golf Course, hay that makes me sneeze, carnivals, carving pumpkins, roasting pumpkin seeds, leaves blowing the wind, acorns, squirrels gathering acorns, getting to wear sweaters again, halloween costumes, candy, camping, and pumpkin pie. Have a happy fall, when it comes back to visit before winter arrives.

Homecoming

Baylee went to her second Homecoming this past weekend. I have to say she is beautiful.

Moonflowers again

My moonflowers are going absolutely crazy now. Blooms all over. Here is a close up photograph of 2 blooms this evening. Be sure to get some seeds next spring and plant them, better yet I will see if there are any seeds on the vine to share and you can get them from me.

Wisteria

Just wanted to share some springtime beauty, my wisteria. It was beautiful in March!

Mulch

Yippee! I took lots of sinus medicine and nose spray then raced outside to do a little mulching. I managed to the work the beds that border the front brick stair walkway. It was in pretty good condition and quite moist which is surprising since we are in a drought and the rain has been sparse. I spread out 3 bags of Earthgro mulch from Home Depot. It took a little over an hour. I found a fire ant bed and treated it with amdro and some other poison. These little fellas have been fierce at our house this year. I believe they have completely covered the whole yard. They probably are just moving their homes around when I bother them. Oh well, winter is around the corner (cross my fingers) and they will go deep under the ground. The allergies kicked in again so I hit the shower.

Suggestion on where to get wildflower seeds.... there is a place outside of Fredericksburg, Texas, called Wildseed Farms, and they have an awesome seed collection. If you can't make it down there for a visit you can always visit their website www.wildseedfarms.com they are reasonable and their seeds always germinate well for me. It is a good idea to get them planted in Texas sometime in October or early November. However, last year I put them out in late February and still got a nice show.

Plant Poppies Now!!

If you want to have beautiful poppies like this in the spring be sure to get your poppy seeds in the ground soon. Poppy seeds are so so small, it is best just to scatter them out in a sunny location and then just ever so lightly cover them with bedding mix or compost. Aren't they beautiful!

Picture of my Moonflower

I finally figured out the picture thingy!! Now I can show some of my gardens! Yay.

Allergies!! UGH!

Allergies got me this weekend. Unbelievable! The beautiful fall weather arrives that I have been waiting so patiently for and so does my allergies. Burning, watery eyes, scratchy throat, drainage, sneezing, what can I say. I was only able to watch from the window because each attempt to cruise the gardens sent me running for the puffs. I think I emptied all but one box. I did go out early this morning and take some photos of the beautiful huge moonflowers on the arbor. I will attempt to post some. Oh, how I would love to start my cleaning of the beds. I need to go to the flower store and hunt down some pansies and mums. I need a load of compost. This weekend I can officially put out the pumpkins and fall decor! I just love the change of seasons. Feels like a new beginning. Oh guess what I found, my tomato plant from the summer somehow survived and it has a tomato on it. I hope I get to watch it ripen and then enjoy it before the mockingbird. The lawn needs mowing and edging. I am trying to get the guts to go out and do it but allergies. Do you think the neighbors will look at me strange if I am spotted mowing the lawn in a gas mask and sweats? Maybe they will think I am just trying out my Halloween costume. He He He!

Hardy Perennials

Susan, a friend of mine and my former neighbor of 18 years, asked me for some gardening advice. She wanted to know what she could put in the garden of her beautiful new home that would be hardy and easy to care for. I went out to my garden to explore what had survived the blistering hot, dry days of this summer. To me these would be the ones to try because if they survive 2006 then my goodness they are consider troopers in my book. So here is what I came up with as I explored. I will try to post some photos but I am having a little difficulty figuring out how to do that on this blog thing.

Feel free to add any plants that have survived in your garden, I am always looking for new suggestions as well.

Easy Texas Perennials

Salvia Greggi- full sun , height 3 ft and spread of 3 ft., blooms March- November, red, white, pink, purple, orange, the red performs the best but the others are great too. Great for hummingbirds and butterflies.

Texas Lantana- full sun or part sun, blooms orange, yellow, or pink, April-Nov, can spread up to 5 feet wide, don’t get this confused with the regular lantana, it must say texas lantana or Camara and Horrida

Pincushion Flower (scabosia)- butterfly blue and blooms continuously except for Jan and Feb, 2 ft., clumps, full sun to part shade, likes well drained soil, butterflies love it

Rosemary-full sun, 3 ft tall & spread, evergreen, needs well drained soil

Indigo Spires Salvia- Full Sun, 4ft X 4ft, blooms blue 18” spikes from April-Nov

Flame acanthus (Anisacanthus quadridus v. wrightii)-full sun, or part shade. bushy 3 ft tall and wide, blooms orange-red June-November, woody, cut to 6” at the end of season, Also called the hummingbird bush.

Russian Sage- full sun, 3 ft X 3ft, blooms a lavender blue from May to Oct

Yarrow-(achillea)- Full Sun, Partial Shade, 3ft x 2ft, blooms yellow, white, red, and pink from April-June, very drought tolerant, with nice fernlike foliage

Purple coneflower (Echinacea)-full sun, blooms purple or pink, height 2-3 ft, bloomtime April-Oct., excellent performer

Turks cap-Full Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade, 4 ft X 3ft, red blooms May-Nov

Texas gold columbine- partial to full shade, blooms yellow March-May, height 2ft,

Sundrops (Calylophus)-full sun, blooms yellow March-November, use in front of bed as a border, height 1 ft,

Verbena- again get the perennial one, I believe it is call Homestead Purple, front border plant, full sun or part shade, blooms March–Nov and grows 1ft by 2 ft.

The plants I have listed are very hardy but of course they all need good drainage. And remember to prepare your soil. Silvercreek materials has a great bedding mix that is very reasonable by the truck load. If you need their number let me know and I will find it. Happy gardening. Oh yeah, Planting in October is a good idea. Green Mamas on Davis Blvd and Stuarts Nursery in Weatherford carry these plants.

Happy Gardening!!

Great Gardening Time

Well Texans, the fall weather is on the way and you know what that means....perfect time to get those gardens in shape. Within the next month I hope to have worked the beds and put out the wildflower seeds for next spring. Today is a good breezy day to just look around the yard and make your to do list. I noticed my bradford pear tree is blooming, what is with that? Spring is not here. I have a feeling this drought is going to confuse more than just us on what to do, nature is confused. The coyotes were out this morning, howling and celebrating. It sounded like they caught their prey and had a feast. Aw, the circle of life, how difficult it is for the little guy, struggling to survive. Hakuna Matata!! No worries! Then boom a Coyote appears. Ooops!
I hope everyone is enjoying this fall like weather. My windows are up and the house is getting a much needed airing out while I do the Monday chores. Fall is fantastic. I can't wait for pumpkins!!!!

Rainy Day!!

Don't you just love a rainy day? I sure do, everything is so clean and perky. The flowers bloom brighter, the grass is greener, the pavement is free of dirt, and even the birds seem happier. This has been a wonderful gray day!

Baylee found her shoes for Homecoming, so cute too! Ben left to go back to his home and school in Houston. We enjoyed his surprise visit, even though it was short, it was nice to have him around. His laughter and great attitude brightens up the house. I am so proud of how successful he has been so far on his own. He even made the guest bed when he got up in the morning, something he never did even once when he lived here. I will miss him but we will do our regular text messaging.

This morning in the paper I read about the new book, For One More Day by Mitch Albom, coming out September 26th. I love his novels, and this one I hope is just as gripping as the others. I definitely know who I could chose to spend my "one more day with". It has been over 15 years since my sister in law was taken from our lives. I have missed her so, especially in the last year. I have needed her by my side to share life with me. She listened so well and had so much love that I can still feel it when I think about her today. She would have been able to direct me and help me understand life's bumps. Her son, Adison, is a wonderful young man and Gina would be so proud of him and how he grabs life by the horns. It is amazing how much he is like her even though he was only 2 when he last saw her. Yes, I would definitely want one more day with Gina. We would take the kids to the zoo or park and just play with them and have a wonderful day. We would go shopping at the mall to check out the latest styles. Gina was always awesome in keeping up with the styles and finding the bargains but yet sometimes splurging on the "got have it" item. Yes, we would have a wonderful day together!

I also read in the weekly review, first in a series on American Values, an excerpt from the book Baylee is now studying in sophomore English, To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch says to his daughter, Scout, "If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it". This is such a true statement. I think I will be looking for this in the paper weekly now because it seems to be an excellent commentary. It is so easy to judge one another when we don't really understand the core of what they have experienced.

This week will be a busy one, with work, school, gardening, birthdays, and just everyday stuff. Trying to take one day at a time and enjoy it to the fullest as the gift that it is, that is what I will be trying to do.

I did it!!

Well, Marcia you should be proud of me, I did it!! And it was easy just like you said. I am a lurker no more. I will try to be a good blogger!! I enjoyed our great talk today. It made me really miss the good ole days with my great neighbors on Parkhill Avenue.