Tag Archives: seedlings

Random Friday Five- (updated) snow, seedlings, girlscout cookies, yarn, abreva

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IMG_93821) What a difference a day makes. The above photo was yesterday. The lower photo is today.
This area is where my garden is. I look forward to when it will be filled with growing veggies.IMG_9417
edited in 2-28-2015
My husband was looking at my blog this morning and pointed out that the top snow picture isn’t exactly the same angle as the no-snow one. So I went through my photos from the 26th and was happy to find one that’s real close to the same area as the no-snow one.
So, here it is, the same areas one day apart.
It still fascinates how fast winter snow storms come and go.IMG_9367

IMG_94192) My basil has sprouted and is growing into happy little seedlings.

IMG_90373) With the help of our Grandson, we’ve polished off 5 boxes of girlscout cookies. We certainly enjoyed them.
I buy girlscout cookies from my great-niece who lives in a small town far away from me. I send extra money to have the cookies shipped to me. I love helping her whenever I can.
My problem runs into the Girlscouts of the area I live in. It’s tough to see the little girls in the cold and/or windy weather selling cookies outside some of the local businesses. They’re so pitiful shivering and calling out to passers-by to sell cookies. I respond to their beckonings by explaining to them that I’ve already bought cookies from my niece in another town.
*Here’s what I think might make it better for the girlscouts: I wish the girlscouts would offer a badge that I could buy with their troup number on it and the year I bought cookies from them. When the other troups see it, they’ll know I support Girlscouts and I’ve done bought cookies. Then they don’t have to leave a warm spot to call out for me to buy cookies. The Girlscouts could even switch colors or something on the badges every year so it’s recognizable by sight. Do you think badges would be a good idea?

IMG_92114) I went shopping for some green yarn to make another blanket (for a surprise-gift for a special someone) My husband saw some soft pearl yarn and thought it would make a pretty blanket too. So, now I have oodles of yarn to make 2 more nice soft blankets. I hope I can get them made before next winter.

0221151133-15) During the icy bout of cold weather we had, I had a fever blister break out on my top lip. I treated it with carmex for cold sores (camphor). It tastes awful and so when I saw a commercial for abreva, the fast acting treatment, as soon as we could get out the driveway to go to the store, I bought some. Wow, that stuff worked like a charm for me. I was almost totally healed up with in 2 days. It may not work for everyone and it’s quite pricey for the tiny tube, but to me, it was worth every dime.

I hope you all have a pleasant weekend of sunshine.clnflwrsds

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Monday Mix – 5-5-2014

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IMG_0639When I was growing up, I was taught to save buttons off old clothes just in case I might need them later on. Indeed over the years, old buttons has saved me money and time.
IMG_0624Well, this weekend, I learned something new and I’m going to share it with you… Awhile back, the slider part of the zipper in a pair of shorts broke. I had to order a pack of zipper sliders. I thought they were over-priced, but they’re still cheaper than buying new shorts. After I put the slider on the zipper and had the shorts ready to wear, it suddenly occurred to me that I should save the sliders off old pants or clothes that we’re going to throw away.  If I had been saving sliders over the years, I may not have had to buy any.  Cool, I learned something to help me in the future. (If I can remember it and it doesn’t slide out of my memory. lol 😉 )

IMG_06571 We got some more of our garden planted this weekend. I still have a few squash & cucumber seedlings to plant in the garden, but they’re not old enough yet. They need to put on some true leaves and grow a bit more.
Most folks plant squash and cucumber seeds directly in the garden and the seeds do great. Our garden is real contrary and doesn’t start squash and cucumber seeds well at all. I wish it did because it would make less work for me. Thankfully, after the seedlings are planted in the garden soil they’re usually productive.

IMG_0660We sure have enjoyed sitting on the porch these warm (windy) days. It’s so comforting watching the world turn luscious hues of green. I hope everyone had a good weekend. Here in our area, it was really nice. The temps got up into the high 80’s and the forecast looks good for the next few days.

I hope you all have a pleasant week.
🙂

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Beautiful Weekend for Gardening

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IMG_9162It was a beautiful weekend. The temps were in the 80’s and it was mostly sunny. The wind was gusting from time-to-time, but thankfully it wasn’t chilly.

IMG_9356My husband rotortillered the garden and got half of it planted. He planted onions, beans, potatoes, spinach and radishes.
I like his row markers. It’s bamboo with plastic golf balls on top.  🙂

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It rained last night and the temps are dropping, it’s  in the low 60’s today. It’s a gray dreary day. It’s not supposed to get below freezing or anything, but it might frost at night or get cold enough to nip or kill non-cold-tolerant plants/buds/blooms.

IMG_9348It’s officially Dogwood winter.
and we still have several little winters to go before warm weather sets in for the year.

The next few weeks will be up and down like this. This part of Spring usually costs home-gardeners dearly because they’ll be convinced the cold snaps are over and plant plants that aren’t cold tolerant and then lose them all with a frost. I’ve seen it happen so many times. It always makes me sad.
Some folks, like us, keep containers on hand to cover up any plants in the garden, during the colder nights that might frost or be cold enough to kill plants .
We try to be patient to plant, but it’s so very hard when the sun shines and the stirring of the need to be out digging in the soil overwhelms us.

Planting/starting seeds/seedlings in trays in the house helps curb some of my anxious need to plant in the garden during this ‘chancy’ time of the season. I tend the plants so carefully that I feel a bit like they’re my babies and I become over protective of them. I’ll keep them in the house during cold days and nights. When the days are warm I’ll tote them outside and set them on the porch. it’s a lot of work, but I need the exercise. lol
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I’m quite pleased with my seedlings. They’re healthy and happy. I transplanted them to bigger containers.
I took a photo before I wiped off their new cups, I hope you didn’t mind seeing a little dirt. lol
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I planted my basil and parsley in they’re permanent containers for season. They’ll be just fine growing in them during the Summer. I love having fresh herbs on hand. 🙂
IMG_9386I still need to wait for the peppers to grow some true leaves before I transplant them to a larger container.

It was a peach of a weekend. My husband and I look forward to more pleasant weather and gardening.

I hope you all had a pleasant weekend and was able to go outside and enjoy some soul refreshing sunshine and warm weather. 🙂  (except for Barb, I hope she’s enjoying some nice cool breezes and getting a much deserved break from the hot summer temps of Oz. 😉 )

Wishing you all a great week!
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Monday Mix – 4-7-2014

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IMG_8710The screech owl that my husband named Screech is still with us. I apologize for the photo but it was looking straight at me and I didn’t want to use the flash. I didn’t want to hurt it’s eyes. I’m surprised it’s still here. I figured it was just wintering over in our barn. But maybe this means it’s a girl and will have baby screechlettes sometime this summer. That would be so fun. It makes me smile just to think of it. If you click on it’s name, Screech, you can see better and clearer photos of it.

IMG_8767I hope everyone had a pleasant weekend. I also hope you was able to get out and enjoy some sunshine.
We had mostly sunny days and storms at night. Our temps varied from low 30’s to high 60’s. This time of year is so goofy that way.

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Don’t laugh… I harvested my first ever asparagus. I’m tickled pink about it. This is the 3rd year since I started the seed, so I picked it. Hopefully in a few days there will be a few more stalks ready for harvest and I’ll pick them and add them to these and cook them up for us to eat. I’ll let you know how that plan goes.
Okay you can laugh now. lol 😉

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My seedlings are coming along nicely. They look a little scraggly but soon I’ll transplant them into bigger containers and hopefully they’ll look stronger and healthy.

IMG_8738The flora and fauna are trying so hard to come out for the year. I discovered a ladybug in one of my pear tree photos. I guess it was trying to stay sheltered in the tree and weather out the storms.

IMG_8799Our pear trees are loosing they’re blooms now. I wish they’d keep them longer. There’s not much prettier tree than one in full bloom.

IMG_8781The dandelions are blooming everywhere. They require so little to survive and they’re quite cheerful.

IMG_8828And last but not least for this Monday mix
Here’s a sneak peek of the colors of yarn of a crochet project I started last week. Hopefully, I’ll finish it soon and then I’ll post a photo of the finished project.

Here’s wishing you all a lovely week of sunshine & smiles.
🙂3-spcbg

 

Sprouts & Blooms

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IMG_8679I’m happy to announce that my seeds of Spring have sprouted and are starting to grow. If they make it until they grow their first true leaves then pretty much they’ll grow sturdy until time to plant them in the garden. For now, I’m tickled-pink to have the sprouts. 🙂IMG_8678

Finally there’s some blooming going on in our yard.
The Bradford pear trees are gorgeous.IMG_8611The miniature grape hyacinths are scattered through out the yard.
The moles and squirrels have moved them all over the place.IMG_8654
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IMG_8637My big pink hyacinths are kind of curious. I planted the hyacinths in the middle of my peonies because I knew they’d bloom early then get yucky looking and the growing peony bushes would hide them. They’ve been in the same spot for over 10 years and the hyacinths have never reproduced. I looked online for an answer as to why, but I still can’t figure it out. So, I just enjoy them as they are and be happy with that.IMG_8641

🙂

Here’s wishing you all a beautiful sunshine filled week.

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