To Do List–Done

18 Oct

Change:  No photographs for this post.

It is a cool/cold rainy fall afternoon and my To Do List preparing garden beds is done (being done is an illusion). As I dropped my checklist in the recycle bid, it occurred to me that the content was meaningful to answer the question of effort required to have perennial flower beds. They do need attention.

  1. Plant Lily of the Valley previously located near the bird feeder.
  2. Move day lily being choked out by lilac.
  3. Plant Joe Pyeweed potted from volunteers (It attracts butterflies.) I delivered 3 pots to Mom. Three pots filled the spot vacated by Maiden Grass.
  4. Plant large potted hostas. These divided into 8 plants and ended up back in their earlier site under the Locust tree with bulbs and day lilies.
  5. Plan for coneflowers. Remove from Kitchen/patio garden. Plant as screen for compost bin.
  6. Remove hydrangea next to bird bath. (I needed help with this.  Very heavy.)
  7. Pot anemones. (I thought they had choked themselves out.) Two dozen potted roots with buds of life are ready for some unknown future site.
  8. I retrieved about 60 pounds of my homemade compost. It has been supplemented with 400 pounds of commercially bagged compost.

200 pounds of compost is down and 200 pounds are still waiting on me!

On the road

4 Oct

Kentucky Artisan Center

This outstanding art center is conveniently located off of I-75 in Berea, KY.  It is an expansive building with many custom features.  High quality art pieces of different mediums are on display and for sale.  http://www.kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov/

Cafe dining

There is an excellent menu for the café.

Fresh Fall Flowers

Fresh flowers in the restroom is not just for high-end hotels.  I have never used sedum and asters as a cut flowers.  I believe I will now!

Fall Equinox (a day early)

22 Sep

Fall Equinox

This photo definitely captures the change from summer to fall.  Hydrangeas have bloomed profusely this summer.  The Autumn Joy Sedum is buzzing with bees on blooms that will darken during the shorter days and cooler temperatures.

B4 Pinterest

22 Sep

Before there was “Pinterest”, a new social media bulletin board for pinning images of interest to you and your group, I had my own “pin interest”.

Pinterest

What to do with those enamel pins that are collections, gifts, awards, remembrances, etc?  For years, like my earrings, I used and embroidery hoop with fabric stretched for pinning.  Some of these pins in my collection are rather heavy (especially the Disney ones).  Last year it occurred to me that stretched canvas would be sturdier.  The custom frame finishes my “story board”, “Pinterest”, other suggestions for a name?

Flower Power

18 Sep

These earring holder/displays remind me of “Flower Power” from the comedy variety show “Laugh In” broadcast in the early 1970s.  It was a thrill to find them on sale at Bed Bath and Beyond yesterday.  For years, I displayed earrings on lace stretched over an embroidery hoop….very easy to retrieve.  More recently each pair was stored in its own “cube” of an ice-cube tray.

Flower Power

The elongated mango wood bowl/tray was on sale at Target last year.  It is just right organizing bracelets.

Yes, there are a pair of trolls with rainbow hair.

Not shown:  the single earrings saved to decorate a miniature Christmas tree 🙂

Moonbeams & garden dreams 3

13 Sep

“Wings beating a ferocious tempo, the little bat swooped and circled, attracted no doubt by the heady scent and delicate white blooms of the honey suckle.”  by Mary Francis, June 9, 2001; Indianapolis Star.

Attracting bats did not win me over with the moon garden concept.  We have had a pair of huge raccoons at the bird feeder about 10 p.m. earlier this summer.

“The ultimate catch for a moon gardener is a luna moth, the gorgeous luminous green monster moth that loves the night.”

Campanella

Moonbeams and Garden Dreams 2

13 Sep

The metaphorical seed for a Moon garden was planted when reading Mary Francis’ article in the Indianapolis Star June 9, 2001.  The garden manifested in 2005.  It was designed and installed by Avon Gardens.  The entrance to the patio is from the master bedroom.  The golden quartz flagstone had the surprise quality of reflecting moonlight.  The plantings on the perimeter are all white.  Tulips, iris, perennial geraniums, lilies, White Swan coneflower, crab apple, …..

White Swan Coneflower

“One of the best things about moon gardens is that they lure us out at night to enjoy the fragrance of flowers that might be missed during the day.  When it’s 8 p.m. and the sun’s going down, the fragrances come up.  You miss them during the day.  There are rich aromas at night, Booher said, adding that sometimes strong sunlight can burn off the fragrance or winds during the day can carry away the scents.”

Oak Leaf Hydrangea

Moonbeams and Garden Dreams 1

11 Sep

It is 3 a.m. and usually bright outside.  It is the Full Harvest Moon. ( http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44475165 )  Ahhh, the full moon reflects on the golden quartz flagstone creating a soft glow.

The inspiration for the master bedroom patio came to me June 9, 2001, ten years ago.  Mary Francis wrote “Moonbeams and garden dreams” for the Indianapolis Star.  It was my introduction to moon gardens.  White flowers, silver and variegated foliage may be subtle by day, however they glow in moonlight.

Anemonies

” ‘The moon garden is all about illuminating the night,’ said Grimm, owner of Kids in Bloom, a local heirloom seed company.”

Bold White August flowers

“For some, the evening may be the best time to enjoy a garden__with long hours, some people rarely get to see the garden in daytime.  Why not plan for moonlight viewing?”  GREAT question!

White Chiffon Rose of Sharon

61

4 Sep

I just noticed that I have created 61 cards @ www.kodakgallery.com since April of 2007.  The accordion style cards are great for telling my short stories like CAP National Competition, rock climbing, Rambo or even a wedding announcement.  However, it looks like my winner (or most often used) is the basic customizable 5″X7″ single fold for birthdays.

The coincidence is that my 62nd card order is for a 1961 birth date.  🙂

Cupcakes say Happy Birthday!

Helping Hands Year 2

28 Aug

Simplicity 2228

Hot off the sewing machine are eight size 8 dresses of a light weight cotton.  Grossbain ribbon threads through the front and back to tie at the shoulders.

See & Sew B5592

These four size 7 dresses were completed first using fabric left over from last year’s project.  I prefer working with the batik print fabric.

Just say no the cat rug

Shelby takes his role as office assistant seriously.  He is on the board!  Cutting board.  More product will be revealed in future posts.

We are shipping to South Africa in December for delivery by “Helping Hands Touching Hearts” in January to Mozambique.

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