Tuesday, November 25, 2008

This Should Have Been Sunday's Post!

Iowa State Flower - Wild Rose
photo taken July 2007

A friend sent me the following card.
Had I checked my e-mail Sunday,
this would have been the post.

State Flowers

Lovely flowers.
Look for yours!
:-)

Monday, November 24, 2008

(Please click on this link)
Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!

We have much to be thankful for.

I'm making four pumpkin pies this week for our Community Thanksgiving meal. It's about the best I can do, as my parents and our daughter and son-in-law and grandchildren will be here this week. My husband will be able to deliver meals until Our mealtime! :-)

May we be thankful, satisfied and need what we have. May we give what we can, share what we can and care and love the people around us. May we recognize the brevity of the time we have left on this earth, and may we be good stewards of both. And may we make life more enjoyable and beautiful for those whom we love as well as those in need. (For someday I, too, may be in need.)

Blessings.
SG.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Jardin a la Maison de Shady

Or some such thing as that... I took French in high school and college, but that's been WAY too long ago! :-)

Anyway, what I Really want to show you is the project I started at the end of the Summer and into the Fall.

This is a part of the yard that cannot grow grass. In fact, weeds don't even grow here! This picture was taken mid-August, when I just couldn't wait to start! Yes, spreading sand is premature. And I know you're supposed to dig down about 6 inches, make a base of gravel, and sand, but since the edges were already above the ground...

This is the Walkway that Shady's Making



These are the rocks that Shady got,
to go in the walkway she's making.
(In fact, this is load #2)



This is the Beginning -
Laying the Rocks that Shady got,

to Go in the Walkway She's Making.

At this point, I discovered the necessity of digging individual holes,
as each rock is a different thickness. And, believe me... they're
not going anywhere! :-)


Here are the Rocks,
In the Beginning,
Being Sorted and Spaced,
Laying the Rocks that Shady got,

to Go in the Walkway She's Making.




This is Mid-point, Past the Beginning -
Laying and Sinking
the Rocks that Shady got,

to go in the Walkway She's Making.

(Can you now tell why nothing grows here?
It is pure woodland clay soil, too.)



This is Mid-point,
(Photo October 25, 2008)
Past the Beginning -
Laying and Sinking

the Rocks that Shady got,

to go in the Walkway She's Making.





This is the leaf-raked photo,
Showing the Progress

(Photo November 18, 2008)
At the Mid-point,
Past the Beginning -
Laying and Sinking
the Rocks that Shady got,

to go in the Walkway She's Making.

Can you tell the need for checking the level?
Perhaps re-laying some of the rocks?
I may have to seek some help...
A few of those rocks are huge and heavy!

But not until Spring! :-)
SG

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Green Thumb Sunday

This is for Denny and Marty!

I just thought you might like to see what your "Christmas Cactus" is doing right now! Note the buds in the second photo! (I'm sure you're having a wonderful time! Can you bring a plant back from Hawaii?) ;-)
Click on the photos to enlarge them somewhat.

Meanwhile, back in Iowa... we're enjoying cold, windy days. Looking forward to a bit of sunshine tomorrow and Tuesday! :-)

Join Green Thumb Sunday here. Visit As the Garden Grows to see who else is posting today.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

NovemberGarden Blogger's Bloom Day

November 15, 2008!
(How did we arrive at this date, already?)

The little violet featured earlier is now in bloom. :-)


Enjoy this "GBBD" as hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens.
Have a nice day! :-)
SG



Thursday, November 13, 2008

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Through the Spring/Into the Fall

Featuring:
Viburnum burkwoodii 'Mohawk'
This photo was taken May 3. At the time,
I mentioned it's heady aroma!

My September 20 post showed its berries.

The following colorful photos were taken November 5.

This is why every season has its very special attributes. Hopefully I'll be watching the birds eat these berries before long. :-)