Floriferous Friday

I'll be a little quiet for the next couple of days or so... there's a post scheduled to appear Monday.

Have a wonderful weekend!

I've been watching these hyacinth bulbs Very Closely! :-)
Can you tell that Bulb #1 is beginning to bloom?

(This photo was taken Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010)

(taken Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010)

(taken Friday, Feb. 12, 2010)

Bulb #1 - taken 2/9/10

taken 2/11/10

taken 2/12/10

Bulb#2 - 2/9/10

taken 2/11/10

taken 2/12/10

Bulb#3 - 2/9/10

taken 2/11/10

taken 2/12/10

Now - a few other items worth the mention...

Speaking of "floriferous!" (Did I mention, Messy?)

Can you find the three new "branches" on this orchid?

Loaded Kalanchoe

Want to take one more look at the hyacinth?
Mr. Shady's instructions? (Something I thought I'd never say. ha.)
"Don't go too near the kitchen sink!"

As well as being floriferous, the hyacinths are "odiferous!" (Something that makes Mr. Shady sneeze!) ha.

Happy Valentine's Day, early! Enjoy your weekend. :-)This little vase was purchased in Stillwater, MN - a "Sisters' Weekend" a few years ago. :-)

D for Desiderata --- Daylilies!

Click on the logo below to visit Mrs. Nesbitt's Space.
This is her meme.
If you'd like to participate, or if you'd like to see who is...
visit her (after you read MY post!) ha.

(Madonna)

D is for Desiderata ---
D is for Daylilies!


(name unknown)

The following definition was taken from Wickipedia:
Desiderata (Latin for "desired things") is the plural form of desideratum.

(name unknown)

The Free Dictionary .com lists the definition as:
(besides being the plural form) "considered necessary or highly desired."


(name unknown- lost tag)


Desiderata
by Max Ehrmann

(H fulva 'Kwanzo')

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

(name unknown)

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.

(name unknown)

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,

(Pardon Me)

even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

(Fragrant Treasure)

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.

(Purple d'Oro)

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

(name unknown)

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

(name unknown)

Exercise caution in your business affairs,

(My Reggae Tiger)

for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;

(Strawberry Candy)

many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

(Rosy Returns)

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.

(name unknown - lost tag)

Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,

(Siloam Dream Baby)

it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

(Pretty in Pink)

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

(Summer Wine)

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

(name unknown - tag lost)

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

(name unknown)

You are a child of the universe

(Stella Supreme)

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

(Custard Candy)

Therefore be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive Him to be.

(Ed Brown)

And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

(Spiritual Corridor)

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

(Happy Returns)

(Can you believe I couldn't find a photo of 'Stella d'Oro?' or 'Miracle Maid.' Nor do I have yet a good photo of 'Startle' or the newest addition to the gardens (last Fall) 'Siloam Double Classic.')

Desiderata was in fact written around 1920 (although some say as early as 1906), and certainly copyrighted in 1927, by lawyer Max Ehrmann (1872-1945) based in Terre Haute, Indiana.

(name unknown)

Among the desiderata of your days, make sure you are taking time to Enjoy each of those things on your list. :-)

There Was Once a Little Orange Kitty....

A Winter-time saga with a happy ending!

There once was a little orange kitty,
we thought had been lost in the snow,


There's no longer reason for pity,
as to a wonderful home he did go.

On Monday morning, Chris' cleaning lady walked the snowy street in front of our yard and turned down our driveway. Right behind her hopped a cute little orange "tiger-striped" kitty. It turns out it must have been abandoned, because it belonged to no one that we knew.

The blanket I'd put out to warm him,
was ignored while he after me ran.

That colorful, crocheted little item
now warms our "guardian" snow man.

So, I took an old crocheted blanket and put it under their bush (where it had been hiding for the weekend, prior). It followed me home... and stayed the night under the deck that you can see below. Brrr.

Celebration! A friend of ours had earlier confided that he wanted a kitty. The kitty that he and his wife had for many years had died earlier, and he missed having one in the house. So I called him and today (Tuesday) he took her home with him.

We are ALL very happy!

I just thought you should know. :-)

Mr. Helping Hand May Inspire the Rest of Us

FYI: This was written Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. I just couldn't post right away, due to "circumstances." Enjoy!

Do you remember meeting Mr. Friendly? I met and introduced him in early January. If you'd like to refresh your memory, click on Mr. Friendly's name.



It's been rather nice to note that ever since his arrival, he's been "standing guard" in our front yard. However, recently it appeared that he'd begun suffering the ravages of the changing weather patterns... cold... warm... cold... warm... etc.



It seemed as though he'd decided to "hang up his hat," as it were. I got the impression he thought it was time to leave for that great Snowball Park in the Sky. He may yet be headed that direction, but I had to let you know what happened in our yard today.

Meet Mr. Friendly's neighbor-friend, Mr. Helping Hand.

Isn't it true that everyone can use a helping hand?

What a wonderful gesture. Not only has he come to the aid of his friend,

but he's come bearing gifts.

Here's a little fellow that looks interested in our Mr. Helping Hand's offering! Go ahead, little Junco. That's dessert! :-)

Nothing at all "shady" here! Just me and my buddies. :-)

Mish Mash Monday

Following suit with Monica's suggestion (Garden Faerie's Musings),
today's post covers a few different subjects.


Have you visited Randy and Meg Emmitt's site
Randy & Meg's Garden Paradise?

If not, you really should. Randy and Meg live in North Carolina. Randy is an avid and consummate photographer of a variety of garden flora (lots of subjects) and fauna (usually butterflies, dragon- and damselflies as well as birds) and a great provider of information about his subjects, as well! Can you tell I enjoy visiting their site?

At any rate, in January they received unusual Winter weather (as much of the country seems to be experiencing), including ice on the ponds that was even deep enough for a curling match!) See the January 10 post here. It's a riot! On January 12, Randy posted about a contest he was having. You MUST visit this post, so click here!

I entered his contest - after all, he was giving away his own creation -
Butterflies of the Carolinas & Virginias - Interactive CD!

And guess who won??
ME!
(I'm so happy!)
This is what it looks like...

I'm having a lot of fun with it, and maybe I'll even learn something!

On February 4, I took the following photos outdoors.

Since then, we've received a good covering of snow - with a forecast of 2 - 4" tomorrow (that being the forecast from the more conservative weather report). We'll see!

Below: Arum Italicum - still green... next to a small hypertufa planter. (Looks like the squirrels remain active!)

Helleborus Orientallis Spotted - planted LATE last Fall.

Another Helleborus (I forget which variety...)

Helleborus 'Brushstrokes'

The last subject of the day deals with the addition of a few more Mini-Greenhouses! An earlier post, January 10, 2010, dealt with creating and setting out the first batch of greenhouses. At the end of January, I set out six more... and here they are. :-)

Credit goes to Gail of Clay and Limestone for sending me seeds LAST Winter. I used most of them at that time, but there were a few more Tennessee Coneflower seeds that I just set out... hopefully they'll germinate. Jim Groble of illic est haud equus quoque mortuus barrou was SO kind as to have mailed me ligularia seeds recently! So... thanks so much to the two of you! I'm hoping not only that your seeds germinate and grow - but that mine will do the same! ha.
Can you see how the snowfall enters the jugs? This worked Very Well last year, so I'm excited to see how they work again this year. :-) Happy Looking Forward To Spring to YOU, too!