Summer

Its been so long.... sorry... Its been a very dry summer so far... lots of my flowers have dried up and the ones that are not are stunted in their growth... one good thing is I found a lot of deeply discounted flowers, trees and bushes .. people I guess are not buying as much or its the economy or the very hot, hot summer has caused people to not want to be outside!! I go out and try to rescue some of the plants with a little water... keeps them alive if nothing else! Later I will show some pictures of some of the discounted stuff I bought... perennials... they dont look great but I bet next year they will be beautiful.. there is always next year! ;) Ive been working on my rug hooking (a miracle) and have been really enjoying it!! I have not been to grant street alot this summer but hope to get up their soon.... its so much fun when you take the time to go!! Im working on my bunny and carrot rug designed by Pat Wenger ( talented artist extraordinaire)!! .. even though she wouldnt admit it.. shes way to humble!! Michael my son has gotten his first job this summer working at Leitersburg Cinemas.. they have re-opened and are renovating the theatres.. they now offer dinner and a movie.. in wonderful reclining padded seats with trays..... they offer... live music beforhand featuring local talent... dinner.. dessert and coffee and unlimited popcorn and drink...I believe the prices range from $20.00-$30..00 per person... both nights (friday and saturday) have been sold out so far!! He also got his drivers license this summer.. so things are changing in my household!! (not sure if I like it yet)!!My puppy Ellie is doing great.. she is so good and full of fun.. have to watch her though she is sooo friendly she wants to visit any neighbors she sees hears etc....she is also very smart!! My kitties are doing good.. they dont like the heat so much.. so they are finding shade under the bushes and trees!! needless to say they are sleeping all day! As for me Im outside lamenting over the dried flowers and cracked earth.....!!! But the coneflowers, russian sage and they daylilies dont seem to mind the heat.. though the lilies leaves are dried the flowers still look good.... they bloom once and are going dormant whereas when it rains they have succesive blooms.. I guess its back to the drawing board .. planning on my lush gardens for next year... and just enjoy the few blooms I do have!! GOD is good and he knows whats best for us all!!! Till next time (which I hope is soon)!! Stay cool and enjoy the beauty GOD provides every day!!

I WISH YOU ENOUGH.• I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.• I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.• I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.• I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.• I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.• I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.• I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final goodbye.Author Unknown

WOW>> what a snowy weekend!!! Im ready for spring.. one good thing its February the snow cant last forever... spring is right around the corner!!! At Grant Street Woolworks at the christmas party we chose secret pals for the year its so much fun!!! We buy them little gifts and send cards and encourage but of course its a secret until the next christmas party my secret pal already thought of me with a sweet gift and a cheery card!!! It was so much fun receiving this surprise!! If you didnt get a secret pal this year I would highly encourage you to do so next year its so much fun!! Here is a picture of what I got from my secret pal!! I love it.. I think they must know me pretty well!! :) hmmm... wonder who it could be!!!???? :0

WOW... Im so excited I just had to share a new flowering bush for the spring and summer!! Its the new Lilac the reblooms!! Lilacs are one of my favorite flowers.. they smell so good and bring back such happy memories... of spring and youth...!!! Its called the Bloomerang.. It flowers in May with heavy clusters of purple pink sweetly scented blooms!! It continues reblooming until the first frost!!! Wow.. move over butterfly bush!! :) They are great for cutting because the blooms are so abundant!! Since they are brand new they are a little expensive right now... one small plant sells for $19.95 .... you can order them through White Flower Farm!! (If you cant wait a couple of years before the price goes down)!!!!

As most of you know we have a new addition the family her name is Ellie and she is a sweet little chug!!! I snapped a photo of her admiring a rose!!!

Prince Purple Zinnia from my garden this summer... grows very well.. mildew resistant and I sowed the seeds right into the ground.... you will get many months of enjoyment from these seeds.

This was especially pretty in real life.. its a moss ross... a form of portulaca and the color was a vivid pink!! It was in full sun and you did not have to do anything.. no deadheading and very little watering... a must have for my garden again this year!!

The pot above if filled with coleus... my very favorite plant... takes morning sun and afternoonshade.. it grew twice as big as this and I needed to shear it about halfway twice through the summer and fall!! Notice my little duck... he was very happy standing next to such a beautiful plant.. I understand my grandmother on my moms side loved coleus too... my mom said we get our love of flowers from her!! Just thought you might enjoy a few snapshots from this summer.. to inspire you for the months ahead ... spring is right around the corner.!!!

Penguins

Hamster

Well its been awhile since I've posted... winter is a hard time to talk about flowers.... but we shouldnt forget them!! Before you know it spring will be here with its light warm breezes and the smell of fresh green earth! GOD has been so good during this winter season so far.. and the snow was so beautiful and will help our perennials and bushes and trees and grass... the water the earth needs will be supplied because of the snow!!, yesterday I saw some sweet little birds taking a bath in the snow.. all the water was frozen so they were smart enough to use the snow GOD blessed them with!! Soon it will be time to prune those trees and bushes I would wait until the middle of February... but remember do not trim the bushes that will flower as you will cut off the soon to be flower if you do!! As soon as the bush is finish flowering in the spring you can trim then before new buds set for the following year.. so remember to trim right after blooming!! Remember to fertilize your house plants as they will need the extra boost.. due to the dry air in the house as Im sure we are all running our heating systems at full blast!! Mist them at least once a week with water!! This will make them happy also!! Get out your gardening books and a nice cup of hot tea or coffee... and dream of the beautiful gardens you will have in the spring... plan now and order those seeds now so you will be ready for the first kiss of spring!!

Turtles