tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38436739802385463672023-11-16T10:02:46.027-05:00Creating CharacterPhotography, Writing & GardeningMarsanne Pettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05816447718219069472noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-17488303030371430482010-06-16T19:34:00.006-04:002010-06-16T20:22:08.482-04:00June Foliage Follow Up<div align="center">I'm featuring some variegated plants for Foliage Follow Up hosted by Pam at <a href="http://www.penick.net/digging/?p=8098">Digging</a> ...</div><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483523978558157106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAN6NxKbfZpv36pi6yE9PwrtUSqOtvtbdCgD8NYaaPT04NM3wly63-GEKwFyGkgZmy2O7sJMXLjky2f6TR3OWeQoVZi8B3A-C7DygyhCx8X2icpbFX7my3w1Aar-k6DKqfsrlNZL5RvSQI/s320/tropical+garden.JPG" /> <p align="center">such as this Variegated Ginger - not sure what kind, it was a passalong plant.</p><p align="center"><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnqo7jSmn4Jg2wm7yB7ECDuB8vhGTU3R-yUydn3S5I050-pfWA_GzMVcwLL4fSA7AKMHJyTRNNum2t1kTNnWdrNGy4dUoEErs3NwSxLlxDbUc2t2xoC83HH5KPBzpl-KnheekVPHxQR-6/s1600/tricolor.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483524005988304130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnqo7jSmn4Jg2wm7yB7ECDuB8vhGTU3R-yUydn3S5I050-pfWA_GzMVcwLL4fSA7AKMHJyTRNNum2t1kTNnWdrNGy4dUoEErs3NwSxLlxDbUc2t2xoC83HH5KPBzpl-KnheekVPHxQR-6/s320/tricolor.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>This Tricolor St. John's Wort survived the terrible winter with no problems.</p><p align="center"><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVitvaBnLp-Fr75IibPKYjCIs6r40bTTAvWq847ATZG37na5S_s4l4V9VYPavjnxkTQ9SZdCBU1-ttAycypl0QdtZZPyuWTHb6DXZNL6Pf4bCNdyVoVnMolEWjSOXlNMnF8-6ectVRv0H/s1600/caladium.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483523994101492690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVitvaBnLp-Fr75IibPKYjCIs6r40bTTAvWq847ATZG37na5S_s4l4V9VYPavjnxkTQ9SZdCBU1-ttAycypl0QdtZZPyuWTHb6DXZNL6Pf4bCNdyVoVnMolEWjSOXlNMnF8-6ectVRv0H/s320/caladium.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>One of the caladiums in a bulk package from a box store.<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XXZfN7Oo718s6tUMeoszyh1KUmHUXDsfBKS4xzOIDd4f_3jUaSM2ku5PIYuQFuWlk-HLFrlHJgE2tXCoF0GQAKmfA3zXyQlEQps6EQ30iO3fsQLKHvbkGYE8zTVeYf317TTeEiMwGc-Z/s1600/Variegated.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483526555213719250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XXZfN7Oo718s6tUMeoszyh1KUmHUXDsfBKS4xzOIDd4f_3jUaSM2ku5PIYuQFuWlk-HLFrlHJgE2tXCoF0GQAKmfA3zXyQlEQps6EQ30iO3fsQLKHvbkGYE8zTVeYf317TTeEiMwGc-Z/s320/Variegated.JPG" /></a> This nameless hydrangea has variegated leaves and flowers.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWExYE6bRv8yTzqiVjhhk_Te4jM5o3eNhfRzAeqXbvnwoTEMvOGgPl-9JjbCx6wR-JmcfcrEUhUNBso4RMp-2KniXr8l86_CIZ3VL-w3IZrTV0tWWAVxpXKh_OjEfN6q-PRX09VgQUjrMw/s1600/Black+Stem.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483523985716417506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWExYE6bRv8yTzqiVjhhk_Te4jM5o3eNhfRzAeqXbvnwoTEMvOGgPl-9JjbCx6wR-JmcfcrEUhUNBso4RMp-2KniXr8l86_CIZ3VL-w3IZrTV0tWWAVxpXKh_OjEfN6q-PRX09VgQUjrMw/s320/Black+Stem.JPG" /></a> I know these leaves aren't variegated, but I had to show off the beautiful stems of this black-stemmed hydrangea - another passalong plant.<br /><br />Check out more fabulous foliage at <a href="http://www.penick.net/digging/?p=8098">Digging</a>.<br /></p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908700492889879332noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-14657865669609698012010-06-15T20:34:00.006-04:002010-06-15T21:12:42.777-04:00June GBBD<div align="center">I'm joining Carol and the gang at <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2010/06/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-june-2010.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MayDreamsGardens+%28May+Dreams+Gardens%29">May Dreams Gardens </a></div><br /><div align="center">for Garden <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bloggers</span>' Bloom Day </div><br /><div align="center">with some cheerful June blooms ...</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNgxAq4nR7485aJvPuTOCKQ75wVhhogvJ_JEl_umnHlT_7By1XeAvQBtzTNyJ502vRjnTYueX0Hsa_HYUs2UUM2bRwmnoT09ZAtWLWxPPGrq3kebeqxwVi33b1VRQLm-VM923WNnhDEC_/s1600/Lady+In+Red+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483170753723636882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNgxAq4nR7485aJvPuTOCKQ75wVhhogvJ_JEl_umnHlT_7By1XeAvQBtzTNyJ502vRjnTYueX0Hsa_HYUs2UUM2bRwmnoT09ZAtWLWxPPGrq3kebeqxwVi33b1VRQLm-VM923WNnhDEC_/s320/Lady+In+Red+(2).JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">First is the lovely Lady in Red Hydrangea,<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPg-pHLHeJnh10NrsM-TyWB7trZEdNcI6jlWYHvgBbaNszB6MomVT_Pa-Eb6Jrpmslj-WK7in9lAb_gllicvLh7F7we-hKRVGaZVJVbMuDHyFvRwCIGKZqCbyT3TU0jeNwdHh9_FqAnPE/s1600/Forever+and+Ever+Peppermint+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483169688307544418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPg-pHLHeJnh10NrsM-TyWB7trZEdNcI6jlWYHvgBbaNszB6MomVT_Pa-Eb6Jrpmslj-WK7in9lAb_gllicvLh7F7we-hKRVGaZVJVbMuDHyFvRwCIGKZqCbyT3TU0jeNwdHh9_FqAnPE/s320/Forever+and+Ever+Peppermint+2.JPG" /></a>followed by Forever and Ever Peppermint Hydrangea,<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybi3-Of-KglIFz9VRjKdGvHy7cGjOy_-34XNjIPpZju2bDaPrub7jmtgm-Glr6TLjentErEBWdtX1airDnx93AYpwhqaAueuMks0isAbKQEeKm2nn3zVzidVaDdTEcyiRKLBBcm20kBVl/s1600/sunflower.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483168664125630546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybi3-Of-KglIFz9VRjKdGvHy7cGjOy_-34XNjIPpZju2bDaPrub7jmtgm-Glr6TLjentErEBWdtX1airDnx93AYpwhqaAueuMks0isAbKQEeKm2nn3zVzidVaDdTEcyiRKLBBcm20kBVl/s320/sunflower.JPG" /></a> a happy sunflower,</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6-UmLiHDAam1e9YqmAIxoRX6mny7U8KZ2fB56FU5lU3w_IT3fNnQhTZXeK-bAU6blI5MpgniT41FHlCr2eMvzWrKg_Gx9jwoRrASMdhZKkhvsZ3ll8qXS-r0QLdHbZlQd0t7kpq_VplZ/s1600/butterfly+glad.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483168655456626866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6-UmLiHDAam1e9YqmAIxoRX6mny7U8KZ2fB56FU5lU3w_IT3fNnQhTZXeK-bAU6blI5MpgniT41FHlCr2eMvzWrKg_Gx9jwoRrASMdhZKkhvsZ3ll8qXS-r0QLdHbZlQd0t7kpq_VplZ/s320/butterfly+glad.JPG" /></a> a bright Butterfly Gladioli,<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXA7HNeliJdfVSKb0JNYCmnrh0hwWfTyZNJVLgtm5iuP1R4lTEVqo4l_66qVKipz3gF7MnDRzPeAS-vfRT-7aJX_JP-BUJLXLMqqiNV3m2rA4TdsSVtlrgqvGIpDdGTFQ1qxwL1gy7CQw/s1600/chaste+and+shasta.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483168646856316882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXA7HNeliJdfVSKb0JNYCmnrh0hwWfTyZNJVLgtm5iuP1R4lTEVqo4l_66qVKipz3gF7MnDRzPeAS-vfRT-7aJX_JP-BUJLXLMqqiNV3m2rA4TdsSVtlrgqvGIpDdGTFQ1qxwL1gy7CQw/s320/chaste+and+shasta.JPG" /></a> some Shasta Daisies, Chaste Tree blooms,<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDYFr4iAgIh9xxLoMFrefShNUSTYtVPlHl90hJl2lg7A6QauPtqdvHp89ar4F42IGsD34ehA1PU9c9TIuvoMMFGOkyeJttIVzMdmaLT8mx_Sm0asvj2qbe61DqaiIY21-CU4xSIKieUdo/s1600/green+eyes+and+stokesia.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483164651957832610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDYFr4iAgIh9xxLoMFrefShNUSTYtVPlHl90hJl2lg7A6QauPtqdvHp89ar4F42IGsD34ehA1PU9c9TIuvoMMFGOkyeJttIVzMdmaLT8mx_Sm0asvj2qbe61DqaiIY21-CU4xSIKieUdo/s320/green+eyes+and+stokesia.JPG" /></a> and an Irish Eyes <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rudbeckia</span> and a fuzzy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Stoke's</span> Aster.</div><div></div><div>I'll check out what's blooming in your garden at <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2010/06/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-june-2010.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MayDreamsGardens+%28May+Dreams+Gardens%29">May Dreams Gardens</a>!</div></div></div></div></div></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908700492889879332noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-33497960134529309722010-04-21T19:52:00.007-04:002010-04-21T20:48:42.795-04:00Green World<div align="center">Today - actually tonight at 11:59 - is the deadline for the </div><div align="center">April Picture This Contest on <a href="http://www.gardeninggonewild.com/?p=11614">Gardening Gone Wild</a>. </div><div align="center">Nothing like waiting till the last minute, huh?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.robcardillo.com/">Rob Cardillo</a>, the judge this month, has chosen the theme "Green World" </div><div align="center">and he wants bloggers to spotlight "green's infinite range of personalities". </div><div align="center">As a professional photographer for major gardening publications, businesses </div><div align="center">and landscapers, he is definitely familiar with green worlds and their personalities.<br /></div><div align="center">I wasn't planning on entering this month because I couldn't find just the right picture. </div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7zOE5sCGUPOSkkQtxTxKm3DsbXEAX2BF2HSjDNfVE-WI3XcXiCyrXVmmjlZjZ5K1snQt26QzvuONXs08jObDQfpKojBdi_QsHm6ekvd3_ysmjibt2kEnPImvmpEskxnjgr_4M40aWnfR/s1600/green+world+silverbell.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462750792664005954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7zOE5sCGUPOSkkQtxTxKm3DsbXEAX2BF2HSjDNfVE-WI3XcXiCyrXVmmjlZjZ5K1snQt26QzvuONXs08jObDQfpKojBdi_QsHm6ekvd3_ysmjibt2kEnPImvmpEskxnjgr_4M40aWnfR/s320/green+world+silverbell.jpg" /></a>The stems of the fallen blooms on the Silverbell Tree (Halesia sp.) look like<br />tiny arms reaching out to the world - but this wasn't what I was looking for. </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2wRnqzuWTfphojxWADeHGP4Rk01dpEGaFzUxkq1l_USA4jcAYQTPvMHjI_mCVPsFGii5u94RLB04mqcOnZ5xftxtEVEKKoqYbGjFLD_B3kN7GvRnQTqLkBPdVvaP-4OshTbNHbuDTeEY/s1600/green+world+podo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462752818863251586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2wRnqzuWTfphojxWADeHGP4Rk01dpEGaFzUxkq1l_USA4jcAYQTPvMHjI_mCVPsFGii5u94RLB04mqcOnZ5xftxtEVEKKoqYbGjFLD_B3kN7GvRnQTqLkBPdVvaP-4OshTbNHbuDTeEY/s320/green+world+podo.jpg" /><br /><p align="center"></a>The male flowers of the Podocarpus bush hold a </p><p align="center">world of new plants, but it still wasn't right.<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUIaGZlbrTenxqz9vuP7iRF9sywX3LwXSsmx9x5-3Cih4O5AYVd42hNCT2JZhvuRQhKEeGEwBc0rGFT7pCvFFMDztV5cSshsF2Tt9maPQjjJZ_3MNrNmzuq07pMhMLFwMzkxjxKp2gd9z/s1600/Green+World.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462749054283129058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUIaGZlbrTenxqz9vuP7iRF9sywX3LwXSsmx9x5-3Cih4O5AYVd42hNCT2JZhvuRQhKEeGEwBc0rGFT7pCvFFMDztV5cSshsF2Tt9maPQjjJZ_3MNrNmzuq07pMhMLFwMzkxjxKp2gd9z/s320/Green+World.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>Then I saw the new buds on the Oakleaf Hydrangea<br /></p><p align="center">and knew I had found my entry! I don't think I have really noticed them before </p><p align="center">at this stage - tiny worlds ready to burst forth into a whirlwind of white blooms. </p><p align="center">Hope you enjoyed my green worlds. Stop by <a href="http://www.gardeninggonewild.com/?p=11614">Gardening Gone Wild</a> and </p><p align="center">check out all the other fascinating green worlds. </p><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908700492889879332noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-36864755557522612382010-04-16T20:02:00.005-04:002010-04-16T20:36:42.319-04:00April Foliage Follow-Up<div align="center">There is a lot of new growth in the garden </div><div align="center">but I just chose a few pictures for <a href="http://www.penick.net/digging/?p=7167">Foliage Follow-Up</a>. </div><div align="center">So much is coming up and getting new growth and blooming, </div><div align="center">that it is hard to keep up with it all. </div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0gna6a_8DBvn8Uxxom0Szgso51bpuStswuXFpXE0WX0GcjWxSR4z1jtWBfLGehViObRQMVDZ5E-exLu5GDiVzeNXQEGJ-T9SJ670avXWyZ1Uyu5FmoCs9K0KdUQlLvJbSUOKDiLvhNYy/s1600/april+15+2010+005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460892821147123938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0gna6a_8DBvn8Uxxom0Szgso51bpuStswuXFpXE0WX0GcjWxSR4z1jtWBfLGehViObRQMVDZ5E-exLu5GDiVzeNXQEGJ-T9SJ670avXWyZ1Uyu5FmoCs9K0KdUQlLvJbSUOKDiLvhNYy/s320/april+15+2010+005.JPG" /></a> I love the way the center of Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium) looks </div><div align="center">when the new fronds begin growing. </div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5D6Orm9SKZHSsbNxKX4Os7r_lUJvB4Z002eakmSV2RA3_qk6kFAo16v_JsONtS0X5KJDKaiRIAC2u2ERav2t5c0U-Ed6O7lD5cPayMatpIcN5uWbjODxe5kBLvrf4EN_8z9fHJkNidxa/s1600/Succulents.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460891899646765506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5D6Orm9SKZHSsbNxKX4Os7r_lUJvB4Z002eakmSV2RA3_qk6kFAo16v_JsONtS0X5KJDKaiRIAC2u2ERav2t5c0U-Ed6O7lD5cPayMatpIcN5uWbjODxe5kBLvrf4EN_8z9fHJkNidxa/s320/Succulents.JPG" /></a> I'm not sure what the blue succulent is, </p><p align="center">but I'm pretty sure the green one is Coral Reef Sedum. </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GdaMca3OZIPt-m_hIxyzC1Q0HCUvi5TqFFDm0tbmJJIdh3L_nOB0DfsZNkbr4_NedsY2X8NaqT-Hxhna7-90XvumHhP1FNXJdP-Nz_RZLcC8NazQ8gRXLElRvDRi2G6OhGa7aI7s0Dhe/s1600/Yellow+Barberry.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460891894406998578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GdaMca3OZIPt-m_hIxyzC1Q0HCUvi5TqFFDm0tbmJJIdh3L_nOB0DfsZNkbr4_NedsY2X8NaqT-Hxhna7-90XvumHhP1FNXJdP-Nz_RZLcC8NazQ8gRXLElRvDRi2G6OhGa7aI7s0Dhe/s320/Yellow+Barberry.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>The Golden Barberry (Berberis aurea) must have liked<br /></p><div align="center">the cold winter - it is brighter and fuller than usual. </div><div align="center"><br /> </div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSbdj2d6Cdk2uUCMy0jRQlCfgdtNVbBqXrPASkAmdhET66QFx4fDj7ZOfgdlIpL_bYNetp7MMI15G0vCu8KWYVuNzIkve_z_AcdCOAAyVwsyGlNR_ZNXEiTkcxgwciv5JXkZSHun-rMTM/s1600/april+2010+018.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460891886724625026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSbdj2d6Cdk2uUCMy0jRQlCfgdtNVbBqXrPASkAmdhET66QFx4fDj7ZOfgdlIpL_bYNetp7MMI15G0vCu8KWYVuNzIkve_z_AcdCOAAyVwsyGlNR_ZNXEiTkcxgwciv5JXkZSHun-rMTM/s320/april+2010+018.JPG" /></a>I use Tri-Color St. John's Wort as filler in my perennial beds. </p><div align="center">This one is low-growing and spreads slowly. </div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaKOOaHV6SeL6AGOjLstTvvNBvELT_hnB31s2fhygUj5QH-4p2u_1AgvTByd8bxMDBBGy3t4xXSO5cstcY-coWeJP2Rzoju7r8k47FZlRxsjAdU-nvxM4udXu57LAxWBQY1_7bLZwy1CQ/s1600/april+2010+012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460891861537055218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaKOOaHV6SeL6AGOjLstTvvNBvELT_hnB31s2fhygUj5QH-4p2u_1AgvTByd8bxMDBBGy3t4xXSO5cstcY-coWeJP2Rzoju7r8k47FZlRxsjAdU-nvxM4udXu57LAxWBQY1_7bLZwy1CQ/s320/april+2010+012.JPG" /></a> I need to thin out the Parrot's Feather in the pond </div><div align="center">or the poor goldfish won't have anywhere to swim. </div><br /><div align="center">Hope you enjoyed this sampler of foliage from my garden. </div><div align="center">Check out the foliage in other gardens at <a href="http://www.penick.net/digging/?p=7167">Digging with Pam</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908700492889879332noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-61039211286781291102010-04-15T12:13:00.006-04:002010-04-15T14:44:16.296-04:00April GBBDI didn’t realize how hard it is to keep up with a blog. I don’t seem to have any time or energy left after gardening and doing things with my daughters and grandsons. Oh yeah, I do some house cleaning and cooking too, when I can’t get out of it.<br /><br />Anyway, with being busy, having an icky virus and some family problems, I haven’t managed to actually write any blogs lately. At least not online, although I have done plenty in my head while in the garden or otherwise occupied.<br /><br />But I made it for April <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2010/04/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-april-2010.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MayDreamsGardens+%28May+Dreams+Gardens%29">Gardener Bloggers’ Bloom Day</a> hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens. Here are some pics of blooms that have come and gone, and what is blooming now.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCd_qOUPHdaOH9MfrMfNxmwbI88s3KIOjGQxBiPh3IOC4trYxnzTiRL5ldnuk8xEHllZbnI0wunh5U4pNRIusvEdUi59w5heYjzgXaxRY6FeRdhB6m0B1QSNqvykXtgFjibwH2inI5_Ma/s1600/Silverbell.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460400087366633906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCd_qOUPHdaOH9MfrMfNxmwbI88s3KIOjGQxBiPh3IOC4trYxnzTiRL5ldnuk8xEHllZbnI0wunh5U4pNRIusvEdUi59w5heYjzgXaxRY6FeRdhB6m0B1QSNqvykXtgFjibwH2inI5_Ma/s320/Silverbell.JPG" /></a>The wind has already blown away the dainty blooms of the Siverbell Tree (Halesia). The blooms on the Yoshino Cherry Tree are gone too - this was the first year it was full of blooms; there usually are only a dozen or so.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxMS-8PDVNBWyPgUIU88TI97eLM6dhU8reAg-UQTj93putU06Mgy0QGb4OY6L7EzkxdRsujeOI-axl9FI8bV0Ee4-7lpnA1SjiVxO-sgDfKg7UbIwtge6UKwuH_bBiE2idu_E8Fg9Vaur/s1600/Lorapetalum.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460401560416741810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxMS-8PDVNBWyPgUIU88TI97eLM6dhU8reAg-UQTj93putU06Mgy0QGb4OY6L7EzkxdRsujeOI-axl9FI8bV0Ee4-7lpnA1SjiVxO-sgDfKg7UbIwtge6UKwuH_bBiE2idu_E8Fg9Vaur/s320/Lorapetalum.JPG" /></a> The pink Lorapetalum is still going strong. I have one white Lorapetalum, but the picture didn't come out very clear.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbw5932838i4QOZTjOz3jHDneBFno_TfvN_dBOy6KZYLmER9Ixl1IWfQKyfS4xNYptDA7OfnKQr3TYNk4ok8r0uPHVixzHjJS_4cAGL0elMuCJ5kYqHUBZ2u9wgLagjFnjdTUqVqiZK72H/s1600/Fringetree.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460401560783964002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbw5932838i4QOZTjOz3jHDneBFno_TfvN_dBOy6KZYLmER9Ixl1IWfQKyfS4xNYptDA7OfnKQr3TYNk4ok8r0uPHVixzHjJS_4cAGL0elMuCJ5kYqHUBZ2u9wgLagjFnjdTUqVqiZK72H/s320/Fringetree.JPG" /></a> Fringetree or Old Man's Beard (Chionanthus virginicus) grows in the woods in this area. I love its spring time decorations.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTX9_kHA80WeLDN4iIMcj7Ragf3DLcbwOBtGMaSVpmYy6ZE6VZbkHqd3YLhH2xH8dJXKlgbDO3dFz4O0U1H-etSI3Bdisa53TFWqc9a9tvI6FNOjEWbeIOgUiY6z4SfYhHmnUusWgZabGw/s1600/Native+Azalea.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460401584292125458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTX9_kHA80WeLDN4iIMcj7Ragf3DLcbwOBtGMaSVpmYy6ZE6VZbkHqd3YLhH2xH8dJXKlgbDO3dFz4O0U1H-etSI3Bdisa53TFWqc9a9tvI6FNOjEWbeIOgUiY6z4SfYhHmnUusWgZabGw/s320/Native+Azalea.JPG" /></a> I bought this native azalea several years ago in Georgia, but I lost the tag (of course), so I don't know its name.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hLAOgzafPeWfKmJltghcPi7rqLbbjvNYH11s-crFYQh1OpSgrhB3RPmEU71P_H_WBMjdHP4H37R1BJay9mdHKzsCCECJTOz_ov1BPbQGuK0o65UNUYH9rNbkIxdEWLrhGL7qeRuK-Irt/s1600/Louisiana+Iris.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460401576544507074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hLAOgzafPeWfKmJltghcPi7rqLbbjvNYH11s-crFYQh1OpSgrhB3RPmEU71P_H_WBMjdHP4H37R1BJay9mdHKzsCCECJTOz_ov1BPbQGuK0o65UNUYH9rNbkIxdEWLrhGL7qeRuK-Irt/s320/Louisiana+Iris.JPG" /></a> Lousiana Irises also grow wild in the ditches here. I have them planted in several areas of the garden.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatZ2ujpIoovL7RvsvkKpUF1cZyQqipxkpr04n-9gYv4xWx7VOMn79PEjSwHcZaT1gRhSQ6jUc2sz_7u9T84m92V8gBXZcyRkgP3rSdXrJlxrjmonnjRMGbBWGQzHIHwpUBia11TTlnJw9/s1600/Hartlage+Wine+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460401571827839042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatZ2ujpIoovL7RvsvkKpUF1cZyQqipxkpr04n-9gYv4xWx7VOMn79PEjSwHcZaT1gRhSQ6jUc2sz_7u9T84m92V8gBXZcyRkgP3rSdXrJlxrjmonnjRMGbBWGQzHIHwpUBia11TTlnJw9/s320/Hartlage+Wine+2.JPG" /></a> The blooms on the Hartlage Wine Sweetshrub (Calycanthus) are a gorgeous deep red color. It seems like they are blooming early this year.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ayOKdT1ylmEVeEDsYWzQHQ4nN3n8cQxDUzAG90JH4wUEFSthSPR1zv7oDPVKSLEpN7PJA-0Kp0dTe91XayORB8LG7x11aQF07F7oY_ovGI1fOSMLnloGMlihX0dPtGr1bOGoqwekGNvN/s1600/Creeping+Phlox.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460401948226049490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ayOKdT1ylmEVeEDsYWzQHQ4nN3n8cQxDUzAG90JH4wUEFSthSPR1zv7oDPVKSLEpN7PJA-0Kp0dTe91XayORB8LG7x11aQF07F7oY_ovGI1fOSMLnloGMlihX0dPtGr1bOGoqwekGNvN/s320/Creeping+Phlox.JPG" /></a> I added this picture just for <a href="http://www.growingthehomegarden.com/2010/04/april-is-for-blooms.html">Dave of The Home Garden</a>. I have had this creeping phlox for more than 20 years. I got it from my husband's grandmother, who called it "thrift". I still do sometimes.<br /><br />Be sure to check back soon – I hope to have more articles posted today or tomorrow. And don’t forget to visit <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2010/04/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-april-2010.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MayDreamsGardens+%28May+Dreams+Gardens%29">Carol</a> for more April blooms from bloggers around the world.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908700492889879332noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-30604712356073470722010-03-15T09:45:00.008-04:002010-03-16T15:49:31.220-04:00March GBBD<div align="center">The plants know it is almost spring and are showing out for </div><div align="center">March <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2010/03/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-march-2010.html">Gardener <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bloggers</span> Bloom Day</a>, hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens. </div><div align="center">Here's some my first spring blooms.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVKA45S-i5sTQ4No-kkx0_hsLpayiid-Dl-zy7E9TDRvoD2Uhyap-R9ZNEAbOp69GBY3T75DS-TGmwgLoCiWHyug4quzlyCnLgBInWlT-Ui7RtCUXwIHtkWdMBS9vKNDSfXqaxE82r5bs/s1600-h/Japanese+Magnolia.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448859274260680434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVKA45S-i5sTQ4No-kkx0_hsLpayiid-Dl-zy7E9TDRvoD2Uhyap-R9ZNEAbOp69GBY3T75DS-TGmwgLoCiWHyug4quzlyCnLgBInWlT-Ui7RtCUXwIHtkWdMBS9vKNDSfXqaxE82r5bs/s320/Japanese+Magnolia.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>Japanese Magnolia 'Jane' is in full glory. </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4o52tFhyphenhyphen0hWjWU9P7BocOzySQIwhndgp9brl2QJC3mMsUqQK5U-_r7fs4v2ecoARYvdQU5eiTjJLpuoLiuTUiSOQ8uiuz8DwKGHyLTH-Bj5AEO4-tGGkE31c4qTJAA5jRs8T9Pvj0y5RE/s1600-h/Rosea+Japanese+Magnolia.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448858963581607266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4o52tFhyphenhyphen0hWjWU9P7BocOzySQIwhndgp9brl2QJC3mMsUqQK5U-_r7fs4v2ecoARYvdQU5eiTjJLpuoLiuTUiSOQ8uiuz8DwKGHyLTH-Bj5AEO4-tGGkE31c4qTJAA5jRs8T9Pvj0y5RE/s320/Rosea+Japanese+Magnolia.JPG" /></a> Japanese Magnolia '<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rosea</span>' is a new addition and is just starting to bloom.</p><p align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAK9Dm8cE8DGb8f4esZPw113QFz6vSz4gqAKUVpEIDVyHqP7xvYhIjhcO2QA3xLUm8siC47gf0Jrm2RLZJbEP_d6ee5ITb7Bic6TffI9_f6qqiUKNROk0f6Q-WoAsIG7pknyl8BPFLXhv/s1600-h/Red+Buckeye.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449318126314143810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAK9Dm8cE8DGb8f4esZPw113QFz6vSz4gqAKUVpEIDVyHqP7xvYhIjhcO2QA3xLUm8siC47gf0Jrm2RLZJbEP_d6ee5ITb7Bic6TffI9_f6qqiUKNROk0f6Q-WoAsIG7pknyl8BPFLXhv/s320/Red+Buckeye.JPG" /></a> Red Buckeye<br /></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_68gTJrwpdH1ar8zhJ9bxkMnBDaqAbSNOgfs7N-EIIyuHQr2RpmRv96jI856OxIw-gN7gu3Soeh64jwkQvwSutAHE9o9CNss17MJx9ls6pydR81L2mRSTDTThAjzCi42i5EI5NHavcMg/s1600-h/Daffodils.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448858587829102546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_68gTJrwpdH1ar8zhJ9bxkMnBDaqAbSNOgfs7N-EIIyuHQr2RpmRv96jI856OxIw-gN7gu3Soeh64jwkQvwSutAHE9o9CNss17MJx9ls6pydR81L2mRSTDTThAjzCi42i5EI5NHavcMg/s320/Daffodils.JPG" /></a>And, of course, the daffodils. Stormy the cat is checking them out too.<br /><br />Other plants that are blooming:<br />Hyacinths<br />Azaleas<br />Rosemary<br />Creeping Phlox<br /><br />Be sure to stop by <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2010/03/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-march-2010.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MayDreamsGardens+%28May+Dreams+Gardens%29">May Dreams Gardens </a>to see what else is blooming.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908700492889879332noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-76417129261198892672010-02-26T14:48:00.006-05:002010-02-26T15:05:19.584-05:00Five Things<div align="center">Dave at <a href="http://www.growingthehomegarden.com/2010/02/5-new-things-in-garden.html">The Home Garden </a>asked us to talk about 5 garden projects we want to do this year. The assignment is due today, and I am almost late as usual. The next assignment is to write about garden chores we have been putting off. Guess I’ll have to list blogging as one of those.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomUuA6cjJnSQuNlhTQX_MNwP_bdZ68x6cteKCkVTGVLtHd2JiBp8cdfYUMYHRLoaeswJx3e_kc3XX0qvUMFEGy84aBECVvoSQ9BvYguJmFdjUUFryIf-89T_QZeInpHeHAtXak5WYTOEx/s1600-h/New+Japanese+Maples.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442643798926003666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomUuA6cjJnSQuNlhTQX_MNwP_bdZ68x6cteKCkVTGVLtHd2JiBp8cdfYUMYHRLoaeswJx3e_kc3XX0qvUMFEGy84aBECVvoSQ9BvYguJmFdjUUFryIf-89T_QZeInpHeHAtXak5WYTOEx/s320/New+Japanese+Maples.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><br />Let’s start with an easy project – the new Japanese Maples. I snagged these two Tamukeyama (Coral Bark) maples at the end of the season last year for $10 a piece. Yep, you read that right. They were in the sun, stressed, and one had been dumped out of the pot and lost half the soil, so the manager let me have them cheap.<br />I planted them in partial sun with a dwarf gardenia that never grows and hardly ever blooms. I started planting a ring of ‘Citronelle’ Coral Bells and ‘Red October’ Hostas, but I ran out of plants. I think that is what they are, since I didn’t label them and my plant labels are all jumbled together. (Note: add organizing labels to things I have been putting off)<br />I want to finish the ring of Coral Bells and Hostas and edge the bed with some river rock to match the nearby bed of ferns. That should be easy.<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5nSnpAplAOHqPtD7YtUP-DPaGS9evntVHQzfMwqvCvBvn9ZmYBQ0EQ3v3SIzVAIWhSnEpX-aT3KWhbFRC-RwYeHYnTBQb74iqDUiQPgk_HMeGlaLuapvh5f3XgHi989B7MoS29_TN74n/s1600-h/veggie+bed.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442643229741375922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5nSnpAplAOHqPtD7YtUP-DPaGS9evntVHQzfMwqvCvBvn9ZmYBQ0EQ3v3SIzVAIWhSnEpX-aT3KWhbFRC-RwYeHYnTBQb74iqDUiQPgk_HMeGlaLuapvh5f3XgHi989B7MoS29_TN74n/s320/veggie+bed.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>We have been growing a few veggies in pots, but I decided I wanted a raised bed this year. We were going to buy the lumber to build one, but the power company offered us the old pole they replaced in our yard and another one. Of course, we said yes, and Michael used the chain saw to cut short pieces for the ends. (The pole in our yard was at least 26 years old and the other one looked older, so I don’t think there is any danger of creosote poisoning)<br />We bought a trailer load of potting soil mixed with mushroom compost and filled up the veggie bed. We even have enough for a strawberry bed – that’s the third project. Again, we have been growing strawberries in pots but there are so many now, I think we need a bed. Too bad we can’t get some more poles – guess, we will have to buy the lumber this time.<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0j5iZeaISKZFt1F9aSBfXfdp2iaBk6H8nmydcH-rPLAF9j9dAd0l7_YMr1jyLPI870FDHSdymFLUZCi8caHHGaukcpTTszanXyYhDRPwBQALCl-u0uCXsdnU0zXj3yWFPk3MURjzBDxz/s1600-h/Japanese+Garden.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442642783174161250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0j5iZeaISKZFt1F9aSBfXfdp2iaBk6H8nmydcH-rPLAF9j9dAd0l7_YMr1jyLPI870FDHSdymFLUZCi8caHHGaukcpTTszanXyYhDRPwBQALCl-u0uCXsdnU0zXj3yWFPk3MURjzBDxz/s320/Japanese+Garden.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><br />This is the Japanese Garden, an ongoing project. Of course, I want to plant more Japanese Maples, but the main project is the bed on either side of the screen at the back of the garden. I can’t decide what to plant there – each bed is about 8 feet long and 3 feet wide.<br />I bet you are wondering why there is a bed there. Because a pile of plywood lay there and killed the grass. Since the grass was dead anyway, I decided to plant something I wanted there. But I can’t decide what I want. Any suggestions?<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVbn-u1ElbuZAShZQlV4El8IFhSTU54MIdPIY9gH8WbLdlZuRtC-7niOeP0qxlTWxH-UVkgWznSmyU6ZFXzXrfN4ka_TzxHoCFTxMPYjzP42ygXRR5dIHVgn9Ij8f_txUD4eHipVEKtD9/s1600-h/Yellow+Garden.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442642233578663346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVbn-u1ElbuZAShZQlV4El8IFhSTU54MIdPIY9gH8WbLdlZuRtC-7niOeP0qxlTWxH-UVkgWznSmyU6ZFXzXrfN4ka_TzxHoCFTxMPYjzP42ygXRR5dIHVgn9Ij8f_txUD4eHipVEKtD9/s320/Yellow+Garden.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>We started this project last summer. There were huge azaleas growing around this tree and a tree at the other end of this bed. They blocked the view of the Japanese Garden, which is to the right of this shot. So, they had to go. You can see them piled up behind the tree.<br />Wow, what a difference it made! I felt like I had gotten rid of a black hole. Let’s face it, azaleas are pretty when they are blooming, but they are just big blobs the rest of the year.<br />I had started a Yellow Garden in front of the azaleas to lighten them up but it didn’t really work. Now I have extended the bed around the trees where the azaleas were and I am slowly adding more plants. I want to add some low growing shrubs with yellow or gold foliage for structure, because almost everything in the bed is a perennial right now.<br /><br />So there you have 5 – I didn’t even tell you about adding more grasses and perennials to the Grass Garden along the fence, or making a Chocolate and Caramel Garden, or planting trees and shrubs that stand wet feet in the back yard, or …. Well, you know how it is. So what are you planning to do this year? Tells us your plans and leave a link for Dave at <a href="http://www.growingthehomegarden.com/2010/02/5-new-things-in-garden.html">The Home Garden</a>. </p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908700492889879332noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-4517787295600783492010-02-19T08:48:00.021-05:002010-02-19T19:03:10.700-05:00Magic and Whimsy in the Garden<div align="center">Dave at <a href="http://www.growingthehomegarden.com/2010/02/how-to-add-magic-to-garden.html">The Home Garden</a> has been thinking about<br />what makes a garden magical and he has asked his fellow bloggers for<br />their thoughts. I immediately knew the answer for me, but it took a<br />long time to get it into words. Hope you enjoy it!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">When I started<br />gardening I made long narrow L-shaped flowerbeds on either side of<br />the driveway and the parking area. I filled them with flowers and<br />shrubs I liked with no particular plan or design. The flowers were<br />pretty but the design was – well, it was boring, there was no magic.<br />So I made changes – big changes. I made the bed on one side of the<br />driveway into a large square garden with a pond in one corner. And I<br />made the other side into a larger garden with a patio and another<br />pond in the middle. Notice the difference – I got rid of the<br />flowerbeds and developed gardens with a basic plan (subject to change<br />at any time).<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzhLljSPiYE34W1MEwG_kh1wyMcFhWgxpPpmL_rlwm-ELw6UTz17b-xF7SqXO3tBusfqvsCHh4AJvgapGCVdhAS6rQV-2DS1xrhPuvBKv8-kuVJqKVH6-NKs8eU_U2qLlAplASp7Gjivv/s1600-h/dancing+girl.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439956466502615250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzhLljSPiYE34W1MEwG_kh1wyMcFhWgxpPpmL_rlwm-ELw6UTz17b-xF7SqXO3tBusfqvsCHh4AJvgapGCVdhAS6rQV-2DS1xrhPuvBKv8-kuVJqKVH6-NKs8eU_U2qLlAplASp7Gjivv/s320/dancing+girl.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a><em>I bought this statue of a dancing girl because it reminded me </em><br /><em>of my daughters. She is currently dancing in the Hydrangea Garden.</em><br />Then I discovered garden ornaments – the magic of birdhouses, gazing<br />spheres and other things. I had collected knick-knacks for the house<br />for years until I got tired of dusting them. When you put knick-knacks<br />outside,the dust is part of the charm.<br />Then I began creating one-of-kind garden art from thrift store and yard<br />sale finds. Soon I had a jumble of items amidst the plants and I didn’t<br />really like the way it looked, but I didn’t want to get rid of anything.<br />There was no magic, just a mess. I needed a plan.<br /></p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_ieH0W0WRPPlNcToT7EfdwEEr9G1cCegpPJWX9G7OqsxOcVFRcNpNHNhJdWpJDU6FelaE039hEr5j5pk7ZkgeOPqlof9i75GsFTP1Z9w8nB2tbpTUJWA10oAb6criZq5t3hGX_Az89ND/s1600-h/black+gazing+ball.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439956231220258978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_ieH0W0WRPPlNcToT7EfdwEEr9G1cCegpPJWX9G7OqsxOcVFRcNpNHNhJdWpJDU6FelaE039hEr5j5pk7ZkgeOPqlof9i75GsFTP1Z9w8nB2tbpTUJWA10oAb6criZq5t3hGX_Az89ND/s320/black+gazing+ball.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a><em>Who would expect to find a shiny gazing ball in the crotch of a tree? </em><br /><br />One day I saw some pictures of some theme gardens in a magazine. And I<br />realized that I could create theme gardens based on my garden art. So<br />the square garden by the driveway became the Dragon Garden with a dragon<br />overlooking the pond. The other side of the driveway is divided into<br />five gardens separated by paths, each with its own theme.<br />The magic was back!<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLZzhwdyRpybk-z1BT_5-wXe54KQ40qkVV5vt6dg3KLMIn9SIGomx5Iy5MLg4XLAWtRWqrYSH_HgeFumEx70xLvcan8y7b32WIW9QjvKZZshyphenhyphenpHS84tkVLJauNIFTySl4kVK96fjEkRh2/s1600-h/horseshoe+flowers.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439955994077563042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLZzhwdyRpybk-z1BT_5-wXe54KQ40qkVV5vt6dg3KLMIn9SIGomx5Iy5MLg4XLAWtRWqrYSH_HgeFumEx70xLvcan8y7b32WIW9QjvKZZshyphenhyphenpHS84tkVLJauNIFTySl4kVK96fjEkRh2/s320/horseshoe+flowers.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a><em>My husband made these flowers out of old horseshoes to go Dragon Garden,</em><align="center"><em>because its color theme is brown.<br /></em><br /></p><br /><align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibA-9pZ5PrbLcXVuuRLUSZT_xTHRyMui43zRX7KaOsQRANyKuagIBTO-GQ66rDROYH9rTQIo4CuhNcYSG99GuWvgTsTdiAPTLl4s33AQBJj6FF30e6ICHTG0R_wB_Oftt2ehrf8CswLoE6/s1600-h/gardens.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439955709348705954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibA-9pZ5PrbLcXVuuRLUSZT_xTHRyMui43zRX7KaOsQRANyKuagIBTO-GQ66rDROYH9rTQIo4CuhNcYSG99GuWvgTsTdiAPTLl4s33AQBJj6FF30e6ICHTG0R_wB_Oftt2ehrf8CswLoE6/s320/gardens.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a><em>Five gardens separated by paths line this side of the driveway and </em><align="center"><em>parking </em><em>area. </em>One garden encircles a patio complete with <em>table </em><align="center"><em>and chairs. Another garden </em><em>contains a small pond with a waterfall, </em><align="center"><em>a bamboo fountain and spitting turtle.<br /><br /></em><align="center"><align="center"><div align="center">I love plants – their texture and shape of the foliage and flowers and </div><div align="center">berries and bark. But I am a gardener and lots of other people </div><div align="center">don’t really understand my fascination with plants. </div><div align="center">But they are enchanted by the hidden treasures in my garden, such as …<br /><br /></div><align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYpb64k2hszCEhViTxwCdl4R2yuNBosgCFmWlf4cu4RUzJWq5v1F4z1W38fQk9VJrNOSQZCCf2V-TXJj6i-yAWWPo4kuHOIJXCS0Q4z0aqy2cb9chIvKZGsN6Sw_Wf4KQ9L3YAtG0pq7X/s1600-h/blue+ball.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439955390058833170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYpb64k2hszCEhViTxwCdl4R2yuNBosgCFmWlf4cu4RUzJWq5v1F4z1W38fQk9VJrNOSQZCCf2V-TXJj6i-yAWWPo4kuHOIJXCS0Q4z0aqy2cb9chIvKZGsN6Sw_Wf4KQ9L3YAtG0pq7X/s320/blue+ball.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a><em>a spangly blue ball hanging from a hook …</em> </p><p></p><p><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPx_cNj6p4JDs_hVQ_VysVdyXx_oCpr5dWNbgE7-mlDmGdUuwMspBMSVNvo7taA9kvDmZp6rEwhQVOz1jlgZTb2BAH_1Sq_kz89nLqt2QI0TUBPXcRKZ7iDLPDWQjfRS9wEQFP91jPFq5A/s1600-h/giraffe.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439954901855891858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPx_cNj6p4JDs_hVQ_VysVdyXx_oCpr5dWNbgE7-mlDmGdUuwMspBMSVNvo7taA9kvDmZp6rEwhQVOz1jlgZTb2BAH_1Sq_kz89nLqt2QI0TUBPXcRKZ7iDLPDWQjfRS9wEQFP91jPFq5A/s320/giraffe.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a><em>a giraffe taking a break next to some hydrangeas …</em> </p><p align="center"><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CLjW8zgrbK93OSWM2E82F-Ef1xm1r2c1Ef0MJxf_G0iXdILl4Kr_Tc4k9Idq7a-yFPA2F7CTP4lBqGoClEhAg2GJ34fqeu_R4rSXrRfiwI56XSI0ASXST3j4WKWApk28Vai9WsE39qay/s1600-h/blue+wagon.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439955176536734546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CLjW8zgrbK93OSWM2E82F-Ef1xm1r2c1Ef0MJxf_G0iXdILl4Kr_Tc4k9Idq7a-yFPA2F7CTP4lBqGoClEhAg2GJ34fqeu_R4rSXrRfiwI56XSI0ASXST3j4WKWApk28Vai9WsE39qay/s320/blue+wagon.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a><em>buckets of sedums in my grandsons’ old wagon …<br /></em><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBojYB6wpbZ-ECAP94P-xzutQW8-cwBnwT4cyW0cLLTFBtqn2LE37h1sfzbaj35fjP5FxS_nWDRGbnt11B5T1duTISNBTj9D0t8L-gl4He-0pOcv752tAmgGyFx6y20xh2fOnT8p6cjuRh/s1600-h/silver+balls.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439954596172967730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBojYB6wpbZ-ECAP94P-xzutQW8-cwBnwT4cyW0cLLTFBtqn2LE37h1sfzbaj35fjP5FxS_nWDRGbnt11B5T1duTISNBTj9D0t8L-gl4He-0pOcv752tAmgGyFx6y20xh2fOnT8p6cjuRh/s320/silver+balls.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a><em>a basket full of mosaic balls …<br /></em><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVIBRF5ABSHI02hl0Cya3_ThsXF-vdVSKEg1xH3Ph_73mqrgJZr-U5Jppf2_6iHHr8Ap17msG_ySJlz9WhGk9rDI0194AJBCGa_2PL6xG2ND1kJiE0ohl2EQOj2aDaFVGzMJngiTSlnv7/s1600-h/pump.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439954247337359282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVIBRF5ABSHI02hl0Cya3_ThsXF-vdVSKEg1xH3Ph_73mqrgJZr-U5Jppf2_6iHHr8Ap17msG_ySJlz9WhGk9rDI0194AJBCGa_2PL6xG2ND1kJiE0ohl2EQOj2aDaFVGzMJngiTSlnv7/s320/pump.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a><em>an old-fashioned water pump and kettle planted with sedums …<br /></em><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8A-Xh_8ISeTcCK44IBpG_dH0XTNLMxUX2u5uiGNR0Aa9E51w2sWvYRTFd7YiHiChq1keuzHM0_eTkdmRbzXfDG6NQUycYE2Afucg3iQbXm9hqQEvVNU4w3J_KAGQEjHkPKPH-rzmcLpc/s1600-h/monkey+plate.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439953538446590642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8A-Xh_8ISeTcCK44IBpG_dH0XTNLMxUX2u5uiGNR0Aa9E51w2sWvYRTFd7YiHiChq1keuzHM0_eTkdmRbzXfDG6NQUycYE2Afucg3iQbXm9hqQEvVNU4w3J_KAGQEjHkPKPH-rzmcLpc/s320/monkey+plate.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a><em>and a monkey playing in the Tropical Garden</em><br /><br /><br />To me, the magic of a garden is anything that causes someone to smile –<br />a plant or garden art or a child discoveringhidden treasures.<br />What do you think? <p></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cUgjxQKelw4_6jnp9wuW74nsHN2ecOyzMMPG1aQofB80g7suk5o28X7B9vKt3ZOGBvJQb93kYYx63W7EMGF5Q0oDX9gV6Yk3LKF4XovAwv1K4LLKKZT0WJXsEHygvs0EJ2PWd1j-qj28/s1600-h/beach+party.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439953222091193250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cUgjxQKelw4_6jnp9wuW74nsHN2ecOyzMMPG1aQofB80g7suk5o28X7B9vKt3ZOGBvJQb93kYYx63W7EMGF5Q0oDX9gV6Yk3LKF4XovAwv1K4LLKKZT0WJXsEHygvs0EJ2PWd1j-qj28/s320/beach+party.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a><em>The Tropical Garden even has a beachside café.</em><br /></p><p align="center">Thanks, Dave, for the chance to show the magic and whimsy in my garden. <p align="center"><align="center"><align="center">Be sure to visit <a href="http://www.growingthehomegarden.com/2010/02/how-to-add-magic-to-garden.html">The Home Garden </a>for more magic in the garden. <p></p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908700492889879332noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-73854154838730240062010-02-16T09:54:00.007-05:002010-02-16T10:19:09.067-05:00February Foliage Follow-up<div align="center">This is my first time participating in <a href="http://www.penick.net/digging/?p=6340">Foliage Follow-up</a>. </div><div align="center">It has made me look at my garden in a whole new way – </div><div align="center">focusing on interesting foliage, instead of looking for flowers.<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438858560443491282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZD5imHCJyeF6zM6i8hcnSL8Y0_VS5NY5DOQbJBA7KVuK3GKXbuP0jeRAMNb-l00Oq17ej0yMtGa-BWRf8kWc_N4orUfTf2f49tcEvS17qwl3D-lzv4LX3K7v7fOwsbTBbikqWF2_-30rj/s320/spinach+and+lettuce.JPG" /> <p align="center"><br />Spinach and lettuce for the new veggie bed Michael just built for me.<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwrDPxNNGX1euvThe9K1NUjGPgXz1wHjv7s0C5VFCBq-UE2Uhug7hIEp4zVURV7ZMJLuXbXtRIkK7IXGlHuDhNBi_4dEIR-Q6OF_3GJMRmiMt2mf-6Dczz99QvU2K3G9UxdPgU6JEvNJS/s1600-h/resurrection+fern+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438858168809125218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwrDPxNNGX1euvThe9K1NUjGPgXz1wHjv7s0C5VFCBq-UE2Uhug7hIEp4zVURV7ZMJLuXbXtRIkK7IXGlHuDhNBi_4dEIR-Q6OF_3GJMRmiMt2mf-6Dczz99QvU2K3G9UxdPgU6JEvNJS/s320/resurrection+fern+2.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a> This Resurrection Fern may have to learn how to come back to life </p><p align="center">after drowning too, if it keeps raining here.<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ColXVIg_dXZ9i1br27gy8I23cTl4zD_omcPacwkz1DQcdzFpNK4nSy7-D-IJldmNDPy7lRad8-NDx13RV4ehRpSozmuN4RBAZCUIgKr0mZNbBbvvfMm3oR_kKshkUs_08KcFmWQeDjeV/s1600-h/coral+reef+sedum+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438857740992691170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ColXVIg_dXZ9i1br27gy8I23cTl4zD_omcPacwkz1DQcdzFpNK4nSy7-D-IJldmNDPy7lRad8-NDx13RV4ehRpSozmuN4RBAZCUIgKr0mZNbBbvvfMm3oR_kKshkUs_08KcFmWQeDjeV/s320/coral+reef+sedum+(2).JPG" /> <p align="center"></a> Coral Reef Sedum growing on a stump.<br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGV9_MmBqQBGkTvDT_NXg3A9wRLaihAB124Lbt_zbRHim6dkVM9igwYko34ZDJ-BElrbz_qOlt66ZKrAPbjHO5MoWkKE3n2PPEHaXINuaLlfGxUF-96aOG6pDFIh4xKfioPJUEpaMQWAWk/s1600-h/hickory+nuts+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438857417661239522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGV9_MmBqQBGkTvDT_NXg3A9wRLaihAB124Lbt_zbRHim6dkVM9igwYko34ZDJ-BElrbz_qOlt66ZKrAPbjHO5MoWkKE3n2PPEHaXINuaLlfGxUF-96aOG6pDFIh4xKfioPJUEpaMQWAWk/s320/hickory+nuts+(2).JPG" /></a> The squirrels have been piling up the hickory nut shells and husks</p><p align="center">since the weather has gotten cold.<br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvoBPwe8QPrXKHhHklp2j8wP5VCHbYFBdYA04f3wfUe3o_7uXEm0bjGn0Cz8h5lXinW2MCD5OsUcJm-ylkY7e3Iwcu4ueHlJ3ZiqXx4EUYuByuaI0m1FDfu2FQnAsfW0xNdkKfvyBvfc9/s1600-h/jan+2010+011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438856844442290226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvoBPwe8QPrXKHhHklp2j8wP5VCHbYFBdYA04f3wfUe3o_7uXEm0bjGn0Cz8h5lXinW2MCD5OsUcJm-ylkY7e3Iwcu4ueHlJ3ZiqXx4EUYuByuaI0m1FDfu2FQnAsfW0xNdkKfvyBvfc9/s320/jan+2010+011.JPG" /></a><br />I think theses are the seeds on the Japanese Fatsia (Fatsia aralia).</p><p align="center">Has anybody tried planting them to see if they would grow?</p><p align="center">I am thinking about trying it.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxlNRXkY7JhHeGTn0lwFdzW163MlIpH3YevzX9X2hyphenhyphenZOar091pH5D4fdjmvP1JR7_icvkjpOzZPrti4aeRHyTEWykxpek7Xg-vWFtOWmwiY1qZIKOadNO75t6ffM9rMtj22bfKCmIlxY1/s1600-h/bob's+grass.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438855365991930514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxlNRXkY7JhHeGTn0lwFdzW163MlIpH3YevzX9X2hyphenhyphenZOar091pH5D4fdjmvP1JR7_icvkjpOzZPrti4aeRHyTEWykxpek7Xg-vWFtOWmwiY1qZIKOadNO75t6ffM9rMtj22bfKCmIlxY1/s320/bob's+grass.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center">I call this “Bob’s grass” because my cousin, Bob, gave it to me</p><p align="center">and he didn’t know the name of it. I think it is a Miscanthus.</p><p align="center">It is gorgeous all year, but especially in the winter.</p><p align="center">You can just see the buds on the Japanese Magnolia</p><p align="center">in the background on the right.<br /><br />You can see more fabulous foliage at <a href="http://www.penick.net/digging/?p=6340">Foliage Follow-up </a>by visiting Pam at Digging. </p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908700492889879332noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-25063262400019536972010-02-15T08:25:00.009-05:002010-02-15T08:50:47.901-05:00Gardener Bloggers' Bloom Day<div align="center">You would think since February Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day is so close to Valentine’s Day, I would have some heart shaped flowers. But I don’t, so I will have to just be happy with the few things that are blooming. </div><div align="center"><br /> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFocY5XpTxUJDLe3U4_SdWLIuTORNFsD5gr0KxG-j0FdeXkrhwsPmMUelCWLtO7xBCekE2F9ugWdIXsgy_dUQXOTONu4d_-Y5ASwA0A_DA2b46mvGyY1mPCKHWrNlnKKJbU77FpgS2Fs8/s1600-h/hyacinth.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438465096973607682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFocY5XpTxUJDLe3U4_SdWLIuTORNFsD5gr0KxG-j0FdeXkrhwsPmMUelCWLtO7xBCekE2F9ugWdIXsgy_dUQXOTONu4d_-Y5ASwA0A_DA2b46mvGyY1mPCKHWrNlnKKJbU77FpgS2Fs8/s320/hyacinth.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>Pale pink hyacinth just opened – I couldn’t </p><p align="center">find the label so I don’t know what it is.</p><p align="center"><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmGrAFCnzcY-s2WBZtBX9CRWi2mOYqMOxh3SLhyphenhyphenCyffTnZslFsP2fhDw3mjYmLLPFU1k05X2KUbW8RoNDW6uIXlWrxW0CjkfhUfhe7zPcMZVFMLmXeiLmifR5WnXozrRg6KSt67HiXIyd/s1600-h/hyacinth+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438464251922797922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmGrAFCnzcY-s2WBZtBX9CRWi2mOYqMOxh3SLhyphenhyphenCyffTnZslFsP2fhDw3mjYmLLPFU1k05X2KUbW8RoNDW6uIXlWrxW0CjkfhUfhe7zPcMZVFMLmXeiLmifR5WnXozrRg6KSt67HiXIyd/s320/hyacinth+2.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>Purple hyacinth trying to open – still couldn’t find the labels.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTeI6J1ufCsJy_4MT1anAASl2Qsj2Kkqgr4jlc9fo8BHengPK3tujQf5P1ukG3n8tVpg-mqOAF525J8QcWJWLjRU6s1OFs51PAnq6jY3FsAqbaP5XwiMXBAhZlshwjn3ZiR89M8CiW1ev/s1600-h/azalea.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438463608010580034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTeI6J1ufCsJy_4MT1anAASl2Qsj2Kkqgr4jlc9fo8BHengPK3tujQf5P1ukG3n8tVpg-mqOAF525J8QcWJWLjRU6s1OFs51PAnq6jY3FsAqbaP5XwiMXBAhZlshwjn3ZiR89M8CiW1ev/s320/azalea.JPG" /></a> A single azalea bloom – it is so small I almost missed it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Kbb1h_CjyYjiaoYY97E_wjiNrO9HkBgzTsuyKpjM9ZwW4xiRZSsBzJleYKnyaiNVZyKGXgzJDH_N9FFnzNg7p5CxgMOeKW4v2S99QHokQF92TdxJNBkXLfJn7cvvs4XVD1VH-3dGos5Z/s1600-h/strawberry+blooms.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438463223791394882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Kbb1h_CjyYjiaoYY97E_wjiNrO9HkBgzTsuyKpjM9ZwW4xiRZSsBzJleYKnyaiNVZyKGXgzJDH_N9FFnzNg7p5CxgMOeKW4v2S99QHokQF92TdxJNBkXLfJn7cvvs4XVD1VH-3dGos5Z/s320/strawberry+blooms.JPG" /></a> Blooms on the strawberry plants in the greenhouse.<br /><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ06ZrrHPxGpjB1zW4ymGY_CM4MY03G7bsEJczT5whKFuBvjZP8yNkdJjk8bkVBuLmhVxJTt8Jjc0zYUZeD4xaVul5-8t2dMuz0V0nsd-JW98zCZfmWm7D7ZggMbfPwrUX-uaM1sAW3omi/s1600-h/gerber.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438462106429594226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ06ZrrHPxGpjB1zW4ymGY_CM4MY03G7bsEJczT5whKFuBvjZP8yNkdJjk8bkVBuLmhVxJTt8Jjc0zYUZeD4xaVul5-8t2dMuz0V0nsd-JW98zCZfmWm7D7ZggMbfPwrUX-uaM1sAW3omi/s320/gerber.JPG" /></a><br />This poor Gerber daisy has been </div><div align="center">struggling to bloom for a couple of weeks.</div><p align="center">Be sure to check out what else is blooming </p><p align="center">on <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/">Gardener Bloggers’ Bloom Day</a> </p><p align="center">with Carol at May Dreams Gardens. </p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908700492889879332noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-70241596074285313122010-02-13T11:57:00.005-05:002010-02-13T12:24:14.960-05:00At least the sun is shining ….<div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Yesterday Jan at <a href="http://alwaysgrowing.wordpress.com/">Always Growing </a>was wishing for some sunshine because the weather in Louisiana has been “rainy, damp, cold and gray for weeks.” I think the same weather has been sitting over North Florida too.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7VA7o050l-9aiULiQ8MNnd3i5-UpTroe31-tsey969xnHLClUpnv5ZmOq_ModkIcj23ZV8bydNT-_027G3waMNGnbQtlIRUV3pp586lNuB5vDrdnuIG0rKzjpGI7hguuaFZqKP7nM3Z9/s1600-h/circle+chain.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437777522125038738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7VA7o050l-9aiULiQ8MNnd3i5-UpTroe31-tsey969xnHLClUpnv5ZmOq_ModkIcj23ZV8bydNT-_027G3waMNGnbQtlIRUV3pp586lNuB5vDrdnuIG0rKzjpGI7hguuaFZqKP7nM3Z9/s320/circle+chain.JPG" /></a><br /><em>One of my "rain chains". I wasn't sure if I really wanted one, so I bought 3 hanging-thingees from a dollar store and hooked them together. Then my hubby hung them from the gutters. The water does run down them but, of course, they don't make any sound because they don't have cups to hold the water. It is about 3 feet long altogether. </em><br /><br />It rained all day yesterday and was windy and cold – the high only reached 40 degrees. We got 1 ½ inches of rain and the river has come up about a foot. It is still below flood stage though, so maybe it won’t flood again.<br /><br />But today the sun is shining. It is only supposed to get up to 49 degrees and it is windy … but the sun is shining! I hope it is shining on Jan too.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXIOyJZGDyAJoOjdFDH4OeY_jn9754AmU5HRx3_nVqjXl1n4kNEpQWVSPmHVa5QxuoDR77y35ycnBxhzD_Z1mNMbO_IhBC7IVm1s1tt56dz3rDM4f3vexTZTo5Mm0aCT-Ur9apD6B97Dd/s1600-h/sunshine.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437778337453177826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXIOyJZGDyAJoOjdFDH4OeY_jn9754AmU5HRx3_nVqjXl1n4kNEpQWVSPmHVa5QxuoDR77y35ycnBxhzD_Z1mNMbO_IhBC7IVm1s1tt56dz3rDM4f3vexTZTo5Mm0aCT-Ur9apD6B97Dd/s320/sunshine.JPG" /></a> <em>The sun shining on the water sitting in the backyard. Most of the back is too soggy to walk on. </em><br /><br />I enjoy reading <a href="http://alwaysgrowing.wordpress.com/">Always Growing </a>because Jan grows lots of the same plants I do. It will be interesting to see how different plants survive the Florida cold and the Louisiana cold. Her agapanthus is already growing new leaves, but mine isn’t. So is her mint, but mine is still hiding. But both of us have daylilies and bulbs coming up, new growth on hydrangeas and lorapetalums blooming.<br /><br />If you get a chance, drop in on Jan at <a href="http://alwaysgrowing.wordpress.com/">Always Growing</a>, see what is going on in Louisiana and wish her a sunny day.</div><br /><em></em><em></em><em></em>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908700492889879332noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-5511495855082716422010-02-07T16:09:00.002-05:002010-02-07T16:10:50.982-05:00happy spring<div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10px; FLOAT: right; MARGIN-LEFT: 10px"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4336266382/"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4336266382_8c1f617a47_m.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4336266382/">happy spring</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/littlethingscreatecharacter/">Creating Character</a></span></div>I’ve been playing with my Bamboo Tablet again. It is made by Wacom and is a photo editing tablet. Since it has a pen and a tablet, it is easier to manipulate than a mouse. However, the tablet can also be used as a mouse, either with your finger or the pen. The Bamboo Tablet is basically a hobbyist version of the more professional Wacom tablets, at a much more affordable price. I am sure that the higher priced versions have more benefits, but they weren’t what I needed. In my mind, anyway.<br /><br />I have spent a lot of time fooling around with the tablet, but I still don’t know very much about it. It came with Photoshop Elements 7 and I don’t know the program very well. I have been searching for different things online, and I have found a book that I would like to get. Books a Million didn’t have it, and I haven’t had extra cash to get it from Amazon, so it will have to wait a little longer. Until then, I will just practice.<br /><br />This picture took me quite a while to complete. Then, when I was completely done, I decided that the text should have been a little darker, but it was too late by then! Anyway, what do you think? Mom, recognize those flowers?<br clear="all">Marsanne Pettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05816447718219069472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-64528301245666058272010-02-05T11:11:00.004-05:002010-02-05T11:29:56.215-05:00I planted 42 trees this morning!<div align="center">Now, let me explain, before you start calling me crazy!<br /><br />I decided that we needed to cut some of the big old limbs out of the Redtwig Dogwood. So Michael cut 8 or 10 limbs off about 6 inches from the ground. Some of limbs were almost 3 inches in diameter and 6 feet long or longer.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzNMfNzqy_Q6KU0dvbjgwafK4Aix8OFV21nDIHxBNpA8Vf1AltUpnqpEzknBwgrV7VfSvhPaMG3Dbjp04N_J-n6Obj_Oy4OQMi3B8GtOnhYg1XWLipegXACvbmxIOUAk4IOp5ESXDnEQB/s1600-h/Red+Ozier+Dogwood+flower.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434793681942924690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzNMfNzqy_Q6KU0dvbjgwafK4Aix8OFV21nDIHxBNpA8Vf1AltUpnqpEzknBwgrV7VfSvhPaMG3Dbjp04N_J-n6Obj_Oy4OQMi3B8GtOnhYg1XWLipegXACvbmxIOUAk4IOp5ESXDnEQB/s320/Red+Ozier+Dogwood+flower.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><em>Redtwig Dogwood flowers. It is also called Red Ozier Dogwood. </em><br /><br />I cut the small ends and smaller side limbs off to root in the backyard, which is pretty wet right now. There is a small sinkhole back there and I don’t like to mow around it – I won’t but Michael will. I stuck 42 “cuttings” in the ground around the sinkhole. The “cuttings” were from 2 feet to 4 feet long and I pushed about a foot of each one in the dirt.<br /><br />Will it work? I don’t know, but I thought it was worth a try. We had been trying to decide what to plant around the sinkhole anyway so we wouldn’t have to mow there. It would be great if most of them rooted, but if only a few root, then that’s less plants I will need to buy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbnhAk4K3CvDHcAixs2xbUfO6IWMudXOej9BT7Ii9pFQpkAYWxtbIE2rFE8QHWREcvaUtL-fCtVjbTXCkfHTz5vmN1zPJcbUs9-AUgN50wiNPGyBUkLFQP14aKTNBJvLtdEkb5h5ibNYR/s1600-h/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbnhAk4K3CvDHcAixs2xbUfO6IWMudXOej9BT7Ii9pFQpkAYWxtbIE2rFE8QHWREcvaUtL-fCtVjbTXCkfHTz5vmN1zPJcbUs9-AUgN50wiNPGyBUkLFQP14aKTNBJvLtdEkb5h5ibNYR/s320/006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434796909306791586" /></a><br /><em>This picture was taken in 2008 before an oak tree fell on it and broke about a third of the limbs. </em><br /><br />Redtwig Dogwoods seem to be pretty hardy. Mine has survived a flood, drought, temperatures in the teens and above 100 degrees, and a tree falling on in it. </p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908700492889879332noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-32200241972266474162010-02-04T10:20:00.006-05:002010-02-04T10:33:04.408-05:00Happy Birthday!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyfOva2xUVgGx5eb0rBV5snwQqt219Wi8pGCbCeTlS240lEpgwYSlccaM6SWXUsD3akmdEAUlRaVTXTsLk4sA8bImxLE0GuceHljL_H9CdHxI47ggWjuW93skQ6KzLeddyvrzQsv7_SE/s1600-h/happy-birthday.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434410985376645474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyfOva2xUVgGx5eb0rBV5snwQqt219Wi8pGCbCeTlS240lEpgwYSlccaM6SWXUsD3akmdEAUlRaVTXTsLk4sA8bImxLE0GuceHljL_H9CdHxI47ggWjuW93skQ6KzLeddyvrzQsv7_SE/s320/happy-birthday.jpg" /></a><br /><div><p>Last week was my birthday. I turned 32!! Can you believe it? I really didn’t want to pass the 30 mark, but my life hasn’t changed a whole lot since then. I was having a really bad week, because I thought that no one had remembered my birthday. No one had mentioned it at all, and we always have dinner at my mom’s house on all of our birthdays. She hadn’t said a word, and I knew she wouldn’t wait until the last minute, so I was getting kind of stressed out. No one loved me anymore! What was I going to do?<br /><br />My hubby and kids told me I could order a Bamboo Tablet for my birthday, so I did. It was supposed to arrive on the 2nd, several days after my birthday, but I was too cheap to pay for expedited shipping, so that was my own fault. I was really excited, too, because I’ve wanted one for a while. For those of you that don’t know, a Bamboo Tablet is a tool to work with photographs.<br /><br />Thursday morning arrives. My husband told me happy birthday when he got up. My dad called me and woke me up to tell me happy birthday. My oldest son came in to tell me when he was getting ready. My sis texted me. Then I got online and my mom told me. No one forgot me after all. My youngest son is always in a hurry to get to school, so he didn’t tell me until I went to pick him up.<br /><br />When I was online, I told my mom that I had ordered the Bamboo Tablet from hubby and the kids. She asked what I was going to do with two of them, and like an idiot, I didn’t get it. She ordered me one too! But she ordered the next level up, so we all decided to keep it and send the one that I ordered back. When they credit my account back, I’ll go buy some new books or something like that.<br /><br />So, instead of working on anything else on Thursday or Friday, I spent my entire day playing with my Bamboo Tablet. See what I did? Pretty cool, huh? I'll be working on some more here, but it takes me a while because I'm not really familiar with Photoshop too much, and the tablet works with Photoshop. I have to say the effect turned out rather nicely, even if I am complimenting myself. :)</p><p> </p><p></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434410146270836914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAM0FgRGv_GPJsNtMCjOUdZ5Z9yL5_yuLEdXq_MFlIwUoXRHo7kwJuSNhgAXsJrDMCloaviQTHy8XiZUIUHH8LHod9jNu2ov_FcjkkcI0zirM33_PbgrNL7_J7gAVXrrxd-HKMYP0mfg/s320/edited+rose.jpg" /></p></div>Marsanne Pettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05816447718219069472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-66427494283954906172010-01-31T08:55:00.003-05:002010-01-31T09:02:16.828-05:00Still Rising<div align="center">The Alapaha River is still rising this morning here and just north of us. We only got ¼ of inch of rain yesterday, which surprised me because it rained hard a couple of times. Looks like north us there was ¼ to ½ inch of rain. Hopefully this means that the river will slow down some - it is still rising about a foot every 24 hours.<br /><br />I took these pictures yesterday about noon yesterday. I didn’t have time to go back later, because I had some errands to run and then we had a birthday dinner for our daughter, Marsanne. Just grilled hamburgers, chips and Ghiradelli double chocolate cupcakes, but everybody ate too much.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yS8YNroRA-ffwmXvWdTEqZFbFVeU4u-2epjRsnICvoGAtcbzMikU29e8HfqPDh5qz98VsuLiiTZp5HCtVOV1Zy9z77GhaqE_CbDrE0p-9cM1iNuojcE5KOhkAUJoXQx-r1s-3ZsztR6g/s1600-h/fast+current.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432902888508961506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yS8YNroRA-ffwmXvWdTEqZFbFVeU4u-2epjRsnICvoGAtcbzMikU29e8HfqPDh5qz98VsuLiiTZp5HCtVOV1Zy9z77GhaqE_CbDrE0p-9cM1iNuojcE5KOhkAUJoXQx-r1s-3ZsztR6g/s320/fast+current.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a> <em>Here you can see how fast the water is moving through the run from the river. It has eroded the side of the road and formed a small waterfall.<br /></em><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwX-qe-9QIq5xsj3FDwFh6DCptXCznmh3ZK_Oj9UxsvngqOGYaj9tvq4tiwVqGoozUfWTQsQS_2w0B66_4fzNhqlc5_w0u63pnlRi386DEktf2bUT0BoVSj-dU9iE4rK8wKI7EG-sMK4R/s1600-h/spreading.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432903233485928178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwX-qe-9QIq5xsj3FDwFh6DCptXCznmh3ZK_Oj9UxsvngqOGYaj9tvq4tiwVqGoozUfWTQsQS_2w0B66_4fzNhqlc5_w0u63pnlRi386DEktf2bUT0BoVSj-dU9iE4rK8wKI7EG-sMK4R/s320/spreading.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><em> This picture shows how the water is flowing down hill to the dip in the road and spreading out into the woods on either side. See the Century 21 sign on the right side? Wouldn’t you like some waterfront property?<br /></em><br />This is just down the road from our house around a curve. The left side is low all the way back to the curve. The right side rises suddenly right beside the run so the water is forced downstream. According to my husband the water has to fill up the low area on the left side of the road and back up the road to the curve. At the curve the water starts flowing back across the road to the right side and fills up the low area on that side. We live on the right side so the water will eventually reach our backyard if the river keeps rising.<br /><br />I don’t know if this makes sense. It is hard to explain that we don’t get flooded by the river right behind our house because the bank is so high – like a cliff, actually. The water overflows at a lower point and backs up to our house, which is lower than the riverbank here. That is the main reason the water doesn’t drain away when the river level drops – we are in a low spot and the water has nowhere else to go.<br /><br />Anyway, the water hasn’t reached us yet and maybe it won’t. But more rain is predicted for next week and the ground is very soggy already. We need some hot sun!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908700492889879332noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-16845317575510549092010-01-30T09:34:00.006-05:002010-01-30T09:54:22.236-05:00Not Again!!!!!!<div align="justify">The Alapaha River is on the rise again. So far the prediction is for minimal to moderate flooding, but it is raining this morning and more rain is predicted too.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja48PqCqgcX8utXkHqQaKap6g508_wUQLhPCd_cY8Y_1IunfOGlM-_CCUyUsscxRkcT8Vnyg6nK2DNeyuLlzYc0Xwsf0JUFp2-XULQxkp2MS-8LegR2ABlk7KfiY8gmSTl9GPGuAAaQ5Qe/s1600-h/back+yard.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432541979567110274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja48PqCqgcX8utXkHqQaKap6g508_wUQLhPCd_cY8Y_1IunfOGlM-_CCUyUsscxRkcT8Vnyg6nK2DNeyuLlzYc0Xwsf0JUFp2-XULQxkp2MS-8LegR2ABlk7KfiY8gmSTl9GPGuAAaQ5Qe/s320/back+yard.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a> <em>This is the “puddle” of water in our backyard left over</em><em> from the Easter Flood of 2009 and recent rains.</em><br /><br />We moved here in June 1984. The people we bought the property from asked us to come see the river in April 1984 when it flooded, so we would know what we were facing. No big deal – the river was running across the back quarter of the yard, which is the lowest part of the yard.<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINayfPM2h3Xwnr5JYzApoaL5exP6P5Bd-JXrLVOKyT6XRCIxPArAFkVbUmUJrMDoZyWvBfDFlmwKsdn5FpuGT_s757eywfFS1seUKMdCQUlqNeKgAlDcAbk6ede8EUxsQAEVYdvj1L5yi/s1600-h/back+fence.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432543878080004050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINayfPM2h3Xwnr5JYzApoaL5exP6P5Bd-JXrLVOKyT6XRCIxPArAFkVbUmUJrMDoZyWvBfDFlmwKsdn5FpuGT_s757eywfFS1seUKMdCQUlqNeKgAlDcAbk6ede8EUxsQAEVYdvj1L5yi/s320/back+fence.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a> <em>A view of the “puddle” at the back fence – it spreads into the property behind and beside us.<br /></em><br />Our property is in the 100-year flood plain, which we thought meant that it would only flood her once in every 100 years. A lot of other people think that too. Wrong!!!<br /><br />According to The "1OO-Year Flood", a US Geological Survey fact sheet: The term "100-year flood" is misleading because it leads people to believe that it happens only once every 100 years. The truth is that an uncommonly big flood can happen any year. The term "100-year flood" is really a statistical designation, and there is a 1-in-100 chance that a flood this size will happen during any year. Perhaps a better term would be the "1-in-100 chance flood."<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKByepyq_pBXf-DKkTefJ7H20goTR1BfDPbKxlGDbebg_946tcfratNDsyH2BzjazlIZnAOUPVb7cHYuvyQ12z2UJgVmxYl2TCYQzFEkMPQaNOIatWu8qDeEIqj6Kl7SFbcZtr0KDAD38/s1600-h/road.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432544380835264018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKByepyq_pBXf-DKkTefJ7H20goTR1BfDPbKxlGDbebg_946tcfratNDsyH2BzjazlIZnAOUPVb7cHYuvyQ12z2UJgVmxYl2TCYQzFEkMPQaNOIatWu8qDeEIqj6Kl7SFbcZtr0KDAD38/s320/road.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><em>The river runs through a deep ditch into the road past our house. This was taken Friday afternoon just as the river reached flood stage.</em><br /><br />So …. Of the 8 recorded floods since 1948, 5 occurred after we moved here. The worst recorded flood was the Easter Flood last year, when the river crested more than 7 feet above flood stage.<br /><br />Right now the prediction is for 2 feet above flood stage by tomorrow night – it is already a foot over flood stage.<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWo_z1Cm2eRugi_bMmzqKs2_ACYGu5YeN32Kj0aAWgUUIFP3rshfm-oyeAorOv1oqGh25G26RpKIIlqVlT7xvVeXr5BjMYsyXevlfuionuIzT4xkgJVz6hxjIlTEdgV1ueR21SnmrdwLVM/s1600-h/greenhouse.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432544816195439986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWo_z1Cm2eRugi_bMmzqKs2_ACYGu5YeN32Kj0aAWgUUIFP3rshfm-oyeAorOv1oqGh25G26RpKIIlqVlT7xvVeXr5BjMYsyXevlfuionuIzT4xkgJVz6hxjIlTEdgV1ueR21SnmrdwLVM/s320/greenhouse.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><em>The greenhouse is ready.</em><br /><br />My greenhouse may or may not flood – it depends on how high the water rises. I moved most of the plants up on the tables just in case. The hibiscus plants are several years old and declining so I left them on the floor. The other two plants are peace lilies and they will survive wet feet. </p><p align="center">I will keep you posted - so check back again.<br /></p><p align="left"><br /><br /></p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908700492889879332noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-69518370398627318822010-01-26T16:47:00.005-05:002010-01-26T17:03:45.499-05:00Chicken Bruschetta<p>I don't often cook unusual things, because there are a lot of foods that I don't particularly care for. However, my family keeps insisting that I should cook something different. To tell the truth, I have grown up eating basically the same things on a regular basis, and once I got married and had children, I continued that tradition, so to speak. </p><p>So, I found a recipe that I thought I could manage without botching it up too bad (I'm not that good of a cook to begin with). Chicken Bruschetta. Chicken with tomatoes, onions, Italian dressing, and seasoning. It also has bacon and cheese mixed in there. </p><p>With no further ado, here is what dinner looked like a few nights ago......</p><p><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4306932571/"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4306932571_9c23cf29d5_m.jpg" /></a> </p><p>Chicken cooking in the pan with seasonings.....</p><p><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4307675382/"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4307675382_ca08d47765_m.jpg" /></a></p><p>Tomatoes, onions, chicken bouillion, and more seasonings.....<br /><br /><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4306934459/"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4306934459_d207d4ce89_m.jpg" /></a> </p><p>Layer the bacon over the chicken and then melt the cheese on top. Spoon a serving of tomatoes - bruschetta - over the chicken and serve. Complete chicken bruschetta served over pasta.....</p><p></p><p>Not too shabby, if I do say so myself. It tasted pretty good, although it could have done with a little less Italian dressing. (That's one of those foods I don't like.) The dressing was a bit strong, in my opinion. But big R and L liked it. Little R refused to eat the tomatoes, but he didn't mind the bacon! :)<br /><br /><br /></p><div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10px; MARGIN-LEFT: 10px"><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4306934459/">IMG_1280</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/littlethingscreatecharacter/">Creating Character</a></span></div><br clear="all">Marsanne Pettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05816447718219069472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-46956210214446265802010-01-19T18:26:00.006-05:002010-01-19T20:12:05.002-05:00Mush!<div align="center">The color of my garden this winter is mush. Do you know how many colors of mush there are? Let me show you ....<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428601402001022626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrhVRlICgMFAdrxbjlD6mW72u3FuFmGrjBWZNhIpLKNFXbk-SQgme_uNORReWjjYignvUgDlnGQFt1gEVf6QZL-2aIF6vHVR1s3VwANolPJv2c9k-dfaJS14uGRo8GmXeJEjdKo6uAzUH/s320/Gingers.JPG" /></div><p align="center">droopy green Ginger mush</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcs6K8XqC6IaPsz3e0NNML4shafCe6VYROppuI-PwIiQwAxK2XcX7tsINQXrWyci8hBdWMqV1QvdoOtddzuMpTelS9UJzvlMLvSpAk17_qXJs8IZcmE_rmGmj7mYZOq-VYGdyhXaKFYwYX/s1600-h/Hydrangeas.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 315px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428616587628677026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcs6K8XqC6IaPsz3e0NNML4shafCe6VYROppuI-PwIiQwAxK2XcX7tsINQXrWyci8hBdWMqV1QvdoOtddzuMpTelS9UJzvlMLvSpAk17_qXJs8IZcmE_rmGmj7mYZOq-VYGdyhXaKFYwYX/s320/Hydrangeas.JPG" /></a> golden brown Hydrangea mush<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7QR23dBwqLJS9MW7VxFEXtwclJasdNtQHf_LOgHeUyWVjxraJGZuFjVwaMzMoNTMrBTPYOJfAdIchfGm6__Vmvfiyk7chaFGlPeMZPDidNc9eWi30imxKCVEgg1G7uvKdALFHX_3NgrH/s1600-h/Canna+Lilies.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428616594452716834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7QR23dBwqLJS9MW7VxFEXtwclJasdNtQHf_LOgHeUyWVjxraJGZuFjVwaMzMoNTMrBTPYOJfAdIchfGm6__Vmvfiyk7chaFGlPeMZPDidNc9eWi30imxKCVEgg1G7uvKdALFHX_3NgrH/s320/Canna+Lilies.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center">brownish green Canna Lily mush</p><p></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeJNgRyuieKwl31HXEQmsHrPe7zQbPRcMrWt8xZ7sARw9lgZb25T7FO7NU7WVGkqwh_P9vgp7woSZQoaPHhb5SkGi36NicWaLzbUcLxx0wDK2hUGJLXb_2q18LegIkuNgVd1JyaM_38-a/s1600-h/Crinum+Lily.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428619651481228386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeJNgRyuieKwl31HXEQmsHrPe7zQbPRcMrWt8xZ7sARw9lgZb25T7FO7NU7WVGkqwh_P9vgp7woSZQoaPHhb5SkGi36NicWaLzbUcLxx0wDK2hUGJLXb_2q18LegIkuNgVd1JyaM_38-a/s320/Crinum+Lily.JPG" /></a>grayish brown Crinum Lily mush</p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJN714KNvmm9j6nKcPAiYqMptRz5zxOx1YB2s0R1zGrkxWPPLh1W8HT4AJ25lRbbiMTPHHBjJ_2j04oscP6HyNSon4rEqk-zXointwE6Y25DwX1W3dxn7PyB8Z45X5GBFGAQO_iRbLm5_-/s1600-h/Crotons+and+Philodendron.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428619641573342034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJN714KNvmm9j6nKcPAiYqMptRz5zxOx1YB2s0R1zGrkxWPPLh1W8HT4AJ25lRbbiMTPHHBjJ_2j04oscP6HyNSon4rEqk-zXointwE6Y25DwX1W3dxn7PyB8Z45X5GBFGAQO_iRbLm5_-/s320/Crotons+and+Philodendron.JPG" /></a>and finally </div><div align="center">brown-used-to-be-bright-yellow Philodendron mush</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />I think the Philodendron is done for, </div><div align="center">but all the rest should come back in the spring. </div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908700492889879332noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-56193338609177237902010-01-19T12:29:00.003-05:002010-01-19T12:31:57.778-05:00Peeking Through<div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10px; FLOAT: right; MARGIN-LEFT: 10px"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4288521312/"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4288521312_b1d02dc71e_m.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4288521312/">Peeking Through</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/littlethingscreatecharacter/">Creating Character</a></span></div>My post for today for <a href="http://creativeeveryday.com/">Creative Every Day</a>. See me peeking through this cool mirror that we found at the Dollar Store? Only $10 bucks! I should have gotten it, but really, what would I use it for? It's not like I can really see myself in it.....<br clear="all">Marsanne Pettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05816447718219069472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-43473113104648911172010-01-18T15:35:00.001-05:002010-01-18T15:37:22.769-05:00Free RiceIf everyone will notice, I have added a new button to our site, <a href="http://www.freerice.com">Free Rice</a>. This came on one of my daily emails, <a href="http://www.dumblittleman.com">Dumb Little Man</a>, as part of a list of 50 things that I could do today to make my life healthier. A lot of them were kind of unique and some of them were stretching it a bit, but hey, 50 things to come up with all at once would be kind of hard, I would think. Actually, I know, because I’ve been working on a list about the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, and it’s pretty darn hard. <br /><br />But back to the <a href="http://www.freerice.com">Free Rice</a>. They donate 10 grains of rice for each question that you answer correctly. What started as a small click in an email for me has turned into a compulsion! My son and I have been playing off and on all day. I have focused on English vocabulary (go figure) and he has been sampling different subjects, such as Spanish, math, and Chemical symbols. <br /><br />Throughout the day today, I have donated over 4000 grains of rice and he has donated over 2000 grains of rice. Now, math is not my strong point, but it says on Free Rice that a day’s ration of rice is 400 grams and there are 48 grains of rice in a gram. That’s 19,200 grains of rice. So a person has to answer 1,920 questions to get a daily ration of rice. That seems like a lot. A whole lot, so I was sitting here wondering why I was answering these questions. I’d never get a whole day’s ration to be donated, so what was the use, right?<br /><br />Well, think about it. Today alone, just my son and I have donated nearly a third of a day’s ration of rice for someone who desperately wants it. I mean they want it really bad, because they don’t want to be the one in six people that die today because they didn’t get enough food. And when you think about, one in six isn’t that much because I could name six people that I know right now. How about you? Can you name six people? Could you imagine one of those six people starving too death?<br /><br />So, what it boils down to is that when we all play the game it makes the grains of rice add up. If only twenty people play for about an hour a day, we can save the one of the six. Or if you donate 3,000 grains every day, you could say that every seventh day, you save that person. Either way, the difference is in the numbers…. Do you want to be one of them?Marsanne Pettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05816447718219069472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-43799069138039725322010-01-13T13:31:00.010-05:002010-01-13T15:48:49.199-05:00In the RearviewThis one is a body of work for <a href="http://creativeeveryday.com/">Creative Every Day.</a> There are several, so I am going to try to make them kind of small, but we will see how it goes. This entry is for January 10. I don't know what the deal is with the second photo there - I can't seem to get it sized properly.</p><p><br /><a title="morning time by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4262208917/"><img alt="morning time" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4262208917_ddea688380_m.jpg" width="220" height="160" /></a> <a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4262966806/"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4262966806_c46107dcf7_m.jpg" /></a></p><p><br /><a title="backward intersection by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4262220975/"><img alt="backward intersection" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/4262220975_80268c68a4_m.jpg" width="220" height="160" /></a> <a title="IMG_1187 by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4272242608/"><img alt="IMG_1187" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2778/4272242608_c308b3957d_m.jpg" width="220" height="160" /></a></p><p><br /><a title="IMG_1192 by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4271500047/"><img alt="IMG_1192" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4271500047_ecddfc14d3_m.jpg" width="220" height="160" /></a> <a title="IMG_1196 by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4272244668/"><img alt="IMG_1196" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2802/4272244668_cde7d41346_m.jpg" width="220" height="160" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a title="IMG_1198 by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4271502413/"><img alt="IMG_1198" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4271502413_4ebb41d89b_m.jpg" width="220" height="160" /></a> <a title="IMG_1197 by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4271501805/"><img alt="IMG_1197" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2706/4271501805_66b76f5288_m.jpg" width="220" height="160" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a title="IMG_1199 by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4271503559/"><img alt="IMG_1199" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4271503559_2b8995702a_m.jpg" width="220" height="160" /></a> <a title="IMG_1200 by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4271504173/"><img alt="IMG_1200" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2737/4271504173_54973169b9_m.jpg" width="220" height="160" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a title="IMG_1202 by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4272248376/"><img alt="IMG_1202" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4272248376_536c83d028_m.jpg" width="220" height="160" /></a> <a title="IMG_1204 by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4272249814/"><img alt="IMG_1204" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2737/4272249814_85a84ceed3_m.jpg" width="220" height="160" /></a> </p><p></p><p><a title="IMG_1248 by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4272251238/"><img alt="IMG_1248" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4272251238_602ca14f42_m.jpg" width="220" height="160" /></a> <a title="IMG_1249 by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4271508749/"><img alt="IMG_1249" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/4271508749_a4e190f948_m.jpg" width="220" height="160" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a title="IMG_1253 by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4271509543/"><img alt="IMG_1253" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2760/4271509543_647f253dfc_m.jpg" width="220" height="160" /></a> <a title="IMG_1256 by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4271510305/"><img alt="IMG_1256" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4271510305_a689363f32_m.jpg" width="220" height="160" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a title="IMG_1257 by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4272254850/"><img alt="IMG_1257" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4272254850_2818d04b66_m.jpg" width="220" height="160" /></a> <a title="IMG_1258 by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4271512147/"><img alt="IMG_1258" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2786/4271512147_d128d1e50c_m.jpg" width="220" height="160" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a title="IMG_1267 by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4272257094/"><img alt="IMG_1267" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2723/4272257094_8b88291a08_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" /></a> <a title="IMG_1269 by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="ht2p://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4271514575/"><img alt="IMG_1269" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2714/4271514575_4e6128eafd_m.jpg" width="220" height="160" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a title="IMG_1176 by Creating Character, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4272259228/"><img alt="IMG_1176" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4272259228_b49ab60a29_m.jpg" width="220" height="160" /></a> </p>Marsanne Pettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05816447718219069472noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-80750031684158963712010-01-13T12:49:00.006-05:002010-01-13T13:10:58.793-05:00L's KneesThis is my <a href="http://creativeeveryday.com/">Creative Every Day </a>entry for 1/12/10. I know, I'm a little slow on the uploads and posting at times. You'll have to forgive me, :I thought you all might get tired of seeing my body, so I decided on my oldest son's instead. He doesn't like me to take his picture, so I thought I could catch his knees while we were driving down the road.<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10px; FLOAT: left; MARGIN-LEFT: 10px"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4272186382/"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4272186382_e36f06b622_m.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4272186382/">IMG_1179</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/littlethingscreatecharacter/">Creating Character</a></span></div><br /><div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10px; FLOAT: right; MARGIN-LEFT: 10px"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4271444337/"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2722/4271444337_3750a0110e_m.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4271444337/">What are you doing?</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/littlethingscreatecharacter/">Creating Character</a></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Too bad he didn't know what I was doing. In the process, he looked down to see what I was taking a picture of and I got his face. His response was, "I didn't see anything worth taking a picture of." Go figure. He is definitely not a photographer. :)<br /><br />Last and final of him, at least if he catches me :)<br /><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10px; MARGIN-LEFT: 10px"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4271445103/"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4271445103_3a5a41f14c_m.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4271445103/">Busy at work</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/littlethingscreatecharacter/">Creating Character</a></span></div>Marsanne Pettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05816447718219069472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-80907237592304908882010-01-10T12:33:00.004-05:002010-01-10T13:28:37.058-05:00beauty means nothing if you're not loved<div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10px; FLOAT: right; MARGIN-LEFT: 10px"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4262395985/"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4262395985_f9fd826acd_m.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4262395985/">beauty means nothing 1</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/littlethingscreatecharacter/">Creating Character</a></span></div><a href="http://creativeeveryday.com/">Creative Every Day</a> again. I couldn't quite figure out how to do what I wanted - I wanted the mirror part of the image to be all broken and cracked, but I couldn't do it, so I made an adjustment. This is my second shot at it (out of about 30 photos). My first attempt is the lower photograph.<br /><br />And, see, I told you I wasn't as pale as I looked yesterday!<br /><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10px; FLOAT: left; MARGIN-LEFT: 10px"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4263115930/"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2787/4263115930_06d69ac62b_m.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4263115930/">beauty means nothing without love</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/littlethingscreatecharacter/">Creating Character</a></span></div><br clear="all">Marsanne Pettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05816447718219069472noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-60029714681299773902010-01-09T12:19:00.002-05:002010-01-09T12:20:24.376-05:00Socks<div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10px; FLOAT: right; MARGIN-LEFT: 10px"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4259121551/"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/4259121551_16ce468dc2_m.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4259121551/">Socks</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/littlethingscreatecharacter/">Creating Character</a></span></div>Another entry for <a href="http://creativeeveryday.com/">Creative Every Day.</a> These are my lovely socks that my mom bought me for Christmas. They come up over my knees, as you can see. You wouldn't really thing that I would need socks that tall in Florida, but I'm always cold and an extra layer helps tremendously. My husband thinks I'm a freak because of my socks. :)<br clear="all">Marsanne Pettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05816447718219069472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843673980238546367.post-88150203085679847012010-01-09T12:11:00.002-05:002010-01-09T12:13:23.344-05:00This is me<div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10px; FLOAT: right; MARGIN-LEFT: 10px"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4259875878/"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2738/4259875878_889a53f9c1_m.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlethingscreatecharacter/4259875878/">img072</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/littlethingscreatecharacter/">Creating Character</a></span></div>For <a href="http://creativeeveryday.com/">Creative Every Day</a>, this is my post today. Remember, the theme is Body, so a self portrait.... I'm not really quite that pale, but the flash! It's hard to take a picture of yourself :)<br clear="all">Marsanne Pettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05816447718219069472noreply@blogger.com0