ClayManiacs

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?

This is a thread for you to post pictures of your beautiful gardens and yards.  Some have posted some lovely pictures in the OCD, and I thought it would be fun to have  garden pictures all in one place.

Please share your gardens with us.  

Prissy

PS:  I knew the title for this thread was part of a poem.  It's actually from Mother Goose:

Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
Silver bells and cockle-shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Animationstogardenparty.gif)

 I will go ahead and start with a few pictures of parts of my yard.  The  photo quality is not great, but I hope to add some better pictures later.  

This is my Knock Out Rose Bush  that blooms for a long time, spring through fall:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/IMG029.jpg)

This is the gazebo from  different views.  We have planted hydrangeas around it but you can't see them from this view.  I will  add those pictures, too, at some point.  At that end of the pool is a Cherry Laurel tree and a Bradford Pear tree.   They add shade for sitting.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/gazebo3021.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Gazebo1.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/GAZEBODECK.jpg)

At the diving  end of the pool in the pots are Fan Palms with Begonias.  In the bed behind the diving board are Crepe Myrtles and Rose of Sharon (Althea).  I will post  pictures when they are blooming.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Idivingboard020.jpg)

We Texans have a thing about stuff shaped like Texas, so here is one of three Texas stepping stones that are in one of the beds.  (This is the bed that the dogs are in a lot.  They have actually just about dug a hole under a couple of the stepping stones!)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/IMG025.jpg)

I hope  others will post and identify some of the plants that they use.  I am excited about seeing the beautiful yards  and gardens many of you have.  I don't have a very green thumb  so I plant very hardy  plants that  are almost impossible to kill!

Prissy

PS:  We have several big planter pots and two outdoor trash receptacles that are  made of that pebble aggregate material.  A McDonald's restaurant near us was remodeling and we asked if they wanted all their big planters and trash recepticals and they said we could have them for a  really low price.  Skip rented a truck with a dolly and rounded up unsuspecting neighbors to help lift and brought home 7 planters and the two trash receptacles.  We felt like we got a really good buy and they look great in the yard.

Prissy...what a beautiful yard...I think this is a wonderful Idea.....Idon;t really take pictures of my yard but ilove to take pictures of my flowers...so Im gonna share a few of them ......
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/DSCN0535.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/DSCN1433.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/DSCN1435.jpg)

Prissy, I absolutely love the concept of this thread!  Thanks for thinking of it.  All of these pictures reflect the talent and love of beauty of our fellow Claymaniacs.  

Here is a photo of our Clematis in full bloom last month.  I planted them 3 years ago, and this is the first year they have been so beautiful.


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v99/claydevotee/IMG_0002.jpg)

These are pictures of Pepe's beautiful house/yard/garden!  Beautiful job Pepe!!

Click to make big!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/ILClaymate/th_7pepecherry.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/ILClaymate/7pepecherry.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/ILClaymate/th_6pepepatio.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/ILClaymate/6pepepatio.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/ILClaymate/th_5peperoses.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/ILClaymate/5peperoses.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/ILClaymate/th_4pepe.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/ILClaymate/4pepe.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/ILClaymate/th_3pepehumbirds.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/ILClaymate/3pepehumbirds.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/ILClaymate/th_2pepetrees.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/ILClaymate/2pepetrees.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/ILClaymate/th_1pepetree.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/ILClaymate/1pepetree.jpg)

Debi,
I love the close-up pictures of the flowers.  They are gorgeous!

Liz,
I look forward to your cactus pictures.  I know they will be lovely.

Thea,
Your Clematis in full bloom are  beautiful.  I wonder if Clematis would grow in Texas!  I will have to look them up.

Pepe,
Your beautiful yard and garden are one of the reasons I started this thread.  Clandy, thanks for posting these pictures of Pepe's lovely place.

I hope more will share their plants, gardens, and yards with us.  If you can, let us know the name of your plants.

Hugs,
Prissy

OK...all you gardeners....I need some serious help!!

The name of my plant is pachysandra.  I have over 1,000 square feet of it and I want to GET RID of it!!!!

I spent several hours this past weekend tearing up roots until I started bleeding underneath my skin (and I WAS wearing gloves) and I only got a small patch of it out.  This stuff has the most amazing root system I have EVER seen.  My rock walls were collapsing the roots were so strong.  

Does ANYONE know how the heck to kill this stuff any other way than I am doing it???  

ANY help would be VERY much appreciated!!!!

Desperately (LOL)
Cindy

CINDY, IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KILL IT I WOULD JUST SPRAY IT HEAVY WITH A VEGETATION KILLER OR WEED KILLER.  THAT SHOULD KILL THE  ROOTS WHICH YOU HAVE TO DO OR IT WILL JUST GROW BACK.

 :bouncy PEPE

Cindy,

I think Pepe has the right idea.  Spray with a strong weed killer, then wait a couple of weeks and, if possible, till it up.

I'm wondering if covering it with a weed suppressing  cloth would help kill it, too.

We love Asian  Jasmine as a ground cover, but it can be invasive, too.
It has covered a baker's rack in my back yard and now is "after"  one of my trash cans.  This is a ground cover that can really climb if you don't control it.  (We've thought of putting two big paper plate "eyes" on the Asian Jasmine baker's rack since it looks like a big monster  standing by the house!!  Actually, we plan to "rescue" the  rack fairly soon!)

Here is the Baker's Rack covered in Asian Jasmine and  see how it's "hugging" the trash can!!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/ASJASMONSTER.jpg)

Prissy

DEBI, YOUR FLOWERS ARE BEAUTIFUL.  IS THE FIRST PICTURE A COLUMBINE FLOWER?

THEA, YOUR CLEMENTIS ARE MUCH THICKER THAN MINE.  MY FLOWERS ARE SCATTERED ON THE VINE AND NOT IN PRETTY CLUSTERS LIKE YOURS.  THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL.

HUGS, PEPE

Pepe...yes it is a columbine flower.....oh and I love your yard and the view around it.....just beautifull...

claydevotee.....I love your clematis plants...they are just beutiful!!

Llz....I want to see the cactus!!!!!!

Lets keep the pictures coming as different things bloom!!!!!

Debi, Tammy and Dudley are supposed to be bringing their pictures of their yards over to the thread.  I know every week or so the yards look different as more things are blooming.

 :bouncy Pepe

Great thread, Prissy!

You are so creative!  And you know how much I love your gazebo.  LOL

All of you - your yards are absolutely lovely!  Beautiful.  Thank you for sharing your pics with us.

As I just moved into this house, I haven't done anything with my yard except clean up doggie droppings.  LOL  So I have no pics of my own gardening to share.

But this is Pineview Reservior, about a 15 minute drive from my house through a gorgeous canyon.  This is where I go to be alone, to think, to read, to cry, whatever my mood is.  I didn't grow it, but I spend enough time there that I may as well have.  LOL  It's hard to see in the photo, but that meadow that leads to the beach is full of wild flowers.

And bees.  LOL   :bee


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/kris911rt/Utah/Pineview.jpg)

LadyC, I can see the beautiful wildflowers.  What a beautiful place it is.  How lucky you are that you can drive in 15 minutes to this beautiful place.  Can you drive right down to the lake?  Or do you sit up high and look down at it.  I love water, I don't like to go in it but I love to smell it and look at it from shore, it is ever changing.  \

I think this garden thread is about flowers where ever they are and we would love to see all pictures.

Hugs, Pepe

LadyC,

I love that picture.  So beautiful and serene.
 Let's not limit the garden thread.
 Any beautiful garden  or lovely space  has a place here.

I have a new digital camera and Skip and I have been trying it out.
Here are more pictures from our yard.

Here are two Althea (Rose of Sharon) "trees" that are beside our driveway.
 They are 18 feet tall and were here when we moved in 15 years ago:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/AltheaTrees3.jpg)

One has white blooms, the other orchid, but over the years they have blended together.
 Here is a closer view of the one on the right:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/AltheaTree2.jpg)

These are closeups of the Althea blossoms:[/size]

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Althea1CU.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/AltheaBlossum.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/OrchidaltheaCU.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/ORCHIDALTHCU2.jpg)

I posted a picture of the knockout rose bush in an earlier post.
 Here are closeups of the blossoms.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/korosecu3.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Roses2.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Roses1CU.jpg)

I have periwinkle in pots on a plant stand outside my backdoor on the patio.
 It makes it easier to water them, and when family or friends come over,
I move them to the gazebo and tables near the pool:[/size]

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/PeriwinklePots1.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/PotRack.jpg)

PRISSY, I NEVER KNEW ROSE OF SHARON GOT THAT BIG.  I THOUGHT THEY WERE MORE OF A BUSH I AM CERTAINLY  SURPRISED TO SEE THEY ARE A TREE.  THEY ARE GORGEOUS.  THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR PICTURES.  I LOVE THIS THREAD AND WISH OTHERS WOULD JOIN IN.

HUGS, PEPE

Thanks, Pepe.  I must admit that I am indeed very lucky.  I live in a very scenic and beautiful place.  Northern Utah gets all four seasons, and I live in an area that is less than 30 minutes from mountain hiking and camping, and less than 30 minutes in the other direction is a large city with all the perks big cities offer.  (Planitariums, aquariums, malls, concert halls, etc.)

I live, quite literally at the base of the mountain.  I open my back door and the Utah mountains are right there, beautiful and green this time of year.

And yes, there are areas where you can park right at the beach and stretch out on the sand.  There are marinas and boat docks, too.  (Utah is almost as big on water skiing as snow skiing.)

Salt Lake City during the 2002 Olympics.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/kris911rt/Utah/1286.jpg)


The mountains outside my back door.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/kris911rt/Utah/Ogden.jpg)


Prissy - Your roses are lovely!  My mother tore hers out this past spring and it broke my heart.  I managed to rescue the bleeding heart bushes before she tossed them in the trash, but the rose bushes are gone.  Yours are so vibrant!  I just love your yard.  (I'm still hoping you'll adopt me.  LOL)

Lady C, those mountains are beautiful!  I am jealous. Living in southern Texas, I had forgotten what mountains look like.  Gorgeous,

Y'all have such beautiful gardens!  My husband loves to do yard work so I should post some of my yard as well.

Ladies, coming from MA, it's a treat to see how your gardens grow. Thanks for sharing. Absolutely beautiful.

I  JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU ALL HOW BEAUTIFUL YOUR
GARDENS ARE.  SIMPLY OUTSTANDING!!

LADY C:  I LOVE THE PLACE YOU GO TO MEDITATE!
IT'S GORGEOUS!!

PEPE, THEA, PRISSY - FANTASTIC PICTURES!!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/swing.jpg)

         THE SWING
                 by
Robert Louis  Stevenson

HOW do you like to go up in a swing,    
  Up in the air so blue?    
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing    
  Ever a child can do!    
  
Up in the air and over the wall,           
  Till I can see so wide,    
Rivers and trees and cattle and all    
  Over the countryside—    
  
Till I look down on the garden green,    
  Down on the roof so brown—     
Up in the air I go flying again,    
  Up in the air and down!   



This is a poem I learned as a child and it has always given
me great pleasure to recall it.
I thought it would be a nice addtion to the Garden Thread.

I am so glad to see so many visiting this thread.  
I  look forward to more beautiful pictures.

Prissy

Prissy....Love the poem....oh and the rose of sharon....I too didn't know they got that big!!!

Kris I need your meditation place...awesome....I want to be there...

Ok here is a spring picture...but hey they were beautiful....this is in front of my house....

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/DSCN1327.jpg)

now this is what you get when you add a little sugar and spice to the same flowere bed.....LOL

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/Pictureaisalynnflower.jpg)
actuallly that is my grand daughter.!!!!  lol

PRISSY, THAT POEM IS A GREAT ADDITION TO THE GARDEN THREAD.

YDEBI, THAT IS ADORABLE.  I AM AMAZED AT YOU TALENTED PEOPLE.  HOW IN THE WORLD DID YOU PUT YOUR GRANDAUGHTER'S PICTURE IN THOSE FLOWERS.  YOU MUST PRINT THAT AND SAVE IT FOR HER FOR WHEN SHE GETS OLDER.

LINDA, SO HAPPY YOU CAME TO SEE US HERE.  IT IS A VERY NICE PLACE, VER CALMING AND VERY BEAUTIFUL.

HUGS, PEPE

Debi,
Your granddaughter's pictures are so cute in all of the yellow flowers.  You are so clever!!  

LadyC,  
I love the Salt Lake City pictures.  I've only been there one time, and it's been many years ago.  To see a city surrounded by mountains is something I'm not used to.  My area of Texas is fairly flat.  And what a wonderful view you have, too.

Debi, Linda, Colleen, LadyC, Cindy, Thea,  Pepe, Franny, and all others visiting this thread.  We're glad to see you and keep sharing your beautiful pictures.

Prissy

Our crepe myrtles are beginning to bloom.  Here are pictures of the ones around the pool:[/size]

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/CREPEMYRTDB.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/crepemyrtcup5.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/CREPEMYRTCU.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/CREPEMYRTCU2.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/CREPEMYRTCU4.jpg)
This is a pale pink crepe myrtle on other side of the pool.

The following are closeups of flowers that are blooming now.  We have not had rain for a long while and many of our plants and trees are in stress.

TURK'S CAP:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/TURKSCAP.jpg)

OLEANDER:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/OLEANCU3.jpg)

HYDRANGEA:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/hydrangblos1.jpg)

DAYLILY:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/DAYLILY.jpg)

CANNA:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/CANNACU.jpg)

HONEYSUCKLE:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/HONESUC3.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/HONESUCBLOS2.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/HONESUCBLOS.jpg)

debi, those pictures are adorable!!  

Prissy, I do believe you have become quite adept with your new camera! I expect to see some good shots of Clay when you sneak that camera into a concert; don't forget!  :lol

Everyone has such lovely gardens...and trees...and flowers.  I pretty much live in the woods, so I just let things go wild most of the time.

I have a couple of pics though. This is actually a poinsetta that came from my office last Christmas.  It's gotten quite huge, as you can see!
(http://www.claygirls.com/web_pages/pamela/flowerpoinsett.jpg)

We have lots of azaleas and rhododendron.  I took these one evening in April when it was practically dark!
(http://www.claygirls.com/web_pages/pamela/flowerazalea.jpg)
(http://www.claygirls.com/web_pages/pamela/flowerazalea2.jpg)

And finally, these are some peonies from my yard; I love them, but they sure don't last very long.
(http://www.claygirls.com/web_pages/pamela/flowerpeonies.jpg)

Pamela, I can't believe that plant how huge it is!  You must have the magic touch.  Your flowers are fantastic.  Thank you so much for bringing your pictures here, I love this wonderful thread.  It brings a smile to my face everytime I visit it.

Hugs, Pepe

Pamela,
Your pictures are fantastic.  That poinsettia is HUGE!  And I would give anything to have azaleas and rhododendrons. They are gorgeous.

And, Pamela, the picture with the peonies, the bowl of fruit and the basket looks like a beautiful painting.   Skip commented, too, on how even the  lighting  is so perfect.  If I were you, I would have that enlarged and hanging in my home!

Thanks for sharing your wonderful pictures.
Hugs,
Prissy

PS:  I have "taken" my camera in to every Clay concert except the JNT.  They seemed like they meant business when they said no cameras!!  In Charlotte, my camera  was in a bag that had a bunch of loose kleenex covering it up.  No one wanted to touch the kleenex!!:laugh

PRISSY, you are way to funny!!! :bouncy  :bouncy  :bouncy Thanks for all you do for the CLAYMANIACS, the wonderful threads you start, doing poems for our birthdays and just being plain wonderful.

Hugs, Pepe

Tammy,

Your pictures are gorgeous.  I love your pond and the flowers are all beautiful.  I especially like the statues you have in your yard.  The little tumbling girl is precious.

I can't wait to see more pictures from you.  You really have a green thumb!

Hugs,
Prissy

TAMMY, YOU MUST HAVE A MASTERS IN LANDSCAPING.  YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND HAVE DONE A TERRIFC JOB.  WHAT A INTERESTING YARD, SO MANY THINGS TO LOOK AT, I LOVE IT.  THANKS SO MUCH FOR POSTING YOUR PICTURES I WANTED EVERYONE TO SEE WHAT A GREAT JOB YOU HAVE DONE.

HUGS, PEPE

I live just outside Fort Worth (between Fort Worth and Dallas.)  For many years, my husband and I have had a membership in the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens.  This is a beautiful place and also has one of the best  Japanese gardens we have ever seen.

I have also played in weddings in the Botanic Gardens.

Presently, we belong to the Fort Worth Pond Club which has meetings at the  Gardens in a meeting room.

During the summer, the Fort Worth Symphony presents concerts in  the Gardens here, too.

Click on the following link, and then on the left, click on Gardens to see the many gardens.  If you have time, you can click on the other links, too.

Enjoy!

Prissy

http://www.fwbg.com/index2.htm

It really is a sanctuary for the senses. Beautiful in every sense.

Prissy, how beautiful!  Thank you so much.  You are truly involved in the most interesting things.  

Hugs, Pepe

PRISSY
THANKS FOR THE WONDERFUL LINK.. THOSE GARDENS ARE BEAUTIFUL..


THIS MORNING I WOKE TO FIND MY FIRST FLOWERS BLOOMING IN THE POND.. I THINK IT'S A WATER HYACINTH..  

CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO MAKE THEM LARGER..
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/th_MYFIRSTPONDFLOWER3-30-05003.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/MYFIRSTPONDFLOWER3-30-05003.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/th_MYFIRSTPONDFLOWER3-30-05001.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/MYFIRSTPONDFLOWER3-30-05001.jpg)

Tammy....WOW....beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The following are pictures from JoAnn's yard and garden:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/IMG_0034.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/frontangel.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/IMG_0035.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/gardenfisherman.jpg)

Beautiful!  You ladies are proof that gardening is more than a hobby.  It's an art.

Thanks for sharing.

JoAnn, LadyC is right you guys are artistic placing statues in interesting places, makes for a very interesting garden.  Love your yard!  Prissy thanks so much for posting the pictures.

Hugs, pepe

Thank you Lady C, Pepe, and Tammy!

   I just had finished "learning " how to put photos into photobucket and then into the thread when, AOL WENT OFF!!! Prissy was on the telephone with me walking me through step by steap and it went off at the "preview" step!
  Prissy was so kind to go on into my photobucket and do the whole thing for me.  I'm going to still try to do more  from the rest of the photos I took.
 Thanks,
JoAnn

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/IMG_0049.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/IMG_0050.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/IMG_0033.jpg)

Here are some more garden/yard photos.  I hope that I'm doing this right.
JoAnn

Tammy,

    Thank you for the compliment.  I  live with my parents.  I lost my husband several years ago and Mom and Dad wanted me to come back , SO-I DID.
     The house is my childhood home and I love it too.  Dad passed away on May 22, so it is just Mom, me and Randy(my sheltie on the pet thread)
  Mom loves plants and gardening.  It is so hot here right now,90-100, I just like looking at the garden through the window!
JoAnn

JoAnn, thanks for the beautiful pictures.  That is a beautiful color of the Canna (sp?), and the ferns are so pretty.  Is that a Hydrangena flower?  I have a beautiful bush but my flowers are closer to the leaves, it looks like a huge mound of leaves and flowers.

Your mom must be a special lady, people that like flowers in their gardens are special people.

Hugs, Pepe

Thanks Pepe!

   Yes, the pink flower is a hydrangena.  It is in a rolling pot approx.30gallon size.  Last year, it had 18 blooms the size as you see on this photo.  Mom kept it in the garage over the winter.  
   It died down,but we kept it watered.  this year, it onlt has 2 blooms so far.  The one in the photo is the larger one.  It is the size of a football.  
   It is sitting on our driveway in full sun.  I mist it everyday and water it about 2 times a week.  
    The organge cannan(sp)  and ferns are in our front yard.  The ferns are in a flowerbed next to the house.   I always forget to water it.  Both rely on the sprinkler system.
     The canan is one of many in an overgrown flowerbed.  It is surrounded by  English ivy that has gone wild.  The yardman "whacks" the ivy down to the dirt each spring, then it grows like crazy the rest of the year.  The canans pop up each year on their own.
  The one in the photo stands over 5'.  It was above my eye level when I took the photo.
JoAnn

P.S.  Thank you, Mom is very special to me!  Prissy has also know her for 29 years.

JoAnn,

Your pictures are beautiful.  I have seen  your yard first hand, and I know what a wondrous place it is.  I believe your mom said she won for Yard of the Month in the neighborhood a while back.

These are pictures of  two crepe myrtle trees that are starting to bloom.  They are beside my garage doors.  They are about 20 feet tall and they were here when we moved here 15 years ago.  

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/CrepeMyrttrees1.jpg)

Here is a closeup of the crepe myrtle trees blossoms.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/CrepeMyrtreeCU.jpg)

 The fenced in areas border a sidewalk that goes out to the backyard, pool and gazebo area.  These are temporary  fences  there to try to preserve  the Asian Jasmine that the puppies just about destroyed running through it.


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/FencedJasmine.jpg)

I guess we could call my gazebo a garden structure!!   This is the inside of the Gazebo, which is like my outdoor dining room. There are built-in benches on four sides and counters on two sides.  I have  cut  vinyl tablecloths to size to fit the counters and the tables.  The pots of periwinkle I keep by my backdoor on the patio help hold my cloths down.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Gazwithcloths.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Gaztablecloths.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/GazCounter.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Gaztablecloths2.jpg)

We are set to "party!"  

Prissy

Great gardens everyone thanks for sharing........



Sasha

Prissy, wished I was there having lunch with you.  I love the blue and white check tableclothes.  Makes it look so homey and comfortable and inviting.  Thanks for sharing the pictures.  Can't think of a better way to spend the afternoon than with you in your beautiful yard.

Hugs, Pepe

Everyone's gardens and yards look so beautiful.  I have been to Prissy's house many times and it is as beautiful as all her pictures show everyone.  Her yard is wonderful and she also has a beautiful pond and waterfall area too.
     I want to share this photo with you today.  It just arrived this morning from my brother and sister-n-law from the Fairbanks, Alaska area.  They have a beautiful, 2 story log cabin in the mountatins about 6 miles out of Fairbanks.  They always have flower and vegetable gardens.
JoAnn

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/123_2324.jpg)

JOANN, WHAT BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS.  I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A PICTURE OF YOUR BROTHER'S LOG CABIN.  MY SON IS A BUILDER IN MICHIGAN AND IS BUILDING A BEAUTIFUL LOG CABIN FOR A CUSTOMER.  BUT HE HASN'T EVEN GOT IT FINISHED AND HE HAS ALL THESE POWDER POST BEETLES DRILLING HOLES AND COMING OUT OF THE LOGS , HE IS STARTING TO GO CRAZY WITH IT.  HOW LONG HAS YOUR BROTHER LIVED IN ALASKA?

PRISSY, I LOOKED AT YOUR PICTURES AGAIN AND YOUR TABLE CLOTHES ARE GREEN AND WHITE NOT BLUE AND WHITE.  IT ALL LOOKS SO PRETTY.  PLEASE POST A PICTURE OF YOUR POND AND WATERFALL.  I KNOW TAMMY WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT.

HUGS, PEPE

Pepe,

  I'll try to get my sister in law to email me pictures of their log cabin.  they  built it over 30 years ago.   It is two story.  The front looks like street level, the back has a deck that is at least six feet or more over the ground.  Their back view is Mt. McKinley!  
   The moose come into the yard all year.  Even though they are cute, the are deadly.  They love to eat the plants and the horses hay.  She has sent me a funny picture of a young bull moose laying on the ground just looking at the hay stack.
   I'll email her now and when I get some photos, I''ll post them.
JoAnn

JoAnn, that would be wonderful to see those pictures of the log cabin.  Well I won't ask if they like it if they have been there 30 years they must like it.  I would imagine the view is unbelievable.  I bet they have a lot of stories to tell.  I would love to hear them.  I guess the bull moose would try and run you down if you came out in the yard when they were there.  Do they have any close neighbors at all?

Hugs, Pepe

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v363/CLAYTIME/IMG_0210.jpg)

 I've really enjoyed everyone's pictures!  These pictures were taken in front of my mother-in-law's house.  She's quite an avid gardner.  As you can see, most of the property is woods with a mixture of ground cover and wildflowers with a stone path leading to the backyard.  Enjoy!  -Laura  

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v363/CLAYTIME/STC_0208.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v363/CLAYTIME/STA_0201.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v363/CLAYTIME/STB_0207.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v363/CLAYTIME/STA_0206.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v363/CLAYTIME/STD_0204.jpg)

Claytime (Laura),

Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous.  So natural looking with the woods and the wildflowers and the stone path just is so inviting.  I want to amble down that path!!

Thanks so much for sharing these pictures of your mother-in-law's front yard.  I would love to see the back yard, too.

Hugs,
Prissy

Claytime:  great pictures.........  thanks for sharing.

Sasha

JoAnn, did you get your sister in law to email those pictures of their place is Alaska?  I keep watching for them.

Hugs, Pepe

Pepe,

   I'm going right now to email my sister n law for some new photos.  I will post asap.
JoAnn

Pepe,

   Here is a photo from Alaska.  They had logs milled on a lathe, so no beetle problems.  Their daughter made a table from a spruce tree and had  beetle prbolems because they lay eggs under the bark.  No bark-no place to lay eggs.
   I'll post the 3 other photos this afternoon.  It has a cute one of the moose wanting to get into the garden and hay.  Also some of last year's vegetables from the garden.  She said that this year's garden is still too small.
Enjoy,
JoAnn

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/122_2289.jpg)

Hi!,

  I received these photos from my sister n law this morning.  My brother and sister n law live  approx up 3 miles on a mountain  6 miles out of Fairbanks, Alaska.
   They built their log cabin over 35 years ago, raised their family there and now still enjoying the sights and nature.
   The following photos are: vegetables from last year's garden and two moose wanting to  have a "garden party!"
JoAnn

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/116_1687.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/117_1706.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/118_1829a.jpg)

JoAnn, thank you so much for showing the pictures.  I called my husband in to look at them too.  What he could see of the cabin he said to tell your brother and sister in law they sure did a super job.  Just beautiful..  It is a job keeping them up though always chinking them and taking care of the log finish.  Do they heat with just wood?  I sure do admire them for being there that long.  That is a rewarding life but a hard one.  How I would love to sit and listen to their stories.

I can't get over the size of the vegetables!  Amazing!  I would be afraid to go out in the yard with those moose around.  Have they ever had Grizzley bears in their garden?  

Thanks so much, hubby and I both enjoyed the pictures so much.

Hugs, Shirley/Pepe

Pepe,
 
   Thanks!  They love the area.  My brother doesn't kill any wild life unless his life is being threatened.
   Funny you mentioned the bear!  Just a few months back, they heard a noise before daybreak.  The horses and dogs were quiet, so they weren't "too" alarmed.  They picked up a pistol and headed outside.
    Just as they were about 8 steps from the garage, out rumbled a black bear!  They yelled and ran for the house and the bear yelled and headed for the woods. He was "visiting" the dog food they keep in aluminum cans in the garage.  They were upset because the "watch" dog slept through it all.
    Then, about two weeks ago, their pgymy goats were tethered in head hig grass along the mowed yard when a mountain lion roar kept getting closer.
    My sister n law took a air pelet gun and shot it into the trees.  It scared the mountain lion off and hasn't come back that close.  
   Even though they love the wilderness, they never hike or explore without a pistol or gun.
    Moose are very dangerous and can and have slashed people to death. They can put their heads  on the decking that is shown in the first photo because they stand 6' at shoulder height.
JoAnn

JoAnn, thanks for telling me all these stories.  My husband loved reading your post also.  I really think your sister in law should write a book of her experience of the last 35 years, I would be first in line to buy the book.

Hugs, Shirley/Pepe

THINGS I LOVE TO DO

by Sybil Beulah Maus


I love to walk in dripping woods
When raindrops drum on leaves,
Where sodden footsteps tell of streams
Beneath the roots of trees;
Where violets grow, and snow-white trilliums
Lift their heads in countless millions
...In spring.

I love to loll upon a bank,
And watch the puffy clouds
Shape maps and woolly forms of sheep
That melt away in shrouds;
Where brown-eyed daisies and Queen Anne's lace
Flaunt their petals in my face
...In June.

I love to tramp a dusty road
When August days are mellow,
When noontime heat in shimmering haze
Turns goldenrod to yellow;
Or hear cicadas lost in trees
Shrill their tunes in myriad keys
...In summer.

I love to tread a golden path
When aspen leaves are falling,
Or listen to the quiet dirge
Of blue jays softly calling,
Or sit upon a country fence
And breathe October's sweet incense
...In autumn.

I love to see a crystal world
All sparkling in December
When brilliant skies and frosted earth
Have blotted out November;
When every shrub and tree is dressed
In silvery lacy loveliness
...In winter.

There is not much happening in my yard right now that you have not already seen, so I have taken a picture of a beautiful flowering bush in my neighbor's front yard.  I'm not sure what it is, but it has beautiful red/gold blooms all over it.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/ROYSBUSH45.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/.Roysbush2.jpg)

JoAnn,

I love seeing the pictures and hearing the stories about Alaska and your brother and sister-in-law's place.  

Alaska is a place I would really like to visit some day!

Prissy

FLOWERS FROM MY GARDEN OVER A WEEK AGO... CLICK TO MAKE LARGER..


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/th_July2005022JULY1.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/July2005022JULY1.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/th_July20050111.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/July20050111.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/th_July2005020.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/July2005020.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/th_July2005035.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/July2005035.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/th_July2005025.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/July2005025.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/th_July2005024.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/July2005024.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/th_July2005017.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/July2005017.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/th_July2005013.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/July2005013.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/th_July2005012.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/July2005012.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/th_July2005011.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/tinky59/YARD/July2005011.jpg)

Tammy,

Wow, you have a really green thumb!  Such a variety of flowers in your yard and they are all so healthy and gorgeous! I just love seeing pictures of your yard and plants!

 Mine are just wimping along right now.  Too much heat!  But the crepe myrtels like heat!!

Thanks for sharing.

Hugs,
Prissy

PS:  The Gazebo is about 16 feet wide and is, of course, an octagan.  There is a light and a fan in the ceiling.  And we put small white Christmas lights around the top just below the roof line that  we are keeping  up all year.  That is our favorite lighting! Here it is in December with a few Christmas balls and Santas on the counter.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/XMASGAZEBO.jpg)

We also keep our wreath up on the gate with lights all year.  I just put  pastel "artificial" flowers on it for spring and summer and fall flowers and leaves for autumn.  I've also put berries from my nandina bushes in the wreath for fall. Here it is decorated for December.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/MoonOverGate.jpg)[/size]

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/claychim.jpg)

Tammy,
We do NOT have a chiminea, but we like them.  We do not have enough really cold days to justify having one, but it would be fun to roast marshmallows and hot dogs in one.   I guess you can use them for that, too.

We have about 30 boxes of outdoor lights   to be put in our yard that we have had for several years now.    Like the ponds, another project waiting to happen!!  :bang

I remember it was on a Saturday when I was still teaching, and HOME DEPOT was having a sale on these beautiful lights.  We went to all the HOME DEPOTS in our area and bought all the bronze lights that were alike.  We actually set some around the pool, but they are not connected yet.

Thank you Tammy, for reminding me of projects we need to do.  In fact, we are going to start on the lights in front of the house this week!



Hugs,
Prissy

Tammy     Lovely flowers!  The weather is changing in Alaska due to the
                    It gets warm enough to wear shorts and swim.  Last year,
                    my family said that it get around -50o! Brr!
                   Aren't those vegetables amazing?  They don't grow that big
                   down here in Texas!  
                   The fires in Alaska came within 20 miles of my family.  It was
                  smoggy and dangerous at their home.  They made sure to cut
                  a fire  break around their property.  

Prissy       Loved the night picture of your gazebo!  I guess I've never
                seen it all lit up at night.


I'm "trying" to take a photo of my hibiscus.  Problem--We've finally had rain here and the rain was not kind to the last set of blooms.  One is opening up now though.

JoAnn

I went wandering in my yard and found something new blooming. This is red  Salvia that is growing at the beginning edge of our woods.  The statue is called WILLIE'S DILEMMA.
Willie is trying to climb up and get a drink from a water fountain.  Willie has an ice cream cone in one hand, and, you can't see it, but in his back pocket is a sling shot.  This is actually a fountain that we have not hooked up yet!!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/.SalviaWillie.jpg)

This is a view of three different crepe myrtels;  light pink, white and deep rose.  In the background is our shed which is at the  front side of our woods. On the left is a bit of the gazebo peeking through.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/3crepesshed.jpg)

PRISSY, I DIDN'T KNOW YOU HAD WOODS IN THE BACK OF YOUR HOUSE. LOVED ALL YOUR PICTURES.  YOUR HUBBY WILL BE SO HAPPY TO KNOW THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT LIGHTS AND REMINDED YOU THAT HE HAS A PROJECT TO COMPLETE.  :bouncy

TAMMY, YOUR FLOWERS LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHY.  YOU HAVE TONS MORE BLOOMS ON YOUR CLEMENTIS THAN I DO.

 :bouncy PEPE

My niece, Kristy, is now living  just east of Houston and has a beautiful place.
 She sent me these pictures a few months ago.  I love all the palm trees.  Such a tropical feel!!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/.Kristyfrontyd-7.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/.Kristyfrontyd-8.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/.Kristyfrontyd-9.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/.Kristyfrontyd-10.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/.Kristypool-4.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/.Kristybackydpalm-6.jpg)

My sister-n-law sent me another photo from Fairbanks, Alaska this morning.  These are some of her lillies.
JoAnn M.



(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/123_2370.jpg)

HERE IS THE FRONT OF MY HOUSE WITH THE LIGHTS ON THE COLUMNS. 
 THE  GATE WREATH ALSO HAS LIGHTS BUT IS NOT IN THESE PICTURES. 
 MY HUBBY, SKIP, TOOK THESE PICTURES.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Houselights85.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Houselights82.jpg)

Prissy

PRISSY, MY WHAT A BEAUTIFUL HOUSE AND AREA YOUR NIECE IS SO LUCKY TO LIVE IN.  THAT POOL LOOKS FANTASTIC.  THE PALM TREES ARE ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS.  DIDN'T KNOW YOU HAD THEM IN TEXAS!

HUGS, PEPE

JOANNE, THE PICTURES OF THE LILLIES ARE BREATHTAKING.  THANK YOU FOR SHOWING US.  ANY MORE STORIES TO TELL ABOUT ALASKA?  YOUR FAMILY MUST BE VERY CLOSE AS I AM SURE THEY HAVE GONE THRU HARDSHIPS LIVING IN ALASKA.

PRISSY, THE LIGHTS ON YOUR HOUSE LOOKS GREAT!  NOW THAT HUBBY SEES HOW PRETTY IT LOOKS I AM SURE HE IS ANXIOUS TO DO THE REST FOR YOU.  :bouncy

HUGS, PEPE

Yikes!!!!  I hope this thread doesn't end up on the second page.  I'll try to post pictures of my perennial garden--now in full bloom--tomorrow afternoon. 

I truly enjoy this thread---"flower therapy", whether it's working in my garden or just admiring the pictures of beautiful flowers and trees posted here  is very good for the soul!!! :bouncy

Thea,

There is only room for 3 regular topics on page 1.  FUN STUFF and the other forums have much shorter pages than before.  I wonder if the Garden Thread should become a sticky?  Then it would always be on page 1.

Pepe,

I'm glad you like the lights.  It's simple up lighting on the columns, but it does make an impact.  Now, Hubby is going to start on the lights around the pool???  I hope!

Hugs,
Prissy

This is a picture of a pathway in our woods.  Our lot is really quite deep.  Behind the pool/deck/gazebo area is more backyard, then the woods start and lead down to a creek at the very back of our property.

The woods have a groundcover called vinca, which blooms with a purple flower a couple of times a year, usually spring and fall.  The picture also shows a cinderblock wall that keeps the dogs from getting into the very back and the creek area.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Vinca-1.jpg)

Prissy

PRISSY, I absolutely agree that the Garden Thread should become a sticky.  However, I have no input on that, as I am not a moderator.  I approached Pamela about making the Pet Thread a "sticky" a long time ago before we even had the "Fun Stuff" topic.  Why not ask either Pamela or Lady C to consider it? 

Your purple vinca along the pathway is just gorgeous.  I hope to someday have a garden of nothing but purple and lavender flowers---absolutely my favorite colors for a garden!!! :bouncy

Hi!  These are pictures of my perennnial garden.  As you can see, I absolutely love all varieties of daylillies!
And the tall  grass in the last 2 pictures is called Russian Sage Grass.  It actually has beautiful blue flowers at the ends, but unfortunately that doesn't show up in the pictures.  Anyway, it makes for wonderful dried flowers for arrangements and wreaths!


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v99/claydevotee/Picture021.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v99/claydevotee/Picture020.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v99/claydevotee/Picture019.jpg)

PRISSY, YOUR WOODS LOOKS SO INVITING.  HOW LUCKY YOU ARE TO HAVE SUCH A VARIETY IN YOUR BACK YARD.  YOU HAVE IT ALL!

MAMADEV, WHAT A FABULOUS YARD YOU LOOK LIKE YOU HAVE.  IT LOOKS PERFECT.  WHAT A BEAUTIFUL FLOWER ARRANGEMENT WITH THE LILLIES AND OTHER PLANTS.  JUST GORGEOUS.  I LOVE LOOKING AT THE FLOWERS AND YARDS OF ALL OF THE CLAYMANIACS.  LIKE LOOKING IN THE HEARTS OF EACH ONE OF YOU.  I FIND ONLY PERFECTION IN EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU.

HUGS, PEPE

Thea,

Your garden and flowers are beautiful.  I love daylillies and we also have some Russian Sage.

I am posting pictures of Texas Sage, which is a silvery bush with purple blooms.  A few weeks ago the Texas Sage bloomed for about two days!  Now it has blooms again, and Skip (Hubby) took these pictures of a neighbor's mailbox with Texas Sage.  We have two Texas Sage bushes in the  flower bed the puppies have taken over.  They are barely hanging in there!

Hugs,
Prissy

TEXAS SAGE

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/b42fa1ea.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Sage09.jpg)

Prissy, what a beautiful shade of purple.  I wonder where the name Purple Sage came from.  Do they have the smell of sage, the type you cook with?

Hugs, Pepe

Pepe,

Here is a link to info about Texas Sage.  All I know is  it is a Texas plant that thrives pretty well without a lot of water.  (I'm glad you like my woods.  I will post a better view of it soon.)

TEXAS SAGE

http://www.mrgrow.com/plant/plant197.htm

Hugs,
Prissy

Maybe because I was thinking of our vegetable garden, I was surprised that all of the pictures are of flowers! I loved all of the pictures and they have given me some ideas for next year.

We have flowers blooming from spring until fall. We had the most beautiful lily's this year in pink, white and burgundy and of course orange (I don't like them...  the orange ones but hubby does).

We planted green beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, pumpkins and for the first time, watermelon this year. I think we will pick our first watermelon next week.

Mary,

I agree with you that this thread should not be limited to just flowers.   Vegetable gardens certainly have a place here.  I hope you will post some pictures of your vegetable and flower gardens.

I do not have a vegetable garden, but there were pumpkins growing here when we first moved here!!



The crepe myrtles are in their glory this time of year.  They seem to like it hot and dry!  And that's what they get.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Garagecrepemyrtcu87.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Garagecrepemyrtcu288.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Garagecrepemyrtcu389.jpg)

Mary, how nice to see you here.  Please let's see your vegetables.  Anything that grows belongs in this thread. 

Prissy, my Crepe Myrtle is finally blooming too.  Mine does not start blooming till Augus than is done by the first of Sept.  I don't know why mine blooms so late.

Hugs, Pepe

Pepe,

It's funny.  The white crepe myrtles bloom first, then the lighter pink, then the more vivid colors.   They start blooming in late June and will keep blooming as long as it is hot! 

Prissy

I know to post pictures that you need a photobucket but the only bucket I have is a wash bucket.

I am allergic to tomatoes so we can't give them away fast enough. No matter how many string beans and cucumbers we eat there are pounds to give away. Our neighbors are running for cover.

Mary,

Your vegetable garden sounds fantastic.  I wish you lived near me.  Hubby just loves home grown tomatoes.  He always says the supermarket tomatoes don't have the true taste of home grown!! Hubby just asked if you know about making green tomato relish?

The cucumbers and string beans sound good, too.  Do you make pickles from your cucumbers?

If you go to Photobucket.com and follow the instructions, this  should help you to establish a "host" for your pictures.  If you have problems,  I will try to find someone to help you.

I'm so glad you've joined us on this thread.

Hugs,
Prissy

WELL IT'S BEEN AWHILE SO I JUST WANTED TO POST SOME MORE PICTURES OF MY FLOWERS
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/DSCN1520.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/DSC00755_0018.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/DSC00827_0071.jpg)

I SURE LOVE LOOKING AT ALL THE BEAUTY HERE....KEEP POSTING EVERYONE......SOON HERE IN MICHIGAN WE WILL ONLY HAVE SNOW TO LOOK AT..LOL...NOT QUITE......

Prissy, I don't do anything with the tomatoes but hubby makes a tomato salad with tomatoes, valdalla onions, goat cheese or mozzarella cheese tossed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Last night we were down to about three tomatoes and hubby just picked about 15 this morning. everyone says they are great this year.

MARY, I have fixed that fresh tomato salad with Vidalia Onions, and fresh Mozzerala cheese cut in chunks with the olive oil and a little fresh basil.  Wonderful flavors I could eat just that.  Wished I lived near you too.  I can never have enough tomatoes.  Love making fresh tomato soup with heavy cream.   :shappy

Hugs, Pepe

Debi,

Beautiful flower pictures.  You always take such good pictures.  Thanks for sharing with us.

Pepe,

That recipe sounds delicious.  Skip and I just bought some vidalia onions today!  Now we just need Mary's tomatoes to go with them.  Yum!

Hugs,
Prissy

Prissy, I like the big Texas sweet onions almost as much as the vidalias although you can never get them here in Tennessee.  I always bought them in Michigan when I lived there.  For some reason this year the vidalia onions seemed stonger to me and not as mild and I have asked other people and they said the same thing.

Hugs, Pepe

YDEBI, your flowers are just beautiful, happy to see you here.

PRISSY, do you trim your Crepe Myrtles after they bloom?   When I bought my tree they said when they are dormant to cut off the dead seed pods from the dead flowers or it wouldn't bloom.

JOANN, how are you doing?  Any more stories or pictures from Alaska?

Hugs, Pepe

MamaDev, I have been wondering so I hope you don't mind me asking but how much property do you have?  Your beautiful yard looks like such a large expanse.  Everyone has such lovely pictures.  This thread is such a nice, quiet, calming thread to come to and wish it was utilized more.  I wish I was really clever as I would propogate a flower expecially for Clay.  Maybe a cross between a rose and carnation?  We could call it Claynation or Clayrose!

Hugs, Pepe

Hello!

Not much happening in my yard right now.  It has been very hot and dry.  No rain for a few weeks so plants and grass are getting that "I'm Thirsty" look.  We try to water as much as we can, but it's hard to keep things looking good when it is so hot.

The crepe myrtles are still looking good, however.  They love this hot, dry weather! 

Pepe, we do not normally trim back our crepe myrtles.  We actually like the fall look with their leaves a little red.  I do see a lot of crepe myrtles cut back so much they actually look ugly.  We just let ours grow unless they are blocking a pathway, then they get a slight trim.

I hope that some of you will post some beautiful fall colors when the leaves start changing in your area.  We should have a few trees that will be wearing their fall colors in a month or so.  Fall seems to come later and later each year.

Hugs,
Prissy

I have really enjoyed all the beauty that has been posted here all summer...soon here in michigan the flowers will all fade....the flowers will take a rest and the snow will come....

Prissy you asked for some fall color...it has started her in michigan...well northern michigan anyways....I don't yet have pictures from this year as it is not quite the right time...but I wanted to share this one from last year...it was taken in gaylord(where my mom lives) off the patio at my moms house.... there was a slight frost on the ground and the sun was shining on the trees so it made it even more beautiful then it was.....hope you enjoy...

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/fall2004028.jpg)

Debi,

Just beautiful!  Fall is my favorite season.  I love to see the trees in all their vivid colors of red, gold, and orange.  I'm looking forward to more fall pictures.

I remember flying from  Iowa back to Texas,  and how you could just see the difference in the seasonal changes as you got further south.  This was actually in March and not the Fall, but while Iowa still had snow on the ground, from the airplane window, I could see the "greening" of the country as we flew south.  And of course, in Texas, Spring had already Sprung!

I'm sure your Fall colors will begin long before we see anything here in Texas.  And often, our Fall season is very short.

Thanks for sharing.

Hugs,
Prissy

Prissy I didn't know that you lived in texas.....I will share my fall pictures when the colors start here and you can post them when they start in texas...Ok....and we will have a long fall.......hugs....debi

Debi,

I'm looking forward to the long Fall!!


As I've said, my yard's not very pretty right now; no rain for a while and only crepe myrtles seem to be happy.  (We did have a rain yesterday, but we need a lot more.) 

The following are pictures from the Fort Worth Woman's Club.  It is located in a historic building with beautiful grounds.  I will try to post more pictures later when things are really blooming.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/SignWC36.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/CourtyardWC19.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/CourtyardWC220.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BenchWD28.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/AngelStatueWC26.jpg)

HIBISCUS
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HibiscusWC24.jpg)

CALADIUM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/CaladiumFernWC23.jpg)

Hugs,
Prissy

Does anyone name the trees in your yard?

Hubby does! We have a huge walnut tree that he calls Wally. We have a smaller walnut tree that he calls Wally Junior. We had two wallnut trees that grew close together and the were called the twins. One of the twins died and I called the other one Survivor. (Yes, I am a Survivor nut). We have an Ash tree that he calls Ashley!

The tennis ball size walnuts are falling and hubby wares a hard hat now when he mows the lawn! :roflmao

They are the last trees to get leaves and the first ones to loose them.

We have been married for 27 years and I said to him that I am not going to do all the yard work this year! Yeah, he plans his business trips around
fall clean up.

All reports said that the NJ  tomatoes this year were great.

Mary, how wonderful that your husband names the trees.  They are a living thing and I am a big believer that all living things have feelings so I am sure those trees are so happy they have names.

Ydebi, great fall picture!  Can't wait to see more.

Prissy, I will have to start all over now that I am in a new house.  Yard is in need of a lot of weeding and planting.

Hugs, Pepe

WELCOME HOME PEPE,

You are now in your Michigan home.  I'm sure you will work your green thumb magic on your new yard and it will be beautiful in no time. 

MARY,  That is so neat that your hubby names the trees  We don't do that; (never thought of it), but we do refer to a few of the trees by their botanic names.  We'll say, the Cherry Laurel isn't looking great, or should we trim the Bradford Pear, or why isn't the Chinese Pistasche having more leaves?

I hope everyone will share their fall colors when Fall arrives in your area.  As I said in a previous post, our autumn season is usually very short;  the summer heat lasts so long.  We are still having temperatures near 100 degrees. :bang

Hugs,
Prissy

I know it must be FALL somewhere,  :para so I am posting some FALL photos I found.  Here in Texas we are still hot and everything is green or "dead."  Skip and I are still able to get in the pool, it's so warm. We are ready for cool weather and some autumn colors.

Prissy


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/1011_3913.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/pb060005.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/pb060075.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/1025_4254.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/pb060059.jpg)

PRISSY, what great fall colors, thanks for the beautiful pictures.  It is still abnormally warm here in upper Michigan.  Supposed to be 83 today and 82 tomorrow than the bottom falls out and a high of 52 tomorrow.  We are setting all kinds of records.  That is why I am so busy trying to organize the house and pull all these weeds that have accumulated over the past year and a half.  But I am enjoying every minute of it.

Hugs, Pepe

Pepe,

I'm sure your yard will be just beautiful in no time.  It sounds like fun to get to work in a "new" yard.


Well, no Fall color here yet except in the fall flowers and leaves I decorate with for Autumn and Halloween.

FRONT PORCH  "TRICK OR TREAT!!"

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HalloweenFrntPorch54.jpg)


GATE

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HalloweenGateCU56.jpg)


FIREPLACE

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HalloweenFireplace52.jpg)

Prissy

PRISSY, your house looks wonderful.  What fun you are!  I love the tombstones in the yard they just add that something extra.  Love the gate with the tiny pumpkins and your fireplace is decorated just great.  So much to look at.  As busy as you are yet you take time to decorate and enjoy each holiday.  Good for you! 

 :trick :trick :trick :trick :trick :trick

Hugs, Pepe

Prissy....all I can say is beautiful...awesome..... thanks for sharing.........


Can anyone tell me why so many pictures for this thread are gone?????  most of my flower pictures are gone, Mama Dev's pictures are gone...and Claytime's  Mine don't even have that dreaded red X :bang

Oh, No!

Pictures missing! :eek  I don't know how that happened!  I went back and saw that all of Thea's are gone and Debi, your pictures on pp 7 & 8 I can see, but not the earlier pages.  In Safari, I see a blue box with a question mark in it. In Explorer, I see a red box with an x.  I can see Claytime's pictures.  Debi, have you deleted any pictures from your Photobucket or source for your pictures?

Also, I always see a blue box and question mark for JoAnn's avatar. :bduh

I will confer with Pamela and/or Clandy and see if they can figure out what's going on. 


I'm glad you all like my Halloween pictures.  I have four big containers with Halloween/Fall decorations and a large bag with Scarecrows and a Ghost figure. Plus I have wood items I have bought in the past at craft shows.  I will post more Halloween pictures as the holiday gets closer.  Hubby always enjoys handing out "large" Hershey bars to the Trick or Treaters.  I think that families remember the decorations and bring their children by to Trick or Treat.

Hugs,
Prissy

 :wave
PEPE--HELLO.  I MADE IT HERE!  THIS IS AMAZING SUCH WONDERFUL PICTURES!  I WILL STOP IN OFTEN NOW.
THANKS ONCE AGAIN. :hugg

Geraldine, I am so happy you finally found us.  Yes this is a great Thread and I wish more people would post on it.  Also The Pet Thread is here to which is also one of my favorites.  I will be waiting to see the rose you planted in Clay's honor when it is blooming next spring.

Hugs, Pepe

Geraldine,

Welcome to the Garden Thread.  I have seen your posts in the OCD some and Clay it Forward. We are so glad to have you posting here.  I really look forward to seeing pictures of your roses and any other garden or yard pictures you have to share.

Thank you Pepe, for inviting Geraldine to this thread.

Hugs,
Prissy

Ok...I have some fall pictures to post...hope you enjoy these.....the top two are the same grouping of trees just at different times of the day....early morning... see the frost and then mid afternoon.......

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/fall2004029.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/fall2004023.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/fall2004021.jpg)

oh and this is my pumpkin from last year........new pictures to come...LOL

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/DSCN0971.jpg)

Debi,

What beautiful fall pictures!  And I like that jack-o-lantern, too!!

 :trick

Hugs,
Prissy

YDEBI, what beautiful pictures.  I like the one with the frost on the ground.  You did a pretty good job of carving that pumpkin.

 :trick :trick :trick :trick :trick :trick :trick :trick :trick :trick

OK, I know this is stretching it for Fall pictures, but here are two "dolls" I made in a Fall scene. :para

FALL PRISSY                   FALL CLAY

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Dolls/FallPrissydoll.png)     (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Dolls/FallClaydoll.png)

Pamela introduced the "Doll Link" a while back, and I have enjoyed making "dolls" of Clay and fans on this site.  If you are interested in seeing the dolls, here is the link.

http://www.claymaniacs.com/forums/index.php/topic,9521.0.html

Hugs,
Prissy
 :trick

prissy those dolls are sooooo cute....how did you do those.. I just love them.....and I think those two are pretty good fall seens.. Prissy do you mind if i save the fall clay doll????

Pepe....how are the colors by you??????  they are really just starting here...

Ok....so I hope to have some new fall pictures soon....I'll be here posting when I do

here is a fall picture....talk about the great pumpkin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL
                                                        (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/fall2004018.jpg)

Debi,

Of course, you can save Fall Clay.  If you go to the link in my post, there are many more Clay dolls.  Even though a Clay doll is right next to another doll, it is still a separate picture and can be saved by itself.

That is some "Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown."  Is it inflatable?  And I believe that is you in front of it. 

I hope to get more photos today of fall flowers;  no fall leaves yet here.  I'm going to the Woman's Club and then to a meeting at our Botanic Gardens this evening, so hopefully some more flower pictures.

Hugs,
Prissy

PEPE---I made it back here!  I will check out The Pet Thread also.  I have a beautiful and funny kitty.  Clay's Roses should be interesting next spring.  I will have some pictures soon, well as soon as I get them, my son took them of my garden and an unusual mushroom in my yard.  Good to be here. :hugg

DEBI--Hi there!  Your FALL pictures are beautiful, especially like the BIG pumpkin.   :hugg

PRISSY-- :wave I have seen your post too in the OCD, next time I see you there I will say hello.  Thank you for the welcome.

GERALDINE, can't wait to see your kitten on the PET  THREAD!    Prissy is a great lady, always finds the most interesting things to do, I know you will really enjoy getting to know her.

DEBI, the colors are just barely turning and it is starting to get really pretty up here.  We haven't had a frost yet so I am sure once that happens they will turn colors fast!  I just dread what comes after.  I hate to see the trees bare and naked of leaves.  But to me spring is the most glorious of seasons.

PRISSY....YES IT IS IN AN INFLATABLE PUMPKIN!!!!!  lol   IT'S AT A CIDER MILL BY US....AND YES THAT IS ME....JUST THE WAY i LIKE IT...FAR AWAY....lol
cAN'T WAIT TO SEE SOME FALL FLOWER PICTURES FROM YOU....i DON'T HAVE MANY FALL FLOWERS BUT i LIKE TO WALK SO I'M GONNA MAKE SURE i HAVE MY CAMERA WITH ME...
  i DO HAVE A FALL PICTURE OF MY GRANDDAUGHTER....DOES THAT COUNT AS A FALL FLOWER/COLOR PICTURE.??????

                                       (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/Aisalynn/DSCN2010.jpg)

PEPE.....i'M TAKING A DRIVE UP A WAYS NORTH THIS SATURDAY TO MEET MY SISTER HALF WAY AND BRING MY MOM DOWN HERE FOR A DEDICATION FOR MY GRAND DAUGHTER..SO i AM LOOKING FORWARD TO  SEEING SOME COLOR....WISH I HAD TIME TO DETOUR TO SEE YA...BUT iM ON A MISSION...lol...NEXT TIME.

CHARLENE....
YIU LIKE THE BIG PUMPKIN!!!!!  mE TOO........HUGS.

OK SO THIS ISN'T MY GARDEN...NO IT THE BIG GARDEN CALLED THE WOODS....WHILE WILD BLACKBERRY PICKING UP NORTH HERE IS A FEW THINGS i CAME ACROSS....

                                                          (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/DSCN1883.jpg)

           

                                                            (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/DSCN1898.jpg)

CHARLENE IS THIS LIKE THE MUSHROOMS YOU TOOK PICTURES OF???? THIS TIME OF YEAR THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT MUSHROOMS GROWING IN THE WOODS...IT DOES AMAZE ME!!!!!
                                                        (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/DSCN1897.jpg)

OH AND HERE ARE  THE BLACKBERRIES....OH MAN THEY WERE GOOD TOO.....
                                  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/DSCN1886.jpg)

Debi,

I love seeing pictures of your granddaughter.  She looks so cute (and surprised) in the fall leaves! :lol 

The pictures from your woods are really special.  And you get some great closeups. Did you lie on the ground to get the mushroom shots?

Will you post the picture again of your granddaughter in the yellow flowers?  I think that is one of the pictures that disappeared.  I love that picture.

Hugs,
Prissy

DEBI, what a doll your grandaughter is.  Love the picture she sure is a flower.  She looks like she is a very contented baby.  Hope her mom is doing well!

Prissy.....this one??????? (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/Aisalynn/Pictureaisalynnflower.jpg)

Prissy....yes I was definetly on the ground for the mushroom pictures....uhmmmmm you wouldn't believe some of the ways i take pictures...I love seing things from a different point of view...did you ever try to lay on the ground looking up at a tree with the sky behind it and snap a picture???? I did... nice point of view..It's kinda a hobby...I'm glad you enjoy them....I just love this thread I love allthe yards and flowers and fall landscapes...

Pepe....Aisalynn is a pretty content baby....well now anyways....wasn't always though...mom is loving being a mom.....thanks for asking.....hugs.

DEBI, fantastic pictures of the mushrooms.  See you can post all kinds of growing things in the Garden Thread not just flowers.  There is so much to look at with the mushroom pictures.  Very, very interesting.  Debi you must print and save those pictures to show the baby when she is older, I love the flower pictures with her little face in them.  As far as the blackberries.  My favorite is warm blackberry cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on it.  Yum!!!!!!!

PRISSY, good morning my friend!   :wave

GERALDINE,  :wave hope you have a nice sunny day today.  Yesterday was gorgeous up here.

:wave to Pepe, Debi, Geraldine and anyone else checking in,


Debi,  I love that picture of the flowers with your grandbaby in them.  That's one of my favorites.  Like you, Hubby will get at all kinds of angles to get a good photo. 

I did take some pictures at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens, but I have not downloaded them yet.  I was disappointed that there were no fall mums, pansies  or other fall flowers; just the  leftover blooms from summer.  Of course, it's still really warm here; not in the 100's, but in the 80's.  So maybe when you all are having your snow and winter, we'll have our fall color and flowers.  :wink

Hugs,
Prissy

Debi, the picture of your grandbaby in the sunflowers is so cute!

After 9 days of rain hubby and I decided to survey the estate, as we like to call our little piece of property,  to see what damage was done due the storms.

He picked most of the pumpkins to put in the front yard for Halloween, we picked a big bunch of Dahlias to bring into the house and we have a few lilies that are ready to bloom again in the fall. We still are picking tomatoes and peppers and ate the last watermelon after lunch.

We have a bumper crop of walnuts so we expect a hard winter. These things are the size of tennis balls and are not edible. Well the squirrels like them! Norm is out in the yard raking them up and he has a construction hard hat on his head. I guess he doesn't want to get hit in the head!

Our neighbor has been putting in a pool in his back yard since Memorial Day. Last week his landscaper installed his irrigation system three feet over the property line. Hubby is a little more than ticked! They broke a branch off a smaller walnut tree that was hanging into their yard. No problem! Then they threw the branch onto out back yard! We looked around a little more and they threw planting buckets and their water and iced tea bottles into our yard. Then we saw that they cut the roots of that tree on our property so they could lay the irrigation system on our property.

Mary,

It looks like your neighbors have "given" you an irrigation system!  What a pain to have neighbors like that!  Do you have a fence between your yard and theirs?

The pumpkins, watermelon, tomatoes and peppers sound wonderful.  I would love a slice of watermelon right now!  I hope you will post pictures of your plants and yard sometime.

Hugs,
Prissy

MARY, sounds like they are irritating you and hubby!  Wow what a mess you have on your hands.  Are those black walnuts you are talking about?  Are the outer shells green?  Where do you live Mary?  That watermelon sounded pretty good!  Thanks for telling us about what is going on around your house sounds like you have a real mess and I am so sorry.  Who needs all that. 

Thursday evening, Skip and I went to a Pond Meeting at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens.  We purposely arrived early to take some "Garden" photos. 

WATER FEATURE AND CALADIUMS AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE GARDENS BUILDING

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGWaterfallCald.jpg)


BEAUTIFUL PINK FLOWERS BY A COLUMN IN THE COURTYARD OUTSIDE THE GARDENS BUILDING

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGPinkFlrsColumn.jpg)


CLOSEUP OF THE PINK FLOWERS

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGpinkflrsCUJPG.jpg)


TURTLE PLANTER BY A COURTYARD COLUMN

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/RGTurtleplanter.jpg)


FOUNTAIN IN THE COURTYARD

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGFountain.jpg)

PATHWAY AND ARCHWAYS LEADING OUT INTO THE GARDENS

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGArchways.jpg)


MORE PATHWAYS

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGredwhiteflrs.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGpathway2.jpg)


STATUE ON WIDE EXPANSE OF GRASS AND CLOSEUP

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGstatue2.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGstatie.jpg)

SMALL GAZEBO WHERE WEDDINGS TAKE PLACE

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGGaz2.jpg)


SMALL CHILD PLAYING IN WATER THAT GURGLES UP FROM THE GAZEBO

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGToddlerGaz.jpg)


"ELEPHANT ROCK" ON A ROUND POND

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGElerockpond.jpg)


A POND

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGPondwaterfall2.jpg)


WATERFALL WITH TARA

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGcalwaterfall.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGCaladWaterfall.jpg)

CLOSEUPS

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGCanna.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGFlrCU.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGmultiflrs.jpg)


MONARCH BUTTERFLY

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGMonarch2.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGMonarchB.jpg)


I hope you enjoyed this "visit" to the FW Botanic Gardens.  These pictures are from just one area around and near the building where we go to Pond Meetings.  There is much more to the Gardens. 

I want to give credit to my hubby, Skip, for most of these pictures. He has a steady hand and really had a lot of patience to get the Monarch butterfly on the bush.

Hugs,
Prissy

PRISSY, fabulous pictures.  Please thank Skip for taking the pictures they are just gorgeous.  I love those pink flowers.  I have to go find Tammy and tell her to come over and look at them.  She would love to know about the pond meetings.

Pepe
Thanks for tellling me to come over here!  :hugg

Prissy  
The pictures are very beautiful...  I love the close up on the flowers and the beautiful butterfly... I get such a happy feeling when they flutter through my gardens going from plant to plant.. I love the little child playing in the water.. The ponds, pathways and water features are absolutely beautiful... I wish I could see it in person!  Thanks for sharing!

Prissy, all the beautiful pictures are getting me inspired for next year!

Hubby told our neighbor about the problem and his landscapers will be coming next week to fix it. The neighbors are ok but their landscapers are pretty bad. Because they just put in a pool they will have to fence their yard.

Pepe, we had black walnut trees in our old yard just a block and a half away but these walnuts are big and green. We live in northern NJ.

The area fo the yard where they were working is behind the shed where Norm composts the leaves and grass clippings for the garden so it has pretty neglected. Next year we hpoe to do something back there.

Pepe, Tammy, and Mary,

I'm glad you enjoyed your "visit" to the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens. :wink  Several of our pictures did not turn out well;  too blurry, but the ones posted give you an idea of this part of the Gardens.

I hope  to be seeing Fall flowers soon.  The Pond Meetings are once a month, and almost always at the Botanic Gardens Building. There are big rooms in the building used for meetings and receptions.  (I have played several wedding receptions there with my quartet.) So, being there monthly, we can keep an eye on seasonal changes and take more photos.

Mary, I hope you can resolve your neighbor problem.  When they put in the fence for the pool, that may help.  I'd make sure that the fence does not end up on your property!

Hugs to all,
Prissy

:wave

   Hey everyone, I'm back! :purpbana

   Pepe:  I'm posting this latest photo from Fairbanks for you!  My brother and sister-n-law had to go ahead and pull up all the carrots due to their first snow fall.
   This is just a few they got.  Their goats even enjoyed carrot snacks.
I just received an email this afternoon and a mama moose and her calf have already "checked out" the hay barn!  Photos are still in their camera.  Also, tracks in the snow. She says that she likes to know what has been moving around in the yard.  Last fall, black bear found a home in their garage for a few days.
   JoAnn Moody
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/125_2501.jpg)

JOANNE, I got so excited when I saw that you had posted in the garden thread and I wasn't disappointed.  More pictures and stories from ALaska.  My gosh all those carrots, that is unbelievable!!!  A black bear wow!  How scary is that!  I have read in books how dangerous the bears are in Alaska and how hard it is to bring them down when they get mad.  I even read where they can come thru your front door after you.  What an experience living there and I admire people who do.  This beautiful state fascinates me.  I am a coward and could never live there but can't get enough stories to learn about it.

Thanks so much for giving me first hand experiences.

Hugs, Pepe

 :waveHello Pepe!

    Thank you!  I'm hoping to get more as the days pass.  My own garden has wilted to the Texas heat.  It was 94o today.  I thought we would have a fall, but I'm afraid that once again, fall will be skipped and we will go from summer to winter.
    One bit of recent news I forgot:  My brother saw evidence of a wolf pack at the entrance of their mine a few days ago.  The mine is kept a  HUGE secret out in the wilderness.  They pulled up and saw a few tracks at the entrance and when they returned on the next visit, their were many more.  I'm thinking that the wolves pick up their scent.
   Needless to say, the gun is going with them to the mine now.    If I get any animal or animal track photos, I'll post here and just  PRETEND that they are garden pictures.  Some people put knomes in their gardens, why not the real animals.
Have a great day!
JoAnn  :wave

JOANNE, thanks so much for telling me this.  A mine??  A GOLD mine??????  How exciting is this.  What an adventure your brother and sister in law have every day.  I hope the wolves don't go in the mine and make it their home.  I sure wouldn't want to encounter them even with a gun.  Yep Joanne keep posting away, I love it and it is also so educational.

JOANNE, by the way I forgot to ask what do they do with all those carrots?????????  And you said just a FEW carrots, I call that a LOT of carrots.

  Pepe,

    The cart of carrots was just one of MANY!  They had to pull them up fast a few weeks ago because of an early frost.  Now, the snow has already come. 
  They EAT-EAT-EAT carrots until they are  SICK-SICK  of carrots.  None of them wear glasses! Ha!  They have a couple of pgymy goats.  At first,  they tossed them the "imperfect" ones.  The goats went crazy at first, then had so many, they quite eating them.  They always have a vegetable and flower garden going.
   They have a deck on the back of the house.  Flower pots! Flower beds! Everywhere there are gorgous flowers.
      Last year, there were terrible fires and they came within 20 miles of their property.  My brother was even stuck closer to the fires for awhile.  Anyway, there is a certain mushroom that starts to grow in the burnt area about a year after the fires.
    Last month they went mushroom hunting without luck.  This is a very pricey mushroom and resturant owners also go looking.
   More stories later.
JoAnn
P.s.  Texas also has black bears down in the southeast piney woods.

JOANNE, more interesting stories from Alaska, thank you so much.  It sounds to me they should write a book about when they first went to Alaska and tell about their experiences .  I would be first in line to buy the book.  Will be looking for more posts from you.

:wave JoAnn and Pepe,

I enjoyed seeing the carrots picture, too, JoAnn.  So many and I don't know, but can you "can" carrots like other vegetables and fruits?

I look forward to more Alaska pictures and stories, too.

Pepe,   A friend of both JoAnn and I was recently in Alaska.  We'll see her next week.  Maybe she will have some stories, too.  But visiting is not the same as living there, I'm sure.

Prissy

PS:  JoAnn, don't you want to post your pumpkin picture?  :lol :lol :para

JoAnn...I love the carrots....name I could use a few of them...it's chicken soup season....and I don't have any carrots...LOL

Prissy hello....I love the new flower pics and the butterfly...oh my gosh ....beautiful!!!!!

Pepe...hello my friend....everything ok in northern country????

ok...I took a ride to bay city to pick my mom up for the weekend and while driving and talking on the phone....big no no....I just had to snap this color change picture......
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/fall1.jpg)

 :wave :hugg
Debi--Pepe ---wanted to say hello--my keyboard is acting up-------- :para

GERALDINE, what is going on with you?  I have missed you!  What is going on in your yard this fall?  Do you have any mum bushes?  I have lots of leaves that I look at and I shake my head and say "I don't rake leaves"  Hope to see you again soon.

Pepe....hello....

  These are some postcards that I got when I visited New Hampshire...the fall colors are breathtaking.  
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v363/CLAYTIME/scan0011.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v363/CLAYTIME/scan0010.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v363/CLAYTIME/Moose-NewHampshire.jpg)

:wave Pepe, JoAnn, Debi, Mary and Geraldine!

Debi, What beautiful colors in the trees in the picture.  I see a lot of red, too.  Thanks for sharing!
 (By the way, I love your granddaughter's pictures in the Bouncing Bundles of Joy Thread in the Member's Corner.  Don't forget to add her picture in the yellow flowers and her picture in the fall leaves!)

Welcome, Claytime,   Your postcards of fall scenes are gorgeous.  I like the moose pictures too. We hope you'll come back to this thread with more pictures!

Hugs,
Prissy

   While waiting on new garden photos from Alaska, I "found" some that I had taken in a lovely garden in Ireland a few years ago.  The building is called,"Carryglas Manor."  This is the horse stables that they had turned into a dining room.  I love the door and vines.
   I'm standing directly across from that building in the natural garden.  Gardens in the British isles are beautiful no matter what heir size.
JoAnn
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/Randy0024.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/Randy0025.jpg)

P.S.  Prissy----the pumpkin flew the coop!

A new one is on it's way!

 :wave Thank You, Prissy!  The highway where the pictures were taken is located in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire.  It sure is a gorgeous area!  The picture of the mother and baby moose is so unique that I bought a moose frame to put it in! :wink  Here is a pretty winter scene...  

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v363/CLAYTIME/scan0012.jpg)

 Here are some pictures that my sister sent to me from her vacation this summer in Ireland... someday I would like to go there and see these beautiful gardens, visit some old castles and drink Guiness beer in a real Irish pub.  I'll share some more pictures later!   :ghug Laura
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v363/CLAYTIME/ireland028.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v363/CLAYTIME/ireland066.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v363/CLAYTIME/ireland027.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v363/CLAYTIME/ireland068.jpg)

LAURA. I also would like to go to Ireland and go to a real Irish Pub and drink Guiness beer.  Norah Roberts, the author wrote a series of books that took place in Ireland and that is all they did is drink Guiness beer. :bouncy :bouncy

JOANNE, you also went to Ireland, how fantastic!  I would love to go there and see the country, castles  and surrounding homes and gardens.

   Laura, :wave beautiful Irish pictures!

  Pepe :wave 
           Yes, I've been to all the countries in Great Britian except for Wales.  We just "saw" it from the sky.  Gardens EVERYWHERE!!!!!  Scotland is my favorite from the United Kingdom.  Wild purple heather everywhere
       I've been to 15 countries now.  I'll try to manage a few photos here occaisionally.  The smallest garden I've seen was a flower box in a parking lot in Norway!  It has a sign stuck in it saying, NO PARKERING!"
   My Mom's family is from Norway and I spent 2 weeks touring there in 1989.  When I returned home, I drove my family and school kids crazy.  After seeing that sign, I added my own language.  Like no talkering, no runningering, etc.  Get my drift?
JoAnn

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/image001.jpg)

Hey all these here pumpkins came for my garden.........LOL...just joking......it's just a picture I got in an e-mail and I thought it was pretty cool...... :shappy :shappy :shappy

JOANNE, how exciting that you have seen so much.  What a pleasure to get to converse with you and get to know you.  If it wasn't for Clay I would have never met you.  You are indeed a very  interesting person  :bouncy

YDEBI, great picture!!!  :purpbana  Lots of pumpkins at that place!!!

  Pepe! :wave

   Ask and you shall receive!  I talked to my sister-in-law last night and she sent me these photos today.  The bird is called a Pine Grosbeak.  We don't have them here in Texas, at least I've never seen one.  Also, the moose is back!  This mother anc calf came into the yard a few weeks ago.
    Baby moose discovered the garden gate was left open and helped itself to turnips.  Luckily my family were through with the turnips.  They expect to see them back throughout the winter.
JoAnn
P.S.  Glad to have met you too!   Clay works wonders.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/125_2558L.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/125_2531L.jpg)

Here are the rest of today's Alaska phots.
JoAnn

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/125_2540L.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/125_2544L.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/125_2541L.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/125_2559.jpg)

Jo anne awesome alaska pictures....thank you so much for sharing those...

JOANNE, what a treat this morning to get more pictures from Alaska!!   :purpbana  Please thank your sister in law for sending pictures please inform her that my husband enjoys the photos and the stories, than I forward them to my son who enjoys them than I also forward them to my daughter in Seattle, WA as that is her dream to go to Alaska.  So many more people get to enjoy them.  It doesn't look like the moose is afraid of people as she must feel safe to bring her baby there.  I was going to ask if your brothers children like it there but I am sure they were born there and raised there so that is home to them.  I really admire your family so much.

Hugs, Pepe

   Thank you YDEBI and PEPE!!!

    I love getting photos from Alaska and sharing them.  I will pass tkhe message on to my sister-in-law PEPE.  She will be glad to hear that your whole family is enjoying them too.
    Yes, my brother's three kids and all the grandchildren were born and reared in Alaska and they all love it.  Ny brother went up there for the summer when he was in college and never had the desire to return.  When they do come, they start counting the minutes for their return.
   They think that this is a rat race down here.  Once, many years ago, he came and since it was snowing when he left, he was still wearing in real wolf parka and boots.  When he landed in Dallas, he was stared at until he got into the car.  I think people thought that he must be shooting a movie because NO ONE  was dressed like him.
JoAnn

JoAnne.....I can only imagine how they feel when they come here......even in michigan...I live in southern michigan...my mom, sister,and one brother lives in northere michigan...northern is more country....southern more city....my family does not like to come down to the southern part of michigan unless they have to....and then it is not for any amount of time....so I can only imaging...leaving a beautiful area like the pictures you have posted and coming where life is faster and more conjested.....I think I would love to live there where your brother lives....I would love to live in a log cabin and see wildlife daily....that would be my dream if one was given to me.....thanks again for sharing....

JOANNE, I am in awe of your brother and his family.  I love to hear about their lives and I hate crowds and big cities I prefer scenery and low populations.  I moved back where there is woods, water and deer.  I could never live in southern Michigan again.  Although I don't think I could live in Alaska I guess I have to be near a Walmart!!! :shocking  But the population of East Tawas 2,300 people fits me fine and half of these people leave for the winter.

YDEBI, your mother who lives in Gaylord inspired me as I figured if she could live there in the winter I should be able to live where I do and survive the winter.  Gaylord is beautiful and more woodsy than where I live.

JoAnn and Laura,

I loved seeing your Ireland photos.  I hope you both will post some of your travel pictures and postcards in the new travel thread, "Wish You Were Here." (But don't forget about the Garden Thread.  We still want to see the beautiful plants, flowers, and scenery here, too.)

JoAnn,

Like Pepe, I love seeing the Alaska photos, too, and hearing of the adventures up there.  Hey, maybe Clay will have a concert in Alaska and we'll go see him there. :para

Debi,

I was impressed with all of "your" pumpkins in that photo.  I loved your granddaughter's "pumpkin" picture.  You should post that one here, too!


This is not very Fall lookiing, but here is a picture of a wonderful climbing plant at my church with purple blooms. It dies back in the winter, then comes back in the summer and climbs to over 9 feet tall.  I am always forgetting the name of it.  :bduh  But I will ask and write it down!

Hugs,
Prissy


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Churchplant126.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/ChurchPlant128.jpg)


To keep with our Autumn theme, here is a picture of some pumpkins I found.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Halloween/pump1-55.jpg)


JoAnn, Where is your pumpkin picture??? :lol :wink

Prissy...that vine is beautiful that you posted....can you find out what it is.......oh and is this the picture you are talking about????
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/DSC01436.jpg)
My pumpkin

PEPE....MOM DOES PRETTY DARN GOOD EVEN IN THE WINTER...ALTHOUGH SHE DOESN'T DRIVE IN THE SNOW ANYMORE....COME TO THINK OF IT SHE DOESN'T DRIVE AT ALL....

Debi,

I love all of the pictures of your adoreable granddaughter.   You could make a calendar of her with a different picture each month.  I've seen calendars like that in catalogs and in camera and photo stores.  She's not a year old yet, though, so you'll have to take a picture each month.  I don't think that will be a problem.   :wink

Hugs,
Prissy

Prissy....LOL...one picture a month!!!!!!!!  no problem.....LOL...hugs to you.  Maybe next year for the calender.....

OK OK...I finally got some fall color change pictures.......you have to remember that I live ing the city so no beautiful country senic pictures but the fall color change as I see it.......hope you enjoy....

at a park near me...(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/e391f09b.jpg)

out the back door of where I work
...(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/DSCN2103.jpg)

from work also  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/DSCN2112.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/DSCN2102.jpg)

on my way home.....(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/DSCN2114.jpg)

DEBI, thanks for posting the pictures!!! :purpbana Trees are beautiful where ever they are, in the city, in the country, where ever they are.  I wished the fall leaves would last all winter long and than magically turn green again. 

Wow, Debi!

Great Fall pictures.  That one red tree is spectacular.  We're still "waiting" for Fall to arrive here! :bang  A few trees are trying their best to put their Fall colors on! :shappy

 :wave Hi, Pepe!

Hugs,
Prissy

Prissy you asked me to post these in the garden thread....they were already here so I just brought them forward....LOL






Prissy....oops....I guess the picture you were asking me to post wasn't here...lsoooooooo  here it is....

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/fall2004024.jpg)

Debi,

Beautiful Fall trees.  Yes, the last one was in the "Wish You Were Here" thread, too.  I may have to keep my camera with me when I'm out and about.  I did see a tree nearby that was trying to turn red!  I want to snap it when it does, and before the leaves all fall off! :lol :para

We are even having new blossoms on our rose bushes!! :bduh

Hugs,
Prissy

This is a photo of the flower bed outside the entrance to the church where we pick up the meals that we deliver for Meals on Wheels.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/MOWbed07.jpg)


The Chinese Pistache behind our gazebo is starting to have a few orange leaves and lots of berries.  This used to be a really nice tree, but appears to be in stress.  I would sit on the small green bench and read and feel all enclosed by the tree!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/ChinesePis04.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/ChinPisCU05.jpg)


Hubby took these pictures for me of a pair of Bradford Pears just around the corner from us.  The Bradford Pears are starting to have beautiful leaf color.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BradfordPear11.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BradfordPearCU10.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BradfordPearCU12.jpg)

Pepe has moved to Michigan and is in a beautiful home.  Here are photos of her home and yard.  I love the house nestled in among all of the trees.  And the fall colors are gorgeous! 

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/pepe5.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/pepe2.jpg)

PRISSY, one of my all time favorite trees is the  Bradford Pear.  They have such a beautiful shape to them.  Thank you so much for posting my pictures for me.  About 30 feet behind my house is Tawas Lake.  Lots of ducks and wild life.  As you can see most of our leaves have blown off the trees.

Prissy....wow the colors are starting by you....how beautiful...I am not very good with the names of trees but the Bradford pear is beautiful....and the close ups....I love them....I do love close ups..... the chinese pistache is pretty cool...love the way it is just starting to change ....please post a picture when it is in peak color...

Pepe.....love the setting of your home.....and the trees are looking beautiful..... I would love to have a home surrounded by trees.....thanks for sharing your pictures.....

Debi and Pepe,

I have my camera with me at all times!!  I'm ready to capture that Fall Color in Texas!! :lol :lol :wink

The picture I posted earlier on this thread from my church is of the HYACINTH BEAN VINE OR JACK VINE. I found out the name today.  It grows from a seed pod.  It is an annual and dies back each year, but you replant the seed pod and it comes back again with a flourish. 

I told Skip that I might plant some seed pods by the telephone pole!! :lmao You don't think the telephone company would mind, do you? :naughty

Here is a link about the Hyacinth Bean Vine.

http://www.swapseeds.com/Hyacinthbeanvine.htm


And here is a photo again of the vine:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Churchplant126.jpg)

Hugs,
Prissy

Prissy.....I know what you mean about taking your camera with you all the time....I can't wait to see some texas fall colors...ours are almost done......it got quite windy here this weekend and a lot of the leave fell off the trees...do you want to see bare trees????????????  LOL  just joking.....after your colors are done what will be post next....snow???? nope I don't think you get much of that ...do you????

Pepe....how are you doing...did you get all that wind too....hey are you very far off I-75?????...I'm heading to gaylord the day after thanksgiving....I'm stopping to see InAweOfClay on the way up...maybe I could stop and see you on the way home....

PRISSY, great pictures.  Hey I don't think the telephone company would mind if you planted that vine so it could crawl among their telephone wires.  It is a think of beauty. :bouncy

DEBI, hubby said we were about 60 miles from I-75.  I bet your mom is ready to go home.  Once you have lived here it is tough to go back to the city!  I don't care if I never see another freeway again.

Debi said:
Debi, we get one or two days of snow a year!! :shappy February, 14, 2004 we had a beautiful snow, and I have those pictures in my photobucket.  Clandy even put Clay in some of my snow pictures! :lmao Here he is in my front yard! :shappy

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Winter%20Pictures/prissy2.jpg)


So, let's have snow pictures in this thread when it's time.
 
For now, I'm still waiting for my Fall Colors!! :para

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Thanksgiving/icon044.gif)

Pepe said:
I think I will try to get some seed pods from the Hyacinth Bean Vine and plant them in the spring by the telephone pole! :roflmao

I'll practice my response when the telephone company calls me!  "Vine, what vine?  Skip, do you know anything about a vine that's grown 15 feet up on the telephone pole?" :wink

Hugs,
Prissy

PRISSY, I love that picture of Clay in the snow in your front yard.  I remember the picture from last year.  What fun we have with Clay, like playing in the snow with him. 

JoAnne, do you have any fall color in your yard? 

Prissy...wow you really did get some snow........and isn't it wonderful that Clay decided to visit.....he must have been missing the snow....LOL.....awesome picture...Looks like christmas...oh prissy we can add pictures of our homes at christmas too...what do you think???

Pepe....Mom has been up north for about 6 yrs now...my sister and brother about 20 yrs.....my sister won't even come visit often...we have not all been together for the holidays is years....I think that is sad.....I love having us all to gether....last time was the year before my dad got sick and he has been gone now for about 12 yrs....

:smile

   Pepe- :wave  No, I don't have any pretty fall colors in my yard.   I do have a single bloom on my hibiscus plant!  I was quite the surprise seeing it blooming this week in Nov.  It is one large yellow bloom.    I've seen a few fall colors out and around, but never have my camera with me.
   I loved your house and fall trees.
JoAnn :wave

Debi and Pepe,

Let's definitely have some snow pictures when it gets a little more wintry......where you are.  I'm not expecting much winter this year here.  I'm depending on you in the NORTH to let us know when winter has arrived!!  I'll probably just repost my snow pictures of the last year or two!! :lol

Would you believe it's going to be near 90 tomorrow on Nov. 8? :eek

Prissy

DEBI, it is sad that families don't think it is important to get together.  Life is so short and believe me there are going to be a lot of people with regrets that they didn't make the effort to get together with family.

JoAnne, I would never ask any more of you as you give me such great pictures and stories of Alaska.  Was outside all day doing leaves with hubby.  I told him we are getting to old for this who is going to do it next year??????  The colors are beautiful but they don't last long as they soon fall to the ground.  I remember years ago when my five children was little and we would rake the leaves in the street and burn them and the kids would be playing in the yard, fond memories.  Fond memories I guess because I was about 40 years younger?   :lol

 :wave :wave :wave

   Pepe,Dear Friend!   

    I found the NEW-PERFECT GARDEN today!  This is a science experiement my 2nd graders are conducting in my classroom.  It is a sweet potato.  I started two, one for the boys and one for the girls.
    Girls plant took off like a rocket!  This is it's "debut" photo after about 2 1/2 weeks.  The boys potato rotted and ended up in the trash can.  They have a new plant restarting today.
JoAnn :lol

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/575dde36.jpg)

JoAnn, how wonderful!!!  I forgot about growing a sweet potato.  I need something green in my kitchen as I left all my house plants in Tennessee.  I have to get me a sweet potato to grow.  Aren't they pretty!!!
I see you have tooth picks to keep it up.  Do I just put the end in the water or can you submerge the potato deeper in the water?  I would assume the boys potato rotted because the water level was to high on the potato.  How interesting.  I love this garden thread as it covers such a wide variety of things.  So good to hear from you.  I thank Clay everyday for being here and for what has started because of him.  I would have never met friends across the United States and got to know all of you if it wasn't for Clay bringing us all together.
 

Pepe, I just came over to check out JoAnn's sweet potato. I agree with you that it is wonderful what Clay has done. I sometimes wonder if he knows how many friendships have been formed because of him.  I don't think he has any idea what he has done for so many people. He is a miracle worker!

:wave


     HI Pepe and Claymaniac2000 :wave

       I put the tootpicks rather high to balance the potato in the "expensive" :roflmao plastic cup.  I had the kids fill up the water to reach approx. 1/3 of potato from the "slenderest" end.  The roots start in approx. 3-4 days. 
      The kids replace water quite often due to the pungent smell and green water!  I upgraded the "expensive" plastic cup to the present, plastic coffee can.  The boy's two potatoes are still in their  plastic cups. 
   So far, the plant is loving the southern exposure on its windowsill.  If I had shown you the roots, you would have seen that they are at least 18".
JoAnn
 :slick

Janet, so great to see you here.  I have to get me one of those sweet potatoes to grow.  Joann doesn't know what she has started.   :bouncy

Janet,
I'm glad to see you in the Garden Thread.  I hope you will come back and visit us again.

JoAnn,
I may have to try that with the sweet potato, too,  like Pepe said.  It really makes a pretty plant!! :shappy

Prissy

 :roflmao :roflmao :roflmao :roflmao :roflmao


     SWEET POTATO!   I'll have to tell my 2nd graders that their plant is getting"national" attention! :shappy    Now, should  I show  you a picture of the sweet potato that wnet "bad?"   :para
    Rember, it will look and smell bad if you don't chnage the water!    My kids would say, "stinky!"  I use this with them when the turn in messy papers! :wink
    The kids love it and they do get the picture.   After our week off for Thanksigiving, :shappy I'll post an update on this and the boys.
JoAnn

   Pepe----I'm going to email my sister-n-law right now to see if she can send me  more Alaskan photos!

    Prissy----Let's see what kind of garden photos we  can take next week going to see Clay in KC!


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/116_1687.jpg)

PRISSY----THE PUMPKIN! THE PUMPKIN!   IT'S BACK  ALL THE WAY FROM ALASKA!!!!!

JoAnn, are these squash and pumpkins grown in Alaska?  I have never seen such fantastic vegetables in all my life.  I AM IMPRESSED!!! :purpbana :purpbana

 :wave


    Pepe---This is a picture of my brother's last year's garden.   Yes, those are squash and pumkins.   This year they had an overload of carrots and turnips.  The goats and moose enjoyed the left overs.
     Pepe, did I tell you about the mushroom story?  Last year, with the fires, brings a special type of mushroom that loves to grow in redeveloping,burned areas.  A couple of months ago, they went mushroom hunting along the Yukon River.  They didn't have any luck finding the mushrooms, but stopped to eat and they were serving them.  They are a very pricey mushroom.
     Pepe----ARE YOU READY FOR ANOTHER OF MY FYI ALASKAN  TIDBITS?

    This is an usually one--when my brother was in 3rd grade(inTexas) his teacher's husband was killed in a military plane crash on Mt. McKinelely in Alsaka.   The crew was flying with the payroll too and all were killed.
     Anyway, his log cabin faces Mt. McKinely and he sees it everyday.  No one ever reached the crash site and many died trying too.  How did you llike that?
JoAnn
  :slick

Joann, I got goosebumps reading that story.  How strange is that!  Tell your sister in law and brother to get going on that book they need to write.  What an adventureous life they have led.  Thanks so much for all the entertainment you provide me!!  :bouncy

 :purpbana :purpbana :purpbana :purpbana


  Pepe  :wave :wave,

  Donna(sister-n-law) sent these two new shots yesterday from Fairbanks.  They were taken on Saturday,Nov.12, 2005 from their back deck.  It is at sundown facing Mt. Kinley.  She said you see it better right at dark, but I sent both just for you! :shappy
    It is COLD, not above freezing  all week.  They were going to the mine on Sunday, too cold to go down 500 feet,  slept in instead. It has not been above zero! :roflmao
JoAnn

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/125_2585.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/125_2592.jpg)

PRISSY, you wanted to see snow?  Now you can see snow on the mountain thanks to JoAnn!  :purpbana

JoAnn, many thanks for the pictures.  Not above zero in November???  Wow!!  The high here was 48 degrees and I was freezing all day, I think I am in trouble.  You mentioned your brother and sister in law going down 500 ft into the mine, do they have a elevator?  Is this what your brother does for a living?  If I am getting to personal just ignore my questions.  I just find your family so interesting and love to hear about their lifestyle.  Maybe it is because I wish I was like them.  I love wildlife and the out of doors but don't think I could take those long severe cold winters.

 :bouncy :bouncy :bouncy :bouncy :bouncy


  PEPE ! 48o sounds WONDERFUL!  Here in Fort Worth, Tx it reached  about 78o.  I was doing a strip tease about recess. Our recess is at 12:10-12:20 and it was hot and no wind.
   Tomorrow, prediction says that it is doping to 50's in the pm with high winds then down to the mid 30's.  I'll believe it when I see it.  Never know down here.
    Their elevator is invisible!  They walk or sometimes "slide" down  according to how much ice is in there.   They have driven down inside with a large flat bed type machine called a "cat." 
    My brother  is a machinest (drilling bit,etc.) just like my Dad was.  This is just a fun thing they have done since the late '90's.  They only open it up in cold weather due to the permafrost. 
    Mom and I are thinking about going up this summer for a visit.  I've only  been once way back when I was 14.   Mom has been up a few times.  We both  have an itching to gho back.
      I want to see the wilderness again and go on the Yukon River, take piictures, etc.  My brother has tried to get me up there for the past several years.   I think this will be the summer.
  JoAnn

 P.S.  I am going to remember to take a picture of my Hibiscus plant.  This is the only one still blooming in my backyard.   Funny, one day it had a beautiful yellow bloom, the next bloom was just as beautiful, but it was orange!

JoAnn, yep you and your mom should go to Alaska this summer.  If you want to go you should and not put it off.  I bet you have to walk around with bug netting all over you.   :bang  I have heard about their black flies, etc..  I would love to go fishing there but I am a coward, I would be terrified of the bears!!  You will have to post a picture of your hibiscus.  Never heard of two different colors on one plant.  I had a Butterfly Bush in Tenn. that had pink, white and purple flowers on one bush, I hated to leave it.  I brought seeds from one of my favorite bushes called "Burke's Broom"  I just planted them in some pots today to see if they will grow. 

hello everyone....Pepe ...did you get snow this week..I know they did in gaylord...not here yet...just...cold cold cold...BBRRRRRRR!!!!!!

Joanne...awesome pictures for fairbanks....thanks as usual for sharing......debi

Debi, yep we got snow.  Probably only about 1".  My son 20 miles inland got 2 1/2".  You are right it is cold, kind of a shock to your system.  It wouldn't be to bad but we get constant wind from the lake.  I am sure I will enjoy it in the summer but not in the winter.  I hear Gaylord got a lot of snow!!

 HELLO---STOPPED IN TO SEE THE WONDERFUL PICTURES!  AND TO SAY HI!
PEPE & DEBI,  THE SNOW WAS HERE TOO!  KIND OF CREPT IT'S WAY IN.  WILL YOU BE POSTNG PICTURES OF THAT WONDERFUL WHITE STUFF WHEN WE REALLY GET IT?
I HAVE AS YET BEEN UNABLE TO FIND THE PET THREAD--CAN SOMEONE POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
BE BACK NOW THAT I FOUND MY WAY BACK HERE AGAIN.  SEE YOU SOON. 

Geraldine, just go to the bottom of the page and you will see Fun Stuff click on Go and scroll down till you see Pet Thread.  Hope you find it so many great pictures there.

Pepe--Thank you I think I may not have scrolled down far enough in Fun Stuff.  Thank you, I will take time today to find it.

Debi--could you post that picture you spoke of your deck?  I have a deck too, I would love to see it.
 :hugg To both of you!

GERALDINE,  :wave guess what I went looking for the Pet Thread and I couldn't find it either.  :cry  :dunno  We will have to ask Prissy!  It is cloudy, misty here today.  Not a pleasant Monday at all.  The windshield wipers stopped working on our 1986 Ram Charger yesterday and hubby has been all over and they don't have them for that old of a car!  Even though a car sits in a garage for 15 years and looks like new IT ISN"T!  Hope you have a good day!

Prissy where are you??? I'm still waiting for some texas color change pictures....LOL

PEPE...We haven't gotten snow yet...but these pictures are from last winter....

Charlene.....I'm posting tw pictures on my patio...I don't have a deck...but ther is a privitcy fence on with an enterence to the yard that is kinda rustic....LOL...but this picture you can't see much because of the snow.....

LET THE SNOW FLY....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/winter/DSCN1066.jpg)

Charlene....this is on the patio too..nothing special but i like it... Oh and this is my dog too....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/winter/DSCN1114.jpg)
HE LOVES THE SNOW REALLY.....LOL

Pepe....Charlene....introduce your pet is at the top of the fun stuff forum...I just posted the picture of Kato in the snow there....hugs debi

Debi---Thanks for posting the pictures.  What a cute dog!  I loved the one of the snow on the fence--it looks like a picture post card, so pretty.  Ok I'm gonna try again to find the pet thread.    :wave :hugg

Pepe--Thanks for checking on the pet thread for me.  I'll get there yet.  Boy did we have snow here yesterday.  Went shopping and it was so cold--the wind especially was cold.  Stay warm! :wave :hugg
Charlene

DEBI, love your pictures!  Love the wreaths on the fence with the snow!!   :clap  Thanks for the info on the Pet THread.  How did I miss it, although I seem to be missing a lot lately, to much on my mind.  Car problems, house problems, could use a lot more money too.  I am going to have to learn to set a budget for Christmas.  I just keep buying, I have no idea how much money I spend till I look at my checkbook and see how long till payday again! :bang :bang

Hello!

I've been missing for a while.  I was getting ready for my Clay weekend in Kansas City, then went to KC, and then, once home, I worked on my review and downloading my KC photos.

Geraldine,
I'm glad to see you here.  And I saw your post in the Pet Thread, too!

Debi and Pepe,
I'm still waiting for the Fall color, too!!  My  Bradford pears are still green for the most part with a few brown leaves. :bduh Where are the Fall colors?  Not here! :para

Debi,
I love your snow photos and your dog is so cute, too.  That is a nice thick coat he has for winter.

Here is another snow photo from last year, Feb. 14, with Clay "visiting" my backyard!! :shappy

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Winter%20Pictures/prissy1.jpg)

Hugs,
Prissy

Prissy...gotta love it.....that picture is so real......hugs...debi...

ok  all I want to say happy thanks giving......

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Debi---I made it to the pet thread--wow they are all so cute!  I saw a pic that looked just like my "miss kitty". 



Pepe--It took me long enough to find the garden thread and pet thred but, glad I did--the pictures are awesome!

Prissy :wave WOW that is some picture of Clay, just perfect for this time of year!

Hey ladies--how do you like all this snow!!

Charlene...Love the snow ....don't like the wind!!!!!  brrrrr it's cold here....I'm heading up north tomorrow and it looks like there will be plenty of snow there.....some say 2 ft....wow....I should have some pictures to post on Monday.....Love ya all and I'll miss ya all.........see ya....pray i don't get snowed in...LOL  debi

DEBI, hope the roads are better tomorrow as it is blizzard conditions here right now.  Have not seen a car on the road all day just skidoos!!!

GERALDINE, glad you have found both threads and I know you feel comfortable here.  These are great threads, very warm and welcoming.

PRISSY, I love that picture of Clay in the snow in your yard.  How many times did you say it snowed last year at your house?

Pepe....as of right now I will not be going up north today.....I'm bummed...I really wanted to spend a little time with my mom...after thanksgiving I do not travel up north until spring because of the weather....I hopeing the roads clear........

Charlene...good morning....hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving.......hugs debi

PEPE, I am glad I found both threads too. I sure do feel comfortable here.  You are a very warm and welcoming person as well as the others. The pictures fascinate me and I love to hear comments that are made, especially the comparing of the weather. We had lots of snow yesterday here?  How about there?  I am not liking this cold!   It just started snowing again.  Keep warm now! 

DEBI---Have a safe trip.  Be careful on those roads if they are bad.  That would be great to see some pictures of up North!  Miss you!

PRISSY--Hello to you.   I said it before but that picture of Clay is so sweet.  Makes you almost want to bundle up and join him! 

GERALDINE, after the past three days it was okay here, I think the temperature was about 30 degrees but that seemed warm compared to what it has been.  The big thing is the horrible wind.  Today it was nice and calm and that makes such a difference.  I am already counting how many months till spring.   :roflmao  Suppose to warm up into the 50's Monday though.  :purpbana :clap  We have about 1 1/2 inches of snow on the ground and more predicted for tonight.
Wished I had a fireplace or a wood stove as there is nothing warmer than a wood fire!


/color]

WEll my friends...I didn't make it up north today and tomorrow doesn't look to good either so.....no northern snow storm pictures for me...but we are getting some snow here.....so I guess that tomorrow I'll be out there taking pictures...LOL.......

:wave Hi, Pepe, Geraldine, and Debi,

I'm glad you like my snow pictures.  I will post more as we get into winter! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Today, the day after Thanksgiving, it is finally starting to look like Fall.  My sister, Jackie, emailed these pictures to me of two trees in her front yard.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/treesinfrontyard004.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/treesinfrontyard001.jpg)

I have some Fall pictures I need to upload and will post them soon.

Hugs,
Prissy

Hello!  I'm back! :lol

Yesterday, as I did my "Day after Thanksgiving" shopping, I also had my camera with me and snapped a few photos.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Falltrees08.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Falltree07.jpg)


BEDFORD LIBRARY
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/FallLibrary10.jpg)


NEIGHBORS' NANDINA BED
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Nandinas17.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/NandinaCU13.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Nanaredberries14.jpg)

Hugs,
Prissy

Back again!! :lol

We spent Thanksgiving Day in East Texas with our friends, Ralph and Kat.  Here are some photos of their place.  They have 6 acres, two ponds (which are very low on water), pine trees, ducks, and more.

HOUSE
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BatchHouse00.jpg)

DRIVEWAY LINED WITH PINES
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Batchtreedrive99.jpg)

MORE PINES
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BatchTrees96.jpg)

GAZEBO AND POND BY THE DRIVEWAY
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BatchPl91.jpg)

GAZEBO CLOSEUP
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BatchGaz93.jpg)

PAMPA CLOSEUP (BY GAZEBO)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BatchPampa98.jpg)

DUCKS ON POND BY GAZEBO
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BatchDucks94.jpg)

CLOSEUP OF DUCKS
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BatchDucks95.jpg)

DUCKS RESTING BY POND
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BatchPlDucks92.jpg)

THE OTHER POND
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BatchPond02.jpg)

EVERGREEN TREE
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BatchEvergreen04.jpg)

Skip went with Ralph to see three horses he has bought and keeps at a ranch nearby.  On their way back they saw a herd of deer and hogs.  The hogs are a real nuisance and come out at night and tear up the yard.  Ralph has several guns and rifles and has shot a hog or two.  The neighbors butcher the hogs for bacon, etc.  The ducks are attacked by bobcats and raccoons, but protect themselves by getting on a float in the middle of the pond.

One day when we were visiting, I walked out the front door and thought they had a statue of a snake.  I found out it was a real snake!! :eek  Some are poisonous and some are not.  Kat said she has killed a snake with a shovel in her nightgown and boots!  Life is an adventure out there!!

Hugs,
Prissy

Pepe,

Our friends live 112 miles from us, about an hour and a half drive!  We are also going Christmas Day and taking the dogs, Shadow and Sandy with us.

It's fun to visit, but I prefer living where I do in Suburbia!!  I like having stores,  theaters, malls,  and restaurants all just around the corner.  I like the City life, but we have such a big backyard, it feels a little like being in the country, too.

Hugs,
Prissy

 Prissy....beautifulll....I want to be there....all the pictures from your friends house are awesome and the other fall pictures too..I have already forgotten what leaves look like...LOL not really...and I do love winter...well I have to if I'm gonna live here in Michigan....anyways...I didn't make it up north so no awesome snow pictures but.....wed while I was at work I watched the snow kinda accumulate on the grass and the trees...this was our first snow fall and it did end up snowing all day....I took a picture of an interesting tree in front of where I work and I just had to share it with you all

Pepe....hello my michigan friend....how are you doing?????

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/winter/DSCN2177.jpg)

DEBI, what a fantastic tree!  Do you have any idea what it is?  Thank you for reminding me that with the leaves off all the trees you get to see the odd, elegant and funny shapes of the trees that you wouldn't see when the leaves are all on.  That is a fantastic picture thanks for thinking of taking a picture of it.

Debi,

That's a great picture of the tree.  The way it bends at all angles reminds me of a Bonsai tree, the miniature Oriental trees. :smile

I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures of my Fall shots and our friends' place.  I have decided not to "hunt" any more for Fall Color.  I will just wait for winter.  :para

Pepe,

You asked about snow in Texas.  We have one or two a year and the snow does not last more than a day or two.  We have had ice storms before,  but not too often.  The snow pictures I am posting are from last Valentine's Day.  That was one of the prettiest snows we have had in many years.  Here is another snow picture with Clay making an appearance!! :shappy (The wreath has hearts on it.)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Winter%20Pictures/aa1.jpg)

Pepe...I have no idea what kind of tree that is....but it has red berry like things on it in the late summer fall...the birds just love them.....I will see if I can fing out the name of it for you........

Prissy....love the wreath....I want one...LOL....but it has to come with Clay.....ha

Hello!

I'm just posting a snow picture every so often to keep our thread active!! :wink  The three snow pictures I've posted so far, had Clay added to them by the talented ILClaymate,  Clandy!!  She creates computer magic!! :clap

Here is a snow picture from deep in our woods.  This is a little "log" cabin that the granddaughters would play in when they were small.  It is slowly deteriorating, but a covering of snow makes it look picturesque.  :lol (Notice the bench, a pretend water pump, and a windmill off to the right.)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Winter%20Pictures/Cabinsnow.jpg)

Hugs,
Prissy

Prissy, fantastic picture.  Looks like it should be in a magazine.  Isn't it amazing that you can take a picture of the same thing only in different seasons and it looks totally different.  I am also amazed that there is not more interest in this thread, I thought Tammy and a few others would love it here, I guess not.  We are getting snow, it started this morning.  It is supposed to snow for the next two days!!!!

Pepe,

Most people are probably not thinking about their gardens right now, so we will just coast along on winter photos and such for a while.  But when spring comes, hopefully there will be more action here.

Hugs,
Prissy

I am enjoying all the pictures that are posted. I just hope we don't have snow until the new year!

Norm was talking about his garden for next year just a few days ago and decided that his suprise crop was going to be acorn squash! This year it was watermelom, last year it was corn. Sometimes he likes the surprise crop so much that he plants it every year. Pumpkin was has pick a few years ago and he liked decorating the front of the house with them and mums for Halloween that he plants them every year.

Next year he is going to transplant several shrubs that have grown too large for the space that they are in. Then we will go to the garden center to see what we want to plant to fill in some areas.

MARY, it sounds like Norm is a great gardner.  It is so much fun to watch things grow.  That is my whole spring is planting, and watching the babies grow up.  So nice to see you here, please come often.

 :waveWELL I MADE MY WAY BACK HERE--IT IS SO NICE TO SEE ALL THE PICTURES OF THE SNOW SCENES, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR ALREADY!

PEPE---ARE YOU BUNDLING UP AND STAYING WARM?  BOY, WHEN IT DECIDES TO GET COLD IT GETS COLD BURRRRR!  ARE YOU GETTING READY FOR THE HOLIDAY?

PRISSY--THE PICTURE OF THAT BUILDING LOOKS LIKE ONE I HAVE IN MY BACKYARD.  SO PRETTY !!!!!

SEE YOU AGAIN SOON!
 :hugg

Hello!

Mary,
It's good to see you here posting.  Your gardens sound so interesting;  how exciting, something new every year. :smile The acorn squash for next year will be a great surprise crop.  When we first moved here to this house almost 15 years ago, there were pumpkins growing in a part of the backyard in a big area that was the garden.  We have just made this a space with grass, but at one time, it was a large garden.

Geraldine,
I'm glad to see you here, too.  It sounds like it is already cold and snowy where you are.  If you can, we would love some snow pictures from you.

Pepe,
The little cabin in the woods is actually made of wood and we will probably have to tear it down at some point, but it does add a rustic look to the woods.


Behind the woods there is a creek that flows through our area.  Here is a photo of the creek on that famous Feb. 14 when it snowed.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Winter%20Pictures/Creek.jpg)

GERALDINE,  :wave yep it is very cold here and snow on the ground.  Way to cold for December, can hardly wait for Jan and Feb, that should be fun!  I am done with Christmad mailed a box to my sister and one to my son in Arizona and the rest are all wrapped.  I finished early and mailed really early this year.  Never want anything to happen were I can't get to the post office so now everyone has a month to sit and stare at their packages.

PRISSY, is there a way to shorten the pages so there is not so many posts on a page??????

   Hi everyone!

   I just got this photo from my brother in Fairbanks, Alaska. It was taken at sunrise on Dec. 1.  The weather was -30!   It is not of their garden, but of their trees just outside the yard area.
JoAnn M.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/126_2630.jpg)

Pepe,

The pages used to be shorter.  I know there are 25 posts on the page preceding this one.  :eek  And I'm bad about putting a lot of pictures in one post.  I will try to break my posts up more. Also, I will ask Pamela, too.  Maybe it's better for the site to have longer and fewer pages.

One thing you can do is when you click on a page,  by the page numbers, is "go down."  Click on this and it will take you to the bottom of the page and the newest posts.

JoAnn,

That winter scene and the two you posted back a page or two from Alaska would make wonderful framed prints.  In fact, my ENT doctor has a couple of pictures in his waiting room that remind me of these Alaska snow photos. 

Hugs,
Prissy

PRISSY, beautiful picture of the creek.  What an interesting yard you have, you have a little of everything.  To be able to have some woods to walk in and yet you live in a subdivision.  That is Great!  Thanks for answering my question about the pages.  I thought if the pages was shorter it would give us more pages to show the thread was being utilized.  I don't know how it works around here and thought maybe if the pages weren't adding up they might do away with the thread.  Sure don't want that to happen.

JOANN, beautiful picture of Alaska.  30 below the first of December, wow!!!!!  I can't tell you how much I admire your sister in law.  Do they have TV there, I would imagine if they did they would have to have a satalitte dish.

   Prissy-Thanks, I hadn't even thought of framing any of the photos. 

  Pepe-- I hope you the special photo pm!  I sent the letter and the photo late on Sat.,Dec. 3 night.  I think that you will enjoy it!  Let me know if it gets there or not.
JoAnn

JOANN, did you get my pm?  I received the pm regarding the photo and what it was about but did not get the picture.  I have been checking all day can't wait to see it.  Sounds VERY INTERESTING and EXCITING!!!!

Pepe--The sun is out today and now snow!
Yes it will be interesting to see what January and February will bring us for snow-I remember last winter here in Fort Gratiot, we had the higest amount of snow on record for the season.  It was like trying to dig my way out of an igloo.  I wish I had a picture of that!! 

Debi---Is your tree all set up---i know you were in my neck of the woods, and I seem to be in your neck of the woods at times---I hope you took pictures of the tree, would love to see them!

Hello Prissy & Mary---I love to come here and see all the beutiful things nature has created-your pictures are wonderful!

See you all again soon!

Every day when I wake up
I thank God I have you in my life.
And every night when I go to sleep,
I reflect upon my day.
And I*m glad you were a part of it.
Peace, Joy, and Love

Geraldine,

I'm glad to see you here.  Loved your poem!! :shappy

Pepe,

This is a yard with many (almost too many) things going on in it.  I hope  that Skip and I can get the ponds in shape soon and then the yard will look so much better!  :smile

Well, it's going to be 29 degrees tonight, and then 19 degrees the next two nights! Brrr!  That's mighty cold for these parts!
We may even get an ice storm.  However, on Saturday, it was so warm, in the 80's, that we turned the air conditioner on for a while! :eek

Here's one of our Bradford Pear trees that finally got some pretty colored leaves.  But the leaves will be gone soon.  Winter is here!!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Bradfordpear29.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/B.jpg)

 :wave Prissy,  wow those pictures were great to see this morning, especially after seeing snow.  The colors are so pretty and bright.  Such a nice way to brighten my day to see them.
Thank you for the comment on the poem--it was meant from the heart! :hugg

GERALDINE, :hugg  I hope we add something to your life as much as you add that certain something to the Claymaniacs.  It is such a pleasure to have you with us.

PRISSY, fantastic pictures.  It is wonderful to see leaves again.  It will be next May before I even start to see them.  I heard on the weather channel you might be getting some snow.  It was below freezing in Pheonix, AZ this morning.

JOANN, love it just love it!  What a different and interesting and challenging life style.  Thank you so much for sharing the photo.  Hubby loved it and is in awe of your brother and his family!

Hugs, Pepe

PEPE--AW THANK YOU!  IT FEELS SO MUCH LIKE HOME TO ME HERE--IT IS MY PLEASURE TO BE A PART OF THE CLAYMANIACS. :hugg

   Pepe,

   Glad you finally got to see my special photo to you!   I took it off just now.  They put  the truck in the tunnel to have a better chance of starting the engine while out there.  All their cars have winter plugs to keep batteries from freezing, but not available at the mine.
    The mine tunnel is somewhat warmer and allows the batteries to keep from freezing.  Mom is talking to Sammy(brother) as I'm writing this note.  He says that we are even colder then Fairbanks at the moment!
    Fort Worth had an ice storm last night, so I didn't have to go into school.  It is so nice to sleep in to 9:30!  I don't even want to "think" about how it would be in my classroom iwith 22 second graders.  It was bad enough yesterday when we could all see the sleet coming down fhrough our 5 windows in my classroom.
JoAnn

JOANN, thank you again for the photo.  I heard last night that you were really going to get it in Texas.  Talked to my son in Arizona this afternoon and the high was 52 degrees.  Usually it should be in the 80's.  This weather is horrible it is way to cold, the only one that is going to benefit is the oil and gas stockholders.

Here are some photos of what my Dad's yard looks like in Florida. I've always loved sitting on his back porch, it is so relaxing.

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/861103/dadyard2jpg.JPG)

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/861103/dadyard1.jpg)

And this is the front:

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/861103/dadyard4.jpg)

MOONSHOT, thanks so much for the pictures.  Yep wished I was in your dad's yard right now, it looks like it would be a relaxing place to be.  I am looking at a bunch of white stuff.  Only about 3 1/2 months more till I see green again.

 :wave PEPE, THAT DOES LOOK LIKE THE PLACE TO BE WARM RIGHT NOW AND REALAX INSTEAD OF ALL THIS WHITE STUFF!  SOME MORE ON THE WAY TONIGHT I HEAR.  ARE YOU KEEPING WARM?

GERALDINE, yep I am keeping warm but don't know how warm I can be as I am waiting for my first gas bill here and don't know what to expect.  I might should be colder than I am, we will see.  I am so used to low utility bills in Tennessee.  No snow today but cold with lots of wind.

PEPE--I finally got dug out yesterday.  You would have laughed if you saw me! 
I was outside with my son, and after he cleared off a spot where I could stand to talk to him while he shovled--all of a sudden when I took a step, I did the splits.  He had to lift me right up cause I was stuck in that position!  No snow here last night.  Still cold tho.  I know what you mean about the gas bill, yikes!!
Be careful out there some spots are slippery yet.
Love
Charlene 

GERALDINE, glad you finally got shoveled out.  We are getting more snow this morning.  I am starting to wonder if I was smart moving back here to Michigan.  I know I am not getting enough exercise.  To slippery to get out much other than to take Pepe out real quick and than I feel like I am taking my life in my hands as you are right it is slippery.  I am used to running up and down stairs all day and getting outside a lot and here it is no stairs and no grass

PEPE--WELL IT IS SNOWING HERE NOW AGAIN!  I MISS BEING OUTSIDE TOO.  AT LEAST ONE THING I CAN WATCH MY BIRIDIES!  JUST SAW A RED CARDINAL AT THE BIRD FEEDER. IT S SO HARD TO LOOK OUT THE WINDOW AND SEE SNOW AND KNOW IT JUST KEEPS COMING.  BE CAREFUL OUT THERE.  AW--I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING IN TENNESSEE.  I LIVED IN FLORIDA FOR A WHILE AND CAME BACK TO MICHIGAN.  I GUESS WE JUST HAVE TO MUDDLE THROUGH THE WINTER HUH?   HAVE A GOOD EVENING NOW.
geraldine

Hello!

I have not had Internet for a few days, :eek but Skip rigged up something with the laptop so we are "kind of " connected. 

I just wanted to say  :wave "Hi" to Geraldine,  Pepe, Michelle  and JoAnn.  Geraldine and Pepe, please be careful walking in the snow and ice.  A fall can really be a dangerous thing. 

Michelle, Thanks for bringing those Florida photos here.  Your dad's yard looks very inviting.

Hugs to all,
Prissy

 :wave PRISSY.  YOU ARE RIGHT, HAVE TO BE MORE CAREFUL WHEN IT IS SLIPPERY.  HAVE TO REMEMBER TO PUT MY BOOTS ON WHEN I GO GRAB THE MAIL INSTEAD OF RUNNING OUT IN MY SLIPPERS.  A FALL CAN HAPPEN SO SUDDENLY AND YOU NVER KNOW WHAT COULD HAPPEN.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN. :hugg

PEPE--YOU BE CAREFUL TOO OUT THERE!  MORE SNOW ON THE WAY IS THINK TONIGHT AND THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.  WE WILL BE CAREFUL WON'T WE????

HAVE A GOOD DAY BOTH OF YOU!

JoAnn, thank you for the pictures, utterly fascinating.  Hubby said it would be so interesting just to spend one day with your brother.  I said "sure, it is 20 degrees here in Michigan and you are freezing your tootsies off what would you do with -30 below?"  It is so interesting though to see different lives that don't live in subdivisions and in cities that brave the elements to have an exciting life style.  I know it is hard, hard work and a certain amount of hardship to brave the elements of Alaska but I admire them so much.

    Pepe,

  Glad you liked the photos!  Sam has been there since leaving college at  Texas A&M many years ago.   The mine is is "fun" job.   I can't wait to maybe go this summer.  I've only been the once and it's time to go back.
     Won't be able to go down inside to see "Willy", the mastadon due to the perma frost, but I can talk my brother into many other adventures such as looking for meteorites, bear, moose, etc.
JoAnn
   

 :wave


  Here are the latest snow photos of my family in Alaska.  It show my brother's yard.  He and my sister-n-law are foster parents to pound dogs.  They hope to rekindle interest in the the dogs for adoption.
  This is their latest guest,"Koda" short for Kodiack.  They report to me that he is a very gentle,somewhat "older" gentleman.  He THINKS that he is a house dog.  They are trying to convince him that he is a great outside dog. They have moved him into the garage at night leaving on lights and the radio.  He likes to"moan" to get people's attention. 
  I wish he were down here in Texas, I would adopt him myself!
JoAnn

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/Koda003.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/Koda002.jpg)

JOANN, great pictures.  Your sister in law is lovely!  What a beautiful dog and he looks like he would like to crawl up on someone's bed with them.  These pictures would be great on the Pet Thread too.  Thanks so much for sharing them, I always get excited when I know pictures of Alaska is coming.

PEPE--WOW AREN'T THOSE DOGS IN THOSE PICTURES BEAUTIFUL!  I WONDER IF THEY ARE ALASKAN HUSKIES.  IT IS COLD HERE BUT, I DON'T KNOW IF I COULD GET USE TO THE COLD IN ALASKA.  WONDER WHAT CHRISTMAS DAY WILL BRING US.  LET'S HOPE FOR A WHITE ONE--BUT NOT TOO MUCH SNOW.  ROADS LOOK GOOD THIS MORNING BUT THEY DID CALL FOR FREEZING TEMPS--SO BE WARMS OUT THERE.
AND AS ALWAYS BE CAREFUL WALKING IN THIS STUFF.

   Hi Geraldine :wave

   The Alaskan dog picture is of my sister-n-law.  She told me that Koda is a mixture of 2 breeds.  I forgot what two, but neither one is a huskie or malamute. He is a pound dog they are trying to help find him a home.
   He was well taken care of though and even has a micro id chip inside his shoulder.  This is where they found out his breed information.   He still thinks that he should be an inside dog.  I don't blame him, I would want to be inside too.
   My family keeps him inside the warm garrage at night. They leave the lights on and a radio playing to keep him company.   They are animal lovers, but Koda is too big to stay inside. 
JoAnn Moody

JoAnn  :wave What a woderful thing to do for such a beautiful dog.  I wish more people were like that.  My sister had the sweetest dog someone could no longer take care of but too big to be in the house.  She was very old and ailing, so I made her a special house in the garage and also put a radio in there.  she passed on, but was comfortable.  Have you ever been to Alaska?  It looks so cold there.  We are having freezing weather by tonight in Michigan.  I love seeing your pictures!  Have a good day!  Be back to check on more!
Charlene

Two of my favorite people here  :wave JoAnn and Geraldine.  If I lived closer I would take the puppy.  No dog is to big to stay in my house.  I would give him a bath and give him a big blanket and cover him up and baby him.  I love dogs.

PEPE :wave HOW SWEET!  I HAVE BEEN THINKING OF GETTING A DOG MYSELF.  THEY ARE SUCH GOOD COMPANY.  I WOULD LIKE TO RESCUE ONE FROM OUR LOCAL DOG POUND.  NOT SURE MY CAT WILL LIKE IT BUT, I'M SURE SHE WOULD ENJOY THE COMPANY TOO!  SOMETIME AFTER THE HOLIDAYS I INTEND TO DO THIS.  THINK I WLL NAME IT AFTER CLAY--WHAT YA THINK?
HUGS
CHARLENE

JOANN :wave

  Hi Geraldine and Pepe :wave

    I've been out of town for the holidays and just came back on line this morning.  My Alaskan family still has Koda.  Donna,my sister-n-law, is still trying to work with Koda.  They want  to keep him, but he is not willing to be an outside dog. 
    She takes Koda on a 3 mile walk each day.  They both love the walk.  Koda is a good protector from any unexpected danger on these walks.  I'm talking moose and wolves!
    He is too big for the house, so that is a problem.  She is giving it a few more weeks.  She doesn't want to send him back to the pound either.
   I took some new garden photos,yes, these are "real" garden photos at my sister's house in Beaumont, Texas over the holidays.  I will post as soon as I'm able.
    I want to show some beautiful flowers still blooming here on Christmas day.  Their yard was destroyed in Hurricane Rita in Sept., but it is starting to come back.  The house was spared.
    This trip woke me up to the disaster from the fall.  The closer we got to Beaumont, the worse it looked.  Huge trees were down everywhere.  Some of the stumps were at least 5-6 feet in diameter.   
    So many homes still had the blue tarps on their roofs waiting their turn for repairs.  My family down there was so lucky!   
JoAnn


HAPPY NEW YEAR  :hypno :hypno :hypno

JOANN, so good to see you!   :purpbana  I was wondering what happened to you.  Yep you have been missed.  Now if we could only get Prissy's internet to start working!  It really seems lonely with Prissy not here.  I hope you and your mother had wonderful holidays!  Can't your sister in law let Koda stay in the garage at night and part of the day where it is warm so they can keep him.  Like I said their is no dog to large to stay in my house as they mostly just lay around anyway.  I sure wished they would change their mind.  I hope you and your mom have a very HAPPY NEW YEAR.

GERALDINE, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  Sure hope you are feeling better.  It is horrible to have the flu plus pneuomonia at the same time!

Happ;y new year Pepe, charlene and JoAnn...and prissy miss seeing you here....JoAnn that dog is beautiful....I love big dogs and I love rescue dogs...my chow was rescued and he has been the best dog I;ve ever had.......all the snow is gone here for now but I wanted to post this one winter picture I did get while we had snow....it's how your garden doesn't grow....LOL
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/winter/DSCN1122.jpg)

and this is my dog Kato in the snow....can't hardly see him but he does love the snow..
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/winter/DSCN1114.jpg)

  Hi Everyone!


   Ydebi------Beautiful dog and snow photos you posted!   I hate to say this, but today's temp. down
                    in Fort Worth, Texas  was  in the 80's!!!!

   Here is the first photo I'm sharing, the others will follow soon when I can download into photobucket.
      This was taken on Christmas Day in my sister's backyard.  They live in Beaumont, Texas and Hurricane Rita ripped the yard to shreds, but not the house thank goodness.
     This is their covered patio.  They live there during the summer nights watching tv, eating and releaxing.
JoAnn

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/94b25f78.jpg)

Hello to Pepe, Geraldine, JoAnn, Debi, and any others joining in.

Debi, I love your snow pictures.

Here in Texas we have had temps in the 80's, and I've been running my car air conditioner!! :eek

JoAnn, I love the photo of your sister's patio in Beaumont, TX. I really like how she has decorated her patio wall.  I hope you will post some of the flower photos from her home soon.


I don't know if you all have read about the serious fire situation in Texas.  It has been so dry, that grass fires have been starting and spreading and destroying homes.  Luckily, we have not had a problem, but the fires are in neighboring towns.

We really are in desperate need of rain;  we'll even welcome snow!!

Hugs,
Prissy

 :wave EVERYONE!
WOW WE ARE INTO JANUARY 2006 ALREADY.  AND WE HAVE HAD SO MUCH RAIN LATELY.

PEPE--FEELING A LITTLE BETTER NOW--STILL FIGHTING OFF THE PNEUMONIA!  EACH DAY GETS A LITTLE BETTER.  HOW ARE YOU DEAR?

DEBI--NICE PICTURE OF THE SNOW--THAT WAS CUTE---HOW NOT TO GROW A GARDEN.  I HEARD ON THE WEATHER SOME IS ON IT'S WAY.  I JUST LOVE YOU DOG, HE REALLY SHOWS UP IN THAT WHITE SNOW!

PRISSY--BE CAREFUL THERE IN TEXAS!  I WAS WATCHING YOUR SITUATON ON THE NEWS.  80% SOUNDS SO HOT RIGHT NOW COMPARED TO HERE. BOY WOULD I LOVE TO GO OUT ON MY DECK AND SOAK UP THE WARMTH.  TAKE CARE NOW!
JOANN--HELLO HOW ARE YOU DOING?
geraldine

Hello!

Pepe emailed me two beautiful snow pictures of her yard.  Pepe, I don't think you'll mind if I share them with everyone here. 

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/unknown.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/unknown-1.jpg)

As I posted before, our temps have been in the 80's and 70's.  Today, in the 60's, but still no rain. :cry

Prissy

PRISSY, I thought you needed a little snow to cool you off so I emailed you those pictures.  Thanks so much for posting them on the Garden Thread!

YDEBI, good shot of all that white stuff.  Love  your puppy picture, he looks like a real sweetheart.

JOANN,  Don't they have bugs at night in Texas?  You would never be able to sit out here at night and eat or relax as you would be batting bugs or scratching!!

GERALDINE, yep we need some sunshine.  I got used to those Tennessee winters when I was planting flowers in March, I won't be planting flowers here until May!

Prissy I am praying for some rain for you ....thanks for posting Pepe's pictures

Pepe....wow I love the yard....and the beautiful snow....I love snow....maybe I need to come up north to see some....we do not have any here.....and it's January....what the heck!!!!!!  but I agree that a little sunshine would make everyone feel better.....

Charlene....thanks and get feeling better ok....

Joanne..Hello.....

JUST STOPPING IN TO SAY  :wave
I DIDN'T REALIZE YOU PLANTED IN MARCH IN TEMMESSEE.  GOSH THAT WOULD BE PRETTY SOON.  MAY WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.  I AM FEELING BETTER THIS MORNING.  THE ANTIBTIC MUST BE KICKING IN FINALLY.
STILL COLD OUT THO--SO MAKE SURE TO DRESS WARM OK?

DEBI--YOUR PICTURES ARE ALWAYS GREAT!   MAKES ME WONDER SOMETMES IF PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN AREAS WHO HAVE NO SNOW--MISS IT!  THAT IS Without You IT IS NICE TO SHARE THEM HERE.

Pepe, I love your big backyard! It is so beautiful all snow covered. I have to admit that I like snow better in pictures than dealing with it in real life!

Geraldine, I'm glad that you are feeling better. Remember to finish the prescription so you don't relapse.

I can't imagine planting anything in March. In April we might start seeds inside and transplant in the middle of May when there is no danger of a killer frost.

 :wave MARY.  THANK YOU, I AM FEELING MUCH BETTER NOW.  YOUR RIGHT THAT IS THE THING TO DO, FINISH ALL MY PERSCRIPTON, WHICH I DID.  WITH THIS RAINY WEATHER WE ARE HAVING IT WOULD BE REAL EASY TO CATCH IT AGAIN. I WILL BE GLAD WHEN THE WINTER IS OVER, SO I CAN GET OUTSIDE AND DO WHAT I LOVE BEST--PLANTING!

PEPE--HAVE YOU HAD AS MUCH RAIN AS WE HAVE HERE?  SO WET AND YUCKY!  THE RADIO SAID IT IS GOING TO BE AS WARM AS 50 TODAY.

Oh my Gosh...I am so excited!!!!!  Today, since I no longer work on friday I watch my granddaughter...well believe it or not it's 50 degrees here in Mich. ( wont' last though the trmp is suppose to continue to go down today and then snow...but here is what is exciting tome...I took my grand daughter for a walk and on my gosh I saw pansies growing...can you believe it...I have got to go back and take a picture ....maybe later...just think it won't be long before we can start posting our garden picture !!!!! yeah :purpbana :purpbana...well I just wanted to share that...and yes i know we still have plenty of winter left here in michigan...but well this beautiful day made me think about spring....

Hello to Pepe, Geraldine, Debi, JoAnn, and Mary,

We will have a high of 71 today!!  And Debi, there are pansies blooming all over the place here in Texas.  The only problem is pansies like cooler weather, and we really haven't had it that cool.

Rain did come this past week, and more than once!  In fact, we had a rainy night, Friday.  It sounded good to hear those raindrops.  We are still woefully behind, but every drop helps!!

Not very pretty here, now.  The grass is brown and the trees are all bare, but I really enjoy seeing the tree limbs and how the branches get smaller, then smaller, and so on. 

I hope all of you in the northern parts are not too cold.  I would still love to see a snow;  maybe in February.  That's when we had the snow I've posted pictures of before.

Have a good day.
Hugs,
Prissy

JoAnn may post this, too, but her brother and sister-in-law that are in Alaska said it "warmed" up to 18 below and now it is 39 below 0!!! :eek Now, that's what I call cold!! :shocking

We had a beautiful day here in NJ. It reached 63 degrees around 1:00 so hubby and I decided to eat lunch out on the sun drenched deck! It turned much colder in the past few hours and looks like it will rain any minute but the warm weather was nice while it lasted.

We walked around the back and some plants that were on life support last summer are dead. We are going to have to dig up a lot of shrubs and bushes and replant this year.

    :wave Hello to everyone on this thread,

    I haven't posted in awhile.  My mom has been ill,but slowly getting back to her old self.  ALSO, I have been dragging in from work everyday dog tired!
    Kids drive us crazy :bduh this time of year, even my classroom of second graders.

 PEPE, DEAR FRIEND-----Just wanted to let you know that my sister-n-law adopted "Koda" the big white dog from several posts back!  She had fallen in love with him and could not give him up!
    Also, they had another -39o day today up on their  mountain above Fairbanks.  It was even colder in the town of Fairbanks.

JoAnn :wave

Hello,

I am posting to keep our thread active and also, to let you know that we are still waiting for winter in Texas!!

I took JoAnn's mom to the doctor on Thursday, and in her neighborhood, we saw the most beautiful bush blooming with big pink blossoms.  Of course, I didn't have my camera! :bang

Also, Skip said he has seen four roses blooming on our Knock Out Rose Bush, so "Spring is trying to spring" here.

The Bradford Pear tree looks like it already has buds. 

I will try to keep my camera with me from now on.


All of you in the midst of real winter, send a little our way!!

Hugs,
Prissy

PRISSY.... I AM ADDING MY PICTURES TO THIS THREAD...
MOST EVERYONE IS IN THE SNOW ..
I AM IN BLOOMING FLOWERES.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/BOZENA/KITTY%20KATS/ANNIEHOUSE010.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/BOZENA/KITTY%20KATS/ANNIEHOUSE014.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/BOZENA/KITTY%20KATS/ANNIEHOUSE007.jpg)

EVEN A GREEN IGUANA LIVES HERE

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/BOZENA/KITTY%20KATS/ANNIEHOUSE016.jpg)

Bozena,

Wow!  Your yard and flowers are just gorgeous.  I'm so glad you brought some pictures over to the garden thread.    Everything is just beautiful.  And I see your iguana, too!!  You have a beautiful place.

Now, we want to see more of you over here.  You will help our snow bound gals get through the winter looking at your beautiful pictures.

Hugs,
Prissy :hugg

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Valentines/hgval11.jpg) 

Bozena, I love all your impatiens. Last year I planted them in flower boxes along the deck. I think this year I'll plant them in the front yard also and hope the deer don't eat them all. I would love to have flowers year round.

When we moved here 7 1/2 years ago I planted 9 rose bushes and the deer ate 8 of them and the last one didn't produce very well last year. I think that we need a fence! Hubby hates fences but I think that I am making some headway.

Yesterday we decided that our surprise crop will be acorn squash.

BOZENA, how wonderful you thought to post your pictures here.  We are so hungry to see those flowers and that green, green grass.  Hey I would love to see your pool and whatever else in your yard you could share.  We appreciate any outdoor shots please post away!!!

Hugs, Pepe

Bozena...wow what beautiful landscapes...and flowers thanks so much for sharing those.....but as you know us northerns are still dealing with winter...we had a very mild January...but I thinK Feb. is going to  make up for that....

I went even more north ...past even where Pepe lives to visit my mom this past weekend and boy did we get the snow....right Pepe???? so I went winter scene hunting...and here they are....

this is the back of my mom's house....some drift isn't it.???????
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/winter/DSCN2501.jpg)

a walk in the snow...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/winter/DSCN2508.jpg)

 you ladies know me and I have to have some a little more close up....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/winter/DSCN2521.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/winter/DSCN2520.jpg)

and of course one of the little one in the snow....LOL

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/Aisalynn/DSCN2491.jpg)

Debi!

Brrrrrrrr!!!!!  I'm getting cold just looking at your pictures!  Pardon me while I go put on a sweater!! :lol

Your photos are just beautiful and what a contrast to Bozena's Florida pictures! 

I cannot imagine what it is like to live where there is that much snow.  I wonder how deep that snow drift is.

And I did see your sweet granddaughter in the Baby thread.  I'm so glad you brought her "snow picture" over here, too.

Hugs,
Prissy

PS:  I still think you should make a Photo calendar of Aisalynn with a photo representing each month and holiday!! :wink It would be adoreable!! :shappy

YDEBI, loved your pictures.  I don't mind the snow but I don't like the cold.  It seems to bother my lungs when I breath in that cold, cold air.  I should be more adjusted by next winter.   :bouncy  It is beautiful though after it snows, it almost looks like a fairy land with the snow on the tree limbs and pine trees.

 

We actually had a few roses bloom on our Knock Out Rose bush.  Skip took this photo a few days ago.  And you can see the red berries on the Nandina bush nearby. Valentine roses for February!! :lol

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Valentines/Roses89.jpg)

Hugs,
Prissy

HAPPY VALENTIINE'S DAY TO THE GARDEN THREAD POSTERS!!

VALENTINE'S DAY, 2004
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Winter%20Pictures/CillasWreath.jpg)

VALENTINE'S DAY, 2006
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Valentines/Heartwreath04.jpg)

I HOPE EVERYONE IS HAVING A GREAT DAY!

Hugs,
Prissy

Pepe...I am not to fond of the cold either....BRRRRRRR   but hey michigan winters can be quite cold ...right....did you get a whole lote of snow...I know my mom and sister got pounded the last two weekends.....

Prissy...beautiful Flowers..it's so nice seeing flo;wers in the winter.... And your valentime wreath ....how beautiful...you really love to do special things like that , don't you...it awesome....oh and by the way the valentine was great...made me smile...a lot...thanks....

Hugs to all....debi

Our very special friend Pepe is ill and in the hospital.  I know she is looking forward to being well again and to a wonderful Spring filled with green lawns and lovely blooming flowers and beautiful plants.

Special prayers and loving thoughts for Pepe.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Sage09.jpg)

Love,
Prissy

Pepe, I know that you are home now and I will keep you in my thoughts.

We have had such nice weather for the past three days but it's coming to a end with snow perdicted.

Our first corcus bloomed and as much as I love looking at it outside I think that I will cut it an bring it inside tomorrow. I think the frost will kill it by tomorrow night and it will have a few more days to live inside.

The birds are returning to NJ. I saw a woodpecker, hawk, bluejays and robins this weekend.

Pepe.... I'm so glad to  hear you are back at home....pretty soon we will all be posting our garden pictures and talking about spring...so rest up and soon very soon this winter will be over.....Hugs my friend....

to add a little sunshine to your day Pepe
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/DSCN0524.jpg)

Debi and Tammy,

I love the beautiful flowers you posted.  And we are so glad to have our Pepe back with us and feeling better!!

Here are some photos of a Bradford Pear tree in our yard that just has bloomed with beautiful white blossoms:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BradPear0757.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BradPears758.jpg)

I took this photo of daffodils blooming on March 4 at a college nearby.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/TCCDaff730.jpg)

And this photo was taken at the entrance of my church on March 5:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Churchflrs731.jpg)


I will be posting soon some photos from the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens.

Hugs,
Prissy

First of all thank you all so much for the lovely posts to me, you all are so wonderful.

PRISSY, thank you so much for posting those lovely pictures.  Flowers at this time of the year is so good for the soul and the mind.  What more can we ask for but sunshine, birds, trees and flowers.  How exciting the Garden Thread is ready to start a new spring.  Love to hear about everyone's vegetable garden, flowers , problems with flowers we can discuss it all right here.

TAMMY, I know you are excited for spring.  You got the pond in last summer and I am anxious to see what new ideas you are going to come up with this summer.  Can't wait for pictures.  When do you put your hummingbird feeders up.  I remember you told me last year that the hummingbirds like to bath in a spray of water.

Yesterday, JoAnn, her mom, Jennie, and I went to Fort Worth Botanic Gardens.  JoAnn is having trouble postiing on the site and with her Photobucket.  Here is one of her favorite photos that she was able to download.

EDIT: JoAnn deleted this photo from her Photobucket. :cry  I hope she will email it to me and I will repost it!

Prissy

Prissy,

Thank you for posting.  I'm trying your suggestion.  If this works, I'll try and send more to the thread from our day at Botanical Gardens.
JoAnn

 :wink

FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDENS ON MARCH 17, 2006


ENTRANCE TO THE GARDEN

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGEntrance764.jpg)


COLORFUL PANSIES AND A FOUNTAIN

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGPansies765.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGPansies766.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGPansies767.jpg)


JENNIE AND JOANN AND A SPLASH OF YELLOW PANSIES

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGJenJo769.jpg)


PRISSY AND A VARIETY OF PLANTS

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGPris771.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BG772.jpg)


MORE PANSIES, BEAUTIFUL YELLOW, GOLD AND WHITE

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGPansies773.jpg)


SETTING FOR A WEDDING

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGWedd774.jpg)


BRILLIANT CHERRY RED AZALEAS BY A POND; JENNIE

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BG776.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Jen779.jpg)


BEAUTIFUL SCENES

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BG775.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BG781.jpg)


BUTTERFLY DISPLAY

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGButtflies768.jpg)

Prissy

My, my what fabulous pictures.  How wonderful that you gals got to go see all this spectacular color and greenery.  What is really wonderful is you are sharing your day with us.  How I wish I lived in Texas and could go with you, what fun I would have.   :cheer the Garden Thread is growing with posts and how exciting as this means spring and summer is coming. 

It is Spring here, (I'm in the middle of Louisiana near the Texas "border"  :lol ). It is not really time to get all of the flowers out, but it won't be long. I promised Pepe and Prissy that I would participate in the garden thread this year, so......

Click to make pictures bigger

Our dogwoods bloomed this week - this is a path down to our pond - it is lined with small dogwoods

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_MVC-013S.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/MVC-013S.jpg)


This picture is for Pepe - It is the wood duck box on our pond, where a Mama Duck is now about to hatch her babies

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_MVC-015S.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/MVC-015S.jpg)


Lewis has gotten my ferns out of the greenhouse - this is a "before" picture - every one of them needs to be divided and re-potted!


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_MVC-017S.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/MVC-017S.jpg)



This is our larger greenhouse - everything in here has to be re-potted, too - it will take me a couple of weeks.

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_MVC-018S.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/MVC-018S.jpg)




My citris trees are in our smaller greenhouse for the winter - by the number of blooms on my lemon tree, it looks like we will have lots of lemons - the blooms smell so good!


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_MVC-020S.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/MVC-020S.jpg)



The bouganvillas in the greenhouse - my husband loves this plant, so we have every color that we could find

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_MVC-021S.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/MVC-021S.jpg)




Another view of our small pond - I could not get all of it in the picture, though. There is lots of purple wisteria on the other side of the pond, but it doesn't show up very well in this picture.


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_MVC-019S.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/MVC-019S.jpg)


O. K. - I participated! I hope that I will get to post some more picture later when things look better!

 :purpbana :purpbana :purpbana :purpbana :purpbana :purpbana :purpbana :purpbana :purpbana
Frankie,

I'm so glad to see you here on the Garden Thread and your pictures are just fabulous!!!  I'm kind of jealous!!  :wink  You have a greenhouse; and more than one!  I just loved seeing your place. The dogwoods, the ferns, the bouganvillias, the duck pond...wow! What a great place.  I bet the grandchildren just love to roam around.  (Now we see some of what you "get" to mow!!! ) :lol

Please post here anytime.  We love seeing all kinds of plants and yards. :clap :clap

Hugs too you,
Prissy   

FRANKIE,  what wonderful pictures.  You indeed live in a park.  The first picture of the Dogwoods I couldl see the pond it looks wonderful.  Do you find any poisonous snakes by the pond?  Your ferns are fantastic, they are one of my favorite plants.  What a job you are going to have repotting all of those.  Do you hang them on a porch????  The Lemon tree looked fantastic and so many bloom, yep tons of lemons for you.  Do you leave it in a pot all summer or do you plant it in the ground? 
The Woodduck box reminds me of a shape of a BLuebird house only bigger.  I had it pictured being wider and sitting on the ground next to the pond.  Very interesting.  Thank you for showing me this.  What a wonderful greenhouse, a real greenhouse, I am like Prissy I am jealous as I have always wanted one.  Love going into them with the smells and humidity.  Do you run a small heater in there?  I hope you know how much I appreciate you for sharing part of your home with us.   We in the North are hungry for green plants and flowers.

Thanks Prissy, Pepe, and Tammy...

Pepe - Wood Ducks like their boxes a certain height and size - it really takes a good jump for the Mama to get in and out of her box, but it is protection for her nest. Once the babies hatch, they never return to the nest. Our pond is very small. this is the third year that we have had a nesting couple. (The Dad leaves a few days before the babies hatch).  Each year, the Mom and babies hang around for a few days, then leave for bigger ponds in our area. Oh - did you notice the black pot that is on the post below the duck box? That is to prevent snakes from crawling up the post and getting into the nest.  :para

Yes, we have poisonous snakes - particularly water moccasins. We bought our home from a couple who were in their 80s, and not able to keep the yard cut. We had lots of snakes the first year, but still see one every once in a while - just part of having a pond - snakes will be wherever there is water. Our dogs are rat terriers - very good at killing snakes, but it scares me to death every time they go after one.

All of my citris trees - lemons, grapefruit, oranges, and limes - are in large whiskey barrels - Lewis moves them into the greenhouse every winter with a two-wheeler. The one or two hard freezes we have every year prevents us from growing them in the ground.

Most of my ferns (they are my favorite, too!) are in pots that sit. I have a few that hang on the front porch.

We enjoy the greenhouses so much. Lewis built the small one himself the first year we lived here to have a place to keep my ferns. We bought the big one at a carport sale for $50! (It was in a hundred peices, and took Lewis over a week to put together! We cover both with plastic in the winter, and we do run heaters if the temperature is below freezing - we usually do not have to run heaters, because it gets really warm during the day, and the interior of the greenhouses hold the heat, unless it is going to be below freezing for more than one day in a row - very rare here.

FRANKIE, I am in awe of your gorgeous plantings and the greenhouse!  What a dream come true having a greenhouse would be for so many of us here!  And your mention of the wood ducks brings back memories of my older son building wood duck nesting boxes for his Eagle Scout project....

PRISSY, you take the most gorgeous pictures of flowers.  You definitely have an eye for fung shei and beauty!!!

PEPE,  I'm sure that your new yard will be blooming by the end of the summer!

TAMMY, looking forward to pictures of your pond this year!!!

Our big project this year will be putting in a vegetable garden....

As the snow continues to fall here in IL, thinking of gardens and landscaping helps me to keep  my sanity  :bduh

Good Afternoon!

I have a few more photos to add to the Garden Thread.  I am trying to take my camera with me wherever I go. :lol

I took this photo at one of the apartment buildings of one of our Meals on Wheels clients.  It's a beautiful flowering bush.  I will try to find out the name of it.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/MOWbush795.jpg)

While we were out delivering meals, I also snapped this shot to show how brutally some people cut back their crepe myrtles.  I see this all around us.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/CutCM796.jpg)


Yesterday, at the Woman's Club in Fort Worth, I saw the only Blue Bonnets I have seen this year.  It's been too dry for the wild flowers to bloom like they normally do.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/WCBlBon791.jpg)

Also, at the Woman's Club, I saw these colorful flowers which I believe are called Sweet William.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/WCSweetWM790.jpg)


At a library near me, there is a gazebo and a beautifully landscaped area.  I took pictures of some tulips  alone and tulips coming up through the pansies.  The tulips have been through some really cold nights recently, so they're looking a little ragged.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/LibGaz788.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/LibTulips782.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/LibTul787.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/EvgrPaTuLib785.jpg)

Thanks again to everyone who is joining in this thread.  And we love all yard and flower pictures.  You can see, some of my photos are not that great, but I post anyway. :roflmao

Hugs,
Prissy

PRISSY, you take wonderful pictures.  Please, please keep that little traveling camera with you at all times.  That poor crepe myrtle tree, bless its heart, why did someone butcher it like that?  You do cut the seed pods off but not the branches like that, how horrible the little guy looks.  Loved all the flowers and bushes.  I am curious to what that bush is at that apartment building.

Pepe,

Actually, this crepe myrtle looks a little better than some.  I've seen many where the tops are sheared off and all small branches are removed. 

We just trim some of ours back a little.    But not much!!

I'm glad you like the pictures.  I am trying to keep my camera in my purse.  You never know when some really neat flowers will appear!! :wink :shappy



Here is a sample of my front yard with the Easter Bunny Brigade!!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Easter/PinkBunny808.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Easter/Wreath801.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Easter/PorBunnies810.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Easter/Bunnies802.jpg)

Hugs,
Prissy

Prissy - love your Easter bunnies. Daughter Amy is in Austin tonight - SIL has a wedding in his family this weekend. Amy said the bluebonnets were blooming all over - she is going to get a picture of Cameron and Laney amid the flowers while they are in the great state of Texas!

I love all the pictures of the flowers, it gives me hope that spring (planting and flowering season) is just around the corner.

PRISSY, how wonderful your yard looks with all the Easter decoration.  I love the wreath on the gate it looks darling. It doesn't look like you have the wind we have here as those little bunnies would be blown away with our lake wind affect.

Can't wait to see all the vegetable gardens too, nothing more beautiful than to see vegetables growing.  MamaDev and Frankie will be waiting to see some beautiful produce around July.

Hello,

I'm glad everyone enjoyed the Bunny pictures.  I will post more when it's closer to Easter. The bunnies are tied to trees, branches, etc.  so they can't "escape!" :lol

Hugs,
Prissy

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Easter/PurBunnie806.jpg)

Today my quartet played at a wedding and reception in Chandor Gardens in Weatherford, TX, just west of Fort Worth.

It was a beautiful day, sunny, just cool enough;  a perfect day for a wedding.  I was able to take some pictures when we arrived and before the wedding started.


HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS OF PONDS AND GARDEN AREAS:

GAZEBO AND POND WITH FOUNTAIN:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Gaz828.jpg)


NATURAL LOOKING POND

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Pond816.jpg)


FORMAL POND AND FOUNTAIN

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/PondFount819.jpg)


PATHWAY WITH PALE BLUE PANSIES

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Bluepans826.jpg)


KALE (CABBAGE LOOKING PLANT) WITH YELLOW BLOOMS

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Kale0823.jpg)

THE FOLLOWING PICTURES ARE MORE TO DO WITH THE WEDDING AT CHANDOR GARDENS


THIS IS WHERE THE WEDDING TOOK PLACE ON A LONG STRETCH OF GRASS CALLED THE "BOWLING GREEN."  THE GAZEBO IS JUST A LITTLE WAYS PAST THE BOWLING GREEN.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Bridge814.jpg)


HERE IS ANOTHER VIEW OF THE BOWLING GREEN (FROM THE MINISTER'S PERSPECTIVE.)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BowlGrn829.jpg)


AND HERE IS A CLOSE UP OF THE "ALTER" AREA;  BEAUTIFUL FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BowlGrn825.jpg)

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL BRIDGE DECORATED FOR THE WEDDING.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Bridge822.jpg)


RECEPTION AREA

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Recept818.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Recep817.jpg)


WEDDING CAKE

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Cake820.jpg)


PRISSY :lol

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/CGPris832.jpg)


I HOPE YOU FELT LIKE YOU WERE AT THE CHANDOR GARDENS, TOO!!


Hugs,
Prissy

PS:  For more on Chandor Gardens, click on this link and then on Picture Gallery for more photos:

http://www.chandorgardens.com/

 Prissy - Your Texas brides have some beautiful places for their weddings!  Our daughter was married in a public garden here - Hodges Gardens. It was beautiful, but the temperature was over 100 degrees - in October!!!


We worked in the yard almost all day (until time to watch the NCAA Tournament). I got a lot done - all of the cactus is out of the greenhouse, as well as about 10 other plants.

Here is Lewis' cactus garden (he could tell you their names, but I can't! Click to make big:


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_MVC-003S.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/MVC-003S.jpg)



These are just closer shots of some of the cactus:

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_MVC-004S.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/MVC-004S.jpg)



(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_MVC-005S.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/MVC-005S.jpg)


The eave of our house prevents rain from hitting the cactus - that is the best thing about them - we do not have to do anything at all for them all summer long (and our summers start about now and go through November). We just have to water them twice during this time, and they do fine.

Pepe - as promised, here are some strawberry pictures. I think I told you before that Lewis believes in square-foot gardening (so do I). Plants are in beds, planted very close together, so weeds and grass have no room to grow - we hate to weed! I planted 3 beds of strawberries today - around 100 plants per bed. There are still 100 or so plants that grew in the garden where they do not belong from runners sent out by "parent" plants that need to be re-planted. Time to call our friends and neighbors and ask if anyone wants any strawberry plants!

Here is one bed: (Click picture to make big)


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_MVC-007S.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/MVC-007S.jpg)


Here is a close-up of one plant - as you see, they already have berries on them (I should have transplanted them long ago). I was careful when I moved them, though, so I think the berries wil still get ripe.


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_MVC-008S.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/MVC-008S.jpg)


If I am not on the OCD this week, it will be because I can't get out of bed from crawling around on my knees all afternoon today planting!  :lol

Prissy, again let me tell you how beautiful the pictures of the wedding are.  And of course let me tell you again you look just beautiful.

FRANKIE, oh my I have never seen so many cactus.  You really do need those greenhouses.  I have never seen so many plants.  I don't understand when you have time to take care of all of this between working real estate and being such a wonderful grandparent and taking care of our CLAY needs with your wonderful DVD's.  Where do you store the strawberry plants.  In the fall do you just pull them up and put them in a box?  Do you put a netting over them to keep the birds off?  Do you  eat all the berries yourself as you must get tons of them all at once.
My hat is off to you and Lewis for all the work you do.

Pepe and Frankie,

I'm glad you enjoyed the "Wedding" photos from Chandor Gardens. :shappy  And I appreciate, Pepe, the compliments.  I am going to be 59 the end of April, so next year I will hit the big 60!! :eek  I still feel about 30!!

Today, Sunday, JoAnn and Jennie came by and Skip and I went with them to eat lunch at Chili's and then we went to Heritage Park in Grapevine.  And I got more garden photos and will be posting them soon. :shappy

Frankie,
I am so glad to see you posting here.  Just love seeing all the cacti and the strawberry plants.   I'm ready to visit you for strawberry short cake, strawberry sundaes, strawberry malts, etc.... when you start harvesting your strawberries. :lol

Skip said he used to grow strawberries in Iowa, but doesn't know if they could take the Texas heat.  I kind of figure you and I have the same climate?  I would love to try them.

We never get tired of seeing your place.  I want you to have Lewis take your picture on the mower and post that here, too!  :wink

Hugs,
Prissy

Pepe - the strawberry plants stay out all winter - we just cover them with straw, as we do our banana trees. The ground does not freeze here, so they are fine. We sort of have an agreement with the birds - they, for the most part, leave our strawberries alone, and I give them all of the grapes from our grape arbor!  :lol (If they would give me a few grapes, I would make some jelly - but I'm happy as long as they leave the strawberries alone).  The birds (especially the cardinals) also keep our garden free of pests - we never see a tomato worm, and thanks to the birds, Lewis does not use chemicals on anything we eat. (He does use checmicals to try to control the fire ants - a real problem in most southern yards).

Having a greenhouse really saves money in the long run - I have geraniums and impatients that I have had for years - I cut them back to the dirt when I put them in the greenhouse for the winter, and by Spring they are full size and blooming again. I think you would really enjoy having a greenhouse - as I said, we got ours for $50 from a carport sale - if you watch the  newspaper ads, you can probably find a used one, too.

Prissy - we are posting at the same time!

Yes, you can grow strawberry plants in Texas. The variety we have are ever-bearing - they bloom and bear all summer, but the size of the berries gets smaller in the worst heat of summer, and there are not as many berries, unless you really water them (we do not water ours, unless we have a real drout - too expensive).

I do have my own lawn mower!  :roflmao A 35th Wedding Anniversary present from Lewis!  :lmao I get the good mower when we mow - mine has an automatic transmission - no shifting!  :lol I am trying to lose weight - if I succeed, I will post a picture of me and my favorite mower - you do not want to see a picture of me in shorts now!  :shocking

ANOTHER EDIT:

Pepe - I make strawberry jam, freeze some, and eat all I can!

Today, Skip, Jennie, JoAnn and I visited Heritage Park in Grapevine, TX.  Grapevine is just northeast of Bedford, about 15 minutes from us.  My quartet has played at a wedding in this park, too.

Heritage Park is not huge, but has some ponds, beautiful beds of flowers, and some garden structures.
 

SKIP, JENNIE AND JOANN IN HERITAGE PARK

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/SKJOJEN836.jpg)


PONDS

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP0837.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HertPk834.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP835.jpg)

TULIP BEDS AND PATHWAYS

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP838.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP858.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP863.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP865.jpg)

COLORFUL FLOWERS

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP855.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP859.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP867.jpg)

CLOSEUPS

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP847.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP840.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP843.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP850.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP869.jpg)

PARTING "SHOTS"

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP864.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP861.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP852.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP856.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP854.jpg)


I hope you enjoyed Heritage Park.  Like Fort Worth Botanic Gardens  and Chandor Gardens in Weatherford, I will try to keep track of the changing flowers and plants as we get more into Spring and then Summer.

Hugs,
Prissy

All we have In NJ is a few puney crouus that are shivering in the cold.

Hello Mary!

Spring will be in New Jersey soon!!  I hope you will post photos of your vegetable and flower gardens, too, if you can.  Or we would love to hear about what you are planting.

We really did not have much winter in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas, so everything is blooming a little earlier. I am fortunate to have some really lovely botanic type gardens near me. And we are still seeing lots of pansies here.  One thing I've noticed; it is a ritual in many Gardens to plant tulip bulbs and then pansies, so that as the pansies are starting to wilt away, the tulips are coming up through them.

Always good to see you on this thread!

Hugs,
Prissy

I am posting these photos from Pepe here because of the beautiful flowers in the window and the lovely scene of the lake and the woods.  These photos are also in the Pet Thread and that's Pepe's cute dog, Pepe, sitting on the window sill.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Puppy%20Photos/000_0076.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Puppy%20Photos/000_0075.jpg)

Mary - when your yard and garden are both doing well, ours will be frying in 100  degree plus heat every day! Hang on - Spring will get to you, too!

PRISSY, I have never seen such spectacular gardens in all my life.  Boy I can see that Texas has a lot to offer.  JoAnn and Jennie and Skip are looking good.  Boy, don't leave that camera at home you are doing a wonderful job keeping us entertained.  Heck this is better than the Travel Channel on TV.

FRANKIE,  When you said you had all those strawberry plants to plant I just thought you took them up every year.  My mouth was watering when you said you made fresh strawberry jam.  I bet everything tastes so wonderful there as you can pick everything when it is ripe and not green.  I hope you don't have to use that lawn mower to much this year like you did last year when Lewis was sick.  Hope you both stay well this summer.  You have a lot to do there and am glad the cactus at least doesn't need a lot of work.  Can't wait till Lewis's garden gets going and I can see pictures.  I will probably cry when I see his tomatoes.  :bouncy

 

Tammy:  love your gardens.....  cant wait to start on mine..  Cant wait to see my flowers...

Frankie:  love the pond and your greenhouse...   

Prissy:  thanks for sharing all the gardens we dont have anything like around here.

Pepe:  hope you get well soon  so you can  work outside in your yard.

Thanks for sharing all the pictures, im really looking forward to seeing flowers and green grass around here....

Sasha

These are couple from around my pool last year. I will take some this summer when my yard is not dug all up like last year.

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-3/683919/HLDWY-IMG_0380.JPG)

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-3/683919/TQNPB-IMG_0381.JPG)

Frankie I would love a green house to keep this alive from year to year. 

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-3/683919/CTUYE-IMG_0384.JPG)

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-3/683919/TFYVM-IMG_0416.JPG)

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-3/683919/JCKJQ-IMG_0420.JPG)

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-3/683919/LJDPI-IMG_0418.JPG)

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-3/683919/ROQTF-IMG_0356.JPG)

These are some from my moms garden.

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-3/683919/DXMET-IMG_0314.JPG)

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-3/683919/QUOCU-IMG_0317.JPG)

SASHA, oh my gosh what a fabulous yard.  So much to see!  You have put tons of work into it and it shows.  I have to tell you though that one picture of the little tiny rabbits in the greenery but the mushroom with that little girl taking  a nap on it is my favorite. Where did you get her?  How precious is she!  The pool house with the window boxes is great.  I see you have a hibiscus?  I didn't know they would survive the winters in New England.  I had a huge one I planted in Tenn.  I also had the plant you had in the pot with the pink flowers, I forgot what you call them, and I had it on my back deck and it covered the whole railing by mid summer, a constant bloomer.  You can bring them inside for the winter.  Thank you so much for bringing your yard to the Garden THread and can't wait to see more of your pictures.

Sasha,
What beautiful pictures!  You have the most gorgeous flowers, and I just love the window boxes on the pool house, or is that a shed?  Your mother's garden is so pretty, too.  Love all the stauary.

Thanks so much for contributing to the Garden Thread and I can't wait to see more photos from you this spring and summer.


Pepe,
We do have several beautiful "professional" gardens around us.  In fact, i just read yesterday in the newspaper of a new garden with children in mind in Southlake, which is another town only minutes from me.  And I know of others in Keller and many in Dallas, too.
We are blessed with an "abundance" of special gardens.

Hugs, :hugg
Prissy

Sasha! What a beautiful yard! I love the pictures of your Mandevillia and impatients  - some of my favorite flowers. I love the window boxes, too - did your husband make them?  I have never lived up north at all - I would not know how to keep anything alive. Here, we just mulch so many things and leave them in the ground all winter - banana trees, strawberries, roses, etc. If we ever moved up north, I would have to take gardening  lessons!

Tammy,

I really enjoyed your pictures, and we should think of this thread as not just a garden thread but a nature thread, too.  I know you see some interesting things on your nature walks.

You're right;  that dead tree does look like the Alien.  And what a beautiful view of the water.

Can't wait to see what you do with your pond.  Ours are a mess, but now that Skip is finally finished with the book that he publishes about military travel, I'm hoping we can get the ponds into shape again.

Hugs,
Prissy

PS:  I forgot to mention something about Heritage Park in Grapevine.  When we first saw it, Skip and I really liked the concrete pathways with the imprinted lines in them, like stone.  We were able to get hold of the people that did that work and they replaced our wooden decking with this same imprinted concrete.  We really like it.  We have it around the pool area with an extended patio area, too.  Wish we could afford to have it throughout the whole backyard. :smile

Hello!

It's hard to stay away from this thread!! :lol

This afternoon, Skip and I worked a little in the back yard.  He cut back some dead limbs  from plants while I held the garbage bag.    I did notice a few things are starting to bloom in my yard.  These are perennials that come back every year.

KNOCK OUT ROSES

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/RoseBu885.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/RoseCU878.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Bud884.jpg)

OXALIS

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Oxalis873.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/OsCU874.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/OXCU875.jpg)

TEXAS GOLD COLUMBINE

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Colum870.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/ColumCU872.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/ColumCU871.jpg)

Prissy
Very beautiful! :clap  I would love to see the pictures of your imprinted concrete pathways around your pool.. It sounds lovely.. :bouncy

TAMMY, how great to see you here.  I wanted you to see all these beautiful flowers.  Well you know we were out today as I wanted to buy some cards to send out and we stopped and took some pictures of beautiful Lake Huron and I thought about asking Prissy to post them for me and than I thought well it isn't flowers or a garden but like you said water is almost as pretty as flowers.  I can sit and look at water forever as it is ever changing.

PRISSY, your flowers are gorgeous.  Thank you for showing them to us.  I had two Knockout Roses I had planted in TN and had to leave, I don't think they will grow this far north though.

Pepe,
I would love to see any and all pictures that you take outside.  We are not limiting this thread to just gardens and flowers but also the beauty of nature including water and beautiful scenes.   And Pepe, I will always be glad to post any photos from you.  Just email them to me.

Tammy,
Here is a picture that shows the imprinted concrete around our pool that extends out to a patio area by the gazebo.  The next picture is the imprinted concrete at Heritage Park.  The same concrete company did both.  I wanted something that would hold up better than a wooden deck, and not just plain flat concrete, so we are very happy with this.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/GAZEBODECK.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/HP862.jpg)

Hugs,
Prissy

Thanks everyone.....

 Pepe:  I will take more this summer when we clean up the yard, I have my work cut out for me this year.

Frankie:  I got the window boxes at a local nursery, they have the best perenials, I could spend hours in there.

Prissy:  i like that oxalis, is that a perenial.  How tall do the knock out rose bushes get.  Love you pool area.  Cant wait till I open mine, sick of looking at the cover.

Tammy:  we have to talk before we start planting.....    Love the pictures.....  it looks so pretty there...

thanks for sharing the pictures...........

Sasha

From Pepe:

Here is my Lake Huron, it is so beautiful and so clean and clear. You can see snow at the edges of the shore. Thank goodness it is all gone. This is right by my house.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/000_0079.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/000_0077.jpg)

There were three boats out there today a bit early and I bet they were cold.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/000_0078.jpg)

Pepe,
These pictures are just lovely.  What wonderful views you have!

Sasha,
Oxalis is a perennial and comes back every year.  I have it planted in the shade.  It is very low growing.  I would say that my two Knock Out Rose bushes are  a little over 5 ft. tall.  Can't wait to see more of your photos.

Hello, Tammy.  I'm glad you like the photos.  The only problem with a big yard is there is always so much to do!

Hugs,
Prissy

Here is more information about oxalis also called woodsorrel:

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=OXALI&photoID=oxali_3h.jpg9


Here is more information on columbines and the Texas Gold Columbine. 

http://sd1new.net/GardenPages/columbine.htm


Here is more information on Knock Out Rose bushes:

http://msucares.com/news/print/sgnews/sg04/sg041230.html

PRISSY, thank you so much for posting the pictures for me.  I love the water.  I love to look at it and I love the smell in the air but I don't like to be on the water at all.  During the Perch Festival here in February they have a Polar Bear Club and people actually jumped in as the ambulance stood by.  I couldn't believe it as it was only about 20 degrees outside.

TAMMY, thanks for the offer to post pictures for me but I can't even email you.  Remember a while back I was trying to send you a picture and a note and you never got it for some reason.  I know Dudley kept trying to email me and I never got them so finally I emailed her and she got that and now we just use reply to send emails. 

SASHA, begonias would be pretty in the back of your house.  The ones with the green leaf is shade begonias.  I always get Angel Wing Begonias for my shade plants.

OK PEPE I'M POSTING SOME PICTURES HERE  :wink

THINGS ARE GREENING UP IN S TX.....

THOSE ARE MY BED OF DAY LILIES THAT ARE FULL AND SHOULD BE BLOOMING IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS - ALSO MY WISTERIA IS IN THAT CORNER ABOVE THE TWO GREEN CHAIRS AND IS REALLY BLOOMING BUT YOU CAN'T SEE IT REALLY WELL IN THESE PICTURES AND I COULDN'T GET CLOSER CAUSE IT WAS REALLY WET BACK THERE
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000399.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000398.jpg)

EVEN MY CATCUS ARE BLOOMING
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000403.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000394.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000395.jpg)

AND I HAVE A LOT OF BABY CACTUS IN POTS TO PLANT LATER
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000404.jpg)

MY CAMELLAS ARE BLOOMING PRETTY NOW
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000402.jpg)

AND MY HIBISCUS
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000400.jpg)

AND SOME ROSES
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000401.jpg)

THESE ARE SOME OF MY COLUMBINE - I LOVE THEM - THEY ARE SO UNIQUE IN APPEARANCE
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000397.jpg)

MY PATIO IS WHERE I AM SPENDING MOST OF MY TIME RIGHT NOW JUST WATCHING EVERYTHING TURN GREEN AND START TO BLOOM - THE TREE ON THE RIGHT SIDE LOOKING AT THE PICTURE IS AN AVOCADO TREE I STARTED FROM SEED 4 YRS AGO

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000393.jpg)  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000392.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000391.jpg)

THIS IS A POT OF TIGER LILIES THAT HAVE STAYED ALIVE FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND I DON'T USUALLY DO ANYTHING TO THEM EXCEPT GIVE THEM SOME WATER IN THE REALLY HOT SUMMER - THE COME UP AND BLOOM AND THEN DIE BACK - THEN TURN GREEN AND COME BACK UP AND BLOOM AGAIN IN THE FALL

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000405.jpg)

Dudley,

I just loved seeing everything growing in your yard.  You surely do have a green thumb.  The day lilies are beautiful (haven't seen any blooming here, yet); ;  What a lot of cactus, too!!  The close ups of the Hibiscus, rose,  and Cameilia are just beautiful.  Love your Columbine, too;  it is in full bloom here, also.

Thanks for sharing with us.  We always like to see what is going on in your yard.

Hugs,
Prissy

Prissy:  thanks for posting the pictures for Pepe, what a beautiful lake........  Thanks for posting the info on the knock out rose bushes,  i will have to check into them.  I have roses in front of my pool, I have to replace some of them I lost a couple last year.  Your right Prissy alot of work with a big yard....

Dudley:  love your yard, I cant wait to see some flowers.  I love the statue in your garden that looks like Max :lol :lol  Max would dig everything up or eat them...... :lol :lol :lol

Tammy:  bet you cant wait to get out there to and work in your gardens.



Sasha

we've spent the better part of the last 2 days in the yard - mainly cleaning up, raking leaves, getting lawn furniture out for the summer, etc. I have re-potted the ferns - I ws too tired to take a picture of them, though. things are really blooming - here are:

Some iris (we have a long bed on either side of the driveway)


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_PurpleIris.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/PurpleIris.jpg)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_YellowIris.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/YellowIris.jpg)


And an azalea - there is a bed of these plus dogwood trees, camelias, and gardenias on the way down to the pond.


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_Azalea.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/Azalea.jpg)

Frankie,

Wow!  Some beautiful closeups!!  I would love to see the flowers in a row, too. Your place just is a park!!    I'm so glad you are sharing your beautiful yard with us.   :clap

Hugs,
Prissy

BEAUTIFUL PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!! I want spring to come to michigan!!!!!!!!! just had to whine a little....just kidding....I just love to see all the beautiful garden pictures ....it makes me ready for spring.!!!!!!!!!

TESTING

HORRAY, I can post again on the Garden Thread!  For some reason it wouldn't let me on for two days.

Dudley, your flowers are just gorgeous and so are those little puppies.

YDEBI, did you take any scenery shots while you were on vacation?  Like the ocean?  So glad you had a good time.  Yep it is past time that Spring came to Michigan.

Pepe,

I'm glad you are able to post.  You know we couldn't have a garden thread without you.  :hugg

Debi,

It's so good to see you back from your vacation.  I hope you had a great time and, like Pepe said, if you have any pictures from your trip, especially scenic ones, we'd love to see them.  Aisalynn can be in the photos, too!! :lol  I read she was ill and I hope she is better now.

Debi,
I hope you went back several pages because Bozena has posted, Sasha, Frankie, Dudley, Tammy, pictures from Pepe, and I have some garden shots, too.  Lots of new photos! :shappy

Hugs,
Prissy

I do have some (under statement) of scenic pictures from vacation...I will post a few...if you would rather I post them elsewhere just say so ok...

Prissy, Aisalynn is feeling better thanks for asking...I did go back and look at the beautiful flowers and yards and lake huron that have been posted...boy this thread has been BLOOMING!!!!!!  LOL

downtown Peurto Vallerta there is a boardwalk and these sculptures are along it...there are probably 8-10 different ones....I thought you would enjoy these as the ocean is behind them...

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/DSCN2725.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/DSCN2727.jpg)

at night.on the boardwalk.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/DSCN2718.jpg)

YDEBI, your pictures are fantastic.  More!  More!!!!!!!  Don't you dare post the pictures anywhere else we love them right here.  You are right the Garden Thread is really blooming and I hope eveyone stays with us.

JoAnn, where are you?  Tell Jennie I said hi and send my love to you both!

Pepe...thanks....I love to post picture that I hope all will enjoy...It' kinda late and I need to get to bed but I will post this one because everyone loves a sunset.... this was from the beach at our resort....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/DSCN2786.jpg)

Debi,

I just love your pictures of the water and the sculptures.  And that sunset is gorgeous!  Now, you make me want to travel to where there is an ocean or gulf or something!!

I hope you get a rest after your trip, and we always enjoy seeing your pictures on this thread.


Pepe,

I will tell JoAnn and Jennie that you asked about them.  I imagine they have some things blooming in their yard now, too.


Hugs,
Prissy

Hello!

I just returned from the Plant Shed, a nursery near me.  I bought three Knock Out Rose Bushes.  They were in 3 gallon pots and on sale, so i took advantage of the sale.  I would have bought more than three, but they didn't look that great.  The Nursery manager said they would be getting more in, so I will be satisfied with my three and possibly get more next week.

We are going to plant them in a bed of Asian Jasmine (that is dying) :cry in the front yard.  Ever since we had two trees removed, the Asian Jasmine there has not done well.  I'm hoping eventually the Knock Out Roses will fill up the space.



Directly behind the PUrple Bunny is the area with the "dying " Asiam Jasmine  where we are going to plant the Knock Out Rose Bushes.  I think they will look nice there and add some color.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/Easter/PurBunnie806.jpg)

PRISSY, what color of Knock Out Roses did you get?  I love the bright red one.  I know they have a new one out this year.  Tammy and I have been talking about them wondering if we can get them and if they will grow here in the colder climate.  I fell in love with them in Tennessee.

FRANKIE, You grow Gardenias????  They are my all time favorite flower.  I wished you could get a distance shot of the camelias, azailas, and gardenias.  I bet they are fabulous.  I have a confession to make, if I see a gardenia plant in the store and it is blooming I pick a flower and smell it all day, I mean to tell you I love them.  I tried several times to grow them in Tennessee but didn't have any luck with them.

YDEBI, the sunset is fabulous!!!!  I love the evening it is usually so calm and the colors in the sky are wonderful and always different.
 

Hello Tammy and Pepe,

A few years ago I read an article in Southern Living Magazine about Knock Out Rose Bushes and Skip and I bought three. Two did fine and the third did not.  The article reported that they needed little care and had a long blooming season which is true.  We have not done anything with ours;  not even cut them back, and we had blossoms start appearing in February this year.

Here is how the two look now that we've had for several years.  I took this picture yesterday with Sandy and Shadow.  I would say the bushes are almost 6 feet high and 8 or 9 feet accross. There are already lots of cherry red colored flowers.  (I like this color, too, Pepe.)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/ShSaRoses895.jpg)

Here's hoping the new Knock Out Rose Bushes do as well! :cross

PRISSY, fantastic pictures.  The colors of the Knockout rose is so vibrant.  Dudley is the one that told me about them last  year.  I think the only way I could grow them here and keep them alive would be to cut them way down and wrap them in burlap and mulch them real good.  I will check and see if they even offer them here in the nurserys.

Moonshot (Michelle) recently worked at the Washington Duke Inn in Durham.  Here are some photos of gorgeous flowers from the Inn.

Tulip bed in front of the Inn:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/tulipred.jpg)

Tulip bed behind the Inn:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/IMG_0137c.jpg)

Beautiful lily centerpieces:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/lilies.jpg)

Thanks, Michelle, for letting me post these lovely photos here! :hugg

Hugs,
Prissy

Prissy...I think I need a education on roses...I never heard of a knock out rose bush but I can see they are beautiful....and I think your new ones will look awesome in that spot... thanks for posting the picture of yours and also thanks for posting Moonshots pictures...beautiful...just beautiful.

Tammy.... :wave and yes I did have a wonderful time....wish all of you could have been there with me....

HAEY DO YOU THINK WE COULD CALL THIS A ROCK GARDEN?? Someone did this on the beach...it looks to me like a gathering of people...what do you see?...this is on the beach near  the resort we were at...I found it quite interesting!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/DSCN2823.jpg)

Debi,

I really enjoyed seeing the "rock garden" on the beach.  They do look like people, in a way.  Which reminds me...Lots of people use rocks in their gardens and beds.  In the creek bed behind us, Skip found lots of large rocks that he used around the ponds and to create beds for the ponds.  We have some really huge rocks that are just in parts of our yard.  I think they have always been there.


Here is more information about the Knock Out Roses.  Skip and I like plants, but we're not good at keeping them alive; especially in our really hot summers.  That's why I try to plant only the hardiest plants that can survive almost anything. :lol

Knockout Shrub Rose

'Radrazz' The 2000 All America Rose Selection winner, Knockout is totally resistant to blackspot and features light red to deep pink flowers borne in small clusters. It's easy to see how this rose very hardy rose earned its name. is a gorgeous, continuous blooming shrub rose. It will brighten your yard year after year. Knock Out Rose has glossy, dark green foliage and medium-sized clusters of deep, rosy red typical rose blooms. It will grow in height 30 to 36 inches and in width to 30 inches. This rose prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil.  Knock Out Rose makes a beautiful accent plant or it can be used in a mass planting. This rose also makes a good addition to rose gardens or mixed borders. It may be deadheaded for neatness.
   
Knockout rose maintenance is as close as you will get to a “plant it and forget it” -- we promise!  It truly is a very resistant to black spot and other nuisance diseases.  Unlike most roses which require at least six hours of sun, both Knockout™ varieties do fine in a location with as little as four hours of sun.  A moist, well-drained soil is ideal.  Knockout rose thrives in humid climates where most other roses need spray and maintenance and is also very winter-hardy, even in windy areas, in zones 4-11.  The petals fall cleanly, never needing dead-heading – that’s right, NO DEADHEADING!

Knockout roses are available in pink,  red and blushing pink varieties.  Consider trying both colors in mixed groups of three each.

The Knockout rose is a good reason to love roses.  With proper selection and placement, there are few other plants that reliably deliver more vibrant color and overall garden satisfaction, than roses.  Roses can also be one of lowest maintenance plants in your garden.  Our Garden-Worthy™ Knockout roses are carefully selected for their cold hardiness, lower maintenance needs and disease resistance.

This year we’re adding the Pink Knockout rose.  This is a result of near universal accolades from our clients applauding the performance of Knockout rose.  That is a powerful testimonial given the fact that we’ve sold thousands of Knockout roses for many different situations during the past several years.  The Knockout rose is also designated as the 2004 ARS Members’ Choice by the American Rose Society.  This is exceptionally noteworthy because that group usually favors the more formal hybrid teas as opposed to shrub roses.

What first caught our attention about Knockout Roses are there outstanding blooming capabilities from a truly low maintenance, black spot-resistant shrub rose.  It never stops performing -- blooming profusely throughout the growing season into late fall.  When planted early in the season, new plants produce impressive, repeat blooms the first year.  It matures as a well-behaved bush up to 4 ft. x 4 ft.  The dark purplish green leaves, as well as the blooms, are so tough they actually resist Japanese beetles. The foliage turns an attractive burgundy in autumn. Orange-red hips last into winter and are attractive to birds.


Hugs,
Prissy

 

 

 HELLO EVERYONE.  I JUST HAD TO COME HERE TO SEE THE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS.  THEY ARE AN INSPIRATION SINCE I AM AWAITNG BETTER WEATHER HERE.  YES, SNOW, I MEAN!  I DO HAVE SOME TULIPS COMING UP AND OFCORSE DAFFODILES, WHICH IS THE FIRST SIGN OF SPRING.  WOW THE COLORS IN THE PICS ARE AWESOME.

DEBI;  I LIKE YOUR "ROCK PPL". NOW THAT IS SOMETHING YOU DON'T SEE EVERYDAY; ESPECIALLY ON A BEACH.  YOU TAKE GREAT PICTURES.

PRISSY;  HELLO-- ISN'T NATURE BEAUTIFUL? 


 

Pepe:  glad you are able to post here. Pepe  I love gardeninas to.

Deb:  thanks for posting the pictures from your vacation.  I am so ready for summer.

Prissy:  thanks for poster the pictures of the knock out roses, I will have to look into and see if they will do good around here..

Tammy:  Im so ready to work in my yard....



Sasha

Prissy
I planted a wild rose bush last year.  I think it was called Rosa flora... I think it's dead. It looks very similar to yours...  I think it's beautiful...  Thanks for sharing!

JUST SOME MORE ROSES THAT ARE BLOOMING IN MY YARD AND MY OLEANDERS ARE STARTING TO BLOOM...

THIS IS THE ONLY ONE THAT I REMEMBER THE NAME CAUSE IT'S DON JUAN  :lol

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000420.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000414.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000413.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000415.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000416.jpg)

MY OLEANDERS ARE JUST STARTING TO BLOOM SO IN A COUPLE OF DAYS THEY WILL BE REALLY FULL AND I'LL TRY TO GET PICTURES THEN TOO

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000419.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000418.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000417.jpg)

Dudley...just beautiful...it's so nice to see flowers in bloom...there is very little blooming here in michigan....but soon....very soon..... :wink

I am enjoying seeing everyone's pictures so much, and today when I was on the lawn mower I noticed that the first rose of the summer was blooming. When Lewis got home from work with the digital, I went out to take a picture of it.  I do not have a lot of roses (they are in a round bed surrounding a bird bath), but they mean a lot to me because most of them once belonged to my grandmother. My Mom made sure that each granddaughter got some of her roses after she died. I don't know the name of this one, but I have always loved yellow roses with red tips:


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_firstrose.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/firstrose.jpg)

It was almost dark when I took this picture, but it took O.K. with the flash!

fhmmany2

I can't say I blame you for not feeling like yard work!!!!!  snakes are one thing but seeing it eat a squirrel...don't know if i could handle that....LOL

your rose picture is great...I love how it looks in the dark with a flash......


edited.....hey what happened to the story about the snake....or am I nuts!!!!!! I know I saw it....you must had decided to delete it....it was ok...it fit on this thread....it was part of your garden.....LOL.

Debi - after I calmed down, I came back and deleted it - this is supposed to be a happy thread, with beautiful pictures - didn't want to scare anybody away!  :lol But my husband is still in charge of watering the ferns this summer!!!  :roflmao That snake filled my quota for the summer!  :lmao

well here in michigan the only thing blooming right now is daffodils...and I do have some ...I wanted to take a picture of them today but it's a dreary day and it's raining...yuck..but good for the flowers and grass...as soon as the sun shines...maybe tomorrow I will take a shot.....pretty soon the tulips will bloom too....I have quite a tulip garden.....can't wait...oh and the liliacs( my favorite)....can't wait ...can't wait......hurry up michigan spring...

TOOK THE CAMERA BACK OUT AGAIN THIS EVENING AND FOUND SOME THINGS BLOOMING...

MY SHRIMP PLANT
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000422.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000423.jpg)

MY FOUR OCLOCKS BLOOMING AT 4:30
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000424.jpg)

BOTTLE BRUSH PLANT
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000426.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000427.jpg)

TRUMPET PLANT
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000428.jpg)

TROPICAL PLANTS SCATTERED AROUND
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000429.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000430.jpg)

Dudley beautiful....thanks for sharing your flowers.....so much blooming by you.......

Dudley,

I am so impressed with the variety of plants and flowers in your yard.  You really have a green thumb.  You have some plants I have not seen before!!  The shrimp plant and the brush plants.  I like your 4 o'clocks at 4:30. :lol Beautiful roses and such a variety.

We have oleanders but they are not blooming yet and have some brown leaves.  I hope they are not in stress from the drought! :para  I may let a hose slow drip on them for a while.

We are delighted to have you posting in the Garden Thread.  Can't wait to see other photos from you!

Hugs,
Prissy

DUDELY, I love the Shrimp Plant, how wonderful you have Four O Clocks, they are such an old fashion plant and didn't think anyone had them anymore.  They bring back memories when I used to plant them when I was in my 20's, such a long time ago.  They sure did have the seeds I remember.  Thanks so much for all these varieties of flowers.  What an interesting yard you have.

dudley - what beautiful flowers - I only have a little shrimp plant in a hanging basket - and my trumpet plant has not even started to come back from the ground yet (it dies down every winter, but always comes back).

Wild Baby (Kaitlyn) is here today - she is not in the mood to let me re-pot flowers, but we have been outside feeding the horses next door and taking some pictures: (Click to make big)


Prissy - here are my Easter decorations - three signs with the grandchildrens' names on them!  :lol Kaitlyn is standing next to her sign.




(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_eastersigns.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/eastersigns.jpg)




Tammy - here is our little goldfish pond, which is located just off of our small back porch. We have a small table & chairs here, and we can sit and listen to the water, and watch the fish swim when we do have fish. We plan to try to have fish again - we are buying some this afternoon.


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_goldfishpond.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/goldfishpond.jpg)




This is one of my favorite "plants" in my yard. It is a magnolia tree (I wish I could tell how old it is). If we get enough rain, it will soon be covered with plate-size white blooms.



(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_magnoliatree.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/magnoliatree.jpg)




This is a shot of our side yard - the grandchildrens' play area is here (Lewis put the playhouse up on a deck to keep the fireants away from the children), and we sit here and watch what is going on in the pond.


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_playyard.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/playyard.jpg)



Pepe - this is a very early shot of Lewis' garden - he has green beans, squash, okra, and cucumbers coming up as well as three beds of strawberries (we are picking them now) and a bed of onions. He still has not put the tomatoes and peppers in the garden, becasue we have had a hot, dry wind blowing all week. He hopes to plant these tomorrow afternoon. As I've told you, he uses the square-foot garden method of gardening - plants very close together in beds to prevent having to weed. That is the big greenhouse and our small barn in the background.




(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_earlygarden.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/earlygarden.jpg)



My small rose bed




(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_rosebed.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/rosebed.jpg)



Day lillies are in beds along the back of the house - we made the mistake of hanging bird feeders nearby last year - now we have lots of grass and other plants to clean out of the day lillies!


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_daylillies.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/daylillies.jpg)



I am a nut about trees - I hate to hear of anyone cutting a tree - we have many beautiful old oaks in our yard:

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_oaktrees.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/oaktrees.jpg)




Prissy wanted to see our iris beds - this is taken from the carport looking out to the road - I'm afraid that most of the blooms are gone now, and another job for this summer is to dig up both of thses beds, clean out all of the grass, and re-plant the iris - the bulbs have gotten too deep in the ground for the iris to bloom as they should:


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_irisbeds.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/irisbeds.jpg)



I took this picture  of the house when Kaitlyn and I went to the mailbox - this was taken at the end of our driveway:


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_driveway.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/driveway.jpg)

ISN'T THIS FUN FRANKIE  :purpbana IT LOOKS LIKE YOU LIVE OUT IN THE COUNTRY.

I HAVE SOME MORE TO UNLOAD....LET ME KNOW IF I AM PUTTING TOO MANY PICTURES ON.....

MY POTTING AREA JUST OUTSIDE MY ENCLOSED PATIO

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000438.jpg)

MY POTTING BENCH AND SUPPLIES
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000435.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000436.jpg)

THIS BEGONIA HAS BEEN GROWING ON ITS OWN SINCE LAST SUMMER - I HAVEN'T WATERED IT AT ALL - IT ONLY HAS GOTTEN THE RAIN AND IT MADE IT THRU THE WINTER WE HAD WHICH WASN'T MUCH
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000437.jpg)

MY RAISED GARDEN BEDS FOR MY VEGETABLES ... THIS IS BETWEEN MY BACK PATIO THAT IS BEHIND THE GARAGE AND THE POOL
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000441.jpg)
SOME OF MY TOMATOES
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000440.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000439.jpg)

MY CUCUMBER SEEDS ARE JUST NOW SPROUTING
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000444.jpg)

THIS IS IN THE BACK OF THE YARD BEHIND THE POOL WHERE THE BOTTLE BRUSH PLANT IS AND SOME OF MY HIBISCUS AND MY SOLAR POOL HEATER
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000446.jpg)

OLEANDERS ARE BLOOMING MORE EACH DAY
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000445.jpg)

ONE OF MY HIBISCUS ON THE OPOSITE SIDE OF THE YARD FROM THE OTHER PICTURES BEHIND THE GARAGE
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000442.jpg)

Boy if this was my birthday you couldn't have given me a better birthday present but thank goodness it isn't , don't need to get any older.  I am in my glory with all of you posting all your wonderful flowers and fabulous yards.

FRANKIE, I am overwhelmed at the size of your yard and the upkeep.  I take my hat off to you lady for the work you do.  I will pray your fish stay a live this year.  Wished you could put a net over the pond at night.  I am like you I love trees and get furious when I see someone cutting one down unless it is dead or diseased.

DUDLEY, post away gal, I am enjoying this so much.  The grass here is brown, it is muddy and no flowers in bloom so I am delighted to see these wonderful flowers.  I can't get over the variety you have in your yard.  So interesting!  :hugg

Frankie and Dudley,

I take my hat off to you both!  You are indeed Master Gardeners!!! :purpbana :purpbana

Frankie,
I love seeing the "big picture" of your place.  Thanks for taking the time to take these "wide range" shots. It looks enormous, and what a lot of work you and Lewis put into it.  Just beautiful.  And I love the Easter decorations.  Kaitlin is such a cutie;  I know Grandma and Grandpa love having her come over.  And what a glorious place for you grandchildren to get to experience. 

Dudley,
Your potting area is just fabulous.  I can just see you there potting plants and having a good time.  My goodness, you have a lot going on in your yard;  it must be huge, too.  I just love seeing all of the plants you have. Now, we want to see the vegetables as they grow, too.  I'm expecting a closeup of a fat tomato!!

I feel like Pepe.  I got a present when I came here this afternoon seeing all of these beautiful pictures.  I'm so glad that you, Frankie and Dudley, and more and more are joining and sharing their beautiful spaces with us here on the Garden Thread.  Here is the Happy Dance!
 :purpbana :purpbana :bouncy :purpbana :purpbana :bouncy :purpbana :purpbana

Special Hugs,
Prissy

Wow...so much blooming around the country!!!!! Here in michigan our spring flowers are barely starting to bloom....I did manage to get a few pictures of a little group a daffodils blooming on the side of my house( waiting for the tulips to bloom) so I wanted to share them with all of you....I love coming here and seeing all the beautiful yards, ponds and gardens...soon, very soon Michigan will be in bloom too!!!!!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/DSCN2859.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/DSCN2858.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/DSCN2856.jpg)

dudley - you could never post too many pictures.  Your plants are beautiful. It looks like you and Lewis have the ame gardening style - I am always amazed at the vegetables he gets out of small beds.

Prissy - guess what I just bought at Walmart? A knock-out rose!!! (I told Lewis that you highly recommend them).  They only had pink ones. I killed a rose bush last year, so I have room for one around the bird bath - I'm excited - I hope it looks as good as yours!

Pepe and Tammy - no fish for me today!  :cry We only have one place close to us to buy them (a Super Walmart 30 miles away), and when we got there today, they were not selling any of the fish - they all had some disease (I'm glad they told me that, though). So fish will have to wait until I make a trip to civilization - which you can tell by the pictures is a long way from here.

debi - your daffodils are beautiful - ours bloomed several weeks ago - yours have a much larger bloom than the ones I have - I like yours better.

Beautiful pictures everyone! 

Dudley-your foilage is so similar as to what grows here.

Here's my Blondie Girl in front of my wee bit of a garden!

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f173/JayHer1/blondiedeck3.jpg)

I am the WORST at growing things, but have been lucky with my lucky bamboo...this was given as a gift from a client almost three years ago can you believe I haven't killed it yet????   :lol  The stand is that patina material with dolphins flanking the vase:

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f173/JayHer1/luckybamboo.jpg)

Her I just love your pictures of your blond girl. I also grow bamboo that takes over the house if you let it. That stuff will grow anywhere. My little flowers are growing fine. My seeds that I planted are growing also.

FRANKIE, Daffs and Tulips grow bigger if they are in a colder climate as they need a certain amount of cold weather for the bulbs.  Have no idea why.  I know when we lived in Tenn. mine were not as pretty as they are here in Mich.  I talked to the extension service there in Tenn. and that is what they told me.  My son had a fabulous garden last  year and he planted every thing real close.  Me I always thought you had to give things room to grow.  Not true!!!  I am sorry the doctors wife won't move to that property, she is very foolish not to enjoy all that property and beautiful horses.  You will love that Knock Out Rose, they bloom their little hearts out.  Just make sure it has room to spread out as they really grow fast.  I loved mine.  If you find the red one make sure you buy it that is my favorite.

YDEBI, your pictures of your daffs are so pretty.  Mine are just coming up.  I didn't know if there was any flowers here but I see green leaves coming up although I had six deer here this morning going over my yard real good. 

HER, love your Blondie, what a sweetheart.  Is that a rose I see planted in your yard? 

SHANNON, so great to see you here.   :hugg

 

Her...I love your llittle garden and your blondie is sooo cute...looks like she is dreaming about running around outside!!!!!! I have never had luck with lucky bamboo...yours is beautiful!!!!!!!!

Ilovetowrite.....what kind of seeds are growing???? I'm getting excited about spring!!!!!!  flowers, sunshine and BBQs....LOL....

Pepe...hello you where posting at the same time as me!!!!!!  I wish I could see deers in the morning....and soon very soon the flowers will be blooming for you too!!!!!!!

Jayne and Shannon - great to see you both here!

Jayne - I have looked at bamboo plants many times, but I really did not know how to grow them (some I have seen for sale were not in dirt - they were in water), so I have never bought one. Lewis laughs at me, but I have always said that plants have to live on my terms or not at all - I have no time for a fussy plant!  :roflmao I love Zebra plants - very dark green with white stripes and a beautiful yellow bloom - but they won't live on my terms, so I've given up on having one!

Shannon - I'm interested in hearing about what plants you are growing.

Yeah Frankie, Lucky Bamboo is just water.  Here in South Florida, regular bamboo grows wild...in the dirt.

Pepe-hi!  That flower is an orange hibiscus!  It's loving its new home...some shade some sun.

Thanks Deb and Shannon!  Blondie is probably the mellowest and smartest dog I've ever met.  You can look at her with a facial expression and she KNOWS what y9u're thinking/feeling!

Hello!

It's so nice to see so many gathering here at the Garden THread.

Debi,
I first saw daffodils this year the first week in March, maybe last week in February, and now you are seeing them in Michigan,  so that makes our growing season about six weeks ahead of y'all.  Love the bright yellow in those pictures.  Great shots.

Jayne,
I love seeing Blondie; have you posted this picture in the Pet Thread, too?  I like the garden just outside your window.  Very nice.  And the bamboo plant.  I have not seen bamboo in a vase before.  I like that.

Frankie,
Bamboo is very invasive, so you may not want to plant it in your yard.  I have heard you can plant it one place and it will come up somewhere else.  I love to see bamboo used in a Japanese Garden. I see you bought a pink Knock Out Rose Bush.  I hope that it will do well for you.  Can't wait to see it with blooms.

Today, after Sunday School, Skip and I went to the Plant Shed and bought four more Knock Out Rose Bushes and three Coral Honesuckles.  We have 4 Coral Honesuckles along a fence that are finally startiing to take off, and we bought three more to fill in some empty spaces along the fence.

We already planted 3 new Knock Out Rose Bushes in our front yard, and added two more today to make a row of 5.  The other 2 new KO Rose Bushes, we added to a row in the back yard.  So now,counting the three that are in the pictures I have posted,  in all we have 12 Knock Out Rose Bushes!! :eek

Hugs to all,
Prissy

PS:  Shannon, it's great to see you here at the Garden Thread, and Pepe, as always, I love reading your posts here.

Here I am at the Plant Shed with my latest "crop" of Knock Out Rose Bushes!! :lol

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/PrisRoses916.jpg)

Here is the front bed showing how it looked and now with the KO Rose Bushes.  Skip also placed the bird bath by the bench on a stump of a tree that had been removed from the bed.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/frbtbed902.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Frontbed898.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Frntbed903.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/ShadFrntbed908.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/SandyFrbed920.jpg)

9(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Frntbed917.jpg)

I was disappointed in how the Asian Jasmine in the bed in the above pictures just died out with just a fringe around the edges.  All of the rest of our Asian Jasmine is just thriving.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/FrntJas900.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/JasPool934.jpg)

We also added Knock Out Rose Bushes as a border on one side of our backyard that is a little higher than the area next to it.  There are a row of cylinders along this area, too.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BYROSES923.jpg)


On the opposite side of the backyard, we added more Coral Honeysuckles along the fence.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/CorHon928.jpg)


One Iris has made an appearance. 

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Iris930.jpg)

Here are a couple of pictures from my Church.

More irises:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/ChurIris909.jpg)

?? Not sure what these are ??

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/churflowrs910.jpg)

Hugs,
Prissy

Beautiful Prissy, thanks!  Are those Verbena?

Prissy - the lavender flowers with the vertical bloom look like snapdragons to me - but I would need a closer shot to be sure. The clump of dark purple plants in the middle of the bed are one of my favorite plants, because it was taught to me as a child by my grandmother - I do not know the correct botanical name, but its common name is "Moses In A Boat!" Notice it the next time you are at church - the leaf does resemble the shape of a boat, and inside of each purple leaf you will find a pink bloom - Moses!!!  :lol I have a hanging pot of this plant, and I always watch for Moses to bloom.

I think you're aaaabsolutely right Frankie...

Prissy - I forgot to say yesterday that I love the pictures of your dogs - my BIL had the same breed of dog for almost 20 years (His name was Prince). He was a sweetie - loved to swim in thir pool with them - just a great breed of dog. Your roses are beautiful - I hope mine will do as well.

Here are a couple of pictures that I took late yesterday - I love container gardening - just plant them and forget them after they are watered.

Here are a couple of Peace Lillies and my Daisy collection (these are at my front door):


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_2003_0101003.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/2003_0101003.jpg)


These are hanging baskets on the walkway from the carport to the front door - Verbena, Impatients, Ferns, Asparagus Ferns  and  Lantana:


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_2003_0101004.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/2003_0101004.jpg)

My Knock-out Rose planted in the Rose bed:


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_2003_0101002.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/2003_0101002.jpg)

Frankie,

I will see if I can check on the names of those flowers.  You may be right!

Shadow and Sandy are Shelties and so far have avoided the swimmiing pool.  I think they know with that long hair they might sink.  They are good about having a bath and don't mind running around in the rain, however.  :lol

I love your ferns and lantana in pots.  I forgot about how much I like Lantana.  I was at a nursery on the west side of Fort Worth (happened to be on that side of town for a quartet thingy), and looked at some Lantana.

Your pink KO Rose bush already has several blooms.  I really hope it gets big for you and thrives!!

I am also thinking of buying Stella de Oro again.  THis is a yellow daylilly that blooms for a long time.  The yardmen have kept mowing down the three that I had before. :bduh  I almost bought a flat of 12 yesterday, but they would have cost $60 plus tax, so I am mulling it over.  And maybe checking some other places first.  They were in 6 inch pots, so it may have been a good buy???

Hugs,
Prissy

I'm not in the mood to work today - can you tell? I just went out and took a few photos:


This is the only plant (a weeping fig) that did not get re-potted. I was going to move it to the larger pot in front -


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_tree.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/tree.jpg)



Until I noticed this - a nest full of eggs! A new pot will have to wait until they hatch!

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_nest.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/nest.jpg)

Shade-loving plants were moved to the small greenhouse - it only gets morning sun:


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_shady.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/shady.jpg)



The citrus trees - red grapefruit, lemons, limes, and oranges - have been moved outside for the summer - they are small trees, but always bear fruit:



(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_citris.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/citris.jpg)



One side of the "sunny" greenhouse:

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_sunny1.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/sunny1.jpg)



The other side:

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_sunny2.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/sunny2.jpg)



My garden helpers - Scooter (left) and Peanut (right) They never smile for pictures!



(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_dogs.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/dogs.jpg)


Prissy - maybe you should drive over some day - we have day lillies growing everywhere - in several beds, around most of the big trees - they were here when we bought this place. Most of them are varieties of orange - some with double blooms. There is a small patch of burgandy, and we did move some yellow ones here - they are out at the garden. I'm afraid I do not know any of their names - I did not realize that they cost so much - we have had friends come get them just because they are so thick that they do not bloom well - no time to transplant them! You could also have all of the  extra strawberry plants. When Carol is feeling better, maybe you, she and Joann could come over - you can dig in the dirt, and the rest of us will watch Clay DVDs!  :lmao   :lmao :lmao

Frankie,

Your place is just fabulous;  just love the greenhouse with the all the plants.  Scooter and Peanut are so cute;  you should post that picture in the Pet Thread, too.

I would love to come see your place, and bring JoAnn and Carol with me!!  Pepe, I wish you could join us, too.  Frankie,  we had a variety of daylilies, too, that would come up, but the Stella ones are special in that they bloom such a long time.

Now, would I be the only one digging in the dirt?? 

Here are links about Stella de Oro:

http://www.perennials.com/seeplant.html?item=1.258.820

http://www.naturehills.com/new/product/perennialsdetails.aspx?prodid=1198

Hugs,
Prissy

PS:  After seeing the prices for Stellas in the second link, I think the plants at the nursery I went to yesterday were a good buy; $4.95 for a 6 inch pot, or about $60 for 12.  :smile

Prissy - as I said, We have some yellow day lillies, but I do not know their name. The public garden here (Hodges Gardens) has a huge day lilly section, and an even bigger rose section - you would love it! The "Stella" lillies are beautiful - but the price is high! I think you should go back and get the ones you saw yesterday.  I can't speak for everyone else, but given the choice of Clay or digging in the dirt, I would choose Clay!  :roflmao

FRANKIE, I can not believe all the plants you have.  I would think you would need a crew of ten to keep everything watered and fertilized.  I am not that crazy about flowers in pots as they dry out to fast of course your humidity is so high there the plants might stay damp longer.  I also love the Lantana.  I had never had it until I grew it in Tennessee.  The Hummingbirds and the butterflies loved it.

PRISSY, those KO roses are going to look beautiful when they start growing.  I love the yellow Stella Lillies to, just beautiful. 

 

IT USUALLY TAKES ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO GET TO MY PHOTOBUCKET AND THEN ON ANY PAGE, PLUS ABOUT 5 TRANSACTIONS. ONE REASON WHY I DO NOT POST MANY PICTURES.
MY STUDIO YARD DOES NOT HAVE FLOWER GARDENS, IT IS MORE TROPICAL WITH LOTS OF SPECIMEN PLANTS AND FERNS, SO THOUGHT THIS WOULD GIVE YOU SOME IDEA.

IT WILL TAKE ABOUT AN HOUR TO GET THESE PICTURES THROUGH ONE AT A TIME.

tHIS ONE IS OF A GOOD FRIEND POSES WITH MY STAGHORN FERN. THEY ARE SO GORGEOUS. I HAVE 3 OF THEM ON THE PROPERY.

PS. I USUALLY HAVE A BOOK TO READ WHILE THE PAGES GET UP, (YAWN)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/studiojnc/P1010024.jpg)

Jan - that is a beautiful fern! I had one many years ago, when we still lived in Tennessee - but it was tiny - yours is very impressive!

ANOTHER ROSE BUSH IS BLOOMING....IT IS THE MOST FRAGRANT OF ALL OF THEM I HAVE...

THIS IS ONE OF THE BUDS
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000461.jpg)

AND THIS IS ONE THAT HAS OPENED
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000460.jpg)

AND MY OLEANDERS ARE REALLY GETTING FULLER EACH DAY WITH BLOOMS
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000464.jpg)

I did go to Archie's Nursery yesterday and bought 12 Stella de Oro daylilies!! :smile We are going to plant them around two trees in the front yard.  I am hoping they will do well there and come back each year.

Skip and I went to the Pond Meeting at Botanic Gardens, but did not get there too early.  I went on the computer before we left and saw Heater's post about Liz passing away, so we did not leave right away.   We did arrive in time to get a few photos there.

Jan,
I love the picture of your friend with the staghorn fern.  I PM'd you that if you have trouble posting pictures, but can send them to me by PM or email, I will be glad to post for you.  I do not seem to have a problem with my computer. 

Dudley,
Beautiful roses and I love your Oleander.  I am concerned because yours is blooming and mine has lots of brown leaves and no blooms yet!!  :para

 I hope the drought didn't kill them.  Skip said that because the winter was not that cold, maybe they did not shed some of the leaves they would have.  ????  I don't know ?????   I hope they come back.  We have them obscuring the pool pump from the back.

Liz,
Remembering you today!  You were a special friend to all of us.  I know you are in a place that surpasses any gardens here on earth!  Love to you!

Hugs,
Prissy

Jan sent me by email some of her photos for the Garden Thread.

1.My gal friend Shelley beside my mystery flowering bush. No one knows what it is!!!!!! It is now about 10 feet tall and full of flowers.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/P1010020.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/MyDociments003.jpg)


2. A view from my studio patio.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/goodshotofpatio.jpg)


3.This is a picture of my studio. The front yard, which as you can see is full of tropical foliage; ferns and bromeliads mostly, with oak trees. I just love the look of it.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/viewoffrontofhouse.jpg)


Jan,
It's fun to get a glimpse of your studio where you create such beautiful art.  I love that mystery plant.  Maybe someone will identify it.  Thanks for sharing.

Hugs,
Prissy
 

FROM PEPE:

Here are some beautiful flowers my son who lives in Arizona sent me yesterday for Easter.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/000_0095.jpg)

Here is my son's pond he built. If you look in the back you can see his Tennessee Walker horse. My son has special trout in this pond and they are massive in size.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/000_0099.jpg)


Pepe,
Such beautiful flowers!! I know you will enjoy them and how thoughtful of your son in Arizona.

I love the pond picture with the horse in the background.  I believe this son is in Michigan? 

Thanks for sharing with us.

Hugs,
Prissy

Hello everyone!

   Mom and I are just now "trying" to get our yard back in shape.  We have decided to limit most of our new plants to pots instead of beds.  We think that there might be a water ration down the line and don't want to plant to much just to let them die.
   We're concentrating on the patio and surrounding area.  Can't show pictures yet because we're painting the wrought iron patio furniture and they look horrible right now!
   I did manage to get one photo of our one and only rose bush yesterday.  It stands about 7 feet tall and gets several beautiful pink roses at a time.  We don't trim it very often and kind of neglect it, but it blooms until December if we have mild weather like last year.  In fact, last Christmas Day, there were 3 perfect blooms.
   Our "vegetable garden" this year consists of two tomato vines in two pots and a few pepper plants.  Everytime we've gone bigger, we only get "beautiful" plants and no vegetables.
    On April 15, we drove down to Crawford, Texas for a family memember's 70th wedding aniversary.  Crawford is also the home of the "Texas White House" other wise known as Gegorge Bushes ranch.  Well, it is a gorgeous drive going into the outline of the Texas hill country. 
  I was prepared with digital  in hand for Texas Bluebonnets, not one was seen in the 88 mile trip!  When we have them, it is unbelieveable gorgeous.
 Anyway, hope you like the one rose.  More to come later.
JoAnn M.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/JAM1/IMG_0530.jpg)

Jan - I looked your shrub up in several plant books (I even have a plant encyclopeidia set), and it was not in any of my books! It is beautiful, though.

Pepe - Your son sent a beautiful Easter plant to you, and I love the pond - the grass is really green up there!

Joann - I'm glad to see you posting more - pretty rose. Ours are just starting to bloom, too - I have come in to post some pictures: (Click To Make Big)



Lewis' cactus don't bloom every year, so when they do, we enojy seeing them - here are 2 specimins that have blooms:



(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_cactusbloom.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/cactusbloom.jpg)


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_cactusbloom2.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/cactusbloom2.jpg)




My knock-out rose seems happy in its spot next to my other roses:



(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_roseblooms2.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/roseblooms2.jpg)



This rose bush once belonged to my grandmother - she loved it, and I love it, too, because it has each rose on a single stem:


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_singlerose.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/singlerose.jpg)



This is a fun plant - it is called a Pregnant Onion!  :lol If you look closely at the base of the onion, you will see 2 "babies" about to "pop" out of the parent plant - the babies will root wherever they hit dirt - as you see, thses ended up in a pot with a cactus - you have to be careful not to sit them too close to other plants!


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_onion.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/onion.jpg)



This is our mystery plant - we have no idea what it is - we just saw it at a nursery a few years back, and loved it - it has purple berries, as you see:


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_berrybush.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/berrybush.jpg)


That's it for me for tonight - we had the chidren up early in the weekend, so we have worked in the yard all afternoon - I'm tired from raking leaves, but we almost have all of the winter debris cleared away!  :purpbana

JOANN, so good to see you here. Pretty pink rose.  Sorry you didn't see any BLuebells.  Tell Jennie I said hi!

FRANKIE, what interesting plants.  Cactus are special when they bloom, how pretty.  I am starting to wonder if these leaves will ever leave.  We had our yard all cleaned and looking so nice and than we had strong winds and the leaves blew back in our yard from the empty lot next door.   :bang  Hubby says he isn't raking them any more.  My son does have green grass that is from the manure that his wonderful horse Luke provides.  :lol 

JoAnn,

The rose is beautiful that you posted.  I look forward to more pictures from your yard!!

Frankie,

I really enjoy seeing all your plants....the blooming cactus is lovely and that "pregnant" onion is really unusual!!  You have the most interesting yard.

Hugs,
Prissy

Here are some new pictures from our yard.  I am going to put just a few pictures in each post and maybe that will help with the thread.

Click on each photo to make large.

THE 2 FOOT FOUNTAIN THAT TURNED OUT TO BE 12 INCHES!! :roflmao
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/th_FOUNT996.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/FOUNT996.jpg)

CHIMES ON THE GAZEBO
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/th_CHIMES999.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/CHIMES999.jpg)

DRAGONFLY CHIMES
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/th_DrFlyChi994.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/DrFlyChi994.jpg)

SUNCATCHER
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/th_Suncatcher956.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Suncatcher956.jpg)

STELLA DE ORO DAYLILIES AROUND TREES IN FRONT YARD
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Stella1016.jpg)

BALLERINA ANTIQUE ROSE BUSH
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Balleroses1020.jpg)

FRONT YARD BED WITH KO ROSE BUSHES
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Newbed959.jpg)

AMARILLAS (WE THINK :bduh) BLOOMING IN THE WOODS BY "WILLIE'S DILEMMA"

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/AmrarilWilli942.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Amaril941.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Amarillis940.jpg)

OXALIS AND COLUMBINE
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/OxalisColum946.jpg)

HONEYSUCKLE
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Honesuc950.jpg)

MORE KNOCK OUT ROSES
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/KOroses.jpg)

BEARDED IRIS (SKIP LAY ON HIS TUMMY TO GET THIS SHOT!!) :lol
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/IrisGaz939.jpg)

PEEKING IN THE NEIGHBOR'S YARD!! :naughty

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/roysBY992.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/RoysFl960.jpg)

(HIS PINK ROSES BLOOM ON OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE, TOO!)  :shappy
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/Pinkroses944.jpg)

HUGS,
PRISSY

FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDENS, APRIL 13.

Click on each photo to make large.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/th_BGFalls982.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGFalls982.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/th_BG981.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BG981.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/th_SnapDr980.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/SnapDr980.jpg)

Click on each photo to make large.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/th_BGferns974.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGferns974.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/th_BGKale969.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BGKale969.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/th_BG0967.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/Prissy2/House%20and%20Yard%20Photos/BG0967.jpg)
Hugs,
Prissy

PRISSY, my, my what fantastic pictures.  I love that fountain.  It is going to be so cool when you get it working.  I think it is going to be so pretty with flowers or ferns around it.  The flowers you posted are just fabulous.  I love that suncatcher with the hummingbird in it, so cute.  Your gazebo looks so nice and you look like you have several tables to eat on.

Prissy - you have posted such beautiful flowers today - I love your gazebo, and you will really enjoy having the fountain there. Your yard is so neat and clean, and I love all of the gardens you visit.

dudley - I had a little time to read back - I love your single-stem rose!

Pepe - I have meant to take some pictures of Lewis' tomatoes all week - since you and he are twins separated at birth, I thought you would be interested in how he grows them. He grows them around compost piles - when they are watered, he just puts the hose into the compost, it runs through the compost, and the tomatoes are fertilized. Here are some pictures:


This is a distance shot:


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_tomato1.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/tomato1.jpg)



This is a closer shot - if you look closely, you can tell that the bottom foot or so of the compost is darker - that is compost from last year - the top of the compost pile is all of the leaves I have been raking all spring!!!



(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_tomato3.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/tomato3.jpg)


He also picks off all of the leaves from a tomato plant, except for the ones at the very top - he plants the whole stem, then the plant makes roots all along the stem - this helps the plant live longer in our hot climate.


This is just another close-up shot, from another angle - and I didn't get my finger in the way of the lens this time!  :roflmao

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_tomato2.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/tomato2.jpg)

FRANKIE, how fascinating.  I enlarged the pictures and studied them for quite awhile.  I have never seen anything like this.  Where did Lewis learn to plant tomatoes that way around the compost???  I have never seen it in any garden book either.  I think maybe Lewis shour publish a hot climate gardening book.  I must show this to my son when he comes over.

PRISSY, that one picture of the flowers on this page that has red stalk plants behind the flowers, I swear it looks like Rhubarb!

Pepe - Lewis has always enjoyed watching the plant shows on public television - he got this idea from a show called the Victory Garden many years ago - it really does work, plus having compost piles gives us a place for all of the lawn, garden and kitchen debris -  in addition to leaves, we put old plants from the garden, egg shells, vegetable peelings, coffee grinds, etc. in the compost.  Lewis is just a gardener who likes to try different things - many of them work.

Wow I have not been here for a while and look at all that has bloomed...thanks to everyone who has shared their yards gardens and knowledge here...I love coming here and seeing what is blooming in other parts of the country...here in michigan the tulips, and dafodils are blooming...soon the yards will be full of flowers...the spring flowering trees are beginning to bloom too..I'm going for a walk once the grandbaby wakes up so hopefully I can get some pictures to post...

once again...beautiful blooms...hugs...debi

Well my tulips started to bloom....yes just started!!!!!! :purpbana
And I think I have a flower thief in my garden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :wink

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/flowerthief.jpg)

IT IS SO MUCH FUN COMING HERE....ALL THE FLOWERS AND THIEFS  :lol......MAKES A BAD DAY BETTER FOR SURE....

I TOOK SOME MORE PICTURES THIS MORNING.....THINGS ARE REALLY BLOOMING NOW....

MY DAYLILLIES ARE REALLY BLOOMING AND LOOK AT ALL THE BUDS WAITING TO OPEN THIS WEEK...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000478.jpg)

MY TRUMPHET PLANT IS IN FULL BLOOM AND WILL STAY THAT WAY ALL SUMMER....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000480.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000481.jpg)

CONEFLOWERS ARE STARTING UP....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000482.jpg)

THE OLEANDER FLOWERS DROP ALL OVER THE GRASS AND LOOK SO PRETTY....IT DOESN'T LOOK NEARLY AS GOOD IN PICTURES AS IT DOES IN PERSON...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000479.jpg)

THIS ROSE BUSH IS HAPPY RIGHT NOW....WE HAVE HAD SOME RAIN AND IT IS SMILING....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000486.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000487.jpg)

AND MY VEGIES ARE SO FAR ALL HAPPY....MY FIRST BABY TOMATO  :purpbana  :purpbana

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000484.jpg)

AND MY OKRA IS TRYING TO GET THERE  :lol
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/dudley5/my%20misc%20home%20pictures/IM000485.jpg)

YDEBI, wow you have so many tulips in your yard and what a precious little one sitting there.

DUDLEY, fantastic flowers and pictures.  I am so jealous of your tomato.  It is still to cold here to plant the tomato plants.  Your flowers are starting to really produce for you.  Are you going to use those vitamins on them again this year?  Could you really tell much of a difference from using it? 

PEPE I HAVE ALREADY STARTED SPRAYING IT ON THEM...MOSTLY ON MY VEG PLANTS....IT MADE A DIFFERENCE LAST YEAR SO WE'LL SEE.....

Hello!

It's so wonderful to see everyone here and all of the great pictures!! :shappy

I'm glad you liked my tiny fountain! Right now, it is still setting on the gazebo counter, but we may move it to a large pot by the gazebo, and connect the pump to it and put small plants around it.  I like it on the gazebo counter, but I don't know if we can attach the pump to it there.

This morning, Skip and I worked in the yard.  We planted two hibiscus plants in pots by the diving board, some snapdragons in a sunny bed, and crinium lilies that we bought at a plant sale at church by rose bushes also in the backyard.  I also watered all of our new plantings.  Still no caladiums or elephant ears coming up.  :para

Pepe,
The plant with red stalks and ruffly leaves looks almost like a lettuce type plant.  Someone at the Gardens said it was Kale or Chard????  I wonder if it could be a kind of rhubarb?  There were no name tags with these plants, but we will be at the Botanic Gardens again soon and maybe we can find out more.

Frankie
That is so interesting how Lewis plants the tomato plants by the compost piles!  I remember watching the Victory Garden on PBS years ago.  Now, we pretty much watch the garden shows on HGTV.

Dudley,
I just love seeing all of your plants.  Your purple coneflowers, rose bushes, oleanders, daylilies, trumpet vines, and the tomato and okra plants.... such a variety and all looking great!!  It will be fascinating seeing how everything keeps growing through the spring and summer.  Skip has trimmed back our oleanders and there are still some green leaves.  Hopefully, they will have some blooms soon.

Ydebi,
I love seeing your tulips and that "cute thief" in the garden.  Aisalynn is such a cutie.  I always love seeing her pictures.  The tulips here have already come and gone in our area.

Tammy,
I can't wait to see your garden when you get some warmer weather.  I know it will be fantastic.

Hugs to all,
Prissy

Dudley...wow beautiful...I love the picture of the flower petals on the ground...and dang i can almost taste a fresh tomatoe.....

there still isn't much bloomed around my house here in michigan..the tulips are in full bloom now so I wanted to share them with everyone...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/DSCN2966.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/flowers%20vacation/DSCN2971.jpg)

and of course my flower thief!!!!!!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/Aisalynn/DSCN2964.jpg)
 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ydebi/Aisalynn/DSCN2962.jpg)

i LOVE COMING TO THIS THREAD, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THREAD ON THE CLAYMANIACS. CLOSE TIE, CLAY"S PICS OR THE GARDENS!!!!

THANKS FOR ALL THE GORGEOUS PICTURES OF THE GARDENS, PRISSY. WHAT A DELIGHT. AND TO FRANKIE AND DUDLEY AND TO YDEBI FOR THE CUTE GARDEN THEIF!!!!!

WE ARE HAVING SUCH A DROUGHT HERE IN FLORIDA NOW THAT WATERING TOO MUCH IS A NO NO.
I AM AFRAID THAT MY TROPICAL PLANTS ARE REALLY SUFFERING, MY FERNS AND ESPECIALLY MY STAGHORNS. I KEEP SNEAKING OUT TO WATER THEM BUT THEY ARE NOT GETTING ENOUGH. NOW WHEN IT RAINS IT WILL BE HURRICANE SEASON AND WE WILL WISH IT WAS DRY AGAIN.

ANYWAY, THANKS EVERYONE FOR THE GREAT UPLIFT TO MY DAY.

LUV U
JAN

Debi - I am enjoying seeing your tulip theif here and in the Babies thread, because I have 2 thieves of my own - no bloom is safe when the granddaughters come to visit!  :lol

Jan - we have been in a drought, too - the yard looks terrible - it is too big to water - but we have had a little this week, and more promised tomorrow.

We took a walk after supper, and I took some pictures, because we are supposed to have rain all day tomorrow: Click pictures to make big:

This is the entrance to Lewis' garden, and a close-up of his garden stone, which reads "Old Gardeners Never Die - They Just Spade Away!"   :roflmao



(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_gentrance.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/gentrance.jpg)



(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_gstone.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/gstone.jpg)



This is a plant I love (I wonder if you have them up north) called "Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow". The blooms start out dark purple, fade to lavender, then to white.  Most people plant them in the ground, but mine is in a large pot:

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_MVC-001S.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/MVC-001S.jpg)


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_gytt2.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/gytt2.jpg)


Pepe - this is another of Lewis' tomato experiments - he has read that you will get 20% more tomatoes off of a plant if they are planted in red or orange plastic - now I have to count tomatoes every time I pick them!  :lmao He will add wire tomato baskets soon.


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_gorange.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/gorange.jpg)


This is my favorite of all of Lewis' garden ornaments - it is the Louisiana State  "Bird" - The Mosquito!!!


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_gmosquito.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/gmosquito.jpg)


Pepe - an updated picture of the compost tomatoes - they will have to be tied up to the compost after tomorrow's rain - they have grown a lot since the first time I posted them:


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_gtomato.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/gtomato.jpg)



Our little sitting area in the garden (sometimes you just have to sit down and have some water!):


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_ggarden1.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/ggarden1.jpg)




I tried to take a long shot of most of the garden - Lewis' cucumber tree in the foreground is made out of old mop and broom handles - he needs to paint it again before the cucumbers start climbing!

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_ggarden2.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/ggarden2.jpg)


Geraniums and petunias on the corner of the back porch:

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/th_gporch.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Garden/gporch.jpg)