Labor Day Fun

Jack and I headed down to Alabama this weekend to see family--some of whom I've never laid eyes on, and some I haven't seen in 10 years or more.  It was fantastic!

We couldn't all get together at the same time, which is probably a good thing, but we got to see all my nieces, nephews, in-laws and out-laws, grandnephews and my grandniece.

Here are some of my favorite pics from the weekend:

(This one's for you, Audrey!)

(The water was only 73 degrees, but we were all crazy enough to go in with our clothes on!)

(Well, not ALL of us.  Some had good sense.)

There was a ton of food; we are Southerners after all. Got a couple of super simple, yummy dessert recipes from a niece.  At least, I heard they were yummy.  I didn't try any myself but dang it, I sure wanted to. Don't know if I can adapt them, but I'm hoping so.  We got back this evening and I'm too tired to hunt them up right now, so I'll post them later in the week.

Hope you all had at least half as good a time as I did!

In the Good Ol' Summertime

Okay, I'm back.  Work has been really busy--too busy to read blogs most nights, so I'm just as far  behind as I was 2 weeks ago.  Please know that I'm getting around to all of you as quickly as I can and trying to leave at least ONE comment so you'll know I do enjoy your blogs!

Summer moved in with a vengeance--heat, humidity, the works.  Occasionally, if it's early enough in the morning, minimal weeding gets done, but otherwise, just watering. Most of the garden has been pretty hardy, thank goodness.

The dianthus are spreading nicely.

I apologize for the blurriness of some of the photos.  We had a brief sprinkle, maybe 10 minutes' worth, enough to probably double the humidity, and the sun came out again.  Between the camera fogging up, and my eyes watering from the bright sunshine, most of these aren't as sharp as I'd wish.

The celosia are finally catching on.  I don't think I'll grow them next year, though.  They are too finicky and take too long to bloom.  The ones in the terra cotta planters around the mailbox are languishing, but it's not totally their fault:  Some of the unfettered neighborhood dogs are peeing on it.

I am really loving the zinnias, even though they're annuals.  Next year, I'll have more, and a bigger variety of colors.

The Double Knock-Out roses have bloomed and rebloomed and bloomed again.  If it weren't for the Japanese beetles, they'd be totally carefree.  The blooms don't last long, maybe a day, but there have been so many of them, it sort of makes up for that.

And oh, the sunflowers!

Isn't this an odd-colored one?

My favorite of the sunflowers and my favorite photo of them.

I've been harvesting the seeds for next year.

And speaking of harvest, this is the second tomato from our plants.  We already ate the first one.

Next year, there will be more jalapeno plants, too. I planted this one in a large pot, and it's going nuts here.  Salsa!  Yummm.

Friday night a couple of weeks ago I was nodding off at the computer and just about ready to pack it in for the night, when there came a knock at the screen door. It was late--just before 11pm.  Tandi, who had also been dozing, went ballistic. I saw a face at the door, but with the porch light off, I couldn't tell who it was. As I stood up to get a better look, the door opened.  My heart stopped.  If the door hadn't opened, I'd have figured it was one of my neighbors, but they wouldn't just open up and walk in.  Still a little foggy from half-dozing, I didn't even have the presence of mind to grab the phone or something I could use for defense.  Then a little animal rushed in and Tandi stopped barking.  All I could think was, "I know that dog..."  It was my daughter, who drove down to surprise me for my birthday. 

She wouldn't have scared me deliberately, but thought I could see her well enough to know who it was.  Jack knew she was coming, but kept it a surprise, and had already gone to bed.  She expected to get here earlier, but was delayed by a bad accident on the interstate.  There was such a back-up, people were actually parked and out walking around.  Bless her heart, she drove  7 1/2 hours (more with the wreck) to visit for just barely over 36 hours before having to go back home again on Sunday. We didn't have anything planned, so just hung out and watched a movie.  I loaded up at the tailgate market and we had yummy fresh veggies for supper. It was good just to see and hug her.

There has been a little sewing around here.  Since the project is a surprise, and this person sometimes reads my blog, I will only tease you a bit with a photo. After it's all finished and given away, I'll show you the whole thing.

Yep, Halloween preparations are commencing!

There was a link on one of  the Halloween blogs I follow, that led to the Victorian Trading Company Fall Sneak Peak page.  I was in hog heaven!  This little item combines two of my favorite interests:

No, not shoes--it's a pincushion! And it's marked down! I think I'm going to have to buy it. There are several things on their site I just don't think I can live without.  Can we say "overtime"?

So that's all I know. Not much else going on for now. Hope your summer's going well!

June Revisited

Being on call is not conducive to sleeping well.  After making sure everything is moved to the guest bedroom and hall bath, so I can change into scrubs, etc. without waking Jack, I spend time watching the clock and waiting for the phone to ring. Not wanting to get into a project and have to leave it at a spot not of my choosing, I waste time watching HGTV (no movies for the same reason) and playing on the computer. When I finally go to bed, with the phone at my side, I sleep lightly, afraid I'll miss the call that I am needed. If I do sleep, it's only to wake up and reach for the phone to make sure it hasn't rung. Last night was such a night.  I went to bed at midnight, and was awake for good by 4am.

On the up side, I spent a good deal of time in the yard before it got hot.  Here are the tipsy pots pictures for July (compare with planting day):

Last evening, as I was carrying jugs of water out to water the potted plants around the yard, the couple on the other side of the vacant lots next to me, slowed down to introduce themselves and talk a moment.  She asked where I bought my tipsy pot set-up, and I told her about the tutorial and how to find it.  According to her, someone at the Garden Jubilee was selling kits to make these for $20.00. I guess that's an okay price--when you add the rebar with the price of the pots, unless you already have all the pots you need. Then you still have to add the plants and soil. At any rate, that makes 3 neighbors so far who've asked how to make these.  Our neighborhood is getting tipsy. 

I managed to plant 7 more half-grown sunflowers  this morning, too.  Something is eating the leaves on a couple of the established plants and I haven't been able to catch whatever it is, even though I'm checking early in the morning, during the day, and just before it gets dark. 

Guess I'll have to get out there with a flashlight late some night and hope nobody reports a possible intruder to the police.

Buds are forming--I should have big, happy sunflowers soon!

The tomatoes are thriving in their new spot.  Most folks are beginning to harvest theirs, so we're running behind, but at least they aren't dead!

In other "where are they now?" news, apparently mama bird got freaked out when I disturbed the nest in our garage and never came back.  Since it takes 12-14 days for Carolina wren eggs to hatch, I waited an additional 2 weeks before cautiously checking the wreath box, but there was only an empty nest.  When I dumped it out on the ground, a single, dried-up little egg fell out.  It was really sad. My research revealed the male wren builds several nests, and then the female chooses which one she wants.  Bet he caught hell for this one.

I didn't finish the patriotic UFO wall hanging/table topper in time for the Fourth, but I did take the suggestion to just bind it in red fabric.  This is my long weekend (made even longer due to the extra night off!), so am hoping to get some serious sewing time.  I also need to make more doggy treats (Tandi is bewildered that the pantry no longer yields her favorite peanut butter cookies), use up some of my large basil harvest making pesto, and finish sorting and storing the casket contents. 

(teaser picture)

First, I think it's time for a nap. It's not even 12:30 and I've been up 8 hours already!

Gardener's Journal Entry 6/26/10

I was determined to get the tomatoes and the last of the sunflowers planted this weekend, so I could get all the areas mulched, because my enthusiasm is quickly melting away in the heat and humidity that is our North Carolina summer.  Besides, there are 3 thimble-sized tomatoes on the plants and the sunflowers are almost 3 feet tall and too top-heavy for the little starter pots.  As the ants have taken over the piles of wood mulch from the winter's downed trees, and I don't feel like trying to clear them out right now,   I bought 5 bags of mulch from Lowe's. It's probably not enough, but I can always get more. 

                                                                  (tiny tomato)

Since the days are so hot, planting needs to occur in the late afternoon to let the plants recover overnight. By 4pm Saturday the sky is mostly cloudy and the trees and house have blocked any sun from the front flowerbed. It's time.

TOMATOES

PLAN A.

Assemble upside-down hangers from Gardener's Supply Co. Think all manner of nasty things about them for 30 minutes. Insert the now 2-feet tall tomato plants and fill halfway with "lightweight" potting soil.

Decide to hang them on the double shepherd's crook before completely topping off the soil due to the weight.  Hang the first container and watch the pole lean dangerously to the left.

Prop the pole with a ladder and hurry to hang the second container.

Watch the pole lean dangerously forward. 

Place the iron teapot on the crossbar that is supposed to stablize the pole.  Watch the teapot tip.

Feel the sweat trickling down my back.

Go inside where it's cool and play Frontierville for 15 minutes.


PLAN B.

Discuss options with Jack, who has nothing helpful to offer.

Return to the front yard and dig a big hole in the front flowerbed.

Amend the clay with the potting soil, bone meal, Rootblast from the garage and stir.

Plant tomato plant #1 in hole #1 and fill in.

Dig second hole.  Prepare to amend the soil here, also.

Pick up the bone meal bag, which is not bone meal, but fire ant killer and unsafe for use in vegetable beds.

Think a few more nasty thoughts as I unplant Tomato #1.

Plop down on the front porch steps with Tandi, to rest my back and survey the situation.



PLAN C

Reflect again on the fact that the pink zinnias I planted are clashing with the ruby celosia and offending my color sense.

Dig up zinnias and plant in Hole #1. Nobody's going to eat them unless it's the voles and maybe they'll get their just rewards.

Return ant killer to the garage and bring out the correct bag of bone meal.

Double check all bags and containers.
Amend the soil again and insert tomato plant #2 in the second hole.

 Dig hole #3, amend, and insert tomato plant #1.

Disassemble plant/birdfeeder hanger.

Water everything thoroughly with one hand while batting away bloodthirsty little mosquitoes with the other hand.

Put tools and soil supplements away.

Go into cool house and order Domino's for supper.

SUNFLOWERS
PLAN  A

Pot up a bunch of the smaller sunflower plants to take to the unit picnic at our manager's house Sunday afternoon to beg people to take them give them away.

Lazy Days

Almost another week has gone by since my last post--and it was pretty skimpy. I've had some work issues simmering in the back of my mind while I did some other, more fun stuff. I had 6 nights off and while I didn't accomplish half the things I meant to, some things did make it off my list.

Thurs. morning I actually got up before 8am and made it over to a co-worker's house for appetizers and cocktails. Remember, THEY got off at 7:30am so it was a reasonable cocktail hour for them. I had ice water, just because I planned to stay up all day, and there aren't many things I like to drink, truth be told. Except chocolate martinis. And kahlua. Neither of which needed to start my day. But it was fun, a chance to see a different side of some folks, and some absolutely delicious appetizers--peach salsa (odd taste, but good), artichoke dip, and pesto brie. Omigosh, was that ever good! I was there 4 hours!

Thursday evening a separate group of us went to see "The Ugly Truth."


Definitely a chick flick and only fluff, but fun to see with some of your girlfriends. We followed that with a meal at Fatz, and some browsing at Big Lots next door to the theater. It was nice to indulge in a Girls' Day Out.

Not much of the sewing I planned got done, but I did sew up 10 blocks for the second half of the Four Seasons Quilt Swap--summer edition.

We could make up to 20, but I'm a little rushed, and a little bored with them right now, and if I need more blocks, I can make more from my stash to fill in.

And I made up two little needle books for myself.


The one with the rosebuds was the first one--the blue one was second and a little better. I didn't have any felted wool, but these were just fine and so simple to make--if they wear out, it won't take an hour to replace them.

I also got this in the mail last week:




Jean sent me some doll hair for the little Handy Dolls I'm making for work. The yarn I was using is not holding up and I'll have to bald them in order to put some new on--but now I have a decent substitute. Can you see the little rosebuds she sent for their dresses?

Too cute!

So it's time for another 3 day stretch and the schedule from you-know-where this month. I'll be perusing your blogs as time permits, but may not be able to post for a bit. Besides, it's the lazy hot days of summer. Hope you get a chance to relax, everyone!