tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19392957741827826992024-03-08T11:13:40.634-06:00A Southern EdenJust an amateur gardener in central Alabama figuring it all out as I go along.Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-17017941249890671272013-05-24T09:17:00.002-05:002013-05-24T09:26:56.453-05:00Hey Ya'll!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8812797214/" title="IMG_0489F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0489F" height="476" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7384/8812797214_69ab56ce35.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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Hey ya’ll! Thought I better check in and let you guys know I’m alive and kicking. I’ve just been busy in the garden and living life. I’m pretty much all recovered from my surgery and things seem to be going pretty well. Sorry I haven’t been doing much blogging lately, but Flickr has changed there format and it seems to be such a chore to load the photos and I just haven’t had the time to do it. I’m pretty much posting all my garden photos on Facebook now simply because it’s quicker to do it. So please feel free to send me a friend request if you like.<br />
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<!-- Facebook Badge END -->I’d love, love, love to see you there. :0) To my coworkers, sorry guys, ya'll already know I won't friend you so... Ya'll know I love you, but I don't mix work and personal. Meanwhile, my posting on the blog may be a little sporadic. Hope all of you love this long spring we are having! Isn’t it just fabulous?!</div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-27207265932394669502013-04-29T14:52:00.001-05:002013-04-29T15:10:12.710-05:00Blooming 04/29/13<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8692870994/" title="IMG_0234F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0234F" height="341" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8123/8692870994_f8864ecbdb.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hello everyone, I hope this post finds you enjoying spring. In the words of Dolly Parton in the movie Straight Talk “I’ve been busier than a one legged man in a butt kicking contest.” I’ve been planting things in the garden non-stop the past week and a half. I’m pretty sure at this point I’ve dug over 200 holes and put in at least 150 new plants. I’ve moved around a lot of stuff too, some things only an additional two feet here or there. Hey, if it’s a foot and a half too far to the left it needs to go to the right. At least I didn’t have to drag the root ball far. I still have a ways to go, but it’s getting there. Three years of neglect can really cause a decline in a garden. It is what it is; life throws us a curve ball every now and then, sometimes kicks us right in the gut or even at times reaches in and snatches your beating heart right from you chest. You pick yourself up, and just keep going. I’m very pleased with the changes I’ve made so far. I'm happy to have this perfect sping to get things looking pretty again. I’m even putting plants in my hanging baskets this year! ***picture me dancing a little jig after this statement.***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Why don’t we take a look at what’s blooming this week? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>‘Blueberry Bliss’</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8691753385/" title="IMG_0253F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_0253F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8691753385_422e1f882c.jpg" width="370" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>‘Autumn Tryst’</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8691753423/" title="IMG_0250F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_0250F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8398/8691753423_1fa94bc598.jpg" width="429" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I don’t have a clue what the name of this one is or even where it came from…</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8691753467/" title="IMG_0247F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_0247F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8265/8691753467_bc2db154c3.jpg" width="340" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>‘In Your Dreams’</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8692870838/" title="IMG_0239F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_0239F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8544/8692870838_8e0950698f.jpg" width="366" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>‘Caesar’s Brother’</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8691753773/" title="IMG_0225F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_0225F" height="490" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8537/8691753773_561f48f186.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My Knockouts in morning sunshine… don’t they look ethereal?</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8692871060/" title="IMG_0229F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_0229F" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8119/8692871060_fa10242111.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The miniature roses in the hanging baskets… I have yet to figure out how to get my new camera to capture pink and red in the true shades. My old DSC F717 had perfectly accurate color when I photographed red. Does anyone have any solutions or setting I could try? </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8691753807/" title="IMG_0218F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_0218F" height="407" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8691753807_974f01131a.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My Grandmother's old Rose is just full of blooms this year. It’s been so happy since the last relocation. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8691753843/" title="IMG_0215F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_0215F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8691753843_8e714b9ac9.jpg" width="453" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>‘Dr. William Van Fleet’</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grandfather of the rose <strong>‘New Dawn’</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8692871190/" title="IMG_0212F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_0212F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8406/8692871190_daa939723b.jpg" width="422" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Old fashioned Cabbage Rose…</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8682489785/" title="IMG_0200F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_0200F" height="365" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8126/8682489785_9ca8e6e5b8.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>‘Veilchenblau’</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8682457555/" title="IMG_0185F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_0185F" height="382" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/8682457555_cbae3c5ddd.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>‘Orient Red’</strong> Spreklia</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8683570622/" title="IMG_0177F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_0177F" height="360" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8683570622_fc8257f913.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>‘Minerva’</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8683570492/" title="IMG_0191F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_0191F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8683570492_010e8080e4.jpg" width="418" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>‘Floris Hecker’</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8682457513/" title="IMG_0188F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_0188F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8121/8682457513_00516b74d1.jpg" width="418" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Last but not least… Dianthus <strong>‘Esta’ </strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8682457619/" title="IMG_0182F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_0182F" height="381" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8682457619_14cd6b0492.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-20432331720835053522013-04-23T08:31:00.001-05:002013-04-23T08:31:50.777-05:00Blooming 04/23/13<div style="text-align: center;">
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Tall Bearded <strong>'Sugar Blues'</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8654904657/" title="IMG_0018F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0018F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8102/8654904657_a8b297acc8.jpg" width="351" /></a></div>
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Amaryllis <strong>'Apple Blossom'</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8656008604/" title="IMG_0023F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0023F" height="431" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8122/8656008604_2f5caf7bf4.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Japanese Magnolia <strong>'Jane'</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8654904585/" title="IMG_0029F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0029F" height="372" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8654904585_7b40f4d890.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Tall Bearded <strong>'Christabel'</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8656008482/" title="IMG_0030F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0030F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8112/8656008482_98bedd0a51.jpg" width="369" /></a></div>
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<strong>'Christabel'</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8675363890/" title="IMG_0128F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0128F" height="374" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8401/8675363890_15e99309e0.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Tall Bearded <strong>'Slovak Prince'</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8658114340/" title="IMG_0036F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0036F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/8658114340_c655fa2c0a.jpg" width="384" /></a></div>
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Creeping Sedum </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8662338263/" title="DSC05691F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05691F" height="362" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8261/8662338263_88ca9f46ce.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Amaryllis<strong> 'Desire'</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8662338225/" title="IMG_0069F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0069F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8662338225_2a38860110.jpg" width="414" /></a></div>
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Tall Bearded<strong> 'Beverly Sills'</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8663436310/" title="IMG_0076F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0076F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8241/8663436310_b905e6cac8.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
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Noisette Rose<strong> 'Reve d'Or'</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8663436286/" title="IMG_0083F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0083F" height="419" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8255/8663436286_5610de8645.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Noisette Rose <strong>'Crepuscule'</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8662338145/" title="IMG_0085F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0085F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8245/8662338145_546984c1cf.jpg" width="378" /></a></div>
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<strong>'Reve d'Or'</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8663436230/" title="IMG_0092F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0092F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8247/8663436230_197340210d.jpg" width="434" /></a></div>
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English Dogwood</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8662338091/" title="IMG_0096F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0096F" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8662338091_8db284c855.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Azalea<strong> 'Conlea'</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8663436120/" title="IMG_0106F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0106F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8261/8663436120_77732258e6.jpg" width="467" /></a></div>
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Azalea<strong> 'Robleg'</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8663440728/" title="IMG_0114F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0114F" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8663440728_e0fecb877b.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Tall Bearded Iris <strong>'Impressionist'</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8675363908/" title="IMG_0118F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0118F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8116/8675363908_c509f025cf.jpg" width="472" /></a></div>
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Louisiana Iris<strong> 'Copper'</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8675363834/" title="IMG_0145F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0145F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8675363834_6c2611202f.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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<strong>Dianthus</strong> 'Raspberry Surprise'</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8675363744/" title="IMG_0156F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0156F" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8520/8675363744_ca96d303a7.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Dianthus <strong>'Margarita'</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8674259993/" title="IMG_0159F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0159F" height="396" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8524/8674259993_afb92c7859.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Dianthus <strong>'Sugar Plumb'</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8674259959/" title="IMG_0162F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0162F" height="348" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8382/8674259959_0fbdb7986c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Wild Gladiolus <strong>'Corn Flag'</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8675363654/" title="IMG_0164F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0164F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8542/8675363654_b22fb3a45b.jpg" width="463" /></a></div>
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Floribunda Rose <strong>'Charisma'</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8674259921/" title="IMG_0168F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0168F" height="382" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8545/8674259921_948df7ed4e.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-81886342967468382192013-04-12T07:48:00.002-05:002013-04-16T11:12:03.432-05:00Blooming 04/12/13<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here are some things blooming in the garden right now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Crossvine 'Tangerine Beauty'</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8641833401/" title="IMG_2719F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_2719F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8388/8641833401_3c36231eed.jpg" width="384" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Dianthus 'Fire Witch'</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8642932482/" title="IMG_2716F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_2716F" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8264/8642932482_c7f1bebe44.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Amaryllis 'Red Lion'</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8642932502/" title="IMG_2712F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_2712F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8104/8642932502_74b40260e1.jpg" width="359" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Dutch Iris 'Carmen'</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8642932520/" title="IMG_2711F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_2711F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8116/8642932520_fb42060fa2.jpg" width="418" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Clematis 'Candy Stripe'</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8641833483/" title="IMG_2703F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_2703F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8264/8641833483_776e962837.jpg" width="449" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Bourbon Rose 'Zephirine Drouhin'</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8640385382/" title="IMG_2692F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_2692F" height="396" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8519/8640385382_8d77da885e.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip'</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8640385454/" title="IMG_2690F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_2690F" height="343" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8540/8640385454_46505edf87.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Knock Out Rose 'Radtko'</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8640385472/" title="IMG_2687F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_2687F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8383/8640385472_734800e403.jpg" width="455" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Noisette Rose 'Crepuscule'</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8639283673/" title="IMG_2684F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_2684F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8245/8639283673_365b8fede5.jpg" width="412" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Potato Vine 'Alba'</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8639283697/" title="IMG_2682F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_2682F" height="385" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8535/8639283697_df4248d825.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Lady Banks Rose 'Alba Plena'</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8639283733/" title="IMG_2681F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_2681F" height="362" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8379/8639283733_1d895a4816.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> New Unknown Cameillia questionably name <strong>'Pink Dawn'</strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8639274829/" title="DSC05665F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05665F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8395/8639274829_cbfae61cd8.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Azalea 'Trouper Orange'</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8639283761/" title="IMG_2680F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_2680F" height="343" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/8639283761_7350bb5365.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Bearded Iris 'Christabel'</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8618560143/" title="DSC05636F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05636F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8107/8618560143_c192e87de8.jpg" width="432" /></span></a></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-80880477169308417902013-04-03T11:39:00.000-05:002013-04-16T11:09:52.014-05:00Never Too Early to Think About Mosquitoes<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8616642606/" title="DSC05617F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05617F" height="379" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8406/8616642606_48d29982bf.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It’s Spring time and it’s time to get out in the garden full force. If you are like me, you’ve probably lost several plants to the elements with all this crazy weather we’ve been having. No rain, extreme heat and just plain old life have left me with huge holes in my garden. To make matters worse, the end of January when I was cleaning up debris and cutting back plants I had a moment of inspiration or temporary insanity and I just started snatching plants out of the ground like a mad man for no apparent reason. I guess it was a desperate need for change. At any rate, I now have a huge bed that is about 2/3 empty. I’ve been frantically trying to think of what plants I want to put in to replace the ones I’ve, um er… lost.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anyone that has a garden as extensive as I do knows that mid-summer it becomes a playground for thousands of mosquitoes. I try my best not to spray on a broad spectrum because I don’t want to do anything to hurt the beneficial insects in my garden. Now I will squash the occasional wasp, but if they don’t mess with me or damage my plants I usually leave them alone. I think every living thing adds its own energy to the garden and it’s a huge part of what makes you feel so good when you saunter through one. Sorry, I digress… </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Because of the tremendous mosquito problem I have and trust me I definitely have one; I’ve decided to fill several of my garden holes with plants that mosquitoes find offensive. I apologize for not having photos of these plants, but at least I can provide you a list of them and maybe it will be of help to you. The key essential oils we are looking for in plants are Citronella, Linalool and Citronellol. Citronella being the most affective of the three. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Scented Geranium-</strong> Why don’t we start off with the oh so popular scented geranium or Mosquito Plant (<em>Pelargonium citrosum</em>) . While the plant does have a lemon scent to it, a study done by Florida A&M University showed it actually has no affect on mosquitoes. They will actually land on the plant and rest themselves while they wait for us to arrive. The University of Guelph in Ontario performed a very similar study by extracting the essential oils and using them on test subjects. The results were the same, completely ineffective at deterring the little varmints. Rose Geranium, however has a much higher level of Citronellol and may be more successful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Lemon Balm-</strong> Lemon Balm contains 400% more Citronellol than the afore mentioned Scented Geranium. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Catnip-</strong> Catnip contains Nepetalactone which has been proven to be 10 times more effective against Mosquitos than DEET. Your garden kitties will love you for it as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Citronella Grass-</strong> <em>Cybopogdon nardus</em> and <em>Citronella winterianus</em> are the true varieties of Citronella grass and are considered to be the very best deterrent again the winged vampires. Unfortunately, they are only cold hardy to zone 10. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Rosemary-</strong> Is known to repel mosquitoes AND moths.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Lavender-</strong> The New York Botanical Garden highly recommends this plant. It contains considerable levels of Linalool, which has been scientifically proven to repel those worrisome gnats. It’s effectiveness on mosquitoes is controversial, but it does also fend off fleas and roaches. Rosemary and Lavender were both plants I was already considering so both will find their way into my empty bed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Monarda punctata</em>-</strong> Contains Thymol which is a mosquito deterrent, guess what else contains the same chemical? Listerine… which can be mixed with water and sprayed in your garden. Thymol is a key ingredient in many pesticides. Kind of scary to think about it being in your mouthwash isn’t it? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Marigolds-</strong> Contrary to popular belief, marigolds do not deter mosquitoes. However! The roots can release enough of a natural chemical compound into the soil it kills nematodes. So that’s a good thing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I took quite a bit of time to carefully research theses plants and read university studies to provide you with as accurate information as I could. Hope you learn something from it. Keep in mind none of these plants will work if the essential oils are not released, so brush of against them on your evening stroll in the garden. </span>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-14028045946639632752013-03-27T08:50:00.000-05:002013-04-16T11:09:34.359-05:00Blooming 03/23/13 *** a small update***<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">*** Hey there everyone, we had a HUGE frost last night. I'm curious to see what its done to the garden this afternoon when I get home. I also want to thank all of you for all the nice thoughts and prayers from the previous post. It's been very hard, but I can't help but think Jamey would want me to, in his words, "Put my big girl panties on" and concentrate on healing and moving forward. Hope this all finds you having a wonderful week and thank you again. ***</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8588372515/" title="DSC05627F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05627F" height="405" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8382/8588372515_c36564c88b.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8588372543/" title="DSC05621F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05621F" height="337" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8526/8588372543_0322ea4d5c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8589473688/" title="DSC05618F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05618F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8520/8589473688_f8635891ae.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8589473728/" title="DSC05615F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05615F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8105/8589473728_4ff159337e.jpg" width="417" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8589473762/" title="DSC05613F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05613F" height="311" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8085/8589473762_aeb2fb7149.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8588372757/" title="DSC05612F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05612F" height="480" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8588372757_8609002721.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8589473872/" title="DSC05608F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05608F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8226/8589473872_98f11938a7.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8588372889/" title="DSC05586F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05586F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8366/8588372889_b759d105cd.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
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Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-32336556681889471072013-02-27T10:00:00.000-06:002013-02-27T10:22:23.213-06:00In Loving Memory<div style="text-align: center;">
This garden would never have been possible without Jamey... This post is in honor of him.</div>
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In Loving Memory</div>
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James Preston Lawson</div>
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05/28/83--02/25/13</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/3117804983/" title="DSC01146-2 by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC01146-2" height="426" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3025/3117804983_413cdf14a3.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8509188647/" title="huge_grin by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="huge_grin" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8099/8509188647_4db7d0ffe4.jpg" width="498" /></a></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-57318913905243611052013-02-19T16:29:00.002-06:002013-02-19T19:47:16.923-06:00Surgery Update 02/19/13<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8490641706/" title="Get Well by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="Get Well" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8102/8490641706_0095fc9b43.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well,</span></div>
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I’m sort of back. :0) It’s been one week since my surgery and things did not go as anticipated. I’m doing just fine, but it was a little more involved than expected once they actually got in there and got to looking around. They found two different types of protrusions in two different places on the same side. Which explains why my abdomen <em>and various other unmentionable parts</em> feel like the Dr. played a round of golf while he was in there. I’m so grateful and happy he found it and I don’t have to go back later and get something else fixed. It only adds two more weeks to my healing time, but it seems like much longer when you are sitting around in the house looking outside at all the things that need to be done. I get to go back to work in a week and that will help keep my mind occupied. People have been telling me this is a good time to catch up on my reading. Ha! Try that when you are taking 6 Lortab 10 a day. I was doing well not to drool all over myself when I sat up. Nothing is worse than waking up from a deep sleep to find your face is lying in a cold pool of slobber. Eeeeeeeeeew! And don’t even get me started on the five o’clock shadow down there… feels like I’ve got a porcupine in my lap. Oh well, such is life and when things wear out we have to get them fixed. The great side of all this is my back pain has completely disappeared for the time being and there is a chance the only reason I was having it was because of the two hernias. Wouldn’t that be great? :0) So here I am, lookin’ all like Frankenbelly with 6 rows of sutures, but I’ll be back in garden hopefully pain free this year just in time for Spring. Yaaaaaaaaaaay!
Many thanks to all my friends that have been such a great help. Love all of you guys!
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">P.S. I have a cool robin story to tell you when I feel more like doing a post. Best wishes and see you soon!</span>
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Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-12511380316634912012013-02-06T07:19:00.002-06:002013-04-16T11:07:28.636-05:00Blooming 02/05/13<div style="text-align: left;">
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Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-11566648057030975942013-01-28T09:54:00.007-06:002013-04-16T11:05:49.557-05:00'Crimson Candles'<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was busy in the garden this weekend finishing up the last things on the to-do list before spring. The garden is all cleaned up with the exception of a few stray leaves that I will suck up with the lawn mower next weekend. You know how it is; you never have EVERYTHING caught up in the garden. There is always something that needs to be done, but I’m feeling good about where I am with it right now. While I was tidying up, I was really surprised by everything that was blooming. Of the things in flower I decided to stick with ‘Crimson Candles’ for this post. It’s such a beautiful vision in pink.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8424128756/" title="DSC05526F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05526F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8217/8424128756_763caab413.jpg" width="500" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I could never figure out why this Camellia was named crimson when it blooms so pink. Most especially since there are crimson colored blossoms on other cultivars. The only explanation I can think of is the buds. They’re a much deeper tint and although I’m color deficient they do appear a shade of red to me. I still wouldn’t call them crimson in my opinion. Look at the fuzzy little hairs on the bud.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8423037921/" title="DSC05535F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05535F" height="377" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8094/8423037921_8db9670504.jpg" width="500" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What I’ve read on this shrub would indicate it’s a fairly new plant, just introduced in 1995. When I think of camellias my mind instantly goes to heirloom plants from generations past. Like the one I got from my grandmother’s home. For me they also invoke visions of women from the Victorian period sauntering through the garden. I don’t know why, it just does… </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">‘Crimson Candles’ can reach heights of 10 feet and get as wide as 6 feet. I’m going to let mine get some height on it, but I am going to try and keep it pruned so it stays kind of skinny. I want it to form a column of sorts. This camellia blooms from January to March and is extremely cold hardy as the species goes. Its blooms are much more forgiving of cold and frost than average camellia blooms. That’s good for me because the coldest month is usually February here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In other news, I got evaluated by the surgeon and I’ll be having my procedure on February 11th. It’s not a major ordeal; I just can’t do any lifting until I’m completely healed. I’ll be out of commission for 6 weeks after that, but at least I should be rip raring and ready to go by the time spring gets here. Yaaaaaaay! Since my hard work this weekend, the garden is all ready to go. I won’t have to be stressing about the arrival of spring and starting off the season behind. Hope this finds you all well and happy.</span><br />
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Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-35607010524858513542012-12-27T10:48:00.002-06:002012-12-27T10:55:20.941-06:00Well, I'm Finally Done Baking for a While...<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well, the Christmas rush has passed and I can finally slow down on my baking. I’m just loving my new mixer and I hope this cooking stuff is something I will continue and it’s not just a phase I’m going thru. I tend to do that a lot. This was my last baking project until February. The snowflakes above were for a cake I made to take home to my family on the day we did our Christmas meal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> I don’t know how many of you saw the Christmas issue of Southern Living, but it had the most beautiful cake on the cover! So I decided to put my limited skills to work and try to make the cake. It took me four nights after work to get everything ready for this thing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I cut fondant snowflakes and dusted them with glitter… Lined the base with candy pearls….</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">De-seeded two pints of raspberry filling to go between the layers…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The white layers are flavored with the best vanilla I could find and I made my first buttercream icing. It’s not quiiiiiiite as pretty as the Southern Living one, but I think it came out pretty good for an amateur. It was definitely a learning experience. And, it tasted good too!</span></div>
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Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-2213473467826829302012-12-20T07:23:00.002-06:002012-12-20T07:23:23.108-06:00**IMPORTANT** Challenge! :-)<div style="text-align: center;">
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I’ve been busy as a one legged man in a butt kicking contest this past two weeks! I’ve baked hundreds of cookies made countless amounts of candy and I’m now I’m baking cakes. Whew! My back has been giving me fits too. Who would have ever thought baking was harder work than gardening?! I’m most likely not doing another post until after New Year’s Day. That being said I wanted to tell you something.</div>
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I sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. These are the special times that we will remember for the rest of our lives. It is a time to be spent with family and friends in good cheer with happy spirits. Never let the chance go by to tell the ones you love just how much you care about them and how special they are to you. None of us are promised tomorrow, so tell them today. I think we sometimes assume they just “know it.” I’m suggesting you to tell them. So here is my challenge to you. I want you to call 5 people every day from now until Christmas morning to tell them you love them. Tell them, you called for no other reason than to tell them you love them, they are special to you and you just felt the desire to let them know! I further ask that you tell your other blogging friends that don’t come to my site to do the same thing. And please do not feel you have to link back to my blog when you do it. This is all about making a small but major difference in five people’s lives you know each day. Blogging is a powerful way to communicate with a lot of people all over the place. Let us see just how much love we can spread between now and Christmas! </div>
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Will you join me? Merry Christmas everyone! </div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-7300562249812730722012-12-10T09:11:00.001-06:002012-12-10T09:38:30.250-06:00What a Mess...<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For over a week now I’ve been itching to get out in the garden and get some cleaning done. It was just an absolute disaster with all the leaves that have fallen. I knew if I didn’t get them up this weekend it was only going to get worse. Just look at this mess!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I did manage to get a few of them raked up in the dark Friday night… </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Almost seven hours later things are looking a lot better. After raking all the leaves up I had to shred them, there were just too many. I started bagging them to save them for mulch, but it just became more work than I wanted to deal with for now. Normally I would just spread them back in the beds, unfortunately there is just still too much clean up to do in them at this point. Not to mention the beds are full of leaves as well and I’ve always heard it’s not good to just leave the whole leafs laying there. It makes a tight mat of them over the winter and they don’t decompose as well. I’ll clean up the beds in a couple of weeks and rake again and I will still have plenty of leaves for mulch. I have 19 understory trees planted in the garden and a Curly Willow and they are starting to get some good size on them. Throw in the trees from the neighbors and it is a lot of leaves. I just couldn’t wait any longer I had to do something. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">While I was walking around and cleaning up I couldn’t help but notice there were a fair amount of blooms. Even if they are tattered and weathered they're still present. Here’s my Grandmothers camellia I planted only as a little 6 inch cutting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The roses are still hanging on… </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8261394188/" title="DSC05412F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05412F" height="388" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8493/8261394188_7cf8f0255d.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8260325319/" title="DSC05418F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05418F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8203/8260325319_ffc889b4cc.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8261393900/" title="DSC05420F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05420F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8223/8261393900_ff551d5f53.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8260324333/" title="DSC05452F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05452F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8077/8260324333_b365dc4eb8.jpg" width="500" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Italian Jasmine is still blooming…</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8260325411/" title="DSC05416F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05416F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8484/8260325411_b47bce6157.jpg" width="392" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The last of the coneflowers are fading among the wire ring that helps supports them when they are in full bloom…</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8261393778/" title="DSC05423F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05423F" height="352" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8201/8261393778_6d1206da99.jpg" width="500" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mid December and there is still plenty of interest in the garden… </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8261393688/" title="DSC05424F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05424F" height="373" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8071/8261393688_a80d0f5a2b.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8261393566/" title="DSC05439F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05439F" height="432" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8496/8261393566_6abf0ea93f.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8261393408/" title="DSC05442F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05442F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8080/8261393408_e213ec3a6e.jpg" width="500" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Lions stand sentinel at the entrance of the garden wall… </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8261393152/" title="DSC05445F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05445F" height="367" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8198/8261393152_999a0c7b4f.jpg" width="500" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I’m going to do some work on this area, but I’m undecided at the minute just what it is. I have a few ideas. The grass just refuses to grow lately and it looks unattractive to me. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8261393294/" title="DSC05444F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05444F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8485/8261393294_0d0fc556fd.jpg" width="500" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The next project is clean up all the beds and gets the feeders ready for the birds. I didn’t get a single Goldfinch last year. I hope this year is not a repeat of the same. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8261392954/" title="DSC05453F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05453F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8482/8261392954_8d0d711945.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-68997361935988434762012-12-06T10:59:00.000-06:002012-12-06T11:36:17.865-06:00Holiday Cacti<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh, how I do love a beautiful Christmas cactus. I bet there is not a single one of us that doesn’t remember some elderly woman from our childhood that had a massive plant full of gorgeous blooms in December. Nothing brings color to your home the way these stunning flowers do.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8247918349/" title="DSC05381F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05381F" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8058/8247918349_178d7faf96.jpg" width="500" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This fuchsia color is the one that's so familiar to me. It’s the one reminiscent of the plant at Mrs. Parker’s house. She was a neighbor two houses down that inspired my love of gardening. We shared the same last name, but were not related.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8247918507/" title="DSC05366F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05366F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8204/8247918507_5a18274ac9.jpg" width="416" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The cacti come in so many incredible colors now. You can find them in red, pink, fuchsia, white, orange and salmon like the color of the one below. They’re even in bi-colors now. Amazing how we can progress over the years. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8247918443/" title="DSC05375F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05375F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8345/8247918443_b6c16cf8a2.jpg" width="407" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There is only one problem with my lovely Christmas Cacti, neither one of them is a Christmas cactus. They’re all Thanksgiving cacti. If you asked me about this two days ago I would have had no clue, but now I can tell the difference from the shape of the leaves. You can see in the photo below my cactus has pinnacle-like protrusions at various points along the leaf segments. This is a characteristic of the Thanksgiving cactus. Very often this time of year they are sold in stores and even some nurseries as a Christmas cactus. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8248985948/" title="DSC05348F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05348F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8069/8248985948_4aac3c36b4.jpg" width="426" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I thought for this post I would teach you how to recognize the difference between Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter Cacti. No, it’s not your Christmas cactus blooming at the wrong time of the year. That’s what I’ve believed all of my life. There are three different types. Since I only have the Thanksgiving cactus, I made an attempt at drawing you some pictures. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hopefully they are good enough that you can tell the distinct difference between the leaf patterns. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let’s start with the Thanksgiving Cactus or <em>Schlumbergera truncata</em>. I could care less about the Latin names of plants, but I know it’s important to a lot of readers so I’m going to include them in the description. But then again, if you know the Latin names you already know that there are three different holiday cacti and this post is useless to you. Anyway, I digress… The Thanksgiving cactus can be easily recognized by the little points along the stem segments. Neither of the other two have this distinctive trait. This plant blooms a full month before the Christmas cactus and can also bloom a second time between March and May. The branches have a more upright pattern and so do the flowers. It’s as if they are saying look at me! They’re available in a number of colors.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8249046680/" title="DSC05389FF by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05389FF" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8350/8249046680_76f6d2b543.jpg" width="348" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This second illustration is the Christmas cactus a.k.a. <em>Schlumbergera x buckleyi</em>. The leaf is elongated and has no points along the edges. The stem segments have wide, scalloped edges and both they and the flowers hang like pendulums. The blooms are magenta in color and are the ones most of us remember from Christmases past. (Yes, I know my bloom isn't magenta, but I only have so many colored pencils.) These are very long living plants and could even be passed from one generation to the next if given appropriate care. You won’t find these in stores very often because they don’t bloom quick enough to capture everyone’s attention in the early shopping and decorating rush. Most times you acquire this plant from friends and relatives. I’ll be looking for one now! BTW, it also blooms twice a year at a slightly later time than the Thanksgiving one. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8249046760/" title="DSC05391FF by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05391FF" height="328" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8478/8249046760_7e16db6dc3.jpg" width="500" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The third drawing is of the Easter cactus or <em>Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri</em>. This cactus has more of an oval shape to the leaves with multiple, small scallops around the edge. It also has soft bristles that grow from the end of the leaves and at the base of each segment. The stem segments are also a lighter green in color and not shiny like the other two. The flowers are a completely different shape from the Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus. In addition, they come in a variety of colors and may have multiple blooms on one leaf. When in bloom they put on quite a show, but this only happens once a year (in April) about Easter. These plants are more difficult to grow and can have a terrible habit of shedding their stem segments.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8249053536/" title="DSC05390FF by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05390FF" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8207/8249053536_2229d75c08.jpg" width="366" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Okay, great. Now we know the difference, so how are we going to remember it when we get in the stores? This is how I’m going to do it. Look at the picture while you read this, it may help. The Thanksgiving cactus has teeth on the leaves. We use our teeth a LOT when we eat at thanksgiving. The Christmas cactus has scallops on the leaves that are large and round just like Santa Claus. The Easter cactus has leaves shaped similar to an egg and whiskers like a rabbit. That’s how I’m going to remember it. All of these plants will really thrive and not suffer from bud drop if kept outside in a shaded place from spring through fall. They love the fresh air and dappled sunlight. Hope you learned something. :0) I know I did. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8248978285/" title="Collage by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="Collage" height="289" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8349/8248978285_d484f147c1.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-56795537565050525432012-12-02T07:52:00.001-06:002012-12-02T07:56:38.770-06:00My Apologies<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8237048467/" title="Double-heart-graphic by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="Double-heart-graphic" height="317" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8348/8237048467_1fc2d57660.jpg" width="432" /></a>
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This weekend I was contacted by a reader that was nice enough to drop me a line through my email address and inform me she was unable to post a comment on my blog. Thank you Ms. Barbara! It would seem this entire time my comments have been set so that only people who use blogger could comment. This was never my intentions, I’ve always set my blog so anyone could comment. I believe the problem is now fixed and if any of you have further issues, please contact me and let me know. As you are all aware, feedback is one of the most enjoyable things about blogging. Hope this finds you all having a wonderful day!Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-28685007883789338872012-11-29T07:23:00.002-06:002012-11-29T20:48:43.423-06:00Feeling a Little Like Christmas...<br />
Every year when I drag my Christmas tree out of the attic and remove it from the box I chuckle to myself (and sometimes out loud) and wonder how many more years it can last. My tree is a second hand, second hand tree. It was made somewhere around the year 1955. It originally belonged to my father’s aunt. She decided to get a new tree so she gave it to my parents at some point when I was a child. We had always gone to the woods and cut down a cedar tree every year, two weeks before Christmas. I remember not being very receptive to the idea of a fake tree in the beginning. I never liked change much as a kid, though I’ve learned to welcome it as an adult. My mother kept the tree until about five or six years ago at which point she decided the throw it in the trash and get a new one. It’s been mine since that day and I cherish the little transformation it makes every year. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8228824225/" title="DSC05215F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05215F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8205/8228824225_3dcdd06344.jpg" width="375" /></a> </div>
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I lovingly refer to it as my "Charlie Brown Christmas tree" because every year I put it up; it drops more needles than a real one. My friend Will says, "All you need to do is put a little blue blanket around the base." It reminds me of a fish skeleton when I first assemble it. We’ll leave it to stretch its branches for a minute or two and take a look at the rest of the house.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8228824157/" title="DSC05217F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05217F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8199/8228824157_0bb19d6365.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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This is a new addition to my Christmas decorations this year. It’s a flea market treasure. When I saw it I thought it would be perfect for my dining table. The height is going to wonderfully spread the candle light when I have company over for dinner during December. I have guests coming this weekend, so as it grows closer I’ll snip some greenery and Nandina berries to put in and around the stand at the base.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8227489234/" title="DSC05249F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05249F" height="426" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8227489234_5d0a6a8701.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8226416799/" title="DSC05251F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05251F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8199/8226416799_e13da6e43b.jpg" width="423" /></a> </div>
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When I rescued the tree from the trash heap, I also took several boxes of ornaments that were on their way out. The little colored glass globes were really no longer suitable for the tree because they were faded and the insides have begun to peel. I think it just gives them character and speaks of the fact they have been adored for many years. They were still in the original Elmore’s Five and Dime store boxes. I remember my uncle giving me a dime to shop in there when we made our Saturday morning trip to town over 40 years ago. A dime! Wow... where has the time gone...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8227488716/" title="DSC05259F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05259F" height="348" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8337/8227488716_7c50d96877.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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I filled two crystal vases with gold and silver ones. I also have a huge glass fish that sits on top of the china cabinet my grandmother built filled with pink ones. It was too dark in the house to get a decent picture of it. Where it sits there is very little light and if I used the flash it just washed out all the color anyway.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8226416275/" title="DSC05260F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05260F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8197/8226416275_d0c90d08d7.jpg" width="444" /></a> </div>
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I like to decorate the house with a gold and clear glass theme for Christmas. I never have been one to like bright colors in my home. It’s really kind of strange since I absolutely love a kaleidoscope of colors in the garden. I also prefer to use Father Christmas instead of Santa Clause. This is the first one I was given almost 20 years ago. I also have three others in addition to this one.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8226416159/" title="DSC05267F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05267F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8058/8226416159_75d231862a.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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You can’t see them very well, but in this bowl are the last of my mother’s decoration she bought in 1956. There are so many different shapes and sizes in this little bowl. The designs remind me of the big chrome bumpers on cars from that time period. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8226416033/" title="DSC05269F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05269F" height="321" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8057/8226416033_1fc4a955c6.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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This little tin gold star was on top of our tree for many, many years. It was eventually replaced with a fancy one that would light up and twinkle like the rest of the Christmas lights. You know, the most valuable things I have in my home actually have no monetary worth. This star is one of them…<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8227488322/" title="DSC05270F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05270F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8198/8227488322_0f1b76c327.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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The garland is hung above the door that enters the piano room... <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8227487720/" title="DSC05313F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05313F" height="323" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8061/8227487720_4f4f2378ef.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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I also draped it around the top of the piano. I’ve been given many ornaments as gifts from friends over the years and I hang them here. Also on the piano are two of my reindeer, another item I sort of collect like Father Christmas.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8226415177/" title="DSC05318F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05318F" height="368" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8198/8226415177_89fb478659.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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I didn’t realize until this year that none of my deer have faces. They have no eyes, noses or recognizable facial feature. This was completely by accident. I was once told if you buy things you like, you will unconsciously develop your own personal style. Because all the items you like will have a similar characteristics whether it is immediately visible to you or not. Even if it appears extremely eclectic it will all blend together nicely. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8226415071/" title="DSC05321F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05321F" height="382" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8486/8226415071_3ec2bc9940.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8226414905/" title="DSC05322F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05322F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8198/8226414905_a617427fdb.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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See what a little TLC can do to a Charlie Brown Christmas tree? Amazing what a little love and determination can do. Isn’t it?<br />
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That’s enough of my mindless chatter for one post. :0) Hope this finds you filling with the Christmas spirit and giddy with anticipation of its arrival! <br />
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Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-3490249450740019562012-11-27T08:10:00.000-06:002012-11-27T08:25:57.996-06:00Full Frost Moon<br />
Tomorrow night is the full Frost Moon or Beaver Moon if you are a hunter, time to set your traps before the lakes freeze over. :0) These photos are kind of grainy because my camera was on full zoom. I'm afraid I don't have the luxury of interchangeable lenses. *Sigh* maybe one day. :0) The rain clouds set the mood for some interesting photos even if the moon wasn't completely full.<br />
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Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-6905488097662583822012-11-26T08:40:00.002-06:002012-11-27T08:11:00.784-06:00Thanksgiving Day 2012<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hello everyone! I hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving Day! I spent the actual holiday with friends because my mother planned our dinner on the following Saturday. That means I had three huge dinners last week. I never thought I would say this, but I'm tired of eating! For the dinner with friends I decide to make the dressing. This was my first time attempting it and I've heard all the horror stories about the dry or undercooked dressing so I was a nervous wreck. I called on the matriarchs in my family and I was tickled to death at the outcome. My dressing came out perfect! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We decided we wanted homemade cranberry sauce for the dinner, so I got online to see what I could discover. I found a recipe for Orange Ginger Cranberry sauce. It was so simple to make and so positively delicious. I made some more to take with me to my family dinner on Saturday. I grew up on the canned stuff that you slice, but I can promise you from this point forward I will be making my own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There was a slight amount of stress involved with the Turducken. The directions said to cook it three and a half hours. Well it took seven. Nothing a little liquid sedative and flower picking couldn't handle. The Turducken came out just fine and everyone enjoyed each other's company while we waited. We still managed to sit down to eat at a little over an hour past the scheduled time. That's why you don't wait until the last minute to do things people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And what a lovely table we had to sit down and enjoy our meal. I don't have public pictures to display of the food. I want to respect the privacy of the guests that attended. They were all seated around the table when the photo was taken. I had an absolutely incredible holiday and I hope all of you thoroughly enjoyed yours as well. And yaaaaaaaaaaa! Christmas is just around the corner! </span><br />
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Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-50621334751307669772012-11-19T10:29:00.000-06:002012-11-19T19:27:21.893-06:00Sunday Night Soup<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I’m no tablescape designer by any stretch of the word, but when company comes over for a meal I try to make it a special experience for them no matter what the menu may be. I found a recipe for bean and ham soup on a blog I visited and I thought with the weather cooling down it would be an excellent time to have a few people over for some comfort food.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8199005263/" title="DSC05161F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05161F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8483/8199005263_5c69c34166.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I love soup tureens and I think it’s such a shame people don’t use them anymore. They’re really pretty. I bought one several years ago and I use it to take my next door neighbors soup as a treat in the winter time. They’re elderly and hate getting out in the cold weather. I thought it was a nice idea, but she always says, “Oh, let me dump this in a pot so you can take your pretty bowl back I wouldn’t want anything to happen to it.” Well, my intentions were good anyway… </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have to admit last night the lazy side of me said, oh just leave it in the pot on the stove and dip it out of there. I’ve changed my mentality about that kind of stuff lately, when it comes to meals. I’ve decided to treat myself more often.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I surrounded the tureen with pink and white camellias, pink azaleas and Nandina foliage. I love the leathery green leaves of Nandina, it’s great to use in all sorts of arrangements. I really like the fan shape of the limbs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I thought far enough ahead to sit the butter out to soften this time. I never seem to remember to do it. I knew I would be having cornbread with the soup so I wanted it to be easy to spread. I thought it would add a nice little bit of sparkle to the table in the candle light.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8200097128/" title="DSC05153F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05153F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8343/8200097128_67cb591032.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have two sets of stainless steel flatware in my closet that I now, never use. The silverware that’s been in the closet for years and years I now use every day. I saved it to use for special occasions and guess what? It was never being used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We fill our homes with this gorgeous stuff and say it’s for special occasions and we deprive ourselves of the pleasure of using it. Not me, not anymore I’m using mine. I have very, very fine Italian china that’s been boxed up for years in the closet. It’s in my cabinet now and I ate lasagna off of it Friday night. After all it is Italian and if I break a piece, I’ll get another one from Ebay or Replacements.com</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The dishes I used last night are from the 40’s. The pattern is called ‘Sayonora” and it’s by Nasco. See the little people sitting on the bank watching the person in the boat leave? I’m sure there is a larger story to this pattern but I’ve never found it. I discovered most of these Asian patterns tell a story. I'm certain the majority of you are familiar with the legend of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow_pattern" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">‘Blue Willow’</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My guest list decreased from 6 down to three before the night was over, but I was okay with that. It actually freed up more room on my small table for the bread and a couple of candlesticks. Something about the dancing flames of a candles just completes the mood for any dinner. Don’t you think so?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The original recipe for the bean soup turned out to be extremely bland in my opinion. I thought it was some great recipe that had been circulating online and it turns out it’s just the one on the back of the bag of dried beans. Here’s the Ham and Bean recipe Randy style: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><strong><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sausage and Bean Soup </span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1- 1lb. bag of assorted dried soup beans</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 quarts of water </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1lb. of smoked pork sausage links cut into 1 inch sections<o:p></o:p> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 large onion, diced </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 crushed cloves of garlic </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1- 16oz. can of diced tomatoes </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 large can of tomato paste </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The juice and pulp of 1 lemon </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4 tbsp. of good Chili powder </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Soak the beans in water overnight and cook on medium for several hours until done. I can’t give you an exact time because I started in a crock pot and ended up in a pot on the stove. But it took a loooooooooog time. Next time I’ll just find out what kind of beans are in that bag and buy them canned. I just knew for sure we were going to eat crunch soup, but they finally got fit to be eaten. I added ground red pepper to my bowl and it was really good.</span><br />
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Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-53468814815391329512012-11-14T08:39:00.002-06:002012-11-14T09:02:49.496-06:00AG's Garden and the Beach...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One of the highlights of my trip to Florida was meeting a gentleman that answers to the name A.G. We were invited to his house for cocktails, while we watched the sun set on the beach. He was such a gracious host and he has such a beautiful place. Immediately when you pull up to the front of his abode it’s very obvious that you are about to enter the home of an avid gardener. The outside wall that hides his secret garden is lush with tropical plants. He welcomed us into his fabulous home where we were greeted with the sound of New Age music and the smell of incense. I knew from that instant, I was going to enjoy my time spent in his company. I was later told the incense and music was intended as a joke. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do know comedic intentions or not it was right up my alley.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8184920589/" title="DSC05095F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05095F" height="361" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8483/8184920589_a17bf11f88.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We were only there long enough to freshen up our drinks before I asked permission to see his garden and to take a few photographs. He happily obliged and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>led us into the first of two courtyards. His garden was filled with crinum, plumeria, climbing fig, thunbergia and trees of all kinds just laden with fruit. I thought to myself, how wonderful it would be to walk outside in the morning and pluck your breakfast from a tree. Ones that immediately caught my eye were the key limes, satsumas and Myers lemons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8184956888/" title="DSC05097F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05097F" height="384" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8208/8184956888_d25fb5fd70.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The garden alleys and pathways were punctuated with awesome statuary like this one of Venus. Any of you that have seen my garden know I am a sucker for statues of goddesses. This is 'Venus De Milo'. He also has ‘Venus Italica’ by Canova and thought it would be really neat if he got ‘Birth of Venus’ to add to his collection. Some how the sea shell seems so appropriate since he's right on the beach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Birds of Paradise and sun symbols were in plenty…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Different versions of Green Man A.K.A. Leaf Man dot the wall and decorate fountains around the garden. He’s the symbol of rebirth, resurrection and a guardian of nature.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8184956598/" title="DSC05102F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05102F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8205/8184956598_b9cee08e02.jpg" width="350" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8184956484/" title="DSC05103F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05103F" height="348" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8478/8184956484_dd4293ab65.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8184920029/" title="DSC05105F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05105F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8208/8184920029_98a0e6dec0.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After a tour of the garden it was time to trot across the street to the beach and watch the sunset. I think the pictures speak for themselves…</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8184956268/" title="DSC05121F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05121F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8487/8184956268_0b9f431810.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8184919803/" title="DSC05127F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05127F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8339/8184919803_59545ae3cc.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8184956072/" title="DSC05133F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05133F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8482/8184956072_546138f43e.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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It was a wonderful eveing and I sincerely enjoyed A.G.'s company, I regret the time passed so fast. </div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-4686193885861364642012-11-09T12:08:00.001-06:002012-11-14T08:51:52.169-06:00Eden Gardens<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8158706488/" title="DSC05081F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05081F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8066/8158706488_ef250c517c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This stunning home was built in 1897 by William Henry Wesley. It’s located on the Tucker Bayou near Santa Rosa Beach. Mr. Wesley owned sawmills on the bayou where he cut and distributed pine all over the United States. He used the same pine to build this home. Cypress and juniper were also used in its construction. The photos you see now are post renovation in 1963.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8158708272/" title="DSC05047F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05047F" height="368" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7112/8158708272_a3a0b92a0a.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Just look at this gorgeous entry to the property…</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8158708674/" title="DSC05046F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05046F" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7249/8158708674_01c4e5244e.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Who wouldn’t love to have a picnic under these spectacular old oaks? Some are over 600 years old. If they could only talk, imagine what they would have to say. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8158709060/" title="DSC05043F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05043F" height="367" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8340/8158709060_55daca5916.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is the way the house looked when it was originally built. Please excuse the glare on the glass. I found better photos online, but I wanted to use the one I took. The roofline was different and so were the columns and cupola. It started off with a more Victorian feel to it. Mr. Wesley was survived by his wife who lived here until she died in 1953. The house stayed empty for 10 years and fell into disrepair. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In 1963 Ms. Lois Genevieve Maxon found the house and couldn’t bear to see it in such shape. She purchased the house for $12,500.00 then turned around and spent an additional 1 million dollars to renovate it. People we are talking the 60’s that was an even bigger chunk of change than it is now. Ms. Maxon wanted a fitting place to display her families beautiful antiques. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8158724543/" title="DSC05042 by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05042" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8068/8158724543_2be29d9241.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When I entered the house I have to say I really expected something a little more on the staircase. These homes usually have such grand ones. When you consider the original style of the house I suppose it’s appropriate.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8158707974/" title="DSC05049F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05049F" height="372" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8063/8158707974_81423783bb.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This house contains the second largest collection of original Louis the XVI furniture in the United States. The upholstery is fab-u-lous. I would never have anything like this in my house, but you have to admire the work that must have gone into making it. You know I take that back, I might would try to find a way to work it in…</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8158707718/" title="DSC05052F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05052F" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7108/8158707718_9fc4d9365a.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This gas light was converted to use electricity… Just look at the gorgeous metal work. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05057F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8208/8158707254_73bbb13c78.jpg" width="418" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was lucky enough to get a private tour of the house and I want to say thanks very much to a friend for that. I believe I was told this was Ms. Maxon’s bedroom. Oddly enough she never married. You would think with all that money eligible bachelors would be beating down her doors, but then again that may be the very reason she never wed. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8158675931/" title="DSC05062F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05062F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8341/8158675931_32237b4c0e.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ms. Maxon wanted everyone to enjoy her home, even when it was her private residence. She asked members of the local garden club to please give tours of her home 2 days of the week so others could enjoy the beauty it had to offer. She was a newspaper woman by trade, when people came for the tours she would take her typewriter and graciously scurry up the stairs to the landing of the cupola to work. She didn’t want to be in the way of the visitors. I went up there and I was positively dying to go out on the widows walk on the roof. Alas, it was not allowed… What a view that would have been!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8169689995/" title="DSC05066F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05066F" height="436" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8204/8169689995_c88cb1918a.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The estate has a wonderful garden as well. I’m assuming Ms. Maxon was a big fan of camellias because she planted over 100 different species of them on the grounds. Along with the camellias there are also several beautiful sculptures. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8158675205/" title="DSC05083F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05083F" height="484" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7250/8158675205_915b5c9c22.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ms. Maxon only lived in her beloved house for 5 years. On Christmas Eve in 1968 she, in the grandest gesture of generosity I’ve ever heard of made a multi-million dollar donation to the people of Florida. She gave her home and all the antiques in it to the state. She lived another 15 years after that and died in April of 1983. Wow…</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8158674983/" title="DSC05088F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="DSC05088F" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7132/8158674983_0c04beda28.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div>
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Next up, A. G.'s garden and the beach...</div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-56327049011136012972012-11-07T07:27:00.001-06:002012-11-07T07:43:36.196-06:00Yay! I've Been Nominated!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8158709646/" title="DSC05023F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05023F" height="318" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7258/8158709646_8a91438271.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Sharon over at <a href="http://lakelandsharonsgarden.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Lazy Womans Garden</a> nominated me for the Beautiful Bloggers award last week and I was supposes to participate in my next post. Well, it completely slipped my mind so I want to do my part before I continued about my trip to Eden Gardens. I think this is a fun idea and I don’t know why more bloggers don’t like to participate. I’m suppose to tell you seven things about myself that you probably don’t know and pick my favorite bloggers to nominate. So here we go with my seven did you knows about me. <br />
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1. Ten years ago I had a blind date with a movie/television star and we are still friends. It was three months before I even knew he was famous. I found out half way through a bologna sandwhich at lunch one day when I saw him on TV.<br />
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2. I have 48 nephews and nieces. <br />
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3. I once cleaned a live cheetah’s teeth, his name was Emmit. His fur felt like one of those coconut fiber door mats and he had the biggest claws I've ever seen.<br />
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4. I nearly drowned in a River when I was about 13. I got caught in an eddy and couldn't get out. I saw my life flash before my eyes and the white light. I still don't swim any more and I will never get in a river again past my ankles.<br />
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5. My best friend married a man named Randy and that is also her son’s name. <br />
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6. I met my other best friend 21 years ago when I attacked her in a doctor administered drug induced blackout, while in the hospital with a kidney stone. I thought she was copping a feel while taking my x-ray; we are still very best friends to this day. <br />
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7. I don’t mind handling snakes, but I refuse to pick up one of those little green lizards or those nasty little rain frogs. <br />
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Now for my nominations… pretty much everyone’s blog I read on a regular basis has chosen not to participate in memes or awards so I’m not nominating. What I am doing is inviting everyone that reads this post to participate and ask that you come back and place the web address to your post in my comments. I’d love to know more about you and I think this is a fun way to do it! Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-45069473093110998232012-11-05T08:41:00.002-06:002012-11-14T08:49:04.612-06:00Blooming 11/05/12<br />
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The Camellias have never bloomed as well or as early as they have this year. My shrubs aren’t that old so they aren’t very large but they are just loaded with blooms. This camellia is named ‘Mine No Yuki’ and it was renamed to ‘White Doves’ when it was brought to the United States. I think I actually like the name ‘White Doves’ better. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8157638772/" title="DSC04998F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC04998F" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/8157638772_5c6b3c7b86.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I have two of these in the garden planted in a triangle patter with a third one that’s pink. If I had known the white was going to be so gorgeous I never would have thrown that pink one in there. They don’t bloom at the same time and three of the white would look much better. I found them marked down drastically at Lowes, so that’s how the pink found a home. It’s one of those decisions you make and then rethink at a later time. I would buy a third one to replace ‘Crimson Candles’, but they grow so slow it would take forever to catch up to the other two. If it gets to bothering me bad enough I might just concede and purchase a more expensive larger plant. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8157638716/" title="DSC05002F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05002F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8062/8157638716_30c7fc100a.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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I’ve purchased several re-blooming irises, but of all the ones I have/had (I’ve lost a lot of them the past two years) ‘Autumn Tryst’ never fails to give me blooms in the fall. I may dig it up and spread it around a little so I can have it in different areas of the garden. I really hope I don’t lose any more of them. I had some gorgeous, very expensive irises that have fallen victim to this weird weather the past couple of years.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8157638618/" title="DSC05004F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05004F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8059/8157638618_97900a0d17.jpg" width="387" /></a> </div>
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While I was walking around I spied a single spike of brilliant blue among the dead Blackeyed Susans. The contrast was so intense it was just begging me to take its picture. I know it’s just a single blue spike, but it called out to me. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8157638518/" title="DSC05010F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05010F" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7112/8157638518_120d206269.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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‘The Fairy’ is putting out one last flush for me before the cold weather hits. This rose is really in a bad spot even thought its performing well. The poor thing is hidden by a host of other plants.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8157605925/" title="DSC05015F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05015F" height="348" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7262/8157605925_bb09ba7247.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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I went away for the weekend and took lots of pictures so I’ll be putting them up in more than one post. The first post will be about another Eden I visited. Eden Gardens on the Tucker Bayou, I'll have the post up in a couple of days. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8157605829/" title="DSC05080F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05080F" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8063/8157605829_7c000a81c1.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-64948727493705670802012-10-30T13:29:00.000-05:002012-11-14T08:48:13.787-06:00Halloween is Upon Us!<div style="text-align: left;">
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Recently I made a pact with myself to spend more time enjoying the holidays, all holidays, not just the big ones. With Halloween just around the corner, I thought it would be nice to put a theme to this month’s supper club. I’ve never really been one to appreciate all the “cute-sie” decorations so this is my version of a Halloween dinner.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8116044737/" title="IMG_0337F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0337F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8056/8116044737_f629ff0d96.jpg" width="375" /></a> </div>
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Once a month we have a group of people that get together for a supper club. The evening usually starts off with a cocktail hour followed by dinner. The host provides the meat and the other members bring the complimenting sides. It’s just a small group and we had a really nice time. This was our week to host so Colvin and I wanted to put a little Halloween spin on it. Everything in the room was done for fewer than 20 dollars and I think it came out pretty well. Not all the decorations are shown, but below are pictures of some of them. I apologize up front for the quality of the photos. I left my camera at the house and these were all taken with my phone. The first photo is of the bar covered in spider webs dotted with a few creepy crawlies.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8116054324/" title="IMG_0342F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0342F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8332/8116054324_0c9530cc91.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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For the table arrangement I used a mercury glass vase with dead limbs from a little oak in the backyard. I topped it off with a few pine cones and then attached three crows from the Dollar Tree. Also from the Dollar Tree, a couple of rats, a few spiders sprinkled around the base, throw in two un-polished silver candlesticks and voila. You have a Halloween centerpiece. I love the aged look of the candlesticks with the mercury glass. I thought it came out very well. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8116044683/" title="IMG_0338F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0338F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8189/8116044683_062e25e904.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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I also discovered this neat little idea too. The little plastic rings make wonderful charms for stemmed glassware. Stick on a couple of decals and you have perfectly decorated glasses for the occasion. I suppose you could do the same for any holiday. I love the little skull and cross bones on the martini glasses! </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8116054480/" title="IMG_0340F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0340F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8332/8116054480_23446d5494.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8116054396/" title="IMG_0341F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0341F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8185/8116054396_5376bb1cfe.jpg" width="375" /></a> </div>
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The menu: </div>
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Broiled Barbque Porkchops with Mango Ginger Chutney </div>
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Pear and Roasted Pecan Coleslaw </div>
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Dirty Cajun Rice </div>
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Pumpkin Cheesecake </div>
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Two people were missing from our group, but we sent them a member’s only video clip of the dinner while they were in New York. Hope everyone has a great Halloween!<br />
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P. S. I've been nominated for an award by <a href="http://lakelandsharonsgarden.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">'The Lazy Womans Garden'</a> and I'll list the seven things about me in the next post. :0)</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8116044281/" title="IMG_0347F by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0347F" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8328/8116044281_e9b8a93e04.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939295774182782699.post-77309917598226779492012-10-19T09:39:00.005-05:002012-11-14T08:47:48.923-06:00No Words Just Wings...<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33548884@N08/8076790474/" title="Gulf Fritillary by hismineours1, on Flickr"><img alt="Gulf Fritillary" height="401" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8332/8076790474_68cedd328c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840964031964028578noreply@blogger.com4