Saturday, June 23, 2007

Flower Power

Look what's blooming today! This photo (right) shows the largest bloom of our "Texas Choice" daylilies. Isn't it amazing? And, it has a lovely fragrance, too...which is unusual for such a large daylily. Thomas said this is definitely his favorite! It's planted under a platform bird feeder, in front of the fence on the side of our house...across from our bedroom window. We got these plants our second summer here (2004) from the Wine Country Gardens, aka "The Daylily Farm," in Defiance, MO (where Mom and I went this past week). In '04, we also bought a variety called "Chicago Comanche," which should be blooming very soon...it's planted by the mailbox, and I noticed yesterday that it was loaded with buds. I'll post pics of it, too.

Here is a photo (left) of one of our first purchases called "Dad's Best White." I had just watered this morning, so you can see the droplets. Isn't it a beauty? At present, it's in a temporary location, just off the deck...outside of the kitchen door. But, it seems to be happy, doesn't it?

And, this one (left) shows a beautiful bloom on what we assumed were Wayside Orange daylilies, (the ones that Thomas rescued from the creekbed behind our back fence and transplanted to the opposite side of our yard). Obviously, it's NOT the same as the other "rescues!" I've given it the name "Rescued Me" until I can figure out what it's true name is...

As you can tell, the flowers of Summer have arrived right along with the actual change of season this past week. It's already hot and humid on most days, making it difficult to work outside much past 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. for me. Thomas is a brave soul, though, as he is tackling rose and hedge trimming today. We had a brief (maybe...2 minutes, tops) rainshower earlier...less than an hour after I had finished watering, of course. And, the weather report calls for more rain to follow...we can use it, for sure, but that will probably make it even more humid. We're hoping for a respite this evening so that we can cook out on the grill and enjoy a fresh peach daiquiri on the deck...yum! At least, that's our current plan...

Here's one more shot of 3 beautiful "Texas Choice" blossoms...enjoy!

Friday, June 22, 2007

Kissin' Cousins

We had some visitors last week...Mom's first cousin, Jim and his wife Jo. Don't they all look wonderful?! We were so thrilled that they put us on their route, as we sometimes feel like we are so far out-of-the-way for friends and family to visit. It's just something about having to cross both the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers to find us...! We feel so remote from our Southeastern roots!

Mom said she felt like taking a little "day trip" this week, so we went to the Daylily Fest at the Wine Country Gardens in Defiance. We had such a lovely day! We strolled through the sales area, where most of the potted-up daylilies were in bloom...or getting there. Then, we had lunch on the Terrace, overlooking a lovely sloped area, planted in grapes. And, finally, we got one of the golf carts and zipped through the three acres of planted daylilies. Most of these had bloomed, but we enjoyed seeing some of the most interesting varieties still in full bloom, including the unusual "Firestorm." As my birthday is around the corner, Mom bought me 3 pots of a new variety called "Sir Mordred," which hasn't yet bloomed this year. The plant-tag picture shows a deep maroon/purple flower, which should look nice in the front flower bed, near the Japanese Maple tree. Can't wait for it to bloom!

Wine Country Gardens has been a destination for Thomas and me on my July birthday every year since we moved here. We have purchased 1-4 varieties each year and are now benefiting from those purchases. Last year, we bought one called "Christmas Is," which was in bloom this week at the Gardens when Mom and I visited. I hope it will bloom for us here soon! Here's a photo (right)of a variety called "Rose Emily" we bought and planted in 2004. It's in the back yard, located near the back fence, between a bird feeder on its right and a buddleia ("butterfly bush") on its left. This is its second year to bloom for us, and it is a beautiful rose color with lemon yellow centers.

Then, here's a photo (left) of one of our 2006 purchases, "Blanche Brown," which has just bloomed in its temporary location near the back door. It's a lovely light yellow with an unusual burgundy center, as you can see in the picture. I'm thinking it might go very well if paired with the new Sir Mordred...once I actually see Sir M's color, that is. BB is now blooming right along side one called "Dad's Best White," which was our first purchase from the Gardens back in 2003. It's a creamy white color, and we will probably divide and relocate the divisions in front of the tall "wayside" orange daylilies that Thomas rescued from the creekbed behind our fence last year, where they weren't receiving the proper amount of sunlight in order to spur blooming. They are now huge...and blooming profusely (as shown in the photo of our new footbridge), obviously happy where are now growing. What is the saying? "Bloom where you are planted." Appropriate, eh?






Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Wonderful Wednesday

Rolled outta bed at 6:13 this morning...feeling great! Ever had one of those mornings, when you've had a good night's sleep, and you can't wait to get going? Well, this was one of those!

First things first: coffee and cereal on the deck, where I enjoyed the birds and the squirrels. I'm on a mission to get a photo of this huge Blue Jay that partakes of our Bird Buffet several times each day. So I have my camera ready...but he's too quick/smart for me...and I take a lot of random pics. Can you tell what this photo is? We have one of those "face feeders" on the oak tree in the back yard, and I snapped this squirrel just after he (she?) had snatched a mouthful of seeds from the mouth of the Tree Feeder. Doesn't he look like he's saying "HEY?!"
After such a good start to my day, I really revved it up. I watered the front and back yards, and all the new plants that went into pots on-and-around the front porch over the weekend. The transplanted daylilies and irises around the new pond seem to be doing OK, but I can't say the same for the rose bush...it's looking "poorly." I made sure the rest of the roses got a good drenching with the soaker hose...and I just couldn't resist cutting a few (two Midas Touch buds, which are opening to the most beautiful golden yellow; several of the deep red buds; and, a couple of the First Prize pink buds), to join the first Shasta Daisies in a bud vase on the breakfast table. Is there anything more beautiful than roses and daisies together?

The garden got a good, long drink, too, which made it easy to plant a couple of eggplant (plants?)...by special request from Mom...and the remainder of the beans and lettuce...the first planting of both became bunny food, I guess. Pulled some weeds and then picked another round of yellow squash (does that make 15 so far?) and one more zucchini (still one shy of enough for zucchini bread). After that it was time to pot some more plants for the deck: Patio, cherry, and grape tomatoes...jalapeno, chili, and ornamental peppers...basil, oregano, and two varieties of parsley...all have new homes now. I'm using Bonnie Plants in the peat pots almost exclusively this year. I like the fact that you don't have a plastic pot to throw away, but the wrapper on the peat pot has a design flaw: it won't let go!

All of this before noon! Fortunately I had made up a big pitcher of iced tea 'cause I downed a quart after working outside all morning...ahhhh! A shower, some lunch, and I was ready to do some work in my office...inside...in the air conditioning, with a ceiling fan on "high." A trip to the P.O. and then the grocery this afternoon...a nice chicken salad for supper...the "indoor/outdoor" version of the game of "gimme that toy" with Gus and Elmo (of course, Duchess acts like she doesn't want to play...), and now I can relax with Baby Kimono #1, started last night.

What a wonderful Wednesday it has been!

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Sweater Complete

Woo-hoo! I finished this one-button green sweater last night! I had purchased a Nicky Knits kit at Hobby Lobby a while ago...bought it because I liked the color (a sage green) of the 100% mercerized yarn (which I had never knitted with), and because the kit was half-price (always a winner!), although I knew I wouldn't knit it up like the pattern suggested (of course not!). I modified (of course!) a Lion Brand pattern for a One-Button sweater, only knitting the pattern into the lower portion of the sweater and the sleeves. Then, when Maredith and I went to Knit, the yarn shop in Charleston, SC, while we were on vacation, I found the beautiful shell-like button I wanted to use. The pattern is rated as "easy," which is what I like when I'm traveling and knitting (which I did with this one), although I used a three-needle bind-off to join the shoulder seams for the first time, so I got to practice something new...always a plus. While it came out even better than I had expected, it is still quite roomy, with extra-long sleeves. And, yes, I checked my gauge with this one, too! We'll see what it looks like after that first spin in the wash/dry cycle...

Next up on the needles: matching baby kimonos for twin boys born on Easter Sunday. I bought this yarn at Island Knits in Pawleys Island, while on vacation, and I'm using a pattern I found in one of Maredith's knitting magazines. They should go quickly...she said hopefully...

Monday, June 11, 2007

The Bridge is Built

Hooray! Look what Thomas did this weekend!! The bridge is built, as are the newly-reworked pond and waterfall below it. Just what I've always wanted: a foot-bridge...and a pond...and waterfall...just like this. Oh, I can't stop looking at it...taking pictures of it...walking out on it, coffee cup in hand, leaning over the railing, pausing to look at the fish. Well, that last part is only practice, 'cause we haven't actually added the fish to the pond just yet. That comes next, along with some stain and paint to seal the wood, and some mulch and smaller stones on the ground to help hide the pond liner, etc. But don't you just love it? As you can probably tell from the photo, Thomas transplanted some of the daylilies, irises, and roses, so it looks like the bridge has been there for a couple of seasons already. In this picture, Elmo is "peeping" around the right side, coming back from his early morning patrol for squirrels and rabbits along the fence line. He hasn't attempted to cross the bridge yet...nor, has Duchess.

But, Mr. Gus certainly has! He ventured across the bridge...and took a little rest mid-bridge, even before it had been completed!! He's so brave...as shown in this photo.

As you can probably tell about the bridge, Thomas incorporated copper pipes as balusters, just like he did on the deck. And, he capped the end-posts with the copper end-caps, which give it a finished look, don't you think? He took the original "plan" and gave it the little rise in the center, so that you get the sensation of an arch when crossing, but "fixed" the railings to be flat, to give it a more pleasing appearance. My contribution has been to attach the decking boards with deck screws, just like I did on the deck three years ago...and, I'll get out the paint/stain and get to work soon.

Speaking of painting...I want to paint our new front door this week. We had a Jeld-Wen 3/4 Lite "Mission Prairie Glass Design" door and side light, along with a new black storm door installed recently, and we need to paint both the inside (white, to match the interior moulding) and outside (a high gloss black, like ones we saw in England) of the door and frame in order to finish that project. We've got company coming next weekend for a visit (Mom's first cousin, Jim Stewart and wife, Jo, from Ooltewah, TN). Looks like I'd better get my painting duds on!

Meanwhile, here's another picture of the bridge, pond, and waterfall (above, from the back of the yard, looking toward the rose bed)...along with a picture of how the garden is growing (below...squash to the forefront, tomatoes to the rear, with the puny peppers in the middle). Enjoy!





Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Life's a Beach!

We've just returned from our recent trip to the beach...Pawleys Island, SC via Charleston...possibly our most-favorite family vacation spot. No matter where we've lived, we always seem to return to this general area when we need to play in the sand and surf and soak up some history. We started going to the Litchfield Resort when we moved from NC to Ohio back in '90 and fell in love with it. Our time in NC had taught us that most folks from the Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem area headed to the Myrtle Beach, SC, area when they wanted to go to the beach. Seemed odd because NC has beautiful beaches, too. But, we found that Myrtle was just a bit more commercialized than we wanted to contend with...on vacation. So, we began to spend a week each summer about 30 miles south on Highway 17...and a complete world apart from Myrtle.

Pawleys Island is said to have been one of the first "vacation" retreats in this country, serving as an escape from the heat and humidity of the interior rice and indigo plantations for the planter famlies. And even though Hurricane Hugo devastated several of the beachfront properties on the Island, there are still many Arrogantly Shabby homes from 100-150 years ago, in the National Historic zone! As a matter of fact, that's probably one of the reasons we feel so at home here...there is so little pretense. While I can't even begin to list the changes that have happened in the few years it has been since we were there last, thankfully most of them were good ones.

We took a Shelling and Lighthouse Boat Cruise on the Carolina Rover out of Georgetown, SC, enjoying a wonderful 3-hour tour to North Island. We collected what we thought were conch shells, but learned later from the guide that we actually had whelks. This is the largest shell I've ever picked up on the beach...I've seen them in the gift shops, but I had never seen them "in their natural habitat."
One of the reasons I was so excited to have found so many beautiful shells was that I wanted to create a shell "sculpture" to submit to the World Beach Project, which is being sponsored by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. While they haven't begun accepting submissions yet, I do plan to send one or two in soon. Here (photo) is a one view of the shell project I created on Pawleys Island Beach on Thursday, May 24, 2007. Note - the flip-flops with the SC state flag symbols!

Of course, we didn't spend all of our time in the sun. We knew that there were several knitting shops in the area from Myrtle to Charleston, and we were able to visit 3 of them. Woo-hoo! Here's a shot of our favorite one, called simply "Knit," located at 87 Wentworth St. in downtown Charleston. It was a fabulous place for two yarn-a-holics such as Maredith and me! She reminded me that she had purchased more British yarn (mostly Debbie Bliss) on this trip than she did on our trips to either England or Scotland!
Of course, all good things must come to an end... Why is that? I've heard that saying all of my life, but I still have trouble with it. I'm not entirely certain that I agree with it.
For instance, we've just celebrated our 31st anniversary...and we are hoping that the end's nowhere in sight! We were back in MO by the 29th, so we celebrated at a local restaurant, JBucks. Mmmm, tasty! You know, it's been a great ride so far, and we're looking forward to heading into our sunset years together. [I took this picture (left) of the sunset on our return trip from North Island to Georgetown, SC. Thought it was appropriate to the discussion...]
So, with Memorial Day, our anniversary, and our beach trip in the rearview mirror of 2007, it's time for Summer to "officially" begin!

We're still working on the bridge, the pond, and the waterfall in the back yard, and the garden is looking pretty good. I hope to post some photos of the finished products soon. Stay tuned...!

  A Bright, Sunny New Chapter Here’s to spending 49 years with the same Valentine! Even though our story’s Prologue began in Jackson, MS, wh...