Purple Blossoms

I see purple in the garden everywhere! Maybe I should have decided to create a purple bed somewhere along the line.

Where does purple become burgundy or pink? Coleus, Wandering Jew, Butterfly Bush, more Wandering Jew, Lantana, Hosta, Daylilies, and Verbena are all growing and blooming - and I forgot to photograph the purple Monarda growing.

Planting a Japanese Maple Tree

We hit the jackpot yesterday - a local nursery was having a 50% off of all trees from 3-5 p.m. We bought another Japanese Maple - we love them and they are usually too expensive. We wanted to make sure that we planted it correctly so I delved into my Master Gardening course book to find exactly how to plant a "balled" tree. First you must get two strong men to dig a hole that is one foot wider than your ball and they dug it a foot deeper.

Next you fill the hole with one foot of great compost! Set the tree in the hole.

Cut off the burlap from around the roots.

The tree was fertilized around the roots with a new product which guarantees your tree to live for 5 years (I'm keeping the receipt)! Fill the rest of the hole with more good compost just up to the level on the trunk where the root ball begins.

There you have it, a brand new Japanese Crimson Queen Maple.

T-Ball Season is over!

Last night was the last night for the GRIZZ (short for Grizzlies, I think) to play T-ball for the season. Our grandson Phoenix is a good little ball player. He does everything right-handed except ball-playing. He really likes playing catcher - but, man, is that equipment hot to have on (but that's his favorite part). His team was a winning team (aren't they all?)! Good job, Phoenix!

It worked!

I do not have good luck planting flower seeds in the ground and having them grow. This year, however, I tried something new to me. I had some wildflower mix that I bought in Texas (I won't tell you how many years ago) and I had several packages of flower seeds that I hadn't ever planted. I mixed those with sand in a can and sprinkled them onto a cleared piece of ground that had the wild growth smothered over the past year by a brush pile . I raked it in a little bit and let God! It has grown and I have wildflowers! For the first time I have also been successful in growing poppies - who knew it needed neglect!? I am so pleased with this outcome - I will be trying it again!

Brett's New Kitchen

We spent this weekend helping our son in Leavenworth, Ks; with the remodel of his kitchen. This trip his dad helped him lay a new floor. Brett and his dad have been working on this kitchen for quite a while. They redid the walls, refinished cabinets; put in new countertop; put up new trim; and put in the floor. I was a "go-fer" and a cheerleader - and I did a little weed-pulling to help the boy out this trip. Brett is a multi-talented - can do electrical, plumbing, and good carpentry. He took lessons from his dad, I think. It is really looking good. Brett still has some trim work to do on his own - but it's a "wow" improvement. Brett's decorating with the multi-national beer bottles is a "bachelor's choice" of decorating, I say! The picture tends to give everything a pink cast but it really should be more of a tan color. Pink would not be this man's choice!!

Pink Saturday

Today is Pink Saturday at HOW SWEET THE SOUND and I'm participating. I would have said that I do not have pink in my house but as I looked around, I found some. I have some pink in my bedroom . With roses, there must be some pink. Notice the little "cat" tassle - it's made using a cat salt shaker - I got that idea from a magazine. The lamp is old and I got it at a tag sale really cheap - I love things that work out like that.

I have a collection of glass hens on nests and I just happen to have 2 pink ones. I also have a collection of old string (as opposed to yarn) crocheted pot holders and I have some pink ones.

Mantle Day

Over at Ask Kari & Kijsa they are hosting a "Mantle Day" where you are able to view lots of different mantle posts. Hop on over there and take a look at what people do with their mantles. I have 3 mantles in my own home and am constantly thinking about how to decorate them in a "different" way.

This small mantle in my home is a faux fireplace surround in my bedroom. The faux idea I got from my friend Janice who is ultra-creative and she has one in her home. She also painted my fireplace screen for me. I think the fireplace adds a little "Victorian" look to my bedroom as well as adding some warmth.

My balance isn't quite right - I added the vase yesterday after a Thrift Shop find ($2) and it needs to be on an "end" to balance, I think.

It's Time for the Lilies

The Asiatic lilies are blooming and so are the Easter lilies I've saved over the past few Easters. I'm also a fan of purple and lime green so I really like the purple fountain grass with the sweet potato vine and the various coleus plants.

More Birthday Fun

On Friday night I was surprised by a visit from our friends Dennis and Vicki Glaser who recently moved to be "by the water" - specifically Tablerock Lake. They do drop by for occasional visits and my birthday just happened to be one of those times. We have been friends for over 35 years. We ate out with other friends and then went back to a mutual friend's house for birthday cake and a rousing card game of "Head and Foot". I've been known to animate my conversations with my fork during a meal so my friend Steve was "helping me out" with this particular conversation. A great birthday!

My Birthday

The Ladies gathered at Village Inn for breakfast this morning for my birthday. It was good to "catch-up" with everyone. We were missing two of the ladies - one thing and another pop-up in our lives that need attention more than celebrating birthdays. We have changed our format for birthday giving. Rather than everyone bringing a gift, we've decided we're all at the point that we don't need more "stuff" so we all just chip in for one nice gift certificate for the birthday girl. So far, we think we like it! I have really great friends!

Garden Tour

Another Garden Tour this weekend. I always get ideas from other people's yards. I love sculpture in the yard - it only takes money! See the cute little owl in the tree. He sat there without moving as people walked by - his eyes watching you. I got to be a "hostess" at one yard and that gave me time to sit and contemplate plants, arrangements, hard-scaping, and overall "feel" of the yard and it's creator!

The Ladies and Jane Austen

Today we had our ladies' book club. It was a delightful event! Sharron had chosen Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. We were met with many tasty morsels: scones, cucumber sandwiches, little quiches, lemon shortbreads, chocolate covered strawberries, and more. Of course, we had tea! Jane herself (Sharron - complete in period dress) addressed us with the story of her life. Janice, of course, dressed in style for the tea! We follwed that with a lively discussion of the book. It should be against the law to have so much fun surrounding a book!

Meet Owen Morris

Meet Owen Morris who is my friend's (Sharron Morris) new grandson. He should be now in his new home in Oregon with his new Mom and Dad, Angie and Jonathan. They have waited a long time for this special little boy from Korea. We are all excited for him to begin his new life in the Morris household. This picture shows Jonathan, Angie, Owen, and his Korean foster mom. Congratulations to everyone - especially my very special friend, Sharron!

Stoneware Pottery Plant Marker

During our Garden Tour this weekend I spotted some unique plant markers at one of the homes. These are stoneware pottery markers made to your specifications by the disabled. They are made by Disability Supports of the Great Plains, Inc; in McPherson, Ks. You can contact Jodi Harold at 1-620-241-8411, Ext. 226 or e-mail her at jodi@dsgp.org. I asked her if it was all right with her to put the information out there and she agreed wholeheartedly that it was. They also make plaques and various shapes of markers - any way you want them. The process takes about 3 weeks. They would be a great addition to your garden and you're supporting a worthwhile organization.