Saturday, April 17, 2010

Hodge Podge Post: Courtesy of my Tourettes

It's true, I have finally transplanted some of my seedlings. Thanks to the encouragement from my sister, we managed to get about half of them done this morning. What a relief that I am almost done. Now my little plants should be very happy with their new spacious containers. That is until they outgrow these too.

Now, this is only a small portion of what we got done today, but my favs are in this batch; my Coleus.


Now, when I have the final tally you will all know what stock has survived the season. I am already making plans for next year. My precious Crepe Myrtle dwarf shrubs, I have grand plans for these guys. Too bad four little ones is all I have to show for all the seeds planted.

I am always a bad seedling mommy for one reason. I just don't have the heart to pinch off flowering plants when they are young and need to be riminded that they need to focus on healthy roots, good branching habits and size. I fail every time. So here is my Nicotiana flowering away when I should be snipping off those little flower buds before they even get going.

Who could cut off such a cute face?

Then there is the matter of these orphan Iris's in my backyard. Every year they pop up and every year I swear up and down that I am going to rip them out since I am just not very enthusiastic about them. They take up great amounts of room and don't flower that much, and the fact that they multiply like rabbits is not very endearing either. But regardless of my feelings about Iris, I can't help but love the few flowers that have decided to show their faces this year. This is quite astounding since they have not flowered in the four years we have lived in this house.

Even their insides are spectacular.
Is that what I think it is? :)

I love my Iris orphans, but sadly, once I start planting in the backyard they are being torn out. Anyone want them? I can't possibly image why not after I have opened your eyes to all their amazing qualities :). To each their own, and Iris just don't hump my camel. (Thanks Urban Dictionary and Jessica, I really do love this new phrase, I only wish I had more appropriate situations to use it in) Anyway, my Iris are pretty, but I am going to murder them.

On to the next subject: my Greenhouse Project.
Slowly but surely we have been remodeling what is eventually going to be my little piece of nerdy plant loving heaven. Just as a reminder, here is what the poor shed used to look like.

Roof riddled with holes, having seen much better days.
After finally finding a good deal on some roofing on Craigslist we were able to put new shingles on. By we I mean that I bought them and then David and his dad worked for two days to put them all on. Good job guys.
Don't worry, we are going to close in the eave, it's on the to do list along with replacing the window that broke during a recent windy as hell storm.

I quite like the non traditional pattern that I was able to find, much more interesting.

Next project: Door or Painting? Not sure, but be sure that you will see whatever it is. Hey anyone have a giant outside dog run they don't want anymore? I am hoping that Craigslist will again help me out a little.

Friday, April 9, 2010

In a Funk

Sometimes I just wish that I had a magical crystal ball that I could just look into and see how everything is going to turn out. I could see which paths lead to prosperity and which ones were just dead ends. I suppose that's why it's called life, you just have to live it and figure it out for yourself. Just once, just one little peak, just one question...

Perhaps it is all the depressing country music I have been listening too, but it's official, I am in a funk. It seems like I am spending half of my twenties in a funk, but maybe that's just a part of what's supposed to happen to everyone. Does it happen to everyone, or is it just me?

I am stuck between adolescence and adulthood it seems. Sometimes I feel like I am just playing grown up. Some imaginative playing house game that I should wake up from at any time. I just want to be a kid again. I think it's been decided that people want to have kids so that they can return to childhood once more, to the innocence and sheer joy of it all. Children are a window into our own youthful hearts, where we can unashamedly bask in a fictitious childhood once again.

I don't have the answers, and I just wish I did. Why is it hindsight that is always 20/20?

Question of the day: Do you believe in fate?
I know those of you who read my blog and it would be nice to see what everyone believes. My answer is no. I believe that you make your own fate, but who knows, perhaps I could be totally wrong.

I have no pictures for you today... oh wait, I found one from the other day that I didn't share. My cute little Begonias, I love that they stick around even during all the cold winter weather. They seem so delicate, but they can take quite a lot of abuse. Take my word on it.


Thursday, April 8, 2010

Paint.NET

Well today was beautiful outside. I planted some plants that have been waiting around for me to get my act together for a week or two, and I am sure they appreciate it. Then I went outside and took pictures of all kinds of stuff. Best of all I came inside and messed around with my pictures with my free, yes I said free, program Paint.NET. It's no Photoshop, but it does more than I need anyway. Here's what I came up with.


WARNING: OBSCENE AMOUNTS OF PICTURES UP AHEAD

So here's the Original

Original picture #2

Original #3

So that's all I played around with in my paint program.
Here's some other pictures of what is going on in my front yard these days.

Hostas emerging from their winter hibernation.

Everytime I go on my front porch, or when I get home from work at the end of the day, it's unbelievably soothing to just close my eyes and enjoy the scent of my pink Jasmine.

Perhaps this Lantana will succeed next to this very intensely hot wall by the front door. This will be my third attempt at putting some sort of small shrubish plant in this location. Third times the charm right?

And of course, my crazy Alyssum that decided not to die this winter. It is very happy, and reminded me all winter that Spring would be back since it never stopped blooming.

I know it is supposed to be raining again this weekend, but a girl can dream can't she?