Oh Jane - I had no idea you're about to become a Grandmother - a HUGE congratulations !!! Your garden looks beautiful - will you be adding a sand box and swing set now lol ??? XOXO
It's always fun to read your posts and what-all is going on. We must have the same taste as I like the 'grandmotherish' umbrella :)
I have cut my lettuce too...not pulling it. So far it's not bolted and I need to cut another round. There's far too much for me so I supply my son's family every week or so with a big bag of it! :)
I love a pretty yard, but, dang, it takes so much work. My little garden is taken over by lettuce, and with the rain we've had this week, it's like on steroids! Your tomato pots are thriving. For some reason I don't do too well with pot growing or should I say growing in pots!
All your hard work has paid off, Jane! Your plants look lovely. The bugs on the hibiscus would have freaked me out, too! I have a gardening post going up today, too! : ) There has been no humidity here this week either, which has been great. I just saw on the weather forecast that we will be paying for it next week though when it returns {with temps near 90!}.
July 17, 2014 at 6:36 AM
Anonymous said...
your gardens are doing wonderful! I hope your battle scars heal quickly, I love the umbrrella, its a happy umbrella, poo pup, poor you, he will be better after having the teeth out, you sons pup sounds like a busy busy puppy!!
Your container gardens are amazing. Well done. You will enjoy all that produce. And the hydrangeas--for some reason ours are doing very poorly this year. Hope you have a good weekend with your guests!
I'm cracking up about the wisteria! We planted it on our pergola at our last house in Oklahoma. Over time it was crawling up on our roof! My husband would have to go up and cut it out of the shingles. It was also coming up in random places in the yard. I started calling it "devil weed". It's beautiful but I'll never plant it again.
It makes me happy to see all of your pretty plants. Summer has just arrived? Whew! We are well into it here and some things are pooping out.
There are so many things in this post that I could comment on, but I want to say that you do have a green thumb. I can't believe the hibiscus. Taking it in and out must be a chore. I can just see you when you saw the white flies...I would be the same. I usually toss diseased house plants, but it would be hard to throw a plant like that away. They are so pretty, when they bloom. I have a perennial one in the wooded area. It's kind of scrawny, but I'm patiently waiting for it to fill out. Have a great time at the lake. So glad you can relax and have a good time with company. It wouldn't be fun for you if you had to work all the time. Have fun, Balisha
Can't wait to see what your new landscaping looks like! You missed the cool temps ( I have been on vacation and wearing sweatshirts) in MI and its going to warm up and be perfect weather this weekend :-)
I remember those summer Chicago storms so well. One summer it seemed like we never surfaced from the basement. Your garden looks lovely! My yard is just completely green. It's hard to grown flowers in the heat of the summer in south Texas, so I am just happy with the green. Love your hydrangea plant. The blossoms are so pretty!
Your grandpup is adorable! I bet he DOES love every puddle he encounters! So cute! We had that same kind of patio umbrella and lost it to the wind. It was a good one though. Your flowers look gorgeous!
Hi Jane, You might want to check whether hibiscus can winter outside. I have had friends plant it very successfully in their gardens and leave it out all winter and I am quite a bit North of you. It would solve your conundrum about overwintering in the house with the possibility of unwanted guests.
Your garden reflects the time and care you give it. Everything is thriving and looks beautiful. Enjoy the lake time, and I look forward to your interview.
Hi Jane! I thoroughly enjoyed the garden tour... Looks great...love your Hydrangea... I also grow veggies in containers... Ate my first wee yellow tomatoes...delish! Hope there are some ripe ones at the cottage! Show us your hard work! Enjoy your weekend..we are off tomorrow as well... Cheers! Linda :o)
Loved seeing all your pretty plants and your patio area. I really like your new umbrella - I don't think it looks granny-ish at all! Hope your pup's teeth surgery goes well; it's not bad enough we worry about our kids, but our fur babies as well!
Your garden and all your container plants are looking lovely. So happy to hear you will soon be a grandmother, such a joy to look forward to! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend. Helen xox
Just caught up with your last two posts. Sounds like you are having some great times. Hope you are well and Congrats on the grandbaby, you're not gonna believe how much you can love someone. They are life's greatest treasure, IMHO. Take care!
Hi Jane, I've only just arrived here to see what you've been up to - lots of great stories about the garden (pretty), the storms, the dogs, the family etc. I love the umbrella, I need a new one too, mine is so discolored from tree sap and can't get it clean anymore. I never throughout about looking at Plough & Hearth - there's one right across the street so must check it out.
First year ever we've have no blooms on our huge hydrangeas - beautiful green leaves but not a single flower - must be due to the unusual cold/long winter we had. Hopefully next year will be better - I so miss the lovely flowers.
I know you're going to love the role of grandmother - congrats. to all.
Happy weekend - hope it's a perfect one. Love to you both - Mary
Such pretty blooms Jane. And those pups are too cute! Blessings, Cindy
July 18, 2014 at 12:06 PM
Michelle Wright said...
Jane your grand baby picture in the mud ~ I have the matching picture ~ haha and we have had i tick - yuk - and it's only the beginning you just have to love them. Seger is turning 1 next week and his sister from another liter came home 1 week ago today and her name is Misty Rose so adorable. Have fun at the lake this weekend and your plants look beautiful.
All your 'blooms' look wonderful-I adore hydrangeas and want to plant some. We're waiting for our tomato plants to yield some goodies! Hope your pups are doing ok :) Susan
Your garden looks great and the flowers blooming beautifully. Glad you found someone who helped with your cottage plants. That storm a few weeks back was horrible, we didn't lose power but the houses across the street did for two days! A big congrats for upcoming grandma hood! See ya soon!
Oh my goodness, that pic of your grand pup had me doing double takes!! Too funny!
This year, for the first time in years, I finally planted some tomatoes in a couple of planters AND some lettuce in the ground. The tomatoes seem to be doing well, although nothing yet is edible. The lettuce, like you said, does great if you just give it a crew cut. Had some for dinner tonight :).
We had the sil and his family here this weekend, and the boys stayed behind until Wednesday so we will be busy ;).
Don't worry about the surgery. Everything will be fine. You're doing the right thing.
Hi Jane, Your garden is looking awesome! I like wisteria but currently don't have a place for it. Maybe later...or you would recommend (?) maybe NOT?? Your tomatoes look awesome. I am impressed with your garden, Jane! Cute dogs too! :) Beth
Hi Jane, Your garden is looking awesome! I like wisteria but currently don't have a place for it. Maybe later...or you would recommend (?) maybe NOT?? Your tomatoes look awesome. I am impressed with your garden, Jane! Cute dogs too! :) Beth
I did the same thing when our umbrella cracked off in a storm - ordered the same one! That was about 4 years ago and now I'm sort of hoping it cracks again, it's quite faded.
I see everything is blooming nicely, especially your daughter in law - congratulations!
Everything looks so pretty! I have some sort of white stuff on one of my plants that's on the patio in the shade. I cleaned the leaves with soapy water like I read online but it's not looking too hot.
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December 3, 2014 at 8:27 AM
[Image]Yep!! This is about everything blooming and more, but boy, what a treat it will be to look at this winter! Can you believe we were complaining about cold weather 3 months ago? And we will surely be complaining about the heat shortly. Ha!
One of the Hibiscus Sisters is doing pretty well. In spite of my great ability to bring them very close to death as I winter them over in a large percentage of space in my family room, this past winter seemed to have the most desirable of results...beautiful blooms in April! Indoors. Alas, a week or so later I was watering the old girls and I saw a swarm of what looked like gnats or fruit flies. I gingerly lifted up a leaf, then another and saw that they were infested with white flies and their larvae...as in the leaves were "encrusted" with them. I literally flew down the hall screaming for The Husband. As he shook his head in dismay, I demanded Herculean efforts...as in get the damn things outside now!!! April in Chicago isn't exactly balmy and I thought I killed the poor ladies, but secretly, I knew it must have also killed the freaking larvae. Fear not, the plants pulled through. One of the gals has been pruned down to almost nothing but carries on and this one is looking pretty attractive, but no blooms yet. Just not sure what I will decide to do this winter. I try to limit living things in my home to us and the dogs.
[Image]My container tomato plants are doing very well. I have 4 in here and one is just a cherry tomato plant. This is the same size container as the Hibiscus Sisters are in, believe it or not. I have them in a sunnier spot than last year and they are my pride and joy.
[Image]This is what they looked like 8 weeks ago.
[Image]I love when I see these little gems. I have never successfully grown anything in a container and I was so bummed out that I ran out of time to ready my vegetable garden beds....this gives me such satisfaction and makes me smile. :)
[Image]I also planted a tender 'Salad Bowl' lettuce in a container. A tip I have is to give your lettuce a 'crew cut', just snip off the tops instead of pulling the leaves out of the soil. You can bet on another shearing later. And in late August I can plant more seeds...they love the colder weather here as they mature.
[Image]Last summer Emily and I bought 4 year old hydrangeas
at our farmers market. I was worried...hers was doing so well and mine looked sick. Well, she gets more sun...be patient. If you have less sun, your plants may be slower, smaller...but fear not! Look at this baby.
[Image]This is one of the newer hydrangea plants I found at the nursery last summer. Blooming like crazy yet the plant is only about 5 inches high!! I can't bear to cut any flowers yet. :(
[Image]The same for my new clematis...just barely climbing the trellis (an old iron headboard) and blooming. How brave and strong and sweet plants can be.
[Image]I'm not new to day lilies but these are from the package that The Husband gave me as a gift in the spring from his favorite spot, Costco. They are coming up so great and I love the yellow ones. I happen to have some extra deep pink colored plants from the lake that I'm going to add...this will be such a pretty corner.
[Image]This area has always been called my "Woodland Garden". It's very shady and I have this beautiful abundance of day lilies that came from the first home that my sister Chrissy and her husband bought 8 million years ago. It was totally overgrown with orange day lilies and she dug them up and gave them to all of us sisters. I may be the only one still in one place that has them. Here's to you, Chrissy! :)
[Image]Lastly, the herb garden is doing okay. I have two varieties of oregano and one is not as fragrant as the other so I may give it the heave ho. I want to add some thyme and tarragon. I like to cook with those and that's what it's all about, right?
[Image]About two weeks ago we had a wicked storm blow in at night. We lost our power for 22 hours which is unheard of in our area, and the most damage seemed to be from the winds. My table umbrella, which I thought had just blown over into a corner of the patio, was actually cracked off at the table level (the base was made of teak). I was so sorry, I really loved that umbrella so I ended up ordering the same one again from Plough & Hearth. It's so well made and is raised by a pulley rather than a crank and I really like that. And I was brave...I got something different and colorful instead of the earth tone thing I had before. Daughter Emily does not like it. She said it's 'Grandmother-ish' Well, hello!!! And thank you all for your sweet congrats! Future mother and father are doing well! And you know what...I'm actually loving when certain people in my life don't like or agree with what I do. It's sort of fun to shake my head and point my nose up...say nothing. It drives them crazy!!
[Image]I'm going to tell you more about this in another post. This is at the lake. I was actually too undecided to show you the "after" pictures because the sun was hitting it a little wonky and I want you too see it in the best light. This area is the left side of our front porch and then there is a twin side on the right. Let me tell you, it was all overgrown with weeds and God knows what and it smothered out the day lilies and hosta's I had planted there years ago. My wisteria on the posts had also gone crazy and tangled everything up so I had a real mess on my hands. Note the gorgeous local stones that our guy added to the cement foundation...truly custom and a great nod to the land we live on.
[Image]This was part way into my job last Saturday. I pruned the heck out of the wisteria as I also did on the opposite side. Years ago I prayed it would reach the balcony and arbor. Oh, dear God. The stuff is miserable. But we're good now. I have scratches up and down my arms and face and some spots on my hands have almost became infected. Next time, long sleeves and perhaps, a face mask. In any event, the porch and balcony are neat as a pin and I proceeded to do some landscaping on Sunday. I love to say that...landscaping. In a nutshell...ahem, I went to a family owned nursery here in Chicago and met with one of the brothers that owns it. He was such a wonderful help in selecting shrubs and plants. And after carting it all up to Michigan on Friday with The Husband not uttering one word, I played landscaper for 7 hours on Sunday. Once again, I love that title. I could be a landscaper if I weren't inherently lazy. And extremely allergic to all things green. Just call me a soldier for now. I'm so relieved I don't have poison ivy. Anyway...when I finished, the light was set behind the trees and casting very unbecoming shadows and glare on my creation so I am going to make you wait with baited breath to see what I did. So there!
[Image]Today was a hellish day for the dogs. The annual trip to the vet. Happily, they are in great shape, Dr. Fisher said that she can barely believe Milo is 10 years old. He shows no symptoms of slowing down or being out of shape. He does, however have really bad problems with his lower front teeth. She has wanted to pull them for the last year and I have been too frightened of anesthesia. Now he's lost a few on his own and she has me worried about infection and pain so he is having the 'surgery' next Thursday. It's breaking my heart, I remember Brenda's pup having 13 teeth removed recently...:( Tonight they have sore hips from their shots and are just creeping around and shying away from us. And I feel the wimpers coming again when I think of the cost today and what it will be next week. How we love our critters. Here is Layla waiting for me to turn in. The Husband needs no excuse.
[Image]Finally, a little update on my Tulo~man grandog. He loves mud and water. He has never met a puddle he doesn't like. He has come out unscathed in many an adventure in his short 14 weeks of life. 2 jumps out of the window of the moving car, 2 ticks and a fish hook in his paw. My son loves to take him everywhere and he lives on the edge of a spectacular forest preserve. Jeff and Abby take Tulo for hikes along cliffs almost every morning. Thankfully Tulo has been (somewhat) fortunate and my son has learned what that child-lock window button is for on his car.
Again, it's lake time on Friday. This weekend we are having DIL Mary Clare's family up. I love all of them and we will have a full and happy house. Having company gives me a reprieve from work...other than passing out paper plates and replacing toilet paper rolls, I'm pretty good with just sitting and enjoying the company and fresh air. We are actually having temps in the 70's and the humidity finally went Bon Voyage! And it's supposed to stay like this for awhile. We've had so much rain, but mixed with sun, too, so it's hard to count on anything. I personally take the rain as a sign to snuggle in bed longer with the hounds in the morning or sneak in an afternoon read or nap. Really! That's what rainy days are for!
I will be back on Monday. I was (finally) asked to be on one of those blog hop tours where you answer a whole lot of mind bending personal questions about your reasons for blogging, etc. Just kidding. I adore the gal that asked me and I hope to take my humorous shield off and give you some close to the heart answers.
Happy Hump Day! :)
XO,
Jane
posted by Blondie's Journal at 10:42 PM on Jul 16, 2014
"EVERY BLOOMIN THING!"
36 Comments -
Oh Jane - I had no idea you're about to become a Grandmother - a HUGE congratulations !!!
Your garden looks beautiful - will you be adding a sand box and swing set now lol ???
XOXO
July 16, 2014 at 11:02 PM
Lovin' your pretty new umbrella Jane! Enjoy the flowers and your company:@)
July 17, 2014 at 4:15 AM
Your garden is lovely! I can't believe you kept those hibiscus alive. Lots of exciting "growth" in your family. xo
July 17, 2014 at 5:15 AM
It's always fun to read your posts and what-all is going on. We must have the same taste as I like the 'grandmotherish' umbrella :)
I have cut my lettuce too...not pulling it. So far it's not bolted and I need to cut another round. There's far too much for me so I supply my son's family every week or so with a big bag of it! :)
July 17, 2014 at 5:41 AM
I love a pretty yard, but, dang, it takes so much work. My little garden is taken over by lettuce, and with the rain we've had this week, it's like on steroids! Your tomato pots are thriving. For some reason I don't do too well with pot growing or should I say growing in pots!
July 17, 2014 at 6:31 AM
All your hard work has paid off, Jane! Your plants look lovely. The bugs on the hibiscus would have freaked me out, too! I have a gardening post going up today, too! : ) There has been no humidity here this week either, which has been great. I just saw on the weather forecast that we will be paying for it next week though when it returns {with temps near 90!}.
July 17, 2014 at 6:36 AM
your gardens are doing wonderful! I hope your battle scars heal quickly, I love the umbrrella, its a happy umbrella, poo pup, poor you, he will be better after having the teeth out, you sons pup sounds like a busy busy puppy!!
July 17, 2014 at 6:57 AM
I never get tired of the blooms! SO pretty:) My Hibiscus have really given me joy this Summer! Enjoy your weekend dear Jane, BIG HUGS!
July 17, 2014 at 7:15 AM
Your container gardens are amazing. Well done. You will enjoy all that produce. And the hydrangeas--for some reason ours are doing very poorly this year. Hope you have a good weekend with your guests!
July 17, 2014 at 7:19 AM
I'm cracking up about the wisteria! We planted it on our pergola at our last house in Oklahoma. Over time it was crawling up on our roof! My husband would have to go up and cut it out of the shingles. It was also coming up in random places in the yard. I started calling it "devil weed". It's beautiful but I'll never plant it again.
It makes me happy to see all of your pretty plants. Summer has just arrived? Whew! We are well into it here and some things are pooping out.
July 17, 2014 at 8:08 AM
Your gardens and pots are looking wonderful Jane. You do have a green thumb!
July 17, 2014 at 8:27 AM
There are so many things in this post that I could comment on, but I want to say that you do have a green thumb. I can't believe the hibiscus. Taking it in and out must be a chore. I can just see you when you saw the white flies...I would be the same. I usually toss diseased house plants, but it would be hard to throw a plant like that away. They are so pretty, when they bloom. I have a perennial one in the wooded area. It's kind of scrawny, but I'm patiently waiting for it to fill out.
Have a great time at the lake. So glad you can relax and have a good time with company. It wouldn't be fun for you if you had to work all the time.
Have fun,
Balisha
July 17, 2014 at 8:45 AM
Can't wait to see what your new landscaping looks like! You missed the cool temps ( I have been on vacation and wearing sweatshirts) in MI and its going to warm up and be perfect weather this weekend :-)
July 17, 2014 at 9:00 AM
Great job with the container gardens, I love them and believe they lend real ambiance to outdoor spaces.
Wishing uncomplicated dental surgery for your little one.
July 17, 2014 at 10:17 AM
Beautiful! Everything looks so lush and green.
July 17, 2014 at 10:18 AM
I remember those summer Chicago storms so well. One summer it seemed like we never surfaced from the basement. Your garden looks lovely! My yard is just completely green. It's hard to grown flowers in the heat of the summer in south Texas, so I am just happy with the green. Love your hydrangea plant. The blossoms are so pretty!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
July 17, 2014 at 12:05 PM
Your grandpup is adorable! I bet he DOES love every puddle he encounters! So cute! We had that same kind of patio umbrella and lost it to the wind. It was a good one though. Your flowers look gorgeous!
July 17, 2014 at 1:50 PM
Hi Jane,
You might want to check whether hibiscus can winter outside. I have had friends plant it very successfully in their gardens and leave it out all winter and I am quite a bit North of you. It would solve your conundrum about overwintering in the house with the possibility of unwanted guests.
July 17, 2014 at 2:56 PM
Your garden reflects the time and care you give it. Everything is thriving and looks beautiful.
Enjoy the lake time, and I look forward to your interview.
July 17, 2014 at 7:59 PM
Hi Jane!
I thoroughly enjoyed the garden tour...
Looks great...love your Hydrangea...
I also grow veggies in containers...
Ate my first wee yellow tomatoes...delish!
Hope there are some ripe ones at the cottage!
Show us your hard work!
Enjoy your weekend..we are off tomorrow as well...
Cheers!
Linda :o)
July 17, 2014 at 8:59 PM
Loved seeing all your pretty plants and your patio area. I really like your new umbrella - I don't think it looks granny-ish at all! Hope your pup's teeth surgery goes well; it's not bad enough we worry about our kids, but our fur babies as well!
July 17, 2014 at 9:28 PM
Your garden and all your container plants are looking lovely. So happy to hear you will soon be a grandmother, such a joy to look forward to! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
Helen xox
July 18, 2014 at 3:33 AM
Just caught up with your last two posts. Sounds like you are having some great times. Hope you are well and Congrats on the grandbaby, you're not gonna believe how much you can love someone. They are life's greatest treasure, IMHO. Take care!
July 18, 2014 at 3:44 AM
Hi Jane, I've only just arrived here to see what you've been up to - lots of great stories about the garden (pretty), the storms, the dogs, the family etc. I love the umbrella, I need a new one too, mine is so discolored from tree sap and can't get it clean anymore. I never throughout about looking at Plough & Hearth - there's one right across the street so must check it out.
First year ever we've have no blooms on our huge hydrangeas - beautiful green leaves but not a single flower - must be due to the unusual cold/long winter we had. Hopefully next year will be better - I so miss the lovely flowers.
I know you're going to love the role of grandmother - congrats. to all.
Happy weekend - hope it's a perfect one.
Love to you both - Mary
July 18, 2014 at 7:24 AM
Such pretty blooms Jane. And those pups are too cute!
Blessings,
Cindy
July 18, 2014 at 12:06 PM
Jane your grand baby picture in the mud ~ I have the matching picture ~ haha and we have had i tick - yuk - and it's only the beginning you just have to love them. Seger is turning 1 next week and his sister from another liter came home 1 week ago today and her name is Misty
Rose so adorable. Have fun at the lake this weekend and your plants look beautiful.
dn91191@yahoo.com
July 18, 2014 at 12:54 PM
All your 'blooms' look wonderful-I adore hydrangeas and want to plant some. We're waiting for our tomato plants to yield some goodies! Hope your pups are doing ok :)
Susan
July 20, 2014 at 7:36 AM
Your garden looks great and the flowers blooming beautifully. Glad you found someone who helped with your cottage plants. That storm a few weeks back was horrible, we didn't lose power but the houses across the street did for two days! A big congrats for upcoming grandma hood! See ya soon!
July 20, 2014 at 12:39 PM
Oh my goodness, that pic of your grand pup had me doing double takes!! Too funny!
This year, for the first time in years, I finally planted some tomatoes in a couple of planters AND some lettuce in the ground. The tomatoes seem to be doing well, although nothing yet is edible. The lettuce, like you said, does great if you just give it a crew cut. Had some for dinner tonight :).
We had the sil and his family here this weekend, and the boys stayed behind until Wednesday so we will be busy ;).
Don't worry about the surgery. Everything will be fine. You're doing the right thing.
(And I adore you too)
xxx
July 20, 2014 at 6:26 PM
Hi Jane, Your garden is looking awesome! I like wisteria but currently don't have a place for it. Maybe later...or you would recommend (?) maybe NOT?? Your tomatoes look awesome. I am impressed with your garden, Jane! Cute dogs too!
:) Beth
July 20, 2014 at 8:32 PM
Hi Jane, Your garden is looking awesome! I like wisteria but currently don't have a place for it. Maybe later...or you would recommend (?) maybe NOT?? Your tomatoes look awesome. I am impressed with your garden, Jane! Cute dogs too!
:) Beth
July 20, 2014 at 8:32 PM
I did the same thing when our umbrella cracked off in a storm - ordered the same one! That was about 4 years ago and now I'm sort of hoping it cracks again, it's quite faded.
I see everything is blooming nicely, especially your daughter in law - congratulations!
July 21, 2014 at 7:32 PM
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July 22, 2014 at 7:46 AM
Everything looks so pretty! I have some sort of white stuff on one of my plants that's on the patio in the shade. I cleaned the leaves with soapy water like I read online but it's not looking too hot.
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