Happy Halloween Pumpkin Babies

Can it get any cuter ?

Just imagine what they will think about this photo when they become adults. Especially when their Mom pulls them out of her "Memory Treasure Box" !!!

The sun is shinning brightly this morning following a lot of rain throughout the night. The trees and shrubbery are glistening with all the rain drops still clinging to the branches. Hopefully, the weather will stay nice for the trick-or-treaters.

Take Care.

Mary

Trick Or Treat Time

With the rainy weekend we are having, maybe these "super doggies" costumes will give a little protections from the elements !!!

Keep your fur-babies safe. And, protect them from running out the front door if these spooky creatures come to your door ! 

Mary

An Autumn Day

It's a rather cool day following a very rainy day yesterday. There still are some flowers blooming like White Chrysanthemums, Gardenia (who would think at this time of year) and also a White Azalea. I am surprised to see White Paper Narcissus bulbs that I planted in the garden last year starting to peak through the ground. As a gardener, it is always fun and exciting when something new in the garden starts to surface. Later, there will be tulips, lilies and daffodils.

As I sit here I can watch through the windows the leaves from the many oak trees softly drifting down from great heights as the trees are very tall. It is a very pleasant gentle sight especially if I clear my mind of future garden maintenance.

I think it is time to put the kettle on in preparation for a nice cup of tea. I am sure I can locate a flavor that will match this beautiful sunny Autumn day. Wish you could join me.

Thanks for coming by for a visit.

Mary

I Said What Is It

On Friday when I was at the Post Office a VERY LONG, VERY LARGE AND VERY SHINY VEHICLE pulled in the driveway and drove to the back where there is parking. I don't recall ever seeing a vehicle THAT LONG in the past other than maybe the  large commercial transport trucking fleet.

Remember, I have been living in the country for many years since I moved from the city. However, we are a county of many wineries. What does that have to do with anything?      You will see!

The second thought I had on Friday was maybe it was a TOY HAULER travel trailer which is designed to haul and transport heavy items like motorcycles, golf carts, four wheelers  and maybe race cars. I recently learned about Toy Haulers when snooping around websites about vintage trailers. But, it really looked too pristine for that.  Also, there was a lovely looking lady at the wheel! Look at that thing. It is huge. And, it looked totally black. I could not see the darkened windows because of the direction of the sun reflection. And, the front looked like a truck verses a limousine which we see frequently around here for Wedding Celebrations.

As I was saying "What is it?" a man nearby at the Post Office said "It is a Party Tourist Bus".     Sure enough.      Party! Party!

This is an example of available interiors.!!! Some even have a stripper pole! There are all  kind of interior designs. Some of these vehicles are as long as 39 feet long. "Show me the money" and they will make it!

I imagine it was a Wine Tasting Tourist Bus. It was parking at the back entrance of one of our large wine tasting wineries. There are wine tasting rooms around every corner - it seems. Really - many are next door to each other. When I moved here we had seven churches and seven wineries. Now,  I think there are over twenty wine tasting rooms very nearby - - - and still seven churches!

 I sure hope the wine tasting guests in the Party Bus had a good time.

Let's have a glass of wine together.

Mary

Ten Out OF Fourteen Blooming

Not bad for bedraggled almost dead purple chrysanthemums! Yes, much to my delight all fourteen transplants are alive and well even though four have not started to bloom as of yet.

 It is such a pretty color and especially next to the yellow flowers.

I just realized that both sides of the pathway will be bordered with both yellow and purple flowers and that's OK with me. My design plans many times just evolve based on what is available and what "catches my eye". Seldom is there a plan that can't be revised as I go along.

Even with last weekends heavy rain the yellow chrysanthemum blooms have weathered through quite well. More rain is expected Tuesday and Thursday. At this point only showers are forecast.

The day after I planted the Naked Ladies bulbs I was reading about squirrels "raiding the garden" of precious plantings of bulbs. And, wouldn't you know it that the next day I had lots of holes and bulbs hither and yon. So, I replanted and covered with weighted netting. So far so good.

WHO?  ME?

Now, this is an idea that I have never seen. You can use plastic spoons. Allegedly, it works to keep your garden gaurded!

Have a Good Day.

Mary

Just A Little Fall Decor

I miss doing seasonal decorating so I thought I would do just a little. The reason that I have not done any decorating is because I have been spending my time taking care of the outdoors and doing other activities that have to be taken care. It is not that I don't have enough hours in the day but that I don't have enough energy and too much back pain.

Most of my activities today have been outside working in cleanup and planting a few  more plants in the flower bed in the front with the Gorphrena - Fireworks perennials.

(google photo)

I mentioned before that I had (a lot) of Hemercollis - Stella D'oro daylilies. They tend to be a little shorter than most daylilies.

(google photo)

So I planted a row of them along the front of the Gorphrena

And then, since I had a bucket of Amaryllis belladonna - Naked Lady bulbs from the "old iris bed" I found a spot to plant them.

(google photo)

They are quite interesting because the leaves grow about August and then they die down and about two months latter the flowers bloom. They are like "ladies without dresses".

This afternoon I prepared some Hawaiian Pork Chops with rice for dinner. I haven't been cooking very much lately. It tasted very good.

Hope your week is going well. Blessings.

Mary

Steady And Heavy - The Rain That Is

The most recent rainfall has been a lot more than the previous one. I think it rained all night and most of today. All my hard work cleaning the yard and now look at it. Honestly, this is what I expected.

And, another heavy storm front is coming in tonight!

 I haven't seen this many pine needles in my yard for as long as I have lived here.

It will take some time before I will get it all cleaned up again. The truth be told, the rain is wonderful and California needs it so badly! However, one difficult aspect of the heavy rain is that we just had an Emergency Flood Alert come across the television screen, primarily for the area of the Butte Fire (half hour drive from here) that occurred last year in September. Prayers for safety for all who still remain.

I have mentioned that the drainage is very poor because of all the solid rock and clay soil. I don't recall seeing this much area with standing water.

My downspouts have been putting out a lot of water. Thank goodness that I have Leaf Guard gutters and don't have to worry about the gutters getting clogged. One of the best use of money I have put into the house.

And, let's end with another of my beautiful roses that are still blooming. The pink color really almost looks florescent with the inner white. It's another winner.

Until next time. Stay safe.

Mary

Wind And Rain

Rain was predicted for late day yesterday and again for today. So, yesterday morning I spent hours cleaning up outside in preparation for our first real rain  of the season. Many barrels of leaves and pines needles as well as acorns. And, of course there was all the different items that needed to be put away and protected from the rain. 

Yes indeed, we have had some good rain. I like rain but the darker days are not conducive to a high level of energy for me and my optimism.

However, when I think of our neighbors in the Pacific Northwest and the disasters from their weather conditions I have precious little to complain about. And, also all of the other communities with challenging weather conditions throughout the States need prayers for safety.

It is time to lie down some more and take care of my back and all the many aches and pains.

Take care of yourself and others.

Mary

A Very Generous Surprise/Gift

Why is there a map of the United States with New York highlighted? You may ask.

And, then look, there is a Buffalo photo!  What's going on?

OK, a few days ago I received a phone call from the son of my high school girlfriend who lives in New York. I have mentioned her in this blog a few times in the past. More info at This Post from this past February. She and her husband (we are all the same age, 77) are now living in an Assisted Living Retirement Home. They both have quite a few difficult medical issues. So, anyway, last Friday was her Birthday. And, as I said, her son called and said that he would like to give his mother a special gift. He was wondering if I could come to New York for a few days for a visit and he would cover all of the travel, etc. expenses! WOW. I almost fell off of my chair. In the past we had talked about how nice it would be if we could see each other again. Unfortunately, after giving it a lot of thought, I decided that I can not travel alone that far away from home at this time. My physical abilities are far from what they were in the past when I was a lot more independent and was able to travel to Europe alone.  My girlfriend and I talked about it and she agrees. However, we are hoping that maybe next spring it may work out. She is dealing with more than usual medical difficulties at this time. Her wonderful son assured me that he would take care of everything to make my trip safe and enjoyable. I can hardly believe that someone would be so generous to offer such a wonderful treat!

When we were younger (a lot younger) and had our first babies (we each had a boy) we often got together as two young couples for dinner at each others home and played canasta cards sometimes after the babies were asleep. Good memories.

I will continue with hope that it may work out in the future. I have never been to New York but I have been able to travel quite a few places national and international. It is in God's hands!

Now, I have another photo of my beautiful red rose that continues to bring me delight. I wanted to post it because I have been trying to learn a new photo editing program and it is driving me nuts. I miss using Picasa. And, I wish I knew someone that could teach me the process so I don't have to learn it by trial and error. So be it!

Isn't it a beauty? In reality it really looks like velvet. 

Well, I hope your week is going nicely. Our weather is certainly fall weather and it have been lovely.

Mary

I Did It

Over two hundred Iris rhizomes have been planted. And, it was no easy feat for me! I guess the word tenacious comes to mind.

Or, maybe the word is Stupid!
No, really, I am so happy I was able to accomplish what I had set out to do. I finished planting on Saturday afternoon. Even though many of the rhizomes are quite small, they are already looking like they are taking hold and looking healthy. They may not produce a lot of flowers the first year but we just have to wait and see. 

On the other hand, they may surprise us especially since they are planted in a good foundation of new garden soil mixed together with planting mix. 

The temperature today was in the mid 80's and will help them get a good start.

The Yellow Chrysanthemums are looking great. So very cheerful!

Yes, I sure have handled a lot of rock in the past several days. 

You may wonder why my property has so much rock. One reason is that my property is the first parcel outside of what is called Murphys township which means the old historic buildings from the Gold Rush days. The house next door to me toward town was built in the 1800's. And the land was bulldozed to build my house. On the other side of my street there sits a house higher on the side of the hill.

Interesting, there are a couple spots on my property that were probably mine shafts. Years ago I noticed that one area where I was planting would continually loose all the soil. It was like it was just disappearing! So, it was time for me to take a better look at what may be going on. Sure enough, when using a large flashlight I could see down the hole that it went what seemed forever. So, I started throwing rock down the shaft. And, now, many years later the soil is no longer disappearing!

The large rock boulders that surround my property are the result of the massive bulldozing. The gold miners were mining for the veins and reefs of gold-bearing quartz which often were in granite. Without a doubt there is gold on my property from what I am told. I have many large beautiful rocks that would be fun to examine!

With everything going on in our National News it has been so nice spending a lot of time in my garden.

IN MY GARDEN there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The Thoughts grow as freely as the flowers and the dreams are as beautiful. - Abram Urban

I hope you had a Wonderful Weekend.

Mary

Almost Took My Breath Away

When I came back in the house this morning from taking a few photos during a very overcast morning I was super surprised to see these beautiful rose photos that needed very little revision other than cropping. And, I must share them with you.

The rose bushes are tall and I can see them from a couple of my house windows. It is such a joy to see them continuing to bloom. And, each rose has a beautiful fragrance!

Iris flower bed update - - - Almost finished. Just more iris rhizomes to plant. The ones that I have already planted have shown some growth on each one. I like that. It is a good sign that "they are happy". Between the weather and my very painful knees I have not been able to get the last half planted. The weather is suppose to be a little warmer at the end of the week!

And, look at those thriving yellow chrysanthemums. Pretty good for a four inch pot at $2.48 each. Also, one of the salvaged purple chrysanthemums is showing some color. All of the salvaged plants look like they are going to make it. If not, I can always divide one of them next year.

Wishing you a Happy Monday.

Mary

Feeling Pretty Crummy Today

So, I think it is best if I just post some more photos of my precious Grand munchkins. It would be so nice if I lived closer and could see them more often.

This little gal loves her books and has a very different personality than her brother. However, I am told that she can be quite feisty and hold her own. You Go Girl. 

And, big brother has a much shorter attention span and is "a boy through and through". He often exhibits his loving and protective "big brother" personality. Such a Good Guy!

Their mommy and daddy are enjoying parenthood and family more and more each and every day.

I pray for their continued happiness in this very challenging world that changes so drastically day to day. Happiness is not to be taken for granted.

Wishing you a Fabulous Weekend.

Mary