Merry Christmas!

First, I wanted to wish all of my friends and family Merry Christmas. I appreciate everyone who has visited my blog throughout the year. I take pictures and write for my own pleasure, but it is always fun to share with others. It is always a challenge for me to limit my activities to the time that I have available, since I am interested in everything. :) Off to eat Christmas candy and take long naps!

Published!

For those out there that like to blog, write and take pictures I was wondering if you had been introduced to Blurb. Blurb.com is a website where you can download software, plug in your pictures and writing, upload it and get a book. My dad came down for a visit earlier this spring and he showed me the website. He has been working on a family history that he plans to publish using it. I also have a cousin and his wife that have published some books through it. I don't know much about the official publishing method, but this appealed to me. You can capture a special trip, family event or other thing in a book and the prices aren't that outrageous.

I decided that I wanted to capture the pictures and writings from my blog. I figured that I could do an update each year and keep a record of how things develop. We started with a bare lot and I want to see where we go. I figured that there might be some of you that would also be interested in doing something like this. I finally got my book up and ordered and I can't wait to see what it looks like. So, I'll keep you posted!

My Book

Green Thumb Sunday 12/21/08 - Fungus Rules

There hasn't been a whole lot going on in my neck of the woods for quite a while now, and today the most interesting thing is the rash of mushrooms in the front flower bed.

I have always been fascinated by mushrooms though, ever since I was a little girl. They are so delicate and only last for a day or two. We have had so much rain here lately though and even when its not raining it is damp and overcast. So I guess it is the perfect recipe for a couple of really good crops.

The only other real object of interest is the fact that my froggy bottoms have started to rust.

This was a wrought iron stepping stone that my friend gave me when I left North Carolina and I got them placed this summer. I expect that I will eventually bring them in and make a wall ornament after they get sufficiently aged looking.

Sunshine! Blue Skies! 60 Degrees!

For the last few weeks it has been rainy, icy at times, foggy and overcast all of the time. I was starting to think I might have SAD and need a sun lamp. It doesn't help that it is pitch black outside by 5 PM. I took off work a little early and took Quickbeam outside and lo and behold we saw blue skies. So it was time to do an inventory.

I know that everyone is probably sick of pictures of my phlox, but is still plugging away and I am extremely curious how long it is going to keep blooming. There are a few blooms on each of the plants. It also looks like there are a few buds opening up on the Alyssum plant.

Imagine my surprise to see a dandelion blooming in the yard. I have never been one of those that has to have a weed-free yard and I have always enjoyed seeing cheerful dandelion blooms.

There is a large bloom with probably 20 plus mushrooms in the front flower bed. Since I was carrying Quickbeam (and the ground was wet) I couldn't get down to get a really good picture. My camera lens seemed to be kind of fuzzy.
The lack of leaves helped to expose the bird's nest in my crepe myrtle tree. I tried to avoid getting too close to it this summer.

So that was our expedition today. It felt really good to get outside and get some fresh air. I let Quickbeam run around for awhile and she enjoyed the time outside also. Keeping her from eating leaves and grass definately keeps me busy. :)

Green Thumb Sunday 12/14/08

We finally got a really cold snap and good freeze over the weekend. The sheet of ice shown above is in the lotus planter. I didn't post last weekend because the weather was miserable and there wasn't much to show. When I got up early Saturday morning there was a really heavy frost all over everything so I went outside to check it out.
Here is my elfin thyme with a good dusting.

And here is the seed head on the Joe Pye Weed. And then later that afternoon, in spite of everything...

More phlox!