Everybody knows these:  Violas or Pansies.  

 

They love cool weather, and we've even seen them survive snowfall.  So, now is the time to plant pansies.  They are available in all the garden centers, and will last until the weather gets warm (like in June.)  Best to plant them in pots on the deck, cause the deer can't resist eating them if they can reach them.  They pull the plants right out of the ground.  

 

Daddy called them "baby faces,"  and Jon calls them "deer food."  Whatever you call them, pansies add cheerfulness to winter grayness.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

This is Nandina domestica.  It is also called Heavenly bamboo.  These bushes are in Patty's garden, and are really pretty right now.  They are full of red berries and the leaves are varying shades of green and bronze and bright red.  

 

Nandina is an evergreen shrub, although it does show fall color, and drop some of its leaves.  In early summer, it has clusters of white flowers that turn into these clusters of red berries in the fall through winter.  The berries are toxic to birds, so they usually last on the bushes, since nobody eats them.  

 

I have also read that they grow well here, and are somewhat deer resistant.  Good news there. 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Remember a while ago I told you about Camellias?  Well, Nancy has some Sasanqua Camellias in her garden.  

 

These are the ones with smaller leaves, and gorgeous flowers blooming in the fall and early spring.  This one is Camellia sasanqua var. Yuletide.  So pretty. The bush isn't very big, but it is loaded with blossoms, and buds.  It should bloom for quite a while.

 

It just looks like Christmas, doesn't it?  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

This is what's left in the garden.  A few peppers hanging on, some kale and Giant Red Mustard, and of course the leeks (that pile at the top of the picture.)

 

It has been a fabulous year in the garden.  I guess like everything else this year, it's been out of control.  But hey, in the garden, that can be a good thing.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Look how pretty this mustard is.  The big leaves are about 15 inches long.  And the color is so rich.  These plants came from seeds sown this summer when the Giant Red Mustard bolted.  The seeds fell to the ground and planted themselves.  

 

I planted some spinach and kale, and lettuce, but somebody got into the garden and ate it all.  They haven't bothered these bigger plants though.  Bet it's baby rabbits that get in under the fence.  Oh well, we've had plenty, and there is still enough for us all.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

And this is what I am most thankful for today.  

 

Our comfortable home, Jon, and Gizmo.  Our happy little family.  Even though we miss our peeps.

 

Gotta get the turkey started.  Even though it's just us this year, we will still enjoy cooking our Thanksgiving feast:  turkey and chestnut dressing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and broccoli casserole.  Not sure which part I like best:  the cooking or the feasting.  Or maybe the wine for lunch...  

 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

 

 

 

This is what I've been most thankful for my whole life.  

 

Betsy, Julie, Momma, Me, and Linda.  

 

I know the photo is kinda old, December, 2003, and we've all changed since then, but it's still the best way I know to show you my beautiful mother and sisters.  We live too far apart these days, and don't get to see each other nearly enough, but I am so thankful that we will always be BEST FRIENDS.

 

I hope you ALL have a 

 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

 

 

 

I saw this picture on a Vegetable Gardening website, and just loved it!!!  Cabbages and Marigolds planted together.  

 

They said that the marigolds deter the cabbage white butterflies from the cabbages.  I've grown marigolds all over my garden for years, and the cabbage whites still come and lay their eggs on all things Brassica:  kale, turnips, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower.  Maybe I need to crowd the marigolds in closer to the cabbages.  Next spring...

 

Anyway, isn't this a great picture?  Wonder where they walk?  This looks like a commercial operation; they probably harvest by machine.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

I know we still have another month of fall, but....

 

When we looked up at the sky on our walk the other day, this is what we saw.  It sure looks like winter to me.  At least it's not that cold yet.

 

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!!

 

How cute is this?  This is our new family member, Gizmo.  He came from the Valley River Humane Society in Murphy.  

 

He was found on Crisp Road on November 10, and spent 8 days at the shelter.  He was given the name Gizmo when he arrived, and it just fits him.  But we do call him other things like Squeeky, and Rascal, and Houdini.  He's about 2 years old they said, and weighs about 6 pounds.  Of course, while he was at the shelter, they neutered him, and gave him all those shots.  

 

We spent about 3 hours there.  We saw lots of kittens, maybe 30, and lots of adult cats, ages one year and up.  This little one came out of a box in the corner, as we were trying to decide which one to adopt.  He stole the show, not with any performance, but with his gentle, sweet personality.  We were sold.

 

We have been in animal shelters before, and sometimes it is heartbreaking.  I remember tears the last time I visited a shelter.  This time was different.  It was a kind and gentle place.  The people there were attentive and we could tell they were happy to be there.  The hardest part was seeing all those gray DSH (Domestic Short Hair) tabbies reminding us of Ranger and Blazer.  But all in all, it was a very pleasant experience.  

 

And we came home with our new fur baby, Gizmo.  

 

 

THAT'S MY STORY, AND I'M STICKING TO IT!!!