It's time to bring in your houseplants that have been "at camp" on the porch all summer.  Even though the days are still warm, the nighttime temperatures are getting ready to drop into the 50's.  Most tropical plants can't take temperatures below 55 degrees.  Trust me;  do it soon!!!

 

I won't try to save the pot of marigolds, (they are annuals, and will be planted again in the spring) but the spider plant, amaryllis, and Benjamin fig will come inside for the winter.  Before you move your plants inside, be sure to check the leaves (above and below) for bugs, and clusters of insect eggs.  Don't want to overwinter them!!!

 

Some people also divide and pot up herbs from the garden, like chives, oregano, parsley, thyme, and grow them in a sunny windowsill.  We don't go to that trouble. We harvest our herbs and hang them in the window to dry for winter use.  Whatever works for you...

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

I saw this picture on the Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds website, and copied it to show you.  It is so cheerful!!!

 

The story with it was about a farmer who planted this field in sunflowers just to cheer people up this year.  That's why WE plant sunflowers every year:  they cheer up everybody who sees them.  They are also great for the pollinators.  When they are in bloom, the birds and bees and butterflies love them.

 

Sunflowers are so easy to grow.  You can buy a package of seeds in the spring, just about anywhere.  Then all you have to do is find a sunny spot and poke the seeds into the ground in April or May.  Then, get ready to be amazed.  

 

We have some sunflowers in the garden that are 10 feet tall.  And the birds love pecking out the seeds.  We leave them until they are almost empty, then save some seeds to plant next year.  But I do like to get a fresh pack of seeds every few years, and maybe try a different variety.

 

They are so much fun in the garden.  Try it and see for yourself.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love this picture.  

 

This is my friend, Sheri.  She has a friend, Sandy who has a sheep farm outside Charlotte.  They have a Great Pyrenees, and cows too.  Sounds like a fun friend to go visit in the spring, or anytime when the lambs are born.  

 

Sandy's Sheep, Sheri's baby.  I think you should raise sheep, Sheri.  You look like a natural lamb momma.

 

HAPPY TIMES!!!

 

Have you been to Hughes Outdoor Sporting Goods lately?  It is in Blairsville on 19/129, just before you turn onto the hospital road.  Look over to the right behind the gas station.  You might have to pull into the parking area to get a good look.  

 

They have the most gorgeous hanging baskets.  They are huge!!  They are filled with sweet potato vines, dichondra, and begonias, and still growing.  I see some spider plants in there too.  Ralph has to water them twice a day, 2 gallons each time.  Go see them, they are incredible.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

I thought you might like to see what a butternut squash harvest at our house looks like.  These all grew in our garden this year.   We harvested 30!!!   Some of them I planted, and some planted themselves.  I love that!!!  Except sometimes they plant themselves right in the walkway.  Oh well.  We just walk around them.  

 

I will add two recipes: butternut squash soup and butternut with green beans.  Check in the recipe section; it's under neighbors sharing, down at the bottom.  

 

I just went there and added the green bean one, and saw that the soup one was already there.  Hope you enjoy our recipes.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the same Beautyberry bush that I wrote about on August 4th, 2020.  It was blooming then, showing only green berries.  It is still not all the way into its glory, but starting to show color.  I'll get another picture when it's fully colored.  I know you'll agree that it is fabulous.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!!

 

This is New York Ironweed, Vernonia noveboracensis; but it is also called Ironweed.  

 

Ironweed is a native plant in the eastern US, and it is blooming right now.  There is some in the field just before you turn onto Mocassin Church Rd, and this one is in the Union County Methodist Church parking lot.  They grow from 3-9 feet tall, and bloom from August-October.  Butterflies love them for their nectar:  lots of flowers close together.  

 

You can see them in waste places, roadsides, and low ground from New York south to Florida, and west to Alabama, Kentucky and West Virginia.  So be on the lookout when you're out for a drive.  The color of the flowers just takes my breath away.  Here's a close up pic.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Nancy gave me this puzzle last week.  It was in 1000 pieces.  I started putting it together on Saturday, and was finished by Thursday.  I love puzzles:  Crosswords, Sudoku, jigsaws, all kinds.  This one was so fun, and beautiful.  All the butterflies are numbered, and named scientifically.

 

I sent Nancy a picture when I started, and a couple progress pictures.  She is doing a 1500 piece puzzle of birds.  The center one is a peacock with about 50 "eyes."  This winter we are going to swap puzzles.  She'll get the butterflies and I'll get the birds.  Hey, as Momma would say, "It keeps us out of the pool hall."  

 

I did make one BIG mistake, though.  I started putting it together on the living room table, which stands 16 inches off the floor.  By the time I realized my error, it was too late to move it to a higher table.  So every piece was added by bending over.  AAK!!!  I surely won't make THAT mistake again.  

 

Next time I will monopolize the dining room table for however long it takes.  

 

HAPPY DAYS!!!

 

 

 

Happy hour on the porch with Henry and Tere is fun.  We sit at opposite ends of the porch and solve the problems of the world.  It takes HOURS!!!!  The hummingbirds are right there in front of us.  They buzz in and out at warp speed.  

 

I love this picture.  I set my phone camera to the Live option, and took a few pix as they flew in and out.  Then I could watch them again in motion and pick out the best shot.  

 

Thanks, friends for entertaining us this weekend.

 

HAPPY BIRDING!!!

 

A couple years ago, Jon turned 70.  We had a three day birthday bash.  It was tremendous fun!!!  Over 50 guests in all came to celebrate the BIG day.  I had to spread it out over the three day weekend to have enough room to put all our friends.  Everybody chose their own day to attend.  It worked beautifully.

 

We celebrated like kids, with 3 cakes and 3 different homemade ice creams, and presents.  Everybody had fun!!

 

Not to hog the gift-giving prize, but.....when he came home with this yellow Jeep to take me for a ride, I said YES!!! Let's buy it and call it your birthday present.  It has been so much fun every summer since.  Remember that old joke:  How can you tell a happy motorcyclist?  By the bugs on his teeth.  Well, that's how happy this Jeep makes us.  Whenever we drive it, we're grinning from ear to ear.  

 

Today is his birthday, and the Jeep is still the present.  ;D   If you happen to see him on a walk or in the Jeep, be sure to wave.

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JON.