tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12498482114455852542024-03-13T21:17:54.581-06:00Toad Haven AnnexMy forum for sharing creative activities, in fabric arts, needlework, gardening, photography, and living, with the creative community.
"Changelessness is a sign of death; Transformation a sign of life."Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.comBlogger275125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-35178370827396685592010-07-26T01:06:00.005-06:002010-07-26T02:03:13.977-06:00Reentering the Blogosphere<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TE0_IFBxYXI/AAAAAAAADSw/VMuayZTcuJw/s1600/Cody+%26+Bill+constructing+new+front+porch+6_22_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498120128110354802" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TE0_IFBxYXI/AAAAAAAADSw/VMuayZTcuJw/s400/Cody+%26+Bill+constructing+new+front+porch+6_22_2010.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TE0_HjVgPNI/AAAAAAAADSo/XKxs0gLw4ek/s1600/Front+Porch+progress+early+afternoon+6_23_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498120119066311890" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TE0_HjVgPNI/AAAAAAAADSo/XKxs0gLw4ek/s400/Front+Porch+progress+early+afternoon+6_23_2010.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TE0_HYKDrXI/AAAAAAAADSg/kfgnN2OXMh8/s1600/Front+Porch+Railing+installed++6_24_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498120116065512818" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TE0_HYKDrXI/AAAAAAAADSg/kfgnN2OXMh8/s400/Front+Porch+Railing+installed++6_24_2010.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TE0_Gx9TgdI/AAAAAAAADSY/w419IDb0NFM/s1600/Front+Porch+with+Handrails+and+Stain+6_29_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498120105811476946" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TE0_Gx9TgdI/AAAAAAAADSY/w419IDb0NFM/s400/Front+Porch+with+Handrails+and+Stain+6_29_2010.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TE0_GkVPEeI/AAAAAAAADSQ/k2MNwensZx0/s1600/Front+Porch+Baptized+7_8_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498120102153753058" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TE0_GkVPEeI/AAAAAAAADSQ/k2MNwensZx0/s400/Front+Porch+Baptized+7_8_2010.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I'm still here, although I have been quiet for some time. I realize that I haven't been myself since I had my first of 3 TIAs (mini strokes), a little over 2 years ago. I've done no quiltmaking and little sewing in this time, but I have kept up with my gardening, and with my interest in quilts and quilting. Thanks to a new doctor, who adjusted my meds, I have become me again. Hooray and Praise the Lord!<br /><br /><div>[I even forgot to post on July 15 Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.]</div><br /><div>During this time my world has been like living in blah shades of gray, and I've been a color loving person all my life. [I tell my grandkids that the reason old movies are B & W is because the world wasn't colored before Technicolor movies started. LOL] But we all know that my world was not B & W in those ancient days of yore. Now suddenly the world is a colorful delight again, I'm me again! Food even tastes better, oh oh...... I have been losing a bit of weight slowly and hope to continue that. </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div></div><div>I have been FaceBooking, to keep in contact with family and friends, and enjoy seeing photos of grandkids and great grandkids. But the FaceBook format doesn't allow a person to say much at a time. In face, it is rediculously limited. "See Dick. See Jane. See Spot. See them run." etc. Where are all the words I love?<br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I remember, a number of years ago, being told in my church prayer group that the word "enthusiasm" came, somehow, from "God with us". I did not study Latin so can't really figure it out, except for "Theos." I believe now that the TIAs screwed up my brain wiring so that the enthusiasm channel was blocked. Enthusiam has much to do with having the Muse visit us, so without enthusiasm, my Muse was in a coma; not dead, thank God! The adjustment of meds has evidently allowed that channel to open and I am enjoying life immensely, again.</div></div><div> </div><div><br /><div>Now, I am still getting older and tire faster while working slower, but I am beginning to bring some order to the chaos that my world and office have become when I lost not only enthusiasm, but my life long talent at organization and multi-tasking. I'll never be 30 again, or even 60, but I can still do some of the things that I love to do. And instead of doing things being a burden, it becomes a joy...well...maybe not major housecleaning, but at least I can slowly scoop out the dust and junk and live a bit more civilized life.</div><br /><div>I think I will even be able to start making journal quilts again; maybe not this summer while I have so much energy and strenth taken by my beloved gardening, but in this climate, I cannot garden in the winter, and it is cozy to fuse and sew in a nice warm house.</div><br /><div>Since I am such a visual person, I can't just write, I have to jazz it up with my photos. Since getting my new computer with Windows 7, I have not been able to move the photos around within my blog, so, since I didn't think of posting photos until all this is written, I will post them at the top.</div><br /><div>A few months ago I stepped out of my front door and the porch floor collapsed beneath me for several feet. Luckily I was not hurt, but pretty shaken up. The wood was covered with green fake grass and we couldn't tell that it had rotted out. We managed to shore it up until we were able to tear down the old, tiny stoop and build a new larger deck/porch. See the progress and try to feel how excited and happy I am with the new porch. We still need to dig Joe's late mom's old patio table and chairs out of my sister-in-laws storage units; I think it was small enough to fit on the west end of the porch. Our nephew is coming down from Parker to visit his mom tomorrow and he will help Joe get it out and over here. I love to decorate my home and garden with vintage pieces.</div><br /><div>I've always been a night person but I have to adjust to the new med regimen so that my energy shows up earlier in the day and I don't keep getting sidetracked from getting to bed and sleep. And I need to work on pacing, which is what we are working on in my chronic pain support group.</div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><div>Glad to be back; hope to have some quilt photos one of these days.</div><br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-50506317588677039142010-06-14T21:22:00.007-06:002010-06-14T22:37:48.365-06:00Garden Bloggers Bloom Day June 15, 2010<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb84_XjELI/AAAAAAAADSA/D49g8hn1aFI/s1600/Yarrow+%26+Gaillardia+6_13_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482847652383232178" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb84_XjELI/AAAAAAAADSA/D49g8hn1aFI/s400/Yarrow+%26+Gaillardia+6_13_2010.JPG" /></a> Gaillardias and Yarrow, south of the house, planted last summer.<br /><br />Things are a bit late this year due to the unusually cool, wet spring. To further complicate our gardening, it jumped from freezing to 100 degrees with dry winds in a very short time which stressed transplants that hadn't had time to grow deep roots. I still have lots of planting and transplanting to do because of this. Some friends tell me that they haven't managed to get any gardening done due to the weird weather conditions.<br /><br />Serious gardeners in Colorado learn to go with the flow and succeed in having attractive gardens when they learn to grow plants that stand the conditions without coddling or using too much water, which is getting scarcer as more people move here and try to grow giant size blue grass lawns. I love my native Blue Gramma Grass that takes much less water and doesn't have to cut often and grows well in our sandy river bottom soil. I've become a missionary to spread the word about xeriscape gardening, and I don't mean only hot rocks and gravel.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb838r2z8I/AAAAAAAADR4/ixnBSbFPYWI/s1600/Evening+Primrose+Missouri+Ozark+Yellow+6_13_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482847634483236802" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb838r2z8I/AAAAAAAADR4/ixnBSbFPYWI/s400/Evening+Primrose+Missouri+Ozark+Yellow+6_13_2010.JPG" /></a> Ozark Yellow Evening Primroses that grow beside the Lilliaputian Prairie Pond.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb83RyplII/AAAAAAAADRw/qPVOdkGyEhE/s1600/Tickseed+volunteer+in+Herb+Garden+6_13_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482847622969005186" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb83RyplII/AAAAAAAADRw/qPVOdkGyEhE/s400/Tickseed+volunteer+in+Herb+Garden+6_13_2010.JPG" /></a> Volunteer Coropsis that moved from prairie border to the herb garden, probably with the help of one of the birds that flock in the Locust Tree, next to the bird feeders, behind the herb garden.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb6u5W9C_I/AAAAAAAADRo/Q0bCCEJdoAU/s1600/Yarrow+6_13_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482845279948180466" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb6u5W9C_I/AAAAAAAADRo/Q0bCCEJdoAU/s400/Yarrow+6_13_2010.JPG" /></a> Closeup of Yellow Yarrow planted south of the house last summer.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb6ufcCJFI/AAAAAAAADRg/kgBPwMy5q1s/s1600/Gaillarida+6_13_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482845272990164050" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb6ufcCJFI/AAAAAAAADRg/kgBPwMy5q1s/s400/Gaillarida+6_13_2010.JPG" /></a> Gaillardias planted with Yarrow last year. Notice that I don't even try to grow plants like beautiful Delphiniums that don't do well in our hot, dry climate gardens.<br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb6tmEpH4I/AAAAAAAADRQ/36E_LO0Kngw/s1600/Feverfew+in+Dooryard+Garden+3_13_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482845257591234434" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb6tmEpH4I/AAAAAAAADRQ/36E_LO0Kngw/s400/Feverfew+in+Dooryard+Garden+3_13_2010.JPG" /></a> Feverfew in the dooryard patio garden with the California Poppies and Lavender.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb6s8ZD0MI/AAAAAAAADRI/Pe6KedDtLAw/s1600/Violas+%26+California+Poppies++Dooryar+Garden+6_13_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482845246402580674" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb6s8ZD0MI/AAAAAAAADRI/Pe6KedDtLAw/s400/Violas+%26+California+Poppies++Dooryar+Garden+6_13_2010.JPG" /></a> Violas and California Poppies in the dooryard patio garden.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb3t195ZyI/AAAAAAAADRA/eP571cxNDhM/s1600/Honeysuckle+Vine+behind+Herb+Garden+6_13_2010+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482841963323025186" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb3t195ZyI/AAAAAAAADRA/eP571cxNDhM/s400/Honeysuckle+Vine+behind+Herb+Garden+6_13_2010+(2).JPG" /></a> Honeysuckle Vine behind the herb garden.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb3trpG-7I/AAAAAAAADQ4/jEJiWeMozOs/s1600/ChoCho+enjoying+newly+planted+Catnip+b+6_13_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482841960551480242" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb3trpG-7I/AAAAAAAADQ4/jEJiWeMozOs/s400/ChoCho+enjoying+newly+planted+Catnip+b+6_13_2010.JPG" /></a> ChoCho checking out the newly planted Catnip, which has to be protected by a metal basket to keep the cats from rolling in it and eating it down to the roots. Our historic patch didn't make it thru this tough winter, but there are volunteers coming up in all kinds of places they shouldn't be.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb3tNPrLHI/AAAAAAAADQw/SjH97kVCVaI/s1600/Unknown+Herb+6_13_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482841952391736434" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb3tNPrLHI/AAAAAAAADQw/SjH97kVCVaI/s400/Unknown+Herb+6_13_2010.JPG" /></a> Pretty yellow blooms on unknown herb which I planted last year and can't find the label this spring. Any suggestions on what it is are welcomed.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb3sr7YrWI/AAAAAAAADQo/SJYF5rpcG68/s1600/Caroway+Thyme+in+Herb+Garden+6_13_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482841943448268130" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb3sr7YrWI/AAAAAAAADQo/SJYF5rpcG68/s400/Caroway+Thyme+in+Herb+Garden+6_13_2010.JPG" /></a> This Caroway Thyme smells exactly like Caroway. It's been here since planted in 2004 when it began as a tiny plant.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb3sB6prTI/AAAAAAAADQg/iSU8gMKYno0/s1600/Cilantro+becoming+Coriander+seeds+6_13_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482841932170898738" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBb3sB6prTI/AAAAAAAADQg/iSU8gMKYno0/s400/Cilantro+becoming+Coriander+seeds+6_13_2010.JPG" /></a> This Cilantro is working on becoming Coriander seeds. Everything tastes better with Cilantro, well... Mexican dishes do.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBbzJ_0W8bI/AAAAAAAADQY/-qg4NXoofp8/s1600/Prickley+Pear+Blossoms+6_13_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482836949445570994" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBbzJ_0W8bI/AAAAAAAADQY/-qg4NXoofp8/s400/Prickley+Pear+Blossoms+6_13_2010.JPG" /></a> Yellow Prickley Pear peeking out from the edge of the Cholla that is trying to take over the mini prairie garden. These PPs are blooming all over the prairie right now also. I hope to add a Claret Cup PP to the prairie garden. There are some of them growing on certain prairie hills around here, but they bloom a bit later. I am trying to figure out how to armor myself to prune down this overgrown Cholla, which has wickedly painful loooong spines that hurt, and they reach out and grab you if you come too near. I'm thinking I need a long handled lopper and very heavy leather gloves and a long handled grabber of some kind. Joe tells me I need to use the flame thrower on it, but I'm afraid of that thing. Note the bindweed that I am reluctant to try to pull out of those small spaces between predatory spines.<br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBbzJFTWbOI/AAAAAAAADQI/7JKHIDbUhW8/s1600/Creeping+Thyme+Pink+Chintz+b+6_13_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482836933737868514" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBbzJFTWbOI/AAAAAAAADQI/7JKHIDbUhW8/s400/Creeping+Thyme+Pink+Chintz+b+6_13_2010.JPG" /></a> Pink Chintz Creeping Thyme by the front gate. I had a brilliant idea several years ago to plant a Creeping Thyme lawn on this side of the small front yard. The weedy grasses, dandelions and bindweed that had had free rein here for decades pretty much crowded the thymes out. I should have sterilized the soil before planting the thymes here, like I did before planting the prairie and veggie gardens in the side yard. The first summer we lived here I spread heavy black plastic sheeting all over that area and weighted it down with concrete pavers and the huge potted plants I had moved here from my previous roof top garden. The heat sterilizes most weed seeds.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBbzIfWNMzI/AAAAAAAADQA/YlE8eauQTeU/s1600/Bachelor%27s+Buttons+b+6_13_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482836923549299506" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBbzIfWNMzI/AAAAAAAADQA/YlE8eauQTeU/s400/Bachelor%27s+Buttons+b+6_13_2010.JPG" /></a> Some of my beloved volunteer Bachelor Buttons along the front fence. These have been favorites of mine since I was a small child. They look good next to the Blaze Climbing Roses.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBbzH24U1FI/AAAAAAAADP4/77J00ejRLaM/s1600/Blaze+Climbing+Rose+6_13_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482836912686552146" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/TBbzH24U1FI/AAAAAAAADP4/77J00ejRLaM/s400/Blaze+Climbing+Rose+6_13_2010.JPG" /></a> This is the Blaze Climbing Rose I plated on the front fence last year. I may decide to put them all along the fence.<br /></div><div></div><div><br /><div>Check out what is blooming all over the world, on <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.blogspot.com/">May Dreams Gardens</a>, each month on the 15th day.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-75060797412008960972010-05-15T00:09:00.008-06:002010-05-15T00:42:18.464-06:00Garden Bloggers Bloom Day May 15, 2010<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S-473e7J9dI/AAAAAAAADPo/yApLrVAN880/s1600/Bleeding+Heart+in+the+Rain+5_14_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471376421681755602" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S-473e7J9dI/AAAAAAAADPo/yApLrVAN880/s400/Bleeding+Heart+in+the+Rain+5_14_2010.JPG" /></a> Happy springtime, fellow gardners and bloggers. We've had the coldest, wettest spring in ages here in Southeastern Colorado, interspersed with a few sunny, quite hot days. It is a big difference from the decade of serious drought that we just lived through. You can see how the Bleeding Hearts and Pansies were beaded with raindrops this late afternoon. Even on such a cold, dark, rainy day there are reasons to celebrate life. The cold and rain have not bugged me as much as the continuous high winds we have suffered through for a couple of months. On the warm, sunny days that hot, dry wind sucks up a lot of the moisture in the Toad Haven gardens as well as on the prairie surrounding us.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S-4724yq8NI/AAAAAAAADPg/JbFXDwUdoa0/s1600/Pansies+in+the+Rain+5_14_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471376411445620946" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S-4724yq8NI/AAAAAAAADPg/JbFXDwUdoa0/s400/Pansies+in+the+Rain+5_14_2010.JPG" /></a> The pansies look especially fresh with the raindrops shining on them.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S-47jEq0SuI/AAAAAAAADPY/BBwxrQ2Q8lU/s1600/Lilac+bush+loaded+with+blossoms++5_7_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471376071036521186" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S-47jEq0SuI/AAAAAAAADPY/BBwxrQ2Q8lU/s400/Lilac+bush+loaded+with+blossoms++5_7_2010.JPG" /></a> This is the first year I've had lots of blooms on this Lilac Bush. When we moved in seven years ago, it was quite small and suffering from years of neglect. I've babied it with water and fertilizer and tried to overcome the damage caused by a plague of grasshoppers and late freezes. This year I received my reward for my nurturing and was even able to take a large bouquet of Lilacs and Purple Iris to my mom on Mother's Day.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S-47i4jM8qI/AAAAAAAADPQ/YC-Bzotwl-8/s1600/Violets+4_28_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471376067783357090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S-47i4jM8qI/AAAAAAAADPQ/YC-Bzotwl-8/s400/Violets+4_28_2010.JPG" /></a> I love the color of this clump of Violets by the front porch.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S-47iRskVnI/AAAAAAAADPI/rH4PKPFZboM/s1600/Jonquils+4_28_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471376057353655922" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S-47iRskVnI/AAAAAAAADPI/rH4PKPFZboM/s400/Jonquils+4_28_2010.JPG" /></a> These tiny Jonquils bloomed later this year than they usually do.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S-47hxrZ6SI/AAAAAAAADPA/WLINV9geWn8/s1600/Iris+4_28_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471376048758843682" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S-47hxrZ6SI/AAAAAAAADPA/WLINV9geWn8/s400/Iris+4_28_2010.JPG" /></a> Old fashioned purple Bearded Iris, which were here when we moved in, are blooming along the front fence and in front of the garden shed in back.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>My heart is so much lighter when the world begins to green up and flower. I'm also having a great time photographing the wild prairie flowers that are popping up in thanksgiving for the rains. The prairie grasses are so green and luxuriant this spring, also. Goodbye, drought! Not sorry to see you go.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>For what's blooming around the world today, check out <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/">May Dreams</a> Gardens.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-55828304721900695742010-04-14T16:43:00.006-06:002010-04-14T17:14:30.025-06:00Garden Bloggers Bloom Day April 2010<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S8ZGhctCCGI/AAAAAAAADOw/canNhIzP2dA/s1600/Aloe+Vera+Bloom+Stalk+4_11_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460129138688002146" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S8ZGhctCCGI/AAAAAAAADOw/canNhIzP2dA/s400/Aloe+Vera+Bloom+Stalk+4_11_2010.JPG" /></a> Spring is finally springing! Warm days and sun, but lots of wind and dust also. This Aloe Vera, on the sunporch is blooming. It will go out onto the dooryard patio once the danger of frost is past. The first time this big Aloe bloomed I was amazed, didn't even know that they got blooms.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S8ZGgyujwQI/AAAAAAAADOo/1BbVGp9dXhU/s1600/Orchid+still+Blooming+4_9_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460129127420117250" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S8ZGgyujwQI/AAAAAAAADOo/1BbVGp9dXhU/s400/Orchid+still+Blooming+4_9_2010.JPG" /></a> This Phalenopsis orchid in the dining room is still blooming beautifully. It is wonderful to have blossoms that last so long.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S8ZGgVmSCcI/AAAAAAAADOg/83nNwrc_XLk/s1600/Scilla+Blooming+4_6_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460129119600773570" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S8ZGgVmSCcI/AAAAAAAADOg/83nNwrc_XLk/s400/Scilla+Blooming+4_6_2010.JPG" /></a><br />Out at the front corner of the house I have a few Scillas blooming. They are such a clear blue that they really show up inspite of being so small and so few.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S8ZGgHxZNzI/AAAAAAAADOY/kmmTc1aK61w/s1600/Violas+Blooming+4_6_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460129115889284914" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S8ZGgHxZNzI/AAAAAAAADOY/kmmTc1aK61w/s400/Violas+Blooming+4_6_2010.JPG" /></a> The Violas in the dooryard patio garden are now blooming in bunches.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S8ZGfsGK5FI/AAAAAAAADOQ/0hZAZN1qxv8/s1600/Vinca+Blooming+4_6_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460129108460233810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S8ZGfsGK5FI/AAAAAAAADOQ/0hZAZN1qxv8/s400/Vinca+Blooming+4_6_2010.JPG" /></a> The Vinca under the Russian Olive next to the mini prairie is making quite a show. There is a lot of dead annual grass in that bed that needs to be grubbed out.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>All the garden blooms tend to be in the blue/violet color range. For some reason my yellow daffodils haven't made a show this year. I hope something didn't eat all the bulbs. I see that I need to put in more daffodils and tulips this fall for early color. Ought to try some crocus as well. Even my ancient batch of Grape Hyacinths have been absent this spring, except for one self sown straggler in the Gramma Grass. The small Blue Grass lawn, in front, is beginning to turn green with attendent dandelions, but the Gramma Grass is a warm weather grass and won't get green until later in the spring.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I wish I could find flowers for my garden that were as prolific as the dandelions. While blooming, they put on a nice show, but look awful when they go to seed. My late, previous, husband, Lou, who was a plant ecologist and into natural plant medicines, wouldn't spray the dandelions because he believed that tea from the roots was very good for the kidneys. I've also tasted delicious homemade dandelion wine but don't know how to make it.<br /><br /><br />To see what is blooming around the world check <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/">May Dreams Gardens</a>.</div></div></div></div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-84076214569003811572010-03-15T20:55:00.005-06:002010-03-15T21:16:48.536-06:00Garden Bloggers Bloom Day March 2010<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S57z0zWggZI/AAAAAAAADOA/c1grfUfIa9E/s1600-h/Snow+Front+Porch+Flower+Bed+3_15_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449060687628239250" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S57z0zWggZI/AAAAAAAADOA/c1grfUfIa9E/s400/Snow+Front+Porch+Flower+Bed+3_15_2010.JPG" /></a> Welcome to Toad Haven Gardens on March 15. Some of yesterdays snow still covers the flower bed next to the front porch, on the north. Later there will be Daffodils, Creeping Phlox, and gorgeous Violets in this area.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S57z0aC-y_I/AAAAAAAADN4/CUNj-oUenis/s1600-h/Yarrow+Sprouts+3_15_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449060680835451890" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S57z0aC-y_I/AAAAAAAADN4/CUNj-oUenis/s400/Yarrow+Sprouts+3_15_2010.JPG" /></a> Here are new green shoots from the Yarrow planted on the south side of the house last summer. Only dried flower heads are blossoming here.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S57zz5KjTiI/AAAAAAAADNw/So0Wi9nKuW8/s1600-h/First+Viola+3_15_2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449060672008834594" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S57zz5KjTiI/AAAAAAAADNw/So0Wi9nKuW8/s400/First+Viola+3_15_2010.JPG" /></a><br />This is in the same corner of the dooryard patio garden that I showed, looking so dead, in February, with the first Viola to bloom this spring. I love the Johnnie-Jump-Ups that seed themselves all over the garden. Some winters they manage to bloom through the season, but definitely not this year.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In between the March snows we are getting lovely, sunny days with up to low 60s temps so I will soon feel that it is safe to remove the dead stalks and dry leaves that I leave over the winter to protect the plants and for seed heads to feed the winter birds. My fingers are just itching to get out there and do the spring cleaning. </div><div> </div><div>Indoors, the Orchid, that I recently posted photos of, is still in full bloom.<br /><br /></div><div>See what's blooming all over the world, today, at <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/">May Dreams Gardens.</a></div></div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-80390866937619060412010-02-28T19:36:00.002-07:002010-02-28T19:40:09.529-07:00All Orchid Buds Bloomed Out<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S4so3_LDX4I/AAAAAAAADNg/JR7g5zhTA3M/s1600-h/Orchids+in+Bloom+2_28_2010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443489516923084674" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S4so3_LDX4I/AAAAAAAADNg/JR7g5zhTA3M/s400/Orchids+in+Bloom+2_28_2010.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Here is how the Orchid looks with all the blossoms open. It will be interesting to see how long they last this time.</div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-55769502232433454582010-02-21T19:08:00.002-07:002010-02-21T19:12:18.268-07:00New Winter Blooms<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S4Hn0LqIrPI/AAAAAAAADNY/tVpYhgxJaNs/s1600-h/IMG_0319_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440884708509002994" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S4Hn0LqIrPI/AAAAAAAADNY/tVpYhgxJaNs/s400/IMG_0319_edited-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>These Snow Blossoms were blooming all around the prairie border, at Toad Haven, this evening. I think they are really quite attractive. Brightened up the garden considerably.</div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-70285394879050666112010-02-19T20:08:00.004-07:002010-02-19T20:11:20.413-07:00The Orchid has a Bloom<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S39SvTNv6zI/AAAAAAAADNI/y90v24RJXKY/s1600-h/Orchid+Bloom+b+2_19_2010_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440157847452117810" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S39SvTNv6zI/AAAAAAAADNI/y90v24RJXKY/s400/Orchid+Bloom+b+2_19_2010_edited-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Today I was happily surprised to find that one of the orchid buds had blossomed out. It is gorgeous and they usually last for quite a while. There are still more buds waiting to make an entrance.</div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-61559546062455219542010-02-15T13:42:00.004-07:002010-02-15T14:55:42.062-07:00Garden Bloggers Bloom Day February 2010<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S3m9ndF-6rI/AAAAAAAADM4/PYLRl3gYULU/s1600-h/Dooryard+Garden+2_15_2010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438586510548855474" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S3m9ndF-6rI/AAAAAAAADM4/PYLRl3gYULU/s400/Dooryard+Garden+2_15_2010.jpg" /></a> This is why February is the worst month of the year for me. Everything is brown, dry and dead; if I hadn't seen the miracle of Spring for 71 years, I would find it difficult to hope or have faith in live, green, growing, blossoming plants.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S3m9m303IKI/AAAAAAAADMw/ml84CrDAulI/s1600-h/Pansy+pot+2_15_2010_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438586500544929954" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S3m9m303IKI/AAAAAAAADMw/ml84CrDAulI/s400/Pansy+pot+2_15_2010_edited-1.jpg" /></a><br />Usually, I have a few pansies and violas that manage to bloom through the winter, but this year even the pansies haven't been able to survive.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S3m9OTGju2I/AAAAAAAADMo/zu_P_Erpr3w/s1600-h/Succulent+blossom+2_14_2010_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438586078370184034" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S3m9OTGju2I/AAAAAAAADMo/zu_P_Erpr3w/s400/Succulent+blossom+2_14_2010_edited-1.jpg" /></a> But indoors I manage to have a few blossoms. This is the lovely, tiny blossom on a hanging succulent that my mother started for me several years ago. If anyone knows what it is, I'd love to know the name. This hangs in the window over my kitchen sink. Since mother is in assisted living, I have her huge mother plant hanging in the sunporch.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S3m9OIM1gUI/AAAAAAAADMg/0iCaPP6u4vo/s1600-h/mini+Hoya+flowers+2_14_2010_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438586075443724610" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S3m9OIM1gUI/AAAAAAAADMg/0iCaPP6u4vo/s400/mini+Hoya+flowers+2_14_2010_edited-1.jpg" /></a> A couple of blossoms are on the mini Hoya in the dining room south window. I think Hoyas have some of the most beautiful flowers I've ever seen; they look like they are made of glass. These are petite compared to the regular size Hoya on the sunporch. This plant started from three tiny sprigs from a sweet lady in senior housing in Lyons, when I was working for the Boulder County Housing Authority in the 70s. My oldest daughter also has a house full of these now in Wheatridge.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S3m9NpI6U1I/AAAAAAAADMY/bNrf-5ujGY4/s1600-h/Poinsettia++2_10_10_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438586067105764178" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S3m9NpI6U1I/AAAAAAAADMY/bNrf-5ujGY4/s400/Poinsettia++2_10_10_edited-1.jpg" /></a><br />This is the final gasp of the Christmas Poinsettia in the dining room. <br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S3m9NRSuQvI/AAAAAAAADMQ/Ag_uOVxl2V8/s1600-h/Amaryllis+2_10_10_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438586060704465650" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S3m9NRSuQvI/AAAAAAAADMQ/Ag_uOVxl2V8/s400/Amaryllis+2_10_10_edited-1.jpg" /></a>This is from the final stalk of Amaryllis blooms from the dish of three huge bulbs my daughter-in-law Robyn gave me at Thanksgiving. It's bloomed for three months and cheered us up during the sleeping garden season.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S3m9ND-wK2I/AAAAAAAADMI/Q5e5zcyqLYo/s1600-h/Orchid+Buds+2_11_10_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438586057131043682" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S3m9ND-wK2I/AAAAAAAADMI/Q5e5zcyqLYo/s400/Orchid+Buds+2_11_10_edited-1.jpg" /></a> Finally, one of the Orchids (P. Mount Beauty x Stope New Candy) is getting ready to bloom again soon, in the south dining room window. I've been amazed at how faithfully these Orchids bloom year after year, and how long the blooms last. I have finally learned to only try to grow plants that don't take a lot of coddling, both indoors and out.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>To see what is blooming around the world, today, check out the list at <a href="http://maydreamsgardens.com/">May Dreams Gardens</a>.<br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S3m8RKeFjSI/AAAAAAAADL4/qab4a-1XTEU/s1600-h/Amaryllis+2_10_10_edited-1.jpg"></a><div><div><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-57475309177262470862010-01-03T17:21:00.003-07:002010-01-03T17:52:58.518-07:00Happy New Year with Family in Byers<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S0E2Dx1kLdI/AAAAAAAADLQ/6V_70DW7Okw/s1600-h/Crystal_Senior.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422674864876301778" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S0E2Dx1kLdI/AAAAAAAADLQ/6V_70DW7Okw/s400/Crystal_Senior.jpg" /></a> This is our granddaughter, Crystal's, senior photo. Isn't she pretty? She hopes to go on to college and medical school to become a doctor after her high school graduation this coming spring.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S0E2DuwmYiI/AAAAAAAADLI/76xCv0siomQ/s1600-h/IMG_0225_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422674864050168354" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S0E2DuwmYiI/AAAAAAAADLI/76xCv0siomQ/s400/IMG_0225_edited-1.jpg" /></a> This is Heather's dad, Tom, with his grandson, Brendan. If daddy, Brian, was in the picture you could see that all three guys look alike with their red hair and blue eyes.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S0E2DI1ToXI/AAAAAAAADLA/IzGC5DpPsNE/s1600-h/IMG_0227_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422674853869363570" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S0E2DI1ToXI/AAAAAAAADLA/IzGC5DpPsNE/s400/IMG_0227_edited-1.jpg" /></a> Joe's daughter, Lori, mother of Heather, and spouse of Tom, with Adam, who is Breanne's little one. It is great to see how Lori and Tom are so good at caring for and playing with our little great grandsons. They seem to enjoy being grandparents.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S0E2C5D1DGI/AAAAAAAADK4/7mGSglRjvu4/s1600-h/Adam+%26+Brendan++2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422674849635306594" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S0E2C5D1DGI/AAAAAAAADK4/7mGSglRjvu4/s400/Adam+%26+Brendan++2009.jpg" /></a> Here is a photo of the little cousins that Lori gave to us.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S0E2CmO4_MI/AAAAAAAADKw/9B-Xw7u7BfU/s1600-h/IMG_0236_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422674844581428418" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/S0E2CmO4_MI/AAAAAAAADKw/9B-Xw7u7BfU/s400/IMG_0236_edited-1.jpg" /></a><br />We are home from a great weekend at Byers where we had good company, food, and even Champagne on New Year's Eve at the home of our son Doug and his wife Jennie. Here are Mandy, Brendan and Kat enjoying Evan playing the keyboard. 17 week old black pug, Boo, has joined two toned Cooper as our Granddogs. </div><div> </div><div>On Saturday Kat and I took Mandy to Aurora Mall to shop for a prom dress for her to take to Utah when she flew back to her Job Corp School on Sunday. It was fun to watch her look thru the shops and try on dresses. She wanted a long dress that wasn't very frou frou, and the style seemed to be for veeeerrrry short frou frou dresses, but she found a simple long black and white paneled dress that looked good on her. She says she and her friends don't go to dance, they just sit around and talk. Do you suppose they do it face to face or on their ever present fashion statement cell phones?</div><div> </div><div>It was cold in Byers, with lots more snow banks than we have here, and I was wearing my sandals, not expecting having to walk thru snow. I forget that we live in Colorado's Banana Belt, and that they get much more snow than we do. That's why I-70 is often shut down due to blizzards and drifts.</div><div> </div><div>I was washing, ironing and wrapping the kids' pillowcases at the last minute, before we left, and forgot to take photos of the finished pieces. Take my word for it, they were colorful and looked great, even though they are so fast and easy to make. That is the kind of project patterns I like to find.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-70293974737724698132009-12-29T20:16:00.006-07:002009-12-29T20:53:53.982-07:00Garden Bloggers Bloom Day December<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SzrJSKotKjI/AAAAAAAADKg/ApQy1btyxY8/s1600-h/Amaryllis+Bulbs+%26+Poinsetta+12_7_2009_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420866415423728178" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SzrJSKotKjI/AAAAAAAADKg/ApQy1btyxY8/s400/Amaryllis+Bulbs+%26+Poinsetta+12_7_2009_edited-1.jpg" /></a>Poinsettia blooming behind the huge Amaryllis bulbs that Robyn gave me at Thanksgiving. This is how much they had grown by December 7.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SzrJR_bNBqI/AAAAAAAADKY/oRAQvpbcHKY/s1600-h/IMG_0205.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420866412414305954" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SzrJR_bNBqI/AAAAAAAADKY/oRAQvpbcHKY/s400/IMG_0205.jpg" /></a> Detail of throat of one of the Amaryllis blooms.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SzrJRrab43I/AAAAAAAADKQ/4woCfdD7XwE/s1600-h/IMG_0198.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420866407042376562" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SzrJRrab43I/AAAAAAAADKQ/4woCfdD7XwE/s400/IMG_0198.jpg" /></a> Large quantity of Amaryllis blooms by Christmas.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SzrJRNuUE1I/AAAAAAAADKI/iNeR5SzTMxI/s1600-h/IMG_0199_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420866399072686930" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SzrJRNuUE1I/AAAAAAAADKI/iNeR5SzTMxI/s400/IMG_0199_edited-1.jpg" /></a><br />Detail of actual small yellow green blossoms of Poinsettia with the bright red bracts surrounding.<br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div>I didn't post about what flowers I had blooming on the 15th; the weather was so miserable and cold and the garden so dead, even my back door potted pansies froze. But my indoor flowers are going blooming like mad and brightening my holidays, so I thought I would do a late post for December. If we can't have flowers outdoors in the depth of winter, at least we can have them blooming indoors. I even have a flower stalk beginning to come up on one of the orchid plants.</div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Check out other Garden Bloggers Bloom Day reports for December at <em><a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/">May Dreams Gardens</a></em>.</div><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div></div></div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-9483149846461531542009-12-16T20:34:00.004-07:002009-12-16T20:48:05.211-07:00More Hexagons<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SymnbvKl0kI/AAAAAAAADJ4/y3AHTvaRjAA/s1600-h/IMG_0187_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416044121848926786" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SymnbvKl0kI/AAAAAAAADJ4/y3AHTvaRjAA/s400/IMG_0187_edited-1.jpg" /></a> Given my fascination with hexagons in quilts, I had to purchase this triangle ruler when I saw Denise demonstrating it to another customer at the Creative Cloth Closet in Canon City. I can picture all kinds of possibilities using this ruler. To start out I dug a set of Christmas fabric fat quarters from my stash and cut out enough triangles to make four place mats. The fabric under the ruler is the one I chose to back the mats.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SymnbUG3XlI/AAAAAAAADJw/W6Cf7cKEwvg/s1600-h/IMG_0186_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416044114585542226" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SymnbUG3XlI/AAAAAAAADJw/W6Cf7cKEwvg/s400/IMG_0186_edited-1.jpg" /></a> Here is my progress so far. In order to fit them on my narrow design door, to photograph them, I overlapped the mats. I plan to use fuseable batting to sandwich the mats and then use gold thread satin stitch to embellish the seams and finish the edges. I'll do anything to get away from putting on binding.<br /><br /><div></div></div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-47430911734328443412009-12-03T15:32:00.003-07:002009-12-03T15:42:16.661-07:00Another Quard<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Sxg-k3jhDkI/AAAAAAAADJo/1NaN9uy01XE/s1600-h/Card+for+Aunt+Lucy+front+12_3_2009_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411143755394780738" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Sxg-k3jhDkI/AAAAAAAADJo/1NaN9uy01XE/s400/Card+for+Aunt+Lucy+front+12_3_2009_edited-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Sxg-kRst2BI/AAAAAAAADJg/3zCv6aNT2Y0/s1600-h/Card+for+Aunt+Lucy+back+12_3_2009_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411143745232820242" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Sxg-kRst2BI/AAAAAAAADJg/3zCv6aNT2Y0/s400/Card+for+Aunt+Lucy+back+12_3_2009_edited-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>Here is the front and back of the quard I just made for my Aunt Lucy in Albuquerque. It was her 83rd birthday so I made this to send from my Mom and me. The family photo, that was taken on Saturday after Thanksgiving, was printed on cotton and fused to the front. The greeting was printed onto adhesive backed cotton and ironed onto the back.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>I've decided that this is better than buying a ready made card at WalMarts. I have the materials on hand and cards are not inexpensive to buy these days. I looked and looked for cards for my aunts and couldn't find any that were appropriate and these are a lot more personal.</div></div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-51205720654207618592009-12-02T23:37:00.004-07:002009-12-02T23:44:40.684-07:00Birthday Quard<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SxdeEJlSMrI/AAAAAAAADJQ/2iY98enbZso/s1600-h/Card+for+Aunt+Esther+12_2_2009+edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410896902693728946" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SxdeEJlSMrI/AAAAAAAADJQ/2iY98enbZso/s400/Card+for+Aunt+Esther+12_2_2009+edited-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>My Aunt Esther, in Bakersfield, California, had her 90th birthday in November. Being in the hospital slowed me down but here is the birthday quard I made for her. That is a photo of her, from around 1938, printed on cotton and the fabric is a vintage taffeta from my Granny's stash. The greeting was printed on silk ExtravOrganza.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This was such fun, I need to do it more often.</div><div> </div><div>I wish I had enough of that taffeta to make a long skirt for Christmas.</div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-43595664021126166092009-11-30T22:01:00.005-07:002009-11-30T22:10:24.873-07:00More Roses for Mom<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SxSkS_H6e8I/AAAAAAAADJI/uj618SARC4o/s1600/Mom%27s+New+Pillows+11_30_2009_edited-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410129698468035522" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SxSkS_H6e8I/AAAAAAAADJI/uj618SARC4o/s400/Mom%27s+New+Pillows+11_30_2009_edited-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I found a pink rose fabric, so I made some more pillows for Mom's room, to go with the commode cozy and pillows made of the green background fabric.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Her room is looking so cozy and I was pleased when I got positive comments from the kids, during their visit on Saturday.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Her neck rolls were previously covered with legs she had cut off of a pair of old knit slacks that she no longer wore. I thought it was clever of her to think of that, but they had seen a lot of wear and tear and were in need of refurbishing.</div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-34750258834085381782009-11-29T15:09:00.005-07:002009-11-29T15:36:20.353-07:00Thanksgiving Holiday<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SxLzg7BwCvI/AAAAAAAADI4/lhzNVO44e4M/s1600/Evelyn+Metzner%27s+Family++11_28_2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409653849351785202" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SxLzg7BwCvI/AAAAAAAADI4/lhzNVO44e4M/s400/Evelyn+Metzner%27s+Family++11_28_2009.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>We had a wonderful time at our son, Carl's for Thanksgiving dinner; staying with daughter, Michal Ann in Wheatridge; visiting the Denver Zoo on Friday with the family; and having lunch in Colorado Springs on Saturday, with family at Guiseppi's (in the old C. S. RR depot); and then visiting Mom with the family on Saturday afternoon. This is a photo of the family with, Gramma Evy, in the parlor of the Friendship House.</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>There is an album of photos, taken with my new Canon Power Shot camera, on my </div><div><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=12503&id=1825129380&l=09384bf4dc">Facebook page</a>. Joe says he think I'm becoming a Japanese tourist, taking photos of everything, whether it moves or not.</div></div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-31297542863787918382009-11-21T12:53:00.005-07:002009-11-21T13:08:56.739-07:00Thrilled Over Early Christmas<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwhIic4cpII/AAAAAAAADH4/Z7ObXthuNUw/s1600/Canon+Power+Shot+SX120+IS++11_21_2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406651109363983490" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwhIic4cpII/AAAAAAAADH4/Z7ObXthuNUw/s400/Canon+Power+Shot+SX120+IS++11_21_2009.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwhIKJYNjKI/AAAAAAAADHw/eGOWA_TAis0/s1600/Downey+Woodpecker+11_21_2009_edited-1-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 354px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406650691811642530" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwhIKJYNjKI/AAAAAAAADHw/eGOWA_TAis0/s400/Downey+Woodpecker+11_21_2009_edited-1-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwhIJrTRq1I/AAAAAAAADHo/u5cZ9JaHTW8/s1600/Gallardia+late+11_21_2009_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406650683737877330" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwhIJrTRq1I/AAAAAAAADHo/u5cZ9JaHTW8/s400/Gallardia+late+11_21_2009_edited-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I came home from WalMart yesterday and told Joe about a camera (Canon PowerShot SX120 IS) I had seen on sale and did he think I should get it since the 6 year old Canon Elph has about seen it's end of days. Only problem was, they didn't have any instock, but had some coming soon.</div><br /><br /><div>He came back from his trip to Pueblo this morning with a sack from Best Buy. In it was the same camera (10MB; 10 optical zoom), a 4 GB Flash Memory card, and a blue carrying case. He thought I needed it before we went to Denver and Boulder for family Thanksgiving. I am ecstatic! I've been out trying it and comparing it to my beloved little Elph. Beloved because it is so small I can carry it in my purse all the time and it is easy to use. This one is a bit bigger but will still fit in that huge purse and it has a huge screen compared to the other, not to mention tons of mega bytes and <strong>optical zoom!!! </strong></div><br /><br /><div>I can get all the tiny details in flora and fauna, especially the birds. See examples above. A Downey Woodpecker was gracious to show up at the feeders just as I needed a model. The flower is a very late Gaillardia that I planted on the south side of the house this summer, and it still thinks it is summer, in spite of the 18 degree nights we've had recently. Look at the miniscule details.</div><br /></div><div>The new camera photo was taken with the old Elph.</div><br /><div><br /><div>Do I have a very special husband? Count your blessings, Granny Fran.</div><div> </div></div></div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-59119468729809564882009-11-19T11:36:00.006-07:002009-11-19T12:09:19.346-07:00Look What I FoundWhile looking thru another of Mom's boxes, from her old home, look what I found.<br /><br /><br />Here are two cardboard templates with her notations on them. Along with these were a stack of recycled wool squares that she had planned for some comforter. There were also a few remnants of vintage fabrics she had saved.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwWRb0bG_SI/AAAAAAAADHg/3rMupMOUCH8/s1600/Grannys+Quilt+Templates_Square.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405886834842991906" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwWRb0bG_SI/AAAAAAAADHg/3rMupMOUCH8/s400/Grannys+Quilt+Templates_Square.jpg" /></a>Next were four notes to herself with longago measurements for a couple of my daughters dresses she was making as well as notes about things to do and a reminder to get the measurements from my brother Steve's daughter Regina. I feel so close to her when I see her handwriting on these yellowed pieces of paper. Granny had a genius for making things and recycling; she couldn't afford not to; she raised her family, on a farm, during the depression.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwWRbuqmOGI/AAAAAAAADHY/HDWLvRR-1z0/s1600/Grannys+Sewing+Notes+_+Measurements.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 302px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405886833297340514" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwWRbuqmOGI/AAAAAAAADHY/HDWLvRR-1z0/s400/Grannys+Sewing+Notes+_+Measurements.jpg" /></a>The final gem was this old early 40s pattern of a dress for my Mom, Evy. This was before sizes were changed so don't really reflect how small mother was. Daddy could circle his hands around her waist when they married.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwWRa0OHIOI/AAAAAAAADHQ/St7aJIUFM9A/s1600/Pattern+for+Mom%27s+dress+back_Granny.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 237px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405886817608605922" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwWRa0OHIOI/AAAAAAAADHQ/St7aJIUFM9A/s400/Pattern+for+Mom%27s+dress+back_Granny.jpg" /></a> Does anyone recognize the actress pictured on the front of the pattern envelope?<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwWRaMMVvPI/AAAAAAAADHI/4YbJm-ffIP8/s1600/Pattern+for+Mom%27s+dress_Granny.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 243px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405886806863756530" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwWRaMMVvPI/AAAAAAAADHI/4YbJm-ffIP8/s400/Pattern+for+Mom%27s+dress_Granny.jpg" /></a><br /><div>From the tattered condition of this pattern, I would say that Granny used it over and over. She was good at revising patterns for making different types of dresses. I grew up in school dresses that she made from feed sack fabric. She would have me pick out some dresses I liked from the "Monkey Wards" catalog and figure out how to make a version for me.</div><div> </div><div>These went into "the box under the bed" that will one day be donated to the quilt museum that has the box under the bed project.</div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div></div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-81111248702970252412009-11-17T21:23:00.003-07:002009-11-17T21:28:16.067-07:00On the Road to Health Again<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwN3phoPLuI/AAAAAAAADG4/w75ATc0ZktQ/s1600/Granny+Fran+Virtual+Model+250+beach.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 90px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405295533060206306" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwN3phoPLuI/AAAAAAAADG4/w75ATc0ZktQ/s200/Granny+Fran+Virtual+Model+250+beach.jpg" /></a><em> My virtual body image.</em><em><br /></em><em><br /><br /></em><br />Check out my new goals for healthy living in the <a href="http://qlounge.blogspot.com/">Quilter's Lounge.</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Rian and I are on this trip together. Feel free to join us. The more the merrier and we can support each other.Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-71142068502370559752009-11-15T12:02:00.007-07:002009-11-15T12:30:17.884-07:00Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, November 2009<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwBSdOr7vcI/AAAAAAAADGc/gHxMEV12eQg/s1600-h/Snowy+Dooryard+Garden+%26+Patio++11_15_2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404410214956645826" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwBSdOr7vcI/AAAAAAAADGc/gHxMEV12eQg/s400/Snowy+Dooryard+Garden+%26+Patio++11_15_2009.jpg" /></a>Hi All, I've been ill and in the hospital and am still weak and shaky, but I'm here for<br /><a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/">Garden Bloggers Bloom Day</a>. Here is what is blooming outside today; snow blossoms. But it is wet snow and we are always thankful for that in this climate. This is the Dooryard Garden and Patio just outside the sliding glass door from the sunporch.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwBSdDcvW6I/AAAAAAAADGU/G7ReSZGtMFU/s1600-h/Lily+Just+Bloomed+b11_15_2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404410211940129698" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwBSdDcvW6I/AAAAAAAADGU/G7ReSZGtMFU/s400/Lily+Just+Bloomed+b11_15_2009.jpg" /></a> This Lily blossom just popped out of the bud overnight, in a dining room bouquet. I didn't know what color to expect and this is sunny and cheerful!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwBScyrjT4I/AAAAAAAADGM/xJtGJCqCO9A/s1600-h/Lipstick+Vine+Blossoms+10_25_2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404410207438851970" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwBScyrjT4I/AAAAAAAADGM/xJtGJCqCO9A/s400/Lipstick+Vine+Blossoms+10_25_2009.jpg" /></a> These Lipstick Vine blooms brighten the sunporch where we go in and out through the back sliding glass door. I am so glad that I found this plant at a local greenhouse several years ago after seeing one somewhere, I can't even remember where I first saw one, but love the way that the lipstick grows out of the tube as they bloom. This plant has done so well in this south window.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwBScaDtEGI/AAAAAAAADGE/P1-OWxaJd2c/s1600-h/Pansy++9_27_2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404410200829268066" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/SwBScaDtEGI/AAAAAAAADGE/P1-OWxaJd2c/s400/Pansy++9_27_2009.jpg" /></a> When I look out at the snow, I know that underneath are still blooming the Pansys and Violas.<br />On Thursday I picked a gorgeous orange one for my Mom, who was sitting in the back seat of the car, on the way home from her doctor appointment. They will appear as the snow melts and usually I find blooms all winter long, here in Colorado's Banana Belt.</div><div></div><div>May you all have blossoms and blooms in your life, today.<br /></div><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-12901580412741182762009-11-01T21:08:00.002-07:002009-11-01T21:17:12.166-07:00Commode Cozy Finished<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Su5bkACr_SI/AAAAAAAADFc/EwqPJMiwQBo/s1600-h/Commode+Cozy+%26+Pillows+9_15_2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399353677308493090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Su5bkACr_SI/AAAAAAAADFc/EwqPJMiwQBo/s400/Commode+Cozy+%26+Pillows+9_15_2009.jpg" /></a><br />And now for the good news! Before the roof caved in this month, I finished the rose covered commode cozy and some matching pillows for my Mom's assisted living room. I guess I should have taken a before photo of the commode, but take my word for it, this is a vast improvement during the daytime. At night it can be popped off to prepare it for nighttime visits.<br /><br />I made a pillow to put on the top of the lid, so it would fill in between the rails; that way it looks like a hassock and can even be used for extra seating if needed when we're visiting her. It matches her bedspread and curtains so well, and she loves roses, so I'm so pleased that I found this fabric locally.Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-1753585313581862222009-11-01T20:09:00.007-07:002009-11-01T21:08:19.994-07:00Wonder Woman Lives<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Su5QXfPZg-I/AAAAAAAADFU/O1Xr4L1GBxs/s1600-h/Wonder+Woman+Lives.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 318px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399341367717102562" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Su5QXfPZg-I/AAAAAAAADFU/O1Xr4L1GBxs/s400/Wonder+Woman+Lives.jpg" /></a> And she is in about the same ragged condition as I am. This cartoon is one of my prize possessions from the early 80s when I had a "big lady dress up job". [That's what my college friends and I used to describe the jobs we were studying to (hopefully) get after graduation.] From time to time I dig it out and it still fits.<br /><br /><br />My friends, this old house I inhabit is wearing out. Since I last posted I had another TIA (mini-stroke) and I am now recuperating from a pretty miserable virus that affected my chest. I am so weak and shaky, have to force myself to eat a little chicken broth, toast and yoghurt, and am doing a lot of cogitating (wondering). <div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I realize that since the first 2 TIAs I have done almost no quilting, or even sewing. The joy seems to have simply disappeared and turned into guilt and "shoulds". I'm also not nearly as excited about photography, which was an integral part of my quilting interests. I still love gardening, but have to depend more and more on someone else to do the hard physical jobs, which I used to delight in. (Like laying a patio or digging a pond or spading a garden bed.) I still love to look at the birds, but no longer feel like hauling the feed outside the fence to the feeders.</div><div></div><div>Please do not take this as complaining or whining or asking for sympathy. I am simply trying to share what changes I am finding necessary due to challenges of the aging process. Different seasons of life require different things of us. Once in a while we need to set back and decide what is really important and then do some major pruning to allow us to use our waning energy more effectively.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>There does seem to be some pain and grieving involved in this process, but it is a productive, necessary pain and grief. </div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>One of my major weaknesses has been spreading myself too thin and ending up feeling overwhelmed. I was supposed to do "everything" myself and do it perfectly and it was not permissable to burden others by asking for help. When help is offered one smiles graciously and says, "Oh thank you, but I can do this myself, I don't want to impose on you." </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Do you know what happens to someone who tries to do everything perfectly? Insanity or paralysis! (and in my case, obesity; food rather than alcohol or drugs). <strong>"There is a God. It is not me." </strong>I think I saw that in some AAA lit somewhere.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Right now my family is where my energy needs to be focused. And for the first time in my life I have to realize that it is ok, and necessary, to take care of myself so I can continue to share with my family.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Thank you, friends for letting me get some of this out of my system. I ask for your prayers and good thoughts as I go thru this new growing stage.</div><div> </div><div><em>Added after first published: I'm still having trouble getting this darn thing to keep the spaces between my paragraphs for easier reading</em>.</div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-16411773679635216082009-10-11T15:53:00.006-06:002009-10-11T16:12:30.155-06:00Baby It's Cold Outside<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/StJVzrUXMQI/AAAAAAAADFE/h_P14O49IuE/s1600-h/Commode+Cozy++ed.+9_15_2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391466050205724930" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/StJVzrUXMQI/AAAAAAAADFE/h_P14O49IuE/s400/Commode+Cozy++ed.+9_15_2009.jpg" /></a>It is good weather for a new sewing project. I am working on a project that I've never seen on any of the quilt blogs; a commode cozy for my mother's room in an assisted living home. She has a green comforter and sheer green curtain/blinds and loves roses, so when I found this fabric I knew it was perfect for her. I'm having to design my own pattern, since noone else has seemed to think of it. I got it sewn together except for the hem and took it to try out, and found that it was too large, so am in the process of reducing it (easier than reducing me) and will show a photo of the finished cozy on the commode. Kiddo is a "great help".<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391465374903510402" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/StJVMXnxJYI/AAAAAAAADE8/8_sqBcIW-64/s400/Dooryard+Patio+Garden+after+early+freeze+10_11_2009.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><div>When we came home from dinner at DeRitos, last evening at 7:30 pm, the temperature was 28 degrees with freezing mist. This morning when I looked out the kitchen window I saw that most of the compound leaves of the Green Ash Tree had fallen off during the night. </div><br /><br /><div>The night before we broke the low temp record of 1905 by 8 degrees. This in the "Banana Belt of Colorado"! I'm used to long, warm, blue and gold Autumn days in October. I think I need to shop for some snuggly fleece clothing.</div></div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-79480347133955996892009-10-09T19:16:00.004-06:002009-10-09T19:24:25.609-06:00The Other Side of Autumn<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Ss_hB76vGPI/AAAAAAAADE0/Hqg8SXoIxQE/s1600-h/Mini+Pumpkins+after+the+First+Freeze+10_5_2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390774702365939954" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Ss_hB76vGPI/AAAAAAAADE0/Hqg8SXoIxQE/s400/Mini+Pumpkins+after+the+First+Freeze+10_5_2009.jpg" /></a> The Toad Haven Garden after our first freeze last week. Just when the flowers were looking so glorious. At least I do have mature mini pumpkins for the kids' Halloween. Our killing freeze came early this year, so it will be a looonnnngggg winter. Maybe I'll have time to make quilts again.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Ss_hBZLRu0I/AAAAAAAADEs/YfJOFUgctaw/s1600-h/Where+Have+All+the+Flowers+Gone+10_5_2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390774693040077634" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Ss_hBZLRu0I/AAAAAAAADEs/YfJOFUgctaw/s400/Where+Have+All+the+Flowers+Gone+10_5_2009.jpg" /></a> I guess I will harvest the stalks and make a corn shock to go with the pumpkins for an Autumn decoration.<br /><br /><div></div></div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1249848211445585254.post-9457249264879458992009-10-09T18:53:00.003-06:002009-10-09T19:13:37.612-06:00Autumn Splendor<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Ss_c4UlvSzI/AAAAAAAADEc/WWUgxp8NHuQ/s1600-h/Native+Fauna+%26+Flora+10_9_2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390770139143555890" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Ss_c4UlvSzI/AAAAAAAADEc/WWUgxp8NHuQ/s400/Native+Fauna+%26+Flora+10_9_2009.jpg" /></a> Native Flora and Fauna on the Riverwalk. Someones attempt at humor, or a lost child's toy displayed for discovery?<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Ss_c3tI7U_I/AAAAAAAADEU/a2izSZOSXaI/s1600-h/Autumn+Splendor+10_9_2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390770128553726962" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Ss_c3tI7U_I/AAAAAAAADEU/a2izSZOSXaI/s400/Autumn+Splendor+10_9_2009.jpg" /></a> Autumn splendor in a Riverwalk glade.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Ss_c3foVRuI/AAAAAAAADEM/eS09yC2hOCU/s1600-h/Autumn+Elm+b+10_9_2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390770124927354594" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Ss_c3foVRuI/AAAAAAAADEM/eS09yC2hOCU/s400/Autumn+Elm+b+10_9_2009.jpg" /></a>Autumn Elm in front of Canon City Library, across the street from the Art Center.<br /><div> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Ss_c2wTanpI/AAAAAAAADEE/P5XVGZLdZXg/s1600-h/Autumn+Flame+10_9_2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390770112223157906" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Ss_c2wTanpI/AAAAAAAADEE/P5XVGZLdZXg/s400/Autumn+Flame+10_9_2009.jpg" /></a>Chrysanthemums in sunshine and shadow.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Ss_c2WuOWqI/AAAAAAAADD8/mQVEkfS63vQ/s1600-h/Fremont+Art+Center+Garden+10_9_2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390770105356278434" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F5Umg1zGeyg/Ss_c2WuOWqI/AAAAAAAADD8/mQVEkfS63vQ/s400/Fremont+Art+Center+Garden+10_9_2009.jpg" /></a> Garden in front of the Fremont Center for the Arts in Canon City.<br /><br /><br /><div>After a cold, gray morning the sun came out and turned the world into Autumn splendor. After I had my back treatment, and enjoyed the <a href="http://www.saqa.com/">Studio Art Quilts Associates (SAQA)</a> "Points of View" show at the Fremont Center for the Arts, I was able to take numerous photos in town and along the Arkansas Riverwalk. </div><div> </div><div>Unfortunately, I was not allowed to take photos of the art quilts, but I did get the DVD so I can look at them over and over. I fell in love with a rough edge appliqued California Oak tree, but didn't feel like I could justify buying it for the the $2500 purchase price. [It was definitely worth it, but I didn't have enough quarters.] This was a very high quality show for our area, with art quilters from around the world displayed. The annual Royal Gorge Quilt Guild show will take place the second half of October. I will be able to get photos there.</div></div></div></div></div>Granny Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537734608666526171noreply@blogger.com0