tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802181442972419162024-03-05T07:24:55.122-06:00Mia's Home & Garden"The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring" Isaiah 58:11Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-83712932796572936352018-05-21T18:08:00.000-05:002018-05-23T21:52:21.944-05:00Fun Find for my garden!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR61oGyKjQNUUM6ILQVVjRlE98rIp2Xk6M5peXXTehFcGunHT98uqX6crwx1kWWjzoRLsD1KO-Ueuzk5uqRsxzGEXlfnMNbvtX3rHC_aICmCKUUUDHMhNf7uD2aNl6nrTZsszdR1E3hoA/s1600/concrete+legs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR61oGyKjQNUUM6ILQVVjRlE98rIp2Xk6M5peXXTehFcGunHT98uqX6crwx1kWWjzoRLsD1KO-Ueuzk5uqRsxzGEXlfnMNbvtX3rHC_aICmCKUUUDHMhNf7uD2aNl6nrTZsszdR1E3hoA/s400/concrete+legs.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
I'm always amazed at what some people discard to send to the dump! Look at these wonderful concrete bench supports that were in a pile of rubbish and broken stones that I found last weekend. I asked a workman what they were going to be doing with them and he said they'd be hauled off for trash. If I wanted them, I could just back my car up and take whatever I liked!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclhs72qq9xuqvltEWVzsEYUIMhxRLakqFHRilCgueGA6aWNk-FR3wPKywb_cNoULDh-8Fkoa7cxqnGMDVk7TiOgM7jptmMaEKGHm-SjxHg-1dtndmuriiwfeB0HoUbMFEhSpKovCtlOQ/s1600/entrance+to+the+side+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclhs72qq9xuqvltEWVzsEYUIMhxRLakqFHRilCgueGA6aWNk-FR3wPKywb_cNoULDh-8Fkoa7cxqnGMDVk7TiOgM7jptmMaEKGHm-SjxHg-1dtndmuriiwfeB0HoUbMFEhSpKovCtlOQ/s400/entrance+to+the+side+garden.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Originally, I was going to put a board across them to make a bench but I think they look cute without it. They seem to create an "entrance" to the side-yard garden. I'm still trying to decide if I want to keep the metal trellis' on the outside of supports to grow a vine of some sort on.<br />
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I'd love to know what you think!<br />
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I also have to add this to my growing list of things I need a small SUV for! My son thought I should trade in my old one for a little car that got better gas mileage. My reply was, "but how could I carry home things I might find such as wheelbarrows or bark mulch?" His answer was, "well, how often do you carry home a wheelbarrow?"<br />
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Check out this cute little one :-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCExVl2cyxeySqF1GSVHAVsLcd5qerSgzVi0sJtr1xAnR7UBRUj-dhNlBI3GSN7D-hssCJZRyo_h57bbOXjrVlrkBc2_X7G8S2Lasji5WnNT0fzC6y8HS2BeR4f_ydzUGWWCfbdjzV8PE/s1600/blue+wheelbarrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCExVl2cyxeySqF1GSVHAVsLcd5qerSgzVi0sJtr1xAnR7UBRUj-dhNlBI3GSN7D-hssCJZRyo_h57bbOXjrVlrkBc2_X7G8S2Lasji5WnNT0fzC6y8HS2BeR4f_ydzUGWWCfbdjzV8PE/s320/blue+wheelbarrow.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
I found it this spring in an old barn for a bargain price!! If you look closely in the 1st picture above, you can see it's now found a home in my garden planted with flowers and budding cucumbers and a pumpkin vine!Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-68871285410399637052018-05-01T18:29:00.000-05:002018-05-01T18:29:27.702-05:00Peggy Martin roses - My Favorite!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was "then" (April 2011)</td></tr>
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When I look back at pictures of my yard when I 1st moved here, I'm amazed at the transformation of that empty space - one small little corner flower bed and nothing but grass to the fencelines.<br />
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That 1st year, I attended a Master Gardener's Fall plant sale, and purchased things I'd never even heard of to try in my yard. I knew if these gardeners thought the plants would do well in my area of Texas, then I'd give them a try. And they were right!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My tiny little Peggy Martin rose barely climbing up the trellis.<br />
Spring 2012</td></tr>
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One of my favorites was the Peggy Martin Rose (sometimes called the Katrina Rose). This one blooms almost 10 months of the year and now the stems get so heavy with blooms, I have to tie them up to the fence. I even use strips of leather to do so!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPG-fEK2IvL_10sRdHYLLjOoZA1SN_Nm_VmlU6PUxRBCg-B_2bn1CuZ0PlB4haaw1d7bfsWoxMQrNqPGxEQy6XtTNo20EwI3Jr2VFvlChlbuqsGtXdiCN91Bv6iepjP60giutG0aeH2M8/s1600/Peggy+Martin+rose+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPG-fEK2IvL_10sRdHYLLjOoZA1SN_Nm_VmlU6PUxRBCg-B_2bn1CuZ0PlB4haaw1d7bfsWoxMQrNqPGxEQy6XtTNo20EwI3Jr2VFvlChlbuqsGtXdiCN91Bv6iepjP60giutG0aeH2M8/s320/Peggy+Martin+rose+2018.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring 2018</td></tr>
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The petals fall right off after they bloom so I've read that you don't need to dead-head them, but it sure looks better when they are "cleaned up".<br />
I've read the same thing about "knock-out" roses.<br />
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Do other gardeners dead-head their roses?Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-82607255613710577322015-06-25T21:36:00.000-05:002015-06-25T21:36:03.649-05:00Best item I bought to take to France - a WIG!!Yes, a wig! I contemplated taking all the hair products I'd need -<br />
hot rollers, hair straightener, hairspray, shampoo, conditioners, mousse, a converter for the correct electrical current, and a plug adapter! Oh my!! With only a small carry-on to pack, these products alone weighed at least 5 lbs of my allotted weight limit. Besides, they took up more room than an extra pair of slacks and a sweater, which I decided were more important!<br />
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So, I swallowed my pride, went to our local department store that sold wigs, and emerged a short-haired blonde. My hairstylist often colors my hair this shade but this wig might end up costing me less than 2 trips to the salon and last ALOT longer!<br />
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As it turned out - it was perfect! I always had a Great Hair Day!<br />
Even at the top of the Eiffel Tower, with the wind blowing it wild and crazy, with just a little<br />
combing with my fingers, I had it as good as new and the envy of my friend who had "lost her style"!<br />
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The best part was that every morning, after showering and putting on my makeup, it would take me an additional ... maybe FIVE minutes to "put my hair on" and off I could go, out the door to the local<br />
patisserie for a croissant!<br />
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Why haven't I thought of this sooner! I call it my "Travel Hair" :-)</div>
Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-72373350784443508472015-05-12T23:15:00.000-05:002015-05-13T22:58:37.270-05:00Traveling to France! This post is NOT completely about gardening ... but Gardeners DO<br />
take time off to go and "smell the roses" in gardens around the world :<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8njp2JyJt68Ke4SjHBdLtznul0shpSIU4mgphY-ludd0ZtGi_rhhcGusf1PpocjLJM8_aRAe1CrHJe-F2kJKPJpyClnG9vwaQynFNNOkU-rKFEB6NvxKY8m3Z7hBibZJC8Q1bhRdbiI/s1600/Tuileries+gardens+in+Paris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8njp2JyJt68Ke4SjHBdLtznul0shpSIU4mgphY-ludd0ZtGi_rhhcGusf1PpocjLJM8_aRAe1CrHJe-F2kJKPJpyClnG9vwaQynFNNOkU-rKFEB6NvxKY8m3Z7hBibZJC8Q1bhRdbiI/s400/Tuileries+gardens+in+Paris.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuileries Garden in Paris</td></tr>
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I hesitated to plant a back-yard vegetable garden this spring because I knew I was going to take a vacation to France. It's always hard to impose on friends and family to come over and water while you are out of town. But I planted it anyway and will let nature "take its course" and hope for a bit of rain to water it while I'm gone.<br />
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Traveling to France!! I've been making plans for months and it's been as fun getting ready to go as the actual going will be. It's similar to perusing garden catalogs in winter - dreaming of what to plant and where, as well as purchasing a few of the newest gardening gadgets to make it easier.<br />
I haven't traveled abroad since I was in my 20's and I wasn't sure how to travel with just a carry-on.<br />
Since I had trouble finding "mature women" travel ideas on the internet, I thought there<br />
might be some others out there that are wondering the same things I did.<br />
I'm going to be posting some ideas for the Seasoned, More Mature Woman traveler.<br />
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I'll cover what I found about such topics as:<br />
*what kind of purse do I take?<br />
*what do I wear on the plane?<br />
*what kind of clothes do I pack for 2 weeks in France?<br />
*can you really get 2 weeks of clothes in a carry-on bag?!<br />
*what is the best way to pack a carry-on, with that many clothes, so they don't wrinkle?<br />
*do I wear a wig or do I really pack 5 lbs. of hair products (rollers/straightener/mouse/etc)<br />
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1) What kind of purse do I take? Everyone said it's essential to take a crossbody bag so you<br />
don't have to worry as much about pickpockets. But ohhhhh the choices! Big one? Little one?<br />
I ended up purchasing a bag by Travelon because it had some extra-savvy safety features that<br />
made me feel like I would be as protected as I could possibly be:<br />
- slash proof strap, side and pocket material<br />
- wide strap so it won't dig into my shoulder when I get it packed extra heavy with souvenirs!<br />
- a side pocket to carry a water bottle<br />
- locking zipper pulls<br />
- I chose black so as not to be too conspicuous to those that might want to steal my stuff!<br />
Here's a picture of the one I bought:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0C0OBvDEMjFpMNwjjUT1CxmNhkipJPyBEwA76StzuoBQo8wSLQDLO_aoz0yDZhcpy0Ep-_Vh5gPBdcey5MnRg8i3raL6INJhmROLVN30s_Ybq36Nma3pBAs71rKaNwTQU4sbteicrKk/s1600/Travelon+crossbody+purse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0C0OBvDEMjFpMNwjjUT1CxmNhkipJPyBEwA76StzuoBQo8wSLQDLO_aoz0yDZhcpy0Ep-_Vh5gPBdcey5MnRg8i3raL6INJhmROLVN30s_Ybq36Nma3pBAs71rKaNwTQU4sbteicrKk/s320/Travelon+crossbody+purse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.qvc.com/Travelon-Anti-Theft-Adjustable-Crescent-Bag-Black.product.F11511.html?upsh=1&sc=F11511-CSWB">Travelon-Anti-Theft-Adjustable-Crescent-Bag</a><br />
I got it on QVC and the price was the best I found on the internet.<br />
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I also bought on QVC a <a href="http://www.qvc.com/Travelon-RFID-Blocking-Zip-Around-Wallet-Black.product.F11507.html?upsh=1&sc=F11507-CSWB">Travelon-RFID-Blocking-Zip-Around-Wallet</a>.<br />
In case you don't know about RFID protection, the thieves out there can actually take a scanning device that can copy the numbers off of your passport or credit cards without even having to steal the physical card! This purse and wallet have a protective layer inside that keeps those rays from penetrating and keep your valuables safe. I also really like the features in the wallet such as the zippered coin section, credit card slots, and zippered closure. The black one I got has a beautiful turquoise lining but they also come in other great colors. I love mine!<br />
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One worry and 2 items checked off my packing list!<br />
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<br />Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-33140177657407642462014-10-05T17:01:00.003-05:002014-10-06T22:18:08.071-05:00Playing "I Spy" in the garden<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were tell-tale signs in the garden this morning..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I learned last year when I saw my tomato plants, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> minus their leaves </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">like this, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> what I needed to be looking for ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are sneeky little things - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">well, actually </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">not SO little, but </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">you have to really look to </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">see them!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are good at camouflage</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I read that if you go out at night with a florescent light,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">you can spot them more easily. According to Wikipedia,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> "Using an ultraviolet light source of 375 nm and viewed behind a blue-blocking </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">filter (yellow or amber filter), a tomato hornworm fluoresces in bright green </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">while a tomato leaf appears deep red/amber.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">When you see the leaves like this, you need to go on the hunt for these caterpillars.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">They are voracious eaters and they'll strip your stalks clean! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #252525;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Ask me </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">how I know! (see post from last year!)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Now that the weather has gotten cooler, I'm hoping to get a new crop</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">of tomatoes before the 1st frost in Central Texas.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUP2nCxIMzXhP1OVlAONdME4p8sTyRkgjyS3TM_u0o_kKsRAr-DlXN7GMrMkSKMYjAkMr7g3PIZzvSSNd9_29kqkjmYCckziNGwklqKNXo30jtmDY4Cxil-NjM_3bmm4pHPLG9Pz4Sb0/s1600/I+spy+the+hornworm+in+the+tomato+plant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUP2nCxIMzXhP1OVlAONdME4p8sTyRkgjyS3TM_u0o_kKsRAr-DlXN7GMrMkSKMYjAkMr7g3PIZzvSSNd9_29kqkjmYCckziNGwklqKNXo30jtmDY4Cxil-NjM_3bmm4pHPLG9Pz4Sb0/s1600/I+spy+the+hornworm+in+the+tomato+plant.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I SPY! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, that's YOU I'm looking at!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVl83FLFoU_NEqNJTBCNei86wVeRnQ-2poztgjxS470zbjlwuTGnIl6aqGB9lT2pzjLK1UMgvl3tsiCMNQ6vb__IhkIVDYp1jWkFfQvuvReran9Zk710K7J3hUCqV4Hk2_sfiznefnzt4/s1600/Tomato+hornworm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVl83FLFoU_NEqNJTBCNei86wVeRnQ-2poztgjxS470zbjlwuTGnIl6aqGB9lT2pzjLK1UMgvl3tsiCMNQ6vb__IhkIVDYp1jWkFfQvuvReran9Zk710K7J3hUCqV4Hk2_sfiznefnzt4/s1600/Tomato+hornworm.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my opinion, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the only good tomato hornworm </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is DEAD ONE!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(no, I didn't take a picture of the smushed ones!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-67281567491598545382014-09-19T17:04:00.002-05:002014-09-19T17:10:01.492-05:00It's "Fall Ya'll"!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv61b5wKVPuTdblodcEKEJmDgN319-RriokQD2O98dhY6xosluenGmh8NE3jXSFV4pW-DxzcHB-eNyPD8so20asH2gIwRewJZwYFnPFoerV1ahVeRLaINJPRQY5PFiwn8WJMbQlZnADCY/s1600/Schoolhouse+lily+in+pot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv61b5wKVPuTdblodcEKEJmDgN319-RriokQD2O98dhY6xosluenGmh8NE3jXSFV4pW-DxzcHB-eNyPD8so20asH2gIwRewJZwYFnPFoerV1ahVeRLaINJPRQY5PFiwn8WJMbQlZnADCY/s1600/Schoolhouse+lily+in+pot.jpg" height="400" width="312" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>It must be September!</b> </span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every year about this time I walk out in the garden trying to remember where I planted them. These red lilies never fail to surprise me!</span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It must be my forgetful age ... I'm always surprised by Joy!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Growing up, my dad called these </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Schoolhouse Lilies" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">because they always appear </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in September.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bulb is extremely </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hardy, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">surviving even </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">our hot, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">sometimes </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">dry summers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But after the 1st rains begin </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in the fall, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">they come back </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">year after year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These particular bulbs came from </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">my Dad's yard </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that I dug up after he died. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel a special bond with him every time they bloom. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6ZDw8xa2oR3FKJgpFIACZHnL2KdnyEkkFt7oslwOGEmVLho_r0cm4WWuz5oncBQmouVGJn-vHmBKjpqV3QUqCAB3PW8DqPxVM3ir1ps1qEmH_oCjAwuIcfHSK6B4n-8PS0Xz9o6FIII/s1600/White+coral+vine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6ZDw8xa2oR3FKJgpFIACZHnL2KdnyEkkFt7oslwOGEmVLho_r0cm4WWuz5oncBQmouVGJn-vHmBKjpqV3QUqCAB3PW8DqPxVM3ir1ps1qEmH_oCjAwuIcfHSK6B4n-8PS0Xz9o6FIII/s1600/White+coral+vine.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This pretty, white coral vine started blooming </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">several weeks ago </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and gets showier by the day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I planted it last fall and babied it through the winter, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">covering over the root ball with a bucket </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">every time we got a hard freeze. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was slow to grow but I don't mind a bit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's so nice to have something new blooming </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">after the heat of summer has passed </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">other summer flowers are starting to fade.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These little cuties we always called "Rain Lilies"</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbs_QKnNYQhFsDQL43CAVXPZSQWXngwAlXkC4moF4g2QxhTFUVLr5S532MzpUXHSYYBlvpaIGQ8hcoJCQm4u__SAoLzSnIYDtemIN7IdGSL0zEt1Bs_Weg3avaqmKRMXMdhuIWy9jTvg/s1600/white+rain+lillies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbs_QKnNYQhFsDQL43CAVXPZSQWXngwAlXkC4moF4g2QxhTFUVLr5S532MzpUXHSYYBlvpaIGQ8hcoJCQm4u__SAoLzSnIYDtemIN7IdGSL0zEt1Bs_Weg3avaqmKRMXMdhuIWy9jTvg/s1600/white+rain+lillies.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The leaves have been growing in my vegetable garden all year - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">looking like a garlic plant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But today when I went out to look, the flowers had appeared!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How did I miss seeing them before now?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpW5oPlDqpmMBes-lFVpI16JGVTuCbfeWcCPjcYGGfTGCHUXWgJZLedlT_lfVsBTD8UrQQ6ayumoGlZ0VAfWWvxnvjQO-jlRI8vF17fvLiLunj-YofR0r2OUqWV3o4AuNEbWpNRsSb-M/s1600/Barbados+Cherry_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpW5oPlDqpmMBes-lFVpI16JGVTuCbfeWcCPjcYGGfTGCHUXWgJZLedlT_lfVsBTD8UrQQ6ayumoGlZ0VAfWWvxnvjQO-jlRI8vF17fvLiLunj-YofR0r2OUqWV3o4AuNEbWpNRsSb-M/s1600/Barbados+Cherry_0001.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And last, but certainly not least, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is my dwarf Barbados Cherry!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has started blooming Again! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I looked it up </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and found out </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that it blooms, not only in the Spring, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but again in the Fall!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A BONUS BUSH!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the Central part of Texas, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we may not have the oranges and golds </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">of </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">our northern neighbors, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">when we think of a </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Fall Garden" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but September brings a flush of new blooms</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and they signal "Autumn is Coming" to Me!</span></div>
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<br />Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-56962279875720721652014-08-30T13:10:00.000-05:002014-08-30T13:11:45.612-05:00No shortage of bees here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BtWl9oimfrOFfE1SGdhQizQo7tj6E8Av5goud3sJ2zUEHiLdyKjoSI2XfOn6DF_tRIqWGXNbVe4pWnN8GiOsTasWvfhLl5xRPDbW_ErG6NMrQFiHM-9x8nsrF4aFkNVgU_sVUtNMJ2c/s1600/Honeybee+working+it+on+the+chives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BtWl9oimfrOFfE1SGdhQizQo7tj6E8Av5goud3sJ2zUEHiLdyKjoSI2XfOn6DF_tRIqWGXNbVe4pWnN8GiOsTasWvfhLl5xRPDbW_ErG6NMrQFiHM-9x8nsrF4aFkNVgU_sVUtNMJ2c/s1600/Honeybee+working+it+on+the+chives.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'd heard there was a shortage of bees nowdays. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe due to pesticides? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe fire ants? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(they blame everything on the fire ants!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But I was out in my garden this morning </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">doing a little clean-up, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">getting ready for planting my Fall garden. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I decided I'd have to wait until the early evening </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">due to all the bees buzzing around my garlic chives.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rx4GyEXYcohgz2THUdoI2q7BIYnpDJPpNT7gevnZ5X1LZ-g0n7VovYopIP5zgQ7QHEAlsW4LtKogz0utO_cuEJ8Wq-7KwpskNwsrwxSpN6xrPf8DDR-pUOv4atPKzMKOx6Hu6X0lYSU/s1600/Bees+on+the+garlic+chives+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rx4GyEXYcohgz2THUdoI2q7BIYnpDJPpNT7gevnZ5X1LZ-g0n7VovYopIP5zgQ7QHEAlsW4LtKogz0utO_cuEJ8Wq-7KwpskNwsrwxSpN6xrPf8DDR-pUOv4atPKzMKOx6Hu6X0lYSU/s1600/Bees+on+the+garlic+chives+close+up.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They came for the chives and stayed for the okra!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyj-by4-GCX1Fe3GEGzc_fDZF00xcXQzFJQPUWK-_MfnVqOnxFYpW1tWN7iVVmqzitkD-hB_faLz3xIjYfKb17H1ioeYSH6PdYwXEyKksDLwa5n7l3SKvDzuaTjVlcluPUDZP8bHzf5Uo/s1600/Bumble+bees+on+the+okra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyj-by4-GCX1Fe3GEGzc_fDZF00xcXQzFJQPUWK-_MfnVqOnxFYpW1tWN7iVVmqzitkD-hB_faLz3xIjYfKb17H1ioeYSH6PdYwXEyKksDLwa5n7l3SKvDzuaTjVlcluPUDZP8bHzf5Uo/s1600/Bumble+bees+on+the+okra.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhS-ayn9-lcm1wXzlvRRIJ47U9arGRpeU-lkKPiNPnj4UAxtPh88VXFXBeTO5FcnKZrsnP-Hcf-CYBOvYKqVIeFZZq9zv1QM9uVdf0I5BSrEl5aU8w1UkvE0U6-yZF770eExGzTghw4U/s1600/bee+in+the+okra+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhS-ayn9-lcm1wXzlvRRIJ47U9arGRpeU-lkKPiNPnj4UAxtPh88VXFXBeTO5FcnKZrsnP-Hcf-CYBOvYKqVIeFZZq9zv1QM9uVdf0I5BSrEl5aU8w1UkvE0U6-yZF770eExGzTghw4U/s1600/bee+in+the+okra+flower.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyj-by4-GCX1Fe3GEGzc_fDZF00xcXQzFJQPUWK-_MfnVqOnxFYpW1tWN7iVVmqzitkD-hB_faLz3xIjYfKb17H1ioeYSH6PdYwXEyKksDLwa5n7l3SKvDzuaTjVlcluPUDZP8bHzf5Uo/s1600/Bumble+bees+on+the+okra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazC5aT9hZvFtOvyKvOP6mKbUiI5ubJcquIej-FLywtTJmk3StuY8NDdrsczANE20ncq0EwxVwNKoALVUTJIg8EtatUa2xEC1fTuEW8o7OrXugMERfZDUPdJ5CBra1dNd8vVC9-wo2XXY/s1600/Bees+on+the+garlic+chives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazC5aT9hZvFtOvyKvOP6mKbUiI5ubJcquIej-FLywtTJmk3StuY8NDdrsczANE20ncq0EwxVwNKoALVUTJIg8EtatUa2xEC1fTuEW8o7OrXugMERfZDUPdJ5CBra1dNd8vVC9-wo2XXY/s1600/Bees+on+the+garlic+chives.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In fact, they were gathering nectar from all over the garden!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do I need a bee box now?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Honey on toast - YUM!</span></div>
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<br />Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-34526567152461258002014-08-03T19:41:00.000-05:002014-08-03T19:44:59.814-05:00Gardens Don't Take a Vacation!<span style="font-size: large;">What do you do with your vegetable garden when you leave to go on vacation?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I should have thought ahead and told my neighbors to come over and pick anything ripe. But honestly, I figured that it might not rain while I was gone and I didn't want to bother anyone with having to water for me. Since my irrigation system needs work, </span><span style="font-size: large;">I also didn't want anyone coming over to find dead plants in my garden.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But, thank the LORD, it must have rained while I was gone ....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">the okra didn't know it was supposed to take a vacation ! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3S8aViurZCPbmysfB8hmr0Mtkv3rsAty3UDWcFXNQMdrcEkfGW03UCXwhVmZFh0UJ9xCDSTTPITIDzX6G79AfYGFQpBuyNCkUqUEQXZzPtYGZWns2gQnHWKFJ45EWT4G9JryIJYMASo/s1600/okra+on+vacation_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3S8aViurZCPbmysfB8hmr0Mtkv3rsAty3UDWcFXNQMdrcEkfGW03UCXwhVmZFh0UJ9xCDSTTPITIDzX6G79AfYGFQpBuyNCkUqUEQXZzPtYGZWns2gQnHWKFJ45EWT4G9JryIJYMASo/s1600/okra+on+vacation_0001.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, I haven't figured out what to do </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">with foot long okra!</span></div>
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Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-65767002707456827572014-07-11T14:10:00.004-05:002014-07-11T21:45:09.811-05:00The Veggies are Hiding!<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Who Knew?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMh3uMbYSqm3vlvUG4ewEZVX3qP5b12mD-PfYP8gq_qHcqv9F6_s7BT-oPafCiYB6-z1nfbf8cUIpRiLa-L-RQTh3U0OtgIh1OujzJMxAScOeCePbt3pTBSCHMYYGhUdwunZXVo-Fd_gU/s1600/zinnas+in+the+garden_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMh3uMbYSqm3vlvUG4ewEZVX3qP5b12mD-PfYP8gq_qHcqv9F6_s7BT-oPafCiYB6-z1nfbf8cUIpRiLa-L-RQTh3U0OtgIh1OujzJMxAScOeCePbt3pTBSCHMYYGhUdwunZXVo-Fd_gU/s1600/zinnas+in+the+garden_0001.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had been so enamored by the beautiful display of the zinnias in this flower bed, </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I had forgotten all about the eggplant I planted behind them in the same bed this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I just wanted something to grow up my garage-sale-find garden obelisk and back in the spring, a friend </span><span style="font-size: large;">had given me a starter plant of eggplant.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">All along, in the shade of these beautiful leaves, an even more beautiful </span><span style="font-size: large;">veggie has been growing!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFpndmZIa0mNZAgsUd_Z9db9A9ApgH5QGzuVP0Shdan9XqMTgDZo8gmRIDzpZFhMyXmJhjH_KStPsW0r1d2u2XJDDHDanek88MrZCLownLdk21q27qIlpI1wTWI2oOK1AX804tWnxWsg/s1600/zinnas+in+the+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFpndmZIa0mNZAgsUd_Z9db9A9ApgH5QGzuVP0Shdan9XqMTgDZo8gmRIDzpZFhMyXmJhjH_KStPsW0r1d2u2XJDDHDanek88MrZCLownLdk21q27qIlpI1wTWI2oOK1AX804tWnxWsg/s1600/zinnas+in+the+garden.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexyfRxAyvkJup5SjhM4PFEoIpICxmqDHQwZbBxtDM3kBYaYV7BbjfSWyLAofKiOxznUkKCsBxJdtYmMcGhHiEauzuzl1cyPrmF4KI6UilFMOXKP9R_raBI_YM-vmZxqENb0FMJ9B5g0A/s1600/eggplant+1st+of+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexyfRxAyvkJup5SjhM4PFEoIpICxmqDHQwZbBxtDM3kBYaYV7BbjfSWyLAofKiOxznUkKCsBxJdtYmMcGhHiEauzuzl1cyPrmF4KI6UilFMOXKP9R_raBI_YM-vmZxqENb0FMJ9B5g0A/s1600/eggplant+1st+of+2014.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Now, how does one cook an eggplant? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Especially when you only have one of them?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Here's the recipe I received from a website called "Dr. Mike" @ </span><a href="http://www.drmikediet.com/the-17-day-diet/eggplant-parmesan/"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">http://www.drmikediet.com/the-17-day-diet/eggplant-parmesan/</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I'll let you know how it turns out.</span><br />
<h1 class="entry-title">
Eggplant Parmesan</h1>
<div class="entry-content">
<a href="http://www.drmikediet.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/eggplantParm.jpg"><img alt="eggplantParm" class="alignright size-full wp-image-1263" src="http://www.drmikediet.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/eggplantParm.jpg" height="199" width="300" /></a><strong></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>INGREDIENTS</strong> </span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 large eggplant, peeled</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">4 egg whites</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Fat-free Parmesan cheese</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Garlic powder, to taste</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 cup of low-carb marinara sauce</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>DIRECTIONS</strong> Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Cut into ¼ inch slices. In a shallow dish, beat egg whites and 4 tablespoons of water until foamy. Dip eggplant slices into egg whites, then into fat-free Parmesan cheese, pressing cheese into eggplant. Place eggplant on prepared baking sheet that has been sprayed with vegetable spray and sprinkle with garlic powder. Spray vegetable cooking spray over eggplant slices. Back 30 minutes at 400 degrees, turning eggplant over after 20 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Cover with 1 cup of low-carb marinara sauce. Bake for 20 minutes, or until eggplant is piping hot and sauce is bubbly. Makes 2 large servings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What other vegetables have I forgotten to check on?</span>Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-23168753092178391902014-06-23T12:13:00.000-05:002014-07-06T20:53:47.858-05:00Happy 1st Day of Summer 2014Summer has officially arrived <br />
and my garden is in those lazy, hazy days of growing ....<br />
Here's a look around the yard to see how everything is doing:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3t98HbCxoWq7zF4ttWeEHclJrgj8TcQjom9SD1y8yMUxjQ70-CQFhTzJrj0_0n657SUFccHULkHjfQKNKlAiHRrmSkcperqcX4aTpwUWIs0vKxD4SLyvSCWuBTFzsiyCpX0hxfHnb5RY/s1600/front+yard+608+Clovis+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3t98HbCxoWq7zF4ttWeEHclJrgj8TcQjom9SD1y8yMUxjQ70-CQFhTzJrj0_0n657SUFccHULkHjfQKNKlAiHRrmSkcperqcX4aTpwUWIs0vKxD4SLyvSCWuBTFzsiyCpX0hxfHnb5RY/s1600/front+yard+608+Clovis+2014.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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What a happy flower bed greets me when I pull in the driveway!</div>
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It's come a long way from the ugly hedge of bushes that were growing</div>
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there the 1st year after I moved in: Here's the "before" picture -</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNI3ueO2escYYcG-0jTn7EbL-40nt4rKTIzJrV-MTXx2jPuUvxlgLdnRO8hTu9C9UV0zFpgpEFqGeB5Ra5Qmp55DjbB9gCLUFWMzmE2pK6S4eTCYEn9XUHeaSiJ0eM_mVTG7Iv8hUYa_E/s1600/front+view+of+my+new+home+April+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNI3ueO2escYYcG-0jTn7EbL-40nt4rKTIzJrV-MTXx2jPuUvxlgLdnRO8hTu9C9UV0zFpgpEFqGeB5Ra5Qmp55DjbB9gCLUFWMzmE2pK6S4eTCYEn9XUHeaSiJ0eM_mVTG7Iv8hUYa_E/s1600/front+view+of+my+new+home+April+2011.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hedges trimmed with a "Buzz Cut"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRumYPzFO4sQaEdgIcFH_P3hWnOghqs90sBm51LdWNAIwsOKpehnu-IuaXJDcmekA35o5SuWmD581zzzWK9HmMbkuoqFH_sDX5DChFWGMvU16zlHaPRLo8d1tdlrZL5RRosmef15hqXo/s1600/Front+flower+bed+before+bush+remooval.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRumYPzFO4sQaEdgIcFH_P3hWnOghqs90sBm51LdWNAIwsOKpehnu-IuaXJDcmekA35o5SuWmD581zzzWK9HmMbkuoqFH_sDX5DChFWGMvU16zlHaPRLo8d1tdlrZL5RRosmef15hqXo/s1600/Front+flower+bed+before+bush+remooval.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Overgrown hedges since I don't own a Buzz-Cutter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(removal of right bush had begun since there was no growth underneath them to trim back)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYOKryJToB_bU2w8RPUGwxiqxoHFLdxDwnFdTgMxX31fsumHzLSMalMGgHwOWU_R4hmI49DMIz2j3wc-QpdWhzxkG4ovRLU9ZvywClX4Bk_LDZOONo_VyNNohfOOmADAVC6-swurfAeI/s1600/Front+Flower+bed+2014_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYOKryJToB_bU2w8RPUGwxiqxoHFLdxDwnFdTgMxX31fsumHzLSMalMGgHwOWU_R4hmI49DMIz2j3wc-QpdWhzxkG4ovRLU9ZvywClX4Bk_LDZOONo_VyNNohfOOmADAVC6-swurfAeI/s1600/Front+Flower+bed+2014_0001.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's that flower bed today!</span></td></tr>
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Checking out the veggie garden: the okra pods seem to grow overnight!</div>
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I think I could actually stay out there and literally watch them get bigger.</div>
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I planted 6 different kinds of tomatoes this year and they </div>
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seem to be finally setting fruit nicely ...</div>
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The oregano obviously loves our Texas heat -</div>
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it's spreading out way past it's brick paver boundary.<br />
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This cute red wheelbarrow was sitting on the side of the road</div>
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begging to be taken home and loved once again ... and home it came with me!</div>
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The begonias are quite happy blooming here along with </div>
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a cypress vine that is coming back from last year -</div>
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Don't you just LOVE perennials?!</div>
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The ajuga I planted started as a small starter pot and look how</div>
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it has spread! I'm so happy to find a plant that can grown in the shade</div>
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of my oak tree overhead. What is that other plant blooming alongside</div>
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it? It has blue flowers so I decided to let it grow. Is it a weed?</div>
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I let "blooming weeds lie" :-)</div>
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And last but not least, my Mr. Sun face<br />
that I found at a garage sale this summer for $.25 </div>
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He's hiding the orange utility pole that's lurking</div>
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behind the wooden pallet. That's why He's Smiling!</div>
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</span>Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-67574903492386585292014-05-05T18:17:00.001-05:002014-05-05T18:35:28.582-05:00Finally Finished - My Re-Purposed Wooden Pallet Potting Bench!<div style="text-align: center;">
Now THIS is cause to celebrate!!</div>
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Last Fall, I decided I would like to try to build a potting bench, with a sink for washing garden vegetables. I researched them on Pinterest and decided I could make one with old, discarded wooden pallets. Since I didn't own very many tools and had never built anything like this before - I had NO idea what I was getting into.<br />
(check out my prior post dated November 2013 for pictures and details of pallet demolition)<br />
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Here is the bench before adding the sink ...<br />
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But today, putting the finishing touches on it, I am SO very proud of all the work I did and how much I learned from the project.<br />
<br />
If this is the last time I ever use a scary circular saw, it'll be fine with me! I was so glad when I made the last cut and could safely put the saw away in the garage. I'm giving thanks to God that I still have all my toes and fingers! And I now know you need to wear earplugs when cutting with a circular saw!<br />
They are LOUD!!<br />
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The sink was found at our local Habitat for Humanity Re-Store and couldn't have been a more perfect fit. The back piece (where I will put my garden tools and supplies) was a part of the pallet that I had cut off and used all along as a saw horse to make my other sawing cuts. That piece and I have a history now, so it was fun to put it to use on the bench and gives me a few little cubbies to store tools.<br />
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The only thing left to do is hook it up to a hose when I want to run the water. That, as well as getting some vegetables growing that need to be washed!<br />
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<br />Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-62108310091592992872014-04-27T22:20:00.001-05:002014-04-29T22:31:28.524-05:00Who needs a gym membership when you're a gardener!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JPuXzI_jvGGLZvoFhiOhhwh5-SoZVjvLIbH4lUSSsQlqIifYJDrzBCx1W7SRIlO1Gh8o9mp-3jfXO6nejwI25B3eNKdRv7mHU4THvN2kG8Lh9gWWi1Dytbk1kcNBeyNrp4hCMV4ExLk/s1600/Peggy+Martin+climbing+rsoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JPuXzI_jvGGLZvoFhiOhhwh5-SoZVjvLIbH4lUSSsQlqIifYJDrzBCx1W7SRIlO1Gh8o9mp-3jfXO6nejwI25B3eNKdRv7mHU4THvN2kG8Lh9gWWi1Dytbk1kcNBeyNrp4hCMV4ExLk/s1600/Peggy+Martin+climbing+rsoe.jpg" height="400" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peggy Martin rose</td></tr>
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I'm looking forward to the work week so I can get some rest :-)</div>
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Gardening is exhausting work but the results are sure worth it! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63CCsU4wybXHHS5geC4ngXunuHmcScWqBI3wT2eg59T5sCac_-uFY1FYdxZqu9OjysFss0ir65E4R4jrFBq2pnwFveWs7R66VXPu0z4Zf3jS-uwb_GOTnc8k0GOyO3D8XHEJmEO-7USk/s1600/Cinco+de+Mayo+rose+blooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63CCsU4wybXHHS5geC4ngXunuHmcScWqBI3wT2eg59T5sCac_-uFY1FYdxZqu9OjysFss0ir65E4R4jrFBq2pnwFveWs7R66VXPu0z4Zf3jS-uwb_GOTnc8k0GOyO3D8XHEJmEO-7USk/s1600/Cinco+de+Mayo+rose+blooms.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinco de Mayo rose</td></tr>
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I reworked my tomato bed with more composted soil, hauled and spread 10 bags of mulch around the yard, sawed off the gutter and almost got my rain barrel finished (another trip to Lowes for screws and washers),</div>
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re-potted 2 bushes, pulled weeds, tied up my climbing rose bush to the fence, and re-hung the bird feeder to confound the squirrels.</div>
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I don't know why I signed up </div>
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for a gym membership!</div>
Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-90398620233532540732014-04-16T22:38:00.000-05:002014-04-22T17:20:17.625-05:00My Spiral Herb Garden - "How to Make one" Step-by-step<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
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I'm doing a "Happy Dance" since today I finally made a spiral herb garden!<br />
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I had seen several versions of these garden designs on Pinterest last year and decided to start collecting green and brown bottles (and having friends collect them for me) to use in making mine.<br />
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I especially liked the design I had seen on the Rubbercowgirl.com blog post:<br />
<img class="HAa Eha" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEY2WyIqDacIqB98FOD_b39ilOy1-aWXn-6lK933o98EIpm1_uDm1a5762QrnD4PXB-TitiAqU7uVKuPIRIf2x5QLPFyta4o_DMUV2BlqiP8OG65J3vBNhC3bT_T7-DN9FWybZWF6Hb9Y/w400-h300-no/Spiral+garden+herb+bed+-+bottle+edged.jpg" /><br />
<span id="goog_1702575424"></span><span id="goog_1702575425"><br /></span>
I didn't have enough bottles to use for the whole spiral yet, so for now, I used<br />
petrified wood pieces to complete the design. <br />
<br />
It was a fun and easy project and can be finished in a day - provided you have been saving your glass bottles instead of recycling!<br />
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Here are some progression pictures of how I made this. <br />
If I can do it - anyone can!<br />
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1st - lay out your spiral design with stones <br />
<span id="goog_271589077"><img class="HAa Eha" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmy-Da3jW9gP30X-aCacifLj1BNaiCZAGlcdEoG3_QX4qFzI_KI2DhzQoi45Q76Sf_wcQmW-Bjbx8SM07if369swrNLyr9PWJpupt-pXCTvUVQpATFbur1yhrKIyGzdNa0hbK1x3oMr8/w582-h419-no/start+of+spiral+garden_0002.jpg" /></span><br />
2nd - put down newspaper or cardboard, overlapping it at the edges to kill the grass underneath. You could use a shovel and take it out, but the cardboard works and saves lots of time!<br />
<img class="HAa Eha" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVLEiUapl83UjqK3Tnwe9qt1IN49OIOeQHAvsX6DzFFQioHXJRUFDfHyEK4_vh3nFSbHpKxovYICxt_TNk65oBlFDd-_N4P3wX9PcObX5iadJsxcIke6NRHFC0TkedF7hUCrwbYAJqFY/w595-h446-no/phase+2+of+spiral+garden.jpg" /><br />
3rd - I used a large clay pot planted with mint for my tallest center planting. The pot should help keep the mint from over-spreading it's bounds. This pot was set on top of another brick, to give it the extra height. I've heard that the height should be about the same distance as the width of your design.<br />
4th - Begin adding dirt to build the walls, reinforcing them with the stone or bottles.<br />
<img class="HAa Eha" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkzVp4pDdZfXIh6BK4nMKXkJlK6QlEhh2IrC2558zNemG6qXCqJQy9v81rvDFZwBp2LXEgOO77XFMqgGuj-uIHh_b1NhqjGd2UO9Duq-GNWpUQXOq9QpJCXz3iW2pX_4GfTIJzmoYTAI/w595-h446-no/pahse+3+adding+the+dirt.jpg" /><br />
5th - When you are happy with your design, add plants!<br />
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<br />
Mine was planted with spearmint, tarragon (Mexican marigold mint) which has cute little yellow flowers, dianthus (for added color), dill, lemon balm, curly leaf parsley, basil, and thyme.<br />
<img class="HAa Eha" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZKuiVgjwwxI3ENhAsojdZuqYsXLpgQWzusjO7KOL8vhH6_k7ylvbREO1LYWN1GTE4esrR9o4j-ExVnAUUjiNbJGhOtPN-ztkLsmyJx5yRuKzdsMGZkUs9LQGG0GOTEAERwFez1fmEbk/s446-no/spiral+herb+garden+planted.jpg" /><br />
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This little garden, right outside my kitchen window, makes me smile :-)<br />
<br />Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-15246395242064024382014-03-20T23:33:00.003-05:002014-03-20T23:34:01.644-05:00Happy 1st Day of SPRING!It was a balmy 75 degrees today in Central Texas and was it ever hard to stay inside and work!<br />
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Unfortunately, the freeze we had a few weeks ago did my sweet peas and Barbados cherry bush in and I just don't have the heart to cut them back yet. Wishful thinking?<br />
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But the Bradford Pear trees are putting on a show and my white Cemetery iris are blooming like they have for almost 100 years (they came from an older lady's garden then passed along to my Dad and are now blooming in my garden!) Don't you just LOVE hand-me-along plants?!!<br />
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I'll get out this weekend and take some pictures but I wanted to wish everyone a <br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Happy 1st Day of Spring<span style="color: #674ea7;">!</span></span>Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-40850611580572373332013-11-22T18:15:00.000-06:002013-11-22T18:15:51.481-06:00"I DID IT" - My Wooden Pallet Potting Bench Perseverance, late nights, sore muscles, and determination but <br />
"I DID IT"!!<br />
(I feel like Scarlet O'Hara, though, in "Gone With the Wind" <br />
when Rhett saw her hands, after she'd been working in the fields, <br />
and said "those aren't the hands of a lady!"<br />
I'm going to need a manicure, a lot of hand lotion and rest <br />
for my weary muscles now that this Pinterest project is almost done!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potting bench with iron headboard to hang tools from<br />
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I am so proud that I can finally post the picture of my <br />
almost finished Pallet Potting Bench for my garden. <br />
Actually, it still needs the top boards that will surround the sink<br />
that I'll eventually put in the middle. I'm still on the hunt for a used one<br />
and I didn't want to cut the boards for that until I know <br />
how big the sink will be. <br />
<br />
I want to thank a few people for their help along the way:<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br />
- My friend's husband, Bill, who lent me his "SuperBar" to pry the boards <br />
off the pallets<br />
- Harbor Freight and their sale coupons and the nice gentleman shopper<br />
who helped me fix my circular saw in the store! I LOVE this store!<br />
- My brother who lent me his sander and reminded me how to use a <br />
circular saw<br />
- My friend's husband, Jim, who cut the nails off one board that I had <br />
given up on<br />
- My friends on FB who "liked" my status and encouraged me to not give up<br />
- My God who kept me safe while using power tools and gave me the<br />
strength and health to persevere <br />
<br />
Lessons Learned:<br />
- The right tools make the job easier and the results more pleasing.<br />
- Just like in making a quilt, measure twice - cut once and the more <br />
accurate the cut, the more likely the pieces will line up and go together <br />
like they should.<br />
- If it looks easy on Pinterest, it probably won't be.<br />
- Taking apart a pallet is NOT easy and I may never do a project with them <br />
again.<br />
<br />
BUT I love my bench and I know what I want in my stocking for Christmas -<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tools!</span><br />
<br />
<br />Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-72364166404426439712013-11-19T22:28:00.000-06:002013-11-19T22:28:43.707-06:00Potting Bench Construction Day 3-7After taking a long look at my pathetic attempt at a potting bench and the pictures I had pinned on Pinterest, I decided I needed to re-design my bench and start over. <br />
This may be the hardest project, physically, I've ever done. I will never again say "How hard can it be?" ... because the answer to that would be "It can be HARD"!<br />
<br />
Physically, these 2x4's aren't lightweight and when you screw a bunch of them together - they get heavy. Then add to that, the pulling and wrenching of the screws/nails out of the pallet boards and you don't need to go to the gym for exercise! <br />
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But the finished product is going to make me VERY PROUD OF MYSELF!! <br />
<br />
Here is the bench to date - it still needs some sanding, painting, and shelves added ....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrwzhbDU3B6x3xXa33wkG8AcyLvnqt8emTvJeGf-SOYhrHRLV7K1OzApqRfj6EmgVOfQRrLAYVZ98yZtHuMgRbn9AAszyK70sCpnRCk1UVUH12lQBg09S_3skUn5RtsiGsEtdMgQs0JY/s1600/potting+bench+ready+for+shelves_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrwzhbDU3B6x3xXa33wkG8AcyLvnqt8emTvJeGf-SOYhrHRLV7K1OzApqRfj6EmgVOfQRrLAYVZ98yZtHuMgRbn9AAszyK70sCpnRCk1UVUH12lQBg09S_3skUn5RtsiGsEtdMgQs0JY/s400/potting+bench+ready+for+shelves_0001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Boards cut for the bottom shelf - I'm getting better with my saw skills!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK07ToOfDKcCTt1nrrKJYwr6-pPrtL6E6mqsrwgfYFxYa8Y34cKfkAqXdJBsvJ0zdo-l-KnNC302lCMdTV3EaJRteWSQfR4jw0F-HuRgjEdZFdi7-n09nUh9NA58TX1x4PZGOxPd29SCI/s1600/potting+bench+ready+for+paint_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK07ToOfDKcCTt1nrrKJYwr6-pPrtL6E6mqsrwgfYFxYa8Y34cKfkAqXdJBsvJ0zdo-l-KnNC302lCMdTV3EaJRteWSQfR4jw0F-HuRgjEdZFdi7-n09nUh9NA58TX1x4PZGOxPd29SCI/s400/potting+bench+ready+for+paint_0002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Tomorrow - PAINT!</div>
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Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-41247742714712006152013-11-09T21:23:00.001-06:002013-11-09T21:28:35.752-06:00Pallet Potting Bench - Day 2 POWER TOOLS - <br />
they aren't for Sissy's!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xTvt0DswRxnjswaMoPmvBRwa_WhQ7mY7Hpqs8feMpZVJ-XAn3DwFn2YKq8O9xbAEztaFOLu387SbC60Q1Sg7DYnLNIGoxklu984K28qEPYbBeUmVAPxRmVTwAqDonGaUyav3Hv4mKXM/s1600/one+board+off+with+new+saw_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xTvt0DswRxnjswaMoPmvBRwa_WhQ7mY7Hpqs8feMpZVJ-XAn3DwFn2YKq8O9xbAEztaFOLu387SbC60Q1Sg7DYnLNIGoxklu984K28qEPYbBeUmVAPxRmVTwAqDonGaUyav3Hv4mKXM/s400/one+board+off+with+new+saw_0001.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
Let me tell you - a reciprocating saw makes a HUGE <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
difference in making this project easier!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But it's a very powerful tool and definitely NOT a toy!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You could do some serious, irreparable damage to your limbs </div>
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if you aren't careful.</div>
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</div>
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So, armed with my new "tool" and my Safety Goggles, </div>
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I attacked the pallets and within an hour, </div>
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I had cut all the boards off the 1st pallet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKG-v08oZWNSYcjkfCAyC-MxgqktwXNo3Oe68cU-hdaPNyxcsBkRh3Lz6uau9egEe10PM2_E6rhDoRpIlm2jumurKo76_aGayyUzDoL0gSwPtBssQojmtwZvz8N1XX7f37L4TFowjMk90/s1600/Baords+off+with+a+saw.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKG-v08oZWNSYcjkfCAyC-MxgqktwXNo3Oe68cU-hdaPNyxcsBkRh3Lz6uau9egEe10PM2_E6rhDoRpIlm2jumurKo76_aGayyUzDoL0gSwPtBssQojmtwZvz8N1XX7f37L4TFowjMk90/s640/Baords+off+with+a+saw.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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The second pallet was of a different variety </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and much easier to pull the boards off of due to the fact </div>
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that they were put together with nails instead of screws.</div>
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It also had the markings on the side that I've learned are</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
what you want to look for in choosing a pallet.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qx3K3FVaEmeEvPNWUKJ8L4SLKmmox9wgJKzQffmkbV7sYftsLNFz94ZLlMA59hPQzjhw8l5hYVSOw7cbPLpBq-CbJrb5R8I9-nJnWgdHXyzx938FTk2ljfi8ClnyXOvEApMJgf4H78Q/s400/Pallet+info+about+safe+ones+to+use.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lovelygreens.com/2013/05/how-to-make-better-strawberry-pallet.html">http://www.lovelygreens.com/2013/05/how-to-make-better-strawberry-pallet.html</a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYMUX-ViUSm2AFtWkDWKVQCW7XedxRKrRjZdWFkAGFB9g4hIyhyphenhyphenHZgHcBXoAOQG2tGwGnwUdjyxZI_n0Q5ptd2c95KV_zInSqN9h8viovCGBxRnL49r_cbZFPWfj7tkXgiybyNkZchjQ/s1600/Pallet+info.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYMUX-ViUSm2AFtWkDWKVQCW7XedxRKrRjZdWFkAGFB9g4hIyhyphenhyphenHZgHcBXoAOQG2tGwGnwUdjyxZI_n0Q5ptd2c95KV_zInSqN9h8viovCGBxRnL49r_cbZFPWfj7tkXgiybyNkZchjQ/s400/Pallet+info.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This one was much easier to just pry the boards off</div>
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but the saw made easy work of cutting off the excess.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdHVAtEqVW5BnWl5h_3BT1xJZl_ExGXkyUpudChPba1J9tBbOVkQLR-YsUDAFwDqE_SxSbAVXHUlFU-jm7XMhIBkOiLLNbGe6rD6fgftN5hymrr9ipW-SrLCBzFgl7GpvgUyqS24-IZU/s1600/2nd+pallet+boards+pulled+and+cut+for+top.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdHVAtEqVW5BnWl5h_3BT1xJZl_ExGXkyUpudChPba1J9tBbOVkQLR-YsUDAFwDqE_SxSbAVXHUlFU-jm7XMhIBkOiLLNbGe6rD6fgftN5hymrr9ipW-SrLCBzFgl7GpvgUyqS24-IZU/s320/2nd+pallet+boards+pulled+and+cut+for+top.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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By the end of the Day 2,</div>
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I have the top of my potting bench ready to add legs</div>
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I'm starting to feel pretty proud of myself!</div>
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Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-68414597147881692772013-11-04T22:30:00.001-06:002013-11-04T22:43:50.386-06:00DIY: My Pallet Potting Bench - Day 1 How hard can it be? <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's always been my "mantra" when it comes to <br />
DIY projects I see on the internet. <br />
Besides, there are so many YouTube Videos online <br />
that show you the steps -<br />
I'm guessing that with the right tools, I can do it too.<br />
<br />
DAY 1:<br />
The 1st step is to find some pallets - preferably ones <br />
that are stamped on the side with the letters "HT" meaning "heat treated". <br />
This, I learned means that they aren't imbedded with chemicals <br />
that are harmful for your garden plants or yourself <br />
when working with the pallets. <br />
Fortunately, I found a few pallets for free from a local business <br />
(who even helped load them into my car!) <br />
and home I came to start my project...<br />
<br />
Well, it turns out that taking the boards off is harder than it looks ....<br />
using a rubber mallet, a "Superbar" (short version of a crowbar), <br />
and a hammer, I pounded and pried, and after about an hour, <br />
I had managed to remove only one board from the 1st pallet.<br />
The nails are actually partly screws and they are imbedded tight <br />
into the pallet wood. At this rate, I could tell <br />
it was going to take me longer than I imagined to disassemble these things!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSbTyg49HhisKdAinVy-2dOFUFzCKaRC_3oWaSNiRJ_Ub5fN_soF48FnjkG9iz6zjynYWI6TkEoe2dS3gK1nT6yy5M09J7D5cL1qL2LCoDIyReNpFAkAwQWtOTpB3uHRHmekxnqF0pII/s1600/Pallet+potting+bench+beginning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSbTyg49HhisKdAinVy-2dOFUFzCKaRC_3oWaSNiRJ_Ub5fN_soF48FnjkG9iz6zjynYWI6TkEoe2dS3gK1nT6yy5M09J7D5cL1qL2LCoDIyReNpFAkAwQWtOTpB3uHRHmekxnqF0pII/s320/Pallet+potting+bench+beginning.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, I went back to the internet, </div>
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watched a few more YouTube Videos, read more "how-to" articles, </div>
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and discovered that some people use a saw </div>
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to actually cut through the nails ... </div>
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hmmm - this seemed like a GREAT idea!</div>
<br />
In Sunday's newspaper, Harbor Freight had a sale flyer with a <br />
"reciprocating saw" on sale for only $19.95!<br />
I'm not even sure what "reciprocating" means when it comes to saws <br />
but the ad said it would cut through pallet wood AND the screws, <br />
so it sounded like the perfect tool <br />
to help me with my potting bench project.<br />
<br />
Armed with my "early Christmas present to myself" <br />
and a pair of safety goggles,<br />
I headed home to begin again. <br />
<br />
HOW HARD CAN IT BE NOW?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-2060095396644779262013-10-24T21:01:00.002-05:002013-10-24T22:02:24.192-05:00Oh Pinterest - I love you!<div style="text-align: center;">
There are SO many great gardening ideas on Pinterest! </div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've got the urge to try 2 of them in my backyard garden:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- a spiral, bottle-edged herb garden</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- a potting table with an outdoor sink</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(my garden gloves get so dirty, I don't want to bring them inside </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to put them in my washing machine before a good rinsing - hence - an outdoor sink!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With a little (well, actually A LOT) of help from my friends, I'm on the hunt for an old, used sink and some colored bottles (blue/green/brown) to edge the herb bed.</div>
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</div>
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Here are some of the ideas I found and what I have in mind .... </div>
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</div>
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FIRST: An OUTDOOR SINK .. maybe with a Potting Table!</div>
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9vyWS8dB7XVNryNg1J8TwVtMUyZMZaXldZwpHGXrDo7hzcBPG3xtOQEpGNOW0_mugDQG_xgFaMl8LzFLa5Db2rfwsz-QidDGbcug_rR0bk3cg85S-mBCg-hW7WmsrI803iQCdx3etdc/s400/garden+sink+on+a+sewing+machine+base.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Combining 2 of my loves - gardening with a sewing machine base!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLOyg8iefx74yDMpMcSM4HtfwElqmnqNOpj_I-Q3bMu_XZNFXVoTYLArdUcH7Xk-MHqJzJXtsKweSwfe1w63YH05YMBRZ_eWUIK2Rnfibka1UwrDcq0x2PQ3DOBOMjhTZUE8GSJAfLAw/s1600/basic+garden+sink+on+cinder+blocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLOyg8iefx74yDMpMcSM4HtfwElqmnqNOpj_I-Q3bMu_XZNFXVoTYLArdUcH7Xk-MHqJzJXtsKweSwfe1w63YH05YMBRZ_eWUIK2Rnfibka1UwrDcq0x2PQ3DOBOMjhTZUE8GSJAfLAw/s320/basic+garden+sink+on+cinder+blocks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It doesn't have to be complicated ...<br />
but I'm thinking "cuter" than this ....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7F0CLLMvE1FdDOI1Bow1gOfS_LtVC6fIkaSYRDeSrvv4WCHjYWVV-folZE5ayEPaMvAS3tMBjjZL38PhaL50JffoeeO-KnN4TZZd3i27XklFHlNnCw2mit8SUycKx9KwA0fcvqyg8og/s400/metal+sink+for+washing+garden+veggies.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="312" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now THIS is cute!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDY6M6Kt-qDeUPVAQikLKlXHv4cgcPsWbcCYaQ7StQNBn8tUj3ZkjH8on0GQa6XfG3cjQCOY0vCDetCmuQk6HXOLXJYpHkZR93UkkxaaTBeAWw-kFsqyM6rXoqJcATIP1aAtzGP7qFGeU/s1600/garden+potting+table+with+sink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDY6M6Kt-qDeUPVAQikLKlXHv4cgcPsWbcCYaQ7StQNBn8tUj3ZkjH8on0GQa6XfG3cjQCOY0vCDetCmuQk6HXOLXJYpHkZR93UkkxaaTBeAWw-kFsqyM6rXoqJcATIP1aAtzGP7qFGeU/s400/garden+potting+table+with+sink.jpg" width="338" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And THIS is WAY Cute!!</td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHSC02IOYfEtQWEEr_KOAPUK5QQb8DjE9dkVSyS-PMa_OT_yy7zHrlecjPzK4nzj2Cgkydy-L0exdddHhD4Ec54En6AAPkJt8BOxwn5ma6-mGrbTwTYC9fnYt-kDZorPO2PqHY6snab0/s320/double+garden+sink.jpg" width="320" /> This one shows how the buckets are used underneath for the run-off "grey water" to use elsewhere in the garden. This doesn't look too hard to do - and YouTube videos show you how!</div>
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SECOND: A SPIRAL GARDEN Herb Bed lined with BOTTLES!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGq4-PNBFPEWvMUiI81oZrsCFnCli35J7M70DONBy6ZVr6giEp-3WT2XrKK6QU5dFrF31mVO_X70uRDsi76Yh2rkMPKO77lcbTG7s3giLtKOze1RhtN-jsZw5o1u1fnXSL6KgwG_NAlk/s1600/Spiral+garden+herb+bed+-+bottle+edged.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGq4-PNBFPEWvMUiI81oZrsCFnCli35J7M70DONBy6ZVr6giEp-3WT2XrKK6QU5dFrF31mVO_X70uRDsi76Yh2rkMPKO77lcbTG7s3giLtKOze1RhtN-jsZw5o1u1fnXSL6KgwG_NAlk/s400/Spiral+garden+herb+bed+-+bottle+edged.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rubbercowgirl.com/2011/04/high-life-herb-spiral.html">http://www.rubbercowgirl.com/2011/04/high-life-herb-spiral.html</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I think this would be even cuter with colored bottles -</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> blue, green and brown ones!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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If anyone sees any items I could use, laying on the side of the road, </div>
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text me with a "Curb Alert"!!</div>
<br />Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-58933134045737156972013-10-23T19:01:00.002-05:002013-10-23T19:01:24.231-05:00Expanding the Garden - Oct. 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now that the weather has turned cooler</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">it was time to work out again in the garden.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I decided to expand my raised bed cement </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">vegetable garden to make the beds a bit larger.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtfAgqPYxNEMEsESMXktrcDVmKCyepbOiRB2iylmaW5gjEGK5vlMPiai2aKOWvaRjJFt9z8e8g4j5P6Uj0P4F6PjmxDv-ij71PUTByuyhfH01p7QF3JJG6Lzs5Tovm9eZJWTh-3fCYuo/s1600/raised+bed+garden+expanded+oct+2013_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtfAgqPYxNEMEsESMXktrcDVmKCyepbOiRB2iylmaW5gjEGK5vlMPiai2aKOWvaRjJFt9z8e8g4j5P6Uj0P4F6PjmxDv-ij71PUTByuyhfH01p7QF3JJG6Lzs5Tovm9eZJWTh-3fCYuo/s400/raised+bed+garden+expanded+oct+2013_0001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In the bed on the left (still needs more dirt), </div>
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I am going to sink the worm bin bucket! </div>
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The bed on the right has been planted with Romaine lettuce and spinach.</div>
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The center bed has some still-blooming pepper</div>
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plants and newly planted broccoli, carrots and sugar snap peas. </div>
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I also put up a few hoops for using in the cooler weather </div>
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to be able to cover the beds to protect from frost.</div>
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I LOVE Fall - and am looking forward to seeing</div>
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how my Garden Grows!</div>
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Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-30483005809474395322013-06-23T21:54:00.001-05:002013-06-23T21:54:13.087-05:00Sagging Sunflowers Saga<div style="text-align: center;">
Who Knew?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85YJbR282X6qNiQLJTqOwzpfoOi7nnnYUCVGbfmOkrQ5OnxxWRMsawaKzJGOFNOBgrxG8Mq9bGZ0hcUNJ_Yjm-JTHhWcK3k5FoypBD9PreFbuT3NSC_-H8h3BxRd4Pf0Rp_eXPEgedTY/s1600/Sagging+Sunflowers+Saga.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85YJbR282X6qNiQLJTqOwzpfoOi7nnnYUCVGbfmOkrQ5OnxxWRMsawaKzJGOFNOBgrxG8Mq9bGZ0hcUNJ_Yjm-JTHhWcK3k5FoypBD9PreFbuT3NSC_-H8h3BxRd4Pf0Rp_eXPEgedTY/s400/Sagging+Sunflowers+Saga.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I guess I thought sunflowers always kept their sunny little faces turned up </div>
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towards the sky until they faded and dropped off their seeds.</div>
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How sad they look now with their heads hung down - reminds me of the song </div>
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"Hang down your head, Tom Dooley" </div>
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(who the heck was Tom Dooley?)</div>
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</div>
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Anyway, now I'm watching YouTube videos about how to harvest the seeds. </div>
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Anybody got any suggestions you've tried before?</div>
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</div>
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Oh well, even with their downturned faces, these flowers are a "joy" to see</div>
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since NOW I can actually see what their faces they look like - </div>
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they are looking at ME!!</div>
Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-5076069082835281092013-06-07T20:29:00.000-05:002013-06-07T20:42:08.002-05:00A Glance Back but Looking ForwardIt's fun to see how different my garden looks now compared to how it began.<br />
I remember when I moved in and sat on my little porch, sad that all I had to look at was a bare fence and one little "eyebrow" flower garden in the corner.<br />
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What a difference alot of hard work and planning makes ....</div>
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I brought in Lots and Lots of compost ....</div>
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+ a found pallet to use as a trellis for the morning glories</div>
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and MANY loads of petrified rock left over from my Dad's backyard....</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8RLvTYTM9bXoZ4Y-zQu_axRs4IG4zHunf-JbcMFAszhOyQP5MYLGMliVy5yOtsblI5fnBL6xT9VhQKXea4UA7ZlQpcnMleBaycuele7TTyJ9y3DfQuQ32yN79FWWxPdCqnIRPX8hzQE/s1600/Backyard+garden+Summer+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8RLvTYTM9bXoZ4Y-zQu_axRs4IG4zHunf-JbcMFAszhOyQP5MYLGMliVy5yOtsblI5fnBL6xT9VhQKXea4UA7ZlQpcnMleBaycuele7TTyJ9y3DfQuQ32yN79FWWxPdCqnIRPX8hzQE/s400/Backyard+garden+Summer+2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see where those stones ftom the original "eyebrow" bed went?<br />
(alternated w/petrified wood making them stretch the length of my bed & saving money!) </td></tr>
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<br />
Pinterest gave me lots of ideas for how to design an herb bed...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hUoy6mGn37-ZJZQPkHw_XiRSOmn70AYUsuCjghD8LR7criFQSsBOkwgQsHpptkkk3D_QhOnXAtXI7RaH-69HwPUvh8WRBskcLPCzEFfLPZmEmkXb5JtcnOk7AKEjq05-xL3NLLth2fI/s1600/IMG_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hUoy6mGn37-ZJZQPkHw_XiRSOmn70AYUsuCjghD8LR7criFQSsBOkwgQsHpptkkk3D_QhOnXAtXI7RaH-69HwPUvh8WRBskcLPCzEFfLPZmEmkXb5JtcnOk7AKEjq05-xL3NLLth2fI/s400/IMG_0309.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">herbs planted between the stepping stones</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IbhZa4GS96RgvlC5UDYF0-Mw4vs4N3avnUzXibxhgkU0wLrSftce2ZQMbO4MWaBGrEUoLcy8Vx91lXf_KhtE37lPNFpr-vnM09B6_P2O9iKaFRmFOgVarpcRf60Letchr-pGPol3B-o/s1600/Backyard+garden+Summer+2013_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IbhZa4GS96RgvlC5UDYF0-Mw4vs4N3avnUzXibxhgkU0wLrSftce2ZQMbO4MWaBGrEUoLcy8Vx91lXf_KhtE37lPNFpr-vnM09B6_P2O9iKaFRmFOgVarpcRf60Letchr-pGPol3B-o/s400/Backyard+garden+Summer+2013_0002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">left to right: wisteria vine starting to grow on the trellis, squash and Peggy Martin rose <br />
growing up the other trellis',<br />
yellow pear tomato on the right with Laura Bush petunias growing profusely in the center!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This wonderful red wheelbarrow was a "find" on the side of the road<br />
on my way home from work one day! <br />
It looks so cute with the winged begonia and cypress vine growing in it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCl5K1DKLCh0EFY03mDIWmkN4HmTbsfYzwQ8XxG9_N2t6_4a4ojssA6NhNI-IyhJQqY13ByUYlrxKigQyZCau9l-SF_bEq_44Kk2mn_OR6IZmJylfvHqbyf7qbB3JrYgOFrN1yuzpEmJ0/s1600/Backyard+garden+Summer+2013_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCl5K1DKLCh0EFY03mDIWmkN4HmTbsfYzwQ8XxG9_N2t6_4a4ojssA6NhNI-IyhJQqY13ByUYlrxKigQyZCau9l-SF_bEq_44Kk2mn_OR6IZmJylfvHqbyf7qbB3JrYgOFrN1yuzpEmJ0/s400/Backyard+garden+Summer+2013_0003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the back of my raised bed garden - filled with zucchini and yellow squash, eggplant, sweet potatoes, okra and cucumbers!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgbis4YmT2iv1VlQzNtaMB8tSG6LbRh2juz7CGgbwJ4hcfEzPinHYGlNohbJ7wpA7Y_1oTqd5Jpoyrq3gsk_ZC01hTGMaElgrTVlTjy-e3-xDVsq8B53BFjYN9Oo7e5WrGlqTPyML494/s1600/Backyard+garden+Summer+2013_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgbis4YmT2iv1VlQzNtaMB8tSG6LbRh2juz7CGgbwJ4hcfEzPinHYGlNohbJ7wpA7Y_1oTqd5Jpoyrq3gsk_ZC01hTGMaElgrTVlTjy-e3-xDVsq8B53BFjYN9Oo7e5WrGlqTPyML494/s400/Backyard+garden+Summer+2013_0004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thank you, LORD! </div>
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I'm working on that "bloom where you're planted" phrase!!</div>
Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-84609166464681229802013-06-02T22:07:00.001-05:002013-06-02T22:07:40.814-05:00Another Jack-and-the-beanstalk-type plant!<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh MY! </div>
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Who knew that the word "Large" on the seed packet of my sunflower seeds </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
actually meant "GIANT"!!</div>
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6Iqf_tmwapM76CAFIx6WYnyV4x3Exzj1DmhnD-Vy7hTrXb33PSy8eaZsfeJ2whpGJfg2j2B7eq3fIEqXkDTySclR2X8teYC1N1cX0HEMChQ_BoTfr2j6DcBeGJZLYNhiZK2v9Yqv3Rg/s1600/giant+sunflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6Iqf_tmwapM76CAFIx6WYnyV4x3Exzj1DmhnD-Vy7hTrXb33PSy8eaZsfeJ2whpGJfg2j2B7eq3fIEqXkDTySclR2X8teYC1N1cX0HEMChQ_BoTfr2j6DcBeGJZLYNhiZK2v9Yqv3Rg/s640/giant+sunflowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How much taller will these sunflower plants get before they produce a flower?<br />
"Come on little okra plants - you've got alot of growing to do to catch up with these!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
In the front sections, I've planted bush beans and sage. </div>
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On the right section are yellow squash and zucchini plants.</div>
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On the left are new potatoes almost ready to harvest.</div>
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Center section contains tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, sweet potatoes, and okra.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are only a few plants of each variety, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but this design makes square-foot gardening alot easier to manage.</div>
Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-47087326133220989592013-05-14T22:51:00.001-05:002013-05-14T22:51:50.643-05:00Garden Hose Wreath This was so much fun to make and is the perfect wreath <br />
to go on my garden gate!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkgcWv9wRWBO2T5QjZJ3owl1osGiQoZeoxG5mt5CdA3pqfsTjfrd8ujGdQpngZ2o4wlF0LWGWOJXkH-os9fTHEipP7cHLh9iAxD5LSMK8iVpXp8X8dxDsTUOMork9BJSgyFGKATNeVSE/s1600/garden+hose+wreath+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkgcWv9wRWBO2T5QjZJ3owl1osGiQoZeoxG5mt5CdA3pqfsTjfrd8ujGdQpngZ2o4wlF0LWGWOJXkH-os9fTHEipP7cHLh9iAxD5LSMK8iVpXp8X8dxDsTUOMork9BJSgyFGKATNeVSE/s640/garden+hose+wreath+closeup.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
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It's made from an old garden hose cut in half <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
(use one half and give the other to a friend!)</div>
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Tied onto one side is a stem of silk flowers, a plastic trowel from the Dollar Store, a pair of garden gloves and a rafia bow.</div>
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I tied a piece of rope onto the hose to hide the long twist-tie </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that I used to keep the loops securely fastened. </div>
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</div>
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It's hung on the gate with a metal shower curtain ring - </div>
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It makes me happy to see it on my gate!</div>
Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080218144297241916.post-40200930074510120962013-03-19T22:52:00.002-05:002013-03-20T22:02:47.414-05:00My word for 2013 - JOY!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Has it really been months since I posted my last blog note? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So much has happened in my garden since then and my backyard has definitely "bloomed" since I moved in a year and a half ago! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have flower beds!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UGt2Ac0a4ra3PgBlHytVrXLqWqAmoUHNqFno-3A-NpZiVrTshLmm2mlE4JqZq_c4O4knTTSjpjxl3ipMIZXaSt07sykoCWa0WYPVqiwCPtxuE7R7BH0EyeOqqqazd25IerpxznH_YjM/s1600/Back+Yard+608+Clovis_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UGt2Ac0a4ra3PgBlHytVrXLqWqAmoUHNqFno-3A-NpZiVrTshLmm2mlE4JqZq_c4O4knTTSjpjxl3ipMIZXaSt07sykoCWa0WYPVqiwCPtxuE7R7BH0EyeOqqqazd25IerpxznH_YjM/s400/Back+Yard+608+Clovis_0007.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lipstick salvia is already blooming along with <br />
the verbena that over-wintered and the black-foot daisy.<br />
The Cinco de Mayo rose is full of blooms <br />
and I have a newly planted Meyer lemon in the pot.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In December, I planted daffodills and what a "joy-full" display they are starting to put on !</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xj2aHB7_WZnW0WBpLSpBKT1mhEXsJbPA6BZrZvCpwa_cmbyD40SWhs2eaj4IwCK4EPLxgHkcg9_ORyts-yrpzEDzxLBNEZe0XDY-gUvJ60c6sQsaDvcO1dkeaXlnxB2lRyhxNaN22fI/s1600/Back+Yard+608+Clovis_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xj2aHB7_WZnW0WBpLSpBKT1mhEXsJbPA6BZrZvCpwa_cmbyD40SWhs2eaj4IwCK4EPLxgHkcg9_ORyts-yrpzEDzxLBNEZe0XDY-gUvJ60c6sQsaDvcO1dkeaXlnxB2lRyhxNaN22fI/s640/Back+Yard+608+Clovis_0001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've planted Texas bluebonnets and some spring bulbs, plumbago, and a bit of the purple verbena under the Bradford pear tree. Now if I could just remember to fill the bird feeder more often.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Due to our early Texas springtime weather, I've recently planted vegetables in my raised bed garden - tomatoes, peppers, bush beans, squash, eggplant, garlic, brussel sprouts, lettuce, cauliflower and potatoes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Along with a few sunflower seeds just for fun :-) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wondering about that "tent"? It's actually called a "hoop house" and helps keep out the moths that lay eggs on the cabbage and brussel sprouts. One site said if you use "tule" for your cover, you can call it a "Prom Garden" :-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ou7XmD-XUWSWfcEMrMyClNWrqjeiq4BZGwYkCHfnljCoSlcr_0ag730gYOu3rDsIUNlGovfq6TCYAAlgOPcoT3g5tRYzfOWaWtPZZnuNmzRG4xzwxXW1OyfPanrGJrJ3x_dojRrxHSE/s1600/Back+Yard+608+Clovis_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ou7XmD-XUWSWfcEMrMyClNWrqjeiq4BZGwYkCHfnljCoSlcr_0ag730gYOu3rDsIUNlGovfq6TCYAAlgOPcoT3g5tRYzfOWaWtPZZnuNmzRG4xzwxXW1OyfPanrGJrJ3x_dojRrxHSE/s640/Back+Yard+608+Clovis_0004.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Everyday, it's such a delight to go out to see what's sprouting </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> or how much </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">taller the potato plants have grown overnight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> I can already imagine the taste of that 1st juicy tomato! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Now that will certainly be "Joy"!</span>Shelley @ Mia's Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453917347781489086noreply@blogger.com0