Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Good morning Friends



Hope you all are having a great week so far. We are having more cold weather for us, in the mid 40's and feels like it's in the mid 30's. It is really windy out so that makes it worse. The sun is shining though and it may get as high as 64, we'll see.

DH is out working in the back north west corner, replacing a rotted fence post. Yesterday he dug out a Sea Hibiscus (Talipariti tiliaceum) stump from the same area. He's working on getting his 'junkyard' materials organized and stored behind outbuildings, so that we have a cleaned courtyard area from back of house and workshop to the outbuildings. He's trying to get this project done before the heat and humidity get here, because once it's here, we feel like hibernating in the air-conditioning.

I dismantled a falling down arched arbor, and DH is going to make another one to replace it that will last longer. The one that was there was covered in morning glories and Spanish moss. The new one will be too.

We also moved one of the shell planters back to it's original spot. Tree trimmers had moved it when they trimmed trees, but didn't bother to move it back. That was a job. Now comes the hard part for me, which is what to plant in these. I'm trying to work with what I've got so am looking around with my thinking cap on.

Below are two pictures taken this morning of Vincent Godsiff. A sweet little China rose found in Bermuda.






Here is the main garden with Old Blush and La Marne showing, also an orange orchid showing in front of the blue bottle bouquet.



Here is the back shed, with some things that will be stored elsewhere, marble and those weird drainage blocks, that I'm thinking of making some sort of raised bed with those as the border. I'll show more pictures as we get things straightened up.


The next two pictures are of cheese stuffed shells that I made up yesterday morning before leaving for work. When I got home I just had to heat the oven, sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese and bake. Yummy. I put home made sauce with Italian sausage and mushrooms under the shells and on top as well.




These were the eggs I made us for Valentine's day breakfast. Served with bacon, grits and toast. For dinner that night I fixed a NY strip steak which we shared, garlic mashed potatoes and sliced tomatoes. We had a margarita before dinner and wine with.



So, that's what's been happening around here. I haven't done any beading/embroidery in a few days. I'm watching potted seeds for any sprouts, so far red amaranthus and purple flowering hyacinth bean are up. I also have a cutting of Blue Sky Vine - Thunbergia grandiflora that is doing well. I need to take cuttings of other things to root, but for me it's too cold to work outside, I have to wait till it warms up a tad. :-)




Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL

11 comments:

F Cameron said...

You and your husband have been so busy! Must be great to keep on outdoors. I'm missing it!

What divine food you serve! Yum!

Cheers,
Freda

sweetbay said...

64 degrees would be lovely. It sounds like you and your husband are very busy in the garden.

Vincent Godsiff is lovely! I love the picture with Old Blush, La Marne and the blue bottle tree.

I love those eggs! The stuffed shells look wonderful too.

Floridagirl said...

Hi, FlowerLady...glad to have found your blog and added it to my blogroll, as I really enjoyed reading this post. Your old roses are beautiful!

Like the shell theme as well...the shell planters fit right well in Florida, and the dish looks delicious! Very creative cooking!

Rambling Tart said...

I love your little shed. :-) When I get my own place one day I DEFINITELY want a potting shed for all the pretties I'd like to grow. :-) Your cheese-stuffed shells look and sound delicious!

Becca's Dirt said...

Love your heart shaped eggs and what a scrumtious dinner. Happy Valentines to ya.

Do you check for growth everyday like me looking for just a smidge of green somewhere amidst the dark soil.

Jean Campbell said...

The difference in here and there is the overnight temps were freezing here. It warms up quickly when the sun comes up, but the wind child is brutal. 50's today, 60's tomorrow, maybe, still freezing at night. Not our usual winter to have freezing nights so many in a row. I wrap up and go outside, easier to work in cold than heat. They're called sweat shirts for good reason and whoever thought to put a hood on was a genius.

Unknown said...

I use to love stuffed shells, that's one of those foods I really shouldn't eat anymore, too many carbs. The garden sounds lovely. Mine is very soggy right now. I love roses. I'm thinking I need to get some more. I use to have a lot of them, the old fashioned ones do best in my area. Linda

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I want to live where you do, FlowerLady! Our normal highs for this time of year are the 40s, but we aren't getting them. Our highs have been in the 20s and lower 30s. I had my lettuce and such in the ground last year on February 18. I may have to go out and scatter some seeds over the snow. I thought about mixing some with sand.

I want some 40 degrees!

gld said...

I believe you are a true romantic;
Heart shaped eggs!
The pasta dish looks delicious.

Your husband brings you shells; mine lugs in interesting rocks from the farm for me.

I love your gardening shed too and all that surrounds it. Good luck with the cleanup project.

Weather here is still not fit to do much outside. We will get up to normal here today, 40°.

Glenda

Rebecca said...

I THINK I saw a bottle tree in the background of one of the first pictures in this post! My husband built me one, too. I have pictures on my garden blog....I wish I had as many blue bottles as I think I'm seeing on yours.

Is there another picture somewhere on your blog that shows it better? I'd love a close-up look!

Anonymous said...

Those heart shaped eggs are so sweet! Can't wait to see what you are going to plant in those big planters.

Jane