Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Garlic vine, rain and freebies

Good evening everyone,

I found out from a fellow FL gardener that the vine I shared in the last post is garlic vine or CYDISTA AEQUINOCTIALIS, you can read about it and see more pictures here.

I took the picture below this afternoon before another bout of rain happened.  You can see the rain ladened skies in the background to the south of us.

05-22-garlic-vine2

Below is a close-up of the blooms.

05-22-garlic-vine

This is also looking south from near the back of the property.

05-22-stormy-sky

05-22-stormy-sky2

This morning we rebuilt the back door stoop and it feels good to have that done. Rain was threatening the whole time we worked on the project, and soon after we finished the rain started and lasted a couple of hours.  A good heavy down pour soaking everything once again. 

DH want’s to rebuild the lower deck area, making it rounded and less decking and we need more patio bricks for that.  We found all of these we have here. Someone had a load of discards left from when they made their driveway, dumped for trash pickup in front of their house.  DH went to the door and asked them for sure if they were throwing them out and they were, so we loaded everything we could.

You can see our outdoor shower next to the door, and next to that is the claw foot tub that we got for free from a plumbing supply place as they had it out for trash pick up. (It was is really heavy and we loaded it into the back of our van by ourselves. No one came out to help.) This is all in a screened enclosed area which we call the ‘Cat-trium’ off the back of our cottage. Tork sleeps out here at night.  You can see a ‘hallway’ between the cottage and the workshop and a screen door at the end, which leads into the main garden area up front.  As you can see, we’ve not finished painting the back yet, and we hope to do that soon after we pressure wash the whole cottage. The little wooden deck area off to the lower left of the picture is in front our our jacuzzi tub. The round shower floor is a concrete and tile table top that we found ‘curbside’ a bit cracked up, and we had passed it a couple of times and when I went by it by myself once on the way to work I thought hey that would make a nice shower floor for our outdoor shower.  That’s what we did, and that was another ‘heavy’ piece.  Lately I’ve been saying I don’t want any more heavy concrete pieces, as we are getting older and it is hard lifting all these pieces.

05-22-back-stoop

Speaking of curbside shopping, yesterday was our errand day and we found some goodies curbside.  A 5’-6’ Christmas tree already decked with lights in three sections.  (The lights all work.) We also found at the same spot, 21 VHS movies and 1 DVD movie.  Last night we watched Terminator 2 with a nice bowl of Redenbacker’s Popcorn, with extra real butter melted and drizzled over. Smile

We also found in two other curbside locations, an IBM computer, that does work but is slow as molasses and 3 bags of mortar mix.

After we did the stoop project this morning I vacuumed and dusted. This afternoon I made a loaf of banana bread then baked chicken breasts with a curried yogurt topping for supper which was delicious.

That’s it for now, we are thankful for our many blessings big and small.  Each day is new and you never know what a day will bring forth.

FlowerLady

**********

Reflect on your present blessings

of which every man has many,

not on your past misfortunes,

of which all men have some. 

Charles Dickens

19 comments:

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

What finds. You are always finding the best things for your projects. Love the outdoor shower. You deserve some popcorn with extra butter after all of that!

Mrs. Mac said...

I love the garlic vine and have NEVER heard of it before. Your sky is cloudy .. so is ours .. and I'm happy for once that we got some rain this week. It means less work watering all the garden seeds planted a few days ago. Enjoy your 'shopping' freebee finds.

Morning's Minion said...

Your photos lead me into a world of exotic plants and flowers that are so foreign to places farther north. It takes such labor to create and tend a garden. I admire all your whimsical finds and the uniqueness they give to your property.

Sunray Gardens said...

That garlic vine is so pretty. You seem to find the best things but I understand no more heavy things. I think about everything I do now and whether I will be able to continue doing it.

Cher Sunray Gardens

Anonymous said...

I just loved this post . . . your cottage is one of those places that I would just love to walk around and admire - not just the plants, but the enormous amount of creativity. I am in awe of your use of curbside finds.

Thanks for sharing your world.

eli

Jane said...

Garlic vine, huh? Such a beautiful vine for such a name. I know that Shakespeare said "a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet", but sometimes I wonder. I just planted some dead nettle. Isn't that an ugly name? But it's a pretty pale pink flower. Or what about lung wort and spider wort? Anyway, thank you for sharing a glimpse into your lovely world!

F Cameron said...

That vine is so gorgeous! It definitely looks tropical.

Your "finds" must be so much fun!

Floridagirl said...

Glad to hear you found the name of the gorgeous vine! You are so lucky to be getting rain. We keep seeing the threatening skies here, but where is the rain?

Ami said...

That vine is really beautiful,glad you found the name for it! We are also having lots rain recently. I guess we are not very far away apart :)

Gayle said...

You have such a secluded private paradise in the middle of people. It's amazing. And what finds! I'd drive the roads in your neighborhood for sure!!

Autumn Belle said...

The blossoms are gorgeous. Love the way your cosy little space turned out. Visiting you always cheer me up ^-^

Balisha said...

I love that outdoor shower. You two are the most resourceful people. By the time you retire, you will have a perfect "little piece of heaven" to retire in.
Have a nice weekend...Balisha

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Hi dear Flower Lady,

Well, you've introduced me to a new (and glorious) vine. After I post this I'll do some investigating.

Are we scroungers? We picked up a pile of bricks too. Also, Jeff and I bought an old claw foot tub and nearly killed ourselves moving it into our bathroom.

Love outdoor showers. That will be a project for us.

All joys to you,

Sharon Lovejoy

gld said...

I always feel better after reading your posts....you inspire me.

That garlic vine is so beautiful, it needs a prettier name.

I loved the rainy sky pictures. I needed reminding what a rainy day looks like.....still very hot and dry here.


Enjoy the weekend.

jerilanders said...

I'm going to start scouring the streetways for pickups. You really find some good stuff, you must have a knack. I now what you mean about ceasing with the heavy loads, as we have been lifting huge timbers to build a pergola... ouch!! We're getting too old for this! Thanks for visiting my garden video and I am glad it didn't make you seasick. I have reloaded it with commentary this time.

Sandra said...

I've missed your blog, I've miss your posts and I'm so glad to be back. :)

You're always such an inspiration.

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

Kit said...

Your busyness makes me smile. You are always creating and looking for special items to make your home extra special. Hubby and I are now working on a new porch for the front of our home, I am so excited and will post pics when all is done. Have a lovely Memorial Day weekend! Kit

sweetbay said...

Love the garlic vine blossoms! The pictures with the stormy skies have a marvelous tropical feel.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I don't think I've heard of that vine. The blooms sure are pretty! Was your rain from Beryl?

I think my favorite photo here is the view looking south from near the back of your place.

I hope your next projects go well. It's 62 here, at 9:35 a.m. I need to get myself out to the garden. I have a meeting this afternoon for summer school. I am going to be a para for middle school summer school, which starts Wednesday.