Thursday, October 24, 2013

Latest at Plum Cottage

Well, it was a nice cloudy day, cool and breezy with some very light sprinkles.  We could use a good soaking but that doesn’t look to be in the forecast.  I did do some watering this morning as the main garden really needed a drink. Supposedly, we are having a cold front. Ha! Ha! It’s still in the 80’s and is predicted to get down to 72 tonight. Who are the weather people trying to kid? Cold  my patootie.

As to the handyman, he did not want to do the pipe repair, suggested a real plumber and I asked him about a couple of other things, one would cost $2000-3000. So if I have any ‘little’ jobs I can call on him. He was nice, just not the handyman for the job at hand.  It really made me realize just how priceless all of the work was that my dear husband Mark did around here.  It made me miss him all the more too.  We would just go to HD and get supplies and do the jobs ourselves.

I was kind of bummed out, but in a way relieved too.  I didn’t know how things were going to be taken care of but I prayed about it and just left it in God’s hands. I went to bed feeling peaceful.  I did wake up around 2:30 and started thinking about how to do things, just not stressed, thinking of ways of how I could do certain things, and finally after about an hour, I fell back to sleep. I woke up feeling rested and relaxed.  Around 8:15 my brother-in-law called. I had emailed him last evening,  telling him about the handyman and asked if he knew of a plumber in the area.  Well, he and possibly our nephew are going to do the job by going under the house, if they can, to put in new pvc pipe and connections.  Our nephew lives on the west coast of FL and Todd lives an hour north of here, so they’ve got to figure out a Saturday they can both come to tackle the job, in the next 2-3 weeks, as Todd and his wife will be going on vacation for a week, next week.

I hate asking for help, am so used to us doing things ourselves, but there is no ‘us’ anymore, there is just little ol’ me. I am working on something for Todd and his wife that I’ll show after I give it to them. It’s for Todd’s labor and Sue’s not having him on weekends when he comes here to do work.

Anyway, after we talked for awhile this morning, my heart felt even lighter than it had when I woke up so since it was the kind of day it was, I decided to work on a funky garden project using a couple of iron pieces we had found a couple of years ago.  Mark would get a kick out of this, because it is ‘rigged’ that’s for sure, but I think it’s sturdy enough for what I’m using it for. It’s tied and strapped and once plants cover it, it should be ok.  I used some green plastic coated chicken wire that we found for the top and sides and a couple of pieces of pvc pipe.

Ta da, my new arbor.

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This was a fun project and took me awhile, but I did it by myself.  I’m not sure what plants I’ll use, I do have a rooted cutting of the purple flowering garlic vine, and I have a couple of rooted red flowering passion vines too. I’ve got the blue pea flowering vine also. I don’t want to go out and buy anything.  I’ll keep you posted.

Here are some flowers blooming here.  For the next 6 months or so is the great time to garden down here in s.e. FL.

This is a bromeliad flower.  As it progresses, more of the little purple flowers come out of each red section of the whole thing.  I’ll try to remember to take more photos.

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This little rose is ‘Prosperity’.  A real die-hard here as it suffers/or not, from neglect.  It would do much better with more TLC, but lately I’ve been pretty ‘stretched’ in a lot of areas.  It is always a joy to see this rose bloom.  They are sweet little dears.

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Thank you all for your comments in the last two posts about the grouping on the wall.  The paintings and pine needle basketry work were done my ‘Mama & Papa’ who were Mark’s paternal grandparents, not either of our parents. I think I mentioned that in the first post but not the second one.  Sorry for the confusion.

Since I’m only working at my job ‘one’ day this week, I have tomorrow to do some more puttering around here, and I am looking forward to it.

Have a great weekend whatever you do. I’ve been enjoying seeing wonderful fall images on some blogs and I thank you all for sharing those fantastic scenes and colors.

FlowerLady

21 comments:

BernieH said...

It's such good news that you're brother-in-law and nephew can help sort out with the pipe problem. I know you don't like asking for help, but I'm sure they don't mind helping out in the least.

The new arbor you've created will make an lovely entrance. I wonder what you'll finally plant there?

'Prosperity' is a real beauty, and your Bromeliad bloom is fabulous. It's heating up once again here, after a cool break this past week. We've had some light sprinkles of rain in the last week too, which was unexpected. My gardening downtime is just around the corner now, as spring winds up and summer arrives.

lil red hen said...

I admire you so much for tackling these jobs by yourself! The farmer has always done everything around here for us, not being pleased with an outsider's work. So that means waiting, sometimes for years, before a project might get done. Farm work always must come first :) Your flower pictures are always so beautiful!

Nancy J said...

Hi Loraine, your unstoppable spirit never fails to uplift me, as you tackle, and finish so much by yourself, Love the flowers, and I can just image your fingers at work for the gift to family who help out so willingly.it will be so appreciated, I know. Fond greetings, Jean. p.s. Can I please add you to my list for the competition???

Ruth Hiebert said...

Your new arbor looks lovely. It is kind of hard to ask for help,but once we do,usually people are quite willing to do so.

Jane said...

Sounds like you have a gem of a brother-in-law, Rainey! I know you hate to ask for help, but you'd be surprised at how many people love to help. It's a good feeling to know that you are useful. But I'm sure I don't have to tell you that. LOL!

Terra said...

Oh dear friend, your new arbor will be bursting with blooms and beauty soon. Florida has so many colorful vines to plant and I know you will have an artistic vision for it. How good your relatives will come to do the project and I am sure the surprise you are working on will be fabulous.

Betty said...

I hope they can find time soon to help you. In our area they have a company that hires senior citizens that had been professionals in different careers such as plumbers, electricians, and such. They help other senior citizens and charge a lower rate to help them out. You may want to see if their is something similar in your area.

tina said...

So glad you have some help coming. Sometimes I think a home job is waaay better than a professional job because you know the folks who do it and hopefully it will be done right! Love the arbor!

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

I'm truly glad you have a nephew and brother-in-law to help you, FL! Mark is looking out for you! He doesn't want you to struggle and it is OK for ask for help! I love your arbor and especially your flowers. We are in the 30's at night. Not long until we have snow on the ground. I made three batches of pineapple sage jelly and making rose geranium tomorrow. Enjoy your puttering tomorrow and here's hoping your plumbing woes will be fixed soon. xo from The Herbal Husband and LVL!

It's Just Dottie said...

God sends us help when we need it and he knows you sometime do.
I know how you feel about asking but I am sure your-husband's brother feels honored to help you. You are a very brave and strong women.
It is a pleasure to know you.
Hugs, Dottie

sharon said...

hi lorraine,
the bible says we are to take care of widows and orphans...i know you would help them if they ever needed it and now mark will know that you have help when you need it..
...and thats what church is for too....a fellowship to lift us upa dn be of service..let them feel useful in that way...


the arbor will hold some great blooms

Sandra said...

Oh I'm so glad your brother in law and nephew can help you out, otherwise you would be paying such a high price for some of those repairs. Things are so expensive lately aren't they?

Love your little project and the flowers are gorgeous as usual :)

Hugs and love,
Sandra

Gary said...

Good morning Lorraine,
That arch over the gate is going to look lovely when it's covered, and you have made a really professional job of making it! I am so glad that you have someone to fix the pipe. Things can cost more than we have so often nowadays, and to have family to help is so important. Take care.

His Sparrow said...

So much enjoy reading about your projects! Looking forward to pictures of what you decide to use with that new arbor. Thankful that God set along the help you will need with those pesky pipes! He is faithful!

Sunray Gardens said...

Your blooms are lovely. You did a great job on your arbor and will be fun watching it develop next year with what you decide to use as the vines.
Cher Sunray Gardens

Darcie said...

I completely understand when you say how hard it is to ask for help. One time I was being offered help, and I told the lady I feel so bad that I had to ask, and she told me, "Darcie, wouldn't you want to help me?" I quickly said, "Absolutely!". Then she gently reminded me, that's how she felt about helping me. I have thought of that often. So glad you have someone there for you, and the day will come(or has come), where you can/or will be there to extend help for another.

Love seeing ALL the work you are doing around your cottage.

HolleyGarden said...

Love your arbor! You really did a good job - quite an accomplishment to have done that by yourself! I'm so glad that your BIL and nephew are going to help you with your plumbing. So great to have family that will lend a hand when needed.

Rebecca said...

Now that's MY kind of arbor! (And I had one of those sleep-interrupted nights Thursday night in anticipation of moving my mother to what we hope will be her last room before heaven.)

I should be more active reading my favorite blogs in the coming days after being out of commission for the past 5 or 6 weeks. How I've missed you.

Now I'm going to read a couple of your posts that I've missed - about your living room west wall, etc.

Your flowers are lovely. Since the recent low temperatures and frosts have pretty much decimated our few plants, I'll be looking to YOUR Florida lovelies for my plant pleasure quota :)

Leslie Kimel said...

Your new arbor looks great! So awesome that you did it yourself! I can't wait to see it with the vines growing on it.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

I understand about asking for help.
Always one to do much myself
and the last year have had to ask for a few things. One my truck would not start and called a neighbor and they came and hooked up the battery cable. A lot of little things lately and usually just hope someone will come by
and I can ask. Usually it works out. Take care and you and I both know "God Is Good"

GRACE PETERSON said...

That is one cool arbor. It's going to look great with the vines on it. I love making things from found objects too. Yesterday I took one of my old garden mirrors and used nails to secure it behind the "window" panes on a vintage door. It looks really cool even though the mirror is a little dirty--part of being outside. Anyway it's so much fun to visit you and see your projects. Hugs.