Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Flowers, paint color, pressure washer

Good morning Folks ~ In reading blogs, I see that ‘lots’ of you are having spring weather and that is great news indeed. I hope the rest of you will be seeing it soon.  Just had a very light shower here, showers are expected today through Friday. We need the liquid sunshine so I’m not complaining.

It means I may not be mowing, or doing laundry, so I’ll do some work indoors instead.

Here are some flower pics I took yesterday.

This is Dombeya burgessiae (Seminole) I bought this last year at the Mount’s Botanical Garden nursery. This will get to be about 7 ft. tall. It is sometimes called the ‘’'Tropical Hydrangea’. I am happy to have this in my little cottage gardens. The white little specks are pollen from the palm tree.

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This is either Blue Mist flower or Ageratum, I’m not sure which. It’s been around in my gardens for years and years as it self-sows and grows wonderfully with little care.

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Dahlberg daisies, such little sweeties.

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Rose de Rescht, a gift from Deb & Charles.

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Unknown rose I bought cheap at a local nursery, smells wonderful.

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These are from the other day. I was having a rough time with blogger so they didn’t get put into the post where I showing this ‘Granada’ rose.

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In photo below is all six house color samples.  I bought 2 the first time, and 4 yesterday and ‘yippee’ I found the color. It came down to a choice of two, Gypsy Magic or Purple Mauve, Purple Mauve won.  It is the bottom color in the middle row, Gypsy Magic is the color above, and it’s a little too brown.

Yellow color I ‘may’ use for the three doors. Trim will be white.

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Purple Mauve top

Gypsy Magic bottom

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Plum Swirl is on the top

Purple Mauve middle

Gypsy Magic bottom.

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Here’s my new electric pressure washer. It took me 1/2 hour to put it together.  I then tried it by cleaning two patio pavers about 20” square. YAY!  What a great tool! I’m proud of myself for making this purchase, using Christmas bonus $ from this past Christmas.  I forgot to take a picture of it all together, will get that later.

Now I can clean the walls of cottage, then start painting one section at a time, after doing some caulking. This is going to be a lot of work, but oh so rewarding.  My right hand is bothering me either with arthritis or tendonitis. In a car wreck in 2000 which broke my right arm, wrenched my shoulder, and chipped my wrist bone. I always helped DH when we did painting and both of enjoyed this project. It will take me longer, but that’s ok.

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Thank you for your prayers about my job situation, greatly appreciated. A few of you mentioned I should just retire. I would love to, but financially, it isn’t possible at this time.

***

Thank you all for prayers and wishes for Dear Balisha who found out she had ovarian cancer about three months ago. She went to be with Jesus Monday afternoon with her family all around her.  Her husband posted on her blog to let us all know.  Please keep him, Joe,  and their family in prayer at this time.

Velvets-pillow3

 An embroidered piece made in 2000 for a friend.

14 comments:

Art and Sand said...

I was just checking a few blogs before I headed out to the nursery. I did some weeding and moved some plants yesterday. I took photos of some of your flowers to show the nurseryman.

We too are expecting a little rain today.

Sallysmom said...

It is just so sad about Balisha. I know she was a blog friend to you and many others. It is comforting to know she went to be with the Lord. There is nothing else that can bring as much comfort as that.

Terra said...

Your garden is a bit of paradise with your colorful plant gems. Yes, that is sad to lose Balisha. Good on you for putting together the pressure washer and using it.

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

Checking in
you are so talented
and on retirning
you would be so good
at helping other's
with garden and home ideas.
I built my last home at 75
and moved to the woods.
All has been the same until
about 2 years ago.
I guess this happens at
age 80. I continue on
just cannot do some things
I did a couple of years ago :)
and I have to add
I do not like it...

Ruth Hiebert said...

I love the Granada rose.Its color is amazing.

Jane said...

Love the color, Rainey! You're going to have fun with that power washer. We rented one once and it is very satisfying to see it blast the peeling paint away. Perhaps you could get a job in a gardening center? I don't think I know anyone else that loves gardening more than you. Or maybe you could go back to selling antiques on Etsy? I've been thinking about your dilemma a lot. Sending you a big bear hug!

Jane

lil red hen said...

I love reading your blog, and especially seeing your beautiful flowers.

Just take your time painting so you don't over work your hands.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Good Morning!! Well, the paint choice is lovely. Finding the correct color is 1/2 the work in painting. I like to paint. It's nice quiet work to ease the mind. Now that power washer...THAT's work!!
xx, Carol

Jillayne said...

I'm sorry to hear about your friend - life is so fragile isn't it?
Your flowers are beautiful Lorraine, especially the blue one. I like that type - they have a sturdy delicacy, which sounds weird but I think you'll know what I mean... I also love the colour you've chosen for Plum Cottage - it's perfect! Not too brown, not too dull, just right. You're right not to rush it - slow and easy and you'll get there in the end!

Deb said...

Love the house paint color you decided on, in fact I love them all. You flowers are so pretty.

So sad to hear about your job I will send positive thoughts to you.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

good for you, Rainey, doing what needs to be done! if you don't have a hand/wrist brace, you might consider it. I use one, both hands, and it helps greatly. the power washer is a wonderful tool; I don't have one but don't need one either.
prayers for Balisha's family; such sad news.
praying for your job situation as well and for upcoming retirement, when God makes it all possible.
beautiful flowers, bet it smells like heaven in your yard!

Debra Howard said...

It looks like you found the perfect color just like the one I was imagining. Beautiful

M.K. said...

Hi, dear. The roses are lovely, esp. that last one. I'm no good at keeping their names in my head, but their smell and look - yes :) I really like your color choice! It's perfect -- dark enough, not too brown. Glad you stuck with it and found the just-right paint :) I do hope you find another job that is just right, and that you enjoy. The extra money makes all the difference.

I have a blogging friend, very good friend, whose husband just died 2 days ago after a battle with cancer. Thinking of her so much. I'm getting "of an age" when the future looks a bit different. You never know if you will have your spouse with you until you're 87, or if you will lose him when you're 62. So hard.

Unknown said...

Your garden looks beautiful. As for the power washer, they are wonderful pieces of equipment, and are honestly not as hard on your hands as you might think. My tip is to make sure you take a quick rest every 15 minutes and flex your hands to stretch the muscle. That is because you will get aches and pains, not from the power washer itself, but from the fact that you are holding your hand in the same position for a prolonged period of time. Exercising it every few minutes will stop that from happening.