1 October 2016

 

Happy October everyone ~ What happened to September? By the end of this month, we are predicted to have low temps in the high 60’s.  That will be WONDERFUL! The past few winters we’ve not had much chilly weather at all.

Right now, eyes are watching Hurricane Matthew. I am praying he’ll keep heading northward, or maybe even falls apart when he crosses Cuba or that he just heads on out to sea. The storm is a category 4 right now with winds of around 140 mph. They are predicting that the storm will go northward and skirt the US, but who knows, God knows and time will tell.  We are predicted to get rain and wind.

The other day around 5 pm-ish I was looking out the scullery window into the secret garden and what do I see flitting around the hamelia paten flowers, a hummingbird. Yay!  My first for this season and I hope to get some photos this year.

I finally was able to get out and mow the grass again the other morning. Before I headed out, I noticed the sun shining through the east stained glass window in the living room onto my little hanging sign across the room. Dear Gina sent me this in a box of sweet gifts right after my DH left this planet for his heavenly abode.

Today was a gray day all day with a few sprinkles. The sun came out a little while, but is now back behind the clouds. I took some photos, selectively, of course.

The first three photos are of a wonderful alamanda, grown from a cutting given to me a couple of years ago from a man who did antique restoration where I worked. He had this growing in his gardens and gave me several cuttings, only one rooted. I am very happy with this. The colors are just lovely, from unfurling bud, to fading out aging flower.

Next is Candlestick Cassia, which the sulphur butterflies love.

Mexican Petunia

Philippine Violet

Spanish Needles which certain butterflies also love. Normal people call this a ‘weed’. DH did NOT like this plant because it spreads easily by the needlelike seed pods that stick to you. The plants are hard to pull up if the soil is dry too. I pull some and leave some for the butterflies.

A ground orchid bloom. This orchid grows in dirt.

This is the Vanda orchid, ‘Miss Joaquim’. These just grow and grow all over, wherever I throw them. Litterally, I break off a section with the roots and just throw them in a new location.

The first two roses are ‘Louis Philippe’ or the ‘Florida Cracker’ rose. I need to make cuttings of this one to root. My original plant is long gone.

This one I don’t remember the name of.

Part of the secret garden. The little orange flowers in the background is where the hummingbird was flitting around.

I had a fun afternoon and evening on Thursday. First, my sis-in-law Sue picked me up and we went apt. looking. She and my bro-in-law Todd are selling their house, wanting to move closer to where he works, which will also be closer to me. They will rent before buying again, so that they can check out the area first.

Then we met Todd at work and headed back south toward my end of the area. Sue asked where was the great Thai restaurant I’ve told them about. I told them, and that’s were we went for dinner. Oh my gosh, I have never been disappointed with this place. My friends, Nanci and John have taken me there several times. I tried some crab/avocado sushi, oh my, what a treat. I did not think I would like sushi. Then we had stuffed egg rolls and some dumplings too. On my first piece of sushi, I had a thin slice of ginger, then a dab of Wasabi. All well and good. The second piece of sushi I had a tad more Wasabi and when that exploded in my mouth I thought I was going to DIE. That totally freaked me out, and I will never eat that again. Sheesh! Sue and I both had curry, delicious, and I forget what Todd had, a noodle dish that he really liked. We all took home our little containers for another meal, for me it will be another two meals.

Oh yea, Sue and I split dessert. It’s a good thing, because it was three good sized scoops of ‘coconut’ ice cream with whipped cream and some chocolate sauce drizzled across the top. Delicious.  We both love that ice cream and have only had it at Thai restaurants. I’ve looked for it in the grocery store, but haven’t found it.

We laughed, talked and I cried a little too. It was a great time spent together. I learned how to ‘talk to text’ on my phone. They think I am cute with my phone which I am still learning to use. They are 10 years younger than me and have had their phones a long time. I’ve just had mine a year. They got some free entertainment with me.

Well, that’s it from Plum Cottage. I have been enjoying reading and seeing posts about fall weather, gardens and decorations inside and out.  Florida, especially where I live, does not see many seasonal changes. Not like you all. My gardens do not go to sleep either, in fact, they are at their nicest at this time of year, right on until next summer. Summers down here are brutal and I’m not sorry to see this one ending.

Take care and count your blessings.

Be loving, forgiving and encouraging.

FlowerLady