Betts's Blog

 Thought this was an interesting combination of our Echeveria and Arum leaves that popped up.

Have to also share the awnings Rick finished for our windows on the south side.....he repeated the style we had done facing our front window, that gets slammed by the sun facing West.

The first shot is of the new two smaller awnings just before the larger shade cover he built a year and a half ago.  The second shot, he built last year and with the large shade cover, it kept the frost off not only the plants in front, but many on the other side of the fence.  

Now he is concentrating on digging the roots out in front....he's not happy about how long it's taking.  Not too mention, our unseasonal hot days keeps him from doing it longer.  I keep assuring him all he's getting done is good.

Wishing you all well (^_~)

 Remember this one?  I pulled it out not knowing if it was invasive....then new shoots came up and I put them in a pot.  Then, by accident I came across it online and found it is a 'Night Blooming Jasmine'.  I'm going to take very good care of those two little shoots.

Here's our Crassula Morgan's Beauty in full bloom...bought this a few years ago while at the California Cactus Center near Pasadena, CA  It's filled out nicely.

 Finally, our evergreen Clematis flowers....so many buds yet to open!!

Wishing you all a very nice weekend (^_~)

Greetings All, 

It got up to the low 80's yesterday!! But it was breezy and got really windy last night....we have rain in the forecast, but I'm not holding my breath.  

Our 'evergreen' clematis buds are getting ready to open...I hope to take some pics, but with this breeze I can't guarantee a sharp one, lol.   Our tree in back in leafing out, but several trees in our area have blossomed.  The daffodils, jonquils and other bulbs are popping up in other yards.  Our Tulips are struggling to come up...not sure if it's the thyme ground cover that is the challenge for them.  Our Freesia will open any day now, gosh I love the way they smell.

Have put some of my plant containers in there spring and summer spots, but just the ones that will be able to handle the rains, if we get any. 

 Still need to do more cleaning, weeding and pruning...but I'm pacing myself.  My right shoulder (yes, I'm right handed) is still a little achy after my fall earlier this week.  I was very lucky....so I'm counting my blessings.

Witt, Aurora's David has lent me his Autoharp....I've never played one, but like them.  For now, I'll have to learn how to play it flat...any tips?  He gave me two picks too.  My folks had me take accordion lessons when I was a kid...but one night when she took me to my lesson, they were gone!  I understood what those folks had done....I never asked for music lessons again.  I collected all sorts of music instead.   I enjoyed the instrumentals more.

Well, hope you all have a good day and get to play outside a little.  I've been enjoying all the pictures of Spring popping up.

Wishing you well (^_~)

Greetings all,  If you haven't read this yet you should...I posted a pic of that flower...isn't is sweet? 

It's still around too!!!  Click on the link above the flower....Happy Thursday!!

  Oldest seed sprouts!! 

 <
/p>

We would do all again!! 

Have a great day everyone!! (^_~)

...thank goodness for 4 square (I play with the kids sometimes) 'n learning how to fall (relax and roll), lol. After moving a really large heavy planter...I thought moving a small (but heavy) one would be a breeze.

Yeah, I tripped and fell.  I'm OKAY!! Got a little boo boo on my knee and yeah I will be a little sore...but everything is in working order. The plants and pot are okay too!....first time I've done that using my little hand truck...and I didn't dent my 'burro' (my Honda) either, lol.

Yes, I'm done playing outside for today...Rick said so= }

Fun while it lasted (^_~) Wishing you well

Hi all, hope your weekend was a good one....I spent most of Sunday morning raking leaves from our front garden bed.  Boy, was it fun raking and not pulling plants out...NOT! lol.  

This morning I went out early and cut back the dead leaves on the watsonia, iris and day lilies...and all I could think was...I can't wait to divide these guys.  I know one thing, those watsonia are all coming out and going into the new garden areas.  Those really multiply!!

 I thought of Witt too, while hand removing the dry leaves from my plants....got most of them.  Trimmed a little here and there, including a little under our ever green clematis.  That vine has buds everywhere...two buds opened a few days ago.  I guess to see if it was warm enough, lol.  

I still need to weed one more area by our entryway...lots of little pansies mixed in with the weeds, sedum and more. I'm hoping to get that done tomorrow morning. 

The weather has been great, not too cool or hot.  Hope it continues long enough to do my garden maintenance.  I'm off this week and it would be nice to get the back yard done also.  I'm anxious to put our potted plants back in their summer spots.  

 But, I'm  really hoping to get started on the new garden areas before the hot weather hits and no doubt about it, we'll be in drought mode.

Well just wanted to check it and hope most of you are able to get out and play in the dirt (^_~)

Wishing you well (^_^)

Wishing you all a good day (^_~)

 Sending Big Valentine Hugs to ALL my G.G. Pals....

Greetings all,  

Hope you are looking forward to a nice weekend....our Aurora will be visiting tomorrow to do her taxes and having one of her mom's 'just for you dishes' (^_~)....good thing she shares, lol

But I'm so tickled...my one and only Amaryllis will be in full bloom for Valentine's Day!!  I am planning to get more, thanks to 'bsmitch'....I've so enjoyed seeing his collection of Amaryllis in flower!

 Was hoping to do a little more yard work this weekend, but there may be some more rain and that's even better!! 

Wishing you all well (^_~)

Greetings all,

Hope you had a good weekend.  I had planned to get more done in the yard, but lost my ambition Sat....today I got it back.  Re-edge half of the backyard, cleaned out and rearranged my garden bins(with Rick's help), re sorted my empty pots and stacked some tree branches I hope to re use to stake the bee balm, crocosmia and other tall plants.  The branches are from our 'pyrus' tree.  Still have to clip the buds on the branches, but what fun it will be to use them.  My clay pots, potting soil and planting table are under the eave along the house...didn't get a shot of those, lol.

 Here are some pics of my progress today and new aloe buds.

Wishing you all well (^_~)

Greetings all, hope you had a good week and your weekend will be just as nice.

It's been blue skies with clouds being moved around by breezes.....still hoping for more rain than we've gotten.  It's chilly in the mornings and in the 60's by noon.

But, I wanted to share the progress of my Christmas Amaryllis...color is beginning to show!!  Didn't measure the stalks, but know they are no where as tall as Hillbilly's lol...

I put this in it's pot on the 27th of Dec and hope it will bloom again and again for a couple of years or more.  I'm going to stake the stalks, just to be on the safe side.

Wishing you all well (^_~)