barbarasherbbasket's Blog

It's Spring one day and then....
Feb 22, 2010 | 3:26 PM PST

it is back to winter. Today is really pretty but chilly. The ornamental cherry trees are blooming bright pink, my apricot tree is blooming - ha! like after 12 years she will give me fruit , but more rain is expected. Did get the patio swept off and cleaned off with Orange Oil and water. Starting to see ants coming in and this gets rid of them right now. Love that stuff. I get it from a family owned company in Florida. It is straight orange oil with no additives that could be unsafe for pets, yard or water supply. It is said that our ant problem is so bad that they burrow down 50 feet around here. But we also have termite problems around this area hence the ants. The orange oil takes care of them too.

Are any of you doing companion gardening this year? Doesn't it amaze you that potted plants get weeds too? One of my rosemary bushes even has alyssum (sp)growing around it. Guess the seeds blew in.  Little plants are popping up in the cracks of the sidewalk too. So pretty.

Had to put my sweet kitty down. Have been very sad about it but she was really miserable. It has been one of those weeks of mixed blessings and trials but God is good and it all comes out for the best. Our pup keeps looking for her but each day she looks around less. Sorry. Not the nicest news to share.

Our daughter runs for Miss Redwood City this coming weekend. If she wins, they pay her to go back to college. She would also have to run for Miss California. We are just working on getting through this week and enjoying this pageant and will take on whatever comes next when the time comes.

Hope all of you are having some sun today. In a few more weeks things will change a lot and you all will be mad with activity.

Stay Cheerful and Plan Those Gardens,

Barbara

The windows are open..............
Feb 13, 2010 | 4:59 PM PST

It's almost 5 PM and we have the windows open all over the house for the first time in months. It was a bit cloudy this morning but it turned into the prettiest of days. We are heading into our 2 weeks of summer in February before returning to the cooler Spring weather. We always get a few weeks of warmth about now. Great way to celebrate our son's birthday on Monday! He grew up so fast!

Hope you all are warming up! Best to You All, Barbara

Rain, rain, go away...
Feb 10, 2010 | 12:11 PM PST

just for a day or two...........need some California sunshine. 

Pulled a few weeds but have to be careful with my back. We need to get our mulberry trees cut back or we will have giant trees this year that interfere with phone and electrical lines. They also get covered with pollen hanging thingys that make us sneeze. With our son not living here anymore, it is mostly up to my husband and daughter to do the work.

The Jasmine is just starting to open so our backyard will be sweet smelling soon. Need to trim some of it too.

Did I tell you that a friend from long ago joined GG, wrote me a note, then we wrote a few more times and realized we not only knew each other, that we had lived just blocks from each other and attended the same church for awhile. She has moved across the country. What a gift GG has been. It has been so great to connect with her. What are the chances? We did not have our real names listed so it was by mere chance or was it?  I for one am amazed at what God can do. A blessing indeed.

Not much news other than that. Will go and read your blogs to catch up on you all. ~Barbara

 

Saw a Robin...............
Feb 5, 2010 | 10:22 AM PST
Tag: Tussie Mussies

Three days ago, our mulberry was a perch for a chubby Red Breasted Robin! A sure sign of spring heading our way. I look forward to the Robins every year. The Narcissus are pushing up their green leaves. I have been able to cut a few small roses,carnations, Jasmine with flower buds, and Rosemary to make a bright spot on my kitchen window sill. They are still scrawny but encouraging.

From my Tussie-Mussies book about the meanings of flowers:

Roses, lavender= rarity and dignity

Carnations, pink=maternal love, lively and pure affection, beauty and pride

Jasmine=transport of joy and amiability

Rosemary=reme
mbrance, Your presence rivives me!, fidelity, devotion, wisdom, good luck in the New Year, strengthens the memory.

When my daughter performed in a musical, I made her a Tussie Mussie (tiny bouquet that has all of the stems wrapped in satin ribbon and then let the ribbon ends hang a few inches). Since most of you have lovely flowers, it is an idea for you to give as a gift for some sweet girl in your lives. I put the cuttings in a small glass vile that has a lid with a cut in it. Florists use them all the time. It holds in the water and holds the bouquet tight. Then I wrap the glass vile with the ribbon. It looks impressive, it is hand made with love, and it will thrill her heart. If you add a note about what each flower means, she will get even more out of it and you may introduce this young person to the wonders of gardening and even give her a history lesson. If you read up on how they were given in the Victorian times, this may spark her interest even more.

Yesterday, the wind howled around the house and we had tons more rain. Today is a patchy blue sky. Am hoping for some sunshine and may sit outside for awhile and read if it stays somewhat clear. It might just be a dream but I can hope!

Enjoy your day! Smiles to you all ~Barbara

Ornamental Plum Trees....
Feb 1, 2010 | 3:08 PM PST
were covered with blooms today! The trees are covered with white flowers! The other trees are still sleeping but soon the buds will open and the new green leaves will pop out! The next flowering trees to appear are the cherry trees and fruit bearing plums. Yeah! Spring is coming! I just wanna sing for joy...........