carolyncat353's Blog

Pictures
Apr 11, 2012 | 6:31 AM PST

Let's see if I can get the pictures I tried to post yesterday on here: The hibiscus

Now, my new little Iris:

 

My clematis in full bloom:

 

 And, my arbor that was on my East fence, we took it down, gave it some new legs and a new roof and a paint job, and then re-located it as the other one was falling down, too.  It is next to the clematis and the entry to my back yard now.  I have a vine called a "hummingbird vine" and some morning glories that I will plant next to it.  Then, I am sure, as soon as they start to vine, Itty will figure out how to climb it!

 Jacked up Again!  The arbor is the first picture-don't know how that happened! 

Wishin I was Fishin
Apr 10, 2012 | 12:04 PM PST

It has been so beautiful the last few days. Highs in the mid 80's, slight breeze, sunny, cools into the 60's at night.  Won't last long, though!

My vegetable garden is planted, and all is doing well except the cucumbers and beans. The cat and the doves won't stay out of the beans (I've replanted twice!), and the cucumbers are struggling.  I've already picked 2 bell peppers, the tomatoes have blooms,and the squash is vining.  Slowly, my flowers are coming to life-like Mom's rose bush:

 

It always blooms really nice-the petunias at it's feet just fizzled this year.  My multi-flowered hibiscus that is in a pot that is way too small is gorgeous, too:

 Screw Up?? Anyway, the yard is starting to perk up.  My Amaryliss are blooming, but only a few-I'm thinking the winter wasn't cold enough-I just don't know.  Lots of things are different this year.  Still hardly any zinnia volunteers, and my shrimp plants are not coming back strong.  Of course, Itty & Peanut's favorite lizard hunting place is in the Shrimp plants!  I do have a new Iris that Pink Damsel sent me 2 years ago-it has finally bloomed!.  The flowers are really small, but so unique!

 I give up-GG is not co-operating.  Will check ya'll later

 

 

It's Been A While...
Apr 3, 2012 | 8:44 AM PST

I've been checking in now and then, just haven't been posting.  This season I don't have my usual "gung ho!" ready for planting! I do have my vegetables all planted, and actually will have 2 bell peppers to pick by the weekend. 

 

I am not having the usual riot of color that I usually do in early spring.  My beautiful deep purple iris' did not last very long, nor the azaleas.  I have very, very few zinnia volunteers coming up, and my petunias, pansies and snaps did not do their usual breathtaking show.  They are blooming, just sparsely.  The Bottlebrush always puts on a spectacular show:

 

Sadly, we had some heavy winds and rain come through, so it didn't last too long either, although, now it is going to seed, and the little finches are in it fighting constantly.  I finally planted my clematis in the ground, and it took it a while to get started, but it is blooming now:

 

A close up:

 I have an abundance of slugs and snails this year-it's going to be a rough one for insects in the garden.  The aphids are already covering the day lillies, which are already starting to bloom.  Usually, they start in May, so, I'll be spraying them, too.  I can't do too much insecticide this year because I have another kitten/cat.  Itty BItty is 10 months old-she was another stray showed up at our shop.  I lost Fancy Pants in February, found her in the neighbor's yard. Don't know if she was hit by a car or if a coyote got her-pretty torn up.  Anyway, Itty and Peanut play together-well, Itty plays, and Peanut tolerates, so far she hasn't gone further than the other side of the fence to watch the birds and squirrels.  She's a little cross-eyed, but that doesn't affect her at all.

 

She's a sweetie, but doesn't like to be held much, I call her my "alarm cat".  Wakes me every morning at 6 AM, whether it's a weekend or not. Then, after I get up, and I'm up for an hour, she goes back to take a nap! Dang cat.

As long as I don't get the "virus alerts", I'll post now and then.  It's been an eventful spring-a few deaths, my youngest brother is having a lot of family problems now, Clint is reaching the end of his military service and trying to make decisions, it's just been one thing after another.

Here's the back patio-not much color-The amaryliss are not even blooming like usual.  The hibiscus is taking a long time coming back, and I haven't planted Sunflowers yet.

Make it a good one! :)