carolyncat353's Blog

Purple Rain
Jun 14, 2012 | 11:04 AM PST

I'm posting a picture of my deep purple crepe myrtle that is in full bloom right now. It is also raining, and I know when I get home it will be almost touching the ground with purple flowers all under neath-like purple rain!

My lawnmower has been out of commission for a few days, and so has the weed eater operator (me), so the yard  looks a little sloppy.  That, and I have the "don't wannas"!

Clint has come and gone, and I couldn't find my camera the whole time-looked everywhere-found it after he left. :( He and my 2 nephews went out almost every night and I think they tried to drink the town dry.  There should be 18 wheelers coming in to re-stock the bars!.  So glad they survived without incident! Rascals! We ate plenty-BBQ, fish, shrimp, crawfish.  Swam in the river-they did go fishing one day-we really had a good time. I sure hate it when he leaves!

My garden is done, except for a few cucumbers and hot peppers.  The tomatoes came & went quickly this year.  The eggplant are just covered with spider mites, but still producing. The beans did almost nothing, and the bell peppers just quit.  I think the bells will come back this fall-I have plenty in the freezer.

My flowers are not doing real well this year, but I have a few surprises.  The branches I cut off my Plumeria and never potted up-just threw in an empy container with wet newspaper-has blooms on it.  Picture under "other plant discussions".  The Pride of Barbados (aka Mexican Bird of Paradise) is blooming now-usually doesn't bloom until fall

 

So exotic looking!  I have a few glads blooming, too, but I didn't plant many this year-most are left over from last year.  The sunflowers are blooming, and I have more coming up. Even the vincas aren't doing well, and usually they are out of control. 

Hope you are all doing well-I'm just hanging on!

 

He's coming home!
Jun 1, 2012 | 6:34 AM PST

At this moment, my son is in the air on his way home-2000 miles and one left turn! Haven't seen him in over a year-I am excited!  A big BBQ is planned on the river tomorrow-Ribs & Brisket with some shrimp & fished tossed in occasionally! The weather is going to be in the low 90's, sunny and just right.  Can't wait! We're also gonna have fresh salad:

The little peppers in the container are the Cajun Belle pepper-HOT little devils.  I pickled some last night, and burnt my hands.  Peppers have never affected me before, but they sure were burning last night!  I had to get some aloe and squeeze all over it-then some gel from the refrig.  They still kinda tingle this morning.  Guess I have to wear gloves from now on when messing with them! Hmph!

 The cucumbers & tomatoes are taking off, so I'll be making some pickles and freezing tomatoes soon.  Eggplant should be ready in a few days, also!  My plumerias are starting to bloom-I really want to put this pink one in the ground.  It is in a pot that is too small, and I know it's gonna turn over and break branches:

The white one is blooming, too.  I made a new flower bed in a corner where I removed the arbor.  I've got one Black Magic elephant ear planted there, with a few black-stemmed ears, also.  I am not a fan of elephant ears, but I like these dark ones.  I also planted some stray caladiums in it , and some begonias and also threw in some Cosmos seed.  This is Itty's flower bed.  She lays on the begonias (yes, some are broken-what the heck-I can replace flowers, but not the cat!) and watches the bird feeder which is a few feet away.  I guess I'll just have to leave her a 'spot'.

Her spot is just to the left of the bird bath.  The cannas in that pot will be for sale at my next yard sale (after Clint leaves), and so will those daylillies.  The bed should fill in nicely once the begonias get started good.  It's part sun & shade all day long, with some long stretches of sun, so it should do good!

It's going to be a very busy week with Clint in-I hope to post some pictures of our party-Red Solo cups are ready!