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Weather Patterns

Category: Ramblings | Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 6:10 pm

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At well past nine this AM the temperature is still well below freezing 16F/-9C. Unfortunately it comes with no snow and clear skies. A little more thinning of plant varieties again this winter as predicted.


old fashioned window with old fashioned ice (in the breeze-way) ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

We are experiencing El Nino and the results of solar activity on our local climates. Here in the Pacific Northwest we have had misty days (normal) and then torrential rains (12-24 inches in 48 hours) not normal with days like today that are sunny, clear and brrrr...cold (not typical either). The best was snow at Thanksgiving that closed business and schools. Living on the borders of a rain forest can spoil one to expect mist and moisture and gray fine days. El Nino changes all that.

It is good day to sit and read.


icy patterns ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )





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Cold Weather and a Little Breather

Category: Ramblings | Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 8:03 am

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Am doubly busy with the final year of a grant for technology in the classroom. What started out as my perceived desperate need for a document camera has given me a wealth of classroom technology. I didn't even know what a SmartBoard was and am now using one, writing/creating lessons and quizes on one and having a great time. (It's wonderful when it works and a bummer when something goes wrong. But that is a whole other story). The only problem is I don't have enough time to go around. I live at my computer at home and before/after school spend a few more hours in front of the computer than I would like.


Thanksgiving cactus and work station ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )


( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

I lurk around the Stew in odd moments at home. It is fun to see what's going on here. We are in the midst of a cold, cold snap with temps into the single digits F. here in the Pacific Northwest. I've gotten a whole week off for Thanksgiving because of weather and am in the process of decompressing a little. David got us 4 books for the 4 days we will be lounging.


4 books for 4 days ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

The day of the first bit of snow I gathered a few of the last hydrengas. The bushes were big and green with hidden blue gems amongst the abundance of big leaves.


last of the hydrenga blooms ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

Went out this afternoon and the garden had the faint smell of silage from the slightly defrosted green leaves. Tonight it is a waning full moon with no cloud cover and cold seeping down from Canada bringing those single digit temps. Some are suffering from too much snow and power outages in areas around the Sound. The roads are rather like skating rinks and people are encouraged to stay home during the holiday.


nothing like a clear moon filled night and Canadian cold ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )


icy cold with a little snow ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

We haven't yet decided what our plans will be. I want to go up to the cabin for Thanksgiving. It's been a bit of tradition, but don't want to worry about frozen pipes here at home either.

While contemplating our holiday I've divided my favorite little fern (there are usually takers for that one) and trimmed up the philodendron (this time someone took the cuttings so I didn't have to start them). The poor little aloe vera needs dividing too. The hanging cactus has gone maddly wild. I'd trim it but I want to see if it will ever have flowers.


My 3 favorite house plants...hundreds have gone on... ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )


divided ferns ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )


cactus gone wild ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

The last bit of blooms to share is my little old orchid Sherry Baby. It really needs to be repotted, but that doesn't keep it from putting a display every fall and most every spring.


Sherry Baby's double blooms ... November rituals ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )


reliable Sherry Baby ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

I hope that everyone that celebrates Thanksgiving has a good one. And happy seasons to all.

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November Snow and Freeze

Category: Ramblings | Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 10:04 pm

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OK, so the way I view myself and the way I am are two totally different entities. As I creep toward my sixtieth year my body has rounded out and drooped in most every part. I've developed an alien's body. I wonder who that thing is in store surveillance monitors or reflected from too large windows. I've been in the midst of a technology grant so sitting at a computer have become a part of my life as I learn new equipment/software and put it into practice.

My kid brother (only two years my junior) continues to rock and ice climb, run triathlons and plans a trip to France in March to revisit a climb in the Alps he made in the 70's. I guess we all deal with passing time differently.

I wouldn't even have thought about it except this darn Canadian cold and snow entered the region unseasonably and I had to have my studded snow tires put on my car for commuting to work. Roads are covered in ice in an area that seldom gets much real cold at these lower elevations. Guess the 12 degrees F/-11 C will continue for at least one more day. Although the road crews do their best, we simply don't have the road equipment most areas of the country have. It is always a challenge those years where the weather produces snow and cold for that one week or so.

The waiting area at the tire center was packed and the wait was three hours down at the LesSwab where I always get my tires rotated. We live only a little over a mile from downtown so I figured what the heck. Walking beats sitting or standing around for 180 minutes or more. At first I thought I'd visit a shop or two, but some how shopping doesn't hold the allure it once did for me. I crept through downtown watching for the slick patches of ice. I waddled my way along the sidewalk past the usual groups of young people. I past coffee shops and restraunts and headed up the hill. Too bad I had had that extra helping of left-over mash potatoes for lunch. Too bad I don't drink lattes in the afternoon. Too bad, so I'll just keep trucking on home.

Some how walking just seemed preferable to sitting. The sun was out which is a rarity for me to see since my work room has no outside windows. As I truddled along ice was my excuse for little old lady small steps.

It has been a few years since I've made the walk. Maybe even more than a few years. I really should do it more often, but driving is so easy. I probably wouldn't feel so "old" and "teetering" if I made the walk more often. My fake fur 20 pound brown bear coat got mighty hot and the cotton blue scarf was too light weight. Body roasting and ears cold. It felt so good to reach my block and home.

Of course I came in and shed my clothes and plopped myself in front of the computer. As I sit here in front of the computer viewing the outdoors (I sit between south and west windows) I see couples walking, parents and children out and trying out sleds, the dog-owners out with their dogs. Yep, it feels good to be in out of the cold and enjoying the sun in the window.

It was kind of nice being out for a short while, but unfortuately I know I won't make a habit of it. Gardening is my my main connection with the outdoors and who can garden in the ice and snow? Not me though I see plenty to do out my windows I'll wait until a warmer more rainy time to try.


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July and a Little Warmth

Category: Ramblings | Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 12:17 am

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We are getting some heat...finally. Here it is July 9th and there has been a change in the weather. Naturiums look like this...


nasturiums in July?? ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

Fern starts have become a real weed..


Lots of baby ferns of all kinds...a weed is a plant growing where its not wanted ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

Tomato plants look good, but


Tomatoe plants with few bloosom...and fruit..forget it ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

we'll forget it or hope for a long mild fall.

Even though I have been especially lazy this year (too many weeds to count), some flowers can't help themselves and with a camera in hand I went to find record their grace.


one of the beds of old fashioned daylilies ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )


pot of lewisia and sedums ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )


honeysuckle beginning its summer long blooming for the hummingbirds ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )


( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )


( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )


A little tea rose hiding under the silver leafed heather w/lamb's ears in back ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )


a very old white rose ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )


pink hardy water lily ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

With a little careful camera placement there seems to be no weeds at all. :D

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Growing Love Affair with Sedums and Similars

Category: Ramblings | Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:52 pm

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I have collected a small number of sedums over the years, but this last year really got the "bug". Probably because I really desired a wreath from the Farmer's Market but was too cheap to buy one. Forty bucks for the smallest one seemed a bit much to me, but who knows how much I have spent in making them (yes plural) for myself and a few others. It definitely would have been cheaper just to buy one, but not nearly as much fun.


The envy of my eye for a very long time....sedum wreathes ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

Sedums are amazing plants, drought resistant and many are hardy for colder climates. I understand that they aren't for the hot southwestern US, maybe because of the heat and dryness. In exploring different types of sedums, some of the most common in cultivation seem to come from Europe. My maritime climate seems just right for a great number of them, after all the Sedum Society is in the UK and I understand our climate is similar.


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


Sedum Kamtschaticum ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


A little 'roller' that I have captured again and potted up ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


'Wayne's Brains' ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


Sedum sexangulare ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


Sedum spurium "tricolor" ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


Sedum spurium Red Carpet ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


Sedum makinoi ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


Sedum pluricaule ezawe 'compact' ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

My small love affair with sedums has steadily grown. The difficulty with sedums is finding a good way to show off their diminutive size. I have tried different containers with mixed results. Some have found homes in the rocks around the fish pond or in the edges of the front yard patio.


Sedum blooming by fish pond ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


Sedum ewersii ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


Sedum rupestre 'Angelina' and Tricolored pansy ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


sedum with hens and chicks ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

Sedums have a huge variety of form and size. When I started to make living wreaths my interest was sparked further and I slowly began to expand my variety of sedums and added Sempervivums, Lewisia cotyledon and a few other small drought tolerant plants. Semperviviums (hens and chicks) have sparked my interest in their variety of color, size and subtle differences of form. They are really fun and versatile plants.


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

Lewisia and some of the drought hardy make fine plants also.


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

I have barely touched the surface, but that seems to always be the way with gardening in any form. I maybe growing older, but my youth, enthusiasm, wonder are still with me when gardening.


Moss Wreath planted with lewiisia and sedums ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


Sedum and Sempervivum Ball ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


Today's blooms. Brought it into the breezeway to enjoy a little longer. ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

What joy I get when I can combine my own energies with natures.

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Housekeeping Uugghh....

Category: Ramblings | Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 4:43 am

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I am convinced that there is a house cleaning gene and I didn't inherit it. Saturday morning and I've made and ate scrambled egg and toast; read the Seattle Times online; ate too many cookies as I packaged them for the next weeks lunches; visited my favorite gardening forum, GardenStew, and attempted to clean house. Of course the first thing I did was vacuum up a small piece of wood from the carpet in the garage; blocking the hose to the vacuum. I then spent 30 minutes trying to figure out where the blockage was and then get the darn thing out. Of course that meant I had to go back and have another cookie, and what is a cookie without a cup of tea. When I put the pot of water on to boil I noticed the cone flowers were so pretty out in the front yard still blooming away.


looking out the kitchen window ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

Had to go out and take a picture. :)


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

Well the camera is out so why don't I take a picture of a dirty house and then do the before and after pictures? (No randomness in my brain or is it anything to get out of cleaning-no I'm not posting pictures of my dirty house...I'll spare you that) So I precede to take pictures of every room of the house and the breezeway and garage...oops I forgot the laundry room. Maybe later I'm not cleaning it.

Here I am now I am sitting and having a cup of chai/tea and downloading pictures to put into my journal writing. After all what is a story without pictures? Nothing of course, so I play with the pictures that I downloaded onto the computer and drink my tea as cookies mysteriously disappear.
Now it is many hours later the house is still not finished. Pictures have been taken, most of the house has been vacuumed but I still need to dust and clean the bedroom and bathroom. I did get the dogs room wiped downed,and their kennels cleaned.


dog room ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

Got distracted seeeing the fall anenome out the breezeway window. They have never lasted so long or been so plentiful.


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

They make my heart happy seeing them so I just have to take a picture.


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

Of course I had to browse the garden. The misty rain made pictures of the last dalhia outstanding.


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

Then I had to hang the sedum ball by the back door. It's pretty lopsided, but... Have you ever tried to make a ball out of old fencing?


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

Hanging the sedum ball/blob meant that I had to put plants in the bottom part of this lopsided planter. I then started messing with plants. Potting up the plants led me to the pots of starts the squirrels had uprooted. So I had to repot and cleaned up the squirrel mess. Then I had to find the camera I had misplaced and and once found there were a few more pictures to take.


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


calendula ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

Got distracted taking pictures and started harvesting the last of the little pumpkins and pulling the spent pumpkin vines.


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

Then there was lambs ears and violets that needed pulling out from between the patio pavers and then started to tackled some of the overgrown sweet woodruff. What about the nasturtiums, can't forget to collect a few more seeds and then to toss some in hopes they will survive the damp of winter to come up again on their own; all the while pulling the vines they have covered the walkways. I didn't get to the last of the cherry tomatoes to be harvested.


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

Somehow the house is just not getting cleaned. I don't understand. It must be that cleaning gene I am missing. The sun has moved to the southwest and the shortened days are feeling even shorter. The dog's room and the living room are as clean as I can stand to get them today. The worst of the dust doggies have been wiped away.
I got clean slip covers are on the couches and the smell of bleach is in the air. I always feel better when I can smell fresh bleached linens. Two rooms down and three more to go....Maybe tomorrow.


as clean as its getting today ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )







Last edited: Sun Oct 04, 2009 5:18 am

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"Dog Days of Summer"

Category: Ramblings | Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:18 pm

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Here it is the "dog days of summer" and things are looking a little tattered. The squirrels are driving Ciara, our dobie, crazy tossing down filbert shells from nuts out of the tree and the shells are every where. The pumpkin vines with all their mildew have taken over the walk ways.


Mildewed pumpkins taking over ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

The garden is producing and producing and producing and I am ignoring, ignoring....well maybe I am only trying to ignore. I went out to check on the tomatoes. They were under cover of plastic to help avoid the rain showers and get the soil to dry out. It was working well... except. Even with a heavy layer of shredded paper and wood ash for mulch the slugs were climbing the vines and eating the tomatoes as they ripened. I decided I had to harvest the tomatoes which had a cascading affect on what I was going to do. I harvested most of the tomatoes leaving only the the Sweet 100s and Roma's along the fence to harvest later. Hopefully the picked tomatoes will ripen slowly so we can have them for a good month or more.

Then I pulled the summer squash vines and harvested the crook-necks. I am getting tired of the summer squash and the bloosoms weren't fertilizing with the extended cool foggy mornings. It was time for them to go. Now there is more space and better air flow for the brussel sprouts, and one last batch of summer squash to eat or give away.


a few tomatoes and last of the summer squash ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


Sweet 100s and Romas Tomatoes ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

I planted out the broad bean starts.


broad beans before transplanting ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


Newly transplanted broad beans ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

The spinach that went to seed continued to grow and produce gorgeous green leaves. I accidentally broke off a stem and took a bite. It was sweet with the cool nights and long foggy mornings. If only the slugs would quit eating the spinach and lettuce starts, but then again there is no shortage of produce. The brussel sprouts and all-season cauliflower plants are HUGE and we haven't pulled the beets yet.

I harvested the Hubbard squash and a pumpkin (another is on the vine).


pumpkin and Hubbard squash ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )



But left the butternut winter squash that have hardened, (the vines have taken over the azalea bed and a large corner of the patio)


butternut squash vines taking over ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


lots and lots of yellow butternut squash ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

but gosh...there are the green beans...and of course the weeds.


green bean, cucumber and pumpkin vines amongst the cosmos ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

And for some reason I keep starting plants. Only a few are going to the plant exchange later this month. The rest...well I have started a ratty new bed an am quickly filling it in. I am sure I will find a place for them eventually.


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

I think my morning work is done for today and I will sit and contemplate nothing for a while and enjoy the fall flowers.


never a word to say - just a knowing grin and wrinkled brow ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


out to the patio - past the fall anemone and ivy hedge ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )









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My Child-like Desires: Gargoyles

Category: Ramblings | Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 12:45 am

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I remember seeing a crazy hobbit-like creature hidden among the forested beds at the local university years ago. It was from the art department. There were several tucked into hidden spots along the walks. These temporary art pieces led me to hide some little gargolye creatures in my garden. They are all tucked around the fish pond in the plantings. They are shy so that you have to search for them


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

I've never been able to get frogs to survive the fish in my pond so of course I had to add my own.


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

He isn't as froggy as I might have liked, and his little brother hangs out with a friend in the picture before him.

My favorite is my biggest gargoyle. He stands about 2 feet tall and was a birthday present for my 50th. He gets totally hidden in the summer months.


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

Just something that makes me smile.




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Art and Garden Walk, Conclusion

Category: Ramblings | Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 11:05 pm

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The Art and Garden Walk was fun! Got to see the backyards of gardeners extra-ordinary. Most had been in their homes for decades so there was hardly paths to explore the bounty. Couldn't figure out how to take pics so only have a few (camera seems to be dieing anyway-isn't focusing like it should). Lovely drifts of flowers in alleys and along banks by homes.


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )


Poppies and white ligustrum vulgare with lamb's ears ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

I really loved this grass. It was in a huge ceramic pot, set up on a small terraced backyard.


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

A backyard stone fountain was something I have always dreamed about having. This one was eye catching and peaceful. The grass in the back was one I had gotten at the plant exchange. It was nice to see what it will grow into (if I can ever keep the dogs from munching on it).


Stone and water garden ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

Wooly thyme cascading over rocks is something I would love to replicate.


Wooly Thyme Cascading on Rocks ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

Our neighborhood is older, working-class, and as lots have been subdivided some of the newer homes are right in keeping with the overall feeling of the neighborhood (small and cottage like). This house used brick-lined gravel path with an inset of tumbled blue crushed glass. It was picture perfect with the drought tolerant plants that were planted around it (I especially liked the flowering thyme).


Blue Glass and Gravel Walkway ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

In one awesome garden I couldn't find a way to capture its beauty with only one picture, but this little bed of Deadnettle was just perfect.


Spotted Deadnettle - or pretty flowers ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

It was fun talking with other gardeners and sharing. Spent the afternoon visiting in the backyard with old friends who stopped by. Divided up a few plants to share with other gardeners.





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Changing Thoughts - Rhododendrons

Category: Ramblings | Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 2:20 am

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It has been a cool/cold spring so most things are a little late in blooming. Rhodies are usually in major show from Mother's Day to Memorial Day. Here it is Memorial Day and I have a couple of Rhodies not even blooming yet.
Red Rhodie ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )
I used to think that the rhododendrons were pretty garish all bursting with color like the one above, but am finding them rather like old friends now. Year after year the provide blooms and don't take any work like perennials who need consistent dividing and maintenance. The one below I have never done anything to except give it a pruning every year or so, so that it doesn't block the backyard gate.
Old rhodie ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )
The little one below I had in a pot for ages on the patio. I was into making bonsai out of everything. I think it enjoys being in the ground better.
I have also found I now enjoy the bright to brilliant colors I once found garish about rhodies. Funny how tastes change.


( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )





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