Zuzu's Blog at GardenStew.com

Extended Season ~

zuzu's petals — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:02:34 -0500

Author: zuzu's petals
Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:02 pm (GMT 0)

December 1st - and it already looks and feels like winter in many places.

While I'm excited for the folks who enjoy the crisp, snowy days,
I must confess that I feel very fortunate to be enjoying
some lovely flowers which bloom in my garden in late fall, instead.

The sasanqua Camellias are only now beginning to bloom in earnest.

Their flowers seem much too delicate to tolerate
the nightly low temperatures and the occasional morning frosts.

But, each day more and more of them unfold their graceful petals,
exhibiting a wide array of forms and colors.
The blooms of this double lavender variety,
remind me of Peony flowers,

here's a dark pink double,

a frilly white double,

and a neat, bright pink

This big Camellia tree near the street in my front yardhas very simple, single pink and white flowers, but it is one of my favorites, all the same,

and the bees clearly approve, too,
visiting it's fragrant flowers regularly.

Beneath it grow my wonderful Encore Azaleas,
which bloom in the spring,
but, happily, they also bloom now, in the late autumn.

Meanwhile, many of my tropical plants
have joined my orchids,
sheltering in the glasshouse, waiting for spring to return.

This is also where most of the cuttings,
which I'm growing for next spring's garden,
are rooting, some in water, some in pots, and some in trays.

The floor is as crowded as the shelves.

The orchids seem happy enough to share their space,
blooming away quite merrily,

perhaps they are dreaming of life in a tropical paradise . . .

. . . I know that I am! Ask the cabana boy
to bring me another Margarita when you see him, will you?

Halloween Howls ~ 2007

zuzu's petals — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:17:15 -0400

Author: zuzu's petals
Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 9:17 pm (GMT 0)

We are Halloween freaks in this house, it's just that simple.

As far back as I can recall, I have always been a nut about it,
and I think that my hubby caught the enthusiasm from me.

We had a great time again this year, and had a much better turnout than I ever expected,
particularly considering that the day fell at mid-week.

A couple of friends came over, we had such fun visiting together over wine and nibbles
greeting the trick-or-treaters when they came to the door.

This year, they had to come through a spooky cemetery to get their treats.

~ Welcome to Zuzu's Family Plot ~

Come right in, the gates are open . . .
YIPES! Look out, there's a bat overhead!

Please step this way, we RELISH new blood . . .
err, I meant to say "visitors".

Many spirits haunt our little plot, and each one has a tale to tell.
Their tombstones reveal many details.

Meet "Digger", he does all of the "planting" around here
. . . gee, it looks like he's taking your measurements.
He's the lazy type, he doesn't like to excavate any deeper than necessary.

True, it is primarily a family plot,
but, don't feel too confident . . .
we DO make exceptions from time to time.

HEY! WAIT!! Come back! Why are you running away?? You forgot your candy!

Sizzlin' Summer ~

zuzu's petals — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:48:59 -0400

Author: zuzu's petals
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 6:48 pm (GMT 0)

Yipes, it's been a long time since I made an entry here!

I can't believe that August will soon be over - the time has simply flown!

It's been one thing after the other all season long,
and the end is not yet in sight.

There have been a few little crises in my hubby's family,
nothing too major, but it has all meant a bit of coming and going
at a time when I should have been working steadily away in the garden.

Now I am hopelessly behind with all of my outdoor tasks,
and hubby and I are expecting another arrival sometime this evening.

Still, there is a certain comfort in those words
... "hopelessly behind" ...
I can almost give myself permission to give up trying.

Anyhow, a couple of days ago (when I should have been doing chores)
I took the time to walk around the place and snap some pictures.

Tibouchina grandifolia - grown as tall as the eaves and blooming.

If I had kept up with the pruning early this summer,
this wouldn't be quite as tall, and it would be blooming more profusely.

This year the container plantings in the gravel courtyard are a wild mix,
Plumerias, Colocasias, Coleus, Caladiums, Daturas, Begonias and more ...
- all thrown together, for better or worse -

We can still make our way up to the front door - if we walk single-file -
I won't be able to put off the pruning here for much longer.

A mixture of flowering vines growing on the wire trellis
against the south end of the house.
The Moonflowers flood the drive and patio with perfume all evening.

More Colocasias give the patio area a tropical feeling which I like,
while the orange Ginger flowers scent the air all day.

The gurgle of a new small fountain makes the patio
seem just a bit cooler and more comfortable in the summer's heat,

and Impatiens add some color to the shadiest part of the patio.

One of the sunniest parts of my garden is in front of the glasshouse,
I'm not very happy with the summer plantings in this bed,
I'm still looking for just the right combination of plants for this spot.

Back into the shade - and here's something I do like,
these plants that remind me of fountains of water spraying up
from these cobalt planters.

Botticelli's Venus soaks her feet in the pond,
I sometimes join her and sit at the edge,
dangling my legs and reading a book
while the goldfish nibble at my toes.

You're welcome to join us ... I'm sure the fish would enjoy a new flavor.

Lasts and Firsts ~

zuzu's petals — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 23:05:51 -0400

Author: zuzu's petals
Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 3:05 am (GMT 0)

It's early June, and the weather here already feels much more
like summer than spring.

The appearance of my garden is changing again, accordingly.

The very last stem of Amaryllis flowers is fading rapidly.

For many years, these have been some of my best springtime performers
and I just can't get enough of them.
I prefer to grow them as outdoor plants, so I'm making notes to myself,
*** watch for those post holiday sales,
when the bulbs left behind by Christmas shoppers
can be bought for a song.

Also finishing for the season, are these colorful Asiatic Lilies.

Something else that I like to grab on sale,
pots with fading flowers are a steal after Easter or Mother's Day.

Yes, I'll really miss the spring blossoms.
But, with the summer comes other pleasures,
flowers that I've been anticipating since last year.

Gloriosa rothschildiana is a favorite of mine,
I plant the tubers I saved from the previous year in succession,
and the first pot is now beginning to bloom in earnest.

I will begin another potful in a day or two.

I love the glowing petals of Angelwing Begonia,

and who can resist the fascinating patterns of Foxglove?

Or the intoxicating scent of huge, trumpet-shaped Brugmansia flowers

Frosty Pink

Charles Grimaldi

I grow only one Dahlia, and I don't even know her name
but, oh how I love all of those big, blood red, cactus-type flowers.

Oh, one more "last" thing that I will sorely miss,

this was the very last bowlful of fresh salad greens
from my "salad-in-a-wheelbarrow".

I must take a new photo of the re-planted wheelbarrow,
the garlic chives and parsley remain,
but the lettuces have been replaced with several varieties of Basil
and colorful hot peppers.

Some spicy cooking is in the cards this summer,
shall I set a place at the table for you?

The Invasion ~

zuzu's petals — Sat, 26 May 2007 13:23:30 -0400

Author: zuzu's petals
Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 5:23 pm (GMT 0)

Well, it's Memorial Day weekend, the weather is fantastic
and the population of our area has exploded!!

I think that all of the local hotels are all at full capacity,
and most (if not all) of the expensive beach houses
are rented out for the week.
And those of us who live here have suddenly been remembered
by friends and family looking for a free place to stay at the shore.
Folks who probably haven't given us a second thought
since this time last year.

I don't mean to sound crass, but it's hard not to get an attitude
when we suddenly find that we are the favorite Aunt and Uncle of
frantic young families who can't even remember our mailing address
to send a Thank You card after Christmas.

Suddenly the two of us find ourselves outnumbered
in our own little house, inn keepers to families of 5 or 6
(depending on which group thinks to call first).
Trying to make everyone comfortable in a home
that is ideally suited for 2.

Constant shopping, cooking, cleaning,
and stunning amounts of laundry,
these are the realities of my life for the next week (at least).
If you don't see much of me for a while,
now you'll know why.

Oh well, it's time to count small blessings,
at least they left the dog at a kennel this year.
Oh, not because the dog was a major pain in "dear old Auntie's" butt
the last time they brought him, destroying the insides of both
exterior doors one evening when we all went out to dinner
(we had to leave him in the house alone
because we don't have a fenced yard).
Rolling in my garden beds,
treating the fish pond like it was his own personal spa,
and generally terrorizing our poor old sick pussy cat.
And barking, barking, barking!!
At every strange sound, all night long.
In short making an already stressful visit, MUCH worse.

But NO, that's not why we were spared this year.
They left the hell hound behind because the kids are bigger now
and they just didn't want to spend 6 cramped hours in the van with him.

Don't get me wrong, I really do love 'em, honest I DO!
It's just kinda hard to remember that sometimes
when they're actually here,
working my last nerve to a frazzle!

Little wonder this island gets soooo quiet at the end of summer,
those of us who live here, lock ourselves inside our homes
with the doors closed and the phones and lights turned off,
repeating the mantra
" Never again, never again, never . . ..

Okay, thanks for letting me get all of that off my chest,
now I'm going to glue the smile back on my face
before the crew gets back from the beach . . .
. . . maybe if I think about seeing the back end of that van . . .

I think I'll try to get a little bit of gardening done
while I have these few moments of "me" time.

The Decorated Garden ~

zuzu's petals — Fri, 04 May 2007 22:58:27 -0400

Author: zuzu's petals
Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 2:58 am (GMT 0)

Or perhaps I should say over decorated?

Browsing through some of the photos that I've taken over the last few days,
I noticed that almost everywhere I'd turned my lens
there was some sort of . . . . . . object, for lack of a better word.

This realization made me scan back through some older pictures,
and yep, there they were, in nearly every shot,
a whatsis here, a thing-a-me there,
. . . things . . . lots and lots of things.
Things standing amidst the flowers and along the pathways,
things in the pond and hanging from the branches of trees.

Some of these ornaments were designed for gardens,
I have concrete benches, tables, planters and pedestals,
birdbaths and creatures of all descriptions
tucked and nestled wherever you look.
Terracotta and glazed ceramic pots are another favorite.
Cobalt blue glaze is, apparently, an irresistible temptation to me.

Other items were never meant to be displayed this way,
many of them are, in fact, cast-offs . . . . .
other people's garbage, to be exact.
Rusted, broken, unloved and disused, found in fields and trash piles.
Nothing is too low or humble, old bits of farm machinery,
even empty glass bottles are prized ornaments.

Now, to be fair, this next one isn't in my garden,
but I grabbed a snap, because I thought it was so charming,
. . . so how long will it be before I find a cute yard sale chair
and go in search of a can of the "perfect" red paint?

And this is one that Mother Nature saw fit to throw in
I can't be held accountable.

There are dozens and dozens more,
perhaps hundreds, I've never counted.

Would anyone care to stop by and do an inventory for me?

My Backyard Rain Forest ~

zuzu's petals — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 20:26:30 -0400

Author: zuzu's petals
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 12:26 am (GMT 0)

It's total genius . . . . . . or complete madness
. . . the jury is still out!

Okay, our problem was a fairly simple one,
we needed a watering system for the back yard planting beds.

You just can't count on Mother Nature
when it comes to rainfall around here.
It's always either too much or too little.
When we aren't getting drowned, we are having a drought,
in fact we are over 4½ inches behind right now.

Too much rain isn't usually that much of a problem for my plants,
because this island is basically a sand dune
and the excess drains down through it really quickly.
But the flip side of the coin is
that the soil gets really dry really quickly here, too.
A good rain on Saturday morning
can still leave you needing to water on Monday afternoon.

Hauling the long, heavy hoses up and down all my winding, twisty paths
usually results in some mangled plants
and occasionally an achy back or shoulder joint.

So, as I said . . .
we needed a watering system for the back yard planting beds.

But, no ordinary watering system would do, noooooooo.
It had to be different, clever, unusual . . .
"weird" is probably the word I'm looking for.

As hubby and I sat over french toast this morning at our
favorite Saturday breakfast restaurant, we started to scheme.
And on our way home, we stopped to pick up supplies.

Hubby dived into the project with enthusiasm as soon as we got home.

So here is the result,

two Rainbird type impact sprinklers
mounted in the top of our Wisteria covered pergola.

They are up at a height of about 9 feet,
and each of them sprays water out in a semi-circle of about 35-40 feet.
The water falls like rain over most of the back yard.

I think the plants and birds are gonna LOVE it!!
And, when the weather gets really hot and oppressive this summer,
I'm gonna run through those sprinklers like a kid!!!

Well . . . maybe not run exactly, pro'ly more like stroll,
wanna join me?

Bring your swimsuit.

Herbin' Renewal ~

zuzu's petals — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 01:40:03 -0400

Author: zuzu's petals
Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 5:40 am (GMT 0)

One of the rites of spring, for me,
is my first trip of the year to Meg's herb farm.

Of course, my friend's business has grown over the years
(yes, I'm painfully aware of the bad pun)
and they sell much more than herbs these days,
but that's how she started out, back when I first got the habit,
and so it will always be "the herb farm" to me.

This trip has become something of a pilgrimage.
A gal pal and I get together for brunch first,
honing our appetite for the event over scrambled eggs and coffee,
comparing shopping lists and catching up on each other's news.
Then we pile into the SUV, and drive the 20 or so miles to paradise,
chatting happily along the way, both of us admiring the way
the landscape is coming back to life after winter.
The day is perfect, bright and warm enough for T-shirts.

Now, I want to explain that I really do try
to approach this project with an orderly and organized plan,
I've made a list of things that I think I need,
plants that have performed well in previous years,
which I want to repeat, and others, which have not done so well,
and need to be replaced.

The problem is, I begin to lose interest in "the plan"
before my feet can ever touch the ground.
As my friend brakes to a stop, I'm already scanning the goods.
We both grab our checkbooks and sunglasses and get going.

As I grab the handle of a little rusted Red Flyer wagon,
a "shopping cart" that has seen many seasons of service,
logic falls into a deep coma and something more primal takes over.
There's no use fighting it, I may as well enjoy the ride.

If I were able to divert my attention to the other shoppers,
I'm sure that most of them would have the same glazed eyes
and euphoric grin that I know I am wearing,
I am not alone, I am with kindred spirits, all is well.

Everywhere I turn, there are so many temptations.

Red and green lettuces with flat, ruffled or curly leaves,
countless varieties of mint and thyme,
more types of oregano than I ever knew existed.

The numerous greenhouses are filled with tender treasures
which cannot be exposed to the still chilly nights of mid-March.

Pepper plants and Basils, Nasturtiums, Salvias and even citrus plants,
row upon row, lush and blooming, it truly is overwhelming.

I'll bet you think I spent a ton of cash and overloaded my friend's SUV,
But something sort of strange happened,
maybe I was paralysed by the sheer magnitude of choice.
By the time it was all over and my tab was totalled,
I came away with everything I needed in the way of salad greens,
which were the primary things on that forgotten list of mine.
I also found that I had bought the two Turkish Basil plants I'd wanted,
and I only had a few impulse purchases,
including a Lemon Bergamot that I just couldn't resist.

I'm rather proud of myself . . . considering.

But, that was a couple of days ago, and I have found myself thinking
of making another trip back out there already,
there are a few things I just can't seem to get off my mind.

Anyone feel like brunch and a drive in the country?

A Spring Outing ~

zuzu's petals — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 01:53:42 -0400

Author: zuzu's petals
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 5:53 am (GMT 0)

Today's weather couldn't have been better,
the weatherman predicted perfection, and that's just what we got.
The temperature hovered around 80°F and the sky was like crystal,
so I couldn't resist spending the day out,
and for once, I remembered to take the camera along.

The Star Magnolias are blooming

and the Tulip Magnolias, too.

Everywhere I went, the landscape was splashed with color,
Forsythia and Quince

drifts of Daffodils and precious little grape Hyacinths

and, of course, my favorites, the Camellias,
are still blooming their ever-lovin' hearts out.

How can you not love a shrub that gives such a profusion of
lush, rose-like flowers so early in the season,
and continues for months on end?

I was fascinated by some of the older homes that I saw
while I was out today, too. Some of them were a bit ramshackle
but still quite charming, in their own way, I think.

This one has had a recent make-over.

There is so much new construction around this area,
it really warms my heart when someone rescues one of these old gals.

The fine weather isn't going to last,
a cold front is headed my way and it may get pretty stormy when it arrives,
but that's okay, I made the most of today,
and all those lovely flowers need the rain.

You should have stopped by earlier, we opened a really nice Beaujolais,
and enjoyed it out on the patio.

A Host Of Golden . . .

zuzu's petals — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 00:55:29 -0500

Author: zuzu's petals
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:55 am (GMT 0)

Yup, you guessed it . . . Daff-O-Dillz

It's beginning to feel rather spring-y following our recent cold snap,
and my spirits are rising with every degree on the thermometer.

I found the first few Periwinkle flowers today.

We've had quite a few nights with lows down into the mid 20's
which wouldn't be all that bad, except that the Camellias were already opening,
and I was afraid we might lose them all
but I'm happy to report that we still have lots of pretty flowers.

I can't grow roses worth a flip,
but I guess these beauties are the next best thing,
and the fact that they bloom so early, when I'm just desperate for color
doesn't hurt my feelings much, either.

I got a real thrill to see the first buds on my Blueberry bushes.

And in the glasshouse,
the cuttings of coleus that I took last fall are doing pretty well.

I love colorful accent foliage in the summer garden
and these will help to fill the bill.

I love Begonia foliage, too.

And, last, but not least, the 'chids.
My pride and joy.

Well, that's all I found today, not too bad for February.
I know that the weather is likely to throw a few more
winter surprises at us, but I'm loving the longer days
and I think I just might make it through the next few weeks.

I'd offer you some blueberry muffins,
but it's gonna be a while before those berries are ready to pick,
how about a nice cup of herbal tea, instead?

A Garden Tour ~ ala Zuzu ~

zuzu's petals — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 18:47:19 -0500

Author: zuzu's petals
Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 11:47 pm (GMT 0)

Welcome to the zuzu-zone,
my serene refuge from all the pressures of the world,
a place where I can always feel perfectly at ease.

I'm so glad you've come, let's take a little walk around together.

This is the courtyard and fountain at the front.
I think the wooden grid and gravel has a sort of zen calm about it.

(Although, I was noticing recently that some of the wooden grid
which we laid nearly 20 years ago is deteriorating
and should really be replaced.
Hmmmm, that's gonna be a big job . . .

. . . well, I'll think about that later
. . . let's move on, shall we?)

Here, at the top of the drive, we built a screen from some old
iron patio railing sections and a couple of lattice panels.
It's meant to look something like the old iron gates one might
find at the entry of an old southern garden, but mostly, it's
intended to give ourselves a spot to relax, without having to look
into the grilles of our automobiles, it's holding up quite well.

(Of course, the table and chairs really do need to be sanded and repainted,
and I should make some comfortable new cushions for all of the seating . . .

. . . but, nevermind, I won't dwell on that right now, either
. . . come right this way.)

There's my little lean-to potting shed, it's so very handy.

(Yeah, it's very, very handy, always right there, staring me in the face,
any time I try to sit down and relax, reminding me that there's
an endless list of projects that I'm running behind on . . .

Oh, I'm sorry, did I say that out loud . . . here, let's look at this.)

This is the entry into a little corner that I still call my "secret garden",
'though sadly, now it's quite exposed, since hurricane Charlie knocked down
the wonderful, huge Hickory tree that once made it so private.
It used to be such a peaceful spot to sit with a book and a glass
of "lemonade", but now there's no place to hide,
and my old chair has been made into a planter.

(This part of the garden changed from deep shade to bright and sunny
as fast as you can say "timm-berr", and I still haven't caught up,
I need to transplant and replace some things which are now ill-placed . . .

. . . Cripes! I CANNOT keep up with this stinking place
. . . and we're moving on.)

From the secret garden, we can just see the glasshouse

(Which hulks there, reminding me of all that needs doing in there, too . . .

. . . Crap, crap, crap
. . . C'mon, let's go, let's go, move it already!)

I grow lots of plants that are not hardy in my zone,
so I end up with a plethora of potted plants.

(I expect these will all need to be freshly potted when they
emerge from the glasshouse . . .
stupid, stupid plants, always outgrowing their damned pots . . .

. . . Why are you dragging your feet? I said let's MOVE!)

Here is a long view down the back garden, the pond is at the far end.

(Watch your step, the walkway has become somewhat treacherous in spots,
due to the stones being heaved up by roots, I should really take them up,
level the foundation and then re-lay them all . . .

. . . It's too much, I swear this @*##^@ place is going to kill me)

And here is the pond.

(. . . in a few weeks, I've got to climb into that hideous cesspool and try to get out
all of the muck and the fallen leaves and twigs that have accumulated in the bottom,
and, no doubt, the Waterlilies and Irises need repotting . . .

. . . Okay, I'm just going to stop
and take a few deep, calming breaths now.)

Here we are, on the back porch, looking out,
you can see the shady path to our studio/garage in the "woods".

(. . . my side of which, not surprisingly, is chock-full
of projects in various stages of incompletion . . .

. . . Is it getting dark?
I think I may be hyperventilating)

And there is a view back up toward the house and back porch.

(yes, yes . . . the house is full of stuff I should be doing, too . . .

. . . Will you STOP looking at me that way? I see that accusitory expression!)

Well, that's not everything, but it's probably best we stop here,
you look a little jumpy, and I'm slightly tense, too, just thinking
of everything that's falling farther behind by the moment . . .
. . . did I say "serene refuge"?

Nevermind . . . would you care to join me for a little drinkie-poo?
I'm having Tequila shooters, what's yours??

To Retirement and Back ~

zuzu's petals — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 18:28:51 -0500

Author: zuzu's petals
Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 11:28 pm (GMT 0)

The holidays have provided hubby and me with a sort of
preview into how we get along with lots of leisure time on our hands.
We both took off 2 entire weeks.

Well, I'm not bragging, but if this has been any indication,
we just might be alright when the time comes.

Of course , the fact that we didn't schedule any
major projects into our holiday vacation may have had
a little something to do with it . . . yes, I'm sure of it.

As much as we love each other, we both have our own ideas
of how goals can best be achieved. Ideas that can tend to be
rather firmly held . . . not to say inflexible . . .
and often, friction and frustration are the outcome.

Neither of us lacks self-assuredness or endurance,
and we have been known to come to a dead stop on a project
rather than give ground. We lived with a raw-cut edge of
carpet in the bedroom doorway for over 17 years before a
mutually agreeable threshhold was purchased and installed.
Try to imagine rhinos equiped with porcupine quills.

Considering our personalities, our conflict resolution skills
are, perhaps, just a teensy bit underdeveloped.

Oh, what am I worried about?
We've both become accustomed to regular meals and
a roof over our heads.
We'll NEVER be able to retire!

Let The Self-Flagellation Begin ~

zuzu's petals — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 13:15:51 -0500

Author: zuzu's petals
Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 6:15 pm (GMT 0)

For me, and for many people, New Year's Eve is a time for reflection,
and often for a heaping dose of self recrimination .
Even though I swore off formal resolution making years ago,
when this time of year rolls around, I am conditioned to review,
and it is utterly ridiculous to try not to.

The list of things I meant to do, and didn't, seems endless
- rivaled only by the list of things I meant not to do, but did.

I did not rid myself of all the junk I've accumulated.
I did, in fact, add to the accumulation
~~ I may as well face it, I'm a crap magnet.

I did not put my not-so-good eating habits behind me forever.
I did, as a result, put another inch on
~~ now that I put behind me, so to speak.

I did not learn the self-discipline to finish one undertaking before beginning another.
I did, therefore, establish several new stacks & boxes of semi-complete projects
~~ all waiting for my interest to rekindle, they mock me.

I did not set up and adhere to a schedule of routine medical checkups.
I did fall even further behind on every sort of "personal maintenance"
~~ from eye exams to . . . whatever.

These don't represent even a scintilla of my list of shame,
but why bother to go on, I already know that the coming year will be the same.

It's Time For The "Christmas-Mystery" Award ~

zuzu's petals — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 18:05:05 -0500

Author: zuzu's petals
Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:05 pm (GMT 0)

I used to decorate much more elaborately for the holidays . . .
. . . when I was younger.

One year, I built a couple of deer out of chicken wire
and some grapevine freshly cut from our back lot.

Hubby built a plywood sleigh, that was big enough to hold
a small cedar tree, which we picked up from a brush pile
at the side of the road.
I "harnessed" the deer to the sleigh with ribbon.

And the following year I built and added
a life-sized figure of St. Nick and another deer, this one lying down.

(No, that's NOT hubby )

We eventually developed a little bit of a reputation,
and the traffic flow on our street picked up noticeably
in the week or so around Christmas.
I got such a kick out of watching the cars slow to a crawl,
or even stop. And, each night, through the front windows,
we could see the spark of flash bulbs, and occasionally,
the steady gleam of a cam-corder light.
I was just so flattered to think that people wanted
to come and see what I'd done,
and some even wanted to keep or maybe share it on film.

Every year I made a new and different display.

Gosh, I used to go all out, back then! Looking at these old photos,
I wonder where I got the time and energy??
Well, I was younger . . . did I already mention that part?

Anyway, it was because of one of those "productions" of mine,
that our annual award tradition was born.

One day, near Christmas, I came home to find
a pretty little poinsettia plant on my doorstep.
With it, there was a short and very sweet, but unsigned. note.
It said how much they enjoyed seeing our display,
and how seeing it had been a much-needed bright spot
in an otherwise difficult season.
It was a sort of a "Thank you" note.

It really touched my heart.
It made me feel so appreciated and humble all at the same time.
I was reminded how we can sometimes touch a life
in a positive way without ever realizing it,
just by being who we are, and doing what we do naturally.

I asked around for weeks afterward,
but I never worked out who it had been,
all of our neighbors denied any part in it.
Hubby called it "The Christmas-Mystery Award"

In the years since then, my outdoor holiday decorations
have become distinctly more subdued,
I can't seem to find the energy and time that I used to have,
but hubby and I have replaced that old tradition
with a new one.

We started giving out "Christmas-Mystery Awards" each year.
I just pick up a little something extra when I'm shopping,
an ornament, a small gift or maybe a seasonal plant.
Then, while we're riding around, enjoying everyone else's
lights and decorations, we choose one place,
and leave the little gift, along with a card, saying
"Thank you for making our Christmas brighter with your lovely display"

I've got everything ready, we'll go out one evening later this week.
It's a lot of fun . . . . . . so long as we don't get shot or arrested.

Confessions of a Paneling Painter ~

zuzu's petals — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 15:43:41 -0500

Author: zuzu's petals
Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 8:43 pm (GMT 0)

OOh , the evilest of all renovation evil deeds in some folks' eyes . . .

There is something that, for some people,
goes very badly against the grain (please excuse the pun)
where painting over wood is concerned.
"How could you possibly consider applying paint over real wood?!?"
The words "real wood" usually spoken in hushed and reverent tones.

In my opinion, the answer was simple. The room in question looked dated
and, despite having 3 large windows, it felt dark and dingy.

The (now "vintage") knotty pine, with it's obligatory coats of
shiny orange shellac, was apparently a popular construction
choice in this part of the world in the 60's,
which is when this addition to my home was built.

At least, it was certainly popular with the builder who built the addition.
He used it to cover all four walls and the ceiling
of the small (9'x13') bedroom which we are now in the process
of converting into a home office.

It took more than a few "trust me's",
and a handful of magazine photographs to sell the paint idea to hubby,
even though he conceded that he did not love the pine.

I think the moment that may have tipped the scale, was when I pointed out
that even if we didn't paint, we weren't off the hook work-wise,
we were still going to have to refresh the existing finish with something . . .
. . . Good grief!! Not more shellac???

So, after applying a single coat of oil-based primer, we painted the walls
with a latex paint called "Patina", a soothing mossy-grey color,
and then did the trim and ceiling in a very soft (nearly white)
chiffon yellow named "Pale Sunshine".

The thing is, I think the space still has the "craftsman-ly" quality
of a paneled room, but it really does look and feel so much fresher.
As you can see, the room is still a work-in-progress,
but we both love the paint, trust me.

Now . . . if we can just come to terms on furniture . . .

Oh, by the way,
the same paneling also swaths a small adjoining hall and bath,
as well as my little kitchen . . .
here's a brush, I hope you wore your painting clothes.

The Weather Outside Is Frightful ~

zuzu's petals — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 17:47:13 -0500

Author: zuzu's petals
Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 10:47 pm (GMT 0)

The hard-hitting cold front that has swept across
the whole U.S. is now arriving at the east coast.
It's been the dreariest of days,
grey and blustery with a cold rain that just wouldn't quit.
In short, the sort of day that tempts me to open a vein.

Told ya I'm a weather wimp, and it's no lie.
I'm the poster child for SAD.

The glasshouse is my lifeline to summer.
So, naturally, that is my destination again today,
because while the weather outside truly is frightful . . .
. . . the color in there is delightful.

I stripped nearly all the leaves from this Brugmansia
before bringing it inside, but it's blooming it's heart out anyhow.

There are a few powderpuffs on the Calliandra

And, happily, 'tis the season for orchids.

Lots of Dendrobiums

Oncidium

Phalaenopsis

Vanda

I'm so glad you stopped by, hope you enjoyed the 2 cent tour.
Have you got time to come back to the house
for some gingersnaps and tea?

My "Happy Place" ~

zuzu's petals — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 13:28:30 -0500

Author: zuzu's petals
Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 6:28 pm (GMT 0)

November is coming to an end,
and my garden needs a ton of maintenance,
but this just doesn't feel like the "fun" kind of work
that results in the Oooh's and Ahhh's that I utter
when I take my morning strolls in spring or summer,
with my mug of tea or coffee in hand,
surveying for any tiny new green shoot or bright new blossom
like a keen-eyed gold prospector.

Somehow, chopping down the spent lily stalks
hardly yields the same thrill.

True, we don't have a long cold season,
but I'm a pathetic weather wimp.
It's not really my fault, my veins flow with zone 10 blood,
I'm one of those freaks who thinks that Christmas lights
look perfectly charming festooned in palm trees.

The short daylight hours alone can put me into a deep funk.

Which is why, my favorite place, at this time of year,
is easily my glasshouse.
A simple structure that my clever hubby built
using recycled sliding glass door panes.
Just 12'x12', this is my pocket paradise.

So, for now, I'll bring my cup here each morning,
and commence my ooohing and ahhhing . . .
. . . just as soon as I wipe the steam off my specs

Isn't Ma Nature a miracle worker?
Thanks for visiting, oh, can I fill that cup for you?