How Far We've Come, My Garden and I

  I came across this "garden" photo while cleaning in my office today:

... and "I" was even surprised at how much things have changed in the past 5 years.  It has truly been a labor of love.  I saw the potential in this spot of land even then.

Now let's fast forward through a lot of sweat and aching muscles to 2010.....

This photo was taken last May when the world was fresh and wearing new green clothes. You can't see the spring house in the second photo, it is directly to your left here. 

As my garden has grown, I have grown.  I have learned many lessons such as: sometimes a propagated stick (when given some years) rewards you with a feeeling you don't get when you just buy that plant,  some plants just don't like my garden no matter what, that your brain makes plans that are usually rough on the rest of the body (in those times keep ibuprofen handy), there will always be a weed to pull so sit on those benches and swings and appreciate your hard work!

Here's looking forward to a good growing season in 2011.. and shaping our own patches of land to reflect who WE are.

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day January

We are slowly thawing out from our big snow that slammed us Sunday night.  That's it..I've met my quota for snow, now I'm ready for it to melt and to see the daffodils spring up!  It was a "balmy" 45 degrees out so I ventured outside to see what was going on for Garden Blogger's Bloom day (sponsored by Carol at May Dreams Gardens).  I was hard pressed to find a bloom but I did find some signs of life to photograph

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WINTER JASMINE

WINTER HONEYSUCKLE

Not in bloom now but I did have 2 blooms before this snowfall.

WITCH HAZEL

I mail ordered this last year and although it's not very tall (maybe 18") it has put on some buds! I say hoorah for ANYTHING that has winter interest.

FLOWERING QUINCE

Just waiting to make her "big" debut.

These shoots breaking the ground....

Will later turn to this in April- SUMMER SNOWFLAKE

(leucojum aestivum)

 BRADFORD PEAR

has fuzzy/fatter buds 

One last thing to check before heading indoors...

Hm, apparently the birds DO appreciate my first try at making homemade suet.  Like my sister said, " what's not to like about fat and peanut butter?!"

Garden Frosting

It's a rare day in southern middle Tennessee when you wake up to 8+ inches of the white stuff!  My school is closed so I get to enjoy a snow day---Yay!  I haven't had one of those since high school (and that was in the 80's.)  I love a pristeen/un-walked on snow so I hurried out to snap some pics before the landscape becomes defiled.  I also love the lone sound of my boots going crunch crunch in an otherwise hushed atmosphere.  By the way, thank you sister Donna for buying these boots for me 2 Christmases ago...they are awesome!

MY HOUSE LOOKING UP FROM THE GARDEN

SNOW ON MY BIRDBATH LOOKS LIKE A WHITE BUNDT CAKE

SNOWY ARCH

I'VE HEARD OF FROST ON THE PUMPKIN BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS!

THE "SNOWBIRD INN"

OUR BACK ENTRY

THE ABOMINABLE PIXIE..ALL SHE NEEDS IS A TINY WHISKEY BARREL UNDER HER CHIN! 

HECK SNOW EVEN MAKES "ME" LOOK A LITTLE BETTER!   

Hope you enjoyed the walking snow tour at the Frazier house.  I know our friends farther north wonder what all the fuss is about but it's a rarity to have this much snow this far south.  I think it's about time for some snowcream and a snuggie! See y'all!

Starting out the New Year With a Bang!

I just spent 4 days in balmy Navarre Beach Florida where the temps were in the upper 60's!  It was overcast and rainy most of the time, but this was a trip to visit my sister and not so much about the beach.  I did a lot of shopping and eating to close out 2010.  However, I am strong in my resolve to move more and eat less in 2011 so I can continue to do the things I love, especially garden well into my old age (however much that ends up being!)  I came home and went straight down to the garden to see if anything was happening and took photos of a few things.

WINTER HONEYSUCKLE

WINTER JASMINE

VARIEGATED SEDUM

BLEEDING HEART

I am afraid these brave souls will regret sticking out their tender heads since it's supposed to be in the 20's by morning.  I carefully covered up the bleeding hearts and sedum with leaf cover and told them not to wake up just yet.  The 2 tiny winter honeysuckle blooms smelled so sweet.  It was like a breath of spring to see and smell the stirrings of life already.  God's magical cycle of life is truly amazing in the plant world.  I'm so blessed to live in the South where the winters are not so harsh and long.  Happy New Year everyone and may your gardens (and YOU) prosper!  

It's Officially Winter

Well the longest night of the year came and went on the 21st launching us officially into calendar winter.  I say this because I feel that Dec 1 was the start of winter here in southern middle Tennessee.  We have had below average temperatures for most of this month except a few unseasonably balmy days on Monday and Tuesday this week (60F).  I got out and took a few pictures since the weather was nice.  Hard to believe snow is forecast for Saturday morning!

I like this climbing euonymous, it keeps my spring house from looking so bare.  It is incredibly easy to root too.  Usually it's color is more variegated when new spring growth appears.

I searched high and low for a bud on my white hellebore (my sister already has one on hers) but alas I came up empty.  I am constantly looking for plants with winter interest and these never disappoint.

Carex (sweet flag) is looking fresh edging my goldfish pond.

Surprise!  I actually found some fat buds on my winter honeysuckle and winter jasmine.

We are blessed with native cedar trees...ahh green in winter! 

What's this?  A touch of purple still lingers!  Thank you heuchera.

Euonymous shrub (Blondy)- I like the yellow stems and crazy variegation don't you?

My woodland garden spot..sleeping now but in spring I hope to see a crop of spanish bluebell bulbs waving hello among many other things I planted last summer.

Pixie, I don't think there is a Christmas present in there for you!  Merry Christmas to everyone.  I hope you get lots of great gardening stuff in your stocking and under your tree..and maybe even a tree!

Fake Snow, Gingerbread, and other Christmas Chaos!

Well Christmas decorating was at a standstill until Saturday.  I was having the girls over for our yearly party-- which started out as a cookie swap 4 years ago.  I had a few more ideas that I needed to bring to life so I spent the day creating Christmas magic --my style.

I found this milk glass urn planter at a local thrift store.  I took this idea from a magazine.  Proof that not every tree in the house has to be decorated to say "Christmas."

Do I have Prince Albert in a can??  Nope, I was thinking more like a snowman in a jar.  I think he has enough air to last till Christmas is over.  I endured much harassment by Barbara and Donna to put something in my large glass jar...are y'all happy now??

I have become quite fond of vintage looking Christmas decor.  I found this little planter at this year's yard sales.  Add a little natural greenery from the yard = priceless.

This is the "windowscape" in my kitchen greenhouse window.  More vintage finds from yard sales.  I love these kitschy trees..this one even had all the lights.  Check out the poodle pulling the wagon full of Christmas balls.  I love old poodle figurines too.

Now it's time to party!  Here's the gang beginning in the back row L to R:

Melissa (Ash's buddy), sis (Barbara), Me, sis in law (Donna)

Front row:  niece (Ashley), Olivia, best bud Melissa (Olivia's granny) oh and Ashley is holding Pixie who is tired of posing for this pic!  Pic was taken in my sunroom.

Each year we have tortured Ashley with various craft projects...one year was wreaths with real greenery, then ornament painting, last year was scrapbooking.  To end her pain we let her pick this year's project..gingerbread houses.  She is our little Korean Paula Deen so naturally it was her year to shine! Here is a pic of our ginger-village!

I struggled along with mine.  All I can say is that powdered sugar and icing hide a multitude of sins!  Somehow it came out looking like a gingerbread version of the Amityville house...LOL!

They say art imitates life..'tis true here.  I was more interested in landscaping my ginger-yard!  Check out my rustic fence, shrubs, marshmallow tree, stepping stones leading to my m&m koi pond (the orange m&m's are the koi!!)  oh and my pretzel park bench adds the final touch don't you think?

Glen wandered about in girl land not quite sure what to do but enjoying the snacks all the same!  I caught him in mid chew here!  Hope you have a merry (and tasty) Christmas!

Help Me Welcome a New Blogger

THE DIVA HERSELF

Hello all!  We are all in the Christmas spirit and decorating is underway full swing right?  I finally talked my sister in law (Donna) into putting all her decorating adventures on her own blog.  She loves to decorate with cheap things from yard sales, clearance racks, etc.  She has such a good eye for the items she buys and I'm always impressed with how it turns out when her visions come alive.  I'd like to invite you over to her blog to take a peek.  It's always encouraging to get some comments on a new blog.  Enjoy!  http://discountdecoratingdiva.blogspot.com/