Octoberfest- The Ultimate in Redneck Fun!

We reserve the 2nd Saturday in October every year for our girls-day-out Octoberfest in Hohenwald, TN.  This year Glen tagged along and chauffeured the ladies around.  We had a ball as always.  Here are the highlights....

THE THREE SARDINAS

SELF APPOINTED OCTOBERFEST QUEEN

DONNA HOLD ON.....

COOL CHRISTIAN WATER TO QUENCH THE SOUL AND BODY

DEEP FRIED HEAVEN...WHAT CAN'T BE BATTERED I WONDER?

AT LEAST THEY'RE HONEST

ASHLEY AND MELISSA ENJOY FUNNEL CAKES AND DEEP FRIED OREOS...YUM-O

WHEW, JUST WHEN  MY SUPPLY WAS RUNNING LOW....

ALL THESE YEARS I DIDN'T KNOW IF MY STAMPS WERE SANITARY OR NOT!

MELISSA TAKING A MEXICAN FOOD BREAK..OLE!

I KNEW I'D FIND HIM...THE MULLET KING!

STILL BARGAIN HUNTING BUT WEARING DOWN

YES DONNA, WE'RE GOING HOME....

T-T-T-THAT'S ALL FOLKS!

Mum's the Word

You would think this post contained a lot of mums but actually there are only 3 blooming if you don't count the one I just put in my fall display!  I like to buy the 4" pots on clearance for .25 each and plant them at the end of the season.  They just seem to do better in the garden than larger pots.  I have always loved the bronze colored ones.  I have a white one that is in full bud so it should show me something soon.  Then there's always the sheffield daisies that wait a little longer to strut their stuff about mid month.  I think if it were not for mums I would have to take an antidepressant right now.  I also have some other stuff to show you.  Take a peek:

MY BACKDOOR PUMPKIN DISPLAY

FRESH TRIMMED HEDGE 

YELLOW MUM 

PURPLE AND BRONZE MUM 

STALWART MARIGOLD 

I know anyone can grow a zinnia but I'm lovin' the deep red color on this one!  Must save seed... 

Finally cleaned the garden shed so I can walk around! 

My recycled vintage yardsale napkins turned into a valance!  Those are ladybug tablecloth weights at the corners..so cute! 

I finally got a much needed break from work..they let us out at 11:00 today and I'm off tomorrow.  Plan B is to divide the daylilies that are eating my garden!!  

"Extra Crispy" is only a good thing at KFC

Well I've been experiencing the September drought as many other bloggers all across the south.  If Mr. Weatherman is not on an acid trip then we shall see much cooler/seasonal temps after today...and RAIN.  I was pleasantly surprised by a few things that have managed to produce a bloom despite the unhospitable conditions.  Let me share with you....

LYCORIS

ANNUALS-MARIGOLDS AND SALVIA

IMPATIENS

MORE IMPATIENS

SWEET POTATO VINE "BLACKIE"

CHICAGO PEACE J&P ROSE

I'm ashamed to do any broad views of the garden so you'll just have to be satisfied with my "spots" of beauty.  I bought some pumpkins today so I can get together something pretty on my porch entry.  Then there's always the mums and pansies....come on FALL!

Aunt Lorene's Garden

Every year in September we go to Glen's aunt Lorene's house for a huge dinner after the McGlamery cemetery decoration.  Aunt Lorene is a long time gardener in her mid 80's who hasn't slowed down!  When Glen and I first married she was so generous to me.  She divided beautiful white peonies with me that had been her mother's which stand on each side of my white arch today.  I also have hosta, a  lilac bush, vinca vine, red leaf canna and some elephant's ear she gave me.  While everyone is catching up on family talk I usually sneak away and see what's going on in Lorene's garden.  Would you like to come?

Finally a picture of the lady herself..on the move of course! 

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

I have recently changed jobs and will begin instructing LPN students next week.  I have been on a rollercoaster ride it seems since I ended my old job on the 18th.  Not much time to garden but I do sneak out and snap a few pics.  I am glad at least that the job is starting as the season is winding down.  I won't feel like I'm missing out on as much.  Maybe by spring I'll have a better handle on things.  This is what is going on right now out and about.

HELENIUM (MARDI GRAS)

CLEMATIS (SWEET AUTUMN)

MORNING GLORY

JAPANESE ANEMONE

CLERODENDRUM (CASHMERE BOUQUET)

I am also very grateful for the weather "change" we have experienced this week.  Temps are in the 80s with very low humidity.  I feel the renewed strength that the changing season brings.  Happy Gardening!

Curbside Fun

I thought it would be fun to do a collection of pics of some of my "curb shopping" finds over the past couple of years.  Glen is a good soul.  He knows when I yell "pull over"...I have found something to either stick in the compost pile or make some kind of garden ornamentation from.  See what ya'll think of these.  I'm such a recycler. This is actually made of plastic...what wonders some clorox and pressure washing can do.

This birdbath base was broken in two...nothin' a little Goop adhesive couldn't fix.  Thank you Kim for telling me that!

There was nothing wrong with this concrete pot..just its mate had crumbled badly so I took the orphan home.

Doesn't everyone need a rusty wheelbarrow?...(or 2 or 3..which I have)

I have a thing for old chairs and the box was just a bonus at the same stop.

This lovely red gazing ball is actually an oversized plastic christmas ball.  Can you believe it?

This lovely flowerpot was not a curb find but was destined for the garbage nonetheless at Glen's former work.  He knows his wife so well...so he dragged this wringer washer home for me.  All 10 tons of it!

So sometime take the road less traveled...you never know what "treasure" you'll drive up on!

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

The dog days of summer are definitely here! (see pic below)

At this time of year I am tired and so is my garden.  We have had rain all around us but none here.  I am hopeful though that we will get some this week.  I am thankful though that some flowers thrive in these xeric conditions. 

LIMELIGHT HYDRANGEA

RUDBECKIA "GOLDSTRUM" AKA BLACKEYED SUSAN, OSTRICH FERN AND SHASTA DAISIES

RUDBECKIA "TRILOBA" OR BROWN EYED SUSAN

MORE RUDBECKIA, PURPLE PHLOX AND AGASTACHE "TUTTI FRUITTI"

I have been working on my woodland/shade garden in the past few weeks and it's really taking shape.  I'll post my progress soon.  Till then I'll have to steal my tolerable moments in the garden and wait for the next act and the flowers/foliage it brings..FALL!