Wednesday, July 16, 2014

EVERY BLOOMIN THING!


One of the Hibiscus Sisters is doing pretty well.  In spite of my great ability to bring them very close to death as I winter them over in a large percentage of space in my family room, this past winter seemed to have the most desirable of results...beautiful blooms in April!  Indoors.  Alas, a week or so later I was watering the old girls and I saw a swarm of what looked like gnats or fruit flies.  I gingerly lifted up a leaf, then another and saw that they were infested with white flies and their larvae...as in the leaves were "encrusted" with them.  I literally flew down the hall screaming for The Husband.  As he shook his head in dismay, I demanded Herculean efforts...as in get the damn things outside now!!!  April in Chicago isn't exactly balmy and I thought I killed the poor ladies, but secretly, I knew it must have also killed the freaking larvae.  Fear not, the plants pulled through.  One of the gals has been pruned down to almost nothing but carries on and this one is looking pretty attractive, but no blooms yet.  Just not sure what I will decide to do this winter.  I try to limit living things in my home to us and the dogs.








at our farmers market.  I was worried...hers was doing so well and mine looked sick.  Well, she gets more sun...be patient.  If you have less sun, your plants may be slower, smaller...but fear not!  Look at this baby.















  


This was part way into my job last Saturday.  I pruned the heck out of the wisteria as I also did on the opposite side.  Years ago I prayed it would reach the balcony and arbor.  Oh, dear God.  The stuff is miserable.  But we're good now.  I have scratches up and down my arms and face and some spots on my hands have almost became infected.  Next time, long sleeves and perhaps, a face mask.  In any event, the porch and balcony are neat as a pin and I proceeded to do some landscaping on Sunday.  I love to say that...landscaping.  In  a nutshell...ahem, I went to a family owned nursery here in Chicago and met with one of the brothers that owns it.  He was such a wonderful help in selecting shrubs and plants.  And after carting it all up to Michigan on Friday with The Husband not uttering one word, I played landscaper for 7 hours on Sunday.  Once again, I love that title.  I could be a landscaper if I weren't inherently lazy.  And extremely allergic to all things green.  Just call me a soldier for now. I'm so relieved I don't have poison ivy.   Anyway...when I finished, the light was set behind the trees and casting very unbecoming shadows and glare on my creation so I am going to make you wait with baited breath to see what I did.  So there!


 Today was a hellish day for the dogs.  The annual trip to the vet.  Happily, they are in great shape, Dr. Fisher said that she can barely believe Milo is 10 years old.  He shows no symptoms of slowing down or being out of shape.  He does, however have really bad problems with his lower front teeth.  She has wanted to pull them for the last year and I have been too frightened of anesthesia.  Now he's lost a few on his own and she has me worried about infection and pain so he is having the 'surgery' next Thursday.  It's breaking my heart,  I remember Brenda's pup having 13 teeth removed recently...:(   Tonight they have sore hips from their shots and are just creeping around and shying away from us.  And I feel the wimpers coming again when I think of the cost today and what it will be next week.  How we love our critters.  Here is Layla waiting for me to turn in.  The Husband needs no excuse.



Again, it's lake time on Friday.  This weekend we are having DIL Mary Clare's family up.  I love all of them and we will have a full and happy house.  Having company gives me a reprieve from work...other than passing out paper plates and replacing toilet paper rolls, I'm pretty good with just sitting and enjoying the company and fresh air.  We are actually having temps in the 70's and the humidity finally went Bon Voyage!  And it's supposed to stay like this for awhile.  We've had so much rain, but mixed with sun, too, so it's hard to count on anything.  I personally take the rain as a sign to snuggle in bed longer with the hounds in the morning or sneak in an afternoon read or nap.  Really!  That's what rainy days are for!

I will be back on Monday.  I was (finally) asked to be on one of those blog hop tours where you answer a whole lot of mind bending personal questions about your reasons for blogging, etc.  Just kidding.  I adore the gal that asked me and I hope to take my humorous shield off and give you some close to the heart answers.  

Happy Hump Day! :)

XO,
Jane

33 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh Jane - I had no idea you're about to become a Grandmother - a HUGE congratulations !!!
Your garden looks beautiful - will you be adding a sand box and swing set now lol ???
XOXO

Lynn said...

Lovin' your pretty new umbrella Jane! Enjoy the flowers and your company:@)

Suzanne said...

Your garden is lovely! I can't believe you kept those hibiscus alive. Lots of exciting "growth" in your family. xo

deb @ frugal little bungalow said...

It's always fun to read your posts and what-all is going on. We must have the same taste as I like the 'grandmotherish' umbrella :)

I have cut my lettuce too...not pulling it. So far it's not bolted and I need to cut another round. There's far too much for me so I supply my son's family every week or so with a big bag of it! :)

Lulu said...

I love a pretty yard, but, dang, it takes so much work. My little garden is taken over by lettuce, and with the rain we've had this week, it's like on steroids! Your tomato pots are thriving. For some reason I don't do too well with pot growing or should I say growing in pots!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

All your hard work has paid off, Jane! Your plants look lovely. The bugs on the hibiscus would have freaked me out, too! I have a gardening post going up today, too! : ) There has been no humidity here this week either, which has been great. I just saw on the weather forecast that we will be paying for it next week though when it returns {with temps near 90!}.

Anonymous said...

your gardens are doing wonderful! I hope your battle scars heal quickly, I love the umbrrella, its a happy umbrella, poo pup, poor you, he will be better after having the teeth out, you sons pup sounds like a busy busy puppy!!

Theresa said...

I never get tired of the blooms! SO pretty:) My Hibiscus have really given me joy this Summer! Enjoy your weekend dear Jane, BIG HUGS!

podso said...

Your container gardens are amazing. Well done. You will enjoy all that produce. And the hydrangeas--for some reason ours are doing very poorly this year. Hope you have a good weekend with your guests!

Stacey said...

I'm cracking up about the wisteria! We planted it on our pergola at our last house in Oklahoma. Over time it was crawling up on our roof! My husband would have to go up and cut it out of the shingles. It was also coming up in random places in the yard. I started calling it "devil weed". It's beautiful but I'll never plant it again.

It makes me happy to see all of your pretty plants. Summer has just arrived? Whew! We are well into it here and some things are pooping out.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Your gardens and pots are looking wonderful Jane. You do have a green thumb!

Balisha said...

There are so many things in this post that I could comment on, but I want to say that you do have a green thumb. I can't believe the hibiscus. Taking it in and out must be a chore. I can just see you when you saw the white flies...I would be the same. I usually toss diseased house plants, but it would be hard to throw a plant like that away. They are so pretty, when they bloom. I have a perennial one in the wooded area. It's kind of scrawny, but I'm patiently waiting for it to fill out.
Have a great time at the lake. So glad you can relax and have a good time with company. It wouldn't be fun for you if you had to work all the time.
Have fun,
Balisha

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

Can't wait to see what your new landscaping looks like! You missed the cool temps ( I have been on vacation and wearing sweatshirts) in MI and its going to warm up and be perfect weather this weekend :-)

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...


Great job with the container gardens, I love them and believe they lend real ambiance to outdoor spaces.

Wishing uncomplicated dental surgery for your little one.

Simply LKJ said...

Beautiful! Everything looks so lush and green.

Susan Freeman said...

I remember those summer Chicago storms so well. One summer it seemed like we never surfaced from the basement. Your garden looks lovely! My yard is just completely green. It's hard to grown flowers in the heat of the summer in south Texas, so I am just happy with the green. Love your hydrangea plant. The blossoms are so pretty!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

Your grandpup is adorable! I bet he DOES love every puddle he encounters! So cute! We had that same kind of patio umbrella and lost it to the wind. It was a good one though. Your flowers look gorgeous!

Kathleen Grace said...

Hi Jane,
You might want to check whether hibiscus can winter outside. I have had friends plant it very successfully in their gardens and leave it out all winter and I am quite a bit North of you. It would solve your conundrum about overwintering in the house with the possibility of unwanted guests.

Sarah said...

Your garden reflects the time and care you give it. Everything is thriving and looks beautiful.
Enjoy the lake time, and I look forward to your interview.

Linda said...

Hi Jane!
I thoroughly enjoyed the garden tour...
Looks great...love your Hydrangea...
I also grow veggies in containers...
Ate my first wee yellow tomatoes...delish!
Hope there are some ripe ones at the cottage!
Show us your hard work!
Enjoy your weekend..we are off tomorrow as well...
Cheers!
Linda :o)

Melanie said...

Loved seeing all your pretty plants and your patio area. I really like your new umbrella - I don't think it looks granny-ish at all! Hope your pup's teeth surgery goes well; it's not bad enough we worry about our kids, but our fur babies as well!

Helen Philipps said...

Your garden and all your container plants are looking lovely. So happy to hear you will soon be a grandmother, such a joy to look forward to! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
Helen xox

Unknown said...

Just caught up with your last two posts. Sounds like you are having some great times. Hope you are well and Congrats on the grandbaby, you're not gonna believe how much you can love someone. They are life's greatest treasure, IMHO. Take care!

Mary said...

Hi Jane, I've only just arrived here to see what you've been up to - lots of great stories about the garden (pretty), the storms, the dogs, the family etc. I love the umbrella, I need a new one too, mine is so discolored from tree sap and can't get it clean anymore. I never throughout about looking at Plough & Hearth - there's one right across the street so must check it out.

First year ever we've have no blooms on our huge hydrangeas - beautiful green leaves but not a single flower - must be due to the unusual cold/long winter we had. Hopefully next year will be better - I so miss the lovely flowers.

I know you're going to love the role of grandmother - congrats. to all.

Happy weekend - hope it's a perfect one.
Love to you both - Mary

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Such pretty blooms Jane. And those pups are too cute!
Blessings,
Cindy

Michelle Wright said...

Jane your grand baby picture in the mud ~ I have the matching picture ~ haha and we have had i tick - yuk - and it's only the beginning you just have to love them. Seger is turning 1 next week and his sister from another liter came home 1 week ago today and her name is Misty
Rose so adorable. Have fun at the lake this weekend and your plants look beautiful.

dn91191@yahoo.com

must love junk said...

All your 'blooms' look wonderful-I adore hydrangeas and want to plant some. We're waiting for our tomato plants to yield some goodies! Hope your pups are doing ok :)
Susan

Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer said...

Your garden looks great and the flowers blooming beautifully. Glad you found someone who helped with your cottage plants. That storm a few weeks back was horrible, we didn't lose power but the houses across the street did for two days! A big congrats for upcoming grandma hood! See ya soon!

Doreen@househoneys said...

Oh my goodness, that pic of your grand pup had me doing double takes!! Too funny!

This year, for the first time in years, I finally planted some tomatoes in a couple of planters AND some lettuce in the ground. The tomatoes seem to be doing well, although nothing yet is edible. The lettuce, like you said, does great if you just give it a crew cut. Had some for dinner tonight :).

We had the sil and his family here this weekend, and the boys stayed behind until Wednesday so we will be busy ;).

Don't worry about the surgery. Everything will be fine. You're doing the right thing.

(And I adore you too)

xxx

Beth said...

Hi Jane, Your garden is looking awesome! I like wisteria but currently don't have a place for it. Maybe later...or you would recommend (?) maybe NOT?? Your tomatoes look awesome. I am impressed with your garden, Jane! Cute dogs too!
:) Beth

Beth said...

Hi Jane, Your garden is looking awesome! I like wisteria but currently don't have a place for it. Maybe later...or you would recommend (?) maybe NOT?? Your tomatoes look awesome. I am impressed with your garden, Jane! Cute dogs too!
:) Beth

Bliss said...

I did the same thing when our umbrella cracked off in a storm - ordered the same one! That was about 4 years ago and now I'm sort of hoping it cracks again, it's quite faded.

I see everything is blooming nicely, especially your daughter in law - congratulations!

Traci said...

Everything looks so pretty! I have some sort of white stuff on one of my plants that's on the patio in the shade. I cleaned the leaves with soapy water like I read online but it's not looking too hot.