Bird ID and Greenhouse Update...

It's New Years Eve, hope you have special plans. We will stay at home and DH will set off some fireworks for us, we like it simple and safe.

We had a flock of birds flying all around our woods yesterday. I somehow managed to get a couple of okay photos, is this the Cedar Waxwing?
Love the bandit mask and the yellow tip on the tail feathers.

I've been a little busy playing in the greenhouse, wanna see?

My son bought me the indoor outdoor carpet and the little space heater for my birthday, PERFECT! He put it on top of the foam insulation that DH had already put on the floor. The heater has kept the greenhouse around 65 degrees the last two nights, it turns off and on to keep the temperature and also has the cut off feature if it gets knocked over. Thanks for the help on the heater Ms. Dorothy over at http://mawdot.blogspot.com I found these chrome shelves on sale at Lowe's, also perfect!

The thermometer that I purchased for a whopping $2.47 at Home Depot, also has a humidity gauge on it. I placed a bucket of water in the greenhouse to keep the air from being to dry. So far it's read in the normal range...

Here she is all buttoned up for the night. I can't quit staring at it, I'm in love!

I potted up some Phlox, Datura and Chinese Lantern seeds. I read that Phlox does not always come true to the parent plant, like David. Anyone know?

In the garden yesterday I planted 36 Mixed Ranunculus bulbs, also hoping the ones I had last year return, 21 Yellow Onions and 10 Pink Event Gladiolus.

I spotted some Crocus poking up from the soil too.

It's been a good two days!

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Today I am Thankful to share my joy with all of you.

Wednesday Words....

My two oldest children. He's 24, she's 26...she is the one that just got married in Oct. The Greenhouse is coming together, thanks my precious husband!

Because the Greenhouse is located on the upper deck, DH put a layer of foam insulation on the floor to keep the winter cold from coming through the bottom. The foam repels water so it will run along the sides and out of the Greenhouse. With it being in this location I have access to water and electricity to the left of it. Going to pick out some flooring, a thermometer and a small heater today. Any suggestions?

Anyone have one of these? A video camera that hooks right to the computer for blogging and or You Tube. I need to practice using it. It also takes photos.

Most of you know that my oldest daughter and her husband have a Red Footed Tortoise, from a private breeder, as a pet. His name is Willis although we call him Turtie. Here he is all decked out in his Santa Hat....

Thanks for all of the Birthday wishes. I had a fantastic day!

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Today I am Thankful that the temperature is supposed to return to more seasonal averages rather than breaking lows!

Hi...

Today is my Birthday, just saying...lol
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Today I am Thankful to see yet another birthday.

Still Screaming In North Florida!

After Church we got some SNOW!!!! Can you see the snow flakes?!!!!
Here is a tiny snowflake on my husband's jacket.

I know ya'll are laughing at us, we don't care!!

(More to come on the greenhouse!)

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Today I am Thankful for seeing some snow in Florida, even if only a flurry or two. (maybe we will see some more)

Did Ya'll Hear Me Scream!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas...

The girls playing with the birds at Lake Ella.

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Today I am Thankful that we took a little time out to be silly during this busy time of the year.

A Beak Full..

This afternoon we had many hungry visitors at our bird feeder.

Chick-A-Dee
Goldfinch with a beak full of suet.

Tufted Titmouse (the seed is longer than his beak)

Red-bellied Woodpecker working hard....

to get a beak full.

And there will always be one picky eater in the bunch....see the seed the Sparrow spit out?

~~It's especially helpful to the birds to offer supplemental food and water in the winter~~~

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Today I am Thankful for the entertainment provided by nature.

Skywatch Friday

I love how the sun cast a golden glow over these pine trees this morning. Without the golden glow of the sun, the pines are just as green as the ones on either side. The sky had a purplish tint to it. For more Sky photos click http://skyley.blogspot.com

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Today I am Thankful for the paintings brushed by the hand of God.

Wordless/Watery Wednesday

Homemade Icicles...

These icicles were made Monday night and they are still there this Wednesday morning.

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Today I am Thankful for the simple, but sweet things my husband does for me.

Container Chaos

A couple of months ago a gardening neighbor dropped by my home and asked if I would like a Night Blooming Cereus. She has had the plant for years and has never seen it bloom. I replied, "But of course I'd love to have one!!"
The following day her husband delivered the Cereus in a small plastic hanging container. As I was approaching the container I was thinking, uh oh, this is not a Cereus, but an Angel Wing Begonia. Upon further inspection not only did I see the Cereus and the Angel Wing Begonia I also saw Alstroemeria, Peruvian Lily. My question to you, How do I seperate the three without damaging the roots? They have apparently been in this container together for several years.

When the artic blast starting coming our way a few weeks ago I brought the container inside. I am not sure of the different growing conditions for these three...I know that Alstroemeri is an outside plant in our zone....

Here they are.. click to enlarge...
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Today I am Thankful for the generousity of gardeners.
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The Final Curtain Call

The artic blast is not going to let up anytime soon here in North Florida. It's time to draw the curtain on the Spring and Summer bloomers. It's been a good long run with trying conditions.
The Gazania is trying to open even in 23 degree weather.
Jatropha interferrima was new to the show this past year. She grew quite fast and bloomed constantly. Jatropha would like a more tropical environment and told me so when she was hired for the summer performance. At this time it is unknown if she will return for the 2011 show.

Odontonema strictum - Firespike has been a good sport this past season, but is tired and ready for a long nap. We look forward to your return in the Spring.

Crinum Lily was a discarded and neglected eye catcher when my husband rescued it from a heap of throw aways at a local construction sight a few years ago. It took Crinum a couple of years to get comfortable, we look forward to seeing you again in the Spring as well.

BES Vine....Once you decided to join the show this year, your performance was wonderful. I could do without your aggressive nature though.

There will be contract negotiations on your return....

Gomphrena, you surprised us all by your willingness to return this past season and take care of this little corner of the stage, we thank you! You are more than welcome to return at your leisure.

Oh my beloved Dahlias how you smiled at everyone that drove by. Up until two days ago you were trying to lift your head. Sleep now my beauties and I hope you will return next season.

Imaptiens how you surprised everyone by hanging around the stage so long. Thank you and I will see you soon.

Tradescantia spathacea--Oyster Plant...joined the show late in the season. I did fall in love with your deep purple pink tipped foliage...I know your part in the show wasn't a good fit, if you decide to return next season we can discuss using you in a different area.

Variegated Hydrangea---a gift from Ms. Doris Three Doors Down....you were still a little immature for such a large cast, here's to seeing how you have improved come next season.

Always graceful and happy. The Gerbera Daisy closes the show with a bow.

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Today I am Thankful for the past gardening season.

Signs Of Things To Come....Spring...

Poppies...thanks Grace at http://www.gracepete.com/ and Catherine over at http://agardenerinprogress.blogspot.com/ If half of the poppy seeds that I broadcasted grow and bloom, I may just have a Poppy lover's dream garden...As if you didn't know, Baby it's cold outside! Here in North Florida we will be around 20 degrees the next few nights...Brrrrrrrrrr. It hasn't stopped me from staring at the soil looking for hints of Spring. Iris....perhaps Dutch?

Larkspur

Money Plant

Paperwhites

Daffodils

Lupine...thanks again Grace.

Snow in Summer........

And what's up with this Datura? I cut it back because it was flopping over it's garden border onto the grass. It may not look like this for very long.

Do you have signs of Spring in your gardens?

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Today I am Thankful for the signs of Spring that make my heart sing.