Today

Any suggestions on getting that black junk off of the roof? Not sure this stuff is gonna work, will be able to tell more tomorrow after it dries.These Eurasian Collared -Doves show up in the same place at the same time everyday. Pretty neat.

Camera Critters

Pileated Woodpecker this morning!!

For more Camera Critters click on the Camera Critters banner to the right of my page.

Skywatch Friday

I had to take this picture of the sun breaking through the clouds. Sunday, January 25, 2009 from our Church parking lot. To view more Sky photos and or to join this meme click http://skyley.blogspot.com

Mystery Seeds.....Can You Help Me? A Photo Added

I just found this photo on the internet, it looks very close to the flower from these mystery seeds. Like I said I have one sprouting and am having a fit to see what it looks like!
Abelmoschus Manihot, Hibiscus Sunset, Flowering Okra.......those hairy thorns I was talking about do remind me of the Okra and I HATE Okra.

As most of you know my Mom passed away over 5 years ago, everytime I go visit my Dad I see something new in the flower gardens that my Mom had. This past summer I saw this beautiful yellow flower from the back porch. While I was walking up to it to check it out, (looking for seeds of course) I was thinking that's a great Hibiscus. When I approached it I saw little briar looking thorns all over the stems and the seed pods that had already dried. I had to carefully gather some seed pods. Anyway this is what I have from the plant. It does have the sections like a Hibiscus where you harvest the seeds from. Can you see the hairy briars?

I thought maybe it might be a Mallow? Don't have a clue why that popped in my head unless it's something I heard my Mom say. Anyway the flower is a very pretty yellow, grows kind of tall and has these hairy briars, anyone have an idea of what I might search for? Oh yeah, I have one of these seeds just sprouting in a pot on the table. I'll post that when it's a little bigger, can ID alot of plants by the leaves. I couldn't wait though.

Let's not forget the 1 million people without electricity, I'm sure some of our blogger friends have been affected. The news reported it could be the middle of February before power is restored for some of these homes. PRAY!

Wordless Wednesday

Bloomin' Tuesday...

Its Blooomin' Tuesday! My flower bed on top of the hill by the street. Pansies, Candytuft, Ornamental Kale, Lambs Ear, Irises, Daffs coming up and sad Double Knockout Roses. Larger view, Petunias, Stock, Snapdragons (which I cut back last night) Sad Daisy Mums, Rosemary, Firebush Nandina and more spring bulbs surfacing.

Verbena has not stopped blooming yet, not as pretty, but hanging on just the same.

What the heck? I have grown Gerbera Daisies in the ground before and they die back in the winter and come back in the spring. These two plants I grew in pots this last spring/summer and they get bit by the frost and continue to bloom. The pink one is loaded underneath. I know they look tired, I just keep admiring their determination.

The old stand by for guaranteed color all through the winter. I have Pansies sprinkled all over the place, here are just two photos of them.

Now, these next photos are not blooms (yet), they are indeed sprouts of future flowers to come!

There is a small Oak Tree in my largest flower garden and I planted, Larkspur, Lupine and Foxglove around it, apparently they like the mild winter here. Have never tried these before, when the temp drops below freezing I do cover them with a sheet. I also noticed a ton of Wishbone coming up around this tree as well. I have a dried hanging basket of them in this tree and they are heavy reseeders.

Larkspur

Lupine (had Foxglove listed here earlier, Jean corrected me, thank you)

Here are the seeds that I started indoors a few weeks ago. The two tall plants are Red Firespike that I rooted before the freezing temps came.

The large white container is the Hot Lips Salvia I just purchased. Yes, I carry these plants in and out of the house according the the temps.

For more Bloomin' Tuesday click on the Bloomin' Tuesday Banner to the right of my page.

More Info On The Daffodil

There were some questions yesterday about the Daffodil that I have blooming, so here it comes.
I went out this morning and took a few more photos of this dainty beautiful Daffodil.
Gorgeous globular cluster of 15 - 20 flowers of white with light yellow center, each is a neat little double flower reminiscent of a rose or gardenia. Long lasting, both on the plant and as a cut flower.

Common Name Daffodil Earlicheer or Early Cheer

Botanical Name Narcissus Earlicheer

Very Fragrant

Height 10 - 12"

Full Sun/Partial Shade

Zones 3 - 9

Click to enlarge to see even more buds coming up from the bottom.

Bloom Time Early to Mid Spring

Naturalizes well.

I planted all of my Daffodils in November. Can't wait to show you the other ones when they begin to bloom! Hope this answers some of your questions. ( a note in my comments to you all)

Today's Flowers

Hooray! Something a little different is finally happening around here.
Daffodils are starting to bloom.

Such a sweet smelling Hyacinth

A type of Primerose

For more BEAUTIFUL Today's Flowers, click on the Today's Flowers Banner to the right of my page.

Camera Critters

Photo taken yesterday Eurasian Collared Dove (a little blurry) Photos taken today Goldfinch (or a Warbler) by the comments so far....

To see more Camera Critters click on the Camera Critters Banner to the right of my page.

Honesty Award!!

I received an award from http://robbinsnestdownunder.blogspot.com/ a couple of days ago.
The rules for this award are: First, choose a minimum of seven blogs that you find brilliant in content or design. Secondly, show the seven winners' names and links on your blog, and leave a comment informing them that they were prized with “Honest Scrap". Another award to add to your list of awards. Lastly, list at least ten honest things about yourself.

I am going to pass this award on seven blogs as the directions say, although I do not expect you to play along, unless you just want to. I have found that I go forever without any tags or awards and then BAM! they all show up at once. I am sure I have received tags and awards that I have not posted or participated in. You will just have to forgive me, I, like you, don't always feel like playing, I have gardening to do and post about!! On that note, I do appreciate those who think my blog is worthy.

http://catherineholmanfolkart.blogspot.com/

http://mamajil.blogspot.com/

http://thecarrollfamily-rosemarie.blogspot.com/

http://digginginthedirt-susie.blogspot.com/

http://lifeslittlegarden.blogspot.com/

http://betsyfromtennessee.blogspot.com/

http://bartonsinwakefield.blogspot.com/

Ten Honest Things About Me:

1. Found my biological father at age 18.

2. I have to have coffee in the morning.

3. I have to have time by myself.

4. Will not tolerate being yelled at.

5. Apparently I have a half brother I have never met.

6. Have the best stepdad in the entire world. (I refer to him as my Dad)

7. I miss my Mom.

8. Hate it when my dreams show me what will happen in real life.

9. Have learned to listen to my inner voice. Gut instinct.

10. Have an addiction when it comes to gardening.

Pay It Forward -- Turning Things Around!

Well Valerie over at http://lifeslittlegarden.blogspot.com posted this PIF and I felt like this would be a good start to my New Year, letting go of the way it started and turning things around.

"It’s based of the concept of the movie “Pay it Forward" where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return, just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness pass it on. So here’s how it works. I will make and send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post on the blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I do not know what that gift will be yet, and it won’t be sent this month, probably not next month, but it will be sent (within 6 months) and that’s a promise! What YOU have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.Now remember you have to be in the first three that sign up to do this (you can comment without signing up!) and you have to pass it on. Be sure I have your e-mail or your blog address so I can get in touch with you."
I am very excited to participate in this. I have decided that 2009 is my year to venture out and do some things that I haven't ever done. So if you would like to join in this Pay It Forward, please leave me a comment and tell me that you would like to join in the fun. The first 3 people will receive something made by me within the next 6 months!!!

Join the fun and watch how Blessings will come your way!

Skywatch Friday

This morning it was 19 degrees here in North Florida with a promising 60 degree high, we made it! It was so foggy this morning going by the lake we could barely see. A little over an hour before I came back by and the fog was rolling across the lake. Yes, that is fog. The blue sky is what was in store for us today once the sun came up

and burned the fog away!

For more Skywatch Friday photos from around this magical world of ours please click

http://skyley.blogspot.com

Desert Island Plant Challenge

Shirl over at http://blog.shirlsgardenwatch.co.uk has put out a challenge. If you were standed on a Desert Island, what three plants would you bring? No need to worry about food, water or climate for them.

First pick would be Society Garlic. It has a clumping form, blooms constantly and has that wonder garlic scent. Can even chop the leaves for nibbling.
Second pick would be the ever blooming beautiful white Hibiscus. Now, there's a tropical feel.

Third would be one of my new favorites, Pineapple Sage. It has a bright red bloom that is very long lasting. It smells heavenly of pineapple and is edible.

These three plants are also very easy to propagate so I could continue gardening.

Watery Wednesday

My husband made icicles for me again. It is 10:19 a.m. here in North Florida and it is just 32 degrees outside. These icicles were made in the way back of our yard with a sprinkler, in the second photo you will see one of the sprinklers frozen.

To view more Watery Wednesday photos or to join this meme click on the Watery Wednesday Banner to the right of my page........Bundle up!