'Flower Child'

Hey Friends,

I know I've been missing for a while, so I hope you've all been doing well.  I've been trying to keep up with your blogs while in holiday mode.  Soon, all will return to normal.  Even though the holidays can be fun, I think there's something to be said for normalcy.  Now that I've escaped to the computer for a moment of solitude with a nice cup of green tea infused with spearmint and lemongrass (trying to have a Zen moment), I'd like to share something very exciting with you.  The first new bloom of an orchid under my care has been witnessed!  Yes!  It's true!  Here it is:

This is so exciting!

This particular orchid is present for all of our meals at the table, so she has ended up being named 'Flower Child' (FC).   I moved her closer to the china cabinet (should really just call it my teapot cabinet) :-) hoping to find a place FC might look more at home in, but it's back to the middle of the table with her for now. 

FC started out as a moderately sized centerpiece, but now she floats high above the table. Above is my view while seated.  Time spent at the table is even a little more special now. However, if FC taps me on the shoulder while I'm elsewhere in the room, it will be time for a pruning.  Yes, I just threatened a dreaded pruning if things get dangerous!  ;-)  

Oh, please excuse the bougainvillea in the background.  She just moved in for the winter, and is in dire need of a trip to the salon.

'Flower Child' in all her glory (taken last night before the bloom opened). 

Hope you all have a lovely week.  Until next time, keep on shining friends! :-)

Frazzle Dazzle Time

Hey Friends,

Just a quick note to check in with you.  I am a little frazzled lately, but still have to dazzle as most of us do this time of year.  I'm not complaining because this comes with the territory, but my job has demanded a lot of my time lately.  Before schedule dictates again (off to work tomorrow), I would like to share some of my orchid photos with you, and let you know how my orchid project has been going.

Allow me to introduce my office orchids.  Yes, I have my own little Zen garden-on-a-stand by the window.  They flirt with the passersby on the walkway outside, and have drawn quite a bit of attention to themselves.  I'm surprised they haven't been hauled off to the Human Resources office yet for causing a "disturbance." :-) These lovelies have been at the office now for three months, and all of them are developing new buds, leaves or shoots while they are still blooming.  Amazing;  I'm so exited about this!  I love how orchids (or any flowers) draw people in and become the topic of conversation.  Then, before you know it, a new friend has been made. :-)

This one hasn't lost a bloom in three months, and has new buds developing as well.  Thank goodness I finally educated and applied myself to helping orchids thrive!  If only I could have all of those that have gone by the wayside under my care back for a second chance!

This one is still alive and well too!  No new growth of any sort has been detected, but it hasn't lost a bloom in about three months either.

Now that the addiction has been confirmed, stay tuned for a later report on my bathroom semi-makeover.  I'm turning it into a greenhouse of sorts for orchids.  The conditions are perfect in there.  Don't worry, I will do this tastefully.  I am loading up a bamboo rack across the tub with them, and recently hung a 'Staghorn Fern' (one of my impulse buys at the garden center) in front of the window in the bathroom.  Said window is very tall, so there's still plenty of bright indirect light flooding in for the orchids even with the fern hanging in the window.  There's more than one way to get a greenhouse. :-)

Until next time, let's all dazzle even if we're frazzled!  

:-)

My Kind of "Black Friday"

Just a quick post to share some of my "Black Friday" photos with you.  

I spent my "Black Friday" away from crowds (of the human kind).

A favorite quote comes to mind:
"Never look back unless you are planning to go that way."
- Henry David Thoreau

A large blue heron flew from the brightly dressed tree when I was spotted.  It proceeded to circle until I left the area.  When I watch herons fly, their flying style reminds me of the dragons I've seen in the movies.  Thank goodness, they don't breathe fire.  On second thought, maybe they do.  Just look at that tree!

 Spanish Moss ...

More Spanish Moss ...

Across the lake ... that's the main crossing.

Many years ago, I had a little friend who lived here.  A little alligator used to live here who I named Alli, and Alli would come swimming from the back of this creek each time we'd visit.  Apparently, someone had been feeding Alli, which is a big "no no" if you live around wild alligators.  It's cute to have them swim out to greet you when they're little, but not once they've grown to a size to do a human harm.  It's unfair to the gators too because being friendly to humans usually leads to their demise. 

The long and winding road ...

NOTE TO SELF:  Wild ducks do not pose for photos.  There were hundreds of them right around this corner, and the sky was black with them "heading for the hills" before we even made it around this group of trees.   

The long and winding road continues ...

The main lake is on the other side.

Abandoned wild duck territory.  

I hear an osprey cry overhead (fish eagle) while I'm standing here.

 

Pretty ...

"My, what big ears you have!" :-)

 Do you see what I see?

It's the Little Things - Thanksgiving 2012

Well, Thanksgiving dinner has come and gone.  Here I sit at the computer with yet another cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee I just brewed.  It's nice to relax for a moment.  I didn't realize what a treasure this mug would become when I bought it.  I was visiting my mother in Michigan years ago, and she was already in the throes of Alzheimer's.  However, Mom was having a particularly good day during our visit, so she, my husband and son enjoyed a day out sightseeing and shopping in Copper Harbor.  She helped me pick out this mug and one other, which just happens to have an orchid on it (such precious treasures now) :-). 

 
As far as Thanksgiving dinner goes, a good time was had by all.  Deep breaths did help during the preparations.  I thought I'd share a few highlights of the day with you if you have a minute.

Violas

I was out on the front porch this morning, and noticed the violas were looking very pretty.  I like their cascading form.

'Majestic Giant' Pansy

 The pansies are looking quite smashing lately too.  I just love this one.  It wasn't quite unfurled all of the way, so I'll have to post another photo later.  I think the color is luscious.  Pansies are one of my sentimental flowers.  They remind of my late grandparents and brother (I plan to write a post about the pansy and it's sentimental significance in the future).  Black-Eyed Susans remind me of my mother.  Of course, the daylily reminds me of my late mother-in-law and gardening pal (she started the whole daylily addiction).  Egrets (the snowy white bird) remind me of my late paternal grandmother (she loved them).  Last but not least, the beautiful birdhouses in the garden remind me of my late father-in-law who built them for me.  It's comforting to remember those dear to my heart, especially on holidays.  Do you have a sentimental flower/flowers, etc.?

Turkey - Into the Frier

Here's the turkey on its way into the deep fryer.  My husband and son are lowering this into the hot oil.  This method of cooking a turkey is rather dangerous;   lots of carports, trees, garages, etc. have been set on fire this way.  If there's too much oil in the fryer, you'll end up with a big bonfire once the oil spills over onto the flame.  Once that happens, you may as well clear the area, and wait patiently for the flames to subside.  That has NOT happened around here.  Thank goodness!

Deep Fried Turkey

Here's the finished product.  It's still on the rack that it was lowered into the oil on (that's a special tool that comes along with a turkey frier).  Once removed, it looks just like a normal roasted turkey in shape.  Fried turkey is delicious!  I was hooked after I tasted the first one.  It's also nice that it's cooked outside by someone else.  Shh, don't tell Mr. D. S. I said that.  Oh, by the way, that clutter in the background was removed before dinner.  Martha Stewart would never approve of that! lol

Iced Sweet Tea

 It truly is the little things ...

The frozen strawberries bobbing in the iced tea were a big hit. 

What little things have been a hit in your life lately?

Well, I'm off to play the Sonic All-stars Racing Transformed video game with my son.  This is a long standing tradition with us that started when he was probably nine (my son taught me how to play Star Fox one week when it was just the two of us around in the evenings).  Now, he's a college student, the video games have changed and so have we in some ways, but one thing that hasn't changed is that we still play video games when we have a chance (I still play ungracefully too).  After all, it's the little things. :-)

I am always thankful for my dear family and friends,

and that certainly includes my friends in the blogosphere.  

Hope you're having a great day!

Daylily Soup Chitchat III

Hello, Friends,

I've almost worn myself out redecorating Daylily Soup today.  It's easy to get carried away playing with the templates and fonts, and with "hanging" wallpaper over and over, etc.  Anyway, I sat down with a cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee, and decided Daylily Soup needed a little pizazz now that the daylilies are on hiatus.  Just curious, how do you like the new wallpaper?  I don't want you to run out of here due to "loud" wallpaper, so please do give me your opinion.

I'd like to share a few photos from a couple of day trips I've taken lately, so let's take a couple of little trips if you have a minute.  Last weekend, I went to this boot shoppe with my husband and spotted these lovelies.

I've Gone Country!

You guessed it.  I proceeded to ooh and ahh, and ooh and ahh, etc. over each and every pair of them.  No, I don't have a pair, but it's not over yet. :-)

Then, we stopped by Fresh Market.  How do we always seem to end up in there?  I was whisked past the orchid display.  You'd think I have a problem or something. ;-)

Sugary memories ...

What am I doing looking at this?  A "girl" who has sworn off sugar (temporarily) has no business in here ...

Oohs & Ahhs

More Oohs & Ahhs

No, your eyes don't deceive you ...

This is a child's toy horse (the type on the springs) galloping in the open field.  Not the best pic, but a truck was coming down the dirt road, which we pulled onto for the sole purpose of me getting a shot of this.  I had to make a quick paparazzi/mad blogger getaway.

Beautiful Sunset

I took this on the way home.  I only had a few seconds to get this shot, and pouf, the magical scene was gone.  Each sunset is truly a fleeting gift.

- Let's time travel ... a week has passed us by. -

Yesterday, we went on another little day trip which was quite fun.  It was a beautiful fall day here, so I saw lots of photo ops.

Fall Morning on the Lake

 Isn't it lovely?

Blue Heron

Blue Heron on his own peaceful, little island. 

Lunch at Zoe's

A nice little lunch outside 

(Greek chicken pita, Greek cole slaw and iced hibiscus green tea).

Lovely Fall Creek Scene

My husband was nice enough to turn around so I could snap these two, which I had to do quickly due to traffic.  I wish I had snapped better pics, but safety had to come first.  Notice the Spanish moss hanging from the trees?  This creek was glorious in real life.

Lovely Fall Creek Scene

I'm off to start planning for Thanksgiving.  I feel a little bit overwhelmed this year with the holiday season upon us, so I'm going to take some deep breaths, remain calm and enjoy the season.  Just curious, do any of you have to take deep breaths, and remind yourself to remain calm at this time of year?  It really is a beautiful time of year, so we have to make sure we enjoy it.  I think the key is to avoid putting too much pressure on ourselves.  That being said, I'm not going to ruin my own holiday for myself by putting too much pressure on myself.  Stress-free Thanksgiving, here I come!  May those of you celebrating Thanksgiving this week have a stress-free, enjoyable one as well.

Thanks for stopping by.

I hope you have a lovely, fall week. :-)

Daylily Soup Bed & Breakfast

Well, it's the annual flight of the ladybugs at the Daylily Soup Bed & Breakfast.  Yesterday, I'd just finished cleaning the house and making things look presentable (housework ... I'd rather be gardening), when I noticed a huge swarm of ladybugs all over the front porch.  Believe me, this is not nearly as cute as it sounds.  Each year, they swarm the front porch, and proceed to check in for bed and breakfast right at the front door.  Immediately following check-in, the annual ladybug convention gathers in the foyer for drinks and hors d'oeuvres, proceeds to climb all over the light fixture, lamps, etc. and are just generally unruly.

House Guest

I've done some research on this, and have discovered ladybugs totally take over some homes each year to the point of covering the ceiling, getting in the the kitchen and food, and getting all over the furniture, etc.  Luckily, we haven't been besieged to that degree, but we've still ended up with somewhere between 100 - 200 in the foyer within a short amount of time.  According to my research, it seems ladybugs prefer light colored homes (ours is white), and they spread their pheromones once they find one they like.  This way, future generations will be able to find their way back to the chosen bed and breakfast year after year after year.  The ladybugs' intentions are to hibernate here.  They are a couple of weeks early this year.  Normally, my little winged guests arrive just in time for Thanksgiving.  I have one big question.  Since ladybugs eat thrips, where ON EARTH were they when I was battling the thrips in the daylily patch all summer?  Where?

I'm off to send my unwanted house guests packing ...

Hope you all have a great week! :-)

"Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home ..."

Starving Artist

One of my art projects ...

Yes, I've been playing in the paints.  Just thought I'd share one of my "starving artist" watercolors with you.  It's fun to become one with the water and paints, and just get lost in a painting no matter how it turns out (I won't quit my day job).  :-)  This is as original as it gets today.  Speaking of original material, I've been wondering about Pinterest.  Earlier today while on Pinterest, I noticed a button to "embed pin in your blog."  I've always been leery of posting any photo, etc. that I haven't taken myself on my blog, but there are some really amazing photos on Pinterest that I'd love to use from time to time.  After noticing the "embed ..." button, I did a little test embed on on "Daylily Soup" earlier, and took note that when the photo is embedded on the blog, it does credit the site and original author, etc.  Just curious, have any of you used Pinterest photos on your blog (seems like it should be o.k.), and do you know what the guidelines are or do you have any advice?

Thanks for stopping by! 

:-)

Wayward Orchids!

My fever is a high one!  

It may be impairing my judgement ...

That's how I roll ... ;-)

More wayward orchids! 

Oh, my goodness!

They are equally as sneaky as daylilies!  

What have I done?  It's too late now.  

I'm in the throes of Orchiditis as 

Jen at Muddy Boot Dreams diagnosed it.

Sneaky,Wayward Orchid Close-up

Here's one that just hopped in the back seat on Friday while at the garden center.  Pay no attention to the box in the background.  This is the type of thing that happens when one has Orchiditis.  The victim is so consumed with the orchids, where to put them, how to care for them, how to keep them out of mischief, etc., that all else is temporarily thrown to the wind.  I realize that orchids are totally different creatures than I've dealt with in the past, so I just read Orchids Made Easy written by Ryan Levesque, which was recommended to me by my dear cousin, Georgene.   This book is packed with great information, so I want to share one of the cool tips I learned that would probably work on any houseplant.  Did you know that mayonnaise mixed with a little water, will remove water spots when wiped on orchid leaves?  Well, I'm off to catch up on all of the things that piled up this weekend while I played with the orchids.

Now that you know what I did this weekend, 

what did you do? 

I'd love to hear about it.

Hope you have a great week!

:-)

I think I have a fever ...

 It all began with a trip to The Fresh Market a couple of weeks ago.  Greeting me at the door was this stand of beckoning orchids which I was immediately agog over.  I oohed and ahhhhed over each one of them, but somehow I managed to leave the store without adopting one.

Yes, they had this magical glow with heavenly light shining down on them from above ...

  The story isn't over ...

Land of the 'Lady Slippers'

 So, last weekend, I went to visit my son.  Somehow (I have no idea how this happened and had nothing to do with it), we ended up at a garden center where I just had to browse the orchid selection.  It would be against my religion to leave the garden center without at least looking at the orchids!  There was quite a group of 'Lady Slippers' there.

I do believe he is smiling at me ...

Just look at the face on this one!  By now, I'm repeating to myself "you will be strong, you will be strong ..."  I was doing this silently, of course, because people would stare otherwise.

"Are we almost there yet?" she says ...

Well, as soon as I got into the Sequoia to leave, look who jumped into the back seat.  Orchids are sneaky!  They'll just follow you out of the garden center and jump into the back seat.

Right at home ...

Now I have found myself looking at orchid pots online to repot the currently dormant orchids I have.  I've also been looking at potting medium, fertilizer and a lovely stand that will hold several orchids!

I think I have a fever ...

Just when I thought it was over ...

Just when I announced the close of daylily season in The Daylily Soup Garden, look who crept underneath the closed curtain and ran out on the stage!  Needless to say, I was totally amazed and delighted when I noticed this lady in red out in the garden on Saturday morning.  Sadly, she only made one appearance even though there were plenty of buds.  The nights are just a little too cool now to suit the daylilies.  Without further adieu, I present the last performer of the season (I'm sure this time ... positive, really).

Smile for the camera ...

Posing ...

Until next time ...

:-)

Fairy Dust Moments

If I could blog shortly after awakening, Daylily Soup would be amazingly different.  I have the best ideas either in the middle of the night or upon awakening in the morning; in those fairy dust moments while crossing the bridge between sleep and consciousness.

Fairy Dust Moments

From now on, I plan to capture those thoughts on paper at the moment of their first appearance as if butterflies in a net.  Let me clarify, a "net" will only be used for my fairy dust thoughts.  No nets are ever used on butterflies in The Daylily Soup Garden.  So, get ready friends, for snippets from fairy dust moments.  New material is needed while the daylilies are on hiatus anyway.  I know you're wondering about all of my "fairy dust moment" business, so here's my disclaimer:  I only drink the occasional glass of wine (no recreational drugs).  This is just me.

When do you have your best ideas?   

When do you do your best writing?  

I'd love to know ...

Thanks for stopping by. :-)

October's Party

I’d like to share one of my favorite poems, “October’s Party,” written by George Cooper with you.  Please do take a look if you have a moment.  Click here (a lovely blog I stumbled across) to attend “October’s Party.”

Honey Crisp Apples - October Party Refreshments :-)

Well, October is throwing quite the festive party here, which I’ve decided to attend "with bells on."  I used to boycott October's party each year.  I was too busy sulking over the departure of most flowers to attend, but over time, I’ve learned to love autumn.  I now realize our gardens and us gardeners need time to recharge.  Autumn and spring are actually now tied for first place as my favorite season.  I don’t know why it took me so long to embrace autumn.  I’m a September Libra so my celestial composition is certainly most in sync with autumn.  Also in sync with autumn, is my love of boots, cozy sweaters, pumpkin pie and a nip in the air.  This year, I’ll be joining "The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples" on the dance floor.  Ohhh, what shall I wear?

Until next time, I'll leave you with one last daylily bloom from The Daylily Soup Garden.  Daylily bloom season officially ceased here two days ago.  What a season it’s been!

Inherited Beauty

What’s your favorite season?  What do you love about it?  I'd like to know.

Hope you’re having a great week! :-)