High wind warning-ya right!

Mother Nature is currently showing her destructive self in my corner of the world. I awoke this morning to silence. Well, not true, it was the loud earsplitting crashing sound of metal and wood but what disturbs my slumber is silence. See, Prince has a monumental case of sleep apnea. To say he snores would be a gross understatement. To combat these disturbing noises, I do what any red blooded chick would do and sleep with the TV on. Steady white noise to cancel the intermittent blasts of rumbling from the other side of my bed. That said, today I awoke to silence. No snoring, yep quick glance from my cocoon showed a vacant spot. Worse yet, the TV screen was black. Clock radio blinking that nausea inducing green flashes of 12:00...Hmm, power is off. Wander painfully to the kitchen for my morning dose of caffeine to jump start my heart.


Holy Bat shit call the police! No coffee. No power. No lights. No camera. PLENTY of action. My first mistake was walking to the back door. "uhhhmmm, Did the president call in the special forces to blow up our yard?" I mutter to the Prince. 4 inches from my backdoor lays my trusty gas grill with it's four burners and fancy side burner-upside down! Say it ain't so! Still more carnage lay strewn as far as my eyes can see. My large wooden arch with planters filled with dirt to anchor it lays in pieces on its side. Heavy metal birdbath transported sideways to the yard. Plastic lawn furniture scattered across the dance floor deck like ping pong balls. 4 foot trees and planters litter the paver area like lawn darts. Wind chimes resemble crumpled aluminum foil balls. Next door has a metal shed whose roof is flapping in the sustained 50 mph breeze like a fly swatter at a picnic. Fences posts splintered like take out chop sticks. Pretty sure my door mat is somewhere in the middle of Kansas by now. Large wicker chair is upside down on top of a tool chest against the wall of the house.


Alrighty then. Fast forward 6 hours. Power, check. TV, check. News flashes, not good. Power lines and trees down all over town. Fires from power lines. Road closures for overturned trucks. Oh, did I mention it's raining? Oh, did I mention it is turning to snow? Oh, did I mention it was 80 degrees on Saturday? Oh, did I mention I am sick of this? Yeah, I know could be worse. Could have been the devastation like the south picking up lives from a tornado, or the massive quakes that have claimed thousands. Selfish little me is just allowed to whine today about my own disaster area and the frantic search for spring! Forgive me, I'm off to refill my coffee and sulk........

PS. If you find my door mats, you can keep them, you're welcome.

I had a lovely email exchange with a spectacular blogger about her current landscape project. One of the things I enjoy most about blogging is the wonderful people I have had a chance to "meet" that normally never would have crossed my path in this world. Always a pleasure to exchange ideas, frustrations, plans with others who share your passion for certain topics. It should come as no surprise to my handful of readers that I have some real passions in life. One of the top ones is gardening. I confess I must use the term loosely at best. I plant things. Some live, most die. Regardless, my competitive nature makes this all the more a pleasure to me in the trial and error of learning what works and what doesn't. One thing I have learned is this. You can read all the books, study the little plant tags in nurseries, follow directions to the letter, and you will have some failures. Most would learn from these lessons. I on the other hand, tend to try again and again and again. Eventually one of two things happen. I give up in disgust, or I relish my success against the odds-even if it is only for one season. Gardening is not for the perfectionist or the faint of heart. Climates change, soil changes, light changes, sometimes on a daily basis.


I grew up in Iowa, home of the blackest, richest soil on this planet. I have HOURS of old home movies from my mother taken of her garden, peonies, and her prized roses. The woman had a green thumb for anything! We moved away when I was 13 and frankly I did not return until about 12 years ago, which was unfortunately during January when the normally mile high fields were nothing but barren soil. Well, I literally made my brother stop the car on the interstate overlooking a large stretch of open fields. I was in AWE of the bare field, littered with cornstalk remnants and untold piles of past cow wanderings (yeah, TMI I know). He was sure his little sister had lost her last marble as I gushed about the intense black gold for miles and miles. Mr. Ex-school principal was NOT impress by my random delay. My sister however, "got it" immediately as she has her own challenges in the Rocky Mountain soil. How I longed to dig deeply in that field and savor the smell, the feel, the potential of that fertile soil. Even considered discarding my belongings to fill my suitcase with all it would hold of the precious soil. Wacky I know. Instead, I came home to stare in horror at my own "field of dreams". Not so much.


I now live in the "high desert" climate (alleged Zone 5 for those who care) complete with hard pan clay soil, rocks aplenty, and let us not forget mandated water restrictions. Add to that my back yard is actually fill dirt excavated from my neighbors homes into the back yard prior to my arrival to Prince Charming's humble abode. Bottom line-royal mess of nothing but clay, rock, and weeds. Large expanse of grass and half the yard monopolized by an above ground pool. Not a gardener's paradise by any means. Fast forward after years of literal blood, sweat, and tears to now. I have a smallish patch of grass-less grass equals less water and more flowers :)! Besides, I have 3 "grand dogs" who love to romp in the grass when the concrete is 100 plus degrees on their tiny paws in the summer. I also have three tiered raised beds that allow me to have trees, plants, flowers, and a sufficient garden for summer veggies. Tucked around the edges I have more beds to hold my roses, more perennials, rhubarb, gooseberries, and catnip for my cat herd enjoyment. I even have an awesome compost pile that serves my little world with plenty of nourishment for my cherished plants. I have found a way to make a place for anything and everything that strikes my fancy in my garden. My favorite flower of all time is the peony. No scent in the world can compare to the fragrance from one blossom of this plant. If only it bloomed more than once a year, and only if the time was extended. But, no worry, for even when not in bloom, I'll settle for the dark green bushy foliage. It will remain smack in the middle of my garden as long as I live it is THAT important.


I have also learned to only slightly regard what the books, tags, and experts say about what grows in your area. Those are guidelines for the majority. Newsflash, more often than not you can get away with those that grow in areas both colder and warmer if you consider your own space. Now, if it says tropical zone 9, and you live in zone 2 in the bitter north, you will have troubles. HOWEVER, just how badly do you want to enjoy that tropical slice of heaven? For example. In my area, a tropical just won't work unless I admit two facts. First is I live in the arid desert. Most tropicals need a LOT of water. Heat I have, but water is done by hand. Do I want it enough to know I may have to water up to twice a day? If yes, I buy it. Second, what may be a perennial in zone 9 is only a annual in my area. Meaning, I can buy it and know full well I only get to enjoy it one season and it goes to the compost pile. REALLY tough to swallow, but I've learned it is OK. No year goes by that I don't have massive amounts of fuchsia, and lately angel trumpets. I just enjoy them every second until the cold arrives and move on. I admit in fall my kitchen can be over run nightly with pots I try to bring in overnight to preserve a few more weeks. I have no light to bring in cuttings or overwinter anything. I have tried, trust me, doesn't work in my cave. So goes for things that say absolutely grow in my zone. Killed them more than I can count. My clay soil kills them, or the wind, or the heat. The point is you have to be willing to take some risk, some failure, and celebrate the small successes.



This last Saturday I spent the entire day in the yard. I had to dig up some perennials that I wanted to move to our rental, move some items that have outgrown their location, compost some that were obvious "failures" that I know if they haven't emerged yet aren't alive. Great plan, except 9 hours later I could barely stand or walk. By Sunday, the back is in full suffer mode of consistent spasms. Today is a bit better, but have to change position a lot. Again, gardening is hard work. While in my lovely reading chair, I finally had time to place my yearly order for plants. I have ordered from many vendors, some with great success and some were bitter disappointments. I've yet to find one that has everything I may want in a given year. I still buy a lot at the usual places like Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's etc. But the ones I order from consistently always come through with awesome deals for me and coupons so I feel less guilt trying some new items or some I know will only thrive for one season. While getting a pen to begin my order form, I glanced up to see this

You have to excuse the huge mess on the porch, that's what happens after weeks of massive wind and snow, everything gets shoved up against the house. But see the visitor on the fence peeking in to see what's happening? Darn strays show up daily. I don't mind visitors, but the squatters have to start paying rent or something. No more room at the inn guy, better move along.


OK, first I will show you what I have wanted to plant for several years now. I almost made it last year. Our plan was to remove our no longer functional above ground pool (that monster flat structure outside the window above and behind the cat), add a nice stone patio area with a massive covered pergola. I planned to add my existing wisteria to it and plant some grape vines to another area. Something like these Red Seedless variety would be ideal as the Prince loves grapes.

Well, I didn't get my pergola after the last minute backyard wedding ordeal last year. We had to cover the pool with a deck for the party, and now we don't have the energy to start over. Some day, but not in the near future at least. I'd still like some grapes, but for my next front garden expansion.

So, I sat down with my favorite Michigan Bulb catalog and got down to business. Don't let the name fool you, this company has a little bit of everything. My favorite part is the prices are VERY reasonable, shipping is very low, packaging is wonderful, and customer service is tops. I have ordered from them for years and if I had a problem with an item they always fixed it right away. They even have a life time guarantee on your plants so what do you have to lose? And no, I don't work for them, nor did they pay me for any of this. Just sharing my experience with a company I enjoy.

So, anyway, one item I wanted to try this year was a trumpet vine. One of the clematis finally bit the dust, so I needed something to soften the back fence in the deck area. I also have a passion for hummingbirds and they love this plant. I got a mix including both a yellow and orange variety.

While admiring this, I was elated to see a climbing hydrangea vine. I have searched for many years for one a local nurseries with no luck. Theory says it will grow in my zone. Past experience with hydrangeas of any form as been a total disaster. Most have not lived past a month in my yard. I have planted, potted, moved, sheltered, you name it. Zero success with any variety. Cross your fingers for this one cause I LOVE IT!

On the same topic is this beauty. I admit I have not tried this variety which is a shrub form before. I have looked for them with no success, but the Frosted Cherry is headed to my yard for the good old college try as well. I should have given up by now, but by golly I will find a way to grow these darn plants if it kills me. Stubborn old goat aren't I? Isn't it lovely with the ice cream shaped flower heads...............................






I have a variety of lilies from orientals to day lillies. Not my favorite exactly, but the day lillies are good performers for me so I persist. I also have these wacky toads that find my yard like magnets and get enormous. Kind of fun and help with bugs so I tolerate them. Then I saw this-it's a toad lily. Yes, I chose plants I like from color, scent or a wacky name. He's on the way now too.

I have had a purple butterfly bush in my front yard since I moved here 15 years ago. It grows like crazy, tolerates the extreme weather, and still covers itself in purple flowers like a carpet. I bought a rainbow variety for my Princess last year, but she hasn't mastered the trick of plants need water, so it died. This beauty was on sale for $2.99, so I got two, one for me, one for her. Yummy riot of color!

Here is a classic example of how I chose plants. One look at this baby and I was sold. It looks strange, lonely, and almost pathetic. Green Wizard Rubekia, yes please, I'll have one of those too!

At last, we have a plant I have secretly yearned for at least 10 years. Five years ago I bought 3 ferns to trial a new "side yard" area that was never touched before. Only one survived my neglect and heat. It is awesome in midsummer, underneath lies a carpet of silver beacon lamium that glows. This creature is a ghost fern, be still my heart. I can already see it glowing in the dark slice of heaven I call my secret garden. ON SALE, yes please, I'll have one thank you!

I won't bore you with the approximately 12 other items I added to my list to replace old favorites or add to them. Suffice it to say with my "special coupon" of spend $40, get $20 off your order, I got some long awaited favorites and more for less than $45! Wanna know a secret? If you check out their website, or sign up for a free catalog, you can have a coupon just like it too. Go ahead, check it out! All these lovely photos are from their website so you can enjoy more there!

My next quest will be for another favorite I can no longer seem to find in my area. It is called Love in a Mist. How can you not like a plant with that name? Seriously! I got seeds several years ago, but since then NO ONE stocks this seed and I have looked for hours. I may have to break down and order them from another vendor, but man they are pricey for seeds. If you grow these beautiful creatures, send me some seed pods OK?

One more thing. I have another favorite website to share with you. It is called the Garden Web.

It is filled with useful articles, photos, and forums for all varieties of garden issues. Better yet, there are also home forums for as many topics as you can imagine. Check it out, you'll like it.

So, what is your summer dreaming for this year? Are you as ready for digging in the dirt as I am? Favorites? Failures? Do share!

Falling and can't get up

One draw back of living in the desert is the simple fact that our climate seems to only acknowledge two seasons. Full on winter or blistering summer. Those seasonal displays of fall color are often bypassed completely due to lingering hard frosts that cause the foliage to go from lush green one day to crispy green fallen leaves. We have gotten a small show this year as my apple trees are a glorious vibrant yellow, the bridal wreath spirea is a fire engine red, and the cotton woods across the street have managed a variegated display. My childhood was spent in the Midwest where the splendid fall colors were enjoyed on leisure weekend drives. Now I must find my "fall fix" via the web. Almost makes me yearn for an area of the country just to enjoy the displays. Almost forgot for a moment the deal breaker of such areas, humidity. Not high on my list of lovely climate experiences.

Be still my heart. Can you seriously just imagine sitting in these FANTASTIC chairs, snuggled deep in the blankets, perhaps a crackling fire to warm your toes? My Japanese maple was destroyed this last winter so no more shows for me.

Another glorious example of how your sedate backyard retreat can transform itself into a new lifeforms with the addition of a few cold nights. I would enjoy this space every waking moment.

Oh my. sighhhhhhhhh. Are you detecting a maple trend here? I obviously have a thing for them, but really who wouldn't if you got to enjoy this show?

This view would be the perfect one to see from my front porch. Full color riot as far as the eye can see. Until you hit that darn mountain range which as obviously already hit full on winter mode. Nope, too close for comfort there.

Now, someday, this will be my real life view. This was taken past color prime, but SOMEDAY it will include large shade trees chosen just for the lush canopy of summer and the brilliant display of fall glory. I'd rather have some ornamental grasses blowing in the wind rather than the tumbleweeds though. Add in some mums, coneflowers, sedum......home sweet home.

Did I mention fall is the PERFECT time to head to the garden center for bargains galore for perennial plants, shrubs, and trees? Not only do you get bargain prices, if you get planting now, those sad looking specimens will have a chance to adapt to their new homes, develop some roots, and readily settle in for a long winter nap. Come spring, they will creep into life forms to sustain your garden for years to come. FYI, some mulch around your new plantings to protect for the first winter is a grand idea. Kind of like people moving to a new neighborhood, you gotta show them a little love while they get acclimated to the surroundings.


So go, enjoy the display if you are so lucky. Meanwhile, I feel a nursery visit coming on....

Let the party begin!

So, at long last we get back to business for the professional photos. None of us can seem to pay attention at the same time for a photo.

Me, Princess, and Prince Charming-see what's up with his looks today?

Mr. and Mrs. Princess

Again with the wacky looks

This one you can just barely see the gold locket that is dangling with the ribbon. It was a locket my Mom had with photos of herself and my father when they were in high school.

OK, enough drama, let's have some fun!

We had to do things very much out of order due to the time constraints of the photographer. We ended up just going with it and it turned out fine in the end. Frankly, at this point I was so exhausted and relieved that I do not have a clue what order things really happened, so you'll just get it in this order. HA!



The couple's first dance was very nice, although I still have no clue what the darn song was. They liked it so that's all that mattered. In this one you will see the confetti is stuck in their hair. We did the confetti toss during their first dance, since they didn't really "leave" and after the experiment we found the darn confetti doesn't really toss. More like drops like a rock. Yeah, the ecofriendly confetti made of corn, not for tossing folks. We ended up ganging up on them and dumping the little bundles on their heads! On a positive note, it rained the next morning and the confetti disappeared-NO CONFETTI CLEANUP! But if you want a confetti toss, it doesn't fly so don't say I didn't warn ya.

I think they are in love.....

Next came the Father/Daughter dance. Now, without going into all the massive drama, I will just say that Prince Charming is technically her stepfather. Her real father was deliberately not invited or included in this happy day by Princess's choice. Instead she chose Prince Charming to walk her down the aisle, give her away, and dance the special dance. He has been a MAJOR influence in her life since she was 5 years old and was very honored and touched to be given this luxury. They both got a bit choked up a few times while dancing to "You are gonna miss this" by Trace Adkins. Cowboy music ya know? If you haven't heard this song and you have kids, you simply must. Trust me.

This was one of those moments when they just had to stop and have a bit of a hug. She was crying, he was crying........still makes me cry. A major milestone here folks, you really have to know the whole story, but this is major.........

Yes I have photos where they really do appear to be dancing, but these are so much more reflective of the moment.



Then came the dance I got to share with Mr. Princess. I was so touched when he chose the song and didn't tell me what it was. We danced to "I told you so" with Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis. Weird huh? Well, from the first time he and Princess had a minor misunderstanding, or she did one of her many wacky things she always does, he would give me this look and say, "What the heck did I fall in love with her for, and what am I going to do with her?" My response has always been, "I told you so!" which is literally the truth. When they first became serious I told him she was a hand full and he would wonder again and again what in the world he is doing with this wild child. See, he is very serious, methodical, deeply emotional, loves to make everyone happy. Princess, is classic ADD/ADHD, wild, reckless, emotional roller coaster, quick tempered, impulsive, loyal, and fierce. True opposites indeed. So, our dance song was simply perfect!







I should also note that the second prior to this dance, my Prince came running to whisper, "Hey Mom, better speed this up, our cake is sliding before my eyes!" YIKES!

Next, came the mother/daughter dance. May not happen in other circles, but that's the way we roll around here. Now, since Princess does really have ADD and daily does some seriously crazy things, a real Mom has to find a way to cope. Sorry but true. So, many years ago they came out with these silly shirts that say" they say I have ADD, OH LOOK a chicken...." The first time I saw that I laughed for three days. From then on, every time she said or did some bizarre thing, Prince Charming, myself, and a few select friends who knew would simply say "Oh look a chicken" and laugh. Now, she had no idea why, and given the ADD would quickly forget. Over time we let Prince in on it (even though he too has ADD), so the chicken legion grew. About a year ago, she finally was in a calmer moment, but still did some typical weirdness and the chicken jokes started. She by now was old enough, or I had had enough to drink I decided to tell her what the heck we were talking about all these years. She was mad for about two seconds, then over time would do it herself whenever she would just lose it. So again, she told me we had to dance, but didn't tell me what. Can you guess?






Meet my wacky family and the CHICKEN DANCE!

Yes, I have just shown a picture of myself looking like a total idiot. Thanks.







If you have never had the pleasure of a chicken dance, lets just say it is REALLY hard with just three people.

That's much better. I should also tell you I am doing this in bare feet cause I hate shoes! Splinters galore, but it was worth it!

OK, so now we have to cut the sliding cake or risk a major collapse like the night before. So here we go.

Here are those initials Prince painted for me. Guess what Princess's initials are now?

ADD!!!!!!!!!! Charma baby, pure charma!

See Prince in the background laughing? He knows what is coming. Mr. Princess, you won't believe what you are in for...

Oh, look she is going to be nice....

NOT!

She even tried to make up and lick it off, he wasn't having any part of it though!

Isn't that sweet, they kissed and made up already?

Now, run Mom!

Off to put the cake back in the freezer.....good grief!



Meanwhile enjoy the Prince and Princess, I'll be right back.

For 15 years you could let these two get closer than 3 feet away from each other without blood involved. Wow, my kids clean up purdy good don't they? And guess what, they didn't even fight and don't tell them but I think they might even be friends. Shh, it will be our secret OK?

Good thing she didn't hear him whisper to Mr. Princess that if he doesn't take damn good care of her and treat her right he WILL be sorry...and trust me, this guy isn't kidding around!


OK, I'm back. The cake is safe for now!

Now, let's see the bouquet toss. Since it was a very small gathering, the potential catchers were limited.

See my friend Lisa back there in the far left? She was MADE to participate, but notice how she didn't move a muscle. Smart chick isn't she?

Yes, Heather caught it! Best friends!

Now for the garter.

Peek-a-boo!

Wait, check out my shoes Mr. Princess!

So, this toss again had a limited choice of participants. Of course Prince, Heather's boyfriend, and ironically Jenny who is Mr. Princess's mom to be in October were in on the act. Now, anyone who knows my son will tell you no one stood a chance in this, not even for a second. I think we even warned Jenny, but she said she would win cause she's a tough chick. Really she is, but we all knew what was going to happen.

On your marks, get set, GO!

Told you Jenny didn't stand a chance. I think she believed he would be nice since she's a girl and all. Nope, not Prince, this is serious business.

The champion!!!!

Should I tell you now his wedding is set for July 2010 and guess who is doing the darn flowers? No rest for the wicked!

















Here is one of the pro pix, your classic ring shot.

I'll just cut to the chase. This was the toast speech by the groomsman. He had us all in tears with funny stories of he and Mr. Princess in high school and his joy of seeing the couple together at last.

I don't think toast meant chug it Princess......teehee




After much eating, and drinking, and more drinking

we broke out the presents.

They were given terrific gifts for their new home, and so much cash I was humbled. The cash was so needed by this new couple and had them both in shock.

After the gifts, they snuck off for some quiet time, and Prince Charming and I got to sneak a dance of our own.



Notice the clothes are MUCH more my style by this time!






We eventually fired up the fire pit and got to sit, relax, and chat. I had bought some glow in the dark bracelets the kids liked. Since many of the guests had left by now, our poor caged herd got to roam free, which of course meant Calloway got outside as usual and wanted to be in the fun.

So Mr. Princess decorated her with necklaces too!

And here is what she really looked like.....

The alter looked lovely after dark, and the couple relit the candle one last time before the night was over.

The last dance of the happy day!

OK, off to home for the happy couple. Lucky for them they live across the street from Mom!
(just pretend it's still dark and humor me OK?)

Wait, first they had to pose in front of Prince's new car. Both of them are glad he has the payments for this baby and not them.

OK, this is Mr. and Mrs. Princess's truck.
See, they still can't get a picture looking the same direction!

OK, come on Mr. Princess, take your bride home!

Home sweet home at last! Trust me, we don't want to see what happened next.....

Next time, we will get a peek at the honeymoon, well at least the sight seeing portion of the trip!