What's happening in your neck of the woods/Summer 2011

LOL 'banana' .. how be I send ya some mosquitoes and black flies !!!!
Sorry to hear about the fire situation there .. in my area of Canada (North Western ON) there have been 3 massive forest fires that caused lotsa grief .. far from us though.

Enjoy your JULY 4th celebrations ^_^


~M~

This is nice too for something different.

Rhubarb Ginger Preserves
Ingredients:
2.00 L rhubarb, cut in 2 cm pieces (about 1.2 kg or 8 ½ cups)
1.00 L sugar (4 ¼ cups)
20.00 mL (4 tsp.) finely chopped fresh ginger

Procedure:
Alternate layers of rhubarb and sugar. Let stand 24 h. Strain juice and reserve rhubarb. Combine juice from rhubarb and ginger. Bring to boil, stirring constantly. Cook, without stirring, to 115 C or until syrup, when dropped into cold water, forms a soft ball which flattens on removal from water (about 10 min). Add rhubarb, return mixture to boil. Boil 2 min. Pour into hot sterilized jars and seal. May be stored up to 6 months. Makes about 1.1 L

Lol yep, think we beat the vendors and farmers market and they say farmers get up early!! So much going on in Barrie, we stayed till 11 am and made our way to the Garden Gallery..Ann or Cathy had never been, both impressed...could have stayed all day.

Of course 2 flats of flowers wanted to come home with me and a big metal bird with flapping wings and head, not quite sure where he'll be set in the garden but am sure I'll find a spot..he has a coat of paint, am hoping he'll rust so he'll match the rest of the garden art..

Then on to work supplies..grass seed, bug spray and miracle grow so lots to give me something to finish my day..

Banana, I'll send you black flies, no problem...

Hope you are all enjoying your Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day!

Thank you carol, same to you and yours...just came in, drats between the heat and bugs inside is the place to be...tonight think I'll water the gardens..amazing, even with all the rain gardens are still dry!

Happy Canada Day, everyone!

yes, Betty - even with all our rain, our gardens get cracked & dry lol

I forgot about those black flies...feeling less homesick now! Sorry to hear there are fires in Ontario. That rhubarb and ginger sounds fantastic. I am going to visit my sister in NB later this month...Maybe we will try it.

Banana, thought of you while outside last night and mosquito's were feasting Canada Day celebrations on my arms and legs..yikes..massive and numerous..guess we all live with something in our area we'd rather not have..

Looks overcast this morning not sure what the weather will be, miss my breakfast television on Saturday mornings..doesn't matter, have a boat tarp and a pig sign to finish so lots do do even if I'm confined to the inside..

HOT, HOT, HOT !!! Looks like Thunder Bay is welcoming summer in a BIG WAY ! Not even noon and we are at a muggy 30C (90F).
Am planning on doing stuff inside for a bit .. perhaps sit outside later .. the mosquitoes aren't bad in the heat, it's the SPRUCE BEETLES .. and they HURT like the dickens when they bite ..

Had a noisy thunder and light show around 11pm last night . Only 1/10th of an inch of rain though.

TTFN

~M~

"M" was thinking of you as I listened to the weather channel, went on to say you had quite the storm?
It's hot and muggy here as well, but then that's what we've been praying for right? You can feel the storm brewing and I'm trying to get ahead of it. I've been moving water hose around as I've seeded a few areas just in case it doesn't rain, maybe that's what is keeping it away...when I get in the thick of shrubs/trees I get bitten..they sure are out there..as well can't believe how many areas are infected by ant colonies..bought some poison and should go sprinkle, only thing is if it rains it's of no use so best I wait until tomorrow.

Doing bowrider top for Paul's boat and I've got the front and 2 sides domed but sure could use a few pairs of hands...usually there are all kinds of kids around and I offer them a coke to help for 5 minutes but there is no neighbor out, no kids out, looks like a ghost town so might have to set my project aside and get on with the pig welcome sign..lol

Might try and see if Cathy is just sitting around!

Some mosquitoes here but not like in Canada. I remember they would come and get you even if you were standing on the street away from any greenery.
90 degrees is way too hot esp if it is humid. Hope it cools down soon. Do you have AC? I only had it in the last house I lived in and not in the cars.

Put in a good day...got Jeff's 'pig' sign done and 3/4 of the boat tarp
tired/tired so am calling it a night.

Yes, I have a/c which is making it manageable ..was looking for some of the local kids today to help me hold the tarp, or a neighbor and the entire street was deserted..just too hot..

night/night all

It gets up to 29 here, during the day, and have been gardening...... at my friend's yard and our veggie garden.
She brought out a sweet treat - fruit cake with a cookie bottom, and ice cream..... sure made for a coolness when I was working hard in the yard (pruning, planting, weeding, running back and forth between the rain barrel and watering...)
It was a perfect day out.
Bob & I also got some stuff done at the church. Repurposing the "cry room/library" to take everything out (including the carpet and an oak desk) to make it a full-fledged cry room - member of the congregation is going to add some colourful interlocking foam blocks on the floor. She hopes to have it all done by fall - change table and all. She wants to put child-proof blinds on the window (no cords), and I suggested roller blinds. AND they can be painted on the canvas to make it cheerful.

Your cry room sounds wonderful Susan, bet some of the adults would love to take part as well...think we're all having sunshine this weekend..what a treat.

Went out and fed the fish and walked the gardens...not humid yet but I'm sure it will be a scorcher..few things left to finish, hoping by noon I can sit and relax, who knows maybe even read a book!

Hope you get to walk your gardens in sunshine today

We've bought a glider for the cry room, too, Betty.

It's a dust storm here in Calgary, today..... supposed to have T&L later..... wait, think the wind finally died down (was 48k/hour) Really wild how it even popped open our shed door (it's very heavy btw - with beams)

Thunder Bay is still experiencing a LARGE dose of summer .. weeding has commenced in earnest. Roses are loving it as are the tomato plants and potatoes ..

Sad news from next door ..'ELVIS' the Yorkie Carol (my neighbour) bought at the same time we purchased Piper, got off his leash Sunday evening, bolted down the drive and onto the road and was hit and killed .. she came here after going to the vets .. quite an emotional time .. her home goes up for sale on Tuesday .. she can hardly wait as she is just not a 'country gurl' ..

Kijiji makes me crazy, have my car on there .. have had calls .. given directions .. and NOBODY shows up !!! Very frustrating. Will give it one more week.

Still sleeping sitting up :-( it WAS working well until I got a 'crick' in my neck .. so .. have a pillow tonight ..
My shoulders simply go crazy when I lay in bed .. not uncommon with rotator cuff problems.

Hope the 'Crying Room' comes along as expected Susan .. ours are glassed in .. can't say as they keep all the sounds of crying away, but, they are muffled.

Gonna try and catch an hours sleep ..

Have a great week

~M~

Spendingthe day recovering from a busy weekend with the Canadian Peony Society meeting here at the Zoo,Friday night was setting up blooms for the show and followed by a social hour or two. Sat morning was more set up time and the judging ( I did not go down in the morning) and then the workshops were from 1-4 followed by a zoo garden tour. But we also had an information table set up in the lobby of t he conservatory with tables and most of the winning peonies ( there are a zillion catagories) and I worked out there all afternoon. It is a very busy building with the butterfly garden on one side and the tropical garden on the other and of course the Zoo is always busy on a weekend, But people loved the flowers, lots of photography going on and lots of questions plus we were selling roots of a species peony donated to us. And then Adelmans Gardens ( from Oregon) donated a couple of containers of their peonies to sell they had brought with them ( $! a stem )and there was a mob
We had a dinner in the evening and on Sunday a couple of garden tours ( mine and a member who has about 200 peonies) and then back to the zoo. Sold off all the peonies entered in the show ( people only want the ribbons to take home) and that was another great success.
There are some pics of the tables on the Peony forum.
Here's me with my winners.

Congratulations, Carol! I must admit that I don't like peonies (up close that is) because I put my face up close when I was 7, and got greeted by a Mass of Ants! creeped me out and I haven't been able to grow them since. I love the beauty and stature of them from far away, however! lol They look like such a majestic flower - rather like a lady of the south in full petticoats lol

Beautiful photo Carol...I was excited as can be to have 2 plants bloom this year..my very 1st. and yes Susan..mega ants!!!! lol

Carol, what did you win??? you sure do keep yourself busy...

What a fantastic weekend weather wise..hated to come in this morning..should have transfered the telephones to home and answered from there seeing it's sooo quiet today..everyone must be celebrating July 4th as well. Sunshine again today but a nice breeze so makes it enjoyable. Imagine, I did the boat tarp, painted the pig sign, washed everything down on the back deck and even got some sit / relax time in which is rare..had to fight the urge to keep getting up though..someone should take a photo of me..I sit, look around and see something to do..talk myself back to sitting and few minutes later back up..can I really call it relaxing? lol

Awww, poor Elvis "M", those little guys are so quick on their feet..driver must have felt terrible!!!
Did you purchase a new vehicle?? know you were speaking of doing so awhile ago

Marilyn - so sorry to hear about Carol's "Elvis". I would have hated to be that driver. What a tragedy.

Thanks for your condolences ladies, it certainly is trying on Carol .. she was just here for a bit .. needed to talk 'the incident' through. As it turns out, I guess the fellow who hit Elvis had a 'knee jerk reaction' when he stopped, and was ranting and raving at Carol .. and she was in shock with Elvis in her arms in very poor condition .. at any rate, the fellows wife calmed him down and he did say he was sorry.
As you said Betty .. those wee Terriers are 'lickety split' when the opportunity arises.
Carol is likely going to head west to visit a friend for a bit .. her house is up for sale and she just hopes it goes quickly.

Betty .. I still have not decided on an SUV .. there are SO many out there, and so many promotions right now ..

Just had a half hour downpour !! YAY .. don't have to water the gardens ^_^

Making Thai noodles for supper .. better get to choppin!!

TTFN

~M~

PS .. Congrats on your Awards Carol :-)

Betty:
Cherry Twist:Single Lactiflora, Any color. lst place plus best in show.

Gay Paree: Lactiflora, Japanese, Any color: 2nd place

Dandy Dan: Herbacious Hybrid Semi double, any color: lst place.

This is Cherry Twist.

Carol, absolutely gorgeous!! You must be proud of your winning 2 1st's and a 2nd..it amazes me how knowledgeable most of you are with your plants..

I was at the garden gallery at lunch time and bought a plant that I had looked at on Friday..wasn't sure I wanted to spend 11.99 but did today! Think that it's new this year, what amazed me is that it has curly leaves and each looks as though someone took pinking shears and went aroung all the leaves..must take a photo to show you!

"m" was she selling her house prior to Elvis being hit...is she the neighbor who lost her hubby this year? Questions/questions right?

Having a feast tonight, my eldest, Greg is coming over..don't cook a lot but when I do watch out..lol. Now as long as I don't burn it I'll be ok.

oh Carol - Cherry Twist is absolutely GORGEOUS! ok, I'm about to be swayed..... guess 50 years is enough time to get over my "yuck" about ants in Peonies!
I know exactly where I would put a peony bush - would have to wait until next year, AND if I could find a Cherry Twist. I've never seen such a beautiful peony.
Between Dahlianut, and yourself, I'm now growing plants I never thought I would. She's really turned ME into a Dahlia nut LOL I thought dahlias were too delicate lol

Carol
Super photo of you and your beauties! That cherry twist is sure funky isn't it.
It sounds like a lot of work but a lot of fun too.
Congratulations
Alberta Ann

Cherry Twist is one of a group of peonies called Cactus dahlia flowered and there are quite a number of different colors.

I have another called Raspberry Firefly.

Here are some others ( google for pics) Circus Circus, Summer Carnival, Blitz Tart,Peppermint Twist, Raspberry Twist, Green Lotus, Twitterpated, etc etc.

Cactus Dahlia? No wonder I love it!! lol How strange that I should mention liking dahlias and that's part of Cherry Twist's name lol

Morning , sunshine day out there although weatherman says rain!!


That's how much I know about peonies, didn't realize there were so many different types..bet your gardens mare spectacular..wouldn't it be nice if we all could walk each others gardens!!!

What I purchased yesterday turned out not to be a perennial but a type of shrub..hmmm that is what you get for not reading up on it before you buy a plant

http://www.sugarlandgardenclub.org/picture_library/Copper_Plant_Tahitian.pdf

Susan, I've never planted a dahlia, might have to put one in my garden just for you...give me something to research today

Looking at the time, must run
Gab later
I could so

Betty it is also not hardy in your area so best you keep it in a container and bring it into the house over winter.

Susan you are not likely to find a cactus dahlia flowered peony locally. Even a lot of the mail order specialists dont have this type.

Betty - the dahlia I love most is one that Dahlianut introduced me to - Nuit D'ete. It's dark dark dark burgundy and so beautiful. I'm trying to grow it again this year, but it's so tiny I'm not sure I'll get the full plant, let alone blooms!

Carol - sorry to hear the cactus dahlia is likely not available. But, as I wouldn't be able to grow it this late in the season anyway, I'll have to put it on my "to look" list for next year.

Susan mail order peonies are shipped bare root in the fall- that is the best time to plant, they may or may not flower for 1-3 years.

Here are two Canadian and one USA site that have the cactus dahlia flowered type in their catalogues this year, the USA one is the best. Availability changes every year.It is generally best to order in the spring as some types gt sold out quickly.

http://www.peonygarden.com/Default.htm

http://www.pivoinescapano.com/html/en_html/qui.htm

http://www.songsparrow.com/

When we get our passports, we can pop down to the states and see what's available LOL or go to Devonian Gardens, near Edmonton?
I like the new varieties. Have to say that peonies would be the only type of flower where I don't like the heritage flowers as much as I do the new varieties. There are some really beautiful ones on these sites, Carol - thank you for sharing!

Didn't realize there were so many posts...
About time I move us over into the gardens...


http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1194760/

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1194760/

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1194760/

Ahhh, Susan - Friendly Persuasion - what a great movie that was. I liked a lot of the movies from those days, and the musicals too. Have you seen Old Yeller?

Betty, have you tried the hemp oil based mosquito repellant from Hempola Farms in Barrie? They've had it tested at Guelph and it performed as well as the chemical (DEET) varieties and it's all herbal. I use it when I go to Africa as well as here - but you have to get used to the fact that it's a repellant, not a masker and the critters will dive bomb you and not veer off until they're about a foot away. Smells really nice and great for your skin too. Since I'm so allergic to most chemicals, it's been a Godsend to me.

The sweet peas I planted in the tubes are about 6 inches high now and doing well. We'll see how that goes.

It's fairly hot here today and has suddenly gotten very humid this evening so not very pleasant right now. It's time for bed too, so sweet dreams y'all.
~m

Yes, I've seen Old Yeller, and Where The Red Fern Grows, too. Both excellent movies.

Well, moving over to the new thread. Cya there!