Morning Coffee

Won't you grab a cup of coffee and join me?

I've even saved a seat for you.

Even Chloe will agree that the view is not bad.

Our little row of grapevines are out here,

a few pretty flowers,

and this morning the nest was empty.

Several years ago we covered our small back patio with a tin roof.  Our goal is to make our rather large back yard beautiful without spending a lot of money, and little by little it is happening.  I have taken cuttings from neighbors plants and bought some on clearance. When the weather is a little cooler we will begin working on some vegetable beds.Some mornings you can even catch a breeze on the back porch here in south Georgia. It's simple, but I'm loving it.

Jackie

A Yellow Rose

For Someone Special!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jackie

Recycling Garden Style

It was an absolutely beautiful day today so I did a little planting, actually a little cleaning out pots and planting. I thought I would share a few things that made it through our unusually cold winter, and I am in hopes that they will grow as abundantly as they did last year.

Little shoots from my spider plants.

 I stuck these in the pot at the end of the summer, and they made it.

I pulled all of this from the pots,

and

this is what I have now.

Next week I will be dividing these.

You will not believe the roots under these tiny little plants.

Oak Leaf Hydrangeas

 These came from a neighbor's plant that had lots of new shoots and she was willing to share with me. I will probably be collecting a few more of these, because the blooms make beautiful flower arrangements. What economical gardening tips do you have to share? Hope you are enjoying Spring as much as I am.

Have a blessed Easter.

Jackie

A Hint of Spring

Looking forward to spring!

Multiplication--Budget Gift Giving

Now if I can do this anyone can. The other day I decided this would make great birthday gifts, hostess gifts, or just because gifts.

First... you need one of these.

Next... you cut some of these.


then you put them in this with water, and you will end up with

this, gift for a friend,

this in my breakfast room,


this, on the back porch,


and this in my laundry room!
not to mention,

the ones I have already given away. I gave one last month for a friends birthday, another one coming up in September, and who knows. Now you see the multiplication process I was referring to.
This plant is Pothos. Very easy to grow! When the plant starts putting on long runners, I just clip a bunch, stick in some water and wait for them to root. I usually clip enough that I think will make a pretty pot.
This week I picked up two pretty bright colored pots at the thrift store for a $1, that will be perfect for the next bunch that I root.
I might also mention that all of the potting soil I have purchased this summer was Miracle Grow,(Don't use cheap potting soil) that I got half price! My secret, busted bags that just had a small tear, so they put them in clear plastic bags and place them on the half price cart at Lowes.
What kind of budget gift giving ideas would you like to share? Now head over to Kimba's for more great DIY ideas.

Jackie

The Visitor

Have you ever had a guest in your home, that you just wished would leave, but you didn't want to feel as if you would have to be mean to get them to leave? One that just wouldn't go away? They seem harmless but create a mess. Well I have one of those visitors and here he is:

He remained a bit of a mystery for a little while because he would disappear during the day, and I couldn't figure out what was digging in my potted plants on the back porch. I would come out in the mornings to find dirt everywhere!

Yesterday I noticed a nice little lump in this cactus that I had re potted Saturday when I dropped the pot. So I gently patted the dirt back down, to find this little guy buried in the dirt. I gently scooped him out and shooed him away, and tried to remedy the situation by doing this:

He returned to bury himself in the spot where there were no rocks. So I am now thinking of making him a pot of his very own. I will water it just like the other plants so he has a nice cool spot to relax. What kind of visitors are you entertaining these days? Have a great day! Jackie

A little loveliness....

........from my house to yours.

Fragrant gardenias from my bush that has been in full bloom. This is always a reminder of my children's elementary school days. I won this gardenia bush at a PTO meeting and it was so pitiful, but has grown into something beautiful. The blossoms are so fragrant they can be overpowering at times, but I have sure enjoyed them this year.

Coleus on the back porch.

Swedish ivy that I salvaged from last year.


Day lily that has survived the dog.

Nick loves to dig in my flower beds.

Red geranium in a mixed pot of beautiful flowers. Hope you are having a lovely day!

Jackie