Tag Archives: flowers

Mohawk Valley Lame?

Posted on June 13, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Please don’t eat the daisies!

Hello, and welcome to Lame Post Friday.  I open with a picture of my daisies, just to make things pretty.  I have had a fairly productive day and do not despair of making a not bad blog post.  Of course, no promises on a Friday (or ever, I must admit).

I mowed the lawn and spent some time chopping and pulling up overgrown stuff where I cannot mow.  I briefly considered taking before and after pictures but decided against it.  It would have distracted me from the task at hand, and I needed to get all the work possible out of my burst of ambition.

After a shower and rest, I finished my articles for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  They sadly were forced to cancel the April, May and June issues.  I was delighted to make submissions for July.  I hope they like what I wrote.

The lovely bouquet on my mantle.

As a preview of coming attractions,  this is a photo from one of the businesses I wrote about, Houle Flower Farm in Little Falls.  Indeed, I must also make a blog post about it soon.

I do love flowers.

And this is a shot from AW Greenhouse and Garden, also in Little Falls,  the other business I wrote about, and another subject of an upcoming blog post.  I may return there soon for more Johnny Jump-ups.

I really like them.

And so I close with a previously shown picture of the Johnny Jump-ups.  I can’t wait to see where they jump up!

So I guess this has been a flowery Lame Friday Post.  Just my little contribution of beauty to pur world.

 

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Do I Have Rocks in my Head?

Posted on June 10, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Today I decided to plant the Johnny Jump-ups I purchased on Sunday at A&W Greenhouse Gardens in Little Falls, NY (more about them later) (preview of coming attractions).  This might be worth a blog post, especially as I took a couple of pictures.

There is a space to the right of our porch (facing the house), which needs work.  Originally some really blowsy day lilies grew there.  Steven eventually  mowed them down a few times.  Last year we tried covering the space with an old shower curtain and some decorative rocks.  We used red, but they are not that color now.

This year, over the difficult to mow space in front of the no longer red stone, I put some dark garbage bags weighted down with stones.  This is supposed to produce an area suitable for planting.  This is where I wanted to plant my new flowers.  My hope is that they will jump up (which is what they do) all over the front yard.

I guess I did not wait long enough.  When I pulled up the bags, there was still plenty of grass underneath.  This proved fairly easy to pull up, so I had at it and soon had at least a small area cleared.  I dug into this area with my dirt digger upper (no idea what the tool is really called), and planted my Johnny Jump-ups.

Perhaps I need to buy more.

I put rocks around them, so I would not mow over them (no promises for the ones that jump up elsewhere, but I will do my best).  Then I decided to put the garbage bags back over the surrounding grass.  At least it is that much space I don’t have to mow, and maybe I can put fall flowers down later in the year.

I let the rogue daisies live.

As you can see, I have a lot of rocks.  I hope to do more landscaping things with them eventually.

I love the different colors.

I close with a different angle of the new addition to my lawn.  I confess to feeling a slight frisson of virtue for not making a Tired Tuesday Post.  As always, thank you for tuning in.

 

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Or Is It Non-Sequitur Monday?

Posted on June 9, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went on a run after work today, which I very rarely do on a Monday. On most Mondays I let myself off the hook, hence my usual Monstrous Monday.  This week I decided to mix things up.  For another reason, I needed to do laundry, and it is so handy to put the load in the washer, then run till it’s done.

It was a bad run almost immediately, and it did not get much better.  I cut it short, because my back was in screaming pain.  However, I do not mean to complain.  Not too much, at any rate (I know that to some people, any negative peep is too much complaining and I should just stop whining, but do any of those people read this blog?  I’m thinking not).

Pretty! And they smell good!

The highlight of my Monday was the blooming of my peonies.  I had to go out and take a picture.  I thought my readers would take flowers instead of monsters.  Any who are disappointed can comfort themselves with the thought that more monsters will be forthcoming sooner or later.

In the meantime,  I backed up and got a shot of my out of control daisies.

I just can’t bring myself to cut them back.

Then I remembered that I had never taken a picture of the bird house I recently hung on the porch.  I surprisingly got my Tablet to zoom in.  The last few times I tried that, all I would do was change it to selfie mode.

I am not sure a bird could actually live in that house.

I went up on the porch to try for a closer shot.

It is perhaps an awkward angle.

Imagine my chagrin when I saw the price tag showing.  Full disclosure: I did not purchase the bird house.  I found it in one of those canvas dumpsters in front of somebody’s house.  Hey, reduce, reuse, recycle, am I right?

So this is my Mixed-up Monday Post.  Hey, have I just invented another feature?

 

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Flower Friday?

Posted on June 6, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

They smell nice too.

This is a bouquet I purchased from Houle Flower Farm in Little Falls.  I mean to do a whole post about them, and potentially an article for submission to Mohawk Valley Living magazine,  but that is for the future. Today is Lame Post Friday,  and I am drinking wine and relaxing myself.  However, I also took a couple more pictures of flowers, and perhaps they will improve my post.

Yay! Irises!

Regular readers may remember that I shared a picture of iris buds recently.   Imagine my delight when I saw that a couple had bloomed.  I hope to share pictures of other blossoms in coming days.

Steven and I spent some time on our deck, enjoying our Friday.  Steven admired our rhododendron.  Naturally I took a picture.

I find it impressive.

While I was out back photoing the rhododendron,  I noticed how invasive my chives had become.  I took another pic.

The purple flowers hold the seeds.

I love my chives, but I hope they do not choke out my Black-Eyed Susans, which also reside in this area.  Additionally,  I see a tree starting to grow.  I am inclined to let a tree grow,  since my existing trees may need to come down one day.  But is this the proper spot for a tree?  Am I the judge of these things?  I DON’T KNOW!!!

These questions are too deep for Lame Post Friday.  Let us just admire the flowers and look forward to the weekend.

 

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Revisiting Junes Past

Posted on June 5, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

This is a view I would like.

This is not my current view.  For one reason, the Hot Spot Salon and Spa is currently unable to offer pedicures.  I should really paint my own toenails.  But never mind that.  This is a Throwback Thursday Post.  I found the above picture in my Media Library under June 2019.  I find it inspirational.

Will they be as good this year?

And here is a picture from June 2018.  I hope my irises are as beautiful this year.  I may find out soon.

Ooh, a year of more pesto!

This is my basil container from June 2017.  I did not use that container this year.  Damn!  And I was so pleased with my basil!  But I suppose I must make do.

That is as far back as my Junes go.  I only started my Media Library in October of 2016.  But this is too short for a post.  Let me see what else I can come up with.

He loves me, he loves me not…

Here is a favorite picture from last June.  I know it is not the best thing to let things grow in the cracks of pavement, but I just have to admire the will to live of these plants.  And not just live, but spread beauty and joy.  I flash on Jeff Goldblum in the first Jurassic Park movie: “Life finds a way.”

I guess my blog finds a way, too, because I sat here disinclined to post anything till I thought of Throwback Thursday.  I hope to see you all again tomorrow for Lame Post Friday.

 

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I Make an Effort on Tired Tuesday

Posted on June 3, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

For this week’s Tired Tuesday Post,  I bestirred myself enough to walk outside and take a few pictures of my ever-changing yard.  I fear the changes come slowly and often without any effort on my part.  Perhaps I can make more of an effort as the season progresses. In the meantime,  I will make do.

Note the bird-shaped hole.

I recently added this birdhouse to my front yard, using a hook I found in the garage.  I hung another house on the porch (replacing the skull which had previously hung there), but I neglected to take a picture of that (preview of coming attractions).  I went out back for more photo ops.

I’ll be so happy when they bloom!

Under the heading No Effort On My Part (and Preview of Coming Attractions), here are the buds on my irises.  My Mom gave me the iris bulbs some years ago, and they have bloomed every year since.

Under the heading Some Effort, I decided to take close up pictures of my container garden.

School’s out!

I have had the desk for a while now.  I found it in somebody’s trash the Sunday after the Herkimer Village-Wide Garage Sale.  Don’t judge me.

I did a lot of pink and purple.

I only have one herb, but basil is my favorite.

There will be pesto!

 

The thrill and the fill.

I have read that in a good container, you have the thrill, the fill, and the spill.  I think I need bigger containers, because the best I could do were the preceding and the following pots, each with two out of three.

The fill and the spill.

 

Another pink and purple.

There is a broken solar light in this one.  At least, I accidentally broke it off its pick when I was trying to put it in the front yard.  I put it in the pot in hopes it would still light.  I have not been outside after dark to check.

I think the squirrels have been digging in my marigolds.

For my final pic, I go back into No Effort mode.  I took this picture Saturday, but I could only post it on Facebook, and it was turned 90 degrees.  Today a Facebook friend had turned it, so I downloaded his version to this device.  Let’s see if it worked!

Thanks, Norm!

Here are my feet, relaxing on my deck.  Yes, that is my novel they are resting on.  I’m still making efforts on that.

 

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A Blooming Saturday Post

Posted on May 31, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Before.

Today I was determined to put these flowers into pots for my container garden.  I had a small-ish bag of dirt, because they were out of the bags of one or two feet square feet of of dirt,  which I have purchased in previous years. Oh well, you snooze, you loose; I took what I could get and used it.

One angle of my deck.

After filling two urns, I was outof dirt and had to return to the store.  However, I found that with smaller bags, it was easier for me to pour the dirt from the bag into the pots.

The other angle.

You can see the lawn chairs in the background.  I put them out in the lawn to take advantage of the natural disinfection of sunlight.  These chairs have previously resided in my garage,  which smells just a slight bit of mildew.  One cannot always control the moisture in these situations.

I took another picture, of my feet and and what you could see of the deck beyond, but I cannot find it now.  That is how technologically inept I am.  However,  I feel I have done a good job on my deck.  Steven and I sat outside and enjoyed the view for a while.  No doubt we will do so again.

In the meantime,  here is one more picture of my backyard.

I’ll get another shot, when there are even more blooms.

Here is our rhododendron.  I thought it would be blooming soon. I do love a tree that blooms.  I must plant a few more.  No doubt I will make another blog post when I do.

 

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Fun at The Flower Barn

Posted on May 28, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

After work today, I drove out Barringer Road in Ilion, NY, to the Flower Barn.  I have yet to out together my container garden, but I think this weekend it could happen!  I have been meaning to get out there before this, but with one thing and another… well, these things happen.

And they are awesome!

Full disclosure:  the above picture is one I took last year, when I was writing about The Flower Barn for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  Today I went straight from work and did not have my Tablet with me.  I did, however, have my mask.  I was pleased to note most other people were masked as well.

I had made up my mind not to go overboard, as I have a tendency to do.  However, once I had two plants in my hand, I realized the efficacy of using a cart.  I saw a flat wagon that seemed to be free.

“Is that your wagon?” I asked a nearby lady.

“No, not mine.”

“Mine now!” I declared.  She laughed.  I picked up a few more plants.  I had not seen any marigolds, which I usually get.  Another lady had some and told me they were in two different places.

When nobody was nearby, I pulled my mask down for a little air.  Today was hot and humid, by the way.  Then I saw a worker watering plants, wearing a bandana (I have also done the Old West Bad Guy mask on occasion).

“Sorry!” I said, pulling the mask back up.

“You’re OK,”  he said.  “I have to wear it, you don’t.”

“But I do,” I said.  “I don’t know what germs I have.  My mask keeps me from spreading them to you and others.”

“Thank you!”

I paid for my plants, while dancing to some David Bowie that was playing near the cash register.

I don’t think this is too many, do you? I can always buy more.

I put the plants on my back deck, where the rain can water them.  If it does not rain after all, I will water them tomorrow morning.

Before I went inside, I took a couple of pictures of our daisies, which started to bloom today.  I love daisies.

I did not plant these; they just grew.

 

And here are some with the peonies in the background. Come on, peonies!

He loves me, he loves me not…

The Flower Barn is located at 1480 Barringer Rd., Ilion, NY, phone number 315-895-4313.  They are open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.

 

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Lawn Order

Posted on May 25, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I fought the lawn and the lawn won.

I would say we fought to a standstill, but of course the lawn is always growing.  Kind of like my stomach, but let us not dwell on THAT depressing subject.  I was actually pleased with my yard efforts today, and I have a few pictures to share.

Regular readers may remember that I use a non-power mower for my grass cutting needs.  The advantages are that it is quieter, easier to start, and does not run low on gas and oil.  Additionally, I get that frisson of virtue for being more environmentally friendly.  Oh, and it is excellent exercise.

The main downside is that I need to mow more often than I am usually inclined to do.  In this case, I had not mown since last Sunday.  Note to self: don’t wait that long again.

I got the front done first.  It is easier and and arguably more important, because people see it.  NO, I do not care what people think!  Well, maybe a little.  Why would I not want to give the world a pleasant view? I had been working on the back for a while before it occurred to me to take a “before” picture.

It looked more intimidating in real life.

When I looked at this, I could clearly see what I had done and how overgrown the rest of it looked.  This view seems less clear, but I hope it gives an idea.  Photo taken, I had at it again and ended up feeling fairly pleased with myself.  Later on, I took a few “after” shots to round out the blog post.

Did the lawn win? Or did I?

The shadows show that time had passed.  I took a shower, worked on my novel, and watched a little Snapped (what’s a Sunday without an episode or two of Snapped?

Our Rose of Sharon

The Rose of Sharon took a while to start getting green.  At least it is definitely too big to be accidentally mown over (although it was Steven who did that, not I).

The Red Thing from Diana’s house.

This is a better shot of the above plant than I got before, and it has even more green.

Can’t have too many forget-me-nots!

I did not mow over my forget-me-nots!  After taking these pictures, I went out front.

Peonies!

Our peonies were eaten or plucked away by something or someone last year.  I hope they survive this year!

Alligator from Knoeble’s in Pennsylvania.

I put our alligator out front this year.  I would like to get some more lawn ornaments.

I hope to get more lawn and garden work done in the coming weeks.  I have never gotten as much done as I would like.  With so many things cancelled or on hold, this just might be the year!

 

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Throwback Thursday about Future Flowers

Posted on May 15, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have a dreadful case of Writer’s Blank, complicated by the type-it-in-backspace-it-out syndrome.  However, I think I can just about manage a Throwback Thursday Post.

Pretty!

This is discouraging.  The above picture is from May 2017.  In May 2020, my rhododendron has not a bloom to be seen.

I like these too!

Another flower I have not seen yet this year are my irises.  However, since this picture is from June 2017, I do not despair.

Please don’t eat the daisies.

We are also waiting for our daisies.  I’m seeing a lot of greenery for them, so I live in hope.

I LOVE my peonies!

Last year I did not get any peonies at all. I think something came along and ate the whole bush.  How greedy!  However, since I am known to hog down a lot of goodies myself, I suppose I should not criticize.

Pretty little blooms!

Here are my forget-me-nots, which look about like this now.  I previously said they were only out front this year, having inexplicably moved from the back yard.  However, today I noticed that they are also out back.  I am delighted to have these flowers spreading out and taking over my lawn.  I even dare to hope that they will obviate my need to mow, but that may take a few more years.

It is nice to look back on flowers past.  I look forward to more in the future.  I hope to visit the Flower Barn in Ilion to purchase some to plant.  I will certainly make a blog post about it when I so.

 

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