Happy (Gardening) New Year

Oh, it's that time of year again. I've done as much as I can with my houseplants (have you ever heard of killing houseplants with kindness? I have the tendency to do that!) and am now chomping at the bit to get my hands in the good old earth. Luckily I have a few seed and plant catalogs to look through so that I can keep my sanity.

Every year I flip through the pages, scanning the pretty pictures but not reading names or descriptions. Then I go back through the catalog and read each word, circling the items that I think I'd like to order. My third time through the catalog is a reality check...I draw a line through the items that I really SHOULDN'T order (I'm in zone 5b, but there are some zone 6 plants I yearn for!) My fourth, but probably not last, time through the catalog I will actually fill out the order form. Money is tight, so I know that I can't REALLY order everything from each magazine. Instead I stick the order form to the refrigerator and hope that my husband will take the hint and order the goodies for me. (It never happens.)

Today I received my Gardening How-To magazine. It has an article entitled "New Varieties 2011" (go to www.gardeningclub.com for more information.) Hydrangea macrophylia 'Fantasia' is one shrub that I absolutely MUST have. The first big plus is that this shrub blooms on both old and new wood, much like the Endless Summer series. Each cluster of flowers is covered with a variety of colors ranging from light pint to apricot-mauve. The picture shows a close-up of a bloom that looks almost striped with the different colors...just beautiful.

There are two interesting new annuals for 2011. Calibrachoa Superbells Blackberry Punch, which has vibrant magenta flowers with almost-black throats is a must-have. It will look great planted in a hanging basket with another new introduction, Petunia Black Velvet/Black Cat (Ball Seed.) This full-sized petunia shimmer with a deep almost black color. The mounding habit of this petunia combined with the trailing Blackberry Punch would be stunning.

It's only 45 minutes until 2011. I still have time to salivate over the new coneflower introductions and welcome in the new year. I hope you all have a safe and wonderful night. Dream well...spring will be here before we know it.

shel

Up since 5 a.m. assembling platters of cookies and candy. Today will continue to be a busy day with running, shopping for last minute gifts and food, and delivering the Xmas platters. Don't get me wrong...I'm not complaining. I absolutely love the business of Christmas.

At this time of year the people in the stores and on the streets seem much more friendly and compassionate. I love that I can say "hello" to folks as they linger with me in the toy aisle, and a conversation ensues regarding the child for whom we're shopping.

My wish is that it could be more like Christmas all year long...the caring and sharing are amazing. With that in mind, please remember to smile at your sales associates, stay off of your cell phone while you're paying for something, be friendly toward your fellow shoppers, and be generous with your donations of commercial items, money and, especially time.

Merry Christmas, my cyber readers. God bless.

shel

Catching Up

It has been way too long since I have blogged. I need to make it a regular part of my routine once again. Perhaps that would calm my mind.

K-Mart was a big disappointment today. Mom got a pair of house slippers for dad and the price rang up higher. Unfortunately, I didn't think about it until after mom had already used her debit card. The sales lady ran back to check the sale price and when she returned she said "No, the $7.49 price is just for boys' Route 66 house slippers." I went back to the shoe section with her and showed her the sale sign, and she agreed; yep, the slippers were on sale. She took me up to guest services and told the very busy lady there that the shoes were on sale, and that mom needed a refund. The woman was rather snotty and argued the point. We waited and waited, but she woman kept telling everyone that she was too busy to help them, so we finally left. K-Mart service sucks. This isn't the first time that we have had a problem with incorrect pricing, either.

Bryan's Christmas program was last night. Chester-East Lincoln School did a wonderful CHRISTMAS show (not a generic holiday show, as is politically correct now.) They sang and did some acting, and many of them, including Bryan, did a little nose picking. At least his didn't go into his mouth! One of the songs that they sang was about Martha Stewart. It was hysterical! I suggested that Jessie send it in to Martha, but she's reluctant. (Yes, I'm a Martha fan.)

Tonight was Jaden's Christmas program. It was short, sweet, and to the point; not to mention adorable! The preschool kids were fabulous. After the program we had cookies and punch and visited. It was a very enjoyable evening. This program, too, celebrated Christmas and was not just a winter program.

It's 12:43 a.m. and I still can't get to sleep. Time to have a cup of hot chocolate with a shot; perhaps that will calm my mind.

Sleep well, my cyber friends. Dream of the magical time yet to come.

shel