Here is another beautiful camelia which is growing in Skeeter's yard. This winter rose is white to match the snow which may or may not pay us a visit this year. It is truly gorgeous. Just look at how the white bloom stands out against the dark green foliage of the bush. You just cannot go wrong with camelias. They are such a pick me up when not much else (if anything) is blooming in gardens at this time of year.
Coming home from school on Monday I saw a little red fox on Dover Road right where Hwy 374 crosses over Dover. I thought how beautiful the fox was and it reminded of why I love Tennessee-the natural beauty, flora and fauna. I saw the little fox again last night, unfortunately it was when I almost ran it over in the same place it was two nights ago. I hope it stays safe and does not wind up under someone's tires but I think this story may not end well.
in the garden....
The white camellias are beautiful when they are crisp white but when they turn brown, they make me a bit sad. I would rather have a pink one as they would not appear so yuck when dying on me... sniff-sniff to dying flowers!
ReplyDeleteThe Saints sister sent us some beautiful tulips for Thanksgiving! They came via the UPS man and boy was we shocked to receive them. They arrived about an hour before the Saints parents arrived so we both were pleasantly surprised. That was one week ago yesterday and they all died yesterday. I love flowers but it makes me so sad when they die… Tulips are beautiful but they do not last long enough for me. No telling what sis spent on them (out of season) and to think, they are now gone into the flower bed to compost…. I kind of prefer carnations as fresh flowers because they last for so long. I don’t have fresh flowers in the house much due to my two little black furry monsters (cats) eating them! The Saint likes the cats eating them because it gets him off the hook to buy me any… LOL…
Carnations do last a long time and they smell sooooo good. But Skeeter, you were lucky that the tulips lasted that long. They musta been very fresh. When I pick them fresh they still only last 4 or 5 days.
ReplyDeleteForgot to say....you still have a lotta buds on the cameila so you can enjoy em for a while yet.
ReplyDeleteI love the winter when it snows, and all the pine and cedar trees' green pops against the white snow. Add a bunch of bright-red cardinals at a bird feeder and it's a picture of Heaven.
ReplyDeleteI love the picture you posted. It reminds me of the snow and evergreens. I hope we get some snow this winter--not a lot, but just enough to look pretty.
Tina: I love the white birch tree, which as you know looks sort of like an Aspen. They remind me of where I grew up, where tons and tons of white birch grew in the woods. Do you think one would do good here, or possible as a container tree on the deck? Do they grow fast?
Hi Skeeter, Mom and Sandy,
ReplyDeleteI think winter is upon us and I hope we do get snow-though at a convenient time like when the kids are out of school and most people have no where to go. The camelia picture reminded me of snow too.
Skeeter-lucky you fresh flowers on Thanksgiving and a suprise gift too. I think it funny the Saint is off the hook on buying you flowers because of the kitties. I, like my mother, think your tulips must have been very fresh or you were very diligent in caring for them. That was a long time for them to last. Carnations are a very nice flower and do smell good Mom. I grew some one year in my garden but they did not come back so it is not worth it for me.
Sandy, where did you grow up? I grew up in Maine and we have lots of white birches. Whenever I go to Maine I visit my grandparents grave and at the cemetary they have some really nice birches and rocks. I always take some bark and rocks (shhh) for nostalgia. Not too much. I went up there one Christmas and there was lots of snow, along with the birches and solemnity of the place it was magical. I think I did see some cardinals.
White birches will NOT do well here at all. Borers get them and the heat is too much. On Dover Rd there was a good stand near Averitt Lumber but they have all pretty much failed. A good alternative is the River Birch. The cultivar Heritage is supposed to be an excellent variety. I planted a river birch last year and that guy grew about 4-5 feet in the year AND the bark has begun exfoliating already. It is a tan and not white though. They grow fast and large and would not be good in containers. Lowes has a good stand of river birches on the side nearest Fazolis. You can't miss them. I like the multi trunks. It is best to just get a white birch bark bird feeder or bird house (possible gift for you from the Boss) to show you the white bark of white birches. Sorry.
I grew up in northeat Pennsylvania. I'll have to try the River birch. I like the look of the bark, but really like the white. What about Aspen? They look almost white and similar in texture.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'll have to paint a picture of some white birches. I have a big wall space in the bedroom--maybe if I get some free time (HA HA) I can do a huge mural!
Dawn brought a white birch (actually it was just a twig) and put it in the ground out near the road and it now is huge. It took quite a few years and did not turn white till it was about 6 feet tall so I kept telling her she was nuts..it was not a white birch. Ended up she was right
ReplyDeleteSo you too are a "Yankee" Sandy! Nothing wrong with that. Maybe the Air Force brought you down here?
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about Aspens. I read they need a light soil (as in not clay) and can be okay on the north or east sides of houses. The site also said to expect insect and diseases. Probably not a good tree for here or we would see more.
Do you oil paint? I used to and plan to start back sometime. The first painting I will do will be of my house. You need lots of time for painting, oil or otherwise.
Dawn is quite the gardener and you should know that mom. She knows her stuff. Birches don't show their bark until they are about six feet tall and they do grow large. I need to go visit Dawn sometime to see her house and garden. Hopefully she has had time to work on it. Ask her how her prickly pear is doing. I am wondering if it will survive her Maine winter.
I used to oil paint, but now I use acrylic or colored pencil. I've also done murals. However, I don't have the time much to paint or draw since going back to work full-time. I'll post some of my work sometime on the blog.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I'm a proud Yankee! The Boss is from here and that's how we ended up here after getting out of the Air Force. He retired. I wanted to stay in 20 but he didnt' want to be my dependant--he was ready to come home!
I saw your work and am glad you shared. It was so nice of you! I used to do oil paints. My grandmother gave me all of her sets and I have had them about 30 years now. I think they are still good. I recently just bought some canvases on sale and am hoping to start painting again. It definitely takes time and a committment. Maybe you can find time to paint over the holidays.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why the Boss wouldn't want to be your dependent unless it is because he didn't want to move around. I can understand that very well. I am now retired and have a dependent ID too from the spouse. It is not so bad but we decided I would stay put for now as he only has a few years until he retires and that pesky time (which is good sometimes) seems to travel fast so he will be retired soonest!! Can't wait.
I am looking for a second career and once I find it (I have no doubt I will but the husband is not so sure) I think I might not have so much time to paint and garden and whatever. It will be a challenge and a change. If you don't find the time, please make time for it when you retire someday. It is sometimes the best time but sometimes retired folks get too busy doing other stuff. Prioritizing becomes a problem when you don't work full time. It seems strange but it is true.