§ Summertime Shadows

In my previous post, I mentioned a tidbit on how well the flowers in our yard are doing...and after planting my newest hibiscus in the flower garden, I had to snap a photo of it to share. In turn, I walked around the yard a moment or two and took more photos to show the colors and shadows early in the morning:






Top to bottom/Left to right:
Rose colored -Hibiscus 
Lemony yellow [one of my favorites!] -Hibiscus
My newest yellow with red center -Hibiscus
Cormorant in a tree - City park
One of two variegated leaf Hibiscus [hybrid and miniature in size]
Salmon multi-petal -Hibiscus
Mexican Bird of Paradise bush [love the fern-like leaf clusters!  This one was grown from a seed pod that I took when we left our yard in Tucson]
Don Juan Climbing Rose
Hot pink -Hibiscus during the sprinkler system watering
...and at night again...the ephyllium blossom. [2nd time in a little over a month it brought on blossoms!!!]

§ The colors of the rainbow....

...and I continue with the cleaning of my photo folder:

This past week, my epiphyllum was getting ready to bloom. And of course, it being a night blooming plant, I had to get up at dark o'thirty to get photos of it. I keep saying to myself, I really need to get more of these plants for outdoors! They're so easy to grow. Hardly any upkeep, heat and drought tolerant --in fact they thrive in high temperatures. They're NOT good for outdoor plantings if your area drops below 50 at night [or daytime temps too for those in the colder temperate zones]. My two plants [one blooming as seen below] have only been taken indoors for cold air protection just very few times in the last 8 years. The blossoms are colossal and gorgeous:




Then, on to more flowering plants in our yard at this time o' year:



King's Mantel
[another drought tolerant plant and a hardy grower -- blooms in late Spring, a deep purple trumpet blossom]



A great Southern bush, the gardenia. Now, I am one of the very few who doesn't really appreciate its fragrance; being too sweet and heady for my taste, but the blossoms, such a pure white and atop all the glossy leaves, it makes a pretty showcase when blooming...




Next in line of blooming color in our yard would be the Blue Plumbago [it's one of my favorites since not too many flowers of blue/bluish color tolerate extreme heat. This is one of them tho]




...and not to add too many at one time to slow up loading time for some, this one image is of a rich ruby red petunia. And I DID NOT plant it!! It is a 'straggler'...I think perhaps some flying overhead bird helped a bit with nature and adding a bit of color right at the very spot. Earlier this Spring, when I was out pulling weeds in this flower box, I noticed the difference in leaf structure and thought it looked like petunia, so I never pulled it up. And this week, when I returned to weed again, it was blooming!!!----




...last but not least, there is always 'gold' at the end of a rainbow:


Ixora Plant

§ I'm seeing.....red!

Since the birding expeditions are not very fruitful as far as photographing goes, I have been taking pictures of nature from another angle...flowers. And lots of them. Today, I'm seeing red.

The first two images were taken at Hans Suter Wildlife Refuge near Oso Bay in Corpus Christi, just on the other side of the Texas A&M south campus which you can see from across the bay. The last one, the one photo of the wild poinsettia was taken in Port Aransas this weekend. Now, to be honest, I've seen the sign of this plant that is placed below the bush for identification for those interested, but I've never seen it 'bloom'. Actually the color of a poinsettia bracket is NOT the blossom. But in all cases, this wild poinsettia is kinda pretty. The colored brackets are partially green AND red. I've tried several times to no avail, to plant the Christmas time poinsettia plant outdoors. The longest I've had them survive and actually get new leaves was when we lived in Tucson. They lasted one season after the first planting, planted in the ground, and then shriveled up to nothing. Have you ever been to Old Mexico where the plant originated? I remember driving south from the USA/Mexico border from California, and the road was beautifully lined with poinsettia TREES!!! Never forget that. Of course, I understand that the ones you purchase for the holiday season are actually hybrids from the Mexican original plants, but what I'd give to have one survive outdoors in the ground. Florida has them. Even one bush at the Alamo in San Antonio, it's huge. But no, not Anni's!!  This wild poinsettia is 'native' to Texas.  Read more...


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Nature Notes [links found on sidebar under 'memes']

§ ...it's only 'fair'

Twice a year [and I understand that this year it'll be three times], the Peddler Show comes to 'town'. Actually, it's NOT held in Corpus Christi, but all taking place at the County Fair Grounds in Robstown, Texas [about 25 miles from here]. Bud and I don't attend too often, but once in a while I like to go and mingle with the rush and onset of the 'psycho shopper'. LOL. The shows are always on a weekend. And this past weekend, the weather was perfect for getting out and seeing what was 'in store'. There are booths outdoors as you near the Central Pavilion Arena. This complex is huge. Then, pay the entrance fee, and trust me, it's a shopper's paradise. From all over the country [mostly Texans from around the state] have booths set up to sell their wares. Hand made, home made, and just about everything under the sun can be found here. The array of crafts and displays of all the peddlers' handi-work never ceases to amaze me. Oftentimes, I find myself really studying a certain item in hopes when I get home I can duplicate it. Usually, things found here are not all that high priced. MOST are reasonable considering the work and detail put into the products. Here you can also find home made candies...I love the Texas Pecan Brittle and find myself sampling all the sweet things...from candy, to dips, to soups, jellies, teas. Rarely am I disappointed. Once you've sampled the food stuffs, you can find the dry mixes handy; right at your fingertips, in order to purchase those you find your favorite. The last time were attended the show, Bud and I bought a reproduction painting of Texas Longhorns that I posted about... [link]. But, this time around, we had nothing in mind except to take a walk about. Of course, me and jewelry and fashions. Bud, on the other hand, likes the iron works and leather stuffs. He bought himself a new tri-fold billfold. This certain booth's proprietor would 'carve' in the leather whatever you want done. Bud and the guy worked on creating a replica of Bud's registered cattle brand that he has kept registered in Colorado even tho we no longer live there. Keeping the brand registered at the state level means no one else can have the same. It really turned our super. Bud was pleased, so I am pleased. I then, perused most all the sections that had hand crafted jewelry. Found really nothing I couldn't live without. But!! --I did find a place from one of the Texans that was selling their wares at half price 'cause she told me they wanted to liquidate before inventory. I couldn't help myself but oblige her and bought a couple of scarf necklaces. I really don't know just how else to describe them. If there is a special term for them, please enlighten me. Of course, I searched through the collection to find the two colors that are my favorites. Purple and Green. And another favorite 'color' is SPARKLE!! These scarves, and the jewelry that is added had several rhinestone pieces in all a great number of different sorts. From flowers, to bees, to wild animals, crosses and the fleur-de-lis; while some had just a bauble with sparkly rhinestones. The purple one I bought has a nice pretty heart of glitter and silver!! The green one has an elephant with its 'saddle' in rhinestone. More walking, more perusing, taste testing, people watching, fighting for a space in the aisles as the crowds grew larger and larger, after buying some tea and coffee mixes that were so refreshingly tart [the tea mixes] and for Bud, the sweetness of cream and pecans and Irish Cream [coffee mixes], we began working our way back to the great outdoors and the sales exhibited outside. After that, we called it a day and drove back to town and home, stopping for lunch at Texas Roadhouse for a steak lunch, late in the afternoon. I really like those lunches that we have, dining out, 'cause that means not much cooking involved later in the evening other than a chef salad and no dishes or clean up. For Tina's Picstory challenge this week: 18.-20. februar: *dächer - roofs* I thought this would be appropriate...the great towering roof of the Pavilion Entrance.

R M Borchard Regional Fairgrounds

Robstown, Texas

February 16, 2013

Peddlers' Show February 15-17

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Tina's Picstory

§ Heart of Ruby...

Well, I mentioned a few posts back that I was thinking and trying to talk myself into making a couple of Valentine themed coasters for our coffee table. I've looked at several places in stores for something I could use, but never really cared for any. Most are a bit too gaudy for me with hearts painted and plastered all over, or the wrong color combinations. So, I always came out empty-handed after trying to find some at the stores that carry holiday themed nick-knacks. As I was sitting at the computer one day, I, out of a whim, went to Google and typed in Valentine Crocheted Hearts. There are dozens and dozens. Some with purchasing the pattern, others free, or again, some free with a subscription...things like that. I wanted something simple in design, yet have a good 'pattern' to the design and not just a single crochet stitch. Also, one that would be quick to stitch up; taking up little time. Y'know, once the sun comes up, I'm ready to be outdoors and not stuck inside when the weather is so perfect most days. This pattern I found online through either Pinterest or a site that is called Crochet Central, I can't recall now. But, I liked its simplicity, ease of stitching in a short time frame, and the sharer's photo of her finished product. I then, bookmarked the site and came back to get it on a PDF file, and saved to my computer. Why do I go through this step? Well, I'll tellya...there have been several sites bookmarked and later in the year, I go back to view them, and they no longer exist. I've learned my lesson to make sure, if I want to read or view [or in this case, still have the pattern for when I WANT to work with it], on the computer with no worries of it being non-existent at a later time. Once I'm done with the file, I can easily delete it. Anyway, coming back to the coasters, I worked these two coasters to the finishing bow I tied with the beginning and ending yarns, both within a half an hour. Extremely simple, fast working, and easily finished off. They're a bit 'elegant' looking once done and the work flattened and blocked with a steam iron. And the stitch used is quite condensed and tight to easily absorb the condensation of a glass of chilled wine or iced drinks. I like 'em. Tho, I made just two for the coffee table for now, I just may use the extra scrap yarn still left and make two more for the two couches' end tables. On second thought, I decided to make two PINK coasters instead...




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§ It's February...you know what that means

Out come the Valentine's decorations!! Here, at my casa, it's nothing compared to Halloween or Christmas, but I do have to have something out to get in the mood of the season. Oh, and of course, February means my annual Shrimp Fest. Each year for the last 10 years, I've indulged in fresh, deep fat fried, Gulf Shrimp for my birthday. LOL I look forward to that special treat and find myself counting off the days of the calender. But, I'll get back to talkin' red stuff for now. When I was at Dollar Tree last week to purchase the cooking utensil, the splatter screen, for the outdoor bird feeder wreath project, I checked out to see if there was anything I could use to spruce up the tables and hutch for Valentine's Day. And they had on display some new items that caught my eye. Table Scatter. And not the felt type or the metallic foil type. These were molded plastic. Hearts!! Coming in packages of red hearts and packages of pink hearts. I bought a couple of the red ones. Once I got 'em home and opened them to scatter around on the dining room table for a centerpiece, I was wishing I'd bought a couple bags of the pink ones too. The day we went to the beach, I stopped at another Dollar Tree and they had no such thing. On to another Dollar Tree...they too had none. So, I had to make a special trip on another day to go back to the one store I found the red ones; hoping they hadn't sold out of them. They didn't, I bought two bags of the pink ones. Phew...close call. I was set in panic mode after stopping at two other stores. rofl So, now that I had the pink hearts also, I added them to the centerpiece. Small cork topped red heart glass bottles, metallic wire garland of pinks and reds twisted around the bottles, the table scatter all atop a white lace table runner. It's really pretty when the late afternoon sun hits the spot and the sunlight glistens through the red glass. And the garland twinkles in the sunlight and reflects on the table top. Festive, and simple enough to be tasteful and not cluttering the table. Then, I'll move to another room. On the fireplace mantel, I have just my silver, antique candle holders with red candles [of course] and a ruby glass vase holding a vine of baby's breath and red rose buds. This vase and the candle holders are sitting on top of a triple set of red linens that are folded in triangles and draped over the wood carving of the mantel. Also, in the living room, the coffee table has a touch of the red for the holiday...in terms of "love". Long ago, I purchased at Hobby Lobby [maybe it was Michael's] a cute little duo of amour. Two mice. The girl mouse has in her hand, one single stemmed red rose. The boy mouse has in his hand a bouquet of roses for his love interest. They're quite small, about 3 inches in height, made of ceramic, with iron tails that curl around. I put with this, also atop some red linens, and scattered some pink and red hearts table scatter. On the dining room hutch I added some Valentine ribbon that surrounds a couple pieces of carnival glass bowls and added some of the hearts into the center of the bowls. [I have no photo of that on the hutch tho]. And that's the extent of my Valentine decor. Online I found a crochet pattern for heart shaped coasters, but don't know if I'll get to making them in time for the 14th. We'll see.

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§ Holiday 'leftovers'...

Here I have Valentine decor up on my blog, and in the house a bit here and there, but this post is about leftover Christmas. Yes, 'tis true. I've neglected so many times to post about these little ditties, and while cleaning out the computer the last couple of weeks, I found these images that I shoulda shared a month ago, but too busy with company!! So today, indulge me a bit while I reminisce of the past holidays. After my sister and brother in law left to go back to Colorado, Bud and I went around town to see what items they had in a few of our favorite stores that were marked down. All Christmas items of course. Well, at Tuesday Morning, I found this cute little sweetie with its 'bulbous butt' sitting on the Clearance shelf; marked 50% off!! He's soft, squishy, and really cute. I fell in love with him the moment our eyes met. Love at first sight...all 20 inches of him!! And of course, added him to my ever growing, huge collection. I'll share with y'all a couple more views and angles...

Traipsin' to another 'favorite' store of mine, Bud taggin' along of course 'cause he's got the money. LOL...we stopped at Joann Fabrics. This store not only has crafts items and bolts of materials galore, they also carry a few shelves of in season items for household decor. Well the Clearance shelves were quite picked over...they had an unbelievable markdown!! 70% off all Christmas items. Bud started shuffling and shifting all the stand-up santas around the shelves, hoping to find one still in good shape. And he did. A very large stand alone santa with fur parka, muck-luck type boots, skis. He's about 18-24 inches tall. And, we both knew he'd make another great addition to the collection, as I don't have one that is quite that tall. Next year, I can only picture him standing by the decorated tree. Into the trunk he went with the other bulbous butt santa.

One more stop for sale items, and that was Kirklands. They've relocated in our city, and ever since, they don't carry all that much holiday stuff anymore, but it was a shot in the dark. I've always admired their santa oil reproduction and framed artwork. They had them in the back of the store, leaning up against the doorway to the storage room, getting ready, I think, to get 'em out of the storefront. My luck. But they were willing to sell us one [one less to pack away for them] - regularly $99.00 and we had to pay $30 plus tax. Not bad, being framed under glass and all.

That was 'it' for me. I stopped at the stores I wanted. Well, Bud then told me he needed some hardware for something he needed to repair at home. Off we drove to Lowes. While he was inside the store picking out the items he needed, I walked around outdoors in the garden center. A lady employee was cleaning out the spot that once held the poinsettias, potted pine trees, and christmas cactus. In her gloved hand she had several broken pieces of the christmas cactus and asked me to take 'em off her hands. She told me "Just stick 'em in potting soil and they'll take root." Hmmmmm, she doesn't know me very well when it comes to houseplants. First of all, I have two cats...they love to go on a search and rescue mission to eat and do away with all live greenery. Besides, the house really has no ideal spot for houseplants. It sits on the foundation that is on an angle with the sun; no place for indoor plants to exist very well, making it look like I have a brown thumb. Okay, so maybe I don't do houseplants, I'd rather have them outdoors. LOL But, I thanked her for the cuttings, and took them home and potted them. So far, they haven't wilted down! And the cats haven't found them behind the venetian blinds on the window sill!! That's it for holiday leftovers...got any good recipes for keeping the cactus alive and thriving 'til this coming winter?

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§ Punicalagins? yes, that's a GOOD thing!

For the past few weeks, it's been Pomegranate Time in our house!!! I love 'em. They make a great snack while watching videos or TV programs on the computer through Hulu or CBS, NBC. But for some it's getting to the seeds that is a chore. Well, my mom, bless her heart, taught me a simple way of extracting the edible seeds without making pomegranate juice spray all over the house. It's a 99% sure fire way of getting to the good stuff without much mess!!

After filling a large bowl about half full of water [depending on the size of the fruit], you then:

with a sharp utility knife, trim a thin slice off the top and bottom so you can get your knife into the meat of the fruit

then, going through only the skin and fibrous membranes, slice the whole fruit into quarters, making sure you do NOT go through the entire fruit. Place the whole nicked pomegranate into the bowl filled with water and break into four pieces. Then, as you scrape the seeds from the inside of the fruit, the SEED will sink to the bottom of the bowl...

...while the fibrous debris will float to the top of the water's surface.

swipe your hand as a cup and scoop up the debris from the water.

With a colander, pour the pomegranate seeds - and water- into the colander to drain.

Store the seeds in an air tight container and chill.

...they're great, sweet-tart, and juicy!! I've sprinkled them on top of tossed salads, added them to fruit salads, and heck....the BEST way is just to munch on them and let the juices drizzle as they burst with flavor with every bite. Yes, the entire seed is edible. And oh so good. They're expensive as far as produce is concerned in comparison to other fruits and veggies at the store, but definitely worth every cent and more.


_ _ _

Compounds found only in pomegranates called punicalagins are shown to benefit the heart and blood vessels. Punicalagins are the major component responsible for pomegranate's antioxidant and health benefits. They not only lower cholesterol, but also lower blood pressure and increase the speed at which heart blockages (atherosclerosis) melt away.

Recent medical research studied heart patients with severe carotid artery blockages. They were given an ounce of pomegranate juice each day for a year. Not only did study participants' blood pressure lower by over 12 percent, but there was a 30 percent reduction in atherosclerotic plaque. read more

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