My Grama's Soul

I just read a quote that said "gardening is outside housework". If you think like that, my friends, you will never be a real Gardner. haha Jo  

Gardening in truly the simplest of pleasures.  These are flowers from my yard. I love being able to go outside and cut flowers for inside my house. Jo 

Look at this beautiful hibiscus bloom....is there anything more lovely?   Any person who says there is no divine order to our world surely must be mistaken. With all the tumult around us constantly I challenge each of us to simply "go outside and smell the roses" or hibiscus for that matter. Just show gratitude for all this wonderful planet has to offer.  Instead of "whining" about what you don't have look around and see what you do have....and it doesn't cost a dime! Me on my soapbox today....Just sayin' xo Jo

I am always tickled when I see yet another post in social media about collecting plants....as though THAT was a new thing!   I have always had plants once I had my own home.  In fact...in my early twenties and thirties I had as many as 150 of the little friends living with me and my family. I do admit that number became little over-whelming as I had my children and life became more complicated....but I never disposed of my friends...I just became more selective in which ones I was willing to nurture.  Actually, that is kind of like life....you only keep friends you REALLY VALUE.     Anyway...my plants have been with me through thick and thin...in fact they used to travel with us when we would leave AZ for the summer. But...due to time and age factors (both mine and my plants) I have cut my numbers significantly....(the plants..NOT my age)  haha.....  My next several posts will be about amusi...

It has been just a little over one year since we downsized into this little spot of ours.  A year of both sadness and multiple blessings.  We have made a few changes to the inside of the house and the yard.  Wanted to show some of the changes we came up with by using old stuff in a new way. I believe the most difficult aspect of moving is how you will use your existing things since we certainly could not afford to go out and buy all new.    As I indicated in a previous post, I only kept what I LOVE and that in itself was a huge undertaking.  Using old things in new ways to bring back memories and smiles.  In the photo above I hung all my Chinese Lanterns and umbrellas from my porch ceiling.  It is a fairly high ceiling for a porch and I figured they could be installed there with little effort.   That way they can be put to use instead of being stored away;  reminding me of the many trips we have made around our country ...

Here is the little garden that graces the front door to our new, sweet little spot.  I have always believed that your front door area  gives such an important message as to who lives inside. It is a welcome to all who visit your home.  Most of these plantings were in place when we purchased this house.  However, the previous owner was a very tidy gardner and liked everything shaped into little tiny balls.   Not so.....with us.  We like a much more lush feel to our gardens.  The tree in the corner is a Ficus and the previous owner was kind enough to leave it for us to enjoy.  The tree is in such a large pot that it allows the Vinca to thrive below.  I might add that much of these planting are volunteers ( which all of you KNOW THAT I LOVE.....less work). I have always believed that a fountain will help plants thrive.....it could be inside our outside the door.....either place will give such a serene feel. W...

Tomorrow is the 5th of May......in Arizona, as in many Southwestern states, we celebrate Cinco de Mayo.  This is a day for Mexican's, American's and Mexican-American's to celebrate Mexican heritage and pride. In Mexico, specifically in the region of Puebla.....it is a celebration of The Battle of Puebla.  It is the battle where Mexican's beat the French forces on  May 5th, 1862.  It IS NOT Mexican Independence Day, which many of us were lead to believe....that is celebrated on September 16th. Here, in Arizona, the day is spent eating, drinking and dancing and in general just having a great time. Since we have such a large Hispanic population in our state it really is a holiday in which all nationalities participate....I think that is as it should be. I've shown you pics today of a Milagro I just finished. It is based on traditional Mexican talismans.  Milagro means "Miracle" in Spanish.  These personal charms can remind us that "...

Look what has just popped up again in my garden!  I am always amazed that amaryllis  bloom yet again here in AZ. These were purchased two years ago at Christmas time.  They bloomed indoors then so I put them outside in my garden just on an outside chance they might  bloom there as well.  They did......both last year and again this year.......they bloom both in November and around April.   Sweet Skyler chomped on one of them and destroyed an entire bud....but it survived in spite of him.  LOL LOL BYTW...he is currently at Boot Camp for two weeks to learn some important "doggie lessons"..  The trainer brought him by the house this morning and we got to see him put through some of his paces.  He looked so great and like he was having a ball!!!  We will have him  back  the Saturday after this one.  We miss him tons...but know this is really good for him.  Not sure if Miss Sophie misses him or not.......

Just sharing....... xo Jo

Am still not visiting much around blogland..but am busy gardening. "Find creative inspiration.  It is not an indulgence so much as a way for you to save the world." xo

Today I wanted to share with you some of the wonderful roses from my rose gardens.  I have more than I know what to do with and deadheading and cutting is keeping me busy. I bring in as many as I can and make arrangements....because once the heat starts they don't last long on the bush. April and very early May is the short season for roses here.....at least that is how it is at our house. I may get one more batch of beautiful blooms depending on the heat here....but I always enjoy them no matter how few or how many bloom. ~~~~~ In closing....I want to share information on a book I have been reading and enjoying to the fullest. This book, by Diane Ackerman, is a gardner's dream book.  It is not a how to book about gardening...but it is rather a book about all the sensual delights she derives from her gardens during each season of the year. It is beautifully written and her descriptions make you feel as though you are part of her magi...

This is nothing spectacular today.....but my amaryllis finally bloomed.  I have never had one bloom so late in the year....and this particular one has NO LEAVES.. and a stalk that is at least two feet long.   I have never had that happen either. It was so weird. I'm messing around with my photo elements today on my Mac.  I don't have Adobe or Photo shop so I really don't know what I'm doing....but it is kind of fun anyway. Sort of an antique look above. We are having an Art show here in April up at our clubhouse....I might try to paint these....I like the opaqueness of the petals and the fact they are curled a little at the edges...That actually kind of DESCRIBES ME!  LOL  LOL Hugs sweet ladies and gents, Jo

"HE WHO PLANTS A GARDEN...PLANTS HAPPINESS." ~~Chinese proverb I'm a gardner.....always have been.....always will be. NO....I don't plant to eat~~I plant for beauty alone. My garden is not formal..nor is it manicured. It mostly pops up...all over...on it's own ~~ thru what I call "volunteers". Every so often I'll throw in a new flower or two...but mostly....it thrives best with minimal planting and just tender loving care.   Let's not be so hard on ourselves if we don't have the perfect garden. Which brings me to my SIGNPOST FOR THE SOUL~~ WEEK THREE "God was the first loosey-goosey gardner.  If our gardens were meant to be manicured don't you think he would have done it in the first place with all the natural forests and vegetation he created." Again.....just me thinking out loud....if you love manicured gardens please take no offense...I just have never been able to pull one off!! (O: Hugs as always, Jo First...