tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456056656634332432024-03-08T03:34:19.870-08:00All-Purpose FlowerValhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.comBlogger379125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-30208170749429819522015-06-30T18:23:00.000-07:002015-06-30T18:23:07.129-07:00Gardening in whatever space we may haveIt's been 6 months since my last post, on New Year's Eve. That post wasn't intended to be my last, but as time went on it seemed like a good way to end my blog. In that post I made a resolution to find a garden. A lot has happened since then, but I'm happy to say that I've found a temporary garden and today, as I planted the last of my veggies, I felt a happiness that only gardening can bring.<br />
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The last 6 months have been transformative (sometimes traumatic).<br />
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My dad died in late January.<br />
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Our newly adopted dog got sick again in February and needed medication for a month. Meanwhile Chris turned 50 and I started a mid-life crisis for him.<br />
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In March we sold my house in the woods. The one I had to leave when the recession started and I couldn't afford it. I'd tried to sell it two different times with no luck. An acquaintance came out of the blue wanting a rental for tax purposes and I happily sold it.<br />
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Then in April we found a house (with a yard) to rent. Not easy finding a decent house that accepts pets. We signed the contract and would have keys by early May. Then the moving started and did not end for 6 weeks. Visualize moving from a 3 story townhouse into a 2 story house. I was not physically or mentally prepared for this - and it was my idea.<br />
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Finally, in April we had to euthanize my cat, Kabrina, who had been sick for some time. She has been featured in my blog, eating cucumber leaves, supervising plantings etc. She was a good girl - sometimes and I miss her.<br />
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During all those months of not blogging and not taking many photos I realized a couple of things:<br />
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I like watching a You Tube video more than reading a DIY tutorial in a blog. Learned this last fall when watching 'how to make paper flowers' videos sent by a friend.<br />
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I also realized that I missed taking photos, had neglected my Flickr page, and in general had become tired of taking photos only of plants. One of my mid-life topics is to go back to manual photography that I learned as a kid and re-learn it as an adult.<br />
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Now, I have been active on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/All-Purpose-Flower/239290616151291">All-Purpose Flower Facebook page</a>, and occasionally on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/vhogan2/">Pinterest</a>. Both were created to tie-in to my blog. I follow so many cool plant sites on both that I'm not going to stop now.<br />
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My current garden:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVVLLZ3bYZkdhhoWuZYGfP-YHf0WKt39GM_q_b_cvIG8ozy5XCme4MwFwrNsUeAkKKnmbJ30A6woCSdUq9dtFlzWLbnUMGvh2Eiq0P_NdU8jbG3CSey7Ro87ZoQz1ANXRXG7aTHetudzj/s1600/IMG_7531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVVLLZ3bYZkdhhoWuZYGfP-YHf0WKt39GM_q_b_cvIG8ozy5XCme4MwFwrNsUeAkKKnmbJ30A6woCSdUq9dtFlzWLbnUMGvh2Eiq0P_NdU8jbG3CSey7Ro87ZoQz1ANXRXG7aTHetudzj/s400/IMG_7531.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWSdIcF3D0mHgZQ9DeSQdJRK9o74cC8Y5nmVjTmKFqqar1uquXS8BlVN2F9BT6prYXY5TIgio-w3gzY_SSjl0cMCvu2aPnCkNcTiKqdHGcqM34RvhDrTycSMA24Jm7OohCrtFku3LNW2s/s1600/IMG_7532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWSdIcF3D0mHgZQ9DeSQdJRK9o74cC8Y5nmVjTmKFqqar1uquXS8BlVN2F9BT6prYXY5TIgio-w3gzY_SSjl0cMCvu2aPnCkNcTiKqdHGcqM34RvhDrTycSMA24Jm7OohCrtFku3LNW2s/s400/IMG_7532.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The garden I have today is the result of seeing great ideas on Facebook. I had seen an <a href="http://www.artofthegarden.net/">MBrace</a> raised bed once before, and thought this was a cool idea. I saw them again just before our move into a rental and ordered mine. They send the braces and you buy the lumber sized to suit. This is an easy way for me to set up a raised bed in a temporary location. When we move out we can remove the braces and our lumber leaving some good soil behind.<br />
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We are still looking for our "forever home" and garden space ranks high on the priority list, it just may not include a huge plot and a rototiller as I once thought. For now I still have my patio containers and a new raised bed full of veggies, resolution accomplished.<br />
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<br />Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-86160183766470620772014-12-31T17:48:00.000-08:002014-12-31T17:48:39.303-08:00My Garden New Year's Resolution?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCY12V62W4N1lapVM3to7yAhHbEqPNTxWODEARB5dKroBais6H1CMhyjb0UHDgGRRd7_c-jmiJJGlpZ6rkCXmKaEZ017Wp-P66ULs4r_b5Oohg9r8zOS_RQAucSDoISS9t2cfMYEyJn66/s1600/IMG_4079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCY12V62W4N1lapVM3to7yAhHbEqPNTxWODEARB5dKroBais6H1CMhyjb0UHDgGRRd7_c-jmiJJGlpZ6rkCXmKaEZ017Wp-P66ULs4r_b5Oohg9r8zOS_RQAucSDoISS9t2cfMYEyJn66/s1600/IMG_4079.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To find one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was looking at Facebook this morning and saw several posts about "Gardening New Year's Resolutions". At first I didn't know what mine would be, then I said, "To find one."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Literally, my garden resolution for 2015 is to find a garden I can work in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since starting this blog, I had a plot for 2 years at a community garden and I've tried container gardening on the deck of our townhouse. While I enjoyed the planting, growing and watering, both experiences left me wanting to try something different. (The community garden had a soil related bug infestation, I got tired of fighting it). So, I went back home to try container gardening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, last summer I ran into a wall, I had plans for container garden of veggies and flowers on the deck. But discovered that it was no longer as sunny as it had been in the past. Turns out a tree I'd planted had created a shade garden on our deck. The vegetables I planted didn't do so well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd brought an Alder start when I moved here 4 years ago and planted it in the only open spot in the tiny back yard. Now it is almost as tall as our 3 story townhouse and casts shade on most of the back deck both upstairs and below. This is an example of my haphazard gardening methods. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Basically, I only plan up to a point, then nature dictates, while I scramble to adapt. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not willing to cut down the tree (yet), so my planting options are very limited. I could plan a shade loving list of veggies. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Truth is I've stopped planning. Next year we are going to look for a house with a yard - for me and the dog. That unknown landscape will offer it's own challenges. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have learned a lot in the last 3 years and I know the direction I want to go: </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">organic gardening, composting, raised beds and a combination of flowers and edibles</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Each of these are a result of what I've recently learned through trial and error.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Organic gardening</span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span>was the method preferred at the community garden, once I caught on I couldn't imagine gardening or growing food any other way. <span style="color: #38761d;">Composting</span> - I just don't have room for here, but wish I did it's a win/win situation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Raised beds</span> seem the way to go in order to have some control of the soil. And a mix of flowers and <span style="color: #274e13;">edibles</span>, in the past I was content growing annuals and perennial flowers. But after the community garden vegetable bonanza, I want more edibles and year-round, and space to plant them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps "adapt" might be my new word for 2015. I only realized recently that I needed a new word for 2015 and now it's here. Last year my word was "Gratitude", I knew that I had to make a spot for it here on my blog or I would abandon it. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here, on my last post for 2014, is my last Gratitude post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gratitude has been my word for 2014</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know that what people say about gratitude seems to be at work for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Focusing on what makes me happy, who is in my life, and all the odds and ends, have resulted in a true sense of abundance in my life. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I am grateful for the big things and the little.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I spent most of 2014 preoccupied with planning for our wedding in November. The other preoccupation has been my dad's health. Diagnosed with Leukemia in January, he made it to our wedding and has plans for New Year's Day. I wrote a post about him last January, you can read it <a href="http://all-purpose-flower.blogspot.com/2014/01/happy-birthday-to-my-dad.html">here</a>. Before his illness he read my blog first thing, and in doing so became my 'biggest fan'. He has been quite stoic during this long illness, and because he would never say it, I will. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">I am grateful for my family, for each person doing the best they could.</span></i></span></div>
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Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-70508515465114429492014-12-08T17:33:00.000-08:002014-12-08T17:33:15.972-08:00Here's a Gift Only the Grinch Wouldn't Like<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last year my friend published her first book and I posted about it </span><a href="http://all-purpose-flower.blogspot.com/2013/12/black-and-white-cat-white-and-black-dog.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's called </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Black and White Cat, White and Black Dog, by Marlaena Shannon.</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> This book is filled with her vibrant illustrations and the story is actually based on two of her (many) pets. </b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She just received a shipment of the book in it's second printing.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If you are looking for a simple gift, even a stocking stuffer, you can order the soft cover from Amazon.com for about $10. A hard cover book is also available .</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> I have a link to her book on Amazon in the right sidebar </b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of this blog, </b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it's there year-round if you want to find it later.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Here's the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-White-Cat-Dog/dp/0989773213/ref=as_sl_pd_ss_mfw?&linkCode=wey&tag=allpurpflow-20">link</a>, take a quick look and I imagine you will think of one person who would like this book, especially pet lovers.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If it doesn't work for your gift list, then consider asking your local library to get it.</b></span></div>
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Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-77652157866368885552014-11-20T21:05:00.002-08:002014-11-20T21:05:32.445-08:00Just Married...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I've mentioned several times over the last year I was planning my wedding. On Saturday, November 1st I married the 'love of my life' in the theater at McMenamins Edgefield. We invited our family and closest friends and had a simple ceremony and reception. I was a little crazed the week before, but it went off perfectly and I believe we all had a good time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The photo above was taken during set up. I'd been collecting colored glass vases and votives for months. My friend flew in from Florida and helped with just about everything including vase arrangements, buttonholes for all the guests, and my bouquet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chris and I then took a week's honeymoon to road trip to Colorado and New Mexico. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed unseasonably warm weather. We got home just in time for snow here in the Northwest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are also in time to start the holiday season, so I thought I would let you know why I'd been absent and that my posts may be fewer during the holidays.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gratitude is my word for the year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I struggle sometimes to feel grateful, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am certainly most grateful for my husband, Chris.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am grateful for many things about him, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but one of the most important reasons is </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that he makes me want to be a better person.</span></div>
Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-73121807655981713622014-10-18T17:47:00.000-07:002014-10-18T17:47:12.531-07:00Autumn Favorites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPPN5CSks8e00-2tdl-jC-nR4HW_7rmi3Z-fvJgGC1DxurjOWU3SfpDZ8V1JxyN3h4NRsShUN9rkgi1iz8l_nuMbed8mZuiqZg57L2gEx-xbDt8w9GrbnITRVY4e5lUsop6tpcijkVtjN/s1600/IMG_6344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPPN5CSks8e00-2tdl-jC-nR4HW_7rmi3Z-fvJgGC1DxurjOWU3SfpDZ8V1JxyN3h4NRsShUN9rkgi1iz8l_nuMbed8mZuiqZg57L2gEx-xbDt8w9GrbnITRVY4e5lUsop6tpcijkVtjN/s1600/IMG_6344.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fall is my favorite season. Not really for the colorful leaves, which I like, but the cool air and the way the light hits everything. I've been thinking that this light is the same in spring, but what's different is that (in my climate) we are still outdoors and there's less rain so there's more opportunity to be outside and watch the seasonal changes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We finally made a trip back to the <a href="http://www.naturescaping.org/">Wildlife Botanical Gardens</a>. I've been there often enough now that I recognize plants that I keep gravitating toward. One is this tree, <i>Eastern Redbud</i>. I like the leaves and I know if I were to look back through old posts, I've probably shown photos of this tree in other seasons. Last weekend it had just started to turn, but the leaves lying around on the ground were eye-catching covered with droplets of water.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's another plant I know I've admired before, but until now I'd never seen the berries in fall. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wow! I absolutely love this and when I've got a yard I intend to try growing it. <i>Porcelain Berry</i>. The week before I'd seen 2 photos on Instagram and was surprised that it grows here in the Northwest. As you can see it does quite well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The thing that strikes me when I'm at the gardens is the large number of plants and trees with fruit or berries or pods. The point of the gardens is to showcase plantings that attract birds and wildlife. These types of plants are underutilized in most local landscapes, which is odd to me, since they are very ornamental.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This tree was covered with rosy fruit (I'm guessing a crabapple, forgot to look for the tag).</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, every trip to the gardens results in one photo that I really love. I've posted it on <a href="http://instagram.com/val_hogan">Instagram</a> and plan to add it to my <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/valerie_hogan/">Flickr page</a>. The plant is a fennel and the purple flowers in the background are blooming like crazy in mid October. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gratitude is my word of the year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I'm grateful for:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">online shopping, returns by mail</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">gluten free corn dogs, just discovered in the freezer section</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blogger, grateful that I stuck with it</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Where Women Create</i>, found it in the magazine section at the grocery store - love it</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm grateful for more substantial things like my pets and Chris, but these little things provide small increments of joy in my life.</span></div>
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Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-64580320573588728972014-10-06T17:26:00.000-07:002014-10-06T17:26:01.783-07:00The Gardens at Edgefield<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week my mom and I decided to drive to Troutdale and get coffee at <a href="http://www.mcmenamins.com/54-edgefield-home">McMenamin's Edgefield</a>. I've talked a lot about Edgefield this year, because Chris and I chose it as the site for our wedding in November. I had never been there until last <a href="http://all-purpose-flower.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-clever-winter-garden.html">January</a>. I'd heard of it, but really wasn't prepared for this huge historic site and all that it contained. I wasn't expecting the Herb Garden or the landscape surrounding the various buildings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, my mom and I parked, then counted the miles and the time it took from her house. We got out of the car and I immediately pulled my phone out to snap a couple of pictures. I will identify any plants I can, but I've learned that the gardens at Edgefield contain such a variety of plants that I usually have no idea what I'm looking at. (Feel free to id in the comments).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These succulents were next to the parking space:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then as we walked up the ramp past the Black Rabbit Restaurant I snapped this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once we had our coffee, we walked back to the Herb Garden. Last summer she had liked the big pots of Lantana. That morning she told me that my great grandmother had loved Lantana and she had planted the red along her patio in San Diego.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguf75hSJP3T1y8wpNV_PlJw9xb1Fv0CbbUThcz87itolE-eY_spgfzop0BQxTQ984PTq91SMTibfP7LGms7mHzj99Sos6bUVF7EbwE55bY6Nhia6ZsjpN8ztcYy3ewC9jHyaiO4pdkSh1-/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguf75hSJP3T1y8wpNV_PlJw9xb1Fv0CbbUThcz87itolE-eY_spgfzop0BQxTQ984PTq91SMTibfP7LGms7mHzj99Sos6bUVF7EbwE55bY6Nhia6ZsjpN8ztcYy3ewC9jHyaiO4pdkSh1-/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We took this picture to remember to buy Lantana for her garden next year.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were in the garden less than an hour on an October morning. Yet, we wandered around pointing out one plant or another. Many of the trees had berries or were dropping strange fruit on the ground.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNDldSOWjkLTI3P3L89jx2mkUcdP9OZ797HC01eUJRHsFjB3uHxjY2ghTfrLAcZshc_Vm7J9XLrei4nY3Wl10-tjW4xiPaOd8MQSXoPDSwWSGtCmQqpsUH3iusXq68jhV-3b9cUpo6gto/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNDldSOWjkLTI3P3L89jx2mkUcdP9OZ797HC01eUJRHsFjB3uHxjY2ghTfrLAcZshc_Vm7J9XLrei4nY3Wl10-tjW4xiPaOd8MQSXoPDSwWSGtCmQqpsUH3iusXq68jhV-3b9cUpo6gto/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;">I had to admire this Artichoke plant, note the bed frame to the right</span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGKLVTDBpYvnWO7KytmCi1IRI7mML5IbGIb60pv8Gnkdq3uSQMQXH77EGxFYKGJTrzH3BUndP2-oX4nedgINz3SQWrpK5Fu9ewpL77vZsXwON5W0vI3_Bia_qROpHewSs6921-8xiZqTS/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGKLVTDBpYvnWO7KytmCi1IRI7mML5IbGIb60pv8Gnkdq3uSQMQXH77EGxFYKGJTrzH3BUndP2-oX4nedgINz3SQWrpK5Fu9ewpL77vZsXwON5W0vI3_Bia_qROpHewSs6921-8xiZqTS/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This planting looks like it was snapped in the middle of summer.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The gardens here are as unique as the rest of the establishment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's really too bad that they don't offer floral services.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gratitude is my word of the year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I am grateful for:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sun in October in the Pacific Northwest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Summer-like warm temperatures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Family that I can rely on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starbucks offering coconut milk, after I gave up all milk drinks, like lattes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friends that come up with simple ways to solve a problem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finding a pet sitter at my vet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my mom, for putting up with me.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2GVCH_gr-YD5Bxk5CYN9FUpqnOih0wYTUqhHtXJvPGkus-l5m8Y6RJmYOQodcUoyzOQbygZeNzefCMKgULB7C-aKNUuRwEk0X4cT_85rF6MmCyYGgZBrIOc-Q3qEbaOFZ-G-2wqQH9X_/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2GVCH_gr-YD5Bxk5CYN9FUpqnOih0wYTUqhHtXJvPGkus-l5m8Y6RJmYOQodcUoyzOQbygZeNzefCMKgULB7C-aKNUuRwEk0X4cT_85rF6MmCyYGgZBrIOc-Q3qEbaOFZ-G-2wqQH9X_/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-1140087380588606552014-09-23T18:06:00.006-07:002014-09-23T18:06:54.903-07:00My Plant of the Summer - Asarina<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoWnE6FrH-t8hJrzJyGFzPoKaFQVC0845J3GVwCCBywrsXBE6SzOrioIjBT8piXFMNmFC6idxFH-WRJj4sSpFBwJrp9e4mwfLpcw5BLEgbHjAGjdRgbDB57kU0jOIyEynBr0kh_41ON77/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoWnE6FrH-t8hJrzJyGFzPoKaFQVC0845J3GVwCCBywrsXBE6SzOrioIjBT8piXFMNmFC6idxFH-WRJj4sSpFBwJrp9e4mwfLpcw5BLEgbHjAGjdRgbDB57kU0jOIyEynBr0kh_41ON77/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blue Asarina. <br /><br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This summer my plant selection deviated from most plans I'd made. Usually, the very first trip to the nursery results in several plants that I hadn't intended on buying. Which of course happened this year. I did have a list and I stuck to it, but I think the later trip to the grocery store where I bought the yellow zinnias was my red flag. When dealing with a small garden space you have to have room for each plant. Mine contained more yellow zinnias than I'd intended and put an early end to my nursery shopping.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had several plants die and I'm really not sure why. There was the blue poppy, dead in under a week and the Black eyed Susan vines, which I quickly replaced with plants that did fine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On my last visit to <a href="http://www.chapmansgreenhouseandnursery.com/">Chapman's Greenhouse</a> I found Asarina plants. My mom and I had been there a couple of years ago and she had a clipping from a magazine with a photo of Asarina / Climbing Snapdragon Vine. They are a small nursery, but they did grow it. At the time it was too early and the plants weren't mature enough. When we went back they were gone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So when I found them this summer I bought a red one for her and a blue one for me. Mine sat in the plastic pot for awhile. Then I tried to set it up on the 1/2 wall, but it was too windy, too sunny, and hard to water. So I planted it in a clay pot and set it on a table in the corner of the deck. It sat there unnoticed until I realized it was almost touching the ground, then I discovered several blooms.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's when I decided to replace the pots in the Potlach clips on the screen with the Asarina.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RK7o3e9yXVlAWDpRKz-1w7CtcL1sZAxqCy2Cz1jbvyNWxn6fMiP9D08w2_0KhQgS8ORXImYGqcBCZPm8t_0sHltvx7SG7KeYOmyGnG27j5RN6eFGBjbZOd05bgb0McMPZ82jPACnKJuV/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RK7o3e9yXVlAWDpRKz-1w7CtcL1sZAxqCy2Cz1jbvyNWxn6fMiP9D08w2_0KhQgS8ORXImYGqcBCZPm8t_0sHltvx7SG7KeYOmyGnG27j5RN6eFGBjbZOd05bgb0McMPZ82jPACnKJuV/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After striking out with several plants earlier in the season, it is very gratifying to have this plant do so well on it's own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gratitude is my word of the year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I am grateful for:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The beginning of Fall</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The rain that did my watering today</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my mom's magazine clippings</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">drafting work that has kept me busy all summer long</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Black Rabbit Sunday brunch</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-54404457706266546342014-08-25T17:45:00.000-07:002014-08-25T17:45:42.887-07:00In a pot or a plot - gardening is the same<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiY60uNohoEUuvjXK806FstyOS4JUDgzf5x2s9IG9-wAR1shn3ikWXxDs1Y69m4w2YYLtCp6t1xtDvuNx8rMsDOVPEh5hVPKPlAsPRVQwi9mi_2G22P5ZcdeeWKuh-c2hJcCH6_t8JHyHt/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiY60uNohoEUuvjXK806FstyOS4JUDgzf5x2s9IG9-wAR1shn3ikWXxDs1Y69m4w2YYLtCp6t1xtDvuNx8rMsDOVPEh5hVPKPlAsPRVQwi9mi_2G22P5ZcdeeWKuh-c2hJcCH6_t8JHyHt/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is an image I posted on Instagram. <br />You can search for me there as val_hogan.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I see that my posts here could be described as the 'blog of the month' variety. I've slowed down, mostly my gardening slowed way down this summer. I tend to blog about my experiences day to day. But, my attempt to try growing veggies in containers just didn't inspire a lot of blog posts. It was my first try and I didn't spend much time last winter or spring planning how I would do it or what I would grow. I guess I proved that just because I wasn't gardening in a plot at the community gardens, I still needed to plan and layout my container garden.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My biggest shortfall was lack of deep containers. I have a lot of railing planters that are great for lettuces, but during the middle of summer I've ended up with more flowering annuals than anything else. Also, my plot at the community garden was in full sun. My back deck <i>used to be</i> in full sun, but the Alder tree I planted a few years ago now casts more shade than I expected. I now have a better idea of where the sunny spots are.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ixh3tO4G4fOBdcJnqzPKmGC7XNQSNrXZLurJIGLajAE8dPtZhuinKuaxAhay0luWuxwETPKe8bzq5ruDlciqLjxSkFxXS6FV9KbRZAreF36APDUyxHmU_F15aXrveofvomOV75JiyZ1q/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ixh3tO4G4fOBdcJnqzPKmGC7XNQSNrXZLurJIGLajAE8dPtZhuinKuaxAhay0luWuxwETPKe8bzq5ruDlciqLjxSkFxXS6FV9KbRZAreF36APDUyxHmU_F15aXrveofvomOV75JiyZ1q/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also thought that by planting containers on the deck at home, that I would not have to deal with pests or other 'garden' problems. I have one (1) zucchini plant and it has had powdery mildew since I planted it. This has stunted the growth and I've only had two squash from this plant. I looked online for an at home solution and sprayed it with a baking soda mixture. Then sprayed it with some soapy water for good measure. This did nothing to help.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I had been gardening in a plot on the ground, I would have gone to the store and bought a spray when I first saw the mildew. It sounds crazy but I thought growing veggies in containers would be much different (easier) than a garden plot. I also have a dog and a cat who forage around on the deck, so I have to be careful about toxicity, even from organic sprays.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrpqhMmP3w314kjp7FUoMKGBCflQoj213DIbzf4eyCLlqwJs3EmFVjEkSNLWkV-RHubKAcggeQ7jSBZBmIDJyh11IYIJAOZtnFSmtaoXhABSkkhqnwzdPTNrqMO1rpWLS5WEGB4KEbV2P/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrpqhMmP3w314kjp7FUoMKGBCflQoj213DIbzf4eyCLlqwJs3EmFVjEkSNLWkV-RHubKAcggeQ7jSBZBmIDJyh11IYIJAOZtnFSmtaoXhABSkkhqnwzdPTNrqMO1rpWLS5WEGB4KEbV2P/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My tomatoes are doing well, but not producing as much as my garden tomatoes did the last couple of years. Then there's my tomatillo. My big splurge, I bought it knowing I didn't really have the room for it, and wanted to try it even though I know nothing about growing it (or eating it). Well, the plant has flowered profusely, but I've only got two (2) tomatillos on the plant so far. Luckily the hummingbirds like it, I get to watch them drink from the yellow flowers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWF6xqR9N_Oj0M9i_BmFhApSI6Ua5jpBWakxH1Uj4PCrgY0NkJaWqK9quRphAHzH4HTn-pTwHrWpUr5jvRhC_2IEJdiMqlOpex300WOwt8Aa8eGW1XAJKXAVpVYR0VgvqSbSQnhrrNXeM/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWF6xqR9N_Oj0M9i_BmFhApSI6Ua5jpBWakxH1Uj4PCrgY0NkJaWqK9quRphAHzH4HTn-pTwHrWpUr5jvRhC_2IEJdiMqlOpex300WOwt8Aa8eGW1XAJKXAVpVYR0VgvqSbSQnhrrNXeM/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, suffice it to say, my container gardening experience this year has not been what I had expected. I actually missed the community garden plot, which is something I didn't think I would say (pests nearly ruined my garden two years in a row). I am actually buying tomatoes and zucchini at the store- in August.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, this has all helped me to see the direction I want to go in. If you look at <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/vhogan2/">my Pinterest boards</a> you'll see a board for just about every topic. But the other day when I found an image I wanted to pin I realized I didn't even have a category for it. So I created my newest board, <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/vhogan2/edible-landscape/">Edible Landscaping</a>. Up until now I've had a very wide variety of gardening interests. But the last two years of community gardening and this year's attempt at container gardening made me realize how much I enjoy growing food. Not just veggie gardening as I've thought of it before, but incorporating edible plants with others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel excited about learning more about this topic and pursuing how I can create my own edible landscape at home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gratitude is my word for the year...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I am grateful for:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">more sunny weather</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the change in lighting to the 'fall' light I love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a handfull of cherry tomatoes </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">being busy with work</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">shopping at craft stores for fall wedding decorations</span><br />
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Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-38800140095655639582014-08-07T16:43:00.000-07:002014-08-07T16:43:42.686-07:00Vertical Clay Pot Hangers<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRPohYokd-yNUY1hihB8Smup411rXaiQtSanRZqRy77m1YxEagHGYXUQjkXvgLazwyvhJ9bWCHYqG4QWJivJsTEkZ57oWOmwi7WYhlQHd9sI0Si1lyuUMQcN64e3MNPyeGy3pXdhV9cQm/s1600/potlatch+corner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRPohYokd-yNUY1hihB8Smup411rXaiQtSanRZqRy77m1YxEagHGYXUQjkXvgLazwyvhJ9bWCHYqG4QWJivJsTEkZ57oWOmwi7WYhlQHd9sI0Si1lyuUMQcN64e3MNPyeGy3pXdhV9cQm/s1600/potlatch+corner.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clay pot hung on a screen with a Potlatch clip. </span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year I finally ordered a set of Potlatch plant hangers. I'd seen them on Pinterest a couple of years ago. Later I saw some similar clips at Back Alley Gardens in Gearhart, OR.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2A88BHMOEyU9fZca0stz5Tum2b46x2WNWt-hqi0GqICYfYy-WNfhuNIXwnnrgI8yAKuAJMBnBIYf3em9mT5KALQxrR3IL2x2H3oiwSQcNK5soZ4cwtTfZtNDZYWY6VU0tTzzk-6oAkNmK/s1600/IMG_3899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2A88BHMOEyU9fZca0stz5Tum2b46x2WNWt-hqi0GqICYfYy-WNfhuNIXwnnrgI8yAKuAJMBnBIYf3em9mT5KALQxrR3IL2x2H3oiwSQcNK5soZ4cwtTfZtNDZYWY6VU0tTzzk-6oAkNmK/s1600/IMG_3899.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqnd3lQW9GC6cPFvEvhT6SwwHkBcZ7qQX0Qs2yEQV3fywfCo6e5A5lILaAXOwJbe_LSlD1LrXg8gRS7ROSYNv08BbGXDFsi-_O7pwfGgH7_l8vcEKFV5Orlf831u-lB7E8FctnjOjV94I/s1600/IMG_3898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqnd3lQW9GC6cPFvEvhT6SwwHkBcZ7qQX0Qs2yEQV3fywfCo6e5A5lILaAXOwJbe_LSlD1LrXg8gRS7ROSYNv08BbGXDFsi-_O7pwfGgH7_l8vcEKFV5Orlf831u-lB7E8FctnjOjV94I/s1600/IMG_3898.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They had mounted the clips on old windows, an idea I liked, but didn't want to try to hang on our siding. Well, 2 years ago Chris built a <a href="http://all-purpose-flower.blogspot.com/2012/08/diy-deck-screen.html">deck screen</a> and installed it next to a low wall that divides our deck from our neighbors. It finally occurred to me that the screen was perfect for mounting the clips and the location would allow for some flowers to be visible through that window. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUHLfICICU5gf5-NgWLva3l_VjbCYQHHVng_5ThgvDDEYEnUk21T7HVackOeJyabKAP3NK_CiHG00BEjEjZEgE_COyozFtF0bvPqsdSamlMPB46sj0D5H8vd2ZGubmQ8RSWX1863AYzXU/s1600/IMG_1115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUHLfICICU5gf5-NgWLva3l_VjbCYQHHVng_5ThgvDDEYEnUk21T7HVackOeJyabKAP3NK_CiHG00BEjEjZEgE_COyozFtF0bvPqsdSamlMPB46sj0D5H8vd2ZGubmQ8RSWX1863AYzXU/s1600/IMG_1115.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I ordered the Potlatch clips by finding the pin I'd saved and got this <a href="http://www.vat19.com/item/pot-latch-pot-hangers">link</a>. I got a pack of 3 for over $10. Chris installed them and I then potted some annuals and hung them on the screen.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfQZSBFswnaeB7BEGNLfe6Kw-NDzYS8l5NuLC0-TTwKjy8y1wLfFcBY8kjNm9wVNHLAK30n5mjzXyh3dc_Yh2s_Rc3W3w8KOKesbm4XzuhDgZS7GdSU-V0vAhCSv-ahE_wYTvKu7x718Z/s1600/IMG_5374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfQZSBFswnaeB7BEGNLfe6Kw-NDzYS8l5NuLC0-TTwKjy8y1wLfFcBY8kjNm9wVNHLAK30n5mjzXyh3dc_Yh2s_Rc3W3w8KOKesbm4XzuhDgZS7GdSU-V0vAhCSv-ahE_wYTvKu7x718Z/s1600/IMG_5374.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The clip is visible on the center pot.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The clips just screw in and you place the pot under the clip, which holds onto the lip around the top. Various sizes of pots can be used (if you remember to leave room for them). It was all so easy, too easy it seems.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shortly after installing the clips, we had a huge rain storm, one our puny townhouse gutters could not contain. The pots were located at the bottom of a large waterfall of rain water, along with 2 flats of new plants that I'd moved there for "protection".</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WmIbQXZcl_NR4DgF5sWwWZuXYMgI58vcILWPWXc1BGd7gGOUwks8zMgV5Zsh4yma1wHC9b6l1eVY3AVKJrJcZo80RhLGnBIwhINukvgVsvIbNcByaIJHOHZGdaMDeRDBRBX1P3B9viRh/s1600/IMG_5386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WmIbQXZcl_NR4DgF5sWwWZuXYMgI58vcILWPWXc1BGd7gGOUwks8zMgV5Zsh4yma1wHC9b6l1eVY3AVKJrJcZo80RhLGnBIwhINukvgVsvIbNcByaIJHOHZGdaMDeRDBRBX1P3B9viRh/s1600/IMG_5386.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then after repotting, it actually happened again. That time I stood inside and took a video of my plants getting pummeled. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Morale of this story is location. We rarely have such heavy rains here (generally it just rains all the time, rather than all at once). But this has happened before, despite gutter repairs it will probably happen again. So, I need to reconsider where those clips will be placed next year. Maybe on the wood post downstairs, hopefully it should be as easy to move the clips as it was to install.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrCTlSbL2G6Zrz1Ec7T4FGFQmTa0scu7gm4O-XiTZHjeW43_NKf9S1WYylhihvrj2hieLsgggnlDbtBZXQTZeqiFfk-s-mmTGI7nMYwoTST_QLAvfu8yBg192Mt9KhOEvlEpJVmnwXsIn/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrCTlSbL2G6Zrz1Ec7T4FGFQmTa0scu7gm4O-XiTZHjeW43_NKf9S1WYylhihvrj2hieLsgggnlDbtBZXQTZeqiFfk-s-mmTGI7nMYwoTST_QLAvfu8yBg192Mt9KhOEvlEpJVmnwXsIn/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All in all they look really good from<br />inside through the window or sitting at the table.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBafA_Dz2K1egWYYufhevw9oLlyVvAjm2ddsF_ZbWouiGcaH05vCw922JEea0qssSBjHU79g2dMhPMFpgfBUWwMgv4saBXoqJz6rDU-zNOQcOoC8GPhQF1VzXOqsQXdC7nOd1QGRJnKKi7/s1600/IMG_5869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBafA_Dz2K1egWYYufhevw9oLlyVvAjm2ddsF_ZbWouiGcaH05vCw922JEea0qssSBjHU79g2dMhPMFpgfBUWwMgv4saBXoqJz6rDU-zNOQcOoC8GPhQF1VzXOqsQXdC7nOd1QGRJnKKi7/s1600/IMG_5869.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've had to repot them a few times, one plant died and I changed my mind about the white lobelia (I love blue). Next time I'll look for something more trailing, but the Million Bells were a good start and I love the Black-eyed Susan vine slowly winding it's way around the trellis.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-Z72GcuKT4hZF_qMLIoK1dbGGyYoa8brtAh4M69ctqjxlAtQRjhyphenhyphenwNmJUWDC0ctUDuFOMCT20CsK6tJsFL_J8hruDN9bTCpgq0u6RinIdXc_9iY650q0V4OK3WpnvDx05fWKFunK47NF/s1600/IMG_5871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-Z72GcuKT4hZF_qMLIoK1dbGGyYoa8brtAh4M69ctqjxlAtQRjhyphenhyphenwNmJUWDC0ctUDuFOMCT20CsK6tJsFL_J8hruDN9bTCpgq0u6RinIdXc_9iY650q0V4OK3WpnvDx05fWKFunK47NF/s1600/IMG_5871.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gratitude is my word for 2014</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I'm thankful for:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">warm, sunny weather - as it usually is this time of year here</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">continuous work, spending money</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my crazy pets </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wedding decorations as an excuse to visit vintage shops</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">long term friendship that is more special with distance</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wedding jitters - means it matters</span></div>
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Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-79420892991426103272014-07-17T16:56:00.000-07:002014-07-17T16:56:01.764-07:00A Glimpse of my Container Garden Space<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKxt6GHEGG6E-ZTb1iaDlo9QaZNU-OL2Zpx9qGHF0Do9xtAh6PqmwYjVNtCOsB20rbKknZZtnbsMDJheJlsL7suwuK5H_vEUosmn-gP_z0SoSUTcZxABIwbpHw94ROjiLe9CVakJcTZJ3/s1600/IMG_5843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKxt6GHEGG6E-ZTb1iaDlo9QaZNU-OL2Zpx9qGHF0Do9xtAh6PqmwYjVNtCOsB20rbKknZZtnbsMDJheJlsL7suwuK5H_vEUosmn-gP_z0SoSUTcZxABIwbpHw94ROjiLe9CVakJcTZJ3/s1600/IMG_5843.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lantana - hummingbirds like this. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw a post on Facebook this morning asking if blogging was dying off. My blogging has waned and it can only be attributed to the change in the way I'm gardening this year. Sure, a lot of personal milestones are flying by, I don't have as much time right now. But a year ago I was much busier with a community garden plot than I am with containers at home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was out there every other day to water and I would always see such great plants and gardens. I took so many pictures there, always seeing something I wanted to try next. I have to admit that I prefer being outdoors (this time of year anyway) but my work and personal focus seem to be heading into a digital realm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So for now, my garden is contained on our upper deck (with only two tomatoes downstairs). </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I realized I take a lot of close up photos and rarely show the entire deck. This isn't easy because it's so narrow, but I did get two shots that show it all. Our deck faces west and gets afternoon sun. Right now it is a wonderful place to be in the morning when it's cool.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3UJm6f1jGai_ZBwLESFLqOchC67IubgTykjILNvb4J6Ra4xnDkwKFVvCrMcb24pUIuKdmQz89dkiOyVv-ZrpZXdhXEre5k-iklTAk4dV7tS7QnqtQ4bFdjCsSsTdUQ4dV9aV1-emQu7B/s1600/IMG_5839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3UJm6f1jGai_ZBwLESFLqOchC67IubgTykjILNvb4J6Ra4xnDkwKFVvCrMcb24pUIuKdmQz89dkiOyVv-ZrpZXdhXEre5k-iklTAk4dV7tS7QnqtQ4bFdjCsSsTdUQ4dV9aV1-emQu7B/s1600/IMG_5839.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking north - the bulk of my containers, all full sun</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the containers sitting on the deck (above) have veggies planted. The railing planters had lettuce and cool weather veggies in the spring. I haven't planted summer veggies there because they are all shallow planters. Might have gone a little crazy with summer annuals...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking south - almost all containers are vertical <br />to keep space for the table and chairs, and for us to get to them</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This end of the deck gets some shade, except now during the peak of summer. I was tempted to plant shade loving veggies along the screen, but now it's mostly sun. This photo shows several things we've done to screen the deck for privacy and <a href="http://all-purpose-flower.blogspot.com/2012/06/moving-umbrella-to-deck-railing.html">use the railing to get the umbrella stand off the deck</a>. That idea led to the tiki lamp and bird feeders being located there as well. I talked about that in previous posts, it's a simple concept that has allowed us to do more in such a small space.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year my crop is smaller than the ones from the community garden plot. The tomatoes are just starting to ripen, for whatever reason I bought 3 "cherry" tomato plants. There is a zuchinni, 3 cucumber, basil, tomatillo, and melon starts that I will plant downstairs where there's some room. The one thing I miss: potatoes. I loved digging those up in the garden plot. I did read about growing them and corn in containers, but decided to start small.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've picked my first squash and cucumber, the tomatoes shown above are next.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My cat helps herself to the cucumber leaves. Truth be told, I bought 3 cucumber plants for her. In the past she ate the leaves like salad, but can no longer handle them. She shows no interest in the cat nip plant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gratitude is my word of the year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I post about it here to keep it present.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I am grateful for:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">work, drafting work that keeps coming my way</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">air conditioning on these hot days on the 3rd floor</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a dog who is easily learning to use her new back yard</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a cat who figured out she likes to snuggle after 5 years of no contact</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a partner who sees what needs to be done and acts</span></div>
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Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-24501101879525789152014-07-07T18:19:00.003-07:002014-07-07T18:19:59.231-07:00Goodbye garden plot - hello containers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite container - a mix of annual flowers and veggies.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This year the only vegetable gardening I'm doing is in containers on the deck. For the last two years I've had a plot at the community garden, and blogged quite a bit about it. (See the tabs at the top of the page). This year I decided to try container gardening only.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I enjoyed the community garden, but the soil in my plot contained flea beetle larvae. I spent more time (and money) spraying bugs than anything else. It felt like a losing battle, so I decided to stick with my original plan to grow veggies in containers here at home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One book that has inspired me to mix flowers and veggies is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Edible-Landscaping-Rosalind-Creasy/dp/1578051541/ref=as_sl_pd_ss_mfw?&linkCode=wey&tag=allpurpflow-20">Edible Landscaping</a> by Rosalind Creasy (you can visit Amazon using the widget on the right - it has links to may favorite books). She popularized the idea of using vegetables as ornamentals rather than only in rows in a vegetable garden. I decided that this year my only goal was to try mixing veggies and flowers in as many containers as possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I learned at the community garden to plant veggies I would eat and only a few of them. Last year we had so many green beans that I'm still a little sick of them. My plan for <a href="http://all-purpose-flower.blogspot.com/2014/03/container-ideas-to-try-this-year.html">bush beans in hanging baskets</a> this year hasn't happened, because I just don't want to eat them - yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I took my list of good container vegetables to the nursery, then chose some that looked interesting. I tried to only select compact plants, the one exception was the Tomatillo. I'd seen them grown in the garden and wanted one because they are so attractive. But, I may have to move it downstairs if it grows much fuller.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cucumber (3 plants for my cat)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cherry tomato & another cucumber</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Magic 8 ball" zucchini</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I bought this Lobelia for a railing planter, thinking it was a </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Tomatillo looks a little awkward in the tomato cage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the Nasturtium and Lobelia mix look nice.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This container is the biggest, and gets the most sun. It's at an in between stage of spring plants - kale and peas - and newly planted veggies - tomato and cucumber. I've also got a perennial, small shrub, and some vines in there. I'll get a picture after the peas come down (I was about to take them down when they decided to produce more peas). The peas loved it here, but the kale did not. Same for the cucumber which should be spilling over the sides but remain puny.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I'm trying to experiment with what plants grow well together and in which container. Planting only container veggies has required that I try different plants. I would not have planted Zucchini, but the compact, round "Magic 8 Ball" seemed like it might work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My word of the year: Gratitude</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you scroll all the way down to the bottom of this page you will come across this quote.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"><i>Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; </i></span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"><i>they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.</i></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial;"><i>Marcel Proust</i></span></span></div>
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Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-68856118395160951502014-06-30T13:59:00.000-07:002014-06-30T13:59:21.639-07:00Transitioning into Summer<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sK9h3J-x1gOx1N71HtjZCvhuObkhDTEsrtSHpsVMLtQlwD8gQbpKBGOUnlhvNIdUsezI9gnFptDHXNoZy7Qcpb31wo6WNOVTF4OXR80Sv7jg1TFk8eEQ517NqLomCXUsCkbIWQA9lR1z/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sK9h3J-x1gOx1N71HtjZCvhuObkhDTEsrtSHpsVMLtQlwD8gQbpKBGOUnlhvNIdUsezI9gnFptDHXNoZy7Qcpb31wo6WNOVTF4OXR80Sv7jg1TFk8eEQ517NqLomCXUsCkbIWQA9lR1z/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lobelia, Nasturtium, Poppies, and yes,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">powdery mildew on my squash</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite appearances (lack of blogging on my part) there's a lot going on over here. For the last few months other things have taken a priority over my gardening and especially my blogging. My gardening is limited to our upper deck, mostly in railing planters. I'm doing container gardening with a mix of veggies and flowers. Spring was successful, using peas, lettuce, and kale. Right now I'm transitioning to summer plants. But, I'll talk about that in a later post</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13MNslsTpa76NgDYgHDlDF729aPc_lAHo9Nan8RLOe-Fv9roGu9bHPmzTq0oc4U7NyZrMi35M1MYu1mL6vFYm6zBPbTvTc3FqXn8gDaj6F8prSZWf3_RD4eaJ6Hu6WbdTJ4iBthxWUAJW/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13MNslsTpa76NgDYgHDlDF729aPc_lAHo9Nan8RLOe-Fv9roGu9bHPmzTq0oc4U7NyZrMi35M1MYu1mL6vFYm6zBPbTvTc3FqXn8gDaj6F8prSZWf3_RD4eaJ6Hu6WbdTJ4iBthxWUAJW/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remnants of my Spring planting</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did not continue with the community garden this year. I'm glad I made that decision too. I'm content with my choice to try veggies in containers. I have 2 pages about my plot at the community garden, just click on the tabs at the top of the page. I really loved it there, but my nemesis the flea beetle is what drove me away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Personally, this year seems to be the year of BIG life events. One after another. My dad's illness was diagnosed in January. It took us by surprise and has been quite stressful, in ways I never anticipated. Earlier this month Chris' youngest graduated from high school and is preparing to leave for college this fall. A week after the graduation we adopted the 'family' dog. She is now living with us full-time and we are busy with walks, feeding, a vet visit, and coping with fireworks (and the world's most difficult cat). Her full-time residence prompted us to make some changes in our tiny back yard. I will post some before and after photos later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are also planning our wedding in November. We've got the venue, the pastor, but I cannot find a dress. Aside from that, I have been looking at flowers, buying vintage glass, going to craft stores, and having a lot of fun visiting our wedding site, <a href="http://www.mcmenamins.com/54-edgefield-home">McMenamins Edgefield</a>. I even created a WordPress web site to keep ideas and photos in one place, and to let any of our friends and family keep up with it if they want to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since Chris' parents were here for the graduation, we decided to take them to brunch at the <a href="http://www.mcmenamins.com/BlackRabbit">Black Rabbit Restaurant</a> at McMenamins. We had brunch, then we showed them where we would be married. We then got to see the gardens and go shopping at the gift shop. I shared photos of Edgefield back in January <a href="http://all-purpose-flower.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-clever-winter-garden.html">here</a> when we were first scoping it out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was taken with the garden in the middle of winter and was excited to see it in summer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back in February we had decided that this was where we wanted to have our wedding. I posted about it again <a href="http://all-purpose-flower.blogspot.com/2014/02/this-is-place.html">here</a>. I showed this wall covered in vines. Right now it is covered in lush green with Boston Ivy and by fall should be a brilliant red.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've lived in the Portland Metro area for a long time and had never been to Edgefield before this year. I actually vetoed it at first, thinking it was too big, too much for our wedding. By the second visit I was hooked. I find it hard to describe other than to say it has something for everyone and a lot of character.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, it's the last day of June and I can see how fast the time can fly. I will post later about the container plantings and the dog's new back yard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My word for 2014: Gratitude</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm grateful for a shift in seeing problems more as "life lessons".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just when we really needed a boost, we have had a lot of new work in the last few months.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we could have opted for less responsibility, we chose to adopt Asha. She brings a lot of happiness and laughter to our house - and others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-21194498826104364852014-06-04T14:11:00.000-07:002014-06-04T14:11:04.828-07:00Pacing Myself<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Last week I sat down and wrote this post, only to stop short at the title. After a half hour of trying to name the post I decided to close it and walk away. I have no idea what the block was about, late in the day, needed coffee, whatever. It bothered me to leave it unfinished. But, since then I went through more photos and put several on <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/valerie_hogan/">my Flickr page</a>.</i></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>One of my recent favorites added to Flickr</i></span></td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have links on the side bar (upper right of this page) to my Flickr, Pinterest, and Facebook pages. They are the colorful circles at the top. Since I've been slow to resume my blogging, if you come to my page and don't see a new post, scroll to the bottom of the page. That's where you'll find my favorite websites and blogs listed. </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As for my original post:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I went to the store and walked through the nursery all the way to the back for a bag of potting soil. I then walked out, past the red geraniums, then on through the door back to do some shopping. It's not like me at all to grab something and run, I did have work at home, so I couldn't dawdle. But, despite my usual urge to buy one of everything, I think I am starting to learn to pace my self. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I needed the potting soil to plant the tomatoes I bought a couple of weeks ago. They are sitting in a flat with some 4" potted flowers that I haven't planted. I think I may need another plant or two just to fill in, but I know better than to start shopping when I still have plants unplanted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I managed to get away with this because of a freak rainstorm that threatened to drown my plants. About a week ago at 4 am we had a downpour louder than any I've heard. I didn't think about my plants until later the next day. Most were fine, but the two flats of new plants I'd moved into a shady spot got hosed down by a gutter 2 stories up. There was more potting soil on the deck than in the containers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbVkW8E-OfS9_qgl45DRjBmQ7CTDwt9pdXl_nTsRG3XpjjacfBsqkYyG22HwYiKOICSMe4SnmwShZgtPAGNP7sFIu1zW8Iv4wInAi4tRy-kR7Zje7J40FcZJVDX-wYfVtsOZrDzPIgZtD/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbVkW8E-OfS9_qgl45DRjBmQ7CTDwt9pdXl_nTsRG3XpjjacfBsqkYyG22HwYiKOICSMe4SnmwShZgtPAGNP7sFIu1zW8Iv4wInAi4tRy-kR7Zje7J40FcZJVDX-wYfVtsOZrDzPIgZtD/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I filled up the containers with potting soil, then had a week of cool, rainy weather, thus I am just now potting these plants.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This habit of leaving plants in their flats isn't new. I love plant shopping, then get them home without any real plan of where they'll go. This year I'm not as organized as I'd wanted to be, but I've tried to use vertical space and leave the floor of the deck clear for walking. My goal for container plants was to have a seasonal mix of veggies and flowers. This time of year is easy, I've got lettuce, kale, and peas growing. My challenge is to rotate out the summer veggies, and follow up with a fall container.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mix of veggies and perennials in a container on my deck</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's only the end of May, but I've had my first major plant failure already. I have loved the Blue Himalayan Poppy since seeing it at <a href="http://www.butchartgardens.com/">Butchart Gardens</a> over 10 years ago. I see photos of it on Pinterest all the time. So I was pretty excited when I found them at a nursery here in town, and I bought one plant (with buds) for $10. That's a lot for me to spend on one plant, but I love these flowers. I set it on the back deck, made sure it got a sunny spot and stayed watered. Within 6 days it was obvious that it was dying. All the leaves turned black on the edges. I was disgusted. I actually wanted to return it, but decided to suck it up and call it a loss. Less than a week after I bought it - dead. I had to assume the plants were diseased, but didn't call the nursery about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I'll stick with plants like those nasturtiums shown above. They got blasted with rain water, roots left exposed, and they still look great. Tough, simple flowers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Since writing this post I've been trying to get all the nursery plants potted. I'm using a water retentive potting soil this year. It costs (a lot) more than regular soil, but I'm hoping by August I will not have to water my containers twice a day just to keep them alive.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I've also rearranged the container I showed above. The grass (Carex) was taking up too much space, when I tried to remove it I needed a pitchfork to get it out, the roots went to the bottom. I replaced it with a tomato and another cucumber - for Kabrina.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Oh, I decided to keep the title I'd discarded, since it really was about pacing myself.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gratitude is my word of the year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I'm grateful for:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Working at home, having flexibility with a schedule</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eating lunch on the deck in the sun with the dog</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The baby birds I heard in the bird house</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having a (5') back yard that looks awesome with no work</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and special birthdays <i>(5/30)</i>.</span></div>
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Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-47274674277390464082014-05-26T18:40:00.000-07:002014-05-26T18:40:18.109-07:00A Month of Possiblities<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6-E_KUvJpceN_OqY_IfRX-WKqz6lMZyDzHcfVK8uI_vq8vJNBZ-yPC5GWbh-UHMJ000mdHRdO47zBoCUoTz-dd8o8DGnLPDwqgrSIp9GREpqYTb2MpMHFR5KEklutgQQL7CLrvANbv9C/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6-E_KUvJpceN_OqY_IfRX-WKqz6lMZyDzHcfVK8uI_vq8vJNBZ-yPC5GWbh-UHMJ000mdHRdO47zBoCUoTz-dd8o8DGnLPDwqgrSIp9GREpqYTb2MpMHFR5KEklutgQQL7CLrvANbv9C/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; text-align: start;">The world’s favorite season is the spring.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; text-align: start;">All things seem possible in May.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; text-align: start;">Edwin Way Teale</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Funny how in a matter of months everything that I was used to blogging about, taking photos of, and liking on Facebook got rearranged. My dad had a health scare in April that put the brakes on my blogging. He's home now and doing ok, but my habit of blogging got put on hold, almost indefinitely. I'm still reconsidering how I want to blog, considering possibilities. In addition, I'm working more, I've got more drafting work and thus not as much free time as before. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Somehow the way I upload photos to my computer has changed. I used to upload them directly from my phone, but each computer in our house lost the ability to do this. I now have to e-mail photos to myself or figure out how this new photo stream can work to my advantage. I don't know a convenient way to save or sort photos now. Suggestions welcome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a month of few photos and fewer blog posts, I found May to be a month to go to nurseries and gardens (and Monticello) and not feel compelled to photograph every thing, at least not in the way I had been. One Saturday early in the month, I got to go to a nursery open house with two of my favorite plant people. Hana and Chris are both Landscape Architects and were there to get visuals of the plants offered by <a href="http://www.allseasonplants.com/">All Season Plants</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBggFWgyxXv0vehVBdrreURF6X8-CpLRHr2kVxHNXGkXYVeSskwPtm_anXQjtXTqFkHQ0pQBNVfhyphenhyphen60Rb5MZXTuDvTEdw4dA1AfpVgiTZYwR3qHWvCUVT62lGwciMHH70wzZCCr4LzqMc/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBggFWgyxXv0vehVBdrreURF6X8-CpLRHr2kVxHNXGkXYVeSskwPtm_anXQjtXTqFkHQ0pQBNVfhyphenhyphen60Rb5MZXTuDvTEdw4dA1AfpVgiTZYwR3qHWvCUVT62lGwciMHH70wzZCCr4LzqMc/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hana took about 140 photos </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdq0v1WLAUANEgepH0pqv_-jL6vX0cifJkTXcFeLQuFUm3BegHaThVsSGive7_V8rqsjjXv9qeniAimOXnWXkYrm3FfqDxbib1MUuh_Ek6xKxbjxmMCKI7mheB23FKDslffxsxI9O-mPX/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdq0v1WLAUANEgepH0pqv_-jL6vX0cifJkTXcFeLQuFUm3BegHaThVsSGive7_V8rqsjjXv9qeniAimOXnWXkYrm3FfqDxbib1MUuh_Ek6xKxbjxmMCKI7mheB23FKDslffxsxI9O-mPX/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we finally found the name for a tree we really like </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EP7Z5m5aTYMIbwoZ80-o9gYpwKA7O09KUWyLJljgas34Hmcy3Pnnift4bRMuyTFtKPYkIPad8r8CBXkr6-v00tRsxFkWacjHsZHv4Qto5zLI_hyDYXEMTHFMz8SlyD1ERIB-R3RMV207/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EP7Z5m5aTYMIbwoZ80-o9gYpwKA7O09KUWyLJljgas34Hmcy3Pnnift4bRMuyTFtKPYkIPad8r8CBXkr6-v00tRsxFkWacjHsZHv4Qto5zLI_hyDYXEMTHFMz8SlyD1ERIB-R3RMV207/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'shopping' in a nursery with a camera was fun</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcNja9D91DRBYSpZqL3OUhuDq6z9YXs3_aNyHE-nrdEx2Uq6yuZPDjzkjCJu1jtQbN2ThpEqXAqXpWibV2Dk0oAGxZehQZhFDsspOF6hH-cAFCSl7khDm1CyeEic5y-QCE94Jw-acxpj5/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcNja9D91DRBYSpZqL3OUhuDq6z9YXs3_aNyHE-nrdEx2Uq6yuZPDjzkjCJu1jtQbN2ThpEqXAqXpWibV2Dk0oAGxZehQZhFDsspOF6hH-cAFCSl7khDm1CyeEic5y-QCE94Jw-acxpj5/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">these brought back memories of my niece picking all the blooms <br />from the moss plants while I pulled the wagon through a nursery.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I started the month with the trip to All Season Plants, yesterday I finally made it to the Home and Garden show at <a href="http://monticelloantiques.blogspot.com/">Monticello Antique Marketplace</a>. I love that place and mention it because this show ends on June 15. It's fun to see the displays and find unique items (like the stubby tree branch pencils we got for the wedding). They have a full cafe too, Monti's makes a great place to get coffee or lunch while shopping.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gratitude, my word of the year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I still struggle with choosing this word, which sounds lame, but that's me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I am grateful for:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the people who showed an interest in my blog, friends, family, and strangers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Work: drafting, landscape, and plant related work that is coming my way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starbucks now serving coconut milk = chai lattes (any latte) now an option</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the 'bling' of my newly cleaned ring</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and for my fiance, he's "a keeper "</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(and for the people who actually tell me this.)</span></div>
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Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-49848515772314024252014-05-04T17:40:00.000-07:002014-05-04T17:40:05.656-07:00Fate of My Blog and Other Musings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCT70hyphenhyphendeKOWNpGeQyEvXYCylg3_Q3Ep8ElroanzWLfzSl0ckJUdVqgFkKgkrHXs96Uxj5t46NuLX0zwjbbh3K0FOK1GiNJuT4K_6sPovHdUetCfxNhqPiDgaWW8rWAiNCU1zmQm6dUCD/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCT70hyphenhyphendeKOWNpGeQyEvXYCylg3_Q3Ep8ElroanzWLfzSl0ckJUdVqgFkKgkrHXs96Uxj5t46NuLX0zwjbbh3K0FOK1GiNJuT4K_6sPovHdUetCfxNhqPiDgaWW8rWAiNCU1zmQm6dUCD/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Container plantings, and my supervisor, out on the deck.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm happy to say that this week I finally got some containers planted while it was sunny and at one point in almost summer-like weather. I've been absent from this blog and have not been spending much time outside, planting, shopping at nurseries or even weeding. It's pretty ironic that over a month ago I was counting down to the first day of spring and then got caught up in a frantic month of hospitals, family, and new work projects.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April just disappeared and I missed blogging, but had to question why I do it and for whom. Other bloggers I follow are either apologizing for not writing as often or just stating that they will not be in the future. I commented to one blogger that she should suit herself. I've decided to take my own advice here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been writing this blog for over 2 years as a gardening journal. While I've gathered a few readers here and there I've never accumulated a real 'following'. A following is necessary in order to produce a website, write articles, offer DIY tips and eventually earn an income from it. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One person I've seen do this successfully over the last 2 years is Amy at </span><a href="http://getbusygardening.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Get Busy Gardening</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I first started to blog it was for the fun of it, sort of like a craft project. But, my blog is a stand alone - not connected to a website or product. I follow other bloggers either for their personality (<a href="http://www.kissmyaster.co/">Kiss My Aster</a>)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> or the creative content they provide (<a href="http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/">Funky Junk Interiors</a>). I follow blogs in the same way I read a favorite magazine, I like the content and the way it's presented.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSNcz3NnHR3YFACqOYa_hq3jT-hIglpIT9B-zTz3oZXscpI3fM3W1J8rBOtuYKu1XCpXsj2eRu_co4Du11BC_yS1fHPVdHbu0xgPGecpz_JrE9LDtxzb4e2-yCIJ3sNGxRdXFESXaWO_3/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSNcz3NnHR3YFACqOYa_hq3jT-hIglpIT9B-zTz3oZXscpI3fM3W1J8rBOtuYKu1XCpXsj2eRu_co4Du11BC_yS1fHPVdHbu0xgPGecpz_JrE9LDtxzb4e2-yCIJ3sNGxRdXFESXaWO_3/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All that said, I think my days of garden journaling may be coming to an end. That or the way I use my blog may change. We are now looking at moving from this townhouse to a house with a yard - for me and the dog. Having a yard to work in again could provide a blog-worthy challenge.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe a format change is in order. Last fall I took some online courses learning how to use Wordpress. During those classes it became obvious to me the advantages of having a Wordpress blog and web site. I'm still toying with the idea of converting All-Purpose Flower to Wordpress. It would be fun to set up and would allow for a little diversification, more than blogging.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The one thing that has not happened on this blog: writing about bigger topics that interest me. Topics like rain gardens, universal design, drought tolerant plants. I've been completely flummoxed as to how to write articles and use photos or images without getting bogged down by copyright infringement. I like photos, and I don't want a page of text with nothing but links to other images or topics. Those are the pages I skip over.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So for now, occasional garden journaling and a decision as to which direction to move in.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpC_TDQpB1wFCWEIfDhCaqm75YlbaN0IA1g_OvMzI9SQuVaAieHmd1ZvvaeaXDyJyybRaF7JTVrHhWpIfobNKNgcTnzYu67H3UyMNsEKCfAjfxJDYRXqfp0iCvVXoabSCFQwxXfbfKUTj/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpC_TDQpB1wFCWEIfDhCaqm75YlbaN0IA1g_OvMzI9SQuVaAieHmd1ZvvaeaXDyJyybRaF7JTVrHhWpIfobNKNgcTnzYu67H3UyMNsEKCfAjfxJDYRXqfp0iCvVXoabSCFQwxXfbfKUTj/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Someone took a bite of this just after I took the photo.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gratitude, my word for the year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back in January I had no idea how hard this word would be for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not grateful on a daily basis, using this blog was the only way for me to stick with it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The month of April was hard for me and my family. One thing I'm grateful for is that we continually encounter decent, caring, intelligent people who care for my dad, and my mom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-70500025941583367542014-04-15T16:53:00.000-07:002014-04-15T16:53:26.916-07:00Landscape at OHSU<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFsVL07MskueCVC0TlXCRCjF3_QD_Gexm7SARpTIhixkfzACI6T4xdjmQxTcjJlFs2IKEkP8CvgP23cAh3lzWLKAmI9TLa7KlhSfkYYVZGK8G4zpNe2Cws5jYYSNLockvjjECao-boOkK/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFsVL07MskueCVC0TlXCRCjF3_QD_Gexm7SARpTIhixkfzACI6T4xdjmQxTcjJlFs2IKEkP8CvgP23cAh3lzWLKAmI9TLa7KlhSfkYYVZGK8G4zpNe2Cws5jYYSNLockvjjECao-boOkK/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reflecting pool at OHSU</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Almost 2 weeks since my last post. I know that's not a great way to start, but even I can't believe it. We are having gorgeous sunny weather and I still have not planted my containers. Look at my post on March 20th, and that is what my deck looks like now. Except my kale is bolting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My dad's illness has changed my schedule as well as my mom's and my two sisters. Since he went into the rehab facility we've tried to split 'shifts' so that one of us is around and we can schedule things in our own lives. Dad came home last Sunday and despite having 2 weeks to plan for it we were not all that ready. We are still scrambling with food, furniture and our own sloppy emotions. Don't get me wrong, we are accomplishing quite a bit, just not in a streamlined fashion. I don't think my dad expected anything else.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My dad was admitted to OHSU (Oregon Health Sciences University) in late March. I've lived in or near Portland, Oregon since the late 80's and had never been there. I counted that as a blessing because OHSU is home to some big deal hospitals for people who are really sick. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The one I'm most familiar with is the Doernbecher Children's Hospital, considered one of the best children's hospitals in the US.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My dad couldn't be placed in any of the 3 Kaiser hospitals, so he got a room at OHSU in the bone marrow transplant ward. After walking a series of maze-like hallways, taking different elevators we then had to phone the nurses to get in, then wash hands, then wear a mask into his room. It felt dramatic and scary, and I truly feel for the patients there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The thing that struck me as odd at OHSU is the lack of landscape or plant material. The campus receives a lot of money, some halls of the Kohler Pavillion were like a museum to different forms of artwork. But, there is no landscaping at the entrance, no open space, and relatively little green space. Dad's building had a 2 story patio with steel chairs and artwork of wildlife.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we went out onto the 9th floor patio, it seemed that the emphasis was more on the scenic views of Portland. This was the only plant space I could find so I was happy to settle for it.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chris looking at the before (1851) and after photos of the city.</span></td></tr>
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<br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The campus seemed like a small city unto itself, the people were very nice and the staff were exceptional. I can say that Chris got me to ride the tram - twice (it rocks, literally). After 5 days it felt like an accomplishment to finally figure out my way around there. And, on the day dad was discharged my sister and I finally found the Starbucks (Doernbecher lobby).</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My word for the year is Gratitude...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The reason I picked this word is because sometimes it's hard for me to feel grateful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I put it here at the end of my blog so that I would be consistently thinking about gratitude.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being at OHSU and the convalescent center where dad went next, gratitude slaps you in the face. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I'm grateful for:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my health and (relative) youth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coming home to my cat and sleeping in my bed each night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a social worker's comment on how our family cares and that is not always the case.</span></div>
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Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-68684905813016845432014-04-03T22:26:00.004-07:002014-04-03T22:26:37.209-07:00Gardening as a Gift<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't posted on this blog since March 20th. I'm not sure when I will sit down and do a regular post, but I wanted to check in and let you know why I've been gone, and why I may not post too often.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In January my dad was diagnosed with Leukemia. He is my #1 reader, so I've never mentioned it here, because it's personal. Last week he was admitted to a hospital in Portland, where he stayed for 5 days. Tuesday he was moved to a rehab facility here in Vancouver, WA.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All I can say is that if you've been in this situation, you understand.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you haven't it's hard to comprehend the emotional, exhausting, and very frustrating roller coaster ride he and my family are on. Any family would struggle with illness, insurance benefits, advocating for a loved one, and let me be frank, dealing with family members you don't even like. But, we are a step-family and that just adds another dimension to it all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday I thought I'd try to write a post, opened Blogger and discovered a message from someone on 3/21 (2 weeks ago). She was contacting people who follow Granny's Family Garden blog. Recently "Granny" announced that she had cancer, and wasn't sure she'd continue with her blog or garden. Several people rallied together and came up with <a href="http://twomenandalittlefarm.blogspot.com/2014/03/gardening-for-granny-inspiration.html">"Gardening for Granny"</a>. People who follow her blog wanted to give her something back and came up with the idea to share inspiring gardens with her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I invite you to read the post and join if you like. Just click on the link above or the image in my sidebar. Please share the button on your own page. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you'd like to follow "Granny's" blog you can find it here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://annieskitchengarden.blogspot.com/">http://annieskitchengarden.blogspot.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-16924376752689915552014-03-20T21:19:00.000-07:002014-03-20T21:19:07.499-07:00Spring Cleaning<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's the first day of Spring, and it was cold. Frost overnight, but sunny. Yesterday I went to the store and forgot my list. I remembered everything from the nursery and about half from the grocery store.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went to the nursery prepared to fight off any urges for splashy flowers and stick to my list. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got two coco husk liners for my largest hanging baskets, a bag of moisture retention potting soil, and a few veggies. They were even on sale. Lettuce, kale, radish (already growing), peas, and a poppy. The poppy wasn't on my list and I don't have a designated spot for it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I placed one set of veggies on the upper deck, forgot the other in the garage. When I got up this morning I could see frost on the ground. Luckily the veggies are close to the house, but probably more exposed than at the nursery. We shall see what happens, still have another month before last frost.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I carried the bags of potting soil upstairs. They are small bags so I intend to mix them together and add some compost. Last year I used coco liners that had a plastic sheet for water retention. I realized later that they could serve as a troughs in the rain. This year I bought plain ole coconut liners and I'll try a different soil and see how they do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I finally placed the new railing basket liners and really wanted to plant them. These two planters will have the shallow plants like lettuce and kale. The two deeper planters (above) will be used for larger plants in late spring.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the railings are dirty with black and green mold splotches. Despite wanting to plant I know I need to clean the deck first (great way to kill my initial excitement).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow when I visit my parents I plan to get my sprayer and use it with a bleach and water mix. I've lived here for over three years and have tried several products to clean the railing. Every single year. If you see this type of fencing at a potential rental or new house, you can count on cleaning it every single year here in the northwest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gratitude is my word of the year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I'm grateful for:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sun (even when it's cold out)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my job, even though it can be ridiculous at times</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">siblings who are more capable than I'd thought</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">old family photos, funny and thought provoking.</span></div>
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Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-70891822877908657662014-03-18T15:04:00.000-07:002014-03-18T15:04:02.615-07:00The Count Down is Ending<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I write this, there are 1 1/2 days until Spring. If you are reading this tomorrow morning there is just <i>1 more day until Spring</i>. We made it. I won't be overly dramatic since I know that Winter was harsh to much of the country, while we reveled in a week of "real snow" here in the Northwest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last weekend was the opening of our <a href="http://www.vancouverfarmersmarket.com/">Farmer's Market</a> here in Vancouver, WA. I didn't go, but Chris did and he brought back a gorgeous bouquet. Lots of pretty daffodils, since mine are done blooming this is perfect timing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another burst of Spring was found at my favorite (non-Starbucks) coffee house. I really like the simplicity of this container and the lime green with the purples is attractive. The shrub seems to have survived the harsh winter with only a few scars.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took the pictures to show my mom. She loves purple and I think these pansies might spark a shopping trip to the nursery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, no pictures from my deck. Today I finally cleaned out the railing planters. Tossed the evergreen boughs and saved a bucket of pine cones for container filler. Dead-headed some Primrose and checked out my dead herbs. That was the extent of 'yard work' today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm holding myself back a bit. In the past I've gone a little crazy shopping at nursery's. Right now I can plant lettuce and a few flowers in the railing planter. I've had Sweet Peas on a list for a week or so. But, for now, that's it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still planning for veggies. Need to find my planting calendar and plug in a few dates in my calendar. I still consider myself a novice gardener and don't know intuitively when to plant what. Just glanced at the vegetable calendar from <a href="http://www.portlandnursery.com/">Portland Nursery</a>, and kale and lettuce are the only ones on the list that I'd plant in March. My kale from last fall is finally taking off and lettuce is on my list. I'm right on track.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gratitude is my word of the year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I am grateful for:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sun streaming in my open window</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a man who buys me surprise bouquets, even though I'm difficult</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">more jobs, planting plans, drafting work, stuff I'm good at</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">family friends who understand</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">our new wheels</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the possibility of a new addition to our family (furry with paws)</span></div>
<br />Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-83522107404272060622014-03-12T22:16:00.000-07:002014-03-12T22:16:33.118-07:00Container Ideas to Try This Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lZwJdGBFz0guEEfWniIvDZs0i-e9MK1QnyPCfyozTSeppdI8l7h_5pgd1h0WELgD1e_AFcrVZx5mpihLzyQA4DvCjnnALGCPC2fsUqY9rt_KxpRGFp4NCX-RK7Th3TyHC2YRm4Pa4kVz/s1600/flower+basket+0704111+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lZwJdGBFz0guEEfWniIvDZs0i-e9MK1QnyPCfyozTSeppdI8l7h_5pgd1h0WELgD1e_AFcrVZx5mpihLzyQA4DvCjnnALGCPC2fsUqY9rt_KxpRGFp4NCX-RK7Th3TyHC2YRm4Pa4kVz/s1600/flower+basket+0704111+copy.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am writing this late at night (after 9pm) which is never a good thing because my mind tends to wander. Today, like many days, I intended to write a post, but got sidetracked. I had some work to finish in my office and remember wondering 'why was I not outside in the warm, sunny weather?' Chris and I had planned to go for a walk down on the Columbia River. Then we had to stop at the store, then we ate dinner, watched some tv and poof - day over.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had decided that today's post would be a list of the container ideas I want to try from, <i>Small is Bountiful</i>, by Liz Dobbs. Once here on the blog I can recycle the list sitting on my desk. This is a great way for me to get going on planting projects because Spring is a week away and at some point I will realize that I need to act on the plans I posted to the universe.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bush beans with a filler plant</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">strawberries</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mini tomato with basil</span></li>
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Trellis:</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scarlet runner beans</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mini sunflowers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">zucchini</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Large Pots:</b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">potatoes (maybe <a href="http://www.gardeners.com/growing-potatoes-in-containers/8587958,default,pd.html?start=2&q=potato%20grow%20bag">a bag from Gardener's Supply</a>?)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">corn with nasturtium</span></li>
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Container ideas</b> (find liners/ tupperware):</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">metal pail</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wood produce box</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Potholders, attach to screen upper deck, herbs?</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most of these ideas came with pretty pictures which I can't post here. If you want to order this book find it in my Amazon favorites in the right sidebar. As I said, this was a Christmas gift and the photos gave me a number of ideas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My word for the year is Gratitude.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I am grateful for:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.hopeforpaws.org/">Hope for Paws</a> (animal rescue) more like hope for humanity, I follow them on Facebook</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wimp.com, I found them on Facebook too</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sun, even if I'm not out in it</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">some other things that I can't say because family and friends read my blog on occasion</span></div>
Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-79516527811627857032014-03-07T22:48:00.000-08:002014-03-07T22:48:11.199-08:00Daffodils, Any Size Will Do<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spring is coming and we are all pretty excited about it. All the people to the east who've suffered through one major snow storm after another deserve an end to winter. We had more snow than usual here in the pacific nw. But we also had long stretches of mild weather, which I'm sure we will make up for in rain well into summer.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-rl7xV1MRWrgBtxpn3OyCEDeSeWy-oK4koE8Li-LqVly2TBo1GX-JWhYt7tTi2rsla4p3H4XxahOiH16jta5s_qitcjE2Fht1dfJyuNkVopZFJZ_xug4aLIeW2u_2ilWhkQuNFt3PMJd/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-rl7xV1MRWrgBtxpn3OyCEDeSeWy-oK4koE8Li-LqVly2TBo1GX-JWhYt7tTi2rsla4p3H4XxahOiH16jta5s_qitcjE2Fht1dfJyuNkVopZFJZ_xug4aLIeW2u_2ilWhkQuNFt3PMJd/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know spring is coming because I finally looked over the edge of the deck railing and spotted daffodils. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tiny daffodils that I don't remember planting right there. But, they are so evenly spaced only I could have planted them. All these years drafting landscape plans and I still don't mass or group plants for maximum effect.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGgMeCCeTfC0LDZ3CknWcZtXlKGNQols8yg8P3Woaw3DDlba88eJnPZqReaiIbCxaoCWDiQh-ypHO0qEcEMcb2V6OkdjN54-Of8G2HSjMPq9KytmlXAjelPaSFcLVfs0s9eESSaHjroAb/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGgMeCCeTfC0LDZ3CknWcZtXlKGNQols8yg8P3Woaw3DDlba88eJnPZqReaiIbCxaoCWDiQh-ypHO0qEcEMcb2V6OkdjN54-Of8G2HSjMPq9KytmlXAjelPaSFcLVfs0s9eESSaHjroAb/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's fun to find them growing in the yard. It's also nice to have a chance to appreciate only that flower before the rest arrive.</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My word for the year is Gratitude</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I am grateful for:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sun (always)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">someone who can throw apples to the horse next door</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Little Bird Told Me (in my inbox) from Brave Girls Club </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my cat feeling playful</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a walk in the park with Asha</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">seeing our wedding invitation in print </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a chorus of frogs out back</span></div>
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Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-86745500640479249452014-03-05T18:11:00.000-08:002014-03-05T18:11:28.068-08:00Welcome Hummers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MMdQPdrGDxf7AyJaTz5fFJ99MLfMdZIOWoIDoFSfilkEyuD3SsDpsFxJ4dFydATNPxyP0uYXiE4QNocxPenGTXgPLAF7kAErd6PxzxtFJiVfncEt1keZYp_YvxzSic_0ORv47f7D-8YE/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MMdQPdrGDxf7AyJaTz5fFJ99MLfMdZIOWoIDoFSfilkEyuD3SsDpsFxJ4dFydATNPxyP0uYXiE4QNocxPenGTXgPLAF7kAErd6PxzxtFJiVfncEt1keZYp_YvxzSic_0ORv47f7D-8YE/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Introducing my new 'vintage' humming bird feeder. This was a gift from my cat for Valentine's Day. She's met a couple hummers, even had them hover above her out on the deck. I saw these feeders on Funky Junk Interior's blog, and did not point them out to anyone. Cat must be psychic...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chris used pvc pipe and a railing post to install a hook for the feeder on our upper deck. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is hanging next to the planter that attracts humming birds to our deck. It is also visible from inside the house. Haven't seen any birds yet, could be the constant rain has something to do with that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, an outdoor activity. As we get closer to spring there is more to do, just planning and prepping. Last night I purchased two new coconut liners for the deck railing. Also bought a bag of potting soil to go with the enormous bag of compost still in the garage from last fall. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will admit that I don't have <i>a plan</i> yet for growing this year. The railing planters still have fir branches and pine cones from the holidays. I told myself they'd be gone by March, and I'm on track to replace them with some cool weather plants like lettuce, kale and some flowers, maybe pansies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've got a lot of container ideas I want to try, but have not planned what goes where yet, but I've got time. Last frost prediction for my area is April 15th. I do know that I'm going to use all the planters I've got upstairs on the deck (sun). I also have at least 4 hanging planters that can go on the downstairs deck. One planter there will have the bush beans I mentioned <a href="http://all-purpose-flower.blogspot.com/2014/02/trying-to-contain-my-excitement.html">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My goal this year is to plan succession plantings. Last year I did not think this out and my planters looked pretty sad by the end of each season. I was also growing veggies at the community garden, so I made that my priority. This year the containers are the focus. I'd like to have a nice mix of flowers and veggies in each container from spring through fall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My word for the year is Gratitude</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I'm grateful for:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my 'new' desk top speakers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">listening to my favorite music on Pandora</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> another new job at work</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wearing my water proof coat in today's downpour(s)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">making our down payment on our wedding venue</span></div>
Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-50780504193136334482014-02-27T22:02:00.003-08:002014-02-27T22:02:56.157-08:00Grateful for Simple Blooms in Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17mvq_9PqyMyzUTSZTGWzM3HklJ-gD9JFYETEqjDRcxL8ZM2wCkVzkSQ3tUQX7vS7pWMR69deNGcgQrurvE0Rc1XjgzYbQ8TGe7Nq7Ibd_LkOluHrOUluafC3QK14MCFdnYB2uU18sI20/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17mvq_9PqyMyzUTSZTGWzM3HklJ-gD9JFYETEqjDRcxL8ZM2wCkVzkSQ3tUQX7vS7pWMR69deNGcgQrurvE0Rc1XjgzYbQ8TGe7Nq7Ibd_LkOluHrOUluafC3QK14MCFdnYB2uU18sI20/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My recent posts have been a little wordy. So I'm going to end the week with this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am grateful for these simple blooms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last fall it was just a random idea to pot some bulbs. I even forgot about them at one point this winter. Then </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I realized they'd be blooming soon so I moved them upstairs where I could see them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now they've started blooming (all white). They shine brightly in the sun, but it's day's like today, overcast and rainy, that I'm really grateful for the few minutes I took last fall to pot these bulbs.</span></div>
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<br />Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-11415480733995934572014-02-26T16:53:00.002-08:002014-02-26T16:53:58.018-08:00Trying to Contain My Excitement<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTwYOcvo4Y1q9kg-UxdlNXIqL2ghEef3mxQoZlc9OxuIneuLZWQIie8g8Ulen-JbznJkclKM7K0we19Odr90VlO3wEE63AKMKPNfHjRtFSYv45wPQ9yc7IEzMdUszXbcYRUFq7iuGozjS/s1600/IMG_0610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTwYOcvo4Y1q9kg-UxdlNXIqL2ghEef3mxQoZlc9OxuIneuLZWQIie8g8Ulen-JbznJkclKM7K0we19Odr90VlO3wEE63AKMKPNfHjRtFSYv45wPQ9yc7IEzMdUszXbcYRUFq7iuGozjS/s1600/IMG_0610.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lettuce and strawberry in hanging baskets about 2 years ago. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today started off sunny and bright and I considered going out on the deck just to be in it. It looked and felt like spring. I am now paying attention to the 'count down to Spring' I keep seeing on Facebook. It's less than a month now and we all know it will go by fast. I have to check the last frost date here in the Portland OR area, I think it is late April. So I've still got some time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will admit that I haven't put a lot of thought into gardening this winter. Some of that has to do with deciding not to return to the community garden. Although when I started this blog all my attention was set on container gardening at home. I've now come full circle and am going to plan vegetable and flower containers on the upper deck and several hanging baskets downstairs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mentioned a book that pulled me out of my doldrums. It was a gift at Christmas, called <i>Small is Bountiful,</i> by Liz Dobbs with Ann Halpin. It's published by Reader's Digest and is full of big color photos and lots of creative ideas for container gardening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've gone through the book a few times now and marked ideas I liked. I made a list of some I definitly want to try. The thing about gardening with no yard (or a tiny postage stamp like we have) is that you can't think about planting conventionally. Using a variety of containers and going vertical offer the chance to use space most of us don't consider.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To me the most creative idea in this book was to plant bush beans in hanging baskets. Not only the beans, but mixing in a smaller vegetable like lettuce. I tried growing bush beans here in a container and in the ground both years at the community garden. They grew just fine, but the pole beans were easier to pick. Growing the bush beans in hanging planters will have them at eye level. The book features a yellow variety which makes it ornamental.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The photos in the book also have me thinking about trying different containers. Two years ago I was considering buying water-retaining planters. Right now that's not an option due to my budget. Looking through this book had me considering other containers, like the metal pail sitting empty and the produce box I've had for years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are couple of other ideas I've jotted down, I'm starting to feel excited again about planning what grows where. I'll share a couple more veggie ideas later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My word for the year is Gratitude</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I am grateful for:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My new "vintage" hummingbird feeder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Malini Parker on Facebook - inspiring</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Discovering a gift shop downtown full of everything I love</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lots of time for wedding plans</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sun streaming into my office</span></div>
Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845605665663433243.post-30808989081794764132014-02-21T19:18:00.002-08:002014-02-21T22:23:15.285-08:00DIY vs. Hiring a Professional<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you've read my bio on my web page you know that I've worked in an office with landscape professionals for 13 years now. I've worked with an Arborist and Landscape Architects. We often work with other professionals - engineers, archaeologists, etc. Now, I'm not selling anything here, but I do want to make a point. Professionals are not cheap. When you hire one, the price usually includes degrees, training, and in most cases years of experience. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This train of thought started the other day when I saw a 'How-to' video on Facebook. It was created by a Landscape Architect who also teaches. The video was on drawing shrubs. I watched it because I'm not very good at sketching or rendering. After watching the video I am still not good at it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I've had the opportunity to work with professionals who can sketch and can draw 3-d graphic renderings by hand or computer. One in particular has outstanding artistic talent, all of them have a skill based on training.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a big push to "Do-It-Yourself" and there are websites and Youtube videos showing you how. But, I think it's wrong to imply that after watching a few videos that someone will walk away with years worth of training.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In our line of work many people confuse <i>landscaper</i> with <i>landscape architect</i>. I've been a landscaper, so I'm not putting anyone down. But the ability to mow a lawn and the ability to do grading for a commercial design are worlds apart. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I came away from the 'how-to' video thinking she was over-simplifying her own training and talent. Maybe she was hoping that someone like me would try drawing it myself, then consider hiring her. Probably not, I'm sure she just had a great idea to showcase her talent. But, I think people should understand that the reason professionals cost more is because they have more to offer. And there are some things you just can't 'do yourself.'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exhibit A:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My garden plan from 2 years ago, working with professionals has not improved my drawing abilities. But, it has improved my plant knowledge.</span><br />
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Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329967970434463990noreply@blogger.com0