Monday, March 31, 2014

Let's sit on the patio for awhile.....

My patio is beginning to shape up quite nicely.  I planted spearmint, mint, rosemary and they are doing quite well, even with the wind that has been whipping them around.  I lost my dill plant.  The sun was just to hot for it. 
 
Rosemary  





Spearmint and Mint



To finish out my eatable plants, I planted a cherry tomato that already has three small green tomato's on it.  Can you see them near the bottom of the plant?
 
 

With all the cactus, succulents, spices and ferns, I now needed some color.  So a friend and I headed over to the nursery and I picked up several annual's to give the patio some color.  A few red and white geraniums, lantana and verbena has given me just enough color to offset the green. 


 


 My last addition was three air plants that I got at the Desert Botanical Gardens last week.  I'm going to try them outside and see how they do.  Wish me luck.


Now, that the weather is nice and we can relax on the patio, I think it's time I invited some guests over for a glass of wine. 



Here's a few gardening tips:

After you boil eggs, let the water cool and then pour on your plants.  The water contains a lot of calcium and your plants will love it.

A clean bird bath.  Use one capful  of apple cider vinegar in your bird bath to keep it clean and reduce algae growth.  It also provides vitamins and minerals for the birds.

To feed your plants.  Put used tea bags in the bottom of the planter. (I just break open the tea bag and mix the tea leaves in with the soil once or twice a month.)

Use old or cheap sponges in the bottom of your planter to hold water/drainage, instead of heavy rocks or broken terra-cotta.  

HAPPY PLANTING!

  






Thursday, March 20, 2014

Cats...Books...Kids

Two nights ago, while fixing dinner, I was watching the ABC Nightly World News with Diane Sawyer.  One of the topics got my attention.

It was called Purr-Fect Reading Companions.  The Animal Rescue League of Berks County, Pennsylvania has a program called "Book Buddies". 



The program pairs children that are having a problem reading with cats that are awaiting adoption.  Once or twice a week several children go to the animal rescue and read to the cats.  The program provides a place for the children to relax in an atmosphere where they are not judged on their reading skills.  The cats don't care how well they do; they just like the contact with the children.  And the program helps to soothe and socialize the cats.  Sometimes getting the cats to pay attention is a problem, but the kids don't seem to mind.

It was noted that the students reading skills and the desire to read has greatly improved since starting the program.

The small boy pictured is Colby.  He recently received an award for "most improved student" in his second grade class.

Stories like this always makes me feel good.  Sometimes we forget how children struggle with everyday lessons. It's nice to know that there are people listening and providing programs to help them.   
 


 

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Clearance Sale

Stitches and Scraps Clearance Sale!



Cotton washcloths-sets of two-$5.00
6 white sets
1 blue set
1 green set
1 tumbleweed set
1 white & blue/green set
 
 
 
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Assorted journals and art journals - $9.50
 














Assorted small note pads - $3.00


 

All shipping is included in the price


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Call 480-663-3015

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Text 913-220-4773