Heaven with Cocktails Anybody?

    Now that the Holidays are quite over, the time of getting back to a normal pace, and concepts for Tangent, as well as routines starts.  It is still in the low 30's in the a.m., highs of low 50's and high 60's, in the afternoons. I really can't plant much anyway, because I need to get out there and clean up my mess

     I think I have come up with the theme of the courtyard we are trying to create..  Now I have been toying with thoughts from one end of the spectrum, to the complete opposite end.  I didn't have an idea, even if my life depended on it.   There has been thoughts, oh yea! just thoughts, until guess what? Wish washy comes to play.. Oh! How I loath this dark matter of wasted energy...

     Tooling around on line the last couple of days, Garden Rant, threw out the concept of a Cocktail Garden... They, or I should say, Amy Stewart, wrote a book that is titled "The drunken Botanist", It isn't out yet but I really want to get it.. So when March comes around, guess who will be standing in line to purchase it! Yep, Me!

     So that got me on the thought of having one for my patio/courtyard/secret garden...
 
     Finding info on creating a Cocktail Garden is tough, there really isn't much out there for design or pictures, or ideas to emulate.  So this is really a start from scratch project...       I would think that to have a cocktail garden, the most important part would be the type of plants to be used.

Right?

    Where to plant and probably the thought of putting them in pots, big pots to have plenty to for everyone!

     So a list of some of the plants or herbs, in which can be negotiable, I came up with,.
Here are some of my thoughts to start ...



Mint:           Seems to be the first on the list, which I would have in a pot anyhow.

Thyme:        I have issues with this plant, so I guess I better figure it out.

Sage:           Is another complicated plant for me...

Chives:        Handled

Key limes:   Done

Lavender:    Hmmm... Really?

Basil:           Not a problem

Rosemary:  Matriarch still commanding as ever...



     Then other plants lemon, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell peppers, pomegranate, chamomile, and nasty's  plus other plants on hand in Tangent..

    Thats the beginning of  cocktails, then of course the environment comes next, you know the ambiance!  Of course,I need to find the recipes to put out with it so friends can make a drink..  Then of course, the time to sit in the courtyard and enjoy the company..

     Well,  it begins somewhere huh! Next will be the recipes for sure, research is such tasty work, huh?




 THE BEST NEWS!

     So browsing through the Burpee catalog that came to me yesterday, I found the most exciting news....


container corn

      Now I don't know how happy or if this news would make you happy, but there is a type of corn that can be grown in containers, yep that's right, I can grow corn... I am so anxious that want to get a couple packets of seeds to just to make a jungle out of  Tangent with it!    lol...

Guess who is making an order soon!?
I am, I am... 

That is the da da's for me so far,

How about you!

Is the start of 2013 a good beginning for you?

Hustle and Bustle with cheer!

       The Eve of Christmas Eve, Two days after the world was going to end, "o.0"  I feel blessed, don't you!  This year I feel rushed, I don't like that the Holiday landed on a Monday and Tuesday, I feel overwhelmed and that I didn't get anything finished. I did manage to though.. (some things)

       But I feel insanely cheery inside, rather if you met me on the street, you probably wouldn't think it... hahaha...

        I was to give a thought of what I was going to do to my garden when I posted next... Well, I spoke too soon. Because, you see... I really don't have a thought... I had a busy couple of weeks, if it weren't for work I think I would have a most easy time..  I work with a sped program at a school... The kids were so round up, I came home completely exhausted everyday...

        Managing to make Fudge and a Fruit cake,(which I felt like daily, lol) was all I could get accomplished...

Merry Christmas!

        I harvested the last of all my peppers before the crazy freeze watch came through during the week of last..  Thank-goodness. But now, not sure what to do with the rest, I gave a bit to some of my co-workers...
Also, a friend was to stop by and get some too, but that hasn't happened.

        So, here it is I have peppers coming out of my ears, What to do! I haven't a clue!
Any Ideas, Friends?

Bells, Jalapeños, and Bananas....

     The house is painted and decorated a little for Christmas!

     My Garden is in complete junk-yard mess, after the work of painting... We had to pull everything away from the house and walls. Now that the painting is finished, the junk needs a place to go. I don't think that I want the stuff back where it was.. so now, toss time or donate, and most of the stuff is just toss.

     My best companion ever is very ill, Piglet my princess, Kitty, with hands not paws, that has  hyperthyroidism is not doing well, I have to make it to the vet and see what the next thing to do is... The special food really was only doing so-so for her and the medicine was to much for her system. There are only two other things to try, and I don't think that she is well enough for surgery. Radioactive iodine therapy which is the most expensive, and I wouldn't even be able to come up with that type of money.

     The clinic is closed today, and probably on Christmas day... So, thoughts for tomorrow is really needed...
I hope that I can see them even if  for the blood work to be done.. (hopes and wishes for something!)


 HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL!


     As Christmas approaches and enjoyment to be had with your family, hugs to everyone and wishes for the New year to be successful and treat you with love and happiness..

A revamp....

    I have not forgotten my favorite place to be... (you know! here!)...

    I have been a little side tracked with things around home... We are in the process of having the house  painted.. 

     Oh boy! What a dramatic difference... I absolutely love the way it looks so far..

     This has been a stressed process, especially for my Hubby! Calling making appt. to have them come out and give estimates... 
     Oh and we mustn't forget the pigeon problem... Thank goodness that is handled... This company has so far been great at really getting the job done.. Tell you about them once everything is complete...

     But, on a different note, I'm feeling the spirit this year and I actually got a live (dead) tree, and I put my Christmas town out..We will be putting lights out when the house is complete...

     All the while listening to the same old Christmas songs! Aren't there any new songs? I think that "they" play  five or six of  same songs, but all different singers... What gives? .... Too lazy to look for a new line up or something, scared to offend people with traditional song, like Silent Night, or Oh tannenbaum, ( not sure of the spelling?)... hmmm... Oh Well... Trying not to be grumpy here... lol!

    Well, that is the low down anyway, and I will be posting pics when it is complete! Along with a few other things I have been thinking about in the garden... Happy Gardening!

Traditions, Old and New!

    This past Thanksgiving weekend has truly been interesting to say the least.. I'm not sure how to bring anyone up to date, since my last post. 

   Let's see, I started off by having Thanksgiving dinner with my family. Thanksgiving is always done at my mothers home. It is always the same, that can be counted on. Dinner at 4'clock, eat and stuff self to oblivion, then immediately do the dishes for two hours, and then head home to be incredibly tired from all that instant fattening up and work, all wrapped into one experience.

   I usually make a thanksgiving  dinner for my family  the day after in my home.. This is usually an enjoyment... turkey, mash potatoes  & gravy, green beans, stuffing, dessert, left-overs etc..  I generally think this is the thing to do... But my mind has turned to new and inspired ways of things...

   Everything  as I know it to be... changed as of this year...

   This change is the most improved idea...  A new meaning for me to have a yearly tradition... of which... I don't have traditions yet.. some people go to "The Dunes" to ride quads and sand-rails for Thanksgiving, or go out of town to places such as Las Vegas, and some shop the infamous "Black Friday" sales .. by which have done all and well not something wonderful for me,
And just not what I'm in to these days... 

   The traditions mostly consist of going to my mothers to have a holiday dinner... Now, don't think that I am not appreciative by any means I am I love it ... But

   Traditions  are also meant to begin and continue...

   By which, I think it has been done!...


   I have lived in the southwest all of my life with an exception of a few years living in Florida...

   I am not a connoisseur in styles of cooking but I am a exceptional dabbler, I love to try new ideas and foods... Although,  Boils are not new, it is to me...
 

   This weekend, a Crab & Shrimp Boil commenced and I must say, "it was Brilliant!"  I have always desired to attend a real Louisiana Crawfish style Boil... Unfortunately, I have never had a chance.

   So "We" thought that having one for ourselves would be the next best thing... We invited all our friends and their immediate family, it couldn't have been too much better...

    The ambiance was sensational, the weather was in full agreement, the food and drinks were endless...

In short this was an incredible experience...
  

   When coming to Traditions,  This is one that I would like to continue every Thanksgiving weekend... have a boil of some sort, It is wonderfully easy entertainment for guests, (maybe more for very close friends, simply because of how cozy it really does get), this is it...

     This was the begining of the feast... in my apple bobbin bucket, we were still filling it up with good stuff...

    But.... by the nights end sittin' by the fire pit,

   The boil began to dwindle down into the wee hours of the night, friends leaving filled with food and drink. I was secretly thinking what am I going to do with the left over food,... (mmmm... all for us, to have left overs like the "traditional leftovers" as usual!) lol!

   I can honestly say this was the utmost amazing night, and feeling this incredibly short and stressful year wasn't all bad...

Omg! Invasions Everywhere!

     I have been kind of laxed with keeping my eyes on my garden. No, particular reason... Just the thought that everything was happy and  "looking" healthy made me feel a bit secure!

     Now, when one thinks plants looking green, fluffy, tall and sprouting, it doesn't necessarily mean that every thing is at it's best.

For instance...

     I have caterpillars everywhere!

Yep!

That's right!

The caption says, "This isn't dirt your looking at!"

Everywhere!
 
    They are IN my lettuce, eating my eggplant leaves, on my orange jubilee, and bougainvillea, Jeeze!
 But, the "good part" is that they are all different types... loppers, horned ones, and they ones I mentioned in the last post...

Missing leaves

     You know!... Gardening is a constant battle! And I know this!
I have to admit though, my defensive action just is not up to par!

      I'm so amazed about the needs and greed that nature exudes... I mean, it seems to me that it's always all or nothing... blooms come and go sometimes in the same day. Insects live sometimes in a 24 hr period,  born, develop, lay eggs, then die...

     But why is it that I can't seem to stay in tune with the needs of nature?... 
I guess making assumptions seems to be MY down fall!

     I don't want to spray icky stuff on them, so I am going to pour soap water to get rid of the pests... Let's see if that will help...

Chili Spray
    
     Use fresh or dried chillies and blend one cup of dried or 2 cups of fresh chillies with two cups of water. Spray fresh. This will kill caterpillars.

Chilli Soap Spray

Ingredients

8-10 chillies (fresh or dried)

4 cloves garlic, diced

2 tablespoons soap flakes

Method:

Combine chillies, garlic, soap flakes and about a liter of water in a saucepan. Bring to the boil, and then allow to cool. Decant mixture into a glass jar and set aside for 24 hours. Sieve and pour into a spray bottle.

The chilli and garlic in this mix with discourage leaf-eating bugs. The soap flakes act as a surfactant – helping the chilli and garlic oils to stick to the leaves.

A word of warning: although this spray is non-toxic, it’s worth keeping away from children, pets and husbands. I’d also advise not spraying on windy days.

I found this recipe on a site called,  Veggie Mama 

 http://www.theveggiemama.com/2012/10/guest-post-keeping-bugs-from-your.html


Garlic Spray
     
     Soak four garlic cloves for several days in one liter of cold water, and then blend. This will kill ants, caterpillars and cabbage worms.
A stronger brew can be made by using hot water and adding several red peppers, ground up, and adding two tablespoons of pure soap to help the spray stick. Use spray when solution has cooled .

Pepper Sprinkle
     
     Any kind of pepper sprinkled on wet leaves will protect them from caterpillars.

These are from this site...

 http://www.angelfire.com/ri/ixia/Insect.html

There were many more to choose from, I just selected a couple that really pertain to me!

Now to choose the right one to use!  I am leaning to the chili spray, I have plenty of jalapenos to use so maybe that one to start!

Weather is changing for the desert,

It rained last night, I feel a chill in the air..  Is this a beginning of fall? 
Got ol' faithful out and it's time to catch -up on what George has to say!

So with book in hand and weapons at reach, I march on to destroy the enemy!


Happy Gardening and Veterans Day!!!!!

Flying by Normalcy

         Normalcy is showing itself, but....

     Life is flying by so fast, I can't believe that it's already November... I hope that Halloween was wonderful for all... As for myself, I think I was a bit Melancholy, we didn't get as many little ones running to the door as usual..  We didn't have a bunch of people over either.

     I guess Halloween mid-week is pretty tough, huh?

        I made  lots of food for the family and we watched old movies. Which made it pleasant...

    *Storm Sandy was something else... I have thoughts and hopes for those that are still enduring the aftermath... Speedy recovery to those who are in need..*

Tangent Check Up

    I've been watching Tangent... It's like watching a pot of water come to a boil... It takes forever to get going...
    I left my tomatoes in their spot, you  know to see what would happen...
   Well, I have flowers and lots of green growth on one of the plants,

     The other one, just not happy.. but I have a few volunteers tomato plant in and around Tangent.. really weird huh?

  Volunteers aplenty!    

Can you see the tomato plant?

    The fig tree is just beautiful, and happy as can be... My pomegranate, wild and messy as ever, I think that it likes to be that way... So what ever makes it happy,  I'll just keep doing it!

     Lately we have been battling some sort of caterpillars on our Bougainvillea and our Orange Jubilee bushes...

 So what happens is this...  The caterpillars start eating or something, on the edges of the new growth they just make a mess out of the tips of the bushes... when searching for them to see where and what they are!
They are not there,  not a clue... but after their "big dinner and damage party,"  they emerge at night in to a moth, of some sort, and flutter
about to lay more eggs and repeat the process...

     Well our local garden center has recently Identified the little culprits...  The Tecoma/Bougainvillea caterpillar. Here is a link to help take care of these buggers:

http://www.ironoakshoa.org/ArchitecturalLandscaping/PlantGuy/Articles/PDF/Caterpillardamage10-12.pdf

     I have some amazing color from the Swiss Chard.. and they actually might get made in to something, if I use them when they are small enough... because they are suppose to taste better young and not bitter...

     Now look at the Peach Tree I am so amazed at how that thing is coming along ...

     It has blossoms and I even think a peach or two!!!

 

     "Beautiful" Huh?

      I have this new volunteer... I have no idea what it is!

     I suspect that it is a squash.... 

A peck of Peppers!!!!

      
     I am still getting Bell pepper, Yay!
They are gorgeous!

     My grapevine, blackberries and strawberries are doing marvelous.... I'm so excited to have a fruit salad at harvest time...

 

      I am still getting eggplant can you believe that !!!

     I love gardening ...


          ~So here are some beautiful Fall colors to leave you with!!! ~


MUMS the word !!!!

Computer Shinanigans...

     

   Not really!  More like wear and tear and abuse... Yep! all me...

     I have been wanting to post... I, however, could not use my lap top until I received a new cord for it. The cord crapped out... Yep! You know, "ZZZittt... sparks, and then death to the cord..". So, I needed to let the computer sit until whalaaa... New cord, ready to be plugged in and charging... YYAY!


    Today was the first morning I really felt a nip in the air... It felt crisp, and cool, I even felt a chill enough to give me a shiver or two...  The weather is just superb!

    Tangent is getting along very well... I filled in the gaps, and I have sprouts already... Yea! The radish is beginning to sprout...  I know you can't see but they are sprouting really!

     I think I have some lettuce popping through, and


    My dearest husband, found me a new batch of carrots to plant!

One single sprout of carrots!

      Which the planting of them will happen this weekend for sure! I really want to have carrots...  and it did!

     I also filled in the beets, I have never tried to grow beets, I really have not a clue when they will be  ready to pull! But, I guess I will learn, Right!

     I planted strawberries and they love the spot! The area by the blackberry bush was quite bare so I thought what better place to put  the strawberries than under the blackberry bush, Now really? Is it a great space? I don't know! It just made since...

      I have found a great location for my grapes! There is a spot in front of the Arcadia door, it's right where I tried to grow Birdhouse Gourds...

     I think that it is a really great spot enough sun and shade and no grass to interfere... I hope to have it planted in the ground this weekend... I will be able to establish a trellis too...

     I am kind of sad though, we found some peach trees... But, one variety so far.. Flora-prince. Remember the idea I wanted to do?

     I wanted to plant three different ones in the same hole so I can have a continuous stream of  peaches until the end of June or July... Well, I don't think I will be able to accomplish that now, if I can't get those varieties at this time.. Unless I wait until spring... That just pushes it back even more to get peaches... and there is no guarantee that I will be able to get them, then either...

      But the GOOD news is I have a Peach Tree and it will be planted in the the spot where I planned in my front yard...

     My lime tree is acting up! I'm not sure why, so we decided to make a berm and  protect the trunk of it... Then have the water penetrate the drip line instead around the base of the trunk....

     The area we are trying to create is slowly coming along...

     We bought a fire pit... and consecrated it last night...
    

      The moon was almost full and the weather was ideal

Almost Full Moon!

Sorry a little blurry!