French Hollyhock

 

Because I am crazy a really good garden blogger friend. I went out into the dark and took this picture of my French hollyhock for Brenda to compare to her hollyhock. I know, I know, I have linked to her twice today. I am not a blog stalker, seriously. We won't know if we have the same thing until hers blooms. Can't wait to see what it is.

Ignore the orange under the hollyhock. We will remain calm and not question the actions of Monkeys. We do not need to know why there is an orange outside on the ground. There should only be one meltdown a week and I had mine yesterday.

Here is a picture of a French hollyhock from last summer.

 

Plant facts - French hollyhock or Malva sylvestris "Zebrina" In my zone (8a) it is a biennial. It grows to about four feet and is covered with those pretty striped flowers. It reseeds like crazy, but is easy to transplant and thin. We will have plenty to share at the spring seminar plant sale.

The Birds are Back

 

I was getting really worried. Brenda and Linda both had birds at their places. We live in the same region and no birds were coming to my garden. There was even homemade suet, but nobody showed up for dinner. Today, they came in mass. I don't know what these little birds are, but they are cute, aren't they? I saw a male and female cardinal, but they flew off while I was getting the camera. Forgive the quality of the photo. I have a good excuse this time. The picture was shot through a glass door. If I had opened it, they all would have flown away.

This winter, with your help, I hope to learn what types are birds are visiting my garden. Be encouraged to school me on my birds just like y'all did when the Carolina wren flew into my mother's living room.

What birds do you have visiting?

Socks, Toothpaste, A Mouse, and Ice Cream Wrapers - Only At My House

First, there was a pair of socks in the driveway. It is 26 degrees outside. Who took their socks off and left them in the driveway in 26 degree weather?

I found toothpaste on the toilet seat. Whyyyyyyyy?

There was a mouse on the counter. Nearby, the cats slept soundly. DANGBLASTITALL, this is their only job.

Somehow, Abby found ice cream wrappers and shredded them in the floor. ARRRGGGGHHH.

I want to go back to work. These sort of things do not happen at the library.

Somebody help me. Please help me. Seriously.

Frozen Fog; I Thought Y'all Were Making This Stuff Up

 

Never, ever, before have I seen such a thing. There is frozen water hanging in the air. It is not falling to the ground. It is just suspended there. I have read about this phenomenon on other blogs, but thought it was something like the boggy creek monster- Somebody was either drunk or making stuff up just to mess with me. I am pretty sure that if I go out there in it, I may never come back. The only appropriate action to take when there is frozen fog outside, is to go back to bed. See y'all later. BRRRR

Hello Lost Fans.

If you don't watch Lost, don't click here.

So Charles Widmore used to be a member of the others, hummm????

Desmond named his baby Charlie. Awwww....

When did the U.S. Military show up, once again, somewhere they are not wanted?

Sawyer needs to take that ratty shirt off. I was wrong before.

I sort of missed the Oceanic Six this week.

Okay, Let's play who is your favorite lost hunk?

I'll start, anybody but Ben.

Look Who Thinks I Worked All Day Just For Her

 

The Domestication of Debbi

Tuesday is one of my days off. It is cold and wet. We should begin getting freezing rain and sleet in the next few hours. Needless to say, I stayed in the house and off the roads today.

I have five quilting projects to complete during the next few months. My sewing corner was a disorganized mess. I spent most of the day straightening it up and creating a quilt project storage system. A couple of years ago, I straightened out my craft closet. I sorted my larger scrap fabrics by color, ironed and folded them and used four plastic baskets to hold the fabrics. They are stacked two deep on one of the shelves in the crafts closet. This has stayed organized for two years. For me, this is a minor miracle. I am housekeeping challenged.

 

I have several boxes that were holding random sewing ingredients sort of like my seed basket. I separated everything out and put each project in its own box and then made a special box for templates an stamps. The fabric that was left over from other projects was ironed, folded and stored in the crafts closet. Hopefully, this new system will keep me organized. Now I just need to find my thimble.

 

Here is the quilt I need to finish first. It is for baby Clare who is due to arrive in this world on February 7. I better get on with it. We believe these nine patch quilt squares were pieced by a paternal great grandmother. I am going to finish the top and quilt it for the baby.

 

We had homemade chicken noodle soup and wheat bread for dinner tonight.

Chicken Noodle Soup
4 Chicken thighs
6 Cups water (to begin with)
1/2 Large onion chopped
1 Stalk celery chopped
1/4 Fresh, finely chopped herbs including parsley, thyme and rosemary
3 Chicken bouillon cubes
8 Ounces wide egg noodles
Ground pepper to taste

Boil the chicken thighs until completely done. Stop before the meat falls off the bone. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside to cool. Add all of the other ingredients to the chicken stock and simmer all day if you like. Remove the skin and bones from the chicken and discard. Chop the chicken meat and return to the pot. Ten minutes before serving, bring the stock to a rolling boil and add noodles. Serve with homemade wheat bread if you've got it.

Stay warm and cozy.