tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120761686286898782024-03-13T00:12:30.019-04:00Three Cat ManorThree Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-9992052591277903402014-07-04T12:16:00.001-04:002014-07-04T12:16:30.002-04:00The butterflies are coming!<p dir="ltr">The trellises are filling in nicely with the passionflowers on one and the Dutchmans pipe on the other. </p>
<p dir="ltr">As much as I love seeing them fill in, I really love the butterflies that are moving in too!</p>
<p dir="ltr">The passionflower has gulf fritillaries moving in. Even found a few of their cocoons! Just hoping that they slow down eating enough to not kill the vine.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Dutchmans pipe just had some <u>new</u> little guys move in last week. After a little research, found out that they are pipevine swallowtails. Huge caterpillars, bigger appetites! But can hardly wait for these butterflies in our backyard.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheX9CvASpfNtw0qB0R6kFTzn3ICgsbwN5yXviKN0tcBIZkOhBX0Ziy0y5O7Pkf_hg1nDFIV4WgpYLDG-1l9biIkX9u4Ue8haYu3YAcdbSQE_8Q886rqbX9HZVr5IcdhlhiBzGGsUYk93k/s1600/IMG_20140704_120058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheX9CvASpfNtw0qB0R6kFTzn3ICgsbwN5yXviKN0tcBIZkOhBX0Ziy0y5O7Pkf_hg1nDFIV4WgpYLDG-1l9biIkX9u4Ue8haYu3YAcdbSQE_8Q886rqbX9HZVr5IcdhlhiBzGGsUYk93k/s640/IMG_20140704_120058.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nRGV0pHM2MKXv7f3eWvqpGQ_ZiU1zQt3I7bXhu5te85xkoYYSoGtS5FEB_PXPtsL4B9fGbum4OlDFN9coDI-aZovZAa41J_AxnSn4vl3_CjTbuEcHUUWACBv3ojQcz7iEpGFFLhuGBc/s1600/IMG_20140704_120123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nRGV0pHM2MKXv7f3eWvqpGQ_ZiU1zQt3I7bXhu5te85xkoYYSoGtS5FEB_PXPtsL4B9fGbum4OlDFN9coDI-aZovZAa41J_AxnSn4vl3_CjTbuEcHUUWACBv3ojQcz7iEpGFFLhuGBc/s640/IMG_20140704_120123.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepWq9ycyoqA7eMKd4mkvz7CekgDDSP-XbTcuMAsy2gsssYLLec-HEsrcAyfUP0zAuRUE_UB_iRnrT8Kwal_y-t3ecg_PHvcrqHSUZn_AIcNTRqwd4N3gUJqU-gFfM-SImdX2V9U4kAKY/s1600/IMG_20140704_120132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepWq9ycyoqA7eMKd4mkvz7CekgDDSP-XbTcuMAsy2gsssYLLec-HEsrcAyfUP0zAuRUE_UB_iRnrT8Kwal_y-t3ecg_PHvcrqHSUZn_AIcNTRqwd4N3gUJqU-gFfM-SImdX2V9U4kAKY/s640/IMG_20140704_120132.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10xBacyF0s-jXGnIaU3Q8u6hu8mzCJp8Om7-PXd15a3FNyd_wURVWpKN4JTrIMVFj150yJjd3fcW3RD_NbG1cBDDKnSvh6aRZUpyteT-eHTjNeK87zs4OOudM6ey4VaNtqF2sFjT73sE/s1600/IMG_20140704_120158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10xBacyF0s-jXGnIaU3Q8u6hu8mzCJp8Om7-PXd15a3FNyd_wURVWpKN4JTrIMVFj150yJjd3fcW3RD_NbG1cBDDKnSvh6aRZUpyteT-eHTjNeK87zs4OOudM6ey4VaNtqF2sFjT73sE/s640/IMG_20140704_120158.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8Jn2ckQjHPTTbnj_DSGbORJERA9ZbhppU4pmp6ql4K6-q-TMQxyxW-Fu5UBUBcvlM_LdIQmW9j3X-XX3S6cs48w-E1E3bKJsuA3H3_7jp2XYavI8ghLZCE9MLpb70ZhdLAPetotZUQY/s1600/IMG_20140704_120236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8Jn2ckQjHPTTbnj_DSGbORJERA9ZbhppU4pmp6ql4K6-q-TMQxyxW-Fu5UBUBcvlM_LdIQmW9j3X-XX3S6cs48w-E1E3bKJsuA3H3_7jp2XYavI8ghLZCE9MLpb70ZhdLAPetotZUQY/s640/IMG_20140704_120236.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTg3Fj-sdW9QP25WQtS4xCj4PAtxox2oviwsrNtLOZeSGpVJFc7FHrboHZhwKCj2BDm1XmeXW5jPGwxqSuO5I2BHaNNIageGL8K80qSZ6zsNbxBgRprmoFVgYenXD0TWuK-IbwJXWrYKc/s1600/IMG_20140704_120253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTg3Fj-sdW9QP25WQtS4xCj4PAtxox2oviwsrNtLOZeSGpVJFc7FHrboHZhwKCj2BDm1XmeXW5jPGwxqSuO5I2BHaNNIageGL8K80qSZ6zsNbxBgRprmoFVgYenXD0TWuK-IbwJXWrYKc/s640/IMG_20140704_120253.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbRnEaDfKRT1pE_qVOZSXQJXzxtljqF8S4mCncLrpxoipnNcM0jTvdfvCsvxYu7r4h9idPktYuGUMgOH3BUk8VkVjf_-D3YDnl8CJ2a2YIXtPTCm0bMgg2kkRBmzHqCrax8uF2Saprtw/s1600/IMG_20140704_081455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbRnEaDfKRT1pE_qVOZSXQJXzxtljqF8S4mCncLrpxoipnNcM0jTvdfvCsvxYu7r4h9idPktYuGUMgOH3BUk8VkVjf_-D3YDnl8CJ2a2YIXtPTCm0bMgg2kkRBmzHqCrax8uF2Saprtw/s640/IMG_20140704_081455.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZDfLp4N9K7p4GnkqbI2wZhWqqtM3uhqPt1ltIMcD1B3OTGVL3_BeRGOK593g15MmfGyXsNnHHo4CyYUW8a0XXgI_U52JhkKKH_k6VMfckZ0efaZ7WUDffXtVeUQ9YmxwCCnSZvbDrUc/s1600/IMG_20140702_075033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZDfLp4N9K7p4GnkqbI2wZhWqqtM3uhqPt1ltIMcD1B3OTGVL3_BeRGOK593g15MmfGyXsNnHHo4CyYUW8a0XXgI_U52JhkKKH_k6VMfckZ0efaZ7WUDffXtVeUQ9YmxwCCnSZvbDrUc/s640/IMG_20140702_075033.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB1wVJjzk7rhKx0fQZQd2HCpWd-OzCp_PphKFu2xq83kP3RAFvnHqylDrA770oThhGA36qjvgdQz14EmON1WdOtK7oguIbd7S98LBg-MsAgiVedkXfmNixAWW5h106ZX3ybkZKW4CJsg/s1600/IMG_20140704_081504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB1wVJjzk7rhKx0fQZQd2HCpWd-OzCp_PphKFu2xq83kP3RAFvnHqylDrA770oThhGA36qjvgdQz14EmON1WdOtK7oguIbd7S98LBg-MsAgiVedkXfmNixAWW5h106ZX3ybkZKW4CJsg/s640/IMG_20140704_081504.jpg"> </a> </div>Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-43383647591189874922014-06-13T19:09:00.001-04:002014-07-19T10:49:33.730-04:00Magic squash!<p dir="ltr">In December we made some squash and I tossed the seeds into the garden... forgot about them. I've found sometimes the least you do for a plant, the betterand it does. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Once every memory of the squash seeds had been removed from the far reaches of my brain, along came little plants. Having no clue what they were, I decided to let them grow and then see. I could tell from the leaves that it surely must be a squash or melon or maybe even a cucumber...</p>
<p dir="ltr">Sure enough as the days counted on, the vines grew longer, the leaves bigger, the flowers came and then finally the fruit. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Watching the fruit helped gather my memory about what I threw into it garden: butternut squash!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Didn't water it. Didn't fertilize it. Didn't do anything to it. Not only did it fruit...it came with numerous little gourds. I must say, very tasty, big, and good! Looks like we'll be eating a lot of squash for a while!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3IXzB6utQ5UYyyFsFhoamgu8uciOvPFe-7s9UVZRQNVmxbjcAgGL_fC931poI_Ub2IZT_T1ZYqsZmxJhwVSUOOUwvaX90WQdEfmTPrOqejV5xxiUIanSGDRztjR6ES9SrrlH8oZT-iA/s1600/IMG_20140613_184121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3IXzB6utQ5UYyyFsFhoamgu8uciOvPFe-7s9UVZRQNVmxbjcAgGL_fC931poI_Ub2IZT_T1ZYqsZmxJhwVSUOOUwvaX90WQdEfmTPrOqejV5xxiUIanSGDRztjR6ES9SrrlH8oZT-iA/s640/IMG_20140613_184121.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fBi8TUaZf24MBJgs6s0h94ggTBecReXbuzsg-5wj_o2QPXDOK3dBzTTnoB3MZ2ZNoPzgIbgmkxDLiXydcEg4Of5Kd_7n9qaUQjtwD6YhNe4OC6YNv8ii_2n7h9hOgCujBHIKGWgxGWs/s1600/IMG_20140613_184416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fBi8TUaZf24MBJgs6s0h94ggTBecReXbuzsg-5wj_o2QPXDOK3dBzTTnoB3MZ2ZNoPzgIbgmkxDLiXydcEg4Of5Kd_7n9qaUQjtwD6YhNe4OC6YNv8ii_2n7h9hOgCujBHIKGWgxGWs/s640/IMG_20140613_184416.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrI1Ca0O_3PFPcNwzv_Gx2_kiS_Glg4FWsuIqi_9OMpOJug8ZsK-9ZUi42t2u-goMgoaQZkKF70aQ78gW5V5CY5bku7TIxrm8hUIuyTNtbzK16mdWaX6pL6wkgyjlyffWkIscCKhGT6A/s1600/IMG_20140613_184428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrI1Ca0O_3PFPcNwzv_Gx2_kiS_Glg4FWsuIqi_9OMpOJug8ZsK-9ZUi42t2u-goMgoaQZkKF70aQ78gW5V5CY5bku7TIxrm8hUIuyTNtbzK16mdWaX6pL6wkgyjlyffWkIscCKhGT6A/s640/IMG_20140613_184428.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QlSrNfjgLSDYqaxBP9y0ZO6elELODw4I7TQnuPf8uRmlRN_WrQY0e03nBcQh1RdIjN_t0PxQWWqQJqZ9qPu3tuwgOBwZFUpG7d4pPeSMCoeRZP8RAzLpsw6JvSiE5pUOI0oV4UhEbQc/s1600/IMG_20140613_185418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QlSrNfjgLSDYqaxBP9y0ZO6elELODw4I7TQnuPf8uRmlRN_WrQY0e03nBcQh1RdIjN_t0PxQWWqQJqZ9qPu3tuwgOBwZFUpG7d4pPeSMCoeRZP8RAzLpsw6JvSiE5pUOI0oV4UhEbQc/s640/IMG_20140613_185418.jpg"> </a> </div>Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-1405834934707797432014-04-05T17:00:00.001-04:002014-04-05T17:00:44.304-04:00Dutchman's PipeThe trellises by the pool with the passionflower and the Dutchman's pipe are doing fantastic! <br />
<br />
What's truly amazing is how fast the Dutchman's Pipe is growing. Each day it seems to gain another inch or so to the vine. Very fast grower! <br />
<br />
Take a look at the video below to watch the flower grow. <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3DOuY7CrHJM" width="459"></iframe><br />Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-68726581949190649812014-03-15T17:21:00.001-04:002014-03-15T17:31:57.953-04:00Unique Bird BathI recall a few years ago while Sam and I made a day trip to St. Augustine, we saw something that caught our eye: leaves "sculpted" from concrete. We saw how an artist was able to take these leaves to weave intricate fountains using the leaves. I remember thinking how wonderful it would be to be able to have the talent to create such wonders. <br />
<br />
Recently on hometalk.com, I saw a <a href="http://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=leaf+birdbath" target="_blank">few posts</a> in which others created these leaves and using them for birdbaths. After reviewing some of these, we quickly realized that we too can be artists! We used some of the tips, but modified a bit too. <br />
<br />
We started with a large elephant ear. A triangular mount of sand was built up and covered with a piece of plastic. We laid the leaf face down on the mound and cut the stem off as close to the base of the leaf as possible. The leaf laid right onto the triangular mound easily. <br />
<br />
The leaf was covered with a good layer of concrete that was just stiff enough that we could form an edge to stop the concrete from becoming a large blob. We covered it with a sheet of plastic and let it sit for a day. **Tip** knowing what we know now, we probably would have stuck a piece of rebar into the base to form our pedestal around that once the leaf part was done. <br />
<br />
The next day, we flipped it up and VOILA!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQecstzMp7pr-sz-i0NKbKd3tfEDr8GTlZSgpsKn4v4XAKzJkzMR9XnHR69FC_mCTf06EdzajTztY0djxR1QRld_a-Hheh0HnqizjFetvYqz4LkEUwL3e3HA8KE-RBZkhjBts778Z6uc/s1600/IMG_20140303_183701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQecstzMp7pr-sz-i0NKbKd3tfEDr8GTlZSgpsKn4v4XAKzJkzMR9XnHR69FC_mCTf06EdzajTztY0djxR1QRld_a-Hheh0HnqizjFetvYqz4LkEUwL3e3HA8KE-RBZkhjBts778Z6uc/s1600/IMG_20140303_183701.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The leave stuck into the concrete a bit, but we were able to peel it off. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXuVorpMxzDdPLhHIzBhWla1pKPl49R1IiVvOjpRUmlDU480NIUz1p9DIowk_aiOIghaAaZVgl4oCU2RdN4DefS49gcBWT4xFpwdsI1Lmn1B2suDp2j3vlxNYSm-V2eBNp5yV_6RJla4/s1600/IMG_20140303_183712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXuVorpMxzDdPLhHIzBhWla1pKPl49R1IiVvOjpRUmlDU480NIUz1p9DIowk_aiOIghaAaZVgl4oCU2RdN4DefS49gcBWT4xFpwdsI1Lmn1B2suDp2j3vlxNYSm-V2eBNp5yV_6RJla4/s1600/IMG_20140303_183712.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Once the leaf was peeled off, we let it sit for another day to make sure that it was good and dry. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JwzqbrVrNHaEgvTdcHe9V8vmzje6DTiKENXpEZlm-Yv20qsH6L60dIDiiuk237mxsfjCTD-41E-zSCuFScmHLcMAPb_GcSGdlAheMOEHimmSvRJL8J0-Sp31jNcvfk_YPtyNNXz1cSc/s1600/IMG_20140303_183949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JwzqbrVrNHaEgvTdcHe9V8vmzje6DTiKENXpEZlm-Yv20qsH6L60dIDiiuk237mxsfjCTD-41E-zSCuFScmHLcMAPb_GcSGdlAheMOEHimmSvRJL8J0-Sp31jNcvfk_YPtyNNXz1cSc/s1600/IMG_20140303_183949.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I painted the leaf in different stages with acrylic paint to give it some life and depth. I started off painting the entire thing "Smurf" blue. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ091pXGrChqB5S2DBDWHiZgN0rRHiaBTber7SyyUBV-TEgiTVtGG_7AP1uXxhSdSAgHj1Mdq87sbNiomoKowrzdqtmS8BlRwXvi9zTW-1IdUHoxiX4SOkzC7719gdJjgJSIRfc1bWdc/s1600/IMG_20140308_081858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ091pXGrChqB5S2DBDWHiZgN0rRHiaBTber7SyyUBV-TEgiTVtGG_7AP1uXxhSdSAgHj1Mdq87sbNiomoKowrzdqtmS8BlRwXvi9zTW-1IdUHoxiX4SOkzC7719gdJjgJSIRfc1bWdc/s1600/IMG_20140308_081858.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Next I used silver to get into the deep part of the veins of the leaf. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07PNWGbj-ZBR4lcgBa5rRLkyonaN1zQB6S67_5_1TFXsmSu9AyaBcn9jAtRyAuK2ZsCHixC7spQ49RtLoILlwn686IgfmDgTdF7qpm_cWogvEuDe5CoRLsn-vFdp14XXrbw-Lq7GBwlc/s1600/IMG_20140308_083146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07PNWGbj-ZBR4lcgBa5rRLkyonaN1zQB6S67_5_1TFXsmSu9AyaBcn9jAtRyAuK2ZsCHixC7spQ49RtLoILlwn686IgfmDgTdF7qpm_cWogvEuDe5CoRLsn-vFdp14XXrbw-Lq7GBwlc/s1600/IMG_20140308_083146.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
A little yellow and lime green all over...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iAKF_jc4G8TbFZ-NT2cIFz1fJ2uLYvm0WR1fjgiNe6LL3htT0ylDviHyorlepfCOgdN2JtqrVSOvNX89nmtNBwqCYr7JbRytHlXPf0HhsbCLoHigBYfrUpVa_XnbhcLY7yZCApp0Onc/s1600/IMG_20140308_083711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iAKF_jc4G8TbFZ-NT2cIFz1fJ2uLYvm0WR1fjgiNe6LL3htT0ylDviHyorlepfCOgdN2JtqrVSOvNX89nmtNBwqCYr7JbRytHlXPf0HhsbCLoHigBYfrUpVa_XnbhcLY7yZCApp0Onc/s1600/IMG_20140308_083711.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
And then olive to mellow it out. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkW-cksVR8VIzt6JOoessKu5LeV6h5rP4Sj8hAoHidOAJbD7BAna4yu4bjfOCu9KapEl_k8wLczTWoLuZsGZUyZiGirOPpdjIDKMMRo_Kmry0jJnxMPBzsP0R_wD77brYyrOcJqFGDcvg/s1600/IMG_20140308_084248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkW-cksVR8VIzt6JOoessKu5LeV6h5rP4Sj8hAoHidOAJbD7BAna4yu4bjfOCu9KapEl_k8wLczTWoLuZsGZUyZiGirOPpdjIDKMMRo_Kmry0jJnxMPBzsP0R_wD77brYyrOcJqFGDcvg/s1600/IMG_20140308_084248.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As bright as the leaf looks, it really settled down after a couple of days drying. </div>
<br />
<br />
Next we worked on the pedestal. Sam had this amazing vision of trying to mimic the natural shape of the elephant ear stalk instead of using a traditional upright column. First we bent a piece of 10 ft rebar in half. Then shaped the rebar with little bends throughout to create the "s" curves. We decided that we would have to form this in place. We cleared out the area where this sits and then stabbed the rebar into the ground about 2-2.5 feet. This is what helped give the base the stability to hold the weight of the leaf on top. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJ_v6jAHKv6pAhKHwFF5Al9JEgCRjduuqTbcj2M0bEsLYqYKeBwhsK9tmqlWJ124uhFOh4zfBQBAn2kBSRqnLEwmO3NdJpiNnEpauWZuRCTYz54w-e7CzFudqlvLUz45X2xkjy6prBlY/s1600/IMG_20140309_161615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJ_v6jAHKv6pAhKHwFF5Al9JEgCRjduuqTbcj2M0bEsLYqYKeBwhsK9tmqlWJ124uhFOh4zfBQBAn2kBSRqnLEwmO3NdJpiNnEpauWZuRCTYz54w-e7CzFudqlvLUz45X2xkjy6prBlY/s1600/IMG_20140309_161615.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After getting the rebar into the ground, we covered it in chicken wire. **Lesson learned: Don't crush up the chicken wire too much. Once you do, you really will have a rough time getting the concrete into the little spaces. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruv0FlgY-R75yed8Moo5ducOx2DofC-905w3zeU3NlPbWmUgNJzzJ5Z9H8uCll5jJ8p9b6MyALNCEKj2AVJMgdBrzv5GZ75-UrYcoDkHl0vKFQsJYBjm3Dh-KSkC88rKTIMRVXJsAS68/s1600/IMG_20140309_161558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruv0FlgY-R75yed8Moo5ducOx2DofC-905w3zeU3NlPbWmUgNJzzJ5Z9H8uCll5jJ8p9b6MyALNCEKj2AVJMgdBrzv5GZ75-UrYcoDkHl0vKFQsJYBjm3Dh-KSkC88rKTIMRVXJsAS68/s1600/IMG_20140309_161558.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cover the whole thing with concrete. Remember - too smooth and it falls off. Too thick and you can't work it. Because the concrete kept falling off, we held the concrete in place, and from the base up, wrapped a fiberglass tape around it to act as a form. After it dried, we cut the tape off. This part is definitely at least a two person messy job. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60SsrlDME9DfTc3gVQOA40EEeAS1NOurO5fflFdkeIYZtrta-f6MH3SrY8WxjKIBJtWL_roWNy_uaZK25nrKIWcoPEmLA02JPr_ZdVy_zRuB1MJd4TwW_duckeKZq14RrtvxwVJrDbso/s1600/IMG_20140315_163853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60SsrlDME9DfTc3gVQOA40EEeAS1NOurO5fflFdkeIYZtrta-f6MH3SrY8WxjKIBJtWL_roWNy_uaZK25nrKIWcoPEmLA02JPr_ZdVy_zRuB1MJd4TwW_duckeKZq14RrtvxwVJrDbso/s1600/IMG_20140315_163853.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Once the pedestal dried in place, it was painted the same way that the leaf was and then the leaf was adhered with liquid nails. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pDNZfvhXGsDAAWPxvQxEFP5fQODrho9mot_JuTInXdnaI58XsRQZY8ouTNvCxzlCMp-zq1f7U8MYsA7ThL72EYcWdl3i39kxKgDwwS1mA6-qnmUxhddXHDQcfYP_vQ9FYkElHTSV0PA/s1600/IMG_20140315_163904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pDNZfvhXGsDAAWPxvQxEFP5fQODrho9mot_JuTInXdnaI58XsRQZY8ouTNvCxzlCMp-zq1f7U8MYsA7ThL72EYcWdl3i39kxKgDwwS1mA6-qnmUxhddXHDQcfYP_vQ9FYkElHTSV0PA/s1600/IMG_20140315_163904.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7thzL0DliM9frhZRi3CZDkxwxiZn9tRYqpr98hEwtUQyt9-N6XJPq347824h9tM2xIXNv-yKToWl6LlaLt468hmGYjeJP4fKR0Mq7hNj5bZUv3HNltxTNjI-rIH1gEbFIyKeS3OHUlRE/s1600/IMG_20140315_163858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7thzL0DliM9frhZRi3CZDkxwxiZn9tRYqpr98hEwtUQyt9-N6XJPq347824h9tM2xIXNv-yKToWl6LlaLt468hmGYjeJP4fKR0Mq7hNj5bZUv3HNltxTNjI-rIH1gEbFIyKeS3OHUlRE/s1600/IMG_20140315_163858.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I covered the nearby area with drop cloth and used a clear coat sealant over the entire project. This protects the paint job and makes sure that any little areas that did not see paint were sealed to that the bath contains the water.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyY1WBJ0Nmqc2BpQe7BbKve08cHtNUqYub20ygoRnrL0etjLrg1KUFrl6porNw_b4JJOgeHTTZ3OHT37aPiTQWsYlsSPY2cDFGKOdiX8gj7lEmMcaz0JMHsfZ8MOLOTy4v2AjhToGwQX4/s1600/IMG_20140315_164103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyY1WBJ0Nmqc2BpQe7BbKve08cHtNUqYub20ygoRnrL0etjLrg1KUFrl6porNw_b4JJOgeHTTZ3OHT37aPiTQWsYlsSPY2cDFGKOdiX8gj7lEmMcaz0JMHsfZ8MOLOTy4v2AjhToGwQX4/s1600/IMG_20140315_164103.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The last part was to let it dry and give the birds a little water to play in!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXCIsGI-7ryKWW8q1F1DX615rdvZAJwcsFheT9TtkfAYhzBfB6oH2lEzgdSydI8hov09YYHVlmT1D_NfxROwrHclTu4vVioaoOIDWn_19z3eQZ4rYwiOQw6ZNY8OHOX5Unefpu9ZYjx0/s1600/IMG_20140315_164454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXCIsGI-7ryKWW8q1F1DX615rdvZAJwcsFheT9TtkfAYhzBfB6oH2lEzgdSydI8hov09YYHVlmT1D_NfxROwrHclTu4vVioaoOIDWn_19z3eQZ4rYwiOQw6ZNY8OHOX5Unefpu9ZYjx0/s1600/IMG_20140315_164454.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-5044337867805621502014-02-21T06:30:00.000-05:002014-02-21T06:30:29.396-05:00Picture Frame from recycled Fence PanelsLast year we change the position of the fence and ended up with a lot of fence panels that were not in the best shape. A lot of them were just rotting in the dirt and some were so weathered, I wondered how much life we could really get out of them. We stacked them into the backyard for the "just in case..." (aka, junk collection that probably will never have anything happen...)<br />
<br />
After seeing the old panels sitting there doing nothing for so long, I have finally challenged myself with the task of finding useful purposes for these panels. So instead of tossing them out, I am now actively trying to find things for them to become. <br />
<br />
Special note: I have found that the old fence panels are very similar to old pallet wood.<br />
<br />
This post is all about my first creation from this wood: a beachy picture frame for a beautiful watercolor painting of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Neddick_Light" target="_blank">Nubble Light House in Cape Neddick, ME</a>.<br />
<br />
I simply created mitered corners and pieced the fence panels in the arrangement of a square. Then I stapled the corners together from the backside and reinforced with small pieces of scrap wood. <br />
<br />
The wood was dry brushed with a little bit of white paint and then sanded it to give the wood the look of old bleached out driftwood. <br />
<br />
I sealed the wood with a rub on sealant. <br />
<br />
Lastly, the frame was decorated with old rope that I tied into knots, sea glass (from a broken votive holder, I tumbled the glass in a rock tumber), sea shells and beach pebbles (that we actually picked up in York, ME), and a few small pieces of drift wood. All of these were attached with hot glue. <br />
<br />
This was the perfect addition to the foyer. We had started a beach vignette, but it was always missing something. Now it looks complete!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QPgdDYW6IpnNkqxUMZbH-zob05Lva-jVRXyDinVBwtCK2fA3nm_iVXCtwVTmOcf_SrwTG_biaDsDLtIQ0H0lpG9SUSZOqs4xqebEP1aVVZFTWrer7kLiZgv9ctdWwseAEr-s7QsX4H8/s1600/IMG_20140219_081311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QPgdDYW6IpnNkqxUMZbH-zob05Lva-jVRXyDinVBwtCK2fA3nm_iVXCtwVTmOcf_SrwTG_biaDsDLtIQ0H0lpG9SUSZOqs4xqebEP1aVVZFTWrer7kLiZgv9ctdWwseAEr-s7QsX4H8/s1600/IMG_20140219_081311.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4v0ZTyjYXNhYbikSskr1Qq4FaBFYvyEqcRnyakTqhxd5SrvcqqpaJoXKGankIG1nd-1xxqmfEzs0zuieLBTOJ9G_AY4nniVzzo9V20TULE2igmK70Q2mDJhVUmsFj8AfS83qAGKqoh8A/s1600/IMG_20140219_081335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4v0ZTyjYXNhYbikSskr1Qq4FaBFYvyEqcRnyakTqhxd5SrvcqqpaJoXKGankIG1nd-1xxqmfEzs0zuieLBTOJ9G_AY4nniVzzo9V20TULE2igmK70Q2mDJhVUmsFj8AfS83qAGKqoh8A/s1600/IMG_20140219_081335.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
This area was based around an Sam's Grandmother's antique cabinet. I like the way the vase on the floor has a beach scene with the lighthouse and then the glass vase on the cabinet draws your eye upwards with the driftwood pointing up to the newly framed painting!Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-84943299329485428772014-02-05T18:32:00.000-05:002014-02-05T18:32:07.273-05:00Passionflower TRRRellis!OK... So let me start with the "I'm sorry." Keeping this blog up to date has been a task for me. Once I got behind, it seemed daunting to get back on to make updates. Now that I am started again, I'll keep it going :-)<br />
<br />
Recently we found ourselves in need of space in the garage and have been going on a spree of get rid of it or at least find a use. By far, my favorite project so far that has come of this: the pair of trellises by the pool. Take a look!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nnosPIIniyK5Jvk6yjRzVje9x32CvAUHAdKbMxKxlKzCWc4rOWTkeZwqU2C0r5Oq0CA8xDERP9JdD0YaaX4Dhk_4dQ-n-7ipjpiCsOe3FfxP4SdE3VdqLcY4s0rkckWefunYU2ZuqyY/s1600/IMG_20140203_075009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nnosPIIniyK5Jvk6yjRzVje9x32CvAUHAdKbMxKxlKzCWc4rOWTkeZwqU2C0r5Oq0CA8xDERP9JdD0YaaX4Dhk_4dQ-n-7ipjpiCsOe3FfxP4SdE3VdqLcY4s0rkckWefunYU2ZuqyY/s1600/IMG_20140203_075009.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0rnASGQnPJHPpXsdj7Lobw3J3IYgiaXOMvb05q7kt4WuUFbL7Pi-04r4X4AiBkHkP0ZpN645tDoTdAH2NhFCu_cbCFLF3xRoNGZLU9cZ1a4wlsXkO8wXcuDf-iuIQmlk4RgRU0goOJc/s1600/IMG_20140203_075018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0rnASGQnPJHPpXsdj7Lobw3J3IYgiaXOMvb05q7kt4WuUFbL7Pi-04r4X4AiBkHkP0ZpN645tDoTdAH2NhFCu_cbCFLF3xRoNGZLU9cZ1a4wlsXkO8wXcuDf-iuIQmlk4RgRU0goOJc/s1600/IMG_20140203_075018.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So this is a Triple-R project: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. We reduced landfill waste, reused some pieces, and recycled by repurposing.<br />
<br />
"How?!" You may be asking. (If not, just stick with me...)<br />
<br />
There were two old Queen Size mattresses in the garage! We stripped the material off the mattresses down to the springs. Although we did not keep the fabric, we did reuse some of the underlayment as a weedbarrier in the garden (works great!) and we found that the springs made a wonderful trellis. <br />
<br />
First we set the galvanized poles from an old chain-link fence with a sledge hammer. We literally pounded them into the soft sand several feet in. Once they were in, Sam marked the poles of where the springs would be attached. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUAcMVmM5vaZ15PG6bBV8KZXzYbnzAwvk2bhiBQCRMlsDWYX0HmZjhuqr27EtURQsKM95R1nB-szxZJDWYaC4jY92VQz2TKHAUooxODm5rkHDWEUH9sCJMfrxYCFMT_SGnSrV5UX5p2w/s1600/IMG_20140201_144950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUAcMVmM5vaZ15PG6bBV8KZXzYbnzAwvk2bhiBQCRMlsDWYX0HmZjhuqr27EtURQsKM95R1nB-szxZJDWYaC4jY92VQz2TKHAUooxODm5rkHDWEUH9sCJMfrxYCFMT_SGnSrV5UX5p2w/s1600/IMG_20140201_144950.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Then we drilled into the pipes where it was marked. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8argl6a9utmES_o1feuM-n9C_nisSyGGoWNRA6DKX_4Gcbptho6HS2YMho90kYqgBz2EHcs7qCYZggT7rPoweFLw8wxyLiTfG-o7a7QeutGmfTYDo-gOrWWSW4WdKBGKM7506VMbVZtM/s1600/IMG_20140201_151247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8argl6a9utmES_o1feuM-n9C_nisSyGGoWNRA6DKX_4Gcbptho6HS2YMho90kYqgBz2EHcs7qCYZggT7rPoweFLw8wxyLiTfG-o7a7QeutGmfTYDo-gOrWWSW4WdKBGKM7506VMbVZtM/s1600/IMG_20140201_151247.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The mattress springs were then wired to the post through the drilled holes. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE07bMTQJUZirv4W62FUgTscppURygj2Rb4WYRkLoAvi4YB9DyvJ129nW3Vcaq60xIGHq2MSchX5uoKC2m6lxaQayTuh9Sb8gGHPFTQ6JqGgmRY8Al_VPWcV_KTvRvgrEfbjx3jrXeUP8/s1600/IMG_20140201_154704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE07bMTQJUZirv4W62FUgTscppURygj2Rb4WYRkLoAvi4YB9DyvJ129nW3Vcaq60xIGHq2MSchX5uoKC2m6lxaQayTuh9Sb8gGHPFTQ6JqGgmRY8Al_VPWcV_KTvRvgrEfbjx3jrXeUP8/s1600/IMG_20140201_154704.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After the springs were attached, Any remaining bits of fabric were cleaned off the frame with a razor blade. </div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9SCKgDv74sg21B4apzBnxKN8ySdP4vTfZtywjH8rIvy_sgmXqmMW_g5lEwCR7aKhpxt1wcvjcfR2nPStixR3p-5txEKesA8K_M5kevSHqCZGqDI1T6d-uikL8GBVs89B6DDGCwf3nFE/s1600/IMG_20140201_154251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9SCKgDv74sg21B4apzBnxKN8ySdP4vTfZtywjH8rIvy_sgmXqmMW_g5lEwCR7aKhpxt1wcvjcfR2nPStixR3p-5txEKesA8K_M5kevSHqCZGqDI1T6d-uikL8GBVs89B6DDGCwf3nFE/s1600/IMG_20140201_154251.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
And VOILA! a trellis was built!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDb_CluRE_fpN9mgZskt548OapKMkHkT43XJIzjP7GoelY-LLjtZ9_VZJWkSA94OdOsTThZPoJsgxj_EC6qsUA9og98z7rKIMEXQ7iitTSHFBpHR1CmYEe-Gw_6Yu598eDcNUNeiZ-wEs/s1600/IMG_20140201_155956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDb_CluRE_fpN9mgZskt548OapKMkHkT43XJIzjP7GoelY-LLjtZ9_VZJWkSA94OdOsTThZPoJsgxj_EC6qsUA9og98z7rKIMEXQ7iitTSHFBpHR1CmYEe-Gw_6Yu598eDcNUNeiZ-wEs/s1600/IMG_20140201_155956.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
We built two in between our palms by the pool to create a natural screen of vines. On the left, we have planted two varieties of passionflower: a purple and a red. And it looks like they are enjoying the weather already!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjizeSsDaYvm7Xfkzr1gSQNxdSLECEIMYIc5wmEIT0xZ24oFbH090jXni1xDn0z6u4wUubZ3vk5J5X1Px1v851nPxWW7ZiIg3r4maifb2NP-ZHkyj627gA0-o5nI5vTCjOZY85uOb1DYs/s1600/IMG_20140205_175901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjizeSsDaYvm7Xfkzr1gSQNxdSLECEIMYIc5wmEIT0xZ24oFbH090jXni1xDn0z6u4wUubZ3vk5J5X1Px1v851nPxWW7ZiIg3r4maifb2NP-ZHkyj627gA0-o5nI5vTCjOZY85uOb1DYs/s1600/IMG_20140205_175901.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GjvHnwCcW1N0BfNTa5xGrAjeqeghI5qbvYBCbOwRAKCCygoxP4iag2fWiJ7rJgDL1NZjlKs2ZYTJYASrr_gkLTiOGRktsPEjKxIb4ch0lVEo5f1W2iTGt7qz7aHrXG4jLPdDK1vWVG0/s1600/IMG_20140205_175541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GjvHnwCcW1N0BfNTa5xGrAjeqeghI5qbvYBCbOwRAKCCygoxP4iag2fWiJ7rJgDL1NZjlKs2ZYTJYASrr_gkLTiOGRktsPEjKxIb4ch0lVEo5f1W2iTGt7qz7aHrXG4jLPdDK1vWVG0/s1600/IMG_20140205_175541.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
We hope to have something else planted on the right one soon. More updates to follow soon! Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-88862487318967246372013-05-11T14:14:00.001-04:002013-05-11T14:14:21.692-04:00Doing Something Right?It's so exciting to see the development of our yard. When we moved in, it was just a barren weeded lot with a tree out front. One by one, we've brought in young trees and moved fences, and pulled out vines along our property line, and planted plants. <br />
<br />
As the property has morphed, we've started to see an increase in wildlife. <br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEjGQ32Eclda3j7zoZRNVb36uWzcx3foySt1FsNTU0KKaZmNcyctcGKqFITtVKJVhH7K8LKPjDpcFrHYag69HukD0gsc1Q5u8bsDvOnoMjRNKw2Ze-Vk4g9W-0K2awTxIKcdo857zXACv64/s1600/Image014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQ32Eclda3j7zoZRNVb36uWzcx3foySt1FsNTU0KKaZmNcyctcGKqFITtVKJVhH7K8LKPjDpcFrHYag69HukD0gsc1Q5u8bsDvOnoMjRNKw2Ze-Vk4g9W-0K2awTxIKcdo857zXACv64/s1600/Image014.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River Otter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEg7dz67wagqAlXqxmJ_V4rubsjFvdvlX4zerG45uTPWUfcyZNjJ0exy_m9ZTh0wNSMFSHTGYZv2CmGPRbuArmTWetP7XWGuPmAP1Tl71Xjy9FNcoSI-sbgXlYk5vCaLzazohejrwwejrNw/s1600/Image039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dz67wagqAlXqxmJ_V4rubsjFvdvlX4zerG45uTPWUfcyZNjJ0exy_m9ZTh0wNSMFSHTGYZv2CmGPRbuArmTWetP7XWGuPmAP1Tl71Xjy9FNcoSI-sbgXlYk5vCaLzazohejrwwejrNw/s1600/Image039.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Tailed Hawk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEif_EEvehj_H7fKwTA8gbXlKlNLxqbLWfGQS_ApI6ysOOtakrfaMjcf9ybuIV8CAgwsOLnyRcW557pNtuK297_qcYF39bYXhinUrKRkQzrXR9EP15qiFnsTx2_aoVMGduvIjbC0hD1IXZU/s1600/IMG-20130413-00002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_EEvehj_H7fKwTA8gbXlKlNLxqbLWfGQS_ApI6ysOOtakrfaMjcf9ybuIV8CAgwsOLnyRcW557pNtuK297_qcYF39bYXhinUrKRkQzrXR9EP15qiFnsTx2_aoVMGduvIjbC0hD1IXZU/s320/IMG-20130413-00002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spider (sunbathing in the pool)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEihBM6ZZNgVuSLesqTe729POxx5iv3WvBJTQS_jNTo6sj-6eISGT-vpGw6WupecpRWg5aoAGucmik-5FK8t_PiXdB1QkEzJWNuDEB-3s0qzJt2Mda_btlWkm15WHq3qbuRPJQ3sxJ67AeQ/s1600/IMG-20130511-00081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBM6ZZNgVuSLesqTe729POxx5iv3WvBJTQS_jNTo6sj-6eISGT-vpGw6WupecpRWg5aoAGucmik-5FK8t_PiXdB1QkEzJWNuDEB-3s0qzJt2Mda_btlWkm15WHq3qbuRPJQ3sxJ67AeQ/s320/IMG-20130511-00081.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turtle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Recently, we've seen an increase in wildlife - I only wish I had a camera ready to go more often! Sam saw turkeys one afternoon. A few nights ago, we had three deer running across the yard. And since spring is in full bloom, we have seen an emergence of all kinds of birds including: cardinals, wrens, mockingbirds, mourning doves, ground doves, woodpeckers, crows, ravens, guinea hens, and more. <br />
<br />
It's nice to know that we are creating a landscape that is nice to look at, but also welcoming so much of nature. Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-17153123401309245712013-05-05T20:45:00.001-04:002013-05-05T20:45:29.839-04:00Raised Vegetable GardenFinally... I know... <br />
<br />
It's been a while since my last update. <br />
<br />
Sam and I created our raised bed vegetable garden using old 4X4s instead of tossing them to the curb! Think it turned out pretty nice - what do you think?!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uiiukZBW304" width="640"></iframe><br />Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-68101973766888090412012-12-25T22:25:00.001-05:002012-12-25T22:25:03.884-05:00Christmas 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Phase 1:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Start with the icicles on the roof. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Phase 2:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Columns, Front Porch, Candy Cane Walkway, Reindeer, Santa Train, and Penguin sled.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuHqi459oSU6g8ktZJRn_JkwGwEasWqZ8SS-uWd8mdsPLCbT_5vIUtvHzx1PF_FFdiuD1q6Sc6oBxVfJXtDW3GeZ-AyHBR6KOUj66fwU6ZYINYdRDT3L8g-NF-6aDGUvzpeJJVDZMmTQ/s1600/Photo0771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuHqi459oSU6g8ktZJRn_JkwGwEasWqZ8SS-uWd8mdsPLCbT_5vIUtvHzx1PF_FFdiuD1q6Sc6oBxVfJXtDW3GeZ-AyHBR6KOUj66fwU6ZYINYdRDT3L8g-NF-6aDGUvzpeJJVDZMmTQ/s1600/Photo0771.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgDZzfFNzFLALPXWlnIOI3iihyxuPmMPqkwuAkxFLPhR2r_FgSGSzkT_Q6adWCX24XAWIvT3uJjtBTspoKhdL_2vpIbf3cgLtQKz6DY3P9OfjmQipfw56WdRTUH3LWNhq7Gwr141cv9U/s1600/Photo0770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgDZzfFNzFLALPXWlnIOI3iihyxuPmMPqkwuAkxFLPhR2r_FgSGSzkT_Q6adWCX24XAWIvT3uJjtBTspoKhdL_2vpIbf3cgLtQKz6DY3P9OfjmQipfw56WdRTUH3LWNhq7Gwr141cv9U/s1600/Photo0770.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-v-s_Dt8DFcp_9Vb5NdGG1iZtHVDREsnhifkAzDXw4PBWJJbX9phM67-zNtu29slidOR0RmIM4Rn3-KGCjDCcIgHLEv9sr9y9QdIW2Cw7V__cwPiiOeNUA4rmDS5X2r1HBU-sz6oLmQs/s1600/Photo0775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-v-s_Dt8DFcp_9Vb5NdGG1iZtHVDREsnhifkAzDXw4PBWJJbX9phM67-zNtu29slidOR0RmIM4Rn3-KGCjDCcIgHLEv9sr9y9QdIW2Cw7V__cwPiiOeNUA4rmDS5X2r1HBU-sz6oLmQs/s1600/Photo0775.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVj2_wEQ17OsVZAyZOoSJ7x51j5F1sB2R54l75hF2TgNtDGrz73e7hG_bKdazefWM4YqKgggG6K0KvcQI2KiuNBVU5jQzKbxb4MukHjURn77JTvdLQg7jhqWK3rDVWPBwaMVNiIfMO7E/s1600/Photo0774.jpg" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixLnnuR-xj7itSn4hnvynycrCnRGvsbi2CavCREgjIWA0A4TMmSHqFAefjyFropEBVHyzE1hnsEC8JisZmnNCrbReQSNW5B9Kh9fp80vORUgvBz1IDd2ZYkdzQ7bwIg-sjnaUmc50YiY/s1600/Photo0773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixLnnuR-xj7itSn4hnvynycrCnRGvsbi2CavCREgjIWA0A4TMmSHqFAefjyFropEBVHyzE1hnsEC8JisZmnNCrbReQSNW5B9Kh9fp80vORUgvBz1IDd2ZYkdzQ7bwIg-sjnaUmc50YiY/s1600/Photo0773.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqUHKDsiqhvqodlZShYPm_EygQghuRltTo44RNzh5V73BReORMhwmaM5RJsEjC0ekjq9FZookDb3wWfViY1vQaPN0IJWN4DNpthdODb0fnTJ00WN3bmv_Uidlv5RUZa2bcRQQuHY2Nzw/s1600/Photo0772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqUHKDsiqhvqodlZShYPm_EygQghuRltTo44RNzh5V73BReORMhwmaM5RJsEjC0ekjq9FZookDb3wWfViY1vQaPN0IJWN4DNpthdODb0fnTJ00WN3bmv_Uidlv5RUZa2bcRQQuHY2Nzw/s1600/Photo0772.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6YM18KGib3llLJ_CPM4o6Zf2ku4HtKWb6YJz0HGp7csx6qtX8O8VcyZyUvU0P_r1tFg9F6Z67rR3LCTzsjlWxziPuURTDLcYliPDDUXOKox8NnQz7kQUCloF7l-E6eaQUH3NQZibBDA/s1600/Photo0768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6YM18KGib3llLJ_CPM4o6Zf2ku4HtKWb6YJz0HGp7csx6qtX8O8VcyZyUvU0P_r1tFg9F6Z67rR3LCTzsjlWxziPuURTDLcYliPDDUXOKox8NnQz7kQUCloF7l-E6eaQUH3NQZibBDA/s1600/Photo0768.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UajMavh8Pi3qGX0U19PyFhzgMg6KHpZJ3ZoCA-BEKUYOZygkMiYQ2vfJKyPfMLhGp1jiaDiD1Yc81U-CLgxp2Hq-KrJSFX053V7SMNFa8Dh-Na0VGM4qkAcVJVon01ZIHkeaHG1fhKM/s1600/Photo0769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UajMavh8Pi3qGX0U19PyFhzgMg6KHpZJ3ZoCA-BEKUYOZygkMiYQ2vfJKyPfMLhGp1jiaDiD1Yc81U-CLgxp2Hq-KrJSFX053V7SMNFa8Dh-Na0VGM4qkAcVJVon01ZIHkeaHG1fhKM/s1600/Photo0769.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWfKb2IIg0ZDtJXRAQD9pqFk1E57N0iXw87v4YMpl-EEjjZX_vK7G2wyxuiUAIAhbzy1rifmF8ZdOYoRTYo44evVkSfjl7fZQrZWeyY2YpV96nNwKrm3QGUItKMuMgkujdMRPOh3-2kI/s1600/Photo0776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWfKb2IIg0ZDtJXRAQD9pqFk1E57N0iXw87v4YMpl-EEjjZX_vK7G2wyxuiUAIAhbzy1rifmF8ZdOYoRTYo44evVkSfjl7fZQrZWeyY2YpV96nNwKrm3QGUItKMuMgkujdMRPOh3-2kI/s1600/Photo0776.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Phase 3:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Add Greenery</div>
<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/AVvXsEhydP3Kr7AFpRRpSKJtuqC1Xkatsgp38wzWzzK9Lx7ZPq2QncO0QAumZfU-1aa7ENd415NSjxEdc6Mvc2V_iJIVHvy8BA5cUwGPMPuLMZvyDfPIX4CXZWFwA5-GSn_9QaxwyxmERSjmm-c/s1600/Photo0786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydP3Kr7AFpRRpSKJtuqC1Xkatsgp38wzWzzK9Lx7ZPq2QncO0QAumZfU-1aa7ENd415NSjxEdc6Mvc2V_iJIVHvy8BA5cUwGPMPuLMZvyDfPIX4CXZWFwA5-GSn_9QaxwyxmERSjmm-c/s1600/Photo0786.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Wreath</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEgyU3ltrruMdqbj3lCHKCaZKS1apNlbUt-tJcrMGyHN4VaVZLjGbPthVQQq6xX0Jgy0ICzXo2qYnbSk6-C8AZKczYKg_ohTiiu0oah2Rdlf_mN1qdgEIsTNwfnNwkyGXcBWzY_fv8IPuHo/s1600/Photo0787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyU3ltrruMdqbj3lCHKCaZKS1apNlbUt-tJcrMGyHN4VaVZLjGbPthVQQq6xX0Jgy0ICzXo2qYnbSk6-C8AZKczYKg_ohTiiu0oah2Rdlf_mN1qdgEIsTNwfnNwkyGXcBWzY_fv8IPuHo/s1600/Photo0787.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OK - VERY large wreath. Just over 4 feet!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2P59uItUc0q2MkqreDdMBiwzc0wKBtesd2MqqtJAv5WO3UGRXIJKdicG-EmBRcQ_svzqv4r37LKJ-GrWn75XFZByr1M0hSf8LaIBg6cy8WmZkbLd1LW-n8l6qa0KiStOuyiIhbrgg4s/s1600/Photo0788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2P59uItUc0q2MkqreDdMBiwzc0wKBtesd2MqqtJAv5WO3UGRXIJKdicG-EmBRcQ_svzqv4r37LKJ-GrWn75XFZByr1M0hSf8LaIBg6cy8WmZkbLd1LW-n8l6qa0KiStOuyiIhbrgg4s/s1600/Photo0788.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<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/AVvXsEg4xumywoxW_jtAmWuyKGvJteaBeq1wJItbvickWER5AyXGd5hwG3F8_nJ2n4zFcQOywFqjodU4GheSLD77ZNqwvY4Zlm6g5-93s2IkNnH-gA5GkmuB4HFQj_wmEbdwJ4eEnpY5Di2gaik/s1600/Photo0791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xumywoxW_jtAmWuyKGvJteaBeq1wJItbvickWER5AyXGd5hwG3F8_nJ2n4zFcQOywFqjodU4GheSLD77ZNqwvY4Zlm6g5-93s2IkNnH-gA5GkmuB4HFQj_wmEbdwJ4eEnpY5Di2gaik/s1600/Photo0791.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Fresh garland bough over the front door.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<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/AVvXsEjf3B9IwsH17Sg8Mf7q9Tp02bOiWs97Ta4K2pHFIj_RhkhJ87nXkczZtv-O8rPImQfdfOu6YTVVdb-LWeOUQ3j_Lt_V6kQGZi8U7yof6tlgLi0PYE1Fuizcv4IWsrLLTilxL8p4Trnk9s4/s1600/Photo0794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3B9IwsH17Sg8Mf7q9Tp02bOiWs97Ta4K2pHFIj_RhkhJ87nXkczZtv-O8rPImQfdfOu6YTVVdb-LWeOUQ3j_Lt_V6kQGZi8U7yof6tlgLi0PYE1Fuizcv4IWsrLLTilxL8p4Trnk9s4/s1600/Photo0794.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sprigs for the front.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEjbIjH-Frr15jQh664MiznUKfmq1f78GGPcIKAfdlFAhnoc2vorXxp6O3ULHGj9vL44X80HyYQC47dunreC656DN-olEQcJJoNGxR0JyKHBDM0qy65j9lg4IF8K5Rp7IT9hyMU4T6POVCA/s1600/Photo0792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIjH-Frr15jQh664MiznUKfmq1f78GGPcIKAfdlFAhnoc2vorXxp6O3ULHGj9vL44X80HyYQC47dunreC656DN-olEQcJJoNGxR0JyKHBDM0qy65j9lg4IF8K5Rp7IT9hyMU4T6POVCA/s1600/Photo0792.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One for each of the front shutters.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPAX5W4aTkxW_FuTHOaHSR6mKhY4h3A4BYlPEThV_48V_K1qJzNziUYkWugQ5xLp3eDS7CnhQ7wCqBBmKRFsYBq421V9-LpJd8_pYngzo4kW05tgzSQHCPcqX8b-rDJcjWhL3DPJvy_Y/s1600/Photo0793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPAX5W4aTkxW_FuTHOaHSR6mKhY4h3A4BYlPEThV_48V_K1qJzNziUYkWugQ5xLp3eDS7CnhQ7wCqBBmKRFsYBq421V9-LpJd8_pYngzo4kW05tgzSQHCPcqX8b-rDJcjWhL3DPJvy_Y/s1600/Photo0793.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3B9IwsH17Sg8Mf7q9Tp02bOiWs97Ta4K2pHFIj_RhkhJ87nXkczZtv-O8rPImQfdfOu6YTVVdb-LWeOUQ3j_Lt_V6kQGZi8U7yof6tlgLi0PYE1Fuizcv4IWsrLLTilxL8p4Trnk9s4/s1600/Photo0794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpp7_aQfHdKnsI7Rxv5y1QnLP7nxeB-Oph-oKhjWh5MZcM56Tpsb5n6xoXSv-Kh2VTrLks9LoeuEdQPtI2Hu4DA2fcISWdcH8e96zJmLzivMzZWmuBt32bV5i973kXFWjVirnbDksIpGw/s1600/Photo0795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpp7_aQfHdKnsI7Rxv5y1QnLP7nxeB-Oph-oKhjWh5MZcM56Tpsb5n6xoXSv-Kh2VTrLks9LoeuEdQPtI2Hu4DA2fcISWdcH8e96zJmLzivMzZWmuBt32bV5i973kXFWjVirnbDksIpGw/s1600/Photo0795.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Phase 4:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
MORE lights!</div>
<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/AVvXsEiC-ehHhvUgLi8V6MFEaFhyvQD65Wo172Lt2yWyoYz3g64jzCGZqn_QZPHn_-8mvTuzJenUWP4WqWhAUD17NpyElhxjxW9CZXW18Tvr0hyM-CV4a15sjIWN3xdLXocl2QBO_AcExYnML04/s1600/Photo0796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-ehHhvUgLi8V6MFEaFhyvQD65Wo172Lt2yWyoYz3g64jzCGZqn_QZPHn_-8mvTuzJenUWP4WqWhAUD17NpyElhxjxW9CZXW18Tvr0hyM-CV4a15sjIWN3xdLXocl2QBO_AcExYnML04/s1600/Photo0796.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotlight for the penguin sled.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<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/AVvXsEjg9oazwboQcHiv3kgJiXm1EjieId19HMmj1_N6lRjQIqGSxYcAmojWQQ607ihLPzM8klU7UbPFqfqWZ_NkIf1BQqgmNjjWCuwG48bJV2TAALJi_6Q0PtCaaY_pdYgZskIcdEgrCjkwrPQ/s1600/Photo0798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9oazwboQcHiv3kgJiXm1EjieId19HMmj1_N6lRjQIqGSxYcAmojWQQ607ihLPzM8klU7UbPFqfqWZ_NkIf1BQqgmNjjWCuwG48bJV2TAALJi_6Q0PtCaaY_pdYgZskIcdEgrCjkwrPQ/s1600/Photo0798.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lights along the fences to the left and right. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcTzWBfRWrddg-N-1D7uKavPgq54tTcAUajXce_WOit-tgzkIYgFk7E5HYF2jn_S5QtiNykdc57u7sE8BA3IEIstnZuYYQsSUmOspWlgdhLIFr_KNZnZfDVJYhyw0DBguia7ykkPB8x0/s1600/Photo0799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcTzWBfRWrddg-N-1D7uKavPgq54tTcAUajXce_WOit-tgzkIYgFk7E5HYF2jn_S5QtiNykdc57u7sE8BA3IEIstnZuYYQsSUmOspWlgdhLIFr_KNZnZfDVJYhyw0DBguia7ykkPB8x0/s1600/Photo0799.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1K2OrR9YrFwxlgD1H7bAvGGNcallabvtfr_sODVg40x_UKzQ4Q3QE0yv6RJBLBWxgeHP-IDNTv6d8xosK0zuimnkNAxY5rf3KA98HL9vhjLUO8tvUusQkBtanp0hQ9e39celfIrPtmg/s1600/Photo0800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1K2OrR9YrFwxlgD1H7bAvGGNcallabvtfr_sODVg40x_UKzQ4Q3QE0yv6RJBLBWxgeHP-IDNTv6d8xosK0zuimnkNAxY5rf3KA98HL9vhjLUO8tvUusQkBtanp0hQ9e39celfIrPtmg/s1600/Photo0800.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<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/AVvXsEjyc6C2-Ik49VpcYO_YR-o6H0HdgLPgyrPYvLcq2TtdEJNodNjnUa7bJb8KPgbI58QYF7UErHNMJJiJsGorH6_6DeYTlCyrr_k42TMgBM-9l8a2Jo7RXG1Avn7TM9zT4PEvDVswgztodhs/s1600/Photo0801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc6C2-Ik49VpcYO_YR-o6H0HdgLPgyrPYvLcq2TtdEJNodNjnUa7bJb8KPgbI58QYF7UErHNMJJiJsGorH6_6DeYTlCyrr_k42TMgBM-9l8a2Jo7RXG1Avn7TM9zT4PEvDVswgztodhs/s1600/Photo0801.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even pretty during the daytime!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Phase 5: Final phase</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sam's gift</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbIAoQ-0k_RJEIv3ENKE4JU9duEVtltsxjahOZYK0oOQ5o5yFnNp-aESHe6_XVNRouGCbkzlTcpbn0SZ2VRD44auJx9Sc9ULw3vykaALYarU9rWopPzbN6b54xeXHEqVgkjDUq04ilYs/s1600/Photo0806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbIAoQ-0k_RJEIv3ENKE4JU9duEVtltsxjahOZYK0oOQ5o5yFnNp-aESHe6_XVNRouGCbkzlTcpbn0SZ2VRD44auJx9Sc9ULw3vykaALYarU9rWopPzbN6b54xeXHEqVgkjDUq04ilYs/s1600/Photo0806.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dmJ52bUfMPBpK1AReTqpi9_M_rgyP_LMD4Sgjtl_ckuJXrHVBsU02J6S0XEumi54irOUzxTHEwYfisREuEYR-EQI9I1Mr7POa6JmXgAItfoYyD_hBKBHreZiSZRVBI3MWn_J1scRNr4/s1600/Photo0807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dmJ52bUfMPBpK1AReTqpi9_M_rgyP_LMD4Sgjtl_ckuJXrHVBsU02J6S0XEumi54irOUzxTHEwYfisREuEYR-EQI9I1Mr7POa6JmXgAItfoYyD_hBKBHreZiSZRVBI3MWn_J1scRNr4/s1600/Photo0807.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-69898317477699089472012-12-06T12:01:00.002-05:002012-12-06T12:01:45.804-05:00Fort Christmas DragonflyLast weekend Sam and I went to Fort Christmas with our neighbor. They had their annual craft fair on Saturday and Sunday. <br />
<br />
The best part of these fairs is all of the wonderful local crafts. We didn't spend a lot of money, but we did bring home one thing - a plaster cast welcome sign. It was plain plaster with a clear sealant on it. <br />
<br />
I spent the last few days detailing it out and made it pop out of the plaster and come to life! The dragonfly has an amazing iridescent shimmer that makes the dragonfly look alive! <br />
<br />
Hope you enjoy! And it will soon be placed by the front door for everyone to enjoy when they arrive at the front door. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixE1876yzymfarpOYOV7NUgCHA-xyBfLkFQ2SSzR9Z0wgFfORAHsLtUgYbaGrhMEBpw4Sy6M-Mswoqd2HGmkzrFxrdnDuwzPlGpSLFFmXHKt5yJ7PiFb-tqhSsftJiOwHZWGY-mJwYqkU/s1600/Dragonfly-welcome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixE1876yzymfarpOYOV7NUgCHA-xyBfLkFQ2SSzR9Z0wgFfORAHsLtUgYbaGrhMEBpw4Sy6M-Mswoqd2HGmkzrFxrdnDuwzPlGpSLFFmXHKt5yJ7PiFb-tqhSsftJiOwHZWGY-mJwYqkU/s1600/Dragonfly-welcome.jpg" /></a></div>
Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-29792399798397898502012-12-01T18:59:00.000-05:002012-12-01T18:59:09.734-05:00Merry ChristmasAfter a brief hiatus, I am coming back to my blog :-)<br />
<br />
More to come again soon - promise. In the mean time, the holiday spirit is starting to kick in! Merry Christmas!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-deJ5bq6K0txNr0ZG689db7t56zofHSkwDv5mbcKD4Iz6FeBAsmHncqeqopUlXgMyzunf2iLz9nsk3LqIrt_dPacyQT-P_uJjJ5LMkXbH_GNMZxY1LG9z_fNN_HfCkKi2nzM73LFRTGw/s1600/merrychristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-deJ5bq6K0txNr0ZG689db7t56zofHSkwDv5mbcKD4Iz6FeBAsmHncqeqopUlXgMyzunf2iLz9nsk3LqIrt_dPacyQT-P_uJjJ5LMkXbH_GNMZxY1LG9z_fNN_HfCkKi2nzM73LFRTGw/s640/merrychristmas.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-89212344531815060262012-08-16T13:43:00.001-04:002012-08-16T13:44:25.672-04:00The Elusive Cactus and Succulent TableSo with the last post, I have had several questions come up about the cactus and succulent table. It seems to be of such high interest that I knew last week the next post would be reserved for just the Cactus and succulent table. I apologize for taking so long, but I have been feeling a little under the weather since Saturday and come Tuesday, poor enough to finally head to the doctor and found that I had Strep Throat... It sucks! Finally today my fever has broken, and I have felt chipper enough to actually venture outside and check the status of all the plants in the gardens. Luckily for me it has rained almost daily since last week!<br />
<br />
Let me start by saying that the cactus and succulent table never really started out for this purpose! It was simply a nursery area for all of the new arrival plants that I felt needed some extra attention before getting them into the gardens (being a bargain shopper, clearance at Lowe's has always been my friend!). This also served as an area for me to root my cutting and get them starting on their own before I sent them out. For the most past, everything has filtered out except for the cactus and succulents! <br />
<br />
I have plans for a nice large arid garden on the North side of the house, just behind the pool pump. I think with the sandy soil here, I probably just need to till it up and clean it up and drop the plants in! (Thank you Skeeter for the giveaway! It will be much help on this project!)<br />
<br />
I digress... Let me share... Let me share...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpmqT05mwZOQt92-8VNea9cqU06shVD4i17B7ND7mhz633Z5vcWyLdmYCmdmE9_Yzmdb8qpMwO8ZRePdtAci59fNwGFQEMlFvT-pDy6lgHzaCUe1g6hipoi9LmBCz6W0uppUYBotYHBY/s1600/Photo0672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpmqT05mwZOQt92-8VNea9cqU06shVD4i17B7ND7mhz633Z5vcWyLdmYCmdmE9_Yzmdb8qpMwO8ZRePdtAci59fNwGFQEMlFvT-pDy6lgHzaCUe1g6hipoi9LmBCz6W0uppUYBotYHBY/s1600/Photo0672.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEhKwd-ytnM8RDdlLoVaNU19UP30v0u2pm0KrrVvtzASGSGTNFa4NBylcVSjlTrzXHod5iNQ4lPKi7wmAdIf0u1ExPGvXnG3sUiFeCzNOGCTacQoMtfvS_J7Alfn28ccA9plvI6hccoOxUM/s1600/Photo0673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwd-ytnM8RDdlLoVaNU19UP30v0u2pm0KrrVvtzASGSGTNFa4NBylcVSjlTrzXHod5iNQ4lPKi7wmAdIf0u1ExPGvXnG3sUiFeCzNOGCTacQoMtfvS_J7Alfn28ccA9plvI6hccoOxUM/s1600/Photo0673.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tall Prickly Pears in the back have bloomed several time with nice pretty yellow flowers. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEiPyJMD0c00k69cmUgRD_XVQuk4Hs2s70jzCgPBs65nF58hLdzeLDF6XleC73AHZygVPnIJknBYh718j9iONDkqajrySrM2gupcZNU5ECMRowbSckIYpRSRucEWqeifAvh10_nUXC6iZuI/s1600/Photo0674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyJMD0c00k69cmUgRD_XVQuk4Hs2s70jzCgPBs65nF58hLdzeLDF6XleC73AHZygVPnIJknBYh718j9iONDkqajrySrM2gupcZNU5ECMRowbSckIYpRSRucEWqeifAvh10_nUXC6iZuI/s1600/Photo0674.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is from a piece of Jade that Sam's mom gave us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEipE9GCN9Z438Ut7I6DVlZ3as5mFJjXRAaIw-KSjPlm2ltNC_KUQLTQjJj_JEvTGTink_xiwEILJcZ4xh758LXv-X1Oif7VbmxcpRRN5r16C7qX16w6VYkZoqrjQ5odhqtZ7N6VOI4nsx8/s1600/Photo0675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipE9GCN9Z438Ut7I6DVlZ3as5mFJjXRAaIw-KSjPlm2ltNC_KUQLTQjJj_JEvTGTink_xiwEILJcZ4xh758LXv-X1Oif7VbmxcpRRN5r16C7qX16w6VYkZoqrjQ5odhqtZ7N6VOI4nsx8/s1600/Photo0675.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to bloom!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwT2QVIwf9RBOynf7kN51vCmFQEeQpgchIBpJ9TxNJNy1-AVDdcJnia4rISE1Y2prEmuVNNzgrM747d24OTulUhTHhttFf_YY9yr4EgVmS9FpPO9XHCFatGjH9cejbdv9lJ7-rZI6Oq0/s1600/Photo0676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwT2QVIwf9RBOynf7kN51vCmFQEeQpgchIBpJ9TxNJNy1-AVDdcJnia4rISE1Y2prEmuVNNzgrM747d24OTulUhTHhttFf_YY9yr4EgVmS9FpPO9XHCFatGjH9cejbdv9lJ7-rZI6Oq0/s1600/Photo0676.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEh_xwOX3082jOoIKHL_0G5BpsQMC3j1EGwfE8n0L8Ug3rvmp7xKlGq1C0Kvmd66xNTOOZVo9xfZPWiE3eyq7sF3YrEdFnAsuTcphoefaNQVriWCOdMHdBVb13fwpDSSosZW-Q3qj5C_K8Q/s1600/Photo0677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xwOX3082jOoIKHL_0G5BpsQMC3j1EGwfE8n0L8Ug3rvmp7xKlGq1C0Kvmd66xNTOOZVo9xfZPWiE3eyq7sF3YrEdFnAsuTcphoefaNQVriWCOdMHdBVb13fwpDSSosZW-Q3qj5C_K8Q/s1600/Photo0677.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More cuttings and they're doing good!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEhJAFfF0oTH8S9HGJ6zUN33trZjbnrSzuiH7ykcCpkWi4YctkZ9lCEMJj21sm9_sepo00YPybxxb3dnlDEbFZHMZhTxXxRS3hpzBDDaAf_FqBqTsBts_VdKg3CaEUTB5us-KCodSVfhhSM/s1600/Photo0678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAFfF0oTH8S9HGJ6zUN33trZjbnrSzuiH7ykcCpkWi4YctkZ9lCEMJj21sm9_sepo00YPybxxb3dnlDEbFZHMZhTxXxRS3hpzBDDaAf_FqBqTsBts_VdKg3CaEUTB5us-KCodSVfhhSM/s1600/Photo0678.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have no clue what this one is, but it's definitely unique! Looks all spiny, but it's not prickly in the slightest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-80931485456291542262012-08-04T16:35:00.001-04:002012-08-04T16:35:41.803-04:00cranberry lime succlentIn December I was at Lowe's hunting for just the right succulents to create a succulent garden for my Mother (Black Thumb). For Christmas, I decided it would be a great gift for her since I could create a contained succulent garden that wold only need water every week or so. In hunting for her succulents, I also decided to get enough to fill in my cactus and succulent table. <br />
<br />
I gathered up all kinds of succulents eagerly. I searched high and low for different colors, textures, shapes, and sizes. With as many as I was taking, I lined them up in one of the trays and rushed home as quickly as I could to get the succulent garden set up. It looked beautiful! So beautiful that I had to create a table top version for myself too! <br />
<br />
As the little plastic tray emptied out, I discovered all kinds of scculent pieces and leaves. Of course, what would I think?! "Why not just grab up all the little pieces and see if anything roots?!" And that, of course, is what I did. <br />
<br />
A couple of them struggled through, made some progress, but then shriveled right up into nothing. However... just one powered through and has become it's own little plant! I found a bottle from Cranberry Lime Schmirnoff. I used a bottle cutter to remove the top of the bottle and made a little planter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCHEFiVYs-t7fl4Ho_2zrY-Hjzyew5PO7Thg47zP5C34wUGCz298qzZIvyF122our4sTGsTr9cTPLpudPUCt-O2AG2S_f6O1Pde5Yc_xbw0lW7tK-c9aNw2o1r5BjnBDahe2vlGloib0/s1600/Photo0642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCHEFiVYs-t7fl4Ho_2zrY-Hjzyew5PO7Thg47zP5C34wUGCz298qzZIvyF122our4sTGsTr9cTPLpudPUCt-O2AG2S_f6O1Pde5Yc_xbw0lW7tK-c9aNw2o1r5BjnBDahe2vlGloib0/s1600/Photo0642.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I thought the "flavor" of the succulent was cranberry and lime since it was red and green :-) How appropriate?!Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-68136158136242416602012-07-26T07:39:00.002-04:002012-07-26T07:39:24.335-04:00Mom's old cactusLast year my Mom was moving back to Ocala and in the move she decided to give us a cactus that she had actually had for many years. I remember it sitting in a pot on the deck since I was a little kid. Even with mom's black thumb, the cactus stayed alive. Well now it came to our house in the same little black pot it had always known for about 15 years or so. <br />
<br />
As we got it home, it just seemed like it was begging to be transplanted. It needed more space, more nutrient rich dirt and just a good spot in the sun. So we did just that and waited... About a month or so ago, there was finally a bloom on the plant and it had shown significant growth. I could barely contain myself with getting to see the first bloom after so long. Sadly, the night it bloomed, I missed out.<br />
<br />
Within the last week, Sam and I noticed the blooms coming in again! This morning he took Molly-dog (we just started to call her that instead of Marley) outside for her morning backyard stroll and came back in at about 10 minutes to 5 (yes... I was not happy....) telling me that I needed to get up to see something in the backyard.<br />
<br />
Reluctantly, I dragged my half-asleep body out of bed. Sam told be to bring my phone... So I did. And just outside the slider from the Master Bedroom out by the pool, I understood all of sudden why it was so important!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BRcPu1rDiszFDAdBWbfchqLoxtlbA_3QnUckzzN5CizFIo-dYDd_m88-SGPbr2iv7o9Kz7URQ7rTQkvjWAJRVP1cxYxz_bVtNZa8wYy7ngokXg0asy1tU1Po7_9zIyILMGOtwgwYm2Q/s1600/white+Cactus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BRcPu1rDiszFDAdBWbfchqLoxtlbA_3QnUckzzN5CizFIo-dYDd_m88-SGPbr2iv7o9Kz7URQ7rTQkvjWAJRVP1cxYxz_bVtNZa8wYy7ngokXg0asy1tU1Po7_9zIyILMGOtwgwYm2Q/s1600/white+Cactus.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEily7CnGBnYUAWb4iDVHVhkvF_DbT8gQ7h1a_0zE810-EgpwwB_Gfglsfbg1tBd-kc5-WbbNzgFR-n6Y5LvJoQGJzpr66yOyl2sHpVXuZMRsUUUuM5s_1jhWqST4MQpqwxv5_fBt7MDpjo/s1600/white+Cactus2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEily7CnGBnYUAWb4iDVHVhkvF_DbT8gQ7h1a_0zE810-EgpwwB_Gfglsfbg1tBd-kc5-WbbNzgFR-n6Y5LvJoQGJzpr66yOyl2sHpVXuZMRsUUUuM5s_1jhWqST4MQpqwxv5_fBt7MDpjo/s1600/white+Cactus2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh998utZG7yRiOw2xyjewohmBbL6keCVVa2DFqPrOJUxpfPhLWK0JMbPhkQASgyNREEHfYxyU7fjrfWqLyFCEmwxAFbyoLVBFNanS3MTGpL87M31EuX_KDKj_ErXYuqpCbAF35r2KgPd5o/s1600/white+Cactus3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh998utZG7yRiOw2xyjewohmBbL6keCVVa2DFqPrOJUxpfPhLWK0JMbPhkQASgyNREEHfYxyU7fjrfWqLyFCEmwxAFbyoLVBFNanS3MTGpL87M31EuX_KDKj_ErXYuqpCbAF35r2KgPd5o/s1600/white+Cactus3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXsWXar2LPJr9I0rGBIR-CbgsecQG0MQAoV49ffcwiyjlHQO0BNJjVNXBsuk9kB-G2_1WEzZVMA_J0iU0R0uMMhpUWPKenQxtsAJ1h0FXScqBFzAYrgxEJsuplWPzwSMsJuXyYMro3SU/s1600/white+Cactus4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXsWXar2LPJr9I0rGBIR-CbgsecQG0MQAoV49ffcwiyjlHQO0BNJjVNXBsuk9kB-G2_1WEzZVMA_J0iU0R0uMMhpUWPKenQxtsAJ1h0FXScqBFzAYrgxEJsuplWPzwSMsJuXyYMro3SU/s1600/white+Cactus4.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3H0vJVxYT-2GKEY1mxfZopTcXSxyFE9QyrMfm5o783Ysq4_TnfAH4ii9SDrrYVEnRC1x3jcjvJPOxIkaUEqEGx0Wy0W8BB2uvZnT1Fs9RiDE1bglrWuE-Gf8DAmmkap9HDTRWYThCBOU/s1600/white+Cactus5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3H0vJVxYT-2GKEY1mxfZopTcXSxyFE9QyrMfm5o783Ysq4_TnfAH4ii9SDrrYVEnRC1x3jcjvJPOxIkaUEqEGx0Wy0W8BB2uvZnT1Fs9RiDE1bglrWuE-Gf8DAmmkap9HDTRWYThCBOU/s1600/white+Cactus5.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
These photos just don't do it justice! There were two large beautiful white blooms just soaking up the rays of the falling moon. The sky was clear and the air was still. The flowers were widely awake, even if I wasn't. <br />
<br />
A quick glance around the yard and I also peeked the other backyard night bloomer: the goards. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQNqX87hXZT4SeEqFRP4zXYWNpKQJ5JDDVCCsLfjHfHz2ySi6DFQ4fzzkh15NHH-2b5kzb4l9oU5zoWBUASX3u-qkgNC3PGFEZLNE0XB6qK5eyuX_92SDb9hTCtzUqMcrdySfSWtJT0E/s1600/goards+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQNqX87hXZT4SeEqFRP4zXYWNpKQJ5JDDVCCsLfjHfHz2ySi6DFQ4fzzkh15NHH-2b5kzb4l9oU5zoWBUASX3u-qkgNC3PGFEZLNE0XB6qK5eyuX_92SDb9hTCtzUqMcrdySfSWtJT0E/s1600/goards+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Tdpo1QRsTcuMyO0Y_F4qJYO7Til9q5V87HpHG6oTXFTXWeI-hzhfKZOPnVr_VE-ZVT1ZDywrIKQDOPvM1Q95z3luX66FiaDGSzIb3rE2tk4645rUyJmwVrnQGYU_1AccwYVnncwogY4/s1600/goards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Tdpo1QRsTcuMyO0Y_F4qJYO7Til9q5V87HpHG6oTXFTXWeI-hzhfKZOPnVr_VE-ZVT1ZDywrIKQDOPvM1Q95z3luX66FiaDGSzIb3rE2tk4645rUyJmwVrnQGYU_1AccwYVnncwogY4/s1600/goards.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The delicate vine has trellised nicely and has started to meander towards the rain barrell. Its delicate white flowers look like they are cut from the finest tissue paper and glued into place. Because of the night blooming, it's rare that I get to enjoy the flowers on this vine. <br />
<br />
As I dragged myself back to the slider to crawl back in bed, the protector of the night gardens was enjoying his feast from thefloodlight buffet and poked his head out to let me know he had his eye on things.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJAjw_kTEKBom3MrJqoeTu1BHxOYDOGlhuklFQn8gLHwfn2j3NiKQotky-3f063AENnBbD8xdvsuD4U5tKHluyTHKpgzJh-C4EMGHtw3qKf3LeaKtEB8b3cGWMjE8FUIXUGyYO_LeqHw/s1600/frog+on+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJAjw_kTEKBom3MrJqoeTu1BHxOYDOGlhuklFQn8gLHwfn2j3NiKQotky-3f063AENnBbD8xdvsuD4U5tKHluyTHKpgzJh-C4EMGHtw3qKf3LeaKtEB8b3cGWMjE8FUIXUGyYO_LeqHw/s1600/frog+on+wall.jpg" /></a></div>Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-17721686980205755792012-07-21T22:05:00.001-04:002012-07-29T10:44:47.235-04:00MollyToday Molly joined the family! A beautiful 7 month old puppy, still growing. She is so sweet and loving and already Sam and I have bonded with her. Can't wait for all the good times to come!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tcdEZK-PndwUQFKeIA3aBzyKxpHdax1E2ls0JTFecj4ok8NDdLs3w3j20mhptVMWrrPddOWKSA9zYGA4zF6xICxmTKublFf7AcCiL42ekPmbpB1Hi7thiGWeH6lAPTTZVWLi79NbFME/s1600/IMG_6054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tcdEZK-PndwUQFKeIA3aBzyKxpHdax1E2ls0JTFecj4ok8NDdLs3w3j20mhptVMWrrPddOWKSA9zYGA4zF6xICxmTKublFf7AcCiL42ekPmbpB1Hi7thiGWeH6lAPTTZVWLi79NbFME/s320/IMG_6054.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEM-q2zoOBvV7iHZg84x9JuL_SjTZm9vlgvYBHbHi1MtLrFKNPa-u2cUKlS-X8Rqox9daKzCqbqtIDwfsrznnLktv_ywhycKDlRf6ElxnLkdXjaPhuuH0-VglN-QYaPmXOEq7xvwibL-g/s1600/IMG_8939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEM-q2zoOBvV7iHZg84x9JuL_SjTZm9vlgvYBHbHi1MtLrFKNPa-u2cUKlS-X8Rqox9daKzCqbqtIDwfsrznnLktv_ywhycKDlRf6ElxnLkdXjaPhuuH0-VglN-QYaPmXOEq7xvwibL-g/s320/IMG_8939.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvTW9kDHMziLivz-yJhw4vQkGrBLt3a7VBs1kmFUyBO9a6ZexXERSwOWXOkoD1djtloB3lbN2vr7WKei0_NZDc00g1FEbKv02-N3UWkh5aTGDIY-YIVdRlrB9Oxm4mpFGrO3Cwp581VU/s1600/Photo0599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvTW9kDHMziLivz-yJhw4vQkGrBLt3a7VBs1kmFUyBO9a6ZexXERSwOWXOkoD1djtloB3lbN2vr7WKei0_NZDc00g1FEbKv02-N3UWkh5aTGDIY-YIVdRlrB9Oxm4mpFGrO3Cwp581VU/s1600/Photo0599.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgN-K3mlKMUDJ6_22tSjRIYBKPKqW5oOjbBu84Dkh2LrBxWU7nmQ_RV1kcbwjSV9S3pwwXoNodMr97PtNLY4kuB0lknM9zcXppCpbcfb5RN_F3QVCYmMfnFN2iJPw0BrG0bAVOP7u-7wI/s1600/Photo0600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgN-K3mlKMUDJ6_22tSjRIYBKPKqW5oOjbBu84Dkh2LrBxWU7nmQ_RV1kcbwjSV9S3pwwXoNodMr97PtNLY4kuB0lknM9zcXppCpbcfb5RN_F3QVCYmMfnFN2iJPw0BrG0bAVOP7u-7wI/s1600/Photo0600.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCBeCFqBL_MCFj2yeD_jYvudsKncyNQFHJz8fWBBLqbCeXoMcQyHpjjBf3AZijn975JL8sHDuj5YHGNRgDJegVEc4ayjdpmMCOdT9CddO3jbr4JfLZ3dVJK6uxo5aYJvhCkSb5NnoseI/s1600/Photo0601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCBeCFqBL_MCFj2yeD_jYvudsKncyNQFHJz8fWBBLqbCeXoMcQyHpjjBf3AZijn975JL8sHDuj5YHGNRgDJegVEc4ayjdpmMCOdT9CddO3jbr4JfLZ3dVJK6uxo5aYJvhCkSb5NnoseI/s1600/Photo0601.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxwL6q5JcUJXaUuFovjMnZozSSOryDlyV9tj1T-Ja45Vrg2vWtYIDbPMho-2E0SHYmphwLZKPBgnxSE31nKbSI5BjxCerTBthUEJ5MJR-ojt0B556ChqGj_VyVUYjkKk1Pm_bNB6xrEQ/s1600/Photo0602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxwL6q5JcUJXaUuFovjMnZozSSOryDlyV9tj1T-Ja45Vrg2vWtYIDbPMho-2E0SHYmphwLZKPBgnxSE31nKbSI5BjxCerTBthUEJ5MJR-ojt0B556ChqGj_VyVUYjkKk1Pm_bNB6xrEQ/s1600/Photo0602.jpg" /></a></div>Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-87668723491826658102012-07-17T23:10:00.003-04:002012-07-17T23:10:56.876-04:00Attack of the Gulf Fritillaries!With all of the rain we've had recently, it's such a pleasure to see the growth in the gardens. <br />
<br />
In the backyard behind the pool, we have our three "color panels" starting to take shape! The two outside panels have different colors of bougainvilleas.<br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEgzjfUtsqyPe1ngMMDihj6S3zg2VdeiSAQbhT6v4-Xk2reB7lNb8hsu7wV_odF2PyoQs2a-h8cVXSas7jTAAoGnL5tJkGZclyS4cNXDEP5p9VhUdf7ebdxlpBT7lLbF835Pv2bWbZWv1Cw/s1600/Photo0500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjfUtsqyPe1ngMMDihj6S3zg2VdeiSAQbhT6v4-Xk2reB7lNb8hsu7wV_odF2PyoQs2a-h8cVXSas7jTAAoGnL5tJkGZclyS4cNXDEP5p9VhUdf7ebdxlpBT7lLbF835Pv2bWbZWv1Cw/s1600/Photo0500.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The smaller shrimp colored bougainvillea on the left panel.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEjYEG580An_bqbn-9zRL3Ey7iMgS-Ef4s7hzk21GkOgvOwBXQjrUwwYwKcdkJ0EvsdzxANhVGxy4up2Ql6s0i4iBDe5EXirAVxXlJ4e8JuVpDAVo785kz1H7kiJCkw0E7ZO28jyqUlulac/s1600/bougainvillea2cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEG580An_bqbn-9zRL3Ey7iMgS-Ef4s7hzk21GkOgvOwBXQjrUwwYwKcdkJ0EvsdzxANhVGxy4up2Ql6s0i4iBDe5EXirAVxXlJ4e8JuVpDAVo785kz1H7kiJCkw0E7ZO28jyqUlulac/s320/bougainvillea2cropped.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A big bright magenta on the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The center panel was planted with a small purple passionflower vine. With all of the rain, it has grown in leaps in bounds! Yesterday, I was able to catch it's first bloom; however, it was mangled from falling on the ground in the torrential downpours. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPh-NA0VW6edu_hhEOuwpuz_Ggajf8H15TS6yrbMwck5V_P-G17NfGUTO1Qc3kPpW9undlcJYyon1feF2aAfS7RQP9OkHGfZw10bO5du0kJ029SYNT3N5vl3Pctz9OzET8656LQoOVnQ/s1600/Passionflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPh-NA0VW6edu_hhEOuwpuz_Ggajf8H15TS6yrbMwck5V_P-G17NfGUTO1Qc3kPpW9undlcJYyon1feF2aAfS7RQP9OkHGfZw10bO5du0kJ029SYNT3N5vl3Pctz9OzET8656LQoOVnQ/s1600/Passionflower.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
So I trained the vine up onto the wood panels and hoped that the future blooms would open up in the next day or two and show beautiful blooms. I checked again when I got home...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJBXIobrvKoSS2JKWpJlVLv5vUeLIhexnkIwiuIJXNrEMmduDPY-AsRbPIXzAz1z4tx63-7wEqV7e1yFlg4sI9MkO3Ox2q0vmsUoS9xt89fQ8eHk4H_D2l7yRjFbQCecyBqJCdWVh910/s1600/Passionflower3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJBXIobrvKoSS2JKWpJlVLv5vUeLIhexnkIwiuIJXNrEMmduDPY-AsRbPIXzAz1z4tx63-7wEqV7e1yFlg4sI9MkO3Ox2q0vmsUoS9xt89fQ8eHk4H_D2l7yRjFbQCecyBqJCdWVh910/s1600/Passionflower3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Sadly, not mangled by the rain, but eaten by caterpillars. Upon closer examination, little caterpillars littered the passionflower. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjL8uq_-ADoxtQRHZP71f8lrPllcBFKwdkyPyTWftZr6-uSIwDE_tyUMj_VYQqpGrgByGqqYPtHV-DsQa5Dyv1WwzvjvawOQxJEmouWP3qih09bp7AN-If5-lEPBOTb8tXgu9bZkJlZg/s1600/caterpillar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjL8uq_-ADoxtQRHZP71f8lrPllcBFKwdkyPyTWftZr6-uSIwDE_tyUMj_VYQqpGrgByGqqYPtHV-DsQa5Dyv1WwzvjvawOQxJEmouWP3qih09bp7AN-If5-lEPBOTb8tXgu9bZkJlZg/s1600/caterpillar.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYnsFmsm4DO8AGRyb9gNfRUNl5LtcMv4yAfcwla18dZC_TyC73a5gIRWTqAwh-VwhCEZ8MQqSm9_JEqq8gnEkxGrZTt3H8m4BqlAuwB444Xj0mk7_1jgtikQVkJaRRNQhcEV7TUc1c5I/s1600/caterpillar2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYnsFmsm4DO8AGRyb9gNfRUNl5LtcMv4yAfcwla18dZC_TyC73a5gIRWTqAwh-VwhCEZ8MQqSm9_JEqq8gnEkxGrZTt3H8m4BqlAuwB444Xj0mk7_1jgtikQVkJaRRNQhcEV7TUc1c5I/s1600/caterpillar2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittzTbB15-FJ4nw9qOFuVatavsAPuASbv4NxvPCdIoEHToT9D6bNqLIWYn35gwlN7Wdww4fSkkY3WSi-rcQXQv3Ja5Z4LSJQCl1K15krOYx14FbvOjcqxG8zGU6PRyjs4dFX9CmjcU4EA/s1600/caterpillar3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittzTbB15-FJ4nw9qOFuVatavsAPuASbv4NxvPCdIoEHToT9D6bNqLIWYn35gwlN7Wdww4fSkkY3WSi-rcQXQv3Ja5Z4LSJQCl1K15krOYx14FbvOjcqxG8zGU6PRyjs4dFX9CmjcU4EA/s1600/caterpillar3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I checked online and found they are gulf fritillaries. Gonna leave them for now and see if they stick around. Even though they ate the passionflower vine, it looks like it's going to be ok and continue growing,. Just decided that if they've already had their fill, perhaps they will be able to grace our backyard once they become beautiful butterflies!Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-22392530595423043822012-07-03T20:36:00.002-04:002012-07-03T20:36:42.732-04:00Here comes the rain again!After about a week of the hottest weather in ages, there was nothing nicer than to make it home, pull into the driveway and hear the claps of thunder rolling in. No sooner than I got inside the heavens opened up and poured out every little drop of water and quickly dropped the temperature from 100% down to a balmy cool 80% with breeze. <br />
<br />
As soon as it started, I pulled the plants out from the patio and let them soak up whatever they could. Sat on the patio and enjoyed the rumbles and splish splash of rain drop diving into the pool and breaking on the patio pavers. <br />
<br />
In the video, you can also see the herb garden from the last blog entry just beyond the pool. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kjIH6xeKHuQ" width="640"></iframe>
</center>Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-88007972649723082242012-07-02T00:52:00.005-04:002012-07-02T00:52:57.522-04:00Herb TroughOne man's trash... <br />
<br />So our neighbor had this pipe... No use for it and Sam decided that he had an idea - and a grand idea it was! <br />
<br />
Together we crafted and created a new herb garden. I have posted the video to share in the event you would like to make a similar one. <br />
<br />
<br />
<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mq-H9VDlm6I" width="420"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
** track on this video is Hiromi Uehara...</center>Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-50599213781203314342012-06-25T07:37:00.001-04:002012-06-25T07:37:42.142-04:00More Rain?! MORE??The last two days have just been miserable. This is going to be our third straight day of rain. It started on Saturday afternoon, but has continued non-stop since then. All day, all night. And now it looks like another day of rain, all day... <br />
<br />
The positive side: at least I don't have to worry about watering the plants! And we do need some rain from the drought we were in. <br />
<br />
Here's the forecast for the day. Have you ever actually seen a forecast for 100% Rain Chance?! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqwGYk4ZKr2pz6MmGln5_sfSIGyFZNF_86qkHwmjeP6ueWPkKXNeE2J26eu8tlqccKA5IcNcebvLxiz5smHGHFx2FyRHogTwWL6bOPR5ii_do1tJsvY-oqqI43YQ1E_ZXKjBjqvzFcjo/s1600/6-25.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="563" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqwGYk4ZKr2pz6MmGln5_sfSIGyFZNF_86qkHwmjeP6ueWPkKXNeE2J26eu8tlqccKA5IcNcebvLxiz5smHGHFx2FyRHogTwWL6bOPR5ii_do1tJsvY-oqqI43YQ1E_ZXKjBjqvzFcjo/s640/6-25.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-77535834768287875482012-06-23T12:17:00.001-04:002012-06-23T12:17:13.032-04:00The Great Bougainvillea Revival Part III last updated the blog with the bougainvilleas about 2 months ago when I noticed that the Shrimp colored bougainvillea was coming back to life. (<a href="http://threecatmanor.blogspot.com/2012/04/great-bougainvillea-revival.html" target="_blank">Read the Great Bougainvillea Revival</a>) So another update is in store!<br />
<br />
Checking on it this morning, not only is it filling in nicely, it is finally getting flowers! A couple flowers just emerged from the green clumps of foliage! I did notice that the flowers look darker than they used to before we transplanted it across the yard - no matter though, they are still going to be beautiful!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnthHLT2j8poZOTEALq-G7CRFkH4ukgRarJw0S4E9MvwepGWy-Nt5PZ8nfHHqOi9B-G9OentK25tXB9zF0D8O-PMvj5Fpt_gDBSuwvH_OML1txnz4jiAef9qqW_M4ls3f4wmSRLx6XpH4/s1600/Photo0500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnthHLT2j8poZOTEALq-G7CRFkH4ukgRarJw0S4E9MvwepGWy-Nt5PZ8nfHHqOi9B-G9OentK25tXB9zF0D8O-PMvj5Fpt_gDBSuwvH_OML1txnz4jiAef9qqW_M4ls3f4wmSRLx6XpH4/s1600/Photo0500.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTHxoQruVIJBx99hyphenhyphenW-z5H3TsHqmoMWkOJIcYp6cc51_dwjaspUQRnm22y0D2Q3wTKa3v3GW0-Zu6Awt2Kur8HHstbeCJTJq98IcG8PTi3zEjz8vIrHP9-PvLfJLvegcb4Fjz4xNZLzY/s1600/Photo0501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTHxoQruVIJBx99hyphenhyphenW-z5H3TsHqmoMWkOJIcYp6cc51_dwjaspUQRnm22y0D2Q3wTKa3v3GW0-Zu6Awt2Kur8HHstbeCJTJq98IcG8PTi3zEjz8vIrHP9-PvLfJLvegcb4Fjz4xNZLzY/s1600/Photo0501.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUw6_snuZ8xBGmKrwlhtAaqsxHPWDZNZspJy_7wqtQMEXeMOjWTGb2uErub2snv5VX1Z7Imhnk821dB263sKNWFYn3qZN9qRtgjlwBogZOP3Zjw8Qix_upY9XggBMg1IpQWBBTOUbe0s/s1600/Photo0496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUw6_snuZ8xBGmKrwlhtAaqsxHPWDZNZspJy_7wqtQMEXeMOjWTGb2uErub2snv5VX1Z7Imhnk821dB263sKNWFYn3qZN9qRtgjlwBogZOP3Zjw8Qix_upY9XggBMg1IpQWBBTOUbe0s/s1600/Photo0496.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-57477155269144264092012-06-21T08:03:00.000-04:002012-06-21T08:04:10.191-04:00Sunflower HillI am so happy to look out every morning now and see a hill complete with Sunflowers and Gladiolus. All the beautiful colors just brighten my day!<br />
<br />
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then what is a slideshow? Hope you enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyZkbR3dGeD3Zpl2QoqY15Mq41I0wewnsSq9Si4wH34tpIc0Mt0gHRLPPymC6x_tv2-epltNFqe0Te1hlFQrg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-9563906498000386682012-06-15T09:20:00.000-04:002012-06-16T20:08:53.291-04:00Butterfly OrchidA few days ago I was walking through all of the gardens and rather enjoyed all of the blooms from the gardens. Walking through the Oak garden I noticed a new blossom...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xIpubema5aITOsT1vqKknLxCMt3y7QrZIVtdEQsCUqWsGNZafY_zfCytAot6OdOA4jVqeEBWT_rrmM1uR5DDcJx1xQtWfevsx5g_c0k6dOFYNF6wfPGCpkfuvgxm4EK5-es5uHGhfYo/s1600/Photo0458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xIpubema5aITOsT1vqKknLxCMt3y7QrZIVtdEQsCUqWsGNZafY_zfCytAot6OdOA4jVqeEBWT_rrmM1uR5DDcJx1xQtWfevsx5g_c0k6dOFYNF6wfPGCpkfuvgxm4EK5-es5uHGhfYo/s400/Photo0458.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The butterfly orchid was in bloom! It is a native orchid to this area and was wired onto the oak tree. It struggled and one day it fell off the tree, I decided that was where it wanted to be and decided to leave it there... and of course it started to thrive then! I knew it was an orchid, but wasn't sure what kind until it bloomed and I have been patiently waiting for almost 8 months now. I am excited to see that the orchid is doing well and how beautiful and delicate it truly is! <br />
<br />
And p.s. - that is Captain playing in the yard in the background of the orchid :-)Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-77380833425357642762012-06-10T09:51:00.001-04:002012-06-11T22:17:37.217-04:00Grizzly the ClownWhen Grizzly had his accident in April, we were so afraid that he would become a timid cat. Afraid that he would shy away from the other cats and from us. Luckily, we have a cat with a very strong personality; and by strong, I mean outgoing, silly, and fun. <br />
<br />
The other night as I was watching TV on the couch, I saw that he returned to exactly the same cat he was before his accident. Just flipped right over and laid on his back to watch TV upside down. And he just laid there happy as a clam and continued to do so for at least an hour. Of course I had to take some pictures - and of the pictures I took, very few were actually back to back, he was just calm and happy, but silly. <br />
<br />
Hope you enjoy the video!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzuhzrlz0KlRBm4-mizV6RX-Ucq_ZNEEclsfR4vhyWOfoyXFTqT56llXXEh_5OyHRlRr4xAGDhBfsOhFXXVCQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-10879018633923258002012-06-08T20:14:00.001-04:002012-06-08T20:14:37.600-04:00Spring came lateI've been bad this last week and haven't written a thing! So a little catch-up is due.<br />
<br />
The last few weeks have been filled with rain and simply have drenched everything. Although it's wonderful to see the greenery actually green, and to see the flowers in full bloom, I would love to see them drenched in some sun too!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigjoWXmrc_bR6WcB2JqqZg1VI88SMIN5N2zkbgTve2s7iFaRr7NFQwMvqIEoiIhyLG1R4FCCSqt94QLybMo4N4499tkBS7-F-3LxkNrbVjFKtnmT8PWcpXGnO-c6SEEfg0mHuy6TM9Ew/s1600/Hill+Garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigjoWXmrc_bR6WcB2JqqZg1VI88SMIN5N2zkbgTve2s7iFaRr7NFQwMvqIEoiIhyLG1R4FCCSqt94QLybMo4N4499tkBS7-F-3LxkNrbVjFKtnmT8PWcpXGnO-c6SEEfg0mHuy6TM9Ew/s1600/Hill+Garden.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_gL2qQwvaqzJFW8ROhKJLzo2VCQFoyPM7QehyphenhyphennfcBrveHHdMnyQUfnrC3-7bLk6F373UDoX1q7n10c9Nj0i6jw0sEubRCXUJjJwzB4oNj7IolIc-CuXBm3AKFYPhwQxICOWxv1gNNxw/s1600/hill+garden+long.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_gL2qQwvaqzJFW8ROhKJLzo2VCQFoyPM7QehyphenhyphennfcBrveHHdMnyQUfnrC3-7bLk6F373UDoX1q7n10c9Nj0i6jw0sEubRCXUJjJwzB4oNj7IolIc-CuXBm3AKFYPhwQxICOWxv1gNNxw/s200/hill+garden+long.jpg" width="150" /></a>The hill garden in the backyard is in full bloom! It's so wonderful to see all of the seeds took hold and have turned into such beauties! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZA_9qBBpqTz4JQbWD5peEQFNN8eK601TyMDURUf5xipamxayhxATqtPy40za8bvua0WKgWVNaSwdpirI_Yz4ildP_pC5jLmf4lpOGXidpTU5lH62JviAoMtvXIhyKfqrUKJyDche4_54/s1600/Photo0422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZA_9qBBpqTz4JQbWD5peEQFNN8eK601TyMDURUf5xipamxayhxATqtPy40za8bvua0WKgWVNaSwdpirI_Yz4ildP_pC5jLmf4lpOGXidpTU5lH62JviAoMtvXIhyKfqrUKJyDche4_54/s1600/Photo0422.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I really love how the sunflowers are coming up! We chose a good mix of sunflower seeds, but so far most of them are red.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIKrINLX4er_U6u4o9YptVTKsVXaac7-9D5tUynwFUPVVwspF5jr4X1ofL2smv-fTZwqMuBcyvUfDqJXHqH_8V7mzKSg5DDCW31gHka5Mm0WRC7AnMex7gelqEH8254s4uR5RT8QVFs0/s1600/scarlet+sunflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIKrINLX4er_U6u4o9YptVTKsVXaac7-9D5tUynwFUPVVwspF5jr4X1ofL2smv-fTZwqMuBcyvUfDqJXHqH_8V7mzKSg5DDCW31gHka5Mm0WRC7AnMex7gelqEH8254s4uR5RT8QVFs0/s200/scarlet+sunflower.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXzWOXjDkmYqRUwi74ZT3era4HWo5L_bn-lsk76jX0k0GF-LSNtcFye8CrH6cD1xs19jdKexUI-nqsK_XKTUwxz4cBZMd_6KEYojrb2P-t9mMF08iOzvla1KFE-ufT6r7MIxiAiPHUpc/s1600/Sunset+sunflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXzWOXjDkmYqRUwi74ZT3era4HWo5L_bn-lsk76jX0k0GF-LSNtcFye8CrH6cD1xs19jdKexUI-nqsK_XKTUwxz4cBZMd_6KEYojrb2P-t9mMF08iOzvla1KFE-ufT6r7MIxiAiPHUpc/s200/Sunset+sunflowers.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuRX70gegYttD8VKybyhfrqE9FRyrtYEeMdj5ZSe-idn73S7Km0UAwA6dlVJP7mvqxo0XwJr6NRnofb6TaTLpCtA1bwu-EMdGUu_T3sSxRC6bcekYu7pE3KgYocy-Zv3tvi4XiAB5p84/s1600/yellow+sunflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuRX70gegYttD8VKybyhfrqE9FRyrtYEeMdj5ZSe-idn73S7Km0UAwA6dlVJP7mvqxo0XwJr6NRnofb6TaTLpCtA1bwu-EMdGUu_T3sSxRC6bcekYu7pE3KgYocy-Zv3tvi4XiAB5p84/s200/yellow+sunflower.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNf64VwsZ9xgxYslFRHFiiwduOwFlDjjeSoer5t7DstUEDPd2qRw8ccTuZJjL7DTqaTEOJPU-7YCTt0sMosU_xDdrbnp9VP2GrTFlczRFaGNahkbIMwqOF0kykKWZbeF0Fg3FEhyphenhyphenrlEo/s1600/FSU+Sunflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNf64VwsZ9xgxYslFRHFiiwduOwFlDjjeSoer5t7DstUEDPd2qRw8ccTuZJjL7DTqaTEOJPU-7YCTt0sMosU_xDdrbnp9VP2GrTFlczRFaGNahkbIMwqOF0kykKWZbeF0Fg3FEhyphenhyphenrlEo/s1600/FSU+Sunflower.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is definitely my favorite!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In this same garden, the four o'clocks are in full bloom. I remember growing up a neighbor used to have these all over her yard. I know it's strange, but they were beautiful! I have only seen yellow and pink ones, but we have some really beautiful ones that came up: Yellow, Pink, Confetti (which is pink and yellow speckled all over), and white.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ifAbUcFNz4ifJ4feEeFW91nZCtE8A3AXIEJ3B24MWCN5n-rlNV92OsI1eMeFuWl8uhVXOaqq11VQhNwLPmpufppBYd3Ca6aeP3fT7Id67ITjaaf4HEWmD45LJBQRR2wimCE-0RcEn6E/s1600/4+o+clocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ifAbUcFNz4ifJ4feEeFW91nZCtE8A3AXIEJ3B24MWCN5n-rlNV92OsI1eMeFuWl8uhVXOaqq11VQhNwLPmpufppBYd3Ca6aeP3fT7Id67ITjaaf4HEWmD45LJBQRR2wimCE-0RcEn6E/s200/4+o+clocks.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0BMOuta-Rt48s85q_tbikMGX2cq0oTxHa41HTC5J_eAlrug0hJYwBvryI5kr7ENJCma2COIl4ZJ-yKdFRTICp1c0QG_ZDOObWIrsCvA72-ZHpr2jq3N9eaBi0jjt4yGPfauPu-UDu1Y/s1600/yellow++4+o+clocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0BMOuta-Rt48s85q_tbikMGX2cq0oTxHa41HTC5J_eAlrug0hJYwBvryI5kr7ENJCma2COIl4ZJ-yKdFRTICp1c0QG_ZDOObWIrsCvA72-ZHpr2jq3N9eaBi0jjt4yGPfauPu-UDu1Y/s200/yellow++4+o+clocks.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrFagBC0gfZUBffYrtyHjdfULL3zPmCoTUpsT0G6ULapSUVYQAvuDCOQX7lvoMxYrWosqMHtlhS_uEQXXf6qmgTWFswEF-7eL9NBdoyj8xN0QEWyODbnlrj8YtKzl-U_Ix08tMI6255I/s1600/Confetti++4+o+clocks+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrFagBC0gfZUBffYrtyHjdfULL3zPmCoTUpsT0G6ULapSUVYQAvuDCOQX7lvoMxYrWosqMHtlhS_uEQXXf6qmgTWFswEF-7eL9NBdoyj8xN0QEWyODbnlrj8YtKzl-U_Ix08tMI6255I/s200/Confetti++4+o+clocks+2.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ShneE2fgPpXMXrhCLEguJ76dhGVH1InMsmxglQOg7njVCvywJ8eFylX8D-oq08qfePk-wDceJSL9EtMVw4QDLftHYiBOGg4p7nTvbAKspBoEXh6BaqQXawMpYqqyLpHKRzdNtZJ8u7s/s1600/Confetti+4+o+clocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ShneE2fgPpXMXrhCLEguJ76dhGVH1InMsmxglQOg7njVCvywJ8eFylX8D-oq08qfePk-wDceJSL9EtMVw4QDLftHYiBOGg4p7nTvbAKspBoEXh6BaqQXawMpYqqyLpHKRzdNtZJ8u7s/s1600/Confetti+4+o+clocks.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4PT59BFNpc3sbwvdk7AnXd1_pivRem5EnNjoo7u1c6xll6Dkq-nLsmNaHM8uPVJegZAYaGvbJlhFUrvMLVa12bBGLcpYrbrNl5xJDibvIDJr5QEZebRt3dQbaodRLsj9U2Zuymz1LDo/s1600/White++4+o+clocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4PT59BFNpc3sbwvdk7AnXd1_pivRem5EnNjoo7u1c6xll6Dkq-nLsmNaHM8uPVJegZAYaGvbJlhFUrvMLVa12bBGLcpYrbrNl5xJDibvIDJr5QEZebRt3dQbaodRLsj9U2Zuymz1LDo/s1600/White++4+o+clocks.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I also have a couple new bulbs that have bloomed. I have no clue what they are, but they are both stunning. If anyone knows what they are, please let me know. <br />
<br />
The first is in the backyard in the second Oak garden. They are not growing like amaryllis, but similar to a small spider or narcissus lilly. They are amazingly fragrant; incredibly sweet and smell similar to Jasmine. The stark, crisp white flowers are delicate and seem to just dance as the breeze tickles their tall stalks. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvaF92BaBD__irk1Lkyol1NRM4zxfk1obeyK81HrT9oufqq6o-_iGBZ05zj76E5K2Y7AEwyZzaYMebXNZc3YftELERe9AMG0pIaDGth3adAd_5laoeosCPQBA8fRTafpiToqp7dVUU_U/s1600/fragrant+lilly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvaF92BaBD__irk1Lkyol1NRM4zxfk1obeyK81HrT9oufqq6o-_iGBZ05zj76E5K2Y7AEwyZzaYMebXNZc3YftELERe9AMG0pIaDGth3adAd_5laoeosCPQBA8fRTafpiToqp7dVUU_U/s1600/fragrant+lilly.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0M2yIN04aKt0Xe7UgVSFR6NyHEdUlK_8VaPVHB6gq6fMYtQOt2hOJmzO_5fVtffT4kUmWvbIN3-BR7bV3IkxBVH3Khj5FX7fyKopopm__nQNYApcHHmqTdjsC1eRSp0kipVGDgD5ODY/s1600/fragrant+lilly+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0M2yIN04aKt0Xe7UgVSFR6NyHEdUlK_8VaPVHB6gq6fMYtQOt2hOJmzO_5fVtffT4kUmWvbIN3-BR7bV3IkxBVH3Khj5FX7fyKopopm__nQNYApcHHmqTdjsC1eRSp0kipVGDgD5ODY/s1600/fragrant+lilly+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The other new lilly is in the front of the house amidst the amaryllis gardens. I found them on the back side of our fence and moved them hoping for something pretty. a year and a half later, the first blooms have appeared! The flower capsules open in the same way the amaryllis do. The leaves and bulb look like a corn plant. As the flower capsule opened, I noticed small scarlet buds appear and then a few days later, they popped right open to reveal deep magenta flowers in nice big bunches! At first 11 little buds were counted, but as the days pass, it looks like more and more of them have appeared. Any clue what these might be?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttkTqaoFGlruZKZcUvUdsKGo_HRMlLj-ms0LDj2_lpsiRoonszic9x9iLQ6Gx8DYD1VfbPYMxlieOmVJQdVd2ACuZw3YaV4u9zCSf9v47lPWsjZ4PxgjLMDjfJry8B3HefxTJBrZnHWw/s1600/pink+lilly+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttkTqaoFGlruZKZcUvUdsKGo_HRMlLj-ms0LDj2_lpsiRoonszic9x9iLQ6Gx8DYD1VfbPYMxlieOmVJQdVd2ACuZw3YaV4u9zCSf9v47lPWsjZ4PxgjLMDjfJry8B3HefxTJBrZnHWw/s1600/pink+lilly+3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfjS7f8LPRs1RAgLadAO6e-jz23sR61Jj856hFv1H-NJ5yjNKxZKLbOF5usJI8_en5lup9CI-wEuKSOIlvLhICjJC1v6Tg-871UnLUwifnUf9-slJc4dTUhLpKDKjw3PKF6ny_XYuRzE/s1600/pink+lilly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfjS7f8LPRs1RAgLadAO6e-jz23sR61Jj856hFv1H-NJ5yjNKxZKLbOF5usJI8_en5lup9CI-wEuKSOIlvLhICjJC1v6Tg-871UnLUwifnUf9-slJc4dTUhLpKDKjw3PKF6ny_XYuRzE/s1600/pink+lilly.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKKzDCyebCm8Wf3byr_re-gCXQqfz4xOa-23tN9wiW1SS1slslIdlc-xa2YQvUhIrKt2iGa1vr7uerybVHCxDQRkELFK6qiwfwNzcSgrnTYqtKJuR-Ma2uyz1NpBksnn7WEWLbDeZeJU/s1600/pink+lily+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKKzDCyebCm8Wf3byr_re-gCXQqfz4xOa-23tN9wiW1SS1slslIdlc-xa2YQvUhIrKt2iGa1vr7uerybVHCxDQRkELFK6qiwfwNzcSgrnTYqtKJuR-Ma2uyz1NpBksnn7WEWLbDeZeJU/s640/pink+lily+2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-912076168628689878.post-85850917563810722002012-05-28T08:21:00.002-04:002012-05-28T08:21:38.329-04:00Tropical Storm Beryl filled our barrel!The clouds continued to roll in yesterday. And it seemed that all day we continued to say, "Looks like it is going to rain any minute... It just continued to tease me all day long! Our friend Jessica was over. About 3:00, Jessica and I were outside on the back patio playing a game of backgammon, and there it was! Just all of a sudden the skies opened up into a complete deluge! <br />
<br />
We sat outside just to enjoy it since the patio was covered, we weren't wet. And then I jumped up and remembered that this was the first time the rain barrel would be used!!! It worked perfectly. And it literally did only take a few minutes to fill it up. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rXnU0D6NQFdrGfCij16p24J5hpxf-ynAqHKrvZo3q7bTCXke3PxBAeQDgxaJrI82vNeGl-YNoWlu2BEaEU_vWkNNhJ3zINNwhKYRmKIQPqedkJy2GpEjdEmYc9UN2auP0rAf3FNg6R8/s1600/Rainbarrelfirstuse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rXnU0D6NQFdrGfCij16p24J5hpxf-ynAqHKrvZo3q7bTCXke3PxBAeQDgxaJrI82vNeGl-YNoWlu2BEaEU_vWkNNhJ3zINNwhKYRmKIQPqedkJy2GpEjdEmYc9UN2auP0rAf3FNg6R8/s1600/Rainbarrelfirstuse.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLzcLEKk4JnqCCFNj3pkQhfrwygLuk6Q0J9mYellp9Y360CTyAjrYv1ZDSEN4wqFLBejFvEO1fRjN8oyzFDKjgdRd3abC5Hhjg_o549zfYdwBQpF3FoJRiWlmq4KzHxc1E_-JI2oIa9U/s1600/rainbarrelfirstuse2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLzcLEKk4JnqCCFNj3pkQhfrwygLuk6Q0J9mYellp9Y360CTyAjrYv1ZDSEN4wqFLBejFvEO1fRjN8oyzFDKjgdRd3abC5Hhjg_o549zfYdwBQpF3FoJRiWlmq4KzHxc1E_-JI2oIa9U/s1600/rainbarrelfirstuse2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Monitoring the progress, I opened the top hole to see how full it was, and again - it was only about 5 minutes into the rain and the barrel was full. Sooo... I had to see how well the overflow was working... And it was perfect! It directed all of the extra water away from where we had an erosion problem. I couldn't be happier about the rain barrel!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtgg5qLXq987Biqz8hMeYAUPF0j6H5twHdwvu_e8iqkk0URoKqq4A9uPnDLgZ08-0eXOcxRvDefnoCi7myv-SBf6nYvDDM1vS7zROOMfenoxN9s91oPFpRXmSl0_rKJfaDz1BntmUyhc/s1600/rainbarreloverflow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtgg5qLXq987Biqz8hMeYAUPF0j6H5twHdwvu_e8iqkk0URoKqq4A9uPnDLgZ08-0eXOcxRvDefnoCi7myv-SBf6nYvDDM1vS7zROOMfenoxN9s91oPFpRXmSl0_rKJfaDz1BntmUyhc/s1600/rainbarreloverflow.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Thank you Beryl for filling our barrel :-)<br />
<br />
Additionally, the much needed rain helped the yard again. It's been a few weeks without a good amount of rain and everything sprung right back to life. In fact, another sunflower from the hill garden is in bloom and this one is a deep dark red!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjv3WadnXFuBXvIfMR5AakpJitx2wqBZKLZyZrcGPcOVLHmljzk4DOutW2pXDN5OKtl9ieHhSPsdlHqAPx6lFDl9eqTCiqLqwmFxeo3hzHnVD2y4yviyVXYzJ01g52ewZh4YqA0YCkjg/s1600/RedSunflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjv3WadnXFuBXvIfMR5AakpJitx2wqBZKLZyZrcGPcOVLHmljzk4DOutW2pXDN5OKtl9ieHhSPsdlHqAPx6lFDl9eqTCiqLqwmFxeo3hzHnVD2y4yviyVXYzJ01g52ewZh4YqA0YCkjg/s1600/RedSunflower.jpg" /></a></div>Three Cat Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718173930287527814noreply@blogger.com0