Bee's Buzzings

Frosty Minneapolis Morning

What can I say?  I love the way the bare trees and shrubs look on those glorious winter mornings when the air temperatures exceed the ground temps.  Voila!  An instant Winter Wonderland.  Today was another such morning, so these shots were taken before the moisture was wicked away by the sunshine that's just broken through.

Think I've taken similar photos every year when this has happened.  And probably always will - since the effect never fails to enchant me. I especially love the way this shot of our side yard hydrangea turned out.

Off to a movie and dinner later this afternoon with Katie.  Think we're going to catch "New Moon" since it's still in the theaters.  She'll be starting her spring semester at U-W, River Falls in another couple of weeks, so we're getting in some together-time before her schedule once again becomes too hectic.

Hope you are staying warm, and discovering similar little blessings as we round the corner towards Spring! 

Relaxing on the front porch

I've mentioned before how I didn't get any annuals in the gardens this year, but did manage to get some in the flower boxes and containers.  Here is a shot of how things turned out.  Have to admit it's been nice not having to worry about keeping things watered too much, and with a splash of color here and just enough perennial action to keep things lively, it's made for a bit more time to just . . . relax :)

Can't believe we're over half way through the summer.  And also over halfway through the current phase of the Fitness Group.  Members will be posting their results regularly.  And a big thanks to those of you not part of the group, but cheering on the progress, nonetheless.  We appreciate you!!

I took a bit of down time today after the pendant making frenzy these past few weeks.  And a note to Kim - your package is back en-route!  With postage this time.  Thanks for your patience, my friend. 

hugs to all!  ~ Bee

Gardening Efforts - better late than never :)

This summer, in an attempt to simplify life, I bypassed adding any new flowers to our gardens.  All the usual containers have been filled (the big flower box outside my laundry room window, the container by the garage doors (left) and the containers on the front porch) and daily weeding is being done, but the result is far neater garden beds since this has freed up a considerable amount of time to keep existing perennials tidy. 

The trade off?  Less color and variety in the beds, but that's something I can live with - especially considering the first Minnesota frost about 10 weeks away, LOL. 

Hope your Wednesday has been a great one!!  ~ Bee  :)    

Cyclamen - and children - flourish in the right environment

This planter is tucked into a corner in our kitchen nook - and I've tried growing spring bulbs and primrose in this same spot previously without much luck at all.  I've also tossed plenty of pots of either wet-and-bug-infested or bone-dry cyclamen into the garbage over the years.  So it seemed odd to me that this cyclamen has positively thrived here.  Then I researched the ideal growing conditions - it appears cooler daytime temps and chilly overnights keep this plant from going dormant.  Something a window location on a northeast corner of a Minnesota home would offer.

Next fall, two of our four kids will be transplanting themselves into new homes.  Katie will be attending the University of Wisconsin - Stout in Menomonie, WI (her dad's alma mater); and Josh will be attending Rochester Community and Technical College in Rochester, MN.  A pretty big step these days, considering college tuition costs.  Jim and I remain hopeful that both of them will find their new environments offer them exactly what they need to grow and thrive.  Think I finally realize what my mom meant when she said that regardless of age, "you never stop worrying about your kids."

In the meantime, we're enjoying watching all four kids continue to grow and learn.  And I've learned they're never too old for Easter baskets!   They thoroughly enjoyed their goodies and we had a wonderful Easter, and also a fabulous time last night at Orchestra Hall watching Kristi play violin with her orchestra.

What kinds of plants and/or flowers interest you?  I had a lot more time to garden when we lived in New Jersey, and I actually have two boxes full of (hopefully still viable) seeds from perennials and annuals I grew there.  Someday - maybe soon - we could arrange a seed swap.   Lately I've been too busy to start seedlings and have resorted to a full day trip to the local nursery and transplant session in late May.  Sometimes early June, even. 

Well, I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and have an even more wonderful week ahead.  And many thanks to the Fitness Group - those 9 fabulous gals who keep me inspired to get on the treadmill (and to keep the refrigerator door closed!)  I love seeing their results and will post them as a group on Wednesday or Thursday after everyone has reported.  =]

Dreaming of Summer Gardening . . .

Even with my recent biopsy, I'm still dreaming of summer gardening.  This photo (taken by CharlesFred) I spied on Flickr sure made me happy today, it's of an English garden (Lainston House) in Winchester City, England.  I love the way the designer worked with the different colors and heights to draw your eye back and forth for a second and third look.  And it doesn't hurt that delphiniums are one of my all time favorite flowers!

Luckily for me I've always preferred gardening in the early mornings,  when the birds are busy (and noisy) and the bees seem to be sleeping in for a bit.  Then, when the sun rises, along with the temperatures, I'll just enjoy the views from our very deep front porch, watching the kids or reading and sipping a lemonade or tea (or even perhaps a margarita on a Friday afternoon!)

With snow in the forecast for the next several days, this photo made me very happy indeed :)  Hope you're having a great week and that your weather is improving with each day!   ~ Bee

P.S. Thank you all for your very kind and supportive comments - as you all probably know though, skin cancer is highly treatable and the Mohs procedure my doctor recommended has less than a 1% chance of the spot reappearing (and even then, it can be treated again) so I'm not worried. I'll just have to wear a big hat and tons of sunscreen if I ever DO have to be out in the sun, and just avoid direct sunlight whenever I can :) You are all too sweet!!