Which One ?

These flowers all belong to the same family - sort of like far distant cousins.

PICTURE NUMBER 1

PICTURE NUMBER 2

PICTURE NUMBER 3



All of these blossoms look very much alike - but can you guess which one produces a favorite in the garden? Or at least in our garden here in Oklahoma. Not all parts of the country has the proper growing season for it.

If your guess was picture number 2 - then you were correct.

ANSWER - Okra

The okra in our garden is still producing an abundant amount. We normally pick it every other day. I have put lots in the deep freeze and plan on putting more in there. However, like all our garden produce we keep about 10 percent and give away the rest.

If you are close by - holler - and we will give you the next picking.

Oh, in case you are wondering about the other flowers - Rose of Sharon - single and double blossoms.


Amelia♥

Gardening

Normally what I did this afternoon would be called early gardening...pulling dead plants, cutting back the roses, and picking up stray stuff.

But I am actually late in doing part of it...the weather has been so cold and windy after the snow I could not stand to get out in it. I get a go-to-bed type headache from cold wind if I am out in it any length of time.

Mr.. Sun stayed hid while I was out - but the temperature was in the 50's - so not too bad...and the wind was just a gentle breeze...so no problem there either.

No way did I complete all that should be done...but did make a good start on it...oh the weeds, especially the plant (chickweed?) is coming on full force.

The ice and snow was on the ground for so long sure wrecked havoc with the monkey grass and the periwinkle. I know they will survive but will take longer than normal to get green and full again. Also the strawberries plants are rather pitiful looking.


This was the way the flowering crab apple tree in our front yard looked last year on the 20th of this month...right now there is nothing on it. The buds are not even started - let alone full enough to blossom.

I am confident spring time will arrive - but these March winds and then the April showers had better produce some beautiful May flowers.

Question: Is there some new plant you want to put out this year in your flower garden or container this year that you have never planted before? At this point, not any for me...but you can never tell when I go to looking at Lowe's or Atwood's (a local store).

Oh, another bit of gardening news - the onions got planted in the vegetable garden this morning...6 bunches total. So in about a month we should be able to have green onions to enjoy with our meals.



♥♥♥


Amelia

A Southern Delight

This posting is for you readers that do not call the south home.

Okra is a must in our garden each year. For us it is easy to grow - normally not bothered by any bug or disease...just give it plenty of hot weather and some water...for us here in Oklahoma about the third week in July we can start getting a small picking of okra. From then on to frost (usually) we can pick every other day.

As for the method of cooking, we prefer ours fried. Yes, not so good for you - health wise - but to your taste buds - simply divine!

Our garden - most of these plants are okra. Those on the far right are the tomato plants.

Isn't this okra blossom pretty?

This is what the okra pod looks like.

This season I plan on putting up around 100 to 125 packages of okra like these in this picture.

As with all of our garden produce we give away about 90% and keep 10%.

Amelia

Gardening

The heat is about to get to all of us in this part of the country.

At this point we have come to the conclusion all gardening should be done in the early hours when the temperature is in the 80's. Afternoons have been producing temps in the 90's and have hit some over the 100 mark.

We are watering the vegetable garden on a regular basis now. Sweet man of this home has a grid set up of soaker hoses - so with just hooking up the leader hose and turning the water on - he is in business with the watering process.

Squash - both yellow and zucchini are going crazy - producing plenty to eat and of course to share. Cucumbers are doing their part too to keep me supplied with fresh cukes to eat.

Okra is blooming and starting to put on some...bad part is those plants are only about 18 to 20 inches tall...so makes for difficulty in picking...but they will grow in height as the summer progresses.

Tomatoes are blooming and we have quite a few green ones - but no ripe ones yet. We set the plants out later than usual due to the weather at that time.
Of course these zucchini are too large to eat...we can not figure out how we missed picking them back at the appropriate size.

You know how much I enjoy my flowers - so want to show some of the pictures I have taken recently. These are just a small part of what is blooming now.

I am so thankful for God allowing me to retire and to putter in my garden...what are you thankful for today?

Fall - 2008

This handsome fella is in front of our house - checking out all the speeders as they zoom down our country road. The tall clump of maidenhair grass behind him is starting to spread the

lovely plumes that look so beautiful swaying in the wind....you know how the wind can blow here in Oklahoma.

Oh the feel of fall is not completely here - but getting close. The temps at night are cooler - which makes for great sleeping - can't have the windows open because of Leon's allergies - however the house does cool down. Daytime temperatures are still warm - but no more of those high 90's degrees to contend with during the afternoon.

The apples are starting to fall - not that we are going to have many - but still get enough for several pies. Our garden is still producing okra and tomatoes quite bountiful. Leon and I say we have this arrangement with the Lord - we get 10% of the garden items and give away 90%...so this year people from church have really been on the receiving end of fresh produce.

Leon and number one son are in the western part of the state putting up deer stands...they also have some plans for riding the 4 wheelers for fun. With this 3 day trip they will be getting in some excellent father - son time. I could not ask for a better relationship than the one I have with # l son...yes I am his Dad's wife...but he treats me like a Mother and bestest part is that he calls me "Mom" lots of times...makes this old lady's heart just swell.

While speaking of children - looks like daughter is going to have a girl...95% sure baby is girl - but they will test again in three weeks...if it is a girl she will be named Amelia - don't know if this family is ready for two "Amelia's" or not. Baby is due in mid February...now if delivery can be held off until the 20th of Feb she would be born on my birthday. However, if she is born on 14th (Valentine's Day) that is my sister's birthday.

Seems like we are busy all the time - but yet some days can not see much that we have accomplished - but you know since we are retired do we have to show that we have produced something each and every day...no I don't think so.

Bought a new printer the other day at Staples. They only had a floor sample of the one I wanted so they had one shipped to me. It came the very next day - so time wise was no problem. However, when I opened the box and found all 6 of the ink cartridges were already installed I thought we might have a problem...sure enough - soon as it was turned on got flashing lights. After speaking to several people it was determined for sure it was defective and I would get another one and the defective one would be picked up. I wasn't home this morning when the delivery guy arrived - but he left my new one and a note wanting me to call about picking up the bad one...so that is planned for tomorrow. Got the new 0ne installed and at this point I am happy with the results of the print colors in pictures. My old printer never did give me good quality pictures and then the "copy" function went out...so after listening to me grumble (I do occasionally do that) Leon said now is the time to get a new one.

I have been having some medical tests - nothing major - but now finished with all of them. Only thing is now I take high blood pressure meds on a daily basis. My blood platelets are semi low but not bad - anyway I am to see the doctors in 6 months and see how I am doing. Now if I could just find the will to lose these extra 15-20 pounds I have gained in the last two years - my body would probably be a lot better.

In the quilting part of my life I am making a T-shirt quilt for son-in-law Tony. I am making this one where each block is quilted before joining it to the next block. I saw it done on TV once and found some instructions on the web - so we will see how it turns out. On his last t-shirt quilt I hand quilted that - but never again...you just can't make pretty stitches thru the picture part...some of my stitches seemed large enough to drive a truck thru them..so machine quilting is the way I am going this time.

Well, that about wraps up what is going on in my life at this point in time.

May God bless you in many ways.

Amelia (I got heavy on the delete key and erased the fancy writing of my name.)

Red Ribbon Entries - ?

In our part of the country we are having county fairs. The state fair is just around the corner too.

I have never been inclined to enter anything in the fair. I appreciate the fact that some people take the time to grow, raise or create something and then go through the process of entering the competition.

However, in the past few days some things have come across my path that could have been entered - they were not worthy of the "Grand Prize" ribbon or a "Blue Ribbon" - but if there were not a lot of entries - then perhaps a "Red Ribbon".

Anyway, I wanted to show you my fair (as in not the best) fair items.

Quilting - Wall Hanging Division

This wall hanging - remember I created it a couple of months ago - first thing I ever machine quilted.











Baking Division

Doesn't this look tasty - and it was....only problem I don't think there is a division for bread made in a bread machine. I know I have the time for making bread the old fashioned way - not that I am lazy - I just spend my time in a different way





Quilting - Wall Hanging Division

Leon wanted me to make a wall hanging of our new church logo. All I had was a business card and you know how small that is...couldn't get the right combination between printer and computer to get it any larger than about 3 inches. So went to next best thing...paper and pencil. After completing on paper I used the paper pattern on cloth...machine appliqued it down and then machine quilted it. It is now hanging in our Sunday School class rooom.

Horti-
culture Division

Red Beauties - even if they have a crack around the top - which was caused by too much rain. Yes, I know that is almost an unheard of thing in Oklahoma during the summer. You know what though...that crack certainly did not affect the taste of them whatsoever.






Pastry division

Apple pie... I always try to keep pie dough in the freezer and my supply was down to practically nothing - so this morning got out my old trusty pie dough recipe and whipped up a double batch of dough. Froze all but enough to make this single crust apple pie. Used the apples that had fallen from our tree in the back yard.

So there are my "would have", "could have", "but didn't" entries for the 2008 fairs in Pottawatomie county and surrounding areas.

Summertime Sunflowers

This is the first time I have ever planted sunflowers in our garden. We had part of a row that was not scheduled for any vegetable - so planted the mammoth type sunflowers.
Let me tell you this has been an experience - a learning one. We had some kind of bug, worm or something in that category that would bore a hole into the stalk about 10 to 12 inches below the flower. Then the insect varmit would eat all the inside of the stalk - which in turn caused the flower head to droop over and the weight would cause the stalk to break. So much for that large sunflower - this did not happen on all plants though. As soon as we noticed what was happening we put sevin (bug killer) on them. The large head was lost to the bad bug - but the plant survived and came back with more flowers - only small ones - like this one.
This one is through with the blooming process - if the birds and squirrels leave it alone the seeds will mature. Probably won't happen as the squirrels climb the stalk to eat the flowers.

This is one that had won the battle so far...quite large and pretty! Some of the plants grew tall - some did not - like in this shot.
Now isn't that a wonderful looking flower....

Favorite Ones - Flowers

I like flowers...red, pink, white, purple, yellow, brown, blue and all colors in between.

But some of my very favorite ones blooming now are ones that love the heat. Also are able to withstand high temperatures.

Then the best part of these blooming beauties is the vegetable that comes from their blossom. This one belongs to a okra plant. We like this vegetable fixed any way - boiled - pickled - but the absolute best way is fried. Home fried - not like they serve in restaurants that is more breading than okra - I want to be able to taste the okra.
These lovely blossoms belong to a yellow squash plant. Lots of people fix them in different ways - and I have tried - but still come back to liking them best fried. I am referring to the squash - I have seen recipes for fried squash blossom - but have never tried it.

Oh, I know that fried food is not that good for our health - so we try to limit the amount of our fried food intake. However, in the summer time with all these fresh veggies we indulge ourselves.

Our garden is doing great - can not complain at all - we are getting tomatoes, cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini, and okra. This year as in the past - we keep about 10% and give away 90%. We eat most fresh - but also put enough in the freezer to last all winter.

Speaking of putting stuff in the freezer - I have put up quite a few packages of peaches and blackberries for cobblers this winter. Also the strawberries are bearing quite nicely so have been putting them in also. Leon likes them so much with a angel food cake.

Spring ...nearly

Spring has not officially arrived - according to the calendar. The weather in the past week does not indicate Spring.

Shhh, don't tell my jonquils - they think Spring is here and they are raising up their gorgeous yellow heads for everyone to see.


One thing I noticed about them is they are all facing the South. I suppose we have had such strong winds from the North they have just turned away from the force.

See this tiny green thing growing in the lower right corner...that is a day lily peeking through the ground and mulch.

Vegetable Garden note: we planted 20 bunches of green onions several days ago. That is a total of 1,000 onions. I know that seems like too much - but not really, we love them green. Of course, if left in the ground long enough (and cared for) they will get large. We always share our garden bounty with family and friends so some will be dispersed that way. So if you happen our way later on, we will give you some onions and what ever else is available in the garden at that time.

Thankful...

I have so many things for which I am thankful. God continues to send blessings my way each and every day.

At this time I give him thanks that we are not living in southern California and experiencing those fires. Not being able to do anything and know your home is burning would be hard to accept. I want to lift these individuals up in prayer and that God will give them the strength they require at this time. Also, if they do not know him as their personal savior they will seek him.

My home is so important. It is a constant reminder of things I enjoy...my garden, flowers, pond and the rest of the scenery. It seems we are continuing to change things around. We recently built a large raised bed for the strawberries. The size is about 30 inches across and 25 feet long. It is about 30 inches off the ground. Having it this way means I won't have to be on my hands and knees to pick the berries. Next thing is - we will have to get sand to fill it before we can transplant the existing strawberry plants next spring.

This "grass" plant is so pretty by the old wagon. It was planted last June (2006). It did not head out with these billowy tops last year. I suppose the plant has to be so old before it happens. With the wind we have had the last several days they have been a sight to behold. They seem to be like graceful ballerinas leaping across the yard.

The "four o'clocks" are still blooming. Of course, not as much as they were. Wih the calendar being so far into October the flowers are starting to cease their constant display of color.

This is just a random shot taken from the back yard. If you look real close, you can see the okra in the garden. It is still producing - and will until frost.

The garden mums are coming along fair. I should have watered them more - just got lazy, I suppose.

September Garden Shots

I am ready for the season of warm days and cool nights. Tomorrow is the first day of fall so this weather combination should be here very soon.

In the meantime, my flower gardens are beginning to wind down for the most part.I am continuing to water as if this was the start of the summer. This "Don Jaun" rose bush is still sending out an occasional flower - such as this!
The flowers on the Hyacinth bush are pretty...but the seed pods add a different feature.

Blowing in the wind---simply stunning.
We have a multitude of these yellow butterflies flitting here and there. This one is enjoying the nectar from the Rose of Sharon bush.
The vegetable garden is certainly slowing down. Just a few tomatoes left...see sample.

Another butterfly enjoying the flower.

Welcome to my Garden

The okra is producing like crazy now. It requires picking just about every day. The tomatoes are in a "green" spell just now. We have lots of green ones on the bushes and more blooms - but we have had many red ones in the past few weeks. Now we are getting ripes ones about every other day.









Shy strawberry peeking out at the camera!












Leon mows with the big tractor about every two weeks. With the heat being so high things are not as green as earlier in the summer.











The okra is blooming profusely!











Beautiful okra blossom.















Looking at the tomato vines. All of them were supposed to be the same variety...but look at that little one in the middle. It has produced quite well in spite of it's shortness.
















The lettuce has gone to seed.

Crookneck squash---have we ever enjoyed it fried this summer!