Getting the Pool Ready

The weather is not quite warm enough here. Some days are hot and some are not. That means the time is coming to Get the pool ready. We have a Tuff Pool, purchased in 2005. It is a great Pool. the set up was very easy, Once we initially set it up,we haven't had to do it again.
It has a twenty year warranty. Has no liner so there is no extra expense to replace the liner, no dry rot! Our winter are not too bad here, although we have had below zero temps. I drain the water out of the pool just below the outtake pipe. and cover it for the winter. It weathers wells.
I really like doing Water Aerobic in it. In the Summer I work out every day. Therefore I want to get started as soon as possible.

One Lovely Blog Award.

I received this from Liza over at A Simple Life. I have chosen 15 other blogs to pass this award to, according to her rules. I have found these garden blogs to be worth the visit. The Photos and information on their blogs is very nice and helpful. Give them a visit and see for yourself. The links are in the Names.


1. Argring's Home and Garden
2. My Daily Landscape
3. As the garden Grows
5.Life at the Gardens
6. 'Dig' the Earth
7. Bunny Trails
8. Ann's Air Garden
9. Lightening's Garden
10.Exploring the Great OutDoors
11.Dances of Dreams
12. Pink Pig
13. Life Rambles
14. Planting Diary
15. Another Day-Another Rambling

The following info is for the blog writers I have chosen:
Every award has some rules to follow and they are listed below:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. (you can pick it up off my side board.)
2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs (I have seen some say 5 or 10 I think 15 is way too many so, I will tell you to pass it on to 5 who will pass it on) that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the blogger to let them know they have been chosen for this award{if they do not accept it choose another.}

I notice this award on several sites, so it is getting harder to find 15 sites. I usually do not accept these anymore. However I thought this would be a good traffic vessel. Enjoy the new traffic to your site.

Honeysuckle - Ah the Smell......

While in Virginia I came across the Smell of Honeysuckle. That smell is one that you do not forget. Ones memories are triggered and off to memory-ville goes the thoughts. As a child, my Grandmother had it in her yard. I would pick it and take it in the house. The smell reminded me of that time. The search was on. We were at the beach...walking back on a boardwalk...stopping to use the outhouse. I was waiting for everyone to return...When the wind blew.... the nose got its' first whiff. I started to look around and there in the thick was a bounty of Honeysuckle. Camera in hand and the shutter clicking and zooming in to get that shot to take back the memory of that smell. Well, no Smell-o-vision available in this time period. Maybe soon, until then you can light a Honeysuckle candle, spray some honeysuckle in the air or rub on honeysuckle lotion and view these photos.

Click on the photo to enlarge

Chives in My Garden

Chives is a herb plant I like very much. All it parts are edible. Its' flower can be used in salads or on a dish along side of fish. We all know how to use the stems. My G-nephew loves to eat them right out of the garden. He calls its Onion Grass, lol, someday I will have to show him the real Onion Grass.
Here is the photo of my four year old Plant. Each year it get better and yields more Flowers.

Click on the photo to enlarge

Ruby Tuesday-- Rose Bush

This is one of the Rose Bushes in my garden

It surprise me because it looked like this before
OurTrip.........

Like this when we Got back!

Here is a closer view of the Bulb.

This is when I most like them,Just half opened

You Can Click on the Photos for a larger View

This is a Ruby Tuesday Post
To Participate click on the
Ruby Tuesday red Link above

Florida Landscape

We saw plenty of Alligators but, the only one I was willing to get a close up of was this Fountain. It was at a restaurant we ate at called Dixie Crossroads in Titusville Florida.

Cocoa Beach, Florida
The shoreline had some
green plants.
Very different from
Virgina Beach




These are the Pine trees at the Kennedy Space Center.
They Look dfferent then the ones on the Shoreline.

Not a Plant for the Weekend Gardener.

Mint Plants are not for the average gardener. I planted mint when we moved in. I kept it in a pot because of its' aggressiveness. Can't figure out what happened to the Pot! Now I must tame it. I have two types.


This is Chocolate Mint. I use it in recipes for desserts.






Peppermint is the one pictured here. this one is used for a lot of thing. In sauces, Salads, Desserts and simply to chew on. Although it is work to maintain the plants perimeter, I enjoy having the plants.

The 2 tone Azalea Brush

Thought I would post the azalea that had mixed colors. I have not seen one until I moved into this house. Every year the plant seem to get more. Odd looking to me but, I like the colors. It has a few that are solid Purple. They are in the center of the Bush.
As you can see the petals are stripped in all ways. This Year I noticed one(Photo above) has some purple in the Center. It is the first Year I have notice that. I believe the color variation started a few years back. Before then it was all white

View the other Azaleas in my Yard. click Here

Building the deck.

Last year we added a deck on the house. I really like it, reading, grilling and sitting out in the evenings have been a joy. There is not much flat surface in our yard. Adding the deck had given us extra flat space. We had a portion of it contracted and did the extension and lower decks ourselves. There was an existing part connected to the hot tub house. So we added to that, taking it to the shed (which we constructed ourselves 4 years ago). Four years ago we installed the lights also, we had to move and lift the one by the hot tub. So much work but well worth it.

Japanese Crimson Queen Maple Tree

Ruby Tuesday Post

This is a Japanese Crimson Queen (Red) Maple Tree. It is only this red Color in the spring and early summer. Do not know how long ago it was planted but, this tree is the largest in my neighborhood. It is also the only one that is so low to the ground. Everyone who visits wants to take it with them! I used it as my Banner because it is the first thing you see when visiting my Yard and Garden.

Foliage of Japanese Crimson Queen Maple Trees

“Crimson Queen” Japanese maple trees (Acer palmatum dissectum 'Crimson Queen') can be grown in zones 5-8, reaching a height of 8’-10’ and spread of 10’-12’. This dwarf will grace any lawn with its pleasing weeping habit and dissected leaf type.The foliage is dark red spring and early summer, in the Mid summer the leaves get bright green then mature to a crimson more golden color for fall foliage. Texture of the foliage is silky whisper light, almost of a lace look. The Leaves Fall off in late fall and in winter its limbs are bare. I do have to prune it during the growing months.

Smiley Sunday

This Weekend Critter my G-nephew came for a visit. I always look forward to his visits. We have so much fun! This time I was moving my Last years Mother's Day gift, The Fountain, From the brick patio to our deck. Critter help fill it up. What a fun time he had!! Here's a slide show of the fun.

Azaleas Season.

Azaleas, they come in many colors. In my yard we have Pink, Red, White and White/Purple. The Pink is in full bloom. The reds; some are in bloom , some are starting. Now the white is just starting to bloom and the white/purple is beginning. They are from the Rhododendrons family. Azaleas grow both in shade and sun. If in the sun their blooms fade quickly. Their soil should be acidic about 5.5-6.0. Pruning should be done immediately after blooming has been spent. Azaleas make great hedges. Hover the cursor over the photo for info.
Auntie E's Azaleas