tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52097956256107175282024-03-27T17:53:55.698-06:00Earthly GardenerInspiration from Texas and my Little Urban Herb Farm in the Desert of Southern New Mexico. Bohemian, Old House Remodeler, Cat Rescues, Author & Artist Bobbi A. Chukran. Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.comBlogger327125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-2094047301863040132023-07-31T09:11:00.000-06:002023-07-31T09:11:00.446-06:002023 Update!<p> Five years ago, we moved to the edge of the Chihuahuan desert of southern New Mexico. To say it's been a challenge here is not a lie. We bought a 1966 mid-century modern rancher in town and found soooo many things that the inspector just happened to overlook. It's taken us five years go do the repairs, modernize this house (REAL AC!) and design and start planting the gardens here in this previously chemically bombed place where trees were burned in bonfires and other activities. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHJwd0StRfPh3Trb0CP0zowEjHnlGR75KSUkz8coffv3Q1O1WA-IS60qq3yeuQUPa-4bRvkL4yzmDlppa2--g5bRcdR_lcS9WufUOzcsgmAX-EeQMvnJFrmv4rAPJgGFN8Urmy3vXyZ53Sw2psEjFEEsqNUsTsMPuRXo6RYJSXmUx-gqMKHDDd2sSBkWc/s640/Back%20before%203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="640" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHJwd0StRfPh3Trb0CP0zowEjHnlGR75KSUkz8coffv3Q1O1WA-IS60qq3yeuQUPa-4bRvkL4yzmDlppa2--g5bRcdR_lcS9WufUOzcsgmAX-EeQMvnJFrmv4rAPJgGFN8Urmy3vXyZ53Sw2psEjFEEsqNUsTsMPuRXo6RYJSXmUx-gqMKHDDd2sSBkWc/s320/Back%20before%203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5dYiE7V0A7ivJ4blr28sjy1Gn3ilQ9PMA_YS4LAJLDvlWSpvA2z8skJBWOz5I702kSGD089mQfeiEdsbb1N1c0GY-yXCS66UAOwk31Dvhh5KnJPv9B2NXTUBAYpxaOQJzwS3aJVRjUKwrwAKUkTshhXafJLXIUOb6uhJD1ldqpXa5O3Ka49q8A2w5XzN/s640/Back%20before%204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="640" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5dYiE7V0A7ivJ4blr28sjy1Gn3ilQ9PMA_YS4LAJLDvlWSpvA2z8skJBWOz5I702kSGD089mQfeiEdsbb1N1c0GY-yXCS66UAOwk31Dvhh5KnJPv9B2NXTUBAYpxaOQJzwS3aJVRjUKwrwAKUkTshhXafJLXIUOb6uhJD1ldqpXa5O3Ka49q8A2w5XzN/s320/Back%20before%204.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjH9J3aa0PLyfVYV2CsXq8Zur_ymbInx0-MREbvrTgZBSiG4pPXvXnFTFBkOd-DfEijKtEc-kxu8eu-fgCzi34M5m_31LfVhfD0NQ2I4IpfxwqMSFXf51xtFmDho1-OM5BTugoZid3mT-x4ht02i7NgO44qF3DbXURbSDS3dENNAfzGZEyqsOGuzs-RTbLG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="478" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjH9J3aa0PLyfVYV2CsXq8Zur_ymbInx0-MREbvrTgZBSiG4pPXvXnFTFBkOd-DfEijKtEc-kxu8eu-fgCzi34M5m_31LfVhfD0NQ2I4IpfxwqMSFXf51xtFmDho1-OM5BTugoZid3mT-x4ht02i7NgO44qF3DbXURbSDS3dENNAfzGZEyqsOGuzs-RTbLG=w239-h320" width="239" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>I think it's looking good, considering we've had a "heatwave" of 30+ days over 100.</p><p>Of course, that's pretty much what we're used to, coming from Texas where we lived through over 65 days of over 100-degrees, back when we were remodeling our old house in Taylor.</p><p>As some of you know, I specialize in herbs, and it turns out, herbs do very well here in NM. Lack of rain sometimes is an issue, but with three rainwater barrels, we've done just fine.</p><p>I plan on renewing this blog, perhaps moving it elsewhere. We'll see. Right now, I have social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. </p><p>Stay tuned as I sort through photos and give you a little picture of our NM urban herb farm.</p><p>Happy trails!</p><p>bobbi c.</p><p><br /></p>Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-60359858618435016412018-11-12T11:12:00.001-07:002018-11-12T11:12:31.893-07:00Update on Earthly GardenerDear friends,<br />
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It's been a long time since I've blogged. There are many reasons; the main one is that we've moved from my home state of Texas to New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM, in fact.<br />
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Moving to NM has literally been a dream of mine since I first visited here when I was a young woman. Like, for over 40 years! Finally, after my horrible health fiasco, and my husband's cancer diagnosis, surgery and CURE, he made the pithy statement--If not NOW, then WHEN?<br />
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And I said, I'll start packing. :-)<br />
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And we did. Suffice it to say, it wasn't easy. We had a 1930s cottage we'd renovated that we had to sell, an additional backyard cottage and garage to empty out, loads of garden decor I wanted to keep, AND five cats to move.<br />
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But we did it--after one humongous garage sale and lots of help from friends, and an amazing Realtor (Debbie Kovar in Taylor), the house sold super quick. The long journey by car wasn't easy. Have you driven across west TX? LOL. It takes forever.<br />
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So I'm finally unpacked, getting used to another old house--a 1966 rancher on a large graveled lot--and planning for Thanksgiving and Christmas.<br />
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Stay tuned for more in my new adventures in growing in a much dryer climate. I'll be starting a new blog at http://desertbohemian.blogspot.com.<br />
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P.S. I'm loving this weather here!<br />
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Happy trails,<br />
<br />
bobbi c.<br />
The Desert BohemianBobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-20420668381062854802016-09-02T08:47:00.001-06:002016-09-02T08:50:10.700-06:00Ways to Support Garden Birds in Times of DroughtHere at Catnip Cottage, the headquarters for the Earthly Gardener blog, we are all about the birds, bees and other little critters and are always looking for easy things we can do to support wildlife.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cardinals LOVE black sunflower seeds!</td></tr>
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That's why I enjoyed this short article from <a href="http://www.hortmag.com/" target="_blank">Horticulture</a> magazine. Take a look; it's a short read with some easy ways to support garden birds in the time of drought.<br />
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<a href="http://www.hortmag.com/headline/ways-support-garden-birds-times-drought">http://www.hortmag.com/headline/ways-support-garden-birds-times-drought</a><br />
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Since my surgery and subsequent <a href="http://earthly-gardener.blogspot.com/2016/08/where-heck-have-i-been.html" target="_blank">*hospital-acquired* infection</a>, I've been avoiding a lot of the heavy garden work. But I was finally able to plant some fall cukes and squash this week. So some progress was made, although a tiny bit. That's why I love my galvanized tub garden and raised wooden bed; it's so easy to bop outside, poke a few seeds in the ground, then bop back inside without a lot of fuss. :-)<br />
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Sometimes that's all you can hope for. :-)<br />
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Happy gardening!<br />
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bobbi c.Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-10797692931197787702016-08-11T10:27:00.001-06:002016-08-11T10:29:29.651-06:00Shiplap Headboard made from Antique PineWe call ourselves the Shiplap Cottage here since our whole house is encased in it. Literally, both sides of every wall, the outer siding, etc. We were shiplap before #shiplap was cool! LOL<br />
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I hoard scraps of the stuff. And I'm especially glad I saved the scraps we removed when we moved the French doors from between the bedroom and living room, to the dining room/kitchen.<br />
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Yep, big old antique longleaf pine boards, nine-inches wide.<br />
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I've recently been downsizing our furniture, repainting older pieces, moving them around, and even replaced our large bed with a queen-sized. I wanted a simple, wooden headboard to go with the simple Ikea storage base we bought. We already had the dark brown side tables, bought at World Market years ago. The art (to be replaced with an original painting) was a Goodwill Store find. The vintage red pillowcase is a pattern I love, and covers a throw pillow. (Yes, we moved the lamps closer to the bed. LOL)<br />
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And this is what we ended up with!<br />
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I had to increase the contrast so you can see the individual boards. Unlike a lot of folks, we put the boards vertical instead of horizontal. I'm thinking that eventually I'll do a horizontal wood feature of some kind on the wall behind the bed. If you take a peek at the right corner, you'll see the original antique pine floorboards, too!<br />
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Like everything here, it's a work-in-progress!<br />
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happy trails,<br />
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bobbi c.<br />
<br />Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-52643842041762686982016-08-10T11:49:00.001-06:002016-09-02T08:48:39.976-06:00Where the heck have I BEEN?Dear friends,<br />
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Some of you have wondered where I've been. Since posting about my flower bouquet back in February, I've had an unfortunate sequence of events, as Lemony Snicket would say.<br />
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I went into the hospital in late March for a "routine" surgery. Eleven days later I had a raging infection, was rushed back into emergency surgery to "scrape out the oogie bits," two days in a row I had surgeries. Yes, three surgeries in less than three weeks! I ended back in the hospital for five more days until I was stable enough to go home.<br />
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I was sent home with a strange contraption called a WOUND VAC attached to me. In my drugged state, I saw the name of the thing, the Vaculta, as VACULA, and so I started calling it Count Vacula. It literally was a huge sponge thingy crammed into my massive lower abdomen wound, with constant suction provided by a pump I had to wear around my neck or near my person for four months. It was a mess, I was instructed not to let it leak, I was encased in horrible allergenic adhesives and huge pieces of sticky stuff from my belly button to god-knows-where. The pump would ramp up and "purr" when happy, but make horrible noises when not, usually after midnight.<br />
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But, Dear Reader, I survived! I've learned much more about wounds, scabs and scars than I ever thought I'd have to, I learned how wonderful home health care nurses can be over their 25+ visits here, three times a week to change the toxic bandages until I was almost healed. I learned how many infections happen in hospitals these days (WAY TOO MANY!), and how many people die from them. Sigh.<br />
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Oh yeah, and how many hospitals DO NOT report these like they're supposed to! <br />
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I'm just now, almost five months later, able to go outside and water my container garden. I can't pick up things, dig things or stay outside in this Godforsaken Texas heat for more than a few minutes.<br />
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Needless to say, it's made me more motivated than ever to downsize the yard maintenance and continue my experiments with growing things in containers closer to the house and water supply.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This plant is happy right now!</td></tr>
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So, until fall, or cooler weather (snort), stay inside, drink lots of liquids, eat some watermelon! 'K?<br />
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Happy trails,<br />
<br />
bobbi c.Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-69893885603968048432016-02-25T09:23:00.002-07:002016-02-25T09:23:23.751-07:00Birthday Flower BouquetI can stretch a bouquet longer than almost anyone I know. This one started out as a Valentine's bunch, and lasted til my birthday, yesterday. I do use the "stuff" they give you to prolong the life of them, and cut the stems periodically and change the water.<br />
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This was a little "doo-dad" I found yesterday. Love it! It's perfect for those single blossoms, and I can use my antique collection of Mason/Ball jars if I want. This one came with the jars.<br />
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Happy trails!<br />
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bobbi c.<br />
<br />Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-25258863149533100552016-02-23T09:00:00.002-07:002016-02-23T09:00:29.833-07:00Tuesday Texas Cottage Garden InspirationDear peeps!<br />
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My post from yesterday stirred up such a flurry that I thought I'd post more garden photos. We had some rain last night, so everything is fresh, smells good and clean. It's a bit cooler, but signs of spring are poppin' out everywhere!<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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bobbi c.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RavFpOxYliA/VsyADIMxNsI/AAAAAAAAE4Y/bsbJeTlCu3Y/s1600/cenizo%2Bblooming%2Bclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RavFpOxYliA/VsyADIMxNsI/AAAAAAAAE4Y/bsbJeTlCu3Y/s400/cenizo%2Bblooming%2Bclose.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cenizo (Texas sage) attracts a LOT of busy bees when it blooms--every time it rains.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lebf2PEUg8Y/VsyACP6Kc_I/AAAAAAAAE4U/_WGwDHFjPtQ/s1600/anole1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lebf2PEUg8Y/VsyACP6Kc_I/AAAAAAAAE4U/_WGwDHFjPtQ/s400/anole1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little visitor to the garden. I named him "Hector."</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little porch-side pocket garden in a previous home. Unfortunately, new owners ripped it ALL out. WHY do people do that? Stoopid, I guess.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Esperanza blooms. LOVE this yellow. Also known as Yellow Bells.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQg24boiosA/VsyAfUoaT4I/AAAAAAAAE4k/lCMrAlgCjNU/s1600/cactusinpot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQg24boiosA/VsyAfUoaT4I/AAAAAAAAE4k/lCMrAlgCjNU/s400/cactusinpot.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This prickly pear LOVES this iron pot. This was several years ago. It's much larger now.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d3yd3Yjyl7A/VsyAjQzukuI/AAAAAAAAE4o/q1Yla6F5cYw/s1600/grottoviewtwo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d3yd3Yjyl7A/VsyAjQzukuI/AAAAAAAAE4o/q1Yla6F5cYw/s400/grottoviewtwo.jpg" width="362" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little corner grotto garden. Blooming sage in pot, gazing ball, cement bunny. All of which moved to our new home.</td></tr>
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<br />Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-36261171670223732412016-02-22T09:58:00.004-07:002016-02-22T09:58:45.334-07:00Monday Garden InspirationDear friends,<br />
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We're warming up here in central Texas, although the annual "Bobbi's Birthday Blizzard Blast" is around the corner. It seems that for more years than I can count, we've had some kind of "weather event" during the week of my birthday. Which, actually, is this week. :-)<br />
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So instead of spouting on and on about what you should be doing now in the garden, and how you can keep the grackles away from your seedlings (we're in the middle of a Grackopolypse right now), or how you too can make compost from old kitchen chairs, I decided to just inspire you with some purty photos. How's that? :-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ChelIaqhEZA/Vss8gATYC4I/AAAAAAAAE3U/X1TjvN8xe3w/s1600/plant-table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ChelIaqhEZA/Vss8gATYC4I/AAAAAAAAE3U/X1TjvN8xe3w/s400/plant-table.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A somewhat blurry photo of my new plant table I put near the north window in my dining room. It's not bright enough to grow seedlings with just available light, but an OTT light I used for artwork is keeping a small patio tomato blooming and happy. And yes, there are tiny baby toms on it. The bouquet is from Valentine's Day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Succulents LOVE this terra cotta chicken planter!</td></tr>
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<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JoTgDGbLykg/Vss8tLsWyhI/AAAAAAAAE3c/EvneJut6cAM/s1600/vintagebowlpeppersshelfcatw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JoTgDGbLykg/Vss8tLsWyhI/AAAAAAAAE3c/EvneJut6cAM/s400/vintagebowlpeppersshelfcatw.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My granny's vintage bowl, vintage cat salt and pepper shakers from Mama, and a harvest of Italian peppers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-biycvYIgP_Y/Vss8wR-qSRI/AAAAAAAAE3g/5lCM1LDA2XY/s1600/aprilwhiteraindroprose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-biycvYIgP_Y/Vss8wR-qSRI/AAAAAAAAE3g/5lCM1LDA2XY/s400/aprilwhiteraindroprose.jpg" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An antique rose, covered with raindrops.</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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wtczfc9JYus/Vss8y4iKrGI/AAAAAAAAE3k/UaS1_EJ9Pa8/s1600/cedargardenbed1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wtczfc9JYus/Vss8y4iKrGI/AAAAAAAAE3k/UaS1_EJ9Pa8/s400/cedargardenbed1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar raised beds, at a previous home. Surrounded by a seven-foot deer fence. That's the reality of trying to garden in the Texas Hill Country (Leander).</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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YCCw-i8SE9Y/Vss84nwn0JI/AAAAAAAAE3o/8dlqXZrd-D4/s1600/rose%2Bhip%2Bhuge%2Bbeige.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YCCw-i8SE9Y/Vss84nwn0JI/AAAAAAAAE3o/8dlqXZrd-D4/s400/rose%2Bhip%2Bhuge%2Bbeige.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Largest rose hip I've ever seen, on one of the very old roses growing here at Catnip Cottage. I'm not sure of the variety.</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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcAHhUB-MAA/Vss9DzyBGnI/AAAAAAAAE3w/-fHFl36JIM8/s1600/lemonthyme-bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcAHhUB-MAA/Vss9DzyBGnI/AAAAAAAAE3w/-fHFl36JIM8/s400/lemonthyme-bay.jpg" width="327" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a pot of lemon thyme (right) and a small bay tree. Since deceased. Can't win them all! LOL</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Until next time---<br />
Happy trails from my Texas cottage garden,<br />
<br />
bobbi c.Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-73200375607875551582016-01-12T11:14:00.002-07:002016-01-12T11:14:51.163-07:00Texas winter...Dear friends,<br />
<br />
Our winter here has been very hard on my achy joints and muscles, and all the rain and almost constant grey skies have taken a toll on my mood. That's why, when plants went on clearance around Thanksiving, I splurged on a wild ginger. I've wanted one for years and knew that they might not make it through our winters.<br />
<br />
I was gifted with a few blooms soon after buying the plant. Of course, the photo doesn't do them justice. I expected an exotic scent. Not so much.<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7A2P7jj4Vzs/VpVBDYUKfXI/AAAAAAAAE2E/3PoHJnwrSL0/s1600/wild%2Bginger.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7A2P7jj4Vzs/VpVBDYUKfXI/AAAAAAAAE2E/3PoHJnwrSL0/s400/wild%2Bginger.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo copyright ©2016 by Bobbi A. Chukran. All Rights Reserved.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They did well for a while. Actually, they did well until the first cold snap we had. It wasn't quite freezing, only in the 40s. But there's a reason these plants are known as "tender tropicals." Right now the pot of dead leaves is sitting in my makeshift "faux greenhouse" which is a sheet of plastic across my garden shed porch alcove. Will they survive? We shall see.<br />
<br />
Indoors, we're starting another phase of our old house remodeling--turning the back laundry/junk room (with seven huge windows) into a dedicated garden/plant room. Hopefully. We have a lot of constraints--no walls to put walls on, those pesky windows, plumbing that has to be moved, etc. etc. I'll share pics as they become available. <br />
<br />
Today it's warmer and the sun is shining. And for that, I'm grateful.<br />
<br />
Happy trails!<br />
<br />
bobbi a. chukran<br />
<br />Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-58581090437319441172015-12-10T06:09:00.000-07:002015-12-10T06:09:07.598-07:00Are you a seed snatcher?Love this article over on the Flea Market Gardening site on seed snatching! I think most obsessive gardeners have done this at one time or another. I happen to have two lovely little trees that I'm growing from seeds I <strike>snatched</strike> harvested
responsibly from the trees at the Barnes and Noble at Lakeline in
Austin. They've been growing in a large pot now for a couple of years.
It wasn't difficult to get them to sprout.<br />
<br />
Hope you enjoy the article as much as I did!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fleamarketgardening.org/2015/12/05/stealth-seed-collecting/" target="_blank">http://www.fleamarketgardening.org/2015/12/05/stealth-seed-collecting/ </a><br />
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<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6uLKG9FCETE/T6fYROXeznI/AAAAAAAACKY/tbSeDTycR5E/s1600/P5060012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6uLKG9FCETE/T6fYROXeznI/AAAAAAAACKY/tbSeDTycR5E/s400/P5060012.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potted Mexican Buckeye tree, grown from seed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-43292148853348873622015-11-20T13:00:00.000-07:002015-11-20T13:00:25.400-07:00Four Years ago this Week...Back in November 2011, four years ago this week, we were finishing up the ceramic tile on the kitchen floor and working on the installation of the pine butcherblock countertops in our vintage kitchen. Or should I say, formerly vintage. Now it's sort of a mix of vintage and retro. Here's the link where I blogged about it and posted more pics:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twosisters1930cottage.blogspot.com/2011/11/itchin-for-kitchen.html">http://www.twosisters1930cottage.blogspot.com/2011/11/itchin-for-kitchen.html</a><br />
<br />
BEFORE, when we bought the house in June 2011:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Lljjw15d5Y/Vk95f7Y4e1I/AAAAAAAAE1s/7v32k1NkRC4/s1600/kitBefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Lljjw15d5Y/Vk95f7Y4e1I/AAAAAAAAE1s/7v32k1NkRC4/s1600/kitBefore.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And AFTER, in February 2012:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIE5TAXqYkM/Vk96Iw2WykI/AAAAAAAAE10/HcGUtlk6_yM/s1600/P2090008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIE5TAXqYkM/Vk96Iw2WykI/AAAAAAAAE10/HcGUtlk6_yM/s1600/P2090008.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The 1930s style doors are original to the house, and were previously in between the two front rooms, which were used as a formal living room and huge dining room. We moved the doors and closed up the walls in between the two other rooms.<br />
<br />
Every time I think we aren't making progress, all I have to do is wander back a bit in time. :-)<br />
<br />
Happy trails!<br />
<br />
bobbi c.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-40226847713480409632015-10-05T19:21:00.001-06:002015-10-05T19:22:38.330-06:00Ready for fall!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uKkszmGANho/VhMiEPRwr2I/AAAAAAAAEyo/Zr73xhsqvts/s1600/IMG_0752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uKkszmGANho/VhMiEPRwr2I/AAAAAAAAEyo/Zr73xhsqvts/s400/IMG_0752.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-68698874555655398242015-08-01T06:26:00.002-06:002015-08-01T06:26:22.277-06:00For the mantis lovers out there...This is an oldie, but goodie. A short story I wrote about a creature attack in my garden. :-)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nKUFIWlh2YQ/Vby60eJtRAI/AAAAAAAAEwo/guIZWfCZ8Hs/s1600/Praying_mantis_india.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nKUFIWlh2YQ/Vby60eJtRAI/AAAAAAAAEwo/guIZWfCZ8Hs/s320/Praying_mantis_india.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Published in <a href="http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs155/1114998960308/archive/1119131273686.html">SEEDS, the weekly e-newsletter published by Texas Gardener Magazine</a> and edited by Michael Bracken.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs155/1114998960308/archive/1119131273686.html">http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs155/1114998960308/archive/1119131273686.html</a><br /><br />Take
a look and subscribe to SEEDS. It's free, and includes Texas garden
tips, events, short articles and more. Can't beat that with a stick!<br />
<br />
Happy gardening!<br />
<br />
bobbi a. Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-88063082373503986252015-06-05T17:44:00.000-06:002015-06-05T17:44:13.831-06:00Downtown Natchez, MS Container GardensDear Earthly gardeners,<br />
<br />
I recently put on my travelin' shoes. . .and went to Mississippi.<br />
<br />
Husband and I recently returned from an amazing trip to Mississippi. I'd never been there before, and even though we were seeking out some great blues music (YES, we found it), I also had my peepers peeled for garden-ish things.<br />
<br />
I wasn't disappointed. Downtown Natchez, MS is filled with container gardens of all sorts. Here are just a few of the photos I snapped along the way.<br />
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Some of the old downtown buildings have been turned into residences. The container garden in front of this one really caught my eye. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ju_VQ5-v8t0/VXIxYPuuqgI/AAAAAAAAEug/w5l_ZVri2yM/s1600/DowntownNatchezPots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ju_VQ5-v8t0/VXIxYPuuqgI/AAAAAAAAEug/w5l_ZVri2yM/s400/DowntownNatchezPots.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Farther down the sidewalk, by the entrance doors, these wonderful statues guarded the entry.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zrf174K8Ip4/VXIzplRsE6I/AAAAAAAAEvE/jFe4qrZEAII/s1600/NatchezGardenStatues.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zrf174K8Ip4/VXIzplRsE6I/AAAAAAAAEvE/jFe4qrZEAII/s400/NatchezGardenStatues.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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A beautiful downtown courtyard garden, in front of an oil company building:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hchLVmX85wQ/VXIz2WuAL_I/AAAAAAAAEvM/gNsEQGz7Ysc/s1600/Natchezdowntowngarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hchLVmX85wQ/VXIz2WuAL_I/AAAAAAAAEvM/gNsEQGz7Ysc/s400/Natchezdowntowngarden.jpg" width="347" /></a></div>
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And since I'm a sucker for any kind of wrought iron, these dark pink ones made my heart go pitty-pat!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DcI9LSDBQ7g/VXI0FulPK0I/AAAAAAAAEvU/E7biajGkj84/s1600/NatchezWroughtiron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DcI9LSDBQ7g/VXI0FulPK0I/AAAAAAAAEvU/E7biajGkj84/s400/NatchezWroughtiron.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCFUh8Ork7w/VXIxqPZkqHI/AAAAAAAAEuo/ZG0a36zxhr0/s1600/DowntownNatchezPots2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCFUh8Ork7w/VXIxqPZkqHI/AAAAAAAAEuo/ZG0a36zxhr0/s400/DowntownNatchezPots2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Many of the pots were filled with mandavillas, a beautiful Mexican native plant that I've been unable to keep alive here in my Texas climate. They usually die back in the winter. I thought that this area of MS was in the same zone as my garden, but apparently not. Either that, or they wrap and cover the plants over the winter.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RzxWE7uol5k/VXIx9j0DbgI/AAAAAAAAEuw/sTTbRbje4_w/s1600/galvanized%2Bplanter%2BNatchez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RzxWE7uol5k/VXIx9j0DbgI/AAAAAAAAEuw/sTTbRbje4_w/s400/galvanized%2Bplanter%2BNatchez.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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This one was my absolute favorite. I grow things in tubs in my container garden, but never thought about doing a decorative stencil around it. I love that, as well as the trellis at the back used for support. I assume it's part of an old metal bed--twin sized.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T7ep4Kp3lOw/VXIyYpXVGDI/AAAAAAAAEu4/FdLSRTmzhvk/s1600/NatchezRiverView.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T7ep4Kp3lOw/VXIyYpXVGDI/AAAAAAAAEu4/FdLSRTmzhvk/s400/NatchezRiverView.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And here's the view from our hotel window. We both loved Natchez and have already talked about going back.<br />
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Happy gardening,<br />
<br />
bobbi a. chukran<br />
AKA "bobbi c."<br />
<br />Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-6551646470102850322015-05-17T10:34:00.001-06:002015-05-17T11:58:32.351-06:00Plant more flowers!This is my lesson for the week--plant more flowers!<br />
<br />
Just ran across this little jewel from Fran Sorin's blog. Fran is the author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Digging-Deep-Unearthing-Creative-Gardening/dp/0990791920" target="_blank">DIGGING DEEP: UNEARTHING YOUR CREATIVE ROOTS THROUGH GARDENING</a>, a book I just purchased to amuse myself while on vacation. <br />
<br />
"Research has shown that being in the presence of flowers increases your
level of optimism and sense of security, helps to decrease stress, and
can have a significant effect on your ‘happiness’ factor."<br />
<br />
Hey, I'm all for that! <br />
<br />
Although I've planted scads of native plants and herbs that flower and bloom, it wasn't until we moved into our vintage cottage that I started planting flowers again.<br />
<br />
Over the last few years, abandoned flower bulbs have popped up here and there on the property, and with the recent rains, have flourished. An ancient scraggly bush hidden behind some "trash" trees started blooming. Turns out, it's a very old spirea bush. Hurricane lilies popped up beside the driveway and a few lonely hyacinths popped up under the pecan tree. Poppies in the front lawn, grape hyacinths in the side yard and spider lilies in the overgrown flower bed--then the irises started blooming again. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CrqQf6bVKTw/Rjf-DAWThAI/AAAAAAAAAHI/P01ldMeSrio/s1600/apriliris3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CrqQf6bVKTw/Rjf-DAWThAI/AAAAAAAAAHI/P01ldMeSrio/s320/apriliris3.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
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Several yahoos have delighted themselves with telling me how our property USED TO be covered with flowers when the former residents lived here. Well, yeah. Sorry, but they don't live here anymore. <br />
<br />
But I did get inspired. So I'm starting with a simple packet of zinnia seeds, and hope they don't drown before they have a chance to bloom. Flower seeds are SO inexpensive and you can find them almost anywhere these days. So, do you still have an excuse for NOT planting flowers? I didn't think so. :-D<br />
<br />
Go dig in the dirt! (And if it's too wet, put 'em in a pot!)<br />
<br />
bobbi c. <br />
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<br />Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-2453586110426843012015-04-27T21:03:00.001-06:002015-05-02T09:25:40.976-06:00What We Built TodayI'm too tired to even describe it much, except to say it's probably the biggest raised garden bed in town. LOL. More pics and information later; just wanted to post this for now.<br />
<br />
It's rough-cut cedar and is 4x16' long and 15" high.<br />
<br />
Update! Plants in bed have been moved by now, and it's almost filled--over 1,000 lbs. of compost, humus, topsoil, etc. later! And the six new eggplants that started this whole crazy process have been planted in the far end. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-04v3TqnvoDw/VT74H5uy4PI/AAAAAAAAEsM/JMNLF0aigkg/s1600/newgardenbed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-04v3TqnvoDw/VT74H5uy4PI/AAAAAAAAEsM/JMNLF0aigkg/s1600/newgardenbed.jpg" height="306" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Happy spring! (and Thank God for pain pills.)<br />
<br />
bobbi c.Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-28481684191208786782015-04-24T17:25:00.003-06:002015-04-26T07:31:55.469-06:00Heirloom & Antique RosesDear friends,<br />
<br />
I'm happy to say that the roses are doing well here this year after the large amounts of rain we've had. When we moved into our little 1930s cottage, there were 81 rose bushes--some almost dead, some doing well. Over the last four years, I've managed to save most of them. Thing is, except for a few where I found the original metal tag, I have no idea what they are. <br />
<br />
I CAN tell which ones are the hybrids planted years ago by former residents and which ones are the antiques or heirloom roses--the antiques don't have black spots on the leaves. Of course, these are my favorites.<br />
<br />
One of the roses I did identify (from the original metal disk) is the Eutin (pronounced "oy-teen"), a beautiful rose that has also been sold under the name “Hoosier Glory” and, turns out, is also an antique rose from 1940. It was also sold as Russtler's Skyrocket, according to the Antique Rose Emporium in Brenham, Texas.<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;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYcZM3p44zRcbvUWuiH7h7f8fyaWXguPrh5fnKWAGr5H51XR8aKXnWcQChZFvrCSwwuF04E_1TUVIteMjX5oL2FKiVt_r9ZrUBT4GWBKNTzcu_ZSuwRmtRnJeE_VpfUZtmb4Y7MORzvqf/s1600/rosebunch.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bouquet of Eutin roses gathered during house renovation and plopped into the nearest "vase'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm in the process of moving, pruning and taking inventory of the roses here--so many of them still haven't been identified. Here are some photos from my previous rose garden, all of which were blooming in April in years past.<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tt80Zw-7OSs/VTrPPl5wl3I/AAAAAAAAErI/3wboyGzqeUc/s1600/white_antique_rose_rain_pho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tt80Zw-7OSs/VTrPPl5wl3I/AAAAAAAAErI/3wboyGzqeUc/s1600/white_antique_rose_rain_pho.jpg" height="320" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antique rose growing in Leander, Texas</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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pr4TkCzw70/VTrPbAfkVVI/AAAAAAAAErQ/Ae7JjNr_N0Y/s1600/DSCN0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pr4TkCzw70/VTrPbAfkVVI/AAAAAAAAErQ/Ae7JjNr_N0Y/s1600/DSCN0020.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink antique rose</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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UMd6paamcRc/VTrPeqhquYI/AAAAAAAAErY/1z8adVPkST4/s1600/DSCN0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UMd6paamcRc/VTrPeqhquYI/AAAAAAAAErY/1z8adVPkST4/s1600/DSCN0022.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink antique blooming rose</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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pRP2j5p40eo/VTrPiOVTn8I/AAAAAAAAErg/rcMKGtagHD8/s1600/DSCN0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pRP2j5p40eo/VTrPiOVTn8I/AAAAAAAAErg/rcMKGtagHD8/s1600/DSCN0024.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink antique rosebud</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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WVu7VQI4Aqo/VTrPyjBCUcI/AAAAAAAAEro/iosWQvAhlnY/s1600/DSCN0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WVu7VQI4Aqo/VTrPyjBCUcI/AAAAAAAAEro/iosWQvAhlnY/s1600/DSCN0019.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite pink heirloom rose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm going to look at the new Knock Out roses and other easy-care bushes and ponder them for a future border hedge between our house and the neighbors. That should be fun!<br />
<br />
So get out and plant something this weekend!<br />
<br />
bobbi c.Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-28565525575502712922015-04-22T09:50:00.001-06:002015-04-22T09:52:38.855-06:00One Step Forward, Two Steps BackDear friends,<br />
<br />
Yesterday I had great plans to spend the day in the garden planting some new daylily bulbs, dividing the comfrey, yarrow and oregano to transplant to the sides of the house where there is (HORRORS!) bare dirt from when we cut all the evil nandinas back to paint the house.<br />
<br />
So, I walked outside and saw a literal cloud of insects hovering over one of my new pepper plants, an experiment in growing things right beside an herb bed in the backyard. Last week, I had identified the culprit--the four-lined plant bug. I saw a few of these last year, but they disappeared (I thought) so I forgot about them. They re-emerged last week on some of my salvias, the comfrey, my oregano and skullcap. I jetted them with water and thought the problem was taken care of.<br />
<br />
NOPE! I think they just enjoyed the spring shower. Girding my loins and with the knowledge that I'd have to do something more drastic before they reached my baby Porter tomatoes (next door in the bed to the comfrey), I proceeded to demolish the little buggers. Or carpe <i>Poecilocapsus lineatus</i>, as the Latins say.<br />
<br />
I got some great advice on dealing with them from my online gardenistas and Howard Garrett's website and Garden Gate magazine.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.gardengatenotes.com/2010/02/09/four-lined-plant-bug/">http://www.gardengatenotes.com/2010/02/09/four-lined-plant-bug/</a><br />
<br />
And a pic, from <a href="http://www.finegardening.com/" target="_blank">Fine Gardening</a> magazine:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-20TD6crFayQ/VTfAUhRO0_I/AAAAAAAAEq0/_l_yRYkw35s/s1600/four_lined_bug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-20TD6crFayQ/VTfAUhRO0_I/AAAAAAAAEq0/_l_yRYkw35s/s1600/four_lined_bug.jpg" height="304" width="320" /></a></div>
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Turns out, there are about a bijillion bugs similar to this. They leave brown fungal-spot like marks on leaves so you might think you have some sort of fungus going on. Look underneath the leaves and you might see the insects, quickly scurrying to hide.<br />
<br />
Using what I had on-hand, and always the organic approach, I mixed some orange oil, molasses and dish-soap in a spray bottle and got busy. I could tell that the little darlings didn't like the spray. I just hope it either kills them to sends them packing onto the neighbor's Bermude grass lawn. <evil laugh=""></evil><br />
<br />
It's always something when you're trying to tend a garden. I've been doing a lot of thinking about garden size, when it's time to downsize and make things easier to maintain and enjoy. As Husband says, I've reached the tipping point. More about that later!<br />
<br />
Go plant something! And don't forget to smell the roses. . .<br />
<br />
bobbi c.<br />
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<br />Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-71791180457202472652015-03-20T09:25:00.000-06:002015-03-20T09:25:05.708-06:00Happy Spring, Everyone!Dear friends,<br />
<br />
It might not feel like spring in some parts of the country, but rest assured that it's on the way. My irises say so. Forgive the slightly blurry photo; it's starting to rain here AGAIN.<br />
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<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QmDmhbLdcgc/VQw6xjfHaUI/AAAAAAAAEpI/IVeVBxcAjSk/s1600/IrisMar2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QmDmhbLdcgc/VQw6xjfHaUI/AAAAAAAAEpI/IVeVBxcAjSk/s1600/IrisMar2015.jpg" height="333" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Bobbi A. Chukran/Earthly Gardener ©2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
IMHO, nothing says "cottage garden" more than purple irises. I also have white ones, including some that an older lady in town gave me a few years back, and a few that I recently "gathered" from an old family cemetery near here. I don't think the residents will mind. :-)<br />
<br />
Also blooming are the grape hyacinths and the coral honeysuckle.<br />
<br />
For those of you who are into bees and gardens (well, yeah), here's a new "Nameless, Texas" short story I just posted on my writing blog--"Miss Essie and the Green-Glittered Tiara." Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/1FdzKZA" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/1FdzKZA </a><br />
<br />
Happy blooming,<br />
<br />
bobbi c.Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-81594472305425477922014-12-24T16:48:00.000-07:002014-12-25T15:20:15.544-07:00The Christmas Cake--A Memoir of a Culinary Nature<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">In Memory of Jennie Neal, AKA "Mamaw"</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">All of our childhood holidays usually centered around
family and food, and Christmas was no exception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We usually had turkey and dressing for
Thanksgiving, but for Christmas, our grandmother would make something
different—maybe a glazed ham, or chicken and dumplings. No matter what, it was
served with all the fixings which included mashed potatoes, candied yams,
ambrosia salad and home grown and canned pickles and green beans that had come
from Mamaw's huge garden. There was the relish tray with fresh green onions and
radishes, olives and pickles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was
always a relish tray.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">And of course, there were desserts—usually
pies—coconut cream, chocolate cream or banana pudding. And only at Christmas,
we had a special dessert--Mamaw's Date Nut Cake with Boiled Caramel Icing, a
sinfully sugary concoction that consisted of not much more than tons of pecans,
dates and a little flour. </span></div>
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<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xrl0QVAti48/VJtPf2oPrLI/AAAAAAAAElU/fB-zZVJ_V4k/s1600/date-nut-cake-recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xrl0QVAti48/VJtPf2oPrLI/AAAAAAAAElU/fB-zZVJ_V4k/s1600/date-nut-cake-recipe.jpg" height="370" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original recipe, written on the back of an old cookbook page</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> I can still hear my grandmother's voice
complaining "The pecans sure are dear this year," but then she'd
smile and tell us we were worth it. I wondered what she'd think if she saw the
ancient pecan trees growing in my back yard now, and the carpet of nuts that literally
cover the ground.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The main thing about that cake was that it had
the most delicious carmelized brown sugar icing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's a complicated process starting with
white sugar that you burn on purpose then mix with the other ingredients.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">My grandmother has been gone for years, and now and then I try to recapture the taste of that special cake. I
actually have Mamaw's hand-written recipe for it, but like a lot of recipes
written by long-time cooks, sometimes key instructions are left out, or are
vague.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">I've tried to make the boiled caramel icing for
years, and only remember it hardening like it was supposed to a few times. When
made right (like, by her), the icing had the consistency of the best maple
fudge and it was a kid-magnet.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">I keep forgetting that classic definition of
insanity (repeating the same mistakes and expecting different results every
time), so, since we have a bumper-crop of fresh pecans, I decide to make the
cake for Christmas. And of course, I expect the icing to turn out perfect this
time.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">And of course, it doesn't because the moon phase
is out of whack or it's too humid or too hot in the kitchen or I didn't beat it
for long enough or something.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">(Warning! Even THE JOY OF COOKING says that
boiled icings are tricky. NOW they tell me.)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">So after fiddling with and watching the icing
for hours, refrigerating it overnight then still finding it soupy this morning ("This
looks like a floating island cake," I said), as it sloshed back and forth
in the liquid icing. Then I had a memory flash of the batch of peanut brittle I tried to make when I was a teenager that literally got up and dripped off the countertop onto the floor. I never learn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">So...I've made my own new holiday traditional dessert. It's
called "Mamaw's Date-Nut Cake with Bobbi's Spoon-on Caramel Icing." </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">At least it tastes the same, so I'm happy with that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">*****</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Copyright © Bobbi A. Chukran. All rights
reserved.</span></div>
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Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-83688826729091223022014-12-24T14:56:00.001-07:002014-12-24T14:57:31.721-07:00Merry Christmas, Everyone!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ItbZP7BKyvc/VJs2adrOrbI/AAAAAAAAElE/vkSrNl4Y5D4/s1600/christmas-postcard-vintage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ItbZP7BKyvc/VJs2adrOrbI/AAAAAAAAElE/vkSrNl4Y5D4/s1600/christmas-postcard-vintage.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-87522974396518726342014-12-11T13:29:00.000-07:002014-12-11T13:29:06.688-07:00Content theft noticeIf you are reading this post on the Texas Outdoorsmen website, blog or Facebook page, I'm notifying you that I have not given them permission to repost my copyrighted content, articles or photos on their blog OR Facebook page.<br /><br />I have made an attempts to reach owners of this site to request termination of the "scraping of content" (i.e. theft) from my blog but have not heard from them at this date.<br /><br />It seems that they are stealing content from many garden sites, and legal action will be taken if this continues.<br /><br />Bobbi A. Chukran<br />Editor and Owner,<br />Earthly GardenerBobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-67880982337807962752014-12-04T09:31:00.003-07:002014-12-04T09:31:57.548-07:00Feeding the Winter Birds<br />
Great tips for where (and where not) to put bird feeders in the winter. We feed a lot of birds here during the winter, and I was glad to see some good advice on this topic.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/citsci/take-action/2014/11/dos-and-donts-of-feeder-placement">http://www.birds.cornell.edu/citsci/take-action/2014/11/dos-and-donts-of-feeder-placement</a><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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTF3uFAt5eM/RyKF_7yBDyI/AAAAAAAAANA/r2IrKDd3UQQ/s1600/IMG_1616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTF3uFAt5eM/RyKF_7yBDyI/AAAAAAAAANA/r2IrKDd3UQQ/s1600/IMG_1616.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Birdies? Did you say birdies?" Sorry Missy, birdies are just to watch out the window.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Happy holidays, all!<br />
<br />
bobbi c.<br />
<br />Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-76630207136828860172014-11-30T11:31:00.000-07:002014-11-30T12:21:25.922-07:00What am I doing in the garden now?Dear friends,<br />
<br />
I guess the question should be, what am I NOT doing in the garden now. We've had a bout of cold weather, cold enough to kill off the larger-than-ever basil plants, and then warmer weather, with huge fierce, blustery winds that make me shriek "Auntie Em! Auntie Em! It's a twister!"<br />
<br />
I never could stand brisk wind.<br />
<br />
However, the wind did help us harvest an amazing crop of pecans this year. We have two ancient pecan trees in our back yard, and so far we've collected a five-gallon bucket. That's just a fraction of the amount laying on the ground, waiting to be picked up. <br />
<br />
In spite of the short freeze, the rosemary is very happy and blooming now--and is attracting tons of honey bees. We do love those bees around here!<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;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mxQB4uXZD0Y/VHtdzIxfaxI/AAAAAAAAEhY/kwrd1-jOoDg/s1600/beeonrosemary.JPG" height="316" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honeybees on Rosemary in November</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Luckily, Husband harvested most of the basil before the freeze, and the house smelled like THAT for days. Don't get me wrong--I love basil, but can't eat or smell lots of it at once without getting a headache. He's a great kitchen helper, and whirred the leaves with olive oil and
froze them for future use in pestos, etc. And I'm drying some for my
Super Secret Italian Mix.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KnG0Sf-TzJs/VHteJo5AjLI/AAAAAAAAEhg/kjDeWfuNG2E/s1600/sweetmarjoram.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KnG0Sf-TzJs/VHteJo5AjLI/AAAAAAAAEhg/kjDeWfuNG2E/s1600/sweetmarjoram.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Marjoram</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The sweet marjoram is growing happily in a large galvanized tub, away from the regular oregano since they tend to cross somehow and end up all tasting the same. I use small amounts of it in the afore-mentioned Secret Mix and it really makes a difference.<br />
<br />
Since we have tons of fresh evergreen rosemary year-round here, I don't rush to harvest it before a freeze. I try to wait until after it blooms, though, but it's not really necessary. It seems to taste the same, but I like to leave the flowers for the bees. Did I mention we love bees? ;-)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5VJBT50ABiw/VHtgCQoWCdI/AAAAAAAAEh8/frjyhCIBv2g/s1600/rosemary-in-garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5VJBT50ABiw/VHtgCQoWCdI/AAAAAAAAEh8/frjyhCIBv2g/s1600/rosemary-in-garden.jpg" /></a></div>
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In a former garden in the Texas Hill Country, I grew rosemary as a border around other areas and it did fine on the solid limestone underneath. In my current garden, on the Blackland Prairie soil east of Austin, the bushes grew twice as large in the first two years. Gotta love having "real" dirt!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-17Wz8mFew9Q/VHtgrUQAW-I/AAAAAAAAEiE/HKR7HAYGkcQ/s1600/drying-rosemary-photo-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-17Wz8mFew9Q/VHtgrUQAW-I/AAAAAAAAEiE/HKR7HAYGkcQ/s1600/drying-rosemary-photo-web.jpg" /></a></div>
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I do dry some, though, because the flavor is different from the fresh rosemary. A teeny bit of it also goes into the Secret Mix.<br />
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As soon as this wind dies down, and I've pulled the bush-that-was-my-hair out of my face, I'll take more photos.<br />
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In the meantime, if you have a harvest of your own, check out the short article on <a href="http://earthly-gardener.blogspot.com/p/how-to-dry-herbs-in-your-microwave.html" target="_blank">How to Dry Herbs in Your Microwave</a>. Bottle some up and give as holiday gifts. People love homegrown mixes!<br />
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And if you're feeling creative, here's <a href="http://susanalbert.typepad.com/pecanspringsjournal/crafting/" target="_blank">how to make a rosemary topiar</a>y, from Susan Wittig Albert's Pecan Springs Journal blog. <br />
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Happy digging,<br />
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bobbi c.<br />
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<br />Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209795625610717528.post-36078509465368960322014-11-09T16:17:00.000-07:002014-11-09T16:18:29.541-07:00Cooler weather, fall is here!Dear friends,<br />
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I know I've been a bit lax at updating this blog but have been busy with the "money-making" activities, AKA work. LOL. I have a new annual Thanksgiving short e-story out, <a href="http://amzn.to/1Fr8sgu" target="_blank">Death at Do-Lolly's Diner</a>, in addition to the two previous ones and am working on a Christmas comedy based on one of my prize-winning plays. More news soon about that.<br />
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I also got news that one of my non-fiction stories/essays will be published in the <a href="http://www.texasgardener.com/newsletters/" target="_blank">SEEDS newsletter from Texas Gardener magazine</a>, later in November. It's been years since I wrote for TG, and am pleased to be able to contribute there again. I'll post the date when it's confirmed.<br />
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But for now, I thought I'd share some fall and Thanksgiving photos with you. Just because. :-)<br />
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<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWiawBGH5M0/SjZYcLCi29I/AAAAAAAAApo/fuHG6Q-8bio/s1600/DSCN0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWiawBGH5M0/SjZYcLCi29I/AAAAAAAAApo/fuHG6Q-8bio/s1600/DSCN0005.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A volunteer sunflower</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-klo_Q-B0bb0/TF7FzIXmmKI/AAAAAAAABFg/JViS49Aj1hs/s1600/esperanzasbloom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-klo_Q-B0bb0/TF7FzIXmmKI/AAAAAAAABFg/JViS49Aj1hs/s1600/esperanzasbloom.jpg" height="320" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossvine blooming and the hummingbirds love it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lf0LgKb3JSM/TN1ZC5vG4yI/AAAAAAAABJc/TkvZGcVjwyo/s1600/NubbyPunkinGrapeCreek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lf0LgKb3JSM/TN1ZC5vG4yI/AAAAAAAABJc/TkvZGcVjwyo/s1600/NubbyPunkinGrapeCreek.jpg" height="301" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A strange but beautiful pumpkin we picked up at a fall stand near San Angelo, Texas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HgDyiosWKsU/TNxPeTgjl0I/AAAAAAAABII/JWpo5FB1yKY/s1600/fall-centerpiece.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HgDyiosWKsU/TNxPeTgjl0I/AAAAAAAABII/JWpo5FB1yKY/s1600/fall-centerpiece.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Halloween/fall centerpiece</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TbXHQZMvnHo/TZcxjAdgO_I/AAAAAAAABO0/goHzYUHt8CA/s1600/peppers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TbXHQZMvnHo/TZcxjAdgO_I/AAAAAAAABO0/goHzYUHt8CA/s1600/peppers.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late fall garden harvest</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ljf0BfyNATU/UHWSaPYBRCI/AAAAAAAAC3M/mboWix6tMvY/s1600/punkins-blue-steps-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ljf0BfyNATU/UHWSaPYBRCI/AAAAAAAAC3M/mboWix6tMvY/s1600/punkins-blue-steps-web.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo from the punkin patch in Salado, Texas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KII06pbE9iQ/UHhuOQaN9oI/AAAAAAAAC4c/BsZzNm8jpxc/s1600/goldenrodbloomingOct2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KII06pbE9iQ/UHhuOQaN9oI/AAAAAAAAC4c/BsZzNm8jpxc/s1600/goldenrodbloomingOct2.jpg" height="320" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldenrod's blooming and the butterflies love it! Right outside my office window.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajb9kzClr80/UjcQHwUQusI/AAAAAAAADso/VGECD4Mb7LQ/s1600/IMG_0753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajb9kzClr80/UjcQHwUQusI/AAAAAAAADso/VGECD4Mb7LQ/s1600/IMG_0753.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And more pumpkins.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Happy fall, y'all!<br />
<br />
bobbi c.<br />
<a href="http://bobbichukran.com/">http://bobbichukran.com</a><br />
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<br />Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.com2