Ten Years Later

September 11, 2001 - September 11, 2011

In loving memory of my step-brother

Edward Veld Rowenhorst

... we will never forget ...

Picket Fence Planter Update

Here's another update on my Picket Fence Planter. At the very least, I am happy they are growing and enjoying our kitchen porch. The trailing variegated vinca is doing nicely and and the white "Snow Crystals" alyssum is flourishing. I will need to rethink the spike plants. I like them and they add interest, but they are distracting in this planter. I am definitely not doing the wax begonias again and the impatiens aren't really doing anything for me. The metal pig watering can was a *must have* addition.

Mr. Toad

Each morning, I sit outside on our small kitchen porch while the dogs run and play in the yard and I revel in God's handiwork as I watch my flowers and veggies grow and bloom.  I tend to each garden spot, flower bed, and planter.

As I was checking on the Hedgehogs & Crocks, I went to remove what I thought was a dead leaf.  As my eyes adjusted, I realized it was a baby toad.  He was no bigger than a quarter!

How he got there, I don't know.  I guess I really don't care... I am just tickled that he is my guest.

Tinted Pentas & Zinnias

I recently downloaded the trial version of Adobe Photoshop CS5 and have been playing with it, trying to learn it as I go along... there is no manual or instructor with a trial version. With the help of AdobeTV and a few tutorial videos (some watched over and over in full screen mode until I finally understood what they were saying), I was able to turn a color picture into black & white and add color tinting just where I wanted it. The text addition was simple, but another thing learned none-the-less.

Hedgehogs & Crocks

I have a thing for hedgehogs. I'm not sure where it started, but it's alive and well today. I added them to my original Crock Planters display and thought it made a cute display.

The latest addition is this ceramic hedgehog planter. I picked it up at a large nursery just north of us. They were closing down for their summer break the following weekend and all pottery was 20% off. When I saw it, I just knew I had to have it and I immediately knew more Hens & Chicks would go right along with his pointy exterior.

Entenmann's Chocolate Chip Cookies

We got a new camera... and a new camera means tons of random pictures. I took this picture as I was playing around with the settings while reading the User's Manual. I love how the cookies are so clear but the edges are blurry. The lighting was just right. And, who doesn't love a chocolate chip cookie?

Crock Planters

The leftover spike, begonia, impatiens and alyssum were not doing well in the small crock so I replaced them with Hens & Chicks. I don't know what exactly it is about Hens & Chicks, but they make me smile! I replanted the leftover flowers in the Picket Fence Planter and it is chock full and looking great!

My friend, -B-, graciously planted Creeping Jenny in the big crock and gave it to me. She said it didn't match her stuff... but it matches mine perfectly! Thanks, -B-!!!

My husband had the piece of slate laying around and I painted the crows and sunflowers on it (names have been blurred to protect the innocent! LOL).

I love this corner of the porch!