Halloween on the Cheap

Happy Halloween!

window cardboard cut-out

Recycled soda bottles with hand drawn faces...

with orange glowing to light the path.

Snacks are ready.

Have a safe and not-too-spooky Halloween!

Gone Batty!

Four days until Halloween

and we don't even have one pumpkin carved yet.

We found these great and easy templates for bat-making here.

All you need are scissors and construction paper.

My kind of materials list!

 

Upcoming Plant Sale

One of my favorite gardening events

is coming up this weekend.

I've been saving up to purchase a few more natives

for our backyard,

as well as some perennial peanut and mondo grass.

I'll post about my findings next week.

Looks like the weather is gonna be mighty fine!

Backyard Gardener's Festival

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29

9:00 TO 2:00

HELD AT THE

POLK COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE CAMPUS

1702 U.S. HIGHWAY 17 & 98 SOUTH

BARTOW, FL 33830

(863) 519-8677

Seminars

9:30 - 10:15 RAIN BARRELS FOR THE HOME GARDEN 10:30 -11:15 BUTTERFLY GARDENING

11:30 -12:15 LANDSCAPING WITH NATIVE PLANTS

12:30 -1:15 VEGETABLE GARDENING

Garden Problems?

VISIT OUR ASK THE EXPERTS GAZEBO TO CHAT

WITH THE IFAS/POLK COUNTY EXTENSION HORTICULTURIST, DR. DAVID SHIBLES,

AND THE POLK COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS.

Gardening Exhibits

VISIT THE EXHIBITS IN THE STUART CENTER FOR FREE GARDENING IDEAS, INFORMATION AND HAND OUTS.

Selling

BUTTERFLY PLANTS

ORCHIDS

VEGETABLE PLANTS AND HERBS

BROMELIADS AND SUCCULENTS

HOUSE PLANTS

NATIVE PLANTS

RAIN BARRELS

GARDENING BOOKS

2012 CALENDAR

MELALEUCA MULCH

...AND MUCH MORE!

ENJOY A SELF-GUIDED

GARDEN TOUR!

VISIT OUR GARDEN SHOP!

FREE PH SOIL TESTING

BRING A 1 CUP SOIL SAMPLE

ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN

RAIN OR SHINE

 FREE ADMISSION

 FREE PARKING

 

Pink Post

Anyone who knows me knows I am not a "pink" gal.

A tomboy from the word go.

Don't have a thing against it,

just never have been into anything too "girly".

I can, however, make an exception

in the garden.

What's not to love about a little touch of blush?

Have a wonderful bloomin' day, y'all!

Butterflies are Welcome Here

One of the goals at Maple Hill is attracting wildlife. 

We use natives and Florida-friendly plants

that can also be used by critters to foster their lives.

We try to provide a variety of plant species

that butterflies and pollinators enjoy.

This bush was all but lost last winter

when the hard freezes visited.

It's a favorite resting spot for butterflies now.

It reminds me of a cat's whiskers.

Zinnias are a staple here.

There are such an array of colors, sizes and textures

that we really can never have too many!

Milkweed is a native and a host for Monarchs and others.

The seeds spread themselves readily

when the wind blows just right.

You'll find great information here.

Enjoy all the critters in your garden!

Changes are in the Air...

We are mulling over a big decision. 

One that could affect our family for years to come.

As always, pros and cons must be considered.

I used to make lists on paper to help me sort things out.

As I've gotten older, it seems that I've become

even more decisive.  I don't need to see it on paper

to know what choice to make.

This decision, though, affects so many,

and I know we must weigh each factor carefully.

I've been enjoying Oprah's Life Class

these past two weeks and I know that

some of the principals discussed there

are helping me in my daily life.

I choose to live by faith, not fear,

and I know that the challenge that awaits us

is another chance for me to follow my instincts

and trust what will be.

"Faith is taking the first step,

even when you don't see the whole staircase."

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

How do you go about making major life decisions?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Please bear with me as I am still recuperating

while coming to terms with this latest development

in our family's life.

I know it will all work out, it always does.

I hope to be back next week to regular posting.

Have a wonderful weekend, y'all!

All photos can be found on http://images.google.com

First Legoland Visit

Last week was a preview day for Legoland passholders.

I wasn't feeling well enough to go,

but the boys had a great time.

Here are some pix from the day.

Miniland

Daytona Speedway

NASA

Driving School

(for kids only!)

Yes, that SUV is completely Legos!

We can't wait to go back as a family!

Have a wonderfully productive day!