Ditch Lilies!!

Ditch lilies!  They are often called a weed and do spread. Well I for one love them. I love the deep orange color. They are edible, I found a wonderful recipe that calls to stuff it with cheese yummy.  My back yard is barren and weedy.I hope they push out the crappy bamboo some genius planted and I have been pulling up and fighting all spring. I can really use some hardy and fast blooming plants. I plan to surround my raised bed with them adding color when in bloom and foliage when not. I have about 20 right now. These flowers are resistant to everything. They grow in all conditions seriously anything above zone 4 and your golden. Since our back yard is only weeds and debris you can see the value of planting them and why I am putting them near the raised bed but not in it. They will quickly overpower any nearby weeds and leave a pretty yard instead of crap dirty weed yard. They are spread with underground runners. I plan to dig down and protect the raised bed from being over run but know that I may lose that battle but not before I move. I want them to take over. This place needs some beauty. One can often find them planted along old buildings and vacant lot's where homes once stood. They are a good plant to give as gifts in large pots as they are plentiful and impossible to kill, giving even the blackest thumb some joy. So plant snobs I have come out of the closet. While not the most distinguished of flowers it will be finding a place in my garden. I am hoping the butterfly's and my neighbors agree.

Boxer puppy!

The boxer puppy I want to get for my dad.
My grandmother passed away last week and that is why I haven't posed much the last few weeks.
I'm really hoping to save up enough to buy him for him. I have been working both jobs, but it never seems like enough. I'm hoping after a few weeks I can get caught up and buy my dad this beautiful puppy. I know it won't make up for my grandmothers loss. But he loves boxers and already has a beautiful one.

Books this week  The Forever Queen  
It started off great and then kind of dragged and I love historical fiction.  I wouldn't re-read it but it was and interesting story. The story of queen Emma of England. She was queen twice in a row due to marriage.
From the amazon description:
What kind of woman becomes the wife of two kings, and the mother of two more?
Saxon England, 1002. Not only is Æthelred a failure as King, but his young bride, Emma of Normandy, soon discovers he is even worse as a husband. When the Danish Vikings, led by Swein Forkbeard and his son, Cnut, cause a maelstrom of chaos, Emma, as Queen, must take control if the Kingdom-and her crown-are to be salvaged. Smarter than history remembers, and stronger than the foreign invaders who threaten England's shores, Emma risks everything on a gamble that could either fulfill her ambitions and dreams or destroy her completely.
Emma, the Queen of Saxon England, comes to life through the exquisite writing of Helen Hollick, who shows in this epic tale how one of the most compelling and vivid heroines in English history stood tall through a turbulent fifty-year reign of proud determination, tragic despair, and triumph over treachery.

I also read: Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson
 From the Amazon website: Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher, or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, helped you see the world as a more profound place, gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it.

For Mitch Albom, that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly twenty years ago.

Maybe, like Mitch, you lost track of this mentor as you made your way, and the insights faded, and the world seemed colder. Wouldn't you like to see that person again, ask the bigger questions that still haunt you, receive wisdom for your busy life today the way you once did when you were younger?

Mitch Albom had that second chance. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man's life. Knowing he was dying, Morrie visited with Mitch in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in college. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final “class”: lessons in how to live.

Tuesdays with Morrie is a magical chronicle of their time together, through which Mitch shares Morrie's lasting gift with the world.

It’s been ten years since Mitch Albom first shared the wisdom of Morrie Schwartz with the world. Now–twelve million copies later–in a new afterword, Mitch Albom reflects again on the meaning of Morrie’s life lessons and the gentle, irrevocable impact of their Tuesday sessions all those years ago. 
  This was an amazing book and I recommend everyone read it. I live and work in the area so it was nice to know all the places first hand that he spoke of in the book. We all can learn a little from Morrie.What books are you reading?

Closed tulip

the tulip yesterday before it opened.

another view of my tulip

The leaves are a little ragged due to certain kitty's I know. But it bloomed very pretty. I like the muted outside and bright inside.

Hyacinth

My first one bloomed! Shorter stem because I planted it late and didn't have time to set down deep enough roots. Lesson learned. I really love the soft white. I can't wait to see what other colors bloom. I also make the mistake of touching it and have been itchy all day oops.

tulips!!

My first tulip blooms!! I must say I am impressed by the photos I can take with my phone.
I'm glad it takes such wonderful photos. I don't have to buy a separate camera for my garden adventures.
I love the red and yellow and black together. It is so pretty.
Since I planted so many in so many random places every one is a surprise and I like it that way. Sure purple, yellow and red look silly together but I wouldn't have it any other way! What are your spring surprises?

How my Winter sown seedlings are growing in my apartment garden

Winter sown seedlings!I am having about 70% success and even more at the program. I'm guessing the program ones are doing better due to the bottom watering. It is always so exciting to see the little sprouts pushing through the earth. How is your winter-sowing doing? I must admit I'm a believer after a few years of doing it and relived to avoid a costly clumsy light set up. If you have ever seen winter-sown roots you would see how great and strong they are. Keeping that in mind I'm going to take a chance and plant a few things out this weekend. I saw a great idea of using cloches in this post Seed Starting Tips for Beginner Gardeners. While I am not a beginner gardener I am always scouring blogs for tips and tricks. I have only gardened once in a real yard. Living in my apartment doesn't allow for much in the way of ground. All of my garden is done in containers and hanging baskets.I found some wonderful metal tins at Target in the $1 isle using my trusty drill I have a few more make shift containers. When I have some more time I shall post pictures of those as well.  My boss asked if we could plant out the seedlings at the program since it has been so warm. He was worse than the kids when I said no it isn't quite over yet. In fact next week we are expecting snow!

the last of the crocus

CameraZOOM-20120318151520646, a photo by lissa2343 on Flickr.

Last few crocus in bloom. All have finished for the year now. Very early due to the warm temps. Back to reality next week.

Bulbs!!

I went a little crazy with the bulbs this year! I do feel like it will be very pretty when they bloom. I hope they are not to crowded. I may inter-plant them with some annuals. I kept picking them up all over. Plant swap groups, building 19 and the Christmas tree shops. I  must stay away from the christmas tree shops when they have the garden supplies. I forgot what soil that is and I wish I knew so I can buy it again. It is rich and fluffy and the plants seem to love it. I have severely neglected this planter as it is on the first floor and I live on the fourth. Whatever I toss in there seems happy no matter my neglect.

I am thinking the angel roses from renne's garden may be just the thing


What bulbs did you plant?

biscuts and gravy

CameraZOOM-20120309185422354, a photo by lissa2343 on Flickr.

I was starving and in the mood for comfort food. I didn't have any eggs so I had to find something easy to make that didn't need eggs.
All it was is flour, water, baking soda and hot oil. The trick is to heat the pan with the oil in it until it smokes. Quickly add the mixture and don't peek.

I have also made breadsticks with no eggs
1 tbls oregano
1/2 tsp garlic
1 1/2 cups of flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2/4 cups of milk I like to use powdered and water
3 tbls spoon melted margarine or butter
Combine dry and slowly add milk. Roll out and cut or grab and make twists like I do. Coat with melted butter and sprinkle with cheese or more seasoning
Bake at 450 for 15 min