Yard update

We have been finally getting around to working in the yard the last few weekends.
New mulch, working on the flagstone patio, bought seeds to plant, lawn mowing- all the good stuff.

In other news, I now have a phone that supports instagram and have been having a great time photographing flowers in the yard. Here are a few:

Give Away!

 Enter to win a copy of the New Sunset Western Gardening book. My mother was asked to review the book, and in exchange was given 5 books to give away on her blog The Art Garden.
Drawing ends soon, so hustle on over there and leave a message.
http://jocelynsgarden.blogspot.com/

Pumpkins!

I only got 3 of 6 pumpkins carved this year. Maybe I will cook the others down for food stuffs- even though they are the wrong kind.

Dia De Los Muetros

A storm is rolling in. We are supposed to see up to 6" of snow in Denver tomorrow. The fall colors are really vibrant right now as the gray clouds roll in. I wish I were spending tomorrow carving my giant pumpkins, but instead I am spending it writing.  Maybe I can get them moved inside anyway.
 Not sure what I want to carve this year. I didn't do any last year, due to the neighbor kids breaking them before i could do anything with them.

As an adult I find myself looking forward to Dia De Los Muetros more than Halloween. Why? I don't know, I don't really celebrate it. Some years I make a small shrine, but at this point in life I don't have many old photos- they still reside with my parents. I think, I just really like the symbolism of the holiday and the celebration. Don't get me wrong, I freakin love Halloween, but this is bigger somehow.

As I said, we have a snow storm moving in. One of my giant marigolds was quite successful this year and is- or was, still blooming away out there. This afternoon I cut all the flowers and strung them into a garland, adding in pretty pink roses. I made a little shrine in the living room. I may only have 2 photos to add to it, but when I look at it, I think about all of the friends and relatives who touched my life in one way or another and are no longer with us.

Pumpkins. I actually have 6. One is out of the shot. Should I do a series? Ideas? Anyone desperately want a giant pumpkin of their own?

RIP Uncle Bill

William Chilvers 1921- 2011

da yard 2011

Every year I like to take spring and fall photos of my yard. Usually in May and September.

2011:

 Spring! I spent a couple weeks cleaning out my garden. I prefer to let the vegetation sit and rot er... compost... through the winter. Two reasons, 1. I am lazy, and tired of working on the yard by late fall. and 2. It it is natural composting for the soil, and gives me something to do in the spring when I am ready to get going and excited about working in the garden again.

 All cleaned out. Old fire pit. Added doors found in the alley and fencing, that I hoped would work as a climbing trellis.

 Shade garden. Added some $1 plants [hosta's, shown here] from the local green house, hopefully I can keep them wet enough.

 Perennial geraniums and quince. unfortunately right behind them is a viscous, invasive shrub, that I am trying desperately to kill. So for now there is a bare patch where I cant plant anything.

 Tulips looking good, before the lavender gets big. Love my evergreen Yugo Pine [below]

 Shade garden is... still alive [above]. New fire pit going in... slowly, and everything up front is looking great. Can you believe this is only the second year for the plants in the front yard? Plants in the back are all from seed.

 September! I always feel that our gardens look best  July through early October, here in Denver.

 Giant pumpkins. A love from childhood. I have 5 out there this year. trying to decided what to carve and if i should give a few away.

The cosmos are a great burst of  end of the year color. They have appeared in light pink, dark pink and white.

Next up:
I am planting purple and pink tulips. I picked up a bag of 50 at  [I am ashamed to say] Home Depot. Money is tight, so that is what I can afford to do right now. I am hoping to add a little bit more spring color to the front garden.
Also, mulching the shade garden for winter. Hopefully the leaves falling off of my giant snowball bush will do it for me.

First Fire of 2011

Solar Ivy

I am fascinated by solar and wind energy producing products. I once thought up the genious idea that someone should be making solar shingles, and it turns out that someone was.
Today while flipping through Departures, a Vogue level of affordability geared towards travel; I spotted an article on Solar Ivy.
Designed by some siblings who are, [my god] my age, the Solar Ivy was a senior thesis project that originally included wind in its energy conduct. It was found that the wind conduct was too expensive for the amount of return energy. The idea steamed from the cooling effects of ivy covered buildings. What if that effect could be recreated and turned into solar conduct as well?


Inhabitat also has an article on SMIT's Solar Ivy.

The project turned into a company. As of 2011 the first orders for Solar Ivy are being accepted.

I would love to have this on the sides of my house, the south and west facing walls would look lovely drench in Ivy and Colorado's incredible sun exposure works solar panels of any type, to the highest of their capability's.

[The article states that the price per leaf was predicted to be $7 - $10 USD. In reality it is looking more like $19- $27.]

the long week

general update:
M & M have been in town this week and thus we have been doing family activities out the wazoo.
Monday: Dinner at the Birkshire.
Tuesday: Pirate exhibit at the History museum, followed by Mario Cart, Dinner, and it was our turn to host D&D. This is a pretty fun exhibet, i want to know how much the coins on display are actually worth.
Wednesday: st.patricks themed dinner on ash wednesday at the UU Church and then bowling. Bowling was quiet fun and silly.
Thursday: girls pedi & mani date and dinner, boys poker and beer or something manly.
Friday: birthday party/ rock band
Saturday: baby shower, KT, birthday party. One of my friends from Kindergarten is due in April. Cant wait to see her. she going to be a great mom.

OMG. so much stuff. we cant even keep the days strait.


In other news, I'm headed to the audiologist to have her re test my hearing and look at my old HAs, gonna give em another shot if we can get them working. I cant hear the one turn on at all, and the other turns on, but doesn't seem to do anything. Of course I would like to have the new and improved ones, but I need to get retrained on my old ones and see if i can keep it up long enough for new ones to matter.

I have the yard mostly cleaned up. We need to have a big fire soon to get rid of the xmas tree and wood in my garden.
Were going to try trellises this year, see if it keeps things better organized and pick-able.
I am starting seeds indoors as well. Maybe our garden will look better sooner this yr if the plants have a head start.

whats flowering?

yesterday, on the 3rd of November, i sat on my back porch in a t-shirt and jeans. the sun was warm and everything was dry. We have only recently had our first frost- and no snow. they trees are still changing color and have many of their leaves. I am thrilled that fall is lasting forever this year. it is, hands down, my favorite season.

i took these photos about 2 weeks ago. this was everything that was still blooming in my garden. a lot of it still is, even after the frost. just bizarre for Denver.