Simply Balisha

Simply Balisha

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Busy Tuesday

 When you drive up to our house...these two pots are the first thing thing that you see. We had Blue Rug Junipers planted in this spot for a few years. As the years passed...they needed trimming, grass grew up even though there was a barrier put down when they were planted, and they started to look shabby. We just couldn't bend down and pull up the tough grasses anymore. Joe wanted to do something different. This was his plan. The man who mows for us pulled out the shrubbery and put new landscaping cloth down. We went to Lowe's and bought some new pots. When the mulch was down, I bought 20 geraniums...10 for each side. It's been a breeze to take care of this summer. 
I was sitting on the porch the other morning when a man pulled up in front of the house. He leaned out the window and said, "Would you settle an argument between my wife and I? Are those geraniums artificial?" I told him no and he said that they look so perfect all the time....he thought that they must be artificial. I don't know if that was a compliment or not. Joe said to tell him that there's nothing artificial in our yard. A little story about artificial...I used to walk past the mayor's house in Hampshire, Il. The house was up a little hill with a split rail fence in front. All along the brown fence...were these so pretty yellow sunflower like plants. They were short and always in bloom. I walked my dog everyday and saw those flowers. At the end of the summer, I talked to his wife. She said that she had a secret...they were artificial and no one could tell.

I got a haircut today and stopped at the grocery to pick up some chicken. I waited for the chicken to cook and visited the produce dept. Peaches were on sale. They were hard as a rock. A gentleman was picking some out and putting them in a bag. I mentioned that they were really hard. He told me that he leaves them out for a few days and they have been delicious. So, I took his word for it a bought a few. Then I passed the watermelons. A woman said that she never picks out a good one. I showed her my way of picking one out...I hold the watermelon and thump it with my knuckle.If it sounds kind of hollow like and I feel a vibration from the thumping in my arm that is holding it...it's ripe. I usually have good luck picking them. I bought some peaches, tomatoes, avocado, radishes, and a few Pink Lady apples. Leaving the store, I thought how lucky we are to be able to buy what we want and need at the grocery. I shudder to think what people in these war torn countries have on their tables.

It's clouding up and getting ready to shower. I didn't water my containers today....hoping for this rain. The lawn man said that it was starting to get dry here...and that we need some rain. 

I got my order today with the two swimsuits. I've had so much trouble finding one that fits and looks good. Finally I have two...they fit perfectly and hide some of my bodies imperfections :)
Talk about imperfections...it's time for me to get going and take care of some jobs around the house. Doing work outside really takes it's toll on my housework. I love being out and love to do things away from the house, but I need to do housework...so I'm torn most days. I love rainy days when the decision is made for me. Joe and I are only two people....we are both pretty neat, but sometimes I feel like I'm always picking up and putting away.....how about you?
Balisha

15 comments:

  1. I feel the same way about keeping up the house. All we wear is jeans and tshirts but there's always so much laundry for 2 people!
    That was a compliment about your geraniums. They are so pretty and colorful.
    We love Pink Lady apples and we've had some good peaches and 1 good watermelon this summer.
    Hope you get the rain you are expecting.

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    1. Well, we didn't get the rain. So I have had to use the watering can.
      I love a good crisp apple and these are so delicious. Some apples don't seem to have the flavor. My peaches are still sitting on the counter...ripening.

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  2. Your red geraniums are a happy greeter for your visitors. I have one plant of red geraniums next to our front door, they match the red brick on our house front. I agree that we are blessed with an abundance of food. I read recently that it is best to buy apples, strawberries and grapes organically grown and I usually do that. Those fruits have the most pesticides!

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    1. I've read that too. I popped a grape in my mouth at the grocery a few years ago and was scolded by another shopper, who told me that they use a lot of pest. on them. Now, i'm very careful to buy organic, when I can, and to wash produce better than I did before.

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  3. Scrolling through the photos of your plants and flowers always make me smile. These photos are up on my monitor tonight. *Love*

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    1. Well, thank you for putting my flowers up to enjoy when you are on your computer. I have to tell you that I got the sequel to A Year By the Sea and enjoyed it...not as much as the first, but still a good read. Thanks for the suggestion.

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  4. I love your geraniums they are very lush and healthy looking.

    I just did some cleaning up of my desk surface and filing things away. My workspace for needleworking is cleaned up too, awaiting the next project. I was outside this morning working for about 1 1/2 hours and had to quit as it was just too miserable out there. The rest can wait until another morning. I made forward progress outside and inside today and that feels good.

    Enjoy the rest of your week Balisha. The fruit all sounds delicious!

    Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Can you believe how much paper accumulates during the week. I swear, that I empty almost full waste baskets from different areas every week.
      I know how hard it is to work on hot days. Lucky for us...those hot days don't last long, But then again, we have that Old Man Winter to deal with. I don't know which is best. Is there a place that is a happy medium?
      I love fruit.....and now is when it it best here in Illinois. I envy you, having delicious fruit...year round.

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  5. Your geraniums are beautiful. Love the bright color and the contrasting dark bands on the leaves. Very eye catching. Are you going to try to over winter them?

    Many years ago I found artificial chrysanthemums that looked pretty real to me. I have been using them outside in flower pots in Fall year after year. I have really gotten my money's worth out of them and from the street they look real. I always buy two live chrysanthemum plants because I love their scent, and transplant them from pot to soil before it gets too cold. Year after year, none of them have ever survived. My artificial ones are survivors, year after year after year.

    My bad knee is always done for the day way before the rest of me is. It's either outside work, or house work, or errands for each day, and then cooking and cleaning up the dishes every day. It is only my husband and I that live here now, but I am convinced that a group of chimps may be sneaking in and messing up the house on the days when I do gardening or errands. I don't know how it is possible for just two adults to give this house such a "lived in" look.

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    1. I love the leaves almost as much as the blooms. I don't remember geraniums years back having such pretty leaves. I'm sure that in Grandma's day...the leaves were a solid green with no markings.
      I have had good luck with hardy mums from http://www.gardenharvestsupply.com . They are called Belgian Mums. I had them for many years until this last frigid winter. I still have a couple in other places that made it through.
      I'm sure your mums look lovely and so much easier to take care of with your bad knee.

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  6. With your trim body, I can't imagine you would have a problem finding a bathing suit. I have one but haven't worn it in three years.

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    1. Oh, my...trim body. Don't I wish? I have a few imperfections, but that doesn't keep me from putting on a swim suit and going to the pool. My problem is that I am tall and long waisted...so many suits are for short waisted women.

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  7. My geraniums have shopped blooming - leaves are green and lush, but no new blooms - weird. Your pots are perfect for that spot!

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    1. Give them a little fertilizer. I use the miracle gro that you hook onto the hose. The one for flowers. I have done that twice this summer for mine. Sometimes if you have multiple plants together it is better. In that mass of plants you are more apt to have a few blooming. If planted singly, sometimes plants take a rest.

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  8. Those geraniums are beautiful. The fake flowers work for some people as long as they remember to take them in when we start getting snow. Ha!
    I almost always have to ripen peaches at home in a brown bag. They're never ripe in the store.
    Glad you found some swim suits.

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