GardenGrrl's WunderBlog

Tuff Hummer

Posted by: GardenGrrl, 7:10 AM GMT on August 31, 2007

Theres a little female hummer that perches in a nearby tree and quarrels at me when I'm on the sitting on the front porch drinking coffee near HER feeder. Got my nerve to do that don't I? Usually I'll go back inside and peek through the blinds to watch her drink from the big globe.
Today I stopped to water the bonsai under HER feeder and that was just too much for little Sassy there. She came out of that tree just a twittering and started buzzing my head. I laughed all the way into the house. Gram for gram hummingbirds are actually some of the toughest critters on the planet. Every spring and fall many of them migrate over the Gulf of Mexico. Thats a pretty serious flight for something that tiny. Hummers, gotta love 'em.

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August in the Garden

Posted by: GardenGrrl, 5:21 AM GMT on August 23, 2007

August is always transition time around here. The late bloomers of multi-colored cosmos and zinnias tower above the purple globe amaranth with orange and yellow lantana shouldering it's way through pack to display it's tiny bright flowers. These are groupings that re-seeded from last year and decided this is where they want to grow. The flowers do a good job of arranging themselves. The sweet basil and mint have all gone leggy and to seed. New plants are coming up from them. The sunflower stalks have been cut down and new seedings are coming up. Will see if they bloom before frost. The hummingbirds and butterflies still like it here and bring much enjoyment watching them. Have some beautiful purple morning glorys that I got from a local garden club plant swap this spring. North Texas Garden Group or something, I lost my web address info and can't find them. Anyways, the plants from those fine folks look awesome. And as always, practice random acts of kindness and senseless beauty.

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Snow Cones Vs. Shaved Ice and Slushies

Posted by: GardenGrrl, 1:02 PM GMT on August 13, 2007

Yesterday it was 105f in the shade according to my fancy thermometer. The Betty Boop porch thermometer concured. Which has me wanting to introduce my new summer love; Shaved Ice. I ignored shaved ice for years. Guilty of food profiling, I thought it was just a fancy name for a snow cone. Snow Cones dissapointed me early on. Big chips of ice in a flimsey paper cup. The syrup quickly draining to the bottom and then out the end leaving you with tinted tastless little ice cubes. Being of wee frame size I have to count calories lest my butt suddenly inflate like an airbag. So yes, I am a food snob. If it does not make me produce little happy noises when eaten, I will not touch it. When its over 90f and you have a bench out of the sun, the delicate texture of shaved ice with sweet syrup is pure heaven. And there are like 87 different flavors to mix and match. Make room Slushie, Shaved Ice has come to town. So what's your favorite hot weather treat are there things out there better than shaved ice and slushies on hot days?

Updated: 1:41 PM GMT on August 15, 2007

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Hot August is Back.

Posted by: GardenGrrl, 4:56 AM GMT on August 09, 2007

Yep, can't escape it. Texas August is back. Today we hit the 100f in Lewisville. After all that rain all summer now we get a week of hot temperatures and no chance of rain. I'm a bit ruffled by the fact that I must get out the garden hose and water all the container plants. Thank goodness for the drip irrigation system I put in earlier this season (and really havn't had to use) for the bonsais. The really good news with this hot weather, is that going to the "Quickie Marts" for slushies and other wonderful sugary concoctions of crushed ice is now mandatory. So ladies and gentleman go get your brain-freeze on!
By the way, mixing Cola and Cherry slushies is perfectly acceptable etiquette.

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Back to the Weather

Posted by: GardenGrrl, 10:54 AM GMT on August 03, 2007

Got a bit over two inches of rain in the past week. Humidity has been over 90% daily. The mushrooms and assorted fungi are happily sprouting in the lawn on and on the wooden bench I've been meaning to re-finish for a few years now :) I have decided not to make a career of picking horses because so far I haven't done real well at picking plants according to what I think the coming summers weather will be. Most of the Xeric plants I have mail ordered are not very happy. Who knew Lewisville was going to do an imitation of a Louisiana bayou this year? Atleast the cosmos that re-seeded themselves from last year are happy. May well need a chainsaw to cut the spent stems come winter. I have learned that Texas gardening is not for control freaks. So se la vie; Let Go and Let Garden. (Some of you might get that joke). Have a Great Day!
(And Hi BG from TD)

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