I am not even going to check to find out what the exact temperature is outdoors. All I can say is it is sunny, humid and hot. Too hot for me to have the energy this afternoon to go out back and continue with the new perennial beds along the fence that was erected last fall.
In spite of adding amendments to the soil and tilling, the soil is still compacted and difficult to dig in.
Earlier this past week, I did get some help digging holes and putting in nine new root roses, as well as transplanting approx. 5 rose bushes from other sections of the yard.
Word to the wise and now from experience.... Don't dig up a plant that you are going to transplant until after the new location has a hole dug and is ready to have the plant put in place and watered.
Yeah, the transplanted rose bushes are not doing well at all. They went from ravishing to death row, as the roots were exposed for 60 minutes or so on a warm day.
Finally, was able to plant roughly 24 red gladiolus bulbs, 36 yellow and 36 mixed variety gladiolus bulbs in the new bed area, yesterday afternoon.
I also began the process of moving and transplanting iris rhizomes with greenery from other areas of the yard, as the next line, after the roses and gladiolus in the new beds. (One clump was reclaimed from the other side of the new fence, as the new neighbor mowed over the greenery. To me, that signifies that he doesn't want them there and/or doesn't care for them being there. So, they have another chance, back with their iris rhizome clan in neat little rows.)
Amazed at how some of them have survived, as the soil here in VA is such a dense clay that the majority of them were surrounded by dry clumps, as opposed to loose and moist earth.
Hopefully, over time, I can improve the soil nutrients and conditions within that area.
I did pick-up 6 bags of Scott's wood mulch at Home Depot on Thursday PM and another 8 bags earlier this afternoon, as they have them on sale for the holiday weekend for $2.50 per bag. Wood mulch is a must in this area, unless plants are established and densely planted. Huge help in holding moisture in the soil for root systems, as opposed to quickly evaporating back into the air.
There is a lot more to be transplanted from other sections of the yard, as well as there are a slew of other new bulbs that I purchased that have yet to find a home.
I am praying that I won't damage the calla lilies that are in a few sections of the yard that have been rapidly shooting up greenery this week. They are in very odd areas and my goal is to have a lovely, dense section of garden beds along this line of fence. An area where I can look out and enjoy or go out in the privacy of the yard and drink in their beauty.
Maybe tomorrow, in the early AM, it will be cool enough to work on transplanting the delicate beauties without damaging them.
Feel like I have been there and done all of this. Took years with the other house landscaping, regarding, soil amendment and build up, stone walls, transplanting and purchasing of new plants, etc.
Lots of personal time and muscle power, as well, as when needed, I have realized that I have to hire others to help periodically, as there are only so many hours and so much energy and strength that I can expend.
Another day... Another day...
Sunday, May 29, 2011
In and Out Boxes Mail
I certainly strive to be more organized. It's a full-time job and the more I take on and do the harder it is to achieve. So, I am by no means ultra organized or perfect. But, I believe that I might have a solution for keeping the stacks of incoming mail that I have presorted through to attend to from being here there and everywhere in piles.
Granted, this idea hasn't been put into play, as of yet, as the basement library project is still in process. I do already have the materials though; which consist of Pottery Barn office rail system with a couple of the white hanging containers (for desk area). Plus, I have one red, Swedish metal post box and one very similar embossed white, Swedish metal post box.
My idea is to place the Swedish post boxes at the top of the basement stairwell as my paperwork and mail in and out boxes. Neat appearance, sealed by a hinged cover and color coded for in or out.
Any thoughts or opinions, such as a better method or what works well for you?
Note: If interested in purchasing - I did not purchase the mail boxes from the business I am providing the hyperlink to and when I purchased my items, I paid considerably less. The red box, shown above that they sell is exactly the same, but was purchased locally some time back. The white box is from Restoration Hardware and is no longer available from their store.
Granted, this idea hasn't been put into play, as of yet, as the basement library project is still in process. I do already have the materials though; which consist of Pottery Barn office rail system with a couple of the white hanging containers (for desk area). Plus, I have one red, Swedish metal post box and one very similar embossed white, Swedish metal post box.
My idea is to place the Swedish post boxes at the top of the basement stairwell as my paperwork and mail in and out boxes. Neat appearance, sealed by a hinged cover and color coded for in or out.
Note: If interested in purchasing - I did not purchase the mail boxes from the business I am providing the hyperlink to and when I purchased my items, I paid considerably less. The red box, shown above that they sell is exactly the same, but was purchased locally some time back. The white box is from Restoration Hardware and is no longer available from their store.
Oops Paint! Containers
When in the Home Depot paint section of the store, I sometimes notice the tiny sample containers on a shelf in the paint mixing area that have been tinted and marked down to 50 cents. These containers exist at this marked down price, because the customer who ordered the sample did not return to pick-up and pay for the container.
A handful of times, I have picked-up a container or two, as the colors are to my liking and it gives me the opportunity to experiment with how a specific color or shade will work in a room at my house.
(Note: Two sample, pint sized containers of white were sufficient quantity to prime the drywall on the half bath ceiling for $1 total. No leftover primer and I was able to throw away the containers once I was finished.)
When I was purchasing the full priced, gallons paints this afternoon, I learned from one of the paint associates that the Oops paint! in many of the cans does not match the color that is indicated on top of the container (sticker and a small dried sample).
One of those little tid bits that you have to know or else potentially be duped and frustrated when you finally open the container to paint.
The rational as to why the colors do not always match is that they had a trend of customers ordering paint to be tinted. Then they wouldn't pick it up and pay full price. But, would return at a later date and purchase the $25 gallon can of paint for $5 from the Oops Paint! section for a fraction of the MSRP. Thus the slight trickery on Home Depots part to thwart the customer trying not to pay full price for a color that they ordered.
Ask an associate to open the container for you and check the content color prior to purchasing.
They will also safely seal up the container once it is opened and shake the can/bucket for you, if requested, for immediate project use.
HAVE FUN:
For $5. a one gallon of semi-gloss paint is enough product to change the color of the walls in a bathroom and/or experiment with one of the latest designer trends of painting a ceiling using a colored paint.
Back in the day, as a Girl Scout, we all had to bring a can of soup for dinner the first night of camping. No directions as to what type of flavor, etc. Just a can of soup.
To our surprise, the counselors mixed it all together in a big stock pot and we had what they called "Witches Brew". Surprisingly, it was tasty. I mention this, as I have thought that someday, when I have an odd assortment of paints that I might end up experimenting with my own "Witches Brew" of paint colors and tackle an unfinished area such as a garage or shed interior.
Just this past week, my neighbor and I were in a trendy housewares boutique in Historic Fredericksberg, VA and upon careful inspection, I noticed that they had painted a long wall of the shop on a gradient of pastel shades of pink with verticle sections down the wall and where the different colors met they blended the two colors together. It looked fabulous with the contrast of the bright, pastel shade of green apple on the other walls in the shop space.
:)
A handful of times, I have picked-up a container or two, as the colors are to my liking and it gives me the opportunity to experiment with how a specific color or shade will work in a room at my house.
- Note: I use a heavy stock print paper similar to the glossy paper that they use for finger painting to brush the sample on. Let it dry and then move the sample to different areas of the room to ascertain if the shade works or not.
(Note: Two sample, pint sized containers of white were sufficient quantity to prime the drywall on the half bath ceiling for $1 total. No leftover primer and I was able to throw away the containers once I was finished.)
50 cents - sample pint size jar
$1. - quart size can
$5. - gallon size bucket
When I was purchasing the full priced, gallons paints this afternoon, I learned from one of the paint associates that the Oops paint! in many of the cans does not match the color that is indicated on top of the container (sticker and a small dried sample).
One of those little tid bits that you have to know or else potentially be duped and frustrated when you finally open the container to paint.
The rational as to why the colors do not always match is that they had a trend of customers ordering paint to be tinted. Then they wouldn't pick it up and pay full price. But, would return at a later date and purchase the $25 gallon can of paint for $5 from the Oops Paint! section for a fraction of the MSRP. Thus the slight trickery on Home Depots part to thwart the customer trying not to pay full price for a color that they ordered.
Ask an associate to open the container for you and check the content color prior to purchasing.
They will also safely seal up the container once it is opened and shake the can/bucket for you, if requested, for immediate project use.
HAVE FUN:
For $5. a one gallon of semi-gloss paint is enough product to change the color of the walls in a bathroom and/or experiment with one of the latest designer trends of painting a ceiling using a colored paint.
Back in the day, as a Girl Scout, we all had to bring a can of soup for dinner the first night of camping. No directions as to what type of flavor, etc. Just a can of soup.
To our surprise, the counselors mixed it all together in a big stock pot and we had what they called "Witches Brew". Surprisingly, it was tasty. I mention this, as I have thought that someday, when I have an odd assortment of paints that I might end up experimenting with my own "Witches Brew" of paint colors and tackle an unfinished area such as a garage or shed interior.
Just this past week, my neighbor and I were in a trendy housewares boutique in Historic Fredericksberg, VA and upon careful inspection, I noticed that they had painted a long wall of the shop on a gradient of pastel shades of pink with verticle sections down the wall and where the different colors met they blended the two colors together. It looked fabulous with the contrast of the bright, pastel shade of green apple on the other walls in the shop space.
:)
Paint Rebate Until 30 May 2011 @ Home Depot
Home Depot is offering rebates on a variety of their paints up until 30 May 2011. From $5. off per gallon container up to $20. per 5-gallon pail.
To make it easier, they even have automated the process where all information is entered on-line, as opposed to having to clip UPCs from labels, filling out paper forms, including original receipt and mailing an envelope: http://www.homedepotrebates.com .
Super deal if you are in the process of renovation project(s) or are looking for a quick decorating change for a room. I ended up with interior trim and wall paints, as well as porch and floor paint.
When it comes time to decide upon colors for the walls, I will bring the cans of base paint back to the store and have them add the appropriate tints and shake the paint can(s).
Once again, in terms of project inventory, I am planning ahead and happy to save $5. per gallon. Yes, every bit helps with the bottom line.
To make it easier, they even have automated the process where all information is entered on-line, as opposed to having to clip UPCs from labels, filling out paper forms, including original receipt and mailing an envelope: http://www.homedepotrebates.com .
Super deal if you are in the process of renovation project(s) or are looking for a quick decorating change for a room. I ended up with interior trim and wall paints, as well as porch and floor paint.
When it comes time to decide upon colors for the walls, I will bring the cans of base paint back to the store and have them add the appropriate tints and shake the paint can(s).
Once again, in terms of project inventory, I am planning ahead and happy to save $5. per gallon. Yes, every bit helps with the bottom line.
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