Sunday, November 29, 2009

The Blind Side and Cottage Gardens

Belle Cox


'Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.' Abraham Lincoln



We saw Blind Side yesterday. Show of hands, who's seen it? I thought it was an amazing movie. And the theatre was every bit as crowded as it was for New Moon. Part of that may have been due to the Thanksgiving Weekend Crowd. But I wonder if a lot of folks did like I did, caught New Moon when it first came out and Blindside the next weekend. I was told one reviewer slammed it because of the rich white and poor black issue. But so what. It wouldn't have mattered if it had been a rich pink family and a poor purple young man. What it all boiled down to was lending a helping hand and being enriched because of it.


If you haven't seen it, and want a feel good movie, I recommend it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.



Cottage gardens are a wonderful conglomeration of textures, colors and scents. You can find perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetables and wild flowers all growing side by side in this cosy garden.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009





Happy Thanksgiving

***
"Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence."


Erma Bombeck
I found a rose still blooming on Thanksgiving.
The tree is up. You probably can't tell from the picture but the tree topper is a cat that a friend gave me. Surprise huh.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving to those that celebrate it and to those that d
on't, have a wonderful day.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Mom and Scented Geraniums



"My mother had a slender small body but a large heart--a heart so large that everybody's joys found welcome in it, and hospitable accomodation"--Mark Twain


* * *

Chocolate-scented Geraniums have large, fuzzy, deep green leaves that produce a chocolate aroma. The scented geraniums are grown more for their fragrance then their floral appeal.

Orange-scented Geraniums have leaves that smell like Mandarin Oranges.

Coconut-scented Geraniums are vine-like and smell like pina colada.

Have you grown any scented Geraniums?

Monday, November 23, 2009

Reading, Butterflies and Living Wills

Give me a man or woman who has read a thousand books and you give me an interesting companion. Give me a man or woman who has read perhaps three and you give me a dangerous enemy indeed. Anne Rice, The Witching Hour

* * *
Perennials that attract butterflies: Aster, Bee Balm, Coneflower, Dame's Rocket, Hollyhock, Phlox, Sedum and Verbena. Are there any more perennials that you're aware of, we can add to the list?
* * *
Living Will
Last night my kids and I were sitting in the living room and I said to them, "I never want to live in a vegetative state dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens just pull the plug."
They got up, unplugged the computer and threw out my wine.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Moves and Gardens

We are heading out to watch Edward and Jacob's moves.
Enjoy your weekend.


Annual Gardens: Annuals are flowers that die back at the end of the season. However, several annuals reseed themselves. Gardeners plant them because of their continuous summer blooms.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Flowers, Cats, and Giveaways

Your Garden

Nothing is more soothing and guaranteed to relieve the day's stress than walking through your fragrant garden watching the butterflies flit from flower to flower and listen to the whir of the hummingbirds. In gardens we meditate, restore our spirit, create and envision our future. There are many gardens to choose from. One is the birder's garden.


Birder’s Garden

If you would like to plant flowers that attract birds, try the following:
Black-eyed Susan
Bachelor Button
Cockscomb
Coneflower
Daisy
Goldenrod
Shrub Rose
Snapdragon
Sunflower
Zinnia
Flowers that attract hummingbirds:
Bee Balm
Butterfly Weed
Columbine
Coral Bells
Evening Primrose
Nicotiana
Hollyhock
Foxglove
Petunia
Pineapple Sage
Salvia
Zinnia
Most of your flowers will thrive in a sunny location but you will want a tree or two or possibly some tall shrubs on the perimeter of your garden for the birds. This will also give shade to your columbine and foxglove. If you let your plants die back instead of deadheading (removing the dead blooms), the birds will enjoy getting the seeds. They will be especially appreciative if you have a nice clean bird bath in your garden filled with fresh water.





Just for fun: This week I’ll be having a daily drawing to give away a vintage-style, handmade bookmark by artist Meghan Cox. To enter: all you have to do is send an email to sandracox1@gmail.com and put bookmark in the subject line.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Flower Power is released today and Happy BDays

When you only have two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one and a lily with the other-Chinese proverb
I am pleased to announce that Flower Power is released in e today and will be in print by Thanksgiving.
I'm very excited about this book on many levels.
Foremost:) My daughter drew a picture specifically for Flower Power that the editor has included in the book.
Secondly:) It was fun. Made so in part by my friends that made contributions to FP. Thank you! And thank you to my aussie mate who cared enough to point out my first trailer really needed some revisions:)
And last but not least, my publisher/editor has really put alot of effort and support into this book. She has included black and whites in the print version and a colored electronic supplement for both e and print purchases.
Both the e version, currently available, and the print order can be, preordered, at: http://www.jupitergardenspress.com/




Happy Birthday, Mike.















Belated Happy Birthday, Aussie Woman.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Pet Owners

I experience a period of frightening clarity in those moments when nature is so beautiful. I am no longer sure of myself and the paintings appear as in a dream.

Vincent Van Gogh


Pet owners is an oxymoron. Everyone knows the pets own us.


I'm sure those that don't have four-legged family members do a lot of eye-rolling at those of us who do, especially if they listen to us talk to them.


Pets do understand certain words. Chuck, my white cat knew his name and the word milk. He also knew 'no' but most times chose to ignore it. And I feel confident he knew the family members names, as well.


Now we all know they don't understand full sentences, but just the same we talk to them as if they do. The new foster gives a little growl as soon as he sees anyone. Its seems to be a combination of 'hello' and 'I'm a tough guy don't mess with me', which translates into 'I'm quivering in my boots but don't want anyone to know it.'


The other day he was on the table and I shooed him off. He gave his little growl and I said, honest to God, without even thinking about it, "Don't you take that tone with me, young man."


I started laughing as soon as the words were out of my mouth.


What's the craziest thing you've said to your pet? What words does your pet understand?

* * *

Along with its electronic color supplement, Flower Power will be released in e in the next day or two. It will be available in print by Thanksgiving. Jupiter Gardens Press has done an amazing amount of work on this. I'm quite excited about its release.




Thursday, November 12, 2009

Thursday's cat pic and quote

'First one to make a break for it dies like a dog.'--SKY MURDER


This is Caesar, the new foster.















WIDOW'S WALK by Ken Weene is available at Amazon.com, If you'd like more information here is his link and also his video, which is very good.
http://www.widows-walk.webs.com/
http://vidego.multicastmedia.com/player.php?p=wbgzb2yk

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Vegetarian Cat

Don't get mad. Get Vegan.

and on the flip side....

'I do not like broccoli. And I haven't liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I'm President of the United States and I'm not going to eat any more broccoli.' George W. Bush


Monday, November 2, 2009

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Sunday and Moms

An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy.
Spanish proverb

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.