Tiny Trains on display for the Holidays

Roger's Gardens (see previous entry) always has a display around a wonderful old tree for the model train lovers. This little train chugs around the tree all day long. Darling.

Fountains from Roger's Garden in Corona Del Mar

I am looking for a fountain for my back patio. Here are a few examples I found at the very special garden shop, Roger's Gardens. If you are in the Orange County, California area and are a gardener, you would enjoy a visit to this wonderful nursery. There are plants galore and everything beautiful you need to beautify your home.

Red Sun At Morning...Take Warning

The fires continue to burn here in Southern California. Zone 23 is still in the clear. As I sat at my computer this morning and the sun was rising, I noticed that the sunlight was coming in my windows bright red. I took this photo of the sun about 8:30 a.m.

This reminds me more of a setting sun than a rising sun. The eerie color is from the sun shining through the particulate in the air.

Kois in my Spa

I had a comment from a reader that my spa would make a great shape for a Koi Pond. I had been admiring some specialty tiles which are two kois swimming. I think they would be fun to install on the bottom of the spa when we replaster it.

Pool Demo

The pool demo continues. These are additional pictures as we break up the patios and walkways around the spa area.

Fires in California 2007

We are not part of the fires in California at this time. Sunrise this morning is rather ominous. I took this photo at 7:45 a.m. Usually, the sky would be blue with a bright yellow sun beaming into the house this time of year. Here is how it looks outside right now. I am sure this darkening of the sky is due to the fires in San Diego which is closer than the fires in Northern LA.

September 21, 2007 Pool Demolition Underway

Our pool needed extensive repairs and so we decided to demolish instead. The crew is in the back with a very loud jack hammer as well as sledge hammers.

Our city has guidelines for pool demos. Three large holes are created in the bottom of the pool, the sides are demolished, but the shell of the pool can stay in the ground.

Back by Popular Demand: Hornworm

Watch this video with still photos and action video of the hornworm caterpillar.

He's Baaaaack. The Tabacco Hornworm

Most of the summer was spent without this creature munching through my tomato plants. The other morning I was greeted by little droppings on the sidewalk and I knew the hornworm was back. Searching the plant I discovered his well-camouflaged body. See the remainder of the tomato he ate?

Plants from the Sea

Labor Day visit to the ocean! Look at this fabulous sea weed which washed up on shore. The texture and colors are so interesting.

Bracket Fungus on Tree

I love the colors and the texture of this bracket fungus on a tree I found while walking.

Hornworm T-shirt

Hornworms--Love 'em or hate 'em, they make one great looking t-shirt!

My Other Blog

I am finally starting to get momentum on the remodel. I am starting to blog about the details and will include pictures when work gets started.

The blog is called Remodel and Renovate.

Acorn Squash

Some of the harvest this summer includes acorn squash. I can't wait to bake this veg and cover it in butter, salt and pepper!

Berries in July

These berries grow over the top of the fence at our townhome in Northern California. The colors are beautiful.

Hummingbird in the Liquid Amber Tree

I discovered this hummingbird sipping nectar from my agapanthus plants. When I saw me, he retreated to the foliage of the liquid amber tree. He is really camouflaged.

The trick to this photo was to set my camera to the highest resolution, use the zoom and then crop and zoom in photoshop! Otherwise, you would never have been able to see this fellow, I was so far away!

Artichoke Gone Wild

Well, with so many artichokes on my plant, it was inevitable that some would flower before they were eaten. I didn't expect something so beautiful. And with the blooming of this flower, the light bulb went off. The artichoke is a member of the thistle family. Hmmm. Never realized it before.

Runner Beans

These starts are the beginning of my favorite pole beans--the runner bean. These beans have been in the ground about two weeks. I have had problems in the past with slugs and snails eating the newly emerging seeds. This year, however, no problem at all! Yeah.

The Hungary Caterpillar

This little fellow isn't really that hungary. Really, he was just on the move oscillating from point A to point B.

Note: Click on photo. You will love the detail on the caterpillar.

Yellow Wax Beans

The garden is in a hurry to produce. This little bean plant already has a few yellow beans growing. Can't wait!

Green Pepper

This little pepper was on the plant when I purchased it. Nevermind, it will still taste great.

How to Get Your Tomatoes (or any veg) to Set Fruit

The Answer: Go a a week long trip!

Upon returning from a recent trip, I was delighted to see this tomato plant had set many baby tomatoes. Also note, this tomato is a volunteer, so I won't know what kind of tomato I will get for several more weeks.

Early Blooming Sunflower

This sunflower is a volunteer. Since it essentially planted itself, it got an early start. Therefore, an early bloom.

P.S. Can you find the knuckle? It's there at the bottom of the photo.

Happy to Bee in the Garden

Look who was busy in the garden besides me! This little fellow was buzzing around to collect his pollen. The gladiolas are beautiful. Only wish there were more stalks.

Gardenias and Jasmine

The entry way to my home in the spring is delicious. Gardenias and jasmine bloom in abundance. In the afternoon after a morning of sun, the fragrance is intense.

Peek-a-Boo Agapanthus

It's time for the agapanthus to bloom. I always feel like extraterrestrials have landed when they fill the landscape with their large singular orb.

Luncheon in the Garden

A lovely afternoon luncheon in the garden.

Pinks, Purples and Reds

Sweet...peas.

Plumeria Blooming in Dubai

Our trip included a stop in Dubai. The plumeria bloomed in abundance.

While nothing to do with gardens, I thought I would include the photo of the indoor downhill ski run which was at the local mall. Remember the temperatures when we were there were 100 degrees F. The summer can see these temps rise another 20 degrees. Beat the heat at the slopes!

Floral Images from England

A quick trip to England (London). As always, the gardens and container plantings were beautiful.

Chives

Well, you have to love chives. Delicious on a baked potato and pretty in the garden!

Artichoke Madness

Artichoke Plant
Largest artichoke on the plant
Many "chokes" growingThis spring is the first time I planted artichokes in my garden. For the first eight weeks, nothing much happened. The plants got ridiculously large...but not artichokes. Then one day, I saw a little golf ball sized fellow growing on this monsterously large plant. Wow! No wonder artichokes are so expensive.

Then, the weather got warmer and all of a sudden, the plant is prolific! This one plant has six artichokes coming along, however, I still think it is gigantic in size relative to the output(the greens are almost shoulder high--and I am 5' 7"). So I think in about another week, the first artichoke will be ready for eating.

Bougainvillea

Lovely bougainvillea rambles up the structure of the house and roof. I love the spring green color of the shubbery against the cherry red of the bougainvillea.

A Little Friend in the Garden

You never know who you will see in the garden on a sunny day!

Parsley--Gone to Seed

I had some Italian flat leaf parsley in the garden this winter. While out of town, the weather got warm and sunny. The parsley bolted and created this seed head. Reminds me of Queen Anne's Lace.

Forest Moss

Ilove moss. This moss was found in a wooded area in New Jersey.

Calla Lilies in Abundance

One last photo from last weekend. Needless to say, I was amazed by the glorious floral displays within one hotel. I thought these calla lilies were fantastic. I love the effect of the "tied" bouquet. I first saw this technique when our family lived in England in the mid-ninties.

While at the hotel, a bride and groom entered. They had the perfect backdrop of photos in front of this entry floral arrangement.

Snaps

I love the color of these flowers!

More Flowers from LA

The Beverly Wilshire Hotel displayed this wonderful selection of flowers. The fragrance in the area was fabulous because two of the buckets were filled with lilacs!

Stunning Arrangement from CUT Restaurant, Los Angeles

An evening out this weekend included a dinner at CUT restarant. I loved the arrangement at the entrance to the restaurant.

Unexpected Visitors: Ducks

This handsome couple stopped by for a swim in the pool. They would have stayed longer but I had to go out to take pictures. My presence sent them flying.