Welcome to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's T Party, where we link up with a drink related photo, find link in my sidebar to join in.
It's Typical Missouri weather this week-normal for some years-very cold with freezing temps and then it jumps right into the 80's with no real spring. That is something I do miss most years-a real month of spring before we go right into hot weather. We are from the upper midwest and moved down to this area after I retired from the phone company. Living closer to the sun here it was a learning curve for me-so I would not get sun burnt.
I ended up with at least 50 of my plastic gallon water bottles turned into mini greenhouses. I planted lots more of the creeping thyme ground cover, and also planted lots of flower perennial seeds. I had our friend saving me his bottles too. One bag of the seed starting soil fills 9 bottles-so I am saving up 9 more as I found more seeds of milkweed-different varieties. Some of my seeds are several years old now-so time to get them used up. I am starting zinnia and marigold seeds too which I do not usually do.
This morning early till about 1 pm I worked up in that area on top of the steep driveway that I had started clearing last year. I put allot of soil in there, but I need to buy a few more bags before I transfer last year's creeping thyme ground cover. I was surprised how many weeds have popped up in this area. I need another long morning to finish up. This area faces one of those hills that I added lots of rocks, I will plant some of the ground cover towards the back so it can grow down the rocks-as it ages it will have pretty flowers. In front I want to add some annuals.
Those of you that live in the areas the strong storms and tornados hit-hoping you are all safe. We did get the very high winds but thankfully no hail or tornados. Columbia Missouri about 90 minutes away or so got the golf size hail-that would not be too good, and there were allot of tornados around us. So I am thankful we didn't get hit. We also kept our electric on but looking across the lake from our home-that whole side had no electric for a day.
I did spend several days looking for a new digital camera. At my age, and for what I use it for I did not want to spend more than $50-60.00 for one. I was looking at allot of entry level kids cameras but most all of those had no flash-not good. I ended up finding something I liked, never heard of the brand, but it came with everything-the 2 rechargeable batteries, that disc that holds the photos, it did have flash and could enlarge up to 16 times-so sounded good enough. It should arrive early this week.
So, sorry no new photos this week.
Do you like Bigelow teas? I really like this family owned company and when I was researching the small particles of plastics found in teas they have none. I grew up with constant comment but they now have a green tea version. I also like a decaf black tea once in awhile-so I bought two different ones.
Found photos online-my ticket for T this week
and
and the green constant comment
I also found online-this pretty lake setting with a cup of tea-perfect for our summer like weather this week
That's all for me this week Happy T and new week
I am jealous you've been able to work outside and start your plants. Although much of the snow around my yard is gone, it is not gone in my garden. Plus our nights are still too cold for plants. Enjoy your garden work, especially before it gets too hot. We have those years too. We go from winter right into summer. I do like lemon tea a lot. And I hope you get your camera soon. You're probably excited to have it also. I hope you've had a super start to April and have a great T day too. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to go out early and work outdoors-it has been too cold in the mornings til now. I think Wednesday the temp is really dropping again and will back to the 30's at night again.
DeleteYes thank you I am excited to have a camera again especially for the sunrise views.
It's supposed to 85 F tomorrow, then 30 F overnight and 50 F on Wednesday. Mother nature can't make up her mind.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your new camera. I hope it fits your needs. My camera is my right hand and I would be lost without it.
It's been years since I've heard of or seen Constant Comment or Bigelow. And that is a lovely internet image by the lake. Thanks for sharing your tea and your search for a camera with us for T this week, dear Kathy.
same weather here too-will really drop back down again on wednesday.
DeleteI had to buy these teas online, I have not seen them in stores either and I have always enjoyed Bigelow teas.
Thanks this looks like our lake except I have never seen any one putting a fence up to divide property lines-those would block the views here.
Happy new week
Sounds like you are getting a good start on a garden with all those little greenhouses. Seeds are really the way to go if you want the most for your money.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy your new camera. I have a littl digital Canon that I've had for years. I don't use it much now that phone cameras are so easy, I should really get it out and try using it again.
Have a good week,
I agree if one has a way to grow from seeds you get more for your money for sure.
DeleteI am looking forward to the camera-we don't use smart phones
We don't have Bigelow teas here...they sound quite good. I love that lake picture..so relaxing and beautiful.
ReplyDeletethank you-if you buy online you may find them there-
DeleteHappy Week!
ReplyDeleteYou have been busy! 50 bottles! It's nice you have the space.
Bigelow Tea is a favorite brand.
thank you,yes there are allot of bottles out there haha. I have always like Bigelow teas too
DeleteGlad to hear about your outdoor experience. Making green houses with 50 bottles sounds a lot of work. But it really worth the time! Glad that you found a camera. This tea brand sounds interesting with different flavorful teas.
ReplyDeleteHave a happy T day!
Thank you Amila, I don't know if this brand of tea has gone international or not-they are an American family company. I took a guess at 50 bottles-counted them this morning and I have 70 haha
DeleteWow, that is some serious planting! I wait till the frost is gone for good and reckon I will have to get new soil for the balcony. And then simply throwing in wildflowers seeds we got presented with from companies.
ReplyDeleteGlad we don´t have such aggressive weather here...
French Vanilla, please and oh, love that last pic... the hat is beautiful.
Good luck with the new cam.
I have three and Ingo another one, also mere cheapies but good enough!
A happy T-Day and hugs to you and the lake!
These bottle-greenhouses protect the seeds and plants really well-when we went down to below freezing a couple weeks ago I covered them with thick old bath towels and they were fine. wildflowers sound perfect they should attract bees and butterflies too.
Deletewe have another big bad storm coming in again today-tornadoes hail possible-typical spring weather thought.
the lake pic was perfect and looked like our lake except for that fence-no one puts up fences in my area of the lake.
Happy T
Kathy I'm up late and caught your T party post.. I'm so glad you are safe and sound ! I'm sorry to say it did not even cross my mind with all the storms that you would be in the thick of things and i should have thought of that!! So so glad you and Larry came through it alright. We have had absolutely no weather for what seems like forever.. I sometimes forget that other ARE getting weather.. We are just windy, dry and almost HOT! I sure hope El Nino weather pattern comes in this Summer as predicted and changes things up for us.. You have been a busy little bee with all your plants... I just got some free pothos ivy cuttings from a local lady.. so happy about that.. You have come around in my letter writing que so i'm going to sit down and write you and paint you some water color pictures...lol It will be fun.. stay tuned and Happy T day! Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteHi Deb-your comment here came in with the second one-strange-as I do check often on blogger comments as many don't go to my email address.
Deleteyes april here in the midwest gets the torndos large hail etc. we are to be 85 degrees today with another round of severe weather coming in tonight. always a bid scary for me
I am hoping too your area gets much needed rain this year. have you decided what to do with your back yard? perhaps a large outdoor space would be nice and take up lots of area too.
awesome I look forward to slow mail-haven't gotten any for awhile from my slow mail friends.
Happy T hugs
Loveky post, Kathy, and glad you have sumer, even if you did spring over spring! Hope your new camera will be enough for what you need, I sure we'll soon be seeing your pretty photos again soon. There are no Bigelow teas here, but I don't drink tea nyway, as you know. Have fun in your garden, stay safe and happy, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteI think this new camera sounds similiar to what I had before-my old one though was more expensive at the time but it gave me 20 years so no complaints.
Deletewhen I retired I started drinking more teas, I drink coffee once in awhile but I had to learn to like it-smiles
I want to see the mini greenhouses. Sounds like you have been very busy outside! You moved to such a lovely place - I am jealous. Hope your new camera comes soon and works well. Happy T-day and hugz
ReplyDeletewe moved out of the woods-which I do miss not having lots of land-but at our ages now this big enough to still have to cut grass etc-and we just so enjoy all the birds, the sunrises and watching the boats on the lake-although it gets way too crazy here in the summer time
DeleteMy camera should arrive any day now. Happy T
Still too chilly to work outside in the garden. Like your weather, we usually go right from Winter to Summer. No complaints from me. I drink Bigelow and Twinings tea. Constant Comment was my MIL’s favorite. Happy T Day - CJ
ReplyDeleteToday 85 degrees f pretty crazy and more severe storms coming in later on today too-goes with spring though. I like Twinings teas too, I was happy to find the green tea version for constant comment since I can't have caffeine. Happy T
DeleteSo lovely to see you getting your plants planted ready for summer, we've had a couple of sunny days here too - lovely to see that spring is on it's way 😊. Looking back at your posts, it looks like you've been having fun spinning, your yarn colours are glorious and I love your spring in Paris journal page, it's beautifully created. Wishing you a wonderful April! Hugs, Jo x
ReplyDeleteGood morning Jo, yes it has been so cold here that these warmer days feel so nice, and we can keep the door open for the screen door too. Yes I have been enjoying and learning again about spinning-I even spun on my Miss Ashford wheel last week-that felt good-finally. thank you about my Paris journal page-I really like that too-smiles Happy April Jo
DeleteWe're expecting a high in the 80s today, and I've opened up the house. Another rain storm later, though... Lemon Lift is one of my favorites :) I'll join you in a cuppa and imagine myself sitting with you by the lake :) Happy T Tuesday!
ReplyDeletewe are to hit 85 degrees f today-seems a bit too warm for early April-severe storms moving in again for this area later today-hail possible tornadoes.
Deletewouldn't that be wonderful-to enjoy a cup of tea together looking over the lake-Happy T
I swore i left you a comment yesterday... hmmm... maybe i only 'think' i did.. lol I wish i had your energy for plants and yardwork etc.. I've started weedeating the weeds and thats about all i can claim.. I leave the wild purple verbena and yellow coreopsis.. so pretty together.. Happy T day! Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteplanting the seeds in the bottles is fun for me and I usually get very good results-the plants are protected in the bottles-and warmer too in the evenings.
DeleteI do miss not having a veggie garden here-even a few tomato plants would be nice but the squirrels and chipmunks eat all of them sigh.
both of your comments popped in together-but yours do not go into my email for some reason-but I do check google comments as there a few I approve from there.
Happy T
Oh to have some 80° weather, even for a day. You have been busy and I can't wait to see the plants. Another 2 weeks and I should be able to transplant all of mine into the garden. Have a great day today.
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole, I love your gardening boxes, I wish I could grow a few veggies here-but the squirrels and chipmunks eat all of my tomatoes, we also have deer that walk through in the front of the house where I plant-that was surprising.
Deletewe are getting up to 85 degrees f today but severe storms coming in tonight-well it is april and the midwest gets allot of tornadoes.
Happy T
I have heard about those greenhouse jugs. Maybe sometime I will try them. I love Constant Commet and had no idea that they have a green tea version. I will have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteHappy Tea Day,
Kate
I recently found out about the green tea version-a couple years ago. I have good success with this method of seed growing-some don't care for it, but I usually have good success Happy T
DeleteYou are going to have lovely gardens when after all your work! Love that cup of tea by the lake; so pretty. I drink Bigelow teas, but mostly with caffeine. Just at night I have a cup of herbal tea. Happy T day.
ReplyDeleteThank you, we are working on getting rid of the grass here-it is too difficult to mow for us being on steep hills-I use a weed eater instead.
DeleteI found out several years ago on my own that caffeine raises my b/p allot so I have to be careful with that-Happy T
Yes, we are all yearning for spring. I hope your seeds do well inside the bottles. Do let us know.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have Bigelow teas here but yours look very nice.
Belated Happy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca
I will I do have a few flowers popping up so far
DeleteWe are still snow covered no planting yet. I love constant comment
ReplyDeleteCathy
it must feel really cold there after being in Florida-hope he melts soon-lots of tornadoes here in Missouri and surrounding states-safe where we are though
DeleteI'm glad you avoided the storms. And yes, I DO like Bigelow teas. My favorite (how boring!) is Constant Comment decaf but I get their mint and other teas, too.
ReplyDeleteNot boring at all-smiles-I always loved their constant comment-just enough spice for me without being too strong like some chai's are for me. glad they have the decaf versions of their teas too
Delete