tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77993651583389453762024-03-04T23:20:15.197-05:00One Fell Out of the Cuckoo's NestTracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-25656213268828323142011-03-21T12:57:00.018-04:002011-03-21T15:47:00.448-04:00Pruning Hydrangeas<div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">The key to knowing when and how to prune hydrangeas is knowing </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">what type</span> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">of hydrangea you have.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CIMcyKK8O0Ivd6o0M-pdcXXa9tDTh_ad0_87D6uAbof5AZ3SwDIWzC6JPtmjEHEKfckUV6_MEeCmUvCnmxU8c163dKkaT96syv1khXD9B8U1CWdypOqSywJyrnqgvaBS5GaG1NZQ041o/s1600/house%2526PG-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CIMcyKK8O0Ivd6o0M-pdcXXa9tDTh_ad0_87D6uAbof5AZ3SwDIWzC6JPtmjEHEKfckUV6_MEeCmUvCnmxU8c163dKkaT96syv1khXD9B8U1CWdypOqSywJyrnqgvaBS5GaG1NZQ041o/s400/house%2526PG-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586616548496082706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">(Pee Gee hydrangea)<br /></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Pee Gees</span> - can be pruned as early as January here in the south, but can also be pruned into March. Pee Gees bloom on "new" wood, meaning they haven't set their buds yet and won't be affected by a late frost.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Annabelles</span> (<span style="font-style: italic;">Hydrangea Arborescens or </span>Smooth Hydrangeas) - any time in February - March.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezK4IY5dW98nOl6fCxWWMT1TI7XRGEcjc9D2kdB9-oEn9TRExO6J81dLn_O27p9uctQEETfN0UuoP52g_ALF8UiRZgB8kkOzQKvJy6G3VbcOkdwNC0-sj62zBdBXNZu-EctgbI4chRt1o/s1600/annabelles-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezK4IY5dW98nOl6fCxWWMT1TI7XRGEcjc9D2kdB9-oEn9TRExO6J81dLn_O27p9uctQEETfN0UuoP52g_ALF8UiRZgB8kkOzQKvJy6G3VbcOkdwNC0-sj62zBdBXNZu-EctgbI4chRt1o/s400/annabelles-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586614960901338290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">(Annabelle)</span></span></span></span></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Both of the above can be pruned severely if you w</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">ish to keep them on the smaller side. Otherwise, they can all become quite big. Pruning severely = taking them down to 12 inches. </span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr33BQa_4Xrg7wW0S0JzElknHz5CecGgRdeKSITwPEKBbqdMpZ8LrEs0jAkXtMcAZIoaeF0Qll5Y0JiWypAzzNPb8gOLX5TqgCb7p0lF4vbMWZeir9r95BidicJT3mlRISf8K8ZUw-1w0G/s1600/matilda-1-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr33BQa_4Xrg7wW0S0JzElknHz5CecGgRdeKSITwPEKBbqdMpZ8LrEs0jAkXtMcAZIoaeF0Qll5Y0JiWypAzzNPb8gOLX5TqgCb7p0lF4vbMWZeir9r95BidicJT3mlRISf8K8ZUw-1w0G/s400/matilda-1-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586613788240536658" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">(<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">mophead hydrangea)<br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Mopheads and Lacecaps</span> - AFTER the LAST frost.(See special pruning instructions below.) I've pruned mine too early before and ended up doing the same job twice. Boo to late frosts!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZIbiVesjDDWvuKY6FOMTM-PtbsX6bqmsb7SuUcTpRaczs3ErtfkZFycKXrL6l_RT-4RJqJF4mbBoEHIrZf3LGSxLmJGoEc8LBeaU52PI_z0k26kRBnHV8VpSRTkA6IfT0mqKqZl493Zq/s1600/sq-bluebill-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZIbiVesjDDWvuKY6FOMTM-PtbsX6bqmsb7SuUcTpRaczs3ErtfkZFycKXrL6l_RT-4RJqJF4mbBoEHIrZf3LGSxLmJGoEc8LBeaU52PI_z0k26kRBnHV8VpSRTkA6IfT0mqKqZl493Zq/s400/sq-bluebill-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586614351387320946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">(lacecap hydrangea)</span><br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">In the south you are usually safe to prune around Mother's Day weekend.<br />Northeasterners should wait closer to Memorial Day weekend to prune.<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Pruning Instructions for <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Mopheads & Lacecaps :</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br />DO NOT prune severely. These hydrangeas bloom on "old" wood. Meaning their buds were setting back in September. The buds form on branches which were formed last summer. If you pruned them after September, you may be low on blooms this year.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGRWlnJKE3d2j7f8ptIVXB4jtuANG6Te-FQCllSOIbjXhFR6Q2ggoA-ZG4hXEAGvH6QrLxMCm-NQj266KjiHQMWYow2riyHfe4KtN9JWU0ZAN0seBkCjhbKlhXUd_AvKxpLfGxSRNgkLF/s1600/prune-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGRWlnJKE3d2j7f8ptIVXB4jtuANG6Te-FQCllSOIbjXhFR6Q2ggoA-ZG4hXEAGvH6QrLxMCm-NQj266KjiHQMWYow2riyHfe4KtN9JWU0ZAN0seBkCjhbKlhXUd_AvKxpLfGxSRNgkLF/s400/prune-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586610299892900242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">If they have a bud or new growth at the tip of the branch, DO NOT cut it off.<br /><br />(Unless it has been hit by frost and is brown. Like below)</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPApGcHAkFFSX_e7OdzQ36LAxSF5kgGE8oMUOcuhBADTW9OiO4fHO7zUUcwTEyQH_kQwKlt3FIdwoUA3LG45FfYTSbaBujLzg5ImX3cXmleXyOr21BWEwpkIgKMv93gh0P9W5I_gCj4SPZ/s1600/prune-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPApGcHAkFFSX_e7OdzQ36LAxSF5kgGE8oMUOcuhBADTW9OiO4fHO7zUUcwTEyQH_kQwKlt3FIdwoUA3LG45FfYTSbaBujLzg5ImX3cXmleXyOr21BWEwpkIgKMv93gh0P9W5I_gCj4SPZ/s400/prune-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586608423129917506" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br />If the new growth is a few inches down the branch, cut it about an inch above the bud or new growth. See below.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjE8CHUO_X1a81AyYxXsbOsIQu0EyHuos552sWYHa6Li85_q2vcKfr-ADogzA0W1AzD6hdNWt_Lz9hDg1EqFancgZS-PknU05xTluM1wYk0Ck6Z0KnQ5dx79fUSafQeRJFX6MglNKbkwu/s1600/prune-6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjE8CHUO_X1a81AyYxXsbOsIQu0EyHuos552sWYHa6Li85_q2vcKfr-ADogzA0W1AzD6hdNWt_Lz9hDg1EqFancgZS-PknU05xTluM1wYk0Ck6Z0KnQ5dx79fUSafQeRJFX6MglNKbkwu/s400/prune-6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586610877785566466" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcm9j5DPHJl2nzTlOintFXxyq7IKxO1EBZFOE09cD-lnM3VS1WrJyfRgbjnwctFr_L1aeb7T8jTVgJx7TQZ1LHgp_necudFKxPepxis-o7X3YI8U4a6SgX7So80Kq2E04dCtWPEfgT7Ya5/s1600/earlyoakleaf-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcm9j5DPHJl2nzTlOintFXxyq7IKxO1EBZFOE09cD-lnM3VS1WrJyfRgbjnwctFr_L1aeb7T8jTVgJx7TQZ1LHgp_necudFKxPepxis-o7X3YI8U4a6SgX7So80Kq2E04dCtWPEfgT7Ya5/s400/earlyoakleaf-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586612927222807218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(Oakleaf Hydrangea)<br /></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Pruning <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Oakleafs:<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Cut off spent flowers and do any pruning to shape the shrub or to control its size AFTER the flowers have bloomed. (July) If you live in a hot climate, the flowers will age and then brown out from the heat - so cutting them at this time improves the look of the plant anyway. Oakleafs also bloom on old wood and waiting too long to prune can decrease the blooms you get the following year.</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br />General Pruning Tips:</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">When pruning, remove any dead wood from your shrub. Often these branches appear white, brittle and do not have any green in the branch even if you were to break it and look inside like I've done here. Cut these as close to the base of the plant as you can.</span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0M6uF0oKa_nrOtQnmv0EV0sIHyben9vn9jNXapQRmKoTv5d3EK9-kt9O1qxd0rco7YsMg28nW6gS4EO4lUQ1mhXwa3heY2uzorNqCDhmZU3NqIMHWOrAqmdFKGrSYdlnPdHRHCDfJsHdR/s1600/prune-7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0M6uF0oKa_nrOtQnmv0EV0sIHyben9vn9jNXapQRmKoTv5d3EK9-kt9O1qxd0rco7YsMg28nW6gS4EO4lUQ1mhXwa3heY2uzorNqCDhmZU3NqIMHWOrAqmdFKGrSYdlnPdHRHCDfJsHdR/s400/prune-7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586606900130452482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">You can remove up to one-third of a hydrangea, so if there are any branches that "bother" you, cut away!<br /><br />Use sharp bypass shears when cutting hydrangeas. Thicker branches may require the larger, lopping shears.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzLCHZ66ppdldv9MiZcLpQJ_FYsrj4tSn3DJe8v9uZDANjxQ3K6jsZK_LQ-WUdgO67YjMI53fjIMOoK-l5DV5UdNwwiY7lOWatPhM5GtZY5F3YhcDL91RamgEoYhDD1265V_HFaX7emCH/s1600/endless-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzLCHZ66ppdldv9MiZcLpQJ_FYsrj4tSn3DJe8v9uZDANjxQ3K6jsZK_LQ-WUdgO67YjMI53fjIMOoK-l5DV5UdNwwiY7lOWatPhM5GtZY5F3YhcDL91RamgEoYhDD1265V_HFaX7emCH/s400/endless-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586618522677317394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">('Endless Summer' Hydrangea)<br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">If you are lucky enough to have an 'Endless Summer' mophead hydrangea, you can cut the blooms off by July 4th and should get a second bloom out of your shrub.<br /><br />Well, if you're still reading, you're either my Ma-Ma or really into hydrangeas. Feel free to ask any hydrangea related questions in the comment area and if I don't know the answer, I'll try to find out.<br /><br />Hope you have a bloom filled summer!<br />Thanks for visiting.<br /></span></span><br /></span></span>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-45673538880638272322011-02-13T20:57:00.005-05:002011-02-13T21:10:56.997-05:00Subtle Valentine Decorating<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixokpRJIUETxZo9GpwaLf17WGs8nxTYnkaSwOYAWyHCXYAid2AewFPCCXcfKzsiuFDmX-SNt1lavBsEkD162yMuA_L05pmLNOY2cYVJxlR7_C9S0OfS53OeB8ibu_G-TIwJ6WMrCOvnORG/s1600/ValentineMosaic1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixokpRJIUETxZo9GpwaLf17WGs8nxTYnkaSwOYAWyHCXYAid2AewFPCCXcfKzsiuFDmX-SNt1lavBsEkD162yMuA_L05pmLNOY2cYVJxlR7_C9S0OfS53OeB8ibu_G-TIwJ6WMrCOvnORG/s400/ValentineMosaic1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573361226219175570" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Something a little different for Valentine's Day.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">A combination of silver, candles, miniature dry rosebuds, pepperberries and a Valentine card given to my hubby's mother and passed on to me by my wonderful SIL. Thanks, Nancy!<br /><br />Be sure to check out the other<br />wonderful mosaics over<br />at <a href="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/2011/02/mosaic-monday-true-love.html">Mary's</a>!<br /></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"></span></span></div>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-74505286833641002602011-02-11T15:33:00.011-05:002011-02-11T16:24:06.321-05:00Sweetness Through the Year<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">This idea came to me via my good friend, Amanda. She's so smart and thoughtful sometimes I forget what a sassypants she is. But sassy or not, this is a wonderful idea! And it is very simple.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68F9ELFXl_Ji-F-G8Yv9YzHZmuNI1NyBEAPUXlMU1ohvmqpo1K0ASXmzbrFPzTSKbOM86X5zeAV-6neOaPiwGCf-_HLZMjEjXWHsORiJPkKVC0HzHxfUEvZUVOM3s1oHomSqaXustn9xl/s1600/notebks_0196.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68F9ELFXl_Ji-F-G8Yv9YzHZmuNI1NyBEAPUXlMU1ohvmqpo1K0ASXmzbrFPzTSKbOM86X5zeAV-6neOaPiwGCf-_HLZMjEjXWHsORiJPkKVC0HzHxfUEvZUVOM3s1oHomSqaXustn9xl/s400/notebks_0196.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572543694565710274" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Get a notebook for each of your kiddos and start a love journal. These are my kids' journals and I got them at Wal-Mart. Each night or every other night, you write something positive, funny or memorable from the day which specifically involves them. My kids like to read their notes at the breakfast table.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br />You decide how much you want to write and how often. Even on a rough day, you can find one positive thing...and <span style="font-weight: bold;">no</span>, it <span style="font-weight: bold;">shouldn't</span> say "<span style="font-style: italic;">Finally</span>, you went to bed."</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br />After on particularly rough day with our son, I reminded him in his notebook how his daddy and I had prayed to God for a child of our own and He ended up giving us him. I told him I say a thank you prayer to God every day for making him our son - even on tough days! This is important because Jack knows his story (of adoption) and he is as precious now as he was then. And it helped me put a whole new perspective on the day to come.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtvJs-xedgBeYClH5CK9F7KgSYAadwyAfeh5q7rIuG8otFnXzfXFizvll8Wfe6l2q8j3-YKFw3wIuznoLC_7uAy3asGnUrIhT1uPKPzDp5fSqPDs9yziZaoGChD5oS_J1H5DPzrYPJhnm/s1600/ntbks-2_0198.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtvJs-xedgBeYClH5CK9F7KgSYAadwyAfeh5q7rIuG8otFnXzfXFizvll8Wfe6l2q8j3-YKFw3wIuznoLC_7uAy3asGnUrIhT1uPKPzDp5fSqPDs9yziZaoGChD5oS_J1H5DPzrYPJhnm/s400/ntbks-2_0198.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572543323524927522" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">I especially like this idea because their notes are organized in one area, it's a fabulous way to spread the love daily or often, they read back and laugh at some of the early notes and <span style="font-style: italic;">they have your handwriting. </span><br /><br />My mother recently found and gave to me a recipe of my grandmother's written in her handwriting. I can't even begin to tell you what a treasure it is. And it's perfect for a Valentine's treat!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOqocabBAkqn5goF6ce3YtIa7eOZaTWCSCOu0INpvFPHOK_RoXHoo48rFX4qEGOAOHELw7j4vdQ8jUdOwwhh2U7zJSUm3yngW9y019Cu4c2dEWzqOsea3mhh77e0dZqH4fy69Y9CAq27Y/s1600/Mia%2526recipe_0199.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOqocabBAkqn5goF6ce3YtIa7eOZaTWCSCOu0INpvFPHOK_RoXHoo48rFX4qEGOAOHELw7j4vdQ8jUdOwwhh2U7zJSUm3yngW9y019Cu4c2dEWzqOsea3mhh77e0dZqH4fy69Y9CAq27Y/s400/Mia%2526recipe_0199.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572542956698781330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Traci's No Cook Fudge</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">1 box 10x sugar</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">1 egg</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">2 TBSP. milk</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Vanilla as desired</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">1 stick of butter</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">1/2 c. Hershey's cocoa</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br />Mix sugar, egg, milk and vanilla together in a large bowl with a mixer.<br />Melt butter and cocoa together.<br />Add to bowl with first set of ingredients and stir together.<br />Pour into a buttered or Pam sprayed pan.<br /><br />Keep in fridge and cut when cool.<br /><br />If you prefer peanut butter fudge, simply substitute 1/2 c. peanut butter for the cocoa.<br /><br />Enjoy!<br />Thanks for visiting and Happy Valentine's Day!<br /></span></span>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-55727365490493213222011-02-06T22:52:00.011-05:002011-02-07T13:53:21.219-05:00Stimulating the Senses<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">You're thinking, "What in the world is she talking about?" Well, I took a look at my winter/February mantel from last year and thought it felt a little "cold". So I went back to what I like best when decorating: nature and feeling cozy.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopeSMjTkfHc1HRBZPInms4rxlsM7PzMOp8tYDGbVdL-Qd0N2xGIURxPBQoukG8x3J3B4_2LErBDXBof3cEI2PB2_yuDQvgrJaOviGiYwRxXFRYlekKilwVwlH2ecy0VdB7uAl7MS6zQ11/s1600/Feb-2010mantel_1305-edit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopeSMjTkfHc1HRBZPInms4rxlsM7PzMOp8tYDGbVdL-Qd0N2xGIURxPBQoukG8x3J3B4_2LErBDXBof3cEI2PB2_yuDQvgrJaOviGiYwRxXFRYlekKilwVwlH2ecy0VdB7uAl7MS6zQ11/s400/Feb-2010mantel_1305-edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571022403590819666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">This mantel from last year, was missing something - warmth. And goodness knows we can all use some warmth!</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqEZ7gluwQdA6DD2XE3iN6EmgCcQDHFH7Vjo_XZ8OAwZfLZCdDeji1HfC9TByoFoK8IYE90Usp0necW0lrnXUb1dBWZRly92Q8XEk0tjXkL_MvlmbLYNSTy-qPl9kKZBWPbmuVsPKucCm/s1600/FebMantel-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqEZ7gluwQdA6DD2XE3iN6EmgCcQDHFH7Vjo_XZ8OAwZfLZCdDeji1HfC9TByoFoK8IYE90Usp0necW0lrnXUb1dBWZRly92Q8XEk0tjXkL_MvlmbLYNSTy-qPl9kKZBWPbmuVsPKucCm/s400/FebMantel-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571022217397920450" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-style: italic;">This </span>is much better. Not a huge change, but definitely an improvement. All it took were some mason jars, filled with Epsom salts to mimic the look of snow, (those of you in the midwest and along the east coast may want to skip the salts) and a tea light nestled in the top. And no, you don't see any amaryllis blooms this year - all I got are big green wonky leaves that look like green antlers. Don't look.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQizY21YMh-357HVoAySSSLahKzlHd4M8Q3EGvm9jlSqdfgQdGymEneekas6GmXirYtrG3xHdm2fPZ0_C0A_DISe5D76MDXLkToeyCbqkX5XrKD3R4OQf_zbQiw2jXwpzAHZwG9a4hEdfC/s1600/masonjar-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQizY21YMh-357HVoAySSSLahKzlHd4M8Q3EGvm9jlSqdfgQdGymEneekas6GmXirYtrG3xHdm2fPZ0_C0A_DISe5D76MDXLkToeyCbqkX5XrKD3R4OQf_zbQiw2jXwpzAHZwG9a4hEdfC/s400/masonjar-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571021986683658146" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">On to the olfactory sense...and this is one of my favorite things to do on a chilly day. Fill a large pot with water, slice up an <span style="font-weight: bold;">orange/tangerine</span>, toss in a couple of <span style="font-weight: bold;">bay leaves</span>, a few <span style="font-weight: bold;">cloves</span>, sprinkle in these spices: <span style="font-weight: bold;">cinnamon, nutmeg and ground allspice</span>. Bring to a soft boil and then reduce to simmering. Now...DON'T forget about this on your stove!! I add more water when I notice it getting low. You can reheat with the same ingredients 2 or 3 times. This homemade simmering potpourri smells divine!<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweXNOMMOlutV6Y2Le0n_HQ-xGHja1gUZ_dwCZER_vjSI1tMpye_GlS9iKwvs6xdZ2WSj1g8bXF2FQVMli3TMHZnQQps2IvjxBfSuUsrCUAo0bSXyd8cwTD0d1v8smSy8n5Hrs1cdKW_aj/s1600/simmer-W_25.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweXNOMMOlutV6Y2Le0n_HQ-xGHja1gUZ_dwCZER_vjSI1tMpye_GlS9iKwvs6xdZ2WSj1g8bXF2FQVMli3TMHZnQQps2IvjxBfSuUsrCUAo0bSXyd8cwTD0d1v8smSy8n5Hrs1cdKW_aj/s400/simmer-W_25.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571021293544116514" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Last but not least, lets cover the ole' taste buds. Because who couldn't use a warm you to the bones stew after being out in the brutal cold? This is a delicious and very easy recipe to boot.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh2t_fGlBRhL8RIjPg4vk_V0DkVEtUtge7CPJgaeuxQadIQwWgdAJhNAy5PK9cLnVd82C5sfzlVeALq3AMJp4ogC7COGfyP5UsOC5tSvrvG_mSqhs_e-hmUWdYypAs_xLGM-zWquDdR6L/s1600/stewingred-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh2t_fGlBRhL8RIjPg4vk_V0DkVEtUtge7CPJgaeuxQadIQwWgdAJhNAy5PK9cLnVd82C5sfzlVeALq3AMJp4ogC7COGfyP5UsOC5tSvrvG_mSqhs_e-hmUWdYypAs_xLGM-zWquDdR6L/s400/stewingred-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571021651866302002" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">French Vegetable Beef Stew</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">2 lbs. beef stew meat and olive oil to brown meat<br />1 can condensed onion soup<br />1 - 6oz. can tomato paste</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">1 TBSP. basil<br />1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper<br />5-8 carrots, sliced</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">2 c. sliced celery<br />1 can or frozen wax beans - if canned, do not drain<br />1 can or frozen green beans - again, do not drain if canned<br />1 can kidney beans (don't drain)<br />optional: potatoes are fine if you don't plan on freezing the stew and Parmesan cheese if you want to top it off.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">In a large pot over medium/high heat, brown meat well in olive oil. Reduce heat to medium, stir in undiluted onion soup, 5 soup cans water, tomato paste, basil, salt and pepper. Simmer covered, 1 and 1/2 hours.<br /><br />Add all vegetables; reheat to boiling, then simmer covered 30 minutes or until meat and veggies are fork tender. Top with Parmesan cheese if you'd like.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrqI9V3m6jzvD5DySItfcnloG-V43Ad8ImENEiMNrk6NJ_rLEpp23DxxWrZQtHAeFntFQt58XxtUcHD8hxg0tUJmpTIZ8C31Wlf6UbtJa8CrkpIhdTX9vN8SWynAn1nNc17yWZps_IPLK/s1600/stew-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrqI9V3m6jzvD5DySItfcnloG-V43Ad8ImENEiMNrk6NJ_rLEpp23DxxWrZQtHAeFntFQt58XxtUcHD8hxg0tUJmpTIZ8C31Wlf6UbtJa8CrkpIhdTX9vN8SWynAn1nNc17yWZps_IPLK/s400/stew-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571020690600874722" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">The beauty of this recipe is that it has such a good base that you can vary or add vegetables to you liking. I try to healthy it up a bit, by skipping the canned veggies as much as possible and use fresh or frozen. Yum!<br /></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Thanks for visiting and come back for a Valentine's gift (for kiddos) that keeps giving through out the year!</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"></span></span></div>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-40033398471865278442010-12-02T06:17:00.008-05:002010-12-02T16:11:04.266-05:00Puppy Chow for People<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6Mj9StSamF-tZ_R1aiSPTcjf6P6ALby9lGW0BnTk6x_DtLIF6yx3c09RAzVpsS6TsaG-ZycXsKFEuWrqYzszbNBP_UFCWyp-T_YLZAaq1eJaV_aNjFKou5f-LgUx7UEpO3Rw5cLkiKJL/s1600/puppychow_3973-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6Mj9StSamF-tZ_R1aiSPTcjf6P6ALby9lGW0BnTk6x_DtLIF6yx3c09RAzVpsS6TsaG-ZycXsKFEuWrqYzszbNBP_UFCWyp-T_YLZAaq1eJaV_aNjFKou5f-LgUx7UEpO3Rw5cLkiKJL/s400/puppychow_3973-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546191116737496658" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">"Puppy Chow"</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">1/2 c. butter</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">1 -12 oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate chips</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">1 c. peanut butter</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">9 c. Crispix cereal (some recipes call for Chex cereal, but I like this better)</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">4 c. powdered sugar</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">paper bag (I add this because it was the only thing I needed to get at the grocery store.)</span></span><br /></div></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br />Directions: (super easy - trust me!)<br /><br />1. In a sauce pan, melt together butter, peanut butter and chocolate chips. (low to medium heat)<br />2. Stir until all is evenly distributed and all is completely melted.<br />3. Measure out Crispix into a large bowl.<br />4. Pour chocolate mixture over Crispix and fold until all the cereal is completely covered.<br />5. Put powdered sugar into large paper bag.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">6. Put Crispix into the bag with the sugar and shake until all the cereal is covered.<br />7. Add more sugar as needed.<br />8. Lay cereal on wax paper until cool.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ocjvDhGdso1N-LMAF4wIvRLU8n71yRP8cGIu3W1es-Qd2V-LZsrXpulCe0LW0gvdeF32GEjCN3KfVMpPCeAcg382OZQx8ohwiMm8mMWjuHeBzbichyQHZXGRZ5eO1d8bWXXxhGZzIGXT/s1600/PCBox-W_3974.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ocjvDhGdso1N-LMAF4wIvRLU8n71yRP8cGIu3W1es-Qd2V-LZsrXpulCe0LW0gvdeF32GEjCN3KfVMpPCeAcg382OZQx8ohwiMm8mMWjuHeBzbichyQHZXGRZ5eO1d8bWXXxhGZzIGXT/s400/PCBox-W_3974.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546189985891625730" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Get these <span style="font-style: italic;">adorable </span>treat boxes at Hobby Lobby - they've gone on sale already, so 10 only cost $3! That is a whole lotta cute for not a lotta money, my friends! I plan on squirreling away some of these babies to use through the year.<br /><br />I like to refrigerate my puppy chow. I also place it in baggies before packaging so the powdered sugar doesn't go everywhere it's not supposed to.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTv39WGOwHNC8UlZWBFaTmQt8Q4a6yjV6e-ZOit8eGflt-k7zxeMnSJ1hkWCEfKjl4ZWnMQmO13rtLuFc-RPEubOjE5WutiorLr3i3_JNKjgPdiXIY-cpLqvI92CcvnOgmOdOyGb3wOws/s1600/favor-W_3955.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTv39WGOwHNC8UlZWBFaTmQt8Q4a6yjV6e-ZOit8eGflt-k7zxeMnSJ1hkWCEfKjl4ZWnMQmO13rtLuFc-RPEubOjE5WutiorLr3i3_JNKjgPdiXIY-cpLqvI92CcvnOgmOdOyGb3wOws/s400/favor-W_3955.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546051315645382386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br />This was the perfect favor for my <a href="http://tracilordphotography.blogspot.com/2010/11/birthday-mosaic.html">daughter's birthday party</a> which had a doggy theme to it. I think it would make an excellent holiday treat...however, you may want to rename it to "Chocolate-Peanut Butter Crunch" so people don't think you're insulting them. You can even top it off with an ornament.<br /><br />Thanks for visiting and happy snackin'!<br /><br /></span></span>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-61507646065465644652010-11-27T17:02:00.003-05:002010-11-27T17:15:24.575-05:00Incredible Florabella Give-Away!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">I'm sure most of my photographer friends know<br />of <a href="http://florabellacollection.com/blog/">Florabella</a> actions and textures.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6p_NSJfoe1DoR6G3GfFyXISU52azhrEPA0rQdru82yjylGX4pEPoWEyT7m0C3seKvjNjXLI1MPENTo2vPxhpel4pZxwZvd7hiOX_XqxwYL3cT-cbSU9Mwes0O5mbo0VdmWXN_R2RuTrYp/s1600/D-HorizCard+2+Front.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6p_NSJfoe1DoR6G3GfFyXISU52azhrEPA0rQdru82yjylGX4pEPoWEyT7m0C3seKvjNjXLI1MPENTo2vPxhpel4pZxwZvd7hiOX_XqxwYL3cT-cbSU9Mwes0O5mbo0VdmWXN_R2RuTrYp/s400/D-HorizCard+2+Front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544354513668699426" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">(This is actually a vertical template, but I rotated it for this photo.)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><br />But did ya know, she has generously sent out an invite<br />to download these gorgeous holiday cards? The<br />invite came via her newsletter. Sign up!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXyMyUCOJXw2Vx3l-O85TLj7o5H_UbT-5KU-UKHJBTNVOVub8f-8hSAj_fjiC3gjcLkFlbfBrO7nxH3eUd9zxcjOYruC9PwlzAOeFIwAXo2R34IxZZ13zYGcicyDBjm4QSeBDMJviFpA/s1600/Square+Card-J.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXyMyUCOJXw2Vx3l-O85TLj7o5H_UbT-5KU-UKHJBTNVOVub8f-8hSAj_fjiC3gjcLkFlbfBrO7nxH3eUd9zxcjOYruC9PwlzAOeFIwAXo2R34IxZZ13zYGcicyDBjm4QSeBDMJviFpA/s1600/Square+Card-J.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544346019615670738" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Yepper. All you have to do is "like" <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Florabella-Collection/168699921661?v=app_17037175766#%21/pages/Florabella-Collection/168699921661?v=app_10467688569">Florabella<br />on FaceBook</a> and you can download all FIVE<br />of these beauties.<br />Comes with lovely matching patterns<br />for your text on the back.<br />Details found <a href="http://florabellacollection.com/blog/2010/11/25/free-florabella-holiday-card-templates-florabella-free-download-for-facebook-fans/">here</a>.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesg0P59-powlqNY8neW1HUejsp7L_njfVFDvZlLfIX1vVm9q6yZtBXDhRklJ8_avPq4_qcFNwVeJz72Koc-fBmQnPX6JnpHppoQDnCX7wv9kcPzrHeIM9DwV8PsjXBXqzuKKLZvbenCan/s1600/TuckerCard-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesg0P59-powlqNY8neW1HUejsp7L_njfVFDvZlLfIX1vVm9q6yZtBXDhRklJ8_avPq4_qcFNwVeJz72Koc-fBmQnPX6JnpHppoQDnCX7wv9kcPzrHeIM9DwV8PsjXBXqzuKKLZvbenCan/s400/TuckerCard-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544354259681568674" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><br />Not only that, but you can then sign up for the<br />chance to win a $100 gift certificate to<br />purchase any of her incredible<br /><a href="http://florabellacollection.com/blog/">actions, textures, frames or digital papers</a>!<br /><br />Thanks for visiting!<br /><br /></span></div>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-72759458787342028742010-10-14T11:54:00.013-04:002010-10-14T12:50:31.586-04:00Halloween Scissor Cutting Pattern<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">I've been working on a little something to share with you all. Since this is something you can make now and keep for next year's Halloween season, I'm going with the motto of better late than never! I was inspired by a fabulous scissor-cutting artist, Cindy - found <a href="http://papercutting.blogspot.com/">here</a>, an exhibitor at a local show and a silhouette pattern from the Better Homes & Garden Halloween magazine to create this:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ta-Dah!!</span> (Or as my daughter says, <span style="font-style: italic;">"Ta-Tah!!" </span>She has no idea why I find this funny.)</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXpfNnb2-d2MafAzOr152VCSoza0Ms8JkRVZ8n02YwKidJs0KxBv27C1VFHYLdL5XxYMlY06PJMRvujn9yGAYImx66uOi7c7Mo-LqNzDBHnMEXRWnCXsZxBgduLnxb6XzIsoeB0mAkYBF/s1600/FramedSC-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXpfNnb2-d2MafAzOr152VCSoza0Ms8JkRVZ8n02YwKidJs0KxBv27C1VFHYLdL5XxYMlY06PJMRvujn9yGAYImx66uOi7c7Mo-LqNzDBHnMEXRWnCXsZxBgduLnxb6XzIsoeB0mAkYBF/s400/FramedSC-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527940822002889330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">This is my own drawing/template, yours to print off and use to make your own Halloween scissor-cutting. Right-click on the template. Click on "Open Link in New Tab". You should be able to print from that image.</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0QJ4hDsS6bxcP2Gt1srTG3jnjHlh-kK_mi9LMT-Bag406ewPyUWRN_rz6tX5HCC7GGr4cye7jiP6xjwUNkrlPP-UrGAT_EDqgssUgSnsWx97mvXoGmh_T3OOgQDcv73s8lSEM-t39UEO/s1600/scan0002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 365px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0QJ4hDsS6bxcP2Gt1srTG3jnjHlh-kK_mi9LMT-Bag406ewPyUWRN_rz6tX5HCC7GGr4cye7jiP6xjwUNkrlPP-UrGAT_EDqgssUgSnsWx97mvXoGmh_T3OOgQDcv73s8lSEM-t39UEO/s400/scan0002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527941495974794242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Once printed, use as much or as little of the template as you like. You may only want to do the moon and the owl or the cat and pumpkins - enlarge if you'd like.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">1. Cut the excess white paper away and tape to a piece of black paper. (Unless you want to make a white silhouette. Which I think gives this wonderful craft a modern look to it - however, I like the black for Halloween.) I'm not sure if this taping process is "cheating" in the scissor-cutting world, but I certainly didn't want to cut out the pattern, trace it with a white pen on black paper and then cut it again from the black paper. If you want to do that - knock yourself out. Seriously.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br />2. Use your exacto knife and tiny hole punch to cut out the small inner pieces and eyes FIRST.</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkaui2yQge5PuaJnPMNyRkqk0URH8zeQb2wBPyVgqByL2aCOSOPsj3ESF1HVoQaEk0HMSVt_sx3d2xzUfSFLexV1Kzg-zC0fxsF-Ocn5Od9r4Dt0Tl-kZvQg93EiKei3fCfW-uw-q0fwN/s1600/SC-2-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkaui2yQge5PuaJnPMNyRkqk0URH8zeQb2wBPyVgqByL2aCOSOPsj3ESF1HVoQaEk0HMSVt_sx3d2xzUfSFLexV1Kzg-zC0fxsF-Ocn5Od9r4Dt0Tl-kZvQg93EiKei3fCfW-uw-q0fwN/s400/SC-2-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527940546236014994" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwVxeE7Z7AQqPr38ld2QCVR_c35dnVtIuEgV3Ql9FviCccB7Lh1qNLVRGEbT3crBbjtIdN24Qxu27loRPmgkld7fyuYQVSbwNdxcGRf86ascJiFiQ1acYlnD_Y_RANLYi7aHNubVyX4KD/s1600/SC-3-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwVxeE7Z7AQqPr38ld2QCVR_c35dnVtIuEgV3Ql9FviCccB7Lh1qNLVRGEbT3crBbjtIdN24Qxu27loRPmgkld7fyuYQVSbwNdxcGRf86ascJiFiQ1acYlnD_Y_RANLYi7aHNubVyX4KD/s400/SC-3-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527940242797409250" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">3. Using fine tipped, sharp scissors, cut around the outer lines. Turn <span style="font-style: italic;">the paper, rather than your scissors to get a better cut.</span> Sorry I didn't have the grass drawn on my original drawing, but I kind of pieced this together as I went.</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EdAudgJfJQpsTe2w7FqnK2Lq7XTGgaroz38OONbJPvCoMtullQFPDXFxRzB0q1G1keq1hXMsMguBkqqGNXIVVeMgYucIccF5h148-H1olKbgjj2Bg8okt70khJ5dLdaLwlrXr72tCyNC/s1600/SC-1-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EdAudgJfJQpsTe2w7FqnK2Lq7XTGgaroz38OONbJPvCoMtullQFPDXFxRzB0q1G1keq1hXMsMguBkqqGNXIVVeMgYucIccF5h148-H1olKbgjj2Bg8okt70khJ5dLdaLwlrXr72tCyNC/s400/SC-1-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527939851258266434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br />If you are a novice, like me, you will want to cut the little figures and grass separately and just glue them close together onto your background when finished. (I'm pretty sure this is also "cheating".)</span></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nt6aCibs2VKRU2oNq0RCSqpvkLq5wnFWUScEGU4uQSCZn3jnw_BgAjxihZk4vaecyT75gS0J7t7NvI9n1dOCTZRlNZhZ9GLac-De1zSjMhEyIAm4OkfHIAp-maEW-152jDdRg51WLNOh/s1600/SC-4-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nt6aCibs2VKRU2oNq0RCSqpvkLq5wnFWUScEGU4uQSCZn3jnw_BgAjxihZk4vaecyT75gS0J7t7NvI9n1dOCTZRlNZhZ9GLac-De1zSjMhEyIAm4OkfHIAp-maEW-152jDdRg51WLNOh/s400/SC-4-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527939490639897362" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">If your cuts are not perfect, don't sweat it! Perfectionists are chicken-$hits. If you are a perfectionist, I'm sorry, someone had to tell you.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">4. Find an old black frame, use one ya have or get one on sale...this pattern fits just right in a 5x7 frame.<br /><br />5. Pick out a sheet of colored or patterned paper and glue your cuttings down.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ta-tah, you're done!</span></span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">You might get inspired and draw your own little figures to match your little one's costumes. I made this magician and bunny rabbit for my friend who's boys are dressing in these costumes. I thought she was so creative making their costumes relate like that! Way to go, Amanda Carol!</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDaYPrIno_bvlvbhv4DTQXRdQDHbAiGqFDkLiZTzpzUTmD-zCDTvXg4F_lZfNB3op-q4RDyPVc3opXe7QHsYF65wFrMW08UFvY_gh_zdCpvbAM31Y2K9lktcxBlmdygVrl5dxf7i9js7T/s1600/ASC-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDaYPrIno_bvlvbhv4DTQXRdQDHbAiGqFDkLiZTzpzUTmD-zCDTvXg4F_lZfNB3op-q4RDyPVc3opXe7QHsYF65wFrMW08UFvY_gh_zdCpvbAM31Y2K9lktcxBlmdygVrl5dxf7i9js7T/s400/ASC-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527938186736430530" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Thanks for visiting and happy scissor-cutting! (Sounds better than happy scerenschnitting, don'tcha think?)</span></span>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-15398770414762886372010-09-26T18:07:00.008-04:002010-09-26T22:54:26.088-04:00Confessions of a Crappy Blogger<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOZR_jNd54MvkH-I4jer5S5jeLQwfGGb9IK9w6K1Jeww6e7RtMnfeWtCwhZAB7IevEicQTp-820zQ2AeWLcz9UD6tAzVnihTTaBDz9U6LZ53JsHJQREInRsfQsB0UOULQ9-gPLrU3q7Dw/s1600/zinncos-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOZR_jNd54MvkH-I4jer5S5jeLQwfGGb9IK9w6K1Jeww6e7RtMnfeWtCwhZAB7IevEicQTp-820zQ2AeWLcz9UD6tAzVnihTTaBDz9U6LZ53JsHJQREInRsfQsB0UOULQ9-gPLrU3q7Dw/s400/zinncos-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521417963047372626" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">I have been just awful about posting in the last month. And if this blog was a plant, it would be dried up, brown and just plain pitiful looking. But I <span style="font-weight: bold;">must </span>say "thank you" to my followers and my readers. Thank you for sticking with me, thank you for your continued support and thank you for your thoughtful comments. And now, if you only wish to read positive, feel-good blogs...you may wanna go read elsewhere. If you can handle some honesty and reality, stick around.<br /><br />I have been busy with my family. The kids have after school activities three days of the week. I have been exhausted. I have been hot. Bring on the fall weather already! Laundry, cleaning and all domestic chores have been done. And repeated to the Nth degree. (If you are one of my three male followers or my brother, avert your eyes now...I'm about to discuss female issues.)<br /><br />Let's quit this BS that our 40's are the best thing since they started making snack bags of Nutter-Butter cookies. I gotta ask Oprah, Demi and that Eat, Pray, Love chick to just <span style="font-weight: bold;">shut it! </span>I feel like I've got another set of armpits directly under my breasts. I am tired, moody and filled with self doubt. I could eat 24/7. I am out of shape and out of my mind. Yes, I'm perimenopausal. It's not pretty, it's not fun and I am at a time where I am trying to take care of everyone else.<br /><br />For the past month, I collapse on the couch at the end of the day. I mindlessly watch tv and try to let go the worst of the day. I tell myself that tomorrow is another day. It hasn't been working. So I began exercising again. It hasn't solved everything, but I am feeling mentally better. Therefore, I decided to share. Because somebody else may be feeling similarly. And because the Pioneer Woman wrote that anything I'd share with a sister (if I had a sister), I could feel comfortable sharing with my readers. If you've made it this far reading, I am crowning you a blogging sister.<br /><br />And I feel better unleashing that bout of verbal diarrhea.<br />Thanks for listening and sticking by me.<br /></span></span>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-91858287597432716822010-08-20T11:07:00.006-04:002010-08-20T11:20:20.579-04:00Baby Fix<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">For all of us who are "finished" adding to our immediate family...sometimes, ya just need a little baby fix and then you're good to go!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_QcHDxzw9_b4PMYoIpzK71BbM4egrt6eu5ZSSfcNHLX1Wbl-Wb-6gfLyejILh36imn5R_PNjQ7uV7HZ1Pu1ZVcLp8DdnsqXzH8LEs0PgLTs_t1fh0I30HiyTbjKn1FsfbQd3LvacCxs6/s1600/0069-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_QcHDxzw9_b4PMYoIpzK71BbM4egrt6eu5ZSSfcNHLX1Wbl-Wb-6gfLyejILh36imn5R_PNjQ7uV7HZ1Pu1ZVcLp8DdnsqXzH8LEs0PgLTs_t1fh0I30HiyTbjKn1FsfbQd3LvacCxs6/s400/0069-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507511099250345650" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">I love all his dark hair and his incredible dark brown eyes...oops! You can't see his dark eyes here. You'll need to go <a href="http://tracilordphotography.blogspot.com/2010/08/baby-z.html">here to my photography blog</a> to see MORE and BIGGER photos!<br /><br />In case you are interested, I'll be sharing a post about lighting & photography here next week. All of my portraits are done with natural lighting.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Thanks for visiting and following!</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br /><br /></span></span>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-79765114020003626892010-08-12T11:28:00.005-04:002010-08-12T11:39:58.359-04:00Family Portrait<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCwABUHXlX1GHx2DvHeT81wVkHyhFz5EDtHvOrbVbpEYkeaxnL4TZptdAAECOo_gMlK4awZPtpUvKN_UcYjwAvZlDb6pf4WDEvwGJy0vUxd_3Ula8_R6AMA3-AB6_2pc07z8pmla9e5k5/s1600/2196-F&C-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCwABUHXlX1GHx2DvHeT81wVkHyhFz5EDtHvOrbVbpEYkeaxnL4TZptdAAECOo_gMlK4awZPtpUvKN_UcYjwAvZlDb6pf4WDEvwGJy0vUxd_3Ula8_R6AMA3-AB6_2pc07z8pmla9e5k5/s400/2196-F&C-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504548002878414562" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">This is the first full week of school here in Georgia and I have begun the process of catching up! I feel sometimes like I'm in a constant state of catching up, but love when I'm able to chip away at my list.<br /><br />This is just a sneak peak at the "H" family portrait session I shot back in June. Yes, June. Back when I thought it couldn't get any hotter. My mistake. However, you'd never know it was blazin' hot by looking at these guys. They looked "<span style="font-style: italic;">Mahhvelous". </span>(Yes, I'm channeling my inner Billy Crystal and I don't care if that clues you in to my age!)<br /><br />You can see more and larger photos from our session <a href="http://tracilordphotography.blogspot.com/2010/08/h-family-portraits.html">here.</a><br /><br />Off to work on "Baby Z". Be sure to come back if you're in need of an adorable baby fix!<br />Thanks for visiting!<br /></span></span>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-63506797998189766312010-07-28T15:11:00.020-04:002010-07-29T13:33:48.252-04:00Hydrangeas Part II<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">You thought I forgot, didn't you? I did not. I lost my notes. I lost my mind. They have both returned. I began writing this post in my notebook, but found it became rather verbose. So if <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">you can believe it, I'll have to write another post for Part III and the remaining questions I am often asked. This post addresses the question:</span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Is there a hydrangea I can grow even though we have harsh winters?</span><div style="text-align: left;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Why,yes, my cold weather friends there is...as long as you are in a region no lower than Zone 3 on a climate map. In case you are unsure of your zone, I've scanned a climate map</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> below.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3Ln9dh2-6oI5fy_h5Hgy62dtLeFyPdJ6IFHBZWPaUPUlqVAOwgU4cSZM8ig3dCtq1BbiXsT9uwoAylWEeEnXpgVCQocO2ShNBiobE0IT_HU8fjo2n5PbDEe_1A-MtjEugMH1sPKlyjuJ/s1600/climate-map-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3Ln9dh2-6oI5fy_h5Hgy62dtLeFyPdJ6IFHBZWPaUPUlqVAOwgU4cSZM8ig3dCtq1BbiXsT9uwoAylWEeEnXpgVCQocO2ShNBiobE0IT_HU8fjo2n5PbDEe_1A-MtjEugMH1sPKlyjuJ/s400/climate-map-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499380177890518946" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">(Click on map to enlarge)<br /></span></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Here is a breakdown for hydrangeas suitable for cold regions:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Zone 3: Hydrangea Paniculata AKA Pee Gee Hydrangeas</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >What they lack in color, they make up for with presence and abundance.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7U7KuN1gYeIs_eGoXBJF2Z-C5FkmcPGx1nH3lhmRpg1hOloHkU2m5ovOxghrBlyZ0TlWJ1WnRtjDApgXDTSPth_Ik0dYHuqUpcDlLk1coVESSIHyUDVpYihUAqhMbm2HqvFZ6B2i3-Fi/s1600/J&PG-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7U7KuN1gYeIs_eGoXBJF2Z-C5FkmcPGx1nH3lhmRpg1hOloHkU2m5ovOxghrBlyZ0TlWJ1WnRtjDApgXDTSPth_Ik0dYHuqUpcDlLk1coVESSIHyUDVpYihUAqhMbm2HqvFZ6B2i3-Fi/s400/J&PG-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499374316738917106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Jackie-Baby and 'Limelight' blooms as big as his head<br /></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Bloom Color:</span> Cream, ivory or white often aging to green or pink.<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Pros:</span> Blooms on <span style="font-weight: bold;">new </span>wood, so it is not affected by late frosts.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > One of the few hydrangeas which does well in <span style="font-weight: bold;">full </span>sun - don't even think about putting her in the shade!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > Fast grower and gets BIG! (I guess that's not a "Pro" if you have a small space.)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Bloom Time:</span> Late summer, but blooms will age beautifully until hard frost.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Favorite Pee Gee:</span> Limelight</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><br />Zone 4: Hydrangea Aborescens AKA Wild or Smooth Hydrangeas</span><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >A prolific and consistent bloomer. ( I have 6 of these beauties.)</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4SoSkvVm5GLho1-CGJdkXsWv17ulyGMhHbVQ526RvdwvCxUsrCXXGiTuG-j7gA3ofR_F8pfJMXMxh3sNvQyI2-bEu-epX3XeHtXxXlXINfwSrLkJlct8yq6UdYEGIr695cWAfh3DRslj/s1600/earlyannabelles-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4SoSkvVm5GLho1-CGJdkXsWv17ulyGMhHbVQ526RvdwvCxUsrCXXGiTuG-j7gA3ofR_F8pfJMXMxh3sNvQyI2-bEu-epX3XeHtXxXlXINfwSrLkJlct8yq6UdYEGIr695cWAfh3DRslj/s400/earlyannabelles-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499373430354952690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">early 'Anabelle' hydrangea blooms<br /></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Bloom color:</span> begins bright green, turns white and ages back to green.<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Pros: </span>Also blooms on new wood and is not affected by late frosts.<br />Can tolerate a little more sun. (But not <span style="font-weight: bold;">full </span>sun.)<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Bloom time:</span> Early in the season.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Favorite:</span> Annabelle, which will re-bloom in late summer if deadheaded and cut back after the first bloom.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Zone 4: Hydrangea macrophylla 'Endless Summer' - mophead</span><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The only mophead which can survive in the cold of Zone 4.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqESrHHsfSgcdm8ivIp_RDkaPaIWoHghFvhFwa2T2Z2ze230UJ_1e_92Rw3o3tAph8I52L6GN3HL8QmKZ64X6n5bMvUQt3gMNOOp5UE9GmhTNa7VbP7PoG8yIrQ-FEYVgS-jJNC7_chT3e/s1600/endless-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqESrHHsfSgcdm8ivIp_RDkaPaIWoHghFvhFwa2T2Z2ze230UJ_1e_92Rw3o3tAph8I52L6GN3HL8QmKZ64X6n5bMvUQt3gMNOOp5UE9GmhTNa7VbP7PoG8yIrQ-FEYVgS-jJNC7_chT3e/s400/endless-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499372139525203618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">'Endless Summer'</span></span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Bloom color:</span> blue or pink depending on soil conditions.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Pros:</span> very hardy and colorful!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Bloom time:</span> June</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The further north you are located, the more sun she'll tolerate. Here in the south, she'll need protection from the afternoon sun.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Zone 5: Hydrangea quercifolia AKA Oakleaf Hydrangea</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >As the name suggests, it's leaves look like those of an oak and color up beautifully in the late summer and fall. Oakleafs are are consistent and abundant bloomers which do well with sun, but not full sun. Needs good drainage. Some varieties get VERY big. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDAY0OXx-RcgW54EgsEwXveob7l04D9-GqQ9OHr-mh-fYUqxQ0pqwzzRMc4Fep8vxgXWAM4G2WxkaAcR4_rHzlJr0Ojpjv1adb6OmtvMLXhSW-TuorVkSigcSPxd72AYrVVpeUYkqLG1z/s1600/D&PamsOakleaf-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDAY0OXx-RcgW54EgsEwXveob7l04D9-GqQ9OHr-mh-fYUqxQ0pqwzzRMc4Fep8vxgXWAM4G2WxkaAcR4_rHzlJr0Ojpjv1adb6OmtvMLXhSW-TuorVkSigcSPxd72AYrVVpeUYkqLG1z/s400/D&PamsOakleaf-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499372521350809618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Lulu by my neighbor, Pam's Oakleaf Hydrangea<br /></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Bloom color:</span> Green to ivory/white and age pink. However, they will burn out or brown out by July here in the south. I simply cut the spent blooms & enjoy the remaining foliage.<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Note:</span> Bees love oakleaf blooms in the early stages, so beware if you are allergic to stings.<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Favorite Oakleaf:</span> 'Snowflake' - it has a double flower and the bloom ages better than others in my garden.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jJRX2AzHS4cDMfJTdsioffsl24TnpNZ_Jwv-gzhRfKN0PrrG4jS4gaLgh-Ypid9_tuYXinDZPYJ49Nc8t9rrnit1u-VIZJyIb5QHWZ70i7rZQy689BNYbGICg9RWRwFCIzwuOayn5614/s1600/earlyoakleaf-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jJRX2AzHS4cDMfJTdsioffsl24TnpNZ_Jwv-gzhRfKN0PrrG4jS4gaLgh-Ypid9_tuYXinDZPYJ49Nc8t9rrnit1u-VIZJyIb5QHWZ70i7rZQy689BNYbGICg9RWRwFCIzwuOayn5614/s400/earlyoakleaf-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499371334174561442" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">early blooming 'Snowflake' Oakleaf</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQQspPHGyOALzXyYTBQI9Kvn4wUKghTpvzTEP2Znc4hqSx2kT_jWcCw7xDmO4GIvr2w3zxkIWwhl2hisRWmSZVl8e-6hXUqAunTqM95bDu3ykujU3TXbRfKs_DIGa5U0tFSp4kWPBl2my/s1600/oakleaf-aged-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQQspPHGyOALzXyYTBQI9Kvn4wUKghTpvzTEP2Znc4hqSx2kT_jWcCw7xDmO4GIvr2w3zxkIWwhl2hisRWmSZVl8e-6hXUqAunTqM95bDu3ykujU3TXbRfKs_DIGa5U0tFSp4kWPBl2my/s400/oakleaf-aged-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499370512575907346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">'Snowflake' Oakleaf aging to pink<br /></span></span></div></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Zone 5: Hydrangea serrata AKA Lacecaps</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Lacecaps have delicate, airy and dainty blooms and their leaves are narrow.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsws-K-SLjKoyeTdjlQQOOxXf8hMpwGFHfFaJp_ytLSt13LRRyfcL1synAhFrlyQHF2F_bsrI3GliFNBirZTwt-YQq7cOIt5vXMDlNMhgFWhsGHjZq6XpgLr8cAlG-6E2wBIqd1PkEgE-/s1600/purptiers-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsws-K-SLjKoyeTdjlQQOOxXf8hMpwGFHfFaJp_ytLSt13LRRyfcL1synAhFrlyQHF2F_bsrI3GliFNBirZTwt-YQq7cOIt5vXMDlNMhgFWhsGHjZq6XpgLr8cAlG-6E2wBIqd1PkEgE-/s400/purptiers-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499369664630594002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">'Purple Tiers'<br /></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Bloom colors:</span> Purple, blue, white or pink.<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Pros:</span> Lacecaps are a more reliable bloomer than mopheads since they are hardier. (Less threatened by late frosts.) Since their blooms are more delicate, they remain upright.<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Favorite Lacecaps:</span> 'Purple Tiers', 'Tiara' and 'Blue Billow'<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Note:</span> Another favorite of bees once the centers "pop".</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gS-FlD2v4gxDh8XvJPzTfZsclIKqz17mLVh_xzxS3i-ob-nfGcVrLwjsbIGBHOFbj0vUaMC1YIWWY5m49rAAfUF8lS6hVACVd-pfX_hQjzGfjPjtIrIeGyilgO-WXkfF3xz9QdI_O8kp/s1600/tiara&bee-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gS-FlD2v4gxDh8XvJPzTfZsclIKqz17mLVh_xzxS3i-ob-nfGcVrLwjsbIGBHOFbj0vUaMC1YIWWY5m49rAAfUF8lS6hVACVd-pfX_hQjzGfjPjtIrIeGyilgO-WXkfF3xz9QdI_O8kp/s400/tiara&bee-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499368960419050354" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">'Tiara'</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In case you are wondering why I am posting this now, it is because hydrangeas are best to plant in the fall. This way, there is less stress on the plant, it gets plenty of winter moisture and has time to set it's buds.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />So go forth and get yourself a hydrangea or three...or five. Best to plant in odd numbers.</span> </span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Thanks for visiting!</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"></span></div></div></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br /><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"></span></span></div>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-60899285123844251952010-07-17T14:05:00.007-04:002010-07-18T21:42:07.081-04:00Lost and Found<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">And because I know you all will lose sleep if I don't spill the beans.<br />Here is what happened:</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br /><br />I was on my way to Target.<br />I see this black dog standing by a bus stop looking up at the people there.<br />I see black dog run into street and continue to cross four lanes of busy traffic.<br />I see black dog nearly get hit on three occasions. My heart is jumping out of my chest.<br />I see he has a collar, so I pull over into the empty (thank goodness) parking lot where he has now trotted to.<br />He is scared. He is hesitant. His tail is between his legs. His collar has no tags.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H-qwLWxPvHUlpEX82RokvGxkjeT8QnOUFsm1M61harG_ThsslRuGvYlAmkcTbWLGA-NC_wBSVENuVJmpeCa4YaBJWB6H19FjcvB5cC7ufDL2HV0gCYiTw-CBD4EvMSH19BPGpVa09JMx/s1600/O-portrait-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H-qwLWxPvHUlpEX82RokvGxkjeT8QnOUFsm1M61harG_ThsslRuGvYlAmkcTbWLGA-NC_wBSVENuVJmpeCa4YaBJWB6H19FjcvB5cC7ufDL2HV0gCYiTw-CBD4EvMSH19BPGpVa09JMx/s400/O-portrait-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495424116146532306" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">He is Ozzy.<br />I took him to our vet to be scanned to see if he has a chip. No chip.<br />I called Animal Control, Cocker Spaniel Rescue (they are full) and four local groomers.<br />Nobody has reported him missing.<br />His tongue sticks out while he sleeps.<br />He is sweet with everyone. He is housebroken. He is overweight. He snores.<br />He gets along with Ella...<br /><br />Ah, yes...Ella.<br />The princess is not so happy.<br />Proof:</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-1SJO17viDMTnnPdNHOw4V5RuqQm4vGK2948kwLlisM0FeetdpRAcshfz5arvE5vTVqriRDd0b1vzZp-JYX6U05oHl17Xx6RnTMok6g9ObCLcpJ2BOdhxburtvvI8o-_ehGhkN_cdMpx/s1600/Ella-Sad-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-1SJO17viDMTnnPdNHOw4V5RuqQm4vGK2948kwLlisM0FeetdpRAcshfz5arvE5vTVqriRDd0b1vzZp-JYX6U05oHl17Xx6RnTMok6g9ObCLcpJ2BOdhxburtvvI8o-_ehGhkN_cdMpx/s400/Ella-Sad-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495424299168355554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">I have no idea what his story is, but my vet told me they are seeing an unbelievable number of strays being found. People move and leave them behind. I can't fathom it.<br /><br />So now we have a new member of the family. I'm pretty sure you'll be seeing much more of him. You can see more of him over at my photography blog <a href="http://tracilordphotography.blogspot.com/2010/07/ozzy-mosaic.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Thanks for visiting!<br /></span></span>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-25531489464163345922010-07-16T20:29:00.011-04:002010-07-17T14:32:40.154-04:00Connected<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqxTCsFzFLCGfFZ4-5fyHkHkUtwURscs-SGm764zThcSD0M22nV2qq8srca6pFqx2dI8ZlyZOAhCOkB6oRBLluRtTf7NhVoz8Jf8nU6ryFb0Hujn3NZefiUAa7oLPxQDOzYdL9K6246fT/s1600/Tucker-2-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqxTCsFzFLCGfFZ4-5fyHkHkUtwURscs-SGm764zThcSD0M22nV2qq8srca6pFqx2dI8ZlyZOAhCOkB6oRBLluRtTf7NhVoz8Jf8nU6ryFb0Hujn3NZefiUAa7oLPxQDOzYdL9K6246fT/s400/Tucker-2-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494942641285628050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Tucker - Ella's new BFF</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">So dear blogger friends, while Mr. Sassypants and our children were away, I took the opportunity to visit my dear friend, Martha. A road trip to Alabama with Ella-baby.<br />I hadn't talked to Martha in forever. But I contacted her to let her know what had been going on with a mutual girlfriend. We decided we shouldn't only be contacting each other whenever there's bad news. We should get together!!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6_NP4W_me7yBM7ATDjqMnTNSUOP2aG6qDMo6ibH1L0qiwgzU3p3ATp3StuOT0Y8RAvA6npPMp9p5vBX-EJ5h6SH-_eXqNCKzeb6d98atsJES2y0xiIm9YFZMlvLIVITAQgcx8b8D4DV7/s1600/Martha&Tucker-2-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6_NP4W_me7yBM7ATDjqMnTNSUOP2aG6qDMo6ibH1L0qiwgzU3p3ATp3StuOT0Y8RAvA6npPMp9p5vBX-EJ5h6SH-_eXqNCKzeb6d98atsJES2y0xiIm9YFZMlvLIVITAQgcx8b8D4DV7/s400/Martha&Tucker-2-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494942019866174018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">We had the best time! We hung out, did a little shopping, and re-connected. Re-connecting entails laughing, crying and reminiscing. I can't tell you how wonderful it was to be with a friend who knows me and my quirks and still loves me anyway.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkboDboqK9Q3CzXqehQBt2O7J6vTZByjXGbE6nqNunZd4CIHsdvXRCUGdVvLn6-gk34t1t_ewPNrfmRaLFaqEvyvtBSXr22mesd-Bub_nG2rEBcUpfFAdawTG6jLn6o5gCvE707FjMQwh/s1600/Tucker-1-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkboDboqK9Q3CzXqehQBt2O7J6vTZByjXGbE6nqNunZd4CIHsdvXRCUGdVvLn6-gk34t1t_ewPNrfmRaLFaqEvyvtBSXr22mesd-Bub_nG2rEBcUpfFAdawTG6jLn6o5gCvE707FjMQwh/s400/Tucker-1-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494942332383453634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Tucker and Ella got along fabulously! They played and played until one of them got too pooped to play any more. If Ella was a human, I swear she'd be a Cougar - she gets all the young studs chasing her.<br />Thank you Martha for taking the time for our visit!<br /><br />Upon my return to Georgia, I had work to do for my husband's business. Then I set about cleaning the house, ridding it of piles, doing laundry and re-organizing some areas. It was not fun, but wonderful to have finished. Because as you all know, cleaning while there are children around is like trying to nail Jello to a tree. Impossible!<br /><br />And then this happened: (insert "<span style="font-style: italic;">Dun, dun, dun</span>", for dramatic effect)<br /><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;">To Be Continued...</span></span></span><br /></span></span>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-10921552966237342832010-07-01T16:24:00.007-04:002011-01-02T22:00:14.388-05:00Life Got Busy!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Hello Friends!<br />I'm so glad you all have stuck around during my early summer hiatus, otherwise known as "school is out and these kids are runnin' me ragged". I was on a road trip to PA with the dog and both kids for 11 days. Mr. Sassypants had business to take care of so we made the journey ourselves. I was <span style="font-style: italic;">quite </span>tired afterwards...but those kids weren't.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br />In the meantime, I'd taken part in two online photography courses. How well I did with those children out of school is debatable. My creativity was nil.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br />The heat and humidity had sky rocketed just in time for our return to Georgia. So we've been to the pool. Day after day, after hot, stinkin' day.</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Add to the weather the fact that I went through a serious <span style="font-style: italic;">funk</span>. Maybe because I'm a Momma's girl and I missed being around her when we got back. Maybe because I seem unable to focus for more than 10 seconds while these kiddos run around like squirrels on crack. Think I'm exaggerating? Maybe I was forgetting to keep a grateful heart.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcyZmKs7sKefXHVQdRMYj5GeXqHDor8WJvCYDITHeeD8EtmGAJ8L8E-BPDm-an35-YgajLjandk4wHtLsrWq16GRlDTesji3dyWS8ruBRFjt1tmnTeIQxQbCV55AOm-gRNUMEjl-eKNDK/s1600/scan0003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 395px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcyZmKs7sKefXHVQdRMYj5GeXqHDor8WJvCYDITHeeD8EtmGAJ8L8E-BPDm-an35-YgajLjandk4wHtLsrWq16GRlDTesji3dyWS8ruBRFjt1tmnTeIQxQbCV55AOm-gRNUMEjl-eKNDK/s400/scan0003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489058559721823442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Then...June 28th came around. And I remembered.</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">The happiest day of my life. I know there are girls who <span style="font-style: italic;">dream </span>of their wedding day from the time they are very young. Not me. I dreamt of meeting a man of integrity, strong character, who is kind-hearted and can make me laugh. So the day, was just the icing on the cake.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_aXthGfCU3Da-XyDmnK4LZzelgg2pj7AjZy7NBH0cKxAK2RTV2sbAfxlKwgRWx_U_gz2sSohjLbTaClGZxVMUYAw4nOKMON_KD9sikgGr8DAMDIirQxeGrh1_FpGAbdwvvD7A6di2xk-/s1600/scan0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_aXthGfCU3Da-XyDmnK4LZzelgg2pj7AjZy7NBH0cKxAK2RTV2sbAfxlKwgRWx_U_gz2sSohjLbTaClGZxVMUYAw4nOKMON_KD9sikgGr8DAMDIirQxeGrh1_FpGAbdwvvD7A6di2xk-/s400/scan0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489057595805176706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">This was 13 years ago.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFGEOhhjlIjqypz6mFvOOATi-fCj1QdeEvCph9ki8qol5dPC9LTJvIKUAg1V5lhGsSKammw4tj1Huq08bt4MQYQNKx5PXA4xe5On4wDifgb_WtoFLrtoZydxnD47GFhaReAWM6XQ4SIkL/s1600/scan0002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFGEOhhjlIjqypz6mFvOOATi-fCj1QdeEvCph9ki8qol5dPC9LTJvIKUAg1V5lhGsSKammw4tj1Huq08bt4MQYQNKx5PXA4xe5On4wDifgb_WtoFLrtoZydxnD47GFhaReAWM6XQ4SIkL/s400/scan0002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489057907665551074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">He has been my rock. He supports me and all I do. He works hard and long hours. He's a wonderful and playful father. We still laugh ourselves silly.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9RFizzlfcZuHwkj6u8JgTekukd1mbNfEBJrTu6S-QhGYV84idBZny7U_4hDxcx5-jzlqNVBVWBGtt3anF-qxikTsfD9uR7jfJ0axdujf5QqBhWYE9eJbAIeahmN6Dl8LNsthZcsa2N5K/s1600/Anniv.-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9RFizzlfcZuHwkj6u8JgTekukd1mbNfEBJrTu6S-QhGYV84idBZny7U_4hDxcx5-jzlqNVBVWBGtt3anF-qxikTsfD9uR7jfJ0axdujf5QqBhWYE9eJbAIeahmN6Dl8LNsthZcsa2N5K/s400/Anniv.-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489057123730204194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">This is us 13 years later. We went out for dinner <span style="font-style: italic;">by ourselves</span>. We had such a great time talking - uninterrupted. Our son asked if our anniversary lasted more than one day - he and his sister thoroughly enjoyed their evening with their babysitter and good friend, Heather.<br /><br />So my grateful heart has been restored. And I'll be back sooner than three weeks. My wonderful husband has taken both kiddos on a road trip to Chicago to visit family and friends. I have had two days of just me and the dog and a whole lot of quiet.<br /><br />Thanks for visiting!<br /></span></span>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-51012976500545777702010-06-02T13:20:00.016-04:002010-06-03T11:05:26.779-04:00Hydrangeas - Part I<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_V7_44Wj90LRw2T0R8ZeoEtGzvABnEXWvcBOipX1K5fjfZ7fK1BOhkBShaKf3vX-x9Wp2gWncs6s55hRyJHMhFSOlT-RXewRWyLMhpaho2tCHqtGSZhyphenhyphenoqI5LArihDE-xWkAb6EefNZnj/s1600/Imakedirtlook.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_V7_44Wj90LRw2T0R8ZeoEtGzvABnEXWvcBOipX1K5fjfZ7fK1BOhkBShaKf3vX-x9Wp2gWncs6s55hRyJHMhFSOlT-RXewRWyLMhpaho2tCHqtGSZhyphenhyphenoqI5LArihDE-xWkAb6EefNZnj/s400/Imakedirtlook.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478561468221903762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">I have no idea how many parts this will result in because I am writing this as I type. Anybody else still like writing in notebooks or filling up tablets - then transfer it to the computer? No? Just a quirk I have cornered on the market? *<span style="font-style: italic;">Edited to add: I got kinda wordy and this is a long post - if you're not interested in learning about hydrangeas, you might just want to check out the pretty pictures. (Click on any picture to enlarge.)</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br />Anyway, I began my love affair with hydrangeas when Mr. Sassypants and I moved into our home 13 years ago. My Ma-Ma sent me one as a housewarming gift and it is the stunner I still have at the bottom of our front porch steps. Um, I'm going to try and not gush on and on about the beauty of this plant...</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO9eI3eav834JWjxHyEm1d_SkCg3xaP0Krqx6cHghZDUntYQv-a3QXPRoAluLzENBUNxPvSUthyphenhyphenCow4bmri60AzM889dbRjiX9vjg9y6IGpITMha-UWKPRnzHFJg80IrZVGzMICJblqMM/s1600/merritt-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO9eI3eav834JWjxHyEm1d_SkCg3xaP0Krqx6cHghZDUntYQv-a3QXPRoAluLzENBUNxPvSUthyphenhyphenCow4bmri60AzM889dbRjiX9vjg9y6IGpITMha-UWKPRnzHFJg80IrZVGzMICJblqMM/s400/merritt-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478560901351742066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204); font-style: italic;"> (Merritt's Supreme Hydrangea)</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Since I have an obscene number of these gems (50 total - 18 varieties and three "unknowns") and because I think I've been so fortunate to learn from some of the best hydrangea "experts", I want to share the knowledge I've gained from others and from my own experiences. Please take into account I am gardening in Zone 7, so my info translates well if you are in the Southeast. Mophead hydrangeas are the pickiest about their climates (in my opinion) and will do best if grown in Zones 6-9.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEM6AedNbzoxJT12_zQ_llZZHX72AAaeit8ZdACrLdRNrqN66SDD5XIrdQGdOmOHey38W676B9YdZZXw3Xw4mR5lXZnkWAaVNlBPhzex5x6utbIPraxcD3TWgOwhGyoiFEoTMobrmBt8oz/s1600/tiara-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEM6AedNbzoxJT12_zQ_llZZHX72AAaeit8ZdACrLdRNrqN66SDD5XIrdQGdOmOHey38W676B9YdZZXw3Xw4mR5lXZnkWAaVNlBPhzex5x6utbIPraxcD3TWgOwhGyoiFEoTMobrmBt8oz/s400/tiara-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478559940375227874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204); font-style: italic;"> (Tiara Hydrangea)</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Requirements for healthy hydrangeas:</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /><br />GOOD LIGHT</span><br />First, I'd like to address the issue of sun versus shade for hydrangeas. While they are known as a "shade" plant, they really should have SUN until about 1:00 or 2:00 pm. (Some types will tolerate a <span style="font-weight: bold;">full</span> day of sun and I'll tell more about them later.) The further north you are, the more they can tolerate more sun. If their leaves begin to scorch, they may be getting too much sun. Too little sun and you will end up with a green shrub and very few, if any, blooms. Say you have a mix of sun and shade...provided they get about 4 hours of direct light, you can grow a hydrangea.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIl-GcNccltFJzdyQrbYiAEBHtBYcNHi1ZYzkQnZ_6OztyoS0JNhvyIbsru3bZX9TzQ2AlIe2b415AANxW3z57qDGjQt9ZNhwGlW5zleR2cGyVeNE8-uvMtvteZeLwXqTAOBjszlAkXyNP/s1600/PG-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIl-GcNccltFJzdyQrbYiAEBHtBYcNHi1ZYzkQnZ_6OztyoS0JNhvyIbsru3bZX9TzQ2AlIe2b415AANxW3z57qDGjQt9ZNhwGlW5zleR2cGyVeNE8-uvMtvteZeLwXqTAOBjszlAkXyNP/s400/PG-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478558890615069170" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> (Limelight, PeeGee Hydrangea)</span></span><br />Say you have <span style="font-style: italic;">not a stitch of shade</span> to be found on your property...you can still grow a hydrangea! Pick up a PeeGee hydrangea (known in hoighty-toighty garden circles as Hydrangea Paniculata). Best in zones 3-8. PeeGees are one of my VERY favorite varieties! They NEED full sun, can produce HUGE blooms (which dry exquisitely), are not affected by late frosts, can be pruned to tree form and bloom late in the summer when little else is happening in this southern garden! This is a picture from last summer. This was only it's second year in the ground and it reached about eight feet high. Be prepared to give this big girl some room! Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea Quercifolia, Zones 5-9) also will tolerate and do better with a little more sun.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFcttTtJDIijZzs3E0_bD5UDYi1_VWzfVpAfpORa_J0azMG3PlFpsRwesSHRQYVE3InZ7fBCj8izRwWPyEkea-hP1ysbwLL5ODzvi6BWJJ7juVdPcxQ3aLkFYg3Rm6mbTPCaHdCzlkjU2/s1600/oak-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFcttTtJDIijZzs3E0_bD5UDYi1_VWzfVpAfpORa_J0azMG3PlFpsRwesSHRQYVE3InZ7fBCj8izRwWPyEkea-hP1ysbwLL5ODzvi6BWJJ7juVdPcxQ3aLkFYg3Rm6mbTPCaHdCzlkjU2/s400/oak-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478557170611672290" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> (Oakleaf Hydrangea)</span></span><br /></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">GOOD SOIL</span><br />Here in Georgia I've learned the hard way that amending my soil before planting is a required step - a huge pain in the tush, too! Given the hard clay we naturally have means adding and mixing in some bagged soil and compost. If you have gorgeous, dark, rich soil, I'm SO happy for you. (Dig into some hard clay and heave around some bags of cow manure and you'll realize I'm not being overly dramatic here.) Once your hydrangeas have been in the ground for a year, lay on a couple of inches of manure around the base of your plant. (Around March for Atlanta.)</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92H3UyyI5kJo7ywpMYHvDLmxsC-gOa2SZP0P_K2ILdnJW2U3vpit76FqnNuvlQMgAWuaQljQEsw05yMqd39a5FXmTwnvO57cB10jYvLarRd_EC9XqaD1DjWEu4mru9m-MMs_tPkPQbsDM/s1600/pennymac-1-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92H3UyyI5kJo7ywpMYHvDLmxsC-gOa2SZP0P_K2ILdnJW2U3vpit76FqnNuvlQMgAWuaQljQEsw05yMqd39a5FXmTwnvO57cB10jYvLarRd_EC9XqaD1DjWEu4mru9m-MMs_tPkPQbsDM/s400/pennymac-1-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478556057928940434" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">(Penny Mac Hydrangea)</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Sounds like a lot of work? The incredible, late Penny McHenry did this every spring and had over 300 hydrangeas. Penny was the founder of the American Hydrangea Society and a premier stop on the annual Hydrangea Tour here in Atlanta. Her garden was breathtaking and she was generous with her knowledge. Her garden is the reason I introduced Annabelles (a type of Hydrangea Arborescens, Zones 4-8) to my garden. This is also a variety which likes some more sun. </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vv4AUBhtogLiJYcmZI8P6SInTmytvgm4B3XEq8Y9NOgAnXQmBTltDAm0aRkfxRxCjLgBQPcvtkIgBP0SevWugE8eZE990C2ikfapGL-u2dEgqsNDJEJa_uAyRR1LO3FL5Bx6Hm4bgDe5/s1600/annabelles-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vv4AUBhtogLiJYcmZI8P6SInTmytvgm4B3XEq8Y9NOgAnXQmBTltDAm0aRkfxRxCjLgBQPcvtkIgBP0SevWugE8eZE990C2ikfapGL-u2dEgqsNDJEJa_uAyRR1LO3FL5Bx6Hm4bgDe5/s400/annabelles-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478553607944666738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"> (young Annabelle Hydrangea)</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">If you feel you must fertilize your hydrangea, you need only sprinkle some 10-10-10 at the base after the last freeze and when new green growth has pushed out. You can do the same again in June, but only if you're NOT in the middle of a drought! I've never fertilized my hydrangeas and never really felt the need for this step.</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">WATER</span><br />Of course all plants need water, but your hydrangea may need a little more in the first two years of its life, especially if you plant them in the early summer. The ideal (for the plant) time of year to plant a hydrangea is in the fall. (October for Atlanta) There is very little stress through our winters for a hydrangea. However, I know all the nurseries will have these gorgeous plants out now - my Ma-Ma gave me this one (below) while she was visiting - this Matilda Gutges, we both thought belonged in my garden.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3kYChmMo68BgurD2vKdm2HiDF8r7vptnHExxrslqIsGMIN_CNQ7MTwBbI5-THwa7JvajyczrhSq8FlPo69esm95BGWNp_6BBEqz3lUMZzIloUpIUoYj1uB9ZJgcEQsr9nxwm3y2kH0nY/s1600/matilda-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3kYChmMo68BgurD2vKdm2HiDF8r7vptnHExxrslqIsGMIN_CNQ7MTwBbI5-THwa7JvajyczrhSq8FlPo69esm95BGWNp_6BBEqz3lUMZzIloUpIUoYj1uB9ZJgcEQsr9nxwm3y2kH0nY/s400/matilda-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478552282172692578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Even when your hydrangea has been in the ground a few years, don't be surprised to see it go "limp" around 3:00pm. They will all do it (in the south especially).</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1YfCB0LajrifCRDLsM9stTXZMzLtrVfeZUjqn5Gz8xCYLJ7PWozUH32qlz01l58SjFgfXB3hEQONb5Re3WnZRnxeGh6Xc30GWX6G3N5oV0NChVo7DLz0_1YtdLDX5vfXLGY533l4xMAz/s1600/wilt-hydrang-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1YfCB0LajrifCRDLsM9stTXZMzLtrVfeZUjqn5Gz8xCYLJ7PWozUH32qlz01l58SjFgfXB3hEQONb5Re3WnZRnxeGh6Xc30GWX6G3N5oV0NChVo7DLz0_1YtdLDX5vfXLGY533l4xMAz/s400/wilt-hydrang-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478551420188488946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Here is one which has been in my garden for eight years now. The heat tends to bother it, but it will wake up refreshed the next morning. Of course, if your area is suffering from a drought, hydrangeas will become very stressed. Just try to get them water in the early morning at the base of the plant if possible.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br />I'll be back in a couple of days to answer FAQ's, so if you have any questions of your own, feel free to leave them in the comment section!<br />Thanks for visiting and Happy Gardening!<br /></span></span>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-28130145349714675782010-05-29T19:50:00.008-04:002010-05-29T21:35:46.849-04:00My Sweet Birthday and a Surprise<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Yesterday I turned 44.<br /><br />My sweetheart husband made pecan pancakes for breakfast.<br /><br />I was serenaded via the phone - <span style="font-style: italic;">twice! </span>(For their trouble, I put them both on speakerphone - be forewarned!)</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"> <br />My kids made me cards, but neither could fit 44 candles on either of their illustrations.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"> <br />I received cards, e-mails and phone messages from loved ones with birthday wishes.<br /> <br />I spent much of the morning taking photographs in my garden. (I'll be sharing my hydrangeas on here with some tips soon!)<br /> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Later I got a spa pedicure - <span style="font-style: italic;">hot pink</span> for the sassy birthday girl!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"> <br />My sweetheart husband made one of his specialty dinners for me - orzo pasta with fresh vegetables and mozzarella and a whole bunch of other flavorful ingredients!<br /><br />It was a very good day.<br /><br />Then to top it all off - the icing on the cake you might say...</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8DNgqSX5oDGqft7eg7TAkKt_Qwh53lstWAFIJyyXF4K6kXhDtMX-x2BI-1toGqiHWS-uvf9jiUE02rz0Z9jh-P767LHA_mrGKrJFLnJ1GHK5tYxOdepdUJn-FHWpApE8cD5Cu2eBD0os/s1600/hydrang+cake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8DNgqSX5oDGqft7eg7TAkKt_Qwh53lstWAFIJyyXF4K6kXhDtMX-x2BI-1toGqiHWS-uvf9jiUE02rz0Z9jh-P767LHA_mrGKrJFLnJ1GHK5tYxOdepdUJn-FHWpApE8cD5Cu2eBD0os/s400/hydrang+cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476860975706567426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">my husband brought up this beauty - a <span style="font-weight: bold;">blue and white hydrangea cake</span>! Inside it contained homemade peanut butter icing. Oh, yeah. My day just got better!<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Made by this beauty:</span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV14-WdfZCZHDnMftABa-sJDhiPjLTiMOnVkSOgZQiBIhHPOGl_8tE9B4h6ibYYo50xFeojq7ngKTdlx6v9lpvWRefwB1JgvBnf3ALXbhThR19Kk1zkfA1Lxf1Oie3rOba-mSriQJMZF0m/s1600/Amanda.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV14-WdfZCZHDnMftABa-sJDhiPjLTiMOnVkSOgZQiBIhHPOGl_8tE9B4h6ibYYo50xFeojq7ngKTdlx6v9lpvWRefwB1JgvBnf3ALXbhThR19Kk1zkfA1Lxf1Oie3rOba-mSriQJMZF0m/s400/Amanda.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476860573597459394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"> My sweet, fabulous, sneaky and uber talented friend, Amanda. Thank you my dear friend!<br />Thank you everybody for your birthday wishes.<br />A special thank you to my hubby, too for making it such a sweet day!<br />I leave you with some of my favorite quotes about aging & birthdays.<br /><br />The secret of staying young is to love honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age.<br /> Lucille Ball<br /><br />You are young only once. If you act foolish after that, you'll have to find some other excuse.<br /> unknown<br /><br />Youth is not a time of life, it's a state of mind.<br />You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt;<br />as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear;<br />as young as your hope, as old as your despair. <br /> unknown<br /><br />Next time you want to be young again, remember algebra.<br /> unknown<br /></span></span>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-12115969401259992532010-05-20T16:08:00.008-04:002010-05-20T17:18:11.918-04:00M Family Session<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Remember when I shot this <a href="http://onefelloutofthecuckoosnest.blogspot.com/2010/02/sweet-pea-cassidy.html">Sweet Pea</a>?</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJd8-a4AWwYLDRhm19xPVOoZMtBVWCBsGYJXW0IrS2_7RIUWcJlMEbRYXNiBCbWyhZgtiHzodi4UyFlWHpitjkME7D21RiD4B573F5zNQ1-hspOxKYsnoOub75Y0jlFfrBZR_hXcQRRBQ/s1600/Cassidy_4x6Astut_1358.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJd8-a4AWwYLDRhm19xPVOoZMtBVWCBsGYJXW0IrS2_7RIUWcJlMEbRYXNiBCbWyhZgtiHzodi4UyFlWHpitjkME7D21RiD4B573F5zNQ1-hspOxKYsnoOub75Y0jlFfrBZR_hXcQRRBQ/s400/Cassidy_4x6Astut_1358.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473463587521280066" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Well, guess who was lucky enough to shoot big brother and expectant mommy?<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pmXGya1PEGNTmP7Ftc6rCqDrABCVH-cw2noKJnxf6jtaDs7uJ79OZTGZXVBdOvZP_-D3pqLpHKQ8W4mnmNsBytswyqFt0pIoKrpdpq8ZQJ9HCAAH9KgvsSSLFRf5G6_PkAM5K9_q700x/s1600/2005-V2-4x6-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pmXGya1PEGNTmP7Ftc6rCqDrABCVH-cw2noKJnxf6jtaDs7uJ79OZTGZXVBdOvZP_-D3pqLpHKQ8W4mnmNsBytswyqFt0pIoKrpdpq8ZQJ9HCAAH9KgvsSSLFRf5G6_PkAM5K9_q700x/s400/2005-V2-4x6-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473464119146143394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Yep, me!<br />To see MORE and BIGGER photos from this shoot, click <a href="http://tracilordphotography.blogspot.com/">here</a>.<br />Or, you could even follow me over at:<br /><a href="http://tracilordphotography.blogspot.com/">http://tracilordphotography.blogspot.com/</a><br />(<span style="font-style: italic;">That would really make my day!)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Thank you M Family for the opportunity to do a family portrait!<br />I look forward to meeting your newest little one in a few weeks!</span><br /></span></span></span></div>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-25397720462080026072010-05-16T20:17:00.004-04:002010-05-16T20:25:44.743-04:00Mosaic Monday - Pink & Green<div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5m3vxY9XIqJqS479JQum0570FL7BFp1U73LFJraxQQPM01UU20fh7MDw2xoOWg_QralPJTTe1V6YjQOnYvthMxKDLB1SMQ6-D9B94ccBX3oixIgCfGuvHrfIz7vgXCkut2SwB7fHWvPh/s1600/pink&greenmosaic-W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5m3vxY9XIqJqS479JQum0570FL7BFp1U73LFJraxQQPM01UU20fh7MDw2xoOWg_QralPJTTe1V6YjQOnYvthMxKDLB1SMQ6-D9B94ccBX3oixIgCfGuvHrfIz7vgXCkut2SwB7fHWvPh/s400/pink&greenmosaic-W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472026648557288978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Linking up over at Mary's <a href="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/">Little Red House</a><br />for Mosaic Monday.<br />Be sure to check out all the other lovely linker's mosaics!<br />From my garden: (top left going clockwise)<br />Matilda Gutges (hydrangea), Oakleaf Hydrangea,<br />peony and Geisha hosta.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by!<br />I also welcome all visitors to my photography site - <a href="http://tracilordphotography.blogspot.com/">here</a>!<br /><br /></span></span></div>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-68990235105840888952010-05-13T13:42:00.005-04:002010-05-13T22:17:52.965-04:00Excuse Note<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Dear Friends,<br /> Please excuse Traci's absence from Bloggerland as she has been working in the gardens morning, noon and night.<br /> I, myself, have tried to be patient with her, but then she went and had <span style="font-weight: bold;">THIS </span>done to me.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLroMT3e4Z4KanyjjHUNsIUvWTnQR_mk-5pAUg1hEKILcTK2axbMbJoFtFy-QCgFHGyYiTzuuObkEIE1amk5crC1Vbiqr4j8Yiq8PKhwrJfZhQdq7KCmR5L6V-F96dGFPAWCrQYAjrVDB/s1600/Ella+-+summer+2010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLroMT3e4Z4KanyjjHUNsIUvWTnQR_mk-5pAUg1hEKILcTK2axbMbJoFtFy-QCgFHGyYiTzuuObkEIE1amk5crC1Vbiqr4j8Yiq8PKhwrJfZhQdq7KCmR5L6V-F96dGFPAWCrQYAjrVDB/s400/Ella+-+summer+2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470813511123619282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">The words "summer cut" are forever ingrained in this canine brain of mine.<br /> I did hear her babbling on to herself about gardening, hydrangea and photo shoot posts, but I don't know if the "moo-nure" is getting to her.<br /> Please be sure to come back. Soon it will be sweltering outside and then Traci will be right back where she belongs...giving me belly rubs and biscuits.<br /><br /> Your Faithful Friend,<br /> Ella<br /></span></span>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-42835124188592836212010-05-03T20:24:00.011-04:002010-05-04T08:53:27.548-04:00Fabulous Photoshop!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">I have to admit that a lot of work (for me) goes into making a photograph. Before this whole digital world, I shot with a SLR and film - for <span style="font-style: italic;">twenty years</span>. (Feel free to think, "Gee she must've started taking pictures when she was 10 years-old." I love starting the the day off in denial!) So shooting photos was a lot of trial and error. I got photos back and had to learn from my mistakes <span style="font-style: italic;">after</span> the fact.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Now with my digital SLR and photoshop, I can go from this:</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMfDFdzFT-XRXCWaq_5NUQhCRNbD-0xpX_4_ewiE1D5cNGiWplhpjY0uIaa2gtnmxPo7d6ZBo_NDqCJAoVZJbZecGLE4skZh3zNCdpajdXniwq6mBVQUrJyuLaEUTXcfVLIm5Cnzoz2eh/s1600/2074-SOOC.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMfDFdzFT-XRXCWaq_5NUQhCRNbD-0xpX_4_ewiE1D5cNGiWplhpjY0uIaa2gtnmxPo7d6ZBo_NDqCJAoVZJbZecGLE4skZh3zNCdpajdXniwq6mBVQUrJyuLaEUTXcfVLIm5Cnzoz2eh/s400/2074-SOOC.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467391837070138370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-style: italic;">(not too bad)</span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">to this:</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIF9NlsTKsYuQVnAmRtb9ebjipxLz7yWleIJv3QJbLpxDDxydaaf2k7QMpEZRPwbbCT6v7XtVbU4HLXHhVqfA-iyIaH84GelFOpl9NWoNziVwJESL1IPPuEyZWVbcTrnh-rBd02BP-7wBG/s1600/2074-web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIF9NlsTKsYuQVnAmRtb9ebjipxLz7yWleIJv3QJbLpxDDxydaaf2k7QMpEZRPwbbCT6v7XtVbU4HLXHhVqfA-iyIaH84GelFOpl9NWoNziVwJESL1IPPuEyZWVbcTrnh-rBd02BP-7wBG/s400/2074-web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467391637924356850" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Our wonderful, cute, stinker-boy, Godson goes from this:</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbhJJ1DaorVfVO36Hoz-urm_soFpDVSaoMN9MqLnzELCL25Be4Xhu8e6JXo38-XYsk9eG13gfEOjYLEFkVL3uWalzFy5rRPIQRiEc_pWDOzU2j1TZqsbuxDH5EeBRKtory3TAp3uK29YX/s1600/1937-SOOC.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbhJJ1DaorVfVO36Hoz-urm_soFpDVSaoMN9MqLnzELCL25Be4Xhu8e6JXo38-XYsk9eG13gfEOjYLEFkVL3uWalzFy5rRPIQRiEc_pWDOzU2j1TZqsbuxDH5EeBRKtory3TAp3uK29YX/s400/1937-SOOC.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467392643608197362" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">to this:</span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6UjaUsgZxxTqeiCttULl5mK4U8x45meVEBJ4x-thZC2yguVXTaycpe6R-yTdJdTGbln5eFzCpbYwlvkgwOfz6No22vjXw2USAsPG3tjH16f0lR9q3owFomDJBcNB0vXnbtXzZtYpI6AB/s1600/1937-4x6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6UjaUsgZxxTqeiCttULl5mK4U8x45meVEBJ4x-thZC2yguVXTaycpe6R-yTdJdTGbln5eFzCpbYwlvkgwOfz6No22vjXw2USAsPG3tjH16f0lR9q3owFomDJBcNB0vXnbtXzZtYpI6AB/s400/1937-4x6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467391377765518850" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">or even this:</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXagJQ7TWIL4Yl0Bd1VnZhUrknxwwqMolEFE7ygeNoOgOOhhjDsiP0ZAv78xzfmf_L-PKupdujK82bg9g8D-HjxMLPYLjDIoWly7yZII68Jr7yqGSUvQqzjGQrntalsdqA-Hs9ubPfN0Rj/s1600/1937-4x6-SW.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXagJQ7TWIL4Yl0Bd1VnZhUrknxwwqMolEFE7ygeNoOgOOhhjDsiP0ZAv78xzfmf_L-PKupdujK82bg9g8D-HjxMLPYLjDIoWly7yZII68Jr7yqGSUvQqzjGQrntalsdqA-Hs9ubPfN0Rj/s400/1937-4x6-SW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467391210182734962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Doesn't that make a world of difference? </span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">So while it may take some extra time processing my own photographs, the time is well spent. I've had to learn to embrace this technical & digital world. It hasn't been the easiest transition, but how can I argue with the results?<br />I still believe though that even without this technology, anyone can become a better photographer by learning about the basics: lighting, composition, textures, patterns, etc. Do any of these topics interest you? Let me know!<br /><br />If you have time, please visit <a href="http://lensustogether.blogspot.com/">Lens Us Together</a>. I am hosting the theme this week and it is "Prepared". See what my peonies have to do with my theme!<br /><br />As always, thank you for stopping by. Your kind comments and encouragement are greatly appreciated!<br /></span></span>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-39641784711850224692010-04-25T23:06:00.004-04:002010-04-25T23:23:54.471-04:00Green & White Mosaic<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjPC2U17H_-j9tKBL914WEMaSgma2YKvooxZrW2P0QQyQQx-6i-7YIIP1f5xRmxkU1_tmmNLH9DMc4FfRWz7wUu5oTzW8BoKRvOFdnoBV-7znwxe8RrplexfFvsZza0SQsDkSCoQH9WSZ/s1600/Green+%26+White+Mosaic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjPC2U17H_-j9tKBL914WEMaSgma2YKvooxZrW2P0QQyQQx-6i-7YIIP1f5xRmxkU1_tmmNLH9DMc4FfRWz7wUu5oTzW8BoKRvOFdnoBV-7znwxe8RrplexfFvsZza0SQsDkSCoQH9WSZ/s400/Green+%26+White+Mosaic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464281292177008082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Taking part in <a href="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/">Mary's Mosaic Monday</a> again. Be sure to check out the other fab mosaics via her Mr. Linky.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"></span></span> The viburnum and clover are mine, the tulips and dogwood courtesy of my neighbor, Caroline.<br />Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!<br /><br /></span></span>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-10936881152829549032010-04-24T21:21:00.004-04:002010-04-24T22:27:17.022-04:00Lears - Part I<span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It took a day of stormy weather to tear me apart from my mulching/weeding/gardening. I figure I'm down to about 30 bags (from 200) of mulch left and much of my body was screaming for a break. Not to mention, how positively awful I was feeling for not working on my dear friends' family portraits before now.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZGkYyhSTqgYPqJot0LVqgzFCnbsRa-XLOQX9ilUlkYaPkdqyIxgbj3D21-WKrOd_888GtlbRHSOq0H08vGawBSZ27Z-bOVuMxWWwM70UhyphenhyphenmTQxGqcBJ6-T0TSAy8rSySl_1nVbEP4VJZ/s1600/1615-4x6-family.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZGkYyhSTqgYPqJot0LVqgzFCnbsRa-XLOQX9ilUlkYaPkdqyIxgbj3D21-WKrOd_888GtlbRHSOq0H08vGawBSZ27Z-bOVuMxWWwM70UhyphenhyphenmTQxGqcBJ6-T0TSAy8rSySl_1nVbEP4VJZ/s400/1615-4x6-family.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463880759222887538" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">You can see more photos of this wonderful family and larger versions from our shoot <a href="http://tracilordphotography.blogspot.com/">here</a>.<br /></span></span>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-84666735174711190692010-04-20T13:46:00.004-04:002010-04-20T14:05:50.595-04:00I Can Tell It's Spring...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204); font-family: trebuchet ms;">my house is dustier than usual,</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">the kids beg to be outside every day after school and<br />the only thing my neighbors have seen of me is my fanny<br />due to weeding and mulch-spreading.<br />And then there's this:<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsU7bSDGL6C6T_CFTXCcod5dP_GFm0dyXDcCe3hcQpUVnLkwjVtizgreoc7D1HBcFP-GedJHRWg2CnpaCPk77SpI0G5XBBx86Ek9N5iGSoNWlwIoJnglgxPbeXtE9ZeFN3U5gpNc1fwVH/s1600/LilyoftheValley.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsU7bSDGL6C6T_CFTXCcod5dP_GFm0dyXDcCe3hcQpUVnLkwjVtizgreoc7D1HBcFP-GedJHRWg2CnpaCPk77SpI0G5XBBx86Ek9N5iGSoNWlwIoJnglgxPbeXtE9ZeFN3U5gpNc1fwVH/s400/LilyoftheValley.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462282068607019122" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">I planted these Lily of the Valley plants <span style="font-style: italic;">years ago.</span><br />This is the first year one has bloomed.<br /><br />My new blog is more for my photography and less blabbing.<br />You can click <a href="http://tracilordphotography.blogspot.com/">here</a> or at the top of this blog there is a link.<br />(But don't Google Traci Lord - that's a whole other kind of photography!)<br /><br />Happy Spring, blogging friends!<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"></span></span></div>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-89895239008087541682010-04-04T22:16:00.004-04:002010-04-04T22:24:53.255-04:00Dog Park Mosaic<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiz0bOjYcKVm5iZHSt4F02Xv8rE4zWgsZSuVYBqB5AGswt2JkwAF_TXu5ndOfidApyrTc0KnOG3HxtqbSnrWD33zpAM205Fr2ZT6_uDowhw3Rrd9VxNP0k-7pV8wy94hnmK_xBEgFJ44Bs/s1600/DogParkMosaic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiz0bOjYcKVm5iZHSt4F02Xv8rE4zWgsZSuVYBqB5AGswt2JkwAF_TXu5ndOfidApyrTc0KnOG3HxtqbSnrWD33zpAM205Fr2ZT6_uDowhw3Rrd9VxNP0k-7pV8wy94hnmK_xBEgFJ44Bs/s400/DogParkMosaic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456473183177530354" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Linking up again at Mary's for her Mosaic Monday, found <a href="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/">here</a>. I should mention my fabulous models are from top to bottom: Roady (or Rhodey?), Miles and Ella. Ella is mine, if you are new here and I love her as though I birthed her myself. (Really, I should be ashamed, but I'm not.)<br /><br />Thanks to all the kind comments and visits last week! I love looking at everyone's mosaics - it's a great way to start the week!<br />Hope everyone had a Happy Easter and thanks so much for visiting.<br /></span></span>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799365158338945376.post-34375305604559909542010-04-01T21:33:00.007-04:002010-04-01T22:52:50.329-04:00Spring Decor - Part II<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKOM5AvdegHQSiVKnhVBxs-vYWtHIWqNGwzfFCdfyULHr7vx9lcRdC12CVopmH5maKTiexP34HoYcbzgrz3P2numCRfnAyTe6jLw-9aigptD90TMKYlf2Mb9Eur-xuRYb4MjM1YSXVx7z/s1600/Lbookshelves.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKOM5AvdegHQSiVKnhVBxs-vYWtHIWqNGwzfFCdfyULHr7vx9lcRdC12CVopmH5maKTiexP34HoYcbzgrz3P2numCRfnAyTe6jLw-9aigptD90TMKYlf2Mb9Eur-xuRYb4MjM1YSXVx7z/s400/Lbookshelves.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455366862933984914" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-style: italic;">click on any image to enlarge<br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Built-in shelves flank our fireplace since this house was built. We've lived in this house for 13 years and many of those years these shelves have been one hot mess! Only recently have I been enlightened by my good friend, Amanda, that you don't just pile up all your crap up there and call it a day. Who knew?</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtH8SmRkKR3x2eO8Bn231HMd1ewsr4d4QrCDmoBRbbteWXKthvgfEIvdBzBmmN4zLFJ5Es2Tf7WMhTQLTerg5mIZfMHcYk9gFqWQePFMIJNBHSsgOpQPVQ7ZP17-BBPbU4TTdUdf9Hf0x/s1600/Rbookshelves.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtH8SmRkKR3x2eO8Bn231HMd1ewsr4d4QrCDmoBRbbteWXKthvgfEIvdBzBmmN4zLFJ5Es2Tf7WMhTQLTerg5mIZfMHcYk9gFqWQePFMIJNBHSsgOpQPVQ7ZP17-BBPbU4TTdUdf9Hf0x/s400/Rbookshelves.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455366599464245138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">I always knew I liked how <span style="font-style: italic;">other </span>people arranged their schtuff, but had no idea of the thought process which went into it. So, I scoured catalogs and the internet in search of some guidelines. These are some pointers I took note of.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br /></span></span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >OBJECTS<br />Keep "heavy" objects on the lower shelves. (Heavy can be weight or bulkiness.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Like items make more of an impression when grouped together. (Especially if they're small.)<br /><br />Use "greens" as a place for your eye to rest. (My greens are dried or fake.)</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><br />Vary textures, shapes and colors to keep the eye moving from top to bottom.<br />For a more subtle effect, vary the textures and shapes, but keep everything in the same color.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtflO9cbvL-Itw4vDI3O-CKqsnwi_df9eibAmomI2Zxdh_it5vu3n4KzzD6jT7QtyrHgwttFJdMK5s7T1Xt1nQmgD-Kh51KszyQc3e8xZ9QrVHqzc1mcS4iULMEm4dLHviazHUc9sZtBH/s1600/pressman+camera.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtflO9cbvL-Itw4vDI3O-CKqsnwi_df9eibAmomI2Zxdh_it5vu3n4KzzD6jT7QtyrHgwttFJdMK5s7T1Xt1nQmgD-Kh51KszyQc3e8xZ9QrVHqzc1mcS4iULMEm4dLHviazHUc9sZtBH/s400/pressman+camera.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455366277308912786" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Use items which have special meaning to you. (This Pressman camera was given to me by my father-in-law and is a real treasure to me.)</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><br />SPACING<br /></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Place objects on shelves in <span style="font-style: italic;">layers. </span>(I'm a major offender of this "rule" - I used to line up my items like soldiers in one row.)<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Leave some open space on each shelf. (About 10%)</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><br />BOOKS<br />Sort books by color rather than subject. (This works well if you don't have a ton of books.)<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Stand books vertically and stack horizontally. Large books make a great stand to elevate a piece. (plates, pictures, etc.)</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwOoDgdZqlam2LUrqlZjcVKTFycxrT79AWtZ_cHe5aTHE7RzzxEBVxW6UOR8BbVBAlfO0m9-RPOtlvf-jed4GTYfuqLQk5IUFkJGrcCdVggGH5DxAIQouWFH9YyNW6J2Pz3UMJUOvm2yL/s1600/hyde&frame.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwOoDgdZqlam2LUrqlZjcVKTFycxrT79AWtZ_cHe5aTHE7RzzxEBVxW6UOR8BbVBAlfO0m9-RPOtlvf-jed4GTYfuqLQk5IUFkJGrcCdVggGH5DxAIQouWFH9YyNW6J2Pz3UMJUOvm2yL/s400/hyde&frame.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455365895927858338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Exclude paperbacks and remove dust jackets from hardcovers.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkemDQ-Ca23_0WeIGTEDkBYCF7Dx4XWuvovdWvHc4DmPA18S9BO93zBub9wUZLUjKTDkcRGSQoSt2qyVd2Tw6jTNLjYMsFhtMnbeN_zG49DzLmD3l_WLKpHo6wuUY_8TjUd5EIS1bx5pO/s1600/cloche&cake+stand.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkemDQ-Ca23_0WeIGTEDkBYCF7Dx4XWuvovdWvHc4DmPA18S9BO93zBub9wUZLUjKTDkcRGSQoSt2qyVd2Tw6jTNLjYMsFhtMnbeN_zG49DzLmD3l_WLKpHo6wuUY_8TjUd5EIS1bx5pO/s400/cloche&cake+stand.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455365536980755154" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">I don't know that I've followed all the "rules', but I do know my shelves look a whole lot better. Before, I had a ton of framed pictures on my shelves and now the pictures I've selected have special meaning and can get the proper attention they deserve.<br /><br />What rules do you follow or break when decorating your shelves?<br />Thanks for visiting and Happy Easter, friends!</span></span></span>Tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484258598468572229noreply@blogger.com5