Flowering Maple

There's a new plant in town. Or, at least, in my porch. It's new to me, but maybe it's old hat to you. It's got me mesmerized.

I bought one in white and one in pink.

The blooms are very poppy-like: large, wispy, delicate, papery.

It is a flowering maple.
It comes in several colors. I'm told it makes a good houseplant.

Here's the tag. I googled it to learn more. It's a perennial in zone 8. HA. I'm in zone 3b. I can use it as an annual.

It's light, airy, and tropical in appearance.

I just might like the buds more than the opened bloom.

The leaves have grabbed my attention as well. Looks like a maple tree.

It's still sitting in its 4" pot waiting to be planted and has surprised me with its growth.

I can't decide whether to plant it alone or in a mixed pot? On my front step or on my patio? Outside or use it as an indoor houseplant right out of the shoot? Decisions...

I do know I love those buds. Aren't they sweet?

The more buds the better. Cute!

It looks like this bud is ready to bite into that leaf. Okay, the rain is making me crazy. I need to plant my flowers instead of blogging about them in their plastic containers. Aaaaack.

For more floral enjoyment, check out my cousin Kristi's blog, which showcases the flowers she's recently planted. It'll cheer you right up! http://ohfercute.blogspot.com/2011/05/garden-tour-continues.html.

Have a great long weekend!

Rain Rain Go Away...

...I guess I'll make some soup. Chicken Tortilla soup, to be exact (with homemade croutons). I like to try new recipes and found this one called Amazing Chicken Tortilla Soup on recipezaar.com. I left out the jalapeno & green pepper mainly because I didn't have either on hand, but also because my kids are happier that way.

Speaking of kids, there are only two of them home this evening and I felt like being extra nice. They are watching a movie (Inception) with their father and I decided to deliver their meals to them on trays.
Are you curious why the peanut butter/jelly toast? When I was little my mom would serve peanut butter toast alongside her hamburger/tomato goulash or her homemade chili. I don't know why, but to her they went together. I don't always do this, but tonight I did.

Mmmm.... blueberries in your own little dish.

Meals have been scarce around here for the past few days. It feels good to serve them tonight.

In fact, I think I'll make some hot chocolate at the end of their meal. That will bring a smile or two.
Ashley
Ethan
Okay, the close up did Ethan in. No more photos. It's been a good day. The moral of the story is: when rain ruins your plans of yard work & planting: make soup.

Still in the Porch

Here you go: another quick post focusing on my front porch and the contents within (stop rolling your eyes). Above you see a hanging basket of calibrochoa (million bells). I will take it out of the plastic container and put it in something else and add more soil. I love this flower, but it tends to dry out unless I baby it.

Dahlias... I think I'll plant a mix of yellow, orange & red in the tall red pot at the bottom of my front steps. That is, when it's warm enough. Hurry, hurry hurry.

My bench is pretty packed now. Yes, Claire, that's your book club book and I see you must have picked it up today. You're going to love the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (yes, I had to grab my book to copy the title because I cannot memorize it. Never will).

Rocking chair is loaded down with blooms. There will be no rocking.

Floor space is limited. Step carefully.

The 7 day forecast says we should have sunshine and 70* weather for the next week. Hope.

I did leave a path so we can shimmy in and out the front door, in case you're wondering.

In other news, we have violas (or johnny jump ups as my Grandma Lucy would say) growing at random in our backyard. I mowed some of the grass for the first time today, but couldn't mow these down. Yes, our grass looks funny now.

Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and let me plant a few pots and unload my porch. In the meantime, I have daycare moms trying to shop on their way out. :o) It's fun to share the color.

Flooded w/ Flowers

The flowers in my front porch are multiplying like rabbits. It's the same problem I have with paperwork/mail that tends to collect on my kitchen island.

I've been having fun perusing local greenhouses... can you tell? I need to stay home for a week or so. It's way too early to plant in Northern Minnesota. Brrr!

Got pink cosmos? Check.

Got white? Check.

At least one gerbera daisy plant? Check.

A few non-stop begonias? Check.

Dahlias in several colors? Check.

My front porch is flooded w/color and I can't wait to get it all into pots or in the ground.

Ahh spring. I love this time of year. I load up on healthy looking plants that I enjoy and then dig out my pots and let the creativity begin. I feel like a painter, organizing colors and textures.

This big beauty completely shocked me by blooming today. It's a yellow hibiscus that I stored inside over the winter.

Spring is a time to pay attention to your senses: listen to the bird's song, feel the warm sun & breeze on your skin, view the colorful flowers & green of the trees, taste a healthy meal and breathe in that earthy scent that is spring.

First Flower Finds of the Season

The pillow in my front porch says it all, especially the part about flowers being welcome in May. You're welcome, too, but only if you bring flower money.

Last weekend, the greenhouses in town opened. And, it was the perfect time to buy. I mean, it was super windy, raining, and around 20 degrees, but still. They were OPEN. Finally! Did you expect me to stay away? I only bought the two flats above.

Oh, and this little box of herbs. Herbs go fast, you know.

And, three Calliope Dark Red geraniums. Only three.

And, a few packets of sweet peas seeds. I have to plant them soon as they like cooler weather.

Pansies are such a happy spring flower. I always need a pot by my front door right away in the spring. I think I'll find a basket to stick them in this year.

Pretty color!

This bud's for you.

The real reason I bought so many pansies was to do a little flower project with my daycare kids today (and tomorrow).

You should see how excited they are to pick out and plant their own flower for their moms for mother's day. Yep, I have a big bag of miracle grow potting soil in my kitchen. Lovely.

To hear each little voice say "happy mother's day!" as they presented their mom with a flower was priceless. I love my job. And, I love that the greenhouses are open. It's time to shop. Happy May!