A Gift from my Sister-in-Law, December 29-30, 2013

My sister-in-law gave me an Amaryllis Bulb Kit for Christmas.
The kit included a very pretty pot, potting mix, and a huge bulb.
Hopefully in a few weeks, I'll have blooms to show for Macro Monday!

Happy New Year!

For more macro photos, visit Macro Monday 2: Click Here!

New Onions From Old, December 27, 2013

Every Friday is Sky Watch Friday, but it is only on the fourth Friday of each month
that gardeners around the world post their photos for Salad Days at Veg Plotting.

Sky Watch Friday

Sunset, Fulton, Mississippi, USA, Monday, December 23, 2013

We had 2 inches of rain last week-end, but sunny skies returned on Monday.

December 2013 Salad Day

Sprouted and beginning to rot

What do you do when you find the onions in your kitchen are sprouting and beginning to rot?
Don't throw them out!

Trim off the rotting part

Trim the onions, being careful to leave the green tops and the root intact.

Planted in the garden

Plant them in your garden.
I like to use these large tubs for gardening in cold weather.
They are easy to cover to protect plants from frost.

Harvest

In a couple of months, new onions from old!
Note: I do not have any salad ingredients growing now. These photos are from earlier in the year.

Have a wonderful week-end!

To check out the weather around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

If you enjoy salads, visit Salad Days at Veg Plotting: Click Here!

Merry Christmas! December 24, 2013

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11

Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year!

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Rainy Week-End in Forecast, December 20, 2013

Prentiss county, MS, USA, Thursday, December 19, 2013

Clouds were moving fast from southwest to northeast yesterday.
Thankfully it will be rain only as our temperatures are well above freezing this week-end.

Happy Sky Watch Friday!

To see skies from around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, December 2013

Northeast Mississippi, USA, Zone 7

It is not easy to bloom in freezing weather, but my Pansies are putting forth their best efforts.

Blooms are smaller than usual

Heads are bowed down against the cold wind.

They just need a little warmth to open

Straight Out of the Camera, December 13, 2013

Today's weather forecast: Sunny 42F. Tonight: Clear skies, frost 29F.

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

To see what's blooming around the world, visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens: Click Here!

For more SOOC photos, visit Straight-out-of-the-Camera Sunday: Click Here!

A U-Turn in the Sky, December 13, 2013

December 11, 2013, Lee county, Mississippi, USA

After five days of a cold, drizzling rain, we are rejoicing in sunny skies.
Evergreen trees, hardly noticed in Summer, are really appreciated now that Winter is here.

December 12, 2013, Prentiss county, Mississippi, USA

Despite the cold and rain, there are still a few colorful leaves holding on to the pear tree.

Have a beautiful week-end!

To check out the weather from around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

If you like the color ORANGE, visit Orange You Glad It's Friday: Click Here!

Thanksgiving Cactus, December 7, 2013

First Bloom, December 6, 2013, Straight out of the Camera

This is either a Thanksgiving Cactus that is late to bloom, or a Christmas Cactus that is early.
Either way, it is lovely to have it blooming in my kitchen in the Winter.

Hope you are having a beautiful day!

For more flower photos, visit Today's Flowers: Click Here!

To see the best photos of the week, visit Weekly Top Shot: Click Here!

For more SOOC photos, visit Straight-Out-of-the-Camera Sunday: Click Here!

December Sky, December 5-6, 2013

Thursday morning, December 5, 2013

A winter storm is moving in. Hopefully it will bring a cold rain only and not ice and snow.
The green in the field is probably the wildflower-weed Henbit.
We often see it in the fields after the crops are harvested.

Hope you have a happy and safe week-end!

To check out the weather around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

Ornamental Pear Tree, December 1-2, 2013

Straight Out of the Camera, November 20, 2013

Ornamental Pear Trees are grown for their pleasing shape and vibrant green leaves in Spring and Summer. In the Autumn the leaves change to yellow, orange and red. The tree produces tiny fruit that is enjoyed by birds and other wildlife.

Have a Wonderful Week!

For more Straight Out of the Camera photos: Click Here!

For more macro photos, visit Macro Monday 2: Click Here!

For more photos featuring the color Yellow, visit Monday Mellow Yellows: Click Here!

Late Purple Aster, November 26-27, 2013

Wildflower Wednesday

I think this is Late Purple Aster, Symphyotrichum patens

Late Purple Aster is native to the eastern United States, growing in zones 4 through 8.
Sometimes called Spreading Aster, it blooms from August until the end of October.

On the Natchez Trace Parkway near Cherokee, Alabama, October 20, 2013.

The small flowers consist of a yellow center surrounded by 15 to 25 purple florets.

Blooms are on short side stems that arise where the leaves clasp the stem.

Late Purple Asters grow in full sun or part shade, and provide late-season nectar for butterflies.

Outdoor Wednesday

Driving through Tennessee on October 30

We have had exceptionally beautiful Autumn color this year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

For more wildflowers, visit Gail at Clay and Limestone: Click Here!

For more outdoor photos, visit Outdoor Wednesday: Click Here!

Sunny Days and Frosty Nights, November 22, 2013

Pecan Tree

This week has been sunny, but with a cold wind blowing.
And on several nights we had below freezing temperatures.

Spirea

Many trees have lost their leaves, but a few plants are still holding on to their Autumn colors.

Limestone Bibb Lettuce

Just two words on growing lettuce in the Autumn: Mulch and Cover.
Lettuce does grow much slower in Autumn than in Spring, but it is good to have something still growing in the garden in November.

Have a Wonderful Week-end!

To check the weather around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

If you like the color ORANGE, visit Orange You Glad It's Friday: Click Here!

To see what gardeners are growing, visit Veg Plotting for Salad Days: Click Here!

The Biggest Art Show, November 19-20, 2013

Outdoor Wednesday and ABC Wednesday
S is for the Sky

Monday evening, Monroe county, Mississippi, USA

The sky is the biggest and best art show - constantly changing, never two views the same.
The Heavens declare the glory of the Lord!

Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

For more Outdoor photos, visit Outdoor Wednesday: Click Here!

For more 'S' photos, visit ABC Wednesday: Click here!

A Frozen Bloom Day, November 15, 2013

Here in the northeastern corner of Mississippi, we have had two nights of below freezing temperatures. It was 27F on Tuesday night and 26F on Wednesday night.
These photos were made yesterday (Thursday morning).

Butterflyweed

The Butterflyweed, Asclepias tuberosa, produced an amazing number of seeds in late Summer.
I am hoping to have a lot more plants next year, though I think it will take several years for them
to be old enough to bloom.

French Marigold, beautiful even with deadly frost

The Marigolds have been steady bloomers for months.
I will certainly plant them again in the Spring.

Pansies

Pansies are hardy here in the middle of Zone 7. You can expect to see their smiling faces for the December Bloom Day (unless they are covered with snow).

'Little Marvel' Peas

The seed packet says these garden peas are hardy to 20F. The weather forecast for the next few weeks is for milder temperatures, so maybe I will get a harvest.

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

To see what is blooming around the world, visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens: Click Here!


For photos featuring the color ORANGE, visit Orange You Glad It's Friday: Click Here!

Autumn Reflections, November 12-13, 2013

Outdoor Wednesday and ABC Wednesday
R is for Reflections

This small pond is on the Natchez Trace Parkway near Tupelo, Mississippi, USA

Hope you are having a beautiful day!

For more outdoor photos, visit Outdoor Wednesday: Click here!

For more 'R' photos, visit ABC Wednesday: Click Here!

Butterflyweed in November, November 10-11, 2013

November 1, 2013, Straight out of the camera

I was very surprised when the Butterflyweed, Asclepias tuberosa, began to bloom again.
I wonder how it will fare when our temperatures go below freezing on Tuesday night.

Have a wonderful week!

For more SOOC photos, visit Straight Out Of the Camera: Click Here!

For more macro photos, visit Macro Monday 2: Click Here!

For photos with a little, or a lot, of yellow, visit Monday Mellow Yellows: Click Here!

A Carpet of Leaves, November 8, 2013

November 1, 2013

Last Friday we had beautiful blue skies and glorious color in the trees.

November 7, 2013

The same tree after Wednesday's wind and rain.

Now we have a crunchy carpet of leaves underfoot.

Have a wonderful week-end!

To see skies from around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

To visit Orange You Glad It's Friday: Click Here!

Quick Pear Tart, November 5-6, 2013

ABC Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

ABC Wednesday

Q is for Quick Pear Tart

Quick Pear Tart

This my adaptation of a recipe I found on the Taste of Home Recipes website.
Click Here for Original Recipe

Quick Pear Tart

1 Store-bought un-cooked refrigerated pie crust
1/2 Cup sugar plus an additional teaspoon of sugar
2 Tablespoons flour
3 Cups peeled and sliced pears
2 Tablespoons sliced almonds
Honey or maple syrup, optional

Place pie crust in a 9 inch pie pan
Mix together the 1/2 cup sugar and the flour
Add sliced pears and stir to coat well
Place pear mixture in pie crust
Fold edges of pie crust up over the pears, leaving the center open
Sprinkle with the additional teaspoon of sugar
Bake at 400F for 25 to 30 minutes or until pastry is lightly browned
Sprinkle with sliced almonds and return to oven for 5 more minutes
Cool on wire rack. Can be served warm or cold.
Optional: Drizzle each serving with honey or maple syrup

Outdoor Wednesday

Okra bloom, November 1, 2013

Though we have had frost, the okra is attempting to produce a few more pods.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

For more 'Q' photos, visit ABC Wednesday: Click Here!

If you enjoy outdoor photography, visit Outdoor Wednesday: Click Here!

Monarch Butterfly November 2, 2013

Monarch on Butterfly Bush, Straight Out of the Camera

October 26, 2013

This is the only Monarch I've seen this year
It stayed only a few hours before going on farther south.

Hope you are having a beautiful day!

For more SOOC, visit Straight Out of the Camera Sunday: Click Here!

For the best photos of the week, visit Weekly Top Shots: Click Here!

McAlpine Lake, November 1, 2013

McAlpine Lake, Amory, Mississippi, USA, Monday, October 28, 2013

The trees are beginning to get their Autumn colors here in north Mississippi.

Cypress Trees

Zooming in on the trees, I think they are Bald Cypress, Taxodium distichum. The term 'bald' refers to the shedding of their leaves. They are bald until new leaves grow in the Spring. They are common in wetland areas of the southeastern United States and inland along the Mississippi
and Ohio Rivers.

As for this week's weather, Monday, as you can see, was a pretty, sunny day. By mid-week we were under mostly cloudy skies, and Thursday was windy with rain all day.

Have a Wonderful Week-end!

To check out the WEATHER from around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

If you like the color ORANGE, visit Orange You Glad It's Friday: Click Here!

And for more photos featuring REFLECTIONS, visit Week-end Reflections: Click Here!

Outdoor Wednesday and ABC Wednesday, October 29-30, 2013

ABC Wednesday

P is for Pear Tree

Pear Tree in the Spring

Pear Tree in the Autumn

Largest one this year - 1 lb 9 oz. - about 710 kg - CORRECTION: That is 710g
Most of our pears are about one-third this size.

If you have an easy recipe using pears, I would be very happy to have it.

Outdoor Wednesday

A visitor on my Butterfly Bush October 26, 2013

I think this is the Gulf Fritillary Butterfly, Agraulis vanillae.

Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

For more 'P' photos, visit ABC Wednesday: Click Here!

If you enjoy outdoor photos, visit Outdoor Wednesday: Click Here!

Hibiscus, October 27, 2013

Photographed at our favorite Mexican Restaurant in Amory, Mississippi, October 21, 2013, SOOC

Hope you are having a beautiful day!

For more SOOC photos, visit Straight-Out-Of-the-Camera: Click Here!

For more photos featuring shadows, visit Shadow Shot Sunday 2: Click here!

And on Monday, visit Monday Mellow Yellows: Click Here!

October Salad Days, October 26, 2013

'Grand Rapids' Lettuce, October 5, 2013

'Grand Rapids' Lettuce seeds were sown the last week in August
First harvest was October 5th, very near the '45 days to maturity' promised on the seed packet.
Now the weather is getting much colder, I'm covering the plants at night.

'Limestone Bibb' Lettuce, October 26, 2013

The first sowing of this lettuce failed to germinate, probably because the weather was still too hot.
'Limestone Bibb' Lettuces sown again on September 18. They are growing very slowly.

'Fooled You' mild Jalapeno Pepper, October 26, 2013

I've been covering the pepper plants at night hoping to coax a few more to get to eating size.
The rest of my garden (beans, tomatoes, okra) is finished. I'm already planning for next year!

First Frost, October 26, 2013

The view this morning at breakfast - first frost!
The field in the background is Soy Beans ready for harvest.

Have a beautiful day!

To be inspired to grow your own salad ingredients, visit Veg Plotting: Click Here!

Looking for Autumn Color, October 25, 2013

Wayne county, Tennessee, USA, October 23, 2013

On Wednesday, we drove north to see if the trees were putting on their Autumn colors.
It was a beautiful sunny day. Most trees were still wearing their Summer green.
It looks like I'll have to be content photographing individual leaves for awhile longer.

I think this is Poison Sumac, Toxicodendron vernix
There is a non-poisonous Sumac, but I'm not going to touch it to find out which is which!

Have a Wonderful Week-end!

To see skies from around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

If you like the color ORANGE, visit Orange You Glad It's Friday: Click Here!