A Succulent Saturday

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of spending the day with my mother and my friend, Amy, hunting succulents of course!  We started it off with a Succulent Seminar hosted by one of our favorite nurseries, Shades of Green.  While it wasn't terribly informative for us, it was a lot of fun.  It really was a good seminar, I'm just a weirdo about knowing everything there is to know about things I'm interested in and Google a lot, but it was a good refresher.  I did learn that a Pencil Cactus is a Euphorbia...that was one I hadn't Googled yet, probably because that's one that I just "enjoy" killing.  Amy on the other hand is a genius with her Pencil Cactus, much to my dismay!  At Amy's urging, I'm going to put together some business cards.  We put my information on the back on one of her cards to give to a lady who is in search of Palmer Sedum, which is something I have in abundance.  It was really a neat experience, and we had ladies following us throughout the nursery to ask more questions.  I think I've found my calling, now if the money would follow, please!  I also picked up some good sized succulents to put in the mailbox since the Verbena died on me. 

From there, we stopped by the closest Home Depot to see what they had.  Let's just say that we left there with an equally nice haul.  Lunch was followed by a brief stop at the pool store.  Let me just say that I've gone to chlorine...the holistic system just isn't working with the San Antonio heat, algae anyone!

Our last stop was at another favorite local nursery that happens to be quite close, Rainbow Gardens.  I love this place because whether I go in fully done up or bare and a baseball hat, Glena recognizes me and we chat about our succulents.  Of course we left with more great finds.  One I was really excited about is the Echeveria harmsii 'Red Velvet',  this little lovely is one I had last year and lost in the heater incident.  It was funny, my mother says, "Mandy, look at this."  I walked over, and as I reached out for it replied, "Oh wow, you didn't want this did you, because I need this!"  It's a good thing she loves me!

We needed to come home after that.  We left at 9 a.m. and returned at 3 p.m., exhausted and sweaty, but not too much that we couldn't pose with our loot!

The trunk was loaded, two trays were in the back seat and my mother held a box on her lap on the way home.  I can't think of a better way to spend my first Saturday with nothing to do, except maybe to plant all this!  I had excellent self control, very unusual, and brought home the least amount.

I'll share individual pictures once I get them taken.  It was too dark to get good pictures by the time Amy and I got ours in pots.  My mother's have to make the road trip home before they get planted in permanent homes. 

Have a great day!
Mandy

Painting With A Twist

A few weeks ago, I went with my neighbor friend, Amy, to a Girl's Night to paint.  Considering that the only thing I've painted since possibly elementary school is a wall, I was a little nervous.  We were off to paint poppies and I warned her that mine would probably look like poppies on acid. 

We started off with blank canvases.

They walked us through the background.

Then they showed us how to make the poppies.  The instructors described them as "little cups of happiness" and then finished off with lips. 

Next came adding the poppy seeds, I think this might have been the funnest part for me.

The last steps were home highlighting, followed by the stems and leaves.

You can see below that no two looked the same in the group.

Our husbands were impressed when we got home.  Amy had gone at Christmas time and painted the Christmas Cactus that I shared here, but this was my first time and Bob was shocked that I actually did it myself without numbers! 

We had a great time and were of course, quite proud of ourselves!  My mother is visiting us before she takes the girls back to spend some time with her and my dad, and this is something we are going to try to do again while she's here.  Now to figure out where to hang it!

The Plant Fairy

Last week I ran into my neighbor down the street, and of course we started talking plants.  I didn't see much of her during the winter, and right before it got cold, she had given me several cuttings of different things.  Thanks to the heater mishap, I lost almost all except one of the plants she had given me.  She mentioned that she was going through her plants because her and her husband plan to travel a bit this summer in their new RV and asked if I wanted anything.  Of course!!  I told her I'd take anything that she wanted to get rid of.  I pulled in the driveway Thursday night and it looked like the Plant Fairy had made a stop at my house.  Oddly, I didn't think to take a picture of it all together, but here are some different shots of what she left. 

There's a huge Epiphylum oxypetalum 'Night Blooming Cereus' that Amy and I took apart tonight.  She's lovely like this, but needed a little attention and cleanup.  We can't wait for her to bloom, Amy's a bit more excited because she's had one that bloomed in the past.  Me, I'll be the loon up till midnight or whenever to get the full bloom on camera!

She brought more of the Heurnia schneideniana 'Red Dragon Flower'.  The funny thing with this one is, when when brought me the first cutting I wasn't too sure about it.  As I've watched mine, and of course Amy's do way better than my own, it's really grown on me and I was thrilled to get more.

Ignore my nasty, unorganized shelf...my husband is always after me to clean it up, but it never seems to stay that way.  I had to be able to show off the really long piece and this was the quickest option.  Of course, she's already been separated with new pots started as well. 

Here's a grouping of several of the others that she brought.  We separated the Kalanchoe tonight as well, everything else will have to wait.  One thing I'm really excited about are the Neomarica gracilis 'Walking Iris'...those beauties have a perfect home waiting for them under the Crape Myrtles that line one side of our backyard.  I googled them and can't wait for them to bloom...gorgeous!! 

We finished up well after dark both nights, so we failed to get pictures.  We both have our little "nursery" sections in our backyards where we are growing the new guys along with other things we have going.  They're all tucked away and ready to grow!

Have a great week!
Mandy

Pool Happenings...A Giant Sandpile

They're in the backyard now putting up the new pool...wahoo!!  One of the things we had to do was have 7 yards of sand delivered prior to them coming out this morning.  We had the sand delivered yesterday afternoon and I had forgotten how much fun my girls had in the sand.  I thought, who needs the coast when you can have a giant sand dune in your own driveway!

I didn't realize I downloaded this, but it works so hey...here's a video.

Daughter #2 stayed out until 9 and made herself a little dugout!

She was back out this morning before the guys needed the sand for the backyard.  She's concerned that there won't be any left and wants to stow away a bucket!

Dottie had to walk over and check it out too.  She made the mistake of coming across the street and Amy tossed her up on top to see if she liked it.  She layed for a while with the attitude "This is the biggest litter box ever and it's all mine!"...she's the only cat I tolerate in case you're wondering if I jumped off the deep end!  She's a trip though and recently we were appointed "God Parents" for the two dogs and Miss Dottie in case something happens to their people parents. 

More on the pool to follow, they're out they're digging and leveling away!

Snow Day

Yes, it snowed in San Antonio!  We've been unusually cold all week, it's been below freezing since Tuesday.  So, when it actually snowed Thursday morning, it stuck!  The girls were super excited, Daughter #1 got to see snow when she went to Ohio last January with Bob, but Daughter #2's never seen it.  Amy was worse than them, so I wasn't surprised when I looked out and saw her in the back yard, I wasn't surprised!  They collected all the snow off the trampoline and Amy "shoveled" it off the driveway to make the cutest snowman in Texas!

I kept telling Amy it was a good thing the girls had her...I was only good for taking pictures and putting the face together!  She brought over olives for the eyes, a carrot for the nose and an apple slice made a great "pouty" mouth! 

Friends from down the street came over for a friendly snowball fight.

Goldie and the boys loved the snow too.  They weren't about to let nothing go by without them being involved.

It didn't last long, but my girls loved every minute of it!

Word - Filled Wednesday

2 Cor. 1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

I saw this on a blog this evening and really liked the idea of  Word -Filled Wednesday's, plus it didn't hurt that I had the perfect scripture for today!  If you read this regularly, you know that my oldest daughter was home for three weeks with a stomach issue and that my husband's mother passed away this past weekend.  As if three weeks of being stressed to the max between trying to get my daughter better, being a wife to a stressed out husband who was dealing with the impending loss of his mother wasn't enough, I still needed to pay attention to our youngest daughter, go to a workplace that I know can't hardly tolerate and make it to all the required volleyball practices and games.  Forget cooking, cleaning and my all important reading time!!  This has been a horrific month to say the least.  In comes my best friend.  I spoke to her briefly Sunday morning in passing when we knew the death was near, but at least my children were feeling better so I could really focus on my husband.  Fast forward to Sunday evening.  The call comes in and then during the night both girls start with two totally different, but concerning coughs.  I dropped my husband off at the airport, came home and gave the oldest a breathing treatment, realized we weren't going anywhere so I made the call to work and then to the schools.  Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is to call in for the fourth week in a row to let them know that your daughter won't be there yet again?! Thankfully I got voicemail.  Today while I was at work fielding text messages from a hurting husband and uncomfortable children, my best friend sends me a text with this scripture reminding me that God is comforting me in that while I'm required to be superwoman (temporarily I hope) He can be my supernatural superman.  Tears poured down my face because I haven't talked to her since Sunday morning, yet she knew I need encouragement.  I'm so thankful that God encourages and comforts us so that we can be a comfort to others, while at the same time others around us can be comforting us.  I hope that made sense put in words.   My husband made it through the viewing and will make it through the services tomorrow.  I'm really looking forward to having him home, but am taking comfort in the fact that God's got it all under control!

If this is the first time you've stopped by, I'm not generally this whiny!  I don't mean to sound whiny at all actually, just incredibly grateful that I know the Master Comforter and that He knows me!!  Be sure to stop by the Internet Cafe Devotions blog to enjoy other Word-Filled Wednesday posts. 

Mandy

The Day After

Yesterday was a treat!  Normally, it's just the four of us for holidays and Christmas is always a little boring in my opinion.  Once the presents are opened, there's a lull the rest of the day.  Our neighbor friends spent the day with us this year, from the opening of presents all the way through almost 8 p.m.!  That was definitely a change from our normal routine and we had a blast!  After presents, we convinced the guys to play Pictionary with us on the Wii (bullied them is more like it, but they had fun) and that is definitely a keeper!! Daughter #2 got the Wii UDraw Tablet and Pictionary for Christmas, and we all had fun playing it.  I haven't played Pictionary since we've been married, but this one will definitely get some us and it's a cinch to get out and put away unlike the traditional game.  The girls also got the guys involved in some Monster Buck hunting again on the Wii...for two guys that didn't want to play games, they sure didn't act like it! 

When the guys took over the tv again, Amy brought out the sugar cookie dough she had pre-made and the girls enjoyed cutting out and decorating sugar cookies.  Momma's enjoyed eating them! 

As in past years, the day after Christmas brings thoughts of cleaning out and getting reorganized.  I really enjoyed my days off last week and am not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow.  The one great thing is that it's just a four day work week!! 

Thought I'd share one of my favorite gifts from my mother.  She's had it for a while, and I've known I've been getting it for a while.  It's nothing big, but definitely brings out the inner-child in me!

My husband thinks (knows) I'm a certifiable nut now for sure, as do my neighbors!  I wore this thing off and on, more on, all day!  Thanks, Mother!!!

Mandy

Outdoor Decorations and Birthday Celebrations

For years, I've been looking for these trees that look like bare limbed trees with white lights for my front yard.  The only problem is that I see them in other people's yards, but never in the stores.  I thought I hit pay dirt this year when they were in the Sears ad, but when I got to the store they were sold out.  I made the decision the next year as soon as the Christmas decorations come out that I would just pay full price...that's obviously the only way I'm going to get them.  Monday night, we took the girls to the mall to shop for each other and I found a similar tree, only with multicolored lights that was 50% off at Sears.  They had two, and at one point both were in my cart, but I was nice and put one back so Daughter #2 could get the presents she'd been eyeing.  I'm so much happier with my little 5' tree that's all colorful!!

I adore the little presents too!  Now, the little tree...well, that one's most likely going to disappear when I pack things up this year.  My husband is a little grinchish when it comes to decorating the outside, hence the lack of decorations.  Daughter #2 found this little tree last year and was determined to put it out with my new one.  She's happy, so I'm happy. 

Daughter #1's birthday is on Friday, my little girl will be 14 years old...not so little anymore!  Having a birthday on Christmas Eve can be a little tricky.  We usually do something right after school lets out for the winter break with her friends and then it's just the four of us for her big day.  This year, I took her and two friends to play Laser Quest and then to her favorite place to eat, Alamo Cafe. Daughter #2 had played before, so it was cute to see her giving the big girls tips on how to play the game.  She beat them all too on the first game! 

 

This was Round 2 and Daughter #2 was serious this time around!  They were playing with 4 boys and needless to say, they got their tushes beat, but they had a great time running around in attack mode! 

Mandy

Cactus Monday

My friend went to Painting with a Twist (check out their website here) today and brought home this masterpiece created by her.  As soon as I saw it, I knew I needed to share it for Cactus Monday! 

They have locations in several different states and while I haven't gone yet myself...it's a very cool place to go.  You pick a picture and then the artist is there to help guide you in painting your own version of it.  While you're working, you can bring wine (they provide the glasses) or Dr. Pepper in my case and munchies.  Girl Time!!

For my own contribution, my Donkey Ear is finally getting some bloom action.  The buds actually droop down first, then the bloom falls out and over a period of days deepens to a darker magenta hue...gorgeous!!  I don't have a picture of the "final" bloom, but this is what it looked like when it first dropped out.  Bear with me, I'm sure next week's post will be more of this beauty!!

Stop by Teri's Painted Daisies to join in the cactus fun!

Rock 'n Roll Marathon

Tonight it's all about Kim! 

My friend Kim gave me permission to blog about her tonight, she's a great sport...even if I did bail on her this weekend.  Yesterday, was the 3rd Annual San Antonio Rock n' Roll Marathon.  I signed up, but at the end ended up just giving my running number to Kim for her daughter to use.  She was already running with her son, so when I realized that I wasn't going to get to go, it worked out just to let her use my number.  Back to Kim...she's awesome!  She finished the 13.1 miles in right under 3 hours, smoking her daughter who came in at 3 hours 13 minutes.  She very kindly posed for me with her medal and number this afternoon at work.

She's also running in the Dallas Rock 'n Roll in a few months, again with her two adult children.  I've got to get in gear, as it will most definitely take me the whole year to be able to keep up with her next year. 

Go Kim!!

Mandy
 

Ready for Winter

My succulents are going to have a great time this winter in their new greenhouse!  They'll have to share the space with a few bougainvilleas and hibiscus, but it was bought with them in mind.  You might notice that we're in two different yards.  My husband got mine up so fast that I didn't get any pictures.  My Neighbor Friend also bought the same thing, so once we were done with mine, we went across the street to put hers together.  I also got pictures to share.

 It arrived last week in a box like this...

All laid out...

She had to do an impromtu mowing session once we chose the spot for hers.

My Neighbor Friend and me in mine....

It's up and in it's new home! 

This weekend I'll start putting the shelves in mine so that I'll be prepared for getting them in.  They're all loving the cooler weather, so I can't likely put them in right now.  The bougainvilleas are blooming again, so there's no way I'm putting them up.  I'm thinking it won't be until December that everything goes in, but at least I can put some things away.  My husband is excited and was more than willing to put it up for me if it means keeping his garage plant free for the winter.  It gets a little dangerous, especially before I cut the bougainvilleas back...they're awful spikey!

Old Friends, New Friends

Daughter #1 came home from school a few weeks ago and announced that she had a new friend named Katlynn.  I didn't think much about it, other than thinking that it was going to be a real trick if she ever spent the night.  Last week at the volleyball game, her mother and grandmother sat next to me...again, thought nothing of it.  A little bit into the game, and the mother asks me what my name is again.  I get "Mandy, what's" out and she starts shreaking...yes, shreaking "OMG, I knew I knew you".  Long conversation short, several shreaks later, and lots of laughing, I also realize that eight years ago her and her three kids lived with my neighbor (her mother) for a while.  I've got pictures of the girls at their 5th birthday parties, they're one day apart...the funny thing, both girls have been talking since school started in August and it never clicked that they knew each other! So now, an old friend is now a new friend...what a small world!

Labor Day Weekend Fun and New Blooms!

This weekend we went to the coast with our neighbors who are also really good friends of ours.  They have a travel trailer and a boat down at the coast, and once or twice a year we take the girls down with us for a fun filled weekend.  This trip was no exception.  Once we got the dog to the vet and the guinea girls loaded with enough dry food and hay for the extended time away, Amy and I were off with the girls to meet our guys. 

Saturday, we took the girls across the ferry to play in the water and sand for the day.  I don't really care for the beach, but I have to admit, this time was great!  It wasn't super hot and there was a breeze...Mandy was happy!

Ms. Amy actually got Daughter #1 to go out farther than she's ever gone before.  That might not sound like much, but this is my big chicken that we're talking about. She usually squeals if she thinks she sees a fish near her in the water!

They went further out, but I was in with them holding on to Daughter #2.  She had to get pretty good at jumping with the waves since she's a little shorter! She had a good time too, especially when she willingly let her sister bury her.

My favorite picture...I just love little feet!

Then came the fishing...the girls had a great time!  Daughter #1 teamed up with Mr. Kevin and Daughter #2 with her daddy.  Amy got stuck with me and did all the work, but let me bring them in.  My job is really to just get good pictures; it's self assigned, but something I'm good at.  I'm not too much for touching live bait or live fish for that matter!  I'd much prefer to take pictures and then cook whatever is caught.  Daughter #1 wasn't too happy when her daddy and Daughter #2 kept pulling them in, but she only tried to bail out on her partner a few times!  After all was said and done, we brought in 6 Black Drums!  This was a first for I think Bob and Kevin both, so that was kind of cool as well!

The Big Fishermen/Fishergirls...Daddy/Daughter #2 and Daughter #1/Mr. Kevin

We had wonder, relaxing weekend filled with fun, laughter and of course great food!  Amy and I are much alike in respect...food's never far from our thoughts! And that, is how the weekend ended...

We came home stuffed and sunburned, but happy. You know my husband was tired...he let me drive the whole way home and kept the griping to a minimum! 

Now to the blooms!!  I was checking the succulents and noticed that my Adromischus cristatus 'Key Lime Pie' was blooming!  Nothing too spectacular, but I was pleasanty pleased! 

Adromischus cristatus 'Key Lime Pie'

Looking forward to a great week!  
Mandy

Lazy Days of Summer

I came home at lunch today to find Tater Girl and her BFF working diligently on a puzzle...they were working on the same puzzle when I got home from work tonight.  Tater Girl loves doing puzzles and once she starts, she takes over the kitchen table for weeks at a time.  Will be buying her a card table for the front room while she's gone this summer...you never know when she'll going on a puzzle bender, and I think I need to be better prepared!

The funny faces are thanks to the Ring Pop that my "picture taker hater" popped in her mouth when I said to smile!  They had a great day between the pool and puzzles, not to mention the Rock Bank concert that Giggles put on for everyone...thankfully I just heard it through the phone!

I thought tonight would be a good as time as any to clean out the guinea girl mansion as we lovingly call it.  Snowflake enjoyed sniffing around in their little fenced in area, and Hedgie eventually got the hang of it...not before having to be thoroughly sniffed over by Barkley, one of the Sheltie boys from across the street.  They did enjoy the strawberries and grape halves that we brought out for them. They were much happier once Dottie, the cat from across the street who lives with the Sheltie boys went home...she was ready to lunge for them until she got yanked back by the neck.  She went home rather perturbed and wouldn't come close again until after they went back inside.

Snowflake graciously allowed me to trim up her toe nails...second time was much easier than the first time.  Hedgie let me do her back paws, but I got a little too close and drew a little blood...she got an extra treat for that mishap.  Both got wiped down with baby wipes and then I think they were a little too hot.  Snowflake was sprawled out like she wasn't going to make it...quite the little drama queen!

I think she was trying to nap, but I really didn't realize how warm it was until I put them back in the cage. Oops!

I love it when my mother visits...we had Cheesy Chicken waiting for us in the crock pot (one of my husband's favorites) and yeast rolls...all I had to do was put the french fries in the oven, and dinner was ready to go!  Guess she wasn't impressed with the past two night's dinners of hot dogs and pizza!  She even did the dishes...I could get spoiled very quickly! 

Mandy