Writer's Workshop - Ten Reasons I'm Glad It's Fall

Ten Reasons I'm Glad It's Fall...

1.  We can walk outside and not break out into an immediate sweat!
2.  The cooler weather is much easier on my succulent collection.
3.  Volleyball games at school...love watching my daughter play!
4.  Lunchtime walks are stress relievers and not stress inducers; we'll actually venture out.
5.  Away go the shorts, out come the sweatpants!
6.  Comfort food; chicken and dumplings, chili and lots of hot chocolate.
7.  Hunting season...just us girls for the weekends for plenty of girl time!
8.  The changing color of leaves; we don't get that much of that here, but I enjoy the pictures!
9.  Christmas is coming!
10.  All the good fall shows are back on with new episodes. 

These are in no particular order.  I actually had to think about this one because I don't have just one favorite season...there are things I like and dislike about all of them. 

If you'd like to join in, follow the link at the top of the post and pick a prompt!

Have a great night!
Mandy

Mothers and Blogs

Several months ago, my mother created herself a blog.  You might be thinking, "wahoo, big deal, " what you might not know is that my mother is brilliant...just not so much with her computer! I live right at 900 miles away and have been the "chosen one" to walk/talk her through most of her adventures on this computer.  This wasn't a big deal until my dad bought her a Mac. 

This morning she successfully posted and then deleted said post along with her entire blog.  Never one to give up easily, she created another one and got not one, but two posts on there today! She took a stab at Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop from last week as well...who cares that she didn't get it up until today! Before I go further, let me say this...my mother is my best friend.  That said, she really can try this girl's patience! I think she got more flustered than I did, but we got the story linked!   Check out her blog here at babybuttsandlittletoessucculents, she's done a great job with it and knowing my mother like I do, she's going to perfect it until it shines!

Tomorrow, we'll work on putting some pictures on her blog...one thing at a time!  Oh, and Daddy, if you happen to read this...if I'm going to be able to properly assist your lovely wife, I'll be needing a Mac! 

My Mother and My Two Favorite Girls

It's a good thing that I set Hawaii Five-O to record tonight!  Have a wonderful night everyone!

Mandy

What To Record?

Tonight I was faced with a new dilemma.  We were watching Mike and Molly (not sure if this is a keeper yet) on CBS and I realized the Hawaii Five-O was coming on, but Castle's season premier is tonight as well. No biggie I thought, we'll just record Castle and watch Hawaii Five-O.  The only problem, I was already set to record Castle and Chase (another new one that sounded appealing)...bummer!  I'm usually quite content with my dual DVR from Dish that records two shows at once, but tonight I needed to record three. What to do!  After much debate, I cancelled the Chase recording and watch Hawaii Five-O; maybe I can catch reruns of Chase in the off season or hopefully they'll reset the days and I can get them all!  After tonight, Hawaii Five-O is going to be a must see for Monday nights or whatever night it lands on...very cool show! 

Not a question of recording is tomorrow night's season premier of The Biggest Loser!!  We've been waiting very patiently for this show to come back on and wouldn't you know it...that's volleyball practice night!

Have a great week!
Mandy

Cactus Monday

Happy Cactus Monday! I almost forgot it was Monday; that could be a good thing.  It's late, but here is my contribution for today...I think it's a sedum of some sort and until recently I didn't pay it much attention.  I just realized what a lovely shade of orange it is, and can't seem to get enough of looking at it now!  These pictures don't do it justice, so you'll just have to trust me...it's gorgeous!! 

To join in on Cactus Monday, stop by Teri's Painted Daisies and link in.  Have a great week!

Succulents that Need Identified

Does anyone know what these little guys are called?  A neighbor down the street gave them to me, and I'm not having any luck finding out what they are.

This one looks kind of like a Christmas Cactus, only it's not. I'm told that this one gets spectacular blooms, but that they only bloom at night and just for one night.  Amy had one, but it succumbed to the last hard freeze we had.  We're both looking forward to it growing so that I can start another for her. 

This one looks prickly, but it's not...just pointy. :)

I think I'm going to put them in a basket together...I like the contrast of smooth and spiky together.  If they  don't work together, I'll just pluck them and put them in their own pots. 

The third one is a Silver Squill I think...scientific name Ledebouria socialis.  She gave me this one too, and I'm pretty sure I found this one online yesterday for the name, but correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks for your help! 
Mandy

Pitcher Plants and a ZigZag Cactus!

This has really been a very cool weekend for me in regards to my plants.  First we had the Hoya Kerrii treat and then Saturday, I was forced to make a detur due to a "Plant Sale" sign. Yes, my car made a very quick turn that my girls are still talking about!  This guy was having a plant sale at his house, he has a nursery of sorts in his back yard and I really wanted to take a look at his greenhouse.  While we were back there, I mentioned I had a succulent addiction and he offered to show his to me.  Ok, so most of what he had, I have (imagine that), but what I didn't have was this funky looking cactus they called a Ric-Rac or ZigZag Cactus.  He snipped a piece off and handed it to me!!  Then, he had something that looks like my Chandelier Plant or Magic Tower, only it was huge...he plucked two out of the ground for me as well.  I cut the ZigZag Cactus up to make several cuttings in a pot and the other one's in there as well.  It's been raining, so I haven't been able to really make them at home yet, but they're cozy for now.

I did buy my mother a 'Torch' Bougainvillea.  Go figure, he just cuts them off and sticks them in the dirt and they root...mine have yet to be that cooperative!  But for $5.00 I was excited to get her something that I've really enjoyed. 

I was uber excited Friday evening...I went to check on my Pitcher Plants and one of them has baby pitchers growing!!  I've got some brown pitchers, but I googled it and I guess it happens.  Check them out...

Now I have to go find some meal worms to put in them...I read this online today, it's supposed to give them nutrients or something so they don't turn brown and close up. 

Mandy

I Heart My 'Sweetheart' Hoya!

I know I'm loved, but today God reminded me that I'm His favorite! I realize that all His kids are His favorites, but for a brief moment...it was just me! 

A few weeks ago, a coworker sent me a picture of a plant she had got at the flea market and the lady called it a 'Queen of Hearts' succulent.  I couldn't find anything on line by that name, and that perturbed me...the hunt was on! Last night I finally found what I was looking for and it was called a Hoya Kerrii 'Sweetheart' Hoya.  This is the same thing that Amy saw a few weeks ago at Rainbow Gardens, but didn't pick it up.  Fast forward to today.  I stopped by Rainbow Gardens to get a hanging basket and a Patchouli Plant for my mother.  My dad's coming in for a quick trip this weekend, so I wanted to send one home for her.  I also found us another Goldfish Plant as well since ours aren't doing so well.  I get to the check out and the cashier asks if it's a Goldfish Plant.  I reply that it is and that I'm hoping not to kill this one.  After a little discussion, I mentioned that now I was after the 'Sweetheart' Hoya and she replies that she has one at home.  Abbreviated conversation...

Me:  "You're kidding!  Where'd you find it at?"

Cashier:  "You know, it's really not doing that well for me, do you live near bye?  I can bring it back after lunch and I'll give it to you."

Me:  "I live around the corner, and I'd love it!  Are you sure though, they're a gem!"

Cashier:  "Sure, I saw a customer come through with it and I had to have it, but it's not doing much for me.  It's not dead, but I'd much rather someone have it that can work with it."

Me:  "Wow!  I'll come back at 3.!"

How cool is that!  Just last night I realize what it is, resisted the temptation to order one off of eBay and God just gives me one today!! 

We talked about one of my other favorites, the Kalanchoe 'Donkey Ears', and I figured she's a succulent lover as well.  When I went back, I asked her if she had the Mother of Millions and she's never even seen it.  I'm going to take her some babies this weekend...I still can't believe she just gave it to me!!

Hoya Kerrii 'Sweetheart' Hoya

Hoya Kerrii 'Sweetheart' Hoya

The best part is that I was able to pull out a section to pot for my dad to take home to my mother! 

The girls are feeling much better...this is looking to be a wonderful weekend!  We'll just get to spend a few hours with my dad, but we're going to enjoy every minute of it.  He'll be happy that I only have three plants for him to take home unlike my mother's car load she came home with in July!

Mandy