Herd in the News: The Deer Went Over the Mountains

To: Gail
Location: Clay and Limestone, Tennessee
RE: Cease and Desist

Dearest Gail,



I showed "my deer family" the photo and documents that you posted. As you can see from the photo, they were ecstatic to learn that their relatives have made the trip safely to Tennessee.

According to Ms. Jane Doe of North Carolina, her brother, John, went over the hills to Tennessee when they heard of a new "land rush" where squatters have rights. That's Jane's sister-in-law, Bambi II, in your photo.

John hired a "big bucks" attorney, Mr. Antlers, a renowned "gouger" to assist with the "filing" of the proper paper. Being environmentally conscious, the paper was milled from local tree bark, therefore saving the cost of buying paper from a foreign source. Our hidden camera snapped this shot of Mr. Antlers and his secretary lurking in the way, back backyard at Arbor Lea.



Jane is concerned that the formal documents may have rubbed you the wrong way and wants you to know that the Doe family is usually quite polite and casual.

Jane exclaimed that if Tennessee is that beautiful and so full of uneaten perennials, perhaps she and the rest of the extended family should start their journey before the snow gets too deep in the mountains.

When Jane learned that you are also an avid gardener who "fawns" over your perennials, she was greatly encouraged.

I shall send you advance warning if the members of the Doe family inform me that they are going elsewhere for the holidays this year. From the latest sighting, it looks like they may be heading in your direction.

Sincerely,
Cameron
Location: North Carolina

Petite Perennial: Scutellaria suffrutescens

Such a pretty, petite perennial deserves a better nickname than "pink skullcap." Scutellaria suffrutescens 'Texas Rose' is a cute little thing that blooms almost non-stop by my front garden gate. The snapdragon-shaped blooms are a beautiful, deep rose color.

'Texas Rose' is a tough little cookie, too. She tolerates drought and fends for herself without any pampering, making her an excellent plant for xeriscaping. If you're a gardener who has a "no whining" sign hanging in your garden, you may want to consider adding 'Texas Rose' to a full-sun location.

Since scutellaria is in the mint family, she repels deer and rabbits. Planted around the stone column at my garden gate, she is constantly abused by the opening and closing of the gate. This variety is hardy in zones 7a-10b.

Even in the cold winter months, she is evergreen in my zone 7 garden, making 'Texas Rose' the perfect perennial to greet my guests all year round. Standing only 8 inches tall and spreading 15 inches wide, she makes a great edging plant for walkways and sunny borders. Tuck her into a rock garden and she'll add blooms almost all summer and into autumn.

Scutellaria suffrutescens 'Texas Rose' can be grown from seeds sown in the fall, or by propagating herbaceous stem cuttings. Rose has been in my garden for two years. She has passed the test for front yard beauty and toughness, so I plan to extend my plantings of Rose along my front walkway. 'Texas Rose' is definitely a keeper!



Story and photos by Freda Cameron

~*Bathroom Closet Organization*~

Hello dear blogging friends...I finally got around to organizing our bathroom closet. Even though the closet was pretty well organized and we could find everything we needed, I felt it was too cluttered. I needed to take the time to look through the things we had and discard what should be tossed.

Before:

After:


I used a milk glass flower pot for the hair brushes and a milk glass dish for the hair clips.

I used a sugar bowl for cotton balls and a small glass candy dish for the q-tips.
It feels so good to have things cleaned and organized in our bathroom.

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Thanks for stopping by! I always enjoy your visits....Good Night, my friends!

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Visit my other blog for a link to some free desktop wallpaper by Debbie Mumm...it's sweet!

Workers Get $6.6 Million Year End Bonus

Wow, this is one company that knows how to treat their employees. An Illinois company that was recently acquired by a Sweden group decided to (the old employer) treat the staff with a nice Thanksgiving gift. Each member was given their own turkey for Thanksgiving, which is a great gesture, but they weren't expecting the following:They gave away $6.6 million in year-end bonuses to Peer's 230

Corkscrew Willow Provides Indoor and Outdoor Decor

The deciduous corkscrew willow provides lush foliage in the summer months and interesting, curly branches in the winter. After the leaves have fallen, I prune out the overlapping branches to use for decoration in a vase.

Out in the fragrance garden, I use this small tree to provide shade and add texture. Other companions include a Kousa dogwood, sweet bay magnolia, buddleia and gardenia. In the summer, colocasia and monarda surround the willow. This fast-growing tree also provides privacy by screening our back deck.

Corkscrew willows are available in different sizes and are suitable for zones 4b-8a, depending upon the variety. My willow is planted on the southeast side of the house where it receives sunlight most of the day. Willows like moisture, but this little tree was a tough survivor during our 2007 drought.

If you plant any willow, make sure that it is nowhere near any underground pipes, especially ones that provide moisture. Willows can be short-lived, but they are fast-growing and inexpensive. You can easily propagate the corkscrew willow from hardwood or softwood cuttings. All parts are poisonous.

When I prune out the sprouts that cross the inside of the tree, I bring the best branches inside to use for year-round decor. I don't put the branches in water, I just use them dry as they come in from the garden. Just a quick wipe with a cloth to remove any bugs or dirt is all you have to do.

Our family room mantel has a marshland theme based on the painting by a North Carolina artist. The bronze frogs are appropriately named "Show Off" and "Social Climber." The willow branches are placed in a North Carolina pottery vase that is embellished with dimensional frogs, lilypads and lotus. The willow branches fit in well with the marsh theme while providing height in a room with a high ceiling. I have no art of my own to add to the mantel, but at least I grew these willow branches in my garden!



Photos and story by Freda Cameron

Kajeet For Kids

You might remember my review last year of the Kajeet Sanyo Kantana, I also LOVED that little phone. Not only was my son able to use it back and forth to school but we were able to try it out during our move. (hubby traveled cross country in a moving van testing it out)Guess what? I'm now a Kajeet Mom, by this I mean I sell Kajeet phones and this new one I have is a beauty. It's the Red Samsung

Evergreen Herbs for Gardens and Cooking

On a cold November day, I go out in the garden to cut fresh herbs for the kitchen. Sage, rosemary and thyme are evergreen here in my zone 7 garden.

On frozen mornings, I wait until the early afternoon to harvest my herbs. I place the stems of rosemary and sage in a glass of water on my counter until time to prepare the evening meal. I often store these herbs in the water up to a day in advance.

Sage leaves are great for poultry, stuffings and dressings for poultry. Sage provides a nice flavor for autumn dishes that also include butternut squash or pumpkin. Sage officinalis grows in zones 5-11 to a height (in bloom) of up to three feet in full sun with well-drained soil. Just one sage plant in my garden is now about three feet wide in its second year of growth.

I use rosemary for roasted vegetables, roasted chicken, Tuscan beef stew, Italian sauces and breads. Rosemary and lemon work well together for roasted chicken. Rosemary and tomatoes for the Tuscan beef stew. In zones 6 and colder, rosemary can be grown as a container plant. Rosemary grows best in full sun with well-drained soil. As with many herbs, it benefits from trimming.

Thyme grows right by my front steps in a micro-climate that is protected from frost. The thyme stays fresh and fragrant into the cold months. Because of this convenience, I pick the thyme right before preparing a meal. I like to use thyme with rice to add just a little flavor. Thyme grows in zones 4-9 in full sun or part shade.

Aside from the culinary uses, rosemary, sage and thyme are great garden plants. All three bloom, with sage providing the biggest color show in mid-April. Cascading rosemary has been blooming for several months now in my cottage garden. The rosemary bloomed off all spring and summer as well.

Thyme makes a great, low groundcover and spreads rapidly. Upright forms of rosemary work well mixed in a border with perennials and shrubs while cascading rosemary works well on slopes and above retaining walls. Sage is a nice edging plant and provides soft leaf textures among perennials. However, it can be short-lived and has to be replaced every few years.

These herbs are also great for container gardens on decks, terraces or balconies. All three of the culinary varieties of these perennial herbs are deer and rabbit resistant as well as drought tolerant. For the best varieties for your zone, check with your local nursery.

Story and photos by Freda Cameron

Delta's Disney Princess Black Friday deals

Delta's Disney Princess, Cars 20 pc Room in a Box on sale for $77.49, Friday 11/28 from 5am -1pm only at TRU, BRU (picture attached)ShopSat & Sun at KMART for BOGO 1/2 off on licensed toddler furniture from DELTA -Princesses, Dora, Car

~*Happy Thanksgiving*~

Wishing a Happy Thanksgiving to all of my dear blogging friends who are celebrating today!

Love, Kim

http://glittergraphics.com

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I receive this weekly newsletter and wanted to share what I received today.

FALWELL CONFIDENTIAL

Insider weekly newsletter to The Moral Majority Coalition and The Liberty Alliance http://www.falwell.com

From: Jonathan Falwell

Date: November 26, 2008

The Woman who is Responsible for Thanksgiving

While most Americans probably have no idea who she was, Sarah Josepha Hale (1788-1879) can be seen as the mother of our modern Thanksgiving celebration. In 1864, the Newport, New Hampshire native had become the “editress” of a respected publication known as Godey's Lady’s Book. In her prominent position, the young widow and mother of five was able to communicate with many American women. She believed that our nation’s first President, George Washington, had gotten it right when he decided that November 26, 1789, should be a day for all countrymen to participate in a day of worship to praise God for His blessings. In her novel, Northwood: A Tale of New England, Sarah proposed that churches use donations collected during a day of Thanksgiving be used to help emancipate the slaves so that all Americans could live free. Later, through a series of petitions to national politicians and a string of editorials, she began to gain some momentum for a national Thanksgiving day. Through her diligent work, Sarah Josepha Hale was able to persuade President Abraham Lincoln to proclaim a national Day of Thanksgiving every fourth Thursday of November, beginning in 1864. Mr. Lincoln’s proclamation is a striking one. It read, in part: “It has pleased Almighty God to prolong our national life another year, defending us with his guardian care against unfriendly designs from abroad, and vouchsafing to us in His mercy many and signal victories over the enemy, who is of our own household. It has also pleased our Heavenly Father to favor as well our citizens in their homes as our soldiers in their campus, and our sailors on the rivers and seas, with unusual health … Moreover, He has been pleased to animate and inspire our minds and hearts with fortitude, courage, and resolution sufficient for the great trial of civil war into which we have been brought by our adherence as a nation to the cause of freedom and humanity, and to afford to us reasonable hopes of an ultimate and happy deliverance from all our dangers and afflictions. “Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do hereby appoint and set apart the last Thursday in November next as a day which I desire to be observed by all my fellow-citizens, wherever they may be then, as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, the beneficent Creator and Ruler of the Universe.” Today, we continue in this wonderful tradition of honoring God on Thanksgiving Day. However, as I noted last week and have mentioned on several occasions in this column, the effort to purge our nation of its Christian heritage is accelerating. That is why it is important for parents and grandparents to ensure that our children understand the historic significance of people like Sarah Josepha Hale. It is imperative that kids know of Abraham Lincoln’s important 1864 proclamation. And it is crucial that they be reminded of Gov. William Bradford’s 1621 proclamation for the Pilgrims in the New World to “render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings.” This is our heritage whether The Freedom From Religion Foundation or anyone else likes it, or not.Thanksgiving is the perfect time for teaching our children about our nation’s Christian legacy. We really need to ensure that we are countering the intense disinformation campaigns by making certain that our children are equipped with the truth of our nation’s history. I close with the beautiful words of President Ronald Reagan, who reminded us in his November 19, 1988 radio address: “… in America, freedom seems like the air around us: It’s there; it’s sweet, though we rarely give it a thought. Yet as the air fills our lungs, freedom fills our souls. It gives breath to our laughter and joy. It gives voice to our songs. It gives us strength as we race for our dreams. ... Yes, as we gather together this Thanksgiving to ask the Lord’s blessings, as we of whatever faith we are give praises to His name, let us thank Him for our peace, prosperity, and freedom.”

Wordless Wednesday: After Twilight

We just saw Twilight, had to get some Hot Fudge. Happy WW! Did you see Twilight? What did you think?

~*Kitchen Tour, Part 3*~

Good morning from snowy Southwestern PA...we really got hit with some snow yesterday! The snow we had last week finally left and then God decided to send more our way...it's pretty, but I've had enough to last me for awhile! We have two ski resorts near us (Seven Springs and Hidden Valley) and I'm sure they are happy with the snow!

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Welcome to part 3 of my kitchen tour...I thought I'd share the signs/words that I have in my kitchen...Enjoy!

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I wanted to share this picture of my Christmas cactus...isn't it pretty? Gretchen from Bird Nest Cottage shared that if you keep your cactus in a dark place it will not bloom...I did not know that...I'm going to have to try that next year.

Thanks for stopping by...I always enjoy your visits!

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Thank you all for your sweet comments on my new curtains...I'm so happy with them...they remind me of something my dear Gram would have had in her kitchen. I really cherish the time I had with her and even though she's been gone 23 years I still miss her so much!

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Community Supported Agriculture, Farmers' Markets and Market Days

The image of a table laden with a bountiful harvest isn't just for Thanksgiving. Local farmers' markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs are available throughout the United States providing fresh, locally grown produce during the growing seasons. In other countries, markets are a part of daily life.

Even during the cold months of winter, some market farmers continue to sell products such as honey, eggs, cheese, nuts and meats. At the North Carolina Farmers' Market there are peanuts, pecans, cabbage, sweet potatoes and apples available for purchase in December. Additionally, there are jars of jams, jellies and other home canned goods.

Now is a good time to find farms in your area that participate in the CSA programs. With a CSA program, you subscribe in advance to receive shares of the locally grown, fresh produce from area farmers. By buying these shares, you help ensure that the farmer will be able to cover their expenses and salaries to grow and deliver the produce. By subscribing in the winter months, the farmer can plan how much to plant and order seeds for the next growing season.

Through a subscription with a CSA farm, boxes of fresh produce are sized according to the number of people to feed in your family. Many of the CSA farms will deliver the boxes to your home each week during the growing season, or provide a pick-up point in a nearby location. The CSA program is so popular in the Triangle Area of North Carolina that there are even waiting lists to subscribe with some of the local farms.

Whether you live, or travel, in another country, you're probably not very far from a market. For example, there are lists of market days for villages in France. Other countries publish similar lists. If you are traveling, you can also ask at the tourist information office. When my son lived in London, he shopped daily to purchase fresh produce from his neighborhood market.

Buying from a local market is not only a great experience, but a wonderful way to get to know the farmers who grow the produce. If you're a traveler, you may be introduced to fresh foods that you would not find elsewhere.

Story and photos by Freda Cameron

Giveaways Days Before Black Friday

Lille Punkin' Reviews has a few giveaways for ya:- $25 GC to Target- cute Jooble- 2 Avon products (bamboo reed diffuser, Jillian Dempsey Essential Beauty Palette)Sweet Figments is having a Blog a Day Giveaway, now you'll have to go by there to find out what is being given away on that particular day. I see candles, journals, earrings and so much more.Type A Mom is having a 12 days of Christmas

Cryptomeria Japonica: An Evergreen Conifer

By Freda Cameron

One of the best evergreen trees in my garden is cryptomeria japonica. There are many varieties of cryptomeria, ranging in size from a small shrub to a towering 30 foot tall tree. Those grown in the wild may reach 80 feet high and 20 feet wide. There is a mid-sized 'Jindai Sugi' that makes a wonderful screening tree at 12 feet x 8 feet. I also have three very slow-growing, cryptomeria japonica 'Black Dragon' located in the fragrance garden. The 'Black Dragon' grows slowly to 7 feet high and 8 feet wide.

These Japanese cedars are reliably deer resistant, with only a few branch tips sampled during the winter months. Cryptomeria are suitable for zones 5-9 and are relatively drought tolerant, once established. If you plant any of these conifers, they like full to part-sun in rich soil.

I tried the shrub sized 'Globosa Nana' at the top of the slope in my perennial garden. Every perennial that was planted downhill, within 3-4 feet from these little cryptomeria, died. I had to remove the shrubs from the perennial garden, digging out and replacing the soil in that area. I've not had a problem growing perennials, ornamental grasses and shrubs around the large cryptomeria trees.

Carex 'Gold Fountains' and other gold foliaged plants and shrubs make bright companions for dark green cryptomeria. The trees provide a year-round privacy screen for our waterfall patio.

Note about "going green" in our climate: In general, an acre of hardwood forest will absorb about one ton of carbon per year. However, an acre of evergreen conifers will absorb about 1 1/2 tons of carbon per year from carbon dioxide.

~*New Curtains*~

Hello dear blogging friends, I hope you all are doing well after the weekend. It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is this week. We will be celebrating at my Brother-in-law's on Saturday so I may start decorating for Christmas on Thursday...we'll have to wait and see. I bought two new trees in urns for my front porch...I can't wait to see what they look like...I found them at Lowe's on sale. I also found new curtains at Kmart this weekend. I've been wanting a change of curtains for awhile, but just never found what I was looking for until now. Kmart had the sweetest red and white gingham curtains. I thought I would share with you the before and after pictures. The curtains that I had up were also from Kmart. Rondell had asked me if they were black gingham...actually they were a deep burgandy and brown. I really like them, but wanted a change.
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Before

After
Before
After
Before
After Up close look at the valances.

Up close look at the tiers.

My dd thinks they make the kitchen cozy...that's what I'm after! She also said they are Christmasy. Thank you for taking the time to stop in for a visit...as always I appreciate your visits and comments. I should be doing part three of the kitchen tour this week.

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I appreciate all the the sweet comments so many of you have left about part 2 of my kitchen tour. I am glad you enjoyed seeing my treasures...and that is really how I feel about them. I try to keep only the things I absolutely love in my home...it makes my home more meaningful to me and my family.

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Rondell from Tomatoe Creek Prims tagged me to list 6 random things about myself. Thank you! I was recently tagged on my other blog, so if you'd like to read my list Click Here

If you haven't been tagged and you would like to do this, then consider yourself tagged.

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Have a wonderful day!

Child-Friendly Garden Plants

By Freda Cameron

Although the weather has passed for planting, this is a great time to plan a garden with the children in your family. During quiet winter nights and holiday breaks, drawing a little garden plan with crayons or colored pencils is a great indoor activity. Give your old gardening magazines and catalogs to children. Let them circle the flowers that they like or cut out photos to make their own little creative designs.

I've been gardening for over 30 years. I owe my gardening interest to my grandmother. Among my fondest childhood memories are those of making daily walks in my grandmother's flower garden. My son, now grown, is quite knowledgeable about gardens. He planted many of the trees, shrubs and perennials in my garden. In turn, he's the one who encouraged me to write a gardening blog so that he could keep up with the garden while he was in graduate school in London.

Stachys byzantina 'Helen von Stein' is my favorite soft and fuzzy perennial. This is the true "teddy bear" of garden plants. These velvet lamb's ears are easy to grow in zones 4-9. Requiring little water, lamb's ears are drought tolerant as well as deer and rabbit resistant. This perennial spreads rapidly, reaching a width of over two feet within two years. They are easy to propagate by division. Here in the south, they will "melt" during times of heat and humidity. When that happens, I pull out the mushy leaves to give the plant a neat appearance. Once the cool fall temperatures arrive, my stachys looks fine again.

The "action figure" in a child-friendly garden is the snapdragon or antirrhinum majus. I remember playing with the blooms by squeezing the "jaws" to open and close the "mouth." The snapdragon is the first flower that I can recall and my grandmother was always willing to cut these flowers to give to me. The color choices will delight a child. Considered annuals except in the warmest zones, snapdragons do occasionally overwinter here in zone 7b. This is reliably deer and rabbit resistant in my garden.


For a fun barnyard discussion, just plant Hens and Chicks (sempervivum tectorum) to amuse children. Let them name these cute little plants. Easy to grow in poor soil, there are many colors and leaf shapes for a patchwork of variety. Suitable for zones 3b through 11, just about any garden has room for these tiny little jewels. Hens and Chicks are great for rock gardens. Rocks make great accents for children's gardens.

A bird and butterfly garden is another great idea as the children learn to identify the different varieties. With encouragement, children may start daily journals to keep a "life list" of birds that they see and identify. If hummingbirds are common in your area, add a hummingbird feeder. Since bees are attracted to flowering plants, children will need to be supervised to prevent stings. This is an opportunity to teach children about the important role of honey bees for the success of crops and flowers.

There are many perennials, annuals, and ornamental grasses that are suitable for child-friendly gardens. However, some plants can be poisonous. Before planting a garden for children, be sure to research whether or not the plant is toxic.

If you don't have gardening space in a yard, a few containers of child-friendly plants on a deck or patio is a great way to introduce children to gardening. Have fun with children and plants and create lasting memories. In my opinion, there's nothing better than passing along the gift of gardening.

Lovely Lucca

Look up to search out the beautiful balconies and window boxes overflowing with colorful flowers. Lovely Lucca, an old Italian friend, extends a warm welcome with brightly painted houses against sunny skies.

Enjoy a leisurely lunch in one of her ancient buildings. Stroll along her quiet village streets and pause in a piazza for gelato. Walk along the rampart walls that surround this pretty lady. Sit for awhile on a park bench. Don't rush this rare visit with Lucca.

When the cold weather comes, I start longing for those favorite places. On a sentimental Sunday, I stare at photos where flowers embellish the windows of the world.



Story and photos by Freda Cameron. Location: Lucca, Italy