Cooler Nights Ahead

It’s already the last month of the summer and the long daylight are hastening to an end. My son will be going back to college in less than a week, the leaves have started to drop from the trees and the nights are getting a little cooler. I can’t believe how fast summer has passed.

I love August weather and the cooler nights, it’s been nice to be able to get outside again. The humidity was stifling the last couple weeks here in the Pocono Mountains. I always say spring is my favorite season because, for me, it brings promise of new beginnings. Everything is fresh, hopefully the snow has all melted and flowers are starting to bloom, but August and the months that follow are beautiful in their own way.

Invite some friends over and light a fire in the fire pit, burn some candles and enjoy a great times late into the night. The Fall Season brings some awesome stargazing; September brings the last day of summer and the first day of fall. The precise date and time when the September equinox arrives this year is September 22, 2010 at 11:09 pm EDT. An equinox happens each year at two specific moments in time, when there is a location on the Earth's equator where the centre of the Sun can be observed to be vertically overhead, occurring around March 20/21 and September 22/23 each year.

September 23rd is also the date of the Harvest Moon, the full moon for the month. Most people will notice the full moon as it rises in the East around sunset. Historically, in the mid-Northern latitudes the bright full moon at this time of year allowed farmers extra time in their fields to gather their harvest.

So, I’m looking forward to getting outside and enjoying the cooler nights ahead. Relaxing on my patio during the day, sans the humidity or enjoying the evening by the firepit and the glow of a lantern.

Beautiful Day!

The morning started out a little chilly but by noon the sun was bright and I was able to get out and enjoy the outdoors. I think I'll be safe to put out my plants I repotted last week as I don't think our temperatures will be dropping down to freezing temps again. At least I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

I dusted off my patio furniture and my next project will be planting my outdoor flower boxes. I'm not sure what I'm going to plant this year, I like to go with different color schemes every year. It seems late but our weather has been so unpredictable with temperatures dropping into the 30's at night I thought it was too early. I'm not sure what color scheme I want to go with this summer, I've done just about every color combo there is. I suppose I'll decide when I'm at the nursery and see that perfect flower and add from there. As I mentioned in one of my earlier blogs, I really don't have a green thumb so the less maintenance the better. This along with picking the proper plant for the amount of sun I get on my patio makes a difficult selection.

Now that the nights are warmer I've put my fire bowl on my deck and invited some friends for drinks and good times. I can't wait to get the season started. Take some time to check out my site www.WindChimesGarden.com for many beautiful accents for your patio and garden. Create that perfect atsmosphere to gather with friends and family to relax and enjoy each other's company.

Baby It’s Cold Outside

Just last week I was enjoying 80° and sunshine on my patio, tonight it’s a cold 45° and raining outside. We’ve had some crazy weather but I’m not going to let that get me down. My yard is looking great, the trees finally have their leaves and I know warmer weather is right around the corner. She’s just teasing us.

Since I was forced back inside for a few days I decided to make the best of my time and repot some of my indoor plants that were begging for more room to grow. A good friend of mine told me long ago, the best time to repot houseplants is in the spring, before the new summer growth. So I turned on some Van Morrison, put down some newspaper to catch the dirt and got started.

To remove the plant, I turn the pot over and tug the pot up and away from the root ball gently pulling it out from the pot. Do not yank a plant out of its pot by the stem. You should then prepare the root ball by gently loosening the ball with your fingers. Be careful not to cause damage to the root. Look for dead or rotted roots and cut them away from the healthy root ball.

The general rule of thumb is to only repot a plant up one size pot, (ex. 4” pot to 6” pot not 4” to 8”). Place the plant in the pot, keeping the depth of the newly potted plant the same as it was in the original pot. Make sure not to plant it too deep. Gently press the soil down around the root ball as your filling it with dirt and tap the pot to help the dirt settle. Water thoroughly until water seeps from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, and if needed, add more soil to the top.

Now I’m ready for the weekend. The Local Weatherman is calling for sunny and 70°. My fresh, repotted plants will be a great accent piece on my patio. I need to dust off my patio furniture, put out my garden lanterns and invite some friends over – I’m looking forward to the warmer temperatures again when I can get outside. Enjoy your home and garden!





May 12, 2010 – Welcome to Our World Austin Joseph, Happy Healthy Life!

Let’s Play in the Dirt!

April's birthstone is diamond, which symbolizes innocence. Personally, I like it because it sparkles!!
Its birth flower is the daisy and sweet pea.

The derivation of the name (Latin Aprilis) is uncertain; the traditional etymology is from the Latin Aperire, "to open", in allusion to its being the season when trees and flowers begin to "open”.

It’s April and time to get your hands dirty! I love my flowerpots overflowing on my patio with colorful flowers every year; first with the bright daffodil blooms in spring right through to the deep rich tones of the hardy autumn mum. Even though I get lucky with my plants more times than not, I’ll be the first to admit I do not have a green thumb.
That being said, I have been known to take my best friend or my sister-in-law hostage to help with the planting of my flowerpots. Normally it’s my friend, only because my sister-in-law lives a few hundred miles away. I have no problem digging in the dirt as I grew up a ‘Tom Boy’ with farms all around me. Though, the difference these days is I no longer bite my nails, in fact I have them manicured every other week so my only request is that I wear gloves - I can’t ruin my manicure! Truth is, even though I grew up in a small town with small town farms literally surrounding my house, I never took the time to learn about plants or gardening. My mom had a garden but I never paid any attention to what she was doing. I don’t know which plants are best in direct sunlight vs. shade, how far will they spread, and so on. So I learn these things from my friends, I read articles on the Internet and it’s always a smart idea to ask advise at your local greenhouse - they’re usually happy to make suggestions.
While bringing your flowerpots onto your patio why not bring out all of your outdoor furniture and prepare your deck for those relaxing times with your family, entertaining friends or for all those relaxing times alone. With an attractive fire pit you can sit comfortably for hours after the sun goes down. The season is just beginning for many enjoyable nights on your patio or garden, the warmth of a firepit is the perfect gathering spot to relax with your favorite book or drink; perhaps you’d rather have your closest friends over for a get together. No matter what your preference, the glow of a fire pit and the warmth that emanates is always inviting. Strategically place a few tabletop firepots or lanterns and light up your garden and patio for your guests to gather and mingle. All your friends will be talking about the wonderful time they had at your party!

A tip for gardeners:
Remember: most annuals do not tolerate frost, and transplants will do better if planted into soil that has a bit of time to warm up after the cold winter. Hardy perennials can be planted quite early in the spring, especially if they have been acclimated to the outdoor temperatures at a nursery.

A Season of New

Ahhhh, so it’s officially here. I’ve been waiting patiently and Spring is finally here. I first knew it when I heard the Robins singing and then the temperatures started to rise a little each day. This past week we’ve had simply beautiful weather in the Pocono Mountains where I live. It’s so exhilarating for me, with the longer days and all the other great changes I mentioned you can’t help but have a brighter outlook. I feel as though I’m shedding that winter coat I’ve carried around all Winter which is now worn and frayed ….yuk.

I always struggle with which is my favorite season: Summer or Spring. I love hot weather, the ocean and lying on the beach but I also love the promise of a new beginning that I believe Spring brings every year. It’s good for the soul. I believe I’ll keep this my secret like Carly Simon kept her secret. May not be as intriguing but it’s my secret.

My intention was to post this entry yesterday, the First Day of Spring but as I mentioned, our weather has been so perfect this past week I’ve been enjoying the warmer weather and my home. Cleaning the garage, putting out the patio furniture and relaxing on our deck for the first time this year, it’s wonderful. I've looked around my garden to see if any of my flowers have started to bloom; I think they need another week or so of this glorious sunshine and I’ll see them poking through!

Enjoy this beautiful change of season to spring! A season of new. Make it a season of new for you as well, whatever that may be.

Spring Fever?

It happens to me every year this time; we have fewer snowstorms, the snow begins to melt, we can start to see the ground again and I get Spring Fever. I know it’s early and my friends all tell me I’m crazy, but I think it’s what gets me through these last dreary months before Spring finally arrives. Besides, when you think how quickly time goes by it won’t be long before we’re outside again enjoying warmer temperatures. A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to take a little time to relax in Florida where the weather is always warm, walking the beach and lying poolside only made me more anxious for warmer weather. I forget that many people live year-round in warmer temperatures.

Growing up in the Northeast I enjoy the beauty of all four seasons, but I always look forward to Spring. I’m an Aries baby so it’s my favorite time of the year (another excuse to celebrate!), Spring is a season of fresh, new beginnings and a sign that hot summer days are just around the corner. I Love Hot Summer Days! No matter, it goes without saying that before you know it, Easter will be here and soon after Spring!

So why not indulge a little early? Unless you’re a cold weather friend, why not? It gives positive energy and gives me the ability to make it through the last few cold months. Soon we’ll be able to go outside again, enjoy your patio and garden. It’s a time of transition but Spring will be here soon and I can’t wait!

Twenty10

When my husband asked what my New Year’s resolutions were re for this year my answer was ‘I don’t believe in making New Year’s resolutions. I live every day with the intent to better myself’. Of course this was just an effort to get out of giving a real answer. When I later thought about it I realized it really was a pretty good answer and not such a bad way to live every day so I decided to make this my goal. This will definitely be a challenge for me but a very close friend told me lately you make your own luck and I believe this is true. This doesn’t mean I’ll stop eating my favorite foods and it’ll still be a chore to go to the gym but I’m ready to start making my own luck. It may be because I’ve been practicing yoga or because the party days are really over but whatever reason I’m going to make Twenty10 a positive year for me. My answer to my husband committed me, now I have to follow through and honestly, I want to.

How many of you are up to sticking with the resolutions you’ve made for Twenty10? Make your own luck -make Twenty10 your year! Let’s make Twenty10 a positive year for all of us, lets set that goal and achieve it this year. What a great way to start out a new decade.

Happy New Years!