Yesterday while I was working, I looked out and saw Monarchs dancing on my Furr Balls plants. I decided to show you too. Lost in a nectar moment. Enjoy my little friend—I planted them for you.

The Stikeleathers turned their tired tobacco farm in to a thriving vineyard. Debbie and Gene Stikeleather purchased an old tobacco farm in Mebane North Carolina with the hopes of having a respectable winery. They wanted The Rock House Farm to be an inspiration to the community. And most certainly that is what has happened. Come [...]

Hi all—- as most of you know I’ve been working on a clothing line. I also do podcasting, am an amateur photographer making cards from those photos, and will be offering a few of my birdhouses and such for sale. So here is my new logo! As my business grows, I’ll add seasonal additions to [...]

These kitties are too kute. The only thing that would have made my day better—would be eating Kettle Korn while watching these kitties klimb and play. Spooky Kitty! I kall this a kooky kritter moment. Stay tuned for more about this little farm and its vineyard!

While traveling the back roads of North Carolina today, MrD and I visited some of the finest vineyards in the land. I’m just writing about that journey and came upon a photo, which is one of many, that is worthy of its own space. The muscadine above is called, ‘Noble’. NC grapes and muscadines are [...]

Fall plantings are actually Spring plantings. If you want your containers to have Spring bulbs then you gotta think about that right now. This container is nicely displayed at the Bob Timberlake Gallery in Lexington, NC. The euphorbia and heuchera is pretty planted in the Autumn and if you live in a milder climate it [...]

North Carolina is famous for its muscadines. I go out in the woods, find a vine, and eat them till I am sick. They are very sour and will make your cheeks hurt. It’s almost time for them to ripen. I’ll be waiting! I’ll be 12 years old again and won’t share the location of [...]

Oh my word, the nickname of this plant is Monkey Balls. Mr D and I have been talking about it for days now. The clusters of hanging flowers gives absolutely no clue that it will produce these furry balls all over the plant. We stand amazed as the butterflies and bees swarm all over. Milkweeds [...]

This collage is from Autumn of 2008 and all the pictures were taken around my house. I looked up in to the trees and there was the most beautiful assortment of oranges, browns, reds, greens, and purples. I was in awe. Autumn is creeping up on my gardens. Things have slowed down and I see [...]

This street has it all. It has a brick sidewalk, attractive plantings, beautiful homes, and mature trees. You know this took several generations of people planning and caring about how it will/would be for them and those who pass on the street. I wish this sort of thing was mandatory. I don’t mean to make [...]

This is quaint and charming but would it look better trimmed? How do you know when to trim? Some people really struggle with taking away from the ageless look while others would be trim happy. Which are you? aaa

I’m a pink kinda girl. I’m drawn to it. At least 1/4 the clothes in my closet are pink. I did a whole post on Haint Blue porch ceilings but here is one painted pink. Light Pink and Dark Pink. I have a lot of pictures of old homes. They inspire me. I seem to [...]

Sarah artfully walks through her day and you can sample some of her creations at Sarah Catherine Designs . Please meet Sarah Bradley, my new logo designer. I met Sarah in 1999 when she was working at Kaplan Early Learning Center as a designer— but soon after she climbed a ladder of success and works [...]

I gave birth to this intelligent farmer. I raised a righter/writer. He wants to right and produce movies—thus he is showing how well he can show off his product—which is produce. He was not a sleeper and learned to walk at 7 months. That jacket was really big on him when he was little but [...]

Update for you on the garden clothing line started a year ago. Many of you are following and anticipating the grand opening of my apparel line for the gardener. The goal is to have comfortable clothes that go from the garden to running errands and looking presentable in the process. Today was a huge hurdle [...]

Trucking right through the night so that the little ones and you don’t stumble, is this exclusive night light offered by Gooseberry Patch. I cruised on over there cause their products brighten my day and I always find something to match a floral arrangement I’m doing. This is so Autumn isn’t it? And I’d love [...]

I gave up on making any major decisions this afternoon when bam!, it hit me. I was reading Twitter mindlessly cause ya’ll know I’m tired. And an article pointed out to me by the Online Herbalist who blogs at Herbalist on the Street tweeted about DIY Cigarettes ( an article on Yahoo). I live in [...]

You suppose he knows I’m sneaking up on him? This little guy took a break from skimming across the Mexican Sunflowers and stopped to pose for me. Looks like he’s flexing his wings and bragging about his good looks. My son is doing better and thanks for all the well wishes.

Yesterday I held up ok, but today I’m just sick with worry. My son was in a head on collision on his way to work. a car pulled in front of him. Both cars ended up facing the opposite direction they were headed. I’m so thankful to the Lord that my son is alive as [...]

I planted two Senorita Rosalita Cleomes by Proven Winners just this last Spring of 09. One is in my yard and one in the neighbor’s beds across the street from me.  Average height for these plants is 24-48″ Mine are at least 5 feet tall and wide. Both plants came from the same source, same [...]

Remember this 100 year old house? Someone gave it too me so I can use the parts for whatever. I just had to move it! See that pile of bricks on the second floor? I went up there today and got them. I also disassembled the second fireplace you see on the front right corner. [...]

Some things are remarkable like just today I remembered that my great grand mother’s youngest sister told me a story about their grandfather. The man we are talking about was born in 1831 and died in 1886. That makes him my great great grandfather. It’s nice to reflect every now and then cause good things [...]

Here is the update to my rudbekia Cherry Brandy by Thompson and Morgan. The first seeds to germinate earlier in the season were not as deep red. Now they are this deep burgundy that you see in the photos. Thompson and Morgan says this is the first red rudbekia to be produced by seed. I [...]

No. You can not root plants that have a patent for the purpose of sharing or dividing for yourself or anyone. It will say so on the tag. You can bring a cutting in and watch the roots grow but you can not propagate the cuttings to give away or use for your own. It [...]

The best roots in a jar come from the new Illusion Midnight Lace and Emerald Lace Ipomoea batatas. They make a pretty impressive mound of luscious deep burgundy or emerald foliage too. I grew them in the ground and planters and they are by far the best Ipomoeas out there. They will not take over [...]

What a nice surprise in my garden this year is a plant called Fur Balls by Thompson and Morgan from their Kew Collection. There is a lovely caterpillar making his home there just now. What kind of butterfly is he going to be? If no one knows, then I’ll look it up. More fun if [...]

Blooming beautifully in my garden are Proven Winners‘ Chiffon series of Hibicus syriacus. I also have Blue Satin in the front and back of my house. They are all long bloomers which cover the bush from top to bottom. They grow quickly to approximately 12′ in just a few seasons. Hardy in zones 5-9. I like [...]

This is an adorable little girl whose mommy dressed her in bright sunny attire. It perfectly reflects the kind of day everyone should have at the beach.

Ya’ll can get out your fine china and serve up little pastries cause I’ll be back blogging tomorrow. All the auto postings will be done and I’ll visit around spreading my pixie dust and brownie crumbs all afternoon. I expect to see you all in fine form and sporting your finest attire. See ya 2-morrow. [...]

Yes, I know—-I’ll be back to normal soon—I’m away from the computer this week and you are tired of hearing that and so are the birds.