Coming In For The Winter

My dipladenia on the deck. I always have to order this,because I can't find them around here. Love the non vining plant and they bloom, nonstop, all summer into fall.

It really is chilly this morning. In the 40's, so I guess that I can bring in my Christmas Cactus now. My way of getting it to bloom (usually earlier than Christmas) is to keep it in the house during the summer and then at the very end of August...I put it on the front porch, keeping it watered. Christmas Cactus require more water than regular cactus. I keep an eye on it now, because year before last  a chipmunk played havoc with one and chewed into the plant itself. They usually bury seeds in my houseplants, but this little guy was hungry. Ever since then I have hung my cactus in a basket and it has worked to keep chippies  out of it I leave it out until it goes down into the 40's and then bring it in for the winter.It isn't long before fat buds start forming and then the plant blooms.

Yesterday, I looked at my geraniums and thought that maybe I'd bring some of them inside too. They are so pretty and I have room downstairs. All day I was doing other things and put that off. Today, I have to make up my mind about baby sitting these plants all winter. We were at Joe's hearing aid doctor one day and we saw the most beautiful geranium blooming in January. I asked the receptionist about it and she said that the plant was very old and lived outside in the summer and inside for the winter. It was a touch of spring on that cold winter's day. I am downstairs quite a bit during the winter...and would enjoy some bright color. I think I've made my decision...they are coming in. I have a huge coffee cup planter that is trimmed in red...I think a few geraniums would be nice in this planter. I'll show you tomorrow.

I  have some herbs to bring in too. My rosemary is being trained into a topiary wreath. She's coming in today also. My table by the big windows downstairs is so nice to have. Right now I  have stacks of canvases and water color paper...they will have to be moved.

So, what am I doing today....all of the above. I need to get this done, because my bulb order has been shipped.

We had a beef roast yesterday, so dinner will be leftovers. I like roast beef the next day...better than the day it is roasted.I may get the energy to make a one crust apple dessert  today too. I have apples to use up.

Sounds like I have some work to do. It will keep my mind off my daughter today, who is driving from her  home in DC to her lake house in Wi. Of course her cat, Huntley, will be with her. She works for the government and was in Wi on the day the government shut down, but had to fly back on Monday. So, since those crazy politicians are still lolly gagging around...she decided to drive back...with the cat. She usually flies, but when she brings the cat for a week...she drives. She lets me know she's there by playing a word on our online Scrabble game. I'm always relieved to see the Scrabble game come up and know that she's safe and sound.

Balisha

Later in the day...
I decided to bring in the whole planter of geraniums a layer at a time. They grew so beautifully in my stack and grow that I had a hard time when I thought of just dumping them. So, they are in for the winter...I'll have to turn this planter daily to keep them alive. Balisha