Two-fer - Show and Tell Friday and Garden Bloggers Muse Day

Well, I am trying to put everything together into one blog entry.

I am showing a poem I wrote about a favorite childhood memory - going to the county fair.

Some years I spent most of the week there, with my brother and sis and grandmother.

Head to Kelli's blog for show and tell Friday,

and don't miss Sweet Home and Garden Chicago, home of Garden Bloggers Muse Day !

Did I mention it is the best and largest county fair in the U.S.A.?? Or so I was told...

The Great Darke County Fair by Joyce V.

I learned in school that our school was the best.

Our town the best. Our county, without question, was the best.

Here was The Best farmland, glacier-scrubbed and rich for the plow.

Our fair was not just any fair, it was GREAT.

And as a child, I agreed.

I loved the fair food,

the fried scones dripping with butter and honey,

cotton candy, fudge of every color and flavor.

I loved the parade (always held on Thursday),

with 4-H floats and horses and

bands trooping around the track.

I loved the rides, the noise, the games,

the mysterious mustachioed fat lady.

When my money was spent,

I toured the free exhibits in the Coliseum.

I visited my uncle’s cows,

and my cousin’s pigs in the fair barns.

I studied the quilts, the needlework,

the jars of jam with blue ribbons.

Yes, it’s true; our fair is the Best fair of all.
The biggest, the most fun of all
In my memory, the GREAT Darke County Fair
Lives on forever, superlatives intact.

It's Wednesday --You found WHAT? at W---mart

It's Wednesday, and time to share the odd, the bizarre, quirky, or just plain weird things you may have seen when you were at the store. Whether it is that (in-)famous big box or your local Mom-'n-Pop store, share with us what tickled your funny bone this week!

Inspired by Karla at Ramblin' Roads (who showed us a crazy bus), I want to show you a vehicle I saw at good ol' W -- mart some time ago when it came to my town.

Here I am with our 12 year old. The Oscar Mayer mobile actually is driven from place to place.
Here are the drivers, with a handy sandwich board of facts about their hot-doggin' vehicle.

Pretty cool, wouldn't you say?

So, join in the fun, and show us what you've seen. Let me know in comments, and I'll be sure to come over and take a look!

Green Thumb Sunday

GTS - Let me walk you around and hit the high points!

Yellow Pixie Lily

I love this new plant, but feel a bit like I am cheating by showing it as mine, the buds were on the plant when I plunked it in my spring bed two weeks ago!

Buzzin' away on the veronica

D' oh! My coneflower has it's second bloom, which is just like the first, before the petals unfurled. I posted last week with a bit of worry that I had some problem with this plant. We can all see that the problem is not with the plant, but with the gardener. sigh.

Happy GTS! Happy Sabbath!

Show and Tell Friday more flower pots in the making

Show 'n Tell time again - I am still potting up plants here.
Be sure to head over to Kelli's blog to see what everyone else has to show today.

This is another 'yellow' pot, w/ yellow dahlia in the back, yellow celosia and
some white zinnias, and some variegated sweet potato vine in the front. Lowe's is clearing out a lot of their plants, and so I got most of these plants for pennies on the dollar.

This is lLimelights rtemesia, if I have the name right. It is invasive and quite a pest, from what I read on the internet, but I did manage to kill some last year in my garden. I found another plant of it this spring, and it is working well in another of my pots.

I still have some profusion zinnias, some geraniums, and a few other odds and ends to arrange in pots. Then water and fertilize and hope the fill out and look good!

Happy Friday!

Pioneer Day

This is spoken from the point of view of a convert, so don't be hatin' on me here-

I am just thinking Pioneer Day would be a lot more fun if there was more 'pie' involved.
Just sayin' ---

oh, really, it is great to honor the Pioneers.

For those of us who are LDS, there was a great poem in the July Ensign,

Lynne over at Lynne's Somewhat Invented Life has a copy of the poem, and some great comments about it. I loved this poem when I read it, too. Remembers the hardships the pioneers faced and overcame, and reminds us that we, today, need to overcome, too.

It's Wednesday --You found WHAT? at W---mart

I was not feeling very inspired about my new Wednesday topic, until,of course, I made my weekly trip to 'that big box store that shall remain nameless.'
At any rate, here's what I found as I passed the tacky souvenir section (y'know, I could do them a favor and make a sign : Tacky Souvenirs):

I mean, how old is that Jackalope joke? This jackalope at least knows that he is an embarrassment to his ilk, look at that eye rolling expression on his little acrylic face!

Overall, things were pretty quiet at Wal.... oh, you know.. today -
as I was leaving, I saw this bit of nonsense in the parking lot. Yosemite Sam, you are a true day brightener in the quest for kitchsy krapola. (I can only hope he doesn't get bugs stuck in his teeth).

Let me know if you've seen anything fun, odd, weird, or otherwise note-worthy on your trips to the store, or on vacation, or ? you tell me! I'd love to hear/see all about it.

Finish These 5 meme

Finish These Five

Rules:
Each player answers the questions themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment letting them know that they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answers.

The Five-
Ten years ago… I was a lot busier! I had a daughter in college, 3 school aged kids, and a three year old (for a total of 5 kids, y'know).

Five things on today’s “to do” list… plant some of my bargains! (I got a 'Little Kim' lilac in a 5 gallon container for ... you guessed it... $5!!!! yahoo!!! oh,, make dinner (popeye noodles and mashed potatoes, total comfort food), help the 12 year old paint her walls, fold laundry, and... did I mention I have plants to plant???

Five Snacks I enjoy… dark chocolate, pie, turtle ice cream, umm... did I say Dove dark chocolate?? those are so good, they are worth 3, I think.
Five Things I would do if I was a millionaire…build a new house, get a maid and a gardener, pay tithing, give some to my kids and set up college funds for g'kids, get a spa!

Five Places I have lived… Ohio (Arcanum!, Columbus, Bryan), Kentucky (Morehead), Florida (Orlando), Utah (Provo, Orem, Ogden), Washington state (Bremerton).

I’m tagging…
Jean at Sleeping Late on Saturday

Barbara at Motherof8

Kathy at Mimi's Garden

Lynne at Lynne's Somewhat Invented Life

Needled Mom at Needled Mom

Green Thumb Sunday

Sunday again, and time for GTS.
Here is a coneflower. I must admit that coneflowers are not my fave flower, but they are growing on me! This one is an odd duck, I don't know if this is the way it is s'posed to look, or if mine is just not blooming right.

Here is one of my 'new' (planted last fall) daylilies. I have the name written down somewhere. Unfortunately this flower is not the best example of the beauty, color and form of this plant,but it is the only one blooming today. The colors are richer than my camera shows.

Happy GTS! Happy Sabbath!

Show and Tell Friday - potting up plants for September

Friday is here again, and I thought I'd show what I am spending most of
my summer on- plants !
Be sure to head to Kelli's to see who else is participating in Show 'n Tell today.

This is a new rose for our yard this year, I love the peachy color, couldn't find the name tag at the base of the plant. The fragrance is light and lovely.

This is one of my pots I am getting ready for our wedding reception in the yard in September. Yeah, I know, May would be a much better time for this than July, but I am slow!

This pot has yellow/white colors, with an over-large daisy in the back, yellow leaved tansy on the left, a calendula in front of that, with yellow celosia and some white profusion zinnias on the right. I may put some golden oregano in the front.
I guess it is not the best photo.

Next is my effort at some dramatic color -

this pot will look better after the plants (esp the purple ruffled basil) adjusts to the move and fills in the pot. I am so happy with this combo that I wanted to show it today, it is not really for the reception. In the front is Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea) 'Blackie', in the middle is an ivy geranium called 'Picasso', with intense dark red colored blooms, and the mess in the back is the wilted basil and annual Scabiosa 'Black Knight'.

Here's a closeup of the geranium flower -

- and of the scabiosa. I messed w/ the color a bit in Photo Shop to try and recapture

the maroony loveliness of this flower. Maybe I'll show my pots again when they are more filled in.

It's Wednesday - - You found WHAT !? ! at W .. -mart

It is Wednesday again,

and I am inviting y'all to join in and let me know what's caused you to do a double take when out shopping. Doesn't have to be a big box store, anyplace will do. Let me know in comments that you've posted it on your blog. I'd love to come and see!

So, in Utah, LDS (Mormon) folks like to be prepared (like the boy scouts) -

and one area of preparation is to store food and water for emergencies-

physical /weather related disasters, financial difficulties, etc.

So I wasn't too surprised to see large containers for water storage at my local 'big box' store. Next to the blue water containers (abt 50-55 gallon size),

there are smaller buckets to hold food, grains, what have you.

But... I was surprised to see
end caps of wheat bags! hmm, 25 lbs for 14.86, I've seen it for $11 at the Provo W.. -mart store..

a sign of the times, for sure!

Let me know if you have something that made you laugh (or cry) when you were out and about.

GARDEN BLOGGER'S BLOOM DAY - July 2008

Mid month already! Time for Garden Blogger's Bloom Day,
sponsored by Carol of May Dreams Gardens.
Be sure to head over and see what is blooming in gardens all over the world!

purple California poppy
This is the first bloom of seeds I planted in the spring. I found this color of poppy at Wal-mart, of all places, and had no idea this color existed. Success!

Irish Eyes

I lost this plant last year, I planted it in too dry of a spot. Apparently it self seeds well, I have these growing in three new spots in the garden.

Daylily
The daylilies are the stars in the garden now, the roses have hit their peak and are on the downswing, but the daylilies are glorious!
Love-in-a-mist
This is everywhere in our walking garden, one of the few blue ones, we have mostly white ones. They are almost scarily prolific.

Johnson's Blue Geranium

This is a new addition to my garden, most of my cranesbill is the purply- pink variety. I am lovin' this blue!

"Native plant"
I don't know the name of this plant. I took it to the Extension's troubleshooting clinic and they didn't know, either. It is something I see in the foothills, growing wild, though.

'nother daylily
This pale yellow/cream is a fave of mine.

roses
The roses have been extra beautiful this year.

Tamarisk tree
This is listed on the invasive plants list for Utah. It clogs up and hogs up the streams here. This one in our yard is well behaved, though, and we love the pink fluffy blooms, esp. for bouquets.

Also blooming:

shasta daisies,

salvia,

red valerian (always, always blooming!),

spiderwort,

yucca, and

drumstick allium.

Happy bloom day, all!

Green Thumb Sunday -Lavendar and dragonfly

Time keeps flyin' by - it is Sunday again!

Lavendar is one of those old reliables in our yard.

It does just fine without any extra attention,
spreads about a bit, but not aggressively so, and the bees love this stuff.

I love the smell, too.

At any rate, I was out taking a few pics of my flowers when I caught this dragonfly enjoying the lavendar, too.

Show and Tell Friday - jewelry from high school

Show and Tell Friday is here again. If you'd like to be a part of it, go to Kelli's blog!

Today I want to show you some of my old treasures from my jewelry box. In high school I belonged to the Future Teachers of America, and I believe that is where I got the small gavel pin, (bottom piece) when I was the President of FTA (I know, you are soo impressed!).

The Bulova watch was a special graduation present from my Dad. It doesn't work anymore and isn't worth fixing, but I love it so much that I can't get rid of it.

The last piece is my 'senior key' - I am guessing that the significance of this item was explained at one point or another, but I don't remember what it was. My initials are on the back JRR, and the manufacturer's name - Jostens. The front shows our school colors, orange and black (not my fave!) I hated wearing orange on color days, I think I decided it looked bad with my 'dishwater blond' hair (really light brunette). I loved the school, my sisters, my brother, mycousins, my parents and many aunts and uncles graduated from good old Arcanum High. Now I hear they are tearing down the old building and putting up a new building. Probably a good thing, but it does make me sad.

What school memories do you have?

Oh, and stop in next Wednesday, I'm starting

It's Wednesday - You found WHAT? at W**mart!

so think of those odd experiences you have had shopping, those odd things on the shelves. who would buy it? why would theymake it? We need to see it all! So come ready to share

It's Wednesday - - You found WHAT !? ! at W-mart

I've been toying with this idea for a while - this will be an occasional blog theme and it will be on Wednesday. Here's the deal - for a long time I never shopped at Wal-mart. Now, I go once a week (and try to keep it to ONLY once a week). They do have almost everything, y'know.

It's a great place to people-watch.

And, every so often, I see the oddest things while I am at shopping. Not always at W**-mart, as it shall hereafter be referred to, but usually. So, if you see something funny/bizarre/strange/weird/etc./etc. while you are out shopping, comment here, and I would love to see it! And I'll be here on Wednesday, letting you in on the odd-ball things I find when I am getting my weekly W**-mart fix in.

So- there's the souvenir section at good old W** , just made for a tourist who is in a hurry and needs a tacky wooden saying, state thimble, or other cheap souvenir.

This is, of course, a shot glass. Moderately funny that there is a shot glass for Utah, but not everyone is LDS (Mormon) and a non-drinker here. You can see a wagon, commemorating the pioneers who crossed the plains to settle Utah.

A seagull, looking a lot like an eagle, which commemorates the Miracle of the Seagulls here in Utah. Tacky, but, nothing too unusual - until you turn your little $2.57 souvenir a bit more and see-

the Salt Lake Temple???!!??
Now that is just not right! Funny, yes, ironic, chintzy, and just too odd for words. Maybe this is what you are s'posed to buy on your way home from attending the temple so you can have a drink to relax???
Wrapping up - let me know what you've seen on your last shopping trip. The world is a funny place.

GTS angel face and spuds

Sunday again, our roses are blooming like crazy. This lavendar bloom is called
'Angel Face.' It is one of my favorites. It is also a small plant that is struggling, next to some giant rose bushes. I have been nursing it along, and need to come up with a better place for it, perhaps.
I also wanted to show off a bit - my potatoes are growing 'great guns' as they say.

I'll bet you are jealous of my classy cinderblock look, eh? They are functional if not beautiful. I have them around the potatoes, and plan to add more compost and straw (free straw! somebody dumped two bales at the back of our property!) as the plants continue to grow, and use the cinder blocks to help keep everything in place. The corn is doing ok, it is about 3 feet tall. You can see it behind the potatoes.

Happy GTS!