Tootsie Time

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers March 9/12

2012-03-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

Well hello there! It’s SO good to see you!

Friday is a BIG day for us here at Tootsie Time…(ok, just me…there is no one else here…lol) It’s a big deal because it means it’s PARTY TIME!!!! Fertilizer Friday is the day of the week than an ELITE group of gardeners from all around the world get together, snap photos, link up and Flaunt Their Flowers!!!
If you are new to Tootsie Time and Fertilizer Friday, I just know you are asking yourself…”How do I join?”
Well…it’s easy really. Here’s all you need to know to become a part of this great group of gardeners, bloggers and friends:
If it is spring or summer where you live, you need to snap a few photos of what you have growing, blooming or just love to look at that is of the plant variety…if it is winter where you live, you may post past favorite photos…or indoor plants…whatever you like. The only criteria is that it is a plant or something growing!
You do not need to use fertilizer to participate in this party, but if you do, this is the reminder to fertilize weekly!
All I ask is that: Your post must include the logo above and/or a link to Tootsie Time, or the linky will be deleted.

So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...

It was a good week in my world this week. I did a little more work on my house renovations…(watch for that post next week) and a lot more progress was made in the greenhouse!

I planted and planted and planted…and even saw some teensy little signs that spring is coming!

Take a look:

Remember the pots I had all the perennials in? Yep…the ones that I didn’t think would have survived the winter?? Well…they did!!! This is a silver mound!!! Look at all the growth!!! Spring is definitely come to Tootsie’s Greenhouse!!!

Another sign of spring…one of the lilies is popping up!!!

I planted some Geraniums about two weeks ago now…they are popping up!!!

If you look really hard…you will see a petunia in this photo…a very teensy baby petunia!!! Yay!!!

On this wall I have officially got 15 Geraniums…7 Petunias and about 20 Bacopa that are up!!! I am so excited…soon the greenhouse will be filled with GREEN!!!

Nothing up over on this wall yet…next week…I hope!!!

I leave you with a shot of the view I get as I walk through the door to come into the greenhouse…can you imagine how good it smells in there already??? It smells like fresh soil…and the scent of flowers is just a few weeks away!!!

SPRING IS DEFINITELY ON ITS WAY!!!!! Now if it would just quit snowing it would be a bit easier to believe it!!! ha ha

Thanks to everyone who links in this week…and to those who pop over for a quick visit!!! Please don’t forget to leave me a comment! I will be around to see what you have to dazzle us with this week…and looking forward to every post!

Hugs , smiles and wishes for a safe and happy weekend with friends and family from Tootsie and her gang in Zone 2 Alberta Canada!!!

Until Next Time…Happy gardening!

*)*)*) to my three winks: Just a quick thought: I've made mistakes in my life. I've let people take advantage of me, and I have accepted way less than I deserve. But, I've learned from my bad choices, and even though there are some things I can never get back and people who will never be sorry, I'll know better next time and I won't ever again settle for anything less than I deserve.

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Tasks: The Greenhouse in March

2012-03-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

Many greenhouse growers use their greenhouses for a short period during the warmer months of the year, but there are a small percentage of us that grow year round!

This month by month outline will share what tasks may need to be done year round.

Keeping in mind that I garden in Alberta Canada, (zone 2) the outdoor growing season is from mid to the end of May until the hard frosts take my gardens in mid to late September or early October. If your climate is a bit milder than mine, you can adjust your greenhouse schedule to suit your climate.

This schedule is made for a plan to plant outdoors in Mid to late May.

With the spring season almost right on top of us this month, we must be aware of the warmer temperatures and big fluctuations in temps outside with the weather.

My Greenhouse in March is LOADED to capacity with trays of sown seed, seedlings and some established plants. It is a very exciting time.

*sow most of the seeds that will be the spring crop of annuals this month if they are not already sown.

* make sure all the air vents are working correctly, fan systems are operating properly and the thermostat is accurate. Proper ventilation will be important on warmer sunny days.

*continue to keep the heating system in working mode. March can be tricky as there is still the cold night temps…as well as warmer daytime highs.

*the seedlings have more than likely popped up in number…so watering systems must be operational…or in my case…the water containers must remain at full.

* it is about the time of year we begin to use fertilizer to feed established plants in the greenhouse, as well as on the seedlings. (be sure not to water seedlings with fertilizer until they have their second set of true leaves, and to ensure that the solution is not too strong- we wouldn’t want to burn our babies!)

* more sunny days mean more need for some sort of shade. For me this means hanging some fabric that will filter the sunlight. This will help ensure that the seedlings do not get burnt.

*inspecting the greenhouse plants for pests such as aphids, spider mites and others…is a must this month. If you find some treat immediately.

*watch for damping off disease in your seedlings…

*thin out some of the young plants that are sprouting up in your plant trays. Too many will cause issues and disease and threaten your entire crop.

*start any seeds that are left to be sown. There isn’t much time left before the spring plant!

*make sure you write the date that you sow seeds on the package that they came in for future reference and store empty seed packets in a waterproof container.

*continue to keep the greenhouse tidy and organized. It is filling up quickly now and regular cleaning is necessary.

*update your garden Journal regularly

* make sure that you have someone on standby to water your greenhouse if you are away from home.

*because heavy wet snow can fall in the month of March, make sure you or someone else is always ready to pull down snow that my fall and accumulate on the roof...we would not want to see your greenhouse fall down!

*you might consider starting some of your spring bulbs in the greenhouse this month to be transplanted into the garden in the months to come!

I will see you again in April with more greenhouse tasks!

What tasks did you do for the month of March in your greenhouse?

Until next time….Happy gardening!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers March 2/12

2012-03-01T13:52:00.004-07:00

Well hello there! It’s SO good to see you!

So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...

The kids and I spent ALL of last week literally flat out in bed with a nasty flu bug…but with us all seemingly on the mend…I finally got to be in the greenhouse this week!!! I knew the kids were feeling much better when bodily functions once again became cause of uncontrollable laughter…ha ha

I had sooo much to accomplish this week in my greenhouse. The entire operation was not even ready for me to THINK about seeding. I had nothing ready to go…so first I needed to take a minute to see what items I did and did not have in the greenhouse already that I absolutely needed. Once I found what was necessary, and took care of what was in dire straits…and started to get down to some serious business!

Its awful snowy outside this week. I wish mother nature would just send spring…and skip the rest of the winter torture. I have some big ideas for this yard…which is barren and dead. The shed you see in the photo, needs to find it’s home elsewhere …for starters…ha ha .

Inside the greenhouse is nice and warm. Now that it is beginning to look a little more like Tootsie’s place…

I could start planting! I managed to sow some Bacopa, Petunia, and Geranium seeds.

I did not purchase much for seed this year, as I was not sure I would even have a greenhouse to plant in…and I also had LOTS of seed left from last year. I sure hope they are still good!

I have been peeking in on them every few hours to see if maybe…just maybe my seeds were viable, and things are sprouting!

Today I planted 6 flats of Pansy’s. I can’t wait to see them sprout up and start blooming!!!

It isn’t full yet…but will be soon enough! I have a LONG way to go before my greenhouse planting is done, but for this week, that is all I got done. I ran out of potting soil, and need to pick up more this weekend!

Since I had no soil to play in, I decided to see if any of the perennials that I so lovingly potted up from my old yard managed to survive the winter in the pots I have them in. I didn’t get a chance to properly winter them, so it is a gamble that they are even alive anymore. I am fearful that the frost from the very very deep cold weather we had may have taken them to plant heaven.

I brought them into the greenhouse, to thaw and see if anything happens that will make me smile!

I also started to put up some of the little odds and ends that makes my greenhouse mine. My antique seed spreader and a few little decorative touches are on display…at least for now. I am sure there will be some changes made to the set up in the greenhouse, but for now, getting it functional is more important than making it pretty.

I hope all the seeds sprout, and I can fill this space up with something fantastic this spring!

That is it for my flaunt today! Thank you to you all for popping over to see what I am up to, and for linking in this week! I had such a great time snooping around in your gardens last week that I can’t hardly wait to see what you share this time!

Hugs , smiles and wishes for a safe and happy weekend with friends and family from Tootsie and her gang in Zone 2 Alberta Canada!!!

Until Next Time…Happy gardening!

*)*)*) to those special three that love to think of me…I often wonder what if.. what if I had made other choices...then I see my kids faces and know the ones I made were more than ok.. they were perfect, and I can change the future not the past. At times I almost want to thank you for helping become the strong person I am today…almost.

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Tasks: The Greenhouse In February

2012-02-28T00:00:00.001-07:00

Many greenhouse growers use their greenhouses for a short period during the warmer months of the year, but there are a small percentage of us that grow year round! This month by month outline will share what tasks may need to be done year round. Keeping in mind that I garden in Alberta Canada, (zone 2) the outdoor growing season is from mid to the end of May until the hard frosts take my gardens in mid to late September or early October. If your climate is a bit milder than mine, you can adjust your greenhouse schedule to suit your climate. This schedule is made for a plan to plant outdoors in Mid to late May.

In February, in my greenhouse I do the following tasks:

BRRRRRR! IT IS COLD OUTSIDE MY GREENHOUSE IN FEBRUARY!

*receive and sort my seed orders by type of plant, and when they will need to be sowed. (a seed bin is a good idea. I use a plastic one that has a lid that locks closed

*purchase permanent marker to label all plants as soon they are sown- do not trust your memory not to fail you! This is a busy time, and things can get mixed up very easily

*make sure to update the greenhouse journal

*continue to fill containers, pots and seed cells with soil in order to be prepared to sow

*Plant the Geraniums and any other seed that needs extra time to mature before planting outdoors

*maintain water levels in my water cans

*inspect remaining plants that were wintered in the greenhouse again to ensure no pests have hatched or arrived to threaten the tiny seedlings you are about to produce

* ensure that the greenhouse remains clean and organized…cleanliness is next to godliness in the greenhouse!

* maintain no less than 10C in the greenhouse and keep the air circulating to avoid disease or fungus! The temperatures in Alberta are often in the –30C or less range…heating is a necessity!

* prepare for extra heat sources if necessary (February can be a COLD month in Alberta)

* prepare for labels (I cut up cheap mini-blinds for this)

*prepare liners for the trays (they sometimes leak and when watering from below, you do not want to lose your water. I use plastic garbage bags cut to size)

*watch our newly planted seeds start to sprout up!

I will see you again in March with more greenhouse tasks!

Do you have a greenhouse journal of some sort? What tasks did you do for February in your greenhouse?

Until next time….Happy gardening!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

Tasks: The Greenhouse In January

2012-02-27T00:00:00.001-07:00

For a while now I have been considering sharing some of the ins and outs of my greenhouse. I am often asked what to do each month and why...so I thought I would put together a series of Monthly posts that will share what I do as each month passes...and prompt those who need a bit of a reminder!

I will be posting January today...and, since it is February right now, Tomorrow I will share February with you. In March...I will post the March tasks...and so on and so on...and well...you get the picture! Once the entire year has been posted...I will put them all together and add them to the menu bar at the top of this site! I suppose the best place to begin is the beginning...and there is nothing more fresh and first than January...so lets get started!

Many greenhouse growers use their greenhouses for a short period during the warmer months of the year, but there are a small percentage of us that grow year round! This month by month outline will share what tasks may need to be done year round. Keeping in mind that I garden in a harsh climate in Alberta Canada, (zone 2) the outdoor growing season is from mid to the end of May until the hard frosts take my gardens in mid to late September or early October. If your climate is a bit milder than mine, you can adjust your greenhouse schedule to suit your climate. This schedule is made for a plan to plant outdoors in Mid to late May.

JANUARY.

January is the start of a whole new year! It is a good month to take a look at what you have growing in your greenhouse, take inventory of your supplies, and begin to plan for the coming summer months. In the cooler climates, the greenhouse will already have been insulated and inspected for the cold temps of the winter, but this is a good time to take a quick look to make sure that all the equipment, heaters, fans, and thermometers are in good working order. It is a great time to begin to plan for your gardens for the upcoming garden season!

In January I prepare MY greenhouse by:

*making sure the greenhouse is well insulated, and that all drafts are plugged. Take extra care to look especially round the doors, eaves and vents.

* make sure all snow is removed from the roof as soon as it falls, to not only ease the pressure on the roof, but to allow more light to enter the growing area.

*set up my water system. I do not have running water in my greenhouse, therefore I use large clean garbage cans. I clean and fill my water cans, so that they are ready for the upcoming months, and that I have a water supply for the rest of winter.

* keep garden hose on hand for the filling of the cans, so that it is not frozen.

*purchase several bales of potting soil

* on a “warm” day, I prune and/or re-pot and then bring all the tropical houseplants that I house over the fall and early winter months into the house to make room for the upcoming spring plants.

*order seeds for the upcoming spring crop

* remove all dead leaves from plants that are remaining in the greenhouse, prune and/or re-pot.

* clean and tidy up the greenhouse- including washing the walls/windows and all shelving

*spray for pests (If necessary I will use a mild insecticide to make sure the environment is ‘clean’ for the young seedlings to come

*test the heat, thermostat, thermometers and fan system.

*plan for extra/supplemental heat sources if necessary. The temps can fall rapidly and harsh cold is common in Alberta in the winter months. -37C is not uncommon.

Set Up Shelving In January

*set up the shelving (staging) in the greenhouse

*begin to fill pots and line trays for the seeds to be sown in

*it is a good idea to begin a greenhouse journal, either by hand or on your computer to track your activities for future reference, and for the planning/scheduling stages

* start to get excited for the spring seeds to arrive and get plans made for the gardens this year.

What greenhouse tasks do you do in your area in the first month of the year?

I will see you again in February!

Until then, Happy Gardening!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

Good Ideas!

2012-02-25T16:45:00.001-07:00

How many of these did YOU know about?

A sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a
knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed.
(hmmmmmm...) Sure, but then I forget where I put the envelope....

============================================
Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them
neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.

===================================
For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: Get warm water and put
Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't
refreeze. (Wish I had known this for the last 40 years!) Washing dishes outside - great idea! I know it doesn't work with sunlight dish soap...hope Dawn works better!!!

===================================
To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for
a few hours. Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside down. The
wax will fall out. Okay, now we have 2 things in the freezer that we forgot were there....

===================================
Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped
in baking soda. Comes off with little effort (elbow grease that is!). Or..use a magic eraser??

==================================
Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel.

==================================
Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads , I immediately take a pair of
scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw
away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would
be much more economical. Now a box of S.O.S pads last me indefinitely!
In fact, I have noticed that the scissors get 'sharpened'' this way!

==================================
Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works
every time! (Now, where to put the body?) LOL

==================================
Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal
for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks.
Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows
on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.

==================================
Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely
light scent in each room when the light is turned on.

==================================
Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will
smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels
and linen.

==================================
Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3
hours prior to burning. Well now that's 3 things in the freezer...

==================================
To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag an d add the
flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt
and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!

==================================
To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet , simply add a drop or
two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to
a boil on stove top.

==================================
Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spray before pouring
in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.

==================================
Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will
keep for weeks. At least it's not in the freeezer!

==================================
When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the
corn's natural sweetness

==================================
Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half, and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away. Maybe that is what the lime in some of the alcoholic beverages is for????

==================================
Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces ... Left over wine? What's that??

Wouldn't you know it... might have to get another freezer...!!!!

==================================
To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief. or just scratch it and save the trip inside.

==================================
Ants, ants, ants everywhere .. Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So, get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.

==================================
Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.
seriously???
==================================
When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, and
then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.

==================================
Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer.........
Clean a toilet.
Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush.
The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous China .

==================================
Clean a vase.
To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.

==================================
Polish jewelry.
Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.

=================================
Clean a thermos bottle.
Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).

=================================
Unclog a drain.
Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, and then run the hot water.

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Feb. 24/12

2012-02-24T00:00:00.001-07:00

Well hello there! It’s SO good to see you!

So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...

I had such big plans for this week…I purchased two bales of potting soil…packed them gingerly all the way home and put them into the greenhouse to thaw. I had big plans of planting some annual seeds Monday morning Bright and early…I drove through a blizzard to get home with my soil for this special day to come!

Monday morning came…and I was stuck in my bed with a horrible virus, and I am still there 4 days later! I am sick…my kids are sick…and I never even got to go out to the greenhouse at all. If this virus doesn’t let us go soon…I think I might beg the local vet to euthanize me…it’s just that bad!

So..for now all that is in my greenhouse is one lonely cactus and a bit of soil…but not for long….

I have no new photos to share…the only thing I seem to be growing is virus germs…and no one wants to see that! ewe!!

I was hoping to have some plants from the farm brought home this week too….Grammie is killing them one at a time…with her huge green thumbs! lol I just miss my plants so much. I can’t wait to be healthy and healed up and ready to get going full speed ahead again!

My share this week is of a photo of my seeds!!!

soon they will become more than little seeds…they will be…the plants that will fill my gardens!!!…(and possibly a few others! lol)

In the mean time…I am excited to announce that while I plant next week…because by then I will either be used to the pain that this virus has me in…or over it completely…I will be a busy Tootsie…hosting my first webinar!

I was invited to host a webinar along with my good friend Brenda Haas!

I am a little nervous…never done anything quite so formal before…but because I am hosting with Bren…I know we will have a blast. We just goof around and giggle and talk gardening like old friends do…so I hope you all will join us!!!

"Growing Year-round – hosted by Brenda Haas and Glenda Duchak" Tuesday, February 28, 2012 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM PST

Please join us!! It will be fun! If nothing else you can hear me and Bren chat it up and have a little fun with the growing’s on in our greenhouses! OYI…how korny is that! click the logo above to register!!

Thanks for the visit today….and when I am all done getting well I will share the latest from inside the house…and then….inside the greenhouse! So much to say…so little time to say it! I am headed back to bed…Me and ‘Busy’ have been hit the hardest…she hasn’t moved in days…just lays there being teensy…and tired, poor thing had to postpone birthday plans for this virus! Her siblings are bouncing back slowly…and we are all on the mend!

Until next time…Happy Flaunting!

*)*)*) to the fans that rise above!! I'm a beautiful person inside and out & nothing Is going to change that. Love me or hate me - I'm still gonna SHINE. Does it bother you to know that I'm everything you'll never be?

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Feb.17/12

2012-02-16T13:00:00.001-07:00

I am so happy you stopped by!

So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...

This week I have been super busy doing lots of errands and finalizing the sale of my old home. It has been a tough week for me and the kids, and I have been away from the computer much of the time. My share this week is going to be a blast from the past. I am missing my greenhouse…and aching to see spring…and all the crisp green leaves sprouting and the promise of blooms to come. Looking through the photos of my flowers in past seasons, I started to get excited… started to dream.

I am dreaming of …

Calibrachoa. It always makes me smile…the vibrant small blooms.

Dahlias in every color imaginable are a very nice sight to see. They are so regal and intricate.

The Passion Flowers with all the intricacies of their blooms, make this gardener stop and just gaze in amazement at the wonders of nature.

Geraniums in a myriad of colors in abundance filling the beds and containers are a delight! In early evening the bright colors seem to almost be electric with their glow.

Colorful hanging baskets with heavenly shades of blue flowers…Bacopa, Pansy, Lobelia…all just so delicate..

Huge containers loaded with Wave Petunias… just so wonderful…

Foliage plant such as Coleus…look so pretty and almost touchable!

Osteospermums sitting pretty in pots and plantings…looking like princesses waiting for prince charming to come.

Maybe a “forest” of Malva and Lavatera…to fill a flower bed…or just a few to add height to a garden…

I can’t wait to get my greenhouse filled with tropicals that bloom…

…and lots that don’t. Just leaves are enough for me…as long as it’s green…I am a happy girl.

I just can’t wait to have a space where I can sit…and let the garden excite my senses and ignite my imagination, and awaken my creativity.

Starting Monday morning, I am getting my plant on and starting to seed my annuals for this coming season!

What are YOU dreaming about for your gardens? I can’t wait to see!

Until next time…Happy garden dreaming!

“Creativity is when your spirit gets a chance to play and express itself. So whether art, dance, making music, writing, or creating a garden, let yourself go…”

*)*)*) to my special little fan club…sometimes life puts you on a path you didn't want to be on but somehow at the end of the path there's opportunity there that you would have never discovered before. Every flower that ever bloomed had to go through a whole lot of dirt to get there.

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE!!! oops!! My Bad…ha-ha

2012-02-15T16:30:00.002-07:00

There is a little confusion that has come to my attention in the last couple of days, and I think it is important to clear it up!

Who ARE Grammie and Grampie and WHERE are Tootsie’s Parents???

Well…I am happy to say that I can clear up this little mystery once and for all in one fell swoop!

Grammie and Grampie…ARE my Mom and Dad! The day they became grandparents…they ditched their real names and became known as Grampie and Grammie. That is what they, and everyone around them calls them…even the staff at their store! If you call them by their real names…My kids have no idea who you are talking about…and sometimes they don’t even answer! Grampie and Grammie are very special.

This man is my Dad. His real name is Glen…but…prefers to be known as Grampie. He has many faces to him.

The silly and fun little flirty face!..

The Playful imaginative face…

The goofy great sense of humor face…

This is the face he’s wearing right now as he reads this…(glad I am three hours away right now…ha ha…love you Daddy?) ha ha ha!

His gentle face…(He is ‘Busy’s’ favorite playmate…)

He is My Dad…he is a hard working mechanic, creative and fun man…and I am so glad my kids have a Grampie like him.

NEXT!!

This lady is my Mom. Her real name is Iris. She, like my dad has a name she prefers. Grammie. It is one of her claims to fame! She also has several faces…

She has her at the farm casual side…notice the long legs she has! hee hee

Her adventurous and fun side! “run Grammie RUN!” (no worries…she can’t get away…her legs are not too long) ha ha

Her ‘working’ side…

Her professional face…this is one heck of a business woman!

This is my Mom. She is the strongest woman I know. If there is something that needs doing and no one to help…she finds a way. She is creative, smart, classy, eloquent and very talented. I am thankful that she is who she is and that my kids can have someone so admirable to call Grammie.

I hope that this post will clear up any confusion as to where my parents are and who Grammie and Grampie are!!!

I will see you tomorrow for Fertilizer Friday!!!

Until Next Time…Happy Reading!

*)*)*) to my special fan club!!! Children grow up and mirror the example they have been set by those who they admire most. I am so glad my kids are getting a good view of those who are positive and strong!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

A Lot To Change…And…A Little Progress.

2012-02-13T00:00:00.001-07:00

When last we met I shared the first part of my kitchen remodel. Well…today I am going to make you wait for the second part of it, simply because I am not finished working on the part I want to share! ha-ha.

Today I am going to share a few more of the before photos from the inside of my new house…which is slowly becoming a home.

I admit…that with all that has transpired in my (and the kids) lives this past while, I could not see the forest for the trees. (so to speak) My imagination was broken…my eye could not see the possibilities for this little house. It took me a while to get to a place where I felt I could even try to imagine what this house could look like. I eventually pulled my head out of my butt and got a little inspiration, but it was not easy. I was discouraged…let me show you why:

take a look:

GRAPE GREEN….on the walls…yep…it is a pretty color…if its on a seedling…but on the walls??? Can you guess which room?? (my oldest daughter had this in her bedroom last year...she loved it...me...not so much )

Yep!!! It is the family room!!! There is a fireplace behind that pile of crap!!! My plan for this was easy: PAINT…and remove the shelving on the wall beside it. My olive green sofa will not look good with this color!!! lol

I could not wait to paint…It got a nice crisp coat…or 3 of cream paint and it looks a million times better…I will share the after photos when I am done putting the room together.

NEXT ROOMS: Kids bedrooms.

Don’t you just LOVE the floor??? I think the old owners took the throw rugs with them when they left, and so we will need to address this...

This is my oldest daughter’s bedroom. ugh…The walls and ceiling will get a fresh coat of crisp cream paint…no more old paint….and that floor will be changed to a nice laminate…

This is the bedroom that will be occupied by my son. It’s a no brainer that the walls and ceilings will go from princess purple…to a nice crisp cream…and that floor…well it is almost a shame to cover it up…ha- ha! I’M KIDDING!!! He is almost 13...a purple wall is like hell for him!

Do you see the dark spot on the tiles on the floor in the corner? Well that is a spot where there are two tiles missing…and they slide…the funny part of it is that it brought back a childhood memory for me.

Do you remember these puzzles? You know the ones that you have to slide the tiles to put the picture together? That is what the floor in his room reminded me of…ha ha. As a kid my sister and I would sneak these puzzles to church in our purses…and try to do them when my mom wasn’t looking…Grampie would sometimes play too…but Grammie didn’t like it. ha ha

His walls were a mess…there were over 100 holes in his walls…what the heck could they have been hanging in there???

The holes were fixed…the floor replaced…

…and once I get a bit of time…I plan to build him a closet. His room had this gem instead of a real closet. It is a good thing he is patient!!! ha ha!

This house sports a second kitchen in the basement…and there are two wood burning fireplaces in the house…one upstairs in the living room…and the one in the family room downstairs.

There was a LOT of work to do to get this house feeling less like a train wreck and more like a home…

I have been plugging along slowly but surely…trying to let my shoulder injury heal…while still making a bit of progress…

What? You want to see a sneak peak at what little progress I have made???

Ok!!! I am so glad you asked!

This is a shot of the first attempt in my living room…from the front doorway…

I am still moving things around daily…

This is the view from the fireplace. It is slowly but surely coming together! I will more than likely have it changed a million times over before I finally settle on an arrangement, but for now, it will do…

This is the little hall way into the bathroom and bedrooms on the main floor…and in the mirror…you can see a little peak at my bedroom.

That’s it…I have no more to share today! I hope you will come back and see the progress as I move through this house slowly but surely making it a home.

I thank you for stopping by today and hope you will again soon. This week promises to be insanely busy and difficult for for me and the kids…final days to finish the sale of my old home, and lot to do…so if you don’t see me around…that is why! It will be another week before things slow down enough for me to get around to even a few of you…thanks for understanding!

Don’t forget to get your flaunt on with me this Friday!!! The post for the Fertilizer Friday party will be up Thursday evening…

Until next time….Happy decorating!

*)*)*) a quick note to my special fan club: I'm not hoping on a perfect life, I'm aiming for a better one, but for now I'm quite content with the mess of this one, ha ha, It keeps me entertained. I live to leave my kids a positive legacy. Here is a thought for the rest of your life...How do you want to be remembered?

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Feb.10/12

2012-02-09T18:24:00.002-07:00

Welcome!!! I am so happy you stopped by!

So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...

Guys!!! I am so far behind that I can’t even see the beginning!!! Last year at this time…

…I had seedlings this size already!!!

I can’t wait till it is once again bursting at the seams like this!..

…or like this! Oh the smell in there when it is loaded with flowers!!! Yep…I am way behind…

This year…I haven’t even started!!! I have… however…been looking longingly at old photos and at my seed catalogs…looking forward to a little dirt therapy.

Life has handed me a full plate with a side of too much! I am hoping to have a chance to get some planting done next week…after the sale of my house is finalized. I will be busy getting the last little details arranged all weekend and most of the week…so I won’t be around AGAIN.

It is going to be a very emotional week for me and the kids next week. On the 14th Busy has a birthday and we are going to have lots of cake!!! On the 15th we have to hand possession of the house over to the new owners. None of us are happy to do this. This has been a very difficult adjustment for me and the kids. The kids are so sad to say goodbye to their home. I think they have been wishing and hoping that somehow we would be able to keep the house…but alas, the court order said we had to sell, and we did. They are very upset with their Dad for this hurt…and I have been busy trying to keep their chins up and the smiles happening.

Thank you so much to those of you who are emailing and commenting and sending me hugs and prayers. Your support has been such a comfort to me and the kids. Grammie and Grampie like reading your comments too…they have been so strong for us during our difficult times…I hope they know how appreciated they are!

I think I have said enough for today. I will be back to dazzle you with more of the transformation of my new address from drab to Tootsie’s type of rad…in a few days!

Hugs and smiles…wishes for a safe and happy weekend to you all. Thank you to all who have dropped in and left a comment and a link for their flaunt! I hope to see you all again next week!

*)*)*) Just a thought: What you have already done, can never be undone, what hasn't been done, can be done, but what YOU are doing, is your choice. Life is not about how hard you can hit. It's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward with your life.

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

The Making of a Home…Part 1. The Kitchen…

2012-02-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

welcome!!! I am so glad you stopped by today… and even more glad that I can see you stopping!!! I finally am able to be online again!!! The service guy that originally installed my internet, just happened to have a light schedule today, and thought he’d stop by and see if mine was working yet. I wasn’t supposed to get another service call until the 22nd of Feb.!!! Needless to say I was very happy to see him at my door!!!

Today I will begin the sharing of Tootsie’s new start! The first of many posts to come that will share the renovation and making of my new house into a home!

This is a long LONG post…so grab a coffee and maybe a cookie or two and settle in for an adventure in home renovation. I have never attempted a project of this magnitude before…and have learned a lot!

***REMEMBER*** The new house is not NEW new…but its new to me. The house itself is about 1970 or so…it is as ~~old~~ (ahem) young as me! ha –ha!!! ***

Take a look:

This is a photo of the kitchen in my new location. It isn’t as bad as it could be…but it isn’t ‘good’ either. Right???

The stove is pushed against the drywall and there is nothing there to protect the wall from the heat of the burners…the dishwasher is ACROSS the kitchen from the sink…right beside the stove…and because of the cabinet wall being so snug against the fridge…it not only is hard to open…but it is next to impossible to pull it out to clean under it!

The cabinets themselves are in rough shape.

My original plan for this kitchen was to update it just a little…I was going to take the doors off…and change the hardware…and give them a good sanding and refinish them….

I was going to remove the cabinetry above the cupboards…as it was a waste of valuable display space…and paint the ceiling and walls.

WELL…when I went to simply remove the doors…I discovered that they were disgusting! I had to use a razor blade to get the gunk out of the screws just to get the screwdriver in there to get them off!!! I was grossed out when I disturbed the gunk and it smelled bad…and that is where the clean and paint plan fell apart!

Grammie and I made the executive decision to gut and renovate this kitchen!!!

Bye Bye ugly!!! You have to admit…it is VERY dated…look at the phone cubby in the wall!!! ha-ha!

…And so the renovation begins!..

This is not going to be a tidy project…and it is going to take a LOT of elbow grease.

Grammie did some measuring and I did some imagining…and we came up with a plan…Then Grammie did some more measuring…and the deal was done!!! We are going on a home renovation adventure!

There’s that phone cubby again! The wall that it is on…is about to disappear and re-appear about 18 inches further back. There was a little ledge on the other side of that wall…that was used for junk in the back entrance. I didn’t need that space for the back door…so we decided to move the wall back.

Everything was removed from the existing cabinet design. I may keep the upper cabinets to use in the garage we are putting in this spring…but the bottom ones are garbage!

The beginning of the new wall being put in. My Dad…Grampie…sure did a good job building that for us. During this little wall building…

I was building the new cabinets…

…and building….

…and building…when I would be getting sick of the cabinet construction, I would paint different rooms in the house, and help with the demolition of the kitchen.

I built every cabinet all by myself!

This is such a messy job…there is dust and drywall, and wood saw dust everywhere!!! Not a fun time for a clean- aholic!!!

We took out the old flooring as it was damaged…and we managed to save just enough to re-tile the back entrance!

Next…we put in the new floor covering!

(not the best photo of the new floor…but you get the idea. )

I was so tired when we finished this that I nearly fell asleep right there on the floor…lucky for me the ‘gang’ and Grampie was there to keep me awake!

Grampie is just buzzing around all over…look at him…he’s going so fast he’s just a blur!!! ha-ha

Grammie and Grampie were around after work each day to see how much progress I was making. The helped me bring in the lower cabinets…and Grampie put in a few plug ins for me…(this house has very few plug ins) …and then it happened…

…Grampie hurt his back. We are not sure if it happened at work…or at this house, but none the less…he was out of commission.!!! (except to inspect and/or supervise of course!)

What the heck will we do now??? How will we get this done? Not to worry…

That was the night that I decided that this was going to be MY project…was the night I decided that I would do it myself!!!!…and that is just what I did!

Lookin’ like a kitchen a little bit more every day!!!

…Got the doors on!!! The stove moved away from the wall…dishwasher re-located…now…the walls…they need “HELP”

The new wall that Grampie built was given a quick and easy fix. I installed pine paneling. It clicks together and all you need to do is nail and glue it into place! Easy…Peezy!!! The only part I hated was cutting out the shapes for the switches and plug ins, and the end pieces that were narrower than one panel piece…what a pain!!!

I painted it the same creamy color that I did the rest of the house in, and voila! one wall done! I didn’t like it in the unpainted color…it reminded me of someone I once knew…and of a very ugly bathroom we once had that looked like an outhouse with all the cedar paneling!

The painted panels look just like I wanted them to…now to finish the rest!

All the way around the room I go…

Paneling the whole thing.

I decided to do the entire room with the panel board because of the damage that the walls suffered when we removed the cabinets and did the alterations. The ceilings also took a bit of a beating…those old cabinets did not want to come out!

The paneling all in…and painted to specifications…it was time to try to hide that ceiling!

Unfortunately…in the process of mounting the upper cabinets and installing the paneling all by my little self…(all of which happened in three or four days)…I managed to sustain a very painful shoulder injury…my rotator cuff is damaged on the right side and all kinds of muscles are pulled on the left side. Needless to say…this Toots was out of commission for a bit!

Construction stopped at this point for a few days…(what? You didn’t think I was going to let someone else finish my kitchen project did you??? You also didn’t think I would listen to the doc. and stop using my arms…right???) …I had to stop working long enough for the pain to be manageable…and had to take it slow from that point…doctors orders.

I think the kitchen looks pretty good so far…I am proud to say that most of this renovation was done by me!!! Lil ‘Ol Tootsie…I do have to give Grammie and Grampie the credit they are due…without them I would not be as far along as I am…Grampie did a lot of work to get the bones of the kitchen ready…and helped with the flooring…Grammie…she planned the cabinets, took the measurements, chose the style, and placed the order for them…

…and she also kept a very close eye on us all for most of the process so far! (I have the photos to prove it! ha-ha!!!)

This is where I will end the first part of the kitchen transformation…Just wait till you see the second part!!! I am nearly finished this project…the next post will share progress with the ceiling…and a few other little things…and finally, I hope to have a countertop to share with you soon!

See you again on Thursday for Fertilizer Friday!!! I can’t wait to sit down and go from garden to garden and see what you have to share this week…and weeks past. I haven’t had internet access for so long I don’t even know where to start to catch up with you all!!! That could be a project all in itself just getting around to say hello to every one!

Until Next Time…Happy Decorating!

*)*)*) To my very special little fan club! A wise old man once told me: A woman with real beauty; smiles through her troubles, becomes brave with disillusionment, develops courage with failure, and gathers strength through pain. I'm not where I want to be but, thank GOD, I'm not where I used to be. I'm OK, and I'm on my way. Karma has a way of lending a helping hand when you least expect it, and determination knows no boundaries! *)

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Feb. 3/12

2012-02-03T16:56:00.004-07:00

I am so happy you stopped by!

So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...

Last week…I missed posting for you guys because of a mishap with Telus. The small town I have moved to has a limited number of providers that offer telephone, internet and television services…therefore, they figure they have all the power! I was supposed to have all the services hooked up two weeks ago…BUT…they stood me up. I am not scheduled to have internet services until possibly the middle of the month!!! Can you imagine??? I am dying of withdrawls from being able to check emails or see you guys online!

Today I am borrowing internet from a friend again…and am posting some fun photos that I have saved. I am looking for inspiration for my new yard and gardens…the following are three new ones that I saw and fell in love with…check it out:

I am loving this shoe…look how big it is!!! I love this. I think it is also a bird feeder..but I still love the way it looks. I wonder if anyone would think it odd that the girl from the shoe store has a big shoe in her front yard…maybe a bit to stereotypical??? ha ha

How about this one? I love this. I wonder how on earth I would be able to make her body…maybe if I found an old mannequin….I could poke a few holes in the body and plant that way??? I have a few ideas…no matter how she is made…she is an awesome idea…I do know that if I was walking outside in the dark she would startle me…ha ha

I absolutely adore the car. Someone is very very creative!!! I bet it took a while to build this one…I might have to just admire this one.

This one is my all time favorite….I have no shortage of jeans that the kids are outgrowing on almost a daily basis….This one just makes me giggle to look at. I do have to wonder out loud though…if you water them…do they look like they peed in their pants??? ha ha!!! I am for sure going to try this out. I think it will be a fun project.

That is all I have for you this week. Again, I apologize for not posting last weekend…it was hectic with moving trucks and all that kind of thing. Without the internet being handy, I am almost a lost cause…ha ha.

I am hoping to have access all this weekend to get my little self online, and get a few posts made up to be pre-scheduled to publish during the week. You guys have no idea …it is killing me to have so much to say and no way to say it! ha ha!!!

Hugs, smiles and wishes for a safe and happy weekend with friends and family to you all. I will see you as soon as possible!!!

Until next time…Happy Gardening!!!

*)*)*)…One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is a story worth watching, and not something you should be ashamed of! ヅ

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Progress!!!! At Last!

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hey kids…I am finally posting a little progress has been made…The kitchen renovations are almost finished and I can share them with you in a couple days. Things have taken a little bit longer than I had planned on them taking as I have managed to sustain a substantial injury to my stubborn little self!

In the process of packing, moving and renovating…I have somehow managed to blow out my shoulder and have been sort of out of commission for a few days due to extreme pain…(the meds for the pain were kind of a wild ride at first too…but that’s a whole different post)

Today I am sharing my progress in the greenhouse…Yes…there is progress!!!

I started my week out on the right foot…I got up…sent the kids to school, and headed out to the greenhouse!!!

I made the executive decision that since the house is ‘liveable’ I could afford a day or two to get things growing in the greenhouse…and that is just what I did!

I am already feeling happier just being inside…but let me tell you…it was a tad chilly in there!!! The heat has not yet been turned on! Before I can fire up the heater, I need to make sure the greenhouse will hold it. This means…insulation…and winter flooring.

First…I got the insulation to plug the vents…

I just get a bag of whatever is available and not too expensive…fiberglass insulation works best for what I am doing.

These are the tools I will need. I use an electric carving knife to cut the insulation to size. (I don’t have one for inside the house…I just have this one…but hey…I garden…cooking is not one of my favorite things to do! haha)

Once the insulation has been cut..I fold it in half…and stuff it into the vents. Works like a charm!

This year I got lucky and they sold me some that was not hot pink!!! It doesn’t look too bad!

By the time I finished filling the vents…I was able to take my winter gloves and jacket off…I made a huge difference!

Next…we move to the flooring! Stacks and stacks of flooring…These are foam tiles that are 2’ x 2’ square. They just pop together like a puzzle…and they help keep the cold from coming up through the floor.

Ta-Da!! Just like magic the floor is in! This greenhouse seems huge when it is empty!!!

I have the insulation in…the floor tiles put down…and now…I am bringing in the shelves and all the other things I need to do what a Tootsie does.

Not having the beam in the center of the room sure does make for a lot more space in there. I am considering putting another set of shelves in the center!

I am not sure what happened to the chains that hold up the rods that I hook the hanging baskets from, but I will find them. I don’t need them right yet anyways…I don’t have any pots! ha-ha…they are in storage!

But I do have the greenhouse up…and insulated…

…and the best part…the heat is on…and it is ready for me to plant it up! My next big project will be to get the soil…and get good and dirty!!!

I still do not have internet at my new house…and therefore did not make it to the party for last Friday…I apologize for standing you guys up. I hope it will be good to go in the next day or so…ahhhh…the joys of living in a small town hey?

This is progress…and that is a good thing…as soon as the internet is up at home…I will share the progress in the house. I have done substantial changes to the interior of it, and can’t wait to share some of it with you! I don’t even know where to begin sharing…there is lots.

Hugs and smiles to you all and wishes of a great week to you all.

Until Next Time…Happy Gardening!!!

*)*)*)… a person maybe able to change their appearance to make them look better, but a person can't change the ugliness that comes from within!!! So..Grab your ears and pull, when you hear the pop it means your head has successfully left your ass.

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Jan. 20/12

2012-01-20T21:09:00.004-07:00

I am so happy you stopped by!

So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...

Whew!!! What a day I have had!!! I posted the other day quickly to say I’d once again be late to the party…and then drove like a bat out of hell to get to the house with internet …only to arrive and realize that I have forgotten the internet router and wireless box at the house where there is no internet! CAN YOU GUYS SAY BLONDE MOMENT?????? Seems the longer my blonde hair gets, the stupider I am getting!!!

Well…..thanks to a wonderful friend, I have begged borrowed and stolen some internet for this post. Thank you Deb!!! Without her, I’d be sitting around feeling like the biggest schmuck!!!

Ok…on with the party!!! I am sharing a plant that I came across a couple of weeks ago while building the greenhouse…I am just in awe of it. Take a look:

This Jade plant is in the glass shop where I bought the plexi glass for my greenhouse. It is HUGE!!! It is at least 5 feet wide and probably at least 4 feet tall….the man said that it is about 20 years old…and has never ever bloomed or anything. They did not even know what type of plant it was until I told them!!!

All I have to say is WOW. Never have I seen one of those that big in a pot in Alberta Canada. I was so proud of my little dinky Jade that sits in a 6 inch pot on my desk in the greenhouse….lol. Now…this is a goal for me! No….not to steal this gorgeous plant from the man at the glass shop…but to grow mine be at least this size or bigger!!! This also means I have to keep one alive for more than three years…ha-ha…Mine has bloomed twice though and theirs has not…so I am ahead in one part of this one sided competition…right?

The renovations at my new house are almost done…for now. It is liveable and I have a greenhouse that needs to be loved…so next week will be devoted to setting up and prepping for the planting of the flowers! I can’t wait. I am a Tootsie in need of a LOT of dirt therapy…and my special little haven is just waiting to be filled with soil and love…and ME!

I am a girl who is in bad need of a little organizing too…this living without internet business is gonna kill me!!!

Without further delay…I would like to invite you to snap some shots…or dig out a few oldies…and post to your hearts content…I am just dying to see what you have to share!

LET’S GET OUR FLAUNT ON!!!

Until next time…happy gardening!

*)*)*) to my very special three…It takes courage to be honest. A liar is nothing but a coward, afraid to face reality. Remember….Which ever way the wind blows, The smell of bullshit always follows !!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

quick note on Fertilizer Friday

2012-01-19T10:49:00.001-07:00

There will be a flaunt this week...however, it will once again be posted late. I still do not have my internet in my new house, and I am unable to get online to publish to you guys yet. I will have the flaunting party up and published on Friday evening...instead of the usual Thursday evening.
See you all then!

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Jan. 13/12

2012-01-13T22:25:00.003-07:00

I am so happy you stopped by!

So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...

I am LATE!!!! I am Late to my own party!!! I also show up empty handed again...but not for long....There are photos...but where the camera is...there is no internet ...and where there is internet...there is no camera full of photos!!! DAMN!!!

I have been such a busy girl...that I haven't even missed the television...I have missed the internet...and all of you guys very much. I don't know how much I would be online if I had internet at the house, haha...cuz there is a lot of work to do there right now. I am making much progress and can't wait till I can show you. I get my internet service on the 18th...and I am so pumped to share the photos I have taken...wait till you see the things I have been up to! (it almost makes the injury to my arms worth the pain!---but that's another story!)

But until then...DAZZLE ME!!! Get those photos loaded...I can't wait to lurk around and see!

Thank you so very much to all of you who have faithfully continued to patiently follow me and support this old gal through such a trying time...Your support and friendship is appreciated more than you know...and had not gone without appreciation!!! Once things are settled down a bit...I will be around...and you will be sick of me!!!

Until Next Time....Happy Gardening!!!

*)*)*) ....Never underestimate me & mistake my silence as my surrender...That is just the sound of me RELOADING! Hugs!!!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

http://www.tootsietime.com/

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Jan. 6/12

2012-01-06T00:00:00.001-07:00

I am so happy you stopped by!

So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...

I am up to my neck in cardboard...and mess....I need another week before I can do a FF post....please forgive me...Moving has my head all messed up... but you guys feel free to post and link in!!!

I can't wait to show you what I have been up to!!!

Hugs!!!

*)*)*) to my three winks!!! "I am what I am today because of the choices I made yesterday" Eleanor Roosevelt

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

DID YOU KNOW???

2011-12-23T10:00:00.011-07:00

Did you know tht the chopping down of the Christmas Tree represents the death of Christ and putting it back up again represents the resurrection of Christ?

Did you know tht the wreaths we hang are never ending circles, that represents eternity?

Candy canes were made to look like sheperd hooks and the colors red, Jesus's blood, white, purity?

The gifts represents the gifts the wise men brought for Jesus?

Sooooo....when you are running around trying to get the "perfect gift", stop yourself, take a deep breath and remember we have been given the perfect gift. Jesus Christ was given to us to remove all of our sins.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU JESUS!!!!

Until Next Time......MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!!

*)*)*) to my special three...I know you are loving my posts...and Itruely so pray that this Christmas will bring to your heart a softness that has been missing. Letting go of all the self loathing that causes you to abuse those who you should admire, love and appreciate. And to ONE of you in particular....if your nasty comments continue...your Christmas gift from me will in fact be a restraining order wrapped up in police charges!! HUGS!

Glenda/Tootsie

http://www.tootsietime.com/

…For My Followers! (and a Fertilizer Friday Announcement)

2011-12-22T01:34:00.004-07:00

I am so happy you stopped by!

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Due to the Holidays being so very close, I have decided to forfeit our weekly flaunt until Jauary 6, 1012. Fertilizer Friday is getting a teensy little break!

This is a very busy time of year for everyone, and with friends and family gathering together…time is of the essence!!!

(¯`•._) MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!(¯`•._)

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

(¯`•._)HAPPY NEW YEAR!! (¯`•._)

I found this little poem online, and thought I would share it all with you today. It is my “card” to everyone this year, as, I DID write out all the beautiful cards, addressed all of the envelopes, and even added postage to most of them. I then proceeded to pack them into a box…and have NO idea where that box is!!! Therefore…you will not receive a Christmas card from me this year….No one will…but maybe…with any luck…I will locate those cards …and you will be getting TWO cards from me next year! haha!

The poem reads:

A Christmas Poem

by Helen Steiner Rice

I have a list of folks I know, all written in a book
And every year when Christmas comes, I go and take a look,
And that is when I realize that these names are a part
Not of the book they are written in, but really f my heart
For each name stands for someone who has crossed my path sometime,
And in the meeting they've become the rhythm in each rhyme
And while it sounds fantastic for me to make this claim,
I really feel that I'm composed of each remembered name
And while you may not be aware of any special link
Just meeting you has changed my life a lot more than you think
For once I've met somebody, the years cannot erase
The memory of a pleasant word or of a friendly face
So never think my Christmas cards are just a mere routine
Of names upon a Christmas list, forgotten in between,
For when I send a Christmas card that is addressed to you,
It is because you're on the list that I'm indebted to
For I am but a total of the many folks I've met,
And you happen to be one of those I prefer not to forget
And whether I have known you for many years or few,
In some ways you have a part in shaping things I do
And every year when Christmas comes, I realize anew,
The best gifts life can offer is meeting folks like you.
And may the spirit of Christmas that forever endures
Leave its richest blessings in the hearts of you and yours.

I will be back very soon with more of my renovation posts!!! Thanks for stopping in today, and for the comments filled with wonderful feedback!

Until Next Time…Happy Holidays!!!

*)*)*) to my three winks: Love me or hate me, both are in my favor..If you love me, I'll always be in your heart..If you hate me, I'll always be in your mind ~Shakespeare~ I wish you all that you so richly deserve for 2012... hugs!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

http://www.tootsietime.com/

Getting Startled…er…I Mean…Started! *)

2011-12-20T00:00:00.001-07:00

The renovations to my new digs are well under way. As promised, I have taken as many photos as I could along the way. I think I will begin the sharing with some of the first photos that we took.

The house I will be calling home is not brand new…but not as old as I wish it was…lol. It is an older bungalow…and it has lots of potential. It has obviously never been well maintained…and needs a lot of love and attention. Grammie and Grampie are pretty sure I/we can fix this place up and make it home.….(until the 100 year old barn house becomes available…ha ha)

The first thing we did when we started working in this house, was remove some of the worst wall coverings in the history of wall coverings. In fact…the walls were ‘papered’…but not with wall paper…but with mac tac. You know…the product they sell to cover the inside of drawers and cupboards….YEP! That’s what I said…mac tac. UGH.

This lovely photo was taken in the dining room. I also must mention that the trims will all match each other when I have finished in this house…there is a mish mash of all sorts of different materials in there from years and years of odd do-it-yourself renovations…(none of which were properly executed, I might add)

Goodbye ugly dining room wall paper!!! (…or whatever you were)

This shot is of the fireplace on the main floor of the house. I am still contemplating what I will do with this baby…paint??? I am open to suggestions….I do know for sure that the screen is going!

Next we move on to the living room…where I didn’t manage to take a photo of the nastiness on the walls before Grammie got in there….I have, however taken some shots of the ruins of it…

Yep!!! It was fieldstone printed mac tac! G-ross!!! ha ha

It is just ridiculous how crazy the taste of these people was!!! This paper was recently put up!

Grammie wasted NO time getting up on her tippy toes and ripped this stuff right down!

GEEZZZZ !!! I am glad she is a nice Grammie…’cuz this stuff looks like it got hurt! hahaha!!!

Next lets move to the main floor bathroom.

WARNING!!!…There is something even more frightening in this room than this HIDEOUS wallpaper.

I am in shock at the way it is hanging…I think it is supposed to be a bamboo print…am I right? Did they hang it sideways????? It is definitely not a good paper for this tiny little room.

If you can believe it…there is something far more frightening in this room than the decor…

I didn’t even see it until after I had taken the photos and was editing this post…

…I was taken aback….a long way back…

…there’s something in there…

Yes….yes there is…

…no….

….maybe not….

Wait…is that???? OMG!!! Is that….a demon?…..

NO!!!!…OMG!!!!

…Its…its…its…

…Grammie!!!

WHEW!!! That was close! I thought it was something ~~taller~~ evil! ha-ha!!!

It appears that she is either not happy with the paper in the bathroom or she is having some jaw related issues! hahaha!!! LOVE YOU GRAMMIE!!!

After I got the paper off the walls, it became very clear as to just WHY it was up there in the first place. The walls are in horrible shape! Good thing I am a handy Tootsie!!! I had to sand the entire wall to get the old paint off….as there were holes that had been filled…but not sanded…and they were very rough and obvious. Then, I got the filler compound out and fixed all the holes, and spots that needed to be done…

Once I finished that…I got the paint out, and decided to start in the bedrooms.

This is ‘Busy’s’ Bedroom before…

This is ‘Busy’s’ room after it got two coats of creamy paint! I thought I’d go with a neutral warm cream to start with. We can add a color later on if we want.

Next I moved on to the living room….

EWE!!! …and I made fun of Grammie??? There I am!!!

Hi everyone!! gotta luv those braids!!! hahaha!!!

The paint sure made a big difference once I finished each room.

While I was painting…there was a lot of noise coming from the kitchen…

…Or what used to be the kitchen…

The cupboards that were in this kitchen are now laying just outside the back door in the yard…waiting to be either re-purposed in a garage…or hauled to the dump! Yay!!! They were hideous!

….but that is another post all together!

Thanks for stopping in today … I can’t wait to read your feedback! Stay tuned…the kitchen renovation post is coming up soon!

Hugs and smiles to you all….thanks for following me on this journey!

Until next time…Happy Reading!

*)*)*) to my three special winks. I am not one for revenge. It is not worth my time or energy. I figure just having to look at yourself in the mirror EVERYDAY is punishment enough!!!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

http://www.tootsietime.com/

Out With The Old…Even If It Is Beautiful.

2011-12-18T20:01:00.002-07:00

This tree is about 45 years old. It once belonged to me…but before that it was enjoyed by to my ex-husband's Nana and late Poppa.

When Nana and Poppa moved from their house to an apartment, they needed to have a smaller tree and this one was slated for the garbage.

I was very tickled to hear my ex-husband say that we could have the tree! No one else in the family wanted it. I was absolutely in love with it…and just knew it needed to come home with us. I am a very sentimental gal, and thought that it would be a wonderful reminder of Nana and Poppa for our family.

The first Christmas that we had come after we brought it home....I felt like the tears were welling up in my eyes as I set up the tree. I had never seen such a beautiful tree...it is absolutely exquisite...even with nothing on it! The "snow" actually looks like real snow...and it is soft...not that brittle fakey plastic that most “snow” trees have. ....I feel in love with this tree.

Two years ago was the last time I set up this tree. I actually set it up three times that year. I just could not bare to look at it. The memories that it held for me were simply too painful to be reminded of, and I had to take it down. I did it three times in total in the year 2009. I even tried to change the look of the decorations, but it didn’t help. It just was too hard…too many painful memories…

When Christmas of 2010 rolled around, I decided I couldn’t even look at it and never even took the tree out of the box. I decorated with another tree and that was the last of the decorating of the “snow” tree.

When my lawyer told me that we were going to possibly have to sell the house, I decided that it was time to let go of some of the old memories, and get ready to start my life again. I donated this tree to a local charity that supports the homeless in our city. They were going to auction it off I think. Although it was difficult to let it go, I felt that it was even more difficult to set it up again, and decided to say goodbye. I had offered this and a few other family items to my ex-husband, but he didn’t want them…so sadly the tree had to move on. It really is too bad. I hope the tree got a good home with someone who loved it as much as I did!

I will admit that I sort of miss that tree…and hope one day to have another one similar to it…one with happy memories attached to it.

I am happy to say that there is a company that my Mom and Dad deal with, that sells trees that are almost identical in “snow” as the snow that adorned the branches of this one. I am thinking about possibly purchasing one for next year! This year I don’t have any decorations set up at all…they are all in boxes on the floor in the living room…lol. To read more about Tootsies New Start…just click this line

My house is now sold as of last week…and we are going to be moving very soon. I hope that this move is swift and painless…and that kids and I will have a fresh and happy start to our new lives…filled with wonderful warm memories of family and friends…and lot of happiness and love.

TOOTSIE'S NEW START BEGINS NOW!

Thanks for popping over today…I hope you all are getting your decorating done for the holidays! I always love the holiday posts…they are filled with such inspiration! I look forward to sharing my new start with you all in the coming posts!

Until Next Time….Happy Holiday Decorating!!!

*)*)*) to my special three: Happy Holiday decorating!!! And to one of you in particlular…I love how you are trying to compete with me, when honestly you can't compare to me…give up sweetie…you cannot spit polish a turd! hee hee!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Dec. 16/11

2011-12-15T20:44:00.004-07:00

I am so happy you stopped by!

So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...

I have so much to share…and show you all…and again…I am not going to! haha!!!

I lost battery power in my camera last weekend…so I will be catching up on the photos for next week…cuz there is progress happening in my new place!

My current home has sold…and that makes me and my children very sad. The sale means that we had better get our poop in a group…I have to leave this place by Feb. 15 2012. Now to many that is plenty of time…but…to us…that means there is going to be a lot of late nights working on renos on the new digs. At the moment…my kitchen is sort of laying ouside in the back yard…as we gutted it…and are updating the whole thing. Yep!! This Toots needs to get busy!!!

It has been months since I have had any plants around me…and I have been a very good girl…I have not bought even one little one…oh the withdrawls are getting to be quite painful!!! This is why I am so glad to say that by next weekend…I will hopefully have a fully functioning heating system in my greenhouse…and then I can finally go back to living my life the Tootsie Way!!!

For example….surrounded by all the green growing plants!!!….

Primping and pruning and dreaming of spring!!!

I miss the days of going out and playing in my greenhouse…and getting ready…

….to plant the spring crop!!! It is almost that time again1!! I can hardly wait!!!

….alas…for now…I will have to live one more week in the photos …I will be a happy girl…when my greenhouse is looking like this again!!! (fingers crossed for next weekend!!!)

So? what are you waiting for???? Get Your Flaunt ON!!! I can’t wait to see!!!

Wishing you hugs, smiles and a safe and happy weekend…thanks to all who have taken the time to visit, comment and flaunt with me! It is an honor and a privilege to have the chance to host this party!

Until Next time…Happy Gardening!

*)*)*) to those three who follow and watch me…Put me through hell, I went through the fire. Beat me down, I rose higher. I smile at the hate, and laugh at the pain. Been through hell and I'm back again. For your sake, I hope the grass really IS greener on the other side, ‘cause you sure made things pretty muddy on this side! Good thing I like dirt!!! hahahahaha!!!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Dec. 9/11

2011-12-09T00:07:00.001-07:00

Okay Kids…! It’s Friday AGAIN. Friday is a BIG day for us here at Tootsie Time…(ok, just me…there is no one else here…lol) It’s a big deal because it means it’s PARTY TIME!!!! Fertilizer Friday is the day of the week than an ELITE group of gardeners from all around the world get together , snap photos, link up and Flaunt Their Flowers!!!

If you are new to Tootsie Time and Fertilizer Friday, I just know you are asking yourself…”How do I join?” Well…it’s easy really. Here’s all you need to know to become a part of this great group of gardeners, bloggers and friends:

If it is spring or summer where you live, you need to snap a few photos of what you have growing, blooming or just love to look at that is of the plant variety…if it is winter where you live, you may post past favorite photos…or indoor plants…whatever you like. The only criteria is that it is a plant or something growing!

You do not need to use fertilizer to participate in this party, but if you do, this is the reminder to fertilize weekly!

All I ask is that: Your post must also include the logo above and/or a link to Tootise Time, or the linky will be deleted. I don’t mean to be harsh, but there have been a lot of people linking in and when the participants graciously click over to their blogs, there is no sign of Fertilizer Friday anywhere to be found. This is not fair to those who do follow the rules, therefore…well you know!

So? what are you waiting for? Get outside, feed, water, snap and post!

I don’t have a thing to share this week! I have no plants in my house right now!!!! It is a crying shame. All of my plants are being taken care of by someone else…or are in the the new house a few hundred kilometers away!!! It is driving me insane not having anything to play with!!!

I am looking forward to being in my greenhouse again very soon. I miss all my plants and the smells and feeling of peace I get when I am amongst the leaves and blooms that I grow and love so much.

This week I once again will be leaving the flaunting up to you guys!!! Dazzle me!!! I have been a tad under the weather this week…and today I am actually in bed sick…trying to feel better for the busy weekend ahead. Flaunt for me please!!! I need a pick me up!

Thanks to all who are so faithfully linking in and commenting to me…I love seeing all that you write. I even managed to make it around to see everyone’s posts last week and loved every second of it! Hugs and smiles…wishes from me for your safe and happy weekend with friends and family!

Until next time…happy gardening!

*)*)*) to my three winks. I wish you a great weekend!!! And to one of you in particular… Don't miss the chances that life is giving you to spend with people you love ... and who love you. Remember, when it comes to real life... there are no rewinds and if you pass up those chances…you might find they are not there again when you wish that they were!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

A How-To… And a Smile!

2011-12-07T10:37:00.002-07:00

Hey all!!! I got this in an email today and thought I’d share it with you. As I read this email I was very serious and concern was growing for my friend… This is what she wrote me:

“My dear friends, Somewhat embarrassing to admit, I'm not getting an annual bonus and Christmas is tight this year. I will be making bedroom slippers for you all as gifts.

Please let me know your sizes. You'll most likely agree that it's a splendid idea, and should you wish to do the same, I've included the instructions below.

How to make bedroom slippers out of maxi pads:

You need four maxi pads to make a pair.

Two of them get laid out flat, for the foot part.

The other two wrap around the toe area to form the top.

Tape or glue each side of the top pieces to the bottom of the foot part.

Decorate the tops with whatever you desire, silk flowers (this is most aesthetically appealing), etc.

These slippers are:

* Soft and Hygienic

* Non-slip grip strips on the soles

* Built in deodorant feature keeps feet smelling fresh

* No more bending over to mop up spills

* Disposable and biodegradable

* Environmentally safe

* Three convenient sizes:

(1.) Regular, (2.) Light and (3.) Get out the Sand Bags.

I've attached a photo of the first pair I made so that you can see the nifty slippers for yourself.

... Awaiting your response. It's crucial that I get the right size for each one of you.”

….as you may have figured out…she is just as silly as I am! I loved this little home made joke and thought you might get a kick out of it too!!!

hee hee!!!!!!!!

Until next time…Happy (ahem) ‘crafting’

*)*)*) to my three winks…I am strong because I know my weaknesses. I'm alive because I'm a fighter.I am wise because I've been foolish. I laugh because I've known sadness.

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Read ‘Em All Tuesday #5

2011-12-05T16:25:00.003-07:00

Welcome!!! I am so glad you dropped by today!!!

Do you have a list of favorite blogs that you love to read? Do the posts inspire you? Have you just found a new blog that you are excited about and want to share the news??? Well…if you answered yes to any of these….this is your lucky day!

This party is not just any party…it is a party with a TWIST!!! You don’t get to blow your own horn…you get to share a blog that who you admire!! There is no better way to show appreciation for the inspiration/ entertainment/ information than to send some new followers their way!

Read ‘Em All Tuesday is a way to show appreciation for your fellow bloggers! It is a party that offers us an opportunity to bring attention to some of the best blogs out there!

All you have to do is this:

...Choose a blog that you enjoy reading off your blog list.

…Write yourself a post introducing us all to your chosen blog and it’s author.

...Be sure to put a link to that special blog in your post!

...Link your blog post to this party…specific post URL…not your home page

... Enjoy the party…and perhaps find a few new favorites on the list!

Now…I know I know…you are wondering if there are specific rules that this party insists you follow….funny you should ask:

There are a few straight forward guidelines that we ask you to follow…They are common sense really…

The Guidelines of this party are:

1. You cannot feature or share a blog that is not family friendly…NO PORN or ADULT SITES please!!!

2. You can feature any blog you want…any blog…there is no limit to the topic.

3. You cannot share your own blog…you Must share a favorite that you follow

4. Your post must include two things:

1. A link to the blog you are sharing. 2. A link to this party. You may also use the logo of this party and include a link to it as well. Either way….you MUST link to the hosting blog for this party!!!

( Any post that does not link directly to the host blog will be deleted…Our logo/link is VERY important to bring traffic to your blog and the blog you are sharing.)

5. You cannot enter without a post sharing another blog that you appreciate. You must share another blog.

6. You can only enter one time per week

7. you do not need to become a follower of each participant…but it would be nice if you have the time, to go to at least a few of them, and leave a wonderful word or two…and maybe even follow if you like what you see!

8. You are not allowed to feature any sites that are directly trying to sell something. This is not a party for advertising …or pedaling any wares. Any blogs that are created to sell any product will be deleted by party admin.

You can join/link into this fun new party at Tootsie Time, and at the Garden Chat Blog…It doesn’t matter which one you link into…the link will appear on all lists… exposing not only your blog, but your featured blog to a whole lot of new fans! The linky will open Monday evenings and will close on Tuesday evening at midnight. You don’t have much time to join in the fun, so you best get posting!!!

-----------------------------------

My share for this week is a blogger who is very special to me. Deb writes Dragonfly Treasure. She is one of my most loyal followers, and has offered me more than one comforting and supportive word over the last few months. Her blog shares all sorts of things from silliness that will make you smile, to gardening and home decorating projects. She has become very special in my heart and always enjoy seeing her posts and comments that she leaves for me! I hope you will take a minute to pop over there and say hi! Tell her Tootsie Sent you!

I hope you all join in this week…share your favorite blogging stops and meet some new bloggers too!

Until next time…happy reading!!!

*)*)*) to my three winks: Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past, wisdom is knowing you'll be an idiot in the future, common sense is knowing you should try not to be one now. You can change your mind but you can never change what's inside your heart.

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Dec. 2/11

2011-12-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

You do not need to use fertilizer to participate in this party, but if you do, this is the reminder to fertilize weekly!

All I ask is that: Your post must include the logo above and a link to Tootise Time, or the linky will be deleted. I don’t mean to be harsh, but there have been a lot of people linking in and when the participants graciously click over to their blogs, there is no sign of Fertilizer Friday anywhere to be found. This is not fair to those who do follow the rules, therefore…well you know!

So? what are you waiting for? Get outside, feed, water, snap and post!

Again I am here with a blast from the past collection of photos. The weather has been fairly mild but it is still winter in Alberta so there’s nothing to show! I found myself overwhelmed last week with everything going on around here, and didn’t have the time or the energy to read and comment on posts.

I am excited to say that my seed catalogs have arrived in the mail this week and I hope to get a few minutes to peruse them and plan for my next crop…which of course will be in my new yard!

I haven’t moved anything other than my greenhouse yet…but that will change very soon I am sure…the kids and I are not in a huge rush to move…as we are all a little sad to be leaving our home. Alas, we will get through this little life change together, and soon enough will be all settled into our new location. I have also been trying to help a dear friend get through some very difficult times. It is hard to understand why some of the best people have to suffer so much, when there are those who don’t suffer at all yet do nothing but inflict hurt on others.

As I mentioned earlier, I have scrounged up some photos from 2009 that inspire and remind me of some of the seeds I MUST order for this new season that will be upon me soon…(but not soon enough!)

I can hardly wait to see the green…of the vines, trees, grass and all the wonderful flowers just filled with the promise of blooming! I miss wandering around the yard with my garden hose admiring all the different colors and types of plants!

I MUST order LOTS AND LOTS of Pansy seeds this year. I just love the way they seem to smile…

I always order Dahlias. One year I didn’t plant any…and was disappointed that I missed out on the beautiful display they never fail to create.

Wave Petunias…Silver Tidal Wave to be exact…this color gets the biggest of any of the colors I have ever planted…They are very pretty too…white with streaks of purple in them…they are wonderful container displays. Of course, I love all the petunia colors…so there will be plenty to go around!

The last one I will share today is Swedish Ivy…this is such a pretty silver hanging plant…it is just glorious when it gets big! It helps make all the other colors in the garden just POP! This year I have saved one pot of them to have in the greenhouse/house as a houseplant. I have been housing a purple swedish ivy for 6 years now, and it is always a show stopper! The plants of these can get to be huge…so I will need to be vigilant with the pruning.

I really have been missing my plants. I don’t have any in this house at all right now, and it is driving me crazy!! I took a couple to the new house so that when I am there, I can play around with them a bit, but it is just not the same! I almost bought myself a plant the other day just to take the cravings off! haha!

Now…it is your turn. I hope you all flaunt your little hearts content!

Hugs and smiles to you all and wishes for a very happy and safe weekend. I look forward to seeing your name in the linky and on a comment or two! Thank you all for stopping by and for linking in! I hope this next week brings me time to pop over and say hello!!!

Until next time…happy gardening (or planning!)

*)*)*) to my fabulous three!!! Oh you guys…I just wanted to remind you that life is NOT like a box of chocolates..it's more like a jar of jalapenos..'cause what you decide upon today could burn your ass tomorrow. mwuah!!!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

The Same, Only Better!

2011-11-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

It has been a chilly little stretch in Alberta…The hoar frost is so pretty…just not so fun for the building that has to be done!

The photo above is taken in the Fabyan valley on the way to my new home. I took it out the window of my truck the day we drove the greenhouse to it’s new location.

Once we arrived, we unloaded the trailer which was loaded full with the greenhouse and a few other items we may need along the way…then it was time to get down to business.

This little shed needed to be moved out of the way as it was standing on the location that I wanted to put the greenhouse. So…It was jacked up, chained to a truck and dragged to this spot smack dab in the middle of nowhere! lol The greenhouse will stand right behind the little tin shed that is sitting there being ugly. (that tin shed needed to move as well, but my Dad and I just carried it.)

Construction was started at the earliest possible moment! Those boys were busy getting everything ready for the new floor to be put together!

They worked their little hind ends off that first day…only to find out that we had to STOP the building! You see, there needs to be a gas line dug into the ground for the heat to work in my greenhouse. If I wanted it to have heat, I had to move the whole thing over to the other side of the sidewalk!!

Sounds easy enough right??? WRONG!

The location where the gas company could come in and lay the gas line is right where my arch nemesis (AKA the spruce tree)…and the May Day tree are growing! I was originally going to just pull the two trees out and put a garage in there…but sadly, the town says I cannot take the awful spruce out. It is wrapped around not only the underground gas lines, but the power and telephone lines above!!!

So…Grampie got busy.

He Sawed and sawed and sawed…and made a big mess on the ground for us to clear away. He trimmed that tree up from the ground all the way to where it is now. ugh. The original owners just planted that tree and walked away…there are needles about 3 feet deep all around that area!

I have NEVER hated a tree before…but I sure do now!!! grrrr

The boys chained the frame of the deck floor of my new greenhouse to the truck and dragged it over to the new location.

There…this better be the very LAST complication!!! We then started to load the rubble from the trees into the trailer to take away!

I wonder if that tree could get any closer to my greenhouse????

I just don’t know if I like this at all!!!

UGH.

The kids made a pile of fire wood..

and a huge pile of branches and bows…

…they were loaded into the trailer…

…tarped up, and hauled away by Grampie and my son.

Now that the final destination had been determined, the rest of the building could begin. We worked for as long as we could each day. Grampie could not help as he had to go to work, so I took his place on the construction team.

The sun sets early around this area in the winter months, and it was COLD outside…so the progress seemed very slow going. We worked every weekend for almost a month. It was pretty chilly in the mornings, and lets just say, that plexi-glass is a tad slippery when it is frosty…lol. There were a lot of swear words, and several sore muscles when we were working!

Finally, after a lot of grunting and groaning, the greenhouse is standing! I can’t say it is all finished, because the gas line hasn’t been dug yet and there are a few little “touches” that need to be done…but for the most part my baby stands at the back of the property just waiting for me to come and load it full of staging, pots and most important…PLANTS!

I still really hate this tree….

…But at least I have got my greenhouse. I am also very happy that it is now properly built…and is now strong. Where it stood in the old yard, it had become very unsteady with all the cracked plexi and other little problems with the frame itself. I was worried that one big storm would take my house right down!

This version of my greenhouse has proper roof trusses done on it, so that I no longer need to worry about the top falling in, or need that awful pole in the middle of the room! This version of my little piece of heaven has been improved and built better and stronger than ever. Yay!!! As for that awful spruce….Who knows…I may just find a way to USE this tree to my advantage…but that’s another post all together!

There are a lot of posts coming about this yard…it is totally empty…just waiting for a little Tootsie to happen to it!

Thanks for popping by today…stay tuned…hopefully soon the gas will be in…and I can move into the greenhouse…for now…I am going to focus on getting the inside of the main house ready to move into! (there are some fun posts about that coming soon!…you all know how Grammie likes to pose for photos!!! hahaha!)

Until next time…happy gardening!

*)*)*) to my special three... I just have to say thank you for...Giving the gift of your absence to those who do not appreciate your presence. You know who you are!!! xoxo

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Read Em All Tuesdays #4

2011-11-28T19:00:00.002-07:00

Welcome!!! I am so glad you dropped by today!!!

Read ‘Em All Tuesday is a way to show appreciation for your fellow bloggers! It is a party that offers us an opportunity to bring attention to some of the best blogs out there!

All you have to do is this:

A..Choose a blog that you enjoy reading off your blog list.

B..Write yourself a post introducing us all to your chosen blog and it’s author.

C..Be sure to put a link to that special blog in your post!

D..Link your blog post to this party…specific post URL…not your home page

E. Enjoy the party…and perhaps find a few new favorites on the list!

Now…I know I know…you are wondering if there are specific rules that this party insists you follow…funny you should ask:

There are a few straight forward guidelines that we ask you to follow…They are common sense really…

The Guidelines of this party are:

1. You cannot feature or share a blog that is not family friendly…NO PORN or ADULT SITES please!!!

2. You can feature any blog you want…any blog…there is no limit to the topic.

3. You cannot share your own blog…you Must share a favorite that you follow

4. Your post must include two things: 1. A link to the blog you are sharing. 2. A link to this party. You may also use the logo of this party and include a link to it as well. Either way….you MUST link to the hosting blog for this party!!!

( Any post that does not link directly to the host blog will be deleted…Our logo/link is VERY important to bring traffic to your blog and the blog you are sharing.)

5. You cannot enter without a post sharing another blog that you appreciate. You must share another blog.

6. You can only enter one time per week

-----------------------------------

My share for this week is one of my favorites!!! Her name is Marty…and she writes a great little blog called A Stroll Thru Life. In her posts, Marty gives support, inspiration and great ideas for inspiring decor!!! Check her out!!! She is a sweetheart and would love to meet you all! While you are there…say hello for me!

I hope you all join in this week…share your favorite blogging stops and meet some new bloggers too!

Until next time…happy reading!!!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

notice

2011-11-25T14:56:00.001-07:00

due to the week being so busy for so many of you all...I have decided to postpone this Friday's flaunt so that you can spend more time with friends and family...we will be back up and flaunting again Next Thursday!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! Eat some pie for me....Lots of pie!

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Nov. 18/11

2011-11-18T00:00:00.001-07:00

WELCOME FRIENDS!!!

I am posting a bit early this week as I will be away from my computer this afternoon and won’t be able to pop in and publish it for you!!!

I am so happy you stopped by!

So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...

This week brought a lot of exercise to my life. I feel like I have been running a marathon the last few weeks! My time has been stretched very thin.

Hockey, building on the greenhouse and all the usual things have kept this Toots on her toes! I have been packing and cleaning and just plain busy! I am almost grateful to see the bad weather roll in today… It gives me a little bit of a break! ALMOST!

I wish all my American friends a happy Thanksgiving holiday this weekend!!! Have a piece of pie for me!

Today I am going to share some of the photos that I have collected over the years that I would love to use as inspiration for a project or two of my own one day!

I love this table and chairs…wouldn’t that be a cute thing to have just around the corner in a garden? One day I may try this out!

How about these? They are another version of the table and chairs idea…I still like the first one best…but shows that you can do almost anything up with a bit of imagination…

I wonder if Grammie has any shoes I could plant in…I betcha she has a few high heels I could “borrow” hee hee! She might regret having me so close by…tsk tsk. My Dad and I will be keeping her on her toes! ha-ha!

I have saved my favorite idea for the last…

Now is this NOT the most awesome? I would love to have a garden large enough to have something like this planted all pretty and in fine junkin’ style! I even think I might know a ‘place’ where there are few oldies just waiting for me to show up! hee hee!!! wink wink!!!

Seriously…I think you can do just about anything up with a few flowers and make it look like a work of art! I am already getting my ‘plan’ on for the new yard. First, however we need to finish putting up the greenhouse. Daylight seems to end far too early these days, and the chilly weather isn’t helping the construction process! Soon though…it will be up and running and all Tootsie’d up for the winter!

I hope you enjoyed these inspiration photos…unfortunately I don’t know where they came from anymore or who took them…so I can’t give credit out…but just the same…I appreciate them!

So? what are you waiting for???? Get Your Flaunt ON!!! I can’t wait to see!!!

Until Next time…Happy Gardening!

*)*)*) to those three who follow and watch me…There is no statute of limitations on the "reaping what you sow" law of the universe (sometimes called karma) Just sayin’

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Read ‘Em All Tuesday #3 Nov. 14/11

2011-11-14T17:46:00.002-07:00

Welcome!!! I am so glad you dropped by today!!!

Read ‘Em Wednesday is a brand new way to show appreciation for your fellow bloggers! It is a party that offers us an opportunity to bring attention to some of the best blogs out there!

All you have to do is this:

A..Choose a blog that you enjoy reading off your blog list.

B..Write yourself a post introducing us all to your chosen blog and it’s author.

C..Be sure to put a link to that special blog in your post!

D..Link your blog post to this party…specific post URL…not your home page

E. Enjoy the party…and perhaps find a few new favorites on the list!

Now…I know I know…you are wondering if there are specific rules that this party insists you follow….funny you should ask:

There are a few straight forward guidelines that we ask you to follow…They are common sense really…

The Guidelines of this party are:

1. You cannot feature or share a blog that is not family friendly…NO PORN or ADULT SITES please!!!

2. You can feature any blog you want…any blog…there is no limit to the topic.

3. You cannot share your own blog…you Must share a favorite that you follow

( Any post that does not link directly to the host blog will be deleted…Our logo/link is VERY important to bring traffic to your blog and the blog you are sharing.)

5. You cannot enter without a post sharing another blog that you appreciate. You must share another blog.

6. You can only enter one time per week

You can join/link into this fun new party at Tootsie Time, Growing 4 Seasons and at the Garden Chat Blog…It doesn’t matter which one you link into…the link will appear on all four lists… exposing not only your blog, but your featured blog to a whole lot of new fans! The linky will open Monday evenings and will close on Tuesday evening at midnight. You don’t have much time to join in the fun, so you best get posting!!!

-----------------------------------

This is my share for the week.

I love that I can go just about anywhere in the world and see the gardens grow…simply with the click of my mouse. I have so many favorite gardens that I dream of visiting in person one day. But for now, I will sit in my chair and pretend I am in another country walking the paths.

One of the gardens I hope one day to see is in Australia. Bush Bernie’s Blog has been among those who inspire me to garden year round. The shares that Bernie always posts, show a passionate gardener with such a sweet demeanour. You won’t be disappointed if you click over to visit. I am never disappointed in my visit…and in fact I get a real kick out of seeing that the seasons in Australia are the exact opposite of those in Alberta! Spring is just beginning there….while in my garden, winter is setting in quickly!

Head over and say hi to my sweet friend Bernie…I just know you will be welcomed!

Until next time….Happy Reading!!!

*)*)*) to my special three…I am proud of every scar on my heart, each one holds a lifetimes worth of lessons. Some better learned than others. *)

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

links to these and more great parties!can be found here!

COME ON...IT WILL BE FUN!!!

2011-11-14T13:44:00.003-07:00

COME ON!!! GET YOUR SNACK...GRAB A DRINK AND JOIN IN THE FUN TONIGHT!!!
I AM GUEST HOSTING ON #GARDENCHAT TONIGHT...AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU ALL ONLINE!!!
for more information...follow this link.
http://tweetchat.com/
I just can hardly wait to see you there!!!

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Nov. 11/11

2011-11-10T06:00:00.005-07:00

WELCOME FRIENDS!!!

The Party is getting started a little early today because I have to be away from my computer for most of the day and probably late into the evening! BUSY BUSY BUSY!!!

I am so happy you stopped by!

So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...

BEFORE we get our flaunting started…I would like for us to take a minute to remember those who fought for our countries and made it possible for us to have the freedoms we have.

Without the sacrifice these men and women make for us…we may not have the chance to even flaunt at all! Support your Troops…and remember those who lost their lives for our countries.

You guys would NOT believe the things I have accomplished this week…and hope to get even more done this weekend…so if your comments don’t get published right away…It is because this Tootsie…well…is just plain old busy…too busy to publish them all right now. Don’t run off without saying hi…I love to hear from you all!

I have not even one thing to share with you this week…all my plants have been relocated and I didn’t take any photos!!! So…since I am in the middle of renovations and moving the greenhouse…YOU GUYS are in charge of the flaunting…I will be in charge of the OOOH-ing and AAAH-ing….

So? what are you waiting for???? Get Your Flaunt ON!!! I can’t wait to see!!!

I will be back early next week with some photos and an update on the greenhouse re-construction…and possibly a sneak peek at the house I am moving to!

Until Next time…Happy Gardening!

*)*)*) to my fabulous three…Please remember: ~ Learn to treat people the way you want to be treated, cause what goes around comes around...and karma never goes easy on ya...think before you act.~~~you may think your hot shit on a silver platter but in reality you are just a cold turd on a paper plate!!! MWUAH!!!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Read ‘Em All Tuesday! #2 Nov. 8/11

2011-11-07T00:00:00.002-07:00

Welcome!!! I am so glad you dropped by today!!!

This party is brand spanking new! It is not just any party…it is a party with a TWIST!!! You don’t get to blow your own horn…you get to share a blog that who you admire!! There is no better way to show appreciation for the inspiration/ entertainment/ information than to send some new followers their way!

Read ‘Em Wednesday is a brand new way to show appreciation for your fellow bloggers! It is a party that offers us an opportunity to bring attention to some of the best blogs out there!

All you have to do is this:

A..Choose a blog that you enjoy reading off your blog list.

B..Write yourself a post introducing us all to your chosen blog and it’s author.

C..Be sure to put a link to that special blog in your post!

D..Link your blog post to this party…specific post URL…not your home page

E. Enjoy the party…and perhaps find a few new favorites on the list!

Now…I know I know…you are wondering if there are specific rules that this party insists you follow….funny you should ask:

There are a few straight forward guidelines that we ask you to follow…They are common sense really…

The Guidelines of this party are:

1. You cannot feature or share a blog that is not family friendly…NO PORN or ADULT SITES please!!!

2. You can feature any blog you want…any blog…there is no limit to the topic.

3. You cannot share your own blog…you Must share a favorite that you follow

( Any post that does not link directly to the host blog will be deleted…Our logo/link is VERY important to bring traffic to your blog and the blog you are sharing.)

5. You cannot enter without a post sharing another blog that you appreciate. You must share another blog.

6. You can only enter one time per week

-----------------------------------

This is my share for the week:

I love to read blogs when I can…and I just adore garden blogs. I also like to read the odd joke blog and several blogs about junkin’ and decorating…These are all things I know how to do…but there is one blog that I love to read…simply because I envy this woman’s special gift.

I have tried…and tried…and tried again, but to no avail. I thought I had the wrong equipment…so I went shopping…nope…thought maybe the background was wrong…so I painted it…nope…the fact that I needed to face…was I was no DIANE. I am tablescape challenged. I suck…stink on ice…simply cannot set a gorgeous table!

I do however LOVE to visit Tablescapes By Diane. This woman can set a table for ANY occasion! The cutest Halloween table I have ever seen was just set last week! You guys…if you have not seen this wonderful woman’s gift…PLEASE head over there and check her out! She rocks that dish cupboard every chance she gets!

Diane is a sweetheart too…she leaves the kindest comments for those who visit…always returns the visit and never ever has laughed at me for being plate handicapped! I honestly don’t know how she does it…but I love to look at her work!

Check her out…click her name…the link will take you right there! She’s probably setting us all a table for tea as we speak!

Until next Time….Happy reading!

*)*)*) to those very special three!!! You guys are getting to be infamous!!! Always remember: The more you bully someone the stronger they will get and they will turn around and knock you out!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

links to these and more great parties!can be found here!

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Nov. 4/11

2011-11-04T00:00:00.002-06:00

WELCOME FRIENDS!!!

I am so happy you stopped by!

So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...

This week…I have no flowers or plants that are worth sharing. In fact this area of Alberta saw a little snow this week!

Halloween was a busy event in my house, and the rest of the days seemed a flurry of activity for me. I am still behind in my catch up commenting project…lol…but I am making progress!!! I can’t remember a day where I just had time to sit and relax…I will not bore you with the details of the hurry up and run situations but instead lets get flaunting!

I thought I’d take today’s post to show you the one and only annual that I have still got growing and in my possession!

In the early part of the spring Proven Winners sent me a tray of annuals to trial for them. This is the Calibrachoa that they sent me! I didn’t dump it when I dumped all the others as it still looked pretty good…so I set it in the greenhouse. She is now living in my sun-room. It isn’t looking as nice as it once did…but …the weather is not warm…and the days are shorter…and …and…and…ha-ha-ha. Enough with the excuses…I LOVE Calibrachoa and I am keeping this one as long as I can!

This is one of the three colors that I have.

I think this terra cotta colored one is my favorite. I love the deep reds and browns in there!

This is a cheery one with the bright pink and yellow…I hope they all stay blooming for a long time!

That is all I have to share! Nothing else to show! So? What are you waiting for??? Get your flaunt ON!!!

Until Next time…Happy Gardening!

*)*)*) to my fabulous three…and remember: ~ Know your worth, stand your ground and NEVER settle for less than you deserve!! ~

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

you can find links to these and more great blog parties here

It Is What It Is…

2011-11-02T00:00:00.000-06:00

I thought I’d take today’s post to show you the current state of my greenhouse!

Caution…the contents of this post caused this Tootsie a lot of anxiety and some tears. (I’m ok now though! Ha-ha)

The move is inevitable…and a greenhouse is a must in my world. There are restrictions in the new house, and things are running a bit behind. Thus, a decision was made. I will take as much of this greenhouse as I possibly can…and use it again until the time comes when I can build a bigger one.

The yard at the house where I am moving is not as large as this one is, so a bigger greenhouse is really not an option. The season has changed to winter, and time is of the essence…so I think that doing just what I have been for now is a good idea. I also am not living there yet…and it is three hours away from me…so being there to oversee a new style go up would be difficult!

So…we take the greenhouse down.

First I emptied it all out…took the blinds and all the shade screen down.

YOU BOYS BE CAREFUL WITH MY GREENHOUSE!!!!!!

Then the ‘men’ got to work on the plexi walls and all the screws that are holding it together…My 12 year old son was so excited to help out. He really is is mom’s boy…Loves his power tools too! hahaha

Before long…the bare frame was all that remained…the roof beams are already gone and the plexi was all moved aside to make room for more dismantling to get done.

It was not a good day in this Tootsie’s world…I was very emotional about taking my space apart. Seeing it all laying on the grass was so hard to look at. Even though I know it will all be back up in a few weeks…it was still a difficult thing to say goodbye to it standing where it was.

BUT…Tootsie put her big girl panties on…and worked up quite a sweat…

The greenhouse doesn’t seem quite so big when you put it all in the trailer now does it? I am actually kind of surprised it took up less than 1/2 of the trailer. hahaha…

It’s all loaded up…and ready to head to the new place…I just hope we remember what goes where! haha..

The yard will now have just a patio that is 12x20 feet big…and a gas line that the new people can put a heater on if they want to. It is a nice big space for a party!

My yard sure does look big and lonely without the greenhouse now doesn’t it?

Just is NOT Tootsie’s Space anymore.

I already miss my greenhouse. It is my safe place…where I go to take the edge off all of the stresses in life…I can’t wait to get the next one up!

I better get going…that greenhouse is not going to build itself you know! Off to better things…new challenges and a lot of work!

I will be able to begin to share photos of everything very soon!!!

I hope I will see you all on Friday for the Big Flaunt!!!

Until Next Time…Happy Gardening!

*)*)*) to my three!!! I am learning that if you truly desire a change in your life, you have to be willing to let go of what you know and sometimes go outside of your comfort zone!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Read ‘Em All Tuesday!!!

2011-10-31T00:01:00.005-06:00

HELLO THERE! WELCOME!

We are so happy you could join us today!

My name is Glenda…but most of you know me as Tootsie…My partner Bren and I are super excited to share some exciting news with you! You know me (Tootsie ) from my Blog Tootsie Time. You all know Bren from BG Garden and Garden Chat (the very successful weekly chat on twitter) …We also sister/partner on our joint blog Growing 4 Seasons.

Both Bren and I love blogging and networking our sites, and have a myriad of blogs that we enjoy reading as much as we can. We share special blog authors back and forth all the time, and thought it might be nice if we shared some of those outstanding people with you…and…have you share some of your favorites with us! Thus, Read ‘Em All Tuesdays weekly meme was born!

This party is brand spanking new! It is not just any party…it is a party with a TWIST!!! You don’t get to blow your own horn…you get to share a blog that who you admire!! There is no better way to show appreciation for the inspiration/entertainment/information than to send some new followers their way!

Read ‘Em Wednesday is a brand new way to show appreciation for your fellow bloggers! It is a party that offers us an opportunity to bring attention to some of the best blogs out there!

All you have to do is this:

A..Choose a blog that you enjoy reading off your blog list.

B..Write yourself a post introducing us all to your chosen blog and it’s author.

C..Be sure to put a link to that special blog in your post!

D..Link your blog post to this party…specific post url…not your home page

E. Enjoy the party…and perhaps find a few new favourites on the list!

Now…I know I know…you are wondering if there are specific rules that this party insists you follow….funny you should ask:

There are a few straight forward guidelines that we ask you to follow…They are common sense really…

The Guidelines of this party are:

1. You cannot feature or share a blog that is not family friendly…NO PORN or ADULT SITES please!!!

2. You can feature any blog you want…any blog…there is no limit to the topic.

3. You cannot share your own blog…you Must share a favorite that you follow

4. Your post must include two things: 1. A link to the blog you are sharing. 2. A link to this party. You may also use the logo of this party and include a link to it as well. Either way….you MUST link to the hosting blog for this party!!!

( Any post that does not link directly to the host blog will be deleted…Our logo/link is VERY important to bring traffic to your blog and the blog you are sharing.)

5. You cannot enter without a post sharing another blog that you appreciate. You must share another blog.

6. You can only enter one time per week

8. You are not allowed to feature any sites that are directly trying to sell something. This is not a party for advertising …or pedaling any wares. Any blogs that are created to sell any product will be deleted by party admin.

You can join/link into this fun new party at Tootsie Time, Growing 4 Seasons and at the Garden Chat Blog…It doesn’t matter which one you link into…the link will appear on all four lists… exposing not only your blog, but your featured blog to a whole lot of new fans! The linky will open Monday evenings and will close on Tuesday evening at midnight. You don’t have much time to join in the fun, so you best get posting!!!

I am sure most (if not all of you ) have heard of Garden Chat. If you have not… “#gardenchat is a Twitter based chat forum where garden enthusiasts from all walks of life connect and interact sharing ideas about their experience growing.” It is a weekly online chat administrated by Bren set up to discuss gardens, plants and all sorts of things that grow, with the best group of people around. It offers the opportunity for bloggers and gardeners alike to shine and to share! Bren works really hard to keep this chat running…and has made it a huge success…If you have some spare time on Monday evenings…check it out…you will not be disappointed! For more information about this weekly chat…please see the Garden Chat Homepage to learn all about it!

I (Tootsie) host a weekly garden party myself! It is a party for you all to Flaunt Your Flowers/Foliage every Friday. The linky for it is up and open every Thursday evening…and closes on Sunday evening. Please join me to see some of the most beautiful and inspiring gardens from all over this world!

Bren and I look forward to sharing our favorite blogs with you, and seeing who you read!

--------------------------------------------

I would like to offer my share for this new party now.

I am sharing a blog called Quarry Garden Stained Glass. This blog is fantastic! Karen- the author of said blog is such a sweet woman, she is a mother, a wife and a gardener extraordinaire! She shares her world with us including little snippets of her life with her family, and her stained glass business as well as treats us all to tours of her absolutely gorgeous gardens. If you have not had the luxury of visiting this blog before…I encourage you to do so soon…You will NOT be disappointed! Getting to visit this sweet lady (who is so very supportive and kind) is a privilege I am so glad to have. If you get the chance…take a trip to Karen’s place and say hi! I just know she would love to meet you!

Until next week….Happy reading!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Oct.28/11

2011-10-28T00:00:00.000-06:00

WELCOME FRIENDS!!!

I am so happy you stopped by!

So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...

I have a post composed in my head to share with you on Monday, I would share it today, but it really has nothing to do with flower flaunting…in fact it isn’t a flaunt at all! So stay tuned…as soon as I get it out of my head and into the computer…it will be all yours! haha

This week it was a lot cooler in Alberta Canada. Frost and even a little snow has touched our province. The snow didn’t stick around…and only fell for a brief moment or two, but still it fell…and I can say it wasn’t a welcome sight!

Running my heels raw again has left me tired and run down. I am feeling a little overwhelmed these days with all the activity that I seem to be obligated to be involved in. I just can’t wait till the days are less hectic and I have time to be me!

I don’t have anything worth flaunting around me these days…it is all gone for the time being…so I am sharing a couple photos from the past…of a time when I had lots to look forward to…and to flaunt!

I can’t wait to put my seed order in…so that I can fill my greenhouse with all things green again…I love the days when the greenhouse is filled to the brim!

Just walking inside a packed greenhouse is a delightful experience. Makes all feel right in the world…and all the stresses of life seem to momentarily melt away…

I am dreaming of the day when I will be inside my greenhouse again…

…dreaming of planting and growing.

This is the one place in the world…where I can go and just be me.

This is my place…my favorite- special -safe place.

That is my flaunt/ flashback/daydream for this week! Hope you all have great weather and good things to share!

So? What are you waiting for??? Inspire me! Dazzle us all…and get your flaunt on!

Thank you all…for faithfully stopping in to say hello…and for the sweet supportive comments…and most of all…for hanging in there beside me in this crazy and difficult time. I feel so bad that I have not been around to thank or comment much…or at all…and am grateful that you all have not abandoned ship because of it. I WILL be there…with bells on…as soon as I get a few minutes to myself…with which I can dance the internet with glee!

Hugs and smiles and wishes for a safe and happy weekend to you all…

Until Next Time…Happy Gardening!

*)*)*) to my very special three… a persons wealth should be measured not by monetary gain but by the lives they touch. "A reflection sometimes reveals more reality than the object it echoes" - Cheshire Cat

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Oct. 21/11

2011-10-20T18:52:00.003-06:00

WELCOME FRIENDS!!!

I am so happy you stopped by!

So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...

Another very busy week has transpired in my world. Hockey has taken over much of my time, as has other activities that these kids seem to heap on in gobs. Between the kids and all the other obligations I have, there has been little time for anything else. I have been packing up this place slow but sure, and am almost falling down with exhaustion…but…Fertilizer Friday….is not to be missed!

Last week I shared some shots of my gardens. They were still green and even appeared to be blooming a little bit. Well…since then, we have seen some frost in Alberta, and things are looking VERY different.

Be prepared…the following photos are NOT a pretty sight!

You would not know that the leaves were mowed up just a day or two ago…ha-ha…it seems almost immediate that the leaves fell again.

A killing frost fell on Sunday night leaving me no choice but to just pull all the annuals out of the garden beds…so on Wednesday morning…I got busy…very busy.

I did things a bit different this year. I did not pull them and put them in cans for the yard waste guys to haul away. Instead I laid them down on top of the soil. I figured that this way, there is a hope of some of the seeds volunteering for the new people…AND it will keep the neighbors cats out of the soil. (it also saves me a LOT of work.) ha-ha-ha…

I noticed that there is something very strange about this photo…can you see what I mean?

If you guessed that the apple tree still looks like July..You were right! What’s up with that? Not one yellow leaf on this one!

As I pulled all the annuals, I decided to dig out a few of the perennials that I would like to keep…and move to the new yard…so I did that too…There are a few more I wouldn’t mind having…but by the time I did this much…I was soooo pooped that I had to wait for another day to finish.

On Wednesday I also emptied the greenhouse and got it ready for the big move. All of the staging and equipment has been loaded up and is ready to go! It is so empty in there now…

Never has it been this way…

All that remains of My plants are these two wandering Jews…that are getting a haircut and prepped to go. There are a few other plants in there…but they are already slated to be returned to their owner..my chiropractor. I just had them in the greenhouse to revive them. He is NO green thumb! (right Doc?…haha)

So you see…the summer season is over for this gardener…and the greenhouse is all but deserted…it’s all over but the crying in my garden/greenhouse…and there will be crying…I’m sure lots of crying.

The plans for the new greenhouse are almost set in stone…and I can hardly wait to get some photos of the house I am going to be moving into in the coming months…Hopefully soon!

Ok…so what are you waiting for??? It’s your turn…click, link and post!!! I can’t wait to see what you have to share! (and I do hope for time to get all the way around this week…and maybe catch up a little on what I have been missing!!!!---Hope…hope…fingers crossed!!!)

Thank you to all who have popped in for a visit…and to those who have linked in…You guys are the most patient followers!!! I am excited to share a little announcement next week with you guys…and I hope you will enjoy what I share!

Hugs and smiles…wishes for a safe and happy weekend to you all…

Until Next Time…Happy Gardening!

*)*)*) to those three who love keeping up with me!!!…remember If you treat someone like they are only a option, don't expect them to treat you like a priority. Cherish every moment you have with your family and friends! For some day you may wake up and find that they might not be there!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

“NO BUMS ALLOWED!!!” Garden Bench Tutorial

2011-10-17T09:00:00.001-06:00

This Bench is my own creation! You have seen it a million times on here...and today it is the star of the show.

One day, as I was browsing around in the shops in the downtown of our city, I came across a shop that sells very high end benches. The one in the store was around $400.00! I almost passed out at the price! There is no way on earth that I would be caught dead paying an amount like that for something I could build myself.

Not having a cell phone with a camera at the time, and not wanting to look too obviously taking measurements, I used my body as a measurement. In fine Tootsie form, I made the measurements as follows: The top peak comes up to my boobs, the arm comes to just above the knee...you get the idea. I ran out to my car, wrote the "stats" on a napkin, and drew a quick diagram. I raced home, pulled the barn board that I had been saving for a special project out, and got to work! I made two of them...gave one to a lady that had become very special to me, and the rest is history.

A few days ago, I got an email from a lady named Betty with a special request. She wrote that she is a faithful follower of Tootsie Time, and that she has fallen in love with my olden bench that I built to hold my flowers. In the letter, she asked me if I knew where she could get her hands on some dimensions and/or instructions so that she could build one for her gardens.

This very thoughtful lady also suggested that perhaps I could do a post about this bench, so that not only she but all of the others who had fallen in love with my bench could have one too!

Well Betty…you are in Luck!!! I built that bench…it is the very first thing I ever made for my garden. I have photos…dimensions, and possibly some direction to offer you (and anyone else who might like them).

This is the bench…sans plants…ha-ha

I used weathered old boards that were ripped off of an old barn that had fallen down. I have taken the time to measure in inches…instead of body parts, so I hope this works for everyone!

I sure hope you can see the dimensions that I put on the photo…if you can’t…let me know. If you click on my photos, they will open larger for you to see…(just a tip)

I also thought it might be nice if I could offer some explanation…

The back of the bench has five pickets cut to three different lengths. You will need to cut:

2-40 inch long pickets

2-44 inch long pickets

1 4 foot long picket (for the center)

The peaks of the pickets were embellished to look like little bird house roofs. I cut one side at 6 inches and one at 5 inches. This allowed me to have them even when I put them together as shown above. You will need to cut:

5- 5 inch long pieces

6- 6 inch long pieces

…these will be screwed or nailed onto the top of the picket.

I took one picket apart a bit to show you ….(and it needed to be repaired anyways…ha-ha) That is what you see on the bench.

The “seat”, front, and the support piece across the back of the pickets are all 3 feet long.

You will need to cut 5 pieces to 3 feet long in total.

The side of the bench and front of the arms are all 2 pieces cut to 2 foot lengths…you will need to cut 8 - 2 foot long pieces in total.

There is also the top of the arms that you will need to cut 2 pieces for. They are each 18 inches in length.

That is all there is to my bench.

I started to construct the piece by cutting and putting together the pickets that make the back with the support that goes across them.

I then screwed each of the arms together.

I put the entire thing together by adding the seat piece by piece.

The bench is not flimsy, but it is not really all that strong. I didn’t make it to be sat on, but to hold plants. If you are planning to sit on it, you may want to use smoother wood…and make the cuts a bit neater…my version of this baby is very crude…as it was intended to look primitive.

I love the look of this bench with flowers on it.

I use empty pots tipped upside down to add different heights to the position of the plants…and some decorative ones tipped on their sides for added interest. I also will add different things in and amongst the pots as decoration.

Betty asked how on earth I get the old watering can to sit that way on the pickets. Well…it is propped on one picket and supported with another. There is a bit of gravel inside it for weight.

Every summer it gets a bit different look.

The bench itself hasn’t changed since I first made it. It is now about 8 years old.

Considering how this bench was created…I am sure you don’t have to follow any specific instructions to make it…just do what I did…wing it! I wanted one soooo bad…that I figured it out. ha-ha.

Good luck with building one for your garden Betty!

I would love it if anyone who decides to build one of my garden benches would send me a photo!

If you have questions regarding this post, or any other post that you find on Tootsie Time…please feel free to contact me either via email or in the comment section of this post.

More photos of GARDEN ART that I have made are just a click away!!!

What are you building to add to your gardens???

Thanks for stopping by!!! See you again very soon!

Until next time…Happy Gardening!

*)*)*) to my very special three…"Love grows where trust is laid, and love dies where trust is betrayed."~Tigress Luv (trust after it is lost cannot be re-gained completely)

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Oct. 14/11

2011-10-14T00:00:00.002-06:00

WELCOME FRIENDS!!!

I am so happy you stopped by!

So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...

I have been on the run …even more than usual this week…seems that the schedule is getting tighter and tighter lately, and I haven’t even had the computer on, much less post anything…BUT…I have made progress with plans for the move and things are soon to be posted on. Stay Tuned…

It’s fall in Alberta…and that means the temps are cooling off more each day. I have seen several frosts come and go…it is surprising how warm it still has been…and even more surprising is my gardens…Let me show you what I mean.

The leaves are turned…and falling like crazy now…

All of the usual sights and smells of fall have arrived to delight the senses…

I have removed all the garden decor…and all the container plantings have been discarded….Fall has arrived…and things appear to have wound down in my gardens…right????…………………WRONG.

The craziest thing about this season in my garden…is that the flowers seem to have escaped the frost!!! I stopped watering at the end of September…and yet…….All of the flower beds are still doing great!! There has been a bit of frost damage…and things are a bit overgrown, and not as lush and pretty as they were a month or more ago…BUT…

This Tootsie still has flowers in her gardens…and that is all that matters. I am grateful for this extended time in my gardens…it seems almost like the garden is having as much trouble saying goodbye to me…as I am.

Hugs and smiles and wishes for a safe and happy weekend to you all…

Until Next Time…Happy Gardening!

*)*)*) to my very special three…in time people don't really change they just show who they have always been. I can honestly say I am proud to be me. It is not how many times you have been brought to your knees, but how you brush the dirt off your knees that makes you successful.

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Thanksgiving Wishes!!!

2011-10-08T16:25:00.001-06:00

TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING,
BUT I JUST COULDN'T SLEEP.
I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS,
I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP.

THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED -
THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE,
BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION
WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT.

TOSSING AND TURNING WITH ANTICIPATION,
THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME INFATUATION.
SO, I RACED TO THE KITCHEN, FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR,
AND GAZED AT THE FRIDGE, FULL OF GOODIES GALORE.
GOBBLED UP TURKEY AND BUTTERED POTATOES,
PICKLES AND CARROTS, BEANS AND TOMATOES.

I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND,
'TIL ALL OF A SUDDEN, I ROSE OFF THE GROUND.
I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING, FLOATING INTO THE SKY,
WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING AND A HANDFUL OF PIE.
BUT, I MANAGED TO YELL AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES....
HAPPY EATING TO ALL - PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE.

MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY,
MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP.
MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP.
MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS.
MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE,
MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING - we all have so much to be thankful for – and one of the best are those who you keep close to your heart.

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Oct. 7/11

2011-10-07T21:58:00.001-06:00

WELCOME FRIENDS!!!

I am so happy you stopped by!

So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...

I was intending to share some current photos with you all this week…but life took over…and that is not going to happen. I am sick…and getting worse by the hour…lol…and have been running my heels off with kid stuff and hockey…so you guys are once again put on the spot to make us some inspiration!

In just a couple days, I will share an update on things here….

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my Canadian friends…hugs and smiles…be safe and enjoy this last holiday before Christmas! To the rest of you guys…thanks for stopping in, and for linking up again this week.

For now…I am dreaming of times when things in my garden looked like this:

…and this…

Until Next Time….Happy Gardening!

*)*)*) to my very special three…Be careful what you take for granted. Someone else is waiting to appreciate it.

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Sept. 30/11

2011-09-29T10:31:00.005-06:00

WELCOME FRIENDS!!!

I am so happy you stopped by!

So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...

This has been a whirlwind week at my house. My son finished up hockey try outs…and made the A team…which means I need to schedule another thing into the book now…and there is always a lot of hockey…I have been pulling all my containers and hanging baskets from the garden, cleaning up the yard…moving the items out of the gardens that I want to keep…and hauling them away for storage! I am exhausted! Pooped!! Just plain wrecked!!! I still have not even made it around to say hello to last week’s participants…and for that I am so sorry…I will get there…just be patient kids!!!

I have decided that because things in my gardens are in a state of total disorganization right now…there is junk all over the yard…and I am far too tired to rush out and move it all around for photos…that I would let you guys do all the work this week.

I will post one teeny photo…and sit back and wait to see what you inspire my new gardens with this week!

I still am not quite sure when I am leaving this house…but know it will be very soon…been scoping out some possible new places…with lots of space for me and the kids and my gardens…I just can’t wait till it is all over and I have nothing better to fill my time with …than to visit all of your sites!!!

Hugs, smiles and wishes for a safe and happy weekend to you all. Thanks so much to all who too the time to pop by my little page and visit this week…and to those who participate in this meme…It is an honor and a privilege to have the chance to host this party!

Until next time…happy gardening!!!

*)*)*) to you three!!! You never stop amazing me with your latest!!! Just remember the old saying: .. Karma, the gift that keeps on giving..think before you ACT, before you SPEAK, and remember WHAT YOU DO unto others you do unto yourself...hee hee!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

you can find links to these and more great blog parties here

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Sept. 23/11

2011-09-23T00:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Friday!
Friday is a BIG day for us here at Tootsie Time…(ok, just me…there is no one else here…lol) It’s a big deal because it means it’s PARTY TIME!!!! Fertilizer Friday is the day of the week than an ELITE group of gardeners from all around the world get together, snap photos, link up and Flaunt Their Flowers!!!
If you are new to Tootsie Time and Fertilizer Friday, I just know you are asking yourself…”How do I join?”
Well…it’s easy really. Here’s all you need to know to become a part of this great group of gardeners, bloggers and friends:
If it is spring or summer where you live, you need to snap a few photos of what you have growing, blooming or just love to look at that is of the plant variety…if it is winter where you live, you may post past favorite photos…or indoor plants…whatever you like. The only criteria is that it is a plant or something growing! You do not need to use fertilizer to participate in this party, but if you do, this is the reminder to fertilize weekly! All I ask is that: Your post must include the logo above and/or a link to Tootsie Time, or the linky will be deleted.
So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos…

We have been blessed with some wonderful weather this last week of summer!!! The temperatures are just so nice and warm…I wish it wasn’t the end of the season!
Many things have finished in my gardens…and in a way that is a good thing, as I pull the decorations that I have had placed for years from the positions they were in. I took the white bike out of the flowerbed by the garage…and to fill that space, moved the flower tower over.

I hate that I have to dismantle the entire yard. It is bad enough having to pull the flowers when we get frost, but taking it all out, and packing it all up is almost heartbreaking! That spot beside the garage door seems so empty now!

I pulled out the old pump that my Dad gave me…the one I made into my fountain…and replaced the fire pit blocks to fill the hole it left.

My bike is now in the far back…I pulled it from this bed and placed a couple of pots in the empty space that it left. Man was that hard to get out…the tree had grown roots over the tires! I was a sweaty mess after getting that out of there. haha

It doesn’t look too bad with the petunias, rudbeckia, marigold and pansy pots in there…just not as pretty or interesting as when the bike was in there.

Boy does this area look bare!!! I dumped the large pots that were finished and looking ragged…took down the shelves over the BBQ and all the metal tea pots that I had on them. It is all in that wash tub waiting for me to put away. Most of my hanging pots were finished and looking awful, so I pulled and dumped them too.

I have gotten a lot of work done in between other busy things that keep my household hopping. The kids’ activities and school schedules keep me running my little feet off! I am putting all of this stuff that I have taken down to move back in the gravel area of the yard until I load it up and store it somewhere else! What a jumbled mess of wonderful junk!

There are some pretty things to share this week! Dahlia…and a little bee…

Osteospermum…so pretty!

Thymophilia and Bacopa…looking so pretty together!!!

I have enjoyed this color combination this year…

More Dahlias…

Rudbeckia….I love how they just bloom and bloom!

My proven winners calibrachoa is still going strong! Oh how I love this plant!!!

My pansy’s seem to be happy as they can be in their pot!

The grass is still green in my gardens…and many of the flowers are still blooming. I am lucky to still have the flowers blooming…it is almost October…normally the gardens would have been killed by frost at this time.
Friday is the first official day of fall for us all…the summer season is over…and we are getting ourselves a bit of an indian summer!
So? what are you waiting for…lets get flaunting!
Wishing you hugs, smiles and a safe and happy weekend…thanks to all who have taken the time to visit, comment and flaunt with me!
Until Next time…Happy Gardening!
*)*)*) to my special three…words can never make your actions erase. Some things, once they are done…are forever remembered.
(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.
www.tootsietime.com

I'm FALL-ing! and I Can't Make it Stop!

2011-09-21T00:00:00.000-06:00

FALL_ing...Not Failing you sillies!!! Fall us upon me in Alberta...I can feel it, see it, smell it and I don't like it. But...since I can't stop it...I may as well go with the flow right?

I noticed that this was the scene in my next door neighbors yard today....It just breaks my heart to know that soon the trees will be bare and my gardens...gone. I have been noticing that many of my pots are starting to finish...and I don't mean in a good way. U-G-L-Y is the only way to spell it. Now if you know me...you know I can't stand an empty space in my gardens...if there is a hook...there has to be a plant! So I headed out the door...

The front door to be exact...on my way I hung a wreath I made..it needs some primping I think.

Not bad for dollar store picks...at least it won't hurt my heart when the wind takes them down the street!

The plants that were here...are in the front bed now, so I had to fill this corner a bit. A plastic berry tree from a very good friend...and some faux pumpkins....

The big hanging planter box is ...toast...so I got inventive...a MUM...is filling the hole...looks different that's for sure...not sure I like it much...but time will tell...

Then I took a stroll to the back yard...where the dead and ugly had to go. A few more plastic pumpkins...and I am starting to feel a little cranky about the fall stomping on my garden parade!
Many of these pumpkins...are actually jack-o-lanterns with light bulbs and electric cords...I hate the real thing...they don't take well to the weather here and tend to rot or turn an ugly color. (at least for me they do) Plus...they are not as heavy to dispose of in the end! Just put them in the box for next year!
Well...that's my post for today!...hope your day is good! See you all right back here tomorrow evening for the start of the weekly flower Flaunt!!! I can't wait!

Until Next Time….Happy Decorating!

*)*)*) to my special three…the seasons change…but hearts…don’t…be careful what you cause!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

9/2/09

www.tootsietime.com

Tootsie Time

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers March 9/12

Tasks: The Greenhouse in March

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers March 2/12

Tasks: The Greenhouse In February

Tasks: The Greenhouse In January

Good Ideas!

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Feb. 24/12

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Feb.17/12

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE!!! oops!! My Bad…ha-ha

A Lot To Change…And…A Little Progress.

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Feb.10/12

The Making of a Home…Part 1. The Kitchen…

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Feb. 3/12

Progress!!!! At Last!

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Jan. 20/12

quick note on Fertilizer Friday

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Jan. 13/12

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Jan. 6/12

DID YOU KNOW???

…For My Followers! (and a Fertilizer Friday Announcement)

A Christmas Poem

Getting Startled…er…I Mean…Started! *)

Out With The Old…Even If It Is Beautiful.

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Dec. 16/11

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Dec. 9/11

A How-To… And a Smile!

Read ‘Em All Tuesday #5

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Dec. 2/11

The Same, Only Better!

Read Em All Tuesdays #4

notice

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Nov. 18/11

Read ‘Em All Tuesday #3 Nov. 14/11

COME ON...IT WILL BE FUN!!!

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Nov. 11/11

Read ‘Em All Tuesday! #2 Nov. 8/11

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Nov. 4/11

It Is What It Is…

Read ‘Em All Tuesday!!!

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Oct.28/11

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Oct. 21/11

“NO BUMS ALLOWED!!!” *Garden Bench Tutorial*

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Oct. 14/11

Thanksgiving Wishes!!!

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Oct. 7/11

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Sept. 30/11

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Sept. 23/11

I'm FALL-ing! and I Can't Make it Stop!

“NO BUMS ALLOWED!!!” Garden Bench Tutorial