Friday, April 1, 2011

~SPRINGTIME IN CALIFORNIA..~

I thought I would join Tooties@ TOOTSIE TIME for Flaunt You Flowers day. 
I do wish I had some lovely and amazing ones but I am not really a avid gardner...just a wannabe one.  But I've discovered perrinials and love them.  Just whack them back when they begin to fade..and back they come..

~FRONT YARD~
My favorite on going project...Carnations this time...a red geranium...nothing fancy..but...here's the thing...
I need to learn to keep tabs on what I plant...some sort of way to keep track of the name of my plants..because...I have to just hope you recognize them...such as...

...these.

This is my favorite fern I think..at least for my planters.  At Lowe's I have seen them labeled as Asparagus fern..but I know them as Foxtail ferns.  I wonder which they are.


Last week I dug up the old ferns and replanted them and replaced the with the Fox Tail fern...
I can't wait to see them when they are mature..full and lovely.  What a beautiful frame for that big stone.

By the way...I just wanted to say that the stone is very REAL.  They hauled it in on a truck and with great effort pushed it off the truck..and here is where it fell and here is where it stayed.  I just recently pulled up all the Red Apple that was doing nothing and added nothing and began planting this little bed.  Son in law put curbing around it to protect it from the grass... 



BACKYARD...

..these in my back yard by my OLD wheelbarrow.  We still have to spread our mulch and get this years annuals in...lots of work to do.  LOTS!

Our two White Birch tree's  and at the far end our new plum tree.. I have to wonder if I will ever pick a plum from it...but...at least someone will. :)  And that's neat!
Do you see those rooftops??  Well, we are hoping those tree's hide them one day... :)  Wishful thinking?  Probably!

Just a struggling Southern California back yard...but..our green is nearly all back now...

Ok..I think that is some lavendar I planted last year.  LOVE that stuff...
Would you look at that GRASS??  Sweetie just mowed it yesterday.  I wonder if he missed spot?
Perhaps he was afraid of mowing down the Lavendar, bless his little heart!

The gardeners out there can see the work  I  have to do...and though my flowers are unremarkable...they do speak of Spring...and that is what is important.   My bulbs have already faded...perhaps they will give anothe show.  Maybe?

And by the way...it was 96 degree's here yesterday.  We sweltered!!  And warm again today!

Love and hugs,
Mona

43 comments:

  1. I am very envious of all of your pretty flowers! We are still a few weeks away from being able to plant.....it is cold and in the 40's here today, but the sun is shining.
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  2. Hi Mona! Gorgeousness abounds at your lovely home! Your flowers are so pretty and I'm like you - those are Fox Tail Ferns! I have some in a little pot and just love 'em to pieces! I love your olden wheel barrow in the back yard! You must have a green thumb!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  3. Your gardens are beautiful, Mona...everything looks so big and healthy. I think you have a green thumb!!

    XO,
    Jane

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  4. Yup girl, those a re Fox Tail Ferns...Asparagus ferns as I remember are fine a frogs hair!!!

    Your flowers are remarkable sweetie. If your like me and my gardens...I forget to see the beauty but ya can bet your bottom dollar I can spot ever weed I missed in 'em!!!

    You have a lovely yard...my grass is greenin' up but the flowers are just beginnin' to push through the earth.

    God bless ya sweetie and have a fantastic weekend!!! :o)

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  5. Beautiful. Are you kidding 96. I am visiting on Colorado. Both Colorado and where I am from had snow this week.....both are to get more snow. Geez Louise.
    Gardens are beautiful. Loveing me some bloom right now. (((((HUGS))))

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  6. YOur garden is very beautiful! You kept it very well like a pro gardener. Wow. My Fertilizer Friday

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  7. Hi Miss Garden Beautifier,

    WOW, and you are saying that you aren't a "pro" at gardening? WRONG.

    Your property looks stunning.

    Hugs

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  8. Your garden is beautiful!!! So neat, nicely laid out and so colorful with your perennials! I count them as flowers too! So rewarding and always willing to put on a lovely display when it's their season. For someone claiming not to be gardener you certainly manage to produce a very good pretence!!! You can lead me around your garden often. I love it all just the way it is.

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  9. Mona, Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog. As far as knowing the names of the flowers at the Botanical Center - they're labeled! lol I think your yard is absolutely gorgeous! So colorful and the borders add a bit of professionalism. Mona, you are doing great with your gardens!
    Blessings, Beth

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  10. Stopping by from Tootsie's place. I shared my azaleas on my other non-blog "My New 30" but don't think the link has shown up yet.

    I think your garden is gorgeous - everything looks so colorful and tidy - great job!

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  11. Your photographs looks like summer to me :-) :-) Well at least the snowdrops flowers here now :-)

    I must find one of those old times red geraniums again, those that grow rather big and flowers until after the frost comes here :-)

    Have a great day now!
    Christer.

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  12. Mona girl I am living in the wrong state. LOL! Your spring garden is just so beautiful. I always just admire that fern when I see it in your pictures.That bed is just beautiful and I want a wheelbarrow! LOL! Have a wonderful weekend.

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  13. I love flowers...don't do too well with them. Some people like you are gifted with a green thumb and some idea of style. I am sorry to say that I have no flair. We do have some beautiful Daffodil that come up every spring. My mom planted them ages ago. I dig some up every year and spread them around. Also, we have some spectacular Dandelions. Keep thinking I will try them in a salad or get a wine recipe, but....no....they just do their thing in our yard......Don't forget to post you boots when whatever you have in them bloom...... kt



    When what ever you put in your boots blooms please post that too....

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  14. Your gardens are gorgeous!
    Love the wheelbarrows. I think that your fern goes by both names, asparagus and foxtail.
    Spring is surely here!
    *hugs*deb

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  15. My goodness you are having some heat Mona. Your garden looks lovely. Is that real grass? Looks too green to be real!

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  16. Thanks for this touch of spring, Mona, although 96 does seem a tad warm - no HOT for spring and more like mid-summer to me. Can't wait until our lawn is green and flowers are in bloom.

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  17. Beautiful flower gardens, Mona. Are you going yard saling tomorrow...it'll be Saturday! Have a great weekend.

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  18. Your flowers and plants and trees are wonderful. The best part is that you do not have voracious deer eating all of them. Happy weekend...

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  19. Your perennials look great in the wheelbarrow. You have a pom? I have one of the same color. I guess you are a coffee drinker too. :)

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  20. Wow!!! You have been a very busy person with your yard. It will look fantastic when it matures. Love the wheel barrel flowers, and your huge rock chose the perfect place to fall, ha ha. Enjoyed reading this post and viewing all your photos. Here from Tootsie's.

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  21. I came back for an even better look this morning, Mona. I'd checked your post in bed on my mobile last night and just had to take the graden tour with you again here on my big screen. It's even more beautiful than I'd at first thought! I am now offering you the job of Chief Gardener in my garden. I don't care that you aren't familiar with the names of all your plants (I'm not either!) - all I care about is being able to enjoy the magnificent display you achieve in your garden! It's all perfect, Mona! I hope you'll treat us often to future visits...PLEASE!!!

    I hope you're having a super weekend!

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  22. So jealous right now Mona! We still have patches of snow in our yard and I for one am sick of it!
    You have a beautiful yard and gorgeous plants, good job my friend!
    Cindy

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  23. Your flowers are amazing! That is a lot of work to keep up with all that.

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  24. Your lovely garden look wholesome and simple with such sweet pretty blooms especially those pink ones and your wheelbarrow is a great idea to have a mixed blooms!

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  25. Calling by from Tootsie Time as participating in Fertiliser Friday and really enjoying meeting everyone else. Glorious photos, thanks for sharing, I love the planted wheelbarrows.

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  26. Hi Mona...I think you are a very fine gardener! The foxtail and asparagus ferns belong in the same family. In the florist biz we call asparagus fern sprengeri. I love them all and your foxtail is gorgeous. We are so envious of you having flowers all ready but I dont think I would want the 96 temps!Your garden is as beautiful as your home! You have done well!

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  27. Gorgeous! I love the pink flowers across the front ot your house...Balisha

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  28. Your gardens are beautiful! 96 degrees? WOW.
    We are still struggling with frost every morning. Lots of sunshine but it stays very cold. Thank you for sharing your flowers with someone who can't wait for warm weather. ME!

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  29. You are a master gardener! Your yard is beautiful and in fact when I saw the pics my first thought was: "You are killing me! It's cold, wet, and nothing that resembles spring has sprung here!"..but I so enjoyed seeing your beautiful flowers, I'm better now! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  30. Oh my goodness I don't know where to begin. Your yard is lovely. I love all the flowers and tehwheel barrel - awesome. I'm not surprised however - I would have guessed you had a beautiful yard.

    Sandie

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  31. You have the prettiest garden!!! I am linking over from Fertilizer Friday.

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  32. You have a beautiful garden, Mona. Your plants and flowers look so healthy. You do have a green thumb and this proves it...Christine

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  33. Mona, maybe my mind has just gone blank but I don't remember seeing your beautiful yard before! Oh my goodness. It's lovely. :)

    That's a foxtail fern to me too, btw.

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  34. I don't think your are a "Wanna Be"....looks like you're doing a pretty good job....Beautiful flowers, beautiful yard!
    I haven't planted flowers yet, but I've got to get going if I plan to get them out..
    Just think, your post has inspired me!

    Blessings,
    Shug

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  35. You silly girl! You don't give yourself enough credit. You have beautiful flowers and such pretty ways to display them. I love the wheelbarrow. Both the old one in the back and the newer one in the front.

    The curb area is so nice! Great job and yes it is much prettier then the red apple.

    Gee, if you want to see yards that really need a lot of work done to them, come to my house!

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  36. Oh my word girl!!!!! I love this...your yard is gorgeous and I love that wheel barrel full of all that blooming yuuminess...love it!!!! Thanks so much for coming by sweetie....I did leave blogland for a few months but now we are moved back into our home again and I am trying to blog alittle from time to time..lol I love your blog background..just so cute where did you get it from? So god to hear from you girl...hope you have a glorious Sunday..Picket

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  37. Your yard is gorgeous! I do believe that's NOT an asparagus fern. My asp. fern has long skinny "things" with lots of little "things" growing out from them. At some point they even get sticky "things" on them. You see, I know a LOT about plants!

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  38. Oh my goodness. Your flowers are so lovely. They are breathtaking. It is cold and windy here!
    You have been so kind and faithful to check on me Mona and I really appreciate that. I draw so much inspiration from your cheery outlook when I visit your blog.
    I know this comment will be really long, but I just wanted to update you on the status of my blog. Thanks so much for taking time to listen.
    On February 24, 2011, my blog "A Romantic Porch" was hijacked.


    Yep,that's right, it was totally stolen and taken from my control.


    The "hijacker" added advertisements, moderated my comments and took previous posts from my drafts and moved them to the current day. Then "Hijacker" took a post from another blog that I love and posted it as mine. I could do nothing about any of this. "Hijacker" had complete control of my blog. However "Hijacker" was "kind" enough to set up a "copy cat blog" that has my previous blog postings on it.


    After considerable discussion with a couple of moderators from Blogger Help Forum, my blog with my previous address was deleted.


    So, rachelgoing.blogspot.com is no longer a viable blog address. It appears as though seven other blogs were "hijacked" after mine. To those of you who were following me, my new blog address for "A Romantic Porch" is rachelgoingonline.blogspot.com. I am sorry for this inconvenience. I am sorry that several years of blogging has come to this. I will continue to feature your beautiful porches each month and get the archives of the previously featured porches linked into the blog as quickly as I can. My work schedule and family needs have to be my first priority...attending to life. However, I don't want to let my blog go.


    Thank you for checking on me. It means so much. I appreciate those of you who have let me know you missed my blog. The past year has been challenging for many of the ones I love and my friends in blogland. It has been challenging for our family too. There is a fine line between letting a dream die and getting up every time you are knocked down.


    I have thoroughly enjoyed having a blog since my niece set this one up for me in 2007 and emailed me and said, "Now blog!" or something like that! And so I will blog. I will get up and press on. That's the way I was raised. That's how my husband and I live here at "A Romantic Porch". I will make each day as extraordinary as I can and I will savor each moment, yes even the challenging moments and I will blog!

    Thank you for blessing my life dear Mona with your stories about raising your children and just the challenges of life in general. You are special. xorachel

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  39. Oh, Mona...your yards are wonderful. Your climate there makes for beautiful flowers and trees. You and your sweetie have done a fabulous job.

    We are into dryness, high winds and sandstorms here. Not even WANTING to get out in the yard yet.
    Yesterday and the day before was spent at the ball park...Deeds played 3 games, back to back, both days...yesterday was one of the worst sand storms I've ever seen and we sat out in it all day long...only for a grandchild.:))

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  40. How pretty your garden grows! Looks like you have and wonderful green thumb to me. Our back yard is in "transition" -- maybe one day....sigh.

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  41. Hi Mona. I'm so glad you came by to visit me. YOu have such a lovely blog. I've been cruising a little here. Love your pretties you have growing in the gardens. Wow 96 degrees is rather hot. I'm dreading our 95 degree days when the humidity makes it feel like 105. Hope you are having a good day.

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  42. I recognize your pretty pink flowers as just that Pinks thats all I've hear them called...you have a gorgeous bed of them...and more in the back beside your lavander and your wheelbarrow. Trish

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  43. Thanks for stopping by and the nice comments! I love your yard! You are so lucky to live in S. CA. THat metal wheelbarrow is so lush and full!
    Yes, Fox tail fern!

    Pat

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Thank you SO much for sharing your thoughts! Your comments are very important to me.