daretodream

Deadheading

komachi balloon flowers, pink hydrangeas and black eyed susans

To "deadhead" plants means to remove their spent flowers. For many plants, deadheading promotes more flowering on the plants for that year than would occur without such plant care. For soft plants, you can deadhead by hand; other times, you'll need to deadhead with scissors or pruners.

I find that my favorite time in the garden is spent deadheading.  Usually by hand as it's often a spur of the moment thing that happens as I'm walking up the stairs from my driveway and don't tend to have a pair of snippers holstered to my belt.  In most cases I'm bent at the waist picking here and there as I walk the path of flowers. *my back is killing me by evening most of the time*  The best is when I sit by one of my huge bouquets of tickweed and just pick off spent blooms the way a monkey picks fleas off a loved one....:)  That imagery is exactly how it feels to me....I'm focused, sitting on my garden cart or directly on the flagstone path, separating each hairlike stem to find the hiding bit that needs to go.
Here's a picture of one of my tickweed plants...

During these times my thoughts wander to dreams, my kids, matters of the heart.  I often will get buzzed by our little humming bird who seems to be happiest with company in the garden.

We have a new crop of little ones in our culdesac.  When we moved here 8 years ago, both my girls were still in elementary school, now one starts college in a couple of weeks and the other is in her 2nd year of high school.  Whenever the new littles see me planted on the ground like one of my flowers, they tend to migrate to me to tell me about their owwies, any big trauma or excitement they've had to deal with that day. 

Without trying to sound predictable or cutsie....I feel that the past year has been filled with it's own form of deadheading...the pruning of bruised, dying and troubled parts of me/my life slowly and methodically being snipped away so that what's left of me is healthy and ready for new blooms and renewed growth.  oxox

ps....here's an updated picture of my Vintage Wine Coneflowers pictured in the previous post.

Coneflowers in my Garden

~Vintage Wine Echinacea~

Coneflowers aka Echinacea are some of my favorite flowers in my garden.  For years I've had my old faithful, purple echinacea.

I bought the original plant 5 years ago, have separated it, shared it with friends.  It is now in three different spots in my garden.  Last year I was giddy when I discovered that growers were making hybrids of this plant...creating the most beautiful combinations of colors. 

Since then, I've added  Vintage Wine....the first photo above.  That picture has not been doctored even tho it looks like it.  The petals are small while the cone is large and filled with colors.  I took the picture soon after I planted it....now it's got 6 or so blooms that amaze me everytime I look at them.

~Razzmatazz~


~Big Sky Twilight~

~Coconut Lime~

~Sundown~

~Harvest Moon & Big Sky Twilight~

Plant breeders are creating exciting new varieties every day.
To take a peek at some on my wish list...click the galleries below.
Gallery 1
Gallery 2
Gallery 3
oxox, tracy
ps...deb, romy, diane...thank you for your kind words....I've been a hermit but missing all of you.
oxoxox

For Lily

I found the quote below while searching for dog quotes for a project I'm working on....
It brought tears to my eyes and I wanted to share it with you.  oxox, tracy

He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.)

When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself.

He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant.

His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever — in case I need him. And I expect I will — as I always have. He is just my dog.

by Gene Hill

lily with her friend zoe

Good Morning Monday!

Can you just die over the picture??  Katy (oldest daughter) took it when we visted Stacie and the babe weeks ago.  I had both babies (audrey and Lucy, the 4 legged one) in my lap.  Ooooh, how I miss my friend and her two little ones. 

She sent me some pics and since I noticed she'd already posted this one on her blog, I thought I'd post it here too....it's just so cute!

 

Life here has been full....busy....good.  I've been catching up somewhat...I made some little fairy necklaces that I've been mailing out...(well, I've only mailed out 2 so far but hopefully the rest this week!)

I've listed some new earrings and things on my etsy shop.  Here are some pics of those too. oxoxo

Primitive Pup, Xmas Gifties and Etsy!

Hi!  I've been busily working to get my xmas gifts mailed.  Fortunately I mailed out the presents to family on Tuesday (I think this will be the first time in years they'll actually receive them before christmas!) 
I've been working on some presents for girlfriends that need to be mailed yesterday!   I thought
I'd show you some earrings I made for Stacie out of some gorgeous carved amazonite flower beads
and teensy fresh water pearls.  I've hung them on the ribbon of the sweetest primitive puppy
that I got for myself on ebay.  He's so old, stuffed with straw and just loved to bits.  You'll
also see the sweet chenille loopy scarf (also for stacie) that I got at Ross for $3.99~!  (had to get one for me too!)  I'm telling you, there are some darling things out there for CHEAP!  My favorite price. :)
After spending a few days in Seattle with stacie last week, I discovered a must have present she needed.  She and I are both bubble bath addicts and while soaking in hers I was suddenly missing this.... If your tub is one of your favorite spots in your house then
you're familiar with that irritating overflow doohickey (usually has the up down lever connected to the drain) that makes suction noises as it sucks down all the water touching it....Until I discovered this little $5 treasure (bed bath and beyond), I would have to add extra water several times before I was ready to leave my cozy water world.  It's a clear rubbery cover with suction cups that you stick over the overflow spot.  You' have high water until you get out...now I only refill when I need a warm up. :)  You can find this at www.better-sleep.com . 

Okay, off to make dinner and continue working on my to do-list.  Hope you're having a great day....or night.  oxoxo
ps..finally listing some earrings made for my Etsy Shop...well, will have them on in the next day or two.  Here's a sneak peek...

I love Jennifer Murphy bears and other silly things!

For my birthday last March, I got my first Jennifer Murphy bear (above).  (Click HERE to peek at her gallery.)  It was purchased from one of my VERY favorite treasure troves...Earth Angel Toys.

Well, Jennifer has been working with Midwest of Cannon Falls to mass produce some of her designs for the holidays.  I was so happy to have purchased three of these.... wanna see??

Here are some pics of some of my favorite ornaments this year.  oxox

Christmas Cheer

hi!  The weekend is now officially over, as it's 12:01am.
It's quiet here...everyone sleeping except for me...and the pets.

I'm doing well....missing Stacie and her house but happy to be
home. 

I love christmas.  Love making and buying gifts and sending them off.
Well, the sending part has always been a challenge for me, but the making
and buying is a piece of cake. :)
I've been busy making some little gifts to mail to some sweet friends.  Who knows,
I might actually send xmas cards this year...*it would be the first time in 7 years!*

I pray that you're all happy, loved and safe.  oxox

Sweet little Audrey~

hi!  My daughter, Katy, and I returned home last night from visiting my dear friends Stacie & Jeff.
It was the trip I'd been waiting for as we were finally able to see, hold and smother with kisses their
little baby Audrey.  We took so many pictures which I've yet to start editing.  The one above was taken by katy.  Audrey's wearing the sweet little sweater I got for her in France. :)   Stacie looked absolutely gorgeous, you'd never know she'd just had a baby.  As soon as we said goodbye and started the drive home, we both wanted to turn and go back...we missed them already.

Are you ready for christmas??  I reached my goal and had my tree up and decorated by Dec. 5.  YAY!
I have a hair apt. at 6pm and then, straight to a party at my bff's house (across the culdesac). 
Hope your night is cozy.     oxox

Can it REALLY be Friday??

Happy Friday!  I know I've been absent but thought I'd pop in to say hi and let you see what I've been up to.
I'm working on some projects, the little pin cushion above is one.  I used a sweet Goebel salt shaker from my collection.
I've also listed some new things on my Etsy shop...here's a sneak peek. 

I've got more to list, but have been sitting at this computer way too long today.

Tonight my friend and across the street neighbor is having a girls night at her house.  I think there will only be three of us, and she's pushing for it to be a jammie thing...(easy for her, since she lives there!).  We're going to be working on our artsy stuff, having taco salad and margaritas.  YUM!

One final thing I've just GOT to share...something I discovered over the weekend and am obsessed.
There's a website for book lovers!  PaperBackSwap.com.  It's totally free.  You just sign up...*tell them tracy roos sent you!,* list any book you have & are ready to part with.  Once you've listed 10 of your books, you will get 2 free credit points.  Everytime someone requests one of your books, you'll mail it out and when they get it, they log in and give YOU a credit.  You use your credits for any books you fancy.  They even have a wish list....want a book that's not offered by one of the millions of members?  If you add it to your wish list, they'll send you an email as soon as someone lists it!  WOOHOO!

They've also got a CD swap site and just started a DVD one!  gotta love swapping.
have a great weekend!
oxoxox

Sweet Puppy

Hi, hope you're doing well.  We're all great here...it's another
teachers work day, I swear, the kids are home more than they're at school!
I took this picture of Lily last night while she was sitting in her daddy's lap.
She's so shaggy, but it works for her.

oxoxox