Just as it should be...

I am officially not one of those people that likes to complain about things they cannot change. Case in point: Winter. Its February, and in all parts of our country it should be winter.  Yet, all I seem to hear is how "over" winter people are. I ask, what's the point of being over winter when winter isn't over? No folks, we've still got a long way to go. But never fear, beautiful spring days will begin to pop up here and there. Some snow will melt and rain will fall, and likely then more snow. Take each day the Good Lord gives us for what it is, a find something to embrace and be happy about. 

Pictured today are a few of my indoor blooms, including primula, mum, and cyclamen. As well a geranium blooming in my basement. The cacti also enjoy their cool rest in the basement.

Proud owner of a greenhouse!

I've suffered from greenhouse envy for years and years. Come spring, when my tropical, tender, and succulent plants already fill every windowsill I'm short any room to dare start a seedling. I've had the plastic greenhouse blow to bits in a spring storm, and long since given up starting anything in the basement where my cats destroy it (and I'm short on room anyway). I usually have the seeds, the container, the soil, the knowledge and desire, and even the skill, but no ROOM to grow nearly everything from seed.

Now, during the summer, when I'm moving my catci in the back door every time more than one day of rain threatens I really long for a greenhouse where my succulents and cactus can leisurely spend their summers dry as they wanna be.

I can finally, proudly say I have my very own greenhouse!

I have already started some peppers in there- I think the number of cool nights (and even days) we get here in a Minnesota summer slows down the peppers... so I hope to get higher yields by putting a few plants in the greenhouse. I also pulled the slower-to-start dahlias in there so they can catch up.

 And due to the rainy forecast we have for the next 7 days, my son and I moved all our cacti and succulents into the greenhouse, where they can stay nice and dry. I've already lost a few succulents to overwatering via mother nature. :(

Plans are in the works for tables on both sides using as little money as possible... anyone with cinder blocks, bricks, etc, throw them my way!

Flora of Disney, Part 2

I'm not an expert on southwestern plants. I don't know all the different agaves, and I certainly can't tell you the names of most of these succulents. I just know I love them. I have brought some home to Minnesota with me, and I grow them in containers, and try to make sure they don't get too cold or too wet, and I do pretty well. But, given my lack of knowledge, for this second and final part of the Flora of Disney posts, I'll just let the pictures do the talking! If you are visiting there soon, all of these planters are near or in the Mexican restaurant. Enjoy!

 No plants in this picture, just a super cute bird on a super pretty birdbath.

 We were some of the last people having dinner at the Mexican restaurant, so it was pretty empty. My mom and I love all these lanterns!

Legoland Plants

Remember the Cecille Bruner roses (from my mom and grandma's garden) I brought in for the Easter table? Here they are. So perfect.

 So, while in California we brought my lego-loving boys to Legoland for the first time. None of us had ever been there, so it was a very fun trip for us. While in line for rides we enjoyed the succulent landscaping and lizards (unable to get a good picture). My son loves cacti and succulents and when he grows up he wants to live somewhere he can plant cacti in the ground. He loved this!

 I thought the way legoland incorporated legos into the landscape was super cool. There are trout made entirely of legos swimming through this water!

And a beaver:

 In the huge area dedicated to full reconstruction of towns I found the use of mini plants simply awesome. Look at these mini trees by the eiffel tower. Cool!

 Look at all these trees in "San Francisco!"

Las Vegas:

 Southern California:

 This farm land was awesome!

In the Star Wars area they used these conifers to create a woodland area. My kids loved this part!

What's more magical than a bunch of aeoniums?

 Or a tunnel of vines?

 Hansel and Gretel's story...

 Or my favorite? A castle topped with so many Cecille Bruner roses the scent just knocked my socks off.

Anyone would have to admit, without the plants, all the lego scenes wouldn't have been nearly as realistic, or cool. So very cool! I hope you enjoyed it!