A Sweet Little Boys Sailing Essay

I just had to share this sweet essay with you!

My friends 9 year old grandson needed to write an essay for a sailing contest at the Breakwater Yacht Club

He did end up winning one of the 5 prizes for 

1 week of free sailing lessons.

 This is what he wrote

Dear Breakwater Yacht Club:  My name is Sam & I live in Southampton.  Before I could even swim my Gram would take me to Sebonic Inlet & we would spend the day.  Quite often we would "ride the tide"

We would also just bob around on a boogie board for hours.  I remember I was afraid of the seaweed, as we floated along.  Gram told me it was Mermaid hair and so then it became fun to find different "hair" colors.  The first time I saw Periwinkles it was there as we walked along the dock searching for crabs.  We watched the motorboats, kayaks and sailboats go by and so I have always enjoyed the water.  My Mom is a gardener and traded her work for a 32' sailboat that is up on blocks in our yard.  I was given a small sailboat by one of her friends and I would like to learn to sail it.  This past winter I went with my Mom to Boating Safety.  

I was not old enough to be certified but the instructor said next year I could be her assistant & take the tests, too.  A local fisherman often takes me fishing and I have been scalloping and crabbing. 

Please consider me for one of the scholarships as I know the water will be a lifetime love for me and it will be so helpful and fun, too.  Thank you for offering this program

Sincerely, Sam ------

A Little Boys Sweet Essay

I just thought this essay was so adorable I had to share it

Trouble Free Gardens on a Budget "Part Three"

Who says Weeds Can't be Beautiful!!

Look at this wonderful tall plant....with the yellow flowers at the top....I think it's great!

Several of these have sprung up in front of my gardens by the barn.  I knew they were going to be great so I left them alone.  I think they are around 12 feet tall. 

My friend Gloria says it is called Mullein

I have several different color Hydrangea plants and several different types.  It helps to add interest to the garden when you have the same plant in several varieties.

 These are a variety called Lace Cap.  The blooms are entirely different and don't last as long

I also wanted to show you two of my Rose of Sharon that have just started to bloom this very morning

A few years ago I had a great idea that 

didn't cost me a penny. 

 We have a large barn roof that sends sheets of water down when it rains and washes out the driveway and the grasses below.  I started to collect rocks to make what I call my waterfall.  It took about 2 years to collect these rocks.  Every time I went out, I would look for rocks.  My husband thought I was completely nuts!

Some days I got 2 or 3.  Other times I would come home with a dozen.  You'd be surprised where you find rocks if you are really looking for them.  It really wasn't any work and it was a lot of fun.  Now my husband thinks I flood the upper driveway with this invention....I don't think that's true, but he is convinced....

 

Trouble Free Gardens on a Budget "Part Two"

When planting my gardens, the easiest way to have almost instant gratification, is to place Hydrangeas in several places along a fence or the side of the house

Hydrangeas bloom for a long period of time and can serve as a colorful backdrop or can stand alone.  They grow equally well in the shade or the sun.  They need very little care.

People often receive small Hydrangea plants as gifts on holidays and never get around to planting them, but they are great for planting.

I have an annual planted in the fishes mouth that blooms all summer

On the opposite side I have several colors of 1/2 price Roses I bought at the end of the season several years ago.  The Roses will continue to bloom throughout the summer.   In the forefront there are  Iris  that were given to me by a friend (people always have Iris bulbs to give away) They have already bloomed.

The trees that have not bloomed yet are Rose of Sharon of which I have many.  They bloom in many pastel colors.  They also bloom for an extended period.  The shoots are great for trading with other gardeners.  They require no maintenance except in late March I like to cut them back so they stay very full.  You can keep them cut back into a bush or let them grow into larger trees.

Grasses also make a great backdrop for color.  Although they don't flower, they look beautiful blowing in the wind.  The pink Coneflowers look great in the forefront.  I encourage people to buy plants that spread.  I started with one Coneflower and look how it has spread.  They are easily transplanted and I have put the offshoots in several other places

Here, the fence makes a great backdrop....and my favorite sign "SUMMER RULES"

looks just perfect here. This particular garden needs a few more plants.  It is a shady place and Hostas are excellent for shade and have many varieties of leaves as seen in the next photo.  They also flower on long stems.  If you cut the flower stems when the flowers are spent, they will re-flower in several weeks.  This garden is less than 2 summers old and has filled in quite nicely.

 Since so many people were interested in the pond information, I will expand on that along with ground covers next time.  Ground covers are great fillers and come in many varieties and colors and function as well as flowering plants in the garden.

 

Trouble Free - Magnificent Gardens - On a Budget

I have figured out how to create magnificent gardens that are almost care-free. 

You need very little plant knowledge, experience or money.

Many people spend far too much time working in their garden.  I want to enjoy the results with the least amount of work.

 

Most of my plantings are perennials.  This is the most economical  way to build gardens. 

Spend your money on perennials, as they come up every year,

and fill in with annuals that have color all summer. Spread out the purchasing of your perennials throughout the summer so they have different bloom times.  A good time to buy is at the end of the season when things are half price.  Check the plant to see that it still looks healthy.

This is one of the rose gardens....and it blooms all summer.

As you will see, my gardens are not formal.  They have a casual look and need very little care, except for watering during the hottest part of the season. 

As the garden matures and fills in, as mine have, I barely ever have to weed.

I love putting surprise objects or things in my garden and you can always

move them to change the look as your garden grows and matures.

Planters and containers of any kind, that can stay out all year,

help to fill in the garden and can create a pop of color anywhere.

I just picked up this urn this weekend at a sale and placed a large annual inside.  

That huge plant was only 9.96 and will bloom all summer.

I have approximately 15 different gardens near the house and 2 small ponds that I built myself.  It took me 5 hours to build my 1st pond. You need an inexpensive liner, a pump and some rocks.  I had collected the rocks ahead of time.  Think small - it is easy and rewarding.

I also have 6 gardens down by the barn.  When we bought this property,

there was only 1 Daffodil.....and no shrubs or trees around the house.   I planted everything myself.  In 10 short years the property is teeming with flowers, shrubs, Privets, Hydrangeas, Lilacs, Roses, grasses and other interesting plants. You will have to pay some attention to sun/shade requirements but it is not set in stone.  

I will post more on this "gardening made easy" subject 

and more photos of my garden as it blooms

If you have any questions...feel free to ask.

 

From Wow thats Cool.......to OMG

I have had a great yard sale season so far

I know you want to see what I've found!

First the cool stuff......

This little stool with it's tiled top....love it!

This is the most interesting bird feeder I have ever come across

It's made out of a galvanized pail and a garbage can top and it will screw onto a pole

Here is a driftwood planter...well you have to put a pot inside...

Driftwood items are very popular right now so I was happy to find this.

 This wonderful folk art bird house with a tin roof....just so quaint

I cant believe I found this serving dog....so perfect to hold all my business cards

I love it so much I almost can't stand it

I was so happy to find this fish pitcher I almost knocked it over grabbing for it

but here it is.....safe and sound

 This was one of the best finds.....a galvanized large metal locker

 But the weirdest thing, by far, was this empty wasp nest

And I was happy to have it

Objects in the Garden

Summer Wednesday Garden Party
What is your Gardening Style?

My gardening style is quite relaxed.  I have objects of all kinds squirreled in all sorts of places.  I love to walk around and find a hidden surprise.  This girl is almost obscured by the lush greenery.....but then you notice her.

I am continually surprised in my own gardens

I have a gaggle of these antique decoy geese.  They are made of sawdust and glue.  I had to have them.

I love the way he peeks out at you.  Surprise!

 It can be something as simple as a flag...

or this shallow cement bowl....Birdbath? Flower Pot Liner?

Who cares....it looks great!  

I like to group objects together to create and interesting area.  I just love the cement skull...what a find!

Even areas that are not quite filled in yet will have creatures peeking out in no time.

   We would love to hear about your ideas.
What objects do you place in your garden....I'd love to see them!

Summer Wednesday Garden Party Blog Hop 

Want to get in on the fun...

We would be happy if you would link anything garden related. 

  

This blog hop will be open all summer until September 30, 2011
 

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