Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Sweet smells of summer

I'm here recovering from a busy weekend with a lot going on.
The Open House was really nice with a steady stream of folks coming down.
Even Sunday had some real highlights.
Monday we saw a few folks but mainly we were sleep walking through the studio trying to gear our brains back to glazing.
We did load up Mark's big bottles and managed a long,slow bisque. It is always a worry when you are bisque firing big boys. We did a preheat of 5 hours the day before and then programed the kiln for the long fire, about 12 hours. I did not breath until they were unloaded this morning.
Oh, yea that step is done.
Mark has the rest plus 3 big vases preheating today.
It will be another long bisque with fingers crossed.

While getting ready for the open house I was in and out of our local Slowe's store to buy some plants.
It has been awhile since I grew or bought flowers and discovering their "mark down" area was too much to pass up.I found many plants that just wanted some love, good dirt and water. They are working away in planters now.
Then I spotted a small gardenia and it was all over.I had to have this one even at the full price of 6.00, a splurge on my part but this should grow and give me many years of sweet flowers.
We dug a good hole on Sunday and put her in the ground only to find her undug the next morning....
Darn critters.
I replanted and then circled the plant with bricks to keep her safe from said critters.

I guess the sweet smell and soft dirt were too much for whoever was wandering through the yard.


I also bought this plant that was about half dead and put it in a planter. It has a sweet yellow flower but in my haste to be tidy I tossed out the tag. It has been blooming everynight and then the flower last about a day before it gives up. Now, is this a night blooming plant? Does anyone know what it is?

If not I guess it will give me an excuse to go back and buy more plants.
Really I had better get on some tomatoes plants soon.
Maybe some eggplant as well.

Those pots for glaze are calling more pictures of pots soon.
Cheers!
M

12 comments:

Tracey Broome said...

My gardenias were tiny scrawny things when we moved here 7 years ago and now they are higher than my waist. We have them on either side of the steps to our front door and this year the blooms were unreal. The perfume followed us into the house. You will have many years of enjoyment for that $6. No idea what the yellow one is, my mom would know....

Shortstuff said...

Hey, found it online. Evening primrose. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oenothera

Unknown said...

Aww, I love it! You are a plant rescuer!! They will love you forever~

cookingwithgas said...

Hi TB- I am looking for this plant to get big fast. I was thinking if I find another 6 bucks of getting another one,
Two twice the fun.

cookingwithgas said...

ah- Leslie- now I remember! Yes you are right- so pretty when they open. I have always wanted a night garden.

cookingwithgas said...

King's creek- nice to have you back- the plant whisper....at at least I can try.

Anna M. Branner said...

Chicken wire is another great critter deterent. I even put it in the ground around and over bulbs so that moles etc don't get them.

cookingwithgas said...

Anna I thought chicken wire would be good to keep my daughter in her crib when she was 2 and would fling herself over the side of her crib.
Her dad vetoed the wire.I still think it would have worked great!

Laurie said...

Your new flowers are lovely! Don't think I've ever found such lovelies in the markdown section. Lucky you!

Lori Buff said...

I love the markdown section, you can resurrect some really nice plants with a little time and love.
The evening primrose is gorgeous, good find, you'll want more.

Julia said...

We all know how I love the underdogs! That unloved bargain plant is worth saving! :)

cookingwithgas said...

I have been itching to go back- Laurie we have to go!