Our one big adventure was to the Indianapolis Zoo. Pictured below are 5 of the 7 granddaughters and my soon-to-be-step granddaughter and grandson. We had a wonderful day of sunny cool weather and lots of animals. The Indy Zoo is really a nice experience. They have 5 areas of wildlife including the Ocean, the Plains, the Dessert, Africa, and the Forrest. Each area has animals in a natural habitat with lots of educational materials about them. I think the kids enjoyed the Ocean the best. They got to 'pet a shark' and there was a dolphin show. Although a little on the pricey side if you bought food and drink inside, we took a picnic lunch to have in their very clean picnic area. I think we will make this a yearly summer visit.
The girls and I got a lot of enjoyment out of watching the finches at the sunflowers. They had never seen so many bright yellow birds in one place before and learned to be very still and quiet so the birds would stay. We even noticed them getting the seeds out and bringing them to the 'table' to break open. Most of the big sunflowers have been picked bare but there are still several smaller ones for them to enjoy.
Not much new blooming in the gardens now. In fact, I can see a real winding down of all the summer flowers. Except, that is, the zinnias. This is profusion cherry and I have been so pleased with it that I am going to look for more colors next year and do a border of them.
Some of the ones I started from seed-still looking very fresh and putting out more buds. I seem to have a lot of lavender and pinks. I swear, even though those are my favorite colors, I planted mixed colors.
Occasionally, I find some oranges and some reds. I have started to save seed heads from all the colors and have a feeling I will plant many more next year.
There have been so many beautiful Clematis shown on posts these last few months and I have drooled over them all. Mine finally bloomed-1 bloom! It is pretty, but hardly worth the effort and the space it takes up. I have moved this one(name unknown) a couple of times trying to find a happy home for it. This is it's 3rd year in this spot, but only grew to about 2' tall. I may leave it one more year, but am going to get a couple of new ones next year. Maybe then I will have some good bloomers.
I have enjoyed reading all the wonderful posts these last few days and have missed not posting. But I wouldn't have given up my time with the girls for anything. I miss my girls...
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Have a great gardening time!
19 comments:
Hi Beckie....of course you miss your girls.....they bring laughter and sunshine into your life.......I bet they have had a wonderful time, memories are being made.....
Do you feed your clematis....I give all mine a liquid feed once a week......I also cover the soil around the clematis with stones because they like their roots cool and their head in the sun.....
Your zinnias are lovely....they are such a giving plant.....my Dad'd look wonderful at the moment, and have bloomed non-stop all summer.....
Take care..... they will be back soon......
Lovely blooms, but lovlier grandchildren!!! Your poor soon-to-be-step grandson-he doesn't stand a chance with all those girls! You will have to find him some little boys to play with when he comes to visit.
I bet the house is quiet with all those little girls gone. I'm sure they will come to visit again. Now you can catch your breath. :) Your zinnias look great. I definitely need to put some of those in my garden next year, the butterflies love them. I would be patient with the Clematis.
I can only imagine how quiet your house is without the grandchildren. But it does sound you had a lovely time with them all. Just think about all the memories you gave them. They will cherish those forever!!!
Hi Beckie, I can quite understand the "empty house" after your girls' visit. And soon to be step-grandson!
Loved your flowers. They still look nice and I hope they will continue to do well into fall. I cannot believe our flowers are winding down. I keep hoping that September will be really warm and sunny.
I know the house must seem empty to you, Beckie, after all the activity these past 10 days. But they will be back! And how wonderful after everything that you were able to have them for 10 whole days. I'm sure you made lots of special memories for them.
I have to say, you are one brave lady to take 7 kids to the zoo! Was Daughter the only other adult who went along? I'm afraid I would have lost someone along the way:)
Cheryl has some good advice; I'd be patient with that clematis. Maybe moving it around has slowed it down, too.
I can't replace the grandchildren, but let's have a girls' day out!
I feed my Clematis with Tomatotone after they bloom. I wouldn't move the Clematis again. Sometimes it takes several years for them to get going after they've been moved.
Children are so much fun to be around! Yesterday a few Tennessee bloggers were able to get together for an early dinner and there were two little girls...an infant and a 3 yr old! Holding that baby was a joy! For the first time I felt ready to be a grandmother! Son is not ready! But I can sure see how you would miss your girls!
I'm with you, Profusion is a lovely zinnia and I will plant them next year, too!
gail
Cheryl, the time with the girls was wonderful. And now we will go back to our one weekend a month. My poor Clematis has been neglected-I do have the roots in shade but have not been feeding it. In fact, I realized the other day, I have not feed anything this year. My plan is to give it a better trellis and try watering and feeding next year. I originally planted the zinnias as cutting flowers, but they look so nice outside I just can't!
Morning Glories, thanks! I know poor little guy, he is so out numbered! But Papa is already looking out for him-we are stocking up on boy toys.
PG, That seems to be the consensus about the clematis. That and feeding the poor thing. The zinnias have been great butterfly attractors and are so easy to grow in those bare spots.
Susie, we did have a great time and I am hoping they will have some good memories. You and I both know how speacial time spent with grand parents was.
Wendy, summer has flown by hasn't it? Of course we still have a couple months of hopefully nice weather. Some of the flowers are still looking good, but my coneflowers are just about gone. But the mums are just starting and they will be pretty.
MMD, I have been properly chastised. I need to treat it better by feeding and not moving it again. Actually, I appreciate all the advice I have gotten. I have neglected it so what can I expect? Thanks!
Gail, Oh no-it's the 'holding a baby makes me want one' (grandchild in this case) syndrome! But I'm sure one will come along one of these days and then you can spoil away.
I wonder how many colors profusion comes in?
I hear your sweet song, Beckie. After a crazy summer, 'the grandboys' were with me today for fun adventures in the kitchen, garden photos with their cameras, legos, etc. Gramps joined us for a wild round of miniature golf and ice cream at the parlour where he grew up ... a day as good as it gets! (Back Friday and 2 days next week where the Zoo is promised)
I always like feel like that when guests leave. Some sort of post excitement letdown.
Your clematis looks like Nellie Mosier, a classic. It's probably too late to feed this year but next spring you could use fertilizer or I use alfalfa pellets. Good luck with it. If you can get old Nellie bloomin' you'll love her.
Marnie
Joey, aren't grand kids the most precious of God's creations! Sounds like you are making wonderful memories too. The zoo will be an exciting adventure-have a great time.
Marnie, if it is a Nelie Moser, it should be beautiful once I start taking care of it. As I have admitted in other comments, I have been very neglectful. Thanks for the advice.
All that time with seven little ones must have been a blast!
I can just imagine them telling parents and friends that you let them pet a shark. LOL
Your flowers are so pretty. Most of mine are slowing down, just a few fall bloomer's brightening up my gardens now.
Beckie you are the Grandmother of the year. I can't imagine herding that many little ones anyplace let alone all the way to Indy for the day. They are so blessed to have such a super Grandmaw.
I am sure you are having 'empty nest' syndrome with all of them gone home.
I would probably be on the sofa with smelling salts trying to recooperate. ha...
happiest Belated Birthday! My best ever wishes for you to have a wonderful birthday week! I am of the opinion that birthdays need to be celebrated all week!
gail
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