Monday, October 27, 2008

Frost on the Pumpkin?

I love the fall! The brightly colored leaves, the cool crisp days, and the chilly nights when a jacket is welcomed are just a few of my favorite things.

The trees this year are as lovely as I can ever remember seeing. It seems as though each day brings a surprise of color.


Even my poor neglected garden had a surprise for me this past week.

This flower is from the freebie bulbs that came with an on line order for plants this spring. I think they were tagged 'exotic bulbs' only. I have watched them grow all summer and when they hadn't bloomed by August, I figured they wouldn't do anything until next spring. Does anyone know what it is?



The skies were gray all day with heavy dark clouds and I swear they look like they are filled with snow. Tonight we are expecting our first frost. A chilly 26 F is forecast. Brrrr!



In anticipation of that frost, I gathered all the house plants and brought them inside on Sunday. Actually I had help. They all grown so much this summer. So much so that I am not sure where to put them all yet. So here they sit in the middle foyer. That bargain fern certainly looks bigger in here than it did outside.


And with the coming frost, the valiant morning glory will be no more. Still blooming after almost 3 months, I will miss her bright cheery blooms. She has won me over completely!

************************************************************************************

Speaking of 3 months- the 'Rash' is still with me. I have seen the dermatologist more the past weeks than I have seen my husband. Well not really, but it seems so to me. After going off the Prednisone, it came back with a vengeance. So more Prednisone at a higher dose and 4 more biopsies later, we are still no closer to an answer. So I am being sent to a specialist in Springfield as soon as they can get an appointment for me. I want to thank all of you again, for all your concern and well wishes. This blogging community has been a wonderful support, and you are all such dears!
Have a great Halloween!

30 comments:

Susie said...

Beckie-First of all, I love the new header. That tree is so full of beauty! Sorry but no idea about that exotic plant but it too is a beauty. The cloudy pic does look like it is full of snow but still pretty.

I'm sorry the rash is still with you. I can't imagine how miserable you must feel. Let us know when you get the appointment with the specialist. I'll be keeping you in my prayers. You take care of yourself and stay warm tonight!

beckie said...

Susie, Thanks. I didn't realize how well the colors of the tree went with the colors of my blog until I got it up there. The colors here have all been so pretty this year. I will let you know about the appt. and thanks for caring. :)

Cheryl said...

Love your header Beckie.....

That beautiful bloom is a gladioli....I can't remember which one but it comes from a much warmer part of the world.....I have blogged them many times......they do not like the cold and damp Beckie so will not survive the winter unless you lift them.....mine are all drying of in the shed as we speak......

I am so sorry to hear about your rash.....this is just a nightmare for you, I really cannot imagine what you are going through......lets hope that soon someone will come up with something to relieve you of this constant torment......

As you say the blogging communiy are a great support......but then you are a lovely person, and always have a cheering word for us when we need it........hang on in there.....this will pass Beckie.....

Beth said...

Oh Beckie, I am so sorry about the rash, how annoying and problematic for you. I hope that the doctors are able to find some relief for you very soon.

The tree in your header is lovely and I'm so glad that you got your plants in--your cold is headed our way, we are expecting a little snow Tuesday night.
Stay warm and take care of yourself.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Good to see you posting Beckie. I know you are miserable. I certainly miss hearing about what is going on in your world. I do hope they can figure out what in the world is causing your rash. Hang in there.

Love the fall colors. That exotic bulb is pretty.

It is amazing how when you bring inside plants they seem to be much larger that they appear outside and your house seems to shrink. Ha...

Rose said...

Beckie, So glad you posted today--you've gotten some great shots of the colorful trees and the sky shot is fantastic...looking at it just makes me feel cold.

I see Cheryl has identified the mystery plant; now that she's named it, I think I have seen a similar plant on someone's blog. And a glad's leaves do look as you described them.

The line about seeing more of your dermatologist than your husband is hilarious...until you start thinking about it. I know you are getting very frustrated with this; let's hope the specialist can find an answer--and a cure!

Oh yes, the header is magnificent!

Gail said...

Hello Beckie, It is so very good to read your post on this chilly morning...we hope the cooler weather will bring us the lovely colors that your trees are showing! Your photographs are a delight to see, as is the new header! You are having fun playing with blogger!

I do hope this rash goes away soon...and the docs find out what in the world is causing it. Take care, enjoy your day.

gail

flydragon said...

Aren't freebies great. You're never quite sure what to expect and, not always, but once in a while you get something great.
I'm going to miss seeing your blue glory.
Let's hope this specialist will finally get to the bottom of this darn rash!!

Roses and Lilacs said...

I like your fall header too.

Gosh, I hope they can find the cause of that rash! I can imagine how miserable you must be.

Hard freeze here last night so it's all over for me for another season. Nothing left but some cleanup.
Marnie

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

Beautiful fall photos, I have grown the bulb you show, it is really fragrant, it is part of the gladioli family.

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

I think the weather this year has created perfect conditions for optimum fall color. Your Oak (?) in the header looks spectacular. That Gladiolus used to be called Acidanthera. It is a tender bulb. Bring it in & store it in a cool dark place in damp shredded newspaper. Veg Plotting had some nice ones this year.
Sorry about that persistent rash. I wonder if you are having a reaction to Prednisone?

Anonymous said...

Pretty new header Beckie. Looks like autumn has taken a paint brush to the trees in your area. That is the beautiful Peacock Orchid or Gladiolus callianthis which is a tender bulb hardy in zones 7-11. I have tons of them in my garden. They have a wonderful scent and the bloom is gorgeous. Sorry about your persistant rash. :(

Wendy said...

Ohhh - I love your new header!! Your trees truly are magnificent. I also had to laugh at your comment about seeing the dermatologist more than your hubby. Sometimes it feels that way, I know!

Glad you had a good weekend with lots of help bringing in your plants. I am trying to overwinter more of my plants this year just by keeping them in the garage. A neighbour told me to keep the geraniums this way. So I cut them back and left them in their pots. Tried some new guinea impatients too. Now they're growing new leaves. Thought they'd just go dormant. Who knows?

Do hope you can get an appointment soon with that specialist. We'll be sending you lots and lots of cyber-hugs and good wishes to get rid of your rash. 3 months is way to long!

Mountain Mama said...

I have never seen so much autumn color in my life as I have seen this year. People are posting pictures that are just spectacular!
We have had frost several nights now and I have all my flowers in except the Geraniums and Fuschia's, and I better get them in soon.

joey said...

I'm so sorry, dear Beckie. Your post and lovely photos were most touching. I can imagine how frustrated you must be. I will continue to hold you near in my daily prayers, anxious to hear more cherished escapes of Thema & Louise. How about 'May Wine' in my garden (remember I have much to share ~ those turtleheads will be waiting)!

beckie said...

Cheryl, you always make me smile. You are such a dear friend. I knew I had seen those flowers before, but had no clue where to start looking. Poor things-just started blooming and got zapped by the frost. I will try to get them dug soon, but my luck with saving bulbs is not the best.

Beth, snow! that's a four letter word! Surely it will be a while yet before you are knee deep in the stuff. I love the color of the tree in my header, too. Havn't seen many of them before, but this year they are all gorgeous.

beckie said...

Lisa, I missed posting, but had little energy to do it. I hope all is well with you. The house plants are taking over! I need more windows and shelves.

Rose, thanks. The sky looked just like a big snow coming-I had to try to get a picture and surprise! It turned out pretty well. I hope I can over winter those exotic bulbs. If they have multiplied I will share with you.

beckie said...

Gail, I saw on the weather where TN. was getting a hard freeze too. I'm sure your trees will turn some for you now. It has been an exceptional fall here. We don't always have such beautiful colors and they are a delight to see. Yeah! no more watering plants outside.

Flydragon, I almost didn't plant the freebie bulbs as they were so small. But I am glad I did. The flower was great to enjoy if only for a short time. I know I am going to miss Heavenly Blue. She was so bright and cheery for so long.

beckie said...

Marnie, thanks. If only I had my clean up done. :) And I've still got bulbs to plant. But it's supposed t be nice all next week and maybe I can finally get out side and get something accomplished. Good luck with your chores.

Iowa Gardening Woman, Thank you. I didn't even think to smell them! I was so intent on getting a picture of them. Maybe next year. :)

beckie said...

MMD, I think I'll try the shredded newspaper. I tried sand one year and that didn't work. The bulbs got all mushy. I wasn't on Prednisone when I first started getting the rash. During the time I was taking it, some of the redness started going away and when I went off the meds, it came back strong. So back on again. But, I am so tired of how the steroid makes me feel. Oh well, at my age using meds as an excuse for being grumpy is not always a bad thing. ;)

beckie said...

Racquel, Peacock Orchid. I knew I had seen them somewhere in blog land. As I said, I didn't even think to smell it. Apaint brush to the trees is a wonderful description. And that is just how some of them look.

Wendy, I should explain the tree is not mine. It is down the street and I sort of borrowed it. I don't think I remember it ever being that pretty though. The kids are pretty good about helping when I ask- I try not to do too much of that as they are busy too. I wish you luck with your plants. I know Rose has over wintered Geraniums in her garage and they do well.

beckie said...

Bev, I think it's been a glorious fall for most of us and I'm glad. A lot of years the trees are so blah. We are supposed to warm some after tonight so hopefully I can get some fall clean up done.

Joey, you are such a dear! Thelma and Louise are grounded for a while, but next summer watch out. I would love some of that turtle head and May Wine. :)

Mary said...

Your fall colors are outstanding. Bright and beautiful to lift your spirits. I sure wish that rash would disappear...

Happy Halloween, Beckie!

Laurie and Chris said...

Your fall photos are so pretty. We love this time of year.

I am so sorry you are still under the weather. I am not a Dr but have they checked you for Vasculitis?

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

I too love fall--it's always been my favorite season. Now where are the cider and donuts?! ;-)
~ Monica

beckie said...

Mary, Happy Halloween to you, too. I am so enjoying the fall colors this year.

Laurie, the colors are beautiful this year. I see the specialist tomorrow and hopefully will know something soon.

Monica, don't fresh cider and doughnuts sound great! Fall is my favorite time of the year too-well spring is close and then I do love winter-oh I enjoy all the seasons!

Aiyana said...

I've been wondering about you...glad to see you back. I can empathize with you on the rash as I went several years trying to figure out what my rash was about. Still no definitive answers, but at least after much trial and error, I can keep it under control by nipping it in the bud when it first starts up.
I love the kind of clouds you show in the photo. Of course, ours don't hold snow, but I always like to see the dark ones as they do hold water, which is always welcome here.
Aiyana

beckie said...

Aiyana, Do you mind me asking where your rash is and what it looks like? And how do you nip it in the bud? You can email me if you would share some info. I'd really appreciate it.

Clouds like the ones I showed usually hold a little snow when it is cold enough. Rain clouds just look different here. But either type are fascinating.

Aiyana said...

Hi Beckie,
I can't find the link to your email, so if you leave it in the comments section of my blog, (I moderate the comments) I won't publish that comment.
Aiyana

Signe said...

The unknown are known by difrent names. Acidenthera bicolor is one of them. I grow them here in Norway, you will find some pictures of it in my blog.


If you take the bulbs in for the winter, you can have them next year to. But out in frost they for sure will die.