wow, we are really a chatty bunch, aren't we?

i know my package was delivered, as i use delivery confirmation on everything i send. i also know my pal is travelling and will get it when she gets home. i had to make some adjustments to the box since she would be away but still hope she likes what i sent this month.

can you believe in one month and one day spring will be sprung? i'm so itchy to get out there, but if i was feeling in better health, i'd be out there, regardless of the weather. for now, well, i'll just take care of the inside...or better yet i will just sit and watch a movie, read a book, listen to music, take a nap and not feel guilty about it.

Just wanted to say a second thank you to my Garden Circle Exchange Pal. She sent me a gift certificate earlier in the year and I just used it to place an order - I will be getting Buff Beauty and Baron Girod de L'ain (roses). So thanks again!

Sandlapper Rose

Hi
First things first...I received a message saying my secret pal wasn't feeling well. Sorry to hear that I do hope you are feeling better now!!! Funny story my dog (who just turned 13) hasn't been feeling well either but let me tell you when your box arrived he smelled the box and became very happy and excited. My sweetheart of a pal sent homemade dog treats!!!! Boy he knew they were in there!! Thanks so much for including the recipe!!! You really made his day and of course mine too!! Thanks for your kindness. She sent me some candles (Yankee candles love them)!! Also some bath goodies!! Ohh another favorite of mine!! And some wonderful candy Russell Stover. I don't feel bad keeping the choclates for myself as the dog has his own special treats!! LOL Thanks for taking the time to write me a letter. I really enjoy getting letters from you. Funny thing as I read your letter about your bathroom project I was laughing guess who also is doing her bathroom?! Yep you guessed it me!! I hope you are ok after all the fumes!! LOL I can really relate to that one!! OOHHHH that Kiltz will get you everytime!!! I hope you enjoy your new bathroom for many years to come!! Sounds like you did a very nice job. I thank you for once again adding extra joy to my life!!! Take care and get feeling better!!

Plantlady, sorry to hear your Pal is under the weather (maybe under the influence of fumes!) Is there a chance they included the recipe for dog treats? Or can your Pal email it to Ya Ya to post here? I am always looking for healthier treats that don't include a bunch of Red Dye No. 2, even though the dogs seem to love it!

13 is a great age for a large dog Plantlady. One of my fondest memories of our old devoted Golden, now crossed the Rainbow Bridge boo hoo, was just a few months before she passed away. She was already ailing, slowing down with renal failure, Cushing's Disease and a bit teetery on her legs with age. So we were down at the creek in Fall where I was picking sticks and blowing leaves off the roadway. There's a bridge over the creek and a big hill that leads up to the neighbors. The creek has steepish slopes, lots of slippery rocks, brush, fallen trees etc- not a nice little flat area. But the dogs love to romp and explore.

The old dog was nearly deaf by that time, so I tried to keep track of her just like a toddler to keep her safe. I got busy blowing leaves with that obnoxious loud blower for a few minutes and when done could not find my dog anywhere! I started to patrol the creek and surrounding area knowing she couldn't hear me- nothing, no tail in the swimming hole, no dog splayed out over boulders or logs- just nothing.

That is, until I glanced up and spotted her coming down the neighbor's hill, across the bridge trip trap trip trap a prancing, old grizzled Golden Retriever at a pace I hadn't seen in months! She was reknowned for never leaving your side no matter how cold or rainy- she'd stick by you. Well, not this day! Despite my calls, she cut a sharp right and continued to prance right up the path that leads to our house not looking back once, head held high in triumph. All I could do is yell her name and watch as she disappeared with fluffy tail a waggin' and the HUGEST rawhide bone stuck out from either side of her thieving little gray jaws! LOL- she had gone up and ripped off a brand new bone from the neighbor dog! She was clearly feeling like an Olympic Champion that day and it's a visual memory I cherish dearly.

I did replace the bone with a note of apology to the neighbor dog, and some extra treats as well to pay for the crime. Never underestimate the power of a dog on the hunt for edibles!

Another bright cloudless sunny day here- it's just been too nice for too long here and the poor Californians are getting all our rain! Got to get outside even though it's a chilly 24º "not quite T shirt weather!"
Have good days,
Poochella

Hello all. Now that the rains have tapered off a bit here in SoCal, I'm having an ant invasion. Anyone have any good solution to stop the ants, something that I can sprinkle around the outside the house? I've bought those powdered poisons in the past, but I don't think I want my kids or dog breathing that stuff.

Hope everyone's doing well.

Thanks, Paul

Poochella, My crocus did bloom.. Well one sorta did.. The bloom is right on the ground.. It maybe too hot for them. We are having a heat wave alreadym been in the 80s for the last 2 days..I've started working on my farmers tan..That's a great story about your dog.. Mine is usually on the other end.. My Moms big dog is always taking my daschunds toys & bones..
Paul If these are fireants I have tried almost everything from chemicals to homemade stuff.. Nothing works they just seem to move..
Hope everyone is getting ready for SPRING.. My yard is starting to come alive..Ronda M

Paul, here are some ideas that might help.

Make a liquid bait of one teaspoon boric acid with 2 1/2 fluid ounces corn syrup or honey. Heat until the boric acid dissolves. In an eyedropper add equal amounts of water and solution to drop in places ants frequent. You'll have to do this for about 2 weeks

You can make a natural repellent of citrus peelings and water - place both in a blender and pour it over any anthill you come upon.

Drown out ants by pouring boiling water over the mounds and into the cracks where they dwell. Roughly 3 gallons of water per mound ought to do the trick.

Sprinkle black pepper around the perimeter of where you see them.

My old neighbor used to spray some kind of sticky stuff as a barrier, and unfortunately, he's no longer around for me to ask what it is, since it totally slips my mind now what it was.

Pooch - i have an excellent peanut butter bone recipe you might want. uses no dyes whatsoever. let me know and i'll forward it to you.

Paul, hope you are staying afloat down there and in no danger of sliding or sinking anywhere. Good luck with your ants. I had a brief tango with medium sized brown ones in our kitchen one year, but they just sort of disappeared without any intervention (of course I had bought ant traps, but never used them. But I'm ready for yours if they migrate north.)

Ronda- a Crocus! Hooray! I also have a few whose stems just melt into nothingness and down they fall. Does anyone know if this is "damping off" as they speak of regarding seedlings?

Earthly, I would love the peanut butter bone recipe! Thanks very much.
Poochella@comcast.net

Paul~ Try sprinkling cinnamon in places that the ants frequent. For whatever reason, they won't cross over it.

Hi Poochella
I so enjoy reading your posts!! Just love the dog story and can vision it as if I was there!! On my way out and when I return I will get the dog treat recipe posted!!! Enjoy your day!

I recently read that ants won't cross flour either.

PlantladyJan and EarthlyDelights, Would you both mind posting your dog treat recipes? I'd be interested and I'm sure there are others here who would love to spoil their dogs also! Thanks in advance!

Well thanks to my great husband who made me some indoor plant shelves with lights I am under way starting my seeds. So far I have planted scallions, leeks, parsley, prairie sun rudbeckia, and two types of salvia, peach and red. I have run out of soil, so I will get some more. I have more salvia to plant, and maybe a second round of the scallions. I have the capacity for 24 flats, although several shelves have pots on them so I don't think I will max out this year. I overwintered about 4 flats of coleus, along with forcing some tulips and re-starting my pot of callas. This is such a great time of year!

Also, I heard that the girl I interviewed to help me with my yard wants to do it, she is a neighbor girl who wants to learn about gardening, and in return, when I go on vacation, she will know how to keep my things alive! Plus another hand to pull weeds is always a good thing.

My thoughts and positive energy go out to all those who have been ill or suffered other losses this month. Hang in there everyone.

YaYa

I'd like to give the credit to the developer of this recipe, but unfortunately, I do not know who that is. I obtained a copy of it from Save-a-Dog, Inc., a non-profit no kill humane society located in the Pocono PA mountains. Their goal is to build a much-needed animal shelter in Monroe County. We attended a Picture with Santa fundraiser, which should have been FUNdraiser - it was great!

So, to all you pampered pets out there - I hope you enjoy these. We sure do here!
=========================================================
PEANUT BUTTER BONES
1 package dry yeast
½ cup lukewarm water
1 cup mashed potatoes
1 cup milk
¼ cup molasses
½ cup chicken stock
1 cup chunky peanut butter
1 cup whole wheat flour
½ cup rye flour
½ cup rice flour
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose white flour
Preheat oven to 325F.

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in water. In a large saucepan, mix together the potatoes, milk, molasses, stock and peanut butter. Heat, stirring frequently until boiling. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Add yeast mixture. Gradually blend in the egg, wheat, rye and rice flours. Add enough white flour to form stiff dough.

Transfer to a floured surface and knead until smooth (about 3 to 5 minutes). Shape the dough into a ball and roll to ½ inch thick. Using cookie cutters, cut out biscuits. Place on ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about ¼ inch apart. Gather up the scraps, roll out again and cut additional biscuits.

Bake for 45 minutes. Let cool overnight.

Recipe makes several dozen bones which have the consistency of pizza crusts. These also freeze well, if necessary.

Peanut Dog Treats
2 1/4 c whole wheat flour
3/4 c all purpose flour
1 1/4 TB baking powder
1 1/4 C peanut butter
1 c milk........I use a little more

Combine flour & baking powder in a large bowl
Combine milk & peanut butter in a separate bowl & mix until smooth (easiest w/electric mixer)
knead dough by hand and roll out on floured surface to desired thickness
cut out treats (I just use a pizza cutter)
place aluminum foil on the cookie sheet
bake 15 mins @ 400degrees
cool before storing

Gosh I can't take any credit for this one ....... wait until your dog trys this one...then you will understand I have the BEST secret pal!!!! GotYA ! LOL

Thank you, ladies! Looks like I need to stop at the store for some wheat flour.....

Where is everyone??? Busy making dog treats!! Maybe they should have an exchange!! LOL Enjoy!

Pooch! Great story of your Golden! I had a Golden who is also over the Rainbow Bridge and have a similiar story! I use to get her cow leg bones from the butcher.. well, Blackiw from across the road came over to pay his daily visit, found the bone.. I look out and there he is... strutting down the drive bone a blazin! A Bit later.. I look out and the Ole Girl(young then) is coming back up the drive(it's 1/4 mile long) with the bone.... short time later... Blackie.. headed down! lol That went on for days! I miss those dogs! Thanks for the memory!

Paul, Stay away from poisons... my neighbor baited for rabbits(my neighbors are not right on top of me).. my Husky found or finished off the (dead) rabbit on our land.. ate some of it, until I caught her... 2 days later, I put her to sleep due to poisioning. I say.. plant extra's for the critters! Don't have any suggestions for the ant's.. Other than getting some Carnivorous Plants which works much better than you'd ever dream!!! Esp. in your zone! Yeah baby! You must be close to Peter D'Amato... go visit him! Check him out! "California Canivores". I've never had a problem in the house with them... they make their hills in the gardens and stay there so we get a long fine.. I leave their home alone.. and they leave mine alone... It's a good arrangement. :)

Thank You Plantlady And Earthy for the dog bone recipies!

Yaya! Congrats on having some to help you in the garden and someone to look after it while you are gone! I need someone like that!!!

Hope all is well with everyone!!!

~Dusty~

Thanks for the recipes from me too. Love your story Dusty. Lots of exercise up and down that driveway! It would be very quiet around here without my dog and the visiting neighbor dogs. They keep me occupied yelling OUT (of the gardens) when outside. Did you know daylilies are so tough they can tolerate 120lb curling up on them for a nap?
I shall bake treats for them all: 65-120 lb range on those creatures: better make a double batch. One of our vets advocates herbally things and had me concocting a puree of parsley, sweet potato, green beans, raw carrots and zucchini to add to regular dog food for our pooch. I swear she was the only one in the house who got all servings of vegetables recommended per day. I didn't find it delightfully tasty, otherwise I would have had some too.

I think the boric acid, going back to the ant poisons, is a dessicant: will just dry those little ants up into skeletons- same principle as the powder they pound into your carpet for flea control; "Flea Busters" is the name." Boric acid is not terribly toxic; used to be used as a common eye wash.

Yaya: your lit up seedling shelves sound divine! And a yard helper even more divine! I am patiently waiting for my first winter sowing adventure to bear fruit. But so far it's just bearing condensation. It's the cleome you sent,Yaya, so I am very hopeful some will sprout in your honor.
That's all from me, I'm pooped from two long work days and squinting in all this sun!
Poochella

Hiya,

This is the second year for me to start seeds downstairs. Last year I had one shelf and filled it up completely. I had pretty good success....sunflowers, zinnias, over wintered coleus, etc. that is until I brought everything upstairs and outside to harden off and the bunny ate them all! I forgave him though, he was a baby, and he was so friendly he stayed around for about 3 months and would eat carrots out of my hand and come up to the patio door in the morning when he heard us making coffee....he would even run down to me off the hill when I called his name.....Bun Bun....It was a real treat that he lived here last year and gave me lots of happiness, then one day I never saw him again. I will have to post a picture of him.

(Even the neighbors would feed him and call him by name....it was so cute)

YaYa

Ya Ya - Maybe he is waiting on Easter Sunday to come back. LOL
I do love little rabbits and squirrels but they can eat you out of house and home. The squirrels have destroyed my bird feeders. They won't even hang up anymore, they ate the hanger off so it would fall to the ground and they could get to the seeds. I really liked those feeders too, they held 5 lbs of bird seed so you did not have to fill them up so often. I told my husband we needed to get a second job just to feed the critters. I also feed raccoons. They are getting so tame they will come in the yard while we are outside. It is so nice to live where wildlife is abundant.
Shirley

I'm enjoying all your stories too. We feed everything in the area. I just hope when the flowers start coming out they will not eat everything. The squirrels ate a hole in our storage building door. My DH patched it up and the next day it was back. That's where he stores the corn chops he feeds them. The 3rd day I saw a bird flying in and out of the building. It's really funny to watch. You're right, the squirrels are great little acrobats, they can hang in any old way and jump a mile it seems. We have 3 that stay here all the time and they are getting so tame they don't even run when I go out. "OUR" rabbit comes all the way up to the steps to eat with the dog yapping right in his face. I will give you the moles, voles and armadillos though. I'll even bring 'em to ya!

Nancy

Hiya,

This is the second year for me to start seeds downstairs. Last year I had one shelf and filled it up completely. I had pretty good success....sunflowers, zinnias, over wintered coleus, etc. that is until I brought everything upstairs and outside to harden off and the bunny ate them all! I forgave him though, he was a baby, and he was so friendly he stayed around for about 3 months and would eat carrots out of my hand and come up to the patio door in the morning when he heard us making coffee....he would even run down to me off the hill when I called his name.....Bun Bun....It was a real treat that he lived here last year and gave me lots of happiness, then one day I never saw him again. I will have to post a picture of him.

(Even the neighbors would feed him and call him by name....it was so cute)

YaYa

Oopps, how did that happen? I double posted 10 hours apart.

sorry

YaYa

Just wanted to say thanks to my Secret Pal for the Birthday card! That is so cute! How do you keep finding all the secret pal cards?

I spent yesterday morning at the Orchid show at the Missouri Botanical Garden then went out to dinner with family in the evening. I was so 'inspired' by the Orchid show that I stopped at a nursery and bought 2. Like I really needed more houseplants. LOL!

A Happy Belated Birthday to Daisy Me. I printed out the birthday list so I could try to remember to wish the Garden Circle members a happy birthday when their special days came along... and wouldn't you know it - I hadn't looked at my list for a few days and missed your birthday. I hope you enjoyed it. The orchid show must have been fun. I tried growing orchids - one I have given away and the other doesn't look too good, so I can't help you when it comes to success with orchids. I'll bet you have a green thumb though! They are beautiful flowers. One of my friends grows lots of them and they were all in bloom right after Christmas - just beautiful!

Sandlapper Rose

Daisy Me, I'm sorry I missed your birthday too. I hope it was great and certainly sounds like it was. I've been tempted to let my houseplants go every winter but something in me just won't let that happen. I really have no good place in the house to keep them and usually lose some but I still try. I hope your orchids grow beautifully for you. I've read that they're easy but I've never tried them. Good luck. Nancy

Me too! What sloth! And I saved the birthday list, so carefully memorialized for us. Happy Belated Birthday, Daisy Me!

It's not a daisy, it's not an orchid, but a nice blooming rose for you in honor of your recent birthday. And my wishes for many more to come.
Poochella

Happy Belated Birthday, Daisy Me! I hope you had a wonderful day!!!

Happy (belated) Birthday to you, Happy (belated) Birthday to you,
Happy (belated) Birthday dear Daisy Me! Happy (belated) Birthday to you.

Alas, I too, one of your birthday month pals, oooppsssed and didn't give you a bloomin' happy birthday wish on your special day... sorry, pal. But, it sounds like you had an awesome day with the orchid show! Wow! I'm sure it was really beautiful and brought you many happy smiles and gave you a day that was blooming with the best of them : )

Thanks ladies! The Orchid show really was a lot of fun. The 2 orchids I bought (for those that know anything about them) are an Oncidium with red blooms, and a Dendrobium with green/lavendar blooms. I really don't know much about Orchids so I picked some that were cheap and supposedly easy just in case I kill them! LOL!

Thanks again for the birthday wishes!

Home at last from the tropics. There's enough humidity in Tobago to curl even my board straight hair. Pal, your package was patiently waiting with the ton of held mail at the PO.
I was into the hot cocoa and GS cookies immediately. My blood is soooo thin now that I definitely need to warm up. Thanks also for the seeds and note paper and plant markers.
The trip as a newly retired couple was informative. We were able to definitely decide the places we DON'T want to retire to.
But truly there's no place like home.
Lil