The sunflowers I planted in my cutting garden bed are tightly closed but will open soon!
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I really love zinnias. They’re so easy to grow from seed here and come in such beautiful colors. Get a package of seeds and try them if you’ve never grown them. You won’t be sorry!
Around here, we’ve watched been watching the progress of these birds. I saw them building the nest so we’ve been able to see them go from eggs to this -soon out of the nest. The nest is in a Knockout Rose bush right by the downstairs patio so we pass it often (much to the consternation of the parents who start squawking angrily when we linger too long).
Around here, all my bushes and trees have fruit! Always such an exciting and tasty time in the garden. One of my columnar apple trees finally has apples. I’ve had these for several years and this is the first time they are fruiting.
These are wonderful fruit trees for growing in containers. Perfect for people with small yards, or who might be renting, great if you have a sunny balcony or patio.
The hollyhocks have come back again. Such a lovely old fashioned cottage flower. Sadly I always seem to just get two or three even though every fall I scatter hundreds of seeds. Oh well, I do enjoy the ones I get!
I’ve spent a good amount of time resting – reading, watching Netflix (currently the old Dark Shadows tv series – surprisingly still just as good). I’ve finally had 5 consecutive days without pain although no one knows what’s wrong with me. I’ve had a pelvic x-ray, MRI of the hip/upper thigh, MRI of the lower back, pelvic ultrasound to make sure there wasn’t a mass pressing on a nerve or something and a ultra sound of the vein in my left leg to make sure the pain wasn’t a blood clot. Next week I see a gastroenterologist. Each test tells me what it isn’t! Which is so frustrating! But I am grateful I have health insurance so I can get the tests I need (even though they are not covered 100% and I’m dreading receiving the bills).
Anyway, my posting will continue to be sporadic until I feel better. But I did want to drop in and give you all an update.
Don’t you just hate it when they can find what it isn’t, but not what it is? I love that photo of the unopened sunflower!
Brenda
Isn’t it amazing what pain can do? I’ve “just” had an ear infection and it knocked me out.
I have that book Kirstie’s Homemade Home! Stephanie had been given it as a gift from her Irish sister-in-law and she brought it to share with me when she visited. She said every time she read it, she thought of how it reminded her of something I’d love.
I’ve also been perusing Mary Jane’s Idea book and The Romantic Prairie Cookbook. Love such books when I’m not feeling well.
When you are all better, you will have LOTS of great ideas. 🙂
Our drought is getting worse, I have to water every day right now and a heat wave is to begin tomorrow. I can see watering twice. I’m salvaging what lettuce I can now.
Sorry you are still not feeling quite right, Manuela. It is very frustrating when no one can figure out what is wrong with you {believe me, I know!}. Your garden is looking lovely. It looks like you’ve got a stack of interesting books to read. I’ve been revisiting some of my decorating books ~ one or two on the weekends. I’m always glad that I have them for some inspiration.
Just stunning. I love sunflowers. They are so beautiful but I can’t have them they are like cavier to deer. The ret of the garden is beautiful.
Cynthia
I too love zinnias! Will be praying for you.
Looking at your cheerful and productive garden has brightened my day. I hope you remain pain free and are back to yourself in no time. Happy to hear you’ve been relaxing. I remember Dark Shadows! It would be fun to watch it again. Take care Manuela!
Sorry you are having to deal with all the tests – hope they can determine the source of the problem soon.
Enjoyed the tour of your garden – everything looks so pretty and healthy.
Enjoy your evening.
i’m so sorry tht you’re not feeling well Manuela, and sincerely hope that the Docs will get you sorted out and you’re feel better very soon.
Your garden looks so pretty, thank you for sharing it with us.
Very best wishes
Rose H
xx
I’m sorry you’re still in pain…I thought it was your thigh? Whatever it is, I hope they can finally give you a diagnosis so you can be on the road to recovery.
Your flowers and fruit trees are beautiful…thank you for sharing. Enjoy all your books while you’re resting! God bless.
Melaniie, it was/is sharp stabbing pains in my thigh. But when they can’t find muscle tear or spinal disc problem (the various MRI I had) etc in that area and you have other symptoms… then they start looking at other causes. Apparently it can be anything from nerve entrapement to Chron’s disease. Or as simple as a muscle/ligament tear or sprain in another muscle.
I’m sorry you’ve been feeling bad. I hope some relief comes soon. Your pictures are wonderful. The sunflower makes me smile. Can’t wait to see it in full bloom. Do you have peach trees? We just planted two last weekend. I was looking for any tips you might have.
I have one peach tree which I planted last year. I had about 6 peaches on it but the chipmunks stole them all! I don’t have any tips since I’m new to peach trees as well.
Your gardens and yard are looking very pretty right now. I planted sunflower seeds and they are about 2 inches high right now. I guess they won’t be blooming for a couple of months at this rate. Take care!
Hi Manuela. What kind of symptoms are you having. It is good to hear things have been normal bt not good not knowing what is wrong. Sometimes before they even find ot the pain goes away . That has been my case.
I have all kinds of GI isses. I jst had an upper endoscopy and a colonoscopy today. Yes, both at the same time. They came ot well. My esophagus looks great (the first time) and the colon was great. Only a real irritated stomach. He took biopsies. But the last two procedures I have had my oxygen levels got too low. I had to be awake today because of it. Yuck. I have been on a gluten free diet for two years and that has helped my scopes to come ot well.
So if you have any questions please contact me. Maybe I can help somehow.
Pretty garden.
nice to hear from you but sure wish you were all good as new!
I took pictures of my zinnias today too, they are so easy to grow. I even grew this years from seeds I saved from last year’s zinnias.
Well, I’m glad that they haven’t found anything bad. That’s at least good for the nerves, I hope they find out what it is soon and have a very easy fix for you. Keep resting!
And I love everything in your beautiful back yard. I keep planning to grow zinnias because they make such great picking flowers.
Your garden looks wonderful! I hope you find some answers soon on your pain — I know that must be so frustrating. I keep looking at the old Dark Shadows set at Costco — I wondered how well they held up. I remember flying home after school in 8th grade — along with everyone else — to watch it!
Sooooooooo sorry you aren’t feeling well! I hope you are back to normal SOON! Blessings!
How frustrating for you. I hope you are feeling better soon. Your garden is beautiful!
Hi Manuela! First of all, your garden looks wonderful! I was surprised by your potted apple trees! I don’t think I’ve ever seen apple trees kept in pots! Also, I understand how frustrating chronic, undiagnosed pain is. I just want to encourage you though. I had severe headaches almost every day for two years, and it took the doctors a long time to figure out what was causing them. I remember laying in a puddle of tears on my bathroom floor during my daughter’s second birthday party, a houseful of guests, but me feeling so sick from the headaches. I was at hope’s end, and I remember my mom telling me that I was going to be better eventually. And for some reason that really encouraged me because I thought I was going to live the rest of my life in pain so it was good to hear someone give me some hope. Eventually they found out what was wrong, did a surgical procedure, and after six or so more months, I was completely relieved from the headaches and felt normal again. So, I’ll keep you in my prayers! Hang in there!
Thank you Amber! They are columnar trees from Stark Bros.
So sorry to hear that you’ve been having such pain. Sure hope that the doctors can figure out what the cause of it is. I tell you, I sprained my ankle in November and it took a full 5 months to heal. I must have torn a muscle too, because I would have sharp pain as if someone was pricking me with knife needles. I love your little red barn. And that sunflower is so gorgeous. All the ones around here have dried up (in fact I posted a picture of one I took today). It’s 113 out there right now so it’s a wonder anything can survive. Take care of yourself and have a good weekend. Tammy
Beautiful pictures! Love the barn in the background! Hope and pray that you find what is causing your pain and that you get ALL better! BIG HUGS and PRAYERS coming your way!
Thanks for the beautiful blog posting. So sorry you have had medical issues and are dealing with pain. I love it when you recommend books, thanks so much. I will go right to my library online website and see if I can order any of them. I love new ideas for books. You live in the south, I live in northern Wisconsin, I often envy how early you can garden, and the beautiful blooms you have. But one thing we can have in common…..zinnias, they do well here in Wisconsin also. I love to plant cutting flowers in my garden, late summer I have little bouquets of flowers all over my house. Sigh…I do love the summer.
I love book recommendations too. That’s how I got the Kirstie book – it’s from Amazon UK btw. The others are available from B&N or Amazon.
Manuela, here’s hoping that REST will be what heals it. I have been dealing with pain in my lower left extremities..!!! …foot, and now hip…argh…I am with you. frustrating and yes..even some moments depressing…so I think I know how you feel. Mine… – I think came from workout too, because I don’t know anything I did to contribute otherwise…but so far REST has done more for them than any other option. I am saying a prayer that you are healed up VERY soon, so that you can get back to living and loving life…**sometimes a rest, though we don’t like it…is what we needed anyway…a time out… 🙂 HUGS to you…xoxo love the garden pics!!!
So beautiful Manuela! I hope you feel better soon. Take care!
Mary Ellen
The Working Home Keeper
From the little I know about you, I would imagine that almost worse than the pain is having to lay low and not do anything. When I had back trouble and had to rest, I would sit in my garden and see everything that needed doing and be frustrated I couldn’t do it.
I so envy your “green thumb”. Your flowers are beautiful. I guess I have to do what you mentioned and throw out lots of seeds.
You will be in my prayers!
Your garden is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing. Hope they find out what’s wrong soon Mimi
I hope you’re feeling better and pain free soon. Until then, that’s a wonderful stack of books to enjoy. I’ve not seen Kirstie’s Handmade Home before, but knowing you’re reading it, and seeing Brenda’s comment above, I’m off to add it to my queue.
I hope you feel better soon Manuela, I’ll be praying that they find what is wrong so it can be treated effectively. Frustrating when you don’t know what it is, but each thing it “isn’t” is a blessing right?
Manuela, I am so sorry that you have been going through so many tests and drs. Sounds like they are giving you a good once over! I hope they get to the bottom of your pain soon,
Your garden looks lovely and happy! What a happy sunflower!
Your garden is lovely. My zenias aren’t half as beautiful as yours. Sometimes the only way to find out what is wrong is by ruling out what is right first… hang in there!
Manuela~
The garden is so beautiful. What a lot of rewards you are finally getting for all that hard work. The first photo is so charming with the sunflower and red shed behind…get that again when the sunflower opens, won’t you? Feel better…
Hi Manuela!
I didn’t realize you were on an unwanted respite! I’m sorry to hear about your leg injury… I hope you can get to the bottom of whats’ causing the pain soon…In the mean time… rest and enjoy what you have accomplished so far in your beautiful garden… It’s so charming… I love it!
Get well soon!
Deb
I understand what chronic pain is like, and it’s a beating! So glad you are feeling a little better. Your garden is gorgeous! And those sweet birdies are just darling. Hang in there, and take care of yourself, it takes us all a little longer to heal now that we aren’t teenagers any more 🙂
Hi Manuela,
Hope that you soon get a test that idientifies what your problem is and be on the mend soon.
I love zinias..they come in such bright happy colours.
Hope your pain stays away…..
have a good week
Barb from Australia
Manuela, Thanks for dropping by for a visit and thanks for your very sweet comments. Your garden is divine! Love the birds in the nest! Yesterday it was so windy in our neighborhood that a couple of robin’s nests were knocked down. One nest has a cracked little blue egg the other nest had little baby birds (maybe a day old lying dead in the driveway). Nature can be beautiful at times, but then again harsh and tragic. But, we must focus on the positive and have an attitude of gratitude. Like you said, thank god for health insurance so that you may get the tests you need to get to the bottom of your health issues. I hope you have a week of joy with no pain.
Thanks for stopping at my place…I’m pretty excited about the corn, mine isn’t very tall either, but I noticed there is a tassle ( not sure what that is all about) on two of them…I think it is a good thing.no? Zinnias, I have some growing in my “flower bed” and they don’t have buds yet…but should be producing some some I hope….they really are pretty. I love that window greenhouse you have, where did you find the instructions to make that? Very cool…. Your yard is lovely…and awash in summer beauty….thanks for sharing….:)
Hi Manuela!
I absolutely love how your shed looks with all those beautiful flowers!!! If I remember correctly you said you used Martha Stewart’s “Barn Red” right? I was hoping that this summer would be,my painting year, but it looks like it will be next year as we are attempting to “down size” our possessions. I think I will have to paint our shed that color next year….though I saw a few bright blue barns when I was in Wisconsin in March that were inspiring too!
I hope you feel better soon and get the answers you need!!!
I so hope they find out what is going on soon! It can’t be pleasant for you I know. Your garden is looking so lovely. I know that you are enjoying it’s beauty and will soon enjoy its produce.
Take care of yourself. Saying a little prayer for you!