Can my Mandevilla Plant Be Saved?

Posted on by
Reply

front-flower-2The mandevilla has become a popular patio plant in recent years. Its brilliant flowers add color and a tropical look to any patio. When we purchased our plant, it came with a trellis because it’s a hardy climber and needs to be supported. In most areas the mandevilla is considered an annual, but in Southern California it’s a frost sensitive perennial. They like sandy, well drained soil and do well in the ground and in pots. They grow best in bright indirect light or filtered sun light. Our plant is on the front patio, and gets morning sun. As you can see, it was very happy in this spot during the winter and spring season. In mid August we took a ten day vacation, and unfortunately during that time, Orange County suffered a heat wave, and our irrigation system did not deliver enough water to the plant.

Below you can see what it looked like when we returned home. I’m both sad and embarrassed to post this photo.

Sick-PlantBeing an optimist I immediately deep watered the mandevilla and pruned the dead wood and leaves. I hope to nurse this plant back to good health. I took the photo below this afternoon, and as you can see, the plant is looking a little better. The remaining leaves are turning green and there is some new growth. I will keep you up to date with its progress. I hope that by next week at this time you will see an even bigger improvement.

healing-plant

Magic Lantern Hybrid Tea Rose

Posted on by
2

Magic-Lantern-Rose-1Our Weather has been very hot lately, and I haven’t spent a lot of time outside. This morning when I went out to look at the front garden, I was thrilled to see my Magic Lantern Hybrid tea rose in bloom. It is such a beautiful coppery orange color. Hybrid teas are the most popular type of rose. Not only is the blossom gorgeous, but as you can see below, the bud is also a joy to look at.
Magic-Lantern-Rose-2Hybrid tea roses usually produce one bloom on a long stem, which makes them perfect for cut flower displays. Hybrid teas are also popular because they continue to produce flowers all season long. My Magic Lantern has a light fragrance, although many tea roses have a much stronger scent. Magic Lantern is a very vigorous variety and is easy to care for. This plant is now in a large pot at the front of our house. It gets morning sun and seems very happy there. It does like frequent watering. I originally planted the Magic Lantern in the lawn at the side of our house. Three summers ago, a guest, when leaving,  backed over the plant and flattened it, splitting the main stem. I dug up the bush and transplanted it to the pot it now grows in. I thought it was the end of my beautiful Magic Lantern, but as you can see, it not only survived, but has thrived. Now you know why I say it’s a hearty variety, and I’m especially fond of our Magic Lantern Hybrid Tea Rose. You might want to add one to your garden.

Candy and Kites in Bodega Bay

Posted on by
1

imageWhile staying in Napa, California, and planning a visit to Bodega Bay, friends emailed  to tell us about a store there owned by long time friends of theirs. Second Wind specializes in kites, toys, sweets, and fun. Above is a bowl filled with sweet salt water taffy we bought there. We’d never seen so many flavors and we wanted to try them all. The shop was also filled with every sort of kite imaginable. We met Elaine, a very welcoming lady and one of the two owners. She took the photo below of me and my husband and our dog Annika in front of the store. We had a great time looking at the games, puzzles, wind socks, ground spinners and too many other items to mention. If you would like to learn more about this delightful store, take a look at their web site, www.secondwind.com.

imageOn  our way back to Napa, we drove through the town of Bodega, where we stopped at the old school house where Alfred Hitchcock filmed The Birds. You can see the building in the two photos below.

image

 

imageIt was a busy day with lots of exploring. I wonder where we will be off to tomorrow. Right now I’m going to enjoy a piece of that yummy salt water taffy.

From New Zealand to Napa California

Posted on by
Reply

image

Last April I spent three weeks with our daughter who lives in New Zealand. While there I purchased this stove top espresso maker. I wrote about it in the posts titled Coffee in New Zealand, and Love my Stove Top Espresso Maker. One of the things I love about it,  is its portability. Above you see a photo I took while preparing a cup of espresso on the stove in our 5th wheel trailer, during a recent trip to Napa California.

image

Delicious espresso ready to enjoy. Another plus with the stove top espresso maker, is how quickly you can prepare a single cup of coffee, which I often do in the late afternoon. Our daughter recommended that I buy the stainless steel version rather than the aluminum variety which I did, even though it was a little more expensive. Being coffee lovers we also have a Keurig  coffee maker which uses pods, and we use it most days, but for size, flavor, and convenience, you just can’t beat a stove top espresso maker for a robust cup of coffee.