It's All About Trader Joes!

It's been a This and That week.

First, the plumber made a visit.

Then the AC guy made a two day visit.

Hopefully, I'll be cool in the 100+ weather.

My yard/pond guy (the wonderful Cody) tried to fix my
irrigation system and has to get a part.
He has hooked things up so I can water. 
Good thing.
It's going to be a scorcher this week.

Early this morning I headed out to Trader Joes.

Their flowers are always so pretty.

"My" TJs gets their flower shipment in on Sunday.

Too many pretty flowers to pick from.

I picked up two orchids and some zinnias.

I love zinnias. 
They remind me of my Granny.
She always had a flower bed full of zinnias.

I planted zinnias last year and hoped they would reseed.
They didn't.
I won't make that mistake next year!

I also picked up banana bread from TJs.
When I got to the checkout I said,
"I didn't know you carried banana bread."
Checker told me it is a new item.
It's good, too.
Beats heating up the kitchen in the hot summer.

I didn't set out to write a post all about Trader Joes
but sure looks like I did!

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

Keep In Touch

Little Things Thursday

Share Your Cup Thursday

Mosaic Monday

Thinking of Granny

Every now and then I get an email that makes me laugh out loud.
In fact, I almost didn't open the one with the subject:
Getting Enough Fiber?

I opened it and it was about fiber, but not the digestible kind.

It was about yarn.

I need more yarn like I need a hole in the head! 

*

Early morning over the Texas Medical Center

I walk early every morning before it gets too hot and humid.
I try to walk for 45 minutes.
My favorite day to walk is Sunday.
It is so quiet.
No cars on the street so there is no background motor noise.
It's just me, the birds, an occasional sprinkler raining on a lawn.
Last Sunday I listened to the doves cooing, 
the blue jays and the mockingbirds trying to out mock each other.
I even heard one of the local screech owls.
No cats or dogs or people.
And then, there they were -- crossing the street.
A family of seven opossums!
Led by Mom (I assume) they went two by two.


Definitely something I don't see every day.
Just one of those reminders 
that it is the little things that can make a day extra special.


Did you know a group of opossums is called a passel?
I came straight home and looked it up.
Male opossums are called jacks and females are called jills.
The young are joeys -- just like their Australian cousins.

*

I love cherry anything!
Mighty Leaf makes a wonderful cherry lemon green tea.
It tastes especially fine in my hand-thrown kitty mug with the moon and stars.
The tea bags are handcrafted silken pouches.
Delicious hot and great iced for this hot weather.

Mighty Leaf began in 1996 as Tea & Company, 
a boutique tea house in San Francisco.
They support artisan communities and 
sustainable farming practices around the globe.

Every time I see a zinnia I think of my Granny.
She always had zinnias in her garden.
All shapes and sizes.

This year, I have zinnias in my garden.
I had an empty space, had the seeds 
and decided to throw them in the space and see what happens.
Wow!
I think every seed came up.
Marvelous mix of all types of zinnia and the color.
Double wow!

I thought I'd share some of them with you.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Five On Friday

Willy Nilly Friday

Mosaic Monday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

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Pink Zinnia

Thank you to Mary for hosting Mosaic Monday.

Blooming In Musashi's Garden

Zinnia Blooming In Musashi's Garden

Today's Flowers

Go visit Today's Flowers to visit a virtual flower garden from around the world.

Written information on this post is from Gardens Ablaze.

Pictures were taken in our backyard - Musashi's Garden.

All our zinnias were planted by seed and in pots.

I remember my grandmother seeding zinnias and how lovely they were.
I'm so glad this old-fashioned flower is back in style!

If you didn't grow any Zinnias this year, put them on the top of the spring wish list for next year, and you will thank yourself over and over all season. This is a plant that is started incredibly easily from seed, flowers very quickly, has a wide range of flower types and colors, withstands full sun and heat, makes an excellent cut flower, attracts bees and butterflies, and can make the difference between so-so garden bed and a spectacular garden showcase. Whether a beginner or a seasoned gardener, there is a Zinnia out there for every taste, budget, and style. Creating a Zinnia garden is the perfect way to teach children about gardening, and they will delight in the big, bright, bold colors.



Zinnias are another member of the large Aster family of plants and originate in Mexico and the Southwest United States. They come in a form suitable for every garden situation, including single, double, cactus, dahlia, ruffles, and pompon. Colors include every shade except blue, and many are multicolored. Most are prolific bloomers that add beautiful color to the landscape, and many have growth habits that make wonderful additions to container plantings. The uses for Zinnias in the home garden are almost endless. Use them as border plants, fillers for bare spots in perennial gardens, or massed in a garden all their own.



Zinnias are quite easy to start from seed, grow quickly, and adapt well to many gardening situations. Seed can be started indoors and seedlings can be transplanted easily outside for earlier bloom, or the seeds can be started in the garden after the last frost date when the soil has warmed. Germination is not as good in cold soil.




In a Habitat type situation, Zinnias are veritable beneficial insect magnets, and they will thrive in less-than-perfect soil conditions as long as their minimum sun (at least 6 hours a day) and water requirements are met (though they do come from the hotter zones, they do still need an adequate water supply).




Zinnias are not a poisonous plant and are safe for gardens frequented by children and pets. However, they are not a culinary flower, and are not used as food garnishes, etc., though cut flowers do make a colorful and elegant centerpiece for the table.

Where flowers bloom, so does hope. - Lady Bird Johnson

Have a beautiful day!