Jill’s Thoughts

Just some random thoughts and ideas that come to me while enjoying (and working!) in my own garden. PLUS, I’ll share some of my own vacation pictures from great gardens we’ve visited. I promise you won’t be stuck for hours and hours watching my vacation pix! (Check out Wordless Wednesday.)

Happy Easter!

Even though it was a bit chilly around here today, I’m happy to finally start seeing some color in my garden … just in time for Easter!  This old azalea is at least 22 years old but still manages to show off every spring.  I so love this perfect pink – just wish it would [...]

First Day of Spring! Really?

The calendar says it’s now Spring.  But it doesn’t look like Spring, doesn’t feel like Spring, and doesn’t even smell like Spring! Instead, we’ve had even more of this white stuff falling all day long.  (I don’t even want to say the “s” word anymore!  And I don’t mean Spring!) But this is what March [...]

Forcing Hyacinth Bulbs Brings A Hint Of Spring To Indoor Gardens

If your long range weather forecast is like ours, you better bundle up and plan on another 15-20″ of snow before spring arrives.  Time to start forcing hyacinth bulbs and creating a beautiful spring-like garden indoors! When you get hyacinths to bloom indoors before their normal bloom time it’s called “forcing” the bulbs to grow.   They really are so easy and [...]

Go Back To Sleep Daffodils!

Look what I found peeking out as the snow melted this week.  Just a couple of warm days and these daffodils think it’s time to wake up!   But single digit temps predicted this weekend may suddenly send them back to sleepy time! It’s not uncommon for daffodils and even tulips to be tricked into showing themselves [...]

Snow Blanketed Perennial Beds

Finally!  After surviving the holiday fun and frenzy, a sinus infection, and more than 20″ of snow, things are just now getting back to normal!    It seems like forever since I’ve written anything.  It’s good to be back.  Here in the Midwest it’s been very cold.  Almost frigid, in fact.  We didn’t break any records but [...]

Easy Secrets To Make A Bow For Beautiful Gift Wrapping

Deciding what wrapping paper to use for the Christmas or birthday presents is a serious decision for some people I know.  Maybe all the gifts will follow a theme this year or maybe all the wrapping paper will be solid colors.  But don’t forget the final accessory … the bows!  Knowing how to make a bow [...]

Hilton Head Island Is Still In Bloom

What a wonderful getaway I enjoyed last week during my short business trip to Hilton Head Island.  My client is wonderful, the conference was great, and the Westin-Hilton Head Resort was gorgeous.  Some of the flowers were still in bloom and the ocean waves were mesmerizing – a welcome sound for this flat lander! Of [...]

Surprise! Look What’s Hidden In The Dirt!

Remember this picture of my ornamental sweet potato vine gone wild this summer?  This truly has become one of my favorite plants to add to a mixed container.  I love the lime green color and the fast-growing, healthy vine that cascades down and around the container.  However, I had no idea what was happening in the dirt [...]

Wordless Wednesday

My New Favorite Recipe For Butternut Squash

Despite the cool temperatures, we had so much fun at a church party last Saturday afternoon hosted by our Sunday School teacher at his farm in the country. It was great to be out in the woods on a fall day and of course, everyone enjoyed the potluck dinner - especially Donna’s new recipe for butternut [...]

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