Girls Coffeeshop Talk

[Lion]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Leo, the plants look very healthy, with no signs of disease or bugs. The buds get to about 1/2 inch across, then stop growing, then turn brown. I wondered if it was lack of nutrients, so I fed them. There are some more buds starting up, so I'll watch them and see if they make it to full flower.

Oh - and I was able to turn the hydrangeas from pink to blue! It really works if you add aluminum sulphate to the soil. I guess I'll have to repeat that, but not sure how often, to keep the flowers blue.

Yes, Hydrangeas are a lot of fun because you can manipulate the flower color. It appears to me that Hydrangeas are being promoted this year as they are everywhere at all the garden centers and many different cultivars are being offered.....just keep adding the aluminum sulphate to the soil when you fertilize so the plants will continue to bloom in blue. But don't be surprised if you get both colors on the same plant next year and it's more difficult to change their color from blue to pink. Also it's much easier to manipulate if you grow them in containers!!!

[rfknauss]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Beautiful photo! A tiger swallowtail, I think. What kind of flower is he on?

Lisa, it is a butterfly bush that we have in our yard.

[chicfarmer1]

Richard, gorgeous pic there.

The hydrangeas--they were so popular in the 1950s and 1960s. Nice to see them having a renaissance of interest.

And again, wildlife in the hostas and perennials just outside the kitchen door:

[rfknauss]

Originally Posted by chicfarmer1

Richard, gorgeous pic there.

The hydrangeas--they were so popular in the 1950s and 1960s. Nice to see them having a renaissance of interest.

And again, wildlife in the hostas and perennials just outside the kitchen door:

J .... thank you for the compliment!

[Lion]

Richard, your butterfly bush is absolutely gorgeous and they come in many colors and can grow quite large in one season. If you would like to plant another perennial to attract butterflies plant Monarda didyma(Bee Balm)!!!

[rfknauss]

Originally Posted by Lion

Richard, your butterfly bush is absolutely gorgeous and they come in many colors and can grow quite large in one season. If you would like to plant another perennial to attract butterflies plant Monarda didyma(Bee Balm)!!!

Thanks Leo!

[miner]

I'm hoping the Ladies on the forum can offer some advice:

My Girls (18 and 20) are about to leave the roost (Perth OZ) and head for the Uk and Canada.

One half of me says fantastic, I left home about that age for a mining job in South Africa, but these are my Girls !!

Any of you Mums and Dads been through this, Girls leaving home on an adventure with no plan.

What advice did you give??

[Lisa]

Miner, I wish there were words of wisdom I could offer you. My girls aren't quite old enough - the eldest is only 11.

How have your girls prepared for their journeys? What do they hope to accomplish?

[chicfarmer1]

Miner: My daughter went to study in Southeast Asia entirely on her own at age 20, knowing no one. She did join a program versus solo travel, so it had normal means of contact and a structure. It went exceptionally well and was the high point of her college years.

What I would say from the details you've given is that matters of personal safety shouldn't be left to "no plans." They should have a notebook with the contact for the in-country embassy and for credit card services, in case of emergency/theft/loss. And ideally some means by which you can contact them, should you need to (an emergency at home). There are lots of internet cafes to keep in touch. If they like to keep it loose in terms of their destinations and accommodations, that seems extremely normal to me. (I assume this is a short jaunt, not permanent, is that right?)
--

Harvested the garlic scapes today. They will soon be lightly grilled or sauteed in olive oil.

[Lisa]

Garlic scapes - are those the baby heads of garlic?

[chicfarmer1]

Hi Lisa,

The scapes are essentially the flower of the garlic bulb. You have to deadhead them in order for growth to go back into the bulb, which gets harvested in late summer. Scapes are only recently becoming something to be eaten, I think. Can be used raw or cooked. They're so pretty when still on the plant.

How's your weekend going? I'm taking a well-earned break from days of whacking back the yew bushes. Man are they massive here, very old ones, and too eager to overtake.

[Lisa]

Hey, J. The weekend is very HOT. Expecting high of 102 today and getting out in traffic is most unpleasant. Glad to have the day's errands over with. Don't plan to get back outside until this evening - the flowers need watering. With this kind of heat they almost need it twice a day!

[Lion]

Lisa, FYI, you always want to water in the morning so the plants have a chance to dry up before nightfall. The air really doesn't move well in the evenings and moisture on the foliage can invite in all kinds of diseases!!!

[Lisa]

My 30 year high school reunion is in 2 weeks! I was browsing the sale racks at the mall today feeling like a candidate for the "What Not To Wear" show. Who knew a reunion would be such an anxiety-provoking event?

[chicfarmer1]

A, you're brave to go. B, avoid oversized floral prints except probably okay in a cute retro 50's type skirt, and C, my understanding of the secret to looking good is: happiness. That's what people sense and respond to...I think.

Full report after, please.

[Lisa]

Thanks for the tips, J - I agree - a smile is the most important accessory for such an occasion. I've joined the reunion group on facebook - had to re-activate my account to do so - and have had a great time catching up with people. One guy is coming all the way from London!

[ducatidoc]

Originally Posted by Lisa

My 30 year high school reunion is in 2 weeks! I was browsing the sale racks at the mall today feeling like a candidate for the "What Not To Wear" show. Who knew a reunion would be such an anxiety-provoking event?

Gee, Lisa, honey, you realize that everyone will be checking you out, of course. Scrutinizing you up one side and down the other just to see how well you've held up as opposed to them. Every flaw, every wrinkle, every bulge, every dimple that don't belong.


Very intimidating. Some of those ladies will be see-rious foxes ! And look like they haven't aged a day since high school.


(sorry. Couldn't resist. You'll love every moment. People you didn't even speak to in HS are suddenly long-lost friends)

Just had my 35 year last November and had a blast.

[Lion]

My 40 year reunion from high school is coming up next year and I plan on wearing blue jeans, a T-shirt with Birkenstock sandals. Btw I weigh less now(123lbs.) then I did in high school, am in better shape since I bicycle but of course my beard is gray!!!

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by ducatidoc

Gee, Lisa, honey, you realize that everyone will be checking you out, of course. Scrutinizing you up one side and down the other just to see how well you've held up as opposed to them. Every flaw, every wrinkle, every bulge, every dimple that don't belong.


Very intimidating. Some of those ladies will be see-rious foxes ! And look like they haven't aged a day since high school.


(sorry. Couldn't resist. You'll love every moment. People you didn't even speak to in HS are suddenly long-lost friends)

Just had my 35 year last November and had a blast.

Thanks. You just put me back on my meds.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by Lion

My 40 year reunion from high school is coming up next year and I plan on wearing blue jeans, a T-shirt with Birkenstock sandals. Btw I weigh less now(123lbs.) then I did in high school, am in better shape since I bicycle but of course my beard is gray!!!

You know, Leo - I think the 10 year and 20 year reunions are actually more of a worry. Once you get to the 30 year and up reunions, I think everyone's pretty much past the cliques and comparisons and just glad to see one another again. At least, that's what I choose to believe!

I didn't go to the 20 year as it was taking place the very weekend we were moving from Tulsa to San Antonio. So I haven't seen most of these people in 20 years; some of them in 30.

As for gray... there is a box of Clairol in my near future!

[ducatidoc]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Thanks. You just put me back on my meds.

Not to worry hon'. They'll all be green with envy. You will have a great time.

[Lion]

Lisa, have a great time and show your gray with pride.....I'm mean like you said who cares. And we all know you will be the best looking woman(babe...va-va-voom)there!!!

[rfknauss]

Lisa .... have a great time at your reunion!

[Rockrolex]

Have a great time at your reunion, Lisa. My 50th is coming up in September. It's the first formal reunion we will have had in forever. I am looking forward to it. Like you, I've even connected with some of my high school classmates on FB.

[Lisa]

Thanks, guys. I know it will be a good time. Ed, a 50th reunion is indeed a grand occasion. Will you have to travel to attend? Luckily, I'm back in the same city where I went to high school.

[threemonkeys]

Originally Posted by Lisa

You know, Leo - I think the 10 year and 20 year reunions are actually more of a worry. Once you get to the 30 year and up reunions, I think everyone's pretty much past the cliques and comparisons and just glad to see one another again. At least, that's what I choose to believe!

I didn't go to the 20 year as it was taking place the very weekend we were moving from Tulsa to San Antonio. So I haven't seen most of these people in 20 years; some of them in 30.

As for gray... there is a box of Clairol in my near future!

And Lisa, I know it doesn't matter, but I still remember your muscle pose over in the health and fitness thread. You're hot. No doubt about it. Enjoy your reunion.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by threemonkeys

And Lisa, I know it doesn't matter, but I still remember your muscle pose over in the health and fitness thread. You're hot. No doubt about it. Enjoy your reunion.

Aw, shucks... thanks, Craig.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Thanks, guys. I know it will be a good time. Ed, a 50th reunion is indeed a grand occasion. Will you have to travel to attend? Luckily, I'm back in the same city where I went to high school.

Our reunion weekend is going to take place in White Plains, New York. Our high school was New Rochelle High (next door to White Plains). We'll probably drive up that Friday and drive home on Sunday. It's about a 4 hour drive for us - one we've been doing all the time, although now that our son and his family are moving 5 minutes from us, we probably won't be driving up to New York as much any more.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

Our reunion weekend is going to take place in White Plains, New York. Our high school was New Rochelle High (next door to White Plains). We'll probably drive up that Friday and drive home on Sunday. It's about a 4 hour drive for us - one we've been doing all the time, although now that our son and his family are moving 5 minutes from us, we probably won't be driving up to New York as much any more.

It's good to have your kids and grandkids close by - and it's good for the kids to be near loving grandparents. That's why we ended up back in OKC. Mutually beneficial!

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by Lisa

It's good to have your kids and grandkids close by - and it's good for the kids to be near loving grandparents. That's why we ended up back in OKC. Mutually beneficial!

One thing I've discovered is why grandchildren get along so well with their grandparents. We have a common enemy.