NANA NOTES

GCM Design and Awards Luncheon

As State Flower Show Awards Chairman I get to see some wonderful designers do their work and have a good time at the same time.  Yesterday was one of those times.  After my awards presentation at State Convention Mr. Tony Todesco from Massachusettes designed and bantered with the audience for an hour and a half.  I had a wonderful time.  Here are some of his designs.  I loved this design with white calla lilies, varigated aspidistra and curly willow.  It blended well with the green container.

 

This container is made of a plastic cylinder and pieces of river birch and corrugated plastic. Worth the price I paid for it--only to me--but I loved it!  Before he added the fern to it the design was a mono-botanic design. [Sorry about the speaker but they didn't have backgrounds.]

I really liked this container too but it was a plastic cylinder with a plastic grid wired to it.  I figured I could make that.  The plant material was bear grass, liatris and lavender carnations massed together. It also had fatsia leaves and something else that escapes me right now.

Loved this one. Mr. Tony had wired the palm leaves and trimmed them. He had woven tiny bamboo together to make panels and they were a reddish color. The containers were black and there were two of them.  He used pink protea and red leaves that I can't remember the name of. This was gorgeous!!

This arrangement was prettier than it photographed.  It was lite from the back and you could see the orangey red leaves that were glued to the white corrugated board. The rolled bird of paradise [I think] leaves were very interesting.  I am thinking this is a tapestry design.

The sunflower and placemat design is one of my favorites. And we really got into a discussion over this one.  Mr. Tony asked if you used this in TriColor and the judges mentioned that the placemats were treated material what would you call them. The answer:  placemats.  If it's made into something other than what it is, it's ok. [My understanding.]  He also stapled the varigated leaves into the shape he wanted.  I said, "you didn't just staple that?" He said, "yes, I did."  My reply was, "won't the judges be able to see it?" He told me to look around the room and pulled out his glasses.  The room cracked up with laughter.  Sad but true, our judges are getting older.

Mr. Tony is the creator of the "Tapestry" design so he did several. This one is very pretty and makes me want to try it.  He wove horses' tail to make the green panel and mentioned something about the brown thing being a flower bed border material.  It looked like wicker or rattan. The varigated material was beautiful and the green flowers were hydrangeas and green carnations.

This was his last one--something most anyone could do. Apples, red square containers, roses, copper tubing and budding branches.  It would be beautiful down the center of a dinner table or on a buffet.

 

I thought you might want to know what Mr. Tony looked like. He was a typical Northener with an accent but he did a great job.  If you didn't get a chance to go you missed a treat and if you aren't a flower person, I guess you should have moved on to another blog!

 

EARLY ARRIVALS AND BOARD DINNER AT COTTON BRANCH

For years I've been wondering what my spiritual gift was.  Others have always said it was "hospitality".  I'm beginning to believe it.  Ed and I both are always opening our home to others--we love to share what we have been blessed with.  A year ago I didn't realize that the Pine Burr Garden Club Flower Show and the Garden Clubs of MS State Convention would be the same week and I volunteered to have the Early Arrivals and Board Dinner at our home. We'd done it once before and had a wonderful time. No problem!!  Well---nine years ago I was younger and could maybe move faster! :) AND--stress wasn't in my vocabulary even though I've always overloaded my schedule.  BUT--with the help of Pine Burr members and Linda and Janice and don't forget Ed!!--we pulled it off!  The dinner was beautiful, delicious and wonderful in every way.  Eighty seven people were absolutely delighted with our "Dinner at Cotton Branch Plantation".  Here are a few pics to show you.

These ladies were from New Albany. Doesn't the table look pretty? 

This group is from Brandon and my friend Karen is peeking out from the back right. 

Ed loved this group of ladies-three sisters and their Mom.  They are all sweet and special ladies.

 

Here she is--our new State President as of tonight--Gay Austin and her husband Will with Ed and me.  A group of us started out years ago going to judges' schools and traveling together.  We've been friends a long time and I wish Gay well.  Ed and I were delighted to have the opening even of Gay's special week at our home.

Tomorrow--the terrific Design Luncheon!!

"LET FREEDOM RING" FLOWER SHOW

Third Friday in April means Pine Burr Garden Club Flower Show! And this year was no different.  The Franklin County Courthouse was the background for our Patriotic show "Let Freedom Ring".  There was the usual mumbling and grumbling before the show but as the day went on things got better. It wouldn't be "the girls" if we didn't gripe about doing it.  The front of the Courthouse was the entry to the show. The special exhibits were placed on each side of the door.  One was on bluebirds and their houses.

Melody's was on Container Gardening and I loved it. She does the best special exhibits. I coveted her blue table.  Her containers were awesome. She has her mother's touch with flowers.  I entered three designs due to the fact that we have only 13 members. [Several of us did three!]

"Freedom of Speech"

This was my only blue winner.  The others didn't fare so well.  But---you can't be a winner all the time.  And---my horticulture kicked butt!!

My green leaf Japanese maple won a blue, Horticulture Excellence and the Arboreal Award. I also won the Sweepstakes Award (most blue ribbons) and the Pauline Herring Award (most blue ribbons in horticulture).

For such a rocky start I'd say I ended up pretty well.

Beverly won the TriColor Award with this beautiful design.  She is a wonderful designer and usually does very creative things. This is no exception.

Lugenia does lovely mass designs. We're going to get her to do a program next year on teaching us how to do them.  This was "Freedom of the Press".

 

 
"Freedom of Religion" by Judy was beautiful. Both Lugenia and I wondered why the purple fabric and flowers photographed blue. This was another blue ribbon winner.

Paulette's arrangement was outstanding. Her flowers were tremendous and she deserved the Designer's Choice and the Barbara Herring Award for design as well as the blue. She was very happy.

Becky's fountain for "Freedom of Justice" was interesting and she was proud of her blue.  Lugenia won the Dorothy McGehee Award for her design in this class.  That Award is for the design that best depicts the theme of the show.

With the help of Becky's husband a beautiful magnolia tree got planted on the courthouse lawn. The tree was donated by Growin' Green Landscape and it was our gift to the courthouse.   Melody and I ended up with the Horticulture Awards. 

I sort of did a "sneaky pete" and entered one of Quent Peterson's roses under "Guest Exhibitor" without his knowing it.  He won a blue ribbon and to top it off he won an Award of Merit.  I phoned them to make sure they were coming to the show. You can see that he was pleased.  That was a feel good moment knowing I had made him happy.  If you get the chance, drive by their home and see his roses.  They're beautiful.  He says he doesn't do a thing to them. 

At the end of the day there were lots of happy winners.  These ladies won blue ribbons for their designs.  Those that didn't get blues were still winners just for showing up and working as hard as they did for making the show a success.  Pine Burr Garden Club is a National Award winning club.  Why don't you join us?  We have fun--but we work at it!!

I'll get an album on the website as soon as I can and you can see all the arrangements.  Just click on "Let Freedom Ring" 2009 Flower Show. It may take me a day or two. Keep checking my blog.

A VERY FUN DAY!

My friend Karen is a member of the Brandon Garden Club. Their major fund raiser is a Tablescapes Luncheon and Fashion Show. I was lucky enough to get a prized seat this year.  She says there is always a waiting list. Now I know why. It was beautiful, delicious and FUN!!  They sold a cookbook with all the wonderful recipes from their Tasting Teas and Luncheons--I will enjoy using that.  They sold raffle tickets for a beautiful table full of china and accessories [that I didn't win!] and had 25 outfits modeled by lovely ladies.    [To see the tables better remember that you can click on the picture to make it bigger.]

 

This table was where I sat with Karen.  It had a beach theme. The chairs had flipflops tied to them and our names were in buckets of sand with shells.

 

 

 

This table was all about aprons. The table cover and chair covers were made to resemble aprons and each place setting had the history of aprons printed out for them.  The pink and white was very femine and old fashioned.

 

This table was set for some of the officers of the GCM.  They were guests of the Brandon GC. One of the founding members of BGC is a past president of GCM.

 

 

 

Crystals, gold and candles made this table very beautiful. I can see this being used for Christmas too.

 

 

 

 

Halloween! This table was really fun. Love the cone hats and moss.

 

Sunflowers and black and white. Beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

I don't know the theme of this table. I guess if I had a complaint of the day it would be that there was no "program" with an explanation of the tables.  I'm getting a CD later so maybe I will know more.

 

This table had a Safari theme and my friend Karen worked on it.  I loved the colors and the uniqueness of it.

 

 

 

 

This table seemed to have a Western theme but there was a tricycle in the middle of the table. It was one of my favorites!

 

The pheasant in the center of this table was beautiful. The dried hydrangeas and green napkins with the burgandy china made the table gorgeous.

 

 

 

The Hummingbird Table was one of my favorites.  You can tell by the woman standing by it that it was very tall.  The structure was a flower pot stand with beautiful flowers and hummingbird feeders attached to it. They had glued hummingbirds to the feeders.  Although it was gorgeous, you couldn't see across the table to talk to your tablemate.

 

 

 

I must have really liked this table because I took about three pictures of it.  I call it the Topiary Table. The ribbons from the topiary were attached to the chair.  It was very feminine--a wonderful bridesmaids luncheon table.

 

"Save the Date"--a very chic table with black and silver.

 

 

 

Another example of "wish I had a script"--This table had glass blocks with silver chargers and a lace table cloth. On top of the glass blocks was a Santa.  It had to have something to do with snow and Christmas! :) 

As far as I know this was the only table that used silk flowers--a no, no in garden club flower shows--but this wasn't a flower show. It was done just for the beauty and as a fundraiser. The colors were "delicious"!

 

At first I didn't see the "old timey" bicycle on this table. It was done sort of like a May Pole. The napkins had bicycles stamped on them.

 

This table was done in the "French" style of Provence-fruit, wine, cheese, bread and flowers. LOVE the colors!!

A beautiful table with a cherub and ivy. The china was very delicate.

 

 

Loved the bird feeder table-they even got a cookie bird house as a happy! The chaircovers on each table setting at every table were amazing.

 

One of the most colorful and interesting tables. Getting daffodils to cooperate isn't easy!

 

Oriental red and black with chopsticks. Very simple and it really stands out.

 

Had to be a party theme with the presents. Very elegant looking.

 

 

What can I say, Peacock feathers!!

 

"Shellseekers" was one of my favorites. Under the glass plate there was sand--I wish I had taken close up pictures of all the elements. It was beautiful.        

 

This table was just perfect for a ladies luncheon.  The yellow and white roses and napkins were perfectly matched.

This was the table of china and all the accessories that was put in the raffle--beautiful.  I guess I really didn't need it after all.

 

My place card at our table--wasn't it cute?

 

The table topper was so cute on our table that the girl that sat next to me and I inspected it closely.  We decided that we could definitely make some.

Thanks to my friend Karen for the lovely morning of beautiful flowers and fun. We didn't coordinate our outfits either!! :)

FRIDAY GARDEN CLUB

Third Friday is always Pine Burr Garden Club meeting.  This Friday we had a wonderful design program featuring a friend from Hazlehurst-Joanne Newman.  She brought another friend who will do a program later in the year.  We had a great crowd and a guest or two.  Here are some of her designs.  The refreshments were good too!  :)

   

FAIR BOOTH ON BIRDS

On my way to the car dealership this morning I dropped off bird houses and handouts for Wilma and Dorothy to use in the fair booth.  When I came back I stopped with my cellphone to take a picture of what they had done. [The bar in front of the booth is to keep people out.] Great job girls. We have another good one.  (I wish my picture did it justice!)

FESTIVAL OF MUSIC GARDEN TOUR

My friend Jimmie Lou invited me to go on the garden tour in Natchez.  I had a shot on Friday morning so that worked out just right.  Rain was threatening but we made it to four homes that morning.

   

The second garden was small and loaded with roses. Everything was neat and groomed and beautiful.  Two gardens actually ran together and were pretty much the same.  The fourth was a very small patio garden that had tons of container plantings.  I loved it!!! She used every inch of space plus some.  I guess my love of "yard art" made me love this garden.

Our first garden was a well groomed lawn with pretty plants that had already bloomed out.  What I really loved was the raised bed vegetable garden that Butch Brown had planted.  He had lettuce, tomatoes, english peas, broccoli, greens, squash, peppers--you name it--all kinds of herbs.  It was beautiful.  We teased him about planting it himself but he promised he did. I love to be there for the harvest.

The rains came after we had lunch with Phil at the Eola with his "lunch bunch".  We rode around to look at some homes and tried to see the last garden but couldn't.  It had huge bronze statues--a family of bears, a lion, and many more.  Maybe we can go back sometime.  There was more history there to whet your appetite for adventure.  Until then, I think I'll plant more pots!!

BEGINNING TO LOOK NORMAL AGAIN

I woke up early this morning and went out to feed BJ and Dooley.  It was a beautiful morning after a rain yesterday and I thought I would snap a few shots.  Landscapers are still working; painters are still working; termite people show up on Tuesday; pool pipe broke and flooded the pool house so pool people will show up some time this week; and things are beginning to look normal!!

Adding some spring color will definitely help.

THE END IS NEAR (repair people that is!)

Today I ran away. Four of us were supposed to go for a girl's outing but two couldn't go. Libby and I headed for Hattiesburg.  Spent way too much money and had too much fun.  Was so tired when I came home but I walked around the yard and looked at everything that has been done so far. Let me list it for you:    

1. All wood on the house has been replaced with "hardy board".
2. Most of the doors have been replaced.
3. Ed's shower has been torn out (yet to be fixed!)
4. The painters are repainting the house. They found termites in the shutters which will have to be repaired.
5. During the wood removal, termites were found.  The landscape people have cut down all the shrubs (azaleas, camellias, roses, etc.) and remulched the entire yard.
6. The termite crew is coming on Tuesday.
7. The pool sweep "Skippie" had a leak in the line.  Concrete torn up and line repaired.  Now we need new concrete in one area of the pool. (waiting on that!) Pool concrete will have to be painted since it won't match.
8. The roofers put on a whole NEW roof!!!
9. Had the entire deck replaced last summer.
10. The sewer line for the garbage disposal/washing machine backed up. Had to have it dug up and replaced.
11. I had a fire in the stove and the kitchen has to be repainted. (You can go back to that blog!!)
12. When Ed and I were coming in tonight, the garage doors went crazy. I was standing there trying to work them and some would work and some wouldn't.  A call to the "garage door man" will be on the list tomorrow.
13. Ed mentioned that I might get the elevator checked since we're having the reunion in five weeks.
14. The landscape people have to plant summer color in the front.  I decided none in the back.  Pots will have to do.

When I reread this it sounded like something Kelly wrote after she moved. I fully understand now Kelly how you felt.  "Murphy" is stalking us--if it can happen it will!

I'm going to take some pictures and let you see how pretty things are getting around here.  We're very happy with what's being done.  Hopefully we won't have to do this anymore!!

PINE BURR FLOWER SHOW--"FLORAL THERAPY"

The biggest day of the year for the garden club is "flower show day".  Friday was THE day.  Our members worked hard on Thursday getting ready.  I had treatment so I was MIA.  On Friday everything went smoothly.  We had some dark clouds and rain but the show was beautiful.  We had a luncheon for the judges (most members attended) at Georgeanne's with china and silver. It was both beautiful and delicious. Thanks Judges' committee.   The entry had a sign with "Olivia", boots, a shovel, and a planted container--a welcoming sight. My design was in a category called "Whimsical". I got a blue. I entitled it "Please Don't Eat the Daisies." 

Beverly Gabbert was in the "Tranquil" category.  She won the blue and the Award of Design Excellence.  I fussed at her for winning over me, but it was all in fun.  I am VERY proud for her. The design was great and she deserved it.  I might add that she also won the Barbara Herring Design Award.  That pleased me too.

Paulette Jones won the blue in her category.  I think it was her first.  She was very happy and her design was a gorgeous traditional design.

Judy Holland did a great job. She also got a blue.

Lugenia Scarbrough won the Dorothy McGehee Design Award. That award is for the design that best depicts the theme of the show. The title of the show was "Floral Therapy."  

These girls were all smiles after winning blue ribbons in Design.

The Horticulture "Big Award" winners were smiling too. I guess it's ok for me to tell you that I won the Sweepstakes Award (most blue ribbons overall) and the Pauline Herring Horticulture Award (most blue ribbons in horticulture).  I'm very proud of that one.

We had lots of visitors and the entire show was beautiful.  Thank you Pine Burr Garden Club for making our county proud.

BETTER THAN I DESERVE. . .

In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.   Margaret Atwood   Somehow I've been too busy at the end of the day--here sit the plants to prove it.  My energy level has been 90 to nothing and I've been going strong.  I got to go shopping on Tuesday with friends and went AWOL today after having a CAT scan.  Tomorrow is a PET scan and I can hardly wait until next Wednesday to get the results. I have another treatment on Thursday the 17th.  I'm feeling GREAT!  God is good.

I have two great posts planned.  For now I'm going to bed because I HAVE to get up early to eat bacon and eggs--can you believe that!!  NPO after 7:00 AM-can eat all the bacon and eggs I want before!!  Wish someone else would be here to cook them and I could just sit down.  My eyes don't open before 10! :)

MASTER GARDENER 2007 STATE CONFERENCE. . .

This past week two friends and I went to the Master Gardener State Conference on the Coast.  We only spent one day but it was a good day. We brought home some good ideas--the best one knowing that WE can do a conference with one eye closed!  We're not boasting--we're that good!  Natchez will have the 2008 State Meeting.  This is their exhibit inviting everyone to come.  Looks great doesn't it!?  I loved it.

I came home and immediately [after doing CORN!! :)] bought some tomato plants and annuals to make some pots like this one.  They had these all over the place and I know they sold them after the meeting was over.  Wish I had been there to get some.  They were gorgeous.  Some even had tomatoes on them.  Lush and lovely.  Here's hoping mine will grow to be that pretty.

Ralph Null is our garden club friend who taught at MS State and is now retired.  He is a great designer and when he found out that most of the MG's had NOT seen his program--well, he went a little nuts!  This is one of his designs using fruits, vegetables and roses.  Sorry his face wasn't showing. He moves around A LOT!

Proof that we were actually there!  CEU's and fun too.

WAITING PATIENTLY. . .

I think everything I have due in the next two weeks is finished--at least it better be.  Erin is coming on Sunday afternoon to help me with my Power Point.  I can't wait!!  Something new and fun!  I was in the process of cleaning up after myself upstairs and looked out the window.  I saw my lonely garden beds--- sitting ready for the vegetable plants. Not this week or next week.  Then Papa suggested that good ole Exal plant my garden for me.  Hooray for Papa!  As I walked into the house I had to walk under the arbor where these beauties are growing.  For now we'll just enjoy the roses and wait for the veggies.  Just think guys, the EGGPLANT will be here before you know it!! :)

5 and 1/2 POUNDS

Remember when I had the garden beds all worked up and ready to plant?  Remember when they got planted with those sweet little plants?  Well, take a look at this!!  Five and a half pounds of beautiful fresh broccoli!  We've been eating fresh lettuce for a couple of months.  There are at least 18 cabbages out there almost ready to harvest.  And NO BUG HOLES!!!  No one is excited about my rutabaga but ME!!  They all say that fits right up there with the eggplant! There are some beautiful salad tomatoes but I'm sure the cold has gotten to them by now.  I wanted to dig them up and put them in the greenhouse but everyone said it wouldn't work.  I should have tried it anyway. The tomatoes were beautiful.

Oh, and have I mentioned the collards? We've eaten lots of collards and even put some in the freezer.  Food gardening is fun and filling!