Ye Olde Garden

Seeds! 2012 Purchases

From Parks I ordered the following:

1. ZINNIA ZAHARA STARLIGHT ROSE (51991) Qty : 1
2. SWEET ALYSSUM PASTEL CARPET (0063) Qty : 4
3. ZINNIA RED SPIDER (2233) Qty : 1
4. ANGELONIA SERENA BLUE PELLETED SEED (51031) Qty : 1
5. COREOPSIS ROULETTE (51117) Qty : 1
6. SNAPDRAGON BRONZE DRAGON (51714) Qty : 1
7. ZINNIA PROFUSION SUNRISE MIX HYBRID (51986) Qty : 2

From Stokes:

  1. Cosmic Red Cosmos
  2. Wizard Mix Coleus
  3. Woodcreek White Gomphrena
  4. Woodcreek Red Gomphrena
  5. Banana Cream Sorbet Viola
  6. Sorbet Delft Blue XP Viola
  7. Sorbet Blue Blotch XP Viola
  8. Summer Jewel Red Salvia
  9. Dreams Patriot Mix Petunia
  10. Montego Sunset Snapdragon
  11. Bride Eggplant
  12. Guy Lon Chinese Broccoli

I also picked up a set of 50 Jiffy 7 pellets.

Well, I also had hoped to throw in some onions in there, but it doesn’t look like we’ll have much success digging out those tree stumps any time soon.

Fitness

Protein smoothie part deux = yuck

Title says it all.

I stopped by Kroger after my morning workout to pickup some 1/2% lowfat milk. (I didn’t even realize such a thing existed–1% I can understand, but half a percent?) I tried my hand at another smoothie, this time using the frozen Tropical Blend fruit from Kroger’s Private Selection brand and 6 fresh blackberries. Threw in some fresh shredded coconut along with my bulk whey protein concentrate, mixed it all with my trusty hand blender.

I discovered that the Orange honey I’ve been using in the smoothie gives it a very off-putting taste. I think that I’ll also have to add orange juice to future smoothie recipes if I’m going to get a sweeter taste that I prefer. 

I’m giving the protein shake/smoothie one more try before I scrap the whole idea. I just can’t justify the expense and effort for such a bland smoothie. 

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Ye Olde Garden

Winter growth and winter colors

The mild weather this week gave us plenty of colors to look at. Is it too early to hope for spring?

So I had to make sure the bathroom greenhouse was emptied so that the tender plants could get some sun. From the split-personality variegated Pesto Perpetuo basil…

2/2/2012 Winter Colors (1) 2/2/2012 Winter Colors (2)

…to the irrepressible Oriental Limelight artemisia and Easy Wave petunias bustin’ out of their pots…

2/2/2012 Winter Colors (3) 2/2/2012 Winter Colors (4) 2/2/2012 Winter Colors (5) 2/2/2012 Winter Colors (6)

…to the vibrant loropetalum burgeoning with blossoms…

2/2/2012 Winter Colors (7) 2/2/2012 Winter Colors (8) 2/2/2012 Winter Colors (9)

…from an unexpected previous-year volunteer (Sorbet Coconut Swirl Viola)…

2/2/2012 Winter Colors (10) 2/2/2012 Winter Colors (11)

…to the unpredictable buds on the Encore Azalea Autumn Monarch…

2/2/2012 Winter Colors (12) 2/2/2012 Winter Colors (13) 2/2/2012 Winter Colors (14)

…and the lovely winter foliage of the Lanai Purple Star verbena.

2/2/2012 Winter Colors (15)

The signs of spring are everywhere–you just have to look closely.

Coming up next: my 2012 seed orders!

Fitness

Name that exercise?

I’ve been scouring the net looking for a particular exercise’s name that has been eluding me. I first experienced it in Transformation Boot Camp, then later at Peak Body. It seems to be a hanging sit-up or crunch in which I’m twisting left and right, tapping the ground with my elbows. The closest I’ve come to finding it is Russian Twist, though I did find one resource that referred to it as a Backwards Crunch (not to be confused with the leg-raising Reverse Crunch).

I did find a whole lot more core builders and strength exercises I want to add to my regimen; with particular emphasis to abs, obliques and glutes.

I also plan on hitting those push-ups, squats, and lunges more regularly, since I’m particularly weak in those areas. The push-up pyramids in PBT are hellish.

General exercise resources: 

Specifics: 

I will mention here that my first protein shake attempt ended in failure; the whey protein concentrate tends to overpower the drink, and the lack of sweetness really just doesn’t inspire drinkability. I hope to try again with some better ingredients (and minus the vitamin D milk).

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Ye Olde Garden

Winter Yard Works

Larkspur, flax, and viola seeds have been planted. We had plenty of mulching,  raking and chainsawing to do this weekend. I also accomplished cleaning out the tree ring bed, scattering some marigold seeds in the process. Elsewhere, the mild weather is enticing bulbs and flowers to put out color and growth. Coral Nymph salvia managed to bloom in a protected spot, while the variegated lemon thyme shows off some pink color. The loropetalum in the purple bed is about to burst into fuschia flowers, while the dusty miller grows taller in the pansy bed. I hope to purchase more seeds soon!

1/30/2012 Winter Yard Works (1) 1/30/2012 Winter Yard Works (2) 1/30/2012 Winter Yard Works (3) 1/30/2012 Winter Yard Works (4) 1/30/2012 Winter Yard Works (5) 1/30/2012 Winter Yard Works (6) 1/30/2012 Winter Yard Works (7) 1/30/2012 Winter Yard Works (8) 1/30/2012 Winter Yard Works (9) 1/30/2012 Winter Yard Works (10) 1/30/2012 Winter Yard Works (11) 1/30/2012 Winter Yard Works (12) 1/30/2012 Winter Yard Works (13) 1/30/2012 Winter Yard Works (14) 1/30/2012 Winter Yard Works (15) 1/30/2012 Winter Yard Works (16)