The sun came out today here in Clearwater, with the temperature reaching 75'.

Was a wonderful day to check out the damage done to my yard... All the Northerners would laugh but it did reach 27' over a week ago. I'm afraid most of us here lost alot of vegitation in our yards and farms.

The above photo is the "Pony Tail Plant" that has been with me since it was a baby of only 4" tall... I have been treating it like one of my kids for 6 years, with a new pot every November. I'm happy to say, "It survived"!

This lovely sick looking plant is a "Jasmine".. a beautiful perfume came through my kitchen door all winter and summer and alas,, a bit sad looking now. It too survived, and only because it has been in a flower pot for several years. Not the ground.  Notice the leaves.. it's just not something a person would see here in my part of Florida.. our trees don't 'turn' and fall.... I spent the afternoon raking leaves. Something I have not done since Illinois.

The "Spider Plants" as you know are normally a 'hanging plant' in the northern states, but here, I have dozens in my yard.

This past Thursday I had the Lawn Care Guy chop down my banana trees.. how sad, they were my pride and joy... I really did make things like 'banana bread' and yummy desserts with the fruit. I left this one sad tree, with hope of it's recovery...

This one planter is what is left of my 'herb garden'. There were 5, all lush and green, with such plants as "Oregano, Basil, Parsley and Thyme"

Ho Hum!!!!

It may sound silly but my garden was and is very special to me... I love my entire yard, Alligators and all!

Help the children in Hatti.....

I have been following the most amazing family and would love if you all would find it in your heart to help if you can....
It's more than adoption to increase their family, it's to give the 'children' a home.
The plane loads of orphaned children are flying into the US every day now and these children "Need Homes"......

http://haitiadoptions.blogspot.com/ 

I learned of this family through my daughter. She has become friends with "Emma" and her husband...
Like me, a bit too old to adopt and not able to 'send much money' I just want all who can help, to simply "Say a Prayer" and send "Good Vibes" out into the Universe for the safety of all the children living in orphanages around the world. Or if you can send a few dollars... like me I'm weary of 'pay pal' and am sending to "Emma" via "Westrn Union".. if you ask, in the comment box, she can send to your 'e-mail' her address for such a 'gift'....
I think the most unsetteling thing to me is knowing these orphans in Hatti are sleeping in the street, due to the earthquake... this really hurts my heart....They have no shoes (she is buying flip-flops) or clothing and especially, no food!

Please look into the URL I have added and 'give from your heart'.....I know our minds tell us 'we have children right here in America' who need help.. but our orphins have a roof over their head and food in their bellies....and "Emma" is not taking 'money' to Hatte, she is buying supplies, and her husband is taking the supplies and sending on planes donated by wonderful people, to the orphanage director.
Bless you all!

My Jughead crochet hats....

My daughter sent a pattern of the cutest "Jughead Crown" and asked if I'd make one for her two year old son... So being the nice grandma that I am, I had to make the other two boys, 6 and 4, each one.. this will eliminate the squabbles...

The design was so simple and took me all of about 1 hour for each and using three colors of yarn, I simply changed the color coordination for each.

All I did was chain 34 stitches, and started a single crochet, then round and round I went... changing colors for the cap surround.

How cute these little hats are and I'm sure the boys will be runing around the house laughing from the moment they put them on their sweet little heads.

Don't laugh, but my not having a childs head to put the hats on, I used a cantaloupe for the photo....

Then for the finished product, I had to announce to all, the hats were

"Made by Grandma"

Valentines Day

Ever wonder when and how 'Valentines Day' began?  I do like this 'holiday'. It gives one the chance to show their 'love' for family, lovers and friends... but I am opposed to how very commercialized it has become...there are even 'ornaments' for your valentines tree... I find that funny really!  Read on and maybe you can decide 'how it began'?

There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.

Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball.

In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is given credit for sending the first valentine cards. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800's and now the date is very commercialised. The town of Loveland, Colorado, does a large post office business around February 14. The spirit of good continues as valentines are sent out with sentimental verses and children exchange valentine cards at school.

          It's time to think about 'roses and cards' for those you love. Halmark even has cards for those you don,t even like, (I really find those cards funny). However you choose to celebrate this loving holiday,,, I wish all my blogger friends a very happy "Valentines Day".