EPIDENDRUM

The view outside my studio patio doors--the very large area of epidendrum!

In common flower vernacular, it is a ground orchid. 

 The slightest breeze causes all of the orange heads sway in a riot of color.  This has been growing for 16 years-all from one snip from a friend's plant.

 

WORK AND PLAY SATURDAY

I gathered 10 cart-fulls of debris until I called it quits!  I looks better that the view out the windows is clear at least.  There's lots more but it will wait.

When I took a ride out to the flooded area, I could see the White Egret in the water and a cormorrant on the boat!

I had to pick up some meds at the store and drove around to survey the damage in town--they were doing a very good job of cleaning up yards and streets.  Our town is old enough to have several Victorian homes in good shape!  Pretty.  This one is on a hill overlooking Crescent Lake.

Look!  The Lifesaver Cactus is in bloom!

When I needed to come in and cool off, I decided to knit with some of my handspun yarn!  It worked beautifully!

I made two hats out of one 3 oz skein-a toddler and youth hat with it.  The blue/orange hat is one I reworked from the early hat I made because I have learned how to change colors better than in the beginning! lol

I also finished block #6 and am looking for my next one!

 

WONDERS FOR WEDNESDAY

Bill's new tractor, a Bob Cat, arrived yesterday!  See him smile!

I thought you would like to see this plant--a fire bush.  The hummers love it, too.

When I could get upright, I played a little on the lathe.  This is my latest project-a lidded box from a chunk of Holly bush!

 

AND THUNDER STORMS!

I woke up to both butds blooming!  Such a pretty sight in my bedroom window!

I got right to work and finished off the second table runner in no time.  Lena is watching the sky-there is thunder rumbling out there!

Sadly, the design wall and the frame are empty!  I need to get piecing and to shop for some backing fabrics for the tops already made.

I did go out and play with the newest bowl on the lathe.  I learned this new way for getting the bowls thinner by leaving the weight remaining in the center of the piece--using it to stablize the bowl.  Letting centrifugal force work for me!  

 This mess is just from the inside of the bowl!  I cleaned up from the work turning the back!

When the storms hit, I went inside, of course, and the power promptly went out.  I sat listening to a book while knitting on a sock--I'm glad I got the 'machine' work done early!

TROPICAL THURSDAY

I had to pick up my prescriptions the other day and made my task-oriented self , stop and look at the boat ramp just down the road.  It was pleasant to watch the water and waves. 

 I so easily forget to enjoy the beauty surrounding me!

Closer to home, that clerodendrom is covered now with the dark blue berries--very pretty. 

 I can't wait to build a trellis for this plant very soon!

I thought you would like to see the finished paintbrush holder!

  It turned out so smooth and soft after all of the sanding and polishing!  See all of the cracks in the wood?  They have all been stabilized and filled-they just add to the beauty.  It holds all of my brushes with room for more!  (The camellias are from my friend-her blooms look like a cross of my red ones with the petals in double measure from my pink ones!  What a beautiful bush with so many varieties!)

Today, I head to Daytona for a dr appt, lunch and a bit of shopping at JoAnn's!  It's been a long time!

 

WOOD ON WEDNESDAY

One of the risks you run when you turn 

a piece of green (fresh) wood, is that as it dries, 

it takes a distinct oval shape and can develop splits.

  Some inconsistencies are tolerable, some disastrously!

The bottom blew out a large section where there was a flaw in the wood--I embraced all of these 'problems' 

and just sanded and finished with sealer. 

 I think it will be a pretty art piece as is!  

We still don't know for sure what kind of wood this is. 

 I am looking for a  site to give wood colors and properties 

so I can identify it!

Now this I know the name of--and wow, does it smell wondrous in the back yard because there are two separate blooms like this and each is 12" across!  Incredible.  (Tree Crinum)

 

THIS CONCLUDES OUR WEEK

The Thunbergia is blooming again!  It is so pretty!

We did some window suncatchers together, played outside

 until it was time for them to wave goodbye.

All company is home and we have a lot of room 

for the cats to come back out from hiding!