A Win's A Win...

The picture is awful but it's the best I have.  Next time I'm bringing the good camera.  We had a blast at the game.  It was hotter than hell but we had a great time.  Army had a tough game.  They came out as a new team after Half Time (I think they got a "pep" talk) and then the heat must have gotten to them again because they weren't playing their best.   We wanted to get out of the heat so badly that when it went into overtime, we were worried we'd be there a while but they scored a touchdown on the very first play.  Hooah!

I would have posted yesterday but our internet and phone have been on and off since Thursday.   Thank you, Time Warner. Not.  The tech was supposed to come after the game on Saturday, but he came during it and now won't come until tomorrow.

I finished the sock and cast on another.  I also cast on an afghan for Joe.  I bought this yarn in Germany probably close to 20 years ago.  It's so soft and cozy.  The pattern is from the Morehouse Farm Merino Knits: More than 40 Farm-Fresh Designs book (I had no idea they are right up the road from me - definitely time for a road trip soon!).

There are some plants in my back yard that I have no clue as to what they are.  Gardeners, can you help?  I'm a veggie gardener but our back yard is all shade and woods.  Gotta make it pretty next year but I'd like to know what's already there:

Love these little trees.  There are two.   They look very oriental.

This vine like plant is very prickly along it's stem.  Is it a weed?

Finally, I love this ground cover.  It's all along the side of the house where it gets some sun.  Looks like it flowers at some point but I'd love to know exactly what it is.

Comments

[Mary]

You definitely need to make the trip to Morehouse Farms. Wow!!!!! You cannot even imagine how wonderful their shop is. I've never seen so many samples knitted up. The colors are fabulous. I would make the trip a different time than the Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck in case they are busy staffing a booth at Sheep and Wool. They are well worth a nice family drive even. I'm sure Dan and the boys could drop you off and explore the area a bit. My Dad took us there some years back. He and my husband took a walk while Mom and I drooled and fondled our way through the shop (purchasing, too).

[betsy]

Beat Air Force? Oh, Jean, I can't stand it. Yes, you need to give us the shop report! Get thee to the Merinos, and quickly!

[Wool Winder]

The fun thing about a new home is discovering what has been planted by others. We've often been treated to beautiful flowers in the spring from bulbs we didn't know were even in the ground when we moved in during the winter. Maybe you'll have a few surprises this spring too.

[Catherine Conrad]

Hi, Jean, The ground cover is pacysandra. sp? The prickly vine also lives in my garden. If you find out what it is, I'd love to know. I just always pull it out since it grows wildly and comes from a neighbor's unkempt yard. I hope I get to find and meet you at Rhinebeck this year. I'll be there on Saturday. Take peace,Catherine

[Li_B]

We have lots of that pachysandra, but here they call it Japanese Spurge. I always thought that was a funny name, Li

[Thimbleanna]

Looks like you have a pretty crop of pachysandra -- I love that stuff -- easy care and pretty!

[Diane]

Looks like you now know what your plants are. I'm with Kim, Moorehouse Merinos is well worth the trip. I usually stop by after Rhinebeck as it's on the way home. Will you be going? Hope to meet you there.

[Daryl]

I agree that the first is Mountain Laurel, if it is an old plant it may not blood anymore, but if it does it blooms in late spring with pale pink/white clusters. The prickly thing is a weed in the raspberry family. We had bunches in our back yard when I was growing up and there are loads wild in the park now. If you have lots of room you can leave them and you will get a wild raspberry/wineberry but most people rip them up. The last one is pachysandra, I think. Have fun.Daryl

[Robin in VA]

Looks more like a Mountain Laurel to me...small white & pink flowers they are kin to a "Rhody" which usually have a cone shaped central flower pod and larger leaves. Just my guess! At any rate they are very pretty!

[Kat]

The rhodadendron will flower (purple/lilac) in the spring. It's also an evergreen, the leaves curl up when it gets cold. The tighter the curl, the colder the temperature. The pachysandra has short lived little white flowers, but I wouldn't consider it a flowering plant.

[Kathleen in Florida]

Look at all the Army bling - the Aggies will be so jealous ;) Glad to hear you guys had a good time anyway. I love checking out new digs; can't wait to hear what's lurking in your yard (I'd love to help, but I can't discern weeds from the wanted) so I'll garden vicariously through you.

[Kim]

Morehouse is right down the road???? and you haven't been there yet??? Get thee down to that shop....it is AWESOME! It was pretty darn hot here this weekend too. I am glad you were able to get to the game, but feel for you guys sitting in that hot sun!

[JoAnne]

The bushes are rhodadendrons - think I spelled that wrong, though - the vine is a weed, and the ground cover is pachysandra. Welcome home! I emailed once last year or year before, no way you'd remember - but we were both linguists, yada yada, and I thought that was cool. I was watching for you to come back.