30 October 2009 by Shari.

You know the song, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year”….I know that is really about Christmas and the holidays, but I think that time of year starts now. The weather is changing and it is actually nice to be outside. Here in TX we start to experience our version of Fall.

It is the time of year that hot cocoa is appropriate and the colors in the landscape are gorgeous. We may not see it to the degree they do in the colder climates, but there are still things to enjoy and cherish right here in our own backyard.

What do you like about this time of year?

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19 October 2009 by Faith.

How many times have you seen or read about a rose with a remarkable bloom and succumbed to the desire to purchase it without knowing anything about it?  For some of us this is definitely the norm.  However often when you get this rose home, you suddenly need more details than are on the tag (if there even is a tag).

The internet has provided us with so many valuable resources.  Here are four of the many available that I personally find helpful in finding info on old garden roses (OGR’s), Buck roses, and other roses:

• The Antique Emporium-  antiqueroseemporium.com
• Chamblee’s Roses-  chambleeroses.com
• Vintage Rosery- vintagerosery.com
• Help Me Find-  HelpMeFind.com/Roses

It is possible to create a spreadsheet for your roses as Becky S. and Barbara B.  have done.  I was amazed when I saw Becky’s but then saw Barbara’s which is even color-coded.

One of these days I hope to become more organized like (I can’t say “as organized as”) my friends but am honest about my limitations.  I have made a list of my roses which is a start- a big one for a person like me.

Have fun learning more about the roses you have and/or want.

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2 October 2009 by Barbara.

As I sit by the window I see Gold, not the metal but rather the golden aspen leaves that are still clinging to the branches. Most have fallen to the ground, given a push by the strong winds that have arrived with the colder weather.  For the past few days the weather was glorious with clear blue sky and temps in the 60’s -70’s, we drove into the mountains to walk the trails that lead into the forest. The wildflowers are long gone, but the plants are still thriving in the great fall temps. There were wild roses growing all along the trails and showing off their bright red hips. Fall in the mountains is amazing with multiple shades of green from the dark firs, spruces, and pine to the red of maples and golden yellows of aspen and other trees. The solitude is wonderful, enjoying Mother Nature at her best!

This morning we woke up to a light covering of snow on the ground, a light winter storm blew in overnight and left a lovely white blanket. The snow is slowly melting, with more predicted for several days to come. We do not get to see this change of colors back home, fall is usually green then brown. and while I like the change of scenery, I do miss the warmer temps of home this time of year when we can still be outside and enjoy the opportunity to spend time working in the garden. I look forward to seeing the fall vegetables and flowers in our garden. I’m sure I am missing the glorious colors of our roses since they were just starting to come into full bloom when we left on our trip.

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