T-minus two days and counting. I leave early Friday morning for the trek into the city and then out to JFK for the flight to Chicago. There’s much to do before then, so after I post this, I’m going to make a few lists.
I treated myself to a pre-birthday present.
A signed print of one of Mary Engelbreit’s illustrations. She’s been offering these this year in honor of her 40th Anniversary as a licensed illustrator/artist. It deserves better light than is in this photo but what can you do? It’s been rather dark around here lately.
And you know, of course, that I am indeed Queen of the Cupcakes.
I’ll frame it when I get back. It’s a large print, so where to hang it will be an issue, but I’m thinking in my office or bedroom. Thank you, Mary!
My pilea is showing new growth at it’s base. I know there’s a way to propagate these shoots and I’ll have to research that further…when I get back. Right now, I’m trying to figure out which plants will be fine while I’m away and which might need some extra care. Since we’re in cold winter temps now, most plants need less water as they go dormant, so I think I can squeak through two weeks away and all will be well. We’ll see. As someone who has benignly neglected houseplants in the past – even during their growing cycle – I think I’m probably worrying about them too much. The heat will be turned down, so it shouldn’t get too dry in here. Some I’ll water just before I leave, others I’ll leave alone. Wish us luck!
I am so heartened by the election results yesterday. I stayed up too late watching election coverage and I’m paying for it today but I was so happy, I couldn’t help it! Diversity, tolerance, health care, gun control – all were factors in the results. A repudiation of hate, intolerance and racism. Bravo!
Happy Wednesday.
My heart is lighter today than it has been in a year! Yes We Can!
Yes we can!
I love your ME print—and of course she’s reading a book! The elections do offer some hope, while the Evil Clown in Chief is promoting his golf courses in Asia. Best of luck with your houseplants. I haven’t a clue to help, but I’m looking forward to your trip to Chicago!
He just can’t help being a grifter can he? I’m getting excited about Chicago. It’s been a few years since I’ve been there and that was only for 3 days.
glad you treated yourself to something! we need to do that occasionally, especially in these times, don’t we? yes, we do.
i would be no help on the plant propagation. am thinking your plants will do okay while you are in chicago, given all your good care of them before and after such trips.
best wishes on getting things crossed off your “to do” list!
hope you are staying comfortable. it’s very cold here, with. frost on the ground and on windows of cars left outside. i am not ready for that (and am thankful that for the first time in my adult life, for having moved this summer, i now have a garage for my car)!
kathy in iowa
I think they’ll be okay as it’s not spring or summer when they need more water.
It’s very cold here and promises to be colder for the next few days! (I wish we had a garage, but we only had one when we were in San Diego!)
It is a bright and lovely day in Chicago today, I hope it is still this nice when you arrive on Friday. Hope list writing goes well.
I hope so, too. It might be raining here which is a pain in the tush when I’m trying to get to JFK. Thanks, Rue!
I love the ME print and it is so you! I’m in the same delima about my house plants. I must say they aren’t doing all that well anyway right now. Fingers crossed they make it through my trip. I leave a week from Friday for my trip to Texas. I had my CT scan yesterday so hope to have some results before my trip. I’m in less pain so that is good news. The election news keeps me smiling! Yes We Can!! Hugs!
I’m so happy to hear you’re in less pain Linda. Hang in there, my friend!
I’ve heard…though never done this…that if you group all of your plants together…they will create their own humidity. Makes sense…water them well before…and leave them be…altogether. The other thing…put pans of water out with the plants to create more humidity. But, I would think just grouping them together would be just fine.
I was so encouraged to hear of all the victories last night….there ‘s hope out there! Enjoy your day…happy list making! ;)
Yes, they will. But I really don’t have the space to group them all together. I think they’ll be okay.
Mary Engelbreit has always had a place in my heart. I still have many of her Home Companion magazines, several of her books and prints and some of her tea cups and saucers. Her drawings always take me back to childhood, when things were simple and made sense.
You are going to have such a fun time in Chicago! I will not be able to go after all. When I called the theatre about their handicap seating, I was told they would call when they could work around me. I tried to explain I did not live in Chicago. Things like train tickets and a hotel room needed to be booked ahead of time, but they did not understand that. So, anyway, I shall see it through your pictures!
Have a good day!
I have, I think, all of her magazines. It was my favorite.
I’m so sorry to hear that the theater wasn’t all that helpful, Debbie. I’d have loved it if you could have seen it.
We are thrilled with the Virginia results and landslide of Democrat victories.
Love your ME print.
Enjoy Chicago.
I will, Julie. Thank you.
Oh- I love ME and all her prints and books. I have just been letting some of them go as I prepare to downsize. I disposed of well over a 1000 books already through donations.
When I am going to be gone for a long time I sometimes make mini “greenhouses” over my plants. I put water in the saucer under them (after watering them thoroughly) and then ‘tent’ them with clear dry cleaner bags. If you need to you can put a little dowel in the soil to keep the bag off the plant, It creates a mini ecosystem for them and works great,
Hope you have a
I have given away a lot of books, too – mostly to my local library.
I think I won’t have to make a greenhouse because it’s winter time and they are supposed to watered sparingly now. But if it was spring or summer? I’d do it. Thanks, Diana!
I have done what Nana suggested and it worked fine. I put the plants all together in a spot away from direct sunlight, loosely covered with clear plastic. Have fun in Chicago.
I plant to, Linda! Thank you!
long time reader first time commenter.
and yes! bravo indeed! we can do this IF we vote!
and that coming from a commenter whose state is absolutely entrenched in oil and NRA.
following you is a breath of fresh air in every way.
have a wonderful time in Chicago!
head down into the glorious wind! :)
Thank you so much for your kind words, Tammy! They mean a great deal.
The tide is turning!
Yes!
I have always loved ME’s work…her illustrations appeal to the child in all of us…the little girl with the cupcake and book is certainly you Claudia!…Thank you Mary for all of the joy you have given to so many…What I know about Chicago is nearly nothing so I will be learning from what you show us!
Chicago is a great city – it will be fun to have a chunk of time there.
Have a great, safe trip, Claudia.
And..when it your Birthday? You bought yourself a wonderful gift; I love her work.
If any of your readers are from VA..I say CONGRATULATIONS to them!
Let’s keep this going!
We nominated a Democrat for Governor last year..but our majority right wing legislators put in a bunch of laws/ rules to try and keep him from having the power the former Repug’ Gov had. A- holes. excuse me. But really. Sorry if I broke language rules; I tried not to!
I say expletives at times; it can come out in my writing if I am not careful. hehe
I say expletives a great deal of the time! I have to edit myself all the time when I’m writing because what I want to say, I usually can’t say!
My birthday is November 21st – I’ll be in Chicago.
I respect that in a woman! We are old enough to say what we please and it does make one feel better at times; right? Thanks for your reply, girl!
KG
You’re welcome!
Love your ME print! I have a signed ME “A Teacher Effects Eternity” print that my husband bought and framed for me many years ago. I’m retired from teaching now, but just cherish that print, and have it in my office. Enjoy following your houseplants posts. I’ve got too many (if there is such a thing). I really enjoy caring for them and moving them around. Loving my little lemon tree that’s currently got 4 good sized lemons hanging on. Not ripe yet. When flowering, smells heavenly. Bought it at the grocery store last spring!
I could never have enough plants, although I have limited space!
That Mary Engelbeit. Her products are so adorable. I miss her magazine. Always subscribed.
Marilyn
Me too. It was my favorite magazine.
Oh, Fall in Chicago – you’re going to have the best time! Here’s hoping you have great weather. May it only rain at night – and then be dry by morning! There’s SO much to do there too [duh]. I remember years ago when one of my first graders was going to miss 2 weeks of school because his parents wanted to take him along on one of his Dad’s business trips there. During the day he & his Mom visited museums, the zoo, an aquarium or planetarium I think, landmarks, architectural sights, kid attractions – you name it, they tried to do it. His parents really knocked themselves out trying to make the trip educational – and when he came back Jamie did a little “show & tell” about something different he saw or did every day for at least 3 weeks. It was terrific – almost a travelog for our whole classroom. Then of course Don’ll be there & I bet you’ll get to see the show a few more times as well. Wasn’t last night wonderful? I can’t say I feel light as a feather about it, or hugely-relieved – because I still think we have a long way to go before the Dark Forces are banished permanently. But we ARE on our way. As Winston Churchill said on December 8, 1941 – “It may not be the beginning of the end. But it is the end of the beginning…” Watch over us, Winston. And if you can, send us someone JUST like you. We surely need him or her right now. Good luck with your lists & try to catch up on your sleep if you can. Peace.
PS – re your houseplants – would those little jobbies that slowly release water into the soil be of any use while you’re away? Have seen them in lots of garden & nursery catalogs etc.
#Resist
I have a few of those glass waterers, but I’m still on the fence as to whether they’ll be necessary. Still figuring it all out.
Yes We Can!!! :-)
Have a wonderful trip, Claudia.
Thank you, Lily!
Can your friends that recently moved near you water your plants while you’re in Chicago?
If there’s a chance we could meet up for lunch one day while you’re here, let me know!
They can, but I’m afraid of overwatering. I think we’ll be okay.
Hi, Claudia; I do wish you a fun, good, safe and enjoyable time in Chicago. Don’t know if this might help but when I formerly would be gone from home for 2 & 3 weeks at a time … one or two times, it was a month … I’d fill up the kitchen and bathroom sinks … even the bathtub … with water and set my plants in the water. Clearly, this isn’t a case of the pots swimming/floating & shifting in water. But enough so that over the weeks, the plants would gradually absorb water (self-watering) from the bottoms up. I think I prevented any kind of discoloration to the sinks by putting a towel down first. None of my plants seemed to suffer any kind of root rot afterward. I never came home to dead plants. And these were always in upstairs/2nd-floor apartments or condos with no a/c, such that they got hot in summer for the plants (so I guess I created a greenhouse effect inside!).
I think they’ll be okay. It’s dormancy time here and too much moisture would not be good for the plants. Thanks, Vicki.
I am absolutely in agreement with just about everything you comment regarding our political scene. Was so uplifted with the results of the election. 66% of NJ disapprove of Trump, with 55% disapproving in Virginia. I am looking forward to the 2018 elections. We need to get energized and effective. I can’t remember, are you from NJ?
I live in New York, Cynthia. And yes, we need to keep up the good work!
Love the ME print-I was traumatized when her magazine was cancelled.
The pilea is tropical. I had one years ago. I think it’s also called an aluminum plant. I suggest you water it well and then cover it loosely with plastic wrap. Total jungle effect while you’re gone.
I had no idea you were coming to Chicago. Please look me up, you have my email address I think. I’d love to meet up. Dress warm—we are going into the single digits.
Jane
The pilea is also succulent like, so everything I’ve read about this particular pilea says to underwater at this time of year.
It’s actually going to be colder here where I live over the next several days than in Chicago!