Our Holiday Journey: Frgual

Oh I love the outdoors. I love working in my meager garden.

I had some help when I started a few seeds . . .

But alas most of our plantings only just weren't able to withstand the late July and August heat in Texas.

I had a long list of things I intended to grow. This whole garden
idea came about when The Cowboy ordered a hanging tomato
planter off of Amazon.
Ready to eat!:

We did manage to get a few tomato's. Not nearly as many as we should have.
Tomatoes:

Here's what the plants look like today . . .

I've already cut them back once. They are trying but there time is really up. I'll be cutting them back to the base of the soil tomorrow and maybe weather permitting we'll have a few at
Thanksgiving.

Just below the tomato's is my crazy Poinsettia. This is what it looked like when shortly after I literally saved it from a pile of trash.

As summer worn on it began to loose it's leaves. I guess they are leaves I know next to nothing about Poinsettia's. I never dreamed that I would keep it alive this long....
I cut it back and then this is what it started doing . . .

I decided to cut it back again and here it is today . . .

I'm totally amazed. I thought they only grew at Christmas.
Shows what I know.

I managed to get some green beans to sprout . . .

And a few carrots. I love the little teepee I made for the beans to grow on. There were doing so good and then it just got to hot.
In a heartbeat they began to struggle and then just gave up the ship.

I planted
zucchini and yellow squash . . .

I got gorgeous leaves and blooms through May and into the beginning of June. I managed to get 1 zucchinni and no yellow squash. Which is my favorite!
I realized that you can't grow squashes on a second floor apartment. Apparently bee's can't pollinate.
So I moved the pot downstairs but it was too late it was already way too hot. Image result for blog post dividers

So can I saw that my first attempt at patio container
gardening was a success?

I got beautiful blooms and greenery for a couple of months.

I got a few tomato's.

So all in all I would have to say my thumb might be green.

What will I do different next year? Hopefully I'll be planting in a yard not on a patio.

If by chance we are still here. It remains to be seen if I'll make another attempt. And that makes me sad.

We'll see. Until then I'll make plans and enjoy
Happy Trails

And dream of spring

Linking with: The Art of Homemaking, Share Your Cup, Duck's In a Row, Sizzle into Summer, Dream Create Inspire, Creative Sparks, Create With Joy, Outdoor Wednesday,
Welcome Home Wednesday, Homemade and Handcrafted, Talk It Up Thursday ,
Thoughts of Home , Creatively Unleashed , Thursday Favorite Things
Homestead Blog Hop, Simple Homestead Blog Hop, Saturday Sparkshttp://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/2016/08/saturday-sparks-link-party-179.htm
Thee Chicken Chick Blog Party

I love making everyday a holiday. Any day can be a party day!

Finding fantastic deals can help make some special days. I found some super cheap fantastic deals this week. Here's a few . . .

Check out my super cheap .67 table runner! It's actually dark Blue. The flowers were part of a .99 bouquet I found at Sprouts last Saturday. These pics were taken on Thursday!
The cool place mats were .67 too. I bought a set for me and a set for my daughter for Christmas

Another pic with the super cheap .50 each ornaments for our
daughter and grandson.

If you look close you can see the price stickers I took off this . . .

I was so excited to find this super cool piece of wall art!
It is all metal! I paid $10.00. Super bargain. Here's another shot...

If you look really close you can see nuts in the boats. The Cowboy was really impressed with this purchase. It's sitting on the mantle now. I've been wanting something all summer for the mantle.
I am so glad I was patient.

Today I found this at Kroger . . .

I've never attempted growing an orchid before but I figure for $1.00 I can try. I cut all the spent blooms except the one. The leaves are still really green so with a little luck I can keep it alive! If not I have a $1.00 really cool pot. I'm actually planning on going back tomorrow to see if they mark more down. I'd like a group of 3 for the mantle.

The orchid did look pretty here . . .

I wanted something pretty on the night stand. But I don't think it would survive. My new summer bedding is another bargain. I bought a bed in a bag at Big Lots for $39.00 but I had a $10.00 coupon! My new super frugal summer bed!

Since I shop cheap when I can then I have a few extra bucks for ...

This is the rest of the .99 bouquet sitting in a vase with an ivy cutting that I got from a friend. Free. I like that!

So did you find any bargains this week? I'd love to hear about your bargains. Write a post and invite me over and link at some of my favorite parties! (see my list on my parties page)