Dear Cherie, a whiskymac is a wondrous drink. It is like a whisky and American Ginger ale but a lot stronger and the Ginger is a lot hotter. Don't knock it till you have tried it, it is a world famous drink!
Hugs.
Neil.
Dear Cherie, port and sherry are fortified wines! They are made from Red wine with brandy in them! I thought you knew that being a pub person.
Regards.
Neil.
When I was still able to use alcohol (medication doesn't allow not) I was quite fond of Bristol cream sherry. 32°F here this morning so I doublt if I will be able to do any weeding. With luck the cutworms will freeze.
Dear Lucy, that is a very nice drink. A lot of people like port, especially Cockburns Tawny or Ruby. It is always passed in a decanter to the right after dinner, and everyone has a toast to H.M. the Queen.
Lovely with cheese especially Stilton, pure heaven to say the least. It is also brilliant on top of figs with Stilton. what a treat that is. Yes figs do grow here and they are nice.
Sherry is very popular at Christmas as it ab essential ingredient to trifle, and you cannot have Christmas without a trifle.
Regards,
Neil.
Name: Cherie (Cece) Coogan Southeastern WI zone 5a (Zone 5a)
29º here but the man on the t.v. says high of 50 today, I don't know that I'm going to get all that much done today. Was thinking with 50's over the next few days I should get Christmas decs put up outside. Not to plug in at night but do it now instead of freezing to death doing it in Dec. Not that, that is all that far away. Deer hunting season opens tomorrow so the woods won't be safe for the next 10 days. First time none of my family has hunted since 1966................. Sad to see that. I've never been a big fan of venison but the roasts aren't bad if seasoned proper and the ground makes excellent Chili. Won't have any this year. Didn't last year as it was a bad year for everyone. No one even got close to seeing one.
Need to get busy and get some work done around this house. finally got the last of the plaster dust and drywall dust out of every nook and cranny from the bathroom remodel last Jan. Now the basement remodel is sending up more. Will it NEVER be done??????
It was the first time I have been out properly today as the sun was gorgeous, and I was feeling a bit better. First time with a new lens and camera in anger as well. Some of the Autumn /fall sights are amazing.
So here is a Mulberry Morcus nigra and below it is my mothers Paperbark maple Acer griseum, which has not even gone its fiery red yet.
There is a lot more to come picture wise yet that I have taken, what fun.
Regards.
Neil.
The Paperbark is incredible. It was old when I got it and put it in, in fact they have to be over 70 years old for the seed to become viable which this one is!
A lot of people get confused with them thinking they are a Japanese maple which they are not. They were found in China during the second world war by some British Soldiers and some were brought back. To me surely a tree that gives you wonderful leaves then Autumn/fall colour, finally that incredible cinnamon coloured peeling bark and is ultra hardy is worth growing. Plus they do not mind sun or shade or indeed Acid or chalk soils. What more do you want from a plant, and yes they flower as well.
Regards.
Neil.
Dear all, I thought I would put a lot on at once.
I planted this Acer griseum or Paperbark maple from China years ago after I rescued it from the Chelsea Flower Show, when I was doing Chelsea. It is spectacular this year and there are some other things that should not be in flower at this time of year but are. Hope you enjoy these.
Regards From England.
Neil.
I can understand the Holly being in berry, but a Rose in flower near Christmas? Plus we have had frosts, how strange!
The colour of this Mulberry is awesome and even the ornamental Blackcurrants are joining in.
What is a Pieris formosa doing in flower in November. Or a Californian Lilac a Ceanothus?
A lovely Berberis and a Mexican orange blossom or Choisyia ternata.
Dear all, it started to snow last night and has not stopped since although it was light. Now it is getting heavy. Muriel is up north and they have suffered badly and indeed still are. Now it is our turn to get a bit as well.
Here is one of my Tree Ferns this morning, the snow has got a lot heavier since then!
Keep warm and safe.
Regards.
Neil.
Dear Muriel, it does not think so!
How many people have seen a Canary Island Date Palm Phoenix canariensis covered in snow, and they are allegedly not supposed to be hardy here. Problem is my one seems to like it and is at the second level of the house despite me chopping it back.
It does not snow in the Canary islands; people go there on Holiday to get suntanned and yet this thing is growing in the snow, how strange!
Regards to all.
Neil.
Name: Cherie (Cece) Coogan Southeastern WI zone 5a (Zone 5a)
Yes Muriel the yucky fluffy white stuff that hinders travel, and needs to be shoveled constatnly. Its pretty on the trees, the shrubs, the lawns, but no where else.
