Thankful for last years Christmas gift and the tag

Today I am thankful because I found a Christmas bag and gift tag from last year. It had a cute dog picture on it, and Linda wrote on it for Maude from Mom. Now I can keep it and treasure it because it is an easy way to show how much you cared for me. I love it, and I will keep it in my special shelf where I have kept other letters and notes you gave me. What a great lesson about how easy it is to show your love.

Thankful for the Bees #honeybees #help #bees

Today I am thankful for the honey bees in Maryland!

Here are some ways to help the honey bee population with planting advice:

plant in clumps, so that bees don't have to fly long distances
make sure to plant different types of flowers, trees, flowering shrubs and fruits
avoid modern hybrids because they don't reproduce
use local growers
provide a safe water source
don't use pesticides

Here are some plant types for Maryland bees
crocus, tulips and daffodils in the spring
clover, lavender, and black eyed susan in the summer
coneflower, joe pye weed, and american witchhazel in the fall

More plant ideas
winterberry
butterfly bush
milkweed
mountain mint
sunflower
aromatic aster

University of Maryland extension http://extension/umd.edu/learn/honey-bees

Thankful that I Love Plants #Plants #Food #Homemade

Thankful that I love plants - got that from my grandmas. Thankful that you didn't love plants. It was a source of many fun stories. I loved the face you made when we talked about plants, and watering plants, and how Nana didn't want you to touch her plants.

Do it Yourself Plant Food

Try this DIY recipe: Once a month, you can water your houseplants with a mixture of: 1 tablespoon Epson Salts, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. household ammonia, 1 gallon of water.

• One reader suggested giving houseplants your leftover cold coffee. This works particularly well for ivy plants.


• Another method is to collect eggshells after baking and place them in a glass jar covered with water. Don't put the lid on tight. Let the eggshells sit for about a month and keep adding additional egg shells as you acquire them. Add more water if necessary. When you are ready to fertilize, dilute it (1 cup egg shell solution to 1 gallon plain water) and use it to water all of your plants. Your plants will love it!


• According to another reader, Knox unflavored gelatin is really good for houseplants. They agreed that mixing finely crushed rinsed eggshells into your potting soil would give your houseplants a good boost. The eggshells are a good substitute for bonemeal.
• If you have a fish tank, when you change the water in the tank, use the water you take out to water your plants. Your plants will love fish fertilizer!


• One reader once a month pours a can of room temperature beer into each of her plants. She has had one plant for over 15 years.


• A wonderful plant food is regular green tea. You can buy it at Dollar General for one dollar a box. Dilute the tea with two gallons of water. You can use this every time you water. Plants love it.


• Another homemade plant food recipe featuring beer is: 1 cup beer, 1 cup epson salts, 1/2 cup ammonia, and 2 cups water. Use 1/2 oz. on each plant every two weeks. Great for all houseplants, especially orchids.


• One last recipe is: 1 cup used coffee grounds, egg shells from 2 eggs (process in coffee grinder), 1/16 oz. ammonia, 1 cup water, 1/8 tsp. Epson salts. Stir together until well mixed. You can spoon this mixture around the base of most flowering plants, except for African Violets. Don't mix it into the soil, just let is sit on top if the soil. Apply this mixture monthly.

Thankful for Your Ability to Inspire

You had an amazing inner strength of spirit.

One lady called you a spitfire, and that was said in a complimentary way.

Thank you for your inner strenth, the way you told it like it is, the way you suffered no fools.

I am grateful because I see how much people admire you for it.

With it, you are able to motivate me still.

Thank you and much love!

Thankful for Your Fighting Attitude

Thankful for your fighting attitude. I miss seeing it in you. I tell people about you and that attitude. I remember always saying "Don't make a scene!" I bet you knew that secretly I was so happy that you made a scene.

Thankful that the Pope is Visiting US #PopeFrancis

Thankful that the Pope is vising US.

He brings comfort to so many. It was amazing watching him and his motorcade streaming up 5th Ave. in the opposite direction. It reminded me of old pictures and videos of when the Beatles visited America for the first time. You liked him too. You were religious even though you did sometimes get angry at the church.

Thankful You Used to Give Me a Hard Time Sometimes

I am thankful that you used to give me a hard time, sometimes. Sounds crazy doesn't it. But I know it was because I meant the world to you, and still do. I also am grateful that you said, I miss giving you a hard time. And I used to give you a hard time, because you meant, and mean the world to me.