Decorate a Garden

Robert Johnson fifth 'Rookie of Race' award

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 15:35:05 -0400

I thought Junior Johnson was a striking example and just about the most perfect North Carolinian until his son Robert Johnson started stealing the show. Well maybe I just liked Junior so much that a younger version of him just gets better. I don't think anything that Junior does ever falls below perfect. So now we hear that Robert has gone and won his fifth 'Rookie of the Race' award.

Look at those two. I'm nuts about them. Robert is cool under pressure and that sealed the deal for him at Dillion Motor Speedway. Read below the press release from www.juniorjohnsonassociates.com where you can see more pictures of these NC fine examples that come second only to my husband and children. The Johnson family has done much in front and behind the scenes to make NC the greatest state of all. They are kind and generous in giving their time and money to worthy causes. I love everything about them.

Before you start reading this press release and Robert's battle for the victory---head on out to the Lowe's Grocery Store and pick up some of Junior Johnson Brand Foods! He has gone and made a brand of Southern favorites that make me especially proud. No wonder that Robert grew to be so tall.

Country Ham Biscuits with Junior Johnson's Country Ham <-----My family had this and it was incredible. Huge amounts of meat dripping with juices.

Sausage Biscuits with Swaggertys Brand Premium Sausage

Sausage Morning Rolls

Premium Brewed Sweet Tea

Premium Brewed Sugar-Free Sweet Tea

Old Fashioned Lemonade

Yes, I've sampled these

Now read the release cause you are in for a treat hearing how Robert outsmarted, outwitted, outlasted, and outdrove the competition. Then go see him this weekend at the Hickory Motor Speedway!

Johnson Earns his Fifth ‘Rookie of the Race’ Award at Dillon Motor Speedway
He currently leads the rookie points in the UARA-STARS series
Lexington, NC – The 14th UARA-STARS race of the season took place under the lights at Dillon Motor Speedway on Saturday night. The hot August temperatures had everyone looking for a cool place to watch the race, but as soon as the action started on the track the fans were on their toes cheering for their favorite driver.
Picture: Robert Johnson poses with Miss UARA after winning ‘Rookie of the Race’ at Dillon Motor Speedway.
Robert Johnson was involved in one of the most heated battles of the evening. Johnson started in 13th and quickly set his sights on the top-five. As soon as the green flag waved he began picking up speed and maneuvering to the front. Unfortunately, there were several cautions during the event so as soon as he was ready to pass a car he had to back down for the caution.
Nevertheless, Johnson made his way into the top-ten around the half-way point of the race and continued his effort to make it into the top-five. On lap 85, Johnson was nose to bumper with the number 48 of Scott Turlington. Turlington was not going to give up his position and Johnson was not backing down. The fans were on their feet!
Johnson and Turlington battled lap after lap with Johnson finally winning on lap 96. This run earned Johnson his fifth ‘Rookie of the Race’ award of the season.
Once in the top-five, Johnson started to chase down Lee Tissot who was running in fourth. However, he ran out of time and laps and finished the evening in fifth place. This is Johnson’s fifth top-five finish of the year. He also took home the G-Force ‘Shift of the Race’ award for moving up the most positions during the race.
When asked about the event in a post-race interview Johnson told fans he was happy to be back at Dillon Motor Speedway. “It’s great to be back at Dillon Motor Speedway, we had a better finish tonight than when we were here in April. We are improving. Scott (Turlington) and I battled it out tonight. It was a fun race. I want to thank Carolina Carports for their continued support as well as Chevrolet and ECR Engines.”
Racing continues this Labor Day weekend at Hickory Motor Speedway where Johnson will run in the 34th Annual Bobby Isaac Memorial 200. The team qualifies on Sunday and the race takes place on Memorial Day at 4 pm.

About Junior Johnson & Associates, LLC
The Junior Johnson & Associates team name will return to the motorsports arena this year to field a car for Robert Johnson, son of legendary NASCAR driver Junior Johnson. Robert will run the full UARA schedule as well as five Whelen All American Series events in his first full season of late model racing. He began testing on dirt tracks near his home in Hamptonville, NC with his father in 2008. In May of 2009, he entered his first late model race at Caraway Speedway and took first place. He competed in several other events at the speedway last year ending the season with 13 starts, 5 wins and 10 top-5 finishes. Carolina Carports, Inc. will continue their sponsorship into 2010.
For more information please visit www.JuniorJohnsonAssociates.com.
About Carolina Carports, Inc,
Founded in 1997, Carolina Carports, Inc. manufactures metal products by using the newest technology as well as engineered expertise and up-scaled machinery. Their services include building carports, garages, RV carports, barns and other custom projects. The company is headquartered in Dobson, NC, but has manufacturing and sales divisions located throughout the United States. Carolina Carports, Inc. commitment to product quality and excellence in customer service is the driving force behind their growth and success.
For more information please visit www.carolinacarportsinc.com.
C-TECH Manufacturing
Also supporting Johnson and the team is C-TECH Manufacturing of Weston, WI who provided the team with their top of the line pit road cart.

Thank you Junior and Robert! I took your picture above at the Race and Ride event.

Monarchs on Milkweed and Monkey Balls

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:01:24 -0400

There is this really funny milkweed called 'Monkey Balls' and that needs no explaining. I planted it last year http://wp.me/pbhKR-1oj and the Monarchs went nuts over it. I got the seed from Thompson and Morgan but they reseeded like crazy this year.

The flowers on this plant are dainty as you see above. They hang in clusters from the out reaching stems. Then along comes this funky fruit that some call 'Fur Balls'. But that is not as fun as 'Monkey Balls'.

The Monarch caterpillars will soon be all over this plant eating the stems down to the ground.

These Monkey Balls will poof open and out will fly thousands of seeds carried by the silky threads that once provided them with nourishment to grow.

It is really fascinating to watch the Monarch caterpillars munching away.

And last year, I wrote a song for the Monarchs.

Front Porch Makeover with Flowergardengirl

Wed, 4 Aug 2010 20:59:09 -0400

This front porch makeover came through years of collecting and bartering. The rooster fabric has a reverse image and I took advantage of that when making a few of the pillows and the accent chair covers.

Other fabrics in the collection have a victorian theme with a lace covered table and a soft pastel rock which matches the stone pillars on my front columns.

Every makeover needs a bold color and I have chosen this cranberry of the amaranth.

Yellow is something unexpected and ties in the yellows of my gardens.

All throughout my home there is sage in just about every degree imaginable. Bits of rose and blue appeal to the memory of my grandmother's house. It also makes the atmosphere seem cool and refreshing.

We spend lots of lazy days on this porch so pillows are a must have. These flowery pillows are from my mother's sofa.

The cushion cover was made from an old bedspread tucked away for just this occasion. It is super soft and inviting.

Mr D made me the plant bench from an old headboard we purchased the first year of our marriage.

My next goal is to stain the concrete an off white color or a faux stone look.

A special thank you to my friends Dave and Mary Morris at www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com who feature my front porch often. They are going to cover my screened porch makeover which is just around the corner. I'm working on a very unique color scheme not often seen in the Autumn season. Visit Dave and Mary to see what they have featured today. I just was there and saw some front porch steps which have been tiled beautifully.

The makeover featured today is part of a feature article chosen by Harris Publications for their spring special issues. I'll tell more about that in the coming months.

Zinnia Summer Solstice

Tue, 3 Aug 2010 00:52:24 -0400

Have you seen my narrow leaf zinnia border? Well you really must. I grew them all from seed.

'Summer Solstice' is an especially vigorous bloomer. It has laughed at our recent bout of heat and humidity.

You can find the seeds by searching for 'Summer Solstice' at the link above.

Movement in a container arrangement

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:11:01 -0400

So I'm a bit nuts about pink, yellow, and purple together. This is pink phlox and hot pink lantana. Many of the lantanas will turn different shades and this one has a yellow side to it.

And it's all a part of the arrangement below. Honestly--when I go to the nursery to get my flowers each season--I don't look at the names of the plants although I have my favorites---I look at color.

I also look at movement. The dark purple is a trailing angelonia which fits the need for something flowing over the edge. You all know a successful arrangement needs 3 things---

You need: height, bushy, and trailing. In the above container the trailing is also the bushy. The petunia and pink angelonia are bushy and trailing---they are flowing in and out which is creating movement. There is a tall annual blue salvia on the top right side of the arrangement.

And then you have to see my coreopsis.....I think it's Creme Brulee.

Hiring Flowergardengirl for your lawn and garden needs

Sun, 4 Jul 2010 01:04:12 -0400

Life is happy when you are in the garden and it's my passion. I've been blessed to live around and among many gifted gardeners. Now I've decided to take that knowledge to another level. Most of you know I love North Carolina and write about it often here and at my other blog www.flowergardengirl.wordpress.com

I am a bit of a Jack of all trades so I've decided to expand the business and add lawn and garden assistance or maintenance.

My gardens are eclectic, cottage, craftsman, and a good mix of organized chaos. And this attracts a good bit of attention from those who pass and wonder how such a garden is maintained. They want to know about me and many have ask for my assistance.

I enjoy these drive by moments meeting those who live in my area and helping them with their garden needs. Often I end up visiting their gardens and helping with their planting needs. So I've decided to make it part of the Flowergardengirl business.

I will come out and give free estimates on your lawn and garden needs. The Flowergardengirl business now offers lawn and garden care, container arrangement planning, new and old bed maintenance and design.

We offer quality work at affordable prices. I look forward to helping you in your journey to improve the look and value of your home.

For those who live in the Forsyth, North Carolina area:

Anna or Flowergardengirl I prefer email and please use the button at the bottom of this page.
336 816 2577

Birdhouses and plantings that attract butterflies is our speciality.