Happy Monday! Today is the start of something new for the blog: Zinnias, Tomatoes and Monday Musings.
Zinnias and Tomatoes
Have you ever thought about what you would grow if you could only grow one thing?
I have! Zinnias. They are my favorite flower for the cut flower garden. There are so many beautiful varieties, and they love our 7a climate. They also bloom all summer long and well into the fall, often times up until our first frost.
And if you were to ask Bill, I think his answer would be tomatoes. He grows about 15 tomato varieties each summer and more than 40 tomato plants! We eat as many as we can consume fresh from the vine and can the rest…it’s so nice having garden fresh tomatoes year-round.
I feel like Zinnias and Tomatoes represent our country garden, specifically Bill (tomatoes) and me (Zinnias). So, now that I’ve explained our love for zinnias and tomatoes, you may be asking…what about Monday Musings?!?
Monday Musings
After my first year of retirement, I shared with you why I make a to do list on Monday mornings in the blog post, My First Year of Early Retirement and Four Lessons Learned.
And like clockwork, I sit at my desk each Monday morning and plan out my weekly calendar and to do list, even though I’m retired and can do whatever I want, whenever I want…I make a weekly list.
I don’t always accomplish everything on my list, but the list helps me approach retired life with intentional focus on my personal values…like health, relationships, peace and creativity.
Also, as I share more and more of our retired life here on the blog and on Instagram, I have received more and more requests to share our daily routines.
So, here we are…Monday Musings as they relate to retired life in our country garden.
Zinnias, Tomatoes and Monday Musings: February 12, 2024
With each Zinnias, Tomatoes and Monday Musings post, I will share a few highlights from the past week, what Bill and I have been doing at home, in the garden and out & about. I will also share some of what’s on my weekly to do list and calendar as I look forward to the upcoming week.
So, let’s get started.
In the Garden: My First Seed Order
My first seed order arrived last week. My favorite kind of happy mail.
I ordered a few seeds from Baker Creek for my cut flower garden including Split-Second Morning Glories for my trellises, a few packages of Cosmos seeds, and a new to me variety of Bachelor Buttons-Pinkie.
This week on the blog, I’ll be sharing my recommendations for first time flower growers with a focus on flowers that you can grow from seed but do not need to be started in a greenhouse or under grow lights.
And if you’re itching to order a few seeds now, check out my post: 10 of the Best Places to Buy Garden Seeds Online.
Out & About: Pool Time & Volunteering
For years I have been taking water zumba classes at a local indoor pool, and last week I discovered open swim time. The pool was empty.
It was so quiet, and relaxing. Plus, I was able to swim laps for the first time since injuring my shoulder last year…without any onlookers.
I also volunteered as a shopper at Our Daily Bread last week. It’s such a great organization.
At Home: Weekend Fun & the Super Bowl
Did you watch the Super Bowl this weekend? Are you a T. Swift, Usher, or actual football fan? The game was a nail biter. Gotta love overtime.
Or maybe you love the commercials or game food? I’m a fan of both. And, I may have eaten my weight in guacamole and chips! I saw someone wearing a t-shirt one time that said, you can’t make everyone happy, you’re not an avocado! So funny!
I also made a new dessert for the game…peanut butter and banana pretzel cups. The recipe has potential, but it needs some work. First of all, the pretzel needs to be on the bottom, not the banana. And I popped them in the freezer to set and the banana ended up mushy. So, I need to do a bit of testing and tweaking before this recipe is ready to officially share.
A Look Ahead
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is this Wednesday! Are you planning on celebrating?
Bill and I have decided to go to Ash Wednesday service at lunch time and then stay in that evening and make heart shaped pizzas. You can find our pizza dough recipe on my Instagram feed.
My daughter was born 31 years ago on Valentine’s Day. One of the best days of my life! Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!
I also shared last week, a recipe for Roasted Heart Potatoes with Rosemary for Two. They work well at any meal, breakfast, lunch or dinner and are so good.
Tulsa Vintage Show
I cannot wait! The annual Tulsa Vintage Show starts this Friday. I love arriving when the show starts and plan to be there first thing Friday morning.
We’ve attended the show for several years now and I always manage to find something to bring back home with me. Plus, I love talking to the vendors. So many of them are experts, especially the ones that specialize in a specific type of collection.
I’ll be on the hunt for vintage McCoy Planters, copper, transferware, ironstone and chocolate candy molds.
Other Things that Made the List
- I ended up swimming 4 times last week and plan on making time for open swim again this week, plus my usual water Zumba classes.
- My girlfriends are getting together Sunday evening for our monthly potluck and chat. I’m still waiting to find out what the theme is before I decide what to make.
- I need to take a good look at my seeds and see if I need to make any additional orders. Spring will be here before we know it!
- I ordered two new barstools for my kitchen that have arrived and are ready to be assembled.
- And, of course, there are a few of my favorite things that never make the list, but I do daily…like take a walk with Midge, enjoy my morning coffee, and read my latest finds from the library.
That’s it…for now.
Thanks so much for sharing in the first post of Zinnias, Tomatoes and Monday Musings: The Start of Something New.
Please drop me a comment below and let me know your thoughts, if you have any questions or if there is anything else you’d like me to share in Zinnias, Tomatoes and Monday Musings. It’s a work in progress.
Cheers to retired life, and as always, happy gardening!
X Penny Pennington Weeks
Love it!!! Look forward to the next edition!
Thanks so much! I appreciate you taking the time to read my first Zinnias, Tomatoes and Monday Musings post.
Following your example and organizing my retirement week. We have had our first real snow in CT today so taking advantage of retirement and throwing plans out the window to play in the snow with my corgi. And then clean up the snowballs that she aquires.
Sounds like so much fun! The beauty of retirement is we can make plans and then change our mind when a better opportunity comes along, like playing in the snow. Enjoy!
Thank YOU so much for taking the time to write this! I enjoyed it and am looking forward to more.
Such a nice comment! I really appreciate you stopping by the blog and leaving a comment. I’m glad to know that you enjoyed the first Zinnias, Tomatoes and Monday Musings post.
When we lived in NC I loved growing zinnias and tomatoes! Now living in Naples, Fl I miss the growing season. I have herbs growing on my lania year round though. We are seriously considering moving back to NC. Not a big fan of winter, but love the other 3 seasons. I enjoyed this post. Looking forward to the next one. I also enjoy all of your instagram posts.
We just visited my MIL in Florida. I love the sun and the beaches…but I can understand missing home. Best wishes as you make a decision about your move. And thanks so much for stopping by the blog and following along on Instagram.
Everything you do is gold. You are an inspiration. Happy Tuesday, my friend .
You’re so sweet! Thank you for the kind comment and for stopping by the blog.
Love, love being retired!!!
It’s the best! Congratulations!
Hi Penny,
Love your Blog. You had me at 🌺 and 🍅! SO FUN!
I’m inspired to begin garden planning.
Easy to read and manage content.
Looking forward to reading next Monday and seeing what your finds are from the Tulsa Vintage Market.
Warm hugs from beautiful cold and snowy Northern Michigan….
Zinnias and Tomatoes are the best! I hope I find something good at the show, it’s so much fun. Thanks so much for stopping by the blog and sharing your thoughts. Happy gardening!
I enjoy hearing of your peaceful life and your joy in spending time at home. My husband and I are in year 6 of our mutual retirement and I sometimes feel guilty not being more productive but like most the quiet days puttering . You inspire me to allow myself to love this time without guilt.
No guilt required! You’ve earned quiet, peaceful days of puttering. Enjoy!
Zinnias are my fav too! And I wish I could grow tomatoes here. I had really good luck in western Oklahoma. Not so much here.
Love the happy blog post!!
They love our 7a climate! Have you tried tomatoes in containers or raised beds? We have luck with both. Happy gardening and thanks for stopping by the blog.
This is really good Penny. Love that you and Bill are sharing retirement life through the blog and IG. Maintaining a calendar is the way to go. I still maintain a calendar (for the most part). Don’t want to waste a day of retirement, although I miss the mark on some days. I am the boss of me you know. Lol. Well, kind of. Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much, Karen! Isn’t being the boss the best. Congrats on your retirement. So happy for you.
Loved it! Keep writing. I have been retired since 2021, but feel like I could be more productive. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks so much for the encouragement to keep writing. I find it so relaxing once I sit down and get started. And I definitely have low productivity days, the beauty of retired life. Wishing you the best!
I love reading your blog. Tomatoes are always a staple in my garden, although I only need a few plants. I can’t wait to see what your flower garden looks like this year.
I am amazed by how many tomatoes one plant can produce. Happy gardening!
Thank you for sharing.
I’m newly retired and empty nester. Trying to find my rhythm and prioritize what I REALLY want to do.
Feels a bit weird but nice too!
I love your Instagram posts!
Keep them coming! Please.
Thanks so much for the encouragement. Retired life is so different from working. And takes time to adjust to. Wishing you the best. And, congrats!
I’m inspired to plant zinnias in my front garden! I planted them a couple of years ago, and they were beautiful. Thanks for your lovely post.
Hi, Joy! I bet the zinnias were amazing. I can’t wait to see what you plant this year.
Hi Penny! This was lovely!! I just felt relaxed reading it! There is a fun shop in Tulsa called Amber Marie. I don’t live there but a designer I follow goes there for amazing decorations etc.
Thank you for sharing your week!
Thanks for stopping by the blog and for sharing a fun stop in Tulsa. I’m always looking for new places to visit in the area.
Penny this is very good! I will be looking forward to seeing/reading more. This is so inspiring!
Thanks so much for stopping by the blog and for the encouragement. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Loved reading Zinnias, tomatoes and Monday musings! Your writing is very enjoyable and your Instagram is Informative and Fun!
Thanks for sharing Penny!
Love seeing Frank and Midge too!!
Hi, Julie! Thanks for stopping by the blog. Frank and Midge are both sitting outside my office door staring at me right now. LOL!
Enjoyed your post! I wished I lived close enough, I would gladly buy tomatoes from you, lol, as we haven’t had luck with them. Maybe I do need to try containers instead, but just not sure that’s how we want to spend our time. My retired husband is working part-time from home and started doing leather crafting with our young adult autistic son, and I’m wanting to do more sewing, painting furniture, and family history. Neither of us really enjoy gardening but I would be more than happy to support those who do and know what they are doing! Thanks for sharing, and so glad Midge found you, she’s a beauty!
Thanks so much, Vicki. It sounds like you have a whole list of activities planned for retirement. Amazing!
And I would gladly give you tomatoes if we were neighbors.
Was looking forward to your post, and enjoyed it. Always nice to touch base with others. I need to organize my days more, although I do have my 7 year old granddaughter 3 afternoons after school. They grow so fast. I hope to take on some projects soon, and also do some swimming myself. It’s my favorite activity. Looking forward to reading more from you.
Absolutely love the name of your blog! It’s like a breath of fresh air. The pictures of your flowers are lovely . Thanks for sharing where you purchase your seeds, I am definitely going to order some of those. Look forward to watching your farm come alive.
Thanks so much for stopping by and for the kind words. Have fun ordering seeds!
Always enjoy your post! Spring seems a long way off for us up here, since we received snow last night and more on the way tomorrow, but gives us time to plan. I have been picking up different seeds, need to go through them and see what more I need. Looking forward to making my gardens a little bigger and making more room for more flower gardens. Last year was the first time for me to grow Zinnia’s and I just loved them! I will defiantly be growing them again this year. Enjoy your swimming, it is a great activity. Looking forward to your next post.
Thanks so much, Judy! Zinnias are the best. So many blooms and not fussy at all. Stay warm and happy planning!
Hi Penny- I love your posts & this new blog. I live in Northeast CT & my husband & I are both retired & love gardening and being out in the yard as much as possible. Right now We are in the middle of making maple syrup- “ sugaring” as it is called.
I would love to know more about the split second morning glories you mentioned. I plant my
( soaked) seeds as early as I can but sometimes I don’t get blossoms til late September or early October. Does this variety blossom more quickly?
Thanks for saying hello! Sugaring sounds like fun. I just used maple syrup in a recipe yesterday. Regarding the split-second morning glories, they do seem to bloom a bit earlier than a traditional morning glory variety. But I don’t think they cover the trellis as well. The morning glories and the veggie garden take a while to get started and really are at their best later summer, early fall.
I’m very excited to try our hand in a few growing gardens. I’m going to start with a flower garden, tomatoes and herbs. Thank you for the advice and blog to follow.
I think your list is perfect. Happy gardening!