Friday, August 24, 2012

Cotton Blossoms...and an Annie Sloan Teaser ~

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Headed into the weekend; hope everyone is having a great Friday night!

If it weren't for the still 100 degree temperatures (slightly less today), I would say that it is "officially" fall...tonight is the first high school football game of the season...
Sikeston vs. Charleston...
"The Oldest Rivalry West of the Mississippi"...
Hmmm...that's the first time I've heard that (that's what they were saying on the local TV station sportscast) ~ I guess it is if no one challenges it! ;^)
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I went out earlier this evening to take some cotton pictures to share...
These were taken just a few blocks from my house.
Yes, there are cotton fields in town...all over town...
I don't know if Sikeston is unique in this...(I doubt it) ~ there are always farmers that just don't want to sell to developers, and I don't blame them.
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I have seen cotton all my life, yet each fall I'm just fascinated with it...
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The blossoms remind me of the blooms on our okra (and kind of like hollyhocks, too), and rightly so...
they are related (the cotton and okra),
both originating in Africa.
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The colors of the blossoms range from white with just a blush of pink, to a bright fuschia...
They don't have a fragrance, though.
(I think Bath & Bodyworks has a Cotton Blossom scent!...ummm, no!)
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The brightest colors had all closed up by late afternoon...curious!
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Despite the heat and drought, the plants look good...
cotton is more tolerant than lots of other crops...
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Little bolls forming...
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It will be about six more weeks before harvest begins...
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However, a few little bolls are popping open already (probably because of the heat).
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Amazing...future fabric!
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A tiny, perfect boll...so cute! (I should have taken him with me!)
Farmers do NOT want tiny, perfect bolls!
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Here's a little cluster...normally, they are a lot bigger and fuller.
I hope, for the farmers' sakes, there won't be too many like this.
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A little bigger, but still not as they should be.
In a few weeks, as the bolls mature, the pretty green leaves will be sprayed with a defoliant (by crop dusters), which will cause them to dry up and fall off. The farmers want as few leaves on the plants as possible when it's time for picking...
(To be continued in a few weeks!)
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Here's my "teaser"! ...I finally opened my "Pandora's Box" ~ can of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint...
I'm experimenting on a ceramic piece (the urn), plaster (the cherub planter) and the piece from the antique chair I'm going to use on the tool box (future planter) from Daddy's barn...
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I have been v-e-r-y  s-l-o-w about getting anything done this week...stay tuned!
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One last thing...heading out the patio door to feed the bunnies, there was the biggest toad I had ever seen!
I stepped back inside to get my camera...
I realize there's nothing here for you to compare him to, size-wise, but believe me, he was BIG...
He made it into the Lemon Grass Jungle before I could get another photo...
Camera shy!
 
I hope everyone has a great weekend!

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57 comments:

  1. Love the pale pink blooms. Know the puffy white cotton is a great addition to the garden.
    My Cypress vines seedlings are starting to twine around the branches of the bush they are next to. :-)

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  2. Your photos are exquisite, Anne! Even with a little 'fur' in them (heehee).

    Today it actually did feel like fall around here....certainly nowhere near 100 today. It was decidedly crisp and fresh in the air today.

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  3. I don't think I have seen cotton on the plant. Great photos, too bad the toad took off. Looking forward to your ASCP projects. xo

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  4. I have never seen cotton plants. I need to get out more! :) I am excited to see how your chalk paint projects go. Did you get the wax?

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  5. I have never seen cotton blossom before so this post was a real voyage of discovery for me. What beautiful plants! Thank you for posting about them.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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  6. I had no idea that cotton had such pretty flowers. I really enjoyed seeing the progression from the flower buds to cotton tufts. Thanks.

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  7. Even the lowly cotton plants have such beautiful blooms. All the cotton around my neck of the woods is blooming too. Have a great weekend!

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  8. Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures of the cotton blossoms, they are really pretty. I didn't know that cotton has such beautifully colorful blossoms! Looking forward to seeing your finished project with the planters!

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  9. I really enjoyed this post and the photos as I had never seen a cotton plant before. The blossoms are as lovely as any flower.

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  10. I have been meaning to tell you that I was born in Bloomfield MO which I know isn't far from Sikeston. I hope to visit there again one day.

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  11. I had never seen cotton plants before.

    Thank you for sharing!
    The blooms are lovely and exquisite. I wonder if I could cultivate them in my garden?!

    I'm seeing Annie Sloan name writen in several blogs. I wonder why? Is it a new product from an extraordinary brand so everyone is dipping in it? Have to google and understand.

    Thank you for sharing! May your weekend be filled of toads, princes and magic.

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  12. Some years back when we traveled to the coast, we stopped in Taft and I picked some cotton from the remnants in the field. I still have it. But I'm wondering where it is. Oh yes, it's on a shelf in the LR.

    Seeing the progression of your photos just amazed me - and you said it "future fabric". Isn't that just one of the neatest, tiniest, seemingly insignificant .... miracles?

    Enjoyed your post! Thank you for sharing these beauties.

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  13. such a sweet post.
    love for you xx

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  14. Thanks for the cotton tutorial..nice pictures.interesting..Maybe you should kiss that toad the next time you see him..PS..He's not that big!!!

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  15. Well this was so interesting. Being a native Californian, I had never seen a cotton plant before. They are beautiful! So are your photos.
    I just had no idea how the cotton formed. Thanks.

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  16. Dear Anne
    I have never seen the blooming of cotton ! Amazing ! I always see the last phase of cotton . The white before they pick up !Thank you for sharing this!
    Olympia

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  17. I have never seen cotton blooms! They are beautiful!

    I'm anxious to see how your projects develop with the Annie Sloan paint.

    xo Nellie

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  18. Oh My it has been ages since I have seen cotton. I was always fascinated by it. The South has so many cool things of nature. Your right..that is a big toad. :) I look forward to seeing how the chalk paint works for you...I have been tempted to try it myself.

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  19. Thank you for the cotton pictures, I have never seen this and love to hear all about this amazing crop. I enjoyed seeing your visitor Mr. Toad, they are so beautiful...♥Debi

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  20. Hay,

    Wauw...this blog is amazing!
    I will follow your blog.
    Please take a look into my world.

    Love from Marijke
    www.marijkevanooijen.blogspot.com

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  21. Anne,
    What a delight! I have never seen what a cotton plant looks like or it's blossom...how beautiful. Not likely to grow one here (Vancouver Island, B.C.)but a gardener can dream!
    Thank you for all your great photos..they are a cheer-up on a grey day!!
    Hugs,
    Sandi

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  22. Those cotton blossoms are amazing! I have never seen those before! Must be a southern thing? I just discovered your blog and now heading to follow! Traci

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  23. Being from NY and never having seen a cotton plant in bloom before, it never occurred to me that cotton plants have blossoms. LOL You learn something new every day.

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  24. HI ANNE!!!
    HIGH SCHOOL football....we go to a few each year...mostly neighbors and our god daughter cheers!!!
    I love your cotton pics.....AZ use to grow alot of cotton...not so much anymore!!I loved South Carolina and learning what they grew or grow there......It was alot of tobacco and blue dye...forgot what they call it...it will come to me!!!
    HUgs,
    jamie

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  25. Dearest Anne once again you have shared lovely photos - I have never seen cotton growing other than on tv or in the movies. It is really beautiful - the pink flowers are exquisite and to think they are related to the okra. Amazing. So glad to see the annie sloan paint up close - looks like I might have to get some. (lol) xo Pixie

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  26. Oh I can't wait to see the pics of the cotton harvest! I've never seen that before and I love the pics! I've never seen cotton grow or anything! Very cool. It's pretty. Thanks for sharing!

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  27. Never seen a cotton blossom. Beautiful! And fascinating.

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  28. Hi Anne: I finally caught up to you again, I am so far behind. I have no idea cotton was such a beautiful plant. I've only seen it dried up in the fields around Fresno, Calif. when we would go to my uncle's place. Could anyone grow a plant or two in the regular garden. So pretty in an arrangement, I think..Looking forward to seeing your finished projects with the chalk pain. Love that urn..Happy Monday..Judy

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  29. I never realized that cotton had such lovely flowers. Thank you for showing these pictures. We have a huge toad that lives at the bottom of our garden. It has jumped out at me a few times...eeeek:) He's been living there among the ferns for about four years.

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  30. Hi Anne..
    What beautiful blossoms... I had no idea!

    So looking forward to seeing how the chalk paint projects turned out, and if you like using that kind of paint.

    Have a wonderful week!

    K.

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  31. Hi Anne!
    That is a beautiful toad! I like him/her!
    It is fun to see the cotton! Thanks!

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  32. I agree with everyone that this was fascinating to see how beautiful cotton flowers are and how they transform into actual cotton. Truly amazing! Thanks!
    This toad reminds me of the type my Grandparents would get in there yard. Memories of days gone by in there sweet garden and my younger years.
    Good luck with the paint projects! I'll be checking back to see. ;)

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  33. Hi Anne,
    I didn't knew that cotton has so charming blooms. They look really delightful. Thank you for intruducing the plant with so many detailted nice photos. I started to love this plant.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  34. Lovely to see the cotton flowers and those cute rounds of cotton!Ah..the toad looks all set to stay in the lemon grass jungle once he crosses the marble land and sees his princess!

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  35. i love your timeline of the cotton bolls...we actually grow cotton in Australia...but way up north and here in Tasmania it is too cold...so it was very interesting to see the progression of the the life of the plant...loving that chalk paint will have to check oiut if it is available here in Australia..guess it is available on line??? g'day from me XXX

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  36. Hi Anne! Thanks for all the beautiful photos! I haven't been visiting blogs very often this summer, so I'm trying to stop at a few every day. I'm so glad I happened by here this morning!

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  37. i love cotton plants! it sure is hot here too.

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  38. Lovely photographs and I love Annie Sloan paint. I can't wait to see your project.

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  39. Your photos are so absolutely wonderful. Love them.

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  40. Lovely pictures you've captured the beauty of the blossoms perfectly!

    You're really brave for opening 'pandora's box' and I'll be anxious to see how it all turns out! :-)

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  41. Anne, tried to email you from the email on your profile but it wouldn't go through. This lovely post keeps coming up ever day. I don't think it is revised? Thought I'd let you know. xo

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  42. You know that the pretties cat in your header! I loved this, I have never seen cotton in person and never knew what a pretty flower it has. Your pictures are beautiful and really captures cottons beauty, blossoms and character. Cotton is really a cool plant. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration with Sunday’s Best – you helped make the party a success!

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  43. I have never seen cotton on the plant and really appreciate you sharing that in pictures. It's so pretty and a true miracle in what it becomes! ~ Maureen

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  44. The cotton is just gorgeous! :) I love the little puff balls! :) And brilliant decor I see there! :D

    Hugs,

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  45. HI Anne! I have so enjoyed looking around your blog! So interesting and beautiful photos! I now live in CA but spent many years in Tx . Cotton was our snow! And i have my own black cat. His name is Jinx. He's about 6 years old. He's my little familiar. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! And for the compliments on the Mushroom . So glad you like it! Hugs! deb

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  46. Anne, how fun to see the cotton blossom, and those are great shots! I don't live where it grows so it's not familiar to me. How cool that you have them nearby. Thanks so much for coming over and visiting at Quirky Vistas and leaving me a comment and following. I'm your new follower too. Also, I just love that black and white shot of you and the black cat from back in the day. So sweet!
    Liz

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  47. Wow, I've never seen a cotton blossom before. Beautiful! I love all of your pictures as the blossom changed. I love the toad pic too!

    Have a great day!
    Pam

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  48. I like the cotton blossoms, too! I chopped cotton as a child and still enjoy looking at a clean crop of beautiful rows all producing large ball of beautiful cotton. I don't know if they still chop cotton or depend on sprays, but I remember walking up and down those rows in my bathing suit and then running through the irrigation sprinklers at the end of the day. When school started back up I alway had a much better than than the rich girls who laid out lazily in their yards and pools.

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  49. I had no idea that cotton plants produced such a pretty flower. The bolls are beautiful too, it's really an amazing plant. I'm looking forward to seeing your makeovers, that looks like a pretty color. Thanks for visiting ad following, I'm happy to follow you as well.

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  50. Thank you for your visit and sweet comment! I love your pictures, they are beautiful :)

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  51. Oh, Anne...your blog is BEAUTIFUL! Your photographs...I feel so inspired to work harder on my own photography skills, thanks to you! And those kitties are to die for. I also have pusses of the Persian persuasion, and they are everything to me. I'm thrilled that you commented on my blog, as it led me to yours!

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  52. Your pictures are just beautiful! You are so blessed with a fantastic talent!

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  53. Hello Anne! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I am fascinated by cotton plants. It is amazing that plants produce something that we make our clothing (and lots of other things) from.

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  54. When my father worked on the rail road, he brought home some cotton seeds from one of the box cars that had come from the south. He planted them and put them in the window so we could see how cotton is grown and harvested. You just brought back an awesome memory Anne, thank-you!

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  55. Clicked on the link Vanessa left on her blog after seeing the super cute pic of your Tallulah watching the puppy swimming video... =3 What a cutie!

    I then went to my little corner and saw that you'd left me a comment the other day... Small bloggy world. ^-^

    It's nice to meet you too, and hugs to you & all those who may leave fur in your paint. ^-^

    PS... I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who finds fur in their paint... XD

    PSS... That toad is gorgeous! Lucky you for getting a picture. ^-^ And I never knew cotton had such lovely flowers.

    XOXO

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  56. Hello Anne! Oh, lovely photos!
    I see you live in a very nice place, great plants, bunnies, toads...
    Thank you for your visit and your sweet comment.
    Besos from Argentina, Silvina.

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  57. This northern girl has never seen a cotton that wasn't a t-shirt. I am fasinated how pretty they are.
    I'll be thinking of your post next time I see 100% cotton.
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Kelley

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I love your thoughts and comments, and I read each and every one! Sometimes life gets in the way, though, and it takes me a while to respond...Thank you for understanding! ♥...Time is precious, and the time you have taken here is truly appreciated!