Bamboo, raccoons and chicks, I have it all.

I do hope you are all enjoying the Learn to Paint series. 
I am aiming to post another lesson this week.  I say aiming as sometimes life gets in the way of what I want to do.
But rest assured I will post it.
The weather has been perfect here in California.  Warm days in the 80’s and cool nights in the low, low 50’s. Great for garden work.
My plans this weekend were to get certain garden chores done for winter, things like separate my cherished bamboo plant so I can have more.  I am not sure why I love bamboo, maybe it is the tropical look it portrays for me. 

It proved quite challenging.
I thought to divide it like a do any perennial but it had other ideas.  I attempted to slice it down the middle of the root ball with a sharp shovel, I knew it would take great force but when my shovel connected with it the rebound rattled my teeth. 
It was solid! So I opted to unwind smaller canes along with the roots from the root mass instead.
I ended up with 3 new potted bamboos and high hopes they will take off and enjoy having room to spread their roots.
Here is one, the leaves did curl from the shock and I am not even sure I did this correctly so only time will tell.  I am sure to keep them well watered.

I have also been engaging in a raccoon relocation program.  They have become so destructive we have had to take drastic measures, like trapping and hauling off to new homes deep in the woods.
He may look cute but he is a vandal!

For those of you curious about my latest hatch, here is a shot of the chicks.  They are hiding behind this guy, he is a little rooster my mom hatched the month before.  He was so longsome in his little area that I let him join the girls here.
He is already showing his male leanings, he guards the girls valiantly.  He is improving in his looks, he was rather battered looking, the raccoons had plucked out some of his feathers trying to have him for dinner one night. 

My roses are making one last showing before they shut down for winter. 

I shared the bud last time of my Princess Diana rose and here she is, this is the first bloom after transplanting her, so she is flourishing in her new spot.

Soon I will need to drag in the geraniums to overwinter. 

I know you have heard me raving about this clematis before and his stellar performance, and now here he goes again blooming one last time before going dormant.
Warsaw Nike

For the most part my window boxes and hanging planters are looking rather sad but there are a few volunteer petunias just now blooming.  I need to pick up a few violas to add to the planter, they do well all winter and fill in thickly come Spring.

You remember my fancy little table set up??  Well I enjoyed seeing it so much that I left it for a bit.  Sunday afternoon I kept my nephews while their parents went on a dinner date. 
The 3 year old, Cayden, is a drama king.  He sees my table and exclaims “a tea pawty for me!” as he clasps his hands to his chest in delight.
So we had to sit and have a tea party.  He and his brother who is near 5 now had milk in their tea cups and tortilla chips on their plates. 
The crystal champagne flutes were put up for safe keeping.
It made a very nice ‘tea pawty’.

On that note I will leave you now.  Enjoy your day.