Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Pretty in Pink

 Stargazer Lilies are lovin' some sunshine.

 There’s this old saying, “make hay while the sun shines,” but what’s an impatient gardener to do when it’s been raining cats and dogs? Every day! For 6 long weeks?

Getting Lilies (top photo) & Tulips to bloom at the same time is oh-so-easy!
Plant Lilies indoors, in the depths of winter. Quick cure for cabin fever. :)

During the soggy month of May, I took an opposite approach to that old saying, by starting a full-on veggie garden, by seed, in my sunny window.

With those little darlings screaming for more wiggle room, I devoted the whole, blissful weekend to happily transplanting enough vegetables to feed an army, come harvest.

Drifts of Wild Phlox carpet the pasture area of our property.

That is.. IF they survive. Given our bee-zarre weather patterns, it might too early to throw my precious little seedlings to the wolves.

Mother Nature, no doubt, has one more trick up her sleeve. But, I couldn’t wait a moment longer.

I not only want it to be summer. I need it to be summer! It’s just downright nutty that I should have my furnace running in June!

Last summer's Hot Cha Cha Geraniums are still growing strong. 
They flowered, indoors, all winter. (Thanks, Amy!)

So, let's say a prayer. Light a candle. And, cross our fingers that this glorious weather will hold.

* Veggie seedlings don't make the most interesting pictures so here's some of the pink pretties gracing the garden today. This is what I squished into the raised beds:
  • Golden Beets
  • Chioggia Beets
  • Romanesque Cauliflower
  • Walla Walla Sweet Onions
  • Radicchio Rosso
  • Sadie’s Horse Beans
  • Pinto Beans
  • Luca and Fariolo Italian Beans
  • Scarlet Nantes and Parisian Carrots

Monday, June 4, 2012

Monday's Walk in the Garden

Bearded Iris
Bellflowers
Dainty Bleeding Hearts
First Geum Blossoms
Mom's Wild Roses
Fragrant Lilacs
Sweet Honeysuckles
Plus one very happy little hummingbird. )
I'm too worn out from weeding to have much to say. But, the joint is looking so pretty I just had to show it off! Happy Monday.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Megan's Morning Shower



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Friday, May 25, 2012

The Tiresome Trifecta with a Totally Tasty Plan B


Thunder, lightening, drenching rain.

This trifecta can only mean one thing ~ it must be Memorial Weekend!


Like clockwork, every year, the teasing warmth of an early summer disappears at the precise moment I start dusting off the camping gear.


I've been prowling the nurseries. Drooling over the new flowers they have to offer.

But, I leave my purse in the car so as not to be too tempted too early.


And, I keep my big mouth shut when strolling past the happy lines of optimistic shoppers, scooping up cheery flowering baskets, tender annuals ~ giddy over the great weather we've been having.


I do not utter a word about how they're jumping the gun and Mother Nature has one more trick up her sleeve.

Because, nobody likes it when you rain on their parade. Including me.


So, I'm working on a Totally Tasty Plan B ~ Dry Rub Ribs for this Ultra Iffy Memorial Day BBQ. These cook better in the oven than they do on the grill.

* First, baste the ribs with 3 tbs fresh roasted garlic (those jars you buy in the supermarket) and 2 tbs spicy brown mustard. Then sprinkle the dry ingredients onto the ribs. Bake @ 300 for 2-3 hours. This recipe is good for 3 pounds of ribs.

Dry Rub Ribs
  • 2 tbs roasted, ground cumin
  • 2 tbs dark brown sugar
  • 2 tbs smoked paprika
  • 2 tbs onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 tbs salt and 2 tbs pepper (or let your guests handle this when you're done cooking)



Have you ever wondered why BBQ joints 
feature dancing piggies in their logos?
If I were the piggy, I'd be making a quick exit from this party.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Mystery Wildflower


Can you guess the name of this wild flowering bush?

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Friday, January 27, 2012

Friday's Freebie: BHG's Orchid Manual

Brassia Rex Christine ~ my most 'exotic' orchid
Do you grow Orchids? I avoided them for years. Thinking they were too high maintenance. The only person I knew who grew them kept all of hers on a kitchen counter, near a north facing window.

When they're not in bloom, they're the ugliest things. Or, so I thought. 

Gangly stems stretch to the sun as new buds begin to take shape.
Once I embraced the challenge of getting orchids to re-bloom, I totally changed my tune. These days, I'm as excited with the green shoots and buds as I am with the stunning flowers.

Orchids keep me company while I'm washing dishes.
This is my kitchen window. It faces west. Whatever orchids are currently in bloom take up residence here. No sunlight reasons behind that. Simple selfishness! Inspecting those intricate blossoms takes my mind off the fact that I'm standing there, washing dishes.

Lady Slipper Orchid

Which brings me to this week's Freebie  ~ a book I absolutely positively DO NOT want to give away. (I promised I would give it away, therefore I have to.) I learned a few new tricks by reading this book.

BH&G's Orchid Gardening book is everything you've ever wanted to know about Orchids.

From basic care to DIY orchid soils to creating an orchid hospital when some of them require life support. (Plus, some hand holding when it's time to throw that baby into the compost pile and start all over again. :)

I have one copy of this book to give away. Please leave a comment if you'd like to be in the drawing.

* Better Homes & Gardens gave me a collection of plant-related books to read, review and give away.

Hence, the 'Friday Freebie' thing, which will continue with something new for the next few weeks. If you're not big Orchids, pop over next Friday to yak about Herbs.

** To be completely fair in selecting a winner, I have my neighbor draw names out of a hat. (Gives me a fine excuse to hang out over at her place and eat all of her cookies.)

CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST WEEK'S WINNER: Melospiza. I'll be mailing you the Yes! You Can! canning and preserving book. Just as soon as you send me your address. :))


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Window Sill Gardens

Azaleas

Geranium (I'm a total sucker for this peachy keen color.)

Micro-mini Roses

A delightful mess of my favorite indoor flowers ~ colorful Kalanchoe

You know what I love about flowers? Everything.
How when they start to smile, they put a smile on my face, too.
How could anyone look at this crazy mess of blossoms and still feel grumpy?

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