To Dream A Garden

"To dream a garden and then to plant it is an act of independence and even defiance to the greater world."

~Felder Rushing



I just had to post two more photos from the garden. I have been photographing it, for the first time this spring, just over the last couple days. It was time! Everything has bloomed for the first time this season, and over all it's healthy and off to a pretty good start! There is no sign of winter damage, and no signs... knock wood... of aphids! Gosh I hope I didn't just jinx myself just then! You know how it is, you say something positive out loud, and before you know it, it comes back to haunt you!

 But I have it covered I think. This week I plan to do a heavy cinnamon sprinkle in the garden, which will discourage the ants, which discourages the aphids. Gardening is all a matter of timing... luck... sunshine... rain... and love. My garden is a labor of love. Hopefully years after I am gone, someone will rent this little cottage of mine, and really love and appreciate the beauty of the roses, the lavender and Paul the Japanese Maple.

:)

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Round Robin Challenge: May Flowers

"Be like a flower, and turn your face to the sun."

~Kahlil Gibran

RRC: May Flowers

For the first Round Robin challenge of May, Karen wants to see the flowers! May Flowers to be exact! I wasn't sure my rose garden would be ready in time, but we had a sudden flux in temperatures last week, and it seems it was just the right amount of sun and rain to bring out the deep color of the garden. Pinks, yellows, reds... all bright and alive. It's gorgeous! Even my Japanese Maple is full of deep burgundy colored leaves, which will turn an amazing pink and copper just in time for autumn! 

The rose garden is one of my favorite joys in life. I have worked really hard on it, and it, in turn, has made me happy with all the beautiful colors, and the spicy scent of the roses. It's my happy place. And soon, I will be adding some Heirloom tomatoes to make it all come together. I can't wait until Alan gets the vegetable garden up and running! This year we are taking on pumpkins!

Round Robin Challenge: May Flowers















Okay, that's my May Flowers gallery. Now that you have seen my post, why not see what other participants in the challenge came up with. Just click the link at the top of the post to be redirected to the official Round Robin Photo Challenge blog. That's where you will find the links, and all the information you need to play along! 

"If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom."

~Audra Foveo

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

My Rose Garden Update June 17th 2013

"I believe in roses. And I believe in putting roses into a vase and sitting the vase on the table. I believe in getting lost and being found, I believe in going barefoot, and in laughter! My religion is to laugh at myself whenever I can! I believe in the sunlight and in grey skies with big, beautiful clouds!"

~C. JoyBell C.

To my delight, my rose garden has burst with color. It's ready to take on summer in a few days, as are the plum tree and the pear tree! The garden is also showing the first of the Heirloom tomatoes! I have something special planned for them!

Stay Tuned!











Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Rusty Ice And Roses In November

"Everyone needs a warm personal enemy or two to keep him free from rust in the movable parts of his mind."

~Gene Fowler

Do I like Ice Plant? Do I not like Ice Plant? I like the pretty purple flowers that bloom in spring, and are still around in late summer. I LOVE the gorgeous earthy tones in autumn. But on the other hand, you can pack a picnic lunch and go sit in a patch of Ice Plant. Also, you can't pick a bouquet of those pretty flowers and put them in a vase. Although you can enjoy the loveliness of the plant as you drive up and down the coast of California. Plus... if your car runs off the road while you are enjoying said beauty, you will probably be okay, because Ice Plant will stop a moving car!

Okay, I suppose I like Ice Plant enough, but I kinda doubt I will be planting any in my garden anytime soon. But on the other hand, Ice Plant does well in properly planned rock gardens. Not that I am going to plant a rock garden, but its good to know. Ice Plant... it's a complicated thing. You would never think it just by looking at it would you?

;)

And Now A Rose Garden Update...

RedGold November 2012


It's past the mid point of November, so I am getting ready to prune the roses back by 1/3 as is suggested. This will probably be the last week for garden updates, but there is plenty to see. The roses have taken the sudden change of weather really well, so it is still producing nicely, however one look at the edges and you can see the mild withering of the petals. We'll see how the next month or two goes, but with any luck, I will have a rose or two for Christmas. Fingers crossed!

Pink Promise Rose November 2012


Apricot Nectar Rose November 2012



~Me :)

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 115~ Color

"It's on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way. So we must dig and delve unceasingly."

~ Claude Monet

I did a lot of black and white photography last week, and while I love it, I can't help but want to highlight all the glorious color I see around me. The garden right now is in a full on outrageous display of color. Purple, yellow, apricot, red, you name it, that color is screaming... NOTICE ME! The leaves on my Japanese Maple is especially vibrant. It was an amazing crimson red for most of the year, but right now it is transitioning into a lovely copper color. Everything is so vibrant and vivid right now, you can almost see an exclamation point next to each leaf and petal.

"If the world really looks like that I will paint no more!"

~Claude Monet







~Me :)