juneSCENE IN OUR GARDEN: 2009

Here We Come a'Caroling....

We've had these carolers for years! They were either purchased at a garage sale or thrift store. I can't remember. I think they look charming in the corner of our front porch this year.

A trio of sights from our front porch -- the first real snow of December 2009...
What a difference a DAY makes! SO glad the fallen branches and limbs were cut up and removed yesterday before the snow fell (see yesterday's post)!

Wind Damage and Survival

High winds the second week of December took their toll on this poor tree. Other effects included the downing of a newly-installed wooden arbor in one of the flowerbeds and damage to a trellis and post on our back patio.

One bright spot I found while taking these pictures were the lovely red berries remaining on the bare bush below through which you can see our Christmas cabin that survived the falling limbs.

Toy Soldier

When I saw it marked "fifty cents" at the thrift store this afternoon, I thought it might fit here! Sure enough. It fits perfectly in the old wooden planter that stands on its end beside our front door.

A New Suit for the Porch Furniture

I covered the summer-print cushions with inexpensive green and red checked vinyl table clothes, tucked in to make a fit. I'm not sure how they will winter, but at least I can work with these colors for Christmas decorating purposes.

A closer look...

November 21, 2009

Autumn Rose. They don't give up easily!

Our bushes have berries!

Getting Ready for Winter

This afternoon I got all the rocks from the rock pile distributed. It didn't look like THAT big of a pile, but I ended up looking for places to put them. This was one solution....a border between the yard and an extra parking area beside our driveway.

It's not always pretty in our yard and garden! We took advantage of the sunshine and mild weather to stack some yard art. We'll cover it all with a tarp so it isn't so unsightly. My hard-working husband used the rain in the rain barrels to wash his car and then turned the rain barrels upside down for the winter.

By Day and By Night

I saw this artificial plant discarded by a trash bin as I drove in the country two days ago. My husband graciously stopped to pick it up and returned it to our front porch. Yesterday I strung a $.74 string of orange lights (reduced in price after Halloween). I am pleased with the look and pleased with the cost.

After a coat of white paint and a five hour wait, Husband hung the star over our porch steps. Great accent!

What a Difference a Night Makes!

Inevitable

Here in our back yard, the leaves are about half down. Gary began mowing and mulching. A neighbor offered his blower and (in about the same time it would have taken to mow) the leaves were piled and burning.

It began to sprinkle. By the time the rain started to fall, the leaves were ashes.

Hosta in October

B.B. (Before Blogging) I seldom noticed - let alone took photos!

Now, EVERYTHING catches my eye.

The contrast of sedum flowers and yellow hosta leaves is striking.

Splendor in our Back Yard

"October Gave a Party..."

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.
~George Cooper, "October's Party"

New Rock Border

I used the larger of rocks in our rock pile to create this border. I placed the rocks in the indentation formed by rain hitting the ground at the base of our shed.

More Rocks Rock!

Baughman's delivered us some more rocks! The pile will shrink as I use the larger ones for flower bed borders, replacing smaller ones I had installed temporarily. I am in a "rock phase". I enjoy using natural elements in our yard and garden along with the occasional whimsical touches.

Colors

Between the first of the month and now, the intensity of the pink sedum flowers has increased. They make beautiful statements in several of our flower beds.

...With a Nod to Autumn

Outfitting for Autumn

My husband designed, constructed, painted and hung this shelf/flag holder for our front porch. He used scraps and pieces found in our garage. I could hardly wait for the paint to dry to arrange some of my tin platters on it!

Birds on a Fence Post

Our Latest Acquisition

At "free", the price was right!

Autumn's Art

Had the Weather Cooperated....

...this would have been the scene in our garden this past Tuesday. I had hoped to serve desserts and coffee to my Red Hat Club ladies following our normal dinner meeting. However, rain had fallen most of the morning and there was another strong rain around 200 p.m. So desserts were served at the restaurant instead. I had looked forward to using the cushions (click on "cushions" to see the story) I had recently sewn scattered on various benches and seats throughout the yard along with vintage table clothes. Oh well. Maybe another time.

"Mums" the Word!

No other plant says "fall" like chrysanthemum flowers. (David Beauliu)

I divided a couple of hardy mums earlier in the summer. ALL of the divisions have done well and are blooming beautifully today. This is my favorite color and one of my most favorite, easy-to-grow perennials.

Sedum, too.

Two Angles - September View

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony. William Henry Channing 1810-1884

Irises come in many forms, shapes, colors and sizes and the sword-like foliage is attractive when the plant is not in bloom. The genus Iris is a large genus of bulbous and rhizomatous perennials.

The Iris was named after the goddess of the rainbow because of its many colors.
A flower on the Sphinx is considered to be an Iris, and another appears on a bas-relief of the 18th Egyptian dynasty.
Pliny also knew the Iris and praised its medicinal virtues.
The Iris was also a favourite flower of the Moslems, who took it to Spain after their conquest in the 8th century.

Bought at a local plant sale, Spring of 2009 Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium; syn. Chrysanthemum parthenium (L.) Pers., Pyrethrum parthenium Sm.) is a traditional medicinal herb which is found in many old gardens, and is also occasionally grown for ornament. The plant grows into a small bush up to around 18 inches high, with citrus-scented leaves and is covered by flowers reminiscent of daisies. It spreads rapidly, and they will cover a wide area after a few years. It is also commonly seen in the literature by its synonyms, Chrysanthemum parthenium (L.) Bernh. and Pyrethrum parthenium (L.) Sm.

I'D PICK MORE DAISIES
If I could live my life again
I'd be a little lazy
I'd stop this rushing to and fro
And stop and pick more daisies
Through all the lovely summer months
Though days be clear or hazy
No more to fret over tasks undone,
I'd stop to pick a daisy
Not so important what I did
This fact time now discloses
While running through life's garden green
I'd stop to smell the roses
If I could hold my little ones
The children in my care
I'd scold them less and love them more
With so much love to share
If I could pass this way again
Though folks might think I'm crazy
I'd work and worry less, but I'd
Take time to pick a daisy
The rush of life has passed me by
Now I have leisure hours
But time has taken such a toll
It's too late to pick the flowers.

Mildred F. Rowe

MEASURE YOUR HEALTH...by your sympathy with morning and spring. If there is no response in you to the awakening of nature, if the prospect of an early morning walk does not banish sleep, if the warble of the first bluebird does not thrill you--know that the morning and the spring of your life are past. Thus may you feel your pulse. (Thoreau)

"God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on the trees and flowers and clouds and stars." (Martin Luther)

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

The soul of a child is the loveliest flower
That grows in the garden of God
It's climb is from weakness to knowledge and power,
To the sky from the clay to the clod.
To beauty and sweetness it grows under care
Neglected, 'tis ragged and wild.
'Tis a plant that is tender, but wondrously rare,
The sweet wistfull soul of a child.

Be tender, O Gardener, and give it it's share
Of moisture, of warmth and of light,
And let it not lack for th painstaking care
To protect it from frost and from blight.
A glad day will come when it's bloom shall unfold,
It will seem that an angel has smiled,
Reflecting a beauty and sweetness untold
In the sensitive soul of a child.

...Author Unknown

Thy Word is like a garden, Lord,
With flowers bright and fair;
And every one who seeks may pluck
A lovely cluster there.
Thy Word is like a deep, deep mine,
And jewels rich and rare
Are hidden in its mighty depths
For every searcher there.

Thy Word is like a starry host:
A thousand rays of light
Are seen to guard the traveler,
And make his pathway bright.
Thy Word is like an armory,
Where soldiers may repair,
And find, for life's long battle-day,
All needful weapons there.

Oh, may I love Thy precious Word,
May I explore the mine,
May I its fragrant flowers glen,
May light upon me shine!
Oh, may I find my armor there!
Thy Word my trusty sword,
I'll learn to fight with every foe
The battle of the Lord.

(Edwin Hodder, Thy Word Is Like a Garden, Lord)