It's the truth . . . . . .

'If you have a garden and a library

(or a loaded Kindle),

 you have everything you need."

 

Marcus Tullius Cicero

Snapshot: on my window sill

Pink David Austin rose (Eglantyne),

rescued from the cold frost,

keeping my almost-blooming violet company.

 

 

Snapshot . . . . growing like a 'hosta'

June 16th

 

June 27th

Enjoying my one hosta in a pot -

and learning to out-wit our pesky gopher !



Water Dance . . . .

We might have had 14.8 inches of rain in May -

but here in mid June, it's already hot and dry.

 

Time for the sprinkler water-dance.

 

Twirling and throwing drops of water over thirsty plants

and filling the birdbath to the brim.

Another hot one . . . .

What the temp was in my vehicle this morning . . . . . at 7:30 A.M.

Yep, it's going to be a hot one today. According to our local weather wizards - we will be breaking record temps all week.   And, those records go back to the 1930's.  

One of the few plants in our garden that thrives in this heat - crepe myrtles.  They bloom when everything else has given up and turned brown.  And, they make me smile on these hot days.

Summer Rose

It's my least favorite time of the year -- 'Summer'
In some parts of the world, they have lovely weather  in the Summer, with temps just high enough to make a swimming pool (and a cold drink) very inviting.

But, here in Oklahoma the past 2 Summers could not be described as 'lovely'.  Last year had over 66 days over 100 degrees with no rain.  And, unless you were willing to take out a 2nd mortgage for your water bill - you had some casualities of the heat and drought.  We still have bare patches in our lawn and I thought we lost one of the rose bushes too.  I was wrong (partly away).  The picture below is a rose, springing up from the dried up base of one of my favorite Knock Out Roses. 

I was going to dig this bush up and replace it with a crepe myrtle in the fall - but now I'll wait and see what happens with this little shoot of green, topped with a rose.
I think it deserves a chance, don't you ? 

Note:  This Summer we are already on our 5th day of over 100 degree heat.  Keep your fingers crossed that we don't have a repeat of last year.

How does 'My' garden grow . . . .

No cockle shells, silver bells and pretty maids all in a row I'm sorry to say.
And, even though my name is not 'Mistress Mary' - 'my' garden does grow. 

 

I do have hosta plants with green leaves all bordered in white --

Just love the texture they add to my garden.

And, I've finally found a way to keep the pesky gopher away -- 

plant them in sunken terra cotta pots, and he can't nibble at the roots.  

The begonias are so pretty this year -- they are a garden stand-by for me --

I never grow tired of those glossy leaves and delicate flowers.
Although, Willie Jay, would tell you have way too many at the moment! 

 

Thank you again LB for this sweet old-fashioned basket.

Like so many things in my garden (and in my life) --

 the imprint of your love and generous heart are every where. 

Battles, Birds, & Ballerinas

Joe and I scored big on a Saturday garage sale run:  lots and lots of Lincoln Logs.  Which, of course, led to the purchase of tiny Cowboys, Indians & Pirates for an epic battle at MoMo/Papa Bill's house. So worth the $2 price tag.

I've always wanted a bird bath for our backyard - but, the really nice ones are very dear. After a little internet search, I bought a large clay planter saucer, sprayed it with a couple of coats of  clear spray paint -- our neighborhood birds have a little 'splash park'.   It took them almost a week to get used to this new addition to the back patio - but, now it's in full use.  I like to think they know the value of a dollar and appreciate my thrifty effort -- or maybe they just like my terra-cotta chicken!

A tired little ballerina, after her first performance as one of a troup of mice in the ballet 'Peter Pan'.  She had an entire row of family cheering her on and we all agreed she was excellent (and so cute in ruffles, velvet, & tail). 

Yes, May has been a busy month - can't wait to see what June has to offer !

First Rose

"The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day

He created Spring"                                         

                                ~ Bern Williams

Verbs of the season . . . .

Baking:  a new Gingerbread Cookie recipe  - it received 'rave reviews' from my family.  This recipe is a 'keeper' (I'll post the recipe soon ).  

Enjoying:  the last of my 'Linda' roses -- still pretty in early December and it makes me smile every time I see it  (Mr. Snowman agrees!) 

Wrestling:  'Grandbabe' quilts on my dining room table  -- two are bound and ready to be wrapped up for Christmas --  one more to go and my holiday quilting will be done.

Knitting:  a tiny Elf hat and scarf for a special little girl who still 'believes'.  Who knew you could 'stitch' some Christmas magic with needles and yarn !

Dreaming:  of a new project - one that will take me a year to finish and I can't wait to start (but, first I'll need more than one skein of yarn!)

Lots to do over the next couple of weeks - but, I'm taking my time to savor each task and remember the real reason for this holiday.



The 'plan' for pink

I love tulips - especially pink tulips. 
Unfortunately, gophers love tulips too (any color - they aren't picky). 
This next spring, I'm hoping to have tulips (pink ones) for the first time in 4 years.
I have a plan. 

1. Take one large clay pot, bury it 3/4 down in your soil. 
2. Fill pot with 2 inches of soil.  Plant bulbs.
3. Cover with more soil and lots of mulch (on top and all around). 
4. Spread castor pellets all in flower bed and front lawn. 
5. Look forward to pretty pink tulips come spring. 

Wish me luck !

It's too dang hot for June

I do believe the month of June is confused -- this month is acting just like the month of July and that's not good. We are entering our second week of 97+ degree heat -- and, as far as I'm concerned, it's too dang early for summer heat.   

What happened to the June of cool mornings and afternoon highs in 80's?  Did that June move to another part of the country?   I'm stating right now, that I"m not ready to have the heat to hit me in the face when I step outside anytime after 10am. And, I'm so not ready to water my potted plants every day or watch them die of thirst -- and my water bill reach 'national debt' levels a month early this year. 

Al Gore is this what you were talking about when you made that movie that won all sorts of awards ?? 

If so, come on over and help me drag hoses around to try and save my begonias - Ok?!!  We'll have a great time -- you and me, talking politics, global warming -- while giving my plants a drink of cool water.

And, it would be such a shame to let these pretty plants die.  Now doesn't that sound like fun ?!!  

Call me Al and we'll work out a watering schedule.