Summer Work
Monday, June 1, 2009
I've been working outside weeding my flower beds. We live on about 5 acres and I began most of these flower beds when I was a bit younger. While my kids were outside playing, I would plant flowers. Now, the kids are grown and I'm not quite as eager to get out and work in the yard. I enjoy being outside ...but maybe to have lunch or read a book and listen to the birds. I should have begun this work in the spring....but no.....I had to wait until it's about 84-90 degrees outside. I think I'm a little crazy. Maybe my problem is waiting until the weeds grow to the point I can't tolerate them anymore. Many of the flowers growing in my beds were given to me by my Grandmother. I used to think I would keep them and share them with my kids. But I'm rethinking this. See the photo of the daisies? This was one of the flowers she gave me. Now they are growing all over my yard...and in the neighbor's fields too. Each flower head has about a billion seeds. I'm not kidding either. No need to dig this plant up and share it with anyone. In another couple of years they will spread to your yard too. No need to thank me. I know you will enjoy their cheerful faces!
Last year I planted 70 lavender plants. This is one flower bed that is very pleasant to weed. My martin house is located above the lavender beds. The birds talk to me as I weed. The scent of the lavender leaves and bloom fills the air as I work this bed. These are about ready to harvest. I love that they return every year...so does my cat.
We have planted about 50 trees on this bit of land. My husband is now trying to grow oak seedlings.....don't ask me why...He alone has about 50 small oak trees. I don't even like squirrels either. Hope he does.
One of the trees I planted is the Catalpa tree. I love the large leaves and the bloom. The flower looks like a small orchid. It's in bloom now. Doesn't it make you want to go out and plant one in your yard too?
It's easy to grow and in spring it's a drama queen.
My blackberry patch is one of my favorite spots. You can see the berries are beginning to form now. My husband and I will go out in June and July and spend an hour picking every day. I make pies, tarts and jelly. They are really splendid to say the least. We grow the thornless berries. Nothing says summer like blackberries. Start some in your backyard! No yoga class needed for us. We bend every way possible picking these babies.
Barbara Karlsson wrote the following:
Click on her name if you want to stitch along with Barbara. Sounds like a great summer project. She is going to work on one block every other day....here is the quilt. Barb and I began this project at the beach last year. She drew out the basket pattern and brought her fabric. We began cutting and gluing the pieces....getting them ready for invisible machine applique. Barb took the blocks home and made about 100 more to finish the project. I told Barb it would be dramatic to make it a full-sized quilt. Well, it's dramatic alright!
Begin something dramatic this summer! And be on the lookout for the daisies I'm sending your way.
What I'm reading....and it's a wonderful read too! (Look out David....Barb and I are coming to visit you.)Until later,
Alma
14 comments
Dear Alma,
ReplyDeleteI love your sense of humor. this is a great post!
I am making the Trick or Treat quilt as well only doing in hand applique. I'll be waiting for my daisies and will always think of you! Have a great week.
I love your garden Alma :) We have a black cat like yours, with a little white "bib" on his chest and gold eyes :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great garden you have! As for that quilt, it's one of my favorites in that book. I always love baskets. Thanks for the link -- I'll have to at least follow the progress. :D
ReplyDeleteBonjour Alma,
ReplyDeleteI love looking ay your beautiful garden !! I have the same black kitty and am waiting for your daisies :)) Are they gonna cross the big pond ?
Hugs from mu sunny garden
Véronique in France
Oh Alma your garden is just beautiful. I'm lucky enough to have some Florida Black Eyed Susans that just grow everywhere. They are like your daisies in the sense they always make me smile. Love the quilt as well. I'm still just having fun with the hexagons!! Hugs and Happy Gardening !!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful post! I'm on the lookout for those daisies - I do so love their sweet cheer. :D
ReplyDeleteGorgeous tree and I love the kitty in the lavender!
ReplyDeleteYour garden is just beautiful, and so is your kitty! I don't have any daisies in my yard so I will welcome them when they arrive!
ReplyDelete70 lavender plants... wow... you do everything up right don't you!!! the results are always perfect too... happy weeding!
ReplyDeleteWould welcome your daisies - maybe my dandelions could hide among them? I love lavender too, and have a few pots in my garden - but yours look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing your garden. The thought of working in a lavender patch sounds heavenly. That basket quilt is amazing!
ReplyDelete70 lavenders??? Wowzer woman!! I'm trying to downsize my garden ... it's a slow process... now where NEAR your size is my 1/3 acre in the city... hehe!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post full of interesting news, ideas and lovely pictures. Your garden is really pretty. I've just been sitting out in mine admiring the amazing display of columbines leaning towards the sun!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you have made use of your grandmother's plate - such a wonderful idea and so nice to see these old pieces of china in use.
I wish we had estate sales in England but, I suspect my DH does not share my disappointment :>)
TTFN Angela
Dear Alma,
ReplyDeleteCatalpa Trees, didnt know about these trees, til I moved into my 150 yr old house about 6 yrs ago in California. I just love them also, and the long beans that they grow are also a sight to see.Missed Pitts this year, but will see you in Houston.
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