Hostas Art Form

Hostas are perhaps the perfect no care shade plant with dense leaves that appear as as an art form. The leaves can be lance-shaped, oval with smooth or wavy edges, and may have quilted or puckered textures. The leaves come in a variety of rich green and many have variegated foliage.
I admire them in the garden and I like to take cuttings and bring them indoors and fill vases with them for a stunning display! The larger the leaves the larger the vase for balance. They seem to last forever and a sure conversation piece for arriving guests!

Historic Charm

I am standing at the entrance to the most magical, bewitching, glorious garden
secretly tucked away!

A unique space with distinctive elements that evokes a mystical mood of
romance, whimsy, and charm!

This garden lifts my spirit!!

Excitement lurks as I reach for my camera, my constant companion.
I am approached by a gentleman who invites me to a "Victorian Tea" that is served
in the "Maranatha Log House."
As we walk I learn the log house is a "Bed and Breakfast." Built around 1850 and
was moved to it's present location.
The owner Martha McPhee an award winning designer of floral designs and
seasonal decorations is hosting this Victorian Tea! Held twice yearly and I just happened
to arrive at her doorstep as tea was being served!
I enjoyed the delightful finger sandwiches, scones with jams and jellies, and sumptuous
cakes and sweets!

I am driving home thinking was the last three hours a beautiful dream!!

P.S. This is a continuation of my last post.

The Curious Country Shopper

Earlier this month I decided to go for a country drive. As I drove along taking in
the country scenery a joy surges through me and I feel at peace. I am
thinking about how grateful I am for all that's present in my life!

I am approaching a quaint little village known for its many artisans and pass
a historic log house. I felt it was worth turning back to stop and take
a closer look.

Next to this log house was a garden tucked away to the side.
As I enter through the arbor, I realize that I have just discovered
a most charming treasure! I stood there in awe grateful for this find.

Let me stand here and appreciate every single whimsical element
of this heaven on earth!

Take a closer look by clicking on photos!
Next post I"ll share more photos taken and tell you more!!

Essential Elements

My garden has essential elements that make it irresistible to linger.
With fastidious maintenance

and adequate watering

I am rewarded with pleasantly fragrant flowers

and vines that add a romantic charm.

pictured above: pink clematis "alpina willy", white lilacs , hosta

May Update Photos

The photos are updates of plants I have previously posted.
Color is just beginning to pop throughout the garden with the early blossoms.

Pond area filling in nicely Ajuga bugleweed in full color!

Lilacs in front of house almost ready for
their "debut" pansies planted in front of rocks
eaten by visiting rabbits!
I'll replace with annuals.

Peony ready to burst Rose of Sharon behind
is beginning to leaf out

Casablanca Lily headed high above the surrounding roses

Amazing Gracey

HELLO! Check it out!
Amazing Gracey!! Hubba hubba hubba!
Heather is doing a great job!
Now wouldn't we all LOVE to have Gracey planted in our garden!
I sit down with the morning news and my green tea.
Look what I saw in one of our local newspapers!!
Quick book my flight to London England! Get me to that flower show on time!!
Ahhh...I can only wish.
(you" must" click to enlarge top photo)

Update on Patches

An act of kindness and goodwill is a choice we make. A choice that can bring about change and at times immediate rewards... a feeling of joy! It may be volunteering our time or simply allowing the person with only one item in a check out line to go through before you. We all have opportunities to show kindness in a world that to some can be cruel and unfair. You can make life better for yourself and those around you.
My choice was one of kindness and concern for a squirrel who found its way to my doorstep. I was so connected to this little animal that I had to give it a name! (See post "Patches")
I have continued to feed my little visitor a diet of nuts spread with peanut butter and Vit.E.
As of late Patches has revealed to me that in fact she is "Ms. Patches!" Yes now a healthy chubby little female!! Each morning she peers into the kitchen window as I sip green tea, beckoning me to throw out her treats.
See for yourself in the photos taken 2 months apart my "reward" for kindness given to
Ms. Patches!!

Clay Pots and Chicks

Hens-n-Chicks

They grow anywhere.
In gravel,cracks,
between rocks,
a tough little ground cover.
I like to recycle my
broken clay pots
by placing deep
into the soil
and filling with
hens-n-chicks.
My little evergreen rosettes
can be found throughout
my garden!

(click photos to enlarge)

Babie and Paisley

They are the objects of my affection!
My feline family have a tremendous positive influence on my life! They surround me with the vibration of love. To hear her harmonious purr as she settles on my lap is music to my ears! Petting her soft silky fur is most inviting to the touch. The warmth of her body relaxes me as she snuggles close to my heart and the sweetness of her gentle paw as she touches my face demonstrating her feelings, penetrates deep into my soul!

It is said "the eyes are the windows of the soul." Theirs is a soul of perfect sweetness and charm. Babie's playful nature I find so amusing! While making my bed she gets under the duvet as I give it a shake and we play "peek a boo." A delightful way to begin my day!! I retrieve her toy mouse from under the fridge or stove getting my daily stretch and bend, as she sits anxiously waiting. I see the world through the innocent eyes of a kitten as she trys to catch a raindrop that rolls down the window pane. I enjoy listening to the instinctive "chirping sounds" my cats make as they look out at the birds that land at the bird feeders. Watching my cats groom their face delights me! A pattern that never changes...right paw right side, left paw left side.

Our spirits are connected my creature comforts and I. Paisley, Babie, and Naturegirl.
Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway two literary cat fans shared my love of cats.
Descendants of Ernest Hemingways's cats still roam the lovley grounds of his Key West Florida home.

"Great golden comma of a cat,
You spring to catch my robe's one dangling thread,
And somehow land entangled in my heart."..... Lija Broadhurst

Mothers Day

To all the mothers visiting my blog site I wish you a "Happy Mothers Day!"

I share with you this astounding bouquet I WON as a door prize at my recently attended garden club meeting!! I am captivated by its beauty and the cherry blossoms are oh so fragrant!
I also learned a complex style of flower arrangement called "Ikebana". Japanese Ikebana literally means "flowers kept alive." I learned one style of arrangement, a "traditional Shoka." The container was important to the arrangement in that it must have a smooth and straight edge along the top of the container with no scallop, wave, or indentation. It must be of muted, dark, or earth toned color. Shoka style expresses the feeling of life, growing energy, and the natural beauty of the materials used. A beginner to this facinating art of flower arranging I look forward to creating my own impression through a form which becomes Ikebana.
I post a photo of my "first" attempt of Ikebana.

"When God thought of Mother, He must have laughed with satisfaction and framed it quickly,
so rich, so deep, so divine, so full of soul, power and beauty was conception."
Henry W. Beecher (american clergyman)

Coming Alive

Both my secret garden and my meditation garden are beginning to "come alive!" The photos reflect the growth activity that surrounds my bench located next to the pond. Soon to be at its peak with beauty and fragrance to delight my senses! Graceful grasses and perennial foliage are beginning to blend into a harmony of green!! The Redosier dogwoods along the fence will begin to leaf out anchoring the space and adding depth. The Japanese maple has begun to unfurl delighting me with the splash of Burgandy color! In the gaps between the stones planted moss and small stepable plants begin to spread. Irish moss, Scotch moss, Wooly thyme, Blue Star creeper to name a few.
Ahh...The pleasures of the garden coming alive!!

Color Me

COLOR ME SPRING!

Anemone, forget-me-nots, and alyssum


click on the picture to see the color pop!

Watercolors

Spring is a watercolor with
Ranunculus and Tulips!

A Single Tree

a still moment

beautiful white birch bark

happy singing cherry blossoms

A single tree can be admired for its shape, bark, leaves and blossoms.
The bark of a tree can be as beautiful and remarkable as any flower!

"Tree trunks grow and separate into limbs, branches, and leaves but the tree is still one. "
Quote from: Anne Morrow Lindbergh