News From the Garden

Life's been keeping me happily busy these days but I need to get back into the blogging mode.  Here's what's been happening in my life lately.

The flower beds.

The dark pink peonies have been blooming and what a treat! 

My pale pink ones are just starting to open.

 

The irises have been pretty, too.  This is an old fashioned kind my mom shared from her garden years ago.  I always smile when they bloom.  They are a wonderful reminder of her.  She had an incredible green thumb. 

Wish I had a bit more of that special trait!

She wouldn't have like these, though.  She did NOT like the color yellow but I do.  These have just finished blooming. 

I don't have very many tea roses but two are blooming. 

This is one Mom would have LOVED!  Pink was her color! 

This pale pink rose bush is one Wonderful Hubby bought me years ago. 

I just love the delicate color!

The clematis have been trying to outdo each other.  I've planted several different varieties together and the color combination is so pretty.

 

These little alliums are a new addition and are a bit smaller than I hoped for.  They are pretty, though.

 

The vegetable garden is planted and coming along nicely.  I'm trying a few new beans and some new gardening techniques I've learned about through my Master Gardener group.  I'll write a post about that garden soon. 

 

Favorite Son is doing a summer internship in Pennsylvania and my Dear MIL went with me last week to take out some of his things (golf clubs, guitar-you know, things he can't live without!)  It also gave us some peace of mind seeing his new surroundings.  He's in the heart of Amish country, Lancaster County!  He's staying with a wonderful family and has his own little 'suite' in the country.  I think he's going to like it.  Wonderful Hubby and I will go back just before he comes home to bring his things back and let Dad get a chance to see where he's been working. 

 

During this first visit, which was over Memorial Day, Fav Son wanted to visit Gettysburg.  I took some pictures that I'll share closer to the 4th of July but here is a flowering hawthorn, Missouri's state flower.

Our front porch was in full bloom when we returned!

One of our Border Collies, Sallie, said she watered all the flowers for me but I think it was Wonderful Hubby who actually kept them well hydrated!

Sallie and her dad, Champ.

 

The chicks have grown up!!  They won't stay in their pen anymore and have become fixtures in the yard and gardens.  I was hoping for all hens but I strongly suspect I have two roosters.

 This fellow is one of them.  I don't mind them being assertive but we may have to make some decisions if they develop too much attitude!

 

My tiny violet has finally bloomed!  One of our garden club members showed us how to propagate them about eight month ago and I think this little guy is going to make it!!

 

I just talked to Precious Daughter and she's planning to come home for a visit!!  It will be SO good to see her!

 

Thanks for stopping by!  I'm going to try to get back into a weekly blogging habit.  I really enjoy it and it's such an easy way to 'scrapbook'

our newly retired life! 

Hope you all have a great weekend!

 

Zenda

 

 

Linking to:

 

Share Your Cup Thursday

Simple and Sweet Fridays

Home Sweet Home

Amaze Me Mondays

Something to Talk About

Tuesdays At Our Home

 



Nearing the End of Summer

It seemed when the calendar changed to September and Labor Day was here, I immediately thought of fall.  The truth is that around here, September is a pretty warm month ... almost as if it were still summer.  I remember, as a teacher, I used to have many a sweater and sweatshirt with a fall theme.  I could never wear them until October/November because it was always too warm in September! 

Well, I've purged my closets of those things.  I've decided to enjoy summer a bit longer!  That includes wearing shorts, sunglasses and, yes, WHITE attire! 


But enough of that!


Even with blistering temperatures last week, the garden still amazed me this morning! 


 


Kale, okra, peppers, tomatoes, a cucumber and parsley!!



We don't have a big vegetable garden but the green beans and tomatoes have done very well.  The last two weeks it has really kept me busy!  After eating and sharing all we could, I started canning.  This is the first year I have had this many beans.  I've just put 54 quarts and 5 pints on the shelves in the basement! 

I also canned some stewed tomatoes and froze marinara sauce.  I'm very happy to have these for winter but am also glad this part of my summer is over...

I hope!  Think I'll have to pick again this evening!

 

 

 

 

 I also wanted to show off my mailbox clematis!  When the kids were young, after seeing it, one of their friends asked what was EATING our mailbox?!  To be honest, I'm not exactly sure which variety it is but it certainly is healthy and quite heat and drought tolerant!

 

 

 

 



 Just a few photos of the beautiful blooms!

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you know which variety it is, please let me know. 

 

Who could pull these little Morning Glories?  I know many consider them weeds but think how hard they've tried to survive through that thick mass of clematis vines!  And then, there they are; adding a gentle pop of color, just those two!  I had to leave them!  Wouldn't you?

Thanks for sharing my Amazing Monday!   I'm hoping you have a wonderful week!!

 

 

Linking to:

 

Amaze Me Monday

Tuesdays at Our House

Home{work} Wednesday

Outdoor Wednesday

 

 

 

 

 

A Walk Through My Garden

  Last year's drought really stressed things in my gardens but this spring we've had relatively cool weather and ample amounts of rain.  Here's a sample of how my flowers are looking this year.



  My Stella D'oro lilies are bold and bright!

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     The clematis is blooming, as are the hydrangeas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  I had to replace several of my hydrangeas after last summer.  I went with the Endless Summer variety.  I've had good luck with these in the past.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guess you can tell I'm partial to my Hydrangeas!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   As I round the corner of the house, my day lilies take their turn at blooming. They don't want to be out done by everyone else!

This is a minature petunia. Isn't it pretty!   See the statue of the children in the background?  My teacher friends gave that to me when I retired.  It was the perfect gift  because I had been a remedial reading teacher for the last 12 years, and if you notice, the children are reading!!  It also is a great addition to my 'garden-scape' and something I'll enjoy using in different parts of the yard through the years!

  

 

  I'm also an herb grower.  I really like using them in my recipes.  Here are parsley, chervil and mint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  I also use a lot of thyme, dill, basil and rosemary.  This year I'm also trying sage, tarragon and fennel.  (Well, I don't think fennel is an herb, but it's a new addition to my vegetable garden this year.  If it thrives, I'll give a report about that later.)  I have some of these other herbs in the veggie garden but also like to grow some on the back porch, just outside the kitchen.  I keep my trimming scissors on the herb bench, ready and waiting.

A planter with thyme, tarragon and chives.



   Now to put the camera away and get out the garden clippers.  I think it's time to bring some of these goodies inside to enjoy!  Thanks for stopping by!