waiting for spring

A week ago we were finally able to see some uncovered earth and then we got dumped on with more snow. This is not unusual, but always disheartening this late. Our growing season is short enough as it is! This is the year I tackle the front yard. I put in my fruit bed in the back in the one sunny spot and the rest of the back yard is lots of shady beds. Very little lawn left back there which is great. I have always thought any expanse of lawn was a waste of space so this year the front yard is going to be all raised beds and garden areas. Plenty of sun and since my neighbor's yard has an entire row of black walnut trees the raised beds should be a good way to handle that problem. As you can see I have bought plenty of seeds as the raised beds are going to be a mix of vegetables, herbs, fruits, annuals, and perennials. It's time to get the gardening magazines out for inspiration!

I love the look of these raised beds- all the leafy lettuces make such nice foliage accents.
This year I plan to start with 3 raised beds each measuring 4' by 8'. The perimeter of the yard has already been planted in a variety of shrubs- bridal veil, amur maple, and hydrangeas. This will be the privacy fence from the street. Once those have filled in I want to bring that border in some more with additional shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennials.
While I am waiting to get started I have been getting ideas for climbing structures for peas, beans, malabar spinach, morning glories,etc.
They are trimming trees right now at the arboretum- I might see if I can take a few straight branches off their hands!
The magazines have some great ideas for all the fresh flowers to come. I especially like the use of this old bulb planter- just slip a glass votive or small vase inside. Such a pretty centerpiece!
The little bird cage with the tulips - another great idea.
Sunflowers and canning jars-simple and stunning.
And I don't know how many times I have come across an old oil lamp that is missing the chimney- this adds such height to an arrangement.
And for the kitchen table- sunny yellow blossoms in a glass juicer!
Cosmos in a wire egg basket:
Great ideas to be looking for at all the upcoming sales and antique stores. Hurry up Spring!

New Look

I'm playing around with a new look for this blog and thought I would post some pictures I took at home and at the arboretum this late spring and summer.
We've had plenty of rain and heat this summer and the plants have really flourished.
Peonies are some of my absolute favorites and they were spectacular.


It is such a treat to see the combinations at the arboretum, very inspiring.
I love the colors of the azaleas even though I'm not fond of the plant in general. Once the blooming is over it is ho-hum if not downright ugly.
But, you can't beat the colors!

Even though it is just the beginning of August I am looking forward to fall and our drives in the bluff country-beautiful foliage colors! Next week I hope to go picking blackberries for more jam making. The freezer is filling up with fruit and veggies for jams and chutneys. I'm hoping to make small gift baskets as gifts for the holidays and would rather do it once the weather cools down. Hope you enjoy the photos!

catching up on projects

Things have been so busy lately. We are in the midst of closing our physical shop and, of course, the closing sale is really bringing in the customers. We will run it through the end of the year and then get our new online shop up and running. In the meantime I have been making Christmas ornaments- these are a special order going to North Carolina.

I have also been making some changes at home. I used some of the silk flowers from the shop to make this arrangement. The container is an old aluminum pitcher that I painted and decoupaged a number of years ago. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed doing that- I might do some pieces for the online shop. We might do some art fairs and farmers markets next year. There are quite a few good local ones. It will give me the opportunity to make cookies, handmade soap, and jams.

These are jars of my raspberry/blueberry jam and some of my bread and butter pickles. I also just finished some cranberry/raspberry jam and candied apple jelly. The candied apple jelly has a hot cinnamon flavor and should work well in thumbprint cookies. With Thanksgiving this week there will be plenty of cooking to do. Then it is cookie baking time!