still

From May until November, my dearest pansies show 

just how strong they are!  I am just a bit in awe of such

gentle strength.

good morning!

You just can't plan this...sweet sweet

morning glories self seed & return each 

year at our flag pole base. Here they

hug a rabbit statuary & a birdbath.

I do adore nature's surprises.

Have a great l o n g weekend!

sun flower time

they grow & grow & grow & grow

~ ~ ~  then Bloom ~ ~ ~

           Such happy flowers!

filling in

My favorite local nursery has now reduced hours and

diminished plant stock.  All the same, I recently was 

there on a mission to find some hardy fillers for my planters.

I start each spring with my beloved pansies & violas...which

tend to hang in there, but with certain disdain for hot days.  

They begin to straggle over the edges & yellow....blooming 

with their little faces all the while.  So I grab whatever 

annual looks like it will take my planters into fall.  Sedge is

my new favorite...a tall brown grass with curly tops.  Lettuce

in a deep burgundy will work...as will Asparagus Fern.

I dig them in around the yellow violas.  Smooshing in

some Thyme for good measure.  This vintage metal 

ice cream chair was missing a seat....an enamelware

pan (with several rusted holes for drainage) is perfect.

Tucked a bunny in with the plantings....why of course!

It does make me a tad sad when the summer plantings begin

to round the bend on their way to Autumn~~ but I do so

love that season, too!

How are your gardens?  Do you fill in too?

vintage garden

My gardens are farm gardens....nothing fancy: day lilies, hydrangea, and a sunflower or two. First rule is, if you grow here- you must be hardy. Second rule, the plants must learn to coexist with metal chairs, a milk can or two, and any other chippy, rusty item that may just decide to call a garden a home.

And pansies absolutely call this farm home. Anyone that attended the spring barn sale might just attest to that little fact.

So, how does your garden grow?

pansies

not quite, but almost time...

my favorite green house opens this Saturday,

and I simply can't wait!

I will buy pansies & pansies & pansies.

All these sweet little faces will greet me all about the farm.

So -- what favorite flower are you counting the days until?



peace

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his next again,

I shall not live in vain.

Emily Dickinson

little flowers

I am in process of garden cut back & clean up.  Cutting back those plants that have become just far too leggy - sometimes giving them their second chance at growth, sometimes removing them all together.  It is necessary -- but never ever easy for me.  So often it is my beloved pansies that by July are overhanging their pots that take the massive cut.  And, putting those sweet little faces in my garden discard bag just hurts.  However, trying to tease out each little flower to save takes such patience & time, then they only last a moment.  Sometimes I take the time, sometimes I just close my eyes and throw.  Little flowers, little plant haircuts, my oh my -- does anyone else suffer through these things like me?

hollyhocks, day lilies, snowballs and farm gardens

I am not a gardener...

however, I do like the play of foliage & perrenials & annuals -

and know just enough.

In our last home in Sun Prairie - we were fortunate to

earn "Garden of the Month" distinction

and be featured in the city's annual

Garden Walk.

But still -- I make no aspirations at Master Gardener.

When someone asks about a plant -- my answer will likely be,

"I like how it looks".

So - with a vintage farm

- my quest was to keep the gardens

pure & simple & true to the farm's age.

That meant hollyhocks, day lilies, hydrangeas (snowballs) 

& any other planting that
could stand hardy farm living.

And, with a barn red & Old Chicago brick backdrop-
colors must be subdued, thoughtful, quiet.
The pinks above were picked by the hollyhocks, not me...
but I do like their play against the brick.

Plants were rescued from the old gardens, found as
we "civilized" the farm yard edges. 
Rusty "art" was added,
just enough wild was left unaltered,
with a restful, peaceful farmyard as the goal.

What is your favorite garden secret?

sweet breeze blowing...

Some days are simple:

gardens watered

clothes on the line



animals fed

and a sweet breeze blowing...

Want to send a blog "hi" to Barb at

Plum Thickety Place.

If you haven't had a chance to visit yet,

check out her sweet blog by clicking HERE

Enjoy this summer day...

{sigh}

soon. soon. soon.

{sigh}

A Wild Rose...

And everywhere the flowers bloomed, and the people laughed and there was peace in the world.

Home is where I return to at the end of the day when I am tired and need to replenish my spirit.

Where is your peace?