Monday, February 27, 2012

Summer Tea in the garden

Welcome to my summer garden! I thought we could have tea there.

When visiting a friend last year, I admired this cup, saucer and spoon in her garden...and she GAVE it to me!  She used an industrial strength glue to adhere the cup and spoon to the saucer, as well as a metal piece on the bottom to which a pole could be attached. Some people use these as birdfeeders.


This would be a lovely spot for tea.



Or perhaps you'd prefer the view here.


Another option: the porch swing.


This spot is FRAGRANT!  See the stargazer lilies right behind the table?


This spot is shady; it'd be cooler. It's on the patio, under the deck and by a small hosta bed.

Now that you're here, how about a little garden tour?
We'll start with a bird's eye view from the deck.


We call these the border beds. This is right out the walk-out basement door and is fenced on three sides. The cottage garden is on the other side of the fence to the east (to the right of the border beds in the photos), and the lawn, garden shed, raspberry bed and hosta farm  is to the north.


Other side of the border bed - peek over the fence for a view of the cottage garden.

When we moved to this property, there was a 16 x 32 foot above ground swimming pool here. It was surrounded by a deck and fence. We enjoyed it for several years, but as the kids grew up it just wasn't quite as much fun. We removed the pool in 2002. By 2003, we had a MAJOR weed patch here.


I began removing the weeds in 2003 and making plans for a cottage garden. Here you see the west side. You can see the fence; on the other side of the fence is my border garden. Toward the back (north) is my raspberry patch.


Close up view, same location.


Heading east. The fence you see here is our neighbor's, and the area of pine straw and a few plants was yard in the spring. We decided to expand the garden. (Actually, we've planted and expanded twice since these photos were taken in July 2010.)


Did you enjoy your bird's eye view of my garden?  I hope you'll come again soon and have a cup of tea with me. 
Today I am linking to tea parties in blogland - be sure to go visit!


Tea Time Tuesday, hosted by Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage and Inspirations and
Friends Sharing tea, hosted by Bernideen at Bernideen's Tea Time Blog

Thanks for visiting!

Beth



Friday, February 24, 2012

Winter Wonderland

It's not Spring yet! Much as I wish it were! Yesterday morning, great big flakes of snow replaced the rain that had been falling. As they fell, they melted upon hitting the ground.



An amazing sight



This is what I woke up to this morning: nearly 4 inches of fresh fallen snow.
















 This is Tortie's snow cave, otherwise known as an ornamental grass weighed down with snow.



A perfect hiding place











The barn in winter
Awww, serenity







My favorite of today's photos. If it has to be cold, at least it's pretty!

Thanks for visiting,

Beth

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Looking forward to Spring

When the crocus bloom, and the daffodils begin to bud, then I will welcome the newness that is Spring.

Today it is gloomy, rainy, and definitely not quite Spring. But it will come. In the meantime, I reflect on past Springs.



Brilliant pink silhouetted against a robin's egg blue sky


 There's no grander fragrance than that of a lilac.



Money doesn't grow on (in) trees, but sometimes hostas do! A few years back, Ron the hosta lover put a little soil and a tiny piece of hosta into this tree. It comes back every year.



Daffodils, one of my favorite Spring flowers



 I adore tulips. The next few photos are from Tulip Time in the Dutch community of Pella, Iowa. If only MY tulips were to look so good! I did plant a number of "perennial" tulip bulbs last fall...will see how long lasting they really are...and if the squirrels managed to dig out many of my bulbs...



The purity of white



 Brinkmeyer Park in Pella has lots of tulips as well as this pretty windmill.



A pretty "lady" in a Dutch costume graces this Pella store window.

I don't know about you, but I am really looking forward to Spring!

Linking to Fertilizer Friday at Tootsie Time. Be sure to stop over and see the beautiful flowers, as well as Tootsie's new home, which she is remodeling.

Thanks for visiting!

Beth

Monday, February 20, 2012

Tea Time Tuesday with Old Country Roses

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I recently got a new teapot, and decided today is the day to break it in.

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Perhaps you’d like to join me.

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We’re going to have Boston Blend by Harney & Sons. It has  cranberries…mmm

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I’ve made almond tea cake too. Help yourself to a slice.

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I'm joining Bernideen for Friends Sharing Tea
 and
Also Sandi for Tea Time Tuesday.

Thanks for visiting!

Beth

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Preparing for the next Polk County Garden Tour

You may recall that our garden was a part of the Polk County Master Gardeners Tour last summer. This year I am participating too - but as a garden tour committee member. Below, a few reflections on the day in our garden last year...

Visitors walk the flagstone path in the cottage garden.


Master Gardener and Master Composter Bruce gave a talk on composting beside our compost bin.


Corner decor


In the triangular garden bed, the firepit looked welcoming.


Guests exploring the yard and garden


Vignette on the deck


Cup o' clematis



Double Delight thrills in the rose garden.

That's last year, but what can visitors expect at our 2012 tour? One of the garden descriptions follows:

Wander down the halls and through garden rooms while viewing garden art created by the gardener and her spouse. A unique patio features a fairy garden. The Serenity Garden includes two water features. Vertical elements include Japanese Maple trees, an expansive clematis collection, lilac trees, porcelain berry vine, five-leaved akebia, and climbing hydrangea. A large shade tree towers above perennials including hosta, epimedium, Japanese toad lilies, and heuchera. 

Part of the fun of gardening, is seeing others' garden design and translating their ideas to my space. This will be a great tour! I can hardly wait!

Linking to Fertilizer Friday at Tootsie Time.

Thanks for visiting!
Beth

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