A Birthday Giveaway!

Hi Everyone! I just wanted to give y'all a "heads up"...

In honor of Tupperware's 60th Birthday, I am conducting a Giveaway on my Today's Organized Kitchen blog. Surf on over and leave a comment on the April 30th post, and you'll be entered to win!

Thanks & Good Luck!
Chris

Of Gardeners Great & Small...

First, my apology to James Herriot, who authored the "All Creatures Great & Small" books, for bogarting his title idea. I LOVE his books and if you haven't read them, you've missed a delightful experience!

Although we have had both very nice and very cold (for us) weather here in Northern California, we are now enjoying the warm-up that comes with Spring. With that, come the wildflowers. As I walked to the garage yesterday morning, I glanced across the lawn and the site of the Lupine struck me! Only the Great Gardener could have sown such a wonderous sight! The irrigation ditch that snakes through our property is fairly natural looking, discounting the galvanized crossing pipe, although it is man-made. I could never have done such a beautiful job of lining the banks in purple majesty, nor would I have thought to...

Bush Lupine

Every where I look, there are blooms popping up! These yellow flowers, which I haven't identified yet, are all over the property.

Even walking across the lawn, to the edge where the mower can't reach, yields small discoveries! These little beauties are nestled in the taller fringes.

I am sure wildflowers are a sign that God loves us! With no effort on our part, we are given such beauty to welcome Spring!

As for a gardener of the "small" variety, I planted the Iris pictured below in the bed by my front porch. I have 7 or 8 iris there, but only 3 are blooming, so far. The pink is named for Beverly Sills. I have lost the tags for both the two-toned blue & white one, so I can't provide their names. But they are lovely, even if anonymous!

Chris

The Gardening Bug!

It is time for a new garden! When we put the addition on to our master bedroom, it created an area that is shady all day! I am thrilled! Now, I can have a few plants that were never going to make it through the summer in our sometimes scorching heat!

The space is right outside the guest bedroom windows. Which by the way, I have decided would be a wonderful place for French doors. What a lovely thing for my guests, a “secret garden” to enjoy!

Above, is Japanese Maple "Corallinum". What you see in the picture is its spring foliage. It then turns to green in summer & crimson in fall! I'll be looking for this one!

I am envisioning a Japanese maple, hostas & ferns, and maybe even lily of the valley & English violas. It will be a cooler, shady retreat from the high summer sun. We even have a pond form just waiting to go into the ground. Could there be some Koi in my future? I certainly know our resident frogs will enjoy it!

I don't know the name of this pink Lily of the Valley. I had the photo saved in a "favorites" folder. I hope to find it too!

This English Viola is called "Etain" and it is gorgeous. It is available from a local nursery, so I should have no trouble getting my hand on it!

Hopefully, this beautiful hosta, named "American Icon" will find a place in the garden too!

We’ll have to fence it since the deer will dine on the hostas and the critters that prowl around at night will be after any fish in the pond. For that matter, we may need to put a net over it. The egrets & herons will be eyeing the fish too! Okay, maybe fish aren’t a good idea…I still like the idea of bamboo or reed fencing. It will suit the style I have in mind AND serve to discourage unwanted visitors.

Then there’s the matter of the big, ugly air conditioner condenser that sits against the wall. When I mentioned to my husband that we should move it, I got a sideways glance. I think it is going to stay, so I’d better be thinking of some kind of screen!

I am going to measure & lay out the space on graph paper and start planning today! More “adventures in the dirt” to follow soon!

Cheers! Chris