tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15041924141122795452024-03-14T04:03:55.551-04:00gardenessenceallthingsgardeningShirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-69302950829367754932008-12-07T06:07:00.007-05:002009-01-03T14:24:45.253-05:00The Garden Lit Up<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/STuymO51yaI/AAAAAAAABY4/JMyRBC1X74g/s1600-h/IMG_2626.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277007758300137890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/STuymO51yaI/AAAAAAAABY4/JMyRBC1X74g/s320/IMG_2626.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>The last pictures I posted were also snowy. It seems that winter has started a little early here in Kincardine and looks like it will stay. Not the snow that melts and comes again and melts and so on till Christmas time or January when it finally stays for a while.</div><div></div><br /><div>The pictures I posted in <a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008/11/snow-gardens.html">Snow Gardens </a>were taken after a week of snowfall and one overnight dumping. There was so much snow I had a difficult time getting to my front planters to remove the fall decorations. When I did get to them, they were so frozen solid I couldn't get anything <em>out</em> or put my winter greenery <em>in</em>. </div><div></div><br /><div>Then came the milder temps and the rains and by the next weekend some of the snow had melted and my planters were thawed out. It was a mad dash to clean them out and get the greenery in. The newly purchased lighted branches would actually be installed! Thank you Mother Nature. </div><div></div><br /><div>So, last night when we went outside to watch the Santa Claus parade pass in front of our house, I took a couple of shots of the finished product. Considering the wind was howling and it was snowing like crazy (again) this picture turned out okay.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-23169037253745273862008-11-23T06:24:00.047-05:002009-01-03T14:24:45.253-05:00Snow Gardens<div align="center"><span style="color:#666666;">Mother Nature has designed a new garden for us. This one is mostly white. It includes sculptures created of snow falling without any wind involved.</span> </div><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271852856215697474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SSliPcLdeEI/AAAAAAAABX4/zLXxizffHkk/s320/IMG_2536.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271819611524422210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SSlEAWDZ2kI/AAAAAAAABVw/tP60sU84tcQ/s320/IMG_2541.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271852843068074370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SSliOrM0qYI/AAAAAAAABXw/KR1zcN6GOME/s320/IMG_2542.JPG" border="0" /></div><div></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#666666;">Although I recognize some of the objects underneath the white stuff, others had me stumped for a while. </span></div><div></div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271836916096617154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SSlTvmm6ysI/AAAAAAAABXQ/pj34W_LitiI/s320/IMG_2556+lighter.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271836899158086738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 220px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SSlTungdVFI/AAAAAAAABW4/JS4MIbevAw4/s320/contrasting+amounts+of+snow.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#666666;">About a foot of the white stuff fell over night.<br /> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#666666;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#666666;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271852860737655490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SSliPtBlEsI/AAAAAAAABYA/4Z0GMxn_ukE/s320/IMG_2578.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#666666;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#666666;">Year after year the transformation (which began earlier in the week) always amazes me. I don't mind when the snow arrives because it covers the dull and bleak landscape that November brings.</span> </div><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271837944288840770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SSlUrc7DDEI/AAAAAAAABXY/-DZkuzxAzzQ/s320/IMG_2561+lighter.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#666666;">I started out using the camera's setting for snow and somehow later ended up on the auto setting which explains the colour difference in the photos. The light played a part too as the sky was quite dark earlier in the morning. As the day went on clouds thinned and the sun poked out a couple of times.</span> </div><div align="center"><br /> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271836904784397234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SSlTu8d4A7I/AAAAAAAABXA/nNDKnK5mzec/s320/IMG_2547+lighter.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271819608515755730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SSlEAK2FPtI/AAAAAAAABVo/jCGU8ypOZac/s320/IMG_2534.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#666666;">The shot above was taken with the sports (action) feature and nicely catches the falling snow.</span><br /></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#666666;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271836906627484610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SSlTvDVTS8I/AAAAAAAABXI/FnUmeWUrrVs/s320/IMG_2554+lighter.jpg" border="0" /></span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#666666;">Pretty it is until a few months have passed and we've had enough of it and yearn for spring to appear once again.</span></p>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-24133244329357447002008-11-16T15:09:00.025-05:002009-01-03T14:24:45.254-05:00Looking Back<span style="font-family:arial;">Looking back on the garden before it's covered in snow - again.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Oh wait a minute... that's when it all started. My first blog was of winter pics. Check it out at </span><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">Winter</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">. And the seasons they go round and round. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">In </span><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008/03/magazine-stand.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">Magazine Stand </span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I set my sights on the perfect renovation for my little shed and stuck to my guns and did it! With a little help from the men in my family. Here is the story </span><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008/04/first-things-first.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">First Things First</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">.</span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Spring brings sprouts and </span><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008/04/waiting.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">Waiting</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> for everything to come to life including me! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Additions to the garden in 2008. </span></p><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008/08/tour-of-my-garden-part-three.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">New trellis for the kiwi vine</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><p><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008/05/lets-face-it.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">Let's Face It</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></p><p><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008/09/little-boxes.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">Little Boxes </span></a></p><p><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008/09/lady-of-garden.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">Lady in the Garden</span></a></p><p><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008/04/its-all-about-convenience.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">It's All About Convenience<br /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">and of course... </span><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008/04/meet-dexter.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">Dexter </span></a></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">And a few thing which have been around for a while</span></p><p><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008/03/bits-and-pieces-added-to-garden.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">Bits and pieces</span></a></p><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008/08/for-birds.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">Birdhouses</span><br /></a>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-58688811763764399652008-11-01T08:36:00.018-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.254-05:00November<div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">It's all over now - except for the cleanup. Once the Halloween stuff is put away the focus will shift to hunting for greenery to dress up the window boxes and urns. Yes, my friends the next(Canadian) holiday is only 53 days away!</span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">We had a grand total of 5 trick or treaters at our door last night. Not that we ever get a lot - the neighbourhood kids have all grown up. My co-workers will be enjoying some sugary delights on Monday! The weather was fantastic - warm and dry. The ghosts and goblins can be packed away dry and tidy until next year. </span><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">Happy November 1st! Gotta go now and take down those spider webs!</span></div><p><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263667306785039042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SQxNhwTCYsI/AAAAAAAABVg/AMI93n-4yqc/s320/IMG_2508.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#333333;">PS...Check out these incredible</span> </span><a href="http://www.villafanestudios.com/pumpkins.htm"><span style="font-family:georgia;">carvings</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">.</span> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-57766183067881627212008-10-30T05:33:00.012-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.254-05:00Halloween Prep<div><div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SQmAu_Gp4yI/AAAAAAAABUQ/BeYnQuD_vfk/s1600-h/IMG_2468.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262879184260817698" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SQmAu_Gp4yI/AAAAAAAABUQ/BeYnQuD_vfk/s320/IMG_2468.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;">Last night we carved the pumkins. So much work for one night!!! It went pretty good though... no major mishaps although Craig likes the sharp knives and ended up with a couple of little gashes. He gallantly finished the task with a paper towel wrapped around his hand! The carvings are now ready for display on Friday night. Hope the kids (young and old) like them!</span></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SQmBTyzCVcI/AAAAAAAABUY/XNw5Ey043sY/s1600-h/IMG_2454.JPG"></a> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262880157040828658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SQmBnm_e4PI/AAAAAAAABUg/gmIqB0dX_NM/s200/IMG_2456.JPG" border="0" /> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SQmB3fYZMII/AAAAAAAABUo/QVxEXRKVEVM/s1600-h/IMG_2461.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262880429875736706" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SQmB3fYZMII/AAAAAAAABUo/QVxEXRKVEVM/s200/IMG_2461.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SQmBTyzCVcI/AAAAAAAABUY/XNw5Ey043sY/s1600-h/IMG_2454.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262879816612468162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SQmBTyzCVcI/AAAAAAAABUY/XNw5Ey043sY/s200/IMG_2454.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SQmBTyzCVcI/AAAAAAAABUY/XNw5Ey043sY/s1600-h/IMG_2454.JPG"></a> </div><br /><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SQmBTyzCVcI/AAAAAAAABUY/XNw5Ey043sY/s1600-h/IMG_2454.JPG"></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-28764518706400752442008-10-28T10:41:00.000-04:002008-10-28T19:07:11.798-04:00Devil of a Dog<div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">Very off the topic of gardening...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">Don't be afraid... it's just Dexter</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">a little angel dressed up as a devil for Halloween! </span></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SQMwvFL69OI/AAAAAAAABFc/qZvpFY24MXk/s1600-h/dexter+the+devil.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261102375103034594" style="WIDTH: 255px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SQMwvFL69OI/AAAAAAAABFc/qZvpFY24MXk/s320/dexter+the+devil.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-36870196552403616692008-10-27T10:17:00.000-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.255-05:00Last Buds<div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">These may be the last buds of the season even so this cosmos will leave behind the seeds of future gardens.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPtBsuupVUI/AAAAAAAABDk/dCtRLg9rNwE/s1600-h/IMG_2317.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258869226598913346" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPtBsuupVUI/AAAAAAAABDk/dCtRLg9rNwE/s320/IMG_2317.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPtBsyfOz2I/AAAAAAAABDs/-bHDvp-zlzY/s1600-h/cosmos+buds.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258869227608002402" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPtBsyfOz2I/AAAAAAAABDs/-bHDvp-zlzY/s320/cosmos+buds.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-89911147829801852932008-10-26T10:31:00.002-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.255-05:00In Praise of the Hydrangea<div align="center">Though my limelight outperforms this pink diamond hydrangea I can't help but see it in a different light after taking this photo of it. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPtFRFjCu-I/AAAAAAAABD0/qV-szQxYxhk/s1600-h/IMG_2308.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258873149734435810" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPtFRFjCu-I/AAAAAAAABD0/qV-szQxYxhk/s320/IMG_2308.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center">Another hydrangea addition to the garden, planted in August 2007 as a scraggly little browning thing, has performed well this year at least in the vegetation department. The flowers will come surely when the plant becomes estatblished. </div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPtG6-F68PI/AAAAAAAABD8/BYn1-KxuVtk/s1600-h/IMG_2316.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258874968799375602" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPtG6-F68PI/AAAAAAAABD8/BYn1-KxuVtk/s320/IMG_2316.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPtFRFjCu-I/AAAAAAAABD0/qV-szQxYxhk/s1600-h/IMG_2308.JPG"></a>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-74658453631504809592008-10-25T10:36:00.004-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.256-05:00Spooky Things in the Garden<div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">Dressing the garden for the seasons has to be one of my favourite things to do during the non-gardening months. Other favourite things are organinzing photos, updating my plant list and of course, planning next year's garden.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">In autumn I am grateful for sunny days, fall colours and getting ready for Thanksgiving and halloween. While out photographing the beautiful fall garden it was impossible to overlook that spooky things lurked so I turned camera lens towards them.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPs-0WjpPLI/AAAAAAAABDE/_fmeOL-8atM/s1600-h/IMG_2420.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258866059014388914" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPs-0WjpPLI/AAAAAAAABDE/_fmeOL-8atM/s200/IMG_2420.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPs-08-VaMI/AAAAAAAABDM/PSMfHCY7C9o/s1600-h/IMG_2415.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258866069326883010" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPs-08-VaMI/AAAAAAAABDM/PSMfHCY7C9o/s200/IMG_2415.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPs-1a56ztI/AAAAAAAABDU/QJ9a-1ntnCw/s1600-h/IMG_2407.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258866077361426130" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPs-1a56ztI/AAAAAAAABDU/QJ9a-1ntnCw/s200/IMG_2407.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SQMrhoh5--I/AAAAAAAABFM/pqOP8hRtKL0/s1600-h/IMG_2432.JPG"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SQMrhxnqruI/AAAAAAAABFU/-0wPOmB_RkQ/s1600-h/IMG_2433.JPG"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPs-14nvCjI/AAAAAAAABDc/_4JzezGlf68/s1600-h/IMG_2402.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258866085338221106" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPs-14nvCjI/AAAAAAAABDc/_4JzezGlf68/s200/IMG_2402.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-63571905939197438672008-10-23T18:28:00.000-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.256-05:00Blue Berries<div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">Oh so many berries. This variegated porcelain vine is teeming with berries this year. The vine itself has grown to twice the size it was last year. It was planted in 2003. The berries start out a deep purple, almost black then lighten to a grape colour and then fade to a beautiful blue.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SP0G5AtZLXI/AAAAAAAABEs/Pa2mOhugNaU/s1600-h/IMG_2344.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259367516351311218" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SP0G5AtZLXI/AAAAAAAABEs/Pa2mOhugNaU/s320/IMG_2344.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SP0G5pq__iI/AAAAAAAABE0/OYQl7OeMkL4/s1600-h/IMG_2346.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259367527347125794" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SP0G5pq__iI/AAAAAAAABE0/OYQl7OeMkL4/s320/IMG_2346.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></div>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-15954536027561553482008-10-21T07:46:00.000-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.256-05:00What's That in the Compost Pile?<div>Back in the spring, Craig doubled the size of our compost bin. Now we have a 'new' side and an 'old' side - plus a few plastic compost bins. He moved what used to be in the original bin into the new bin and we started adding new material to the 'old' bin. Confused yet? It gets better. Shortly thereafter, tomato plants started sprouting in the new bin. Knowing we didn't need that many plants but not getting around to the chore of thinning them out, we ended up with a tomato plant explosion in the compost heap! It has been a great attraction for everyone who visits and makes for good conversation. We are also reaping the benefits of a variety of tomato types - beefsteak, cluster, cherry etc.<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPZxKAtWPKI/AAAAAAAABBU/o4Fg00iTbZg/s1600-h/IMG_2194.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257514031804464290" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPZxKAtWPKI/AAAAAAAABBU/o4Fg00iTbZg/s400/IMG_2194.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div> The fruit has been picked to ripen on its own and the plants have been pulled.<br /></div><div>A couple of years ago a cantaloupe plant grew from the compost pile and produced fruit! Not the sweetest cantaloupes nonetheless it was pretty amazing. Any unexpected plant life growing in your compost?</div><br /><div></div>We compost yard waste, grass clippings and kitchen scraps which includes vegatable waste, coffee grinds and egg shells. The compost gets turned once in a while and voila, twice a year we have what I like to call 'black gold'. No special additives to make it work, just natural compost.<br /><br /><div>If you are interested in composting but need some education, check out the <a href="http://www.compost.org/"><span style="color:#003300;">Composting Council of Canada</span></a><span style="color:#003300;"> </span>for some good information and helpful tips.</div>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-49548854780768374922008-10-20T09:02:00.002-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.256-05:00Falling for Fall<div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">In my opinion autumn is pretty only on a sunny day. This season which marks the end of the growing season needs sun to bring out the colours and blue sky to provide contrast. While during the summer months the best time to photograph the garden is on an overcast day the opposite can be true for the fall garden. </span></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPszff3siGI/AAAAAAAABCw/jOYXycWmpyI/s1600-h/IMG_2388.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258853606109251682" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPszff3siGI/AAAAAAAABCw/jOYXycWmpyI/s200/IMG_2388.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPsze31NexI/AAAAAAAABCk/VoqryN9A9lM/s1600-h/IMG_2376.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258853595361409810" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPsze31NexI/AAAAAAAABCk/VoqryN9A9lM/s200/IMG_2376.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPszeFkIO5I/AAAAAAAABCM/OxWPS7OJ-pQ/s1600-h/IMG_2359.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258853581867989906" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPszeFkIO5I/AAAAAAAABCM/OxWPS7OJ-pQ/s200/IMG_2359.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPs15PSEuTI/AAAAAAAABC8/0SbI_LGBdJg/s1600-h/IMG_2371.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258856247356340530" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPs15PSEuTI/AAAAAAAABC8/0SbI_LGBdJg/s200/IMG_2371.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPszd8CQiUI/AAAAAAAABCE/ACizHdSZvIw/s1600-h/IMG_2313.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258853579310008642" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPszd8CQiUI/AAAAAAAABCE/ACizHdSZvIw/s200/IMG_2313.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPszecosLyI/AAAAAAAABCY/FSl2kJI6hBU/s1600-h/IMG_2375.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258853588061138722" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPszecosLyI/AAAAAAAABCY/FSl2kJI6hBU/s200/IMG_2375.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-28525832206114555232008-10-19T08:15:00.002-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.257-05:00A Good Growing Season<p align="center"></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">It has been a phenomenal grownig season with abundant rain - not the hot dry weather we are so used to. Everything did well this year. Some shrubs grew to twice the size they were last year. We didn't have a vegetable garden however it would have been a good year to have one. </span></p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPscGxCtHQI/AAAAAAAABB8/sK8WxBXhIZA/s1600-h/IMG_2355.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258827892454661378" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPscGxCtHQI/AAAAAAAABB8/sK8WxBXhIZA/s320/IMG_2355.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">Fruit, on the other hand was in abundance. In the almost 10 years since this kiwi vine was planted, never has the fruit hung on so long. Bunches of them. Though ot nearly big enough or ripe enough eat they provide ornamental value to the garden. I was close when I guessed in </span><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008/08/tour-of-my-garden-part-three.html">Tour My Garden Part Three </a><span style="color:#333333;">that some might make it to half the size of the kiwis we buy at the grocery store. Quite likely this vine was rejuvenated by the pruning Craig gave it when he was replacing the trellis.</span></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPZujRxW1OI/AAAAAAAABA8/dzmKOG2WlJc/s1600-h/IMG_2189.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257511167346529506" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPZujRxW1OI/AAAAAAAABA8/dzmKOG2WlJc/s400/IMG_2189.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">Although the kousa dogwood has flowered in past years, I have never noticed so many or such beautiful seed pods. They won't be as prominent once the leaves turn their blazing fall colour but until then they're eye catching.<br /></span></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPZujwE-ZiI/AAAAAAAABBE/cVNER16Rqcs/s1600-h/IMG_2197.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257511175481878050" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPZujwE-ZiI/AAAAAAAABBE/cVNER16Rqcs/s400/IMG_2197.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPZukeRG1hI/AAAAAAAABBM/GZGcaAwmXJc/s1600-h/IMG_2201.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPZukeRG1hI/AAAAAAAABBM/GZGcaAwmXJc/s1600-h/IMG_2201.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257511187880793618" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SPZukeRG1hI/AAAAAAAABBM/GZGcaAwmXJc/s400/IMG_2201.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-22664279320445029712008-10-06T18:37:00.000-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.257-05:00Tour My Garden Part Four<div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">The patio garden is a haven for birds, bees and butterfiles with monarda, purple coneflower and penstomen tucked in around ornamental grasses, heather, persicaria and oak leaf hydrangea.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239136757698595106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLUnH3xRCSI/AAAAAAAAA8M/mSnm8Hl52Bg/s400/IMG_1478.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">and of course a bird bath</span><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239135645811671234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLUmHJqxAMI/AAAAAAAAA70/kLcJGViX5tY/s400/IMG_1775.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239135654544947282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLUmHqM8OFI/AAAAAAAAA78/goOnIDXO5vk/s400/water+for+birds.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239135633532425602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLUmGb7KlYI/AAAAAAAAA7k/M9gxcNdpuLE/s400/IMG_0968.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#333333;">the moss grew exceptionally well this year</span><br /></span><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239136747437079298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLUnHRiuuwI/AAAAAAAAA8E/0_JdnRQ98sg/s400/IMG_1453.JPG" border="0" /> <span style="color:#333333;">Stepping stones lead up through the garden on the east side of the house where day lillies, hydrangea, sedum, butterfly bush and kousa dogwood thrive in the sun. In the shadier areas goatsbeard, solomon's seal, helleborus, meadowrue, ferns and hostas feel at home.</span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239138720650127522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLUo6IVYaKI/AAAAAAAAA8U/pWtMWIxN7WY/s400/IMG_1704.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">Another little garden plot on the back of the house sits on a slope from the back of the house and is home to mostly shade loving plants. Bugbane, hostas, heuchera, ligularia, japanese painted ferns and hakonechloa macra. A sweet pea winds its way up the trellis beside this garden.</span><br /></p><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008/08/tour-my-garden-part-one.html">Tour My Garden Part One</a></p><br /><p><br /><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008/08/tour-my-garden-part-one.html">Tour My Garden Part Two</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/">Tour My Garden Part Three</a></p>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-30104041444470531212008-10-01T19:42:00.002-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.257-05:00Tour My Garden Part Three<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLBX0zY3CNI/AAAAAAAAA7M/Je4ht81Uxss/s1600-h/IMG_0972.JPG"></a><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLBX1fNgfGI/AAAAAAAAA7U/ITE-swko1Zs/s1600-h/IMG_0973.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237782943054724194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLBX1fNgfGI/AAAAAAAAA7U/ITE-swko1Zs/s400/IMG_0973.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#333333;">A young king crimson maple planted about 5 years ago. I mentioned this in</span> <a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008/08/tour-my-garden-part-one.html">Tour My Garden Part One</a></span><br /><br /><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237762902892374034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLBFm_yeaBI/AAAAAAAAA50/N0o1tXH7ydI/s400/IMG_1700.JPG" border="0" /> <span style="color:#333333;">This year Craig replaced the trellis that the kiwi vine was growing on. He gave the vine a good pruning but not hard - there was still a lot of heavy vine when he literally laid it down on the ground while he installed the new trellis. Needless to say, it made a strong comeback. I haven't got a clue how to properly prune it, I just enjoy the ornamental quality. It's loaded with fruit this year - some of the kiwis still hanging on - maybe they will even get half as big as the ones in the grocery store?</span></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237762904309083474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLBFnFEPrVI/AAAAAAAAA58/7S10KFz_DCk/s400/IMG_1701.JPG" border="0" /> <span style="color:#333333;">These raised boxes previously yielded vegetables. I inherited the boxes after Craig decided he didn't want to grow veggies any more (maybe too busy erecting trellises and hauling stuff for me?). The plan is to eventually fill them with mostly cutting flowers. </span><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237766661266054738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLBJBw0lnlI/AAAAAAAAA6c/Xg-OJsLYrtU/s400/IMG_1763.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">Looking into the backyard from the pathway on the east side.</span><br /></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237762913020303074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLBFnlhKVuI/AAAAAAAAA6E/CzAXo83v4Xk/s400/IMG_1702.JPG" border="0" /><span style="color:#333333;"> Mr. Turtle sprinkles one half of the garden...</span> </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237766658017557634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLBJBkuFfII/AAAAAAAAA6U/D0LrSvM96xk/s400/IMG_1708.JPG" border="0" /> </p><p align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">and Mr Frog looks after the other half.</span> </p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237762918517465650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLBFn5_yYjI/AAAAAAAAA6M/Z0w9J9Fna-4/s400/IMG_1707.JPG" border="0" /><br /><span style="color:#333333;">The start of my cutting beds. Zinnias, delphinium, glads, dahlias, lavender and more to come.</span></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237766672575868098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLBJCa9DrMI/AAAAAAAAA6s/1_iX41E8qpA/s400/IMG_1771.JPG" border="0" /></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">Looking down from near the back of the house.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237766668978372578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLBJCNjWP-I/AAAAAAAAA6k/KHi_-vWHMl4/s400/IMG_1727.JPG" border="0" /><span style="color:#333333;">and looking up the backyard towards the east side of the house...</span></div><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#333333;">where we will tour in Part Four</span> </span><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008/08/tour-my-garden-part-one.html">Tour My Garden Part One</a><br /><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008/08/tour-my-garden-part-one.html">Tour My Garden Part Two</a></p>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-84781860809619932842008-09-24T12:27:00.005-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.258-05:00Tour My Garden Part Two<div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">Here we go down the west side into the back garden where again, there is a mix of sun and shade courtesy of a large black walnut, austrian pine and another so far unidentified tree. A young king crimson maple will provide even more shade as time goes on.</span></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237753463932073698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLA9Bk6-NuI/AAAAAAAAA40/bL4XzZ4OEac/s400/IMG_1711.JPG" border="0" /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></p><br /><p align="right"><span style="color:#333333;">Surviving under the Black Walnut are hostas, orange lillies, sweet woodruff, virginia creeper, viburnum lantana (wayfaring tree), pyamidal cedar, sedge and sedum.</span><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237753475251289266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLA9CPFrvLI/AAAAAAAAA48/mId3X8L9dpA/s400/IMG_1719.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">You won't see them all in the following pictures but jammed into this part of the garden are lamium, blue spruce, monkshood, berginia, dogwoods, lobelia, persicaria 'painter's palette, meadow rue, shasta daisies, sweet pea, foxglove, rudbekia 'prairie sun' lilac, bugbane, sedum, snow-in-summer, weeping nootka, blue oat grass, sambucas black beauty and a magnolia.</span></div><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237753483012942562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLA9CsANKuI/AAAAAAAAA5M/lXSpHPGjLxw/s400/IMG_1696.JPG" border="0" /></p><p></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">Looking back at where we just came from.</span> </p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237753476870849874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLA9CVH0RVI/AAAAAAAAA5E/O5LaIh-kF9Y/s400/IMG_1694.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">Now we'll go around the corner of this garden...</span><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237757734988086978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLBA6L2E_sI/AAAAAAAAA5U/X_itgs-lPiI/s400/IMG_1698.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237757759738282914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLBA7oC_A6I/AAAAAAAAA5s/l83HIpy8J08/s400/IMG_1684.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237757756650530034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLBA7cizpPI/AAAAAAAAA5k/44tOfDzJOsc/s400/IMG_1681.JPG" border="0" /></p><p></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">and see what's in behind. The planting area here decreases each year as the trees and shrubs mature. A gardener's work is never done and the garden is ever evolving.</span></p><p><span style="color:#333333;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="color:#333333;"></span><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237757743911887362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLBA6tFrYgI/AAAAAAAAA5c/GhcdFw6LOqA/s400/IMG_1690.JPG" border="0" /></span><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">In Part Three we'll have a look at the raised boxes and east side garden.</span></p><p align="center"><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/">Tour My Garden Part One</a></p>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-25309806517505972292008-09-22T17:43:00.004-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.258-05:00Tour My Garden Part One<div align="left"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#333333;">Well here we are in the latter part of September... already. Much planning and effort goes into our gardens starting with the clean up in Spring. We watch the new sprouts and breathe in the fresh air. We can't wait to get digging in the dirt and find ourselves looking around to find something(s) to transplant whether it (they) needs it or not.<br /><br />And we watch some more and we weed. We prepare containers and plant seeds. We water. And we watch some more and then one day, we realize we are not waiting any more, everything is coming into itself. And we weed and water, do a little more transplanting and planning. And then September comes.<br /><br />I found I had a whack of photos so decided to put them in some kind of order in a post. I have shown you many closeups but not many wide shots of my garden... so here I will try to give you a view of what is in my yard. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#333333;">Welcome to my garden. Let's start at the front.<br /><br /></div></span><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237732231853925682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLApttREZTI/AAAAAAAAA3E/3QlM1bqxvks/s400/IMG_1749.JPG" border="0" /><br /></span><div align="left"><span style="color:#333333;">Ranging from deep shade to full sun, the front garden hosts a variety of plants. Sedum, blue fescue and daylillies enjoy the hot sun while hostas, ligularia and ferns are happy in the cool shade. Pyamidal cedars, a huge spruce, and giant maples (not shown) and a Corkscrew Hazel provide the bones. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><p align="left"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237732740980547106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAqLV6UHiI/AAAAAAAAA3M/GIjX3N7LVl8/s400/IMG_1744.JPG" border="0" /></span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#333333;">It has taken a number of years to design and get the right plant situated in the right spot and it isn't over yet... this garden will continue to be 'tweaked'. Once a plant is doing well where it's planted, I generally leave it there - but then there are always exceptions to this rule. </span></p><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237734804381911570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAsDcriShI/AAAAAAAAA3U/X4EOigkBb3g/s400/IMG_1754.JPG" border="0" /> <span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#333333;">Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate', Sedum telephium ‘Matrona', hostas 'Patriot' and 'Blue Angel'</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color:#333333;"></span><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237734808103050674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAsDqiuXbI/AAAAAAAAA3c/RBIH5BF2VA4/s400/IMG_1757.JPG" border="0" /> </span><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#333333;">Now we'll head on to the back via the west side of the house where ornamental grasses grow up alongside the neighbour's shed. Virginia creeper grows up the trunk of the black walnut.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237734815090050338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAsEEkjhSI/AAAAAAAAA3k/1FdTRcV46yw/s400/IMG_1759.JPG" border="0" /><br /></span><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">Sambucas 'Black Beauty', daylillies, creeping sedum and an austrian pine.</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237736567533610514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAtqE7qJhI/AAAAAAAAA30/q8iI0Bxc6W8/s400/IMG_1770.JPG" border="0" /> </span><span style="color:#333333;">This I named the rock garden (it's bordered by rocks). Blooms of shasta daisies, sedum 'autumn joy', liatris, monarda 'jacob cline', 'happy returns' daylillies and globe thistle surround japanese silver grass.</span><br /><p><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237736578945634146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAtqvcfz2I/AAAAAAAAA38/5AKyhXOzL9g/s400/IMG_1712.JPG" border="0" /></span></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">In Part Two we'll continue down the west side into the back garden.</span></p><br /><p></p>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-79693869966741006122008-09-10T19:25:00.004-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.259-05:00Lack of Comments Is Puzzling<span style="color:#333333;">I'm confused. When I started my first and only blog, (this one) in March, I received comments on a regular basis. Since June 22 I have received only 3 comments.</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">Am I doing something wrong? I know that I am not the best at commenting on your blogs, but I have commented to other bloggers on several occasions. </span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">I guess I just feel kind of 'left out' - should I be commenting on your blogs more often? Is there a blogging etiquette that I am missing? Or is everyone else like me, too busy to post a lot of comments lately?</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><p><span style="color:#333333;">I post pictures of my garden (maybe too many?) but maybe not enough other interesting tidbits?</span></p><p><span style="color:#333333;">Your comments (seriously) are welcome to help me understand the world of blogging and I promise not to cry like a baby any more.<br /></span></p><p><span style="color:#333333;">Shirley</span></p>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-29414491258836791782008-09-07T16:04:00.022-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.259-05:00Little Boxes<div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ07bncszI/AAAAAAAAA9s/tojbLhj0CZc/s1600-h/IMG_0739.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243374061796242226" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ07bncszI/AAAAAAAAA9s/tojbLhj0CZc/s400/IMG_0739.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ06xhXOOI/AAAAAAAAA9k/CAJmOXxX7zE/s1600-h/IMG_0740.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243374050496428258" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ06xhXOOI/AAAAAAAAA9k/CAJmOXxX7zE/s400/IMG_0740.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><br /><br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">Flashback to Spring. The raised boxes in the former vegetable garden needed refurbishing. The wood, although cedar planks, was starting to fall apart. The question was do we keep the boxes? Maybe we could level it, seed grass and have our own lawn bowling and lawn games area? Put in a pool? Putting green? Another garden border? Too many options... Craig removed the old wood (all but one box replaced last year), measured and headed off to purchase the lumber. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ4N7iRGhI/AAAAAAAAA98/5rldmWj0mi0/s1600-h/IMG_0792.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ4OeR-y5I/AAAAAAAAA-E/ygWNJjlouCg/s1600-h/IMG_0793.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243377687463906194" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ4OeR-y5I/AAAAAAAAA-E/ygWNJjlouCg/s400/IMG_0793.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ4O1yaUZI/AAAAAAAAA-M/jyUpaGmLZYw/s1600-h/IMG_0794.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243377693773943186" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ4O1yaUZI/AAAAAAAAA-M/jyUpaGmLZYw/s400/IMG_0794.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ4PJjHc5I/AAAAAAAAA-U/ihkA-KsF1Gc/s1600-h/IMG_0796.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243377699078501266" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ4PJjHc5I/AAAAAAAAA-U/ihkA-KsF1Gc/s400/IMG_0796.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></div></span><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">The new and improved boxes are a little bigger than before still leaving ample room between for walkways. Another decision was what material to use for the walkways. Having always used wood chips, I wanted something different. Maybe crushed stone? Or stone dust? I lost the debate and Craig got on the phone to order the wood chips. The load arrived that afternoon. Don't ask what kind of tree as we have no idea, all we know is it must have been taken down that day and the what got dumped in the driveway was steaming hot by evening. It was still green! Five hundred and fifty wheelbarrow loads later...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ8TH1QxDI/AAAAAAAAA-s/fgsnuGuuz7o/s1600-h/IMG_0808.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243382165383726130" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ8TH1QxDI/AAAAAAAAA-s/fgsnuGuuz7o/s400/IMG_0808.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ8TX9cZII/AAAAAAAAA-0/Qr59QfGtBus/s1600-h/IMG_0809.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243382169713009794" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ8TX9cZII/AAAAAAAAA-0/Qr59QfGtBus/s400/IMG_0809.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ618dsQ8I/AAAAAAAAA-c/il9E8nH9c9o/s1600-h/IMG_0800.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243380564604240834" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ618dsQ8I/AAAAAAAAA-c/il9E8nH9c9o/s200/IMG_0800.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ62OmoazI/AAAAAAAAA-k/JXVJ65PWchs/s1600-h/IMG_0801.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243380569473575730" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ62OmoazI/AAAAAAAAA-k/JXVJ65PWchs/s200/IMG_0801.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">Dexter helped too.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">So with new wood for the boxes and a ten inch layer of wood chips in between them, the soil amended with compost and peat moss, we started another growing season. The boxes are sturdy again and there hasn't been a single weed make it through the chips although we had random seedlings that sprouted from fallen bird seed. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">Raised boxes are easy to maintain and add another element to the gardens. We've had many compliments on them. It's like adding a signature to the yard and garden. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">This year the boxes were home to zinnias, glads, rudbekia, dahlias, purple coneflowers, lavender and cosmos. There is also an area for 'holding' plants.</span></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ-E8rYFKI/AAAAAAAAA_E/tmg-qwoyPHc/s1600-h/IMG_2130.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243384120894559394" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ-E8rYFKI/AAAAAAAAA_E/tmg-qwoyPHc/s400/IMG_2130.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ-FMAvFdI/AAAAAAAAA_M/S2L-zKb4og8/s1600-h/IMG_2133.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243384125010679250" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ-FMAvFdI/AAAAAAAAA_M/S2L-zKb4og8/s400/IMG_2133.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ_q4f9UsI/AAAAAAAAA_U/PXO1vZXNXzk/s1600-h/IMG_1776.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243385872119583426" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SMQ_q4f9UsI/AAAAAAAAA_U/PXO1vZXNXzk/s400/IMG_1776.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">Skip ahead to the future... these boxes will be home to my cutting beds. That's right... Craig doesn't want to grow veggies anymore so I will have flowers to cut and arrange. Hope there is enough space for them! Maybe our next house will include acreage! I can post whatever I want... Craig doesn't read my blog.<br /></span></div>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-88884632006513482892008-09-01T08:15:00.000-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.259-05:00Lady Of The Garden<div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">While scouring local stores for a couple of items I came across this garden ornament. As I searched the merchandise for what I had <em>really</em> came into the store for, my interest was with the lady - she belonged in my garden! As quite often happens in the grocery store when you don't think you need a basket, my arms were loaded as I checked out angel in hand.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span><span style="color:#333333;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLqQQAu2RkI/AAAAAAAAA88/KH91pwn5ODs/s1600-h/IMG_1487.JPG"></a><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLqQRJBZoUI/AAAAAAAAA9U/ubhpGZBuVgQ/s1600-h/IMG_1393.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240659740552962370" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLqQRJBZoUI/AAAAAAAAA9U/ubhpGZBuVgQ/s400/IMG_1393.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">Setting her down temporarily while unloading my other purchases, I realized how nicely she blended in with the garden where she stood and decided that was where she would stay. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLqQQQalIbI/AAAAAAAAA9E/7UGwcFrYV_c/s1600-h/IMG_1482.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></a> </p><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLqQQQalIbI/AAAAAAAAA9E/7UGwcFrYV_c/s1600-h/IMG_1482.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240659725357752754" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLqQQQalIbI/AAAAAAAAA9E/7UGwcFrYV_c/s400/IMG_1482.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">Shortly after Craig wandered by and noticed the new addition to the garden. With a surprised look on his face he proceeded to tell me how earlier that same day he had been in the same store and saw her sitting on the shelf and almost brought her home to me! </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLqQQ2TtHAI/AAAAAAAAA9M/2aeRM3Y5_5I/s1600-h/watering+can+1.jpg"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></a> </div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLqQQ2TtHAI/AAAAAAAAA9M/2aeRM3Y5_5I/s1600-h/watering+can+1.jpg"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240659735529462786" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLqQQ2TtHAI/AAAAAAAAA9M/2aeRM3Y5_5I/s400/watering+can+1.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">So there she stands watching over the garden, this winged lady, all decked out in hat, necklace and bracelet toting her trowel and watering can. Some things are just meant to be.</span> </div>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-28728336514670753362008-08-30T07:58:00.004-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.259-05:00More... I Heart You<span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">It started with a couple of hosta leaves </span><a href="http://gardenessence-mylittlegarden.blogspot.com/2008/06/i-heart-you.html"><span style="color:#333333;">I Heart You </span></a><span style="color:#333333;">. Then I started noticing more heart shaped leaves and realized the garden is full of hearts! Common leaf shape you say... I agree and love them all the same.</span></div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SKixCa8MFNI/AAAAAAAAAws/KuUyrRBDfc0/s1600-h/heart+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235629221967828178" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SKixCa8MFNI/AAAAAAAAAws/KuUyrRBDfc0/s200/heart+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLchNuELq-I/AAAAAAAAA80/bghApST2Nuk/s1600-h/heart+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239693211056450530" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLchNuELq-I/AAAAAAAAA80/bghApST2Nuk/s200/heart+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLchNVYM7EI/AAAAAAAAA8s/lFybClRdjmY/s1600-h/heart+you.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239693204429532226" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLchNVYM7EI/AAAAAAAAA8s/lFybClRdjmY/s200/heart+you.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SKizCEthi_I/AAAAAAAAAxM/xr21Sf_Zu1U/s1600-h/IMG_2101.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235631415023995890" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SKizCEthi_I/AAAAAAAAAxM/xr21Sf_Zu1U/s200/IMG_2101.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SKixvh5y04I/AAAAAAAAAxE/6CMuFffZR9k/s1600-h/IMG_2084.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235629996930945922" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SKixvh5y04I/AAAAAAAAAxE/6CMuFffZR9k/s200/IMG_2084.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJhB3juMeVI/AAAAAAAAAv8/tsS6Uuvicpk/s1600-h/i+heart+you+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231003389928438098" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJhB3juMeVI/AAAAAAAAAv8/tsS6Uuvicpk/s200/i+heart+you+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJhB4Wlc5LI/AAAAAAAAAwM/166ZS1BOJVA/s1600-h/heart2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231003403581973682" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJhB4Wlc5LI/AAAAAAAAAwM/166ZS1BOJVA/s200/heart2.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SKixCsJMp6I/AAAAAAAAAw0/JQA3C-JQ5bI/s1600-h/IMG_1955.JPG"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SKixDLtla0I/AAAAAAAAAw8/nXUOY5NQrnM/s1600-h/IMG_1964.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235629235059911490" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SKixDLtla0I/AAAAAAAAAw8/nXUOY5NQrnM/s200/IMG_1964.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJhB487grTI/AAAAAAAAAwU/IGkFu-Vw6pM/s1600-h/heart+1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231003413875043634" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJhB487grTI/AAAAAAAAAwU/IGkFu-Vw6pM/s200/heart+1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Top to bottom, left to right - dutchman's pipe, lamium, morning glory, brunnera 'jack frost, coleus, oops brunnera again, sweet potato vine, mulberry, another sweet potato vine.</div>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-84353811326880780472008-08-23T08:48:00.034-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.260-05:00Lots O' Green And White In This Garden<div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237704040520191570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAQEwXVjlI/AAAAAAAAA2c/jZbfG_FM-2I/s400/IMG_1966.JPG" border="0" />Taking notice of the green and white (or close to white) combinations in the garden one day led me to yet another photo frenzy. Above are the blades of <em>Miscanthus sinensis</em> 'Huron Sentinel'</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAQFLdjtqI/AAAAAAAAA2k/eL0lg-xHxqs/s1600-h/IMG_1992.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237704047794042530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAQFLdjtqI/AAAAAAAAA2k/eL0lg-xHxqs/s400/IMG_1992.JPG" border="0" /></span><br /><p align="center"></a><span style="color:#333333;"><em>Lamium</em> 'Beacon Silver'</span></p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAQGvuY8jI/AAAAAAAAA2s/tsbwC_aihPQ/s1600-h/IMG_2031.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237704074708185650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAQGvuY8jI/AAAAAAAAA2s/tsbwC_aihPQ/s400/IMG_2031.JPG" border="0" /></span><br /><p align="center"></a><span style="color:#333333;">Although this hosta has been in the garden forever, I have yet to research the name so it remains hosta 'green and white'</span></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAOboJxo4I/AAAAAAAAA18/y-dl010-1TI/s1600-h/g%26w+4.jpg"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237702234429563778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAOboJxo4I/AAAAAAAAA18/y-dl010-1TI/s400/g%26w+4.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> Our neighbour had her windows replaced and gave us one of her old windows for the garden. It is tucked in amongst the <em>Cornus alternifolia</em> 'Pagoda' and <em>Cornus sericea</em> 'Red- Osier' dogwoods.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAObmM-UwI/AAAAAAAAA2E/mTv5uPLbQVY/s1600-h/g%26w+5.jpg"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237702233906107138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAObmM-UwI/AAAAAAAAA2E/mTv5uPLbQVY/s400/g%26w+5.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">Cobweb Hens & Chicks</span></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAOb83it_I/AAAAAAAAA2M/Siv1yo2zu9o/s1600-h/IMG_1945.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237702239990233074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAOb83it_I/AAAAAAAAA2M/Siv1yo2zu9o/s400/IMG_1945.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> <em>Hydrangea paniculata</em> 'Pink Diamond'</span></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAOcEm-W4I/AAAAAAAAA2U/6YcObNgjAWs/s1600-h/IMG_1951.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237702242068224898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAOcEm-W4I/AAAAAAAAA2U/6YcObNgjAWs/s400/IMG_1951.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> <em>Hydrangea paniculata</em> 'Limelight'</span></p><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLANn70kA8I/AAAAAAAAA1c/Mu6mJvvAnTg/s1600-h/IMG_1303.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237701346356102082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLANn70kA8I/AAAAAAAAA1c/Mu6mJvvAnTg/s400/IMG_1303.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> Birdbath<br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLANoTaeGEI/AAAAAAAAA1k/V4f33GcaRj8/s1600-h/IMG_1687.JPG"></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLANooCLmSI/AAAAAAAAA1s/CUwERSVoGU8/s1600-h/IMG_1671.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237701358224382242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLANooCLmSI/AAAAAAAAA1s/CUwERSVoGU8/s400/IMG_1671.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">'Limelight' Licorice plant</span><span style="color:#333333;"> </span></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237701363570414914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLANo78xlUI/AAAAAAAAA10/QsQoefCP7cI/s400/g%26w+3.jpg" border="0" /></span></p><br /><p align="center"><em><span style="color:#333333;">Impatiens</span></em></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAK87SJXDI/AAAAAAAAA08/Efm2UFCce1U/s1600-h/IMG_1037.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237698408454118450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAK87SJXDI/AAAAAAAAA08/Efm2UFCce1U/s400/IMG_1037.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> Bunny on guard or 'Rabbiroo'<br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAK9LmU7QI/AAAAAAAAA1E/6GnbQAE82K4/s1600-h/IMG_1228.JPG"></a><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAK9VW344I/AAAAAAAAA1M/nTjk5Bn3knw/s1600-h/IMG_1254.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237698415453266818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAK9VW344I/AAAAAAAAA1M/nTjk5Bn3knw/s400/IMG_1254.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> Almost but not quite in my garden, this belongs to the neighbour who gardens along side of us. Fleece flower - maybe <em>persicaria</em>?</span></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAK9hk_YuI/AAAAAAAAA1U/MWcbryUToDk/s1600-h/IMG_1266.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237698418733703906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAK9hk_YuI/AAAAAAAAA1U/MWcbryUToDk/s400/IMG_1266.JPG" border="0" /></span></p><br /><p align="center"></a><span style="color:#333333;">White, very fragrant </span><em><span style="color:#333333;">peony<br /></span></em></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAJsr9wcKI/AAAAAAAAA0c/eaZi7yr8Q9A/s1600-h/IMG_0996.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237697029952532642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAJsr9wcKI/AAAAAAAAA0c/eaZi7yr8Q9A/s400/IMG_0996.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> <em>Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum</em> 'Mariesii' - doublefile viburnum</span></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAJs-YIyDI/AAAAAAAAA0k/pweUCPHIQPc/s1600-h/IMG_1005.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237697034895018034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAJs-YIyDI/AAAAAAAAA0k/pweUCPHIQPc/s400/IMG_1005.JPG" border="0" /></span><br /><p align="center"></a><span style="color:#333333;">Snow-in-summer</span></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAJtKvbRwI/AAAAAAAAA0s/PYHCKvbr-RE/s1600-h/IMG_1009.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237697038213924610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAJtKvbRwI/AAAAAAAAA0s/PYHCKvbr-RE/s400/IMG_1009.JPG" border="0" /></span><br /><p align="center"></a><span style="color:#333333;">Rock and <em>sedum</em></span></p><span style="color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237697041101730434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAJtVf7soI/AAAAAAAAA00/Q07OsS-Stq4/s400/IMG_1034.JPG" border="0" /></span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SLAJtVf7soI/AAAAAAAAA00/Q07OsS-Stq4/s1600-h/IMG_1034.JPG"><br /><p align="center"></a><span style="color:#333333;"><em>Armeria maritima</em> sea thrift<br /></span><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SG9YIkRkxkI/AAAAAAAAAj8/AupPhKMOBxA/s1600-h/brunnera+jack+frost+silver.JPG"></a>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-71344394425116356082008-08-05T08:17:00.000-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.260-05:00For the Birds<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDMAJaHVII/AAAAAAAAAtU/vIc-c6UxHxk/s1600-h/birdhouse+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228903470274663554" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDMAJaHVII/AAAAAAAAAtU/vIc-c6UxHxk/s200/birdhouse+4.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDL_DyQwzI/AAAAAAAAAtE/rH1fdMnPijQ/s1600-h/birdfeeder+5.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228903451585463090" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDL_DyQwzI/AAAAAAAAAtE/rH1fdMnPijQ/s200/birdfeeder+5.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDL_hyMCcI/AAAAAAAAAtM/2e9Kz5vMF6s/s1600-h/birdfeeder+6.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228903459638217154" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDL_hyMCcI/AAAAAAAAAtM/2e9Kz5vMF6s/s200/birdfeeder+6.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#666666;"><strong>Food and housing for the birds</strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#666666;"></span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#666666;"></span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#666666;"><strong><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDTBXgG9TI/AAAAAAAAAt8/ntrM_TKVZdc/s1600-h/bird+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228911187819164978" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDTBXgG9TI/AAAAAAAAAt8/ntrM_TKVZdc/s400/bird+1.jpg" border="0" /></a></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDTBkyHsII/AAAAAAAAAuE/WCMBSPnMjD8/s1600-h/bird+2.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228911191384371330" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDTBkyHsII/AAAAAAAAAuE/WCMBSPnMjD8/s400/bird+2.bmp" border="0" /></a></span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDTBwvdALI/AAAAAAAAAuU/lIXSqi23m5o/s1600-h/bird+4.jpg"></a></span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDTBwvdALI/AAAAAAAAAuU/lIXSqi23m5o/s1600-h/bird+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228911194594410674" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDTBwvdALI/AAAAAAAAAuU/lIXSqi23m5o/s400/bird+4.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></strong></div></div></div>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-2353476375769009752008-08-02T16:49:00.001-04:002009-01-03T14:24:45.260-05:00Praise for Zinnias and DahliasOkay, so I like taking photos in the garden. Lots of them. And close up. Chances are if I go to the garden with the camera, it may be a hundred or more pictures later when I put it down.<br />Here are some of my favourite flowers. Zinnias and dahlias. I love cosmos, day lillies and morning glories too and will try to post a feature on them in the near future.<br /><br /><br />This burgandy dahlia is in my garden and the next two, one yellow and one pink, are in my neighbour's garden. <br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDVkLcVkrI/AAAAAAAAAuc/eHmO5psSJtg/s1600-h/dahlia+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228913984900797106" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDVkLcVkrI/AAAAAAAAAuc/eHmO5psSJtg/s400/dahlia+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDYoDW6RTI/AAAAAAAAAvc/BCd9Hl8_dDM/s1600-h/IMG_1734.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228917349984912690" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDYoDW6RTI/AAAAAAAAAvc/BCd9Hl8_dDM/s400/IMG_1734.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDYoqH6ydI/AAAAAAAAAvs/8bdLOs_ZMtk/s1600-h/IMG_1736.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228917360391014866" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDYoqH6ydI/AAAAAAAAAvs/8bdLOs_ZMtk/s400/IMG_1736.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div> </div><div>This is the zinnia bed in my garden. I love zinnias and try to find a spot each year to plant them. What isn't to love is the powdery mildew they often get - yet they are still worth the effort of planting the seed, watering and thinning and/or transplanting.</div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDXiQaDNhI/AAAAAAAAAvU/Kwztcj1EGME/s1600-h/zinnia+5.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228916150896899602" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDXiQaDNhI/AAAAAAAAAvU/Kwztcj1EGME/s400/zinnia+5.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDVkkIfwiI/AAAAAAAAAuk/ZuYesJWSR3U/s1600-h/IMG_1463.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228913991528464930" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDVkkIfwiI/AAAAAAAAAuk/ZuYesJWSR3U/s400/IMG_1463.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDVlflghnI/AAAAAAAAAus/xuD-JWINjiA/s1600-h/zinnia+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228914007487841906" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDVlflghnI/AAAAAAAAAus/xuD-JWINjiA/s400/zinnia+2.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Even when you think the flower is full of petals and looks beautiful, many more petals have yet to open as seen in the second photo.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDXhbDKIdI/AAAAAAAAAu8/hhkhAz130qc/s1600-h/zinnia+1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228916136573805010" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDXhbDKIdI/AAAAAAAAAu8/hhkhAz130qc/s400/zinnia+1.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDXhyCgG3I/AAAAAAAAAvE/rR94yuigEjE/s1600-h/zinnia+more+to+open.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228916142745066354" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDXhyCgG3I/AAAAAAAAAvE/rR94yuigEjE/s400/zinnia+more+to+open.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div> Pretty at any stage of the growing game.<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDVl-hIqHI/AAAAAAAAAu0/xJpGa1v64xE/s1600-h/zinnia+4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228914015790999666" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDVl-hIqHI/AAAAAAAAAu0/xJpGa1v64xE/s400/zinnia+4.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDXh1CVIvI/AAAAAAAAAvM/zCML9ppeMtg/s1600-h/zinnia+closeup.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228916143549653746" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDXh1CVIvI/AAAAAAAAAvM/zCML9ppeMtg/s400/zinnia+closeup.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1504192414112279545.post-6211953457660089432008-07-30T12:51:00.022-04:002009-01-03T14:26:47.251-05:00The Three Bees<span style="color:#666666;">B stands for birds bees and butterflies and there is no shortage in the garden. No shortage of earwigs either but let's save that for another (rainy) day.<br /></span><br /><br /><p><span style="color:#666666;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228850996149603810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJCcRwDxzeI/AAAAAAAAAos/hIfmvuX2v4U/s400/bee.JPG" border="0" /></span></p><span style="color:#666666;">I love the way the wings are crossed on it's back and it looks like it's little arms are holding on to the flower.</span><br /><span style="color:#666666;"><br /></span><span style="color:#666666;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228851003008778322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJCcSJnIgFI/AAAAAAAAAo0/UA-d9eCYOl4/s400/bee+closeup.jpg" border="0" /> </span><br /><span style="color:#666666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#666666;">When snapping so many shots in an effort to catch the right angle or simply get the picture before it takes flight again you may end up with unexpected objects in the picture. </span><br /><span style="color:#666666;"></span><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="color:#666666;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228852759748011074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJCd4Z-Z5EI/AAAAAAAAAo8/3N-901bOk8s/s400/fly.JPG" border="0" /> </span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="color:#666666;">Upon closer examination of this one there appears to be a fly dangling from a flower. </span></p><br /><br /><span style="color:#666666;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228852761422125234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJCd4gNi2LI/AAAAAAAAApE/3YfqUJkzEeA/s400/fly+dangling+re+1243.jpg" border="0" /> </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#666666;">And here is a bee heading straight for the butterfly... unaware when releasing the shutter that this was the case.</span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDEpbQpvwI/AAAAAAAAArE/g71xBW2xvko/s1600-h/IMG_1527.JPG"></a><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDFNd3drwI/AAAAAAAAArU/gSsjbil1k0Q/s1600-h/IMG_1527.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228896002523377410" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDFNd3drwI/AAAAAAAAArU/gSsjbil1k0Q/s400/IMG_1527.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDFNyE5ShI/AAAAAAAAArc/lb1cs-I_l40/s1600-h/IMG_1527a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228896007948421650" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJDFNyE5ShI/AAAAAAAAArc/lb1cs-I_l40/s400/IMG_1527a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#666666;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#666666;">While sitting on the patio, camera at side, along came a monarch butterfly. Thirty-seven frames later taken from a distance of about 20 feet or so using the optical zoom, I managed some okay images of the winged monarch. Much patience was required as it fed for quite some time (or so it seemed) at each flower, sometimes at not the most flattering angle for a photo. Shortly before ending the photo session, another monarch arrived and then a third. Three monarchs fluttering around the was too much for me to handle so that's when I decided to get back to work (in the garden). I am not sure how long I actually sat there. I do know that if I am going to be on that patio for any length of time, the camera comes with me. Even so, the elusive hummingbird shot right past me and I've missed the dragonfly, various birds and on and on.</span></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJCig8mwH_I/AAAAAAAAApM/ZukD6XY3ofc/s1600-h/monarch+3+full.JPG"><span style="color:#666666;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228857854285324274" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJCig8mwH_I/AAAAAAAAApM/ZukD6XY3ofc/s400/monarch+3+full.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJCihNeUulI/AAAAAAAAApU/fhFrsVSeMM8/s1600-h/monarch+6.jpg"><span style="color:#666666;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228857858813377106" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJCihNeUulI/AAAAAAAAApU/fhFrsVSeMM8/s400/monarch+6.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJCiiKBJ_ZI/AAAAAAAAAps/290ZbnHmaIM/s1600-h/monarch+7.jpg"><span style="color:#666666;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228857875065601426" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJCiiKBJ_ZI/AAAAAAAAAps/290ZbnHmaIM/s400/monarch+7.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJCihszprGI/AAAAAAAAApc/ySeDyPhDkvk/s1600-h/monarch+4+full.JPG"><span style="color:#666666;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228857867224329314" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJCihszprGI/AAAAAAAAApc/ySeDyPhDkvk/s400/monarch+4+full.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJCihze2oJI/AAAAAAAAApk/-1XZGzKJTRI/s1600-h/monarch+4.jpg"><span style="color:#666666;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228857869016146066" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJCihze2oJI/AAAAAAAAApk/-1XZGzKJTRI/s400/monarch+4.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></p><br /><span style="color:#666666;">You can barely make out the head of the baby robin in this photo. It was hard to get because of the branches in the way - maybe just how mama robin planned it.</span><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJCqzH6C27I/AAAAAAAAAp8/uhXDh_lUWsI/s1600-h/IMG_1334.JPG"><span style="color:#666666;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228866962649701298" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJCqzH6C27I/AAAAAAAAAp8/uhXDh_lUWsI/s400/IMG_1334.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></p><br /><span style="color:#666666;">This little bird looks like it is posing for me ha ha. Will have to ask Craig what bird it is or resort to looking it up in the book. Ask me the name of a plant and I'll probably have the answer but when it comes to birds, I know only a few (add to list of things to get better at).</span><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJCqMx2m93I/AAAAAAAAAp0/EZ_RwUamXRU/s1600-h/IMG_1574.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228866303894681458" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAwBSpQ-QLM/SJCqMx2m93I/AAAAAAAAAp0/EZ_RwUamXRU/s400/IMG_1574.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370654393478819846noreply@blogger.com1