Friday, September 24, 2010

Rain and gardens

Good morning Everyone ~ Hope you are off to a good start on the weekend. It's Friday. I'm working at my job today and tomorrow, then Wed-Sat next week, so I won't be gardening much from now until next weekend.

We've had some wonderful heavy rain, really soaking into the ground and watering everything nicely. I am thankful. The other night it started pouring in the middle of the night and DH reached over and patted me and said "There's your rain." He knew I'd been praying and hoping for rain. I think more is expected through the weekend, and is just what we need.

The past few days DH and I have been working outside on our property. It's not as miserable and hellish as it was over the summer, so we feel like working. Our place has become a jungle over the summer, so we're pulling weeds, vines, etc. that have gotten out of control. We haven't started painting our cottage yet, but it's in the back of our minds. We are looking forward to some cooler temps, and hopefully it will happen sooner rather than later. We are ready.

Yesterday morning I went to a different library than the one I've been going to on my way to work. The older library is closed for a year for renovation. This other one is really close to home, I just have to make time to go there now, not on my way to work. Anyway, the library I went to yesterday is really nice, new, and I'm going to have to learn my way around it. I do look forward to jaunts to this closer library.
I found a great book called "Landscaper Plants for South Florida". I've already found one plant that I didn't know what it was in my own gardens. I also got a wonderful book, "Embroidery for all Seasons", which is exquisite. Found the book at Amazon, and two more books by this lady and put them all on my wish list. :-)
My fingers are itchin' to be stitchin' again.

Here are some pictures taken the last few days. We are mostly green, and I hope to add more color in the future. We are also little rooms and hallways, rather than open spaces.

Below is the front path, the road is to the left with traffic rushing by about 15' away.
There were piles all over like this, this was just the only picture I took.
This picture is looking west.


Here I am on the path looking east.


Here we are looking east toward the driveway gate into patio.
You can see the front wall of my little space needs painting.
This is the primer coat.
You can see the front door, which we don't use. My workspace with beads and embroidery materials covering it right now, is on the inside.



This picture is looking southeast to the patio just outside the front window.


This is the front patio, looking west.


East gate, driveway behind.


I'm standing by the kitchen's screened porch,
which is the main entry into our cottage.


I'm standing in the driveway just off the patio by screened porch,
looking north. The gate into secret garden has the wreath hanging on it,
on the left side of the picture.



This is my shed's garden.


Here we are inside the secret garden. I trimmed the hedges at the back,
so that now I can see the two outbuildings rooflines.


View from inside. Colea cuttings rooting in water.


Lemon tea bread.
Delicious and the recipe can be found at
Keeping it Simple




******

To find the universal elements enough;

to find the air and the water exhilarating;

to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter. . .

to be thrilled by the stars at night;

to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring -

these are some of the rewards of the simple life.

John Burroughs


**********

Have a great weekend whatever you do, wherever you are.


Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL

12 comments:

Becca's Dirt said...

Beautiful gardens. I love all the paths and the arbors. You have a lovely place. Glad you got your rain - I'm still waiting here. Hopefully this weekend. I love to visit the library. Haven't been in awhile so I'll put that on my little list. Have a good weekend.

Sandy said...

When I visit you I always
come away with so much!
Today I see more loveliness
around your home, find a
book I'd like to learn from,
and get a delicious sounding
recipe! Thank you so much
for your delightful blog!
Blessings & hugs,
Sandy

Karen said...

Hello FlowerLady, gosh I enjoyed the tour of your garden today! What an amazing paradise you have made. You'd never think there was a busy road anywhere near your lovely home, it is all so peaceful. I love your garden rooms and nooks and the Secret Garden is something I would love to have. Wide open spaces are overrated.

I'm glad you are finally getting the much-needed rain; there is nothing that does so much for a garden than a gentle soaking.

Your new library sounds like a fun adventure...I would be lost without the one in our nearby town too, there is so much to learn, isn't there? I love to embroider too, but I'm not the artist you are!

Take care, and thank you!

Susan said...

Rain...so glad you got some...wish we could get some. I guess your late night showers didn't quite make it over my way. It's cloudy today, so I'm hopeful we might get some blessed rain today...it is very dry here.

I thoroughly enjoyed looking down all your pathways...so many interesting views that make me want to see more.

I've got coleus rooting on the kitchen counter. I found some new varieties with soft pink and dark burgundy colors that I'm trying to grow more of.

Have a wonderful weekend, Flowerlady!

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Your garden has such great height! I would love to wander the paths in your garden.

gld said...

I love all your paths and little rooms....the epitome of a cottage garden to go with your perfect cottage.

And the view out the window......you should feel very lucky.

We have a new library too and I am enjoying it tremendously.

Glad you got that good soaking rain.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Lona said...

Hi. Your gardens are just so full and lush. I did not know what to look at first in your pictures. What a wonderful niche you have made for yourselves.i would love to walk your paths too.
I wish we had gotten some of your rain. We so need it now too. It goes above or below us here.
Have a wonderful weekend.

Ever Green Tree said...

There is something magical abt the gardens in the rains... Lovely shots n what a beautiful garden you have!

Val said...

I love the view by the screened-in porch. So cozy. :)

Floridagirl said...

I love all your little pathways and enclosed spaces. That's my kind of garden! Secret surprises at every turn. We have a very tiny space here at PITV, but Husband is insistent on some open vistas, so it's a constant battle to find spaces for plants here. And my garden is mostly green too. I am always posting the colorful flowers and foliage, but from the long view, it all does seem so very green. Enjoy your books!

Noelle Johnson said...

Hello FlowerLady,

Well, I must admit that I was read to comment on the beautiful views of your garden. That is until I saw your Lemon Tea Bread and then I got hungry ;-)

jerilanders said...

Wonderful garden paths and places, so very lush. Lucky you, but I know how hard you work to make it so! I do love the arbor, gate entry way, and see that you are going to embroider it, wonderful! Jeri