The Lure of the Greenhouse!

What is one to do on a sunny Sunday afternoon when all you've been missing in the garden is the fragrance of the Evening Scented Stock?

Why, go to the Greenhouse of course.  Not a happy outcome to my journey, unfortunately, as this year Anna had decided not to seed the Evening Scented Stock, or the Fragrant White Nicotiana.

However she did have some Heliotrope and some lovely spicy Carnations, and so I brought some of both home with me  - along with a Liantris, two one year old Foxglove plants, (looking towards next year) a couple of packs of sweet smelling allysum (just in case I should run out) three or four small trailing plants and a lovely Diamond Frost ferny kind of filler - oh yes, and some Pinks!!!

I sacrificed a large old juicer to pot them all up in, and why not!!

I think my juicing days  are done, but oh, how I will enjoy those

gorgeous evening fragrances......

and I will buy some seed and plant the Evening Scented Stock in a pot

I will keep by my bedroom window.

ABC Wednesday

The letter this week is R, which stand for Ranunculus.

Here is the Ranunculus that grows in my garden,

 

 better known as the Persian Buttercup

 

 

It blooms at the same time as the bleeding heart, the oriental peony, the apple blossom, the lilac

and just before the iris

and it makes itself quite at home, wandering the garden all summer so that in the following

spring it shows its lovely face in hitherto quite unfamiliar places.

 

 

 

it does bear watching - inclined to be much too intimate with all its neighbours,

and even the flowers across the garden path

and over into the next bed....

 

For more great Rs visit here at Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday, with

thanks to her, to Roger and to all their helpers.

 

ABC Wednesday
May 8th, 2013

The letter is Q

 

Q is for Quince

 

 

 

Here is the Quince in blossom today along the side garden...

and as it looks in the fall, when it matures to a bright yellow

 

 

The Quince has a romantic history.  A native of Persia, Greece and other Eastern localities it figures
prominently in ancient literature and classical legends....  It is believed in some scriptural circles that the Apple, translated, was the Quince and it is supposed to be the fruit alluded to in the Canticles,

"I sat down under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet to my taste';  and in Proverbs, ' a word fitly spoken is like Apples of gold in pictures of silver.'  The Quince was held sacred to Venus, regarded as a symbol of Love and Happiness. and the 'golden apples' of Virgil are said to be Quinces

All well and good in warm climes where the Quince matures into a soft, juicy fruit, but in colder parts of the world the fruit is hard, more like that of an immature apple or a pear.  The rind is rough and woolly and the flesh harsh and unpalatable with an astringent taste.

 

Not appealing to be eaten out of hand, but perfect for Marmalades or Jelly.

 

Quince Marmalade

Pare and core the Quinces and cut them up, putting them into water as they are cored, to prevent them from blackening.  Put them into a preserving pan with one pound of sugar and one pint of water for every pound of fruit.  Boil over a gentle fire until soft.  Then put them through a sieve, or mash with a spoon, boil up again and tie down in the same way as any other preserve.

In France, before putting the marmalade into pots, a little rosewater and a few grains of musk, mixed together, are added.  (I told you it was a romantic fruit).  This is most delicious and among the French, by whom it is called Cotinat, has a reputation for its digestive powers.  This I learned from Wikipedia....

For more interesting takes on the letter Q visit here at Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday, with thanks to her and her Quirky Helpers.

Sunday, May 5th, 2013

A sterling chain of gorgeous days has kept me outside; in the garden, visiting plant sales, working my small, limited time in the church's outreach Bargain Centre (where I also found three perfect blue pillows for the outside bench),  and redistributing dirt into all the pots I could find so that tomorrow I can go to the garden nursery and indulge myself in wonderful flowers and veggies to fill that motley collection of containers.

 

The new blue pillows also inspire me to go to the paint store and spiffy up the benches they sit on with a new coat of paint.  White or blue, - what do you think?  These were left by the former owner - Charles said they were in such rickety condition they probably wouldn't have made the move to the northern reaches of the Province......but I like them, and we both enjoyed morning coffee here.

 

I find myself to be a little redundant at the Bargain Store; useful only for re-hanging and straightening out the crowded racks, removing empty hangers and engaging in conversation with our many customers. 

 

It is true that I have put in my time at the Bargain Store over the years when my energy was at a higher level, but even if just for morale I go gladly for a couple of hours twice a week when it is the Anglican Church Women's turn to take part in this village outreach.  Well, it's more than the village, - we also sort and send donations to the Gleaners, the Salvation Army, the Women in Need, and anybody else who calls upon us for help.

 

I  found a couple of old cotton T shirts at the Store and plan to turn them into a garden statue on Tuesday.  At a Paverpol statue workshop......

I would like to make a lovely large heron to brood over in the shady corner of the garden, but I think perhaps it is a little too ambitious for a first time endeavour.

 

I saw these statues at a local art show a week or so ago. They are made with wire and strips of cotton and Paverpol, of course.

 

 I went to the show with our son, Sid, who was showing some of his soapstone carvings, and I took along a basket of weaving odds and ends for interest's sake.

 

A busy week - it passes the time!

ABC Wednesday
May 1st, 2013

The letter this week is P
Perfect for Peonies

 

With a Paean of Praise from Mary Oliver in her beautiful poem "Peonies"

 

This morning the green fists of the peonies are getting ready

to break my heart

as the sun rises,

as the sun strokes them with his old, buttery fingers

 

and they open -

pools of lace,

white and pink -and all day the black ants climb over them,

 

boring their deep and mysterious holes

into the curls,

craving the sweet sap,

taking it away

 

to their dark, underground cities -

and all day

under the shifty wind,

as in a dance to the great wedding,

 

the flowers bend their bright bodies,

and tip their fragrance to the air,

and rise,

their red stems holding

 

all that dampness and recklessness

gladly and lightly,

and there it is again -

beauty the brave, the exemplary,

 

blazing open.

Do you know this world?

Do your cherish your humble and silky life?

Do you adore the green grass with its terror beneath?

 

Do you also hurry, half-dressed and barefoot, into the garden,

and softly,

and exclaiming of their dearness,

fill your arms with the white and pink flowers,

 

with their honeyed heaviness, their lush trembling,

their eagerness

to be wild and perfect for a moment, before they are

nothing, forever?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more wonderful Ps click here and push over to ABC Wednesday where Mrs. Nesbitt and her perky helpers provide you with many pleasant and piquant pictures.

Friday, April 26th, 2013

On Wednesday I said to Charles (out loud) "I am going to take a drive down to Cawston and see what's happening at Ginty's Pond - would love to have you come along....."

 

It was a gorgeous day.  Blue sky, wispy clouds, warm breezes and sunshine!!

 

 

 

 

 

I went first to Kobou Park, a project of the community to mark the 1967 Centennial Year,

-  when we were young, -

And since kept in beautiful shape by the young people of the community

(and some of the older people, too)

who use the ball parks and the children's corner constantly.

 

What interested me most was my thoughts of contributing in Charles' name

 to the trees that rim the park,

placed there in memory of pioneers of the Lower Similkameen 

and some of the people who

were part of the Cawston Bench Lands,

veterans of the Second World War who planted the dusty sagebrush flats.

 

I thought about what tree would best exemplify his dear, generous life,

and think it is a decision I cannot make on the spur of the moment.

 

 

 

I left the park, still pondering, and drove along to the western end of the pond.

 

 

where the shrubs and trees and grasses that line the water are that wonderful

luminous green of April and springtime.

 

 

Last year's bullrushes rise crisply above the rather murky waters, holding aloft

their soft, puffy seed heads, enticing the birds and the wind shamelessly.

 

 

Stretching into the eastern part of the pond there is a little green growth, then smooth waters

 

 

 

I pass beside the river, and the hills that rise above its far bank..

 

 

 

and I come to the end of the pond that crosses the road through a culvert that

stretches to the south, winding its way down again to the river.

 

There is a great deal of housekeeping going on here!

 

 

 

and perhaps still a bit of courting

 

 

I came home through the orchards in bloom and the gardens blossoming with spring flowers.

 

 

 

 

and along by the creek that runs through the Rocking Chair ranch

 

 

It was my first venture out alone, and I thought I did pretty well.

 

Lots of lovely memories of other days, other drives, other conversations.

 

And memories from long ago, - I remember the first year we were in Cawston,

roller skating down the Main Street with Steven, our oldest -

 

and skating on Ginty's Pond during the 1950's when the winters were

cold and the snow was deep and there was a marvelous place to party and have bonfires.

 

Ah yes, and here is this ancient lady, wandering around, taking pictures

 

and finding some contentment,

 

 

as I turn into the driveway at home and see Callie, waiting in the window....



ABC Wednesday
April 24th, 2013

The letter is O

O is for the Ox-eyed Daisy

 

Humble and derided as a weed in many places, but still beautiful in its simplicity.

 

If it just wasn't so ubiquitous!!!

 

 

For more wonderful Os click here to visit ABC Wednesday, with thanks to

Mrs. Nesbitt, to Roger, and to all who make ABC go round the world in such great fashion.

April 22nd, 2013

Monday morning, and a new week begins....There is a sharpness in the air, but the sky is blue, from one horizon to another, and there is a promise of sunshine, all day long........

In my heart I remember a dear friend whose loveliest gifts were her gentleness,

 her kindness and her compassion. 

 

And a beautiful capacity for friendship.

 

 

April 22nd, 2012

 

In loving memory

 

Friday, April 19th, 2013

A little of this, and a bit of that....

One nice thing about having crepes for supper is that there is always a bit of batter left to have pancakes and bacon for breakfast.

On my second cup of coffee I sit down to write what I had meant to write yesterday, before I got waylaid in the garden.  I went to the garden shop the other day to buy a bag of onion sets which I planned to pot up with a few lettuce plants and a bit of swiss chard.  In all innocence I drove the half mile to the Garden Shop, knowing full well what danger awaited me.  Don and Anna's nursery is just a shade less threatening to the wallet as Knapps, in Penticton.

I came home with another second year Foxglove, a Donkey Tail Spurge, a sturdy Campanula, four containers of sweet smelling allysum and two Dusty Miller's, a bag of summer bulbs and a Wisteria Vine that called to me softly, insistently, as I wandered the greenhouses.  I know that Charles would shake his head indulgently, and in my mind I asked his advice about where to put the Wisteria!!!!!

And, of course, the onion sets!

This morning I will go and pot the summer bulbs;  in layers, lasagna style, the Ismenes on the bottom because they are the biggest bulbs, then the Liastris to attract butterflies, and finally the Acidantheras for their beautiful fragrance,  These are all white flowers, and I also have a white dahlia which I will put somewhere in the mix -

I envision them on the porch, at dusk, wafting their beautiful perfume through the open door.

Acidanthera

Ismene

Liastris (Gayfeather)

I got this idea from the Internet, and it reminded me of the days when I used to layer wool in large jars, with natural dye material (like onion skins, rabbit brush, etc.) and a little mordant, and during the summer leave them in the blazing sun to dye the wool.  Maybe I will do that too, -  I still have some wonderful white singles wool that would make a lovely warp!!!!

Before I go out I will stop at the piano, as is my wont each morning, and play a bit of Scott Joplin.  But also I will be brushing up on my organ music as I have committed myself to playing at the funeral of an old friend and I am not terribly brave about this, but I do want to be competent, and confident.

This afternoon my DIL and I will make the trip to Penticton (with camera) to go to a concert at which our oldest son will be singing.  And then out after to a Birthday tea for his MIL...a nice afternoon to look forward to.

The terrible events in Boston have saddened life, and brushed it with a shadow of disbelief at the incredible evil  that seems to pervade the world.   Is it worse now, this evil, or were the dreadful massacres of the past also a reminder that it is always with us, - that we must be aware and vigilant and actively retain the inclination towards goodness, compassion and moral strength.  I hope one is not being naive in thinking that this could be a force that will eventually overcome evil.

In the meantime (how easy it is to say this casually, from a distance) the small pleasures of life here are good, and assuage the loneliness.

Come out with me to the garden and we will a-potting go!!!!!

ABC Wednesday

The Letter is N

The flower is Nicotiana

 

A truly elegant flower, and intensely fragrant

 

This particular species is called 'Only the Lonely'

and it is said it is the tallest and most graceful of all the nicotiana plants

available, growing to four feet with six inch long candelabra-like sprays of

sweetly scented tubular white flowers.

 

The fragrance is released at dusk and continues through the night,

attracting all those fabulous humming bird moths, hawk moths and other species of moths with

long tongues and a yearning for sweet nicotiana liquor.

 

A genus of the family (Solanaceae), indigenous to the Americas, Australia,

south west Africa and the South Pacific

 



Several species of Nicoliana are grown as ornamental plants, including the

 Domino series and 'Lime Green', but in my opinion

nothing compares with a clutch of these beautiful white flowers, swaying in the garden as dusk

begins to fall, spreading this most beautiful jasmine-like fragrance

through the garden and the open windows where people

dine, or sleep, or read or just relax in the richness of the scent.

 

On 10th Avenue where I grew a large cutting garden

I planted the nicotiana in short rows and they came back year after year,

glowing in the darkness like fragrant white spirits.

 

I have grown the Dominos, but their fragrance is less spirited.

 

In my seed basket today I have a package of 'Only the Lonely'

Two hundred and ninety five seeds, it says on the package.

 

I will plant them, along with Cleome, at the back of the bed and surely out of

all those seeds I will have a moth or two visiting

in the backyard,  enjoying the heady fragrance with me.

 

 

 

 

For more takes on the letter N click here to visit Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday, with thanks to her and her Nifty helpers.

 

April 15th, 2013

Fickle April

 

The Goldfinch has returned, along with his mate and lots of cousins and other relatives.  I have borrowed a photo from Google to share his lovely goldenness!

 

His arrival, of course, instigated a search for the long, slim thistle feeder.

 

The one hanging in the back garden seemed a likely fill-in until the other bags were found.  When I last looked it had been ignored by all small birds, but when I went to retrieve it I found it half full and the centre of attraction for a number of very small birds, which I haven't identified yet.

 

Back to looking for the nyger feeders!  I have seen them just recently, - I search all the likely places inside without any favourable results, and then decide I must go out again into the cold, miserable morning and look in the garden shed.

 

Well, where else, - they were there, of course, and now are filled with with seed and hanging seductively on a limb of the willow where all the other birds congregate.

 

 

 

A nice surprise after a fitful night and another morning of damp cold, low clouds

 and threatening rain.

 

Nevertheless, despite the weather the garden plants are growing by leaps and bounds - oh look, there - see the lilies leap - they must be 15 inches high!!!!

 

There are fat pink buds on the Oriental Peony and tiny white ones on the anemones

in the little garden outside the fence at the front, promising to make a nice showing with the tulips.

 

I had planned to go to the garden on the hill to steal away some of the prolific

barn flowers that would fill that corner along the lane with gorgeous yellow bloom

all summer long, but alas, it looks like an all day rain!

Up on the hills the Balsomroot is thirsty for all those wonderful spring nutrients
sent along with each shower, and in return present a beautiful sunny picture to passers-by.

 

I think this is a weaving day, rather than a gardening day,  - or maybe I could even go and make some muffins and fill the house with fragrant baking smells
and the promise of a nicer day tomorrow, - although the weatherman
is most discouraging of this and it seems the best we can do is look forward to May.

 But then, isn't April famous for its fickleness!!!