A Sign of Regrowth, Plant Signs and Happy Easter!

Can Always Find Lemon Balm

A Bed Full of Plant Signs and Not Much Green!

The German Chamomile Has Survived!

One of My Favorites, Feverfew!

And the Dianthus is Looking Good!

Well, took a walk about in the garden and there is actually a lot of green showing up.  It is still a pretty mucky mess as they say in England.  Deer poop, lots to cut down, lots to dig out, lots to get excited about and always overwhelming this time of year.  This time last year, we were planted and cut back and lots of growth had already started.  It will be a much slower process this season.  It will be a season for at least one trip to England for me.  The Herbal Husband is staying behind and holding down the fort as he does each season anyway.  I'm also reading Sydney Eddison's book, Gardening for a Lifetime and will be giving you my review of it shortly for Timber Press.  I've decided while I'm still young to garden a bit differently hopefully sooner than later.

I saw the Federal Express van pull up yesterday afternoon and this is what it brought.  A beautiful bouquet of two dozen roses from our friends in Uruguay.  Thanks to Mario, Judith and Daniel for their Easter gift.

Easter Roses from Uruguay!

So even though they aren't quite tuilips and daffodils (Still looking forward to those.), I hope all of you have a very blessed and happy Easter.  I'll talk to you next week.

Off The Subject, Quilt Time!

A Bird Inspired Motif by The Tentmakers of Cairo!

An Audubon Inspired Quilt

A Quilt with HERBS!

One of My Favorites, Mt. Ruffmore!

Best in Show, An All Silk Quilt!

I'll get back to the garden.  I promise.  Well, it's been a couple of weeks since the American Quilt Society had one of several quilt weeks in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  My best friend, Marilyn (who is the real quilter) and I drove down there to enjoy the show and do some shopping.  Here are just a few of my favorites.  Two of the Tentmakers of Cairo were there demonstrating their immense talent.  Applique was my downfall in quilting and they take it on like they were machines doing the applique!  They were truly amazing and their quilts were flying off the walls.  The majority of what they had on display had sold.  This is a link to a website where they are producing a documentary about the Tentmakers of Chareh El Khiamiah.  There are some beautiful photos of their work under the link on the left side called Photos.

Then there were quilts that were made from patterns that were available and so quilters could see the finished project.  Of course, the next quilt caught my eye with the herb theme.  You know me.  I'll find herbs just about anywhere!  One of my favorite quilts was called Mt. Ruffmore.  I don't have any pets, but I just loved the whimsy of this quilt.  The last photo is of the Best in Show which won a $10,000 cash prize.  It was just beautiful.  All in all, it was an overwhelming experience, but fun.  Quilters are a talented group of women and men and their love of their hobby showed through in this show.  I'll share some more favorites later.

Still cold here in the 'Burgh.  Slowly warming up outside.  I can actually see a bit of blue sky.  So there is hope!  Hope you are having a great day.

This Had Better Be A March Thaw!

In case you didn't see this photo because it was on Facebook, here is another pepper growing on the windowsill overlooking the herb garden.  This was taken before the last snowstorm of the season hit.  I'm just going to will it not to snow again!  Hopefully, we will get to start some cleanup here in the garden shortly.  Hope you are having a great day wherever you may be.  Talk to you later.

Yes, It's True!

Blooming Rosemary for Easter!

As you can see by my banner photo, Pittsburgh, we have more snow.  It is more like sleet at the moment though.  A heavy wet type.  The Herbal Husband is outside shoveling while I'm inside staying toasty.  I volunteered to go out and help, but I guess he didn't need it.:)  Well, on a happier note, the 'Arp' rosemary is blooming in time for Easter.  The sleet is coming down outside.  I think I had better get changed and go shovel.  Whistle while you work!  Still kind of crazy here with boxes everywhere.  Lots going on instead of gardening at the moment.  Will post when I can.  I think the first good day we are going to get here is Easter.  Hope you are having a great day.  Talk to you when I can.

Really, More Snow and Other Herbal Survivors!

Variegated Mint Coming Back to Life!  Yay!

Lavender Thyme Survived!

So Did the Lime Thyme!

Sorry I haven't been has prolific as usual with my posts.  It is still cold and windy and did I mention we are getting more snow tomorrow!  Can only hope like Phil, the forecasters are wrong!  On a happier herbal front, I was elated to see that the variegated mint that has been inside in a container, is coming back to life.  I think we are going to lose a big lavender that hasn't had enough light.  Makes me sad.   Was out for another quick peek and found two thymes that are doing well.  So I'm going back to the laundry but I hope that you are warm and flowery wherever you may be.  Talk to you later.

Well, Happy Freezing Spring!

Fingers Crossed That This is Tarragon!

Getting Primped for Its Closeup!

Lady's Mantle!

Salad Burnet!  A Little More Worn This Season!

The Ever Present, Chives, the Early Risers!

The Horehound is Back!  Yay!

Well, you wouldn't know that it was spring here.  OK, we do have a blue sky and sun.  Those two things are in short supply if it were still winter.  BUT and this is a big one!  IT IS FREEZING!  Well, maybe not 32 degrees.  We are a bit warmer than that.  We are supposed to be in the low 50's by now.  Not going to happen for awhile.  The wind is strong and any thoughts I have about going out and cleaning up make me shiver!  We were inspired by Ina Garten's omelet recipe yesterday to find out if the tarragon was coming back.  That first photo has a tarragon tag where the sprouts are, but as you all know, it may not be exactly there.  The lady's mantle is very hardy.  So that was no surprise.  Also the salad burnet and chives are perennial favorites.  I don't always get horehound through the winter.  So was excited to see it.  Haven't taken all of the covers off and will wait until the last minute this year to see about the lemon verbena.  I'm keeping my thoughts positive.  Well, want to get this posted.  Errand day with a Panera lunch.  Talk to you later.

Welcome Foyers At The Philadelphia Flower Show!

A Very English Full Arrangement

A Modern Take on the English Arrangement

An Englishwoman Ready for the Day

Appropriate Accessories for the Englishwoman

 Well, we actually have blue skies here in the 'Burgh.  Just as I say it though, it is bound to go away quickly.  The sun is trying to make an appearance.  So I will share more of my random photos from Brilliant, the Philadelphia Flower Show.  Hope you are having a great day  Talk to you later.

More Pressed Flower Pictures of English Themes!

An Overview with Heads and Hands!

A Lovely Garden Scene

Tower Bridge

An Interpretation of the Union Jack

I just was so impressed with the pressed flower pictures at this year's Philadelphia Flower Show.  Here are some of my favorites.  Sorry I have been MIA lately.  I mentioned earlier we got boxes down from the attic and like someone said to me it just leads to more chaos!  Well, we have things almost sorted out and that has led to other decisions of things to go.  It is all good and will lighten our load.

The weather is not cooperating in southwestern PA.  We are icy, rainy and cold.  Really am getting depressed over all of the work that has to be done in the garden.  Haven't finished our seed orders, etc.  Well, we will just enjoy the flower show until things get better outside.  Hope you had a great day.  Talk to you later.  

The Queen's Crown in Flowers

An Interpretation of the Queen's Crown

The pressed flower photos were just ridiculously wonderful.  I'm sorry my photos are not better, but the photo above is from a 12th grader!  It won a blue ribbon.

This is a Second Place Winner

Another Favorite of Mine

These Were Elementary School Entries!

Always love the pressed flower entries.  Very well done this year.  Will share more in the coming days.  On my way to a quilt show with my best friend.  We are between sun and snow today.  Typical March weather.  Hope you are having a great day.  Talk to you later.

Yes, We Went to England and Didn't Have to Fly!

Entrance to the Philadelphia Flower Show Through the Royal Gates

The 60's British Music Invasion-Peace Garden by Subaru

Old LP's Used as a Border to Hold Plants Back-Subaru

A Tranquil Garden Comes to Life-EP Henry

Daffodils from Michael Petrie's Handmade Gardens

Robertson's Flowers

I Think This is Part of Robertson's Flowers Display

Have Always Wanted a Moss Covered Chair!

Well, my herbal companion, Bonnie and I traveled east to the 2013 Philadelphia Flower Show on Thursday.  We were supposed to have afternoon tea at our favorite tea place, Sweet Remembrances but it didn't happen because Mother Nature sent snow our way.  As I hope you can see, we still had a nice time.  The photos can't really tell you how special some of the displays were.  It was a feast for the eyes and ears and in this winter of continuing snow, we needed some cheerful flowers and green plants to make us smile.  We even saw the Reppert sisters in all of the humanity and a friend that we hadn't seen in years from Pittsburgh.  I'll share more photos in the coming days.  Rain this afternoon then snow midweek.  Winter isn't done with us yet.  It was 71 here yesterday!  Talk to you later.

A Death in the Herbal Plant Family!

Unfortunately, this prostrate rosemary bit the dust in the last few days.  The battle every year when plants come inside is where they are going to winter over.  We have old drafty windows and actually the windowsills are the best places for especially the rosemarys to reside.  We only had space enough for two and this third one was in the basement with some light but obviously not quite enough.  If I moved it to the garage, it mysteriously came back into the basement!  You get my herbal drift.  So we are into the home stretch now with all herbal houseplants.  So be particularly mindful that they are getting enough water and water and air circulation and that they aren't be attacked by spider mites or white flies or powdery mildew.  Two weeks until spring!  It can't come soon enough! Talk to you later.

Been a Bit Distracted Lately and Getting Ready For Saturn!

Well, it's the calm before the storm here and they are calling it Saturn.  Yikes, we're going to start naming every significant storm.  Don't think I like that.  Well, went out and took some photos in the garden.  I think I lost my beautiful golden sage!  After a mild winter last year and a hot summer, it was beautiful.  It looks pretty toasted at the moment.  Golden sage is not always hardy for us in the 'Burgh.

Thought I would blog a lot this winter.  Sorry it didn't happen.  Then decided to clean out the attic and that's where I have been for the last week or so.  Ah, the memories, good and bad.  Always happens.  Well, before we get too much older, we needed to start cleaning stuff (don't want to say junk) out!  After Saturn passes, I'm going with my herbal companion, Bonnie to the Philadelphia Flower Show.  It is really a beautiful blue sky day here.  Hope you are having a good day.  I'll fill you in on our adventures next week.  Talk to you later.