Monday, March 25, 2013

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.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

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.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

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.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

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.

Monday, March 18, 2013

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.  

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

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.

Monday, March 11, 2013

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.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

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.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

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.