Thursday, June 30, 2016

Pause and Reflect




We've come to the end of  June. It's thyme to take a moment.
How about just enjoy where we are right now. I've been so
caught up in my daily chores of watering, mowing, pruning,
and garden maintenance that I'm forgetting to pause and
notice the beauty of my garden.

 












A Flower Does Not Think Of Competing
With The Flower Next To It. It Just Blooms.











Such a moment caught me yesterday when I was in a
rush to finish my watering duties. I was spraying the
herbs and the heady scent of rosemary and mint caught
my attention. It was intoxicating. I leaned into the herb
jar and lemon thyme and lavender were the next 
delightful scents. I immediately felt happy. 
I thought later that I needed some real garden thyme
among my flowers. I began by cutting some blooms
for inside and then harvesting some herbs.


                                                                   











It's just as important to notice our nature friends.
It's very satisfying watching the hummingbirds at the
feeders, the frogs hiding out among the tall plants, and
all the beautiful butterflies among the flowers. 



The Sun Shines Bright, My Garden
Is A Delight.

Our gardens and our flowers offer much if we take 
the thyme to enjoy them.





How about a little red, white and blue for the 4th of
July. Highlight those colors, be sure to add some flags.




Have a safe and wonderful holiday. 
Visit  www.cookingthymewithdiana.com for a
new recipe.
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Thursday, June 23, 2016

Summer's A Bloommin'





Summer Solstice happened June 20th. We appreciated the
longest day of the year. It was hot, sun shining but big
white clouds helped us out. Summer means hot and humid.  
Vacations will be happening, there will be ball games to watch,
cookouts, and visits to the swimming pools. Ice cream cones,
watermelons, and fresh fruit pies are delicious summertime
treats. For me the best time of a hot summer day is early 
evening. The sun has loosened its grip. It's a great time for
a walk, a bike ride, or enjoying the porch swing. Neighbors 
are out.. evening gardeners, kids playing ball and 
friends chatting over the fence... hello summer.


"It's a smile, it's a kiss, it's a sip of wine..
…it's summertime!"
                           -author unknown



Oh yes, Sam has his spot. And he's invited Mama and her chicks.





Harvested cherry tomatoes from my container experiment. 
Variety is Chocolate Sprinkles. They are dark red with 
green stripes. Not as sweet as grape cherries but a robust 
taste. This plant is really producing. Delicious.






Completed another fairy garden.  The little girls from next door
love to come and take a peek.





Word of the day: POLLINATOR
Noun. Meaning an agent or (vector) that moves pollen from the
male anthers of  a flower to the female stigma of a flower to 
accomplish fertilization. (from Wikipedia).  Pollinators include
bees, butterflies, bats and birds. These pollinators help plants
reproduce. They are important to our ecosystem. A lot of the 
food we eat and flowers and plants we enjoy are possible
because of the pollinators.
This is National Pollinator Week. Become aware of what this
means as a home gardener, when you landscape your yard,
and the chemicals and pesticides you may be using. An easy
help would be to plant pollinator-friendly flowers that are
native to your area. Be a part of the community effort for
land conservation that support community gardens, green
spaces and wildlife habitat. 





Watch for all our garden friends.






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Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Out And About In The Garden



Spring has certainly passed us by. We've jumped into summer 
with the heat and humidity. I was even thinking we needed some 
rain as the yards were beginning to look a little dry. I'm needing 
to water my container plants daily and with the winds, twice daily. 



Ok when you garden and landscape there are always chores. But, 
I'm sure there was about a week, well maybe just a few days when
I could just admire what was accomplished in our yard. Everything
seem to be under control. Let's take a peek before we look at that
to do list.

Miss Garden Lady looking so fine and has even plucked a flower 
or two to tuck in her pocket along with her packet of seeds.




Sam has found a shady spot under the rose and clematis arbor.




And then helped Ron harvest radishes from the garden.




Visited neighbor Tom's great looking garden.




Mama and her chicks and Sam found a moment to pay a tribute to
our flag.

Alright enough pleasant wanderings…about that list. When it's
June it's all about weeding, deheading and watering. There are
also sticks and leaves falling from the trees and grass keeps 
growing, so cleanup and mowing takes priority. Some harvesting 
will be happening and picking some of the blooming annuals and 
perennials is a pleasant task. Feed your container plants on a 
schedule and you can still sow more carrots and radishes, salad 
greens, and bush beans. How are your tomato plants doing? 
Remember to stake and prune those sucker branches. Roses too 
can be given a cleanup with some deadheading and cleanup of the 
petals. Be sure to watch for insect infestation on your blooms and 
react specific to the plant. Lilacs need to be pruned now if you 
haven't as yet. Turn over the mulch as you're cleaning up, makes 
the beds look very neat and tidy. When you mow don't bag the
clippings. Let them lie on the grass to return nitrogen to the soil.

Ok enough chores, you've got your to-dos. One more picture,
then enjoy your summer. Cocktails  or a beer on the porch, 
to the pool or vacation…go on!!


A great container plant. Bat Face (Cuphea).


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You will find them delish!










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Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Herb Happiness




It seems Sam (the Pug) and Mama and her chicks have
discovered the herb jar. Sam is drawn to the Lemon Balm.
He also like watermelon when it's very hot outside. What a
dog. But I digress. Herbs are the topic. I have 3 herb jars
that I keep on my back patio close to the kitchen. I wanted
the convenience and the simplicity.





Why do we like herbs so much. We use them for culinary 
seasoning, fragrance, in crafts, garden displays and healing.
They are also found in cosmetics, dyes and used as insect
repellents. Herbs have been around a long time. America's
early settlers brought their herb culture from Europe and
the American Indian also shared many new herbs to them.
We read of herbal use in Biblical times and throughout the
Far East.






Here's what I'm growing. They make for a beautiful display.

Here's what I know…cooking with herbs enhance and highlight 
the flavor of foods…fresh herbs will cut your grocery bill. They 
are expensive to buy and won't keep long. Why buy an herbal
butter when you can prepare your own. Make a marinade, make
a salad dressing…cut your herbs frequently, the more you cut,
the more they will continue to grow. Cut above a bud or sprout…
you can grow them anywhere, in a jar or coffee can, in a basket,
window box, or flower pot. They just need water, and fertilize 
when first planted…buy small potted herbs to transplant, they
are easier and give instant rewards...they will grow continually
throughout the summer and fall so share the wealth….




"As for rosemary, I let it run all over my
garden walls, not only because my bees love 
it but because it is the herb sacred to 
remembrance and friendship…"
-Sir Thomas More (1478-1535)




From me and my chives,
thanks for stopping by.
Diana









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www.cookingthymewithdiana.com

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Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Beginnings




No month is more anticipated. It brings us the big 3, summer, 
sunshine and school vacation. Husband Ron and I enjoyed
an evening bike ride last night and just puttered around our
yard. It's such a pleasure to be able to stay outside longer in
the evenings. How about a few more outdoor pictures.








And now for a REALLY BIG new beginning….drum roll please



We welcomed our grandson Ethan William, born May 26th at
9.1 lbs.

From this grandma, all I can say through the tears is, you 
are beautiful, and you have my heart.
Ok, just one more picture..

Then we had to tell Sam (the Pug)

Fortunately, he was with Ron and I. We gave him extra attention
and extra treats. He came around. Why he even told Mama and
her chicks…

They are best buds…Sam likes to kiss his ear.






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