With a background in Fine Arts, my eye is well trained to notice the smallest of details. Photography is a passion. With the advent of the digital age, I use that same trained eye through the monitor of my digital camera, from macro shots to sweeping landscapes while enjoying the full range of editing.
Like a small puzzle, spacing makes all the difference!
More 'lay-out'!
Taaa daaaa...
Sparrow nest on/in our front door wreath!
Looks like they are stopping @ 3!!!
So, we went to a place called Dutch Heritage Gardens, about 20 minutes from the house, but pretty much in the middle of no where...on the Palmer Divide. Beautiful rolling hills, ranches, mountains in the background, but still, to us, in the middle of no where. Apparently, they have a 3 day Memorial Day sale every year. That is it, 3 days. We had no idea what to expect. Well, after we got our map of the 4 acres, we too, took our 4 tiered bakers rack, and started making the rounds. We took our time, we discussed, we saw, we chose wisely according to our space, and, we made out like bandits...an awesome sale it was! We are also in awe of the many people around us who were buying multiple bakers racks full of flowers, planters, hanging plants and on and on and on....big skies in Colorado, and big grounds as well. Our haul was small in comparison, but, I left the garden center a very happy camper.
Never believe me when I say, 'I am not going to buy as much basil this year.' I bought as much, maybe even a little more than previous plantings. I just have to start making pesto earlier so not as much of the basil winds up in the freezer...I still have bags upon bags from last year! We bought cilantro, small, tiny leafed basil (never saw that before...powerful aroma), Thai basil, sweet basil, sweet red peppers, golden striped tomatoes (we'll see), along w/ the Roma's. And flowers for that punch of color out back, which was missing last year...purple, lavender petunias, and another small purple flower, whose name I forgot (I saved the little tab, but must have thrown it away). At any rate, they look very pretty. So, this years' garden is planted, watered, and ready to roll. I will most likely add a piece or two (or 3) as we go, but, deep sigh, a great feeling. Very very grateful.
The sparrows have laid 3 eggs in the wreath, so, now, we wait for 10 days or so for the little ones to hatch...ridiculously sweet!
Dill, Greek oregano, purple basil, sweet red peppers...just getting started!
Emptied last years' soil...that was alot of work!!
The gardeners glove...already blew through 1 pair!
Rather large earthworms...love them!
Rows, watered and ready for planting!
The all important 'spacing'...
Let the games begin!
Palette and glass brick (thank you Dad) planting area...
Finally, after a very cool start to Spring, the weather is saying 'PLANT'! I had to empty out most of last years' soil, as the nutrients are gone and nothing would grow. Edward helped me load up the garden beds w/ the new compost, soil to mix in w/ soil, and the huge sized bag of MiracleGro. One for each garden bed. I bought earth worms. Last year I had the little guys, but this year, they only had the really big guys, like you see after it rains. So they have been officially, earthed. I bought some purple basil, Greek oregano, dill, lavender, sweet red peppers. I have some Roma tomatoes in the wings. Sounds like alot, but looks very sparse once everything is in. So, today, hopefully, we can find some more goodies and flowers for out back to brighten up all the stone work. I created a palette potting area, which is a step up from the little bench I was using last year. I still plan to put a piece of flooring wood on top of the palette to cover the slats...moving right along. Now, if only the grass would grow!!
As a real bonus, we have sparrows nesting in our wreath out front and as of today there are 3 eggs. Very exciting! Will save those pics for another post....
Gert passed away on Saturday. She was 102, almost 103 years old. Can you imagine? She lived a full active life for just over a century!! I met Gert at 'The Hallmark', in New York City, where Mom lived for 8 of her 9 last years. I can count in my head how many wonderful friends of Mom's, and mine, were lost over that time. But, this is about Gert and this is my favorite story about her.
Two Springs ago, when Mom was so ill with pneumonia and congestive heart failure, I was in the City for over a week running back and forth to the hospital. I was staying in Mom's apartment downtown. The Hallmark is all the way downtown, and NYU, where Mom was in the hospital is on the East Side. There is just no easy way to get there, and back via public transportation, and I was tired. So, in the evening, when I would come back from the hospital, I would go into the Library in the building, which also houses 2 computers, check my e-mail, catch up on all the on-line 'stuff', clear my head. That Spring, there was only 1 computer. Most of those nights, I would find Gert, sitting at the computer, playing 'Spider'. She could not hear well, and she was so fixed on killing the competition, that she did not know I was there. I would sit and watch her for 20 or 30 minutes. At some point, I would gently tap her on the shoulder, and she would 'come back' from the land of solitaire. I would help her gather her things, she would always ask, 'How is Mother, please send her my regards.' We would chit chat about the day, the weather. But here is what she did. One night in particular, I must have been rather bedraggled, and she stood very close, took my face in those wise hands and said, 'Remember, you must take care of yourself too.' Maybe it was the sparkle in her eye, or the gentle touch, but I can still see her, feel her. It was a moment, but I will never forget.
So, here's to you Gert, show them how it's done!!!
Today was one of those days. Everywhere I turned, the sky just took my breath away. I might sound as if I am repeating myself, but it is worth noting over and over again that the Colorado skies really are breathtaking. I did the same thing with the ocean, didn't I?? Just a normal day of errands, and I had, to stop. I stopped at the corner, as I made the turn from our house. I stopped as I left our sub-division. I stopped as I drove to the bank. I had the red light long enough to get a pic of the 'horse sculpture'. I love this sculpture of the 5 horses, captured in the breeze, perched on a hill, with the mountains in the background. Stunning!! We have been here for over a year now and this was the first chance I had, where there were no cars going by, (a very busy intersection) the sky was gorgeous, and in a split second, I got it! The mountains looked like there was a spotlight hovering over the snow caps all day. Very dramatic. I had to stop.We are expecting some much needed rain over the next couple of days, and the clouds have rolled in. You can see the progression with the day. Major photo op. Really glad I took the time to stop, even just for a simple 'snap'; gotcha!!!
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