The First and Second Gooseberry Picking

Like everything else that grew while we were away, the gooseberries were ready to be picked. It wasn't until a couple of days ago that I actually made time to pick the sunripened ones and picked what I could until the sun went down behind the mountains.

Today I did a second picking, and decided to hull them before supper. Actually, with gooseberries, you most often times will hull both ends. When picking them, a short stem comes with it, and the deadened spring flower on the other side never drops off in growing season.

I checked the bush more more time tonight, and there are a few green ones left that I'll add to my bag (now in the freezer) for a small pie for later. I'll be sure to share the recipe at some point! It's so delicious, and I actually prefer to eat it cold.

On a side note, I'm wearing one of my Ginnie aprons today and had to smile at a recent conversation that I've had this summer (maybe it has happened twice, now that I think about it...). When something about sewing, etsy, or aprons get brought up, I'll casually mention that I love to sew aprons and have sold many online over the last 10 years or so. Some people think it's awesome, and other people just look at me funny and ask, "And do you actually wear one yourself?" :) That's not even a question, but they don't know that, so I reply with yes and let them know that I have about a half a dozen of them and will wear them when I'm in the kitchen or out harvesting something from the garden.

P.S. Just so you know: Thankfully, I have only shown up at the grocery store wearing an apron just once. I think. ;)

Harvesting Lavender

Three years ago I planted some English Lavender while still hopeful that my first patch would make it. It never did. I now have two patches and it looks like they would have been in a glorious full bloom while we were on vacation.

Today I got started on harvesting it. According to some websites, I'm to late, but oh well. It still smells good! :) The two piles on the left still have some blossoms, while the one on the right contains the ones that are fully done.

There is still more to cut from the first patch and an abundance on my second patch. When ever I bring in the lavender, I just tie them into bunches and hang dry them for dried bouquets later. Browsing on Pinterest for ideas, there is a whole bunch more you can make with dried lavender. I'm thinking maybe a wreath? Down in South Carolina, there was a small coffee shop that made the best Lavender Mocha's, but I've been leery to try using it in any culinary dishes here at home.

If anyone wants to pass on their ideas for dried lavender, I'd be happy to hear them!

In Season: Blackberries

It was a few months ago that it was obvious that we were going to get alot of blackberries, but of course a gardener doesn't know exactly how many until late summer. The early ones are riping now, but the big crop will come in another month or two. Obviously, I took pictures of the ones ready to pick.

 

"Summer afternoon, summer afternoon, to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." -Henry James

Morning Light on Monday

Graham Thomas

Morning in my sewing room is always a lovely time. The window picks up some of the eastern rays, and with the walls already a buttery yellow you can't help but notice it's welcoming warmth.

Looking forward to a few vacation days this week to spend some time with these fun patterns! But first, there is an apron to make in a cute pink rosebud fabric. I just haven't decided yet which pattern to make it in.

In Season, Out of Season

It was a few years back that a mom of one of my violin student's gave me a young off-shoot from her gooseberry bush. I never knew they existed outside of books until one afternoon she had me over for a visit and served me a slice of her gooseberry pie. The next year when they had a bumper crop, she gave me a gallon sized bag full of berries. There was no complaining from me! :) For a couple of years now I've watched and waited for mine to produce fruit. Last year it only attracted some kind of plant-eating bug, which I was able to conquer after heavy spraying with some organic stuff I found at the local greenhouse.

This year it has finally produced fruit and no bugs. Yay! :) For weeks they've been as green as gourds, but much to my delight they're starting to turn color in the last day or two. Since it's a small crop, I'm picking them as they ripen and then stick them in the freezer. When it's all said and done for the year, there should be enough for one pie. Again, I'm not complaining seeing how I'm the only one in my family that likes gooseberries. Well, other than our dog, but she won't get more than a bite. Or two.

The blackberry bush is in full bloom, with a few berries starting to grow. Last year I think a squirrel ate the precious few, so this year I'm going to watch it like a hawk.

They never touch the raspberries, and it looks like we'll get our usual early crop, and then a heavy crop before the frost.

My little blueberry bush needs some help. It hasn't grown at all in the last 3-4 years, but is still alive and has maybe 10 berries on it. Do any of my readers have knowledge or skill in blueberries?

Summer's Beauty

"Fast fading violets cover'd up in leaves;
And mid-May's eldest child,
The coming musk-rose, full of dewy wine,
The murmurous haunt of flies on summer eves." ―Keats

Crown Princess Margareta

"What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade." ―Gertrude Jekyll

Winchester Catherdral

"My garden all is overblown with roses,
My spirit all is overblown with rhyme,
As like a drunken honeybee I waver
From house to garden and again to house
And, undetermined which delight to favor
On verse and rose alternately carouse." ―Vita Sackville-West, Sonnet

The rose bush with no name, but I know it's a hybrid. It was rescued from the dumpster about 12 years ago and a complete stranger offered it to me at my place of employment back then.

"Where you tend a rose, my lad, a thistle cannot grow." ―Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

  Raindrops on Carding Mill

 "All twinkling with the dewdrops sheen the briar-rose falls in streamer's green." ―Scott

Carding Mill

“I read in a book once that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but I've never been able to believe it. I don't believe a rose would be as nice if it was called a thistle or a skunk cabbage.” ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables 

Teasing Georgia

"And because the breath of flowers is sweeter in the air (where it comes and goes like the warbling of music) than in the hand, therefore nothing is more fit for that delight than to know what be the flowers and plants that do best perfume the air." ―Francis Bacon

Popping In

In the life of a musician, there can be semesters where midterms stretch into two weeks, with an orchestra concert thrown in the mix. Such as been my life. Not to mention that college in general is an never ending cycle of reading, papers, memorizing, practicing, listening, sleeping, etc, etc. :) This weekend there is a small chance of being able to catch my breath, and maybe, just maybe I'll get to venture out and take a hike in some hills and woods not to far from here.

We've been having such lovely weather here lately, and spring has just arrived here in SC. How do I know? Just yesterday I noticed a thin layer of yellow dust coating my car. Thankfully spring pollen has never bothered me (only wild grasses in the month of June back home; odd, I know) and clusters of yellow are budding in the neighbor's yards with a patch or two of lily-of-the-valley here and there. Down the lane there is a redbud tree that is just starting to bloom.

In the last day or so I've been itching to be in the dirt again, dig up the hardened soil, and water the signs of green life. Or gather nosegays from my rose gardens. To confess, I'll be adding another rose bush somewhere in one of the gardens back home. My favorite source for English roses had a recent sale which was to hard to resist, so I'm having a plant being shipped here for me to look after until I can get it in the ground. While most college students go to the malls to buy clothes or shoes, this odd person splurges on a rose bush. ::winks::

The Terrarium from the Thrift Store

Well, I should be completely honest by saying that the terrarium was bought empty for a couple dollars at a favorite local thrift shop. Pictures of them on pinterest or plants displayed at fun stores like Anthopologie have peaked my interest in tiny little living plants.

Having no clue where to start, I took the glass container to a greenhouse that sells an amazing selection of houseplants and asked the master gardener there for ideas. She gave me the layered soil for free and I only had to buy the little "plugs" for it.

It's a good thing my college roommate like houseplants.

If only I could get her to like cats...

Their Last Name is Rose

This year was the year for planting roses, thanks to my local greenhouse having fantastic sales and membercard savings. Having fallen in love with English-bred roses from David Austin, I chose different varieties and colors. They deserved to be properly introduced and I have two pictures of each variety with a link for each one for more details if you wish to know more about them.

"...She wanted a quiet place where she could be alone when she wanted to be; to listen to the wind telling her strange tales, or hold the big spotted shell that murmured of the sea to her ear, or talk to the roses in the garden.” ~ L.M. Montgomery

Scepter'd Isle

"Thou visitest the earth and waterest it…Thou makest it soft with showers: Thou blessest the springing thereof." ~Psalm 65:9,10

Graham Thomas

“Perhaps, after all, romance did not come into one’s life with pomp and blare, like a gay knight riding down; perhaps it crept to one’s side like an old friend through quiet ways; perhaps it revealed itself in seeming prose, until some sudden shaft of illumination flung athwart its pages betrayed the rhythm and the music, perhaps . . . perhaps . . . love unfolded naturally out of a beautiful friendship, as a golden-hearted rose slipping from its green sheath.” ~L. M. Montgomery

Lady of Shalott

This is my first David Austin rose that I bought last year, but I couldn't post pictures of all the others and leave this one out. :)

Carding Mill

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature." ~Anne Frank

Queen Anne's Lace

 

 

The delicateness and old fashioned romance of Queen Anne's Lace takes me back to my childhood days of when it grew prevalently alongside the road or when I'd be stuck playing dolls with my friend while my older sister and her best friend would go out into the woods and neighboring fields to gather armfuls of wildflowers. (My friend and I were to young to go out rambling by ourselves.)

There is a bright and cheery green dotted swiss fabric on my sewing table that is waiting to be made up into an apron. I just need to look through my laces to find just the right piece to embellish the fabric to remind the wearer of the beauty of Queen Anne's Lace. Once it's sewn up, it will be placed into my poor neglected etsy shop.

Thyme & Sewing

Someone needs to stop me from going to Trader Joe's. When I go there I end up bringing home a little herb plant! Yesterday they had some English Thyme and I just couldn't resist. It reminded me of the "Smash fires" that SmashBurger makes. Not that I've had them once or twice to know. ::winks:: Now I'll have to look for recipes to use it in. Does anyone have a favorite recipe that calls for it?

In the evenings I've been working on a custom apron for an etsy customer and (I think) blog reader. If so, you get a sneak peak! :) I'm using my 1930s's Ethel pattern that she requested, and as I've been making it I've wondered why I haven't done more of these; they are so much fun and such a comfy style.

And who could go wrong with an apron practically enveloped in vintage rick rack?

(Almost) a Tea Garden

It was about 12 years ago when one spring I was digging up all of my mint from the garden. It took me several years before I was able to uproot the entire root system. No one told me that mint spreads like wildfire until I was talking to a lady who've I've known since I was little.

Grandma Brown and her husband live on a farm in Michigan and they keep horses, chickens, and barn cats. They aren't grandparents, but own those endearing titles. If you are a long-time reader, you may remember this post when I spent an afternoon and evening with them. Grandma Brown has a beautiful large garden that would make even the serious gardner green with envy, and she's the one who said, "Oh honey, you need to rip all that out before it takes over everything!"

So that's what I did, but not only did I bade goodbye to the mint, everyone resigned to miss out on the mint iced tea I'd make on a near weekly basis. Brewing mint and spearmint together makes the best kind of tea. If you add a touch of sugar (or any other sweetener) and let it cool off, it is delicious over ice.

This spring my dad bought some planters for our back deck "for whatever you want to grow" and seeing that I already have a good sized garden (though I'm always trying to squeeze in just one more plant!) I didn't think I'd need them. My mind was changed when I saw some starter plants of mint at Trader Joes and I knew they'd be perfect for a planter. 

One hot days such as what we've been having lately, these plants can't grow fast enough to start brewing tea again. :) Do any of you make your own tea, using fresh herbs and/or flowers?

More Roses

Here are a few more pictures of my new rose bush and a couple pictures of our peonies for good measure. One of my brothers said that they look perfect for a wedding. I'll have to keep that in mind for future reference. ;)

Many thanks to my talented sister Molly who took these. She's quite wonderful with floral shots, and even won first place in a photography competition through her school that went state-wide. Check out her photography page on Facebook!

Saturday Morning Delights: Souffles, Books, and Roses

Once in awhile my sisters and I become rather spontaneous on our days off from work. This morning it was breakfast at Panera and then a quick stop at the salon that carries my favorite shampoo. Girl stuff, you know. :)

Roasted Tomato & Feta souffle, Orange scone, & coffee is how we do breakfast at Panera

On our way out of town, we saw that a local antique store was having a tent sale and so we pulled in to have a look. Inside we found a vintage copy of Jane Eyre. It being one of my sister's favorite stories, it wasn't hard to talk her into buying it! I even got her studying the bookshelves for familiar titles or authors like I often do. ;)

Books and vintage typewriters are so wonderfully library-ish!

On our way home I stopped at the nursery to show my sister those lovely English-bred roses and it was her turn to easily talk me into purchasing the Carding Mill variety. ;) She fell in love with them and upon returning home, Mother-dear fell in love with them also.

Forgive the harsh early afternoon sunlight, but I promise these are simply divine in real life. :)

A New Start

My first English Lavender in the prime of its life

In the midst of weeds, tangles, and plants that appeared literally out of no where, my poor English Lavender was overtaken and most likely destroyed. Several weeks ago I discover a tangled mess of dry, brittle stems with no sign of life. Trying to remain hopeful, I still have it in the ground since every trace of weeds and green were ripped up and out in the bed where it once lived for a good 12 years. (That area was literally picked clean for the fire pit that was a huge highlight for my sister's open house. Who doesn't like S'mores?)

Today at the nursery I spotted a very small section of English Lavender for a good price, and went ahead to purchase it. I have missed having fresh arm-filled sized bouquets in my bedroom or near my pillow. The new plant found its home in my "bench garden" among heirlooms such as Sweet Rocket, Johnny Jump Ups, and then some Silvia and other random plants and bushes.

Now if I can get my mind off of those David Austin roses I mused over for far to long at the greenhouse… :)

'Tis the Season

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 

In a couple of days my younger brother will be a college graduate.
In a couple of weeks my youngest sister will graduate from highschool.

And in other news, the lilacs will (hopefully) be in full bloom for my sister's open house party. One may or may not feel as though they have a small taste of Mackinac Island. Last I counted we have 17 bushes in 6 or 7 different varieties ranging from 6 feet tall to 6 inches tall.