My Totem

A cardinal, a toad, ... can't remember the others. Once we were in our yard and Bruno pointed out a cardinal. Betty said that was Bruno's totem. Shortly after, Patrick pointed out a dragonfly which happily rested on our lavenders. I told him how growing up in the Philippines, I used to play in the praries and that catching (and releasing) dragonflies were some of my fond carefree memories as a child. He said that dragonflies must be my totem. I think I agree. Do you have a totem?

The Meaning of a Dragonfly: The main symbolisms of the dragonfly are renewal, positive force and the power of life in general. Dragonflies can also be a symbol of the sense of self that comes with maturity. Also, as a creature of the wind, the dragonfly frequently represents change. And as a dragonfly lives a short life, it knows it must live its life to the fullest with the short time it has – which is a lesson for all of us.

Click here - What Does a Dragonfly Symbolize?

Glimpse of Spring

7/5/10: These beautiful blooms have long since gone. I took these in the prime of the peonies; such shabby chic colors. Although the rainy days lingered for a long time, spring blooms did not. It makes me happy to know their pretty pictures can live here forever.

Spring Awakening

I missed posting when the lilacs and lilies of valley were in bloom; they came and went. Springtime has been delivering many rainy days but look, look and see! The ground has awaken. I can't wait to see the baby plantings grow. I can't wait for harvest time. I can't wait for days spent eating outdoors, reading under the maple tree, and taking in all the goodness that spring brings to us.

And Spring arose on the garden fair,

Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;

And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast

rose from the dream of its wintry rest.

Percy Bysshe Shelley

carefree poppies

a boxwood welcome

sweet raspberry bush

rhubarb

herb patch

vegetable patch

salad patch

grapes

wild chives

peonies

let's not forget the rows of lavender...

Happy springtime from our home to yours...

I bring to you lavender...

"ladies fair, I bring to you lavender with spikes of blue; sweeter plant was never found..."

Caryl Battersby

Our little garden is a true joy to come home to.

I harvested the first bouquet of lavenders today,

wish I could hand it to you to enjoy. 

For now this bouquet will be dried in our kitchen.

Perhaps to be used in a sachet or with fleur de sel for cooking.

Seeing these cherry tomatoes brings back

delicious memories from summer's past.

I prefer cherry tomatoes above over others... 

Although I don't use them often in salad, 

they make it in a few cooked dishes.

Not to mention roasting them as I did last year.

Click on Roasted Cherry Tomatoes post.

Lovely pole bean.

I'm so excited to harvest these string beans.

It's growing oh so gracefully on the teepee trellis.

I hope to continue to bring you lavenders, 

tomatoes, beans, and more as the lazy summer days go by.

Sweet Summer

The sun seem to burst open the windows today, welcoming summer.  I have to admit that summer is my least favorite season.  (Strange I know having come from sunny California.)  I can't seem to bear the heat.  However, there are still quite a few things I enjoy this season: like the long days when the sun doesn't set until past nine, walks by the river, drinking lemonade, reading outdoors, writing outdoors-- even now as I listen to George Winston's Summer solo piano aptly titled "Living in the Country", the cool evening breeze, farmer's market, and berries, lots and lots of berries.  For all these wonderful things that summer brings, my heart is certainly grateful.       

Here's a peak at our raspberry bush growing under the window of my favorite nook in the house.  Look who I discovered resting underneath the bushes? Adorable Poppy.  She didn't seem to mind at all when I harvested gorgeous looking ripe raspberries above her.  There were a few ripened strawberries today too!  Ahh, sweet summer.      

The Poppy

Summer set lip to earth's bosom bare,

And left the flushed print in a poppy there.

"The Poppy" 1891 Francis Thompson

Poppy Field in Argenteuil

Claude Monet

Poppy Patch in Linwood

view from the misty window

view from the vegetable patch

view from the ground

view from up close

Mud Pies

Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.

Pablo Picasso

These are the prettiest mud pies created.  Sophie & Lucia's mud pies.  We watched them from the window playing in the garden, knee deep in the mud they've made, a delightful stolen moment I wish I had captured in pictures.  

Thank you to our family and friends for joining us this weekend at our first outdoor barbecue this season.  You are all a joy to be with and we love you!

Little Flowers

"Just living is not enough" said the butterfly,

"one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."

Hans Christian Andersen

We went for a walk this evening.  Our first time to see what's been blooming in our land and neighborhood.  The view above our heads and below our feet were too pretty.  We enjoyed the soft daylight, the breathe of fresh air, and every little flower which paraded our path home.