Garden Marigolds © 2008
…sweet and snappy. And filled with pure beauty. And in autumn’s brighter colors, too.
Balloonflowers
August 22, 2008 by 5 Comments
Balloonflowers © 2008
This softly focused flower photo seems to capture the spirit of this flower for me. Soft and beguiling. The balloonflower, named after a balloon because the unopened flower looks like a tiny inflated balloon.
I wrote a poem, kinda clutzy, last summer about this flower.
Flower Balloon
garden plants, tightly closed bud,
blues burst forth, flower as the balloon pops open
hardy
long-lived
dependable
bursting balloons make children cry
and adults scrambling to dry flowing tears
not so in the garden
this flower makes me happy
reminding me of you
hardy
long-lived
dependable
love, too, bursts forth in all its glory.
Black-Eyed Susans
August 21, 2008 by 9 Comments
Black-Eyed Susans © 2008
Many things grow in the garden that were never sown there. ~ Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732
I think Thomas Fuller made a very true observation.
Since it is raining, with some much needed rain, thought I would post some sweet Susans from my backyard garden. A touch of sunshine in these ladies, no matter how inclement the weather.
What’s New in the Gardens?
August 18, 2008 by 7 Comments
Tomatoes on the Vine © 2008 Bo Mackison
The tomatoes are so thick with blossoms and fruit this year, the tomato plants are requiring extra stakes. Good news for my salads and spaghetti sauce.
“Full Moon” Pumpkin © 2008 Bo Mackison
“Full Moon” – the ‘great white’ of pumpkins, though not really white. More pastel orange. It can grow 25-50 pounds. This pumpkin’s photograph was taken on the day of the full moon – think that makes it a lucky pumpkin?
“Sweet Beauty” Watermelon © 2008 Bo Mackison
The fruit of the “Sweet Beauty” is sweet and crisp. Perfect for dessert any night.
I went to our University’s Annual Field Days at their Research Gardens. There they show off all the produce of their test gardens and even provide free samples – the corn and salsa and raspberries were really perfect. Even got to vote on favorites, so maybe the tomato I loved will be in seed packets and at the garden centers in a year or two.
An Old Recipe for Scented Lavender Ink
July 31, 2008 by 10 Comments
Lavender from My Backyard Garden © 2008 Bo Mackison
Ever need to post something to calm and refresh yourself? That is what this simple photograph of lavender is meant to do for me this evening. I imagine breathing deeply in the plants and feeling a gentle relaxation overcome me.
I have had this recipe for many years, and have never made it, but maybe this August will be a good month to give it a try. My great-grandmother made scented inks every summer using a variety of garden flowers, including heirloom roses, geraniums and her very favorite, lavender.
LAVENDER INK
An ink that you scent with the flowers of the lavender plant will surely send a message of calm and enjoyment when the special recipient opens the envelope. What an added enjoyment to the message you send…
People do still write an occasional letter now and then — don’t they?
Here’s the recipe.
1/2 ounce lavender flowers, dried well
5-6 tablespoons of water (distilled if possible)
one small bottle purchased ink, black or dark blue
Crush the dried lavender flowers and simmer them in water for about 30 minutes – until there is 2 tablespoons of brown liquid left in the pan.
Strain through a piece of cheesecloth and mix with ink when fully cooled.
Enjoy.
