Thinking about Window boxes...Christmas

You know how I feel about my window boxes. I have been intensely wanting them to look beautiful and plentiful for the holidays. The last couple years I tried big ornaments and Christmas birdhouses etc. Nothing seemed right. Until this year...

This year I got clever, it takes me awhile. Garlands and fresh greenery were so expensive at the nursery. I looked at the prices and was appalled. Then my thoughts drifted to the our own trees and bushes in the back. "DUH!" How did it take me so long...? So I went and started trimming...see the results. Did I get carried away after I finished the boxes?

Here and Now

Hello there...I'm back.

Well- truly I never left, I've been writing posts several times a day (in my head) and they are really good ones. You the kind that make you giggle as you read them. I'm giggling at least.  The challenge is finding time to put down. The break was necessary and good.

Thank you for checking in, here is a little preview of what has been happening and what is ahead.

What have I done with my window boxes for the season?

It looks gorge and cost less than $5.

We had our annual St Nick Party, loads of fun!

Challenges not Barriers

I am blocked.

Working on it.

Any advice appreciated.

Be back soon.

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Just keep swimming...

The school year is fast approaching and some new and not so new challenges are ahead.

Here is some wisdom to help along the way.

Usually I look like the one on the left, but sometimes that's me on the right.

The Holy Fathers and the Saints always tell us, "It is important to get up immediately after a fall and to keep on walking toward God." Even if we fall a hundred times a day it does not matter; we must get up and go on walking toward God without looking back. What has happened has happened-it is in the past. Just keep on going, all the while asking for help from God.

Elder Thaddeus of Votovnica

Have a seat

I recently realized on a little introspection, (well actually it was looking at my pictures from the fair last year), that I have an affinity for chairs.  Yup, you read it right. I like chairs. In fact, I really like chairs. Chairs of all types, sizes, shapes, colors...it really doesn't matter. For some unknown reason, I like chairs. It's not anything creepy, just a real appreciation for this type of furniture.

I sometimes wonder what it was like when someone invented the first chair. The earliest would of been stools like tree stumps, logs and rocks. When someone figured they could make it light and mobile, what a stunning revelation? Simple and yet how much we take these for granted? A comfortable place to sit. It's important. This is what is considered organic in chair design now.

source

Garden Bloom Day on 15th

Yes here it is the 17th and things have been so busy I actually missed posting on the actual Bloom Day. So here is a late post to join in the fun and a peek into my cottage garden.

Beebalm is gorgeous this year. Given to me by a dear friend from her garden and is doing beautiful and  its aroma is lovely, complementing the peppermint that grows nearby. I know its invasive but I love it , what can I do?

Thinking about Window Boxes: Part Three

Now if you would like to see how I got to this point click on Part One and Part Two. These boxes are just above the front yard flower beds where you can see here what I've planted.  The area below is filled with purples, whites and pinks and lots of green.

I decided to go with a mixture of classic choices and a little hardy succulent to try this year.
It didn't cost a fortune either. Bonus!

Drumroll please...

Petunias

Moss Rose (a trailing annual)

Blue Spruce Sedum ( a trailing perennial)

When thinking about it, I figured it would be nice if there was something that could be the foundation plant and that would possibly grow large and beautiful over the years, esp, since the growing season here is so short. It will also produce sweet yellow flowers late in summer to help us into the fall season.
Best thing about the above choices, drought resistance. Resistance is not futile. Couldn't resist.

Red, White and Blue Danishes

Getting ready for July 4th.

Last year we were headed for a celebration breakfast, 

before the parade. Obviously I wanted to bring something yummy for the potluck.

So decided to make a version of the Strawberry Danish.

The fruits used were fresh raspberries, strawberries and blueberries.

Take a peek, they were super yumm.

What are you planning?

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Thinking about Window Boxes: Part Two

So, I have been trying to make window box plantings last for quite a while.  They always die. They dry out because it is just too hot in the full sun, etc. It's been quite pathetic.  

I have these beautiful window boxes and have had to put (dare I say it)...fake flowers in them.  Yes, I succumbed to fake flowers last year. There are no pictures.  I wish I could erase the memory of it.

Don't think less of me? Are you? Maybe just a little? It's ok.

So as I was getting ready this winter for planning my 10 weeks of blissful gardening.  Yes, I dream of my garden - all winter long.  Hence the garden journal this year. So I made a pinterest board called Through the glass.  Here are some faves, that I was considering for inspiration.

Source

The Most Amazing Night

We had an exceptionally warm evening last night.  We also got to see quite a light show!

Source

The fireflies were out en masse, it was phenomenal. We didn't take pictures just enjoyed the show.

It was so much fun, sitting by our dining room window together in the dark.
We watched them, counted them and even named some of them.

Blink, blink, blinky blink.

Definitely worth being late for bedtime.

Fireflies in the Garden

BY ROBERT FROST

Here come real stars to fill the upper skies,

And here on earth come emulating flies,

That though they never equal stars in size,

(And they were never really stars at heart)

Achieve at times a very star-like start.

Only, of course, they can't sustain the part.

Source

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Thinking about window boxes: Part One

I love window boxes. I'm not sure why? Perhaps it's because you can see and sometimes smell the beautiful flowers, while inside the house? Perhaps it's because it reminds me of my Yiayia's home, she didn't have window boxes but a big raised concrete planter wall filled with geraniums and begonias. 

On the years we couldn't spend the summer with her in Greece, she would mail us petals in her letters. I always looked forward to those sweet little colorful petals. Sometimes, it was whole pressed flowers placed inside the paper, written in blue pen on super thin tissue-like letter paper.  This is an art that is being lost by the way.

(Tangential thought being shared here)
The art of letter writing, the art pressing flowers, the art of making connections, somehow I feel like we all have to work harder at it these days. I strive to slow down and appreciate the little acts of beauty around me.  Perhaps, this is why so many of us blog? To try to help the world slow down for a nanosecond and notice the beauty around us.

(ok now it's ended)

The aroma of geraniums always take me back.  Our Yiayia would also put pots in the deep window sills, her little patio was a wonder of color, shade, aroma and love.

What aromas of spring and summer bring back beautiful memories for you?

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June Bloom Day

Happy Father's Day!

We went to church this morning and the buds were on the rosebush. When we came home, a surprise, one sweet bud had bloomed. First rose of the season.

The yarrow is doing beautifully and is making me long for more of it, to fill the color spaces, while we wait for the other blooms.

Pentecost and Kites

Pentecost was this past Sunday. It started with a beautiful liturgy, followed by the Kneeling Vespers and an evening with 800 of our closest friends and our Hierarch for dinner.  In between we were able to squeeze in some kite flying.  Made at school and one of the most awesome kites I have ever seen. SO MUCH FUN! What's Pentecost without squeezing in some kite flying after all.

Did you do anything special to help the little people celebrate the day?


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Made in the Shade

How Does your Garden Grow-2014

Last year I took you on a tour of some of my favorite gardens, if you would like to visit them go here and here and here.  I visited a new one this past week. It is gorgeous.  It's a neighbor in the next town over who sells plants from his garden when he needs to divide his perennials.  Seriously, this is a work of art and love.

This was in the middle of the morning. There was a gentle breeze and sweetest aroma of fresh cut grass and Viburnum.

Wildflower Wednesday #1

It's the fourth Wedsnesday of the month and so I am joining  Kathy Purdy over at Cold Climate Gardening, to look at one of my wildflowers for Wildflower Wednesday.

To be honest, it's not around? Where did it go? I transplanted some to the wood edge last fall. But am not seeing it there. Has the weather been too labile? I wouldn't suspect a wildflower would care that much, they tend to be so hardy.  When we moved to this home, this was one of the main flowers in the garden.  I loved it although it took me awhile to identify it.  For now, I'm still waiting for my Spiderwort.  The white iris has grown stalks but no buds yet.  Funny, this year I may have roses before the Spiderwort or Iris to bloom.  I have yet to see any of the Trillium from 2 years ago either.

On another note, I acquired some common milkweed and tropical milkweed seeds.

Trying to figure out where I should plant them, they will be planted to try to help our poor monarch population. Our little girl hummingbird is also looking pretty large this week, likely going to drop an egg soon?

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Embrace it.

If you have been following along, you know I have had a struggle with the lily of the valley taking over in the front garden pathway. It is in full bloom now.

I have decided for now to just embrace it. 

They are delicate and beautiful and filled with a sweet aroma.

There are more important things to struggle with, this does not need to be one.

But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. ( 1 Timothy 6.11)

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What's Bloomin?

Bloom Day May 2014

It's the 15th of May and so time for a little lookie-lookie at what's in bloom in my garden. If you would like to see more from last year's garden, or some of my favorite gardens, last year I featured "How does your Garden grow Mondays" you can also look here and here.

There is lamb's ear that is off to a good start and lupine newly added not taking very well.  If you look past some of the weeds, there are columbine sprouts that have emerged.  It's a late start but a start all the same. The garden here is zone 5 is at least a month behind, sadly that doesn't mean I am anymore ahead in weeding. "It's all good."

Mr. Wooley Thyme is bright and fuzzy, many know I love texture. My garden as you can tell is no different. Isn't it sweet!

Beautiful Spring Day

It was such a beautiful day. Lucky me -took some time to spend a lovely morning with a friend, sipping coffee, chatting and swapping plans of our gardens. It was a special morning, Mr Hummingbird came to visit too. I'm grateful for moments and times like these. I'm grateful for so much.

What do you like do to on a sunny spring morning?

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Look who's here

It's not who's at the feeder but this medium sized fellow in my azalea.  Hadn't seen him before?  Juncos are gone but these are here now.  Pretty greys with a black cap. Foraging below the bushes with some mates.  

Looked him up, turns out it's a Gray Catbird. Now, I have seen the Cowbirds, and have heard our Catbirds but this is the first time I actually saw him. Apparently, they can be elusive.  Have to add him to my life-list.

Another suprise this spring has been, Mockingbirds.  They are unusual here in the Northeast? At least, I have not heard them in my neighborhood before.  They are soooo loud, ALL NIGHT LONG.  Oh my gosh...seriously, listen here for an idea of what it's been like. Still haven't seen them, but we hear them.  They must have a nest nearby, I think they're lost?

On another sweeter note, our hummingbirds are back, and loving the new feeders. It seems like it took them a long time, so happy they are back, they sure make me smile. 

Who's been around your backyard?

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Come over and play in my front garden.

Big plans, big dreams, so little time (short growing season in zone 5), thus a gardener's dilemmas.

I am trying to think out the front garden bed plan a bit more thouroughly.  It has been neglected for some time, really other than weeding, since we moved into this home. I have focused on the rock garden and veggie garden much more.



Let me describe first what I have.  It starts next to the step to the door with an Azalea ( I know right next to the door, I didn't plant it there.  It is pretty but it will get big and it is already more mature than it should be for that spot, I think?)



Below, the Azalea is tons of Lily of the Valley. Yes, it smells beautiful in bloom and it is so pretty. It is also pretty invasive and I started last year by transplanting lots of it to the wooded area in the back.

Just look how much is back in this spot. See the bench I painted in the back? 

Ole! 5 for 5th of May

Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Need some recipes for a fun dinner tonight?
Here are some that have been shared here at the Fields and will be easy to whip up!

Guatemalan Black Beans

Bean Corn Salad

Shrimp or without Shrimp Peach Mango Salsa Tacos

Super Healthy Mayan Salad

Plantains-Yummm

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Keeping track of your garden

I am continuing my garden journal this year but adding to it.  Last year I did this schematic to help me remember where and what was planted in the rock garden. You may remember we decided to triple it's size last year and so added quite a few more perennials ,after amending the soil.

This year the journal is going to have dates of blooms and progress of the flowers with photos. I'm keeping a journal on the computer but am also printing out pages and adding to a three ring binder so I can also keep seed packet info, add drawings/notes and take it out to the garden with me. I'm pretty pleased with myself on this one.

Let's see how I do this season?
What's your plan? Do you keep a garden journal?

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The Light Shines from Within-True Bioluminescence

This is a Georgian Hieromonk, just watch. It's not important if you don't understand what he is saying this is powerful all the same.  Just watch, I know it's a little long, it really is even more prevalent when he begins to bless the people (around 3 1/2 minutes into the video). Lord have Mercy.

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Hibiscus

It's been a little time since I posted.  A busy and beautiful Holy Week and Bright week. On Holy Friday, we awakened to this sight. Our lovely Hibiscus given to me last summer by a neighbor who moved away, has been dormant until...

it bloomed.

It surprised me as I had seen little buds but had not expected these blooms!

They are huge, the pictures do not do them justice.

Will be having some more surprises coming to the Fields in May. So stop back to...

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From Little Fields of Basil Bookshelf: The Littlest Altar Boy

Still need something for your Pascha/ Easter Baskets?

Introducing... a new feature!

Here is our very first book review.  Drum roll please...

Palm Sunday

No palm is too little to wave for the Lord. Have a blessed Holy Week.

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Share the Day -Eggplant Stacker

Share the Day Guest Blogger
40 Days-40 Days of Lenten Recipes
Eggplant Stacking

Here's another one of my BFF's, she inspires me, she supports me and is one of the most beautiful and elegant women I know. She is also another Presvytera, whom I consider a mentor and is as awesome in the kitchen, as she is everywhere else. 

Thank you sweet friend  for sharing the day and this recipe!