GREEN

I've had the hardest time with this.
I struggled and procrastinated.
But the deadline is looming.
What to choose.
ARGH, how to pick just one?
All right, if I must I must.
Here is my selection for entry into the
Gardening Gone Wild
Picture This Contest-April 2010
The Green World


There are rules.
I have followed them.
I think.
It's my first time after all.
I hope I didn't make any mistakes.
I hope I chose wisely.

What happens next is up to the JUDGE, Rob Cardillo.
Click this to see his newly designed website.
It's absolutely beautiful and inspiring.

~Aerie-el

SPRING BLOOMS

(Please click on the photographs to see them larger.)

At times the camera sees what the eye doesn't pick up.
I didn't notice that little green fellow who was sitting
on the anemone petal when I took the picture.


Look at the 'Queen's pretty face.
New to my garden is this Helleborus Double Queen.
I think she looks like 'Phoebe'.


This bud looks like it could be the star of
Little Shop of Horrors.
"Feed me, Seymore, feed me!"

Spring is blooming.
Let the plant sales begin!
Here is just a sampling of the many:
Florabundance is this weekend. One of my favorites.
Master Gardener Plant Sale is next weekend.
Where the tomato plants fly off the shelves early and quickly.
I went to the Pre-sale party last year and it was fabulous.
No huge crowds, first picks on great plants, and
excellent food and beverages.
Lake Wilderness Arboretum Plant Sale is held on
May 7th, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
If you want native, unusual, inexpensive plants,
this has been a great one to attend.

I hope spring brings good things to you and your garden!
And now I'll be bringing something good
to feed Audrey II.

~Aerie-el

February GBBD plus one

Dateline...mid-February 2010...
snow has to be trucked into British Columbia for
...the warmest winter Olympics yet...

Meanwhile in my yard...

(Various common Hellebores in full bloom.
Purchased at Heronswood, Bainbridge Island, WA.)

To learn more about Hellebores, please click here.



Experimenting in black and white above,
and the same shot in color below.
Which do you prefer?





'Corsican' hellebore, Helleborus argutifolius...
or alien? You decide!


'Shotweed'
Please see my previous post and comments for more info.


My glorious Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane'


'Porky' and various plants

Lonicera (honeysuckle, mmm-mmm, smells good)

A native plant, Indian Plum
(Oemleria cerasiformis, aka osoberry)
with plenty of blossoms.

Stranvaesia davidiana, now known as
Photinia davidiana


Answer: The native orchard mason bees love it.
Question: What is Pieris japonica?


Larix kaempferi 'Diane', a Great Plant Pick
and definitely a favorite of mine.


Cute crocuses.

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day
Carol at May Dream Gardens
kindly hosts GBBD, a day when
you can travel around the world and
see what is blooming in parts near and far.

Skywatch Friday - as the skies change

...so do the seasons...

Just Photos...

Visit more blogs for Skywatch Friday by clicking here.

~Aerie-el

Through the Fog...and into the New Year

My sincere thanks to all of you who have left good wishes,
caring thoughts, and prayers. I continue to think of you,
wish I could spend more time with you and your blogs,
and sooo appreciate the incredible kindness
among gardeners, bloggers, and garden bloggers.

Until now, I couldn't bring myself to write about
what has been happening.
I still feel like I'm walking through fog,
unable to fathom what lies ahead
but treasuring the memories behind...


My unplanned break began in November, which oddly enough
is "pancreatic cancer awareness month".
We were hit with "awareness" beyond what any of us wanted.
Surgeons found my mother has pancreatic cancer,
for which she is now charting her course of action.

I was back 'home' with Mom and family on Cape Cod for Nov-Dec,
during which time I snapped some photos of popular locations.
Those places bring back fond memories,
and it lifts my spirits to share them with you here.
Perhaps you've even been to some of them!
(Click on a photo to enlarge it.)
(No, I was not paid to include information about the places below.)

Cape Cod Beaches

Birds of a feather seek warmth during a cold winter's day.


Traffic on route 28...
imagine what it's like during warm weather!

Perhaps they are headed to...

Molly's
or...

Pirate's Cove putt-putt golf next door
or...

This Cuffy's store, no more...
a sad reflection of the economy.


Ahh, coffee...
or perhaps some ice cream at...

Friendly's, just off Route 6...
or head to browse at...


Christmas Tree shop (gotta love a bargain!).
If you're bored with that, perhaps a stop at...


Captain Parkers and the Zooquarium (on right).
All done?
Then head to the airport via...


Results of the Big Dig ;)

Looking back on my visit,
with a view of the...

Serene sky and sturdy oak tree.
It brings back to mind a song from '85,
Oak Tree
(by Morris Day and the Time)
Beware of clicking on this link, you may break out in dance
and/or end up with an earworm...

Wishing you best wishes for a very
Happy and Healthy New Year!

~Aerie-el