Backyard Sanctuary

Over the years we have been able to create a backyard atmosphere of serenity and seclusion.  The fences are covered with a vine that adds height to the fence and added privacy.  The deep greenery cools the air and keeps the city noises at bay.  In addition to the two original trees planted seventy plus years ago along the edges of the yard, we have added trees for shade.  The biggest tree in the middle of the yard, a  volunteer sapling which had to come out, was growing up between the house and the air conditioner. So my husband determinded to dig it up, but it came with no root ball.  Although we were not optomistic about the tree's survival, we planted it in the middle of the yard.  It has thrived and now provides abundant shade throughout the yard offering a shady spot to settle in any time of the day.

 The focal point of the yeard, a small fish pond nestles under the shade of this tree edged with flagstone, planted with water lilies, water hyacinth and a water grass.  Gold fish in varying sizes and colors ranging from pure white to liquid gold dart among the floating greenery.  A watering can with a begonia and a tipped bucket spilling out impatiens brighten the edges of the pond. Large red bolders tumble in groups of two and three for additional accents at three curves of the pond.  At the water's edge a ceramic cat lounges, dipping its paw into the water.  A small table with a luxurious Boston fern and white Andrionack chair sit by the pond inviting a moment of repose. 

Flower beds fill the edges of this shady retreat with color, a feast for the eyes.  Watering cans of various sizes decorate the yard.  One can hangs for a shepherd's crook overflowing with pink and burgandy impatiens.  Others sit amongst  flowers ready to supply a refreshing drink to the flowers at any time. I located one in my mother-in-law's garage, long out of service and showing years of use.  We have found others at antique stores for a total of six.  White iron plant stands of different sizes and shapes hold flower pots up above the greenery to increase impact. Driftwood from the ranch provides a change of pace from the rocks and foliage. Two windmills, one a wooden dutch replica and one a minature ranch windmill signal the changing breezes.  An Indian Trail of Tears weathervane anchors the west end of the pond,  An old red barn birdhouse hangs from a large arch in the corner of the flowerbeds.  A victorian house birdhouse sits sedately on a white iron stand near the hydrangea and an old barnwood bird house hangs near the back door. The steps into the kitchen through French doors from the back yard are loaded with pots of flowers and house plants bringing the beauty of the backyard  right to the kitchen as well.

All of these points of interest and beauty offer a refreshing spot for daily lunches in the yard or for time to unwind at the end of the day while watching the fish in their evening feeding frenzy.  In the quiet of an afternoon, reading is a perfect activity. The beauty, coolness and quite of this space provide so much enjoyment.

Not Flawless but Perfect

We celebrated our daughter's wedding Saturday. She had waited patiently for God's best for her and when they met, it was quickly apparent to both of them that his blessing was on their relationship.  Two months after their engagement, they are husband and wife.  Two months to make wedding arrangements is a rather short amount of time, but with God, nothing is impossible.  I think he has delighted in lavishing his blessings on them.  The charter school where she has taught since its inception held its first graduation in a beautiful chapel on a Bible school campus with a spectacular view out to the Colorado mountains.  At the time she commented that this would be an awesome place for a wedding.  It was available only one weekend all summer and that was this last Saturday. Originally, the chapel was not available Friday night for the rehearsal, so we anticipated practicing at her former school; however, several weeks prior to the wedding, we found out that arrangements had been made so we could have the chapel for the rehearsal and the wedding.

 We shopped for a wedding dress and found one in a bridal shop.  An hour and a half after we walked in the door, we had purchased a dress  that made her feel beautiful-- and she is.  We met with the lady at the bakery, the sister of a woman our daughter works with, and decided on delectable cake tiers, each a  different flavor with different fillings and a classic design that was simple yet elegant.  The flower shop woman put together sample bouquets of deep pink roses accented with lavender roses, royal blue delphinium, white orchids and star gazer lilies to match the royal blue and hot pink wedding colors.  These flowers would also decorate the four-tiered cake.  Our daughter found royal blue bridesmaids dresses in the right sizes for her petite matron of honor sister-in-law and tall elegant redheaded best friend.  Her townhouse was rented out a month before the wedding to a new teacher at her former school.  A teaching position in her small new community opened up, and she signed a contract to begin teaching one month after her wedding. God's blessings have been evident each step of the way, and the culminating delight was the ceremony on Saturday.

The wedding day was a beautiful with a crisp clear Colorado sky decorated with billowy clouds.  The reception area was ready for guests. Tables covered with blue and topped with lace table cloths from grandmothers and great grandmothers held the food. Silver candelabras, pink candles, bows, and tulle decorated the tables.  The cake turned out beautifully with blue scrolls flourishing on the sides topped with abundant fresh flowers.  Heart-shaped sugar cookies baked by a friend and rose cream cheese mints (a favorite of the bride) made by grandma and cousins indicated the love that went into the preparations.

 The guests arrived from one end of the country to the other. College friends whom she had not seen since they graduated came from Seattle, Idaho, Kansas and Washington DC.  Family from California, Florida, Wyoming, New Mexico, Kansas and Colorado joined in the celebration.  Community members and colleagues of both the bride and groom offered their support as well.  Everyone dressed in their wedding attire: the groom and groomsmen in their tuxes with royal blue vests and ties, bridesmaids in slim knee-length royal blue dresses, flower girls twirling in their white dresses, hot pink bows streaming down the back, and three ring bearers in classic button-down light blue shirts and black Wranglers with their cowboy boots and belts.  The bride was glowing with happiness and an inner beauty in her elegant white gown that fit her perfectly.

The chapel was full; the ring bearers dutifully held their ring pillows and walked solemnly to the front; the little flower girls were coaxed to walk the aisle and toss flower petals along the way.  The bridal march signaled the bride's entry on the arm of her father.  Her dad, moved with emotion and joy, determined to keep a smile on his face as he walked his daughter to the front and gladly responded to "Who gives this woman to be married?" responded, "Her mother and I," and took his seat next to me.   We listened with reverence as a trio of her friends sang "O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus" a capella, filling the vast reaches of the chapel with rich vibrant melody.They exchanged very traditional vows to " love honor and cherish till death do us part."  As they exchanged rings and repeated their lines, she mistakenly tried to put the ring on his right hand. Laughing at the "ring malfunction" and forgetting what she should say next, she asked if they could start that part again.  Enjoying every moment of the ceremony, they continued, rings on the correct hand; their delight in each other radiated.  After they kissed and were introduced as husband and wife, the guests errupted with applause and cheers. The bride and groom wanted a reception line so they could be sure to talk to each guest who came to support them. Everyone mulled around visiting and enjoying the time and refreshments.  This wedding was about the people, not the party.  The day was filled with joy and celebration of two lives joined in marriage.

At the hotel the next day, my sister-in-law said that everything at the wedding was flawless.  I responded that it was not flawless, but it was perfect.  It was a perfectly wonderful and appropriate celebration of their new life together. God is so good!

Abundant Fruits

I walk all around the neighborhood either to and from work or just for daily exercise when I am not in the office.  We live in an older estabilshed area with tree-lined streets and no two houses alike. Landscaping varies so much from one yard to another that each day's walk provides many things to observe and comment on.  This year spring came early with no late frost destroying the blossoms, so all the plants are ahead of their usual schedule for blooming and producing. I enjoy making jelly and jam as well as putting up produce from the garden, so when I see a tree with fruit that no one is using, I can envision jars of sparkling jelly on the counter.  Last year my friend and I noticed an heavily laden cherry tree on our walk to work, and we were able to determine who lived there and ask if they might let us pick cherries.  The homeowners readily agreed and even picked with us on a warm summer evening. I made two batches of cherry jam, my son's new favorite.  Unfortunately this year because if a heavy October snow storm this tree lost at least half of its branches.  With the diminished produce, we did not ask to pick the cherries that we passed each day on the way to work. 

Wishing for cherries for jam this year, I noticed several options.  Surprisingly, there are cherry trees lining the entry way into a local shopping area.  No one is using the fruit, but I had no idea where to even start to ask permission to pick.  I did pick crabapples in a hotel parking lot one year, but all that I had to do then was walk inside the lobby to talk to the manager.  I also noticed two cherry trees in the front yard of a house I frequently pass on my morning walk.  Because I walk early to beat the heat of the day, I have not seen anyone out in the yard, nor do I want to knock on the door so early.  Last week there were even several branches loaded with cherries that had been cut down, and I  thought sadly that here was a bountiful rich crop of cherries that would be wasted.

  This morning, on the Fourth of July, I was a little later on my rounds of the neighborhood because I had been on the phone with family.  As I passed the house, a man was just coming out to get into his car.  I decided to be brave and ask if he would consider letting me pick cherries.  He was very gracious and told me to help  myself and that I could use the ladder just inside the back gate right by the garage.  When I got home, I called my friend and told her that I had found cherries to pick.  Emboldened with the success of that request, I called another neighborhood owner who has an apricot tree so laden with fruit that the branches are touching the ground and nearly breaking.  He also agreed to let us pick fruit in his yard.  We loaded up my ladder in her SUV and went to pick.  We both came away with plenty of cherries to make several batches of jam and a bucket of apricots as well.  As I spent several hours this afternoon pitting cherries, I realize again that not many people want to make the effort it takes to use these fruits, but I appreciate that they are willing to let me pick in their yards.  Canning is time consuming, but the rewards are so sweet.  One batch of deep ruby red cherry jam sits on the counter waiting to share with family, friends and the neighbors who shared with me!

Perennials Part Two

 In addition to perennials given to me are the ones that I have chosen to add to the beds. As I start to think through what inhabits my gardens, I am amazed that the wide variety present.  One wonderful characteristic of perennials is that they spread their roots and fill in the empty spaces providing a cozy neighborhood for new residents.  In the back garden, a profusion of deep orange tiger lilies stand high above the gentle swoops of the garden borders. Diminutive Asiatic lilies in delicate pinks peek between the deep green background of the tiger lilies' foliage.  A dramatic Star Gazer lily demands the viewer's gaze, and a pure white Easter lily demurely nods in recognition. In the front yard, lilies of  deep mauve, peach and light pink sparkle in bright star bursts of color in multiple spots.  Quirky blossoms of deep red bee balm provide exclamation points of color throughout to attract butterflies and bees. Though the name is not attractive, dead nettle's silvery leaves and pink or purple blooms spread throughout filling every empty space and the illusion of light in the shade of the large trees. Another shade lover, lily of the valley, tucks its blossoms shyly amid the emerald green wide-leafed foliage. Bleeding hearts' sweetheart flowers drip from their arching stems.  A small astilbe courageously determines to establish itself among all the other plants in the shady space of the back yard along with several hostas.The showiest blossoms of all belong to the hydrangeas.  Several different years my co-workers have given me a beautiful deep pink hydrangea from the florist for my birthday.  These have grown into sturdy  bushes heavy with large colorful clusters of flowers.  Fascinated with these blooms, I also picked up a slightly sad looking blue hydrangea on sale late in the season last year.  To my delight this spring its striking pale blue flowers add a refreshing touch of cool color.

Years ago to deal with the dry grass bordering our sloping sidewalk-less front lawn, we joined with our neighbors to make berm along the front or our property and theirs.  The berm mounds up between the street and the undulating border of the lawn. We choose to plant all perennials, ranging in varying shades of purple, pink and blue. Pincushion plants' bluish-green feather-like foliage provides a mound to support the delicate blossoms on spindly stems some pink, some purple.  Lavender asters sings the early song in spring while the orchid colored chrysanthemums carry the tune into the fall.  Fuchsia ice plant spreads a radiant carpet of vivid blossoms.  Purple cone flowers boldly claim territory in multiple locations with hardy greenery and long-lasting petals around a prickly rust center.  Soothing lavender plants provide stems of purple blossoms for fragrant potpourri to tuck into drawers later in the fall.  The Jupiter's Beard sends fireworks of red blossoms at the tops of the flowers. Fascinated with Russian Sage, we planted several and quickly realized their aggressive habit which leads to sprouts all over the place.  Russian sage bushes hum with bees happily indulging in a feeding frenzy and waft their  pungent fragrance along the berm. Phlox add their fragrant columns of rich purple blossoms to the mix.   Delicate blue delphiniums add a distinctive color contrast to all of the purple blossoms around.  The succulent sedum's deep burgundy blossoms is the final fall entry.  Two deep green low spreading junipers anchor each side of the berm accented with a dwarf burning bush and a delicate white potentialla bush. 

These hardy perennials keep the garden beautiful with little effort beyond the original planting.  As they spread and fill in the empty spaces, I have the joy of sharing plants with friends and family so they can enjoy the beauty of God's wonderful creations as well.

Garden Adventures: Perennials

Perennials are foundational in my garden, in part because there is not additional cost every year and many of them were given to me as others divided their plants. The first flower bed in the back yard was a result of taking out grass that was dying under the elderly pine tree.  My mother-in-law gave me day lilies and iris.  A sister-in-law shared shasta daisies and columbines.  The columbines bloom  early before other flowers get started.  The columbines come in a variety of colors:  yellow and burgandy, blue and white and straight yellow. The blooms stand up above the scalloped grayish green leaves  brightening the shady area under the tree.  The seed pods dry into twisted spirals that fling the tiny black seeds abroad, so soon there were columbines all throughout the flower beds.  The aspen tree in front is kept company by several large self-seeded columbines that recognize their proper place next to the mountain tree.  One spectacular purple and white columbine caught my attention in a nursery, so I bought it to add to the homegrown varieties.  The stately regal blossoms stand out in the front beds in the early spring.  I have saved the seeds and stragetically scattered them throughout the garden to enjoy their beauty in multiple spots. 

The iris come in a variety of colors as well standing high above their flat pointed foliage.  Bi-colored lavender and deep purple, yellow with white, burgandy and russet and solid lavender provide variety throughout the garden.  The spicy fragrance and showy blossoms make these a favorite to bring in to place in a vase on the counter.  Enticed by the seed catalog claims, I ordered re-blooming iris in a variety of colors, looking forward to adding a blue, a pink and a peach iris to my collection.  The blue and the pink iris did not survive, so I am left with a white, a yellow and white and a peach.  These are each very large and spectacular blossoms, but  I have had the plants over five years and have never had them re-bloom, much to my dissapointment. Several years ago at the farmer's market I bought a pink rhizome and was delighted this year to see the clear pink blooms lighting up the deep green background of the virginia creeper.

Shasta daisies follow the early bird columbines and iris.  They crowd together in joyful celebration waving their white-fringed faces with bright yellow centers. They multiply as well, asking their friends to join them in a happy group hug.  One of my favorite photos is of my two-year-old grandson grasping the stem of a daisy in the flower bed, gently touching the center in wonder.  The daylilies also like to congretate together with arching graceful slender leaves  that repeat the curving lines in the orange blossoms dancing high above the light green foliage. Their here-today-and-gone-tomorrow fragile beauty is followed one blossom after another making them seem long-lasting.

These perennials spark rememberance of the people who have shared them with me. The plants fill large areas of the flower gardens providing the spring's first and most welcome blooms after the drab colorless winter.  They are the hearlds of a new season of hope and excitement, growth and renewal.

The Gardening Adventure :  Roses

When we moved into our present home 19 years ago, the only landscaping consisted of lawn in the front with overgrown cedar bushes crowding the front windows and in back, a towering old pine tree in the far corner, an elderly hackberry at the south fence line, and a non-descript scraggly bush.  Window awnings from the forties made the house seem heavy lidded and sleepy. So they were one of the first things to go, which opened the house to light and energy.  Out came the ugly cedars and we had a clean slate to start making the yard one that we would enjoy.  We did not have a master plan; things evolved as we took out bushes, dealt with dead grass and poorly watered areas. 

The first flower beds filled the void left by the cedar bushes.  I planted roses:  a pretty pink Queen Elizabeth, Sir Lagerfeld, a lavender rose with a deep rich fragrance reminiscent of roses in my wedding bouquet . I added the yellow Oregold, deep orange Miranda, petite pink Heidi, and a pristine white Pascal, a mother's Day gift from my son and daughter-in-law.  They also gave me a beautiful red climbing rose by the front step that has  a profusion of elegant flowers.  Later came one of my favorites, a floribunda named Brass Band, a creamy pale yellow with peach ruffled edges that lasts forever. A beautiful mauve Magnificent, and the white with pink stripe Cabaret have completed the rose bed for now.  So the rose bed is multicolored.  As time as progressed, we have determined to have cool colors for our flowerbeds.  But, the roses were put in before that decision and I have no desire to take the warm colored roses out of the mix, so they stay oblivious to the fact that they do not fit the planned color scheme.

Roses in pots are another addition to the garden.  I was given a miniature rose, which I planted in with the hybrid teas and floribunda roses.  I was delighted to see this spirited little plant bloom with abandon, but it was over-powered by its big siblings, so I planted it in a pot.  Now I have multiple miniature roses in pots that I move wherever I need color and where they thrive. The minis include a coral, lavender, red, pink, and white.  My pride and joy is a David Austin rose.  My daughter-in-law first introduced me to this multi-petaled fragrant shrub rose variety.  Though the bud of the hybrid tea rose is spectacular, the David Austin has a profusions of loosely gathered petals that keeps blooming all summer and wafts its perfume throughout the garden--no need to stick your nose in this flower to realize its scent.  I found this rose by looking it up on the internet; it was only sold at one nursery in Colorado and that was in Longmont next to one of our favorite antique stores!  We decided to plant it in a pot so that when we relocate, we can easily take it with us.

The roses are the royalty of the flower garden; they have staying power and do not change with each new season.    All the other flowers gather round in adoration and add their color to the to the courtly entourage.  They certainly have my admiration and give me great pleasure.

Baking Bread

I love to bake bread. There is something so satisfying about making this basic staple of human existence. The heady smell of yeast fermenting and working its wonders to raise the flour to a fragrant moist loaf of bread tempts one to tear off a piece and savor the warm goodness at this peak of perfection.

My mother initiated me to the pleasures of bread baking early in my life. Mom made cinnamon rolls and everyone knew that she had the touch making them exceptionally well. She worked her magic as she kneaded and rolled out the dough. Growing up, I loved to snitch a piece of the sweet dough when she was rolling it out to smear it with melted butter and cinnamon sugar. I would much rather eat sweet roll dough than cookie dough! For one of her signature recipes, she pulled an indentation with her fingers on each roll and put in a teaspoon of crushed pineapple sweetened with sugar. After the rolls emerged from the oven golden brown with a warm center of pineapple, she would glaze the cooled rolls and sprinkle on toasted coconut. These rolls generate special requests from relatives for my mom bring to family dinners.

However, her best rolls are, without a doubt, her sour cream cinnamon twist rolls. For some reason these rolls taste better than any other and the shape seems to influence the taste. Mom has made these rolls for years, but it has only been in the last few years that she has made a conscious effort to pass on her techniques to her granddaughters. At Christmas, my daughter requested a lesson in cinnamon twist roll-making. The rolls require a cup of sour cream, which when dad was still milking the cow was the real thing, but now mom settles for commercial sour cream. Once warmed, sugar, butter and salt were added. The yeast, proofed with warm water and sugar, quickly began foaming ready to transform these ingredients into delicate bread.

These ingerdients were mixed together with flour and an egg for a sticky dough. Mom took out a pastry cloth that I had not seen before. The top and bottom have a flat wooden dowel to keep it straight and the sides are held taut by metal rods hooking onto the top and bottom dowels with the bottom end hooking over the counter to keep it is place. The cloth, well seasoned with flour enables the baker to have a much moister dough resulting in a very tender roll. Once the dough had rested for a short time, she kneaded it briefly and rolled out the dough, brushed it with melted buttter and spread the mix of brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon to spread on the surface. The dough, folded in half was cut into one inch sections, twisted twice and placed on a greased baking sheet. Covered with a cloth, the warmth of the room enticed the yeast to grow and and hour or so later, the rolls were ready to pop into the oven for the final step--baking. A short time in the oven and the delicacies emerged fragrant with cinnamon, tender ready to be eaten, or if necessary, saved to share with others later.

I have made these rolls occasionally in the past with limited success, but I was intrigued with this pastry cloth. After Mom gave me one, I was off on a roll baking frenzy because it made the process so much easier and the rolls better. I had no problem finding people to help eat them! My father-in-law loves them, eating one for breakfast nearly every morning. I have promised him a lifetime supply, so I am constantly baking a batch of rolls for him and sending them to him with my husband. The process of making the rolls is a pleasure, but the joy of sharing is even better. What makes all of this even more special is the sharing of skills and recipes from one generation to another. Grandma's sour cream cinnamon twist rolls will continue to be part of the family lore for generations to come.