the first day of spring 2016

Tags

Charlottesville, first day of spring, garden, garden design, home, lifestyle, raised beds, spring flowers, Virginia

Despite the 40F temperatures and overcast sky this morning at Swallowtail Cottage, here’s a glimpse of what is blooming in my half-acre gardens…enjoy!

PJM rhododendrons show their stuff this chilly spring morning.

O’Neal blueberry flowers…provide edible, delectable fruit come May, with the help of local pollinators.

Two years ago, I collected 2000 heirloom daffodils, crocus, and lilies from around the property and added them to a 30′ ditch. A powerful early spring statement…with more blooms to follow in weeks to come.

One deep rear shrub border is home to Japanese maples, hellebores, daffs, an adopted clump of old variety spirea, Green Velvet boxwood (raised from cuttings), assorted lilies, chindo viburnum, oakleaf hydrangea, one floribunda rose ‘Tiny’, hostas, phlox Davidii, clematis, red hot pokers, miscari, and three tuteurs.

Buxus Green Mountain boxwoods never fail to impress. Easy care and sprinkled with tiny, delicate blossoms in late March. Have I confessed I adore this variety of boxwood?

This herbaceous Euphorbia or garden spurge has survived fifteen years in the same northerly spot at the front door. Cut to the ground after bloom time, this plant is bullet proof, bouncing back year after year. Highly regarded for their brilliant chartreuse bracts, textural foliage, and elegant growth habit, places them among the elite plants with significant garden significance. Note: all euphorbias ooze a milky white sap, latex, when cut or broken, so wear gloves when pruning and avoid skin contact.

The hellebores are stunning this time of year. Over twelve inches tall, they brighten the landscape. A winter/spring garden favorite…

When the sapsuckers girdle my dogwoods or maple trunks, I dangle shiny CD disks from inner branches. Highly effective.

Hard working raised bed area produced various veggies and herbs for over a decade. Now they are dedicated to heirloom daffodils and tulips.

A new addition to my 2016 gardens…a mason bee or “solitary bee house” as the UK designers describe…was sent to me as a birthday present this month. Thanks again Barry!

The resident Eastern bluebird pair chose my nestbox during late winter, and today the wee female adds finishing touches to her nest…built one pine needle at a time, in three days.

Has this post inspired your first day of spring? And please check out the related spring post links below…

Copyright © 2016 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

August begins a time of edits

Tags

Albemarle County, August garden, Central Virginia, change of seasons, Charlottesville, Charlottesville City Market, feeding wild birds, garden, garden chores, home, life, P Allen Smith

The month of August is bittersweet.

This year summer evolves especially fast. Spring was long and cool, delaying daffodil bloom long enough to sell cut stems at the April farmers market.

these beauties knock me out every April.  I have a habit of rescuing or inheriting daffodils from abandoned properties or those departed, so I never know the names of each flower, yet every spring, I look forward to their many faces and scents, as my collection now numbers over 2,500.

By mid-May temperatures were in the 90’s, heavy rains fell, then the high humidity set in. Despite this challenging conditions, the peony harvest was especially abundant in May; over 600 stems were sold at market, necessitating the purchase of an additional refrigerator for the basement. 

I did enjoy four days of respite at P Allen Smith’s Moss Mountain Farm outside Little Rock, Arkansas. During the growing season, I tiptoe out of my gardens to catch a flight to this gardener’s dream land as a guest, only to return a few days later to a needy garden…”weed me, harvest me, plant me, mow me, feed me, dig me…”

Allen and I in his one-acre veggie garden at Moss Mountain Farm in May; a special friend in a special place (pallensmith.com)

back in Virginia, these Iris graced my gardens during May of this year. Another rescued beauty who now enjoys life here

and this rescued Iris blooms right along side the deep purple variety. Both flowers have a heavenly scent and bloomed continuously for three weeks during May!

one proud stand of glory

this is an old heirloom, scentless variety of tiger lily (tigrinum), native to China but long ago naturalized in America…these originals came from my mother’s gardens. Bulbs may be cooked and eaten, tasting something like an artichoke, although I have never found the need to imbibe. Prolific black bulbils produced in the axils of the leaves may be shared with friends, though they take years to mature. Blooms appear in July, are 3′-5′ tall and rarely need staking. Butterflies adore the flowers during a rainy month.

prolific Oakleaf hydrangea (paniculata) thrives here at Swallowtail Cottage, and produces abundant offspring from seed, which now fill an entire lower shrub border. There are approximately forty-five species and varieties grown in America.

And now it is August. Both heirloom tiger lilies and Davidii phlox bloom cycles are finished and spent stems are removed. The lush Oakleaf hydrangea bloom is merely a memory. Why? It seems, we gardeners wait with such anticipation for bloom time, only to have it pass seemingly overnight…every season.

Another native of South Africa, Lycoris squamigera or Naked Ladies suddenly appear in my August garden and seduce the eye with every gaze…they make a pretty cut flower, with elegant long stems and a pleasant scent…

Another late summer bloomer is the Formosa Lily (formosanum). White, funnel-shaped and fragrant with 1-10 flowers produced per stalk that grows to 6′. Easily self sows here in zone 6. Native to Formosa. My first seed pod came from Tufton, a former property of Thomas Jefferson.

Generous rains produced stunning, abundant blooms this season on the spiraea, hellebore, and Lemon lilies.

Lemon lilies in the lower garden

Delayed are the two main 2015 outdoor projects: the oil stain project of the new 90′ privacy fence (both sides) and the necessary reconditioning of the terrace masonry wall.

looming, yet very necessary, the 90′ long privacy fence needs a coat of oil based natural stain (both sides) in order to preserve the blond appearance. Frequent rain and high dew points continue to prevent moi from swinging the brush…

the 30′ block/parged terrace wall demands attention this year. Dry Lok Extreme and new coats of paint will restore…I’m hoping…

Are any of you considering home ownership? This post will be a reality check for you. Since buying this place back in 2001, the projects both large and small, inside and out, are endless. Some days/years I think I am making progress, others, I think I am in a rapid backslide…

Wild birds bring much relief and beauty on a daily basis to my gardens. This year I am hosting hummingbirds, and they come in droves for their plain sugar-water fix and enjoy sips from the Crocosmia.

hummer enjoys a sip from the Crocosmia from the kitchen herb garden in 2014. Did you know that Crocosmia is an herb from South Africa belonging to the Iris family? I rescued these corms and enjoy seeing them thrive.

in 2013 the hummers enjoyed sips from the pineapple sage…

hummingbirds enjoy the convenience of a perch on this sugar syrup feeder in 2015. Photo was taken through solar film and glass, so a wee bit soft…

I feed numerous other wild birds here at Swallowtail Cottage, yet the Bluebirds chose not to nest here again this year. They come in to feed, and I hear their song whilst gardening, yet only a pair of black cap chickadees occupied the BB boxes this season while either a titmouse or carolina wren raised young in the wren box.

nestling bluebirds day nine ~ Swallowtail Cottage 2013. Would you feed them GMO food?

So begins August here in central Virginia. I expect the arborist later this month for our annual chore of topping/shearing the Leyland cypress hedges; I will be glad to see the bagworms vanish into the chipper.

annual shearing of tops and sides of Leyland cypress, as 135 surround my property’s perimeter

One glorious yellow swallowtail graces my garden and poses cooperatively on the verbena. These flutterbyes inspired the name of my property…Swallowtail Cottage. Still awaiting the Monarchs…

Queen Ann’s Lace, hyssop, cleome, hostas, and roses continue to color the landscape as summer winds down for another season. Butterflies nectar on the verbena and Joe Pye Weed. Fat cucumbers dangle from the arched cattle panels, while sweet basil, tomatoes, hot peppers, kale and herbs fill the raised beds. Soon I will harvest my first crop of Lilliput melons, as they meander across the lower butterfly garden. 2015 has been an abundant growing season. Full of edibles, friends, happy memories, and hard work.

end of summer bouquet

And soon, yes soon I will breathe a bit easier; I will sleep a wee bit longer as garden/market chores lighten. As biting insects depart, when there is a chill in the crisp air, I will once again enjoy my lower patio and reflect on another year as a homeowner/gardener.

Did you know that we will lose one hour of daylight in August? While I am still the busy bee today, the planet continues its orbit. Our gardens respond, and indeed so do we. Best now to consider the color of this year’s flannel sheets, while continuing to mow, weed those persistent invasives, and get a handle on those unfinished outdoor projects…

If you have a moment, would love to hear from you either by the click of the “like” button or speak in the comments section. Does my blog make a difference? Cheers!

Copyright © 2015 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

life, love, and loss

Tags

Central Virginia, color of nature, death of a friend, how nature comforts, life, loss, love, nature, November

Life and death are one thread;
the same line viewed from different sides.

~ Lao Tzu

One of my closest friends departed life this week. I still fail to grasp this fact. Facing each health challenge bravely, determined to love life unconditionally, and supported by her closest friends, she met her end on her own terms — with dignity and love.  Sidelined by a freak viral bronchitis, I was not able to be at her bedside as she passed. This makes our afternoon country outing, two weeks before, even more memorable. Too soon gone!

as we find our paths in life, love intervenes, and so does inevitable loss.

as I drove rural lanes yesterday, taking the slow way home, nature seemed to reach out and embrace me with breathtaking color and brilliant sky

as I rounded a curve, this maple popped to say, as my leaves depart, they wish to make your day joyful!

hues this vibrant in November are unusual indeed

then round a few more curves, I nearly drove of the road, as I gasped. In fact I turned around a few times and risked being rear-ended to get this shot

back on a wider path of road, more maples popped from between the sycamores and tulip poplars, draped with dazzling color

a pair of old persimmon trees, full of fruit, will be perfect following the first hard frost, if one braves the traffic. I imagine birds will have the best feast.

taking liberties with this shot’s edits I created a painterly vista

nearly home, this time, an ox-blood hue catches my eye

these trees were planted by nature, not man, making the display ever more poignant

back home, the resident dogwood appeared to be on fire this day

Oakleaf hydrangeas never fail to deliver saturated color during November

my landscape comforted me with much appreciated light, reflections, and memorable color. This was to be the last day before hard frost, finishing the magical displays and creating rake work in days ahead.

Life is unequalled.
Love is unparalleled.
Loss is the toll we pay to experience it all.

May your day be filled with life, your Thanksgiving filled with love, and may loss be away on holiday.

Copyright © 2014 by Diane LaSauce All Rights and Images Reserved

~ this holiday it is all about the critters

Tags

Berry Family Nurseries, cats, charity, dogs, Holiday decor, P Allen Smith, seasonal greenery

Ask anyone who knows me or who follows this blog and they will tell you that
I am all about the critters.
Since Miss Kitty’s passing in May of 2011, I turned my critter affection out-of-doors.

Miss Kitty ~ my muse for eleven years

Over 1100 Monarch butterflies were raised in my Waystation since 2009.

female monarch ready for release

I became an official Bluebird Monitor and host adults as they rear their young.

nestling bluebirds day nine ~ Swallowtail Cottage

During winter months, I feed, admire, and attempt to photograph
wild birds up close and personal.

handsome red bellied woodpecker

At the local shelter, I volunteer photo time so adoptees
have a better chance at a permanent home…

this pup is showing her holiday stuff at the SPCA

happy holidays and take me home!

This season is extra special, as P Allen Smith and Berry Family Nurseries
are offering to send assorted holiday greenery to the winning blogger’s charity.
This is Allen’s Holiday Cheer Challenge, and I need your vote to win!

Here’s the deal. Allen’s people will post this post (and many others) to his Pinterest Holiday page and the most number of likes or Pins will win the prize for the blogger’s charity. I am choosing Caring For Creatures, as this fabulous no-kill sanctuary could use the festive greenery for all visitors and staff to enjoy.
So if you have a Pinterest account, please click here to vote http://www.pinterest.com/pallen_smith/holiday-ideas/
Voting ends December 9.

chocolate spice wreath from P Allen Smith’s Holiday Collection

styled by moi with additional seed bells for the wild birds

During December, I will be wrapping gifts at Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Barracks Road Shopping Center. Many volunteers will be there raising funds for both the CASPCA and Caring for Creatures. Stop by!

See, it is all about the critters this holiday season
here at Swallowtail Cottage! Thanks for your vote
and Happy Holidays!

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

a very special place

Tags

501(c)(3), crystals, focused consciousness, Robert A. Monroe, The Gateway Voyage, The Monroe Institute, Virginia

South of town, tucked back off the main road, resides a very special place.

The Monroe Institute® was founded by Robert A. Monroe in 1979 following years of research, experimental seminars, and exploration regarding the very nature of human consciousness.

The Nancy Penn Center at The Monroe Institute’s permanent facility in the Blue Ridge Mountains

a guest spends time with a large rose quartz crystal at The Nancy Penn Center

moi standing in front of a many-ton rose crystal quartz imported from Brazil. This one is up at Robert’s Retreat.

the Institute’s logo weathervane at Robert’s Retreat

detail of Robert’s Retreat

a rooftop crystal at Robert’s Retreat

another crystal view

and another

The mission of this Institute is dedicated to furthering the exploration of consciousness, expanded awareness, and discovery of self. Seminars are held at this place and at several locations around the world. Week-long, weekend, and one-day programs are offered by trained facilitators.

Fortunate to stumble upon a mini, one-day program, I attended two weeks ago. Visiting with an open mind I discovered new approaches to ways of thinking through the realization that we are more than our physical bodies.

IF this topic speaks to you, I suggest contacting the Institute at www.monroeinstitute.org or email at info@monroeinstitute.org

Robert Monroe’s work is also documented in three publications:
Journeys Out of the Body (Doubleday, 1971)
Far Journeys (Doubleday, 1985)
Ultimate Journey (Doubleday, 1994)

on the way down the mountain, I could not resist capturing another landscape

one handsome barn

and its neighbor

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

~ another reason to share the garden

Tags

Charlottesville, fall blooming plants, garden highlights, harvest season, Virginia

The following images came from willing yet fleeting creatures who visited my garden yesterday. Kindly view on a large screen for full effect…

slightly tattered Monarch during migration. So glad it found my garden for rest and nectar while on its journey. Monarchs are in dramatic decline.

another Monarch during migration. So nice to share my afternoon with numerous survivors.

Quite a show today–the last day of September. Pineapple Sage, an annual, has earned a place in all my future gardens…

My first attempt at photographing hummingbirds. They were perfectly poised.

Belladonna amaryllis, yet we call this stunner Naked Lady here in Virginia.

Late summer show stopper ~ hyacinth bean.

Oh so fragrant tuberose. A newbie to my garden this year. Why did it take so long to discover?

Queen Ann’s Lace. A must for my garden. Have I recited its poem?

Have this in your garden? Seeds given to me twelve years ago. Common name Poinsettia Plant.

Loaded with fall berries ~ pyracantha, a real sticker as the genus belongs to the Rose Family, yet showy and berries are bird food.

Sedum family ~ a low succulent plant that I consider bullet proof. A joy in the garden.

My sexy grape tomatoes continue to produce from its little burlap pot tethered to the raised bed arbor.

The smaller the pepper, the hotter. This bird’s eye will make you weep!

A bowl of concord grape sorbet floating in a pool of heavy cream. Grapes from my garden and oh so yummy! The tile is from a local estate sale.

When I spotted this in a local consignment shop, I had to have it. Turns out it came out of a Charleston garden and is 25 years old. Not sure where it will finally end up in my garden.

Another detail of my new garden ornament.

The only pink that I tolerate in my gardens. Muhly grass, a real show stopper during late afternoon, or early morning covered in dew or frost. An easy keeper too.

Nearby vista of central Virginia farmland. Notice the specks of gliding hawks in the distance.

a telling proverb

As summer glides into fall, my heart fills with gratitude for another year in my gardens. Blessed with much rain and bounty, the gardens thrived and most tasks mildly challenging. I added a few specimens, and continue to edit the landscape.
Fall is the time of year when this gardener has time to sit a spell, reflect, and adore the dazzling colors in weeks to come.
I wish you a splendid harvest and hope that you take time to enjoy this precious event.

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

the glory of harvest

Tags

blessings, Central Virginia, harvest, jam, summer

This time of year there is a subtle shift…the sun is in a different location.
Gardeners spend so much time planning for spring, that summer slips right in.
Time for harvest, time for county fairs, time for blissful naps in the hammock.

time to crack the jam cookbooks

This morning as I guided my little wheelbarrow around the gardens
before the sun rose,
before the dew dried,
I noticed how swollen the grapes;
how fragrant the lambs ear as I trimmed off spent blossoms,
how quiet the landscape before bees awaken.
The gentle burble of the Bluebird’s call,
the racking squawk of Mary Mockingbird,
and how different from the low coo of the Robin;
I catch myself thinking of fall!
And harvest!
And bounty!
And preserves!

plump local plums ready for jam

the path to righteousness

local, just picked blackberries called for immediate attention on Sunday

whirling divine

the last five cups went into this blackberry cobbler

Swallowtail Cottage is filled with heavenly aromas
as the process begins…

freshly capped jars ready for market

plum jam ready for labels

a dozing dove sits just outside my kitchen door, perhaps enjoying the aromas

peaches, nectarines, and plums, oh my!

same beekeeper; the jar on the left is summer honey and the jar on the right is spring honey. Either way divine!

Sending blessings for a wonderful harvest season.

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

asparagus and strawberries ~ the true harbingers of spring

Tags

asparagus, asparagus spears, buffet party, dinner, food, grape hyacinths, healthy recipes, healty food, organic strawberries, party food, sheet pan, spireas, strawberries, vegetarian, virgin olive oil, whipped cream

Without asparagus and strawberries, there would be no spring in my book.

Sure, cheeses are good, yet spring headliners are asparagus and strawberries!

The month of April brings a flush of color to many gardens around the world. Despite Mother Nature’s mood this month, my garden is filled with blooms of the mighty daffodils, grape hyacinths, bluebells, primroses, tulips, dogwood, spireas, hellebore, laurels, spurge, willow, bleeding heart, blueberries, barberries, and rhododendrons. Yet while this show explodes in the home garden, my kitchen is another story—it is abundant with asparagus and strawberries!

Last week I created food for a buffet party of thirty-five. As the beef tenderloins dry-cured in the fridge, the hunt was on for perfect asparagus and strawberries. The food gods were with me, as I brought home eleven pounds of pencil-thin asparagus and a case of organic strawberries. The berries were the size of a Fiat so I planned to serve them with obscene amounts of organic whipped cream.

The asparagus were just the size I prefer and rather than do the blanching/ice bath technique, I decided to roast them instead. My recipe follows:

First determine the break point with one spear, then using the stack and cut method, process all stems.

Step two: Rinse all spears, catching the water in a basin for the garden.

Next, place spears on a large kitchen towel and blot with another removing as much water as possible.

In batches, toss dried spears with virgin olive oil.

Place oiled spears on a sheet pan, one layer thick. Sprinkle with sea salt to taste.

Roast asparagus spears for three minutes at 500F. Then open oven carefully, shake pan to roll spears, then roast another two minutes.

Cooling delectable edibles. For pleasant visual appeal, alternate layers. When completely cooled, cover with cling film and refrigerate. One hour before consuming, bring to room temperature. Squeeze half a fresh lemon over is nice per platter.

The orgasmic fruit ~ the strawberry. Always choose organic.

Leave strawberries unwashed in refrigerator until three hours before eating. Then carefully remove the stem, leave small berries whole, while slicing larger berries into thirds or quarters. Rinse as asparagus, placing on towel and blotting. Store washed berries in refrigerator, covered with a damp paper towel, until one hour before serving. Then sprinkle 1/2 cup of granulated sugar over all (this amount for eight pounds of berries). Gently toss with hands and leave at room temperature. Serve with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream that is sweetened with a 1/2 cup of sugar (this amount added to four cups of heavy cream).

Giant bowl of these sensuous berries and cream compliment tender madelines and rich, lush brownies cut in one-inch pieces. The guests went wild…

Surely the beef and chicken, local country ham with cream biscuits, cheese boards, artichoke dips, sweet & spicy pecans, and generous full bar filled everyone to a happy place, yet the asparagus and strawberries left them wanting more.

Ah, what a beautiful life.

This is a great time of year to support your local farmer’s markets, grow your own, and generally celebrate another fine season of food. Bon Appetit!

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

joint venture ~ bluebirds and moi

Tags

animals, Bluebirds, nature, nesting bluebirds, Noel guard, platform feeder, predator guard, Virginia, virginia countryside

Crack that bottle of champagne! Today the first egg arrived in the bluebird box. Although I monitor bluebirds every year, this day is always special!

Woo Hoo! First Swallowtail Cottage bluebird egg of 2013!

I will admit I was a bit nervous this morning, when I observed only the female. Typically, the male is never far away, yet today he was absent. The female hopped out of the box and waited and watched on the Noel guard for some time—no male in sight. Then voila this afternoon I discovered this in the nest! Yay! Perhaps the male was out smoking cigars with the boyz…

This is the side view of the completed nest with side door raised. Notice the wire riser in the bottom ~ I added this to help deter blowfly. Notice the coir material on the bottom, yet the female finished the liner with soft grass. Nice mama!

This is the overall view of the bluebird box with hole extender and Noel guard (green) attached to box face ~ another predator guard.

Front view of bluebird box. Much ado.

Don’t laugh, but this is the second box in my yard away from the active nest box ~ the one this pair used last year. Since they chose the other box, I rigged up this private feeding station for the bluebirds. Parakeet feeder inside Noel guard and covered with (yikes!) butter boxes to prevent other birds from seeing the food.

This TACKY arrangement, ahem, works! The butter boxes are flexible and coated, so they stand up to weather, keeping the treats dry.

Bluebirds are bashful birds and will not come to feed at my public platform feeder where titmice, cardinals, chickadees, finches, doves, and woodpeckers feed.

Celebration is in order tonight!

And the best news is that just after I poked around taking these photographs, I noticed both the male and female checking out the box. Hurray!

All is well at Swallowtail Cottage!

These little things in life make my days sweet.

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

rainy day woman

Tags

"Best Key Lime Pie on the Planet", Annie Get Your Gun, Broadway Musicals, butcherblock, Camelot, Classical musical recordings, home projects, Julie Andrews, key lime pies, King and I, LP's, musical tunes, Oklahoma, richard burton, rogers and hammerstein

rainy day

Following two days of grueling garden projects, I am happy to report much-needed rain. I will soon see if the new berms, mulch, and rock placement deter further erosion on the property.
Key Lime pies are cooling in the fridge awaiting their restaurant delivery later today, yet, in the meantime, I must continue winter project momentum—as well I know, spring will be here too soon and my energies will be forced outdoors.
For reasons unknown recently, classic musical tunes from my mother’s LP collection surfaced to my consciousness, prompting me to find the reproduction turntable and her actual record collection.
As a captive indoors—with butcher block counter-top refurbishing looming—I clicked on the dial of the turntable and began a sing-along with the likes of Al Goodman, Irving Berlin, Richard Burton, Julie Andrews, and Rogers and Hammerstein. Blimey, what genius heralds from the days of High Fidelity!
Mother always took great care of her vinyl collections and these disks remain virtually pristine—the sound incredible—only superseded by the engaging lyrics! While growing, I often sang in the family room cedar closet in order to hear my voice. Hmm, a closet singer? Who knew! And what back up I had!
Furthermore, I dare any man to top Richard Burton’s rendition of How to Handle a Woman. This is romance personified folks!

fine lyrics from the past

LP’s are a fine way to visit former musical giants

Therefore, with a song in my heart and a tune on my lips— despite rain and chore—I flew through my assignment and filled the house with lively chorus.

sing and sand

tools for the task

gleaming restoration

I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night...and now I must get off my sing-song horse, fire up the van, and transport KL PIES to the hungry mortals who await yet another slice of The Best Key Lime Pie on the Planet.

Do you have favorite tunes from your childhood? How often do you sing them? I strongly recommend this. I cannot remember being so uplifted as I trudged through deep puddles and navigated busy afternoon traffic.

Post Script: Still singing when I arrived to town, I quickly found out that neither the chef nor bank teller knew what an LP was. Oh, what that generation is missing!

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved