ahh, November

Tags

environment, fall garden, garden, garden chores, home, November, Virginia

My central Virginia gardens endured one of the hottest, driest summers in recent history.

Since most of the fifteen-year-old landscape is well established, only the few new installations required weekly monitoring. The basement dehumidifier supplied a consistent 2-gallon supply of free water daily, greatly reducing the labor intensive task of hose dragging.

Let me introduce you to Black Diamond crape myrtle, added to my front garden this summer. Notice the wonderful deep leaf hue and pleasant color of the flowers…this plant blooms multiple times per year and reaches 12′ high. I look forward to many years with this new variety…

I gave up raising home vegetables in 2014. Too many persistent insects prayed on tender leaves, leaving undesirable remnants. I fully support organic growing methods, yet for the effort involved, I would rather spend my time tending the heirloom daffodils, peonies, and lilies that reside here. These spring beauties bring endless joy to me and my market customers come April/May, and by the time June heat and humidity build, I am spending only minimal time outdoors.

abundant peony harvest 2015

Early spring brings abundance

dazzling organic peppers grown by young farmers. There is no need for me to fight veggie insects in my gardens…when I can support local efforts.

Gardening during cool temps from November-March soothes my soul. The tempo is slow. The air is crisp and clean. I add to my perennial collections, as fall is planting season. And above all, the dastardly biting insects are absent and I once again enjoy the outdoors.

terrace wall refurbished with Muhly grass showing off on the other side…September is mighty showy here.

This month the arborist arrives with his bucket truck and helper. He annually sheers the 135 Leyland Cypress that border my property. This year I am tasking him with drastically reducing the elevation of the rows…tough love. Over the years, they slowly crept up to twenty feet, a height I no longer desire. Soon entire row at the back will be totally eliminated by the power company, as maintaining it is now unsustainable and my splendid privacy fence doing a fine job.

photo of stained privacy fence. After a contractor’s estimate of 12 hours and $400 labor, I knew it was up to me to complete this job. Six hours over two days delivered one handsome fence to Swallowtail Cottage.

I am in love with this chipper…perfect for the job at hand…

As of today the house and shed are washed/painted/caulked where needed. The roof chimney and vents are caulked and painted. The patio furniture has a fresh coat of paint (yes that DTM paint project two years ago was a miserable failure.) The windows are washed inside and out. 23′ of deer fencing is installed in the lower corner of the garden to close a gap. Three arborvitae and a Kousa dogwood will replace an ancient dogwood (Cornus florida) and an unimpressive japanese maple. Eventually this new installation will screen the deer wire.

THEN, on the fifteenth of November, I shall have knee surgery…just a repair for a torn meniscus.

Baby 5 was my perfect companion during this gravel project. She held steadfast, despite my concerns that I would break her.

Yes, gardening does take a toll. Perhaps last November’s foundation planting did in my knee. That two tons of river rock did not seem that difficult, yet perhaps it was the eleven hours it took to prep/plant the seventeen shrubs. Ahh, November.

A time to complete chores, reflect, relax, and bask in the glow of a dreamy winter ahead.

this is the view from my back door, over the herb garden during winter 2015

Copyright ©2016 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

does home ownership lead to a Cinderella complex?

Tags

Behr DeckOver, Cinderella complex, home challenges, home chores, Olympic Solid Stain, summer projects

All summer long, I heard from friends and clients who recounted enviable trips abroad, long strolls on some distant shore, or another bucket list fulfilment. This summer, I was tethered to home…once again, only this season outdoor chores raised their shaggy heads without end. Once I began one paint/stain project, another surfaced.

gloves of Cinderella

In my last post, readers saw my newly designed/constructed carport. A long-awaited structure, now nearly complete. It awaits Cinderella and one final coat of paint.

not bad for three guys and a truck and a gal with a vision, heh?

This week I took on the challenge of the lower patio/deck. Retaining walls stand at each end and troubled pressure treated deck boards, alas, needed removal or restoration. Since I spent a pretty penny covering this ugly concrete slab patio back in 2007 (although since troubled by improperly installed boards), I decided not to remove them. With a new deck board product, DECKOVER by Behr, I decided to take one more stab at preservation/restoration.

aging deck boards following a good scrub…and screw down

new product ~ a cure-all for ailing decks…I hope.

following two applications of DECKOVER, voila!

This application was not without challenges. First, the product was thick as molasses in January. Second, it required application without direct sunlight. Third, I chose a dark hue, and of course a few nudges appeared on the light foundation wall— necessitating a new coat of paint there…eventually.

high retaining wall received two coats of Olympic solid stain in Oxford Brown. This product is super to work with.

the only thing holding this ancient railroad tie wall up is paint…I keep it because pretty skinks reside here and what a mess to replace!

this old wall also makes a great display area for found items from the Potomac River. Let us hope DECKOVER gives new life to this outdoor area

long view of restored patio space ~ I should use it more often…

As I had much think time while I stroked, rolled, and blotted this summer, it became clear that indeed home ownership leads to a Cinderella complex. While friends vacation and play during the summers, I toil away around my Needy Box (aka home).

When all outdoor projects come full circle, and nary a brush stroke required, perhaps Prince Charming will sweep me away to dreamland. Ya think?

Copyright © 2014 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

p allen smith’s petit masterpiece

Tags

Arkansas, Arkansas Govenor's Mansion, Arkansas Govenor's Mansion gardens, city space, community, first lady of Arkansas, intimate spaces, landscape design, P Allen Smith, P Allen Smith genius, quiet elegance, silk purse, The Original City Garden Home

Ever heard the expression, make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear?
During P Allen Smith’s G2B13 event this month, attendees were invited to stroll Allen’s original garden home gardens—his city home—a former derelict structure.
Allen purchased this “fixer-upper” for one dollar then relocated to its current location.
There are photos on Allen’s Facebook page showing this sad structure when it was slated for demolition. Indeed, only a person with broad vision could see its potential.
The following images convey the simple, yet quiet elegance created within this city space. Please enjoy.

Enter the original city home gardens of P Allen Smith

Allen explains the history of this renovation

Allen simplifies the complex nature of this home’s phoenix

here begins the lush presentation

intimate spaces or garden rooms

oh the boxwood

raised bed area ~ complex planning within such a small space

quiet vista in this early spring garden

potting shed

it’s all in the details

Allen manages a small greenhouse on this property

garden path guides the visitor

finishing touches

a place to ponder

Enjoy Allen’s design concept in his own words at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1surUk0qRWg

Not far away, another of Allen’s masterpieces awaited on a slightly larger scale—the Arkansas governor’s mansion gardens

State Seal of Arkansas

The first lady of Arkansas welcomes G2B13 garden bloggers and sings praises of Allen’s contribution to the mansion’s grounds

classic pyramidal structures like this obelisk add architectural interest

stately pergola detail

detail of mansion’s rear addition

transition into the gardens

waves of roses and boxwood ~ a classic combination

Allen and the resident German Shepard greet again

impressive vegetable gardens at the mansion

Allen’s signature garden details

impressive composting going on behind the scenes at the Arkansas governor’s mansion

Throughout this city tour, I was continuously reminded how Allen is a problem solver and an artist. Often these two abilities escape the same individual.
Whether the challenge is a modest residential city lot or a grand swath of landscape, Allen’s ability to perceive the entire project’s scope, deal with endless details, while transporting human scale and unending beauty, is inspiring if not downright genius.

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

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

doin’ what comes natur’lly ~ one woman’s relationship with her garden

Tags

garden, garden chores, garden paths, home, humor at home, landscape design, lifestyle, popovers, Virginia

Instincts are magical. Intuition is a driving force. Little voices that inspire can be subtle or hit us over the head.
I cherish the kitty head bump instincts and have finally learned to hire muscle when I need to address the larger-than-life projects. As Gershwin wrote, “you can’t get a man with a gun”, yet a few hundred dollars and a three hours of man power can create memorable landscape transformations.

plain Jane garden path entrance and dormant turf

The little voice hit me over the head last week when I strolled the winter garden and gazed down the front path—a path that has been in place since September 11th.
This voice whispered “too narrow” and I replied “OK” and proceeded to tack string outlining the sod to be removed.
Editing lawns is one of my favorite garden chores, as I loathe any tasks associated with it, especially when forced to mow during high humidity and triple digit temperatures. Virginia is not the place to have turf and I have given in to most any weed that thrives there.

other end of narrow path

pathetic attempt by moi to remove dastardly sod

hired muscles at work

wider path

finished path, hurray!

After my hired muscles finished this simple path, I lead them around to the side yard to install/reuse the hideous black plastic edging from the front project. This is my gazillionth attempt to conquer the slope dramatically eroded by recent heavy rains—

Ouch! following heavy rains

ongoing attempt to soothe Mother Nature

OMG!

rock is the solution

two small boxwood and blue princess moved

burning bush transplant nearly broke backs

Following the muscle departure, I raked, watered, and tidied the disturbed areas. Next week I must don my mulchqueen hat and tuck these shrubs in for the their next chapter.

As a reward, this morning I treated myself to a carb/maple syrup/buttery pop-over breakfast before I dressed for my morning stroll.

quick Sunday breakfast

comfort food

What garden accomplishments are you most proud?

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

 

the impulse

Tags

bird cage, fresh coat of paint, garden ornaments, impulse purchase, P Allen Smith, whimsy

the bird cage

detail during clean up

door detail

three nice doors that function!

While minding my own business Friday, running errands, I rounded the corner near a”junk-tique” shop. On an endless quest for a footstool, I decided to stop and browse. There it sat on the sidewalk. NOT a footstool—a giant bird cage—and the price was right—the perfect sense of whimsy for the garden. The universe was in alignment for the impulse—buy!
A bit extravagant for a garden ornament, yet this piece spoke to me loudly. Impulse purchases for me are rare, yet this time I did not hesitate—not knowing how I would transport this bulk home, I claimed it anyway.
Upon returning home, I made a few phone calls and found one neighbor who was willing to take his truck to work the following day and bring my treasure home.
It now temporarily resides at the rear of the garden shed, awaiting a facial scrub and fresh coat of paint.
Today was the perfect day to begin. Sunny, dry, and mild I began the restoration with various tools and freed the cage of numerous dangling chains. Overall it is in great shape, having been clearly ignored for decades. Only one solder failed over time, leaving a slight gap between two lower bars. Since I envision placing small pots of wandering sedum in the former feed/water rings and perhaps planting a romantic, fragrant vine to climb throughout its structure, this charm is on her way to making a new statement. Wonder where P Allen Smith would use this?

tools for the task

free the bird ceremony

Sage ceremonies are highly important for spaces and acquisitions. I began by blessing the cage, freeing the bird spirit, then proceeded around the entire yard and finished up inside the house. As I completed my turn, I noticed a sparrow hopping about the cage, investigating the new arrival. This time the bird was free to fly. A good omen, indeed.
Have you ever made an impulse buy of this nature? Do tell.

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

Christmas…time for downsizing

Tags

Buy Fresh Buy Local, Christmas, downsizing, Garden Home Cottage, Holiday decor, holiday maddness, home, lifestyle, nature, P Allen Smith, the meaning of home

simple holiday décor on the cottage

My dear cousin inspired today’s blog. Describing how she struggled with the artificial Christmas tree assembly (sans husband), the frustration of which dead bulb affected the entire string, and how this process was no longer a joy, I wondered why bother; after all she and hubby are now empty nesters.

I relate to this tale, as last year I cut a small stray cedar at a nearby farm, hauled it home, dragged out all the accoutrements, and as I hung the decades old ornaments, realized that I no longer connected with this ritual. Three days later, I deconstructed the tree, wound all the lights into tidy bundles, bagged the ornaments that no longer held meaning, and donated the lot to the animal shelter in time for their holiday sale.

Christmas can be a time for renewal as well as a time for rebirth. Out with dated habits and in with new inspired traditions is my mantra. The suggestion to my cousin— make a list of current rituals that no longer hold meaning—the volunteering that no longer sparks passion—the chores that are dull—and make a new list—one that inspires good will and creative exploration—a direction intended to spread one’s light on the world.

Therefore this season, with fresh eyes and heart, I erected a small everlasting iron tree form in my bay window where I hung the remaining ornaments that hold meaning. Simple yet eternal—not the extravagant decorations of magazines, yet tiny snippets of my past that inspire moments of contentment.

everlasting tree with ornaments that hold meaning and a handmade felt tree skirt repurposed in the bay window

Here in the United States, I am annually horrified by the manic holiday season which is driven by the retail monster. Long before Thanksgiving, our senses are dulled by a push to spend, spend, spend. Most Americans do not have much to spend, yet are herded by traditions that perhaps are long past obsolete.

I opted out of this madness decades ago and choose instead to create a few tokens of affection and appreciation of my making. No outsourcing here.

Homemade, homegrown, home.

May your season be blessed with true meaning.

Copyright © 2012 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

this day is special

Tags

cat, loss of a pet, muse, photography, pound cake, rain day, unexplained occurances

This day began as any other Tuesday—except rain fell in sheets.

No matter, Tuesday is my day for town and errands. Only too soon would I discover that this day would be like no other…

On May 5, 2011 my muse and love, Miss Kitty left this life. We were inseparable for eleven years. The following photograph hung in my kitchen until yesterday when I moved it into the bay window where Miss Kitty’s ashes, favorite toy, and fancy ribbon reside.

During the last year of her life, Miss Kitty’s favorite napping/supervising spot was the top of my printer—unless she was watching the butterfly larva crawl around their containers.

A few days following her departure, I photographed a black swallowtail butterfly as it emerged in my office near the printer. I raise butterflies as a hobby…

Miss Kitty and I love butterflies.

I liked her photo next to her memorial, as she seemed right at home.

When I returned from town this morning, the rain continued to fall heavily. Once dry, I mixed a special order batter and poked it into the oven. Deciding to take a break, I headed to the living room where I began to peruse photographs. Suddenly I noticed something black in the bay window next to Miss Kitty’s memorial.

Nestled into the corner was a very-much-alive black swallowtail butterfly.

Can you imagine what went through my mind?

I thought that I was hallucinating!

A few moments later a knock came at the door, and a Fed-Ex person held a delivery—my new printer!

I clearly stepped through the looking-glass today and found myself experiencing childhood magic. I have no rational explanation for what occurred.

Do you?

Even the first draft of this blog disappeared when I clicked the publish button!

Another first.

I cannot explain how the butterfly managed to be in my home.

Butterflies do not fly in rain.

And why was this butterfly in Miss Kitty’s Memorial?

I am filled with gratitude and hopeful that my Miss Kitty resides with me still.

Yet I dearly miss the pitter-patter of her little feet on the wooden floors.

Remember to glide your mouse over images for further captions.

PS: Read more about Miss Kitty in my my blogs entitled the thing about profound loss and the thing about whiskers; both essays found in the left hand column.

And the pound cake turned out pretty too. 😉

Copyright © 2012 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved