random five and flowers in my garden

"Away

Is a place that's easy to find

And a feeling that's impossible to forget"

GoRving.com

1) It would seem that as we were naming our getaway "Away", Go RVing was planning its new "Discover Away" ad campaign - and it pretty much captures the essence of Away.
Hmmm - yeah......
This makes me feel just a teensy bit annoyed.

2) I found a couple irises struggling behind some overgrown shrubs and transplanted them near my driveway.

 I'm really glad I did.

3) My back is killing me and I don't know why.
Well... okay...
it might possibly have something to do with the pogo stick that Nearby-apartment-daughter
found in our garage.

4) Farmer's markets start this weekend.
Yep - I'm excited.

5) I'm planning to try a new recipe this weekend - blueberry baked oatmeal.
Does that sound as strange to you as it does to me?
I'll let you know.

I'm joining:

Nancy for Random 5 Friday

Jill for Weekend Garden Party

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

farmhouse flowers

Summers are short in Vermont

Which is why it always struck me a little funny that there are so many beautiful flower gardens

Farmhouse flower gardens

But then, maybe the short summers are the reason for it...

- Cheery splashes of color against a white farmhouse -



- and flowers along a fence -

- and then -

this one stopped me dead in my tracks!

I am joining Nancy at A Rural Journal for

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garden "friends" among the flowers

Summer is (usually) slow to arrive in Northern New England.

I was amazed, though, when we arrived at Away to find the flowers have gone wild!
Before taking a look, though, I'd like to introduce you to my new garden "friends".

 This guy was hiding in the hydrangeas.

He was left behind by the previous owner and although I've never had many garden ornaments before, we're growing quite fond of him. We greet him everytime we come up our driveway.

Greg calls him "Fred"

I was thinking something more like "Hans"

My youngest tells me, "No Mom, it's Fred. You can't always have what you want!"

Well, allrighty then...

Friedrich it is! (but I call him Fred)

At the other end of the garden this little guy sits among the flowers reading all day.
 I'm a little bit jealous of him...
We haven't named him yet, but I'm open to suggestions.

This is our first year at our getaway - and I'm having lots of fun watching the garden grow and bloom
 (except that I have a bad feeling I was a little overzealous in my weeding)
So now, let's take a look at the flowers blooming in my garden.

I'm going to have lots of cut flowers for my vases and pitchers

 - smile -

I think these are foxglove - I just love their color

I'm not sure what these are, but they add some nice color to the garden

And then - these tenacious flowers are growing right through the rock wall next to our driveway

I think this is the first home I've lived in where I haven't had to start my own flower gardens.

I am feeling very lucky!

I'm joining Tuesday Garden Party at An Oregon Cottage

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june flowers

One of the drawbacks of going away on weekends is that feeling of always running behind on things to be done at home. I'm a little late this year planting my window boxes.

Last Sunday was one of those truly beautiful June days that we sometimes get here in New England. I enjoyed a weekend at home planting and puttering. I'm keeping my windowboxes low maintenance this year - impatiens, million bells and some spiky plants for height.

It will be a while before they fill in enough to enjoy. In the meantime, my perennials are enjoying our mild year.

My fringed bleeding hearts have been reliable bloomer every year

I transplanted the foxglove last fall and am so happy to see them bloom in their new location

These are Endless Summer hydrangeas. In the past they've been a more vibrant blue - but I think I'm liking this soft muted color.

And - for an added splash of color, I made a wreath for our front door.

Wishing you all a happy, colorful June!

I am sharing with

A Delightsome Life for Home and Garden Thursday

The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday

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shady gardens

After living in a series of new construction homes, eight years ago we moved into our current home - Circa 1930 (ish). I have always loved the character of older homes - or so I thought.This one has been a bit of a challenge learning experience. While Greg will speak of wiring that looks as though it was installed by Ben Franklin himself, one of my biggest dissapointments has been complete lack of flower gardens.

Huh?

How can a home survive 80 years without flowers?

I'm working to rectify this situation. My yard is VERY shady. See that massive tree trunk?

I am in awe of this majestic oak. Sometimes I just gaze up at it.

I call this garden my "Survival of the Fittest" garden. Plants need a strong will to survive all of the shade.

My Columbine are pretty happy this year.

And my Siberian Irises are starting to bloom.

There is a shady strip of land between our driveway and our next door neighbor's. When we first moved in, it was a weedy wasteland. One hot summer day as we weeded the area, I said to him - "just you wait and see, in a few years we won't need to do this anymore. It will be so lush!"

He laughed and kept on weeding.

We've spent the past few years dividing and sharing hostas, lily of the valley and irises.

It's getting there.

What are your gardening challenges?

I am joining

Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday

Jami at An Oregon Cottage for Tuesday Garden Party

Sherry at No Minimalist Here for Open House Party

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this morning in my garden

In my rush to leave for work this morning, a few spots of color caught my eye. The sun was shining so brightly, and I really did not want to go to work - besides I had a couple extra minutes...
This is what I found -

What is blooming in your garden right now?

I'm joining Little Red House for Mosaic Monday

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