Never A Dull Moment...

Where have I been these last two weeks?  Let's see...Let me think a moment...Traveling from one end of Pennsylvania to the other end of Virginia, it seems, with no rest for the weary in sight. It is now well into June and my head is spinning from cutting lavender to participating in various garden shows and even getting the porch wicker furniture painted and looking nice and new for the summer season.  Even the simplest of daily chores in the garden would not be ignored for a few hours to sit down and tap out a blog entry. The watering and weeding is an ongoing must on my own "honey-do" list...Currently, my daily mantra is "Cyndie, honey, just get out there a do it!  Let's not lolly-gag!"

But, I'm not complaining.  In spite of the hot, sticky weather, gnats galore and continual heavy lifting, life could be way worse.  The roses are in bloom, the lettuce has not yet decided to bolt and still supplying us with plenty of luscious greens adorning the dinner table each summer evening as we dine alfresco on our newly spiffed-up porch and the sweet, sweet lavender now bursting every day is always an excuse to have friends visit and partake in the beautiful garden views.  And, who can resist these plump, green and fragrant rose hips (pictured here) freshly picked from the Apothecary Rose Bushes in the back border?!  Surely, not me! 

I've seen honey bees every day, although not as many as I'd like, but they are still scurrying from blossom to blossom in pursuit of essential nectar for their hives.  I never seem to have the camera handy when they buzz by me and land on the bloom I'm about to cut.  However, this butterfly was kind enough to stick around long enough for me to run and fetch the camera and then paused to pose from his task at hand.  However, note to self--make it one of my missions, this coming week, to have it on hand and ask a bee to stop and say "cheese"  for the camera.  That being said, let me take you through my last two weeks.  Looking back, it doesn't seem so frenetic as it was while living through it.  However, I assure you, it was... 

First, I visited the Campania, Int'l  Factory and Distribution Center, up in Pennsylvania, to pick up a few small garden statuary items for the upcoming fairs I will be in.  Apparently, not that many vendors ask the Campania employees to let them take their picture.  These two gentlemen were only too happy to do so when I asked them to strike a pose.  Such friendly people...I'll be stopping by more often in the future because I can't seem to keep this stuff in stock and they seem to really like me there!

Next stop was the 51st Annual Hunt Country Stable Tour in Upperville, Virginia where I spent most of Memorial Day Weekend selling Peter's paintings, wreaths, plants, pillows, crafts and garden statuary to eager and interested gardeners and horse people alike.  This fair takes place on the grounds of the historic landmark Trinity Episcopal Church built from native Virginia sandstone and crowned with a freshly gilded golden rooster who proudly glistened in the sunlight.  I must say that even as a committed Presbyterian, this lovely church will make anyone consider becoming Episcopalian based solely on the beauty of this structure.  Alas, I contained myself but, I also promised myself that I will be back to enjoy the hospitality and fellowship of this friendly and generous congregation from time to time.

I thought I might show a few of the items that seem to be popular choices from Blooming Hill's assortment  for people's gardens for this summer season.  Here's an up close and personal view at some of my favorites...

In between the "hub-bub" of traveling these past two weeks, the lavender decided it was time to come out and play, displaying their splendorous buds in every shade of purple, blue, lavender, pink and white that you can think of--from the deepest tones to the softest hues.  I love these family bonding times even though, in three weeks time, my name will be posted as public enemy number one around here.  You'd be surprised how not fun harvesting can get when you are only on your umpteenth bush with countless more to go and the gnats are whirring around your face at break-neck speed, taunting you.  But, for now, I'll enjoy these smiling, happy faces shining down on me from Peter and Kevin and even Tucker who thinks he is in charge anyway.  Oh well, I'll humor them all and "grin and bear it" right through to the end of harvest time because, in the end, the satisfaction and benefits we receive from growing this mystical plant far outweighs the work.  Take a look at the beautiful knot garden (pictured below) Peter designed and planted last year with "Baby Blue" Lavandula Angustifolia along with English Boxwood and Rosemary.  It was almost a shame to cut the lavender in this bed because it was so pretty all dressed up in it's best purple-blue finery.  Yet, the blooms and greenery from these heirloom plants are forever etched in our minds and "Baby Blue's" everlasting blue is ours and yours to enjoy.

 

And then, finally, because we haven't had time to stop and actually smell the roses, so to speak, I thought I might add a few scenes from the gardens to help you breathe easily, smile and savor the summer season in all of it's early glory before the dog days of summer begin to set in.  Even in these crazy days where there doesn't seem to be enough time to water, re-pot, transplant or prune one thing, much less stroll through the garden in the early morning with a cup of coffee in hand, it does remind me that this is done, all for the love of flowers...

 

June promises to be yet another busy month for me.  Next on my whistle-stop tour of garden fairs is The Virginia Herb Festival at Sunflower Cottage in Middletown, Virginia, June 11-13.  If you are interested in more information about this popular garden event, go to www.sunflowercottage.net.   The weathermen are calling for sunny and very warm conditions there and the Farmers' Almanac concurs.  How else could it be in this "fair" state we call Virginia and home at this time of the year when June is bursting out all over? Until then, I'll be picking lavender, gathering rose hips, cutting lettuce and even smelling the flowers in between fairs.  If you are in the neighborhood, stop by, chances are you will find someone at home, busy in a lavender patch, to say the least.