Cooler and Greener

Reflection of a Water Lily 

Thank God this recent heat wave has abated! The days are so much more pleasant now.

Just before the heat wave really kicked in, I went to Tanner's Creek Garden Center in Norfolk (which supports the Eggleston Center's programs for the disabled).

Seeking some color and a bit of bright greenery, I checked out their offerings. What really caught my eyes, though, was a lovely lily pond they had installed. Of course, I usually have my camera at the ready, so I clicked away.

Hope you enjoy these photos!

Enjoy these lovely days, and if you get a chance, stop by Tanners Creek Garden Center and check out their lily pond!

Paradise at the Garden Center

 

My kids and hubby always tease me about my penchant for garden centers. To me, a well-curated garden center, with its wondrous variety of plants, pots, bird baths, statuary and other garden goodies represents a little slice of heaven on earth.

I'm famous in my family for coming back with way too many plants to handle comfortably, and my husband has all but banned me from purchasing more.

I did not let that stop me, however, when my friend Jenn invited me to join her on a trek to MacDonald's Garden Center in Virginia Beach. She has really gotten the gardening bug lately, so now I have a partner in crime.

Jenn at the Garden Center

 Jenn chose this gorgeous purple clematis for her new side garden.  

Cute little houses planted with herbs and other greenery make for fun mixed garden pots.

Managed to get some good shots of this honeybee without disturbing the little guy (and possibly getting stung!)

I love these sculpted trees.

Jenn checks the prices - too bad we can't just buy everything!!

I want this - so serene.  But I resist...

Jenn succumbs.  Okay, really, so do I, bringing home a lovely fatsia japonica and two pink honeysuckle plants. 

It's getting late, we have to go grocery shopping and make dinner, so we make our purchases and head home. Once there, we celebrate our new garden family members by toasting with a cool wine spritzer (soda water, a nice white wine, and a strawberry slice that later turns the drink a sweet shade of pink).

Cheers!

Growing Daw-bah-leez (Strawberries)

"More daw-bah-leeze, more daw-bah-leeze" my then barely-able-to-speak daughter used to plead. That pint-sized little creature could easily down a quart of strawberries in one sitting. Now, as a healthy, growing, 9-year old, she still wants her daw-bah-leeze.

Since our gal can out do a linebacker in any berry-eating contest, we decided to grow our own strawberries last spring. Sadly for us, though, those particular berries did not survive our visiting bunnies. This year, however, we set our cats on patrol, and so far we are seeing actual strawberries instead of only their tattered remains: baby green ones, white ones, and smallish ripe red ones, ready for smoothie-making.

(Never mind the bunnies, I've actually plucked the small green ones and used them in tiny flower arrangements. With their long, graceful stems, they look quite beautiful in a mix of greenery.)

I love the way the berries turn white before blushing to pink and then to red.

Okay, I cheated here -- these are actually store-bought strawberries -- what I hope mine will turn out to look like, eventually. (Mine seem to need a little Miracle Gro.)

But, I did actually make smoothies with the ripe berries we have gathered thus far, combining them with two ripe bananas, about 3/4 cup milk, and 6 ice cubes (3 per nana).  Made 3 large size servings. De-lish and healthy to boot!