It's been busier than life as this bee the past couple of weeks. Figuring I have had only a couple of days off in the past four months, I decided it was time to take a little partly-me time. So with Lowell and the rest of the family guarding the family homestead from invasion by giant hogweed, I headed out this morning to visit a number of sites before ending at my good friend's place in Sandford, outside of Yarmouth.
Along the way, I called in on several friends gardens, garden centres. Photos were taken. Plants were dug up. Plants were purchased (for the friend I was going to visit, mostly. Honest.) Among the ports of call a garden in Greenwood that has a truly impressive collection of graceful grasses, from tiny baby grasses only a couple of inches tall to giant miscanthus. I want this grass, the Arundo donax (forget its cultivar. )Not invasive here, though I read that it gets rambunctious in other gardens.
At a friend of a friend's garden, we were dazzled by his selections of grasses, including the giant Miscanthus giganteus. Here it is attempted to eat him. We nicknamed it 'Audrey Too.'
Around lunchtime, I stopped in Annapolis Royal and after checking out my favourite store, 'Charade,' I went down to the farmer's market where I discovered a woman doing a wonderful art using painted paper tole reproductions of monarch butterflies. I was so totally delighted with them, I bought one for a gift and may have to go back and get a second one for me. This woman's brochure includes a little story about why she started creating jewelry and sculpted works of art using monarchs as her inspiration. It was a nice story.
Short post because I'm way tired, and tomorrow is another busy day. Opps. Make that, today is another busy day. You just never know where we might turn up, but I can guarantee there will be plants involved. And for those of you who are interested, I saw purple hydrangeas tonight. We'll see some tomorrow, for sure.
I see you bee havin' yourself a good time, jodi! (Stunning bee photo)
ReplyDeleteWow, that butterfly looks so real. Amazing talent.
ReplyDeletehi Jodi,
ReplyDeleteWow, you've been busy! The painted Monarchs were wonderful. I think you deserve one!
Cindee
Jodi
ReplyDeleteI clicked on that little Monarch butterfly photo and the detail is amazing when you see it full screen - such an unusual gift and every so beautiful. I don't blame you wanting one for yourself! :) Rosie
Dear Jodi, I am so very pleased to read that you have afforded yourself a day off which, very clearly, proved to be most enjoyable. I imagine, and you are often in my thoughts, that the book is now reaching a critical stage. I do trust that all is well.
ReplyDeleteA day off? That's a rare luxury indeed. If I had a day off, I'd spend it working to try and catch up with myself!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your brief time off. Stop to smell the flowers but make sure you check them out first. Hate to see you get your nose bit.
ReplyDeleteI've been seeing a lot of news coverage over the hogweed invasion lately. (except for PBS, the only broadcast stations I get are Canadian) From watching it appears it suddenly popped up everywhere and is a risk to health and safety rivaling the terrorists' threat.
Sounds like a good day out to me. I have a picture of myself beside a grass such as that that was on a garden tour I took recently. I would publish it but I was standing under it and I was not happy with moi.
ReplyDeleteJody, I 'm really enjoying your blog. I'm a community gardener in downtown Halifax and just yesterday I added a bumblebee upon echinacea photo. I love coincidences!
ReplyDeletehttp://languidlovely.blogspot.com/
Now that is one big grass. I'm amazed he could stand to be "in" it like that since miscanthus has such razor-sharp leaves. But I love a good miscanthus as much as anyone. I'm experimenting with 'Variegatus' in my own garden.
ReplyDeleteA bee-dazzling photo of a lovely bee! The monarch reproduction is lovely, but I think I'd be afraid of that Miscanthus...it's huge!
ReplyDeleteI love your first photo Jodi! It is great you are getting to take some personal time. Have a great trip! I look forward to catching up on your blog. ;>)
ReplyDeleteGreat post Jodi - that sounds like my kind of day, and we all need one of those once in a while. That Monarch looks real, in fact I thought it was real when I first saw the photo, until I read the text!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a great time out. That huge grass looks like it is about to gobble up your friend. The monarch sculpture is pretty too.
ReplyDeleteThese scenes look familiar!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful butterfly. You should go buy one for yourself, a present for all your hard work. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI would be afraid to plant that man-eating grass! I am glad you had a fun day visiting gardens and friends. The butterfly art is amazing.
ReplyDelete