Etsy Pick O The Week - MossTerrariums

This POW features a unique shop with delightful little terrariums! MossTerrariums has gorgeously lush little mini gardens in a jar already for your enjoyment. There are many different types of mosses that are included in the little plant habitats. Very unique and inspiring, indeed!




I also enjoy the many types of containers available. These lightbulbs are unique and interesting. I love these little fairy worlds in a jar!

Cosmos - Late Season Bloomers

I'm sure you avid gardeners out there have grown Cosmos before. They were my introduction to gardening back in my youth. They are the easiest flowers to grow from seed. In fact for those of you in a moister environment, they may be too easy to grow, and could possibly take over if allowed to. I don't have that problem here, so I enjoy them very much. Not only are they not picky, but they brighten up your late-season garden beautifully!


Most grow about 3 feet high, or so. This year I have one growing over 6 feet high! This one took it's time to bloom, and instead put it's energy into growing super tall. But now is blooming so lovely, and the height is amazing.


Another advantage of the Cosmos is that the bees love them! And with our much needed honey bees in dire straits, it's so helpful to them to have these vibrant, whimsical, easy-to-grow beauties in your garden.

Rain makes for a lovely day

Thursday night at about midnight we had a little unexpected downpour of rain. I had to run out into the gushing water and booming thunder to save a few things. I'd been clean sweeping my shed and had a few boxes left over to go through. It was worth the chaotic night to have a day of delightful smells of damp Earth. A wet summer thundershower was very needed here. It made for an enjoyable walk with Ziggy without being too hot.


Along the way, we saw these little cuties, only a week old. Are they the cutest, or what?! I'm in complete love, and to watch them play is such a joy! Someone hold me back from getting my very own baby goat!


Another joy this week was my first harvest of apricots. I've had this little tree for only 3 years, and it got it's first crop of apricots this year. I was surprised how many it grew for it's first year. This is only the first picking. Apricots truly mean summer to me, since my Grandma had an apricot tree when I was growing up. I did my share of eating apricots as a kid. How wonderful to now have my own! Now if I could only be as industrious as Grandma and make some jam.


Yes, the rain made everyone feel a little better around here. Doesn't the garden help my house to look cute?


Even the fish in the pond were a bit more happy from the rain!

Lychnis blooming on the Fourth of July

A sure sign of the Fourth of July, for me, is the blooming of the
Lychnis coronaria, also know as rose campion, mullein pink, or dusty miller. Lychnis is a Greek word for lamp, interesting that the leaves were once used as wicks for lamps.


These are very easy to grow, and they reseed themselves very well, yet their roots are not deep or invasive. This makes it easy to control them even if they've reseeded to their hearts' content. The color is so intense, and even while not blooming, the leaves are a wonderful shade of light bluish green. Some may confuse them with lamb's ear, but they're not quite as soft as the lamb's ear.

They seem to move around my yard, each year thriving in a different spot, all on their own.


A good companion plant that grows in the same way is Feverfew, as seen here. They make a very cheery combination.

Yes, the Fourth of July is always the peak in my garden, well at least the major peak. It's a beautiful time that needs to be enjoyed while it's here.

My Fourth was usual... parade in town, a little music at a local hangout, quiet day at home, trying to stay cool.

How was your Fourth spent? What's peaking in your garden? Do tell, I'd love to hear!

Inspire Me Thursday / Creative Core

I've got a project that I was able to combine into two different challenges.

First... I joined in on a brand new blog The Creative Core. On this blog you'll find a new assignment posted every Thursday, and you are to be done with the assignment by the following Wednesday. The first assignment was "Polished Blind Contour" using 3 items. This is my second attempt. First I blindly drew Cleo, then the bench, and finally the fir tree. Cleo is little too big, but I guess that's what happens when you can't see what you're drawing!

You can see my original pen drawings vaguely through the watercolor. And I think I do like the line movements of them more than when I was looking at my drawing. I enjoyed this very much. I noticed that it was hard for me to draw one item for too long. I was very fast, and loose, and became afraid that I had lost control of the drawing. So that's why the original drawings are pretty sparse.

The piece was done with a Micron pen, watercolors and watercolor pencils. It's in my 10.5 x 7.5 sketch book, entitled "Cleo Napping."

You still have time to join in on this assignment, if not this week, then maybe next!

Second... Inspire Me Thursday had a theme I felt I could participate in... "Find the Art in the Everyday. As you go through your day, look for the beauty. Find the extraordinary in the ordinary. Take a photo, draw a sketch, journal about it."

Caring for my garden, daily, is one of the beautiful things I see, on a daily basis. And of course my cats! So I thought of Cleo enjoying her nap on a little garden bench in my garden. Since I live in the forest, this picturesque fir tree was also added. It is possible to take the beauty of the mountains for granted when you are living your everyday-hustle-and-bustle-kind-of-life!

Summer's so wonderful when you actually have time to do the things really want to do!

Roses and Updates

It's been a very ordinary end-of-the-school year for me... that means incredibly busy days, and not much home time... which also makes me a bit cranky! I see it's been over a week since I last posted so I had to at least share some stunning roses!


This is a Zephirine Drouhin rose. I've had this rose bush for 15 years. It moved with me once, and it always blooms on the anniversary date of my step dad's passing. It's an old fashioned rose with a lovely scent. And an interesting trait is that it has no thorns!

My garden is being infested by moles or gophers. I use to have cats that would keep these rodents under control. But I guess the cats I've got now are too lazy or slow for these guys. I worry about this rose. So now I'm going to try planting some gopher purge around it, and hope that works.


Yesterday (June 7) was Drawing Day '08. I did do some drawing today, but I've got to finish it. I hope to post a finished, late drawing for the world wide event.

Oh and look for info on my first blog giveaway soon (monday or tuesday). This will be in honor of the first day of summer vacation, and how happy that makes me!

I've got a lot of promises to live up to, and I will do it!

Wacky Weather in May

It hasn't rained or snowed in months here, so what happens? It decides to rain nearly consistently for 3 days, Memorial Day Weekend! Not only rain, but a little snow at my house in the higher elevations. Also near by, at the bottom of the mountain, I hear there were some tornadoes! Very wacky for California!! I just feel sorry for the businesses up here since Saturday was a complete wash out. Memorial Day Weekend is usually one of the biggies for our local economy, with tourism and yard sales. Luckily today (Sunday) the sun came out, so there's still a little time for money making.


My poor little pitiful flowers are so sad drooping in the snow. It looks like most have made it through. I just hope my nice crop of apricots also survive. Yes it was unexpectedly cold, but we really did need the rain, and this big soaking sure has helped with our drought, and fire season! It felt good!

Spring Break Begins!

Just a quick little post to announce the beginning of Spring Break! Seems a little late, but I'll take it! It was a busy week with school work this week, and we're ready, especially Wesley!

This is one of the so special first signs of spring, a Flowering Plum. I have one in my yard, but this one at the school is exceptional. I could smell it as I took it's photo, and it's was wonderful to smell some flowers again. The pink blossoms are very short lived, and usually get snowed on around here, so I was lucky to get this shot.

NibbleFest - Secret Garden

Here's my late entry for NibbleFest - Secret Garden. I procrastinated, then got delayed with little things all night. And missed the time slot by an hour and a half. Oh well, it won't be an official entry, but I still wanted to list it. It's fun to be a part of the NibbleFest contest, even if you can't officially "win" the prize.

So this is a view of the secret life that my flowers lead. They regularly have a little garden party, and a lucky few are invited.

I'm so happy that they'll be awakening from their winter hibernation, SOON!

This an original watercolor and pen and ink, ACEO (2.5x3.5 inches)

-SOLD-

Glorious Spring has Sprung!

On my first day of Spring, I had to drive off the hill, yet again. As I was driving I was thinking about what to post for my First Day of Spring blog entry. (I seem to do my deepest thinking while driving) I wanted to show some kind of Spring that was in my own yard. And as I thought of that, I realized we're really not quite in the season of Spring at my house quite yet.

So how lucky was I, when minutes later I see these delightful daffodils (on sale even) at my local Henry's Market! They surely added some cheerful, happiness to my kitchen, making me itch for the time ahead in the garden.


When I got home I thought I'd do a little closer inspection of my own garden for the signs of Spring. What did I find? My apricot tree just beginning to bloom.


And just a couple little violets starting their display. I also found a few small sprites out enjoying the Spring sunshine.

Did you all savor your first day of Spring? Any flowers to enjoy? I surely hope so!

In the OC

We went on our first mini-trip of the summer... down to the OC. I got a new camera and I'm so jazzed! I've had my oldie for 7 years, and it's such a dino. It worked good for me when no other would work with my old computer, but I was so ready for this smaller, faster, and higher quality camera. I had a fabulous time trying it out!!!

First we spent the day with my mom, sis and nephews, including the 18 month old twins. Makes for an entertaining, yet extra sandy day. Such cutie-pies!!


After that we went to eat at one of my favorite places to eat, The Gypsy Den. We usually go to the one in Santa Ana, in the Artist Village. A good day to go is on the first Saturday, monthly, for the Santa Ana Art Walk.


Before I left my mom's I had to get some pix of her garden. Here we have The Tiki Room, created by Grandma and boys.


My mom really knows how to create a delightful garden. This is one of her ponds.


She's lucky to have such beautiful water lilies blooming. And I'm lucky to have a new camera to take such lovely shots!!

Just a little Purple

My garden is becoming so very lovely that I just had to share a little bit of purple!

Every year I get some lobelia and other colorful annuals to plant in my window boxes assorted pots. I was happy to also get some violas again. I just love those little flowers, and they really do self seed themselves and spread slightly around your garden.

But what fabulous shades of purples and blues these posies add to my yard, and my blog!

Bees and Manzanita Blossoms

A Manzanita becomes a little habitat when it blooms in May. Just walk by one in bloom and you can hear the friendly humming of many a flying creature. Hummingbirds and bees of every variety enjoy it's luscious nectar. They are subtly beautiful, only when you look real close can you truly enjoy the lovliness of the blooms. It's a very short lived joy and is the true beginning of the warm season here.

I've heard a lot lately about how the bees are dying. What a scarey thought. But I'm happy to see we still have lots here on the mountain! I had to get a pix of one of the busy bees. Have you ever tried to photograph one? It's not real easy. I was lucky to get this shot. I've also realized the bees don't mind when I'm going about my own business - gardening, sitting, or even just watching them at work. But when I went to the tops of the bush and tried to get some pictures, well they started to get angry and a couple swarmed me. I had to run to the house for a break! So you can see just how lucky I was to get this photo... and with NO bee stings!

A Day at the Herb Extravaganza!

This weekend I went down to OC for the "Herb Extravaganza" at the Fullerton Arboretum. The grounds there are so beautiful, lots of blooming flowers and so many rare varieties! I use to go to the Herb Fair or The Green Scene almost every year, but I hadn't made it there in about 5 years. It was free this year, but much smaller than it use to be. Still a lot of different plants for sale, just no other vendors selling plants and arts and crafts. I also missed the Lavender Lemonade which I was so looking forward to.


The pond was as lovely as ever, with lots of turtles basking in the sun.


And the little baby ducks were there too! I just love ducks so much!!


A special moment was seeing this dazzling bird. I kept seeing 2 of these beauties across the pond. I even took some pix of them, but they were far away. So I was giving up and had run out of room on my camera. Then suddenly the pair flew over to me, and landed on the grass 2-3 feet away! They did a little chirp and dance with their feathers fluffed. I quickly made room on my camera, and miraculously got this beautiful shot of the one. I think they are Red Winged Blackbirds. I don't think I've ever seen them before in OC. Only at the beautiful Arboretum with it's natural, gorgeous setting!


I have a weakness. I love to buy plants, especially herbs!

Etsy Pick-O-The-Week - Stoneriverstudios

This week's POW is Stoneriverstudios. There is a lot of variety to be found in this shop. You'll find Limited Edition prints, fiber arts such as hats, scarves and java jackets, and hard and soft sculpture. The things that got me to her shop, and I bought, were the beautiful plant starts! Plants are more of a rare thing to find on Etsy. And I envy the people that are able to do it. That's one of my dreams to make money off of the land, from my own garden. I actually did a little bit of it years ago when I had a shop.

I bought 2 plants starts - Flowering Fringe Cups for a shady spot in my garden, and English Alba Climbing Rose. This rose has a great story...

"These are cuttings taken from my 35' ft tall mother plant! (WOW!) The Mother plant was made its way to our property by the father of the woman we purchased our home from. She was originally from London and moved here in 1973. Her father came to visit soon after, bringing with him 4 varieties of old english roses for the garden to remind her of "home." -Stoneriverstudios.

She goes on to say... "The 35' ft Mother plant outgrew all of its arbors over the years, and was lucky enough to be befriended by an Ash tree, which doesnt mind supporting all its flowering canes. All summer long people stop to take pictures of our "Rose Tree"!"

It must be a beautiful sight to see!

What sold me the most on this seller was her excellent customer service! Only a couple of days after my purchase, I got a note explaining that the package was returned to her damaged. She then sent me a new package that I received in record time. And because I had to "wait" she included an extra plant and some mixed varieties of squash seeds. Very sweet and yet unnecessary because I still got the plants sooner than I've gotten a lot of packgages that I've bought! So check it out and maybe you'll find some little gems for your garden!

Sorry that my Pick-O-The-Week was not on Wednesday as it's suppose to be. Because of testing I couldn't help in the class yesterday. So instead I did some shopping off the hill. Then we had a baseball game that I co-coach. There was little time left for much else. I went to bed and right then realized I had totally skipped over my POW entry! Luckily I already knew who to write about, and instead of a late night Wednesday, you have a some-what early entry for Thursday.

The Tulips are blooming

I drive by these tulips on a daily basis, year after year. It's always such a lovely sight to see. Today we took a walk past them with camera in hand. I brought my camera especially for this shot. A beautiful combo for your spring garden is a patch of these yellow tulips and a neighboring group of muscari (Grape Hyacinth). You could also plant some daffodils with the purple flowers and would look just as nice. Tulips are one of those flowers that don't do that great for me. The main reason being that the moles and gophers love tulips. I literally saw one drop down into the earth like it was a cartoon! But I don't give up on any plant. I'll keep on trying (and sadly killing) a plant until I get it right! So every year I see this pairing of flowers and say to myself, "I must plant a container of these 2 flowers." Well, again another year, and I haven't done it. So I guess until next year I'll just have to enjoy my neighbors beauties while they last.

Spring Snow

We had a much needed snow yesterday. Making today one of those warm, drippy mid-spring thaw outs. My pictures can't caputure the scent of the wet forest, or the millions of drips of melting snow falling from the trees. I also couldn't capture the sight of the warm ground steaming in the sunshine. You can see my spring buds unharmed by the snowfall.

This bloom is from a Vinca Minor - (Periwinkle. Myrtle, Creeping Mrytle, Vinca) A very easy to grow ground cover that blooms purple flowers in the spring. They are pretty drought tolerant and can cover a hillside if left to go. They do well in a pretty shaded spot. I have fond memories of these plants growing profusely in the Canyons of Orange County. My only complaint about them is they can be hard to clean of pine needles. You have to pick them out almost one at a time.

Illustration Friday - Snap

The IF theme this week is "snap". So here you have a bunch of "snap dragons."

The brightly colored flowers are so named because of the way you can snap the flower heads and make the little dragons open and close their mouths. I've never actually done this to one of these flowers, even as a kid, but I guess many kids enjoy doing this. I remember these flowers growing in my mom's garden when I was young. I've always loved their bold splash of color, but I personally have never really had good luck with them. I've tried growing them from seed before and they took 2 years to finally bloom. The ones I planted from the nursery never seemed to live long. I think they needed more organic matter in the soil. Something that mountain dirt lacks sometimes - too much decomposed granite. I'm sure I'll try again some day, and I'll be sure to add something to the soil. Then I may get to see these little dragons snap!

Here it is on ebay.

It's an ACEO (2.5x3.5 inches), watercolor and pen and ink.

Bloomin Daffodils

Look at how cheerful this guy (or gal) is! I've got a few daffodils here and there in my yard. If any flower has a true personality, it's the daffodil. They are one of the plants that can survive the many moles and gophers I've got. They don't eat daffodils! I don't know if my bulbs are lacking nutrients, but only a small percentage bloom each year.
I'm starting the annual chore of cleaning out the garden of it's fallen pine needles and cones, acorns, branches, and dead growth. It takes me a long time because I do a pretty small amount at a time. It is still a little early, so I can take my time.



This is a more rare variety of daffodil. I missed it's prime. I think it got snowed on last Tuesday.

Back Home

I'm back home after a few days down at my mom's house. Then a day at my sister's. I'm not ready to post any art today, but I had to get something on to this blog. It had been too long. So I had to show a nice picture from my mom's garden this past weekend. A wonderful thing about Orange County, California is you can have a great garden year round. My mom's garden is a little bit of wilderness in the middle of suburbia. A little bit of paradise amongst the concrete jungle. My camera was malfunctioning so this was the only shot taken while down in OC. I couldn't get any pictures of my twin 16 month old nephews. I spent 24 hours with those little guys and what a joy that was. A busy, exhausting JOY!

I grew up mainly in Orange County until I was 21. Then I moved out to the mountains. I don't think I could ever live there again, but I do enjoy the lush, jungle-like gardens that grow there.