Gravensteins

Not in our yard-- but just up the street. Our area is quite noted for its Gravenstein apples (where orchards have not given way to vineyards). But are they usually ripening so soon? Probably so.

Garden / Sculpture Inspiration

A couple of weeks ago, knowing that I love sculpture, gardens, and especially sculpture IN gardens, my friend Pati took me to visit David Turner's garden and studio. David is both a sculptor and a landscaper, and his garden is full of beautiful and interesting plants and objects to be discovered. (click on any image to enlarge)








In his landscape designs, David favors low-water-need plants perfect for our (Nor. Cal.) environment, and though he doesn't have a website, if you e-mail me, I'm sure I can put you in touch with him!

Happy Birthday Jan !!!

A full week late, but none the less heartfelt!
(Jan is my mom, FYI)
At left seen with my Grandpa Del, (her dad) as a tot, and then with brother Brock, when in her early 20's.
My stepdad, Larry, has taken on the heroic task of assembling a photographic geneology chart as a keepsake book for my Grandmother's upcoming 90th birthday celebration, so I have been enjoying re-visiting some of these images as I try to improve them in photoshop...

artichoke!

I posted this picture last week, and somehow neglected to even identify it, and then went out of town. In any case, it's an artichoke that we let go to flower, to see what it would do... I love the contrasts, and the purple part is quite pet-able.
Below, photos from farther back and further along.

hollyhock season!

Good Morning! photos

Sorry, haven't been too bloggy lately! Just busy, painting and so on...
But the garden is in it's summery glory... seems sometimes it goes into a heat-induced sulk, and there *are* some dry & straggly moments here & there, but plenty of blooming.
In early spring, I feel much more bothered by inadvertant color clashes in the garden-- but by this time, it's like 'oh, what the hell. The more the merrier'.

Three roses for today

About Face;

Teasing Georgia;

Angel Face

Happy Birthday Karen!

(and that means Happy Fourth of July to the rest of you!)
click on image to see the bee.

Sunflower & hollyhock, both volunteers;

lilies thanks to some enormous bulbs given to me by neighbor China. (soooo fragrant!)