tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25454781598143612422012-01-25T10:43:20.791-05:00Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.comBlogger2561100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-22264397687667570352010-12-04T21:40:00.004-05:002010-12-04T21:44:41.332-05:00

My blog has MOVED! Click on link ---> HEDGEROW ROSESee you there! ...

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-57898104402465489142010-12-02T12:42:00.005-05:002010-12-02T13:00:11.015-05:00

Lookee what I just got for my birthday! I have been walking around all morning in this adorable hat, hand knitted just for me by Jessica of WaysideViolet. I'm so happy! Jessica is one of those people whom I am lucky enough to have gotten to know because of Etsy, and although we've never actually met in person, I consider her to be a cherished friend. Thank you Jessica! And thank you to everyone

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-61128157987609996952010-12-01T12:54:00.006-05:002010-12-01T17:06:55.696-05:00

Jesse and I had a bet as to when we would receive our first snowfall, and I lost by about 12 hours. I grew up in Southern California, so I think snow will always be a novelty to me. Pretty, isn't it?...

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-59223051074078337802010-11-29T15:50:00.011-05:002010-12-02T20:26:05.064-05:00

November is one of those months that tries my patience. Some days it's a struggle to maintain a sunny disposition while combatting the short days, the absence of color, and the inevitable pressure that the holidays bring. I'm finding joy in the little things: decorating for Christmas, buying red lipstick, shopping for colorful gemstones, taking the dog for walks, afternoon tea, and watching the

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-57194557961934312892010-11-23T21:29:00.008-05:002010-11-23T21:42:38.465-05:00

Etsy has partnered with HGTV recently to provide a Handmade Gift Guide for the holidays,and I Just found out this evening that my necklace was featured! I'm not sure how long it will be up, so if you click on the link it may or may not still be there? (My mom found it on page 25.) But anyways, I'm grateful to be included....what a thrill! Estate Necklace, Black Diamond in Silver, Featured in

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-57691134826770661152010-11-20T10:57:00.009-05:002010-11-20T11:56:31.441-05:00

Here in our neck of the woods, all of our lovely crimson and gold autumn leaves are now a memory as a recent wind storm plucked every last one from their branches and scattered them across the state. As autumn transitions into winter our days are so short they can hardly be called a day at all. Even at midday, the sun's rays are muted, like a measly 40 watt bulb. Sometimes it's hard to see the

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-46154340009829122292010-11-18T11:27:00.007-05:002010-11-19T12:06:58.601-05:00

In about 12 hours, my husband, my daughter and I will be standing in line waiting to get into the theatre to see the 2nd to last Harry Potter movie. (We have been storing our tickets in the fire proof safe, because you never know.) I am so excited I can hardly stand it! My daughter and I have been going to the midnight showings since the first movie came out, and recently I've been dragging my

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-77749786051562406482010-11-14T06:43:00.003-05:002010-11-14T06:48:01.588-05:00

One nice thing about not being able to sleep is you see some awfully pretty sunrises....

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-35601544325816673362010-11-13T10:08:00.004-05:002010-11-13T10:20:21.945-05:00

I have pretty much zip experience painting clouds, and even less with painting with oils, but I've had this idea in my head for a while now that I wanted to take one of my old canvases and paint a summer sky for our bedroom. You know, pale blue sky and white fluffy clouds...so when I open my eyes in the winter, even if it's grey and freezing rain outside, it will feel like a June afternoon

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-16538078615469766322010-11-12T08:52:00.008-05:002010-11-12T09:12:13.960-05:00

I'm going to let you in on a little secret about me: I have a fantasy of someday living in a gingerbread house. OK, obviously not a real gingerbread house (although--yum), but one that looks straight out of an Alpine village. Whenever I talk to my husband about this little dream of mine, his eyes glaze over the same way they do when I go on and on about roses or how many little birds came to the

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-91755406545463164362010-11-08T10:26:00.020-05:002010-11-08T20:16:27.540-05:00

I think when it comes to wallpaper, there are two camps: you either love it or you hate it. I fall in the former category, but with a small caveat, I love it so much that I also hate it--when it's a horrible design. It's those terrible, uninspired, drab, and lots of other not nice words, patterns that ruin it for the rest of the wallpapers, because there are so many of them that are just flat out

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-62400413135943566392010-11-06T21:00:00.006-04:002010-11-06T21:19:11.223-04:00

With all this talk lately of blooming flowers and now seed starting, you would think we are heading into spring, not winter. Alas, we had a hard frost earlier this week, and all of my annuals are now flopped over and blackened from the cold. There is a thick carpet of leaves on the ground, and a layer of ice on the birdbath (time to get the heated one out).Nonetheless, I am already planning next

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-62812653877319740122010-10-28T10:21:00.013-04:002010-10-28T10:48:41.053-04:00

I've been posting pictures all summer of flowers that were blooming in our garden, but I never thought I would be adding more as we head into November (which incidentally, is my 2nd least favorite month and also happens to be my birthday month. Blah). But anyways, I was outside this morning re-filling the birdbath for the robins who have been visiting our garden this week. They are traveling in

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-87781888379932454482010-10-23T12:27:00.009-04:002010-10-25T09:53:53.099-04:00

I'm a bit sad as I write this post, as this will be the last time I share any roses from my garden for at least another 6 months as we head into the dark days of winter. *sniff*I know I'm not supposed to cut any flowers off in fall (to encourage the plant to go dormant), but I heard a rumor we were going to get snow flurries soon, and I just couldn't imagine my beautiful roses left outside to

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-86239680003505774302010-10-22T16:38:00.012-04:002010-10-23T10:30:53.231-04:00

I had the best idea for wedding reception escort cards/table numbers using felt and vintage china cups and sugar dishes (of which I have a plethora). The only problem is, I already had my wedding. That didn't stop me, though, from wanting to create this adorable pin cushion, as I have always wanted to learn some very basic felting techniques and this seemed like the perfect excuse. I found this

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-80749551773742298862010-10-21T16:19:00.007-04:002010-10-21T17:08:08.361-04:00

I have a love for mercury glass, but my goodness the real thing is expensive! Fortunately, it's relatively easy to find faux mercury glass; I found these votive holders for $1.99 at Michaels in their Christmas aisle. Since I happened to have a whole bag of soy wax lying around, I thought it would be lovely make these into candles for the mantle. Sure, you can just add tea-lights, but where's the

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-87152987560930475382010-10-18T12:21:00.003-04:002010-10-18T12:31:39.140-04:00

As Halloween approaches, I've been asking my daughter if she is dressing up this year. I'm happily surprised that she wants to wear a costume (mouse) as the past few years she hasn't felt like doing much of anything except hand out candy--I think she thought she was "too old" to participate, but my thought is, you're never too old! I love dressing up, even if it's just taking down my Professor

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-59687359387919360302010-10-11T11:07:00.004-04:002010-10-11T11:22:00.527-04:00

It was "Fall Cleanup" in our neighborhood this weekend, and the sidewalks were filling up with assorted odds and ends as everyone cleaned out their garages, basements, and sheds. Most "junk" didn't stay out there for long as there were dozens of people in cars and trucks zipping in and out of the neighborhoods collecting what was left out; it was a bit unsettling, like sharks patrolling the

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-15167249391663331152010-10-10T14:24:00.008-04:002010-10-10T14:54:43.106-04:00

I have another Halloween craft idea for you--constructing a witch broom, or besom. (I'd love to take credit for this one, but I saw it somewhere else first--honestly can't remember where.) Traditionally, besoms are used to sweep away negative energy, and they are also used in handfasting ceremonies. We keep a broom on the outside entrances to our homes, as it is supposed to offer protection. Did

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-10645352138796897922010-10-07T14:09:00.009-04:002010-10-07T14:55:03.913-04:00

I love October; it's probably my favorite month. (When I think of autumn, I imagine the mountains are a patchwork of reds, golds, dusky violets, and greens; taking walks at dusk and I don't mind that my hands and nose are cold because the air smells sweet of woodsmoke and I can hear crows chattering in the trees. Late at night, I stand on my front porch and watch the moon, bright like a white

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-58146911593390438222010-10-06T08:27:00.003-04:002010-10-06T08:29:59.626-04:00

Is it just us, or does anyone else have to fight for a tiny sliver of mattress space at night? (I wouldn't have it any other way.)...

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-81843094655866718722010-09-27T08:06:00.011-04:002010-09-27T12:09:57.980-04:00

We woke up this morning to the sound of rain hitting the windows, and it was glorious. I'm so grateful for it, as are the trees, lakes, and streams, I'm sure. I made myself cozy by turning on my fake fireplace, making some tea, and putting on my favorite album by The Sundays while I worked. My husband is also home today--sick with bronchitis it would seem--and though I am sad for him, I am happy

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-16035152897244759702010-09-26T09:39:00.013-04:002010-09-26T10:06:40.496-04:00

We've lived in State College for a little over a year now, and have yet to find this elusive local winery that we keep seeing signs for. Several times Jesse and I have searched for it, following the little blue signs that show a cluster of grapes and a tiny arrow, and each time, our search was fruitless. (Haha, couldn't resist). Yesterday was one of those days that didn't feel like a weekend at

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-84850267621752127422010-09-25T13:17:00.009-04:002010-09-25T22:23:57.823-04:00

Poor Madame Hardy. She was the subject of yet another one of my failed attempts to cheat the Laws of Proper Plant Placement, by installing her in a shady, overgrown, poorly amended, poorly drained garden plot; and she paid the price for my folly with stunted growth and fungal disease. Here she is, finally uprooted from her sad situation and placed in intensive care for recovery...Here is her

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-84466892399422818542010-09-24T17:20:00.019-04:002010-09-25T09:58:10.844-04:00

I was recently tagged by another blogger, the lovely Mary Grace of Mary Grace Jewelry, to share what I have in my jewelry box as she did on her post, which you can read HERE.Apart from my wedding band, I honestly don't wear very much jewelry day-to-day. However, I do have a VAST pile of costume and a tiny nest egg of fine jewelry, because I just can't help myself; I am a magpie, after all. I'm

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-6164570306752979802010-09-23T16:16:00.007-04:002010-09-23T16:52:27.512-04:00

It doesn't look like it's in the cards for us to purchase spring bulbs for planting this fall, so I am trying to make the most of what is already in place. What we do have is an abundance of grape hyacinths, or muscari, to some. These lovely purplish-blue flowering bulbs naturalize like crazy, via seeds and dividing bulbs; which is great if you just want to fill a space fast. Sun or shade, they

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-58305724608040929312010-09-20T12:05:00.006-04:002010-09-20T12:17:47.603-04:00

Pardon me while I wax rhapsodic about one of my favorite perennials: Sedum, "Autumn Joy." Sometimes referred to as "stonecrop," this plant has succulent-like leaves on an upright stalk and flower heads reminiscent of broccoli florets which are green most of the summer; a refreshing counterpoint to the colorful early summer perennials and annuals. In my garden, Autumn Joy waits patiently while the

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-21990337819144994272010-09-18T12:05:00.005-04:002010-09-18T12:18:52.118-04:00

My customers tend to fall under the category of brides and those attending special events. What I don't think anyone realizes is that my Estate Collection Jewelry line was initially intended for those who work from home. The following pictures demonstrate how my jewelry is not just for fancy ladies and blushing brides. Your own home can be your own red carpet!Morning coffee, bed head, old flannel

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-64848993956254845412010-09-17T13:20:00.007-04:002010-09-17T14:14:54.559-04:00

It's quite shocking to think I have been fussing with flowers for so many years now and have yet, until now, performed a soil test. This season, my husband is taking a Soils class, and needed to perform some tests for a paper he was writing. Lucky me because I got to learn something, too!If you garden, do as I say and not as I do, and collect a sample to see what your soil conditions are. The

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-84890799944098128442010-09-15T13:45:00.003-04:002010-09-15T13:50:12.336-04:00

Things I love:1. Getting my to-do list done early enough to relax with a good book.2. Sloppy spaniel kisses.3. Finally having long enough hair to wear a respectable pigtail.

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-9028028019481154812010-09-14T21:47:00.005-04:002010-09-14T21:57:35.873-04:00

The sweet autumn clematis defied all odds and burst into bloom this week. What a wonderful surprise! I wanted to photograph the handful of flowers it gave us this season, as I'm hoping next year, after a full year of growth, it will be quite transformed.Have you noticed how incredibly lovely this time of year is? Here in central PA the sky is a china blue and, at the end of the day, the setting

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-33175671120250029792010-09-13T15:21:00.007-04:002010-09-18T13:28:26.666-04:00

Some of you may know that my husband recently returned to Penn State to finish his degree. He's what they call an Adult Learner, which for some reason, that title just makes me chuckle. I'm enormously proud of him, because he has not only found a way to take classes and work full time, but he is managing to do so darn well in his studies; taking subjects that would make my head spin. He's such a

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-62749693780757709452010-09-12T13:48:00.004-04:002010-09-12T13:51:31.363-04:00

Click on the picture to take you to the answer!.

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-20166838399605744312010-09-10T14:01:00.004-04:002010-09-10T15:02:15.249-04:00

I've been such a grump lately. This week especially--can't seem to focus my thoughts, and things that shouldn't bother me as much as they do, do. (Yes, I said do-do). I was just organizing my photos, and stumbled upon this video I took while my husband and I were on our honeymoon in Maine. At the time, I remember saying to him, "I just want video of the ocean so when we're home and I'm having a

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-5033863260127490402010-09-09T09:45:00.005-04:002010-09-09T09:50:31.456-04:00

The past few weeks I have been buying lots of supplies and building up inventory for what I hope will be a busy shopping season this fall/winter. (Summer was discouragingly slow--so much so, we actually discussed me closing shop and going back to teaching. Eeps!)It seems I'm not the only one stocking up for the colder months. Observe Chippy here, stuffing his cheeks from the seeds dropped by the

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-65074057534556739672010-09-08T14:02:00.007-04:002010-09-08T14:13:08.853-04:00

I'm adding "Butterflies" to my list of over-photographed garden visitors, along with: robins and bunny rabbits, of course. I can't help it! They charm me with their beautiful colors, patterns, and dance-like fluttering in the garden. On my lunch break, I spotted this Great Spangled Fritillary outside our window, joining the Monarchs, Skippers, and Swallowtails at the Great Butterfly Bush Café.

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-13812916111032372682010-09-06T11:11:00.011-04:002010-09-06T21:15:26.547-04:00

When I was a little girl, my mother was a gem supplier, and, having been born a magpie, I think this only increased my love of precious stones. I remember she used to bring home those sleek black cases and she would allow me to carefully unwrap the delicate tissue papers to find the treasures within. Sometimes I would just stare and stare at all of those sparkling jewels and somehow, I must have

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-4476328067627367342010-09-05T08:49:00.019-04:002010-09-05T09:00:43.438-04:00

Click on the picture to find the answer! (Hint: It isn't something originally from my garden--but it does live there now).

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-19890678219963303762010-09-03T20:34:00.003-04:002010-09-03T20:41:16.671-04:00

A stormed kicked up this evening, seemingly out of nowhere. I was outside with the dog, and my camera of course, taking another picture of a monarch butterfly, when a huge gust of wind blew said butterfly right off of the flower (kind of comical actually) and suddenly there were swirling leaves everywhere--like the best of the best autumn storms. The sky darkened, the clouds churned, and I was in

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-57244931003381289442010-09-03T13:03:00.013-04:002010-09-03T13:24:43.111-04:00

If you'll indulge me for a moment, the critters in our yard this morning made me smile with all of their popping out of nowhere and their silly antics; I just had to share them with you. Perhaps it's my imagination, but they seem more actively searching for food lately--to me a sign of autumn on it's way.A little sparrow pokes his head out from behind the crabapple leaves...and speaking of cute

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-1992215683443965472010-09-02T11:14:00.005-04:002010-09-02T11:20:59.727-04:00

Click on the picture for the answer!.

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-52992605942151285252010-08-31T08:01:00.007-04:002010-08-31T08:32:40.750-04:00

If I had to name my top ten favorite flowering plants of all time, lilies, both Asiatic and Oriental would definitely be on the list. This summer, I got a really good bargain on Asiatic lilies, amounting to approximately 50 cents/bulb, so I planted 100+ of them in several beds. For almost an entire month, they bloomed--filling the garden with candy-coated color. (Side note: it's the oriental

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-33931442386533480842010-08-30T13:40:00.006-04:002010-08-30T13:53:21.474-04:00

Some of my readers might remember our Great Veggie Patch Debacle, and how Jesse and I literally threw in the trowel. We decided that last Saturday it was time to give it another go, and boy did we ever. I wish I had taken a "before" picture, but I did not; so instead here is the picture from June, and you will just have to imagine that this entire mound was literally covered in tall, bushy weeds

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-5510222647167416982010-08-27T16:48:00.009-04:002010-08-27T17:23:16.124-04:00

Today I learned a lesson in viviparous water lily culture: that is, propagating water lilies without actually dividing the rhizome/roots. You see, I was cleaning out the crabapple leaves from the container pond which houses a Panama Pacific tropical waterlily, and to my surprise found little baby water lily plants floating in the pond with it! Evidently my mamma lily reproduced herself

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-30906986349674040672010-08-23T09:06:00.003-04:002010-08-23T09:11:13.523-04:00

The robins recently had their second brood of the season and the little fledglings can be found everywhere in our garden. It surprises me that they come so close to the house: sitting on the front porch when we come home from the grocery store, or resting on the back deck as this one is doing here. They're so clumsy, helpless, and utterly adorable.

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-11461009596169706162010-08-22T12:02:00.003-04:002010-08-22T12:05:27.899-04:00

Click on the picture to find out!

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-5809018879907690172010-08-19T09:30:00.013-04:002010-08-19T10:32:10.080-04:00

I will be reigning in the garden this weekend: dividing some spring perennials and the grape hyacinths, composting the spent annuals, and perhaps planting some colorful mums. But in the meantime, I have been tending a different sort of garden: our collection of books. Like daffodils, our book collection has been quietly naturalizing to form great drifts in our home; multiplying, spreading runners

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-77738187512573430962010-08-16T10:38:00.002-04:002010-08-16T10:40:27.435-04:00

.Found this on our walk this morning.

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-88844273896641960142010-08-13T16:27:00.012-04:002010-08-13T16:33:17.995-04:00

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-26812445240922832622010-08-11T07:35:00.017-04:002010-08-11T07:59:30.272-04:00

Oh this heat! I really don't want to complain, because before long we're going to be knee deep in snow, but my goodness it is HOT! It's also incredibly dry. I can't remember a Pennsylvania summer with such little rain. Again, shouldn't really complain, because last summer it rained so much that our poor crabapples were completely defoliated by July from all the black spot. At any rate, I had our

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-44490861104811842242010-08-07T09:50:00.034-04:002010-08-22T12:02:48.013-04:00

Click on the picture to find out!

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-21450188861287195852010-08-05T08:47:00.008-04:002010-08-06T11:22:29.760-04:00

The string of hot days and warm nights has brought out the aggressive nature in some of my plants, while killing off the more delicate. It's quite Darwinian. I've spent much of July and into August enjoying my garden from the windows, lacking any desire to melt into a puddle after 15 minutes of passive weeding. Apart from a few blessed recent rainshowers, most of the gathering storms of July have

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-43449542826253804992010-08-04T09:12:00.013-04:002010-08-05T09:54:54.322-04:00

Yesterday was not the best of days, but a bright spot was when we were visited by a pair of northern flickers in the garden. I wasn't able to get my camera until (what I'm guessing was) the male landed on the birdbath, but it was pretty comedic watching him try to take a relaxing drink while the sparrows laid siege.

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-73528342886620149922010-08-02T06:51:00.005-04:002010-08-02T06:56:44.713-04:00

I realized it's been a while since I last posted a gratuitous bunny picture, and that simply won't do. This is our new baby bunny (a descendent of Mr Buns?) who has been living in our yard. So far, he hasn't shown interest in my flowers and mainly munches on the clover in the grass. He's growing fast, but when I first spotted him (or should I say, almost stepped on him) he was only about the size

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-69217087304038060312010-08-01T08:29:00.005-04:002010-08-01T08:42:33.241-04:00

Yesterday was spent rearranging the house so we could install several bookshelves in our living room. I was helping Jesse hold the level and making marks where the brackets should go when I happened to glance out the window and spotted the most beautiful butterfly flit past. I didn't even have to ask, Jesse just said, "Go ahead." So I left him there, grabbed my camera and ran outside. I apologize

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-30927498373480806932010-07-31T13:33:00.004-04:002010-07-31T13:37:31.514-04:00

The tropical water lily that arrived last spring is finally blooming. Big mistake to not give it the size container it needed, but nonetheless it still seems to be thriving. The color of this bloom was difficult to capture on camera. It really glows!This lily can be found at Lilypons

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-63661292618088055642010-07-29T08:00:00.003-04:002010-07-29T08:03:49.977-04:00

While weeding just the other day, I came upon (cue dastardly music) what looks to be poison ivy creeping it's way through the hostas and daylilies. Anyone have tips as to how to get rid of this stuff? Must I unleash chemical warfare?

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-32627662846000523602010-07-28T15:04:00.009-04:002010-07-28T15:36:38.241-04:00

I was tweeting today about works in progress and I think I share the opinion with many, that sometimes it's best for our own mental health, to just walk away from a project once in a while. But when is it just taking a break for our own sanity and when is it simple procrastination? I find that I am becoming synonymous with unfinished endeavors (tour through our home and you'd see what I mean).

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-79442087796081800992010-07-27T08:45:00.005-04:002010-07-27T08:49:20.958-04:00

Click on the picture for the answer!

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-4933371626277214632010-07-25T12:32:00.007-04:002010-07-25T12:43:54.059-04:00

Last summer, Jesse and I added some native plants to a section of our flower borders, including these woodland sunflowers. The first season, the 3 plants we installed barely grew at all; as a matter of fact 2 of the 3 died completely back within a couple weeks. We weren't even sure if they would return this summer, but boy, did they ever. Spreading by underground runners, these members of the

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-91972719046805412312010-07-24T09:57:00.006-04:002010-07-24T10:28:41.033-04:00

Every year I grow tomatoes, and for the past 3 seasons have become quite enamored with the variety, "sweet 100." True to their name, these tomato plants produce hundreds of tiny, sweet fruits well into autumn. In spite of my best efforts to kill mine, I can pick handfuls a day. This was yesterday's harvest.If you grow these, don't do what I do which is not give them tall enough supports. They get

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-23355600351595275962010-07-23T10:59:00.006-04:002010-07-23T11:27:49.619-04:00

Our overgrown garden is a testament as to how busy we've been lately. Turn your back for a second, and the weeds mount their siege, the tomatoes droop, and the herbs go to flower. Since my idea of cooking a good meal involves picking up the phone, these flowering herbs plucked from my garden this morning are destined for a water filled mason jar.Included in this bundle: sage, dill, oregano, mint,

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-25258695042485470652010-07-21T12:12:00.010-04:002010-07-21T12:33:37.988-04:00

In the garden, I have been making copious mental notes about what worked and what didn't, with plans to do some editing this fall. Many of the perennials that looked fabulous for about 2 weeks, just don't carry their weight for the rest of the season and will probably end up in the compost heap. Same goes for the annuals--some will not make a return appearance next spring. Sometimes it's not

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-8534195868187120592010-07-17T08:12:00.003-04:002010-07-17T08:16:15.338-04:00

My bargain waterlily that I purchased at the local hardware store is blooming which is kind of funny because the really fancy pants expensive waterlily I purchased from an online specialty site hasn't done a thing. Go figure.

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-23259361171745534392010-07-16T08:46:00.009-04:002011-06-22T12:06:41.975-04:00

This is Grüss an Aachen; quite an important sounding name for such a delicate little rose. Introduced in 1909, this rose is thought to be the first of what is now the floribunda class and was named in honor of the ancient Imperial capital of Charlemagne. These blooms are the only I have seen, and as you can see, the blossoms are loose and blousy, with a pale tinge of pink fading to white. The

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-27518481043797359592010-07-15T07:56:00.015-04:002010-07-15T08:16:42.899-04:00

These are "cactus flower" zinnias, which I purchased from Johnny's Selected Seeds last winter. I'm truly impressed by their vigorous growth; haven't seen any fungal diseases yet (knocks on wood) and there is some nice side branching on each plant. The only downfall with these zinnias, and this is typical of all varieties, is that they are snack food for Japanese beetles, and many of the blossoms

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-17939412766301890682010-07-14T08:34:00.007-04:002010-07-14T10:33:26.607-04:00

Yesterday afternoon the rain clouds were gathering and all the zinnias in my garden became even more vibrant in the fading light. That's when I spotted the tiny hummingbird zipping from flower to flower, completely ignoring the feeder that was hanging right beside him. I guess he doesn't like fast food! I grabbed my camera, of course, but kept missing the shot; he was just too darn fast.

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-22199092867134744072010-07-13T20:12:00.006-04:002010-07-13T20:48:42.909-04:00

Those of you who have been following our adoption process on Facebook know that for quite some time we have been in search of a dog to join our family. What an emotional rollercoaster! It was all worth it, though, because tonight we adopted our new "baby." Originally named Sheena, she is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mixed with...? We decided we wanted to change her name to Eva (pronounced

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-33072994709921520962010-07-13T12:53:00.005-04:002010-07-13T13:11:17.728-04:00

Sometimes, for my own sanity, I have to walk away from my jewelry for a while. However, I find it difficult to not be doing something creative, even when I'm supposed to be relaxing. That's why I took up embroidering several months back; it's something to keep my hands busy when I am watching TV with the family or simply just taking a break from the jewelry business. These stitchy-doodles, as I

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-88021424856127584052010-07-12T08:33:00.008-04:002010-07-12T09:00:26.674-04:00

I should have saved this post for the Fourth of July--what was I thinking? Anyways, this rose, also in it's first season here at our home, has been sharing space with some gigantic (and I mean gigantic...they're over 8 feet tall) sunflowers. It's a wonder, what with competing for nutrients and sun that this rose has even thrived at all! Next year, better placement for those sunflowers.America is

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-72192520563347215892010-07-11T09:44:00.005-04:002010-07-11T09:50:56.208-04:00

Eden is another rose that opened up around the time of our wedding, and continued blooming until we came home from our honeymoon. Very thoughtful of her, right? Currently only about 2 feet high, this rose appears to be thriving in the sunny, south east position of our garden. I really love how the pink of the petals blends to a tint of apple green. Very refreshing! The scent is very light, but

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-76527931005048009192010-07-10T09:26:00.013-04:002010-07-10T09:34:30.195-04:00

The flowers are mimicking the heat with their hot, bright colors....reminding me of yummy hard candies. The asiatic lilies I put in this spring are the real standouts, along with the zinnias and cosmos I started from seed, and our echinacea which are now in their second season in our garden.

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-29182506090091975342010-07-09T10:08:00.007-04:002010-07-09T10:22:15.528-04:00

When we arrived home from our honeymoon last week, it was late at night, but I could see from the light of the porch light that our garden was suffering badly from a week of sweltering heat and no rain. It was all I could do to not grab the hose and start watering by moonlight, and I was up at the crack of dawn taking care of business. Sadly, we lost some potted annuals (the pots that had a water

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-19827135816699892772010-07-08T11:05:00.011-04:002010-07-08T12:10:02.705-04:00

Although I still have hundreds of pictures on file, this will be the last of my Maine series--I promise! Jesse and I stayed in a hotel that was situated on acres of wildlife preserve, so I was anxious to spend some time walking the trail to the beach and snapping photos of indigenous birds. However, apart from spotting a lovely yellow warbler at Two-Lights beach (which I didn't get a picture of,

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-89514647547630616902010-07-07T18:22:00.012-04:002010-07-07T18:35:16.320-04:00

Of course you knew I had to take lots of photos of Maine's flora and fauna and share them with you, right?

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-42888076706007091112010-07-06T09:44:00.018-04:002010-07-06T10:22:40.642-04:00

What happens when you hand a die-hard shutterbug a camera and put her in a breathtaking landscape? Hundreds and hundreds of pictures, that's what! As many of you already know, Jesse and I spent our honeymoon in southern Maine in the town of Cape Elizabeth. Since I have so many pictures from our trip on file, I've decided to separate them into groups: today's post will be simply shots of the

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-57520738344244757932010-07-05T17:03:00.025-04:002010-09-17T22:03:13.787-04:00

I'm going to deviate a bit from simply writing about my garden, as Jesse and I are back from our honeymoon and we have some pictures to share with you of our garden-inspired wedding! Several of our items were purchased on Etsy, and I couldn't wait to show them off; they are so lovely. By the way, all of these wedding photos were taken by my brother, Charles Wareham.Here we are posing on the Penn

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-13181838276676002802010-06-24T08:33:00.003-04:002010-06-24T08:34:12.567-04:00

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-79336052089600811102010-06-23T16:15:00.004-04:002010-06-23T16:21:26.016-04:00

Sometimes our cup runneth over, for better and for worse. I am doing my best as of late to consider all the abundantly good things that are happening, rather than focus on the day to day little (and big) stressers. Maybe it doesn't make the problems go away, but I'd rather be smiling than frowning.These roses are on my list of things I am grateful for--they just keep on blooming! I'm literally

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-41290273811538762152010-06-20T09:56:00.018-04:002010-06-20T11:20:03.314-04:00

When you garden, you get used to disappointment. It doesn't matter if you are a hardcore horticulturist, or simply someone who likes to fuss with flowers (I fall in the latter category), you're still dealing with all manner of pests, diseases, unfortunate weather conditions, poor soil, plants that don't live up to your expectations, etc. etc.Such is the case with many aspects of my garden, and

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-76745478314297530602010-06-18T18:12:00.003-04:002010-06-18T18:16:49.299-04:00

I spent most of the day in the garden filling in the empty spaces with some annuals and watering like crazy--the days have been so hot and dry. I must have overdone it, though, because just as I was about to sit back and enjoy the fruits of my labor, a huge migraine came on and knocked me out for several hours. Still feeling a bit shaky, I'm going to retire to the couch for the rest of the

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-24755932064208892812010-06-17T16:23:00.005-04:002010-06-17T16:28:29.146-04:00

I indulged in a lovely Campanula this summer, and this one tiny little plant is covered in huge, nodding blooms. These large purplish-blue bells remind me of something a fairy might wear for a pretty dress; they're so charming and the color can't be beat. Why did I only invest in one plant? Ah well, there's always next year...

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-32992507967707289322010-06-15T19:51:00.003-04:002010-06-15T19:55:18.666-04:00

This is an easy one! Click on the picture for the answer....

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-77913620892549472562010-06-13T14:47:00.003-04:002010-06-13T15:01:19.355-04:00

As I write this, I am breathing in the intoxicating fragrance of the small bouquet of sweet peas swimming in a vase near my laptop. The honey scent is so strong, that even though I am nursing a cold and can barely smell a thing, I am able to enjoy these flowers. Months ago, I threw my better judgement to the wind and planted several packets of sweet pea seeds. Remember? It's now mid June, and

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-24660230741281185062010-06-12T17:42:00.003-04:002010-06-12T17:46:22.740-04:00

Toto, we're not in Scranton anymore.

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-22834247128673733942010-06-11T09:37:00.010-04:002010-06-12T15:55:21.357-04:00

Chick by Point of View Photographic ArtMany of you already know that I once had a pet chicken. Her name was Higglety-Pigglety and she was an Araucana; which is the breed of hen that lays pretty pastel blue/green eggs. At the time I brought home Hig, as I referred to her, I was working in a tobacco shop (I know, weird, huh?) and there were a lot of regulars who would just come in to smoke cigars

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-55708244985733642652010-06-10T11:50:00.009-04:002010-06-10T12:05:55.246-04:00

Serenity by Honey Tree on EtsyIt's always about this time of year, when their scented, purple buds unfurl, that my love of lavender reaches fever pitch. I recently added a pair of Provence Lavender Estate Earrings to my shop, planted baby lavender plants along the front of the rose garden, and am devising plans to make some lavender sachets from my vintage hankie collection.Provence Lavender

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-20789586966001625862010-06-09T09:18:00.008-04:002010-06-09T09:28:19.241-04:00

Click on the picture for the answer!

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-3268647612003367842010-06-08T15:50:00.005-04:002010-06-09T09:30:02.649-04:00

I was watering the plants on the deck today, and I noticed these tiny spores rising above a teeny tiny patch of moss in one of our planters. Probably would never have noticed them if they weren't at eye level, which really makes me wonder what I've been missing by just not being more observant. In order to try to "pay more attention," I'm going to start posting some macro shots/guessing games

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-39989119724770178232010-06-07T15:34:00.012-04:002010-06-09T14:35:12.681-04:00

I've been feeling a bit under the weather lately, so I haven't had much energy to get out into the garden as much as I'd like. It's amazing how a few days of "neglect" and the weeds go haywire. Our future pumpkin patch, which we've been unable to get started on yet, is now looking like a great weed mountain, and if we don't get it under control soon, it's going to be an even bigger task to

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-29497974230292408902010-06-05T15:11:00.023-04:002011-10-18T08:14:34.819-04:00

There is a Cover Girl ad running right now with the beautiful and talented Drew Barrymore wearing a pair of earrings that look just like something from my shop! When I first saw the ad running in People Magazine, my heart actually stopped because I thought, "Wait. Did I make those earrings? How did they get in this magazine??" Still a mystery...but it's really great to see the Old Hollywood style

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-70027559276618903762010-06-04T09:18:00.012-04:002010-06-04T16:14:36.746-04:00

Disclaimer: I work from home. Most days I don't have a car. Bunnies, Roses, and Robins keep me entertained. Thank you for tolerating me.-----------------Thank heavens for ever watchful and vigilant Jasper who alerted me, by his stealthy stance at the window, that there were some kind of shenanigans going on outside on the deck. It seems that our friend the baby robin got it into his feathery head

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-27155725398934704992010-06-02T20:36:00.014-04:002010-06-02T21:37:21.792-04:00

You can't see them just yet, but there are climbing roses behind those perennials...now with room to grow!At the risk of sounding like an informercial, I recently came across a product I absolutely love...and I just had to share it with you, because it's taken me years of gardening and wishing for something like this to come along. If you already know about it, then wow, I wish you had told me!

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-39824887580616192582010-05-31T09:11:00.011-04:002010-05-31T09:20:00.220-04:00

Can you guess what these flowers are? Answers are below!top - bottom: gardenia, yarrow, purple coneflower (echinacea), primrose, comfrey, petunia, spirea, daylily, peony

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-41931585702018863202010-05-29T09:12:00.005-04:002010-05-29T09:24:49.928-04:00

I had a dream last night that I woke up, checked my blog, and saw that I lost all my followers because I posted too many pictures of roses. Jesse said, "That's not going to happen." And I thought, "It might," because here I am posting another one. Between you and me, I enjoy sharing these notes from the garden (notice the new header on the top of this blog?) but also, it's a great way for me to

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-43889532918253991782010-05-28T07:21:00.009-04:002010-05-28T07:36:07.711-04:00

Look at this sweet little robin fledgling we spotted in our rhododendron last night...isn't he precious? We didn't even notice him at first, as we were too busy sizing up the rhodie determining where to make our pruning cuts (it was so big it was eating the house). I was worried that perhaps there was a nest in there, but after careful (quiet) searching saw that there wasn't...and when the baby

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-11299413615233285712010-05-27T08:36:00.005-04:002011-05-09T08:23:14.279-04:00

When we moved into our home a year ago, there were no roses growing here (gasp!) save for one. Flopped over amongst the hostas in a shady location below our deck, I discovered a small arching cane with a few feeble little leaves basically left for dead. The cane was long enough to be tied to the deck railing above it, which allowed the leaves to reach the morning and early afternoon sunlight. We

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-18919782371109433092010-05-26T11:00:00.005-04:002010-05-26T11:10:38.393-04:00

A couple of days ago, my uncle and "his guys" came by the house and mulched the huge brush pile that was piled up behind the shed. When I say huge, I'm talking HUGE. It took them several hours. I am SO grateful to them for doing that for us.When it was all said and done, this was what was left....As you can see, we discovered a pile of mossy old bricks (yay!) and bags of concrete that had been

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-32116838806350299092010-05-25T13:32:00.003-04:002010-05-25T13:33:54.687-04:00

The waterlily I pre-ordered last winter arrived today! But I think I am going to need a larger container.

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545478159814361242.post-42379923049348080892010-05-25T11:14:00.008-04:002010-05-25T11:31:45.506-04:00

Things I learned today:1. Always wear closed toed shoes in the garden.2. Garter snakes are harmless.Meet Desmond, the latest addition to our garden. Actually, he's probably not an addition at all...I imagine Desmond here was living beneath the brush pile behind our shed which was made into a giant pile of mulch yesterday. Desmond and I got off to a rocky start this morning. But he was a

Lara Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476915136197284460noreply@blogger.com2