Life as I know It

My photo
San Luis Obispo, California, and South Bristol, Maine, United States
Author ~ Illustrator ~ Lecturer

Saturday, February 26, 2011

A Quiet Morning Walk


I can see why Monet so loved to see the backlit petals of flowers. 
The colors of borage always make my heart beat faster.

I was overjoyed to greet the sunshine this morning. After only a few days of cold, rain, and wind, I was ready to get back outside. (Sorry to all my friends in colder climes) No GRIMY HANDS GIRLS' CLUB for me today; we have more company coming and must prepare lots of food and comfy beds. But to start the day, I wanted to take you on a short walk around a very small, but life-filled garden. 


All the rosemarys are in full bloom. Most of these plants were started from plate-side garnishes I couldn't bear to throw away. On warm days, they are bee thronged.


Apples are blooming, but the cold is keeping most bees away. I used my paintbrush on dozens of blossoms. We'll see if my pollination worked.


The aloes have kept the hummingbirds happy.


Hollyhocks are already in bloom. I've been using some of the blossoms for appetizers. Stuffed with my homemade flower cheese, they're delicious. Sorry, bee, I won't bother these new blossoms.


Cactus preparing to flaunt its first fiery bloom.


Scabiosa, the old fashioned pincushion flower, is already attracting syrphid flies and butterflies. Saw  male and female dog-face butterflies in the garden on the last warm day. Also, flitting over the bronze fennel, two anise swallowtails. 


Aloe 'Pink Blush' has been faithfully flowering.


Native California Eriogonum. To the right is a tiny (barely perceptible) syrphid fly. They feast at these blooms constantly. I think syrphid flies (aka flower flies) are some of my favorite garden visitors.


The humble, yet eminently, butterfly friendly cosmos. These are self sown.


The nectarine is singing after all the rain. Can you hear it?


The plum is humming along.


This is the last of the pineapple sage. I'll cut it to the ground next week. This keeps the hummers happy during the winter.


Clumps of freesias spring up everywhere. They must have been planted decades ago. I adore them.


Love the light striping on the back of the freesia petals. 


Nutmeg scented Pelargonium. Don't you love those little bird flowers?


Apple scented Pelargonium. One of my favorites. I use the blooms of my scenteds (I have about 30 or 40 varieties) as an edible flower addition to my cooking.


Humble, but lovable, calendula–the ancient pot marigold. These are great in cooking and were once used in place of saffron, but honestly, NOTHING can replace saffron.


Pot marigold. I use their petals constantly. As their name Calendula (or calendar) suggests,  I can depend on them to be in bloom every month of the year.


Violas (edible) are tucked among strawberries and lettuces.


'Meyer' lemons in bloom. See the green lemon at the upper right? This was another housewarming gift from our friends Susie and Ellis Bassetti. I had to leave my big 'Meyer' behind in my Cambria garden. Now I have three and a Kafir lime, with lime leaves used for flavoring Thai, Chinese, and other cooking. They're fabulous.


Brugmansia. My grands know that these are poisonous, but they make great hats!


Blanket flower is already in bloom in the butterfly garden.


Apricots emerged at the worst time. Maybe some will set fruit.


A confused Christmas cactus. I think this one came from a start from Jeff's Aunt Connie.


Crocus 'Barr's Purple' from Brent and Becky's Bulbs.


Mini daffodils. I love them. I think these are Tete a Tete. I have them in pots everywhere.


Muscari (grape hyacinths) are also tucked into pots everywhere. Some of the clusters have been in pots for 30 years. I adore them and their sweet scent of grapes.


If you saw the article about my gardens in COUNTRY GARDENS magazine, you know that I have planted edible nasturtium everywhere. I use them daily in salads, and I make bouquets of them for the kitchen. My seeds are from Renee's Garden. For cooking, I like to use the spurless nasturiums (the bugs like to hide in the long spurs). The spurless are 'Whirlybird.'


More.


This is a rare California island Penstemon. I was so in love with it when I saw it in the container display on the deck at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. I begged them for a start. After a year, they sold me two. One survived and is now four feet wide and growing in a pot. Shortly after they sold me the plant, their gardens and that deck were destroyed in a huge fire. I better save seed for them.


'Frank Headley' Pelargonium.


The native California redbuds are doing their thing. These little buds are edible and can be pickled too. They're delectable.


Abutilons for the hummers and for their graceful ballerina blooms. The kids use these are faerie skirts. I have bad luck with Abutilons; I don't know why.


Moth Mullein that traveled with me from my Cambria gardens.


The gorgeous native California Ceanothus is dripping in blooms. I purchased these at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Nursery in a one gallon pot and planted them street side. This is now about 8 feet tall and bends gracefully over the wall surrounding our gardens.


The sweet garlic is in bloom and WOW is it heaven scent.


The grape twigs I planted a few years ago are starting to flaunt their leaves. Aren't they gorgeous?


California poppies are my favorite flower.  I've filled egg cartons with hundreds of seedlings and am beginning to transplant them throughout the garden. I also seeded them into containers.


This is the basket of our Vespa, which is always filled to overflowing when we stop at the local Miner's Hardware Nursery. I also have a big tote bag filled with plants, and Jeff has a plant-loaded tote bag dangling from a hook. I guess this is a great way to control spending.



Jeff came outside late one night last week to track me down and found me working on my bird book. I find it tough to settle down and work indoors when the days are beautiful, so if I rob from the morning, I have to repay by night.

This started out as a short posting with few words, but then it morphed into this; there is always so much to say about the flowers that grace my life. I hope I didn't wear you out with this. Thanks so much for  the notes from members of my Grimy Hands Girls' Club. I've been swamped and dealing with some doctor's tests, but promise to pack things next week. Sending sunshine out to you all.

Love,

Sharon

P.S. I am happy to be able to do a special give-away of this great and useful book about getting published. I get so many letters asking how to get published, and I think this book, The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published, will answer not only the immediate questions about how to, but also what to do AFTER your book is published, which is something as critical as getting published. A book's success depends on the marketing and word-of-mouth. Good luck to all who leave a comment. If you don't want to be entered, just say so. I'll pick a winner next weekend. To enter, just leave a comment.

89 comments:

Dawn Van Allen said...

Sharon, Your paintbrush pollinating, brought to mind my grandmother in the cherry orchard slipping off her silk underskirt and waving it in circles as she walked between the trees in San Francisco...it still makes me giggle.
Dawn

Pondside said...

Please, please don't apologize. That was like a visit to springtime!

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Hi Sharon Sweetie...
Oh my goodness gracious, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking me on this beautiful stroll of your gardens today. Oh they are exquisite. I love that you grown so many things from seeds yourself and don't go out and just by all plants. I love trying new things here in Phoenix, but we have so much rock in our soil where we live, I find it hard for some things to grow. We had an unusually hard freeze here a few weeks back, and it sure did a number on quite a few things, even with their blankets of love on them, they suffered.

Oh how I would so love to wander through your gardens in person. Everything is so HAPPY. Loved this stroll today, and I would be so honored to have my name in your drawing. Thank you again sweet friend. Any ideas you might have of beautiful hardy flowers for me here in the desert, I would love to hear about. The hummers have been busy for days with my aloe as well. They are in full bloom.

Many hugs and much love, Sherry

Unknown said...

Thank you, Sharon, for this wonderful stroll through your beautiful garden.

Have a happy weekend!

Cathy LaFever, Granada Hills, CA

Unknown said...

Hi Sharon,
While I wish I was lecturing in California instead of New England next week, your garden photographs continue to inspire and remind me of the season ahead...and that, yes - it really will be here before long!
Fortunately, I have rosemary blooming in the greenhouse too. Rosemary flower tea has brought me hearts-ease throughout this winter of snow.
I am very surprised to say that I just wrote the outline for a children's book...and I love it!
I was going to ask you for some advice soon anyway, and then I saw the book you are featuring. Even if I don't win, I would love to take to you soon and get some advice.
oxo and enjoy the warmer days of which we in the Northeast can only dream and remember.
John www.jforti.com

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

OMG, Sharon. Never apologize about the length of your posts! It is just like having a visit with you and Jeff in your gardens! I love all of your flowers and am anxiously looking forward to seeing my tete a tetes in our garden SOON! I was thinking of writing a book or booklet so maybe I can get some inspiration. Keeping my fingers crossed! xxoo Nancy

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Oh Sharon,
What gorgeous pics!
It's snowing again here, and those pics were so needed right now.
I am amazed by your gardening skills, I wish I was visiting you there right now.
Hugs friend,
Cindy in cold, snowy Wisconsin.

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Oh my, I have LOTS to say to all of you. First off, DAWN, that image of your grand swirling amongst the trees with her skirt. THAT IS GLORIOUS.

Sherry, Scott Calhoun is an EXPERT on plants for your region. He is one of the bloggers on Lowe's and you should make a habit of visiting him. I am not up on what grows in your area.

John Horti, you sweetie pie. Even if you don't win you and I can have a long talk this summer about publishing. Jeff is the go to man on this one. He knows so much because he does the business end of the publishing. We will help any way we can because the world needs your words.

Yours too dear Nancy. Cindy, I am glad you're not mad at me for all the pics. If it makes you feel any better-it HAILED a couple of hours after this posting. I was screeching because all the trees are in bloom and the succulents get hurt very badly in hail, but it was a light storm. Such strange weather.

All you others who commented...I appreciate every word you write. You all mean so much to me.

Good luck on the drawing.

Love,

S

Farmhouse Soaps said...

Sharon,
Thank you for the wonderful morning tour. Your tour offered much needed pictures of sunshine, flowers, greens, and blue sky. Here in Northern Illinois it was freezing drizzle and light snow all day. BUT, my daughter and I were out buying seeds and getting trays ready to start indoors.
Thank you for offering the wonderful giveaway. I so appreciate your posting about this book. My daughter (who was seed shopping with me) loves medieval history and has written five books and this is just the thing to help her one her way!
Have a wonderful and warm weekend!
Marianne
Spend the Thyme Farm

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

Oh, Sharon! I'm so happy to see sunny flowers blooming right now while my garden is frozen and covered in snow. We've had much colder weather than usual this week and it's really cut into our garden project progress. So many flowers you show blooming won't bloom until mid summer here. You reminded me I want to plant Calendula in the new vegetable garden as well as Nasturtiums. I want to have some pretty flowers mixed in. Enjoy your sun and feel free to send some up here.

the REAL girl said...

Sharon, I would SO LOVE to receive this book!! I loved the walk through your garden. The flowers and blossoms are so amazing. I have to live vicariously through your garden right now as our Colorado garden is still quite frozen. It snowed yesterday and its icy remnants remain today. I ESPECIALLY loved the meyer lemon and the lime as I, too, use that lime in some thai soups that I make. What a wonderful walk!!
Hugs to you!!
Joann

Erin | Bygone Living said...

What a beautiful garden you have... and such variety! So lovely! :) ♥

marcia said...

A gorgeous feast for the eyes!
Just gorgeous! And thanks for the tip on the nasturtiums.

Pretty picture of you :)

I love the book recommendation. I have some writing projects in the works!

happy day! stay well!
love marcia

Shirley said...

Sharon, never before have I seen Aloe in bloom!! They are gorgeous! Who knew? I am awed by all that you have going on in your garden. Mine remains asleep beneath a few feet of snow so I guess I am in resting mode. Please enter me in the draw for the book!!! I so dream of getting published. Once I finish my book, that is.

my email is: riverboat38@hotmail.com

Michelle said...

The first picture is my favorite and the lighting on it is so fantastic. My grandmother used to have Hollyhocks and I just love them.

Susan said...

Dearest Sharon,
First, I'm so jealous seeing your garden! Mine was just starting when we were hit with almost 6 inches of snow (while I was away). I can just imagine my poor daffodils wondering what happened!!
However, tomorrow I leave and will arrive early enough to make the last day of the Seattle Flower Show. Seeing your garden and the flowers at the show should last me until our warm weather returns.
Love, XOXO

Marguerite said...

Hello Sharon, I'm not writing a book anytime soon so count me out on the draw but I wanted to say thank you for listing so many wonderful flowers that are edible. Some I knew but many I did not. Hopefully in the coming years as my garden grows I'll be able to taste test a few of these in my own salads.

cheris said...

I'd love this book! I'm on the brink of trying to publish. Maybe this is the little push I need. :)

Unknown said...

Oh what a feast for my wintered over eyes today Sharon! Love it!!! That California Sunshine is a blessing for us and the garden! I'm reading Monet's Garden right now for inspiration. Such vision and passion he had. Your flowers are another story. A beautiful one...thank you for showing so many of them... I hope the hail wasn't too harmful. I would love to be entered in your giveaway. It's just what the doctor ordered! Speaking of Dr's. get well my dear! We need you!
Much love,
Deb

As the Crowe Flies and Reads said...

Beautiful photographs here! I had no idea there was a flower that smelled like nutmeg, which is one of my favorite scents and one reason why I love to travel to Grenada in the Caribbean--once you're in the mountains there, you can scent the nutmeg on the air.

Casa Mariposa said...

Those nasturtiums are beautiful! What fun it would be to surprise my teenagers with them in a salad! Toss me in the drawing for the book. Thanks!!

Melissa said...

Oh how exciting:)....I am so happy I stopped by your blog for my much needed dose of Sharon Lovejoy inspiration and NOW I CAN ENTER A GIVEAWAY!!! Yes, enter me PLEASE!

Just love your photography, words of wisdom and overall energy...you are a true inspiration! xo

Unknown said...

Thank you for the tour! Your late winter looks like our early summer here in Tennessee. But I have daffodils blooming and the tulip magnolia began blooming today with our above normal temps. Your photos and your writing are always so inspiring.

Diana

Pamela said...

I think your blog is one of my favorites. The morning walk through your garden was a treat, my garden is still hybernating under the fresh 4 feet of snow that fell the past 2 days. I am not that far north of you and yet it is worlds away..in climate. Each photo was a delight. Borage is on my list of new plants (to me) to put in my garden this year.

farmlady said...

Thanks for sending sunshine today. We got it!! After yesterdays storm, today was a breath of Sring.
Your flower photos were beautiful. You must be having a mild springtime.
How lovely the blossoms are.... especially the first one with the sun behind it. Exquisite.
Thanks for the walk through your garden.

Unknown said...

The flowers of your garden are delicate, colorful and romantic! You rock, Sharon. Thank you for such a thoughtful post.

Mary said...

You and your garden are an inspiration to me. Thank you, Sharon.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful photographs! I´ll have to wait two months I´m afraid until it looks like that over here :-)

I miss my geraniums I had when I had my gardencentre, but I really don´t have any space to let them spend winter here so I only have one species of geranium left down in my cold cellar.

Have a great day now!
Christer.

jim Long said...

Oh my gosh, Sharon, you have hollyhocks blooming! And redbuds, too. Ours bloom nearly 2 months before the hollyhocks bloom. What beautiful photos, it's encouraging that spring will come everywhere soon.
Jim

Sunita Mohan said...

I love early morning walks in my garden when only the birds and bees are up and even the sun takes a little time to peek over the tall teak trees to the east. Your garden is beautiful! And there seems to be so much quiet activity with the flowers blooming and bees busy doing their thing. Love it!

Marigold Jam said...

Have you really got all those plants in bloom now? Amazing! Sadly calendula -0 one of my favourite flowers as you might guess from my blog name does not flower all year round her but ondly during the summer months - lucky you!

Jane

From the Kitchen said...

Sharon: I've enjoyed every blossom, petal and twig of your post. It has been a full cup of coffee event and I had a grand time. Actually, a nice scone and some marmalade would have been appreciated--maybe next time.

I miss our La Jolla garden. It was not as diverse as your garden but what a treat to have poinsettias growing outside our door and picking apricots off our own tree.

Our midwest garden is still covered with snow. The trees and shrubs are grateful for all the moisture and will perform beautifully come spring.

Thank you for having me along this morning.

Best,
Bonnie

Mozart's Girl said...

Dearest Sharon, how wonderful to take this spring-filled walk through the garden with you...I loved the explanations and stories attached too. Beautiful to wake up to on a Sunday morning that, too, is bright with sunshine and the promise of spring! xoxo Rachel

Dawn said...

This was AMAZING. So much color and life, and so much diversity. Nature is astounding. All the shapes and colors, tastes and textures.

I hope the doctor's tests are nothing serious, and that you are healthy and thriving!

Thank you so much for this wonderful garden tour!

xoxo Dawn

kj said...

oh be still my heart, sharon!

gasp! that first photo and your sentence about monet was enough all by itself. buried in too much snow, i am now officially salivating and it's all your fault.

Brugmansias kind of spook me, and not just because they are poisonous. i think it's the way they hang.

my favorite of all these amazing photos: the lovely blue purple crocus. i think it's perfection.

i love how you appreciate and enjoy and share, sharon. it is my pleasure to get to know you. ♥
kj

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dear Sharon ~ What a delightful post, filled with so much beauty that grows in your sweet little gardens. There were a few I didn't know and my favorite was the California Ceanothus. Thank you for taking the time to take us on a little gentle walk through your gardens with you. Your new book will be a treasure I know.

Please do not enter me into this drawing.

Today I hope to go out and get my hands dirty. I was sent a sample of fertilizer so need to get started with that so that I can begin telling about it on my blog.

Happy book creating and happy gardening.

Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady

Vee said...

Loved seeing what's going on in your garden, but now I'm confused. I have a cactus just like yours...same leaves, same flower, same color, and blooming now...but I thought that I had just learned that it was an Easter cactus and not a Christmas cactus. If YOU say Christmas, though, I'm inclined to change my mind again. I also enjoyed seeing you at work at your laptop. All best wishes with your newest project...

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Yes dears, these are ALL blooming right now. I could've added Cuphea, Ribes (wild currant) and many more, but Jeff said, "enough already." Ok. I over did it.

We had hail after the posting and then last night was soooooo cold that I am afraid to go outside and check things this morning.

Some dear friends are arriving from Iowa today and I was hoping to eat out under the grape arbor, but I DON'T think so. Brrrrr.

Thanks for your joyous response.

S

Bonnie K said...

Thank you for all of the photos. I sat down this morning with a cup of coffee and enjoyed a walk through your garden. Mine is under 3 feet of snow. The borage one is perfect. Enjoy your company.

jerilanders said...

I know what you mean about staying put in the house to work on a book whilst the garden is calling to you, whispering sweet nothings. It is such a temptation to just get up, (only for a minute), and check on the popping bulbs, and then end up staying outside ALL DAY LONG! I am just lucky it has been raining for 2 days.

btw< I finally received my magazine and thoroughly devoured your article. Wonderful garden and patio areas! I so agree with your thought about children's lack of imagination these days. It certainly wasn't that way when I was growing up. Imagination was all we had! Thank goodness!

Diane Shepard Johnson and Sarah E. Johnson said...

Dear Sharon,

Enjoyed the walk round your garden! Your flowers are lovely!

Looking forward to spring right now as we have 5 foot snowbanks in the Corg'ery!

Please enter us in your giveaway.

Take care,
Diane and daughter Sarah at the Corgyncombe Courant

Terra said...

Me me pick me to win the book you are giving away which looks super useful for me. I recently bought the world's thickest book, by Jeff Hermann, and am using it to find the perfect agent for my book, and this one you are giving away has different info.

Fun Mama - Deanna said...

Your photos are beautiful. I like how you were able to capture the dew drops. I saw the article in Country Gardens last night, but haven't had a chance to read it yet. Your shed is so cute!

Lydia said...

Thank you to you and Jeff for this lovely walk in your garden.

Since I didn't win the trip to Italy with my stained glass window- maybe good luck will pop up for the book!

Thea said...

i try to be an optimist when i tell people that, in spite of the dreary, rain is good for the garden! i just won't think about my muddy doggies! anyhoo, i just love these pictures. i tell so many of my gardening friends about your blog because it's just so interesting! i hope you are feeling well, my dearling. t

Larkrise garden girl said...

Hi Sharon, I loved the California Island penstemon. It was really interesting looking plant. The pictures were wonderful I felt like a little girl as I identified what plants I also had in my garden.Cheri

Leontien said...

That first picture is just FANTASTIC!!!

Thanks
Leontien

Stephanie Roth Sisson said...

So beautiful , Sharon! I can just picture you out there spotting this and that and finding all the perfect little treasures out there- maybe racing the sunlight- That picture of the borage is perfect.

Hope to see you soon! xo

Lori ann said...

Dear Sharon,
as i wandered through this lovely post i kept changing my mind which flower you shared was my favorite. I decided i can't pick just one or even two, i love them all.

your garden is enviable and your photos are so pretty and can i just say i am so excited about your new book in the works.

with love,
lori

Lili said...

That little tidbit about starting plantings from plate garnishes is so typical of why I just delight in everything you share with us! Your garden is beyond gorgeous Sharon. I think it will be a long time before we see blooms here again! I loved seeing your picture at the end, hard at work but looking so lovely burning the midnight oil. And I am so thrilled with my books and your sweet inscriptions on them, they are so filled with the magic of you!! xoxo ~Lili

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Dear friends,

A quick answer to some e-mailed questions. Yes, I took all the photos except the one Jeff snapped of me working. I LOVE doing close-ups and really enjoy seeing the world through a bug's-eye-view.

The photos were all taken yesterday and the day before. Some were shot right after a rainfall. So NO, this is not pieced together through the years. If you walked through our gate tomorrow you would see all these things in bloom plus much more, such as Ribes (flowering pink currant), Cuphea, Calla lilies,
many varieties of succulents and many other Pelargoniums.

Yes, I work in my garden every day. Jeff helps me with the heavy trimming and he operates the big 4 horsepower shredder. I have found a lovely woman who comes in to help me two hours (wish it was 20) each week. Otherwise, it is just me and I love it. I know every plant in this little garden intimately (and every weed, which is quickly yanked out).

So, I think this answers the barrage of recent e-mails.

All joys to you,

Sharon

Mara LeGrand said...

Your garden is dazzling. Can you make them scratch and sniff next time? I am looking for an illustrator for a trilogy of children's books and am planning to self publish soon. I hope to see you in SLO at the film festival. Please say hello if you make it to my film.

Nantucket Mermaid said...

Hi Sharon! It was lovely to have a look at all of those flowers! I just finished buying all of my seeds for spring....Of course I'll end up buying more from now til April! Thanks for the tour! :)----<

Gigi said...

Here in New Mexico, where I get my hands dirty, it is still a bit chilly (but sunny!). So, your garden tour caused my gardener's heart to flutter with eager energy! Thank you, Sharon! Your garden is so lovely!

Susan Freeman said...

Hi Sharon! What a wonderful way to start my morning. Your post is beautiful and so very inspirational!! Thank you for a lovely tour.

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Rocky Hill Woods said...

Thank you for such a welcome view of your beautiful garden flowers. Makes me here in Berlin, Massachusetts long for the smell of the garden dirt, the tiniest glimpse of the ground would be nice but it appears Mother Nature will have her chilly grips on use for awhile...so until then, your website and comments are a hopeful sign of spring.
Diane

Jan said...

I am in awe of your garden Sharon. If I could have just one of those blooms I would be thrilled right now! Nothing is blooming in my garden at the moment, although there are some spring bulbs popping their greenery through the earth. No daffodils, muscari or crocus blooms as yet...but it won't be too long now, thank goodness. I don't think I have the strength to go much longer without any! Your giveaway sounds wonderful.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

What a wonderful post. Such beautiful plants. Most I have not heard of.... It is raining and turning cool at the moment at my cottage in the woods.
You made my morning and I can visualize my first Spring garden.

Tinker said...

It's fascinating to see the difference in growing stages of so many of the same plants I have in my own California garden - in the same state, yet obviously in a much different micro-climate. Thanks for all the lovely garden photos!

Cynthia said...

I was there walking around the garden with you..so beautiful thankyou for the tour :) Cynthia

Anonymous said...

Wow, 60 comments! Well, even if you don't get to mine, I want to thank you for that advice about the nasturtium because I began eating mine last year and plan to plant lots for the coming summer. I will remember the whirlybird variety. Wonderful pictures to take me to a place I haven't been in so long - a sunny garden!

Carla said...

Wonderful photos of your flowers! I just finished reading my copy of Country Gardens. I had forgotten that your garden was going to be featured in this issue. Love, love loved all the photos; you have a cheeful home!

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Sharon,
My goodness your garden is a delight to see. We have been having frost and really cold days and nights, so many of my tropical plants now look so sad and baron. I hope they come back to me, its a wait and see.
I always enjoy my visits and I learn so much from you.
Have a sweet day and big hugs, Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

what a lovely post Sharon! I'm envious of all the flowers already blooming...all beautiful but I think I choose my favorite as that seductive little borage flower(first image)...it makes me look forward to my herb garden and the sunshine with impatience!
PS: glad you like the soup...I always worry that people don't like what I like...hehe.
bisous
Ronelle

Anonymous said...

Sharon, I think you did really well with your "opinionated" advice. I wish I would have brought it up myself. I didn't detect any hoity-toity-ism, rest assured dear friend. Hugs back to you. :)

Knitting Out Loud said...

Wow, how can you stand to be there, when we have 4 feet of fabulous snow here?

Zoe / pearled earth said...

How fun to tour your warm-weather flowers. I'm delighted that you rooted your rosemary from plate garnishes... Something only a true garden alchemist would do :)

ricki 'sprig to twig' said...

Your photos are luscious. I am so glad to have found you.

Laura Croyle said...

The snow we got last week is finally melting, so hopefully, Spring is just around the corner. It was food for the soul to walk with you through your garden and view all your flowers. Thank-you for sharing it all.

Lady Jane said...

I love your gardens. What a break from the still 3 feet of snow still in my yard. I cant wait til I can play in the dirt!!! I am new to your site and so glad I found you.

Beth said...

Hi, Sharon, Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you for brightening my day with pictures of blooming flowers and new life budding in your garden. I don't think we will see spring for a while yet, but hope is quickening. love, Beth

Lydia said...

Amazing pictures, thank you for sharing! Maybe these will get me motivated to start sprouting all the seeds I have ordered - let's hope.

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Dear friends,

I always tell folks that my business and fun endeavors are a one-horse-operation and this horse doesn't gallop, it trots. I am trotting along bundling Grimy Hands Girls' Club surprises, slowly, but ever so surely.
Life got in the way in the past two weeks.

Patience is a gardener's best tool, so hold on and KNOW that you'll receive your goodies soon.

Love, (drawing will be Saturday for the publishing book),

Sharon

Carol said...

Dear Sharon, I think I must be slipping, for I thought I had commented on this beautiful post! What a parade of flowers! Your garden could not be so small and is certainly full of life! I am so taken with your aloes blossoms . . . dazzling! I can imagine the hummers going for those giant blooms. I love it that you now share rosemary blooms from plate garnishes! I have never thought to do that. Your post is so in contrast to the icy snow that is everywhere here. We will be having warmer temps next week so maybe some will melt. Thank you for this elixir of spring! Great photo of you hard at work!

Curbstone Valley Farm said...

Goodness! Your garden is much further ahead than ours. I can't believe your Eriogonum is blooming already! Our daffodils are in full swing, but except for the stone fruits, the rest of garden has been slow to awaken with all the recent rain and chill. I agree, the bees are scarce at the moment, and even our Mason Bees have refused to hatch yet. Hopefully they'll be around by the time our apples bloom, or I'll have to try the paintbrush method too!

Lynn said...

Dear Sharon, I am so excited to be able to become a Grimy Hands member! I will be putting a link on my blog. I just cannot tell you how much you mean to me. Years ago when my boys were little (don't think I even had my girl yet) we planted the garden of giants from your book, Roots, Shoots, Bucket, and Boots. That year ended up being hot and dry (as North Carolina summers can be) but we ended up with the coolest tepee ever, all covered in vegetable vines! It was the envy of the kids in the neighborhood. I used to read your Heart's Ease column aloud as part of our science and nature study in our little homeschool. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your love of plants and nature with everyone. Lynn

Privet and Holly said...

Dear Sharon, this
post truly made my
heart sing....all of
those sweet wee blooms
and the love that you
feel for them just makes
me smile!! We still have
snow ~ a lot ~ on the
ground and more coming
next week. Almost four
months of snow on the
ground can start to take
a bit of a toll!! Hard
to believe that all that
spring goodness is surely
percolating under that
frozen stuff : ) Of course,
I would LOVE LOVE to win
this wonderful book, so
thank you very much for
entering me in the drawing.
Sending warm hugs from a
cold place....
xx Suzanne

Dee @ Red Dirt Ramblings said...

Sharon, did I mention I got the button on my blog? I can't remember. Loving your morning walk. I am always drawn to the back side of petals, sometimes leaves also too. It was cold here this morning, but soon many of those same flowers will be blooming here. Oh, in May or so. A kiss and a hug to you.~~Dee

Glynis Peters said...

Glorious post! I have not heard of some of your plants. I feel sure they would grow here in Cyprus, as you have several I have in my garden. We are just entering Spring and the changes are so welcome.

Marcie said...

Our sky this morning is just that heart-stopping shade of blue! So beautiful! And, I do hear your nectarine singing... all the way from my winter-white northern hills. Thank you for sharing so much garden beauty here. Wonderful!

Shady Gardener said...

Hello, I've just discovered your many sites... I just had to leave a note to let you know I've been here. ;-) You have given me something new to think about this summer... looking at backlit blossoms!

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Hi dears,

Pages of my bird book due, Lowe's Outdoor Gardening Magazine due, Dr.'s tests over and done, guests gone, fabulous seed to skillet dinner to share, and this will all happen TOMORROW when I post my new blog and the WINNER of the book.

Thanks to you all,

Sharon

Sue Catmint said...

dear sharon, i love this post and am not sure where to start commenting. it felt like a real celebration of flowers and the garden and a good reminder to me to be more adventurous about eating suitable plants and wearing unsuitable ones as hats! cheers, cm

Rebecca said...

Thanks for visiting my site and for the kind comment! Your photos and flowers are beautiful and a welcomed sight, especially since it's rainy and 35 degrees in my gardens today! I can't wait until my morning walks are full of color, but for now I'm happy that spring is officially less than two weeks away..

Unknown said...

A wonderful selection of plants, most of which I have not seen at all. Thanks

Anonymous said...

Sharon I love your blogs and follow it always! I have learned a lot from you.
I would love to get the book as I have written a childrens book and a garden book but not sure where to turn to get looked at and published. Is a dream of mine!
Happy gardening!
Debbie

Anonymous said...

I am thinking of attempting to create a book,
inspired by my 3 year old girl,
have no idea where to start from...
so this might just be it!

Vicki Boster said...

Hi Sharon - the photo journey of your garden walk was incredible. The colors and variety of your flowers is beyond beautiful. Truly this is a lovely time of year where you live - here - we remain just barely awakened by the touch of spring. Sunny and warm one day - snowing the next - but I am holding out hope that soon spring will be here in full force.

I will be anxious to see the bird book that you are working on.

Thanks again for a lovely garden walk- nas always you find such a beautiful way to showcase your every day love of life.

Vicki

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