Day 20 Neighborhood Garden Walk

Today as I was walking to meet Camille I saw a wonderful front yard garden full of drought tolerant plants, I thought I would share it with you. Above are some great look'n Yuckas, below a wonderful composition of grass and blanket flower, and a surprising window box of cacti (although it is not on a window).

...also for those that were in Lethbridge today (June 29, 07) was it not the most freak'n humid day you have ever experienced in Lethbridge?...so, so weird...I felt like I was in Montreal...AND the cotton was floating through the air...so it almost seemed to be snowing...or like fairies flying

Day 20 For Jon

As I have mentioned before, I believe that gardens call people home (although I realize this could depend where you are and how you feel about home...but still home...is home, if we are lucky)...In the past I have posted garden pictures for Dana and Annie, as well as Dagmar, who have been traveling this summer...an now I post these pictures for Jon. They are 'quick shots' as his neighbors were out and I think they thought I was a real estate agent or something.

If you are going to be away and would like to have some pictures of your garden posted on this blog so you can see how your garden grows while you are away...let me know. I would love to post them.

Day 20 Garden Gossip and Kittens

Tonight when we got home we stopped over at Richard and Marlene's for a visit and refreshment on their deck...as I have mentioned in other posts they have an amazing garden. We shared bird, moth and double ug...mouse stories...they said they have had mice in their garage...I am so not amused...I have told myself that there are no city mice, only country mice...

Marlene said that she had harvested some Basil from the Boulevarden for their dinner the other night...sooo cool!

When watering we met Lara who lives just down the street and has a new kitten, Heidi. Heidi is one cute kitten...it is hard to tell in this picture, but one half of her face is dark and the other light...Lara had a great smile and was friendly.















We are looking forward to the long weekend in the garden....it is needing some weeding...The Zucchini seeds from Dana and Annie are coming up! I was worrying about them, but here they grow!

Day 19 Part 1 Deck visit conversations

Last evening we had guests on the deck, artists: Camille Turner (Toronto), Isabelle Hayuer (Montreal), Paul Roberto (Calgary), and Kelly Andres (Lethbridge). Isabelle and I talked about this Public Garden Boulevard Project aka The Boulevarden and guerrilla gardening in general. She told me how lucky we were to have all this space, as in Montreal she does not even have a patio....we discussed the rooftop public gardens that are happening in Montreal...(I have links and videos to some Montreal gardens on this blog if you are interested). Anne Baxter walked by with her dog Mimosa...I invited her to join us for a glass of wine. Years ago she lived in Montreal for a time so she was chatting up Isabelle. It was a nice night.

Day 18 Lavender and Tomatoes

I have been anti-social the last couple of days...so I have not performed or even visited the garden this week. However I was just in the garden this morning and the Lavender is starting to bloom...lovely. I am going to make and give away jars of Lavender sugar in the garden this Sunday afternoon. Stop by if you would like to have a jar of Lavender sugar or just a handful of Lavender... Last summer Moira and I made Lavender Truffles which were wonderful, very rich, but wonderful. Neither of us knew each other that well then (or for that matter...how to make Truffles)...it was one of those afternoons where you get a Cole's Notes of the other person's life...and then want to read the book.

Here are a couple great Lavender 'recipes':

Lavender Body Powder:
Combine together in a bowl:
1 C of finely ground dried lavender buds
1 C of Bentonite Clay
1.5 C of cornstarch
Lavender essential oil
Whisk the clay and cornstarch together, add powdered lavender buds and 3-5 drops of essential oil...sit covered in the bowl for an hour or so and then transfer to a shaker jar.

Lavender Lemonade:
5 C water
1.5 C sugar (I know ug)
12 Stems of fresh Lavender
2.25 C fresh Lemon juice (wow, eh?)
Mix the 2.5 C of water with the sugar in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Remove the flowers from the stem and add to the sugar/water mix. Remove from heat, cover - allow to cool - when cool add the lemon juice - serve over crushed ice and garnish with Lavender blossoms. Serves 8.

It seems it may have not been the best idea to put the bird seed directly on the ground...although the birds do love it...

Below are the beginnings of Tomatoes (the plants are a bit windblown...and not in a sexy wind swept sort of way...in a help me outta here kinda way, sad)...the Asparagus seems to have survived and the artichoke is doing well - although I only have one so if it does bloom...there will be one choke to share...but I will...I'll let you know how it grows!

Day 15 Nikka Yuko Garden

I did not spend ANY time in the Boulevarden today....I have a performance planned for tomorrow that am looking forward to.

Paul, Camille and I visited the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden here in Lethbridge (above is a picture from the rock path). We arrived just in time to watch a tea ceremony. We enjoyed the peacefulness of the park, often walking without conversation...we were all soooo relaxed after the park visit we decided to stop at the market for cheese and veggies...and we sat on the deck, had wine, snacked and talked...it was lovely. As I sat on the deck I looked around our garden realized how busy and bright it is compared to Nikka Yuko...neither is better or worse...but they are very different and elicit very different emotions or moods...

Day 14 Catnip and Grass

I found a Bachelor Button growing out of the concrete in the back alley...I love its persistence
I watered and watered today...ug...I am worried about all the water it is taking to keep the plants going...the one side of the garden has drought tolerant plants...but they need water to get established - the vegetable side needs lots of water...I am feeling a little bit environmentally UNfriendly right now...we are setting up a series of rain barrels (we have nine that we are hooking up together)...so we should be better equipped for next year.

I did not perform or speak to anyone today (although a man walked by and friendly said he is looking forward to seeing the yard next year). Paul and I went and mowed a friends lawn so that when they get home they will not have to face long grass...but we have a battery mower and the battery conked out half way through...so we finished it with the weed whacker...better than nothing right...went on a rock hunt this afternoon as I put in a Sedum/Cactus garden and they do better with rocks to keep them warm...then left a small stack on someone's front steps.