Anniversary Get Away

Last week my husband and I went away for a few days to celebrate our 31st wedding anniversary. We went to southern Indiana and stayed at the Clifty Falls State Park Inn. We had a great time hiking, shopping and eating some good food.

We saw lots of turkeys on the park roads.

One of several falls in the park.

View of Ohio River from our room.

We took a very, very  long hike. Thought we were going to die!

 Part of the reason we chose this destination was because of an herb farm that is nearby. I had read about and wanted to check it out. And I just have to say OMG! It was amazing! It was in the middle of nowhere, along the banks of a creek, with a beautiful brick farm house and out buildings.

The display gardens were beautiful and full of inspiring ideas to take home.

And it was neat and weeded. We have been to many herb farms and gardens that advertise "display gardens", only to find weedy, messy beds and hoses to trip over. I've gotten to where I don't expect much, but this place really lived up to their web site descriptions.  There was a tea room, several shops and farm animals to pet. I can't wait to go back. I bought a couple of garden ornaments, but need to take some pictures. I'll be back soon.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

A Proud Mom

I have to take a moment to write about our oldest son, Justin. After many years of study, he successfully completed the coursework, and defense of his doctoral dissertation. Here he is - Dr. Justin Marquis, PHD (philosophy).

 We were able to attend his defense. What an experience! Rick and I kept looking at each other and wondering "this is our son?!" Andrew and Eric were with us and we all celebrated by going out to eat at one of Justin's favorite restaurants in Chicago. What a wonderful day! Congratulations, Justin!

Some Things I'm Working On...

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there! We had a relaxing time with the kids (minus Justin, we'll see him tomorrow). A cookout, strolling around the yard and playing with Tad.

Besides gardening I have been trying to finish up a few projects on my very long list of things to make. Well, this quilt is not finished but it is sewn and waiting to be quilted.

It is from the Moda Bake Shop site. As soon as I saw it I wanted to make it. So fresh and bright, and I love the prairie point border.

It's hard to believe that for as long as I have been making quilts, I have never made prairie points. How could that be?! I love them.

I just made this little cross stitch into a pillow. It is from a Helen Philipps book. She has so many cute designs. I know I will be stitching up more of them in the future.

Now, here is a peak of some little embroidery pieces I'm working on. Does anyone remember the Alene's TV craft show? Years ago I ordered a couple of iron-on transfer books from them.  I always knew I would stitch up these alphabet flowers some day. I just didn't know what to do with them. And I still don't! But I'm working them up anyway and hoping something will come to me. Any ideas?

The gardens are right on the edge of exploding into bloom. I just spent a couple of days weeding and getting the beds ready for the show. I'll leave you with a few views around the yard.

Almost ready!

A volunteer foxglove in the raspberries.

An oriental poppy.

Japanese iris with  metal hummingbird art.

 

Just for fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Favorite Time of the Year

It's that time of the year again. Planting time! I've been at the garden shops and gotten all my fill-in plants and seeds. Everything in the greenhouse is ready. And every evening I'm crippled from putting it all in.

This is what the greenhouse looked like earlier this week. Now it's pretty much empty.

Most of our beds are full of perennials, so I just need a few annuals for edging and for potting up. Next year I'm going to grow more annuals from seed and save even more money (and get more varieties.)

I also got the vegetable garden in. It really doesn't take much time now since we downsized. Just tomatoes, peppers, beans, cucumbers, and salad stuff.

Here's a few things that are blooming now:

I have columbine reseeding everywhere.

A new Blue Girl rose.

I love planting our hypertufa containers.

WelI, I've got to get ready for work. I will be back soon with some pictures of my stitching projects. Have a great weekend!