Garden Tour

I have been so busy this spring and now early summer.  Some day's feel like a complete whirlwind and others I just sit and try and absorb the quiet and catch my breath.  For anyone that has the idea that life slows down when your children get older because they are able to do more on their own.... that is very far from the truth, at least in this house.  We have a teenager, and a preteen and life just gets busier and busier.  We enjoy each and every day and spend lots of time together as a family but it is very intertwined with things to do. I cannot emphasize how much I appreciate and feel so blessed to be able to stay home with my dd's and be here for my family.  Though I initially thought I would be able to slow down time by being here for every moment.. it couldn't be further from the truth!  It goes so fast, but I am able to have beautiful memories of all that we do.  I often wish to remember each and every  moment and vow at times to not forget certain heart melting moments, but like everyone else.  If it wasn't for my camera to help me jog the memories, I think sadly with so much going on I couldn't remember as much.  As this summer unfolds I have been taking photo's of the little places tucked away in our yard.  We had severe rains this May and were not able to get into our garden for the final tilling to plant a vegetable garden.   It is so wet that even a small rain still creates an impromptu pond in our yard.  So I have taken to enjoying what I do have which is my beautiful flowers.  I thought I would take you on a small tour of my back yard spots.  I love watching my garden change over time it is such a joy to remember when a planting was first put into the ground and how it has changed over time.

This is Jasmine. My friend was putting in a new driveway and I was able to dig up several clumps and plant two on either side of my clothesline poles.  Before they started growing very much, my dh graciously wired up some cattle panel to my clothes line poles extending up past the tops of the posts to give them plenty of room to climb up and over the poles.  I see this type of Jasmine growing and sometimes covering some ditches here.  I really like that they first bloom in bright white, then the blooms fade to a pretty butter yellow color.  I planted this last fall and it was hot outside so it took a while to really root in but has taken well to where it is and I am excited to watch as it grows.

 This is a humble little strawberry garden.  My dad and I went to a few garage sales in another town and my youngest dd saw this old bed frame without rails and wanted to make a "flower bed" with it.  We thought it was a great idea so we bought it for her.  That was five years ago!  We had been focusing so much time on interior renovations we didn't have much time to devote to exterior projects until this spring.  The rains were on the way so we planted strawberries around the edges of her little garden and when the soil dries out enough she can choose what she would like to plant in the interior.  We have all enjoyed picking fresh strawberries this spring.

 This 1950's beach comber bike was actually purchased for me by my husband to ride.  However, it has only one gear and is extremely heavy and difficult for me to try and ride.  Maybe after some serious strength conditioning I will change my mind :) It does however look lovely in the garden with the basket chalked full of petunia's.  I absolutely love seeing it out the kitchen window and when I am outside, I know I get more joy from it being in the garden than riding it :)