in the garden

April 18, 2019























































Well hello! This is the most picture laden post I've ever made! We've been so busy and nature has been so busy, well, I've taken a lot of pictures because everything looks so pretty. The grass is so green; thank you rain. The peonies are blooming and are gorgeous. And yes, they are real. I've had some doubters as peonies don't usually grow in our zone. But truth: tree peonies will grown in zone 8 and I've had luck with them for decades. This year the wisteria is blooming at the same time as the peonies; so nice and just in time for Easter. Wow, it's Easter! Yay! The kids will be here tomorrow and I've made sugar cookies and shortbread. In case you think you never have time to bake cookies, you probably DO have time to make shortbread. It's way too easy and is always a favorite. Outside we've prepped the vegetable garden which took some doing. We both had sore backs for a week. I have been weeding like crazy and he has been repairing the watering system. We feel if we can get on top of these two big things in spring then we will have a little bit easier time managing the summer garden. These two jobs are for the entire garden, not just the veggie garden, so it's quite a job. We have a little helper two days a week and he works so hard! It's so cute to see him follow papa around. My heart almost bursts when I hear them talking about what tool they should use next. In late winter the greenhouse was cleaned out and seeds were planted for the summer annuals. The tomatoes, squash and cucumbers have already been transplanted. The radish, onion and dill seeds have been sown and next week the bean and beet seeds will be sowed. The zinnias and cosmos are still in the greenhouse and will go out next week. We had a party last week and I made the most beautiful strawberry dessert. I must write down the recipe and give it to you because it's not only gorgeous and delicious, but easy too. I'm making it again for Easter. My son has a kumquat tree and he gave me a giant bag of kumquats. I made kumquat marmalade which turned out so beautiful and so good. I ended up giving the jars away at our party and so made another batch. We squeeze fresh orange juice every morning and have had our first harvest from our little pink lemon tree. The neighbor's bees spend the day in our garden and they are very welcome.  Friends have been giving us fresh eggs. Even the roses are just starting to bloom. Spring!

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16 Comments

  1. All of the pictures are so beautiful, but I confess the my favorites are of your delightful grandson, especially the ones with his papa. I'm intrigued by your pink lemons. I have grown lemons in Southern California and where I now live in Florida, but never have seen the pink ones. Like the Cara Cara orange and Haas avocado, it may not be available to us and in our climate. Can you tell us about the flavor?

    Happy Easter, Kristen. Thank you for this wonderful post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you and sorry for the late reply! I love to take pictures of Carter with his papa. They have so much fun together and both look so darn cute! As for the flavor of the lemon, we don’t notice any difference really, but maybe they smell more floral than a regular lemon. I just think they are pretty!

      Kristen

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  2. These photos!!!! WOW!!! Everything looks so incredibly gorgeous!!! I live in Minnesota, so our gardens are FAR from looking like this, since we just had 8+ inches of snow a week ago! 70's this weekend though, so it will help my tulips and daffodils and peonies grow! Your grandson is darling!!! Happy Easter!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Leah. Oh my! Did you have snow at Easter? Our daffodil and peonies are history now, and now it’s the roses. Everything in California comes sooo early! I envy you being able to look forward to them!

      Kristen

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  3. Hi Kristen,
    Always beautiful pictures of your property. Do some stretches for those sore backs. LOL.
    Take care,
    Leslie

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    Replies
    1. You should see me stop and lay on the grass and stretch and stretch. Carter crawls on me! We don’t have him until Thursday and we miss him already!

      Kristen

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  4. Your peonies are so beautiful,Yvonne Kehoe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Yvonne. I'm replying a week later (sorry for the tardy reply) and they are losing their petals! :(

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  5. Wow! Everything is so pretty and that little helper is adorable ��

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  6. I have garden envy. The out of this world peonies are unbelievable, but I saw them with my own eyes and they are amazing. Beautiful photos of your garden and little Farmer MacGreggor..
    Carole

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    Replies
    1. Carole you are too funny. Little Farmer MacGreggor for sure! Laughing!

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  7. Thank you for the beautiful pictures of your garden! I'm inspired! Your grandson is adorable too! Please post the recipe of the dessert...I saw that and thought yummy!
    Tina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I’ve got to get onto that, but I’m almost embarrassed because it’s so simple!

      Delete
  8. I love peonies! I love those pictures of your husband and grandson at work together. It just about makes MY heart burst and I don't even know them! One of the universal joys of life I guess:-). Chloe

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    Replies
    1. It's true. Something so sweet about a grandfather and grandson. When it's nap time and he won't go for a nap, he will at least sit on Papa's lap and they read a story, then I put a blanket on them and tell them it's time for a nap. They both oblige! So funny!

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