This is the beauty of every day life. This morning it was still quite dark outside and the light over the kitchen sink made one Abraham Darby rose stuck in an Evian bottle look like an opera star. I just had to show you.
I am a firm believer in having pretty things by the kitchen sink. That area of the kitchen is a magnet for friends/neighbors/family that stop by and having pretty dishwashing liquid and if possible, a flower from the garden in a vase makes me feel good. It is a "Visual Vitamin" that I take every time I walk by.
I have collected some limited edition Evian bottles when they had a designer series, and I use them as vases, candle holders and I'm about to use some to house oils for cooking. Why not? They are beautiful and would otherwise be recycled. This is my way of upcycling them and I feel good every time I see them.
The dishwashing liquid? That is part of a new series by Palmolive called "Fresh Infusions" and I bought one of each strictly because the bottle is pretty. Market research, take note.
If you need me, I'll be in the garden. This is my favorite time of year. June usually has cooler mornings and temperatures in the 70's during the day. I can do my gardening in the morning and freshen things up for enjoying the patio the rest of the day.
This "floral portrait" is the Abraham Darby English rose by David Austin.
Each morning that I am home, I deadhead the roses, violas and geraniums. I water the pots (mixed flowers, herbs, pepper plants, tomatoes) with a hose. I cut all of the flowers that I want to make into bouquets. Then I put on gloves and spray any buds/plants that show signs of disease or bugs with Orthonex. Please note that I cut the flowers first, because I don't want to interact with any plants with bug spray on them. I fertilize when necessary (I'm about to put down my "June" application of Rose Tone). And then I sweep the patio to clean things up.
A lot of tasks, I know, but it is oh so worth it. I like Martha Stewart's explanation. She says that she doesn't think of it as "working in the garden" or having a list of "garden work" that must be done. To her (and me) it is simply the act of gardening and we love it. I don't play music. I'm not on the phone. I am in the garden - thinking and relaxing in my own space. For me, that is meditation.
I think any garden you can take care of is a "Meditation Garden," don't you?
"Good Morning, Abraham!"
Yes, I'll admit it, I talk to my roses. On a quiet morning, standing on the patio with a hot cup of coffee, I am quite the chatterbox. In the mornings, there is no where I'd rather be than on my patio checking on my roses and imagining bouquets with the flowers that are in bloom. I definitely use my rose garden as a cutting garden and I cut flowers for arrangements every day, if I didn't cut the flowers they would fade really quickly in the Summer heat.
Would you believe that the roses actually last longer as cut flowers in the house? But on mornings like this, when Abraham Darby is showing off, I just have to let you see them in their natural habitat. Ha!
Do you remember when I met the David Austins in England? I think of that special day all the time.
The other day I asked my friend about her community's Garden Club. She talked of casual meetings held monthly in member's backyards. Glasses of iced tea and conversation surrounding sunlight and fertilizer.She went on to say that they still meet in the Winter - mostly to look at pictures in garden catalogs. "It helps," she said simply. And I was reminded of the kinship between all gardeners off season. So today I am featuring a photo of my David Austin English rose, Abraham Darby. I have loved this variety for years and can't wait to see it "in person" again.I hope it helps.
Do you know about chintzware? My mom has collected a piece here and there over the years at antique shows and estate sales. Chintz teacups, plates and serving pieces are printed with an all-over fabric design. Highly collectible and very sweet, chintzware is perfect for an old-fashioned tea party. Want to know more? You can learn a lot about chintz here.What? Oh, the rose is a David Austin English rose called Abraham Darby. Love it!
I have always loved April Cornell tea towels. They have great color combinations, are a thick waffle weave and wash like a dream.
But do I use dishtowels for dishes? No, not always. Sometimes I use them as art. I fold them in stacks and display them in the china cupboard, or arrange them in a wire basket near the kitchen sink, or stretch them on a frame.
The lovely peach & salmon tea towel shown in this photo usually hangs from a hook on the rack in the distance and adds a lovely touch of fabric and color to a quiet corner.
My Italian grapefruit soda bottle and "Abraham Darby" english roses match perfectly!
