tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63992735583094711102012-02-16T05:44:10.365-07:00A haven sounds just like it is: full of birds and beasts, pests and people, all living together under a canopy of green.Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.comBlogger251100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-41440407231106191782011-05-08T21:21:00.000-06:002011-05-08T21:21:09.651-06:00

Just one week later, the yard is really coming to life.  Here's the planter in the middle of the walkway.  The plant with the red flowers is a climber and should wind itself up the obelisk. This pot is awaiting the Impatiences. Maybe it will be warm enough this week. The blossoms on the Fotheringilla are really a cluster of stamens.  I love the texture-like bottle brushes. Day lilies

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-77076595520205045322011-04-30T19:26:00.000-06:002011-04-30T19:26:29.740-06:00

Bloodroot emerging up through the mud Viburnum blossoms have some of the sweetest smells of Spring Another wild flower that the squirrels have carried over to the day lily bed We moved all the day lilies to the same area.  With all the rain, they are prospering! Forsythia was beautiful.  Not too many blossoms left.  But I remembered to fertilize the rose bushes when I saw the bright

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-10130080213455514132011-02-05T11:18:00.000-07:002011-02-05T11:18:11.505-07:00

Getty Museum, LA Loved the rebar trees.  Want one for my backyard.  Think it will scare the squirrels away? Water culvert.  Don't miss the small painstakingly placed stones. Who doesn't love a succulent? Alive with azaleas in the Spring.  Just beginning to turn. Look up to see light everywhere, And water. Have free ticket will travel.  Spent a long weekend with my California

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-25726067754698073722010-07-05T19:52:00.005-06:002010-07-05T20:08:56.945-06:00

This fern is an old faithful. Taken for dead after three years and little to show, I moved this outside last summer in desperation. To my surprise it loved the heat and began to grow as if it had received a large dose of Miracle Gro. Now it is a stalwart-summer time beauty and winter time green in side the front door. The day lilies have received so much rain this summer and are beautiful to

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-11456818523392246942010-05-12T16:45:00.000-06:002010-05-12T16:45:06.449-06:00

There are so  many wildflowers popping up this year in the woodlands  that it's been fun to discover them.  Above is the Wild Geranium, with delicate lavender blossoms. Trillium intermingles Several views of Swamp Buttercup Trillium is one of the first signs of Spring and stays around to watch the other flowers bloom. Wild Geranium Swamp Buttercup Low to the ground but not

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-91520479529264118172010-04-20T10:44:00.001-06:002010-04-20T10:50:38.492-06:00

I love ground covers. They faithfully survive harsh winters and when Spring returns they raise their heads towards the sun, perk up, and produce delicate white flowers. Mayapple everywhere~ Last fall my neighbor replaced one of her flower beds with sod. I guess no one told the tulips...

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-69719770162459800612010-04-14T10:28:00.002-06:002010-04-14T10:31:41.300-06:00

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-61398209114956462732010-02-14T16:18:00.011-07:002010-02-14T16:44:26.047-07:00

Maybe it's because the days grow longer. Maybe it's because the snow still stays. Maybe it's just knowing that it shows up every year.Spring, spring, spring, where art thou?

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-53151610147722296152010-01-29T15:42:00.002-07:002010-01-29T15:48:41.702-07:00

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-73912785430631881022010-01-02T16:29:00.006-07:002010-01-02T16:46:36.334-07:00

When the kids were little we hoped for snow days once in a while. If we awoke and it seemed awfully light outside when it should be dark, I would turn on the radio and we would listen to see if our school district had canceled classes. If that were the case, we would snuggle together in the bed for a few moments and then arise to a leisurely breakfast and television, two luxuries that rarely

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-25903037856666901512009-12-23T19:44:00.001-07:002009-12-23T19:54:24.646-07:00

Today was winter solstice. E came home for Christmas and offered to blow the snow off the drive. She bundled up in her mother's sweats and winter coat, making her petite form indistinguishable under the layers of warmth. She was no pansy from warmer climes; she handled the snow blower like she did the snow tracker on the grounds of her university in the wee hours of the morning before students

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-15801062398986840172009-11-11T15:56:00.005-07:002009-11-11T16:16:52.548-07:00

Early this morning when I raised the blinds I saw the sun hitting the neighbor's house. Everything was frosted over-roofs, lawns, mailboxes and flower beds, creating an atmosphere of serenity and opacity.I ran downstairs and grabbed the camera, not wanting to miss the frost as the sun warmed the houses.I was standing on the porch in my pink nightgown snapping this last picture-a commentary on

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-32480932437489842842009-10-13T20:45:00.008-06:002009-10-13T21:23:06.070-06:00

Today I recycled the geraniums, the hanging baskets and the flowering plants. Since last week's frost hit them hard, they gave up and turned into shriveled brown clumps, unrecognizable forms of their former pleasing self. I hope they stay warm over the winter in the protective brown paper bag into which I threw them. It was the least I could do. Someday, in a quite a few years, they will

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-64759718755325296872009-09-15T13:56:00.006-06:002009-09-15T14:50:00.526-06:00

On an annual trip to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, I found lots of hydrangeas to photograph.Due to the excessive amount of summer rainfall, I observed so many different color variations. Horticulturists tell us it's all about the acidity in the soil, but I saw a variety of blossom hues on the same bush.But in spite of topsy turvy summer weather, I was glad to spot my favorite standing alone, parading

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-76973624637724446112009-08-23T16:50:00.006-06:002009-08-23T17:16:47.577-06:00

Summer is waning and the kids are returning to school. The perennials are looking a little peaked but the annuals have caught their second wind. I've topped the coleus several times sparking fuller plants, but coming home from vacation I found spikes of new growth, a sure sign that rain had been less than an enthusiastic guest, having popped in and out, most of the summer.The Ivy Geraniums are

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-87807553191847280932009-08-03T15:29:00.005-06:002009-08-03T15:42:56.413-06:00

These flowers are on the southwest side of the house. Because of all the rain they have doubled in size. They start out as little balloons and open to these beautiful flowers.Since I don't usually pass this way, they are a pleasant surprise when I come around the corner!

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-48539435905607073772009-08-03T15:27:00.001-06:002009-08-03T15:29:16.048-06:00

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-75979299640772382742009-07-24T08:34:00.002-06:002009-07-24T08:37:07.844-06:00

Think bright pinks with lots of buzzing bees around-a sure sign of summer.

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-82102809528771912722009-07-21T15:47:00.004-06:002009-07-21T15:59:30.226-06:00

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-64619489627980248442009-07-07T11:27:00.004-06:002009-08-03T15:51:04.559-06:00

It's that time of year again where I'm out in the garden early in the morning,loving the warmth of the sun and the songs of the birds.The Stella d' oros are finished, but the rest of the lilies are out in full force.

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-42893349654915360912009-07-07T11:04:00.004-06:002009-07-07T11:38:14.299-06:00

Over the years the Heuchera has gone wild! Little plants are cropping up between the flagstone path and throughout one of the front beds. I love their flower spikes and their assertions that they are strong enough to travel just about anywhere. That's what is needed-willing volunteers.

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-90257893517290728752009-06-26T08:34:00.005-06:002009-06-26T08:50:48.819-06:00

I saw this at the nursery and thought, "Why not?" She is a beautiful plant, but like any paintedlady, likes a lot of attention. She need a daily pinch here and there and always a haircut.Coddled a little, she wraps her delicate tendrils and leaves around and around then quietlyshows forth her brilliant colors.

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-70645567851139674062009-06-24T14:17:00.004-06:002009-06-24T14:32:44.576-06:00

In May we heard a bird squawking around in our chimney flue. It's a hard decision: Open the flue and try to free the sooty bird, or let it smother to death in the soot? Cowardly, I made the second choice. After all, "survival of the fittest."It was time to clean our flues; it had been six years and two cords of wood. Terry and Lee came. Lee hoisted the ladder to the roof and climbed up with

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-17620987446451819812009-06-02T10:46:00.006-06:002009-06-02T11:36:17.748-06:00

The flies have invaded! Two weeks ago a lone fly circled through my house. After swatting at it, it was forgotten. Joke on me; they have come in waves since then. At first, I attacked, mostly with a tissue, hearing their bodies crackle under the pressure of my thumb and finger. They don't seem to live too long and they like the light of the windows. Consequently it's been easier to trap them

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399273558309471110.post-48997534049984000812009-06-01T15:40:00.005-06:002009-06-01T16:08:06.075-06:00

It rained this morning and it's been muggy all day. More moisture is coming late tonight. I glanced out the window about 4 pm and saw the iris, standing almost three feet tall, adorned with a lovely crown of purple.

Sugar Grove Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287316548264415247noreply@blogger.com0