50 Days of Summer

We still have fifty more days of summer in 2021. When I was teaching summer ended when school started. A silver lining of retirement is that I can enjoy those twenty-two days of September still considered summer. So before I get out the autumn decor and enjoy a pumpkin spice latte I want to continue to embrace summer.

Because of high temperatures, dry winds, and smoky air I have been limited lately to embrace favorite summer activities. I made a list of things I still want to do before autumn brings summer to an end:

Eat a soft serve twirl ice cream cone. 

Have a s'more.

Organize a picnic potluck.

Swim in a river.

Bake a fresh peach pie.

Go to Manito Park.

Watch a summer sunrise.

Reread a favorite summer book. My choice would be "Summer Sisters" by Judy Blume

Watch a favorite summer movie. My choice would be "Mamma Mia."

Pick flowers from the garden, make bouquets, and deliver them to friends.

Make a dessert with zucchini. (this is a beautiful chocolate zucchini cake made by my sister)

Make a pitcher of Bloody Marys and invite people over to enjoy them.

What activity do you still want to do before the end of the summer of 2021?

Creation of Collage: Part 3

Often when creating a collage I just go for a subject. This collage is flowers in winter. I miss bouquets from the garden in winter, but I continue to enjoy flowers thanks to bulbs I force, grocery store bouquets,  Mom's birthday bouquet, and a trip to the conservatory.

"Art is the unceasing effort to compete with the beauty of flowers - and never succeeding."
- Gian Caro Menotti

The Creation of Collage: Part 2

When taking winter pictures there is often a combination of textures, light, and composition that is a surprise. Here is a collage from a recent trip to Manito Park in Spokane on a very cold wintry day.

Saturday Road Trip: A Tour of Manito Park, Part 2

There is so much to see at the Manito Park Gardens, but Saturday was a day to spend time wandering through the Perennial Garden. When I first began created gardens here at my home I used this garden for inspiration. This I think as you view this photo tour you will see why.
I had these lovely allium plants once. I am inspired to plant them again after Saturday.

I definitely need to add Siberian Iris to my wish list for my spring garden.
It was a perfect day to enjoy peonies.
We were a bit early in the season to fully enjoy the Rose Hill Garden. In a few weeks it should be full of blooming roses and ready for a visit. The Manito Gardens also include a Lilac Garden, the Duncan Garden, and a Japanese Garden.

Saturday Road Trip: A Tour of Manito Park Part 1

After ending school on Friday I just wanted a day that wasn't planned or rushed. We decided on Saturday to head to Spokane to visit the gardens at Manito Park. We hadn't visited the Gaiser Conservatory for quite awhile, so we started there. Wow! That was all we kept saying was Wow! How could so much color, beauty, and variety of plant life be in one small building? As we meandered through the damp environment we listened to the water features, smelled the lilies, and wanted to reach out and touch the soft blossoms on the tropical plants.
Guess how many times one of us said, "Gosh... I wish we could grow this!"?

Join us for a tour of the Geyser Conservatory. If you live in the Inland Empire, this place is worth a visit. Stayed tuned tomorrow for another part of the beautiful Manito Gardens.