Happy Weekend!!!!

Image by Chocolate Creative Design

Happy Weekend Everyone!!!

Miss Ice Cube decided to join the party after all!!

Thankfully just in time as the weather took a turn this morning and all my ladies woke up with a glittery white coat and finally said goodbye..

 Baseball season ended last evening...

and

I am so proud of the Monster who has turned into quite the baseball player!

Who knew that all those years of rock throwing would morph my magical little beast into a stellar pitcher!!

BUT

Baseball fever is NOT over..

I do happen to have a house full of Red Sox fans (much to my chagrin) and the Tall One is sporting quite the beard proving his allegiance!!

Days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder..

and I am feverishly trying to wrap up a rather delicious Save the Date...

BUT

I will definitely find the time to celebrate..

Image by Chocolate Creative Design

 

 someones 5th month birthday starting tomorrow..

Time is sure flying fast my friends...

We still need to grab a bit of Fall before it disappears..

Like

Clyde's Cider Donuts

Jumping in leaf piles

Decorating pumpkins

Long walks on the beach

and

Admiring Mother Nature's last colorful hurrah before a long winter's sleep..

 

Be Safe, Pick a Pumpkin and Have a Great Weekend!!

Happy Weekend!!

Image by Helena Ljunggren

Happy Weekend Everyone!!! 

The Northeast has had a simply glorious first week of Fall..

There is absolutely nothing to complain about with temperatures reaching up into the mid 80's.

With that said..

The cutting garden is still hanging in there and is bursting with brilliant shades of pink, orange, yellow, red, purple and white..

Back in May, I spoke about a beautiful brown paper box that had just arrived from White Flower Farm containing one of my obsessions..

Dahlias!

 7 types to be a exact..

A week full of Dahlias..

So here we go folks..

the fruits of my labor...

Image by Chocolate Creative Design

 I honestly can't believe that they ALL survived!!

I created a little cheat sheet for all you Dahlia lovers..

Sorbet

Gorgeous pinks that change as it blooms. Doesn't need staking. Medium in height and flower. Not a huge amount of blooms.

Karma Corona

This is the only Dahlia that wasn't the same color as in the brochure. Very Tall. Definitely needs staking. Medium in bloom size and a generous amount of blooms.

American Dawn

One of my favorites. Colors range from brilliant oranges to muted shades of pink. Large in size and bloom. Generous amount of blooms. Needs staking.

Kenora Jubilee

The largest in everything...Height, bloom size and the amount of blooms.. The blooms can get to be the size of a baby's head..

Stands tall and proud and doesn't need staking.

Thomas Edison

Very short in plant stature..Blooms droop a bit but absolutely stunning in color.

Seattle

The MOST beautiful..

Very very delicate blooms..Not as generous in the amount of blooms.

First to open.

I knew you guys were too smart for your own good...

Yes, there are only 6 Dahlias in the image above..

Lucky Number 7, Miss Ice Cube,

has been a bit shy and I am eagerly awaiting her arrival..

If she looks anything like her picture..

I know that I'll be the happiest gardener in town..

 Image by White Flower Farm

I am already planning next year's additions...

Apparently the early bird gets the tuber at White Flower Farm..

Maybe a few Cafe au Laits would do the trick..

It just goes to show you..

Take a chance, try something new...

There are truly beautiful and amazing things that await..

If only you let go of the fear

and

jump!

Be Safe, Plant a Tuber and Have a Great Weekend!!

Happy Weekend!!!!

Image by Adeline & Grace

flowers by Hana Floral Design

Deirdre & Jay, Island Farm on Elihu Island 9/13/08

Happy Weekend Everyone!!

Nothing makes me happier in the late summer/early fall than a bridal bouquet filled with dahlias...

Dahlias are the last tell tale sign of summer in the garden..

For me, they are like fireworks..

the last hurrah of sorts.. 

a beautiful colorful explosion in your hands..

At the Island, the ladies have carefully and meticulously cared for the growing and the cultivation of dahlias in the garden.

Growing dahlias is certainly a commitment...

They are tubers so they have to be planted early in the Spring,

constantly clipped to bring new growth during the summer and finally dug up and housed away in the basement in the Fall. 

I love watching the gorgeous Sperry Tent go up next to the garden and it's almost as if they know that it's wedding season..

They seem to straighten themselves up and brush themselves off just in time for the bride & groom to come their way.

Just today, the orange ones seem to smile as Diane & Jason walked by them for their wedding rehearsal..

Happy Happy Anniversary to Deirdre & Jason who also share my love for dahlias, the Island and most importantly family! 

Be Safe, Smell the Flowers and Have a Great Weekend!!