Of course, now that it's springtime and into the second week of April, there are more things blooming than I can keep track of! Today I decided to pick some blooms and put them in vases, then snap shots of them with the built in camera on my BlackBerry.
Mertensia (Virginia Bluebells), Dicentra (Bleeding Hearts), and Hellebores (Lenton Roses) are going strong, just to name some of the perennials that have shot up practically overnight. And I do mean overnight in the literal sense. It seems like one day they weren't through the ground, and the next day they're almost done blooming!
Definitely not my clearest photos--but I'm afraid that if I wait too much longer, some of these will be finished blooming and/or dried up and dead!
It has been in the 90's here for the past couple of days and way too hot to enjoy gardening! Whatever happened to spring? I don't recall putting in an order for July weather just yet!
Next are some shots of Lamium (Spotted Dead-Nettle), Tiarella blooms (Foam Flower) and Pulmonaria (Lungwort).
(I guess there are some Bleeding Hearts in this little arrangement, too).
I will drive back to my mom's this weekend to retrieve the cameras. I have a small one that we just got for Christmas--a Canon S-90--that for some reason I stuck in the camera bag along with my big one, the Nikon D-40x and the zoom and macro lenses that go with it.
Usually I keep the small camera in my purse. What was I thinking? I could be taking some pretty good photos with that little point and shoot. I can't wait to get them back--both of them. How I've come to depend on my trusty cameras!
I planted some herbs during the past couple of days. I put them in pots on my deck. The parsley from last year over-wintered in the severe cold and snow and looks terrific right now. I have seeds for other herbs and veggies, but I couldn't help myself when I saw a few small plants already started at my local big-box store. I planted basil, rosemary, tomatoes (a 'patio' variety, meant for growing in containers) stevia, and a strawberry plant. I've never tried growing stevia before and haven't looked in to using it for cooking--but I'm going to experiment.
I want to apologize for not visiting you all lately. I'm still here, but busy with life! I do manage to keep up with a lot of you on FaceBook, which I find an easy alternative to always visiting blogs. I know everyone doesn't use FaceBook or Twitter (I don't Tweet!) but they have a real place in the social world now and are actually pretty convenient to use. You can always follow my blog on Facebook through Networked Blogs, and/or join my Facebook fan page. Both are listed on my sidebar, for those who might be interested. Let me know if you use FaceBook so I can follow you there, as well.
Before I close I want to add a reminder about the Garden Bloggers Sustainable Living project, which will be available to enter through 11:59pm on April 15th. See the link on my sidebar and/or at the top of my blog for details. You don't need to write an essay--just a paragraph, or even a list of what you are doing or plan to do, will be plenty! There have been over 40 participants so far, so be sure to have a look at them HERE, and then add your own post! You have until 11:59 pm on April 15th to do so.
Happy spring everyone;-)
--Today I am thankful for the nice breeze that has formed as I've finished this post, and for the cooler temperatures predicted for the weekend (and maybe even some much needed rain to wash away the pollen).
Words and photos ©Thanks For Today, by Jan Huston Doble
Dear Jan, I thought that your vase of sprigs from the garden looked so fresh, simple and charming. In particular, the mertensia with that melt your heart blue looked especially wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAs I am camera-less all year round, I am always in awe of any images I see and could not begin, I am sure, to understand the technicalities involved in a 'macro' lens whatever that is.
I cannot believe the temperatures you have been having. I am not surprised to read that everything has arrived in a rush. That's life!
Thank you so much for your good wishes left on my weblog prior to my recent trip. That was such a kind thought and appreciated very much.
Thanks for stopping by, Edith, and you are welcome for the last comment;-) I know I use a mix or everyday, ordinary language and blotanical names when I speak of plants--the botany police will be arresting me shortly, I'm sure;-) Mertensia didn't immediately come to mind and I didn't take the time to look up the formal names. Thanks for adding that!
ReplyDeleteDid you notice I just wrote 'blotanical' when I meant to say 'botanical'? Way too much Blotanical on the mind, I guess...haha!
ReplyDeleteLovely post, your Blackberry has done a very decent job. I especially like the combination of bleeding hearts & bluebells, very pretty!
ReplyDeleteYour Blackberry photos work well. I love the mertensia. There is a local garden where it was growing so beautifully and I am thinking of trying it in the only shade that I have.
ReplyDeleteI love the combination of bleeding hearts in with Mertensia, Jan. They're very springlike and of course blue is one of my favourite colours. Trying to get my mertensia to hurry up and spread, but it hasn't been cooperating just yet. Maybe it's like the watched pot that never boils.
ReplyDeletePink and blue blooms together...so pretty.
ReplyDeleteSounds strange to read that you're thankful for the cooler temps headed your way. Don't think we saw 40 today.
donna
Exactly my thoughts about the explotion of plants this week! I couldn't believe how quickly everything went and I am also glad that it's cooling down again. I don't want cold, just comfortable spring temperatures:)
ReplyDeleteI can understand how frustrating it must be not to have your camera now. I hope you will get it back soon.
Bek
Ooohhh, I love your vase arrangements Jan - so sweet and pretty!
ReplyDeleteEarlier this week I was so happy to see two of three Virginia bluebells I planted last year come back - one's tiny, but the other one looks like it might be big enough to bloom this year - I've always loved them, and miss them since moving here.
I started my Earth Day post today, and should have it posted by the weekend (I hope!) It's kind of long and I'll probably do some editing of my typical wordiness first.
Hope you get your cameras back soon. I'm not happy when the battery's dead on mine - I can imagine how frustrating it is to be without yours, especially this time of year!
Happy Spring!
I'd go insane if I'd left both my cameras somewhere else. Those are great Blackberry photos.
ReplyDeleteLovely arrangement! I think bleeding hearts are so charming. I too am very attached to my camera. A couple years ago, I left mine in a hot car for two days, and it was permanently ruined. It was soooo hard waiting for the new camera my husband promised me for Christmas. He ended up giving it to me a month early.
ReplyDeleteI loved the Bleeding hearts and the way you have used them to decorate your interiors so deftly. I know, it can get difficult without the Camera in hand, specially when one is so used to capturing shots after shots in the garden.
ReplyDeleteThx for the wishes, Happy Spring to you too.
What sweet little arrangements, and so smart of you to think of your phone camera! The combination of the Bleeding Heart and the Virginia Bluebells is lovely. Don't worry about not having the time to visit--I think we can all relate to how crazy life can get sometimes--I just hate it when it cuts into my garden blogging time! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine being without my cameras. I'm sure your mom is glad for a return visit though.
ReplyDeleteI would go nuts without my camera! Your bouquets are beautiful! You are right, so many flowers are blooming this week, and so much changes in just a few days. We had a couple of mid 80s weather, and I was thinking our spring was over. But we had rain this morning, and now cooler temps are back, if only temporarily.
ReplyDeleteI would go nuts without my camera! Your bouquets are beautiful! You are right, so many flowers are blooming this week, and so much changes in just a few days. We had a couple of mid 80s weather, and I was thinking our spring was over. But we had rain this morning, and now cooler temps are back, if only temporarily.
ReplyDeleteI understand how lost we bloggers feel without our cameras, but even with the low resolution camera, the flowers look pretty. I like the arrangements! Have a great day! Hope you get back your camera soon.
ReplyDeleteGreat to find you on facebook, it works :)
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for spring, still standing in snow to my knees
--Hilde
I have a Canon S-90 also and it is a great little point and shoot camera. Your Blackberry did a fine job of those spring beauties. I also don't find enough time to comment on all my favorite blogs but I do try to read them. Life comes first. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love that bouquet! Such beautiful colors, that bleeding heart adds a very graceful arch.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
I'd feel the same way if I had left my camera behind somewhere too . Your blackberry is doing a good job of standing in though. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Jan, your bouquets are lovely (even with the wrong camera ; ).
ReplyDeleteI think the Virginia Bluebells are so pretty - and I'm desperately hoping my my tiny plant (sown from seed) to start growing.
Happy Spring to you!
I am glad you at least have your blackberry camera. Your bouquets are just lovely. I hope your herbs grow large enough to use soon :-)
ReplyDeleteEven with your Blackberry you take good pictures. I hope the heat doesn't wipe out your Spring flowers and you can get some more pictures.
ReplyDeleteWell you take good pictures with your Blackberry Jan girl. Your blue bell and bleeding hearts arrangement is so pretty.Bring spring indoors is a good idea.
ReplyDeletePretty picks in the vases.
ReplyDeleteI do that sometimes to cheer up the house.
Blackberry/Cell phone pics are good in a pinch.
Hope you get your cameras back soon.
What a list of participants of Garden Bloggers in the Sustainable Living project ...gotta check it out !
aloha jan,
ReplyDeletelove your spring time arrangements...i don't know what i would do with out my cameras especially since most of my blog is visual...have a nice weekend
Wow your Blackberry takes decent photos Jan. I scratched the lens on my phone's camera and now everything comes out blurry, lol. ;) Lovely spring bouquets. I planted Virginia Bluebells last fall, no signs of blooms yet. Hope you get your cameras back soon. Thanks for stopping by today and for the warm welcome back. I missed you all so much. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm actually impressed with the photos your Blackberry takes, although I admit, I'd go crazy without my cameras! Camera phones just aren't quite the same. You did a great job with your photos though despite the challenge!
ReplyDeleteI take my camera nearly everywhere, but the problem lately is finding time to photograph.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed seeing all of your lovely spring blooms Jan as I'm at the time of year is Aus where they can only be anticipated!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad forgetting your cameras didn't stop you from posting! Good excuse to visit your mother again - I bet she's happy. Love the bleeding heart! Pam
ReplyDeleteI am just stopping by to say hi!!!
ReplyDeleteSpring is long before at your place, take care friend, MB
Wow - you've had some hot weather already! Love the photos you took with your Blackberry.
ReplyDeleteI love the bleeding hearts and bluebells together. But, LOL, I miss your camera, too! :)
ReplyDeleteJan, I hear you about the camera-less. Don't know what I would do with out mine. Oh, and the computer.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you will get yours back soon.
Life is crazy busy for everyone. Where is time going? I seem to be more of a "day off" blogger then ever.
Jen
Jan, I've added you in. I am SO sorry again. Thanks so much for letting me know.
ReplyDeleteHi Jan~~ I like your new blog-do. I know what you mean. I was just leaving to run errands when I looked at a clump of purple tulips worshiping the sun--perfect photo opp. But wouldn't you know it. "Expired Battery." By the time I got home and charged it, the sun was gone. Now if the deer stay away from the tulips...and if the sun shines...then maybe, just maybe I'll get another shot [pun intended] at it. :)
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine anymore being without a camera or even a digital camera now. I'm just too spoiled and having too much fun. How annoying for you to be without them. I just wish my little camera had something on it to tell me when the batteries need recharging.
ReplyDeleteomg Jan ~ I would have turned around and gone back the moment I realized I left the camera(s)! That's how important they are!!!! I can't imagine how you've gotten along without. Hurry up weekend!
ReplyDeleteI am liking facebook for keeping up too although I haven't figured out how to link my posts there yet. (always the slow one!!)
Your flower arrangements are beautiful.
Hope your camera comes home soon!
ReplyDeleteLeaving the cameras as my mom's house sounds like something I would do! Good luck getting them back soon so we can enjoy more photos of your pretty garden.
ReplyDeleteHi Jan~~ I thought of you when I received this email.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.scrapbookflair.com/downloadcollection.aspx?id=161
Freebies!!!
Your cameras are missing you. :)
I think you did pretty well with your Blackberry! and I like your choice for bouquets, very woodsy and seasonal.
ReplyDelete