Jan’s Shangri-La

Last week was the end of the year party for Olivenhain Garden Club. We were blessed to have our party in Jan Casado’s garden. Once in her garden one felt like one never wanted to leave.  A few of us ate lunch at a table under a pergola looking out at the view– it felt […]

Joys of Gardening With Grandchildren

Their oldest daughter Anushka loves to garden. She is now six years old. Every time the family comes to visit Anushka and I have fun gardening. While they were here we planted some vegetables and seeds together, picked tomatoes and strawberries, and pulled out vegetables that were spent. Anushka was able to experience the cycle […]

Growing and Maintaining a Garden Hedge

January of 2007 we had an unusually severe winter in San Diego County. Peter and I traveled to Spain for the birth of our first grandchild. When we arrived home from Spain in February several trees and shrubs had died on our property, or so we thought. Since I had been to Ireland with my […]

Summer Visitors

This evening my older daughter and her family will arrive from Spain for a visit.  I am so excited to see the whole family!  The grandchildren’s room is ready and I look forward to the patter of little feet running up to their room to see what outfits Mimi has on the wall for them. The […]

Growing Sunflowers Can Be A Summer Passion!

Sunflowers are so much FUN to Grow!!! If you have a place where you can put them every year they give so much joy! I smile every time I walk out and look at the field full of these tall prehistoric plants! Maybe that is why we love them so much! They have been around […]

Healing Garden

I just saw a beautiful garden photo on Facebook and it reminded me of friends of my daughter in Spain who have the most Beautiful Garden! The husband used to be a brick mason and now he is in the Healing Arts. He practices Craniosacral therapy and also massage techniques to help with physical and emotional […]

BIRTHDAY LUNCH FOR A FRIEND

May I take you out to lunch for your birthday? Fran, I’d rather just come over and have a good girl talk visit. We talk about deep things — things that matter to us, our children, grandchildren, gardening, and spiritual things, about where we have come from, the sad times and the happy ones. How […]

PROTECTING OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS IN THE GARDEN

Cassin's Kingbird

The other morning while having tea with a friend I heard a thud thud thud. Oh no I protested! This friend is somewhat of a birder. Would you be so kind as to look with me and tell me if you are familiar with this adorable sort of bird? “Oh that is a Cassin’s Kingbird.” […]

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE

Last weekend I was invited to a friend’s 65th wedding anniversary party. It was also the friend’s 90th birthday. This particular friend looks 20 years younger and acts it also! I overheard her say the other day to her 27-year-old granddaughter, I love your tattoos. They are so beautiful. If I were a young woman […]

CREATE YOUR OWN WALL SUCCULENT HANGING PLANTER

Hanging Planter

Here’s a project that is lots of fun. Making your own wall succulent planters will also save you money :) A friend’s husband made the boxes for our garden club, but directions for making a simple frame are available here:  Sunset Magazine Article. How to make your own succulent frame: 1. For a 1-foot-square frame, […]