Lavender Lovers Festival

Lavender is one of those fragrances you either love or hate. I happen to love the smell--whether it be in soap, candles, or lotion. I can't sniff or slather it on fast enough. The stronger, the better. And dried lavender--Heaven!

Lavender infused iced tea and lemonade are both favorites of mine in the summer. During the winter I like to warm up lavender filled heating pads to relax sore muscles. It also works to calm the mind.

Each year, the town of Sequim, WA celebrates lavender with it's own festival. You can find anything and everything to do with lavender there. If you want the latest scoop go to the link and check it out!

Sticky Geranium Grows Local

Sticky Geranium and Crane’s Bill Filaree are two species of the geranium family that grow locally. Related to the garden geranium this native plant is not one in the same. The blossoms vary from pink to purple with bold purple veins. Each flower has 5 petals. The stems are covered with hairs and the palm shaped leaves have sharp teeth on the ends and edges along with hairs as well, hence the name. It blooms May through August and reaches up to 3 feet. Sticky Geranium can grow in full sun with medium to dry soils out in the open, but prefers partial sun with moist to wet soils along creek banks. A versatile plant that would look beautiful next to a water feature or pond, or planted on a hillside since it can also grow up to elevations of 9000 feet.
Butterflies, bees and hummingbirds will be attracted to your garden if you include the native or garden variety of this plant.

Poppies! Poppies! Poppies!

The photo on the left was taken a couple of months ago while I was on an evening walk. The one on the right was just taken the other night!

Do you, like me, remember the Veteran's handing out red poppy pins at the local grocery store? Do they even do that any more? I always donated what I could, but never wore them. I'd usually hand them to my Mom or toss them in the trash.

Being so young, I didn't understand the significance of the red poppy. You see, it's a flower that's always been associated with death. Poor little Poppy--

Today, I'd describe poppies, like the ones in these photos, as vibrant and strong. Not at all like the paper ones I was originally introduced to.

A Unique Idea

If you are watching your cashflow like me this year you should consider making your own cologne. Bottle it for gifts-bottle it for yourself...
It's easy!


Cologne
1/2 cup lavender
1/4 cup rosemary
peel of 1 lemon
peel of 1 orange
1/2 cup orange-mint leaves
1/2 cup lemon balm leaves
2 cups vodka
2 cups rosewater
Steep 2 weeks; filter and bottle.


Spicy Cologne
1 oz. rose petals
2 T. lavender
2 thin strips orange peel
1 (1-inch) stick cinnamon, crushed
1 tb. coriander seeds, bruised
10 oz. vodka
Steep 2 weeks; filter and bottle.

Herbal cologne
2 T. rosemary
2 T. lavender
1 T. juniper berries, crushed
1 strip lemon rind
10 oz. vodka
Steep 2 weeks; filter and bottle.

Hungary Water
1 T. rosemary
1 tsp. mint leaves
Grated peel of 1/4 lemon
Grated peel of 1/4 orange
1/4 cup vodka
1/2 cup rosewater
Steep 2 weeks; filter and bottle.
Note: filter through a coffee filter for best results

September Clean-up Time

This is a shot of my neighbor's corner lot. In this picture all of her flowers are in full bloom, they are beautiful.

Now, this same area is filled with overgrown bushes, spent blossoms and out of control grasses. Don't get me wrong- I’m not complaining. I love this yard and can even appreciate it in its present state.

The weather is definitely changing and this post is just a reminder for us all to be thinking about getting our yards (including my own) in order for the fall/winter season. It’s time to clean out our flower beds and rake up any debris that may be lying around. If you prepare the ground early you will be able to plant your bulbs with much more ease.

Time to finish unfinished projects, I can think of a couple of my own. No more procrastinating! Pick up those old pots and all of that gardening apparatus. You know those gloves really don’t belong there, don’t you? Look in the dreaded birdbath: I know it’s scary! My chimes are dirty right now. How about yours?

I have been collecting cones this weekend for future craft use. Let’s all be thinking ahead because pretty soon it will be to cold to garden. Before you know it, it will be dark by the time you get home from work.

My blooming houseplants will take center stage soon. Thank goodness for grow lights! And plant stands. Here in Idaho we typically see 4 to 5 feet of snow in our yards from January to March. Since I love orchids and lush greenery I make quite a few indoor container gardens during that time.

Well, off to practice what I preach