Peonies and Ants ~ A Symbiotic Relationship

They say it is only a legend that the peonies need the ants to open, and that the reason for the ants visiting is that the peonies emit a sticky sap and nectar which the ants feed off of for a short time before and during opening.

I believe the two were designed to work together.  As long as a legend does no harm, 

I'll always choose the legend over reality because a good story is food for the soul.

Either way, 

once a year I am blessed to be able to enjoy an entire row of these luscious, creamy, sweet smelling flowers, indoors and out.

An Ode to Sweet Cicely

Myrrhis Odorata along the western side of my home thrives in this rocky soil next to the foundation.

I first became fascinated with it when I read about it Sylvia Jorrin's book 'Sylvia's Farm.'

Her book came into my life at a time when I needed it most.  It inspired me to take my own farm journey, one which gave me some of the happiest moments of my life before I had to leave it.

  I have since planted this lovely plant in three different homes.  I heard the new owner of one of those homes ripped it all out because she hated the smell.  It has a scent that smells to me like Anise, although Mrs. Grieve's Modern Herbal describes it as a smell similar to Lovage, I think Lovage smells like Curry, so I disagree.

There is also an American version which I found to my surprise already growing here, quite prolifically from under my porch.  

As with all plants of similar flower and design, be careful in your identification.  I can see where the novice might confuse it with Hemlock which is poisonous.  

The black clusters which were difficult to clearly photograph as it was windy are ants busily farming aphids.  

Scenes From The Garden ~ More Plants You Ought to Know

Common Sage in flower (Salvia Officinalis)

Winter Savory (Satureja Montana) 

Catmint (Napeta x Faassenni

Bayberry (Myrica)

Fox Glove (Digitalis Purpurea)

False Indigo (Baptisia Australis)

Scenes From the Garden ~ Planting Ahead

Scenes From The Garden

This unassuming rather sad looking stick is one of four apple trees I've planted this year.  Two Northern Spy (circa early 1800s), a Westfield Seek-No-Further (circa 1700s) and a Ginger Gold (although it originates from the 1960s -- a bit later than I would prefer, it was a suitable partner for pollination).  I have babied these transplants as though they were my own children, fussed over them, nursed them, watered them and in general experienced what could be described as mild gardeners anxiety over them.  They are finally starting to bud.  I have blueberry bushes, hazelnuts and hardy fig trees arriving later this week.

It's easy to feel discouraged in the early years, when the idea that no fruit will appear for 2-3 years.  However, I keep picturing the future in my mind--a vision of someday walking out into my own little orchard and plucking heirloom apples from branches in my own backyard.  I try hard to plant heirloom and old varieties wherever I can.  If not solely for my love of old things and desire to preserve them, then solely for the variety and health offered to the bees, hummingbirds and wildlife.

This is one of two flowering quince (Chaenomeles x superba Cameo or Japanese Quince) that I hope will someday bear fruit.  They are ancient in Asia and came to Europe around the 1800s and when it came to America, I do not know.  This is a gorgeous colored one and the earliest to flower in spring.  Click on my Instagram to see a photo in bloom.  It is a stunning showstopper that I saw in my neighbor's hedge and coveted with an envy so strong it was nearly illegal.  So I found out what it was, and ordered two for myself.  So there.

These two interesting fungi are growing on a tree stump I refused to remove from the yard.  Aside from making a lovely table for bird feeders, it is slowly going back into the earth as intended, providing a home and food for many inhabitants.

Attempting a few different flowers from seed.

This was the first year I've ever intentionally released Ladybugs.  Aside from being highly beneficial to the environment, it was an excellent home school exercise for my son.

Womanly Wednesday ~ The Secrets of Charm Part II

From Secrets of Charm ~ Josephine Huddleston ~ 1929

Ultimately, charm is far more vital than physical beauty alone.  I have known women who were actually homely, yet their charm was so great no one realized or cared that they were not physically beautiful.  And I've seen physically beautiful women weep and gnash their teeth because a less beautiful but more charming woman achieved glories denied to them. 

The ideal combination, of course, is CHARM and BEAUTY.

As Editor of a beauty column which has a reading public of nearly seven million, a quarter of a million of whom have written to me for help with their beauty problems during the past five years, I have had an unusual opportunity to study women's needs.  Therefore, I do not feel that I am taking too much upon myself when I tell you some of the things I've learned about the cultivation of physical beauty and charm.

At times you probably will think me a dull stick propounding duller sentiments--sentiments which many of us read and didn't understand when they were used as penmanship examples in our copy books.  I remember many of them and thought at the time that grown-ups were unutterably stupid with their constant reminders that "honesty pays" and "early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."

But as I've grown older I've learned that honesty does pay because dishonesty develops a fishy eye and furtive manners, attributes which surely mar physical beauty and happiness.  And while early to bed and early to rise may make a man healthy, wealthy and wise, it just as surely will help to make a woman healthy, beautiful and charming.

To live life fully, there are certain laws of nature that must be observed--laws that make or mar the individual.  Happy is she who learns these laws early enough i life to use them for her benefit.

(To be continued...)

Tuesday's Tip ~ Line Drying Clothes in Winter

Line Drying Clothes in Winter

A handful of salt added to the rinsing water will keep clothes from freezing to the line.  Boiling the clothes pins in salt water will keep them from freezing to the clothes in winter.

E.G., Craig. Mo

Woman's World, February 1935

Scenes From the Garden - Upcycled Garden Architecture

Scenes From The Garden

All of these striking elements of garden architecture are inexpensive ($3 or less) thrift store finds that were eh hem....less than attractive (ok, some were downright ugly). 

 I used Krylon silver, mirror, stone and copper finish spray paints along with clear enamel where needed.  The mirror finish is not outdoor safe on its own.  The silver spheres I had purchased last year at Lakeside Catalog and the little ceramic birds were at Michael's last year.   The paint was the most expensive purchase and I waited until I had coupons to use to buy them.

In one afternoon the garden was transformed.

Under the elderberry

 Next to Solomon's Seal

Tucked in next to a second elderberry with some sage

Behind the lilies

 In front of the Lemon Balm

In the mint bed (various mints will have likely nearly covered it by late summer)

A candle sconce serves as a buffet bird feeder, the ragged bird houses were already here when I moved in.  The Love sign got a quick coat of copper spray paint and graces the Holly.  The ceramic on the faux stones had faded so they got a coat of paint.

Outfitting the Bride's Kitchen Part II ~ Utensils in Glass

~~~~~~~~

From Cheating the Junk Pile by Ethel R. Peyser ~1922

Chapter XIX

'We favor glass whenever it can be substituted for kitchen utensils as the most ideal oven utensil.  If your purse can stand it and its initial expense, it will save fuel, time and energy in the end and therefore money.'

Utensils in glass:

Three kitchen glasses................................ $.10
Baking dish oval............................................55
Baking dish deep........................................1.50

Lemon Squeezer with holes..........................25

Measuring glass.............................................15

Casseroles from 2 1/2 qts to 1/2 qt....up to 3.00

Spice Jars................................ (no price listed)

Individuals at.................................................75

Pie dishes shallow.........................................90

Bread pans..................................................1.75

Layer cake dish 9 1/8"..................................90

Custard cups 4 oz.........................................25

Fruit jars 1 qt.............................................1.20

Fruit jars 1 pt.............................................1.05

Glass butter crock, 1qt.................................45

Glass butter crock, 2 qts..............................70

Glass butter crock, 4 qts ...........................1.00