Yeah, I got sidetracked. By Facebook, Pinterest, Life, a new business. I’m going to try to be more regular about posting… In the meantime, take a look at my Garden Spaces board on Pinterest. Lots of garden pr0n. 
We’re getting ready for Hurricane Irene… I’m working emergency operations this weekend and E has tied everything down that could possibly fly away. I’m hopeful that all the prep will be for naught, but better to be prepared than not.
Be safe this weekend, everyone.
I know I said my next post was going to be about Rhubarb, but I haven’t finished it and this came up in the meantime.
Check out what’s happening for the SeedGROW project this year, at my gardening blog, Gardening in Northern Virginia.
I’m going to be blogging about my gardening adventures there, and here for everything else. Stay tuned for a dual Rhubarb post – recipes included.
I haven’t stopped the A-Z Challenge, I’ve just decided to approach it from the Dr. Who perspective. Time is a little bit wibbely-wobbly these days. End of the semester, getting the house ready for long-term guests, craziness at work, etc.
Stay tuned for the next installment: “R”. It should prove to be interesting at least.
The obvious “Q” would be Quercus. Quercus alba, Quercus coccinea, Quercus velutina, etc. But my favorite Quercus isn’t a tree, it’s Hydrangea quercifolia.
A beautiful Hydrangea (‘Snowflake’ is the variety I have), with double flowers and oak-shaped leaves that start a beautiful, fuzzy green in the spring, and end a beautiful, rich burgundy in the fall. This is what I think of when I see the letter ‘Q’.
Pollen, pollen, everywhere. In my nose… On my pants… On my car. I had so much pollen on my windshield this evening, I had to use my windshield wipers and copious amounts of wiper fluid to get enough off so I could see.
I know pollen is necessary for plant survival… Heck for our survival. But is it any wonder that my favorite season is fall?
My Red Rabbit Iris bloomed today. Too bad I was so eager too see it. When I bent over to look at the bloom, my library book slipped out of my hands and smashed the bloom – snapped it right off the stalk and smashed the petals into the ground. 
. I’m so bummed, I was looking forward to snapping a pic and sharing it. Too bad I was so impatient.
The book came through okay, except for a little bit of purple staining on the edges of the pages. I guess that’s something.
Sprouting:
- More Daffodils (Crazy late!)
- Gladiolus
- Hosta
- Asters from Meanlouise
- Hardy Argeratum
- Joe Pye Weed
- Balloon Flower
Blooming:
- Iris from Meanlouise (Buds on all the others)
- Phlox (2 kinds)
- Alpine Strawberries
I spent the day cleaning up the yard, but I did take some time to notice some of the beautiful things. 
I’ve always loved the word necklace. Neck. Lace. So appropriate.
The 2011 Smithsonian Craft Show was an amazing and inspiring collection of artists from around the country. I saw a lot of really beautiful jewelry, including lots of neck lace:
Glass bubbles
Paper chains
Felt collars
Truly inspiring art. I encourage you to Google the artists. So much beautiful work.
