Just realized I haven’t posted for a month. My grandson had a tonsillectomy -so I helped care for him and have been really busy with the garden tour and doing other creative things. Here are a couple of pictures of my garden. First is a loquat tree loaded with ripe loquats – my grandson loves them. Me too! Second is a lovely plant called a Nun’s Orchid – I baby it all winter long for these blooms. Third is my new garden bench. Seating is something I am adding to my garden this year.
I have been doing some hand felting – wet felting and needle felting. Here is the bird I entered in the local library’s art show yesterday. 
Not very good photography but it was a last minute endeavor. I learned a lot doing this project and am enthused about doing some more. Am thinking the work would be better displayed without glass so you can experience the texture of the hand felting. But the day for entering came and I decided to go for it! My signature for the work is bj – stands for my first two initials but also stands for barb/john. My DH is my mentor and infinitely patient with me. He also is a wonderful artisan. Don’t have a picture of the other piece – will get it up eventually.
Vicki said,
May 3, 2009 @ 7:33 pm
Barb,
What a great service to all the rest of us, instructions! and I read every bit, and really enjoy it, never saw this before, really delightful. Good to know someone else is out there getting lost in their garden, while I have reduced the size so I contain myself. I haven’t given up on getting lost in the garden. I will mail some photos to you of poppies. Actually it is on facebook.
Keep on!
Vicki
drbarb said,
May 4, 2009 @ 11:06 am
I really enjoyed getting to see your great garden the other day. You always inspire me!
PainterWoman said,
May 3, 2009 @ 11:17 pm
Gorgeous. What do loquats taste like? I grew up with a kumquat tree, but mom thought they were so awful, I never had the nerve to eat one… or anything else that reminded me of them. The nun’s orchids are very pretty.
I think the bud I couldn’t identify is/was a peony. TONS of petals, at risk of molding because there are so many and it’s been so wet, and apparently very attractive to ants. ONLY ONE BLOOM, though. Sort of anti-climactic.
DH said,
May 4, 2009 @ 10:56 am
Loquats are between a peach and an apricot. They have to ripen on the vine or they are too tart/sour. Kumquats are a citrus – we used to get them at Christmas. Very different taste. I agree about the one bloom but I have peonies also and grow them strictly for the smell – very nostalgic for me. I do dry some of the petals. I really don’t have the time today but think I am going to make some loquat jam – will add one of my herbs – maybe lemon balm or rosemary – or lemon verbena?