Our Little Island on the Pond

We are now getting our day cabin ready for the summer. We have a little island on the pond across from the big house. This little cabin is the place we enjoy most in the summer. There is a narrow dirt "bridge" or causeway someone created many years ago so we can access the island without boating over. We can't imagine a better place to vacation in the world in the summer. Lightning hit a 60 foot tree two years ago and nearly destroyed the original cabin so we had to rebuild and remodel...the pots out front now hold clematis that hopefully will climb the trellis...just planted this year so will take a couple of years to mature and really look nice.
This is a faux bois (french for false wood) planter by the waters edge awaiting a planting of ferns or some shade plants.
A whimsical sign by the dock that leads to the water.
This is a beautiful place to sit by the pond. We have several of these benches that were made by a local artisan. They are sturdy and comfortable and simply gorgeous to look at.
This is our little cove. It is a protected place to swim in the summer. It is off the main portion of the pond that is often busy with power boats and jet skis.

A view of the main pond.
Dock leading to our "swimming hole". Notice the wooden duck pointing the way to the water!
A quiet spot to sit in an old vintage Adirondack chair we bought at a yard sale in Connecticut years ago. The tree behind is another victim of a lightning strike almost eleven years ago...it is slowly rotting away but has become home to many birds and it is full of bugs that the birds eat all summer long.
A squirrel pot hanger ready and waiting for a basket full of flowers...the pots are still in the greenhouse but will be transported soon to their summer "home".
We do have electric on the island but no "city" water...we have a water pump and old septic system we have kept maintained from when a house was on the island many many years ago. So water is available but using it is a bit primitive. Inside the outhouse is an actual flush toilet so roughing it is not as bad as it could be! My husband found this sign at a local auction (it came from the old Quonset Naval Air Station in North Kingstown) and thought it was appropriate for the inside of the outhouse...suffice it to say it has made many snicker upon entering!

Getting ready to "launch the paddle boat into the cove.

Everyone is off for the first paddle boat ride of the season. We all attended the Memorial Day parade in Wickford and returned to the island for a steak fry. The weather was beautiful...it was a great day.

Our little island is a wonderful place to summer. We actually use it year round but mostly in the warm weather months. This little plaque sums it up nicely.

We are truly blessed to have this spot to live...we never grow tired of living here and we try never to take it for granted. We love sharing it with family and friends.

Elizabeth

Late Day in May

The garden is growing so beautifully. This raised bed has perennial herbs as well as newly planted annual herbs...different varieties of sage, greek oregano, basil, flat and curly parsley, several varieties of thyme, french tarragon and chives. All great for summer meals and later to be dried and or frozen for winter cooking. In the background is the garlic which is doing well. The covered forcer is a piece of Wolfe pottery from the Connecticut potter known for beautiful garden pottery which is not only functional but also adds great eye appeal to a garden.

Below are hanging pots in the greenhouse ready for placement in the garden and on hangers along the water's edge.
The clematis is bushing out and upward on this old weathered trellis. The trellis has aged to perfection with a wonderful silvered patina.

We planted pachysandra around the gazebo last week and it has taken nicely. This is a great spot to sit and look out over the upper garden and ponder what our next project will be. When you think you are finished there is always another "something" we think of doing...
I planted this ground phlox three years ago and this one plant is absolutely mammoth now. It is so beautiful coming down the rocks.

This is the first iris to bloom this year...it actually has a pale lavender tinge to it...more iris are budded but this one is first to show it's color.
The salad garden is planted and doing well...several varieties of lettuce are planted as well as seven different tomato varieties....heirlooms such as brandywine, yellow brandywine, green zebra and striped german amongst others...look forward to a big juicy tomato in a couple of months...sooner we hope!
This is the window box on the storage shed planted with specialty annuals...it is so pretty and is only a few days planted, wait till it matures. The birds in the background are painted on metal and sit on a table inside the shed...they look cute over the flowers...
As you can see the garden is growing and coming into it's own...it is so nice to see it develope...I never get tired of looking at it.

Tomorrow is Memorial Day...take time to attend a parade and honor our veterans and remember those who gave their lives so we may all live in this free and wonderful country. We are truly blessed to be so cared for by these men and women.

Elizabeth

Chilly Day in May to Plant Dahlias

Things are growing by leaps and bounds. All the perennials are just lush and gorgeous. The clematis is almost to the top of the trellis. The bearded iris are budded and the blueberries are loaded with blossoms. Last year no berries but it looks like this year we will get a nice yield.

This is a view of the garden from the deck. The lettuce is in the lower left corner. The garlic is in the upper right corner and the dahlias are in the upper left corner. Perennial herbs are in the lower right. The weather has been so cold and rainy planting tender plants is on hold...
The herbs are just going nuts...the greek oregano is spreading as expected. The chives are budded which doesn't bother me as it is so pretty, and the french tarragon is shooting up inside the black wire obelisk. I cut the sage back severely so it is slow in coming back but I see new leaves. The thyme is huge and just brushing by it is a delight to smell.
I ordered seven different varieties from White Flower Farm early in the year. They sent them a little to early to plant so I sorted them when they came.

I placed them in paper bags and stored them in the garage till this morning. I planted them since the risk of a frost is now not going to hurt these plants. By the time they shoot up our frost risk will be by us. These are wonderful bulbs and hope to have some fabulous flowers come this summer and early fall.
I planted them in the garden plot where I had broadcast some mesclun seed...that frankly did not do well at all. So the green shoots where I planted the dahlias are lettuce leaves not weeds. I'll pick them soon and then get them out of there. I couldn't bear just to eliminate them when I planted the dahlias.I'll plant zinnias for cutting on the other half of the bed once the weather turns.



So all looks great so far. I need to do some clean up but so far the garden this spring is doing just fine.



Elizabeth

A Peek at My Garden Get Away

Come on into my garden get away. I love vintage garden items...pottery in great shape or with chips...I like majolica, Italian pottery, American art pottery and old Japan...it doesn't matter what. I enjoy anything related to gardening...pictures, paintings, items used in the garden, gardening awards, books, flower frogs, hyacinth vases, jewelry, tools, catalogs, pots...anything and everything.

In the old glass front cabinet I have some wonderful antique garden books, medals awarded for gardening, jackknives, tape measures, victorian trade cards and lots more! If it is related to gardening I tuck it away. I like old brochures and catalogs from garden furniture companies...when we are at a show or auction if we come upon something we like it is nice to find it in an old publication to very maker and age.
Here are more shots of my little retreat....I can spend lots of time in this cottage just looking at these vintage items and adding more when I find them. I love to find old bird nests and I place them in old pots on the window sills. They look great with little glass or porcelain birds in them...I also love old watering cans. I like the common and the uncommon...big or little...they are all great. We have old english ones, french and american. Suffice it to say we love to garden and collect garden items...hope you enjoy taking a peek at our garden cottage retreat.

Happy Mother's Day,

Elizabeth

A Morning at Local Garden Centers

Yesterday Dad and I made a visit to Clarke Flower Farm in Wakefield...everything looked wonderful. I picked up some bacopa to keep in my little greenhouse for some color and put in some hanging pots. I also picked up some lettuce. Dad and I bought some hollytone for our acid loving plants..this is a wonderful product and they carry all types of items for your plants. We walked all around looking at the perennials, shrubbery, and lots of other things. They do a great here and are very knowledgeable. I have never ever had a problem with anything I have bought here. The plants and shrubs are always healthy and vigorious.

Here is Dad outside of Clark's...wearing the spring hat he has on when he is tooling about town in his convertible.

Then we took off to the Farmer's Daughter. The folks here really know how to display their products. If you are ever in the area make a point of stopping by...this is a destination garden center not to be missed. The "bones" of this center are fabulous. The buildings are gorgeous, the walkways are exquisite, the pottery is top of the line and each greenhouse is laid out for ease and workability. They are garden items for decoration not seen anywhere else...it truly is breathtaking.

I thought I was going to faint when i saw these little garden cottages. They are constructed of cement. The staff at the Farmer's Daughter placed the cottage in an urn or birdbath, filled it with soil and added miniature garden items and plants as well as stone paths to replicate a garden in a garden. One path had been made using seaglass. I just know I am going to have to own one of these cottages someday...though they are rather pricey...but they are absolutely divine!!!!!

Dad taking a break in one of the greenhouses.

We had a great morning poking around...there is always something new to see, something new to learn and lots of things to add to a dream list. I saw lots of shrubs I would like to add to our gardens as well as decorative items...We followed up with a great lunch at Camden's in Wakefield...an A+ day!!!!!