Monday, July 5, 2010

No dirty dishes in my sink!

This is what my sink looks like this morning...

I can't believe that the peonies are blooming finally.

I will be cutting many, many bouquets of these in the coming days,

 and placing them everywhere in the house.




I truly do wait all year, just for this one bloom!

I have a love affair going on with these flowers.

I love roses...I love hydrangeas...

But I adore peonies...






So today...I have a sink full of gorgeousness.

How I wish they lasted longer in the garden. 

But thankfully they dry beautifully, and I can enjoy them year round.

These are my first bouquet, but there will be many more to share later...

Because I have forty of these plants in my garden!!!

Some are early bloomers...some are mid-season bloomers...

and still some are late bloomers.

I also wanted to share some pictures of the garden as it looked before the weekend.

It changes daily and I can hardly keep up.

This is the last of the poppies blooming now.

Aren't these colors so pretty.

The one's in the top of the picture are Patty's Plum

 and the ones below are Watermelon.




A close up of the Watermelon poppy




 Some of the iris are still blooming with the early peonies.



I love this color combination in one of the beds


Here is the naked lady (Athena) looking lovely with Jacob's Ladder.

She kind of looks cold doesn't she?





I love this iris blooming with the columbine.







Siberian iris with variegated dogwood.








A view of the garden from the porch looking towards the driveway.

We have a long'ish' drive to the house that is lined with forsythia, and

last year I added some roses in front of them to add color to the drive.

I can't wait to see it in the coming years in bloom.


A view from the porch in the other direction.


We have a large expanse of grass between us and our neighbor.

 We will be fencing it off to pasture someday, but now we mow it.

Thank goodness we own five acre feet of canal water with the property.

That is a lot more water than we ever use in a Summer however.

So mowing is where I will be most of today, after I publish this post.



Here are a few more views from the porch before I go.
Remember the piece of white iron fencing I bought at Farm Chicks?
It is propped up against this tree for now.
This is where it will stay I think.


Ivy geranium of the porch.





Thank you so much for stopping by today. I do hope you all had a wonderful weekend.
For those of you from the US, I hope your fourth of July was as wonderful
as mine. I was able to go to the flea markets on Friday in Hailey, and to Rebecca's
(a little shop in Bellevue) that I featured last year on the fourth of July. She is only
open on the 4th of July and Labor Day weekend, and I wait all year for it.
I will share some of that experience in my next post.
And now as you can see in the photo below...my shovel awaits.

89 comments:

Regina said...

What an extremely lovely garden !

All your wonderful fotos made reading your post a dreamy but almost real walk.

What a wonderwonderwonderful post!

Dearest greetings from Cologne!

Lil

Victorian1885 said...

Good morning June
Your Peonies are so gorgeous! I sure hope you have a riding lawn mover my friend! Your gardens are lovely as ever..take care and enjoy your week.

Hugs,
Wanda

Bonjade said...

Such lovely garden you have....
Love your peonies and the watermelon poppies:)
Such nice name.......
Fine new week

mudderbear said...

OH, I am breathless, especially over the peonies. I haven't been a gardner but if anything ever kicks me into it,it could be your blog and pictures. I am learning quite a bit just strolling through your garden. I am also hoping it would be okay to put your link on my sidebar at mudderbear. Thank you for your pictures. They are heavenly.

savvycityfarmer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
savvycityfarmer said...

I'm on my way over to garden peep ...

Julie Marie said...

Oooh June, your gardens are just luscious! And I too am in love with your beautiful Peonies... your color combinations are so pretty... I could just spend all day long with you in your gardens... ( I would help, of course... I even mow lawns!)... how fun you got to go to the little shop that is only open on the 4th of July and Labor Day... I can't wait to see what you got! Thanks for visiting me today too, and sharing about your little hometown you grew up in... it sounds so precious! Love to you... xoxo Julie Marie

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

Your flowers and garden are so beautiful!! I'm so jealous, all I have are the dirty dishes in my sink right
now (;

Mammabellarte Rita Reade said...

Buongiorno June, and what a morning! I love your flowers, your garden...you made my day. Ciao Rita

Lovey said...

My oh my June! I love your Garden!! I would love to sit out with you...sipping some iced cold tea! I can see it... You, me and all of nature at it's finest...smiles. All of your love and hard work shows throughout your beautiful garden! Hugs my friend!! LOLove...

Anne Lorys said...

Yummy, June!
I feel the same way about peonies.

I owe you an e-mail!

XO,
Anne

Elyse said...

omg! this post looks like a pictorial from a favorite magazine. absolutely beautiful and wonderful photography!!!

"dear fifi" ...

xo
elyse

oldgreymare said...

June,

I am amazed by how you get it all done. the house, the garden, family. You do it all with such grace. I bet you even have a cute outfit for the riding lawnmower..it is a riding one right? Perish the thought of you pushing one all over the expansive grass.

Everything is beautiful... as are you my dear.

z

Lenore said...

That is one wonderful fabulous garden and lawn, June. There are not enough superlatives to say how beautiful your garden is looking.
Thanks for the look.
Sounds as if you had a wonderful 4th.

Privet and Holly said...

Fantastic gardens and pictures, June! I can't believe you are just getting peonies, now! Isn't it funny how they come in at such different times around the country. I figured we were one of the last {Minnesota} but clearly I was wrong. Gorgeous color combinations!!! Sounds like you made the most of your lovely weekend. Hope you make great progress with your shovel : ) Happy Day!
xx Suzanne

Connie said...

I'm going to try and find some watermelon poppies, honey! I think they are gorgeous, but the view from your back yard is just absolutely serene and breathtaking!
xoxo,
Connie

Dawn-Hydrangea Home said...

What gorgeous flowers. Love them all!

Sandy said...

My first expression was "Oh My" what a beautiful garden! Northern gardens are 'special'.. I left one in Illinois with it's rich black earth.. I now live in a "Tropical" rain forest with a scattering of 'Orchids and Hoyas" It's just not the same.
Your "Peonies" are spectacular! I miss them!
Beautiful Garden!
Sandy
thewondersofdoing@blogspot.com

Deb said...

How gorgeous is your garden! The Peony finished blooming in our garden a few weeks ago - now it's Hydrangea time :-)

My name is Riet said...

Oh my goodness dear JUne, your garden looks like a park. How beautiful beautiful it is and it is so large. You must have tons of work on it but oooooooh. Your peonies are beautiful and your poppies and those irisses oh my....and you make the most beautiful photo's.Thank you for sharing

Villa König said...

Great images. I love peonies! Your garden impressions are so fantastic.Hugs Yvonne

Pat@deepintheheart said...

Your garden is just glorious. I'm envious of all your lovely flowers. Down here in Texas we're just trying to keep things alive in all the heat. So, your post was a breath of cool, fresh air!

Lottie said...

What an absolutely beautiful garden! I loved all the pictures you shared with us!

Sandi said...

I am soooo jealous of your gorgeous peonies June. I had a bush (still have it) just like your gorgeous light pink one and it did not bloom this year at all. Not one flower!! I am so bummed! I hope it is not dying. It bloomed last year so haven't a clue what the problem could be. I loved it too!! :(
BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS!! You should print your own magazine!!
Hugs~

LemonyRenee' said...

Oh, June, stop it. You should have seen my sink this morning -- t'was certainly NOT lovely! Let me put it this way, had a cookout yesterday complete with ribs, corn, potato salad, etc., then ran out to the fireworks. Yah, ick!

Keep this up, and you really will find me on your doorstep, bags in hand. Gorgeous!

J. Wecker Frisch said...

Hi June - What a lovely sink full of flowers! Much better than dirty dishes. Everything looks so beautiful, lovely, truly. How wonderful to have such a garden to view and cut from although a lot of work to be sure. I have much to much shade, I believe to have peonies. How many hours of sun do they require?
And you say they can be dried?

Carole said...

I just stopped for a cooling break...it's hot today! sigh
We're already into echinacea here.....seems like a life time ago since we had peonies so imagine how happy I was to see your lovely overflowing sink of them.
I sure hope you have a riding mower for that huge lawn.
Happy mowing!!!
xxx
Carole
ps I feel so much cooler having seen your post!

Anonymous said...

Oh June.... I can't believe how far behind you are from us. My Peonies were at their prime a month ago & my Irises & Poppies are done too.
Your gardens are breath-taking!! I just love to take a tour of them.
Have a great summer!!
Love,
Marilyn

Diane said...

June, the flowers and your garden are incredibly lavish and lovely. Sometime in this life I would love to see it in person, you work so hard on it and it really shows. Thanks for sharing. Diane

Wendy & Megan Chamberlain said...

What a beautiful garden, full of wonderful colour. Love peonies, they are really my favourite flower.

My Grama's Soul said...

You know friend.....I thought I was sort of a gardner..(O:(O:....YOU MY FRIEND......ARE A REAL GARDNER. Just gorgeous.

Xo

Jo

Cheryl ~ ZanyMayd said...

Oh, June..... Your Flowers are AbSolUtely BeaUtiFul..... I can almost Smell the Sweet Scent thru My Computer ~ Your Yard is Fabulous, It's worth all the work, for all the Beauty!
Cheryl

Cherrie said...

Your flowers are so beautiful! I wish I had a green thumb :(

Anonymous said...

Hi June,
Your garden is looking beautiful! I LOVE your peonies!!
Glad to hear you had a wonderful
4th of July. Can't wait to see your post about your shopping spree.
Thanks for sharing all this wonderful inspiration!
Hugs ~ Jo :)

Junebug said...

Okay June that's it!!! I'm moving into your garden and staying forever! Sorry you can't kick me out, I'll work for keep! hee-hee!!! All I can say is WOW,it is so beautiful and peaceful. So don't be surprised if some morning you find a junebug sleeping in the flowerbeds!

Such a Wondrous Place this Faery Space said...

This tribute to the beauty of flowers and green gives me such hope and joy. Blessings and thanks for this post.

Lisa said...

June,
I cannot believe that shot of the peonies, my gosh, it looks like you went to Michael's & bought 'em out of silk flowers ( I mean that in a great worshiping way ) they just cannot be real. Tell us June, did you photo-shop them?LOL:) Your home & gardens are my absolute favorite on the blogs, I really mean it. I'm coming, get my studio ready. Jodie already dibbed the backyard cottage. Lisa

Sharon's Cottage Quilts said...

Dearest June,
I am breathless! Your garden is magnificent! What beauty to behold! I am so intrigued with that lovely statue in your garden. Just lovely!
Thank you for making my day friend. Sharon

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

June, What an absolutely gorgeous garden. Your peonies are beautiful as well as the rest of the flowers. Girl, you must really have a green thumb....spectacular!
xo, Sherry

Debra@CommonGround said...

Absolute heaven!! The peonies are just wonderful, my favorite flower!When our older daughter was married the gal that did her flowers went out that morning and cut fresh peonies of all colors and green hydrangeas. They were the most glorious bouquets and arrangements I'd ever seen. Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos. Your gardens are so so beautiful!
xo,
Debra

Alaina said...

June, those peonies are beautiful. One can never have too many of these plants. I love your gardens they look so lush. Have a great week.

Connie Eyberg Originals said...

I've learned something new before going to bed. I did not know there were mid season blooming peonies? Mine finished blooming around Memorial Day and I have to wait another year. I didn't have any luck drying them this year because of all the rain and humidity. Your garden is so pretty. Thanks for posting the photos. Connie

Crowing Moon said...

Your garden is fabulous. I can see why you love peonies. Just beautiful!

Pondside said...

Those peonies.....*sigh*....they're heavenly! When I go for walks in Oak Bay I have to constantly stop to buy my nose in roses and peonies. Your garden is delightful!

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Could a sink look any more lovely? I don't think so. If I had a garden and were allowed to plant only one kind of flower, it probably would be peonies. They are so luscious and especially the light pink and white ones look so romantic. It's great that you have varieties that bloom at different times, so that you can enjoy them for quite a while.
Have a wonderful Tuesday, June!
Hugs,
Julia

maría cecilia said...

Take care with the shovel, my dear June!!!! You work so hard in your garden to produce such beauties, you choose perfect combinations, beautiful varieties and the most wonderful peonies!!! I wonder how you manage to have suce beautiful peonies. Here in the south, where soil is acid and there`s a long and cold winter peonies are at their best.
It`s been such a pleasure enjoying your so awesome garden!!!!

many hugs
maria cecilia

Seawashed said...

Your gardens are my dream. The most beautiful gardens in blogland. I've never been able to grow peonies because it is too hot where I live. I will go to bed tonight dreaming of your images of peonies in your sink.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Dearest June,

I can't breathe....you took my breath away!!! THOSE PHOTOS OF ALL THE FLOWERS and your property are beyond words. Thank you for the gift you have bestowed on all of us by sharing your world. Beautiful indeed. Anita

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

Pure perfection June.
I do love those iris... the poorman's orchid they were named but with such beauty they were fit for a Queen.
Susan x

sevencherubs said...

seriously, can I please come and live at your house..too gorgeous! those flowers are beautiful and I admire the work you have put in to grow them. Just lovely. Naomi.

Vintage Home said...

...love your garden!..oh my the poppies!...and of course the peonies...(you may like my banner!)
Thanks for sharing!

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Think thats what heaven must look like!!!! What stunning photos,the first one of all your peonies is my favorite,don't you just love them?! x0x0x0

Ticking and Toile said...

June,
Oh my goodness.....I am so in love with your garden!! It is just dreamy and amazing. Love it!!!

xo,
Shellagh

Anonymous said...

Working in a garden like this - well, it wouldn't seem like work surrounded by all this beauty!
Enjoy - I'm off to carry downed aspens to the "cutting" location.
Hugs,
Zuzu

Anonymous said...

June, you have the most refreshing blog..Everything is so well done and just beautiful..I live in Texas and have wanted to start poppies in my garden.Did you start with seeds or plants? Please know how much we all love to read what is going on in your part of the world..Also how is Ashes doing? She is the perfect looking kitty..I wish I had one just like her...Vera

Chronicles of Dolliedaydream said...

Beautiful peonies they are one of my favorite flowers along with Ranunculas but their season is so short in the UK. Such a pretty garden and gorgeous sunny day!

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

OK, YOU my friend, and your gorgeous garden need to be in a magazine ASAP!!!!!!!!! Your gardens give me goosebumps they are so amazing. And I have never seen a sink so beautiful. I planted my first Peony this year and am planning on planting a ton more next year. Mine have already bloomed. I wish I had known that I could dry them. But I do now....
~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens

Rostrose said...

June, June, June - your garden is breathtaking! I really can understand you love this place - and I understand that you ADORE your peonies!!! They are sooo pretty & romantic! Do you have a special trick to dry them? I tried it this year the first time but it didn't work (they didn't look good - just like used hankies ... *ggg* ;o))
Big hugs, peony-queen,
your Traude

Draffin Bears said...

Dear June,

Your garden is heavenly and what a lot of work it must be to keep it looking so gorgeous.
I love your peonies, and how lovely having your sink full with them.
All the hard work with the shovel really does pay off.
Don't work too hard out there.
Thanks for sharing your gorgeous garden with us.

Happy week
Hugs
Carolyn

{oc cottage} said...

GORGEOUS!!!! I can't ever get enough peonies!!! You do live in quite a slice of heaven!

m ^..^

Leslie said...

Hi June!
I just learned of your blog today from our mutual friend, Rebecca. I had seen you taking photos at her recent show and wondered who you were. Your photography, staging and design skills are exquisite. I can't believe our paths haven't crossed since we live in the same small area and share similar interests. I will be at the Ketchum Arts Fair this weekend. Please stop by my booth, Tarnished Lace, if you have the opportunity. I would love to meet you. Congratulations on your gorgeous garden! Leslie

jade said...

My dear June,
you garden is really a paradise - all those lovely flowers......the peonies in your kitchen are soooooo gorgeous!!!!!!!! Have a wonderful summertime,

Hugs Jade

Vintage Home said...

...I had to look @ your flowers again...oh!...Thanks for dropping over!....
If you have time go to Matthew Mead...he is having an apron give away!..almost as pretty as your garden!

Carol said...

Your peonies are simply beautiful. They are my favorite flower as well. I live in South Texas and we just can't grow them here, so thank you for sharing yours with me today.

Smiles,

Carol

Rosie said...

Oh Yes Junebug, Rosie has most assuredly learned her lesson...this however, does not mean that it won't happen again.

Your little world is A*M*A*Z*I*N*G...
why would you ever leave...have your groceries delivered, and work from home...let the whole world come to you...well...unless there is a good market close by....

sending you a "X" and a "O"...
love Rosie

Muggensteekjes said...

Oooh June, your sink looks so pretty with all the lovely peonies. And your garden....I knew it was a pretty one because you showed us so much pretty pictures last year but this year it looks really gorgeous. You really should be in a magazine with your lovely garden. I think it is so much work to keep it up but you are doing a great job. Thank you for sharing, big hugs Ingrid.

Anne Marie said...

Hi June!! your garden/grounds look AMAZING!!!!!! those poppies! wow! what great pictures of your serenity....

xo+blessings,
Anne Marie

TAPESTRIESOFNATURE said...

JUNE, AS A LOVER OF PEONIES ALSO, YOUR PHOTOS WERE SO BEAUTIFULLY REAL, I COULD ACTUALLY RECALL THEIR INTOXICATING SCENT. THANK YOU, JUDY

Carolyn said...

Hi June,

Wow! Your photos are amazing-love them all.
I smiled over Athena as her twin Audrey is in our garden. My sister-in-law thought I should put a burning bush behind her!
Hope you are enjoying lovely summer days in your beautiful garden.
Take care,
Carolyn

wendy said...

I would kill (figuratively speaking of course) for a garden like yours. You are surrounded by such beauty.
I am a long, long way from anything like that......and by the time I "kinda" get to that point, we hope to be moved to British Columbia.
I have never grown peonis ...I always heard they were hard to take care of?? Their blooms are amazing.

Yvonne - Frl. Klein said...

Dear June,
Your peonies look wonderful! The mix of white and pink flowers is beautiful!
I enjoy your beautiful pictures!
Have a nice day,
Yvonne

Melissa/Piney Rose said...

So beautiful! Peonies are my favorite too.

Trisha said...

Your peonies are gorgeous! This was a very good year for them. I have 2 bushes and counted over 100 blooms just on one! I really enjoyed seeing your photos.
Trisha Evans
A VIntage White

Natasha Burns said...

oh your peonies are divine! they are also my favourite flower. I love visiting US blogs and seeing peony photos. love how you are all able to grow them so easily. i wish we could down here, but the climate is not right. we instead have to pay $10 (cheap) up to $20 for a fairly small bunch of them at the florist :(

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Heaven! No wonder you are laughing with angels, you live in heaven.:) The peonies are my favorites too, but all your flowers are just beautiful.

Please join us for our feature on Connie Eyberg and FrenchGardenHouse's Belgian Linen GIVEAWAY!~Lidy

sweetpea said...

June, your garden is beyond words... I also love peonies but cannot grow them here... darn. Thanks so much for your get well wish. Have fun at the sale, I know you love it.

Hugs,

Shelley

Barbara said...

Your garden is so very lovely, June! I felt as though I was right there with you, enjoying every moment!
Peonies are my favorite flower too..the way they look in a round glass bowl, just pouring out all over...I love it.

maría cecilia said...

... I had to come again to see your peonies, poppies and irises again... and again... and again!!!!!!!!!

Melanie said...

Oh My Goodness, June!!

I am swooning over your beautiful peonies!!!! 40 plants!! You are a blessed woman!:-)

I am also swooning over your "Watermelon" poppies! I had never seen that variety before.. I am completely smitten!

Enjoy your peonies,your poppies, your garden and your weekend!

Blessings,
Melanie

Vicki said...

Oh, June, your garden is like heaven. Those peonies, well, I can see why they are your favorite, just gorgeous. I don't think we can grow them here in Central Texas or at least I have never seen them. Your iris, poppies and all of your blooms are making me smile. Enjoy your Friday and upcoming weekend, sweet friend. Love and blessings~ Vicki

Georgianna said...

Oh, my goodness, June – those peony photos are like a heavenly dream. How lucky you are so have so many and cut them with abandon to bring inside. Your whole garden is filled with magic! xo

Rosie said...

So you will totally have to use the bathtub to wash your dishes now, cause that "pink fluff" is just to pretty to move...smile on Rosie

koralee said...

Your garden is amazing!!!!! Poppies are one of my favourites..Love love that watermelon one!
I would never ever leave your garden my friend...it is so Beautiful..you are blessed by all your hard work. xoxxoo
Happy weekend.

BELLE BLANC said...

Is it necessary to say that I love your garden?! I don't think so... When I look at these pictures I feel free as a little bird. This width and freedom is so breathtaking! I wish I could wander over your lawns and smell the peonies... here the peonies are gone... it is full Rose-time now and so hot here! Thank you so much for your dear words and thoughts... hugs, Mira!

Peonies & Magnolias said...

Your flowers are gorgeous as always but the peonies are my favorites. All of ours have already come and gone. Have a wonderful weekend.

Sandy

paperbird said...

Hi June- I know I comment all the time how gorgeous your yard is- but it is- so beautiful, like a garden you would pay money to visit. Usually we travel to Hailey for the 4th of July- this year we went to California and I'm really sad we missed the antique sales in one of my favorite vacation places- Sun Valley.

I am having a 100th post giveaway- come by and join up :-)

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

JUNIE! Your yard is FAB.U.LOUS! I can't believe how beautiful it is.... DEEEE.LISH!

xoxoxo
Spence

cathleen said...

My mouth is hanging open right now!!!! Really!!!! Drop dead gorgeous garden, June.

Rosie said...

Oh Junebug...
Just came to stroll through the garden with you and chat about the days "happenings"...will wait for you at the peony hedge...love Rosie