Field outside of Wamego, Kansas … covered with sky.
Wishing you a lovely day, from the lovely state of Kansas!
Monthly Archives: May 2016
Pinks and Golden Yellows in May Garden
We’ve had a bit of stormy weather here in Kansas over the last few days – with more in store over the next few.
Some of our flowers, especially some of the roses, have gotten bedraggled. Others have really pulled through, thankfully, and they are some of my fragrant varieties; so that is quite nice.
The “Kiss Me Kate” Asiatic Lilies just started opening and are especially saturated with color – I think due to the cooler spring temperatures than we have most years. The coreopsis have also just started to put on their show for the summer.
As you can see from the photos, at this time of year, the color scheme for the garden is one of contrasts predominantly strong pinks and golden yellows. In a few weeks, that shall change. With its long bloom season and variety of perennials, the garden is always changing.
“Kiss Me Kate” mixed in with “Memorial Day” Rose. Spireas in the background and Golden Oregano as ground cover.
Coreopsis …
Above, “Secret” Rose.
Here in the U.S. it is a holiday weekend – Memorial Day Weekend. Wishing you the best …
Sunny-Rainy Garden
We have had quite a bit of rain this spring. In fact, for the first time in six years, Kansas is not in drought conditions.
At least one big storm passed through the area overnight and when I awoke this morning, the sky was full of ominous-looking clouds. So I wasn’t expecting to a few minutes of glorious sunshine for photographing the garden. By the time that I was done taking and uploading pictures onto my camera, rain clouds had moved back in. Our weather can change almost minute by minute.
Here are a few photos that I got in between bought of rain …
As always, wishing you a lovely day whatever the weather might bring!
Kumquat Gin & Tonic/Kumquat Tonic
Something I enjoy is creating cocktails and recently I made what I thought was a perfect Gin & Tonic … with kumquats! I won’t say that it is “the” perfect Gin & Tonic, because that all depends on what one is in the mood for and on one’s personal taste. (I, also happen to be a fan of Day Lily Gin Tonics for after working in the garden on a sticky hot early summer afternoon.)
Kumquats are very tart, as are limes, so they are a substitute for a squeeze of lime. But they are also sweet enough to eat, so one can consume them after finishing the drink.
Anyhow, here is what you need:
- a good gin, one that you really like – I used Caorunn
- chilled tonic water, one that actually has both fizz and flavor, e.g. Canada Dry in small glass bottles (a tart “soda”, e.g. San Pellegrino Limonata, can be substituted for those who like a slightly stronger sweet-tart cocktail)
- several kumquats, sliced not too thin and not too thick
- ice
Place the ice and the kumquat slice in a glass. Stir. Pour in gin to your desired strength (approximately a 1:3 gin to tonic ratio is my preference). Top with tonic. Enjoy! Share with friends over the upcoming holiday weekend! Cheers!
A quick note on tonics: if your tonic is flat or flavorless, it will ruin the drink, as will it if your tonic isn’t chilled because the ice cubes will melt too quickly.
When entertaining and serving cocktails, it is important to have fun alcohol-free beverages as well. For a pleasant mocktail, let’s call it a Kumquat Tonic, skip the gin, use the San Pellegrino Limonata (or something similar); don’t skimp on the kumquats … and use a lime slice for garnish. Very colorful and pleasant for hot weather! Again, cheers!
Either way … a delightful way to kick off summer! Best to you …
Formal Floral
We had a lovely wedding at the Bed & Breakfast yesterday. Amazingly, we had a break in the rain and the sun came out for the wedding. This, however, is a picture that I took indoors while it was dark and rainy out.
For more pictures:
Ruffly Textures, Delicate Colors
We, at The Morning Star, wish the wedding couple all the best!
A Fragrant Rose
Working in the garden this morning, I was so pleased with all of the lovely fragrance lofting through the air.
“Memorial Day” rose, is just on of my fragrant roses. Can’t you almost see it dripping with perfume-scent?
Have a lovely evening!
Happy Graduation Weekend
This is graduation weekend at Kansas State University. My Siberian irises are heralding the occasion by being in full bloom. (K-State’s colors are purple and white, so I have plenty of these colors in our May garden.)
Congratulations, to the graduates and to their families!
Passing By
Out running errands this afternoon, I saw this dramatic bit of sky as I looked to the north. To the south, bright blue skies with puffy white clouds … and the weather had been perfectly gorgeous this morning. This storm is just passing by from what I can tell, but bringing cooler temperatures along with it for the weekend.
Ah weather. It is always interesting.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
A Few Irises
I love it when our irises are in bloom … and so do our guests. The garden is such a wonderful conversation starter!
The lovelies above are Thornbird Irises. I chose them for our garden because, despite being a modern iris, I thought that they had a beautiful old-fashioned look to go with our historic home.
The beautiful irises below are ones that I call “Happy Accidents in Peach” because I do not know their true names. They were supposed to be a spotted purple variety, but I adore these, though they are nothing like what I thought I was planting.
As always, wishing you a very lovely day …
Happy Mother’s Day
One of the traits that I picked up from my mother is a passion for flowers: for flower gardening, for creating beauty to be shared, for filling the house with blooms.
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! Thank you for all that you have given me!
And Happy Mother’s Day to the many, many mothers who – amongst all of the other gifts that you give to your your children – teach them to see beauty in the world.
A Taste of Morning 