stutler
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Registered: 06/28/07
Posts: 291
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Reply with quote | #1 |
The cold weather is prolonging spring in the garden. Days have been mid 50's to mid 60's and nights in the 30's. In all, it has been a beautiful spring.
Regards to all --- Ben
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Vienna, West Virginia, USA
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hesterredhen
Registered: 07/02/07
Posts: 167
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Reply with quote | #2 |
The daffodils are lovely, Ben, and the gazebo certainly beckons. 
Tomorrow we have sun and 70 for cast. That will do for the 10% inspiration. Now if my body will just follow through with the 90% perspiration, perhaps the winter dreams will start to become my spring reality! I have been as fitfully slow to get started as the warm weather this year. Fortunately the spring bulbs and flowering trees have just kept on blooming in spite of my neglect.
This morning about 5:30 I was looking out on the early morning sunlight on the west lawn, just in time see a big Tom turkey go sauntering across, stopping to peck at this and that. Then he crossed the road and disappeared into the wooded area by the creek. The last 2 years we have had a rafter of wild hens, chicks and Toms in the yard at times. They are fairly new to our farm.
Our neighbor up the road reported we have a bald eagle that stayed the winter on a pond just east of us. Nice to see returning wild critters. The CRP program in our area has provided much cover and habitat for them. With our farm having the creek running through it, we are lucky to see quite a variety .
I haven't seen the local cougar but I have heard it on rare occasion. Probably 3 times in 30 years. It is a scream you don't forget!  Again, they follow the wildlife they prey on ,who follow the creek for water and shelter. There are more and more reports of sightings of these big cats in our county in recent years.
Ah Well, I digress. Tonight I exercises the fingers, tomorrow the real workout starts. Let's hope being in " traction" doesn't follow.
L. Red Hen
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stutler
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Registered: 06/28/07
Posts: 291
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hesterredhen
Registered: 07/02/07
Posts: 167
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Reply with quote | #4 |
We did one garden wedding over 25 years ago for our oldest daughter and one for our 4th daughter 10 years ago. All I can say is plan for the unexpected! The first one was so windy that we had to move the reception indoors at the eleventh hour to keep the cake from falling over.
I had just given birth to our sixth child and fifth daughter 2 months prior by an unplanned c-section. It was certainly an experience trying to get down and get all the petunias planted when she was less than a month old. I can still remember holding my stitches with one hand and planting with the other.
Our daughter and the groom to be were both in the Air Force at the time so she wasn't able to be home a lot to help. On the weekends they did get to come home, we had to travel 180 mile round trip to pick them up and again to take them back.
The second outdoor wedding took place in the groom's mother's backyard, a lady I barely knew, but my daughter,(#3), and I did the decorating. We worked in 100 degree weather in July and set up a fountain, Gazebo, Chairs, lights, lattice work, etc. then rushed home to cool off and get ready for the sunset event.
God had other ideas that day. Just prior to time to leave for the ceremony, we had a very heavy rain and thunderstorm. The wedding had to be postponed an hour, but just before dark, we all assembled (with umbrellas) ,in weather less than perfect, but cooler, and watched them say their vows with thunder and lightning crashing overhead.  The second pour down started just as he kissed the bride. To this day I think God was trying to warn us but that is a story for another day. 
So my advice is don't worry about the tulips. There can always be something else that comes about to take your mind off what you were originally concerned about.
L. Red Hen
P.S. Our last child, the one who was a baby at the first garden wedding eloped. I think she is my favorite!
Also I was thinking about copy-catting a lady I saw on our local news. She had a tea bag hanging from each side of her eyeglasses.
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stutler
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Registered: 06/28/07
Posts: 291
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Reply with quote | #5 |
Rebecca:
We are not planning an outdoor wedding. I was hoping to get a picture of the bride and groom with the tulips at the gazebo. Since I wrote the other day the deer finished the tulips -- ate every darn one of the blooms -- so that is not going to happen.  It looks kike the dogwoods will be in full bloom but I think everyone will be dressed too fancy and will not have time for a trip to the garden.
I offered the use of the garden for the wedding, but my granddaughter, who is much wiser than me, said she did not trust the April weather. It's as if, she had been reading of your experiences. So we should be high and dry at the church and an indoor reception. Notice the "should be" -- one never knows how or when or where they may get wet !
I have a new three piece suit - I just hope I can get the vest buttoned. 
--- Ben
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Vienna, West Virginia, USA
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Pburgh
Registered: 07/03/07
Posts: 169
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Reply with quote | #6 |
Ben, you're supposed to have gorgeous weather on Saturday - I mean perfect!!! Temps in the high 70's and possible 80's. I'm so excited for you. I feel bad about your tulips but your gardens are beautiful. I know exactly how your wife and daughter are feeling. It's exhausting and exciting. I will raise a glass for your family on Saturday when I complete my yard work.
Rebecca, I feel for you. All that hard work and sweat!!!!
I worked in the gardens last weekend and will again this weekend. I've lost quite a few perennials this past winter. I will have fun replacing them but will really miss a few that I have nurtured for many years - they're like old friends.
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hesterredhen
Registered: 07/02/07
Posts: 167
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Reply with quote | #7 |
It seems like the one thing we gardeners can really count on is change!Sometimes welcome and then there are those other times sorry about your losses this past winter. The one thing I notice in my garden pictures, over the years, is what isn't here any more.
Ben if anyone just walked into your gardens they would never miss the tulips, there are so many beautiful sights still to see. But I still wish the deer would leave you alone. Hope all is perfect for the wedding.
Karan and I can toast the couple . We are always looking for a reason to bring out a good glass of bubbly.
L. Red Hen
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Pburgh
Registered: 07/03/07
Posts: 169
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Reply with quote | #8 |
Ok, I figure tonight is the rehearsal dinner and I can open a nice bottle of chardonnay to celebrate. Rebecca are you with me?
Have fun Ben. ((HUGS)) to your family
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stutler
Moderator
Registered: 06/28/07
Posts: 291
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Reply with quote | #9 |
The Cosper and Archer families at the rehearsal dinner. Today is the big day and the weather is beautiful.  Attached Images:
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Vienna, West Virginia, USA
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