Mother's Day

I received precious tear producing cards from my kiddos. They are still on the mantel:) Wish I sent more cards to people!

I picked up Mom and my Brother for an overnighter at our home to share Mother's Day. This was a special adventure as David has been in assisted living for a year and Mom has had a year to play and not be in the role of care giver, after 25 years since David's accident. It was special for all of us and a time to make memories. Happy Mother's Day, Mom. You deserve this break at 86 years of age!

Friends and Flowers

I always look forward to Monday mornings. I have a faithful group of volunteers that show up at the Casa to work. We take a walk through the gardens to assess what needs to be done then get to work. I never know who or how many will be there. Yesterday we set a record! Eleven volunteers showed up and worked till noon!

This flower bed of Calendrina is a show stopper. One year ago the bed was just dirt. Volunteers stuck cuttings in the ground. Wow, look at it now.

The agave attenuata are blooming. See the tall yellow spikes. The street in front of the Casa is lined with them also...looks like they are guarding the place.

My friend Sheila is fighting a huge uphill battle with cancer. Saturday she performed with the San Clemente Choral Society. Then she threw a huge party celebrating friends and family. Her sister came in from France and brother from New York. We all watched her perform with enthusiasm and spirit for probably her final time. What an inspiration she is!

More Earth Day activities

Headed home from the pier for a break (for Grandma and Grandpa). I was out in the garden enjoying their little imaginations go wild.

Then we headed for the Carnival Colossal! Bumper cars...Merry-go-round, Scrambler, Alligator Alley roller coaster etc. They loved them all.

Lots of rides and fun Grandma and Grandpa time with Aubrey and Garrett.

Then back home, kiddos are ready for fun on the deck. Aubrey is pulling Garrett with a makeshift 'hitch' on the big wheel that we rigged up from wire in the garage to pull the wagon. Negotiating the turns with a wagon far behind was quite the challenge.

Earth Day in San Clemente

There were lots of fun activities in San Clemente celebrating Earth Day. We were excited that Aubrey and Garrett could spend the weekend.
Started out on Saturday with a butterfuly/native planting at the San Clemente State Park.

Love this shot of Garrett (almost 4 yrs.) planting his first plant. Note the plastic pot is nestled tightly in the ground. He did it all by himself while I was a few feet away digging another hole.

Aubrey, 6 years old, knew what to do and just went from plant to plant, digging holes and getting the job done. I love that the time their parents and I spend with them in the garden shows and sets them apart from most children. They love digging for worms in my compost pile...

Then we headed to the SC Pier for their Earth Day activities. The kiddos are chasing bubbles.

And we must take time for a corn dog and playing tag with the waves!

Casa WWII tree planting

We had a lovely ceremony at the Casa at the end of the very emotional 2 month exhibit of WWII photos etc. The Casa is a Cultural Center "and gardens". The cultural part and the gardens were combined in this ceremony. I had 5 minutes to thank my volunteers - standing behind me at the front of this photo.

A month or so ago, I was asked where we could plant a tree, somewhere in the community, to honor veterans. I had a great spot that needs trees, right here at the Casa , the Woodland Garden. I asked for a donation of 1 tree and was given 10! by local Tree of Life Nursery owner and Casa board member, Mike Evans. Can't wait for the forest to emerge.

ME a Floral Design Winner!

This weekend was our Garden Club's annual GardenFest. Mike and I worked long and hard helping set up on Friday and a long day Saturday during the event. The theme was Green and Sustainable. There were lots of vendors, children's activities and contests. It was a great event that the San Clemente Garden Club gives to the community every year.
I entered the Floral Design Contest. That is not my forte, but gathered a handful of things from my garden and put together a Floral Arrangement to enter in the contest.
Voting was Peoples Choice and I won First Place!

I am looking a little exhausted after two long days. Anyway, my arrangement consisted of everything from my garden. Lemons, yellow hibiscus, Texas Gold Columbine, Yellow roses, Calla Lilly, Papyrus, and Japanese Tea Tree. I almost 'named ' it Mellow Yellow-until I added the Tea Tree.

I also entered my planted 'toddler's bed' in the Funky Container contest and won 2nd place :)

My Gardens this week

My view from the kitchen sink. Bottlebrush tree, top left. Yellow Texas Gold Columbine (brought the seeds from Texas in 1998). Pink blossoms of the dwarf peach tree, just above the fountain and a sprinkling of Plum blossoms at the top.

This is at the Casa. A dramatic plant called Whipple or Our Lord's Candle. It shot this bloom up within 2 weeks. It will last about 3 months then the entire plant will die. It is so awesome!

The Spanky garden bursting with joy. You have probably seen my post from 2 years ago with nothing but dirt!

Talk about nothing but dirt. That is what these gardens were 16 months ago. The rosemary waterfall was there on the top left but the herb garden below has been so much fun...artichokes, basil, lemon verbena, lettuce, curry, lemon balm, thyme...
The planter on the right has a few palms and a beautiful bed of Calendrina. Everyone loves that plant. I have just put some on the bank side of my driveway. Shoots a 2 foot stalk with a vibrant purple flower.

I have about 97 more photos I could share :)