Daffodils ~ Happy Earth Day!

My studio sale is over for another year, and my attention turns to my garden.

My daffodils are blooming like crazy, just in time for Earth Day – Spring is my favorite time of year!

I feel revitalized, energized and I fly out of bed each morning to see what’s new.

Right now a new daffodil opens each morning!  Beautiful colorful sunny daffodils.

I love variety – color, size, plain and fancy; and a variety of bloom times.

Daffodils emerge from a bulb, and are also called narcissus and jonquils.

As you can see I have a lovely collection.  These are just my early varieties.

Other spring bulbs are also blooming – fritillarias, hyacinths, and more.  A few of my early tulips are showing color but not open yet.

Today I’ll just show you daffodils.  When my daffodil clumps are large enough I divide them and plant them in empty spaces throughout my garden.

I don’t always wait until they die off.  I’ve moved them while blooming so I know what variety I’m planting and can see where they belong!

Large and small, tall and short.  Multi-stemmed and regal tall singles.

I love them all and when I see them smiling like this, I smile back!

Happy Earth Day everyone!!

 

Unofficial Spring

Officially we have about a week before Spring and my garden is budding with color.  Most of my garden is still underground but the sun has been out the last few days inviting my spring plants to wake up.  And inviting me outside to play.  I’m calling it unofficially spring!!

I’ve been buried in my studio in spite of the gorgeous weather lately because my annual studio sale is just around the corner and I still have much to prepare for it.  I’ve opened my studio for the last 15 years or so, and joined the Gorge Artists Open Studios 4 years ago.  Now I’m down to the wire with only a month left to finish all the work I’d planned and clean up my garden because people like to walk through it while they’re here.

After a long studio day I managed to get a couple hours of clean up done outside late this afternoon.   I could no longer walk by the debris of fallen limbs and branches from winter snow and ice.  I managed to get quite a bit raked up in a short amount of time.  Of course it’s not picked up, just raked into piles along my paths.

I decided to trim and weed as I raked each section so that I could slowly acclimate to all those tasks that my back hasn’t done all winter.  It felt wonderful sitting in the warm sun, listening to the birds sing as I cleaned up each bed and pulled dead leaves away from tender shoots sprouting up.

I’m grateful to have been outside.  In the sun.  I’m grateful to have only had a couple of hours because my back was not ready to work that hard.  My plan for tomorrow is to repeat today.  Maybe not as long.  Or maybe I’ll just sit and enjoy the sun and birds a little longer.

If you’re in the Northwest, I’d love to have you stop by my studio sale to see what I do.  In my studio and in my garden.  April 11, 12 & 13.  You can send me a message here or via email if you’d like directions.

Our resident deer are also happy to see the sun, and my plants popping out of the ground.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Keeping a Friend’s Garden

Earlier this month I was photographing my garden and planning blog posts.  Then one of my favorite friends was in a horrific accident and all my attention went to her:  http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2013/jul/13/local-artist-hospitalized-after-motorcycle-acciden/   We had just finished a meeting for an August art show and as we stood on the corner chatting afterwards, I remember thinking how cute Kathy looked in her motorcycle leathers & helmet.  Everything changed less than an hour later.

Her friend Dana set up a calendar of tasks for friends to help with, like feeding her cats and watering her garden.  Once a week I water her garden and pet her cats, filling up the food bowl if it’s empty.  I gathered some photos of our mutual friends to paste on her hospital wall so no matter where she looks, she’ll see someone who loves her. It doesn’t feel like enough.  Kathy has many friends that are thinking of ways to help, to show our love and support.  Along with many other artists, I’m donating my work for upcoming fundraisers and I don’t know if that’ll be enough.

I decided to give 20% of my sales towards Kathy’s fund. If you’ve been thinking about buying a gift of glass, garden art, or something for your home; notecards or photograph prints on metal or canvas, you’ll also be contributing to Kathy’s fund and I thank you in advance!  http://www.zibbet.com/SteiderStudios  No, this is not a plug to get you to buy something….I’m simply looking at any possible way to help my friend & her family.

Kathy is one of those people who everyone loves. She’s full of life, energy and effervescence. She sits on many committees with me and keeps a beautiful garden as you can see in these photos. I’ve been her student & she’s been mine. She is a sports enthusiast, skiing and snowboarding during winter months & windsurfing in summer.  I could go on and on about her but I think you get the idea. She smiles at everyone and they can’t help but smile back. She radiates positive energy.

It was my honor to spend a day with her in the hospital, tending to things staff has little or no time for.  Misting her face, helping her eat, holding her hand, turning her fan, getting more ice…anything she asked of me I did.  It was one of the hardest days I’ve ever spent because of the circumstance, yet I witnessed her joyful spirit courageously fighting.

I already adored her husband, but I have renewed admiration for him in watching how he lovingly tends her.

If you can send a prayer or positive energy with healthy vibes, they’d be appreciated.

If you’re in the Columbia River Gorge, watch for announcements of opportunities to help.

I don’t know when Kathy will be back in her lovely garden, but perhaps the best way to show support later will be to purchase her enamel jewelry, wall art and switch plates.  I’ll post a link to her on-line shop when she’s ready to return to work.  In the meantime, if you’re in the Columbia River Gorge, you can purchase her jewelry now at Columbia Arts in Hood River.  She’s also one of the featured artists for First Friday in August with her enamel wall hangings.  The show, ‘A Glass Act’ runs through the end of August, so you’ll have all of August to look for Kathy’s work!

For the Bees

So much is happening has happened in the garden that I’m overwhelmed this summer.  I have tons of photos to share with you, but haven’t edited or sized to fit my blog format.  So, to get my garden blog up to speed, I’ll simply start with today!  This trio of Bees on a Drumstick Allium caught my attention.

In spite of a continuing bad economy that is forcing many artist friends out of business, I’m humbled and overjoyed that I still have work.  As usual during summer when I long to be in my garden, my work schedule overflows.  I am rejuvenated by all the winged creatures keeping my garden alive.  Tamarix in full bloom is attracting many bees and butterflies.

A friend, recently hurt in a horrific motorcycle accident has been consuming most of my creative energy as I try to find ways to help her.  You’ll learn more about her in an upcoming post.  I love watching bees twist and turn and tumble their way through collecting pollen.  Capturing them with my camera is my escape from everything else.

For now it’s enough that I post these bees.  On this blog.  Just to get going again.  I think this is the tiniest bee I’ve ever seen!

Thanks for stopping by.  Please stay tuned for my friend Kathy.

Oh How My June Garden Blooms!

I gasped when I noticed these flowers blooming!  I’ve tried growing Jack in the Pulpit (also called Cobra Lily) for close to ten years and now I have three blooming!

I’ve had Arisaema candidissimum and Arisaema sikokianum bloom then disappear.  These Jacks have leafed out each year but never bloomed.  I’m not sure which variety they are because I’ve tried so many, but I think they’re Arisaema heterophyllum.

Each is blooming in a different part of my garden – my test to see which is the best spot for them before I buy more.

I have yellow Pouch Flowers blooming!  Love these sweet pockets of color.  I still need to find the red variety.

My geum is at the tail end of its blooming cycle.  Another plant with a red variety I want!

My yellow tree peonie has two blooms this year, but the lavender variety hasn’t developed blooms yet.  I think I have it in the wrong place with not enough sun.  I’ve heard they don’t like being moved, so maybe I can limb up surrounding trees for it.

I love this red peony – blooms are covering the foliage this year.  My pink peonies are about to burst open.

As I wander my way through the garden I am serenaded by this sweet Sparrow and a plethera of other song birds.  By planting natural habitat for birds I’ve created a safe zone for them and a sanctuary for me.

I try to not disturb the chickadee bringing treats for her babes.

And I try to capture her in flight to no avail.  So far.

Our hummingbirds must be nesting because they’re no longer fighting over the feeders.

Ravens are back in full force, attacking my compost pile with gusto.

Alas, the cowbirds are also back!

Other critters I love to capture are butterflies.  I stopped using toxic poisons (weed and bug killers) in my garden more than a decade ago and love how these flying flowers have increased over the years.

I especially love when I can capture them in flight!  I grow a lot of plants that encourage them to stay in my Columbia River Gorge garden.

Read this link from Organic Gardening for more information about attracting butterflies to your garden.

Swallowtails are probably the largest butterfly I welcome back each year.

I am noticing many different types of bees pollinating my flowers, fruits and veggie plants.

As I pulled weeds and excess plants I gently moved ladybugs to new homes.

My Gas Plant is one I look forward to each year.

As is this Columbine.  I haven’t posted in so long, I fear I’ll bore you with too many photos, so will end here.

If you’d like an alternative to commercial weed killers, try this recipe, it works:  1 gallon apple cider vinegar, 1 cup salt, 1 teaspoon detergent.  Mix and spray on weeds.

Thanks for stopping by!

September: A New Month, A New Camera

Rudbeckia.

What  joy!  My new camera is a Nikon D5100.  I have a HUGE learning curve ahead of me.

Cosmos.

I love my Nikon CoolPix P80, but sometimes wished for something that would really capture what I was seeing.  Back in the days of 35 mm film I had a great Nikon AF camera with zoom and macro lenses, but it was heavy and I like the weight and freedom of my point & shoot P80.  Knowing the difference between the two, it is at times frustrating when I miss a shot because my camera won’t engage as quickly or see as clearly or get as close as I’d want to be.

Hollyhock.

September is my birthday month and I pooled all my resources (family) to go in together for one gift.  For my birthday AND Christmas.  The one gift I’ve been wanting but denying myself for over a year.  And could I please have it early?

Clerodendrum.

Although I think I got some pretty good shots with a point and shoot, I cannot wait to see what I get with my new camera.  I can see the difference just with these first ‘fooling around’ photos.  The clarity.  The immediacy of the shutter release.  The fact that I did very little editing – mostly just cropping.

Steller’s Jay at Feeder, shot through the kitchen window.

If you don’t see me for awhile you’ll know why!  Or I might have to post even more photos than before!  A new adventure begins!!

Thanks for stopping by!

July Flowers

One of my favorites, Eremurus robustus (Foxtail Lily) grows about 8′ tall & signals the start of summer in my Pacific Northwest garden.

Leucanthemum superbum (Shasta Daisies) seem to jump up everywhere if I don’t keep my eye on them.

Allium ‘Hair’ is another favorite that adds whimsey to a bouquet of color.  They took awhile to spread, but are now interspersed throughout my garden.

Hot pink Yarrow adds giant sparks of color, and pulls up easily when it starts taking over.

Filipendula rubra ‘Venusta’  is about to bloom.  It’s taken awhile to get started and deer love it.

What can I say about lilies…my favorites!  This is Lily lankongense ‘Angela North’.

Lily lankongense ‘Rosepoint Lace’.

Although not fragrant, I love this pale pink Asiatic lily as most of my Asiatics are red or yellow.

Eryngium amithystinum (Sea Holly) is taking over one section of my garden and hard to pull out!

Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susan) ready to open.

Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’, another favorite is ready to open.  I’m trying to incorporate these into more sections of the garden.

Astrantia ‘Rose Symphony’ is so sweet, and finally starting to spread.

Rodgersia pinnata is another deer favorite so I think this is the first flower I’ve seen.

I love Peonies and have a small collection, but have forgotten the names of most.  This red with yellow center is very striking.

…As is this pink – also with yellow center

But I really love this pink and fluffy peony with very large blooms.

‘Bowl of Beauty’ was one of the first I planted in my garden.

Along with ‘Sarah Bernhardt’, another big beautiful fluffy bloom.

Thanks for stopping by, I always appreciate it!

Mid May Musings

Taking a moment to breathe between weekend art shows.  I am amazed at what’s blooming in my garden.  I love these colorful Parrot tulips.

Pink fringed tulips are also favorites ….

…as are yellow, orange, and red tulips!  Blooming under my Magnolia tree.  With a glass garden fairy that I made swinging from a branch.

Little Chickadee oh so sweet.

Evening grosbeaks taking refreshment.

Epimediums are starting to bloom. I LOVE purple…..

…and pink!!  There are more, but these are my favorites.

Love catching these little hummingbirds at our feeders.

I must take 300 photos for every one that turns out.

Is there a secret to photographing hummingbirds in flight?

My Soloman’s Seal is finally multiplying.  I’ve waited several years for this to happen so I can spread it throughout my woodland gardens.

Back out in the sun my miniature iris are starting to bloom.  I love these little guys.

And these little guys.  The Goldfinches like to sip directly from the dripper at this birdbath.

That looks like a chair calling my name.  Try not to notice all the weeds, ok?  Until next time…thanks for stopping by.

Hello Spring, I Love You

I’m breathing a sigh of relief after our cold, long and dreary Northwest winter.

Spring has finally arrived in my top of the world, higher elevation garden.

Work still has me scrambling, which is a good thing for an artist.  More people are realizing that owning original art is more fulfilling, fun and rewarding than having the same thing all your neighbors have that was purchased at a big box store.

If you’re in the Portland Oregon area, please come to the Glass Gallery at the Portland Convention Center April 29 – May 1st to see what I do!

Yesterday when the sun came out I was compelled to take a break….

….to make sure my garden was still growing.  And to see what the deer left me.

Yes, they’ve been grazing through my garden all winter and spring.

I haven’t had time to spray Liquid Fence, which has worked beautifully for me.

I’ll be showing glass garden art at the Master Gardener’s Plant Sale at the Extension Office in Hood River on May 7th in the morning.  Their sale closes at 1pm, so come early!

May 14 and 15 you can come tour my studio along with 40 other artists in the Gorge Artists Open Studio Tour.

June 3 – 26 you’ll find my work at Columbia Arts gallery show ‘Get Centered’.

As you can see, I will only have limited forays into my garden as time allows.

Hopefully I can work fast in the mornings, then spend a few hours in my garden.

I have so many plans for this year.  Plants that need to be moved, a terraced slope that needs to be redone.  Not to mention expansion.  I still have several areas that can be converted to garden space on my little two acres.

Thanks for stopping by.  Until next time…..

On the Eve of Spring…

….I can breathe a deep sigh, knowing I made it through another long dark winter.

Tomorrow, March 20, at 7:21 P.M. EDT is the official first day of Spring, also called the Vernal Equinox.  It makes me happy.

The world is in uproar with catastrophic disaster and another looming war, yet my garden is bursting forth with a new season of growth.

It makes me happy.  This little patch of paradise that I’ve built for myself sustains my soul.

As the colors emerge my energy returns.  Another season of caring for my plants, rearranging them into more beautiful combinations.  You remember don’t you?  I rearrange my garden the way others rearrange their furniture.

There’s a lot of work to be done.  I should put my camera down and get to it.

And get back to deterring squirrels from the bird seed!  Any suggestions?

Thanks for stopping by….