Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Costa Rica Bound


Keel-billed Toucan on
 the farm in Costa Rica 2009
  Things have changed a couple of times back and forth but it looks like I am going to be making a trip to Costa Rica after all. If all goes well,  my husband and I will be flying out on the 15th of May. I am very excited!
  I am afraid that all the garden chores and preparations for our trip have kept me away from my art desk and letter writing. I have received a lot of mail from my pen friends and I am woefully behind on returns. If you have written me and haven't received a return, please forgive my tardiness...I am trying to get at least a postcard off to each of you before I leave, but I probably won't get many letters posted until I return from my trip. I haven't forgotten any of you and I want you to know how much I appreciate the letters and mail art that you take time out of your life to send to me. I will be gone two weeks and upon my return I will make letter writing a top priority.

For the moment, I will share some of the photos I have taken of life around Heart's Ease Cottage and I hope that you are enjoying life and making the most of the beautiful May weather.I'll see you in the mail!



Well, once Patrick's rose found a home in my yard other roses kind of found their way to the cottage as well. The roses on the arbor give us a huge display during the month of May, the border roses bloom in profusion all summer and fall.

 
Our border roses have masses of blooms which the bees love!
Trimming the limbs of our old oaks and planting 90 azalea bushes has been our big spring project this year. Can you imagine digging 90 holes to 2x the size of a 3 gallon plant bucket?   
Our cultivated blackberries plants are just laden with fruit this year.
This handsome gentleman lives in the "Pond Garden" next to our front porch. 
He is a stout fellow about the size of both my hands put together and has lived in the pond for years.
Bok Choi seedlings just waiting to be tucked into their garden bed.
My pen friend Sirpa commented on the cardinal in one of the postcards I sent her from our snow day in January. I have been trying to get a good shot of him ever since so I could send her a photo postcard featuring him. This one shows his colors well but I would really like it if he would oblidge and give me a nice pose in the profile...

The cabbage are heading up and soon it will be time to make saurkraut.
When the fava beans are ready, I will make Egyptian Felafels and Tabouli. Yum!
Sweet Charlie  strawberries
Tagg is the only dog I've ever seen that sniffs flowers...
The scent of Jasmine wafts in through the open windows and fills the house with its sweet scent.

6 comments:

  1. Beautiful garden photos! I love the one of the bee on the pink rose. Have a wonderful trip to Costa Rica! How exciting!

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  2. Thanks Donna! We are very excited. I can't wait to be standing on the farm facing the lake and Volcan Arenal... ah-h to breathe rainforest washed air again!

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  3. Yes, your garden looks very lovely. Have a wonderful trip and don't worry.....mail is supposed to be fun! (I think I owe you a letter anyway).

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  4. Lovely pictures!! I do hope you have a safe and wonderful trip!!

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  5. Pamela and Misty, Thanks for the well wishes! We are hoping to recharge and just soak in the peace.

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  6. Your garden and the photos of it look really wonderful! So lovely also that you took the more clarifying picture of the cardinal, and that you are planning to take more! Hugs!

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