Artists' Retreat - July 2009

The garden has never been lovelier than this spring. The japonica is in bloom and this afternoon, I received word that Amy (the artsy, russet half of Chamy - aka The Otherfords) is registering for the 2009 Artists' Retreat
There will be a work station in the shade under the trees for stain glass design, cutting, grinding (grinder provided), and assembling. It is, however, required that all work there cease at dusk as, every morning, there have been fresh "foot" prints in that area. Not too big. Not too small. Best be safe.

And a table with trays assembled for morning coffee and afternoon drinks on the south side under the lilacs.
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If there is a writer in residence at the same time, no doubt there will be early morning hikes before the work schedule begins - And weekend runs with the dogs on Martinique Beach.
And guest speakers - for instance, the Rutherfords, discussing their current workworking projects and designs.


Also part of the retreat package: Movita, 2.0, Hamachi, and Epicurious Morsels.

Clever Alice Yu

Pattern: Shur'tugal Socks
Designer: Alice Yu (Socktopus)
Yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label Fingering Weight
Color: Moss
This is a beautiful pattern that is a tad hard on the hands with all the left and right twist stitches - but worth it. I tried a few other patterns with the moss colored yarn and none of them did it justice. I think this is the perfect combination.
Movita, anticipating another harsh winter ahead, has laid claim to these socks.

Jack Frost Is Back

Plant: Brunnera macrophylla Jack Frost
Spring is always so late coming to Nova Scotia. It is an agonizingly slow process. The French have had green grass and dandelions since January, for heaven's sake. Adam and Isa have had leaves on their trees, flowers in their garden and plants on their deck for weeks on end. Maybe those in warmer climates get blasé about it all and don't experience the sheer joy of finally being able to glance outside and see green - green on the ground and green overhead.
Someone said once that a garden is hope - hope that what you planted the previous year comes back and hope that you will be still be around to enjoy it! And hope has been rewarded this year with the emergence Jack Frost along the back pathway.
Brunnera is one of the few plants in this climate with true blue flowers and it stays in bloom for weeks on end. Whenever I come upon something blue in the garden, I remember UBC's David Tarrant who was such an excellent host of CBC's the Canadian Gardener and his fondness for blue flowers. And those rare flashes of intense blue are why I can forgive the Blue Jays whatever mischief they are up to out there.