Wednesday, August 31, 2011

It's a Jungle Out There!

For several summers we have had drought, or near drought. The summer of 2009 when I was getting the yard ready for Kayla and Andrew's September 4th wedding, I watered the entire summer, running two sprinklers nearly every night, dragging hoses around the yard. I enjoyed {mostly} every minute of it because I was looking forward to "THAT DAY"! It strikes me how much energy I put into it, and the source of the energy was the vision I was working toward. 

This year...PLENTY of rain. Plenty. As a result of said rain, the growth of weeds seems unstoppable {though I have not invested in Preen or mulch this year} so I have had to resort to pulling weeds the traditional way in my ten or more gardens. {three of which I started for the aforementioned wedding...not thinking of the maintenance I would have to do in the future...lesson learned!}

SO. I thought I would give you a glimpse of my jungle. Some weeded, some waiting to be. I almost prefer moving hoses to pulling weeds, but once I get out there, it isn't as bad as it seems from afar. If you want to see the "before" pictures, click on the "garden tour" tab on top of the blog, and look at the posts from this year.

 Needs some attention, but I do love the petunias that mound up and create such color in the front of the garden. 

 This is one of the gardens I started for the wedding. Only two years old...formerly chickens roamed there. That explains it. :)

 Cleome from two years ago...keeps reseeding itself. 

 Okay, this is a story. We didn't get anything in the "vegetable garden" until well into June. That's late. As you may be able to see from the 'before' post, we had five plants in the back left section. The pumpkin and gourd vines have stretched their way all the way over the top of the orange cosmos you see blooming on the right side of the garden. 
And check out this chair:
 The vines wrapped around the arm. I cannot get it out. I usually use this as a fall display piece. HA!
 I love me some zinnias. And one of my own flower creations...aging from the weather. 


 The photo above and below are in the space in between the shop and the house. As you can see, it's gone crazy! Need. To. Thin.
So. Now I know why...even after such a seemingly short summer...
I am ONTO FALL! 
Stay tuned for more 
Bittersweet Farm Fall Displays...

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Autumn Preview

I have been a putz with my blog of late due to end-of-summer fun and fall prep. Dale and I just returned from celebrating our 28th Anniversary at a Bed and Breakfast in Lanesboro, MN. We had two nights with two large and lovely breakfasts. I told Nancy, chef extraordinaire, home executive, gardener, and wonderful hostess that it is the first time I have wanted to take a photo of my breakfast!  We enjoyed dining with several other couples who entertained us and engaged us with stories of France, talk of buffalo in Kansas, organic food realities and local biking adventures. 


On Monday, we biked on the Root River Trail which winds along said river for miles. We went on a 40 mile journey from Lanesboro to Rushford and back. The day was perfect with sunshine, crisp air and shade all along the trail. The area {Southern MN} is very hilly, so when we got back into town, my dear man decided to climb Church Hill. Well, I didn't quite make it. I had to walk my bike for a little way. The ride down was exhilarating though and made the trek up worthwhile! (and settled my agitation toward him for leading me up there after so many miles with no warning!)


Yesterday afternoon was spent unpacking, going through Monday and Tuesday tasks and doing a little yard work. I'm so thankful that the growing season is slowing and since we haven't had as much rain, the MOWING season is slowing also!


The shop is beginning to look like fall. {Most people's favorite decorating season according to my non-official polling over the 7 years I have had the shop open} 


Here is a little preview:









Can you almost smell the harvest fragrances?
Pumpkin...Apple...Spices
Hope you can make it in for a visit! 
HOURS:
Wednesday 10-4
Thursday 12-6
Friday 10-4
Saturday 10-4

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Seasons Change

It's getting closer. I keep seeing posts on facebook about kids returning to school {really, already???} but it's true! Another month and they will all be back in the 'pencils and books' life, and we will be back enjoying our cooler air and our warm and spicy room fragrances...Pumpkins and crunchy leaves. 

In light of the nearing "change of seasons" ...the remainder of this week 
{Today/Tomorrow/Saturday} 
Bittersweet Farm will be marking down summer items.
20% or more on select items!

I will also be having a give-away (drawing) for two 
1803 Pilgrim Harvest soy candles. 

Come in and enter to win!!!
Wednesday 10-4
Thursday 12-6
Friday 10-4
Saturday 10-4

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