Flowers for Lauren

Today is my daughter Lauren's 20th birthday. I rarely post about my girls but yesterday I posted about Emily so of course I have to write about Lauren today.

Lauren has been a constant companion with me on numerous garden tours. We've been at conventions and tours in Detroit, Philadelphia, central Florida, Boston and many other locations and Lauren won't let me forget we already have a date for a tour in Louisiana in 2011.

Last night Lauren requested lots and lots of flowers for her birthday. Not the standard arrangements that are created by professional florists but my arrangements which tend to look like my garden, a mass compendium of plant material.

When she wakes up she'll find three arrangements waiting for her. One is large and two are mid-sized.

Of course they aren't out on the brick patio but in various parts of the house. Today's lighting though wasn't conducive to indoor photography (not much better outside either).

There will also be small single specimens for her to place where ever she wants. How many of you are cringing right now?

Yes, the noxious, notorious Houttyunia cordata is in these arrangments. Fair warning here, if you see a lovely colored foliage plant with the nickname 'Chameleon Plant' do NOT buy this plant. Unfortunately, I inherited a piece but luckily I have it contained in one portion of the garden.

The good news is Houttyunia's a beautiful addition to a cut flower arrangement. I try to pull out the whole stem with as much root as possible and just chop off the root before putting it in the vase.

Do you cut flowers from your garden?

New York Debut

Pantomime in the Bowery

Well, this seems to be the week for non-gardening topics. As an incredibly proud (busting at the seams) mom, I had to share this photo of my daughter Emily (on the left) and two mime companions as they performed this past Sunday.

It was the achievement of their young lives to be able to perform along with their entire mime troupe at the Bowery Poetry Club.

Wow Emily, your first performance in the Big Apple. Girl, you are on your way to stardom :-)

How cold is it?

In the 10 years we've lived in this house this was the first time this was possible!

This is my husband Don playing hockey on the frozen solid pool cover.

I sure wish those frozen Sedum and Sempervivum on the brick steps had a nice fluffy snow blanket to keep them warm. It will be interesting to see what actually survives after this unusual winter.

First we had the most amazingly mild December and early January and now two weeks of solid freeze.

I wonder what spring will be like.

Oh yes, click on this lower photo to see a close up of Don's face and you'll get an idea of how much he likes hockey!

(This post is a temporary one and will be deleted in a day or two)