Garden Faire

Today kicked off the 2 day Herb & Garden Faire at Landis Valley Museum. Over 70 vendors there selling  everything from heirloom vegetables, garden art and perennials. My mom and I headed out this morning to see what we could find. I am so grateful for my membership to this wonderful museum, it is a Lancaster County treasure. The perennials were a bit high and I couldn't find anything that I was dying for but I bought some unusual tomatos that were grown and sold by a local high school's ag program for only $1.75 each! I bought a Giant Valentine, a Cuor di Bue, Isis Candy and Japanese Black Trifele.  My other purchase was an English Puddler, which is like a birth bath for butterflies. The business that sold them is Pine Hollow Primitives and they had some beautiful accents for the garden. I really wanted this amazing birdbath they had and a hedgehog statue was too cute!

Behind the tavern is the cutest little garden,

Inside the tavern, I love this shot. The light was beautiful.

An old Harrison's Yellow heirloom rose.

This one has been around since the mid-1800's.

Even Tanya flew the coup to check out the vendor.

Tom is back at the barn, calling for his mate.

Beautiful buttercups. They make me smile everytime I see them.

Monarch

Most of the really flashy looking butterflies in my garden are also very skittish so I was super excited yesterday when this gorgeous Monarch let me take his photo. If you click on the photos you can really appreciate all the delicate details in her wing structure. I am amazed by nature every day and could sit for hours waiting to take the perfect photo. Hmm, maybe I should have been a field scientist or something. When I was a kid I thought the greatest job would be to work for National Geographic. Even got to see Jane Goodall lecture when I was in high school.



I'm so excited, today I finally have enough tomatoes from my garden to make a small pot of sauce. It's funny how so many giant tomatoes cook down to just a few servings...



And I also finished 3 small pendants over the weekend that I'm currently adding to my Etsy shop: an Arabian, a bunny inspired by the Unicorn Tapestries and a whimsical Palomino horse (my favorite of the 3). Still working on the harvest welcome sign. Hope to start working on my Halloween horse series this week too!




Happy Monday!

Baby Tomatoes!

First I will admit openly that I cheated. I didn't start my seeds, I bought a rather large tomato plant at the garden center, Groff's to be specific, they are awesome ($1.99 perennials - can you believe it?!). I was on my morning garden walk today and spotted two tiny tomato babies, I can't believe it! I didn't even notice the plant had flowers. Now I just have my fingers crossed that the warm weather sticks around and my plants grow up nice and healthy.

Every year I decided I will plant one or two new types of bulbs in the fall. Last year I chose allium. I am so in love with this flower. I may have to plant more this year. You can see why I love my new camera - macro rocks:)




The family that lived here before us planted 9 azaleas of all different colors in the front of the house but this bright pink one in the back is my favorite.



I also wanted to share an amazing blog with everyone that reads my posts. As you know, I love Longwood Gardens. As I walk the gardens I'm always wondering about the behind the scenes activities. Well, wonder no longer! This blog was created by the gardeners there to give you a glimpse of how they work their magic! Everything from how they plant 170,000+ bulbs every year to all about the 11 cats that live there. I'm so glad I found it!
Longwood Gardens: Behind the Plants

Fruits of Our Labor

1.25 lb. Brandywine Tomato

Red & yellow Brandywines, romas & Amish paste.

Okay, are you sick of my garden pictures yet? I can't help it. This is the first year that we've owned a house and had a big yard and the first year I've gotten to grow my own garden. Growing up we always had a huge garden so it's very important to me. My mom & stepfather have over 1,000 heirloom tomatoes planted this year not to mention an acre or two of Yukon golds and sweet corn.
My tomatoes are coming in like crazy and the Brandywine's are huge. The one in my hand weighs 1.25 pounds! 100% organic:)

Okay, now this will really make you laugh. I hate raw tomatoes (I like to make sauce). I know, sounds crazy right? I just do it for the joy of growing and giving. My husband is happy, he loves them. It's also a nice gift for the neighbors. Next year I want to expand the garden and set up a stand by the road. There is a stand near me that sells hum drum tomatoes for $2.99 and pound. I image folks would really love my heirlooms.


I will be out of town August 4th - 8th. I don't think I will be able to answer my email or update the blog but if I find myself infront of an internet cafe of some sort, I may pop in to check things. I am working on two hand painted Halloween signs to add to ebay before I leave. One is of an overo Paint horse, the other is a Dutch rabbit in a jack o' lantern with a witch hat on. Both are totally new designs and will be on Ebay hopefully tomorrow night.
Take care everyone! Jen

I have been wanting one of these plaques for ages and finally found one at TJ Maxx last week for $7.99! Isn't she pretty?