ErinKelly's Blog
ErinKelly's Blog
Last Post 248 days, 16 hours Ago
Feb 1, 2008 | 12:02 PM PST
Tags: lilacs , harsh winters , february , blossoms , high altitude gardening
What a silly title, but appropriate for today. We've been having snowstorms off and on the past two weeks but it is finally Friday and the SUN IS OUT!! Such a tease, as now I want to get outside and start planting something - anything! It's been a long, cold winter. I have 'cabin fever' and it's only February. Sigh.
My main concern is my little lilac tree. I received it as a gift two years ago. The small lilac tree was in a huge pot, greenhouse grown, and the poor thing had to be hardened off in order to sit on my porch. It has done well, but hasn't flowered, excepting in the beginning.
The only flowers the lilac had were the blooms from the greenhouse. After those gorgeous smelling blossoms withered and fell away, the tree hasn't bloomed again. I've been told lilacs sometimes don't bloom until they are three to four years old.
I moved to an even higher altitude a year ago. I currently live at 7,200 ft. The lilac has endured two cold winters, but seems to be doing well. It sits on my deck at the moment, with 4" of solid ice around it's base. A month ago, when the sun came out for about 3 days in a row, the confused little lilac actually started BUDDING....no no no! I cried! Not now! It's NOT Spring!
Along came a hard freeze, and that was that for the tiny leaves trying to pop out. I wonder if that will affect it's growth this year? I am SO looking forward to this tree blooming.
I have fond memories, as a child, of sitting under a HUGE lilac bush on the farm in Iowa, smelling the heady fragrance on a hot summer day - enjoying the cool shade the leaves of this giant lilac provided.
I thought it was gigantic. So was the creek that ran along the side of the meadow. It was a raging river and there were probably piranhas ready to gulp down tiny children at a second's notice.
Years later, my mother told me the 'creek' was a tiny trickle, a small irrigation drain. Well. My bubble was burst. "I suppose," I said, "you're going to tell me the lilac wasn't gigantic?"
My mother only smiled.
Anytime I smell lilac, I am whisked away to my childhood and those lazy, hazy days of summer.
I will keep posting on the progress of my lilac tree. I've never grown one before, but I feel fortunate to have helped it survive climate changes and harsh winters. I will absolutely feel in heaven if and when it blooms!
Jan 23, 2008 | 8:34 AM PST
Tags: winter , spring , lilac , rosemary , thyme , oregano , mint , garden , mountains , snow , sage , herbs
Not again! We're surrounded by snow and expecting another storm this weekend. We had blue skies and sunny days for a week, but now...harumpf! Just when my little lilac tree was starting to bud. Poor thing is confused with spring/winter/spring/winter.
Just the other day, I was thinking: What will my herb garden look like after the two feet of snow melts off? I have rosemary, thyme (of two varieties), oregano, sage, mint, and who knows what else may come back up - and twice as big this year, I hope!
When I moved up here in the mountains, I had to uproot my big bin I had planted with herbs. Of course, they all died, as it was in the dead of winter. I grieved over the loss of my little plants, but didn't hesitate to plant another round. They all did very well, and now I am awaiting their return!
In the meantime, I can wish and dream, looking through the seed catalogs.
Anyone have crocus or daffodils yet? Hyacinth? Oh, how I miss those lovely flowers!
I have iris growing at the side of my house, and one little hyacinth. I must get busier this year and plant more!
Jan 14, 2008 | 1:37 PM PST
Tags: holidays , winter , spring , garden , digging , seeds , catalogs
The holidays are over, my days are now mine again. As much as I treasure the holidays, no matter how fun they may be, they always seem a bit stressful and wear me out! I'm always happy the holidays are finished.
Since January is in full-bloom (and nothing else IS here in the high country), I turn my thoughts to work, work, and more work! As it all piles up on my desktop, I gently remind myself that one must take a very necessary break from all this hard work and...well...
Now is the time for all good people to order seed catalogs, dream about Spring, and relish the thought of digging in the soil of Mother Earth to create their very own garden!
I have had dreams of wearing my garden clothes, my gloves, and that silly gardening hat I have hanging in my closet...dreams of comparing one seed to another and how it will look when it pops out of the ground.
The snow, two feet deep, is trampled to slush on the path to my mailbox from my constant forays to check for the latest 'wish books' so that I might have an excuse to take an afternoon break, sifting through hundreds of color photos reminding me how my garden should look! I'm sure my husband would love to install many a mailbox around our property so that he would be relieved of shoveling duty!
In the meantime, I read, dream, and enjoy a strongly brewed cuppa coffee whilst perusing my catalogs. It's as good as Winter gets!
And, I love it!
Dec 17, 2007 | 8:57 AM PST
Tags: time , holidays , thyme , friends , winter , snow , .tv station
Well, possibly for the snow to melt, the sun to shine, the dirt in my little garden cubby to warm up....more seed catalogs to arrive, more hot coffee in my cup....
I'm waiting for the time to plant some little seed babies in cups to place on my kitchen window sills, the holidays to be over so I'm not so rushed, and I'm thinking maybe I should run down to the "Five and Time" store to buy an hour or two to do all this!
Doesn't all this sound familiar? This TIME of year is so busy, so rushed, but so delightful!
I remember last summer, I could hardly wait for winter to come so I could sit by the fire with a good book and a cuppa. Now, Old Man Winter is here and I'm chafing at the bit to do other things. Fickle. That's what I have to say! Fickle!
I did have the pleasure of a visit from a long time friend this morning. She may be moving across the country, and I will miss her, but she has an opportunity for a fantastic new job there. I wish her the BEST of BESTS!
Time. Time in a Bottle. It's About Time. No Time. Plenty of Time. I want to plant some Thyme.
I'm off now, to spend some Time creating an Erin Kelly .tv station. I'll be back to post the URL when I get Time to create my little tv station!
Until next Time.....Happiest of Holidays to All!
Erin Kelly
Dec 14, 2007 | 4:12 PM PST
Tags: christmas gifts , Christmas , crafting , quilting , lilacs
I don't know what the temp is right now, but I do know it is C-O-L-D! The wreath on my front door has foot long icicles, really! I'll post the picture as soon as I download my cam.
Finishing up work here in my home office. finally, and looking forward to the weekend, I'm making my list of last minute 'things to do' before Christmas. I used to be sooooo efficient at holiday time, but the last few years have proven me a slacker...ha ha...and now I'm a Last Minute Shopper/Crafter.
I have a quilt to finish, a fleece blanket to finish, slippers, and a scarf to make. Arrrgghh! (Checking my calendar to see how many days I have left before true panic sets in.)
Also, my house in not even NEAR holiday ready....and everyone's coming to MY house this year! Waaaaahhh! Suppose I could throw a pine branch on the table and call it good? Naahhhh.....
I wonder if hot buttered rum makes the medicine go down? :)
I'll have to post a picture of my poor little lilac bush! Bye bye for winter, it's covered in ice and snow. I've dragged that poor little bush around in it's pot for three years now, and believe it or not - it GROWS! At this altitude, you'd think it would die of oxygen deprivation!
Well, I've bent your ear purt near 'nuff now, don't ya think? ;)
Till next time.....y'all come back now, hear?
Dec 13, 2007 | 8:42 AM PST
Tags: winter , snow , ice , mud , home office , sunflowers , pine trees , blue sky , lilac , herbs , blog , erinkelly , arizona
There are twenty inches of snow on the ground, left by the last system to come through the area. Now, I have to look forward to it all melting. Why am I worried? Me worry?
When the snow melts, my front porch will be a swimming pool, the yard will look like Lake Floodandmud, my driveway will be mush and cinders (I live in a ancient volcanic field). If it weren't so cold I'd put my swimming suit on and have such fun! However, I am not a polar bear.
Favoring a nice fire in the woodstove and a hot cuppa to flipping and slipping on the snow and mud, I'm satisfied to be sitting here, writing this little rant.
My sympathies go out to all in the midwest who are experiencing that horrible ice storm.
Now, on a lighter note....do re mi...
My lilac tree is dormant, the herbs have tucked in for the winter, and the few veggies I've tried growing this year are gone and buried. This snow will ensure wildflowers in the area, including glorious sunflowers covering the meadows in gold. Against the tall, green pines and brilliant blue sky, the sunflowers make a vivid scene which soothes the soul. I'll definately get my camera, and my canvas out.
For now....I await spring, reading my seed catalogs (wish books) and working in my little office.
Another day, another dollar, isn't that what 'they' say?
