flynn070

Our poor bedraggled apple tree has a bumper crop of apples this year. Actually, it did last year too but the squirrels and birds got most of them before you could blink an eye. This poor tree, which has never looked that great, stands along the back border of our property, growing tall with long, draping branches that are now weighted down with apples. I pruned the heck of it last year and if it weren't for the fact that it provides a little shade, it would probably have been removed entirely.  It is earning its keep though and the apples seem to be nicer this year and it has been possible to get some good ones that haven't been touched yet by wildlife. That is saying a lot since our back garden is a virtual Grand Central Station for birds. There are even unblemished apples lying on the ground although you have to get them quickly. I was in a baking mood but wanted something quick and simple. After consulting the Home Economics Teacher's Cookbook that my mother used all the...

I missed the August Bloom Day because I was in Alabama. The garden looks decent despite the terrible weather. Portland broke the record for the number of days over 90 degrees - 29! Blah! That plus the fact that there has been little rain since June. Michael has been great at keeping everything watered. There would be lots of dead plants if not for him. We are now back to 70-ish temperatures and even had a light sprinkle last night. Still, no significant rain in the forecast. Artichoke blooms are finishing up.  I think these would make interesting dried flowers. Anyone tried that? Just brought one of these home from work. This is Allium 'Millinium', the Perennial of the Year for 2018.  Lavender and Blanket Flower The asters are starting to bloom again. This one is 'Kickin' Purple'. Achillea (Yarrow) 'Terra Cotta' Candy Lily ( Iris x noorsii ) Clematis 'Multi-Blue' The spent flowers are as pretty as the full ones. Clematis 'Proteus' and Joe Py...

'Princess Alexandra of Kent' With no rain since early June and none on the horizon, you begin to note which plants can handle the stress of drought. Although we water regularly, sometimes even that does not seem enough. I am astounded at how plants in the wild survive with no additional water. Roses have a good reputation for drought tolerance but look their best with a regular watering schedule. The roses in our garden have started blooming again after a brief hiatus in July. For the most part, I am pleased with the ones we have, especially the David Austin English roses. The newest addition, 'Princess Alexandra of Kent' (pictured above), is off to a good start. This is one I have wanted since seeing it at the Portland Rose Garden. Other David Austin roses in the garden - 'The Lady of Shallot' - the first rose I planted in this garden. It is a big one at almost 6 ft. high and wide and that is with pruning. 'Golden Celebration' is doing much better since...

Last week our neighbor gave us a big bag of blackberries. Michael said he would like a blackberry pound cake so I set out to find a recipe. I ended up adapting a Lemon Blueberry cake recipe and hoped for the best. It turned out great and Michael loved it. 2 1/2 cups flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 1 cup butter, softened 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 cup sour cream Zest of one large lemon 3 eggs 1/2 tsp. vanilla Juice of one large lemon 3/4 cup buttermilk 3 cups blackberries (frozen or fresh) Lemon Glaze 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 TBS. lemon juice 1 TBS. lemon zest 1 TBS. milk 1/4 tsp. vanilla Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour 2 large loaf pans or a Bundt pan. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt and set aside. Cream the butter. Add the sugar, sour cream and lemon zest and beat for about 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well. Add the vanilla and lemon juice. Mix in the flour mixture alternatively with the buttermilk in two or three additions. Fold in the blackb...