Romance in the Garden
Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 6:00AM There is romance in my garden. This past weekend a female redbird flew to a tree near where I was standing, and a male soon joined her. He rubbed his face against hers and then gave her a seed he carried in his beak. How sweet! It's not nesting season, but they were obviously a mated pair. I have always been partial to cardinals. They are regal, well mannered birds, and this simple act of kindness confirmed my good opinion of the species. No doubt their babies are grown now, but the two birds remain committed to each other. Lou and I celebrated our thirty-fifth wedding anniversary on September 5, and I think we are a lot like those redbirds! Lou likes to cook, and he's always preparing good food to share with me.
An example: Over the week end I took some photos in the garden. Here's some taken along a side path where hydrangeas, dogwoods, and redbud trees grow. The blooming hydrangea is 'Limelight'. The lighting seems romantic, doesn't it?
Well, the mystical, filtered light is actually smoke coming from the grill where Lou was barbecuing chicken!
Here's a few other photos of my garden in September. The air is a little cooler now, and many plants are beginning to revive from the summer slump — and so is the gardener!
Rosa mutabilis has a new flush of flowers.
Recently planted Agastache 'Golden Juilee' is beginning to bloom. This wonderful herb smells like licorice.
The blue misty flowers of caryopteris are bright against the golden green foliage of other plants. Butterflies love this shrub.
A variegated osmanthus is putting out new leaves.
In a month or two, fall colors will arrive, but for now September foliage remains fresh and verdant.
It's a great time for a stroll through the garden with my sweetheart!
May you all have wonderful moments (and tasty treats) to share with loved ones. Deborah
Reader Comments (19)
It seems that everyone has a Limelight except me. It's about time I get one, I think. My wife loves birds and we have cardinals frequently. Which reminds me, I need to go fill the bird feeder.
Lovely garden and Cardinal story. Happy Anniversary Deb and Lou! ;>)
Dear Deborah, Congratulations on 35 years of marriage, on having a husband who can cook,on love birds overhead, and a garden which is looking lovely!
Happy Anniversary! I'm lucky to have a husband that enjoys cooking too. Your garden does have a romantic feel to it and is so pretty right now.
I was just about to tell you how brilliantly you managed to capture that wonderful light filtering through the trees, then I just laughed when discovered that the filtered light is actually smoke coming from Lou's barbecuing chicken! :)
Congratulations on 35 years Deb! See, you two are perfect together. Lou provided the perfect BBQ smoke for your lovely, almost ethereal shots of the garden! You make a great team :)
Lots of romance in your garden. :) I love the blue caryopteris with that limey green foliage. Wonderful shots.
Happy Anniversary, Deb! Certainly lots of romance going on. A smokin' grill is a very romantic thing! I too love to watch those cardinal families with their human-like devotion. Your garden roses just complete the picture perfectly!
Happy Anniversary!! 35 years is truly amazing. :) Enjoyed the stroll through your garden.
How lovely to see that exchange with the cardinals! Lovely photos, I too am very blessed to have a hubby who loves to cook great food on the barbie.
Your garden is looking lovely, Deb, and how nice that it's finally cool enough for you to get out and enjoy it. Happy Anniversary to you and Lou. -Jean
Wow! Mutabilis is really putting on a show! I love this Rose!
Hi Deb - your garden is perhaps more romantic as it reflects the love of the couple who own it. Happy Anniversary.
Laura
Happy Anniversary Deborah. May Lou be cooking for you for many, many, years.
And I love the smokey light in the first photos!
Charming photos and post. Happy Anniversary!
Hello Deb,
Congratulations on being married for 35 years :-)
I do love cardinals and have been fortunate to have spotted some in the more rural areas in the desert. Your photos are beautiful....I love how the garden looks in late summer.
Hello Deborah, I had a little giggle when you pointed out that the romantic mists was actually the result of BBQ chicken! But it does add that certain something to the view doesn't it?! Congratulations on your anniversary - I wish you many more years of such happy marriage.
Deb - what a wonderful post! The photos were magical (I especially fell for the variegated osmanthus). Congratulations on 35 yrs of wedded bliss - what a testimony! :D --Shyrlene
I can't get over how beautiful your path is. Happy Anniversary -- Mystical Chicken sounds like the perfect thing to have. That osmanthus is so lush and full. Sometimes they seem thin and leggy to me. Yours is great. If it's cooler where you are, perhaps there's hope for us soon. This weekend, temps were in the mid-90s here. And humid!