Tuesday, April 15, 2008

THE MARTHA OF MULCH

Recently, I celebrated my 100th post. Now, however, I am gearing up for a more stellar celebration… my mother’s 90th birthday.
(the birthday girl is the one on the left)

Last week, The Prince William Purlers knitting club made her a gorgeous wall quilt. Each member made a knitted or crocheted flower, then several members created an amazing flower basket quilt. The member’s names were written on the fabric leaves. I had suggested the floral theme because Ruth loves flowers. It runs in the family.
This weekend, 80 friends and relatives will be arriving for what I hope will be a fabulous garden party.

In addition to all of my work commitments, the deadline for getting the house ready for the party is looming large! I have lists detailing the lists I've made!

Only four days to go… the redecorating is done, the guest rooms readied, the house cleaned, and the garden ready for presentation.I am also cooking most of the food. My father dabbled in catering, so shopping for and dishing up delectable edibles for a crowd doesn’t faze me. But it does take time—lots of it.So for those who have wondered why I haven’t been leaving comments on their blogs lately or answering e-mails, my apologies.
These bouquets from my garden are for you!
For the last 3 weeks, I’ve barely read a newspaper (I usually read three a day), cracked open a magazine (quite a sacrifice for me) or gone to the gym (lifting huge cans of crushed tomatoes counts as working out, right?)My garden “To Do” list is always long each spring, but this year it ran 6 pages.
Having a garden party puts more pressure on the gardener than being on a garden tour -- because you know all of the people.
And, it's far more work than getting ready for a garden photo shoot--because you can fake it on a shoot. Only the view being shot needs to be perfect, the rest can be a weedy mess.After weeks of pruning, weeding and planting, this week, it’s been much ado about mulch.Tote them bags, lift those them bales...
Belgium loves to watch me work and so do the chickens.
They find Barbara TV absolutely fascinating.
I'm a big fan of "fines" pine bark mulch for the paths. The rest of the flower beds and borders get black leave mulch (from the town dump.)
Even if it's too early for little more than asparagus, arugula, Egyptian walking onions, and some herbs to be visible in the veggie garden, nicely mulched paths make it look Martha-esque.
Notice anything different (above)?
Now if only the sun will RSVP "yes" for Saturday...

21 comments:

Alison Gibbs said...

Let the Sunshine on Ruth's Special Party Day.
She looks wonderful.
What a lovely gift from The Prince William Purlers.
Hope you have a fabulous time.
Alison

Natasha Burns said...

wowee you've been busy!!! Hope the sun visits you all day! Happy birthday Mom!

Anonymous said...

Who needs to go to the gym with all that garden work? Lovely Barbara~~
Happy Sunny 90th Birthday Mom! xo Roberta

Anonymous said...

HI Cave Woman, Its nice to see you are coming out...:) It's SPRING you know...:) And oh how SWEET, your MOM'S 90th Birthday. What a precious day that will be. And that quilt is such a wonderful thoughtful gift. Good luck on getting ALL your mulch work done. You will though, because you are a CAVE woman. Strong, determined and a get the job done gal..!!!

I wish for you and your MOM a beautiful day in the garden filled with wonderful friends and loads of sunshine.

Hugs to you,
Dianne

Catherine Holman said...

Barbara, Your garden and your mother are both absolutely beautiful. Happy birthday to your mom! I pray you get lots of sunshine.
Catherine

Ruth Welter said...

Wow Barbara, happy 90th to your mom. That quilt by the way, looks so gorgeous, I love the 3 dimentional flowers, that is right up my alley too.

I wish I could be exercising this morning as well, but alas, I have to do yard work. By the way, I do think yard work counts as exercise. : )

Cathy said...

Barbara, I am praying for sunshine for your Mother's big day. I know it will be amazing.

I adore that quilt her friends made for her. How beautiful and so original.

Have a great weekend my friend.

Cathy

NeereAnDear said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO RUTH!! She is beautiful! Oh I only hope I can look that good when I turn 90... wow ... she must be a firecracker!!

Her quilt is simply divine... what a sweet sentiment from such dear friends.. and I love that they put their names on the leaves...

As for your garden ... I just know it will be lovely ... I can see its starting to shape up ... cant wait to see the full effect...

I say Let the Sun Shine! and let the PARTY begin!! I wish your mom many more wonderful days like that... what a caring daughter you are

HUGS

JO

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I will do a sun dance for Ruth! She looks amazingly wonderful...And your garden is HUGE! Have fun on your Moms' Birthday and we will see you around visiting the rest of us when the party is over.
Penny
p.s. I just returned from a trip to Italy and posted pictures this week....

Anonymous said...

I love the cobalt birdbath. I also have one, also cobalt blue, bought from Gardener's Supply several years ago. It's not as substantial as yours, but it does the trick! Hope everything goes smoothly. The worrying about it is the worst part! One reason I don't have such events. (No extended family is the other reason!) Good luck!
Brenda

shabbyfufu said...

Your Mom looks amazing Barbara, good genes there:-). You have quite a spread to play around with the plantings. Have a great party!~XO~Janet

Unknown said...

what a lovely post and you've got a big garden, so nice :)

THE HOME THAT LOVE BUILT said...

I sure am glad I stopped by. I knew your mom was having a birthday party but I didn't know the date.
Have lots of fun and I wish her a wonderful and Happy Birthday!
XO
Brook

Adla said...

A garden party for your mums 90th sounds super special, Wish her a Happy Birthday!..I'm sure the party is going to be delightful... May there be sunshine to brighten the day!

Georgia Peachez said...

I'm jealous, you have a big, beautiful garden. Your potager is fabulous! I think you will have beautiful weather this weekend, Happy Birthday to Mom! xo, suzy

FrenchGardenHouse said...

You weren't kidding when you said you were working hard. And your garden(!!)amazing. sooo much room. I know my European Gardener would be jealous if I showed him your blog. Praying for sun.
xo Lidy

Sue said...

Amazing garden! I'm feeling like quite a slug after looking at your creation. Happy sunny Birthday to your beautiful Mom.

Angie(quillysilly) said...

Your garden is amazing!!! I feel like such a ninny...I am getting all excited to be able to put in a few little garden pots this spring for a raised bed, but it is nothing compared to what you have! And I love that line...Barbara TV!!! Love it!!! I hope the party is a smashing success and that your dear Mom is the queen of the day! Good luck...Angie

Susie Q said...

Oh what a beauty you Mom truly is. The quilt is a treasure but then, so is your Mother!
And how busy are you dear Lady??
I know it will all be perfection. So much work but oh so worth it.
I will pray for a warm sunny day so that all will enjoy being in that oh so gorgeous garden of yours. I am in serious love with that bird bath...that and Belgium. *smile*

Barbara TV...that put a huge smile on my face!

Enjoy all that hard work and being with friends and family. Love to your Mother.

Love to you as well,
Sue

Barbara said...

What a fun garden you have Barbara, so much space.
The quilted wall hanging is divine.

Shabby in Pink Boutique said...

Hi Barbara,
I love the garden, I have been doing yardwork myself. I love working in the yard ! Happy Birthday to your mom, I hope you had a fabulous day together. Happy Spring!
Stephanie