Sunday, May 10, 2009

Weekly Winners: A Flowering Mother's Day

Welcome to Weekly Winners, hosted by Lotus over at Sarcastic Mom. And Happy Mother's Day to one and to all!

To honor all of us today, I wanted to post garden shots. Taken with my sad little Nikon COOLPIX 4600, but flowers usually cooperate for me. They're just so in to showing off!


My Mom ~ the kids called her Baba ~ was a gardener. It's been three years since she died, and we're still keeping her geraniums in good shape. Of course, we take them inside in the winter. And give them used coffee grounds, on occasion, for breakfast.




The centerpiece of Baba's Garden was Baba's Bench. It's pretty old, and under the weather these days. Several decades of wind, rain, snow and ice can do that to a piece of outside furniture, which faced the elements 24/7 all those years! But I've figured out a way to make Baba's Bench the centerpiece of my garden, as well.

Azaleas were Mom's favorite flower. Might have had something to do with growing up on Azalea Lane. Or, it could also be because these flowering bushes are stunning. I planted three out back. Baba used to come over to admire my "green thumb," but she and I both knew that azaleas are such show-offs, they can take care of themselves.

Now, my SIL, Aunt Julie, really loves hummingbirds. So did Baba. It's far too early for hummers in my neck o' the woods, even though I live in slightly more temperate climes than most of the POPrs Family. So here is a hummer medalion I picked up at the garden store. It used to be on a long, sharp stake, so I poked it in among the flowers for many years. Unfortunately, wear-and-tear has left me with just the little birdie. Can't wait, though, 'til the real, live hummers appear on my back deck!



Finally, I learned to be a thrifty gardener from My Mom. Our local nursery has a "plant hospital," where they sell the sad little plants that aren't going to "make it" for 50 cents or less. Baba taught me that these are the "thrift sales" that keep on giving. Here's a Leopard's Bane, which cost me about 30 cents, and keeps coming back bigger and fuller every year. Mom once told me that when I was little, I called the plant "Leopard's Mane." I probably was thinking of a lion...I don't know!



I'm celebrating Mother's Day in the garden. What about you?

16 comments:

Cathy said...

What a great story to go along with some wonderful pictures. I love that last one - and Baba's bench - perfect!

Susie said...

Me too! It's one of my favorite places to be. I have my grandmother's roses in my garden:-) She's the one who taught me everything I know about digging in the dirt:-)

Ladynred said...

These are all beautiful flowers..Happy Mother's Day!

Tara R. said...

You have a beautiful garden. I loved the backstory about your mom, such a loving tribute today.

Karen MEG said...

Beautiful garden, and lovely memories of your Mom. Thanks for sharing...

Happy Mother's Day!

Secret Agent Mama said...

Spring is just so gorgeous. Thank you for sharing with us!

Melissa B. said...

These snaps certainly are superior! And what a wonderful tribute to your Mom. I'm spending my day putzing around the garden, and of course getting into some silliness with Sx3. Please drop by if you have a sec...and have a Happy Mother's Day!

Secret Mom Thoughts said...

Beautiful flowers and memories.

Adena said...

Great photos and story, especially on Mother's Day. Do you ever participate in Photo Hunters? This week's theme is In Memory and the shot of the bench in the garden with the storyline would be perfect.

Tracy P. said...

Beautiful way to honor your mom. We had a super special celebration today. Chilly outside, but beautiful anyway. Happy Mother's Day!

Lauren @ mostly i run said...

I love the azaleas!

Heather said...

Great pictures of your mom's pictures. It's great you were able to keep them going for so long! My mom called her grandma Baba, and my daughter calls my mom Baba. She totally did this out of the blue too, how did she know the Slovak word for Grandma I'll never know!

Anonymous said...

That's a beautiful garden. My mother was quite fond of azaleas as well, they were all over her yard.
I love the old bench, what a cozy little spot.

I typically do work in my garden on Mothers Day but this year was different. This year, everyone decided they would treat me to the carnival. Well. It was the thought that counts.

Michelle said...

Wow those are some gorgeous azaleas! I love the pictures, and that bench has so much personality.... Happy Belated Mother's Day to you!

Marrdy said...

What an amazing thing that you still have your Mom's flowers. I remember my mom used to bring her geraniums in every fall.

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