Every Stopping Place

 

"It is God to whom and with whom we travel, and while He is the end of our journey, He is also at every stopping place."

~ Elisabeth Elliot ~

Photo:  Tombstone, Arizona

February Eves

"Between the daylight and the dark on February eves --- The dusk comes in a smoky haze; a blue light falls --- and weaves a web of magic round the town.  There is a sense of change.  The houses in the streets look beautiful and strange. . . Only for a moment, then the vision dies away --- fading with the fading light of the departing day."

~ Patience Strong ~

Photo:  Gleason, Arizona

Lavender Baskets, Lavender Dreams

 

The lavender stems I started rooting earlier this week are doing well.  They are vibrant and healthy looking so far.  I will admit to even pulling one up to see what was going on under the dirt!  I could see tiny white 'nubs' where roots are starting to grow.  Hopefully I will get the watering formula right, as it is somewhat touchy at this stage.  Generally lavender does not like to have 'wet feet' and grows best if the plants do not receive an abundance of water.  But the instructions for the new little plants are to water twice a day.  Since they don't have roots yet and they need to grow some, I am watering twice daily, but with some reservation.  It will be fun to watch them grow and mature.

There are so many ways to enjoy lavender.  Lavender plants growing in the garden are beautiful and are lovely to be enjoyed simply in nature.  But the long stems with their gray-blue flowers are also appealing to pick and make into wands, bottles, or baskets.  They make a room or drawer so fragrant!  A bowl of lavender bud in a basket or crystal bowl is such fun to run your fingers through when walking by a table that they are set on.  Lavender thoughts and dreams on a February day!    

  

 

Lavender Renewal

 

With sunny weather this week, it simply has been impossible to stay inside.  All week long, work has been done in the yard as trimming, pruning, and weeding has been completed.  If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you know I love lavender!  At one time our garden had over 100 lavender plants of forty different varieties.  Lavender plants have a tendency to grow woody stems over time, and although ours have been trimmed faithfully each autumn, they have become somewhat unruly and overgrown.  With reluctance, about thirty lavender plants were pulled up, making way for new plants after spring arrives.  I decided this was a good time to learn how to propagate new plants from some of my favorite old ones.  Stems of the silvery leafy-green plant were cut and prepared for rooting.  After removing the lower leaves, each stem was dipped in honey and then placed in potting soil to root.  Twice a day they are gently watered and each little planter is set in larger trays and set in a warm place.  They seem to be doing well, and although they have only been set to grow a day or two, I couldn't resist pulling one up to see what was going on in the soil.  I'm quite sure I saw a tiny little root starting on the stem I pulled, but it could be wishful thinking.  Time will tell.  

Julie's Quilts

 

My friend, Karleen, invited me over for a lovely morning of quilting 'show and tell'.  The quilts all belonged to her friend, Julie, who creates beautiful quilts in many different styles and colors.  From 1930's prints to holiday or hunting themes, each quilt represents something important to Julie.  She knows each quilt intimately, even able to point out individual pieces and comment on the fabric or color shade.  Even Lucy, Karleen's dog, enjoyed the morning as we draped quilts over the patio rail for photographing on a chilly day.  Colorful, creative, and cheerful, Julie's quilts helped create a warm and happy day!  What an inspiration!

Click on the photo to see a close-up view.

Joys and Suffering

 

"Enjoying the joys of others and suffering with them --- these are the best guides for man."

Albert Einstein

Photo:  Cochise Stronghold, Arizona