This blog is way more about love than knowledge. I make no claim to expertise. But, rest assured, expert counsel is available. The David Austin rose catalogue positively blossoms with advice. There’s Texas A & M University. Wonderful books teach rose care, such as Everyday Roses, by Paul Zimmerman (Tauntun Press). And if you really want confidence as you grab…
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Caring for Roses at Akronside
Growing Roses at Akronside
Rose beauties of our garden Stroll into the backyard during rose season to be welcomed by fragrance, beauty and variety. Not much rhyme or reason to it, but certainly love. Will our climbers imitate the arbors and trellises my master-gardener Dad tended? Probably not, but we’re working on it! In the shrub garden, you’ll find irresistible roses by David Austin,…
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Just One More Pullease
There’s lots of talk about what kids need while we isolate! I’ve heard routine, resiliency, relationship. Let’s add reading! A routine of reading to kids benefits them exponentially. For one thing, the soothing quality of a parent’s voice engrossed in reading tells kids “it’s going to be OK.” For another, it makes safe space for the discipline required to process…
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Modern Science, Ancient Oils
What’s all the hype about natural skin care? Why not just find the cheapest product and go with it? All around the world, for thousands of years, women have turned to natural, preservative-free, plant-based oils for skin vitality and wellness. As well, science backs up the highly effective benefits of natural skin care. I was thrilled to read in a…
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Comfort Gardening: Sweet Benefit of Growing Roses
It’s a great time for comfort gardening. We’re a scared nation, a frightened world. Valiant workers strive and sacrifice to care, contain, and we pray, cure. Just to be clear, God will do that, not us. His grace reigns sovereign, and His grace rains science. There’s no watering of this earth, no waning of its plagues, without grace. We can…
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Growing Lavender
We grow three types of lavender. For years, all I could find locally was Munstead and Hidcote. But recently, Phenomenal has come on the scene. It’s carried by Lavocat’s Family Greenhouse and Nursery, best nursery around. hidcote Hidcote is a cultivar of Lavendula Augustifolia. This is the lavender known as “English Lavender.” The florets form the slender shape traditionally associated…
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When You Feel Afraid, Take Courage
Some fears are good and wise. For example, wise fear takes safety precautions, especially for those in our care. It’s also wise to be fearful when we are guilty. When we confess sin rather than deny it, Jesus cleanses us from unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thus empowered, we can be as bold and courageous as a lion. The wicked flee…
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Finding Peace In Time of Pandemic
These days, we’re clinging to Psalm 91:11 — “For he will give His angels charge over you, to guard you in all your ways.” We love the reassurance that “no plague shall be allowed to come near you.” (Ps. 91:10) My brothers and sisters — two in Ontario and two in Calgary — are memorizing Psalm 91. Distance can’t stop…
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Garden Secret
Backyard gardens, a wonderful refuge! But rototillers aren’t cheap, and sore backs aren’t that great either. So here’s a secret for doable beds. The dirt in our yard is full of stones and clay, making all the work of digging it up and tilling a bit redundant anyway, and this method works beautifully My old lavender bed wasn’t producing well….
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Essential Things
On day 2 of distilling essential oil from cedar, I learn that soggy branches already steamed still have essence to share – a steady stream of hydrosol and oil. When social isolation ends, we’ll be able to chat with steady streams of words. That’ll be nice. With that nod to the corona virus, here’s something to note – essential oils…
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Suitcase Garden – Fun for Kids
Since we’re a bit quarantined, here’s an idea for an adventure. Fun, and a great way to recycle an old suitcase. Line it with plastic, like this double layer cut from a paint drop-sheet. Grab the kids and a few pails (bring a trowel), to gather up stones in one pail, dirt in another. You’ll need moss too. It grows…
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Wondrous New
Sweet baby girl listens, all new and swaddled and cradled in the crook of her daddy’s knee, there beneath his guitar. He picks soft, a heart-sung lullaby. Scent of heaven fills the world, and ancient tenderness wondrous and new. Hard to leave. So when we arrive at the old folk’s home, Auntie Dear is already at dinner. Hilda, Marylou, and…
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