Back Porch Musings: ~An Earth Day Story & Favorites~

Peppermint Twist Geranium

Salmon Rose Geranium

Norfolk Island Pine

We gave ourselves one day, Sunday, to rest from our drive home. Well, J mowed the grass Sunday, so his day of rest was abbreviated. Monday morning, we hit the ground running and ran every day. J purchased landscaping blocks to build the tree ring. He filled the center with mixed Portulaca/Moss Rose. We’ve had great success with “moss”, in the past. It has always returned, year after year. We’re hoping this fills in nicely and returns next year.

Do you remember this tree from our visit in Ste Genevieve Missouri?

This is a Kwanzan Cherry. At first we thought it was a flowering plum. J can usually identify just about any tree, with or without it’s leaves. I found photos, online, identifying it as a plum. After we picked up the landscaping blocks, we drove out to our local nursery for a few things. While there we asked about the tree, which they ID’d as Kwanzan Cherry. In the end, we tagged a two inch tree that will be delivered and planted in the next few weeks. We aren’t sure when, since we are at the bottom of the list. We have a spot, in the back yard, picked out for planting.

Strawberry Sizzle Geranium

Secret Garden

This is a draw or natural drain, we call the creek. It runs behind our house. We left this area wild and love the look of it. Molly likes it too, when there is water there. The secret garden is at the edge of the creek. J transplanted Iris, last year, from his Aunt Ruth’s gardens. There is a concrete bench, in the garden, as well as flowers, including Daylilies and ornamental grasses. The purple Iris are the first to bloom. I saw several different colors, about to bloom, when I was there this morning.

A glance over the back yard fence, on this 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

Our new neighbor’s garage door is seen in the background. When they were planning their home, they discovered they needed a larger lot. An arrangement was made for them to purchase a portion of the small lot between ours and theirs. There was a 20 foot section, from street to creek, left after their lot was expanded for the construction. We were delighted to take that extra 20 feet and add to our lot. This brought our lot size to around 3/4 of an acre.

We were concerned about the trees, seen in the upper right of the photo, and wondered if they would stay when the new home was built. Not to worry, we believe they will remain. A few of them are on our side. We will do our best to care for them. Even though they are scraggly little trees, we think they are beautiful and worth saving.

J and I come from rural folks, gardeners and farmers and try to continue the family tradition of being kind to the land.

This is my little Earth Day 2010 story.

There are small glimpses of the back porch, in this post. It is progressing along nicely. We are driving to the lake, next week. When we return home, we’ll bring the wicker chest. When it is painted and placed on the porch, I’ll take photos and write about Our Back Porch 2010.

I’m adding this post link to Laurie’s Favorite Things Saturday.