One of my favorite things about this house is our extra large front porch. It's 22' wide and 10' deep, and when we were meeting with the architect, the builder did his best to convince me that a smaller version would work 'just fine.' But after having built three other houses, I had a good idea of what would make this one extra special. Haven't regretted the extra expense for even one minute!
And today was an extra special day - our peony bush's blooms finally opened, and I just had to photograph the front garden with the Miss Kim lilac, the 
peony and the siberian iris all in bloom at the same time. Three of my most favorite flowers! Now if I could just somehow get tulips to bloom simultaneously, it would be perfect.
We're expecting some much needed rain this weekend, and even though it'll likely rain on my birthday, it's actually a very welcome 'gift' of sorts. And on Saturday, Kristi and I are running in our second 5K together.
I'm hoping to report a MUCH improved time, this go around :)
Hope your gardens and summer evenings are just as wonderful where you are.
Oh, almost forgot my favorite part of summer gardening - the redwood planters flanking the walkway steps. Fifteen years ago the girls gave me these for my birthday. At the time Kristi and Katie were 7 months and 4
1/2 years old, respectively. I have the cutest videotape of both of them sitting IN the planters. The clown that she was, Katie suddenly looked at me, stood up slowly like a sunflower, and said, "I growed!" with a big smile on her face. Next thing you know I hear a loud THUNK, and I realized I'd videotaped her losing her balance and falling out of the planter and start crying. It's funny to watch now, but at the time . . . LOL
o
Wow, it looks great. Now you should come and help me figure out how to make my house good too!
Posted by: Surviving | June 04, 2009 at 09:04 PM
Beautiful garden!
Posted by: Gillian Soskin | June 04, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Really adorable garden!! Lucky you:)
Posted by: Maria | June 05, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Lovely home and beautiful flowers!
Cindi
Posted by: Cindi | June 05, 2009 at 01:06 PM
ohhh...I would love to have your house, but Ed loves this split foyer with no flowers, just shrubs! Happy weekend doll :)
Posted by: Dianne Burns | June 05, 2009 at 05:30 PM
Again thank you for giving us all a sneek peek of you lovely garden. Hope you get time to enjoy your summer, we are now in our winter and getting the rain we much need. Our newly established garden is just starting to take shape and is all freshly green. Soon we will see some colour of flowers appearing. This week when out walking I noticed the first tree in blossom, soon lots more will start.
It's really pretty to see.
Best Wishes for your Birthday, may it be a very happy time for you.
Regards,
Sue H
Posted by: Sue Hanrahan | June 05, 2009 at 08:37 PM