Why Dogs and Food?



Why Dogs and Food?

It's simple. Write about what you love. And what is better than dogs and food? If you are anything like me - and millions of other people - you will relate to and understand the unwavering love I have for my dogs and my passion for cooking - and eating - great food. I hope you will enjoy reading about my day to day experiences with good food and a couple of very special dogs.

Thanks for visiting.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Walter’s Magic Garden


Soft, colorful Gerbera Daisies



“Earth laughs in flowers.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson







Spring is in all its glory here in Tiburon.  Fluffy green leaves flutter in the breeze and explosions of color splatter the canvas of this Northern California landscape.  We have so many different types of trees in our little neighborhood and flowering plants spring up at every turn.  It is a sight to behold.

Lucky for all of us, Brian has taken up a new hobby:  patio gardening.  We have a large deck on the back of our little abode with enough room for a fabulous array of flowers and trees.  Last year, we started off with some big potted Japanese privet trees and a couple of small fruit trees.  But this year, Brian decided to adorn our deck with colorful pots of flowers.  He has become quite the planter.  I am very impressed. His goal to is to fill the deck with decorative planters and flowers and lattice so not only will it be a place of beauty, it will provide some privacy for us as well.  I have enclosed some photos of the new garden which delights me every day.  In the mornings when I wake up and open the doors to the deck to the evening when I return home from work, I am greeted by happy little flowers and showered with their fragrant aromas.  We have petunias and daisies, chrysanthemums and roses, gerberas and even fragrant jasmine. 

Privet Trees and Potted Plants
Trees surrounded by colorful arrangements

Lovely yellow begonias pop with color in front of the fragrant jasmine 
Our little corner of color!

Walter is particularly enchanted with this little flower garden on our patio.  Every evening, when I return from work and round the corner to our back deck, I know I will spot Walter sprawled out on the deck surrounded by bursts of color.   It does my heart good to see Walter so relaxed and at peace.  

A very peaceful Walter, looking at his magic garden

And take a look at Henry sleeping soundly in his hammock bed by the garden.  He will stay out there for hours and hours at the end of the day.  
Henry is relaxed in the garden

Even Mac gets in on the action in Henry's bed on the deck

Evenings on the deck are glorious and serene this time of year.  The late-day sunshine saturates the leaves on the backyard trees and gently spills its hazy light onto the deck boards, while bathing us and the flowers in warmth and tenderness.  

Wow.  This little flower garden has worked its magic and calmed the beast in us all.  Cheers!

A Colorful Collage of Flowers


9 comments:

Liz Berry said...

My wonderful cousin Joanie writes:

Thanks for sharing. it is so beautiful...love the gerber daisies ...everything.......I can tell it is a very happy place. gardening is so good for the spirit. It sure can put you in a happy place......

Liz Berry said...

Thank you, Joanie! It certainly is happy place for us all. I always think of you when I see flowers growing!

kkshaw47 said...

Hiya Liz:

Oh girl you have the Spring Fever and it is contagious! Your backyard is amazing and your photos of the flowers make me feel so happy.

You can never have enough trees, bushes or flowers in the backyard and it is a great way to create privacy.

Keep the AWESOME energy coming our w ay dear lamb. Thanks for all of your support during our fun and exciting blogging days.

Love ya - kiss to your boys out there.

Kristen

Liz Berry said...

Kristen Love! Thank you for stopping by, as always! Yes, the flowers are happy little things, right? This is only the beginning - I think Brian wants to fill the deck with flowers and then spruce up our little fenced yard as well. We are trying to wrap ourselves in happy color! It's been a challenging year and this is our way of focusing on the positive!

Susan Campisi said...

Liz, I'm so happy to read about this transformation on your deck! The flowers are gorgeous and a great way to bring joy into your lives. I would love to come home to such beauty! But alas, I come home to wilting flowers begging for attention on my deck.

Walter looks so content basking in the garden's glory. And I love Henry's hammock. I need to get those for Tommy and Louise.

You sound great, Liz. Focusing on the positive is the way to go!

Unknown said...

Liz - How Beautiful! I am inspired and need to get to work sending to my garden. I know that you will have many wonderful hours relaxing on your patio surrounded by natures beauty. Happy Memorial Day!
Colette

Liz Berry said...

Sue: I would have wilting flowers, too, if it wasn't for Brian's commitment to the garden. He has been feeling better and spends so much time tending to the flowers. He just put up some little lights as well so at night the garden glows. I just get to relax and enjoy it!

Colette: I am glad you are inspired. I never had much of a green thumb so it's nice that Brian has taken such an interest in planting this colorful garden. Next project: our little backyard which needs some serious attention!
Happy Memorial Day to you, too!

Cafe Fashionista said...

Mac, Henry, and Walter are so incredibly adorable; and I LOVE the flowers - the colors are so vibrant and lush! :)

Liz Berry said...

Cafe F - Thank you for stopping by and checking out our little garden! Yes, my boys are so sweet and love their lives. My husband is responsible for the flowers - all his work!