Art in My World

Can anything be more soothing to look at than Hydrangeas? I have lately added them to my gardens, even though they are in large pots. Haven't decided where exactly I want them. But for now, I just enjoy looking at them in all their splendor. Last year they were blooming, just as we left for the beach and I foolishly cut off all the blooms thinking I could dry them. It didn't work. They were a mess when I got home. So I am thinking, how does one dry hydrangea blooms? I would like to try again. I know nothing is the same as fresh blooms, but to be able to save a bit of that color for the barren winter months! Has anyone ever tried painting them? I don't recall ever seeing a painting of this plant. the painting wouldn't be subtle with a riot of color. The blues, and violets, the cream, it could be quite lovely, I think.

Spent the day in the garden this morning. The clouds kept the weather on the cooler side so it was quite enjoyable. I love the month of May down here in the deep South. The weather is still pleasant and the garden is all young and fresh. The weeds have not take n over and it is a joy to walk around the plants and smell their heady aroma s. My mints all need to be harvested again and dried for future use. This will be the second harvest already. I have already dried 1/2 gallon of various mint varieties for making my mint melange tea, and today I picked a bunch, I mean , a bunch of peppermint and made peppermint hydrosol and peppermint extract. The hydrosol is a very cooling liquid. I use it to make a wonderful soothing and cooling stress relief lotion. It can also be sprayed onto my skin for all the hot flashes I experience.  After making the above, I headed out to the garden once more and finally planted my leggy calendula seed lings. Starting plants from seed is a bit time con