Kaseys Korner

Tomato Mozzarella Basil Ciabatta

oh. my. goodness. 

Allow me a quick recap of the week first, if you will, before we get into that yummy goodness.

It was already crazy crammed with appointments and the usual "to do" list when a box and a half of peaches I ordered (to support a school fundraiser) got delivered.

They are the BEST peaches BUT, holy Toledo, I had not built time into my schedule for them! 

Never the shrinking violet, I decided to forego some sleep & surged ahead, blanching, peeling, cooking, preserving, baking, etc.

Until 18 jars of peach freezer preserves, a strudel and a cobbler later, the boxes were empty. 

Whew.  I've never made preserves before.  I've been given jars in the past but what a new appreciation I have of that gift now!  Such a labor of love.

There wasn't time for back patting tho, on top of everything else, I had agreed to host a little garden party for a friend (who had a friend) who wanted to see my garden.

Follow that???

Even tho I was busy, I jumped at the chance, because I love any excuse to pull out two of my other passions ~ antique dishes & silver!!

I only own four covered bouillon cups/bowls, three in one pattern & this single one in my favorite rose pattern.  They are all Limoges, in case you're into this sort of thing as much as I am!!  :)

Don't you just love the whole idea of covering your bouillon to keep it warm??  (As opposed to ladling it into an open bowl only to have it cool off too quickly.)

Not to mention the adorable bouillon spoons.  *sigh*

I bet you couldn't guess I'm a Downton Abbey fan?!!!!!   I so dig this stuff....

My neighbor generously made the Butternut squash/chicken soup that we served in the bowls.

Now (finally) we're back to the promised Ciabatta sandwich!!!!

Inspired by a similar item seen on the menu at Starbucks.

Made using mayo, topped by ultra thin mozzarella slices on both halves of the Ciabatta, followed by a generous slice of a garden grown tomato, basil pesto & a few fresh basil leaves.

I don't own a Panini Press so I just sprayed both sides of the ciabatta with olive oil and grilled it on my George Foreman grill.

I'm telling you, biting into this sandwich is like tasting a little bit of heaven.  I can think of many variations too.  Imagine adding some bacon for a start!

Melted cheese, warm bread, fresh produce, ooey goodness = my new favorite sandwich!

It makes me wish I had grown some basil this year to make my own pesto.  Since I didn't, I used the basil paste above made by Gourmet Garden which turned out to be a delicious alternative.

The whole party was capped off by Peach Cobbler which was devoured quicker than a photo could be snapped!

Somehow, someway, the new vintage urn found a way to be planted.

What do you think??  Worthy of the container?? 

and now I'm ready for some "down" time.  Happy Labor Day weekend everyone!

 

 

Vintage Iron Urn w/Pedestal

I've been looking for something to "anchor" the back garden.

Something more substantial in the central bed (than the tuteur).

At last, the PERFECT piece has been found. 

Rusted, worn but infinitely, timelessly elegant.

Enter one black iron urn with pedestal from a Florida estate.

Transported to Colorado, it looks quite at home already, doesn't it??

Like it was made expressly for this garden. 

I cannot even say how much it makes me smile.  I've lusted after urns with "ears" for such a long time, never dreaming I'd ever own one as beautiful as this one.

Forgive me if you see way too much of it in the months to come.

Very likely as soon as the next post even, after I've planted it with the above contents!

After a difficult gardening season, my heart is FULL,

my soul incandescently happy.  :)  Long may the feeling live....

Dahlia 'Cafe au Lait'

As fellow gardeners, I'm sure you can relate to seeing a plant (in someone's garden, on a website or blog, in a catalog, etc.) becoming obsessed with having it, tracking it down then being consumed with impatience for it to bloom.

Been there, done that, right??!!

That's exactly the "journey" I've been on with Dahlia 'Cafe au Lait' this year.

She's actually been on my "wish list" for THREE years before I finally remembered to order early enough to escape the devastation of having it "sold out."

I first saw 'Cafe au Lait' on Pinterest (of course) and immediately fell hard.

Small wonder the tubers sell out quickly, sought after as they are by brides, florists and gardeners alike. 

That subtle, creamy blush of color ~ it speaks of innocence, elegance, allure, & femininity. 

'Cafe au Lait' is a dinner plate dahlia and true to it's name ~ a full 8" across!

The more the buds open, the more "mocha pink" they become.

Making it readily apparent why/how it was named....

The next buds will be easier to photograph. 

This first one bloomed only 3' off the ground, amidst the Monarda.

If you are looking for an exquisite bloom to add to your garden, don't think twice about 'Cafe au Lait' but don't make the mistake of waiting too long to order.  Remember, demand is high!

and so is disappointment if you're like me, and don't get one right away....

Orienpet Lily 'Anastasia' & Oriental Lily 'Salmon Star'

What's setting your garden off right now?? 

Any of these "show girl" caliber blooms?

Maybe something similar in another color? 

I get it if it's not pink, my most favorite of colors.

It goes back to that saying, "the garden you should love best is your own."

and why wouldn't you when everything in it has been hand selected?

Gardens are genuine reflections of their owners.

Fashion statements made up of living plants ~ either practical, showy, over-the-top, purposeful, etc.

Above & following photos:  Oriental Lily 'Salmon Star'

Maybe it's hard to be objective, but if I were to describe my own, I'd say it leans toward being old-fashioned, with a pop of "showgirl" thrown in and an undertone of environmental consciousness.  Hmmmm, do fabulosity and a penchant for wildlife really co-exist???!! 

All I can say is, it's working for me!

There are a few things (planted by the previous owner) that don't fit those descriptions but if I stay long enough, they'll most likely be remedied!

How about you?  Ever thought about what your planting style/selections, say about yourself??

In the spirit of liking your own garden more than mine, thank you all the more for complimenting and commenting on my photos & subject matter.  It's greatly appreciated considering the inhabitants may or may not suit your own tastes or preferences.  Cheers to staying true to ourselves and making our gardens as individual as our personalities!

p.s.  and you probably thought this was just another post about lilies!!!!

 

 

 

Olde Fashioned Tiger Lily 'Citronella'

All the lilies have been outstanding this year.

I'm crediting the rainy, cooler weather.

All reached expansive heights and put on a "grander-than-usual" display.

Above:  Not a wonderful photo but included just to show how abundant the buds were as they climbed the green rose obelisk.

Both 'Citronella' and the typical "orange" variety Tiger Lily reside in my garden.

Added for their showy qualities, I'm most especially drawn to the recurved petals, 'Citronella' blends better with the pinks & purples I am predominantly drawn to & thus plant more often.  :)

My all-time favorite of these Heirloom lilies tho is 'Black Beauty' ~ unfortunately mine did not survive last winter.

The above & below photos from the 2012 garden season.

I better make a note now to replace this fall....

Thanks for humoring me while I show them off.  It's been the best year I've ever had for them in my garden, so I can't quite help myself!

Topiary containers

The past few years my gardening hobby has evolved to include a growing interest in topiaries & standards.

This post will focus primarily on the few topiaries in my collection (the standards I have are, with two exceptions, limited to roses.)

Above:  Two-tiered Ivy topiary used as the centerpiece in the vintage container.

The top tier is not doing well ~ it gets a bit too much sun ~ something I need to remedy before it's lost. 

I find the elements of green to be soothing and am preferring them more & more to a "riot of color." 

It's funny how gardening "tastes" change like that.  The first years I gardened, I spent wanting tons & tons of color & packing as many blooms together as possible.  Today, the garden definitely has an updated/different look.

Below:  A lone boxwood on the back patio:

Below:  More boxwoods & a Lemon Cypress container:

Nothing seems to be in bloom at the same time in this Cypress container.  It contains verbena, 'Indian Summer' petunias & pink Gerbera daisies along with the Lemon Cypress. 

Above photo shows verbena & petunias blooming, below the verbena has waned but the daisies are making a come back.

However; the beauty of using topiaries & standards (in my opinion) is that they remain visually appealing no matter what's in bloom around them.

Below:  A trio of Lemon Cypress surrounded by 'Cherry Star' Calibrachoas:

The (3) Lemon Cypress container is a holdover from last year.  I wintered the Cypress over in the garage & even used them in my holiday decorating.

This spring they needed a trim then they were back to "new."

Out front, a Rosemary topiary in front of the vintage wheelbarrow:

Also wintered over and oops, showing it's "bad side."

Above:  'Salmon Sunblaze' Miniature Rose standard underplanted with lavender.

Like many of the others, this one will also be overwintered in the garage for next season.

Above:  Fuchsia Standard.  Photo from last season, not blooming yet this year.

Using topiaries as a focal point (or alone) is such an easy way to garden, not to mention economical.  After the initial purchase, they can be reused in the same or different combinations for seasons to come.  No small consideration.... 

Additionally, it doesn't take much effort or creativity to build a beautiful container around them.  This year, that mattered a great deal to me. 

How are you incorporating topiaries and/or standards in your garden??   Are you a recent convert to using them or already way ahead of me??