Update on the Formal Herb Garden coming soon!

4 gardens!

I have been traveling to four corners of BC. I am lucky to have family and friends spread all over this great province.

Garden #1 Hornby Island:
My journey started on Hornby Island. The garden was sweet and natural but the gate...Now that was to die for!! I've already put in a request to my husband!

Garden #2 OKeefe Ranch:
The second garden on my journey, O'Keefe Ranch, is where my husband and I "tied the knot" so to speak 15 years ago. Not much has changed. ( I mean the ranch not our marriage!!?!?!) The kitchen garden was sweet and simple, loved it!. The over 100 weather was a tad hot!

Garden #3 Vernon:
The third garden is my mother-in-laws. Lovely lovely lovely. It is mostly pots, beautifully displayed, she loves pinks and purples!! And look... in the morning you can jump in the lake, go for a waterski, tube, whatever...have a quick breakfast, laze around and tend to the flowers in the hot afternoon, siesta, crack open some "brew" before dinner, slip back out for a ski before the burgers are BBQ'd to perfection, then cozy up to a handsome someone, uncork that merlot...and enjoy the fading sun.

It just doesn't get much better than that!... we cried when we left.


Garden #4 Carol's garden:
The fourth garden belongs to my dear friend Carol who has recently moved to White Lake. For those of you who have no idea where White Lake is...don't despair, it is a really well kept secret...I think the locals do this on purpose. It is hidden in a stunning valley just off the highway between Salmon Arm and Kamloops. How they found this piece of paradise I don't know, but it is paradise. Her garden is overflowing which isn't surprising. You see I have this theory that a persons garden is a reflection of their personality. Carol has always had the biggest heart and been the best of friends. Her garden overflows as her heart does! I did have to share Carol's attention with her new miniature horse (not a pony I fast learned) I had a wonderful visit as only two old friends can have and returned with bags of carrots, beets, apples and turnips. That is my kind of garden!

Fall is near, dill is ready! 

Carol's garden, turnips, peas and then sunflowers(over 10 ft tall). 

The house on the water!..Vernon

This picture says alot, somewhat controlled yet still natural too. It's a beautiful mix of both. 

The in-laws "paradise" ! 

The OKeefe Ranch kitchen garden. 

This is the church I was married in 15 years ago. 

O'Keefe Ranch 

Cooling off! 

The romantic gate on Hornby Island

A romantic fence 

To my herbalist Sister

My sister is a lover of herbs, gifts are always in the form of scented homemade soap, lip balms, salves, and shampoos. At any family function she can quickly pull out a supply of aromatic teas to alleviate any ailment one of us are bellyaching about.
This section is for you Judy... I love the herbs in my garden and the photos are for you.

Aaah ! Borage! Every gardener has a favourtie. A plant that cannot do wrong. In my garden it is the blue star shaped Borage! I make icecubes and put the beautiful flowers in the centre. 

Aren't these just the sweetest feverfew you have ever seen. Kind of reminds one of those innocent childhood days. 

Feverfew and Thyme..now these two I have lots of! 

Yarrow, the many uses I do not know...I'll ask my sister Judy she's a herbalist. 

Geranium buds 

Soft cuddly Lamb's Ear with a friend 

This is my all time favourite pic! 

Fun in the Sun 

Flowers come in all shapes and forms. 

Hollyhock - so deep purple it looks black in some light. 

I love sunflowers! My boys do too! 

Tricolor Sage is such a beauty of a plant! Easy to grow, nice shape. It's one of my fav's! 

Our boat trip to Tent Island, just off Thetis Island. 

The classy flowers in my garden. 

Indecision!!! 

The bees love my oregano.