First Artichoke and Blogger (Google) Problems

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Our garden artichokes are coming on strong. A mere few days ago the buds were so tiny it seemed that it would take weeks for them to get to cutting size, but now we have so many on the verge of ready-to-pick that I don't know how we're going to keep up with them. Eat artichokes every night, I suspect.

This post is really a test to see if I can post to this blog and my cooking blog. Since the recent change of Blogger to Google,  not only can I NOT access my blogs through Chrome, I cannot access three of my 4 Gmail accounts. I have emailed, pleaded, begged, and gone around in circles on the Internet trying to solve the problems to no avail. It's very frustrating and maddening (I have a bruise on the side of my hand from slamming it down on my desk, to prove it.)

I finally tried access using Internet Explorer, which, to my knowledge, is not owned by Google, and here I am.  Keep fingers crossed for me.

© Copyright 2006-2014, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Iris

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I have decided not to put up more photos of goat destruction.  There are simply too many lovely flowers and shrubs blooming now to revisit the few that were eaten.  Besides, the neighbors have contained the goat in a pasture from where he cannot escape and all is well in the 'hood.

Mr. CC and I were away for a week and, what with the longer days, much rain, a little sunshine here and there, my garden was in full bloom when we returned.

These are the iris that bloomed in our absence, wet from a morning shower. Sweet.

© Copyright 2006-2014, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Of Spring and Goats

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I have been looking and looking for the quintessential image of spring in my garden.  And while there are many flowers (I'll tell you about the goat in a minute), and many lovely green leaves on the trees and shrubs, and even blue skies, which are sadly not filled with Swallows yet, not one of my photos actually shouted Use Me!

Then this lovely African violet, sitting near the breakfast table in east light, began to bloom, with her spun sugar-like petals and soft spring-pink blush.  This is the one who shouted out loud - demurely, of course...

Happy Spring!

And spring it is, in all her glory on Raven Ridge. If it weren't for the marauding goat.

This goat is one of many that live on the property next to us.  I have no problem with goats. What I have a problem with is the owner of the goat who lets it wander - up the road and into my yard.

On its way around my garden this past week, it ate the new growth and buds off of several roses, completely consumed my blooming and about to bloom tulips (it came back the next day or several to finish that job), ate the tops off of the tiger lilies that were just setting buds (came back again and nibbled on the stalks), tasted and found lacking some sparaxis leaves, ate a few Douglas iris leaves (came back again to finish that job), and then left.  Mr CC only saw him one time and chased him off and down the road. But the goat came back.

Over the years, I have asked the property owner to keep her goats penned; that they have been wreaking havoc in my yard. She will comply and all will be well for a while, sometimes for several years. Then it starts all over again. This particular goat is a sweetheart and will compliantly scoot away when told. Too bad the owner can't be as compliant.

Photos of destruction coming soon...

© Copyright 2006-2014, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Early Spring Daffodils

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Heralding the coming of spring, daffodils in all shapes and sizes are beginning to bloom in my garden.

© Copyright 2006-2014, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Spring Has Sprung on the North Coast

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Last week I spent 8 days with my youngest sister in her home in still-very-cold-freezing-snowy Colorado, which, by the way, was a wonderful visit full of walks, talks, and adventures, 

and when I returned home I was greeted by this...

Spring!

Yes, in my absence spring had sprung.

Not only had these flowers bloomed, but the bees were out buzzing around,

and the grass had grown so high that already I have to mow the lawns.

If only it would stop raining long enough for me to get to it.

I hope the flowers bloom soon in your garden.

© Copyright 2006-2014, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Mini Iris: A New Beginning Amid the Spoils of Winter

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After the deep freeze of early December, followed by a mild and sunny January, February has begun its watch with rain.  Rain, rain and more rain.  Rain that is much needed to parched California.  And along with this shift in weather pattern, peeking from the brown and dried vestiges of last summer's flowers, come my adorable, always surprising, 6-inch tall mini irises.

What a pleasure.

© Copyright 2006-2014, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Shadow Shot Sunday 2: St. Francis Fountain

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Hard as it may be to believe from this sunny autumnal photo, there is snow on the ground just 3-feet away.

Still, this sweet vignette is what greets folks as they approach my front door.

Had to capture the shadow on this cold, cold day.

More Shadow Shots are ready to view here on Shadow Shot Sunday.

© Copyright 2006-2013, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Shadow Shot Sunday - The Chapel at Sea Ranch

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A trip to Sea Ranch to be with the grandboys while their parents had an anniversary outing doubled as an opportunity to re-visit this beautiful little pan-denominational chapel.

While taking the outside photos the sun "came out from behind a cloud", casting the shadows of the hand-wrought spire onto the roof.

To see more shadow shots from other shadow-chasing photographers, check out Shadow Shot Sunday each and every Sunday.

© Copyright 2006-2013, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Black Calla Lily in Autumn

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While the brilliant colors of autumn are making quite a spectacle of themselves outdoors against a clear blue sky, the black calla lily plant I purchased in October is putting on a dazzling display of its own on the sun porch.

© Copyright 2006-2013, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Japanese Maple and Clematis

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Fall colors are ablaze these days on Raven Ridge; from pure yellows to orange, copper and fiery red.

This vignette is comprised of Japanese maple and a white-blooming clematis - a little shy of flowers but quite a prolific grower. I cut it back several times during the summer to keep it from completely engulfing the dwarf maple tree.

© Copyright 2006-2013, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.