moulin rouge, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Picture: closeup photo of a sunflower with yellow-reddish petals.

This sunflower is from a seed mix called “Moulin Rouge.” the name charmed me (being a Francophile) to I had to try it out. So far the flowers are quite small compared to the typical Mammoth varieties that I usually grow.

Did you know this?:

“In the head of a sunflower, the tiny florets that turn into seeds are typically arranged in two intersecting families of spirals, one winding clockwise and the other winding counterclockwise. Count the number of florets along a spiral and you are likely to find 21, 34, 55, 89, or 144. Indeed, if 34 floret (or seed) rows curve in one direction, there will be either 21 or 55 rows curving in the other direction.”

This fascinating article explains the mathematical patterns found in sunflowers. Interesting, indeed!

lanterns, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Picture: Underside view of a tomatillo bud hanging from a plant.

I picked and ate my first tomatillo yesterday. Having never grown my own before, I wasn’t quite sure if it was ripe yet (how do you tell if a green fruit is ripe?). It tasted both sweet and salty. Different, but not unpleasant.

Soon enough, I will have enough of a harvest to make some salsa verde. Do any of you have a favorite recipe to share?

peony pretties, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

“Well,” said Pooh, “what I like best,” and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called. ~A.A. Milne

orange blossom, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

This blossom is from the dwarf satsuma tree that my Mom gave me for my birthday 2 years ago. The little tree is thriving in its new home in my garden (it didn’t seem to like my porch so well).

I wish I could bottle the scent to share with you, too. It’s intoxicating!

lobelia, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Picture: closeup photo of a blue lobelia blossom.

I just planted these little blue flowers in a border in a flower box on my back porch. Every time I look at them they make me smile. 🙂

On another note: I’m sorry that my blogging has been so sparse lately. I’ve been knee deep in some other projects–including my guestblogging stint at FMH and my regular postings for X2 and SSB. As of late I’ve also had an extra amount of busy-ness in my role on the Garden Council and on the Sunstone Board. In addition, I have a social life again (yay) and I’ve been super-eager to spend time with family, friends and garden.

Having said that, let me also affirm how much I enjoy reading your blogs. You people are so smart and cool. When I grow up I want to be like you.

I’ve also been reading a lot this week. My fav book that I’ve finished is 84,Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. It’s a book that you can start and finish in an hour and is a doubly-good read if you are sitting on your back porch curled up in an easy chair sipping on a cup of tea as you read. Helene’s correspondence with the staff of a London bookshop in the post-WW2 era is quite heartwarming. In many ways it reminded me of the relationships that I’ve formed via blogging–I don’t ‘know’ most of you except through our little conversations. Yet this way of ‘knowing’ may have significance that runs deeper than the superficiality of many of my in-person relationships.

Back before the days of email, I used to write lot of letters. It was not uncommon for me to crank out 5-10 letters each Sunday afternoon. Now I rarely ever pull out my box of stationary. But I still have the satisfaction of writing to each of you nearly every day. 🙂

hide ‘n’ peek, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Picture: a pale pink fuschia blossom that is just barely opened to reveal some bright purple petals inside.

A companion picture to yesterday’s flower photo…

pink, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Picture: closeup photo of a pale pink fuschia blossom, with the edges just starting to curl open.

o’keefe, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Picture: Close up photo of a purple pansy flower with a bright yellow center.

This particular photo reminds me of Georgia O’Keefe’s paintings. Good stuff!

flare, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Picture: closeup photo of a red double begonia.

Each day when I post a photo, I’m showing you my favorite photo. Do you think it’s okay that my favorite changes nearly every day??

pure light, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Picture: closeup photo of a white double begonia flower.

Had some fun taking photos of the flowers on my front & back porch today. We’ve been having dreadfully hot weather (santa ana winds) with temps in the 90s. My plants are in shock as we were in the 60s last week! The kitties, too, are lying around on their backs feeling the heat, trying to keep cool. Ellycat couldn’t even stand snuggling in the warm laundry last night, so we knew she was definitely overheated.

I guess summer has finally arrived….
🙂