Akiko's Garden

Let me take you on a small journey to a lovely and enchanting garden that belongs to a very special and talented lady. My dear friend, Akiko, a gardener and artist, has turned her garden into a magical place. I always feel inspired when I visit there and am reminded of an Impressionist painting. Winding pathways meander through flower beds full of colour and scent, lush grasses, purple irises, poppies and peony bushes border along the pathways; roses ramble over arbours and gates and clematis climbs up fences and posts. Thyme and mint fill little nooks and crannies. No space is without colour. This truly is a place for gardener and artist. Thank you dear Akiko for being such a wonderful inspiration to all of us through your art and garden. Michelle

A Magical Garden - by Michelle

Morning dew like jewels glisten
The night now gone, the sun has risen
Warm licking arms of golden ray
Awaken dear garden this glorious day

Song of bird, lilting from the tree
Sky so blue, you set out free
Your home is apple, oak or fir
Your little ones, in nest they stir

Purple and yellow Iris I see
Tall spires of grass and peony tree
Orange, coral and fuzzy poppies grow
Sun on their face, their colours aglow

Red gate and pathway lie beyond
To a magical place where treasures are found
If you follow the path you might just see
The big grey owl who lives in the tree

I watch a flickering and lively sight
Hummingbird’s tasting honeysuckle’s delight
Along ground’s edge creeping woolly thyme
Bees dancing in clover, nectar divine

Red roses and white, pink, crimson hue
Clamber up and over, the clematis too
Its vine intertwined and reaching so far
Hang Royal velvet and soft purple star

The scent in the air is ever so sweet
Of rose, new grass and mint under feet
Lavender, thyme and rosemary grow
The kale and lettuce, all in a row

The pathway ends near the raspberry patch
Behind blueberry, strawberry in cage with latch
Beyond I see the red garden gate
Under rose and arbour, more treasures await

When evening casts it shadows of trees
Last rays shine golden on their leaves
Flowers glimmer and stand in last light
Tuck in their heads and say a good night

Lemon Balm - Growing Like a Weed on the West Coast

It is that time of year again where everything in the garden is sprouting like mad. One plant I want to write about here is lemon balm - it is growing everywhere in our back garden. I don't like to yank it out because it is such a special plant, it smells so fresh and makes a healthy tea. I read about this plant, its medicinal and soothing qualities and I am absolutely thrilled to have this growing in abundance. Both Richard and I love teas, we are 'tea toddlers' during the week and usually drink organic herbal teas. I am anxious to make our own from what grows in our own back yard - mints and lemon balm are a good start. There are oodles of websites on herbs and teas - if anyone has recommendations on this subject, I welcome your input. I welcome knowledge and advice from other gardeners, herbalists and organic growers - I am always learning and there is so much more to learn! I will also share with you my 'tea toddling' stories!

Here is one site I found (there are SO many websites on lemon balm) ...click here to view.
Tomorrow I will venture out to our back garden to add a few photos here. I am off to bed now....feel very sleepy after herbal tea......night! Thank you for visiting Mich's West Coast Journal. Michelle

Lemon Balm

The deer were kind and left us with one tulip!



Lemon Balm Tea

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups lemon balm leaves, fresh
• Honey or other sweetener
• Water

Preparation:

Bring 8 cups water to a boil, and add the leaves. Reduce heat and allow to steep for about 15 minutes. Strain leaves out, and then add honey or other sweetener to taste. If the tea is too strong, add a bit of water to thin it out. Pour into an ice-filled pitcher and serve. You may want to add a sprig of mint for garnish.