July Happenings, including new grandson

More March Happenings

And We're into March

All About Idaho

I recently finished reading Keeping Private Idaho by Rick Just.

(Full disclosure, Mr. Just sent me a copy of his book to read/review.)

 

Perhaps it's because I'm an Idaho native that I liked this book so much, but I don't really believe that.   If you've ever been to Idaho, ever lived in Idaho, ever been curious about our state or have never heard of it, I think you would enjoy this book. 

The characters are interesting and flawed, the story unfolds at a good pace and keeps you guessing.  And there are gems of wisdom along the way that I certainly appreciated.  Will an Idahoan drop you like a hot potato (pun intended), if they witness you littering in the Boise River?  Yes. Yes, they will.

I've never heard of an anti-tourist "Private Newsletter" in Idaho but that doesn't mean it didn't exist.  I've certainly heard my fair share of Idahoans grumbling about Californians moving into "our" state.  I agree with the author's afterward notes in which he is "happy to report the xenophobia depicted in the book...."....."has largely gone away."  I agree.  Californians move here, Idahoans move away.  That's just life.

Here is the review of Keeping Private Idaho from the Idaho Statesman.  They liked it too.

So, for those of you who enjoy reading this blog, leave a comment and if you're chosen I'll send one of you a copy of this book.  Straight from Amazon probably.  I'll leave this open until March 24.  Good luck.

And thanks Mr. Just;  it's a great read!

Boiling Springs

Kim and I managed to fit in one camping trip this summer and it was a lot of fun. We went to Boiling Springs with our daughter Vanessa and her boyfriend Chris.

You can see the steam off the hot springs in the early morning. Maybe that's why it's named Boiling Springs.




Here we are enjoying those hot springs.






We indulged in the usual camping activities.

Sitting around doing nothing;












































Taking some mini-hikes;















Seeing some butterflies and taking pics.

































































Smelling trees because Vanessa told us some of them smell like vanilla. (And some do!)

















For one of our dinners we made campfire meals. They were a big hit. In case you've never had them here's what you do.

Step One: Lay out some aluminum foil and put together your personal meal from a variety of foods such as potatoes, corn, peppers, onions, meats, cheese, tomatoes, etc. Add olive oil and seasonings to taste.
(I had par-boiled most of the veggies.)
















Step Two: Wrap them up nice and tight in 4 to 5 layers of foil.















Step Three: Arrange them around the campfire, turning occasionally.











Step Four: Play a few games of Blongo while they cook. (For about one hour.)

(This is a great game, especially since I could play it with one hand while still holding a glass of wine in the other.)









Then enjoy!





Great time.

Sawtooth Mountains; Backpacking, Flora and Fauna

My daughter Vanessa and I and our friend Steph recently spent four days backpacking in the Sawtooth Wilderness area here in Idaho.

There was the usual gorgeous scenery;

















But being a gardener I was equally impressed with all the beautiful wildflowers. We had timed our trip well for viewing the flora.

Look at this breathtaking Little Pipsissewa which was quietly posed beside our first campsite:














According to my wildflower guide book; "The genus name, from the Greek cheima ("winter") and philos ("loving"), refers to the evergreen nature of the plant. The common name Pipsissewa is believed to be derived from the Cree Indian word pipisisikweu, meaning "it breaks it into small pieces;" the plant was once used in preparations for breaking up kidney stones or gallstones."









A less friendly plant is the Elegant Camas;









Still lovely, but according to my guidebook; "Camases are among the most infamous western plants, poisoning many livestock, especially sheep. Indians and early settlers were also poisoned whenever they mistook the bulbs for those of edible species, such as the Camas Lily."














I didn't haul up my wildflower guidebook, I had enough to carry, but I was pretty sure this was heather when I saw it.



I believe it is Pink Mountain Heather which has a range from Alaska to northern California, Idaho and Colorado.

















I just love what I've always referred to as "Indian Paintbrush." This one must be Giant Red Paintbrush as opposed to Desert Paintbrush. It was everywhere and so gorgeous.








In this field of flowers you can see Sulfur Paintbrush also. From the guidebook; "Most Indian Paintbrushes are bright red; this is one of the few yellow ones. The large genus is found primarily in western North America."



















Sulphur Flower (Eriogonum umbellatum) from the Buckwheat Family.


























Hooded Ladies' Tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana) from the Orchid Family.

























Probably Sticky Aster (Machaeranthera bigelovii) from the Sunflower Family.
















I was constantly tempted to stop, kneel down, and take wildflower photos which is really very difficult with a pack on your back. Luckily I only fell down once as I was attempting this maneuver. But really, how could I resist?







We did manage to see a bit of "fauna" but not much;

























Vanessa and I, standing on top of a waterfall.
(Our packs are covered with ponchos because of the many thunderstorms we encountered.)







It was a good trip but it's always nice to be back home with toilets, electricity, running water and a real bed.

More Fun in Idaho Bloggers' Gardens

On Sunday Kim and I were fortunate to attend three wonderful gardens. The Idaho Garden Bloggers met yet again. Included on the tour this time were the gardens of Mary Ann and Teresa. A bonus garden belonging to Elaine, a friend of Teresa's, was graciously included for our perusal.

The tour began at Elaine's. What a lovely garden. I felt so inspired. If only our shade garden resembled this;



Elaine even managed to grow castor bean plants in the shade. I'd never even thought of that.

Her garden was full of pretty details and plants everywhere; from huge dahlias to giant tomatoes. Lovely, and obviously planted with love.
















I love the combination of Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate and cosmos.
























Next up was Teresa's garden. As she explained, theirs is a garden in progress. But then, whose isn't, right? And as gardeners we're experts at listening to plans and envisioning the result in our mind's eye.

Teresa has only been working with her garden for two years. She and her husband have already made a lot of progress and the result is evident. They have built a generous sized deck behind the house, pulled out overwhelming shrubs and weed trees, planted flowers and herbs and created a firepit area.
Their garden includes a nice natural rise which they plan on incorporating into their plan with a rock wall and paths, more flower beds, and a swing under the trees for viewing stars at night. I'm really hoping to be able to visit her garden during some of the planned construction.







Teresa is growing quite a variety of vegetables and herbs including tomatoes, lavender, eggplant, many types of peppers, squash, and beans.



And like most gardeners Teresa has expanded her love of gardening beyond the back fence to the delight of passersby.

The weather being normally in the 90's for September in Idaho, Teresa offered us welcomed iced tea along with lovely cookies.











On to the final garden for the day; Mary Ann's.



Mary Ann has been gardening at her current house for 12 years and has probably been gardening her entire life, I suspect. It shows.

Just look at this pool in her back garden. So lovely. And so simply made. She and her husband spend large amounts of time cooling off in this lovely space during our hot Idaho summers.

Isn't it gorgeous? And check out that view!











Mary Ann's garden includes two other water features. This one had a persicaria planted nearby so I was able to ask her opinion of the plant. I just purchased three for our moongarden. She was able to highly recommend the newer varieties as well-behaved.




















Teresa and Mary Ann discuss the espaliered apple tree.





I would love to be able to list the types of plants Mary Ann has growing everywhere but I would hardly know where to begin there were so many. Obviously she loves miscanthus and who wouldn't with that great lighting?

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of her garden along with viewing the parts under construction. (She's adding a stone wall and a rock slab walkway.)




We were also offered some of her Fall Gold raspberries right off the bushes.


I wish I had taken some photos of the great sunset, but I was too busy enjoying the various wines, beer, hummus, cheese, and crostini that Mary Ann offered along with the wonderful conversation that ensues from a gathering of gardeners. You'll just have to use your imagination to envision the sunset available with this sort of view:







What a fantastic day! Thanks to everyone for opening their gardens and homes.

I Get to Visit an Idaho Blogger's Garden

This time it was Nat's garden from Gardening in Boise, Idaho.

Just look at all that shade! And we needed it as the temp has been over the 100 degree mark for a few days now.




The pergola is a recent addition. She's planted a grape vine and a climbing hydrangea on it.




The large trees help limit the amount of water needed by her garden and lawn; so great in our dry area.


She has surrounded her patch of lawn with a variety of great garden plants including this kniphofia. I didn't realize they came in this lovely color.


















She's not been content to rely on established trees though, and has planted a redbud, quaking aspen and golden chain tree. (I wish homeowners in our area thought so highly of trees).




There were plenty of attractive details and areas of interest.


























Jordan, her co-gardening husband, has put their shed to good use by growing some veggies on the roof.




I loved her heather. I need some!


Can you believe today was the first time I've eaten a borage blossom? Well, it was. And I liked it. I need to grow this again.


I love these stepping stones Jordan made.






























And of course I had to meet the "girls"; Fern, Iris and Daisy. I can't believe they're so grown up and just one month older than ours.


And their dog Songo, she's smart as a whip. I couldn't believe all the tricks she knows.


What did I learn? Plenty. (I love that.)

1. Straight vinegar or boiling water really help eliminate weeds. (Nat doesn't use any insecticide in her garden.)
2. If a hosta is planted next to a bleeding heart the hosta will disguise the tattiness of the bleeding heart as it grows.
3. I need heathers.
4. I need borage.
5. I even got a tip on a new fish for my aquarium.
6. Squirting a small stream of water from a water bottle will help train chickens to stay out of flower beds.

I haven't even mentioned her raised beds in which she's growing tomatoes, cucumbers and purple green beans. She also has potatoes growing in potato bags and squash is growing in hanging baskets from the new pergola. Obviously she's not afraid to experiment. My kind of gardener.

Thanks for a great morning Nat! It was a lot of fun.