I usually don't get so excited about such things, but today I received not one, but TWO seed catalogs. Beautiful catalogs with gorgeous pictures of all the stuff I could grow if I only had a back yard.

Perusing seed catalogs would be so much more enjoyable, however, snuggled up with a blanket, a kitty in my lap, and a cracking fire in the grate. A steaming mug of hot cocoa in my hands would complete this magical picture. But, alas, that will never happen as it is 80 degrees here today. *sigh*

My favorite catalog comes with the most delightful descriptions of the vegetable seeds they sell. Each one sounds precious and like a priceless work of art. I can imagine myself picking the most earthy-flavored beans, or harvesting the crispest lettuce, or pulling up the most succulent carrots. Each of these would be prepared in the most delicious way and served outside on my back terrace with jazz music and red wine. Okay a girl can dream a little can't she? :-)

I know I'm romanticizing gardening just a wee bit, as I leave out all the hard work. Scanning the catalogs and picking out seeds is just a sliver of the work involved in growing your own food. I look forward to this opportunity someday, but for now I am content to dream.

Above is a picture of my sad little tomato plant

While autumn is officially here, it hasn't cooled off much here in Texas. The days are still hot and sticky, and nights are the only time that one can notice that fall just might possibly be in the air.

My garden is starting to look a little more chipper, since my rose bush is finally starting to flesh out after being droopy for the past few months. I even got a rose on it last week. I decide to start some tomato and basil seeds a few weeks ago, and I now have really cute seedlings to show for it. In most areas of the country it would be crazy to start seedlings in late August, but I think I have discovered the secret to Texas gardening--summer is not a viable growing season. Who knew? Fall is the time for many summer plants. We'll see how my seeds do once the weather cools off a bit.

I someday dream of having a large garden of my own, where I can grow all of our own produce for fresh eating and putting up for the winter. I finally decided this year to try growing some veggies, just to get a sense of how it should go. I have just put lettuce and carrot seeds into large pots, so we'll see how that goes. I'm hoping I am not to early on the lettuce.

Maybe next time my rose blooms I'll post some pictures. My balcony garden is really starting to come alive!

I still can't believe it's that time of year already. We just had our first cold blast of the winter last week, but now is the time to order seeds and summer flowers.
If you're around me long enough, my passion for gardening and enjoying the beauty of creation comes through. I dream of gardens graced with daffodils, tulips, roses, and hydrangeas (though not in the same season!). I've tried growing bulbs for several years, but every spring something has gone awry and no flowers pop up. One year I bought these gorgeous tulips, but they never sprouted. I must not have watered them enough. The next year I purchased lovely minature daffs and some hyacinthoides (the "wild" version of hyacinths), only to have short, spindly leaves shoot up, and no flowers. This was after moving to southeastern Texas, and I've now realized that bulbs here need a chilling period in the fridge. This year I gave up on bulbs, but I'm sure I'll regain my energy for next year. And I'll have to make room in my fridge to chill the bulbs.

This year I'm turning my attention elsewhere. I've never grown roses before, but they are by far my favorite plant. I own several books and catalogs devoted to this flower. I'm head over heels in love with English roses, so this year I decided to make the plunge and buy one of these beauties. I found one that's perfect--heat-tolerant, shade-tolerant, and compact, with fragrant pale pink blooms. I can't wait to get this plant, and I hope it grows to its full potential!

I currently garden on my apartment balcony, but someday hope to have a little plot of earth in order to grow many wonderful plants. Someday I hope, when I have children of my own, that they will share my passion for gardening and learn to love God's magnificent creation as well.

I haven't quite found my sea-legs when it comes to gardening in this area, but I've found that it's worth the perserverance. I may not be able to grow everything I desire like I could "up north" (in north Georgia!), but it's worth a try. The beauty of a garden cannot be easily surpassed. It's one of God's gifts to men that we see His hand in this glorious creation. When I plant my nose in a flower, or see the petals of a rosebud unfurl, I cannot help but think of the beauty God's created around me. I can't imagine life without this joy on my little balcony.