Another fun art fair surprise!!! I’ve mentioned my on-going inability to grow pretty “weeds” in my garden. I LOVE black-eyed susans… and everyone says they’re so invasive & will take over in no time. And yet somehow, I can’t seem to get them to thrive. I have a couple teeny plants that have survived, but not thriving?! So it was so nice today when one of my longtime fans brought me a couple transplants from her yard for me to try. Thank you Carmie… you’re the sweetest!!! I just hope I don’t kill these too?!!!

Looks like Kristy has spending a little time in her garden…
picking some little flowers to fit in her little vase!!!
So sweet… so little! Thanks for sharing Kristy!

Saturday morning we decided to go over to the Fairbanks Farmers Market before starting the pottery workshop. I was impressed by the colors, textures & flowers all over the market. As well as some “crib balls” the were hand-sewn… and brought some childhood memories as my Grandma Kitty made the same stuffed fabric balls when we were kids! The Fairbanks Potters Guild has a booth there every time… so it was great to meet some potters & see some pottery ahead of the workshop.

So we woke up Friday morning in Fairbanks with a plan… to go find MOOSE!!!

There was a workshop “Meet & Greet” Potluck Dinner planned for later that night. So we had a good day to go see some nature, do some hiking, get some photos & hopefully find some MOOSE!!!

Theresa’s plan was to drive us down Chena Hot Springs Road to see what we could along the way. There are so many ponds, creeks, rivers, swamps, forests, moss, mushrooms… all of them ideal for a moose to be hanging out in. It was slightly overcast, misty & rainy at times, but so beautiful! This was more of the Alaska I expected. But I will say… I was surprised by all of the flowers everywhere??? Again, as an unknowing Midwesterner, I must admit I kinda thought Alaska was always cold & frequently covered with snow!!! Who knew is was no nice in the summer with flowers everywhere??? Not me.

And the wildlife scorecard?…
two scrawny squirrels, some ducks… and still NO MOOSE!!

A simple statement. A single dahlia. The simplest arrangement with just one bloom in a handmade ikebana vase. Stamped & soda-fired… and coming to ART IN THE GARDEN next weekend!

And yes, I grew it in my yard!!!

Continuing on a theme… a sweet moment after this morning’s rain.
A small butterfly getting a little snack from a shaggy pink flower blossom.

Today’s dahlia… so excited for a new & different first bloom
from another one of the dahlia plants out in my front street garden!

Beautiful back porch begonias blooming today!

So excited to have some black-eyed susan’s blooming in my garden!!! For those that have followed me for awhile, know how I’ve struggled. For years I’ve tried to grow them as they’re one of my all-time favorite flowers. But to no avail. Everyone said they’re so easy to grow. That they’re too invasive. That they’ll spread all over in no time. To which I said “Yes please!”

But year after year I would get nothing.

No matter if I planted plants, or seeds, or divided pieces from friend’s gardens… I tried EVERYTHING!!! So imagine my excitement now that I seem to have three plants that have “survived” and are now in their third year!!! And they’re FLOWERING!!! I’m hoping I’ve broken the curse?!!!

Some more pretty flowers just down the street. Every year these stargazer lilies start to bloom… and I’m reminded that I’ve wanted to add these to my garden too. But at this point in the summer… it’s a bit too late to get them planted!!! Maybe next year?…