Remember Our Fallen War Dead

Memorial Day was first observed after the Civil War. Graves of the fallen soldiers were decorated with flowers and words of remembrance were spoken.

This weekend, take some time to remember those who fought and died for our country.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

What's Blooming?

Spirea x vanhouttei (Bridal Wreath)

Last week I was still wearing a coat and gloves. Today, it's in the 90's! The garden is bursting with color. Some of my favorites have come and gone, like the lilacs and the bridal wreath (above, last week). But the roses and irises have begun to open, and some of my spring bloomers are still going strong!

Here is an overview of some of my garden areas:

Side lawn, looking north. I like to keep the grass tall, especially this time of year. It really keeps the weeds away!

Pond Garden. It's looking mighty overgrown!

Woodland Garden

I love the color and textures of the garden! Here are some close-ups of the flowers that are in bloom today (and some close-ups of non-flowers that have beautiful textures and colors).

Thalictrum aquilegifolium (Meadow Rue)

Thalictrum aquilegifolium (Meadow Rue)

Euphorbia cyparissias (Spurge)

Weigela florida "Varigata"

Corydalis lutea

Heuchera "Bressingham Hybrid" (Coral Bells)

Amsonia tabernaemontana (Willow Blue Star)

Papaver orientale "Prince of Orange" (Oriental Poppies)

Papaver orientale "Prince of Orange" (Oriental Poppies)

Heuchera "Marmalade" (Coral Bells). I grow this for the leaves!

Lupinus polyphyllus "Russel's Hybrids" (Lupines)

Wild onions

Rosa Rugosa "Wildberry Breeze"

Rosa rugosa "Blanc Double de Coubert"

Aruncus dioicus (Goat's Beard)

Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian Bugloss)

Wild Tall Phlox

Bearded Iris "Proud Tradition"

Bearded Iris "Proud Tradition"

Yellow Bearded Iris

Peachy Pink Bearded Iris

Iris siberica "Steve" (Siberian Iris)

Iris siberica "Steve" (Siberian Iris)

Clematis "Nelly Moser"

Clematis (unknown variety)

Geranium sanguinium "Johnson's Blue"

Geranium sanguinium "Max Frei" & wild strawberry. I like this color combination!

Ostrich Ferns

Aegopodium podagraria "Variegatum" (Bishop's Weed)

I hope you enjoyed the tour of the garden today. I'll do another garden post when I get more plants blooming!

Her Majesty Queen Victoria's Tea

Kim at The Victorian Parlor is hosting a Tea in honor of Her Majesty Queen Victoria today! Make sure you visit her blog to see what she is serving, and to see what others will be doing with their teas.

Queen Victoria's birthday is May 24th. Today, I am having the Queen over for morning tea. Come join us!

I've set the table with my most regal tablecloth. Today, Her Majesty will be served on a variety of Aesthetic Transferware pieces, all with English registry marks, of course.

We are serving warm crumpets with butter and jam. Her Majesty will be offered a selection of Tetley and Twinings teas. May I suggest English Breakfast tea?

Our table centerpiece is a classical sculpture with a truly royal look. I think she looks a bit like Her Majesty herself, don't you agree?

Finally, in honor of Queen Victoria, we will make an extra contribution to our favorite charity this year. We have a particular fondness for the Anti Cruelty Society of Chicago, a wonderful animal shelter where we have always gone to adopt our kitties. I think Her Majesty would approve!

Thank you, Kim, for hosting your tea and inviting us! Remember to rejoin your hostess at The Victorian Parlor today.

Eastlake Victorian Gardens: A Squirrel's-Eye View

Hi! My name is Skippy, and I'm one of the many squirrels who call this yard home. The human proprietors were outside gardening all weekend, so I decided it was a great opportunity to sneak into their house to do a little blogging!

All squirrels are welcome in the Eastlake Victorian Gardens, as demonstrated here by my pal Zorro.

Follow me. This way. I want to show you something...

Look at these great seeds! The humans think they are feeding the birds, but we know better, don't we? Please, help yourself!

Those seeds are making me thirsty. How about you?

You thought that was tasty? You ain't seen nothin' yet! Come, this way...

Stay close...

Lamb's Ear, by the way. Very soft...

Would you look at that! The humans made a bird feeder out of a little bird cage! The birds love it...

And so do I!

This is the life! Don't you agree?

See, even the chipmunks are welcome!

The ground feeder catches the dropped seeds so we don't miss a bite!

Man, I'm thirsty again. Let me take you to the best watering hole this side of Chicago! Over the obstacle course...

There it is! Doesn't that look refreshing?

This place has ambience! They serve all species here.

This looks like the drinking perch for us!

What have the humans done? This used to be one of my favorite trees. I guess it will have to be just a bench now (sigh). Oh well, on to the next feeder...

Zorro! You beat me to it!

Zorro?

Hey, save some for us! That's OK. I know of another feeder...

Uh oh! Caught red-handed! By none other than the great and powerful Seed-Guy! OK, so I've chewed through several finch thistle socks. Big deal!

Seed-Guy says we should use the nice nut box he gave us. Isn't it pretty?

Or, should I say, "was" pretty. The youngsters couldn't figure out how to open the lid (kids these days!) so they started chewing to get at the nuts. Sorry, Seed-Guy!

Some of my fellow squirrels (who shall remain nameless) like to chew things they shouldn't be chewing. Come, let me show you another example... over another obstacle course...

Over here...

Look at that! Somebody just HAD to get into the garage to hide a nut! Poor Seed-Guy had to cover the hole with some heavy bricks.

Well, that's the grand tour! Hope you enjoyed it!

Want to come back to my place to chill for awhile?

Chew the fat with me and my pals?

I understand, you have to get going. Remember, you're always welcome to my home in the Eastlake Victorian Gardens!

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Disclaimer: Eastlake Victorian Gardens is certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat. All animals are welcome. Even worms.