In a Vase on Monday ~ Cosmos and The Persistent Bee

 
 

Everything in blogland feels new to me because it was quite a hiatus I took. But if there is one link-up party I missed, it was In A Vase on Monday, hosted by Cathy at Rambling In The Garden. I love this link-up because as someone who loves flowers but has no eye for design, I always find the most beautiful inspiration for flower arrangements.

With that in mind, let me begin by saying that my gardening season has been the worst to date. Between Japanese beetles and voles and mice, its just been wackadoodle. But the Japanese beetle were the worst, after everything else that plagued my roses. So I am glad to have some blooms still standing, even if I have had to take extreme measures like covering the blooms with organza bags. The critters— good and bad— seem to love the cosmos, and it is one of the reasons I have not been able to enjoy them very much they past few year. But this year I was determined to enjoy them!

 
 

And I am in love with the cupcake cosmos. It is so lovely. And apparently a determined and persistent little bee thought so. After I cut the blooms, this little bee (above) kept following me around the garden, going inside the bloom. I felt so guilty, friends! I would blow on it, it would go away, then come right back inside the bloom. Eventually, I just walked to the area where the cosmos are, and she jumped on a different bloom. Phew— I still feel guilty. LOL

While in the garden, I also picked snips from different plants that are in bloom. I chose:

  • Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Russian Sage’

  • Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Cupcakes Blush’

  • Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Psyche White’

  • Allium x ‘Serendipity’

I like to keep my arrangements on the smaller side and this one was perfect for my work-from-home desk. I used a Weck glass carafe as a vase and I quite like it. Especially because I do not have a lot of space on my desk. All in all, I am quite please with it and hoe demure it is.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Have you had any issues with insects this year? Here is the Midwest its been terrible.

Little Plates & Adriatic Dreams

Summer is time for fresh... everything! It is also time when I find myself reaching for little dishes. And my go-to is my favorite appetizer— Caprese salad. If I’m being honest, I think I love it because, to me, it is a vehicle to consumer balsamic vinegar. Balsamic is one of my favorite flavors— sweet with a hint of tangy always wins. And if its aged, even better.

Is it a fancy salad? Nope. But I think its pretty. And even more important, the flavors are amazing. The delicious juices of a tomato mixed the the almost floral taste of the light basil are the perfect contrast for the creaminess of the mozzarella. Put together all the ingredients create the perfect summer salad. I like to have some French or Italian bread on the side because it is a crime to leave any aged balsamic on a plate. I do not skimp (as you can see below), so there is always some left.

This is what I had yesterday as I coped with yet another day of rain here in the Midwest, that is starting to make everything feel like fall. And I AM NOT READY FOR THAT. So instead I am enjoying the last months of summer with all the flavors of the season. I also started watching my favorite gardener in the world, Monty Don’s Adriatic Gardens (I also love the French gardens series. Just gorgeous).

In this series, he visits beautiful gardens in countries along the Adriatic Sea, and the images and sounds (plus his amazing descriptions) are enhancing my summer feelings. Also, I now want to visit Corfu and Croatia. I am loving it so much that this is how I will spend today too!

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Caprese Salad (1 Serving)

Ingredients:

  • 4 slices mozzarella cheese

  • 4 slices tomatoes (use heirloom tomatoes to make it even more flavorful)

  • 4-6 basil leaves, whole or torn. I stay away from chopping basil leaves because they wilt.

  • Balsamic vinegar (preferably aged)

  • Slices of French or Italian bread

  • Salt and pepper to taste (for tomatoes)

Steps: Arrange all this goodness in a plate and drizzle the balsamic vinegar over it. Serve and enjoy!