Diana C. Kirby, Author at Diana's Designs Austin

Faith in the garden…

I’ve been given reason this week to reflect on my faith. My faith in many things.

My faith held me strong in the face of despair and I was heartened by a miracle.

My faith gave me comfort in the face of sadness – a peaceful knowing that all is right with the world in spite of sorrow.

And I am trying to have faith (if trying is something one can do to with faith) about a loved one’s critical illness.

All this reflection has been percolating around inside of me this week. Swirling around me as I water the plants inside the greenhouse and as I contemplate the winter damage in the garden.

Gardening is also about faith. Faith that the blazing heat of summer will end and winter will come…and the bitter cold of winter will end and summer will come — again and again.

It’s about knowing that the birds will return to build their nests and our precious plants will burst forth from the roots again after being devastated by the changing seasons. And if not, new plants will bring new pleasure, fresh ideas and creativity to the garden as well.

I had a little flash of faith today in the garden.

In the big pots on the back patio, among the dead and dormant plants, sits an Autumn Joy Sedum — its stalks tall and gray and crackling.

But behold below…little florets of sedum, green and fresh and succulent, as they should be, giving rise to the promise of a new day in the garden.

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:40:09-05:00February 10th, 2011|Blog, faith, new day in the garden, sedum, Sharing Nature's Garden|0 Comments

The frost and the frantic freeze frenzy…

You know you do it…

Maybe you don’t talk about it, hiding it like a bad plant in the back of your garden.

When the cold winds blow and the forecasts foretell of frigid temperatures, do you do the…

…frantic freeze frenzy?

Sssshhh…I won’t tell any one, honest.

But I’m sure I’ve seen you — lurking about at night, all covered up in dark clothing, sheets, blankets, Christmas lights and rocks in hand. Furtively darting about in a futile attempt to keep wind, rain and ice off of your precious plants.

Fingers numb and stiff, ears red and raw, you’ve braved the elements.

You truly believe that man (or woman) can win out over nature. Surely your clever plan to secure your contraption will hold and save the day (or night).

Is this you? Do you see yourself in this post? Isn’t it time to step out into the light and admit it?

You do the frantic freeze frenzy to protect your precious plants in the winter. Don’t you?

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:40:10-05:00February 9th, 2011|Blog, cover, cover plants, frantic freeze frenzy, freeze, ice, Sharing Nature's Garden|0 Comments

Plants were not the only ones who felt the freeze…

Here is another casualty of last week’s prolonged and bitterly cold weather.

This beautiful Mexican Talavera bird bath couldn’t handle the thaw with two inches of ice sitting in it. (At least it wasn’t the pipes in my house, I am thankful for that.)

Last year, I brought it in the garage to protect it from the hard freeze.

Sadly, I just didn’t think to do it this year.

I was contemplating super glue…but that won’t work.

I bought this a few years ago at our local HEB grocery store. They sometimes get special orders of pottery or garden furniture in the summer time and I grabbed this up the second I saw it.

Maybe I’ll run across another one somewhere — I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:40:10-05:00February 8th, 2011|bird bath, Blog, freeze, Sharing Nature's Garden|0 Comments

The wounded in my garden…

Last week’s unseasonably cold temperatures — down to 17 here at my house — left their mark on the garden.

I think most of these plants are simply damaged and not actually dead.

But I’m going to cross my fingers for a little good luck, anyway.

I didn’t cover anything this year. Too many years of running around on dark and blustery nights with sheets and blankets and rocks, trying (mostly unsuccessfully) to cover plants.

First of all, the freezes this week were to hard and too prolonged to benefit from any covering.

And, frankly, I’m tired of running around on dark and blustery nights with sheets and blankets and rocks, trying (mostly unsuccessfully) to cover plants!

So, come on a tour with me — and send some good karma my way as you look at my sad specimens.

The first one is an umbrella plant, (Cyperus alternifolius). Like many more tropical plants, like Sagos (cycads), the cold weather turns it pale and papery.

This big blue Agave is sad on the bottom, but the firm and standing center is an excellent sign.
This variegated agave will be getting a haircut for sure.
For the first time, the Society Garlics are all looking miserable. I know they will revive, but expect to sheer them after the danger of frost has passed.
This Mangave looks pretty squishy to me…
See, here’s a Sago (Cycad) that’s lost almost all of its pigment. It’s a pale version of its former self.
Two more squishy Agaves (that’s the technical term). The top one is a passalong – variety unknown.
This Agave celsii took a hard pruning last winter, but eventually came back. And now, it’s back to square one. Do you think they are tired of this? I sure am.

But I know my garden blogging friends anywhere north of here have it far worse in the winter. And, this is not our official whining season, it’s theirs. Ours is reserved for August and September.

How squishy is your garden these days?

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:24-06:00February 5th, 2011|Agave, agaves, Blog, cyperus alternifolias, mangave, mangave macho mocha, Sago, Sharing Nature's Garden, society garlic, umbrella plant|0 Comments

Homegrown cauliflower turns into fabulous casserole…

Today I picked two small heads of cauliflower in the garden. This is my first year to grow cauliflower and it was so easy.

I meant to take photos of it when I washed it and when the casserole was done. My focus on getting to the eating part must have affected my memory and I completely forgot to take photos.

Last week I found my old recipe box with a solitary recipe card sitting on top of it. Yellowed with age, I probably copied it out of a magazine or the newspaper at least 25 years ago. (oh, no, I meant to write more than 5 years ago. I’m really not that old, really I’m not!) But I’m certain that I never made it.

Today I made it with my home-grown cauliflower. It was simple and delicious. And since I couldn’t invite you to dinner, I thought I’d share it the recipe with you!

Cauliflower in Cheese Sauce

1 head fresh cauliflower
2 cups bechamel sauce
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
4 oz. dried beef
buttered breadcrumbs

Cook cauliflower until tender. Make bechamel sauce (melt butter, make a roux with a little flower, add milk or cream & cook until thickened. Add nutmeg. Do NOT salt or pepper this.) Cut dried beef into very small bits. Add to sauce with cheese. Place drained cauliflower in greased baking dish. Cover with sauce. Top with a little extra cheese & buttered bread crumbs. Bake in oven long enough for everything to melt together and get hot. (350 degrees) 4-6 servings.

So yummy. Though I did taste a sample of the cauliflower when it came out of the boiling water so I could actually get the flavor of it all by itself. It was great.

What a fun process – growing them from seed in my veggie garden, photographing it, picking it, cooking it, and eating it. And now blogging about it and ‘sharing’ it.

Doesn’t get much better than that for a gardener.

What are you eating out of your garden?

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:24-06:00January 30th, 2011|Blog, cauliflower, Sharing Nature's Garden|0 Comments

Gardener goodies…

Holidays are always fun when you’re a gardener. There is a never-ending supply of wonderful gifts for gardeners. From gloves to ceramic pots to garden art — even non-gardeners can find something fun to give.

And I believe you can never have too many bird feeders, houses, or baths. (More on that in my next post.)

So it’s always interesting to see what’s behind the gift wrap.

I love this little seat – it’s so portable and comfortable to sit on, and being able to tuck my hand tools in it is wonderful.
This is the most unusual gift I have ever received. My dear friend, Kristen, gave me this little package. In it? Rose seeds that are registered with a number, and waiting for ME to grow and name the rose. How cool is that?

I’m waiting anxiously to plant my seeds. I think they will get their start in the greenhouse, which is perfect for seeds this time of the year.

Naming my rose, will be another matter altogether. No pressure there! Any ideas or suggestions for names? There hundreds if not thousands of roses out there. The process will certainly have to include making sure the name I choose isn’t already taken.
This adorable birdhouse is just waiting for a new family to move in. I wonder who will find it appealing? Cardinals, wrens, titmice, finches? We’ll keep watch for our new neighbors!

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:24-06:00January 27th, 2011|Antique Rose Emporium, bird house, Blog, garden art, garden gifts, garden seat, gifts, Kristen, naming rose, roses, Sharing Nature's Garden|0 Comments

Diana C. Kirby

About Diana C. Kirby

Faith in the garden…

The frost and the frantic freeze frenzy…

Plants were not the only ones who felt the freeze…

The wounded in my garden…

Homegrown cauliflower turns into fabulous casserole…

Gardener goodies…

Escape in the garden