Fruit - Red Currant Arrangement

My husband harvested the red currant yesterday from our garden before the birds ate them all (I left some for the birds too) and I plan to make jam later. Besides that, I cut a branch for myself to do an Ikebana  arrangement, so did my husband.(2nd picture)

Iris and Basket 'Arrangement

I found this old bamboo fishing basket at the famous Golden Nugget Antique flea market in Lambertville, New Jersey, near New Hope. The basket is an important container for Ikebana use. Particularly for warm weather and informal arrangements.
I've always wanted to have a basket like that, and am so happy to own one. Now, only the purple red Japanese Irises remain blooming in my garden. This is my last Iris arrangement for the early Summer.

Material: Iris, Evening Primrose, Zebra grass
and Spider wort (widow's tears) 

Free Style - Basket arrangement

Hand made basket using chicken wire and Honey Sucker vine. I made it long long time ago. Now, I used it as a container for its airy lightness.
Material: Iris, Astilbe and Butterfly maple in a dish kenzan.

My Garden (3) - 2014 Summer

Red Currant, ready to make jam

Astilbe

Astilbe

Spider wort (widow's tears)

???

Day lily Stella

Evening primrose

Cat nip

BCOS 2013-2014 Show Table Awards

Buck County Orchid Society Show Table Awards night and pot luck dinner was held on 6/18/2014. I made Sushi roll along with many other member's delicious dishes. We have summer break for July and August, will resume our monthly meeting in September.

E. Mariae. I don't have this one, I really like it.
Every member got one dinner favor to take home

Onc. Sharry Baby. "Sweet fragrance"
Smell like milk chocolate

Onc. Wils. Pacific Panache

My Garden (2) - 2014 Summer

The Summer is approaching, we have more rainy days than usual this month. The trees, the lawn and the plants look so green and lush.

Honey Sucker

Dried Allium, good for Ikebana use

Iris and clematis

Japanese Iris 

Clematis

Knock Out Rose 

Spirea Japanica

Red Currant

Peony Arrangement

The flowers of tree peonies were long gone, the other common peonies, some are still blooming, but they are fading now.
I composed two arrangements. They are the same style but using different materials and containers. It brings a different look and beauty.

Eucalyptus and  peony in the big flat ceramic vase

Peony with  purple flower ( Salvia?)  in a
ceramic container.

My Garden (1)- 2014 Spring

There is a saying "April showers bring May flowers", but it did not happen this year. We had a very long, harsh winter and short spring season. Mother natural messed up her schedule. My garden flowers, some delayed their blooming and some finished their bloom in a flash. I snapped some photos in time for their beauty. Here are some of Peony, Iris, Coral Bell and Clematis.