Hips are often underappreciated by women. Why are we so critical? There are plenty of round, smooth, curvaceous things we love – eggs, ice cream scoops, mashed potatoes, wine glasses, baby cheeks – you get the picture. And, of course, I see the problem. There are other hips that are underappreciated in this reproductive world of ours.
Rose hips. Roses give us a great seasonal show. What a deal: from shy buds, to bursting blooms, to overblown “madames,” the flowers are the main attraction. The real magic starts when the flowers are at their ugliest, petals browning and falling off. Then, the fruit swells and reddens (ahem) and seems to call out, “Take me! I’m yours!” to passing birds or the occasional gardener looking for autumnal decoration. Ah, the exciting world of plant reproduction.
A couple of weekends ago, I finally pruned the massive shrub roses in the backyard. Let’s just say I kept putting off pruning until I had time to create something pretty. Yup. That’s it. I don’t procrastinate. No, no, no! Anyway, These are hardy shrub roses, I have no idea what variety, but as many of you know, they produce abundant mini-bouquets of scentless pink flowers TWICE a growing season. How lucky are we? These roses were planted long ago probably by the original Italian owners. I can take no credit for their success except to say I haven’t killed them off . . . yet.
The rose hips were crying out to be appreciated, so I used a former Christmas wreath frame and created this autumnal themed wreath for the front door. The dried flowers are a super fragrant salvia or sage that grows nearby AND also needed pruning.
Garden update for today: the Granny Smith apples are aching to belong to pies. In fact, you could say they’re eating their hearts out – lots of little holes by their friends the worms. We’ve made one pie this season. So easy to make. Perhaps I should sponser a pie-baking blitz and freeze a bunch. Anyone up for pie?
3 Comments
October 14, 2006 at 7:43 pm
waving hands enthusiastically
October 16, 2006 at 7:40 pm
Hey the craft-day thing was fun; I won a raffle prize. But because I won the prize, I left the magazine I picked up for you on one of their tables
There are lots of cute things in the prize! http://www.craftzine.com
October 17, 2006 at 4:28 am
Hey – I was going to bake YOU a pie! I need help identifying the apples on my tree. They’re red and very sweet. Maybe they’re too sweet (or soft) for baking? That won’t stop me from trying. Will it stop you from tasting?
Nice blog by the way!