Plants That Thrive in a Mediterranean Climate

The garden and landscape in Asti is a little trickier than most to keep looking good, mostly because we aren't there all the time, but also because of the Mediterranean climate.

The front lawn is a perfect example. It was once an area that I couldn't get much to grow. Even my attempt at a lavender field failed.

Now with the lush lawn and fire pit, we love to sit here in the evening and watch the sun set.

With temperatures soaring in the 100's in the summer, the green grass is a nice respite.

There is also a grass area across the driveway with olive trees.

They thrive in this hot, dry climate.

When I planted the front lawn, I also planted more olive trees. Olive trees, white roses and rosemary. The tried and true plants that love the sun and also our well water.

When we bought the house, we were told that our well had significant amounts of boron, a natural occurring element that is toxic to most plants.

No problem, we'll just plant the few plants that don't care about boron!

Boron is supposed to be toxic to grapes, but our Concord table grapes are thriving!

The kitchen garden is a little trickier! Tomatoes grow, but zucchini, not so much.

Herbs also are growing. The boron doesn't seem to be toxic to them.

So far, by process of elimination, I have narrowed down a handful of plants that will grow in Asti's Mediterranean climate:

Olives, figs, Italian cypress, rosemary, lavender, roses, and a few veggies.

Tomorrow, I'll feature our garden at home, so stay tuned!

I'm joining Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday.

I'm also joining Kim for her WUW party at Savvy Southern Style.

On Friday, I'm joining Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday.

Be sure to visit these blogs for lots of indoor and outdoor inspiration!

An Evening in Firenze

As the sun set on The Duomo, we walked the narrow cobblestone streets, exploring Firenze.

We were so lucky that today was a beautiful warm and sunny day and evening.

We walked and walked. . .

. . .and shopped.

All the stores are open for business at night, and it was fun doing a little evening window shopping.

This store had the most amazing wedding dresses!

We worked up an appetite, searching for the perfect restaurant. There are too many to choose from. This one looked good!

After dinner, we walked around The Duomo some more. . .

. . .and had dessert at this cafe.

Our first evening in Florence was a blast. We met up with #2 Son Alex. He couldn't join us for dinner though as he had a date with an Italian family tonight. He teaches their children English, and they cook a pasta dinner for him! It's a program through his school called "English for Pasta"

Blue Angels In San Francisco!

The Blue Angels were in town this weekend for Fleet Week in San Francisco. As we were trying to get over the Golden Gate Bridge Sunday afternoon, they were flying over and performing their stunts on the Bay.

What a thrill to look up and see them flying over!

Flying over Alcatraz Island.

These photos were taken by a professional photographer for the Chronicle, but I attempted to capture the excitement below with my Canon Rebel and telephoto lens.

Keep in mind, I took these photos in a moving car!

I just clicked away and hoped a few photos turned out.

It's so cool to see all the ships and sailboats on the Bay.

Looking west, the sun's reflection on the Pacific Ocean was blinding.

It was one of those rare days in San Francisco. The temperature on the bridge read 75 degrees.

It's usually 58! We had the Giants game on the radio and the Blue Angels overhead!

We got home just in time to see our beloved San Francisco Giants beat the Atlanta Braves!

It was all good on 10-10-10!

I'm linking up to Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday.

Just for fun, check out the video below. It really captures the exciting Blue Angels air show over San Francisco Bay.

Red Sky At Morning

"Red sky at morning, sailors take warning."

I couldn't help thinking of this old saying when I saw the red sky this morning. I guess this means the weather is changing, a reminder that summer is coming to a close and fall is officially here.

I was up very early this morning! Which was great, because not only did I witness this magnificent sunrise, but I captured it with my camera. These photos are from my front yard looking south.

The sky looks like it's on fire! Yet there is a chill in the air; rain is on its way.

As the red faded, the sky changed to pale yellow, blue and gray. In the pale morning light, everything looked surreal.

What a beautiful morning! I took the opportunity to pause and reflect, to say goodbye to summer, and to feel grateful for another day.

Wednesday is Fall Equinox. So, Happy Fall everyone, and here's wishing you:

"A September to remember.

An October full of splendor.

A November to treasure."

~ from La Prevenchere, Brittany, France

This sunrise is so beautiful, I can't help but share it at

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper.

Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer.

Wednesday Gratitude at Heart and Home.

My Latest Landscape Project

We are loving our new lawn surrounding the fire pit in Asti!

My latest landscape project is what I should have done to begin with back in January '09

When I first started blogging in November of '09, I wrote a post about how I landscaped this area above. You can read it here. Originally, this was an abandoned septic mound which I decided to build a fire pit in the middle and surround the outside area with French lavender. About 200 plants.

Here is what it looked like then.

Here is what it looked like in June '09 when the new lavender bloomed. I was so excited about the lavender! We even harvested it and made sachets for Christmas gifts. The problem began when half of them died because of two reasons: too much water and the soil was too rich.

So I replaced the dead ones and began "chasing" the lavender....The new ones would never catch up in size with the older ones, and meanwhile I was still losing lavender plants!

Last week I pulled up all the lavender. It was a tough decision, but the right one.

I had a can of spray paint and drew out where the bender board would go separating the grass from the border of olive trees, roses, rosemary and what was left of the lavender.

I felt kind of bad pulling up the lavender, but they were going to die anyway.

We did manage to save some for more sachets though.

The final result! What a difference the new grass makes. No longer arid, but green and cool.

Our granddaughters can run and play here now. Before, there were so many bees on the lavender that it wasn't safe.

We can also lay on the grass and night and watch for shooting stars!

Or sit in the chairs in the morning and have our coffee without fear of getting stung.

I think adding the grass was the best improvement to our property. It gives the house a homey feel too.

This was a huge project, but well worth the time and money to get it right.

I just wish I had gotten it right in the beginning, but that is how gardening is. Trial and error!

I'm joining Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday.

Be sure to visit and see some outside inspiration there.