Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Outdoor Wednesday

Welcome to Outdoor Wednesday, hosted by Susan at A Southern Daydreamer.

We have a lovely Mother's Day tradition that I'm very fond of. My son or I buy plants, then on Mother's Day, he digs the holes and plants them while I direct his efforts. Our tradition began about 4 years ago when I bought several rose bushes. The plants and pots were large and I was having difficulty digging the holes. My son asked what I'd like to have for Mother's Day, and I asked him to plant my roses. I love this tradition because we can spend time together outside and I have the memories of whatever he's planted.

I bought a Moro Blood Orange tree in April, before my company arrived, and hubby hadn't dug that hole yet, so the orange tree became this year's Mother's Day project. I love blood oranges and I'm a fan of Jain's blog, Once in a Blue Moon. She had the most beautiful pictures of blood oranges that grew on her tree. I drooled every time she posted pictures and recipes using them, so I researched which trees do well in our area and went on a quest.

Ah ha! I found a large, beautiful tree at Reagan's Nursery. (Okay, I also came home with 2 new rose bushes, but that's another post.) Fresh from the nursery, the new tree is waiting on the front porch for one of the guys to carry into the back yard. It even had 2 oranges hanging on the tree. They were so delicious! I just peeled and ate!


My son and daughter in law had to work very hard to dig this hole! You'd think with all the rain we had last week that the dirt would be easy to dig in. Nope, that clay wasn't budging. The post hole digger was brought out and their comical antics were quite entertaining, but the hole was finally dug and the tree planted. (Now I need to clear all the lawn away for a new plant bed. ☺)

Chief approves of the future new shade spot, but didn't care for having his picture taken. ☺

Susan, thank you for hosting this fun weekly event. You can visit A Southern Daydreamer to see the other
Outdoor Wednesday posts, by clicking HERE.

Enjoy!
Diane

34 comments:

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Happy Outdoor Wednesday Diane! What a wonderful Mother's Day tradition! Great memories...and something to watch grow! Shhh don't tell my sweetie... he digs all my holes... all the time! Thanks for sharing your photos.~ Susan

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

What a great tradition. I lvoe that idea.

Chandy said...

I hope it grows to be big and strong and fruit like crazy! How exciting for you!

Fifi Flowers said...

LOVE fruit trees... nothing better than fruit right off the tree!

Justine said...

I've never had a blood orange. Are they really that good? I have a small orange tree in my backyard here, but I can't remember what kind it is. Hanlon? Something like that? Maybe not? LOL

Justine :o )

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

I love your Mother's Day tradition...photos are great...cute pup...

Love Bears All Things said...

I think that is a wonderful tradition and gift for Mother's Day. Imagine being able to pick oarnges in your own yard. We had trees when I was 6 years old and living in Florida. Thanks for sharing. I also love the pictures on the sidebar of your home.
Mama Bear

bj said...

Good morning, Diane..oh, this tree is going to be so great when it's big enuf to shade and have those delicious oranges on it.
I love your tradition...and you get a beautiful yard out of it, too..
Now, I think I will check and see if they grow out here in West Texas..I would dearly love to have one...
xo bj

♥Mimi♥ said...

OK, THAT'S IT...I'm taking pix of my trees today and posting tomorrow. The leaves are barely there and just beginning to open. You guys with the leaves and grass are making me drool!

Barb said...

Hi Diane, love your little tree...many blessings with its growth!!

Happy Outdoor Wednesday.

Barb

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a lovely tradition and what a great son.

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

I think that is a brilliant Mothers day tradition. I may do that when my boys get a little older!

Christi @ A Southern Life said...

What a great way to spend mother's day. I hope you and your son enjoy many oranges for a very long time.

xinex said...

What a wonderful tradition you started, Diane. It makes Mother Day lasts as long as the trees and plants grow...Christine

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

That is a great tradition! How long will it take for it start producing? How exciting. laurie

Bridget said...

I think I'm going to have to borrow your son next Mother's Day. LOL
Reagan's is a great place. I have the best garden hat I found there.
It looks like you found a good spot for our new tree.

~♥~ Monica S said...

MMmm envy you.. oranges simply WON't grow here.. too cold!

Like the mothers day tradition though!

Monica

Blondie's Journal said...

Diane,

This is just a wonderful idea you have come up with for Mother's Day~ I may borrow it!! And it was nice to hear your son and DIL had fun planting the tree.

I wish you much luck and know you will enjoy every last one of those oranges! I so envy anyone that can grow trees with juicy fruits. If you end up with a bumper crop, send some my way!

Have a wonderful week! Sorry I am so late in making my rounds!!

xoxo
Jane

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Won't it be fun to have some fruit from your very own tree! I'll bet it will be delish! Nice tradition you have going. Linda

SmilingSally said...

Blood oranges are the best tasting fruit! In a few years you'll have plenty.

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

I love the expression on Chief's face! Too cute! I wish we could grow oranges here, but I don't think that would work in the Atlanta area. Thanks for the Horchow info...I'm trying to be good and use what I have or shop the dollar store...but oh, it's sooo hard! :-)

nikkicrumpet said...

Very cool tradition....but Chief looks like he's ready to christen the new tree!

♥Mimi♥ said...

Diane, you might not have grandbabies yet, but you could invite your pooch and spread some tuna on the bread and sprinkle a little cooked ground beef on top☺

Memories are memories. I just bet those poochies of yours would love to cuddle on a blanket with you and give the clouds names.

Cindy said...

I love Reagan's Nusery! Isn't that place great! I need to back there and look around some more!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Diane, Chief is a mighty shiny object in all of his cuteness. Better be careful lest a magpie swoop him up and carry him away to her nest! ;-)

Cute little dog, pretty litte tree.

XO,

Sheila :-)

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What a wonderful family tradition! I love blood oranges too. If I had a citrus tree here in NC I would have to plant it in a pot and hope that it would survive inside during the winter.

Michelle said...

Great tradition, Diane! You're going to have some beautiful roses...and that blood orange tree. Oh my! I would love to have one of those. Blood oranges are so delicious. I don't think I've ever used a blood orange in a recipe. Have a great weekend!

Sue said...

Hi Diane...thanks so much for stopping by my blog...that's a lovely tradition you started with your son and I love the idea of a blood orange tree...can you believe the gorgeous plants and fruit trees that Miss Jain has...she is truly amazing...love the picture of your dog..

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Diane...I also love Blood oranges...so sweet and good..Love that you get to spend time with your son this way makes for a great Mother's day...Now I told you I use to live in Fremont in Brookvale on Collier Pl...from 70-86 I grew up in Hayward area...Fremont was my old stromping grounds ha ha!! I was just there last week and also went to Niles to go Antique shopping..I still go to Bay Area at least 4 x a year now...Have a grand son in Fremont still...Thanks for coming by and seein me my friend...May you have a great weekend..go play in the garden ha ha!! Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

bj said...

just came by to say good morning...

Simply Debbie said...

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY AND A BELATED OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY. YOUR BLOOD ORANGE TREE IS PRETTY BUT I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ONE. DOES IT TASTE LIKE JUST ANY OTHER ORANGE.
I LOVE THE TRADITION YOU AND YOUR SON HAVE PLANTING ON MOTHER'S DAY. THAT IS BEAUTIFUL.
BLESSINGS
debbie

RobinfromCA said...

Oh, I love blood oranges - lucky you! Great Mother's Day tradition as well!

Robin@MiscellaneousThoughts

Kristens Creations said...

What a great tradition and a wonderful tree! I hope it produces a ton of oranges. Thanks for checking out the new patio! We are definitly enjoying it so far. Kristen

Kat said...

Diane! Sorry to be away so long.
That is a wonderful Mothers Day tradition! Your new orange tree is
fabulous and look at the size of those oranges!!! Amazing...never work here in the NW but wow! I hope you had a lovely Mothers Day.

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