HI THERE! I'M BRIANNE TURCZYNSKI, FREELANCE WRITER, HISTORICAL RESEARCHER, & PERPETUAL SEEKER OF THE HUMAN CONDITION. WELCOME TO MY SPACE WHERE I SHARE THE BOOKS I'M READING, MY SPIRITUAL FINDINGS, FLOWERS IN MY GARDEN, AND LOST STORIES. ALL ARE WELCOME HERE.
I think I have read just about everything Vita Sackville-West wrote about gardening, I also own many of her garden books. She continues to be the place I go for advice and also cute little anecdotes about additional uses for flowers most gardeners never think to mention. . . . Been fidgeting in the garden … Continue reading In Your Garden by Vita Sackville-West
Gearing up for our Bible talk on Genesis tomorrow? Here’s something... . . . ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ East of Eden by John Steinbeck. Not a favorite of mine, because it did not bring me joy but rather left me with the darkness of humanity. It is Steinbeck’s allegorical retelling of the book of Genesis. Featuring twins Cal … Continue reading East of Eden by John Steinbeck
There is a form of hypocrisy common to nearly all gardeners. It does not affect only the gentle amateurs, but has been known to affect even the most hardened professional, who is not, generally speaking, a sentimental or squeamish man. It is the human weakness which, accompanying our determination to rid ourselves of our slugs … Continue reading Bug Killer
"...do plant Abelia Triflora. It flowers in June, grows to the size of what we used to call syringe [lilac], and is smothered in white, funnel-shaped flowers with the strongest scent of Jasmine." -Vita Sackville-West In Your Garden; June 18th, 1950 I waited all summer to buy the Abelia. As you might know, shrubs are best … Continue reading Fragrant Abelia
Flower Picking "To Spite" The Cold.
My liking for gardens to be lavish is an inherent part of my garden philosophy. I like generosity wherever I find it, whether in gardens or elsewhere. -Vita Sackville-West March 26, 1950 In the quote above she speaks of pruning. From her books I gather that Vita thought pruning in the Spring a foolish way … Continue reading Life After Deadheading
Any lilac is 'easy': they need no pruning, though it is most advantageous to cut off the faded flowers, this is really important; they are perfectly hardy; and very long-lived unless they suddenly die back, which sometimes happens....By the way, if you strip all the leaves from cut branches of (lilac) they will last far … Continue reading Friday Snippets: “Smash” Their Stems with a Hammer
BRIANNE TURCZYNSKI 