Thursday, May 26, 2016

Five on Friday: Four Flowers and a Recipe



A climbing rose against the deck, name unknown. Weathered boards add texture to a photo, but I'm embarrassed to say these are ours. They are almost past the point of scraping and painting - I fear they might crumble into nothing. We're not quite ready to replace the railing, so I'll enjoy the shabbiness patina and texture.


Pale pink peonies about to burst into bloom. I prefer this delicate shade to the darker pink, although they are both beautiful.



Hydrangeas, paler than normal, but perhaps they will darken as the season wears on. 



Rhubarb leaves as big as umbrellas had me whacking them back and finding tough stalks that I discarded. There were lots of tender stalks and I brought some in to make these Rhubarb Cream Cheese Bars. Oh, but they are good. 

I found the recipe here, and adapted it not a whit. The cream cheese mellows out the tartness of rhubarb and the oats add a bit of bite to the creaminess.  


And the lavender is blooming. Everything (as I keep on saying) is so very early! It was windy today as I took these photos and that is especially evident in this photo. Sometimes life can toss us around. 

Many of you know Vee of A Haven for Vee, a dear blogging friend. Her husband, John, has a torn aorta which has meant surgery and continued cardiac care. If you are a praying person, please pray for John and Vee. 

I'm linking to Amy's Five on Friday, a great link up full of interesting posts.  

50 comments:

  1. Your flower are so beautiful and we have a fence similar to yours. I think it adds character!

    I will definitely check out this recipe. It looks wonderful.

    I do follow Vee but I've been a very slow blogger lately. I'll visit right now. How scary.

    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lorrie, some people work really hard to get wood to look just like that! Your garden is just full of many surprises, one after the other. I love gardens like that.

    Now I have never heard of cream cheese with rhubarb, hmm, I can see that would work. I'll pray for your blog friend's husband.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Lorrie, your flowers are absolutely stunning! And, so are the photos you took of them. The rhubarb recipe sounds so yummy. I've never thought of rhubarb and cream cheese together. My dear friends husband suffered an aneurysm in his aorta a few years ago and luckily the doctors were able to repair it. I will remember Vee in my prayers. Have a safe and fun filled weekend, Pat xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great flowers, they certainly are beautiful photos. Loved the recipe, I have rhubarb in the garden so its nice to try something new. I will certainly remember Vee and her husband in my prayers. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I particularly love the paeonies and the Lavendar. Those rhubarb bars sound scrummy. Hopefully the wind will calm down so that you can enjoy the weekend. B xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your pale pink peony is a gorgeous sight! I have to wait maybe 3 weeks... I would love lavenders but here they are only one year's joy... Have a lovely weekend Lorrie!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your flowers are so lovely , and so much in advance to mine. My lavender is in bud, but no sign of flowers heads yet on my new hydrangea . Shabby chic is what I'd call your fence, adds interest & charm to your garden.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What gorgeous flowers! I'm such a fan of peonies, those fat buds explode, I don't know how all the beautiful petals can fit inside. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would like to try that rhubarb cream cheese bar now.

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

    ReplyDelete
  10. Rhubarb cream cheese bars. Never heard of this before. Looks fabulous off to take a peek at the recipe. Lots of rhubarb in the garden...

    ReplyDelete
  11. I wouldn't have thought a thing about the fence but now that you have pointed it out I can appreciate its beauty! It has lots of character. Our hydrangeas are beautiful this year--it's been several years since we've seen much of them. Thanks for mentioning Vee's husband. I went to her blog and saw that she added about him.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous4:22 AM

    Four of my very favorite flowers. My roses and hydrangeas are only about 6" tall, my peonies are budded, and I'm trying to root some lavender on my kitchen windowsill. Consider the fence to be 'shabby chic.' Plus the recipe sounds delicious. Prayers to your friend and may you have a nice weekend. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your flowers look lovely and my tulips are only just about to burst! Early indeed. That recipe looks gorgeous. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm going to try the recipe, now that our Rhubarb is producing so well.

    ReplyDelete
  15. A beautiful five today Lorrie.
    The red rose scrambling over the weathered wall boards is lovely - chippy paint doesn't worry me!
    Spring has Sprung where you are and that french lavender looks all the better with a little movement from the wind!
    I will check out the link for the Rhubarb recipe, it looks yummy!
    Thank you for the heads up about John, I popped in to Vee's, it sounds like he is in good hands. I have faith in the power of prayer.
    Wishing you a happy weekend pottering in your garden Lorrie.
    We are almost into winter here now and I'm gradually putting my garden to bed, with a good blanket of mulch. I won't prune the roses until July when they will be dormant. The cycle of the gardening year continues!
    Shane

    ReplyDelete
  16. Beautiful five! Gorgeous flowers ... especially the peony since I can't grow them where I live. Thanks for the recipe -- looks delicious. Have a lovely week.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Beautiful pictures. I love the lavender. It is one of my favourite things. I love the smell and the plant is so pretty. The recipe sounds really yummy. I just bought a rhubarb plant so it might come in handy next year. I love rhubarb. My Mum always used to make a really nice crumble with it.

    Have a great weekend

    ReplyDelete
  18. I didn't know about John...I'm keeping him in my prayers and our sweet friend Vee. I'm so shocked that now I've forgotten my comment. But I do love the mosaic in your banner. Sweet hugs, Diane

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lovely post, Lorrie! How I love to see peonies in the big, fat bud stage -- on their way to opening into gorgeous spring flowers. Your lavender is just beautiful, and I wish to goodness I could have some luck with growing it myself. Maybe I'll try again this year. :)

    The rhubarb cream cheese bars sound really good; thank you for sharing! I'm so stunned at the news of Vee's husband -- am already starting to pray for her and John. She is one of my very favorite bloggers; thank you for letting us know.

    Hugs to you,

    Denise at Forest Manor

    ReplyDelete
  20. Beautiful flowers. Peonies are just bursting into flower here. All red and they fill the borders, but I enjoy seeing their blooms. English lavender will probably be in flower next month - something to look forward to.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am part of the chorus singing 'earlier blooms and lovelier than ever'. It's true!
    We pray for John and for Vee. They are in a hard place, but I know that prayer bolsters and comforts.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Beautiful flowers, I love your lavender. I have tried so hard to grow it here, but to no avail. This has become known as the garden where lavender comes to die.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Those rhubarb cream bars look positively delicious! I am going to try them...
    Your garden must be a riot of colour right now...such pretty flowers and the lattice work looks quite charming as it is! Think it is called Shabby Chic!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wonderful things to celebrate on this Friday.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous2:20 PM

    Lovely flowers. Hydrangeas and lavendar are favourites of mine. There are always jobs waiting for us around house arn't there, it never ends. Our railings are half eaten by our puppy. Everyone comments on them when they visit. Rather embarassing, but no point in replacing them until she's outgrown puppy stage.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous3:19 PM

    Enjoyed your five and all the senses it has awakened in me. My mouth is watering at that rhubarb dessert. Yes...my lavender is very early this year, too. I have been praying for Vee and John and was so sad to hear this news. Have a good weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  27. The flowers are just gorgeous, Lorrie. Beautiful pictures.
    I saved the recipe for that rhubarb dessert. It wasn't overly sweet then, huh? Some of the use so much sugar to cut the 'tart' that it becomes to sweet. Love the idea of the mellow flavor of cream cheese in there. Thanks for the recipe. xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  28. All your flowers are beautiful, but I'm especially drawn to the lavender. Do you find ants near your peonies? I always find them around mine.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thank you, Lorrie, for the mention. We sure are in need of prayer.

    Your early flowers are beautiful. I have a chippy deck in need of help this summer, but it appears that it may not happen. I rather like yours!

    And rhubarb...I have a ton this year. The recipe sounds delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Will send a prayer up for your friend. Your flowers are all lovely, but oh the peonies! they are such a beautiful flower.

    ReplyDelete
  31. So many pretty flowers, especially the Peony. Mmmm....I must try that recipe. I love Rhubarb.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Such pretty flowers - the peonies are such a delicate pink. The recipe looks wonderful - thank you for sharing it. Sending prayers for Vee and her husband. xx Karen

    ReplyDelete
  33. All my favourite flowers love the lavender and peonies especially. The rhubarb slices look very tasty:)

    ReplyDelete
  34. I am really going to try that rhubarb cheesecake. It looks divine. And your peony is so pretty! What a lovely floral post.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Your flower photos are just beautiful....I love that shade of peony too, so perfect! I know what you mean about old disintegrating wood...we had a bench like that which looked lovely with flowers growing against it....worn wood does look pretty as a background for flowers! Your recipe looks and sounds delicious...thank you, I will try it!
    Happy weekend Lorrie.
    Helen xox

    ReplyDelete
  36. Beautiful photos, as always, Lorrie, and the bars sound like a yummy treat with a cuppa tea. John and Vee will be in my prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I rather like the pairing of weathered boards with roses.
    Everything is looking beautiful in your garden. Our peonies are long gone, so it is nice to extend the season through your photos.
    I have been praying for John and Vee and will continue to do so.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I am looking forward to all the blooms you have already - by the way, a great shot of the lavender. My rhubarb is now ready to pick and I'll have to decide how I want to eat it. I love having this decision to make!
    Thank you for the news about John, I've not been on my computer much and I must drop Vee a line.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hello Lorrie - thank you so much for your visits which I have enjoyed. I am now following you.
    I love the sound of the rhubarb cheesecake, have plenty in the garden so will give it a try.
    Our Spring is late but slowly catching up on itself, but I can tell that you are ahead of us as our lavender has not yet opened, it is still green.

    ReplyDelete
  40. hello
    superbe rouge pour cette rose
    et les pivoines que j'adore pas encore fleuris dans mon jardin
    gros bisous
    et merci de ton passage
    bonne journée

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thank you for sharing the rhubarb bar recipe. I hadn't heard of these and think it looks delicious. I've picked all of the rhubarb that was ready a few days ago so in another few days I should have enough to make it. The flowers are lovely. I decided this year that I will bring in more flowers to enjoy in the house than usual.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I just lifted up a special thought for John and Vee, bless them and their caregivers and family as he recuperates from his heart surgery!
    It has been weeks of ill woes for me, but we are hopefully seeing the light.
    The Peonies in the shade of pink you have was what I purchased as well a few years ago, but they ended up being the darker shade. I love Hydrangeas, they remind me of my mother. I cannot even share how my fence boards look, they are 36 years old this coming month, weathered, worn and some torn down, but they remain.
    Nice catching up~

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hello Lorrie, your blog was wonderful already when I visited for the first time, and I feel it's becoming more beautiful all the time. :)
    Your flowers are lovely... and everything made of rhubarb is so delicious.
    The unusually hard frost killed my bigger lavenders, so no flowers this year, but fortunately the small seedlings seem to have survived.
    Have a lovely new week!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Beautiful...all of your blooms. And I'm wishing I could try a slice of your rhubarb bar right about now!


    My thoughts and prayers have been with Vee this past week. What a hard journey to walk down!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Thought I'd give this recipe a try Lorrie but need a bit of help translating it. ...Can you tell me what weight half a cup of butter would be ? I am guessing it might be quarter of a pound ? (125 grams or 4 oz ). The flowers are lovely. Finally some cool weather here.

    ReplyDelete
  46. I loved seeing your beautiful flowers Lorrie. Peony is one that I don't have and I love them, but didn't have the room for one. The recipe looks delicious. Wishing you a beautiful week ahead.

    ReplyDelete
  47. That recipe looks fantastic, always interesting to find new ways of using up the rhubarb

    ReplyDelete
  48. Lorrie, your photos are stunning. Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog regarding Vee, she has so many blogging friends who are upholding her in prayer.

    I want to explore more of your sewing posts, and paper as well, if there's two things I enjoy - it's fabric and paper. Blessings to you dear one. ~ Abby

    ReplyDelete
  49. Saying a prayer for Vee's husband.
    Your flowers and peeling patina are all beautiful. How I love the soft pink of the peonies, the rose and lavender too.

    ReplyDelete
  50. gorgeous blooms, what a colorful post. i love flowers. ( :
    have a lovely week!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comment. I read and value each one, cherishing the connections we can make although far apart. Usually, I visit your blog in return, although if you ask a question I try to contact you directly.

A Wander Through my Mind

  Nothing is so beautiful as Spring -  When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush; Gerard Manley Hopkins When I opened my bedroom...