It's kinda been a really neat week. In-between normal life duties I've been running into the most interesting people. Take the shop I stopped into on Monday. The salesclerk and I just started chatting and wouldn't you know that she is setting up a local garden walk. I gave her some information about permaculture and she was so excited that she wants to do a workshop about it at her event. When visiting the nursery I struck up a conversation with a nice woman as I was loading the beans into the car. She asked if we could use a log cabin doll house that she was going to donate to Goodwill. I said YES and then we continued to talk about the nature school she works at and how she keeps bees. Then there was my kind neighbor who has gotten me into essential oils. There are many uses for these plant derived oils and after soccer practice this week she gave me a large reference book so that I can learn more about how to use the oils. And then there was the nice couple who walked by when I was outside gardening and let my bean play with their dogs. They gave me some tips for keeping chickens as they have a few and told me where to get our permit and how to set things up.
There have been a few more things but I think you catch my drift! It was like everywhere I turned people were talking about what they were doing to get back to nature. Making more conscious choices in their everyday lives to do better. Pretty cool eh?
My favorite part about stepping into the spring garden is seeing growth. When I can divide a plant or create a new bed that's when the magic sets in. I'm still cleaning up beds, laying compost, and tearing out grass to widen different areas. Our peas and lettuce are coming up and I finished laying all the brick for my back garden border. This week I have been planting shrubs in different beds for more interest as I wait "patiently" to plant veggies, flower seeds and dahlia tubers.
Shrubs that have gone in....
Calycanthus Floridus...Allspice
~known for its large waterlily like blooms~
via-Fine Gardening
Clethra Alnifolia, North American native “Sweet Pepperbush"
~attracts bees and butterflies~
Itea Virginica "Little Henry-Sweetspire"
~small shrub for mixed borders ~
via-Fine Gardening
Ninebark "Amber Jubilee"
~chosen for its striking foliage~
I hope that whatever the season...you're enjoying the beauty that comes with it. Have a great weekend folks!
Wow, it didn't take long for the flowers to catch up there. That is wonderful! It is great to meet people who can share their interests and expertise but you definitely had a lucky streak. But you also seem to be the type of person who can strike up a conversation easily so I'm sure you'll meet many more generous people while out and about. I hope you have a great weekend with your family!!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it crazy how serendipitous life can be?!? Your post on permaculture really resonated with me and I'm talking about it to a co worker and she was telling about a bee keeping course at our local college. Then there's chickens! Everyday I am reading and hearing more about people reconnecting with Mother Nature. I read there are 13 millennials growing in some way , goid in their homes, apts... Etc. I think it is a very exciting and encouraging movement! I love the new shrubs you are planting! It is a great time of year! We are still cleaning up beds , and replanning our garden. Oh man! You sure have inspired me to carry on!! Have a super weekend my friend. Chris
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm so glad spring has sprung for you!!! And it sounds like for everyone else in town, too! I love all your new shrubs and can't wait to see all the brick you slaved over. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've had a wonderful week meeting like minded people. That always makes life sweet. I love the plans for your garden and also seeing your current Spring flowers. I learned something new on your blog today. I've long had a bush (now grown into a "tree") and it looks very much like the Itea Virginica in bloom. I will google it to be sure. I've long wondered what kind of bush it was as I inherited it and the few people I've asked about it didn't know what it was. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteWow - you have had a run of good luck with interesting people. Your flowers are gorgeous, as are some of your new shrubs. I love the Amber Jubilee; such a gorgeous colour. We wanted a maple to bring some of that delicious autumn colour to a spot near our dining room ............ we should definitely have done more research! We thought we were safe picking one called 'Crimson King' - unfortunately, the leaves are very dark, almost black and in the Autumn it sat there like some Gothic bat tree! It also seems to be thriving, so I haven't the heart to move it! Have fun with those essential oils. xx
ReplyDeleteIt's so inspiring and encouraging when you meet people who are into the same things and who are living the good life isn't it. That's what I like about the internet as well, the opportunity to discover people who have similar interests. Gorgeous spring flowers, and so lovely to see the beans outside in the sunshine. I hope you all have a really good weekend Nicole. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteLovely collection of flowers . Such special beauty in the spring.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to find like minded people, even amongst our friends, when it comes to the idea of 'getting back to nature for our future benefit. but, I still am encouraged to hear that you're doing better than we do,,, somehow, I know we're not really alone. Let's keep making our garden:)
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to see all of your beautiful flowers!! The photos are stunning too, so great that everything is growing and flowering again!!! xx
ReplyDeleteIsn't that amazing meeting all of those people? you have so many plants that are growing in my garden too. I have pink pulonaria, and the one with the white speckled leaves with blue flowers (what is that?) I divided mine last year and now have a good spread of it. Good to catch up. Thanks for always dropping by. Jo x
ReplyDeleteMorning Nicole! How fun to bump into the interesting folks throughout your week. Awesome to receive a log cabin doll house. I love your beautiful photos and the children's artwork. One of our homes was in the woods beside a creek and calycanthus (what we refer to as sweet shrub) grew wild. My late mom told me that when she was in college in the '40's that she and her classmates would drop a blossom into their camisole for perfume! In our present home, John and I planted a calycanthus last fall. Hope it does well. I wish you and your sweet family a blessed weekend. xoxo
ReplyDeleteYes very cool! and a log cabin doll house sounds awesome. You will enjoy learning all about essential oils-I love them Lavender is my favorite as it has so many uses and can be placed directly on the skin instead of mixing in a carrier oil. I keep lavender eo in my kitchen at all times-for burns-amazing fast healer for any kitchen burn
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend!
Your tulips! OH, I love tulips! I love talking to like-minded people. It's always so encouraging.
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks so amazing. It is funny how the right person arrives at the perfect time with the perfect words. I thank that is so much fun. I hope you know that you brightened the day of all of those people, they were blessed to have passed by you at the perfect time.
ReplyDeleteMeredith
What a great week you've had :-) I love looking at what you are getting up to in your garden, very inspiring! Have a great weekend! Xx
ReplyDeleteI have a bottle of essential lavender oil by my desk at work and when I feel stressed a open the lid and breathe deep. It's funny because some of my coworkers have seen me do this and now when they are stressed they will walk into my office and say where is your bottle of lavender....I need a sniff...LOL. Your garden is looking beautiful Nicole. Happy gardening lass. xo
ReplyDeleteI love the serendipity of meeting just the people you need to meet at the right time.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend in the garden!
SO inspiring...I wish ANYTHING grew here! Heavy SIGH! Happy weekend, dear friend! XOXO
ReplyDeleteGreat selection of shrubs. I have not grown these except for the Clethra, though that has not done too well for me. I also really enjoy watching the plants come back - they grow so fast once they get going.
ReplyDeleteIt is always a lovely day when you meet a like-minded soul. Love the new plants you have put in, I haven't see any of these in New Zealand before.
ReplyDeleteLovely selection of new shrubs! Seeing this whoosh of growth in Spring is always such a joy!
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole, That was a great week! It does seem like more people are getting back to nature...a good thing. A couple of my friends mix and use essential oils. One made a mix for my daughter for fibromyalgia and it works well.......honestly, nature is full of what we need without making a mess of the environment....ooops....I'm ranting! All your blooms look great. It is fun to see everything pop out of the ground and get bigger everyday! Happy Gardening!
ReplyDeleteVery nice ! I very much like the 2nd photo !
ReplyDeleteIsn't it lovely when you unexpectedly connect with people? The tulips are so pretty :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great week you had!! I think if you are excited and content with who you are and what you're doing, you're more likely to share about it. I hope you get those chickens soon! They certainly liven up your yard!! I wanted to let you know I used the children's book, Zinnia's Flower Garden, you highlighted about a month ago when I presented at our Early Childhood Center. It was such a hit (I left a paperback copy for them) I even made it into their yearbook!!! So much fun! Love you beautiful garden photography, your plantings are so pretty. Have a wonderful week, Friend!!
ReplyDeleteisn't it lovely to meet nice people with interesting stories to share and get connected?
ReplyDeleteyour garden looks so pretty. and look at those colours on the flowers!
First I have to say you have some wonderful new shrubs planted in your garden, super. And what about that week, you were so lucky to meet so many interesting people in one week, these are the little things that make us happy.
ReplyDeleteWish you a happy new gardening week!
Thanks for the reminder that there is still so much sweetness in life.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, spring! SO EXCITING!!
ReplyDeleteSo many wonderful things to look forward to. Your photos are lovely. I had to smile when I saw you'd planted the 'Spice Bush'. I remember the HUGE one that used to be in my great aunt's garden. What a wonderful scent! Good luck with all your projects. Hugs to the beans. X
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole.
ReplyDeleteLovely that you met and spoke to so many interesting people and learned some new things too. I love your shrub choices - hope they do well for you. Lovely photos of your spring flowers. Have a great week my friend.
Sounds like you've been running into some pretty great likeminded folks this past week Nicole! Very cool indeed! And how lovely to see your happy beans and your garden blooming. There is so much to be happy about this time of year. I have gotten into using essential oils as well. I'm still learning but they are awesome and have so many practical applications. The microdermabrasion scrub I'm using is surprisingly gentle and yes it is supposed to lessen dark spots with continued use which is something I need. I don't know if you saw it, but there is one included in the green beauty giveaway I'm currently hosting. Hope you're enjoying a marvelous Sunday and have a fab new week my dear friend!
ReplyDeleteRowena @ rolala loves
That is wonderful when you connect with people like that...and so much beauty in the garden....love the shrub selection Nicole...and of course the beans!
ReplyDeleteVery, very beautiful! I would love wander around in a garden like that. Love those books! I am going to to put the Be a Friend to Trees book on hold at our library. :) Thank you.
ReplyDeletesounds and looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHello Nicole, have just found your blog. Lovely to see what you're up to. I'm very new to blogging (about gardening and family life on the Kent coats in England), so it's great to read others and peek through these windows into other lives. Spring is indeed a very uplifting and exciting time in the garden. I want to be outdoors all the time (but I have chores to do!). Best wishes, Sam
ReplyDeletehooray for serendipitous meetings! and the flower photos are so lovely :)
ReplyDeletelovely new plants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletehave a nice week,
love and hugs regina
I am quite shy when it comes to people I don't know, but hubby might well be voted the man who would most likely talk to a complete stranger. He strikes up a conversation on the slightest provocation. People always remember him, were as I seem to be forgettable. LOL Your garden is coming along so nicely and won't the new additions be nice. Great shots by the way!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how many interesting people we can really get to know if we step out of our boxes and just strike up a conversation. Good for you! Those flowers are spring at it's finest!
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to hear that so many people in your community are doing their part. It sounds like a very nice place where you live. I always enjoy seeing photos around your house and property. Your flowers are looking beautiful! You have fantastic variety and it all looks so healthy. I'm excited that you might be getting chickens! I love having them. I'm no expert, but if I can be helpful, please ask me anything. I hope you're having a good week so far, Nicole! :)
ReplyDeleteNicole your photos are inspiring as usual but, the way you were open to interaction with people, is even more so. Love it how the woman gave you the log cabin doll house. So sweet.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of you while I was trying a few things in our yard. Planted an arborvitae and it was quite the feat for me. :)
It is amazing how sometimes we meet the right people at just the right time. :o) Love your new shrubs! Shoot me an email with more info about your dry shade areas and I'll give you some suggestions. :o)
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are so beautiful. I love the same thing about Spring - all that wonderful new growth in the garden
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers! I really like it. Earth day every day, I love it! Go green friend, happy gardening!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great week!! Sounds like there is a lot of good energy around you!
ReplyDeleteCiao!! Che belli quegli arbusti!!! Complimenti davvero! L'Itea virginica è bellissima! Non la conoscevo proprio, grazie per queste immagini e per tutte queste nuove idee :)
ReplyDeleteUn saluto :)
Sounds like a super week - leave warm fuzzies doesn't it? loving all the spring garden growth and blooms too... so much happy! hope you're having a great week this week too xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a good week and as for the log cabin dolls house, well I bet the beans will be chuffed with that! I use lavender eo in the girls' bath to calm them down before bed and tea tree oil in the water for any cuts and scrapes. xx
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to run into friendly like-minded people. :-)
ReplyDeleteYour spring flowers are just beautiful! Thanks for sharing. ♥
Hi, Nicole! Goodness. Where did the winter go? Life got in the way and I haven't visited my blogs for months so thought I'd hop over and say hi.Your photos are just beautiful!. Thank you for sharing them and your stories of kind people. They are all around us, but you sure couldn't tell that from the news. Wish I could share some perennials with you-I don't like them when they get too big. Enjoy the rest of this gorgeous week!
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole! The first photo that really caught my eye was the kids on the "play sand" ... so cute ;) Your flowers are coming up so nicely, and everything looks so healthy and lush! Spring has more meaning to me these past two years after these particularly hard winters we've been having. I love your choices for the new plantings. Can't wait to see how all this comes together too. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteWendy
Dear Nicole, I enjoyed peaking into your spring garden! You bought some really interesting shrubs, most of them completely new to me. My favorite is the Sweet Pepperbush, the blooms are just too beautiful. Wishing you a great weekend with good weather to be able to be outside in the garden!
ReplyDeleteChristina
These are lovely photos, and thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAhhh, your garden is so rich! And I find it great idea to mix in some books for the little ones. :)
ReplyDeleteps. I want that Itea Virginica
Oh spring is looking so lovely Nicole. And yah for meeting like minded/thoughtful people on your travels, makes the world seem a smaller and more hopeful place doesn't it :)
ReplyDeleteIts always wonderful to find warm people that you can talk with. Lovely photos im still working in the Garden too. Happy Monday have a wonderful new week. Thank you for your dear visits with love Janice
ReplyDeleteLove your garden Nichole and your teaching of your children about nature and earth day. SO lovely to see :)
ReplyDeleteHappy spring..seed sowing..and growing :)
How fun you made all those connections! I love meeting new people! Essential oils are awesome, I currently don't have any but I want some! I think you will love them especially with little ones. Have a wonderful week Nicole!
ReplyDeleteLovely post, I am happy for you and your sinchronicity with the Universe. Very nice photos as well!
ReplyDeleteI always like to hear from you so I was thinking that if you would like to be more in touch we could exchange facebook? this is mine, feel free to send a friend request or not :)
https://www.facebook.com/lluisa.montiel
Have a lovely week!
Lluisa xoxo