beauty and the thief

There is a thief lurking in our backyard and he isn't afraid to strike when people are around!  Mr. Nutkin (the squirrel) as we like to call him, is notorious for taking toys, plants, you name it.  Yesterday one of the beans left a water cup by the tree and Mr. Nutkin picked it up in his mouth and jumped up over the shed with it.  All the while we were chasing and having our words with him.  But nothing shakes this guy!  The most disappointing thing he has gotten away with were my "Bluesette" dahlias.  I was looking forward to seeing these bloom as they are a smaller variety of dahlia and I thought they would compliment the front of the border in the back.  

Luckily he didn't get away with these.....   

"Cafe au Lait"

Ahhh don't flowers make everything alright?!?!  

Happy Making, Baking, and Growing Friends!!!

moving moments...

I can tell you one thing....life is rolling on down the road.  Things are shifting and changing around every bend and I am just trying to soak it in before the moments move on.  The house is in flux, 2 out of 3 beans will be in school soon, the back garden is under construction with plants being moved to new homes.  Nothing earth shattering...just the stuff that makes you aware of how fast it moves and to give thanks for what you have.  

GARDEN MOMENTS

the evolution of a little bare patch that has found some new amigos 

{Goat's Beard, Knotweed, Creeping Jenny, coral bells, Wild Ginger, Ligularia}

{Balloon Flower}

{painted fern, Japanese Forest Grass, Solomon Seal,}

{phlox and butterfly weed}

 {Goldenrod}

 {Lungwort and Montrose White Catmint}

 {ornamental onion}

 {Joe Pye Weed}

{Shasta Daisy}

HOUSE MOMENTS

our little pad is finding its groove

{Before}

{and now}

ART MOMENTS
a collection of pieces

a sketch of a painting about to be started...folk art inspired

BEAN MOMENTS

my dirt lovers looking at a bug

Here is to a week of creating and finding beauty in the little things.

Thanks for being awesome!

Linking up with....Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop & Creative Country Mom's Garden Party.....thanks for the feature!

happies

some happy for the week....

Being inspired by my friend Amy over at her lovely blog Love Made My Home to start diving into yarn.  There are many joys in her space and working with yarn is one of them.  Her most recent stunning creation is this blanket....

It has pushed me to work harder at crochet as it is my goal to one day make one like this!  

My only wish is that she lived closer so that we could sit and work together!

This book....

The Layered Garden by David Culp.  I won this book in a giveaway at my friend Jason's blog, Garden In A City.  I have not been able to put it down as the inspiration is mesmerizing as is Jason's garden!

I wish I had a picture for this story but I don't....just trust me on this one.  I have mentioned before that we have crazy squirrels in our yard.  Well when looking for the beans' sand shovel my husband just happened to look up and there it was.  50 feet up in our old ash tree.  Just sitting on a branch.  Ha!  We all just stood there (neighbors included) with our mouths open!

This happy window....

Teaching my bean to weave on our homemade cardboard loom...

some of my summer pots...

shade scene...

whimsical planter...

new favorite perennial for foliage..

Golden Japanese Spikenard

favorite annual of the season...

Oxalis Fireglow

veggie eating in the garden

my sweet girl has a talent for bouquets

Hope that your weekend is full of happy little things....be back soon to share a garden treat with you!!!

Around the World Blog Hop....

I was thrilled to be invited to participate in the Around the World Blog Hop this week by my friends Jennifer and Elaina.  Coming from these ladies, I felt beyond honored! Jennifer's blog Thistlebear is a refreshing place to visit as she creates a handmade home that to me, is reminiscent of the past.   Her makings and everyday doings with her children show her love for the simple beauties in life.  Elaina's blog,  A Little Bit Country  is one that I have admired for many years now.   She shares her journey of life in the countryside of New Zealand where she is raising her crew.  She is a collector of all things vintage and Elaina has her hand in everything from baking to gardening. 

1.  What am I working on

Like all the makers out there I can never keep my mind on one thing.  As soon as I start one project I have one in the back of my mind brewing.  With gardening magazines on my nightstand and inspiration photos in a pile waiting to be hung on my inspiration board, I have yet to master the art of focus!  Obviously the garden is first on the list as there are always plants to be fed and beds to weed!

I'm also working on accomplishing activities with the beans from our summer list.   Our 2014 art show was a success.  Family members came over for the show and the beans made sure everyone had a cookie and lemonade.  It was a memorable day for them.

Beyond the beans and the garden I am completing our new work room little by little.  I have a box on our shelf with projects in process.

They include....2 Christmas ornaments, a scarf that I am crocheting and a sketch of a painting that will be started soon

2.  How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I'm still unsure of what genre I fit into.  Obviously the garden is a large part of my space here so I will take it from that stance first.  I differ from most other garden bloggers mainly because I am only about 7 years into this garden while most of my other gardening pals have been at their space for 15 years or more.  My space is still evolving as I have 3 little beans helping me along as I go.

The front garden...

Coneflower, Balloon flower, Coreopsis (Moonbeam), and Lamb's Ear

Blazing Star

Anise Hyssops (blue fortune), Geranium (Rozanne), Yarrow (Saucy Seduction)

As far as the other genres that I'm passionate about, I feel they could all use a bit more refining and attention.  I have loved fabrics and yarn since I was a child sewing and stitching pictures at my grandmother's house.  It has only been now that I have made a commitment to start journeying into  some of those areas as I am inspired daily by those of you who create with these mediums.

3.  Why do I write/create what I do?

Why do I create....hmmm...I think that it's just in my makeup.  I have been creating and sketching since I was a child.  In college I studied painting and went on to teach.  I write because I create.  And I publish this blog to connect with people I would otherwise not be able to meet.  This blog has been one of the most inspiring experiences in my creative process.  To not only have an outlet to share and get feedback but to learn from so many creative bloggers  has completely enriched my life.

4.  How does my writing/creating process work?

I will be honest with you, I have no process.  With 3 little ones to chase after and 2 more during the school year that I watch in my home, I create and write when I can.  My mom has always given me journals as gifts since I was a small child.  These contain drawings and sketches of garden bed ideas, future paintings, and lists of projects that I would like to accomplish.  I also have a visual inspiration board with fabrics, prints, garden photos and whatever else keeps my mind in line with creating.     

So without further ado I would like to pass on this Blog Hop to a few of the MANY bloggers that I admire...  

(Bloggers if you decide to participate please post the week of July 14th)

Beatrice Euphemie

Rindy Mae

What Catey Made Next

Up the Garden Path

The Mossy Cottage

Bead and Needle

Feather and Nest

Ramblings From Rosebank

Happy making, baking, and growing!