loss in the garden

Every season the garden teaches me something.  Whether it be patience, perseverance or simply to be still, I always come away changed from what unfolds.  This season has brought about some loss in my garden.  The biggest loss to swallow is my maple that is in the center of my shade bed in the front garden.

  I began to notice that large branches were dying and with this being the second year that it has not produced seeds I knew that something was wrong.  After consulting with an arborist we have come to learn that one of my favorite trees in our garden has girdle root which means that 20 something years ago when this tree was planted someone most likely planted it incorrectly by leaving it in its metal basket.  The roots are basically suffocating the tree by wrapping themselves around itself instead of growing outward.

I will miss the change of seasons with this tree and all of the memories that have come with it.  When my son was born I would look out his window into its canopy on cold November days as I fed him in his room.  Its brilliant autumn color when the beans were headed out to go trick-or-treating will be missed as well.  Yes,  I am mourning my tree.  Comes with the territory of life.  Nothing is permanent and we all have to adjust our sails to the changes that come.

So you shift and get busy heading in a different direction.  Or as Liz Taylor would say....

Though I don't wear much lipstick I do think this quote is fantastic and so it has been my mission the last few days to walk around my imperfect space to look for beauty.

 {my newly planted Oenothera tetragona by my bird statue}

 {quick combo...Campanula and Foam Flower}

{My new shrub Calycanthus Floridus....Allspice is beginning to bloom brilliantly}

 {long view of the back bed as it unfolds this spring}

 {golden rod, phlox, butterfly weed, roses and sedum filling in and getting ready to bloom...almost covering utility box...finally!}

 {Rambling Red climbing rose and Hyacinth Bean which is an annual vine to fill this season as the rose grows}

{the little guy cutting lettuce for dinner}


Beauty elsewhere

{a visit to the arboretum}

And today we went down to visit some family and enjoy the farmers market.  So many organic farmers selling their beautiful vegetables and plants.  And whatever your stance is or isn't on GMOS,  any crop that is sprayed with crap is bad for the Earth and all who inhabit it....bottom line.  

and to take in a little of this....

my brother entertaining the whole market with his tunes...

{photo taken by my lovely sister}

John Till Music

My tree was special.  The garden is ever changing as nature is.  It's our job to keep on going and seek out the beauty.

I hope that whatever your garden, whether it be a window box or a farm, that you pass on your love of it to just one person.  Together our seeds will transform the future.

Pass on the garden folks and make it a great weekend!  

Happy Growing!  

designing

When I was a little kid I would spend hours drawing houses and gardens.  Nothing has changed when it comes to this.  If I'm on a walk, I am constantly looking at peoples' yards and thinking about what plants I would add to their space to enhance it.  That is until one of the beans runs off and I am on the chase!  I'm currently working on a few design projects for people that have been keeping me busy at night.  This one is in the works right now....

 

I look for inspiration everywhere.  Colors and textures in interior spaces.....

Magazines when sitting in waiting rooms...

Simple things like messy easter eggs....

And music, there must be music!  Benny Goodman has been playing while I work....

All and all it has been a pretty busy start to spring.

Just wanted to check in and wish you all a creative week with bits of inspiration along the way!   

Happy Making, Baking, and Growing!  

MAKING Mondays.....a bit like fall

Well, it's not officially fall yet but you would never know it by the temperatures we have been having in these parts!  It has been chilly!!!!  The slow cooker has been running and homemade bread is back in the oven baking.  On days like these I like to sit back and listen to a bit of this...

And when I'm not listening to a bit of that I like to start adding touches of the season to cozy up our little home.  I had seen some Halloween villages in some magazines and thought it would be cute if I made my own for above the coat hooks.  Just black construction paper and tape.

I have a thing for plaid!  After I sewed this pillow my son helped me stuff it and he is so very proud of it!

My fondness for vintage bird prints comes from my grandma.  I was able to track some down HERE for a reasonable price and then just framed them up for the mantle.

And the backyard construction is making progress! Have a look out the kitchen window.....

Not done but we have somewhere to sit now!  

Happy making, baking, and growing friends!  

Floral Fridays.....

The theme for Floral Friday this month was to choose a favorite garden quote.  This one resonates deeply with me......

via~ Rindy Mae

Life isn't always easy.  I read a quote once that said that bloggers blow sunshine at one another and I had to chuckle a bit.  I guess we do do that but then I really started to think about it and came to my own conclusion.  I think we collectively like to find the beauty in life even when the days are dark.  A good trait among us if I do say so myself!

As September sets in I can feel the change in my garden.  Plants are dying back, seed pods are forming and my annuals are carrying the color in most places.  Little signs that the new season is upon us.

 {Turtlehead-Chelone obliqua}

I miss the newness of my garden but if I've learned one thing in life it's to embrace where you're at.  Change is bound to come.  To have bits of beauty in your life to lift the soul along the way is a pretty awesome thing.  So with that, I leave you with a song about change....

Blind Melon...Change

Make it a great one!

Floral Friday is a monthly photography project with different themes each month. This series is about fun and taking time out to smell the flowers. To play along next time, please email Trishie for next month's theme.

number five...a trip to the mountains

So we checked off number five from our summer list.  A trip to the mountains with the beans.  We just got home from Wyoming and it was an adventure!  Can it really be called anything less when traveling with three children under the age of five!  I think the trick to traveling with kids is looking for those magical moments and realizing that being on a vacation doesn't mean you won't have melt downs, whining and tired kids.  

So with the expect nothing and appreciate everything approach (my new life mantra!)  we had an outstanding trip!   Targhee Fest is a music festival that was introduced to us by my family who journeyed out last year.  They had such a wonderful time we decided to head out with them this time around.  A small festival with kid friendly activities.  Craft cabin, swimming, horseback riding, euro jumping, and the great outdoors!    

{so much wildlife and this lady hanging by the side of the road}

{my bean and her cousin front row for the show}

 {playing with rocks}

{the guys tent}

{simple combination....lady's mantle, catmint, poppies, and creeping jenny}

{an awesome dad taking his beans for a hike}

{some of my family kicking back}

It was worth the trip!

Happy making, baking, and growing this week folks!