The anticipation of the unfurling of flower petals is incredible to me. It is so exciting, so wondrous. So many people ask me about my garden obsession. The why and how of it all...?
If you are garden obsessed, growing things obsessed, then you totally get it.
There is a vast well of hope, of something to look forward to. There is a filler of voids, a sort of satisfaction in digging in dirt, planting a seed, watering it, nourishing it. And then, it grows, and gifts flowers or edibles - and there is this feeling about your garden, that you can't expect anyone to share with you.
A secret feeling.
All started from a small seed.
A tiny specimen creates great life.
Amazing stuff.
The garden beckoned me in when I was 19, and I have not looked back.
I have not tired of it.
I love it more than ever.
Your own garden creates something in you that is hard to share or explain.
Not even Mister Lovee, who loves our garden, shares the awe and overwhelming joy I feel when I see the first flower buds emerge, after months and months and years and years of hard work and hope for a lovely space to act as your own secret garden.
To me, it is like this special little cell of immense beauty, when seeing what you worked so hard at come to life. And, the only person you can share the entire steps of the experience with - from seed, to breaking through the soil, to nurturing and caring for, to full grown plant - is with yourself really.
And, with the plants themselves.
Although, if you are very lucky, you might find a friend or two who wants to stroll through your garden with you, and let you bore them with all your gardening tales, haha!
The awakening of the garden lures me in.
Everyday I wake up early to see what is going on.
Everyday something new.
Although...
Rabbit damage always brings tears of frustration.
But, that goes away quickly, if they didn't get it all -
And, that show of spring roses begins.
That magical once a year thing.
Once a year, in spring...
It begins.
First the climbers, and next will be the 30 year old rose bushes.
But for now, it's the climbers that I planted last year.
I tended them all winter - and it is paying off.
Even the 3 year old climbing roses around the gallery have taken off (below).
After years of gophers destroying anything I plant in this area, there is life growing.
Oh, cross your fingers.
There is life.
One thing I will confess is -
I am not great at doing something now, that I will reap benefits from in the future. I have such a hard time with that.
An immensely hard time with it, what about you?
I am sort of a spur of the moment kind of girl.
In fall I decided I would plant all sorts of bulbs and tubers and scatter about wildflower seeds and poppy seeds.
Do things early.
Follow the rules for success.
So, I did.
Maybe it is impatience that makes it hard for me to sit and wait until spring?
I am not sure.
But I did it this time.
And boy, did I learn lessons.
Not just about the garden, but about all sorts of things in life.
Do those things that won't give results for months and months.
Just do them.
And one day, in the future, you will be so glad of it.
You will be giddy glad.
And so, I planted my ranunculus tubers in November...
And we have had all sorts of waves of ranunculus.
So pretty and delicate.
Then there are all the wildflower seeds below.
Strewn about everywhere.
Watered through winter.
And now, now we wait for the flowers to emerge as the big bushels of green have gotten huge and strong over winter.
And slowly, they emerge.
And perennials, oh glorious perennials!
Self seeding too.
Paths and whole entire areas covered in wild sweet smelling precious chamomile.
The sweetest candy like scent I have ever inhaled.
Not to mention the older citrus trees, and their intoxicating scents.
The eldest of the orange trees, enveloping the entire street with its intense perfumed flowers.
And now.
Now the days of 90'F weather, and nights of swinging.
Night of singing while Mister Lovee plays his guitar, whilst swinging.
Nights that are so cool you need a shawl, but not cold at all.
Nights where the orange trees, and the jasmine, and the gardenia, and the freesia, and the lemon trees leave you tipsy with their aroma.
It was a night sort of like this, only in autumn, that brought us to be a part of something lovely.
Have you heard of Mingle Magazine?
It is simply beautiful.
So inspiring, with so many different types of parties and event inspirations.
We were lucky enough to be asked to be a part of the current issue.
Our 2011 Halloween party in the garden is on a few of the pages...
And oh, it makes me so excited that we get to have autumn again in several months, along with Halloween again! Oh, it is so exciting, isn't it?
Halloween time?
Summer days are grand, and to be savored.
But it doesn't hurt to think about what you'd like to do in the next Halloween season does it?
Summer is a great time to start holiday crafting, because all of a sudden, the holidays hit like a tidal wave. And I for one, never feel prepared.
The magazine touches on all sorts of holidays and events, and is packed with beautiful photos...
Oh, sigh....
Oh, yes please!
I would love to host a little event like the one below!
Summer berries and more!!
You can get your own copy of Mingle Magazine right here.
(or find it at your local book or craft store)
We are so delighted to be a part of it.
So much fun!
I am dreaming of making strawberry treats now, you?
I am so excited for spring and summer, and the annual Mad Tea Party at the end of June.
I love the buzz the Mad Tea Party creates in my little hope chest of inspiration.
Planning, and thinking, and spring, and gardens, and berries, and....
Oh, what a good time it is.
A good time indeed.
A time to savor.
A time to jump into a great big vat of gooey delicious revived excitement and inspiration.
Spring time, the only ring a ding time....
Birds sing, in spring, a ring a ding ;)
Love, V
ps: The 3 little egg head recipients are....
(by random number generator)
Sheila Novara
Sarah from Circles of Rain
and Carol Mc
Hoooray you lovely gals!!!
I e-mailed you girls the details ;)
