You know how sometimes in life, you do things and you don't really know why, but you just have to do them?
Until one day, sometimes years later, the reason is revealed?
And you say to your self, wow, it's because I did a plus b, that now I am here at wonderful c.
That is how I feel outside in the garden these days.
All that hard work.
Swollen feet and ankles, and fractured foot that took 1.5 years to heal, and hives and swollen wrist, and splinters and sunburns, and aching feet and digging all the live long days.
Plus, toil toil toil.
Now...
Now I have a sanctuary to hide in, when days get busy and overwhelming.
So many flowers pouring over.
And all that hard work, so truly paid off.
And, it's the garden that has been such a wonderful place to take breaks in, during this last week that I have been so busy.
Finishing up art, sending it off.
A small handful of deadlines, being wrapped up.
Some in photos, some written, some in art.
Making art to ship off, that I shall see again in the fall...
Hunkering down to get it all done in time.
Glue not drying fast enough, me wanting to deep clean the office in the middle of all of it.
Scrubbing floors, washing curtains.
Mica flakes strewn about like fairy dust.
And then finally, I allow myself the time to clip roses.
One by one...
Slowly, meticulously, cutting the thorns off.
So happy rose season is here.
So sad it goes by so fast.
Holding on to each morsel.
Celebrating 12 April's ago, when I went on my first weekend of mystery and heart palpitations, with Mister Lovee.
Busy busy bee.
And then I take a stroll.
The arbor out front is bursting as well.
Where white climbing roses, meet pink ones, oh my!
Please last, please last.
The crazy wind knocks them about.
I stand under the fragrant arbor.
Just stand, for a long time.
Never wanting to move.
Wanting to bottle up the moment.
In that place where pink meets white.
Feeling full of heart as I stroll about.
And a bit drained too.
But only in that very wonderful way, when you are so pleased to have finished some good projects.
Here's one more shot of the climbing roses around the gallery.
I think this might be as many as will be open at one time?
Although I do see more buds out there.
My mom commented on how wonderfully they climbed about - but I forgot to say that I did help them out. It was easy, and you can do it too.
Last year I spent lots of time on a ladder trimming, and tying branches up with twine, to guide them on their climb.
It was quite simple.
Oh yes, and in case you were wondering, I planted those rose vines 3 years ago.
They were really pretty last year too, but exploded this year.
So, 3 short years will bring you good love in the garden.
Plant now, plant now ;)
Also, the grape vine is doing beautifully, so I nabbed some leaves and made dolmades last night.
A quick blanching, some stuffing, roll up - yumm.
There is a lot going on in the veggie garden out back too.
However, I took these photos a handful of days ago, and in that time things have flourished ever so much more.
The arugula flowered, and will do its wonderful good job at self seeding.
Such a good plant, if you love eating arugula, I recommend it.
I love a plant that lushly self seeds.
There has been a mad world of bees out there in the arugula blossoms.
Ever so many.
Love those bees.
Also, the strawberry roots I got from my neighbor man last year exploded this year.
Sooooo many strawberries on the way.
At least 300.
But a really really plump mouse lives out there, so here's hoping he doesn't get them before me.
Wish I could send some of these petals over the waves...
I am back, and ready for some mischief.
What about you?
(I am still doodling, I hope you are too)
Love, V