Succulent Wreath

Practicing for my upcoming Succulent Wreath Mini-Retreat at the Botanic Gardens.

Stonehaven

All my Philly plans got canceled due to sickness but I couldn't change the flight so Mom graciously drove us up north. Carol was out of town but we stopped by to see Uli and wander around the glorious gardens for about an hour.




Our old house! This is the home where the boys were babies and toddlers. Owen was conceived here, and the night I went into labor I remember standing in my garden under a full moon, breathing in the sweetness of the flowers between contractions. Daniel started his first "real" job as a doctor, and I used to walk across the stream and through the woods to teach at Eastern. So many memories.

Desert blooms

The desert was alive with spring blooms.

Gorgeous!

Spring in the garden

These babies are tough! We had not one but two late-April snowstorms, after they'd already started blooming. The poor daffodils were bowed to the ground under the weight of the slush and snow. After each snowstorm, I watched with amazement as little by little they lifted themselves out of the snow--a little battered, a little bruised--and perked right back up.

winter pinks (not blues)

When the days are short and dark and I want to hibernate like a big old bear, it's so lovely to have something green and fresh growing quietly in the house. 

Flowering quince branches. They were propped in a bucket at the flower store and I couldn't resist them. They've been blooming for weeks now.

Amaryllis. They never get old.

i thank You God for most this amazing

day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees

and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything

which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,

and this is the sun’s birthday; this is the birth

day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay

great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing

breathing any–lifted from the no

of all nothing–human merely being

doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and

now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

e.e. cummings

1894-1962

and now one for me

I gave away my little 6x6 (to a student who couldn't come to the class last minute due to a critically ill sister). Today I finished assembling my demo 8x10 frame and tucked in these beauties. Now I'll have something lovely to commemorate the day.  

split open

The succulents on top of the coop have been blooming fiercely. This pink one got so heavy the plant split open. I worried it might die, but it looks like all the stalks are stretching out and sprouting new roots.

This is pretty much how I feel right now.

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

~Anais Nin

good things

Check out the beautiful meditation sand tray (and teensy little rake) that Daniel made. It's so fun to play with.

Gourmet dinner in 30 minutes: grilled frozen garlic naan bread (from Trader Joe's) topped with lemon-olive oil grilled chicken & red onions, fresh figs, blue cheese, and rosemary. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Every other night this week it's been cereal or frozen ravioli. So don't be too impressed.

Mother's Day weekend

What a special day! A nice sleep-in, flowers, church, cards and banners, gifts from my mom and Katie, and a delicious brunch. Plus my letter K succulent planter and a book holder Daniel made. 

Best of all, these crazy semi-tamed animals!

On Saturday we worked in the yard and Daniel made my letter K planter. (These photos were taken by Owen.)

On Sunday, a SNOWSTORM!

It was still snowing this morning. The kids and I couldn't brave the roads or weirdly wintry weather, so we stayed home. It's noon and we're all still in our PJs! Ah. The poor garden, though. All the tree branches are so heavy with snow they're almost touching the ground. One of the neighbors' trees even fell over our fence. Here's hoping the plants and seeds make it.

the letter K

Especially with my upcoming summer class at the Makerie, I've been thinking a lot about succulents and vertical gardens. I've had this project bubbling in my mind for a while, but I've never seen anyone do quite the style (or size) I had in mind.

As usual, I tried to explain it to Daniel and sent him links to several tutorials and designs I sort of liked. In classic style, he thought it over for about 5 minutes, then completely overhauled and upgraded the project to a level I didn't know existed. I still have no idea how he thought up this double-walled puzzle-piece scenario.

Time to plant!

 

Tea break!

Wow! I can't wait until it fills in.