Nesting In The 21st Century

Summer Walk

I took a walk today.  It has been so hot I haven't felt like walking in almost a week.  It was nice to get out and about.  I love to take photos as I walk.  I find such inspiration in other people's gardens.  I love this picket fence and gate.  I had a white picket fence at our old house, which I just adored.  Unfortunately it was a bit hard to maintain.  I liked it white-white and that meant near constant touch ups.  I do miss that fence though.  It was so Huck Finn.

I love the little basket on the gate.  It is so welcoming and happy.  It doesn't hurt that the color scheme in this garden is my favorite pink and white.  There are roses to the left cascading over the fence.  Really charming.

This is color scheme I have in my bedroom.  I wanted that green background with soft garden type colors.  (Especially pink.)  I have to restrain myself color wise.  I tend to go all out in that department and I wanted the room to stay soothing and unfussy with the colors as accents rather than running the show.  I love mixing furniture.  I don't do the matchy-matchy thing.  I don't know that I have a certain style.  I just buy what I like.  The secretary I found in a antique shop and fell in love with the leaded glass in the doors.  I can't really decide whether the doors should be open or closed.  Right now I move them a couple of times a week.  Monday open, Tuesday closed, Wednesday who knows.  I really like the fact that this room is set a bit apart from others in my house.  We spent lots of time there...the kids are always reading on the chaise and I love to do whatever portable project I am working on in there.

This room is still a work in progress.  I have pillows to make (the pink bird pillow for one) and a throw to knit.  I was so inspired by Alicia's idea for a throw that I would like to do something similar with the soft garden type colors in this room. 

Honesty the project list is getting quite long now.  I need a stay in my p.j.'s-craft-all-day type of weekend.  Mostly we have the running around to every sporting event know to man kind of weekends.  This last one was no exception.  I do a lot of the crafting stuff late at night.  I love to sit in bed and stitch or knit or whatever.  I guess that is why I want our bedroom to remind me of the garden.  Calm and serene.  Unlike my days which are a whirlwind of activity, noise and commotion.  We all need that space I think.  The place to retreat...even if it isn't until 10 o'clock at night.

Sunday Urns

I am up to my elbows in concrete mess and don't have a ton of time today to write and so I thought I would share some Sunday Urns.

I love urns.  I am always looking for new ideas for them and I thought I would share some that I have found.  I haven't copied any exactly but they sure are inspirational.  It really helps me when I am off to the nursery and my mind goes totally blank. (Which is nearly every time I go.)

The ones on the left are for mostly sun and the one on the right for shade.  I really liked the idea of the pussy willows stuck in the arrangement.  I did the same thing last year but I don't think it looked anywhere as nice.  I love those red and green tropical plants....looks great with the red front door.

Honestly, there are so many great gardeners out there.  It makes taking a walk so much fun to see what everyone is up to.

My favorite container gardening book is by P. Allen Smith called Container Gardens.  I like his easy going style.  Nothing too fussy but the arrangements are really lush.  It also helps me to know about how many plants to use.  In the past I wasn't using enough and my arrangements just ended up looking kind of sad and empty.  Right now he is my favorite gardening writer.  I really need someone to hold my hand sometimes and make it simple.  I have one more container to fill.  Maybe that will be next weekends project...for now it is on to the concrete!

The Front Yard

I have really had a hard time figuring out what to do in the front of the house this year.  I always do pink and I really wanted to stray a bit from that formula.  Except that I really like pink.  I compromised by using a much brighter magenta color instead of the softer, warmer pink that I usually opt for.

I added the chartreuse potato vines that I like so much along with coleus, geraniums and petunias.  I kept the geranuiums and petunias in the same shade.   

At Christmastime I bought a willow basket and filled it with greens and berries.  I liked it so much I decided to use it again in the spring (with pansies) and coordinating with the front urns this summer.  I wasn't sure how the whole thing would do with so little soil in the basket but so far-so good.   I think this fall it could look nice with pumkins, gourds and leaves.

Everything Is Coming Up Roses

Three summers ago I planted a climbing rose next to the fence.  I have had good success with roses before but nothing prepared me for the growth of this New Dawn. Within the first summer it reached half way up the 7 ft. fence and by year two it was cascading over the top.  It is about 8 ft x 8 ft now.

  Two years ago I planted 4 more along the fence.  I varied the types as I wanted lots of different colors.  I also wanted them to be repeat bloomers so I would have bud vases filled with roses all summer long.  I planted more New Dawn and a deeper shape of pink as well as a light and bright shade.  The three varieties have started growing together and I just love where they meet.  To be honest I didn't even know that I should be feeding them until a year after I planted them.

I have realized that these roses bring me an enormous sense of satisfaction.  They are so show-y.  Sort of the movie-star of the horticultural world.  Because these bloom all summer it is as if they were saying "look at me!!!"  Especially from the outside of the fence which parallels the road.  "Don't drive by without looking at me, because I am something special!".

I haven't under planted them yet.  There are some hosta there from before.  It think they look a bit harsh without anything underneath.    I was thinking that I would plant Lady's Mantle.  I love that great chartreuse color which I think will really compliment the various pinks of the roses.

It is amazing how satisfying gardening can be.  I have a couple of Adirondack chairs (with fading green paint) which I love to sit and watch the world go by.  Of course I am also watching the kids go by as well.  Actually, watching the kids run by.  They don't walk anywhere at anytime.   They seem to be in a hurry no matter what.  I guess that is just part of being a child.  They are constantly running toward the next adventure.  (Particularly in the summer when there is nothing but time and fun.)

Perhaps that is part of what makes growing these roses so satisfying.  There are no shortcuts.  And it takes time.  No way to rush.  They force me to slow down and be patient.  And so I sit on my faded green chair and take the time to enjoy the process of both gardening and parenting.  Taking time to stop and smell the roses.