i am so happy to be gardening again.
i love it so much….
i dread it around april but by the end of may i am ready!
i think half of the reason i like it is the quietness.
usually i am alone.
but at the same time i can hear what's going on around me with the kids.
and to see something grow so beautiful from just a seed….
so amazing.
and humbling.
my parents have always had lovely yards.
my dad is obsessed with trees and my mom loves flowers.
my grandmother always had interesting and different plants in her yard.
i remember strawberries, grandpa's gourds and bamboo by the sandbox.
i am grateful to have grown up with a love for gardening.
but i never even touched a plant till i was 24.
except when i HAD to water my mom's flowers as a chore.
when we bought our first house craig's mom helped me plant my first plants.
and i was hooked.
and all that stuff i'd been watching all my life became real to me.
it was so clear why they loved it.
i love that we…my parents and sister, my grandmother & craig's mom
all enjoy this same simple hobby.
to watch my grandmother go through my entire yard asking questions
or giving facts…makes me full of joy.
to see my parents' yard overflow with curly willow and birds & butterflies…joy!
thank you for that.
here is a peek into our first garden in illinois.
silver lace vine
it was mislabeled at the flea market…what a great mistake.
i put it on the arbor craig built me
and it grew up over the roof the first year!
purple coneflower, black eyed susan, bee balm, hollyhocks and tickseed.
and huge sunflowers.
oh i miss this little yard.
it was full of evergreen bushes when we moved in.
jenny and her mom were so helpful too.
sharing plants and answering lots and lots of questions.
in my yard now…
most of the peonies are now down on the ground…it rained really hard.
but inside they look and smell lovely.
i know i know, enough with the peonies!
but like i told you…they will be gone for 11 more months.
i cut 3 huge vases full and you could barely tell i had touched the bushes.
if you do plant some…
they do take a few years to get really healthy and bloom well.
i am feeling hopeful for this years garden.
i think it's going to be a good one.
everything is coming up so nicely.
and a friend gave me my first tomato plants!
we'll see how that goes.
Cindy - I just discovered your blog today and saw this picture with your floral pillow (beautiful flowers by the way) I have been in search of the perfect fabric and there it sits on your chair or sofa. Do you know the name of that fabric or any ideas where I can find a few yards or the order the pillows? Thanks for your time. You are so blessed with a lovely family and home.
mrslimestone - Im so jealous – I love peonies! (And my yard is way too small to have a cutting garden). I just have to buy my flowers from the local shop but they don’t look half as nice as your fresh ones.
Amy - Oh my goodness, those have to smell like heaven! Wow! You are a far better gardener than myself, but I nodded my head at how great it is to do it and to feel that connection with the earth and the people in your life.
Tiffany - Oh my gosh, what a gorgeous yard/garden you had in Illinois! I dream of such a lovely yard, but don’t have a clue where to even start! lol
I’m with you on the Peonies, we have one single little bush in the corner of our backyard and I wait all year for it’s blooms, which are gone in what seems like the blink of an eye.
Have a wonderful day!
Marcie - The picture of the peonies on the table by the fan looks like it’s out of a Better Homes and Gardens magazine!! You inspired me to bring in my pitiful rain soaked peonies to enjoy for a few days! By the way, I’m a friend of Frank and Amy who are friends with Russ and Jenn.
Jill (One Wired Woman) - You have a beautiful green thumb, my dear!! Love your garden history… love your garden now!! You’ve turned me into a freak for peonies. They are gorgeous!! Have fun with your garden. 🙂 ~Jill
amanda - oh to live somewhere green. az is beautiful in its own way, but nothing like the photos you have shown. i would LOVE to garden– to REALLY garden. until a time when i can . . . i will read your blog and drool over the beautiful landscapes you share.
amanda az
Liz - Lovely post. Your pictures are gorgeous.
traci - good luck with the tomato plants. i love your peonies – you can post pictures of them whenever you want – they are just beautiful. i am getting some the next time i go to the nursery or home depot. and that little old fan – so cute!!!
Jennifer P. - I could stare at the picture of your garden forever! I just want to get lost in it! That English garden overflowing with wildflowers look is just what I’m after. I’m only two summers into my house, so I’m still waiting for everything to fill in—but I hope it turns out as lovely as yours! And your peonies are gorgeous! Fresh flowers whenever you want are a definite plus for having a great garden!
Staci - What beautiful peonies! By the way, I’m Staci from The Amy Clan–Brian and Staci–came from Emily’s blog. I made your chicken pot pie tonight! YUMMY! I must say I’ve been looking at those pics of your home you have posted and your house is MAGNIFICENT! What a beautiful home and beautiful family!
Crystal - Oh Meg. You just send pangs of jealously through me! I can’t wait to have a yard and garden with lots of sun!! Right now all we have is shade/part sun so I am having to learn to garden opposite of what I usually want…black eyed susans, cone flower, sun flower…one day. 🙂
julie - Gorgeous and dreamy. Makes me want to go outside and dig. I haven’t in so long. Thanks for the inspiration.
April - Oooh Meg…I love that first photo of the peonies with the little antique fan nearby….nice !!
great gardening stories and memories you have too…..your kids will have the same stories….gardening is GOOD ~