Here and Now
I should probably explain that all these roses that I’ve been sharing are not actually blooming in our garden right now. My usual readers know this, but I get a lot of people who bounce in off Pinterest and might be a bit confused wondering what amazing zone I garden in! Nope, those photos are from last summer; I just like to keep things rosy in this space year round. Maybe it’s time, though, to show what’s going on here and now, sound good? Well, in a nutshell, it finally warmed up and I’m finally feeling better so you know where you can find me: in the garden!
Lots of pottering about. Cleaning out debris, cutting back perennials and moving the container roses out of the garage. The peas that I sowed a few weeks ago are coming along nicely. The sugar-snaps will be planted out shortly but the sweet peas won’t go in until closer to May. We never did put together that fancy greenhouse Jesse and I talked about last autumn. The issue was space. I tried waving my wand and creating a great, big, sun-filled yard but apparently my magical powers are waning. The only way a proper greenhouse will appear is if we remove some trees and, well, win the lottery. Neither one is probably going to happen anytime soon! In the meantime those flimsy plastic jobbies are doing the trick.
I also sowed an heirloom collection of Dianthus, ‘Enfant de Nice’, and they just germinated. One day I looked in and there were all these tiny leaves! I just love growing things from seeds since you get to see the plants’ entire life-cycle. Remember these snapdragons? I sowed a double amount since we loved them so much and next up, more stocks. I’ve run out of room so once we cycle out some of the peas the warmer weather annuals will go in. Exciting!
Final plant orders are being made (so happy we’re finally putting in that Lilac hedge) and we got our first delivery today: ‘Mignonette’ strawberries arrived in the mail complete with tiny blossoms already. Oh no! I didn’t expect them to be so filled out already. It’s much too soon for them but I’m not really complaining. I’ll just do my best to try and keep them alive until it’s warm enough for them to plant out.
Indoors, it’s been a bit of crafty business. I finished a cowgirl-inspired patchwork quilt for Madison (who loves horses) which I don’t have a photo yet but I promise I will soon. The fabric I used is just the cutest. I also began my first scrappy quilt–and then my sewing machine finally died–and then I got a new one–and then I ran out of steam. Now that it’s supposed to rain for the next five days maybe I’ll get back to it.
Unrelated to gardening but I have been reading such a fun series. It’s meant for young adults but so what, it’s good, you know? If you like books about magic, fantastical creatures and the like check it out.
Now it’s your turn. What have you been up to now that it finally feels like spring?
PS: My jewelry business has been flying under the radar lately and I felt it deserved an explanation: these past 5 weeks I have been pretty ill. I won’t go on about it, but I will say I spent way too much time in bed and was told I needed to “baby my lungs,” which meant I had to avoid anything and everything that could irritate them such as: dust, chemicals, odors, etc. So, metalsmithing was put on hold for a while. Feeling a bajillion times better now so I’ll be back at it soon…if I can tear myself away from the garden!
♡
Laurie
PPS: Next up, ‘Petite Lisette’!! Oh boy!
I’m so glad you’re feeling better! While it’s no longer frigid cold here, we’re flipping back & forth between raw and almost but not quite warm with lots of rain and gray days throughout. I know it’s not snow but it’s not so nice either! At least the Snowdrops finally have the Crocus to keep them company 🙂
Thanks Jo! I’m glad to be feeling better too. 😉
Snowdrops, crocus and soon dillies, tulips and….zoom! Spring!
Yay! For feeling better! Also happy kitty pictures. Love. 🙂
I’m glad you’re feeling better!
Another book you might like if you haven’t already read it: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
thank you Jessica! I’ve had that book on my must-read list for a while…must get to it soon!
Ooh! I’m sorry to hear you’ve been sick! So glad you are feeling better – especially now that the weather is finally turning towards spring.
xxE
yes, finally! thank you!
5 weeks being down! Must be pretty bad sickness! I am glad to hear your feeling better!
Between working, cleaning and packing I haven’t done much. I would like to get my seeds started but I dontThink I will have the time to take care of them plus I don’t even know where I’m going to plant anything!
We close the 16th on the house and we have to get everything packed by the 15th then clean and paint and do some repairs on the new house move in then go back to the rental and clean, paint and so some repairs and be out of the rental by the end of this month… We have 2 weeks to be in and out…. Ugh…
gosh you are a busy bee! it will all be worth it though when you’re finally settled. 😀
Sorry to hear that you’ve been so sick, but I’m glad you’re feeling better!
It’s been feeling like spring here, too, but now it’s snowing. 🙁
Your quilt is looking lovely!
Oh, and I love YA series. Haven’t read that one, but there are so many good ones. Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials and Garth Nix’s Abhorsen series are some of my favorites.
thank you Anne! Gosh, I can’t believe you’re still getting snow…you poor thing. I will add Pullman and Nix’s books to my list…thank you for the suggestion!
Your quilt is going to be stunning… what a bunch of yummy fabric! Your seed growing has totally inspired — I have a bunch of zinnia seedlings that just sprouted in the last few days… so much fun!
Beata xox
Thank you Beata! I hope I finish it someday. 😉 Zinnias are such a wonderful flower–I think you can never have too many of them. Good luck with yours!