Blog - Page 23 of 52 - Linda Nelson

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

August 16, 2016

I sure hope the dog days of summer has either reached its tail end, or its last leg. I’m so over this hot, sticky, weather. Matter of fact, I was over it when it all started. How about you?

Some unexpected events disrupted my blog posting flow this summer, and I just wasn’t driven enough to not let them get in my way. Perhaps with having signed on to participate in a local craft fair this coming October, I’ll have some creative content to share with you in the near future. I also skimped on photographing the many container plantings I did for my clients, except for a few –

©Linda Nelson 2016

This little shed garden redo was a fun project. I snuck in some cucumber seeds under the trellis, which took off very nicely, and which I thought, added to the overall humble charm.

©Linda Nelson 2016

Look what I spotted growing in my yard! I don’t know what species of mushroom they are, but aren’t they fabulous? Nature’s way of decorating…… I love it!

©Linda Nelson 2016

I printed out a draft image on plain paper, then doodled over it. It will get stashed in my box of patterns and templates for later use.

©Linda Nelson 2016

I thought the lichen growing on the bark of this pine tree was rather interesting. With the image rotated a quarter turn, it resembles a mountainside, does it not?

©Linda Nelson 2016

Well, that’s all for now. I long for those cool, crisp perfect sleeping weather evenings. Don’t you?

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A LITTLE BOY’S DREAM, PERHAPS?

August 2, 2016

My new septic system was installed yesterday. Despite the extremely tight working space Mr. Septic System Installer had to contend with, all went well. He and his team did a fantastic job.

Look how close to the house this monster machine was. I could have just opened the window and simply reached out and touched it!

©Linda Nelson 2016

Is it not especially a little boy’s dream to play with life-sized Tonka toys in the back yard?

©Linda Nelson 2016

Here’s the aftermath. I’ve certainly got my work cut out for me. Ugh.

©Linda Nelson 2016

Oh, and the other day while it was raining, I made these little scrap wood sailboats. Aren’t they cute?

©Linda Nelson 2016

Well, that’s all for now. Hope you’re staying cool and creative this summer.

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ONE MAN AND A MAGIC MACHINE

July 18, 2016

The big dig (new septic installation) is about to happen any day, and my prized and beloved dwarf Hinoki Cypress was in the path of destruction. Well, now it’s out of the way, thanks to my friend and former coworker and his magic machine. I couldn’t have chosen a better man for the job.

©Linda Nelson 2016

What’s with the red ribbon, you ask? Well, sizable trees and shrubs are wrapped in jute rope prior to transportation and often do not get unwrapped until after they are planted. Trees and shrubs also have a “face”, which is unidentifiable when the plant is all tied up. Marking the face ahead of time will insure that the tree or shrub will be replanted and positioned with its best face forward.

©Linda Nelson 2016

Officially out of the ground and going for a little ride……

©Linda Nelson 2016

Yikes! I’ve got an eight foot wide crater in my back yard!

©Linda Nelson 2016

Did I mention that my friend does fine macrame work, too?

©Linda Nelson 2016

That’s all for now, folks. With the current temperatures, this baby will need some serious pampering until it can get replanted into the ground.

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WATCHIING THE CARS GO BY

July 11, 2016

When was the last time you stole a moment to sit and do absolutely nothing. No cell phone. No newspaper. No book. No TV……… nada. It’s a gift we often neglect to give ourselves. I gave myself that gift the other evening while waiting for some dinner take-out. Now, I don’t use a cell phone anyway, but I could have easily grabbed a pen and paper from my purse and made some notes. I could have picked up the free newspaper lying about and read the local gossip. I could have even snatched a take-out menu and have blankly stared at it…….just for the sake of keeping my hands and mind occupied for a mere ten minutes. Instead, I parked my tush on a sidewalk bench, and with my hands in my lap, just watched the cars go by. I felt so unencumbered and so at peace.

Perhaps I just needed that kind of moment, knowing the task that lies ahead of me. You’re clued in to what that is if you read my last post. I have yet to make arrangements for the lifting and relocating of my beloved dwarf Hinoki cypress. What’s going in its spot? A septic tank.

Okay, enough crap talk, let’s take a little peak at what’s growing at the createaerie.

I’m delighted that my space saving pumpkin plants have taken off, and have already set some fruit. If I had lots of open space on my property I would grow as many varieties of pumpkins and gourds that I could. I love them all.

And, I finally have a nice crop of blackberries. My friend shared with me some of her plants a few years ago, but just as they were getting established, I redid my vegetable garden and had to move them. Now they permanently and happily reside at the back of the garden. My tomatoes are growing like mad, though I always have success with growing them.

Isn’t this daylily just absolutely lovely? I think so. I acquired this plant a few years ago when dividing a big patch of it for a client, and took a few scrapped pieces home with me.

Yellow crocosmia makes for a delightful and cutting-worthy garden perennial. I had to pot up a few clumps of it that are in the way of where the septic system installation machinery will be trafficking. I can’t wait until that saga is over with so that I can get my cherished plants back in the ground.

I accomplished a lot in my garden beds this weekend. The “septic” punch list is dwindling, and that makes me feel good. My friend assisted me this past Saturday with taking down the rock wall and lifting and potting up more plants. I’m pooped.

Signing off with a few more photos I took the other day. Enjoy!

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