Blog - Page 24 of 52 - Linda Nelson

GARDEN WOES

June 26, 2016

Good golly, it’s been over two months since my last post, a hiatus I just couldn’t skirt. It’s been an exceptionally busy work season for me, and the only thing happening in front of the computer screen has been email correspondence with clients, family and friends.

I thought I would take a moment to share with you just another thing on my plate that I must fit into my schedule – lifting up an entire garden bed on the side of my house. See the photo just below? That’s my collapsing cesspool. And, the photo below that one…. under that view runs the waste line from the house that empties into the cesspool.

©Linda Nelson 2016

It even runs thru my vegetable garden – constructed raised beds and deer fencing installed less than two years ago.

So, I’ve elected to have a whole new septic system installed on the opposite end of my property, where I’ll only have to lift this garden bed, the gorgeous Dwarf Hinoki Cypress, and remove the rock wall, pine tree and smoke bush just behind it…… so that heavy equipment can have access to the site and also make deep ruts in my lawn. Ugh.

©Linda Nelson 2016

Lifting plants and deconstructing my garden bed at the onset of summer…… I am both overwhelmed and heartsick.

On a lighter note, look at the lovely poppies that reseeded themselves from last year…..

©Linda Nelson 2016

my favorite, big leafy hosta which has set some nice, strong flower buds………

©Linda Nelson 2016

and my trusty-faithful Nikko Blue hydrangea, who never fails me with regard to flower production.

©Linda Nelson 2016

Did I mention that I’m in the middle of having new windows installed in my home, and that I will be hosting a guest for a week come next Friday? This blogging hiatus may continue a little while longer.

Until next post…………

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DO YOU REMEMBER MARION?

April 8, 2016

Marion Cunningham(Marion Ross), affectionately known as “Mrs. C”, played mom to Richie(Ron Howard) and Joanie(Erin Moran) on Happy Days, an American television sitcom that aired from 1974 to 1984.

Well, today’s post is not about her, but it is about a Marion and a happy day. Her name is East Marion, and she resides on the eastern upper fork tip of Long Island, NY. She is a quaint and sleepy little village sandwiched between the Long Island Sound, Great Peconic Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean. She’s a must to visit place, whether driving out to, or ferrying over to from Connecticut. It’s a lazy days of summer sweet spot.

I had the pleasure of driving out there a few days ago to enjoy a very special birthday gift I received from my sister earlier in the year. I scheduled this blissful day at the very tail end of my winter slumber. My hectic gardening season has arrived, and I won’t be stealing any pampering moments for quite some time.

©Linda Nelson 2016

I had a delightful, spoiling spa treatment at Quintessentials Bed & Breakfast and Spa. Innkeeper Sylvia Daley is a real sweetie. When I arrived, awaiting me on the coffee table in the front parlor was a place setting, lemon water, strawberries and some chocolates. Sylvia then served me hot tea and her home cooked dish of sliced chicken over a bed of lettuce topped with mango salsa and roasted curry potatoes. After I finished my lunch, she escorted me to a little room and got to work on my facial – a one hour steam, massage, â€œmummyâ€� mask and facial potion treatment. After that, I had a one hour massage, followed by an exfoliating body scrub. I was then wrapped up into a cellophane cocoon and left to snooze while the treatment did its magic. She unwrapped me, and lo and behold, I had butterfly wings. Just kidding. I showered off, got dressed and felt like a million bucks.

This Inn is “quaintessential” as well. Sylvia gave me a sneak peak at the grounds, though at this time of year they have not yet awaken from winter hibernation. I can’t imagine how lovely the garden beds must look in the summer – a perfect wedding day setting, perhaps?

So, if you happen to be traveling in this direction one day, or if you local folks need a little “staycation”, be sure to say “hello” to East Marion. And, Sylvia, too.

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A WEST COAST LABOR OF LOVE

March 28, 2016

I spent some time on the west coast recently, and though I’ve physically returned, I mentally have not. The city of Pacific Palisades, California, epitomizes a picture perfect climate this time of year; it’s addictive. Don’t get me wrong, I love winter on the east coast and the icebox temperatures it delivers, but there’s just something about the west coast……

like super-sized pinecones………

©Linda Nelson 2016

picking Meyer lemons right from a backyard tree…….

©Linda Nelson 2016

and plucking offshoots from an overgrown aloe shrub.

©Linda Nelson 2016

These were the little treasures I stuffed inside my luggage for the flight back home.

This year’s trip was not like any other; no botanical garden visits, no poking around in hip thrift shops, no national parks, nor sightseeing of any kind. No, this visit was a total landscaping labor of love. My daughter and her husband recently moved into a sweet, but long neglected little cottage abode. The extent of our excursions were to local hardware stores and garden centers, and a few trips to Home Depot. My days commenced around 5:30 AM, and after some garden plan contemplation and a few cups of coffee, I was digging, planting, pruning and grooming until dark. Though three thousand miles away from home, I was completely in my element. The cottage’s previous occupant left behind an assortment of potted plants which I instinctively reincorporated into the revamping project.

©Linda Nelson 2016

There’s still quite the punch list of exterior structural tasks to accomplish. But for now, this little diamond in the rough is a place my daughter and her husband can call home, complete with potted vegetables and herbs this duo can make use of with all of their fabulous home cooking skills.

The project manager in residence was satisfied with all the laborious efforts that took place.

Photo Courtesy of My Daughter

On another note, I was the winner of one of Debbie Bosworth’s recent giveaways, and received this fabulous book just the other day. Yay! Be sure to check out her lovely site; it’s packed with garden loving inspiration of the finest kind. And, this book is all the buzz!

Happy Spring!

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I’M STEPPING AWAY FROM MY COMPUTER…….

March 13, 2016

……temporarily, that is. One of those moments has arrived in that my upcoming schedule will not include blogging nor enjoying the fabulous posts that all of you share. But, I look forward to being up and running again in a few weeks. I’m certain this blogging hiatus will make my coming back to it feel all the more sweeter.

I thought I’d show you where I’ve been stashing some of the things I’ve made over the past few weeks……. I’ve been enjoying doing the dishes lately. I can’t take credit for the coffee and friends sign; that one’s a gift that I received.

Also, I finally typed out a list of the retail stores that currently sell, or have sold in the past, my handmade greeting cards. My cards travel to more places than I do! I’m under contract with a representing showroom; therefore, I am unable to post images of my designs. But, my bio is inserted within the packaging sleeve of each and every one of my cards. That’s how you can tell it’s mine. And, yes, they are handmade, one-by-one. I am perplexed by artists who label their artwork printed up as cards to be handmade originals. No, they are not.

Perhaps you live near one of these stores. If so, I’d love for you to stop by and take a look at my work. The most recent orders have been shipped to Malibu Colony Company, CO-OP 28 and Nuvo.

I look forward to rejoining you all very soon.

Enjoy the gorgeous spring weather.

And, most of all………. stay creative 🙂

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