spa Archives - Linda Nelson

SUMMER GARDEN PROJECTS

July 23, 2018

Well, Hello! It’s been such a long, long time since I’ve checked in with the blogging world. This work season has been busier than busy, and project requests just keep coming in. It’s all good. Anyway, I’ve stolen a brief moment to update you on some happenings at the createaerie.

First off, Stampington & Co. was so kind to include my “sandy” little creation in their recent Somerset Life publication. Yay!

©Linda Nelson 2018

Now, let’s take a quick stroll around the property.

©Linda Nelson 2018

I made a little horseshoe crab garden!

©Linda Nelson 2018

There’s a funny little story to this gangly little hibiscus pictured below. I was plant shopping at one of my vendors early in the summer, and a four strand braided hibiscus “tree” was sitting on the checkout counter. Now, a braided hibiscus is not exactly my cup of tea, but what sold me was the fact that the one opened bloom was pure white. How refreshing, especially when most hibiscus are offered in the typical red, pink, peach and yellow colors. So, I purchased it for myself. Well, I almost gagged when the other buds opened and what I now had was a braided multi-colored atrocity. What nursery growers in their right minds would do such a thing? I certainly wasn’t going to have the likes of that growing in my flower pot, so I pruned out the three strands that didn’t have white flowers and this is what I was left with. At least I know that all the flowers will be white.

©Linda Nelson 2018

Sicilian squash is so much fun to grow. My roadside find trellis, a weight-lifting frame, is doing its job holding this monster up!

©Linda Nelson 2018

Cucumbers are super easy to grow and are one of the few vegetables that can be grown successfully in part shade. You can also grow them in pots!

©Linda Nelson 2018

Let’s move on to projects.

Do you ever want something you know you’ll probably not use often enough to justify the acquisition, but you just have to have it anyway? I’ve been fantasizing about soaking my tired body in an outdoor tub after a long, hard day at work. I’d be surrounded by blooms, birds and butterflies as I soothed myself in a warm bath sprinkled with lavender buds and epsom salt. It’s not likely that I’ll actually take the time out to do it, but this roadside find was a dream-come-true that I couldn’t pass up.

©Linda Nelson 2018

Yep, it’s cast iron, and took myself, a friend and the flagging down of a young, strong passerby to get it into the bed of my truck. Thank goodness I own a tree cart; it was the only way to transport it to the back yard after sliding off the truck. I hope to have my fantasy outdoor spa project completed before the summer is over. We’ll see.

Remember my septic tank fiasco of summer 2016? If not, click here to update yourself so you’ll understand what this next project is all about.

Lifting up half of my backyard plant material to accommodate a new septic system had all but brought me to tears. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody. Then came the toil and labor of reconfiguring and replanting, and a design dilemma… what to do about the cesspool cover area in the middle of my planting bed. I lightheartedly sought some enlightenment from a Feng Shui gardening book, only to be disheartened by all the septic system placement “rules”. Being the resourceful, solution trooper that I am, I came up with an idea that would maintain the aesthetic as well as good chi.

The once problematic septic site is now being transformed into a peaceful, purposeful and visually pleasing designation for mentally “eliminating” all negative thoughts down the drain. I sh!t you not. How’s that for a solution?

I do hope all you bloggers and blog readers are enjoying the warmth, sunshine and activities of summer….. and getting creative!

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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.

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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