What Inspires You Wednesday: Back To Garden, so to speak

Flowers, Weeds & Wellies

I wish I could find more time to be in my flower gardens. Even though weeding is a ton of work that is always ongoing, there is something meditative about it. The quiet of the garden, taking notice of the small things, time to think or just be present.

I've dubbed my corner garden Wild Thing. I am currently working in the front bed, which can see a bit of here- it's just beyond the weeds that have taken over my walkway (if you were to turn around an look the other way, you'd know instantly why I call it wild thing. It's a jungle. I kid you not). I'm not sure why, but in the front bed, I can grow grass like a golf course landscaper. In my lawn? Not a hope. The flower garden, absolutely!  So, I just peck away at the grass and the weeds.  15 minutes here and there if I take a break from my desk and walk around the yard with the hound. An hour there, if I get a chance at the end of the day. Hours upon hours if I take a day on the weekend. See what I mean about never done?

I'm OK with that though. It's just enjoyable to be digging in the dirt at this time of year.

Today, the garden is inspiring me.  The resilience of the flowers after a hard winter. The resilience of weeds, no matter what. Noticing the little things, like the small toad that keeps hopping about this flower bed every time I'm in it weeding.  The transplanted peonies that don't look any worse for wear. Getting my hands dirty. The flowers that are ready to pop any day. The colors. The smell. It's all inspiring.

Add to my time in the garden, the fact that I came across these wellies that are calling my name. So much so that I just had to paint them because, they're all about 'what's to come' in the garden.

 

"Pam"

"Yes, wellies?"

"You need us."

"I know."

What's inspiring you today?

CREATE Challenge no.1- LAST DAY!

OK, the time is nigh.

This is it.

Hopefully those who said they wanted to participate are reading today, because tomorrow I will be posting my results and others, for CREATE challenge no. 1. Even if it's just lil' ol' me.

If you're in, shoot me a pic (QUICK) of your project so I can include it, okee dokee?

Right then.  I'm off to take care of the many tasks at hand which include logo revisions and printing, packaging and shipping. Another busy day.

 

What's happening in your world?

Whatever is happening, rock it like Mick and the boys.

Ciao for now,

 

 

Current Obsession

Buns

I'm not talking booty.  I'm not talking hot crossed. I'm talking the kind you sweep your hair up into.
I had to laugh last week when my mother asked me, "don't you ever wear your hair up?'. Um, yes Mom. Just about every single day.

While today I'm styling a totally awesome scrunchie ponytail (ha! don't tell anyone. that's juts between you and me), I usually pull it up in a french twist, a top knot, or a messy up-do of sorts.
(Apparently, not when I see my mother however.)

So, when I came across topknot on pinterest, I checked out their mass dedication to buns, like the one below.

 hackwith designs via wit and delight

I had found something new to practice with watercolors. Women with buns.

So I've begun the buns.

The thing with buns is this: they never go out of style. Classic. Elegant or bohemian depending on your mood and how you style them.They can take you anywhere.

What's your current obsession?




On a much more serious note, our community lost a police officer this past week. Officer Arkel was responding to a domestic dispute between a father and son. The father gave him permission to enter the home and when he did the middle aged son ambushed him. The man then set fire to the home and opened all gas lines which consequently caused the home to explode. It's all quite sad. Officer Arkel was just doing his job, and just like any police officer responding to any call, didn't know what he would walk into.  It's all to reminiscent of an incident that took the life of one of our local Police Chiefs a couple of years ago. To make things even more heartbreaking, one his daughters is graduating from high school in short time, and they are currently holding the funeral service for her Dad on the football field where her commencement will take place. Rest in peace Officer Arkel. By all accounts you were a caring man who always wore a smile.

Make today day great. It's a great day to have.

Ciao for now,

The Sketchbook Project: Deadline Looms

A Long Way To Go

I totally ignored my sketchbook from The Sketchbook Project until this weekend. August seemed so far away. It's here and I am not nearly done. I've a good start, but it has to be postmarked tomorrow.

What?

Tomorrow?

Hell yes I can do it.

Ask G. I work best under pressure.

The only problem I've run into so far is that I haven't been able to find my colored pencils. So, I am working in watercolor at the moment, something I've never done before. It's all good though because there aren't any rules to what you can fill your sketchbook with and this gives me pause to sigh in full relief.

The Sketchbook Project Tour I chose is called 1,703 Miles and Back and I decided at the beginning, the my sketchbook would be called 'places in my heart'.

So far, my rough and rudimentary watercolors include:

The front door to our home which welcomes us to a place where we feel most ourselves and welcomes those we love.

The tree at the end of the world which is really at the end of Atlantic Ave. Anyone who grew up around here knows this tree and it is a marker, so to speak, for those who got to live our their childhood on the NH seacoast.

Sunset Meadows, of course.

My favorite building. Grand Central Terminal in NYC. Always in awe when I'm in it.

Our back stoop. When Winter finally turns to Spring, one of my favorite traditions is to finally sit on the back stoop in the morning with a cuppa tea. This continues until it snows again. Until it does, I have pots of geraniums and herbs to keep me company.

I have hours to go before I sleep! I'll be pulling this baby together in every free second over the next 24 hours.

This is all for fun. To stretch myself a bit creatively. To think outside of the box and let things flow.

I am thankful it is not a term paper.

First though, the work at hand.

There's a Fall tinge in the air here today but it is glorious.

Enjoy it wherever you are and I'll do the same.

Ciao for now,

PS- Just saw the date of my last Sketchbook Project post. February 6th. Honestly, why do I do this to myself?