well done nature!...

I am catching my breath a bit right now
and stopping to smell the flowers.


I am just loving my
Zinnia's
Cleome
Alternanthera
and of course,
Lavender,
this year.


Well done nature!

health and happiness...

I have been taking some time to take care for myself.

When you are 41,
you shouldn't mess around.
Take care of who you are 
in 
every 
aspect
of 
the 
word.

hus&hem inspiration...

I have been drooling over
Hus&Hem
all morning whilst drinking my coffee.
Inspired for my patio rework,
inspired for a new kitchen someday,
inspired for a privacy solution for my backyard,
and inspired to go to my hyggelig.
Oh how I love Scandinavia
and good
clean
simple
honest
design.

and thank you
google translator!

clever beauty...

Woolly Pocket & Bacsac images

This is not a new concept by any means,
it has been floating around in the pages of Dwell and at Maison & Objet for a few years.
But I have seen this concept in two places in my life in the last week and have been giving it more serious consideration.
The textile garden.
Being I love textiles, am enjoying gardens more as I age, and love good design,
I am thinking I may incorporate some of these into my Summer.


OMG - Am I really sitting here having meetings right now?!!!

In fact, I had two meetings in this very spot last week.
Yes, even I was jealous of myself!!
And they had cleverly used the textile garden to great affect
on the border of the railings here.
Loved.


Wise Acre Eatery Ceiling - I am in love with it.

Then I ate a new restaurant in town and these things are all over,
on the walls on the inside, and covering the fence around the waste area outside.
Great concepts!
More on this place later.


Image: Flora Grubb

What do you think?
Have you used these before?

Clever beauty,
it's what makes the everyday
unique.

Inspiration:
Woolly Pocket
Bacsac
Flora Grub

icky crap tirade...

H just called
he's on his way home after two weeks away.
I went on a bit of a tirade
about this horrendous Minneapolis weather.
7 months of essentially icky crap.
I am really at wits end.
He gets it, he feels it too.
But I called back and put on
a positive spin:
Belinda says the sun will pop out later today
and it won't be raining in the morning tomorrow.

More positivity:
one great thing about living here
is I am getting to know people
and share good things.
Last night at the salon,
my hairstylist sent me home
with two basil plants
and a tomato plant
that she started from seed.
She has a farm
and a huge garden.
How great is that?

Well, let's make it a Happy Saturday
Everyone!
I hope the sun is out where you are.

I'm definitely not off for a ride,
but soon my man will be home
and perhaps this family can
get a lake walk in
and reconnect before I leave
for
my hyggelig...

perhaps...

perhaps winter is at last waning.
as I administer what is hopefully my last tablespoon of nyquil
my thoughts turn towards other shades of green.
last summer as we strolled through neighborhoods, gardens and parks
I created a visual diary of plants
that seemed to be thriving, that were unique, and added visual layers.
It is nearing the time when we can
re-enter the outside world,
walk barefoot in the grass,
enhance our little hus.
it has been winter for far too long,
and much of our life has been on hold.
today we begin to emerge,
stretching after a long winter's sleep.
I begin to come alive,
my heart races with excitement
for returning to the outdoor world.

Happy Saturday Everyone!
I almost can feel the bicycle beneath me
the wind in my hair
the SUN on my face...

Spring greens...

jardin de bicyclette...

One of the best things about having a garden is sharing the wealth.
Recently the Pash and I brought over some of the season's bounty to our friend's house.
What better reason than that to take a bicycle for a spin?


Though we have loved our beans, basil, and tomatoes,
at the end of August the poor garden gets a little less love.
Putting this garden in has been one of the best things we have done since landing in the North Country.
Ahhh....Summer Garden....

I'm off to the lake.
See you in a few days...

let me count the ways...

I had all sorts of thoughts
running through my head today,
my mind was overflowing with
blog posts I wanted to write...
and then I came into the kitchen after the glamorous task of taking out the garbage
and what did I find?
H had picked some of my wildflowers and made a little bouquet on the table.
How sweet does it get?
I'm not a flower girl, but it's moments like these that trump all,
sigh...

summer's beauty...

sweet summer morn...

the journey...

Though I am looking forward
to eventually finding the destination,
I am trying to focus on the journey,
being in the moment,
my mantra... I am here now.

One week ago I woke up a woman with a heavy heart
mourning for what had just been lost.
But then I opened the curtain
and the sun was out
and its warmth became a constant by my side
everyday
all day
for exactly one week.

Sun, you brought me outside to drink my morning coffee
reflect
and read a book.


Sun, you got me on my bicycle
to ride in solitude
in your warmth
making my surroundings beautiful



Sun, you urged me to garden
to water my flowers
tend to our beans
smell the scent of lavender on my hands

Sometimes it is nice to end a journey
reflect
remember
and then focus on the next one...

lazy daze...

I love extended Summer Holiday Weekends...
Blue sky above, warmth all around, sunshine on my face
Bicycle rides alone and together
Walks with the boys near lakes
Buying and planting flowers, veggies, and herbs
Pastries shared in the backyard on a quiet Sunday morning
White wine with friends late at night devising ways to do good with a lottery win
Picnics near culture and a river
Cheese...really, really good cheese
Quiet moments to read in a lawn chair...
I am refueled, refreshed, reenergized
Thank you Summer!

un jardin potager...