It Is All About the Process

 Today I met an old friend face to face for the first time. Jane and I got connected on Facebook through my brother Bill. We share similar interests and today I met her face to face. It was like visiting with an old friend from the past.  As we toured her home, gardens, and studios today I learned that we have very similar beliefs about how we create things in our lives. She has created beautiful gardens. She has done a complete remodel of her house. She is creating a lovely gallery to display her husband James E. Hansen's sculptures. 

The two of us share a common thread. We embrace the process of what we are creating. In conversations today we both discovered it is not about creating perfect gardens that show up in magazines. It is not about reading all the books available on gardening or architecture, but it is about doing. She has put her energy into the doing and the results are all around her.

The end product is what we always strive for.... but I truly believe the learning and growing takes place in the  process. I will continue to have an awareness of that process whether it is in writing, gardening, cooking, teaching, or art.

We also both have the belief that you create a place that feels right. A place to call home. I loved the place she has created and calls home. Thanks Jane.

The Beauty of Birds

I have never been able to get too close to birds while taking pictures. With the zoom on my new camera I can get pictures and not scare them off. We get an amazing variety of birds at our place so it will be fun to catch images of them.

Of course, then there are the chickens and rooster also.

Camera Images: Old Camera Drying Out, New Camera Perfect

I got my camera wet on a recent camping trip. I couldn't stand not taking pictures of the beauty surrounding me every day.  I could take pictures with my phone and did, but it was not the same. Today I picked up my new camera at the post office. It has been fun to try it out all day.

Roses: Rooted in Love

Before I moved to my current house, I never grew roses. I always heard they were difficult to grow, required lots of upkeep and care, and wouldn't make it through the winters in northeastern Washington.

I am pleased I researched the growing of roses the first year I began gardening at Martin Creek. The most important thing I learned early is on is not that roses are so difficult, but it is crucial to choose roses for your area. There are so many varieties of hardy roses that have successfully found a home around our gardens. They demand the same care all plants do and give us stunning beauty, especially right now.

Between JEJ and myself we have put lots of love in our roses. Many are still growing after fifteen years. Some have gone along the wayside. Others have turned a bit wild and returned to their original red variety. I always encourage people to try roses, then rattle off some hardy shrub or floribunda roses that are always successful such as the William Baffin aboe.

As with any plant rooted in love they need rich soil, fertilizer, sun, and water. It also helps to keep the deer out of your yard!

Rooted in Responsibility

Now we have said good-bye to Sheriff  McDuff I think Deputy Grayson feels the weight of the world on his shoulders. He must now begin guarding Martin Creek Gardens diligently, taking over for his mentor McDuff. He strolled the sidewalk in early evening looking for trouble that might be lurking in the flowers.

I Miss Sunsets

I miss sunsets where I live. I get the pleasure of sunrises every day, but no sunsets. While driving home this evening we got to enjoy quite a show in the sky. Perhaps I should get out and drive more at sunset. ( We also need to clean our windshield!)