The leaves are on the ground. Does anybody else feel nostalgic this time of year? Look around, life is moving, change is happening. Do you ever feel that life is passing you by? Nature can motivate people to hold onto constancy even though you discard annuals. (Plants designed for a short-term color blast) Nature leads us into the holidays in search of lasting companionship and/or family. And love..perhaps? Related Images:
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As the weather begins to turn, thoughts inevitably turn indoors- Are you too, thinking once again about updating your interior spaces? If you’re really ambitious you might be considering doing it for the holidays. (I’m not really!) If you must make a change quickly, perhaps you could pick one thing, change up the color of a wall, or buy a single new piece. (Our new gas stove is incoming…can’t wait)! Related Images:
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‘Tis the season for migrating tender houseplants from their Summer perches back into the house. One of my favorite houseplants is a member of the Echeveria family. Like most succulents, it treasures a sunny spot outside in the garden. Outside, I pick a reasonably similar sunny spot and try to water it a little more than its neighbors who root under ground. The cacti love it outside too! Related Images:
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The rain of the last few days has been prolific. If you are lucky enough to find a late bloom, keep it close, they’re becoming limited in supply. Only the hardy ones survive end of season craziness. Dahlias are some of those hardy survivors. Related Images:
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It’s just that time of year. Going in a million directions in the race to summer’s end. Activities are varied and never-ending. The weather has toned it down a bit and delayed garden maintenance looms large. There will be no more boxwood pruning but the rose bush, hostas and Hakuro Nishiki Japanese Willow were all fair game this week. The more tedious pruning will get done in early spring. It was good to get started. Onto bulb shopping. And those end- of- season family drive-bys. Do you find that family starts appearing in August and keeps on coming? Related Images:
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When a cactus gives up its first flower, you dress up the occasion. Paola Prints new Creamsicle scarf seemed just the ticket. The cactus survivor is an Eastern prickly pear Indian fig. The red center suggests a variety called “Devil’s Tongue”-native to some parts of eastern North America. Like Connecticut. Related Images:
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The garden exudes a sort of quiet fullness this time of year. In color, light and foliage quality. At the same time, there’s always a bittersweet nostalgia when faced with the end of summer. Nature is about to finish what it started last Spring. Then back to school. Autumn clean up. Why not take a road trip, visit a park you haven’t seen before? Related Images:
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It’s been a very busy week for Paola Prints. Happily, the rain has kept the plants watered and yours truly out of the garden even as the pruning and transplanting is coming up fast. Some years ago, when I conceived the idea to change from hand drawn or sewn artwork to the computer, I knew I had to acquire some essential tools. A good photographer friend listened to what I had to say and was pretty dogmatic about what I needed. Related Images:
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I’ll never tire of waking at night to the sound of rain falling. Walking outside in a morning garden and seeing the blessed dark soil tells you it was good all around. Late July into August leads quickly into maintenance, which this week included pruning, staking and pest control. Related Images:
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Summertime offers respite from the din of everyday, everywhere. Even after traditional school years are over, people continue to forge summers that include some form of vacation from yearlong obligations. Fun, relaxation and contemplation. Related Images:
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