If you plant them, they will come...

After dreaming of the idea for many months now {number 5 on my Eighteen for 2018 "bucket" list} about the notion of creating a sunflower patch in our side yard - to attract butterflies, bees, birds and children and families and their high school seniors to my home studio - the plot has been planted.  

First, we mapped out our plot.  I would have dug up the entire side yard, but that's a whole lot to take on!  I'll gradually chip away at the new one, though, so that gives me something to work towards.  We measured and looked to the sun for the optimum growing area.  Sunflowers need abundant sunlight!  This location is just right...    

We had toyed with the idea of renting a sod remover - yes, they make such a creature!  One day, seemingly out of the clear blue (but possibly not), I remembered reading about using tarps to starve the grass and keep it from growing making it easier till up the earth underneath!  Yes, tarps!!  This method does take longer than the quick, one-day option of gas powered equipment, however, we had time on our side.  

After many weeks, roughly 5 to 6 weeks, Kurt pulled up the brown tarp and tilled the 12' x 16' ground.  The first pass with the tiller went well in breaking up the sod, but did not dig deep enough to loosen the nutrient rich, organic soil underneath.  It was time to take action!   

Curious note:  If you try the "tarp method" at home to remove sod, be sure NOT to use the blue tarps!  We tried that at first in combination with the brown one.  The blue tarp actually encouraged (Vigorously!!) the sod to grow underneath!  The blue tarps have an opposite effect - so if you have a patch of ground where you want the grass to grow -- throw a blue tarp over it and watch with wide-eyed wonder at the results it produces!  No lie!  Crazy blue tarps. 

I set to work hoeing the patch in preparation of planting!  I got about half way, before giving in.  Farmers (especially organic farmers) do not get enough credit for the intense hard work that gardening is.  My right hand was so sore that I couldn't use it for a full day afterwards without shooting pain.  I suppose I should be thankful that was all that was in need of bodily recovery!  I guess carrying around heavy camera equipment has helped to strengthen my arm and back muscles -- Oh the benefits of photography that keep on producing!!  Ha!!  

I'm happy to report that Kurt helped me with the hoeing and together we finished the plot; hands recovered fully!   

I was careful in my selection of seeds.  I chose Sow True Seeds' openly pollinated, untreated, organic seeds:  Evening Sun;  Lemon Queen;  Autumn Beauty.  And planted them in neat rows according to size (taller ones in the back, shorter in the front).  What can I say?  I'm part OCD after all, for which gardening is my therapy.  Things out of my control do me good.  Plus, I get pretty flowers to admire!   

I planted last Sunday and noticed this morning on my garden walk - because I'm obsessively observing the patch every day - the little wonders sprouting up out of the earth!!  Hooray!  Gardening.  What an absolute thrill!  

I will report back here from time to time to let you know how these little babies are growing!  Aww, so fast!!  Grow, babies!  Grow!!  

In other news... 

Today is the girls' last day of third and sixth grade!  Hello fourth and seventh graders!!!  I can't believe it!  So, as I write this, they are enjoying their last day of the 2017-18 school year in preparation for summer vacation!  I have a feeling they may not be as excited as this photo from this morning.  Emilia, I'm most surely, will come home crying this afternoon.  She loves school and her teachers and her friends, the sensitive soul she is, and doesn't like to say good-bye.  Even though it's only for 11 weeks, that's a lifetime to a nine-year-old!  

Me?!  I'm enjoying this beautiful, quiet, birdsong, seed-sprouting, quiet (oh, did I say quiet again?!) morning all to myself.  I love summer and having the girls home with me 24-7.  I also love quiet, sunny mornings of reflection, photos, and coffee...  And on that note, my morning is complete.  Summer vacation, here we come!!!         

Happy Summer to you, friends!!  Make loads of FUN-fabulous memories!!!

xoxo

A gift

Spring will always be my absolute favorite season of the year.  The blooms that return year after year never cease to amaze and delight.  It's the miracle of our earth's rhythms when the tiny dormant seeds awake after their frosty, peaceful sleep.  They stretch, and reach, and unfurl their glory, again.  The trees shake off Winter's heavy coat and adorn themselves with bright, showy colors, as if they're on their way to a grand ball where they'll dance the night away.  It gets me every. single. time.  

I couldn't help but take a morning to soak in all of Spring's abundant return.  I watched as the birds busied themselves, singing and building, singing and flitting about, nose to the task.  The hummingbirds are back, too, after their long journey.  Listening to their signature hum as they buzz in and out of the garden to feed and then back to the tall treetops.  And talk of signature hums, the bees are in full orchestra, putting on a concert - jam session style!  Heaven.  This must be what heaven is like, I've decided.   

I took my ol' trusty friend for a garden walk because, well, I want to remember how the colors look bouncing off the light and the celebration that Nature's singing joyously, proudly, fervently that the sun, (that glorious, wonderful star of ours!) has returned and melted away the dingy grays.    

Please, friends, help yourself to the images within this collection.  If you'd like a new wallpaper image for your phone or computer background.  Or even for your Google Gmail account or similar.  Wherever you choose, these images are my gift to you.  They are much too small to print, though, but if you'd like to brighten up your online space, please help yourself to do just that.  I hope you'll enjoy!!  :)    

Wishing you a beautiful Spring of celebrations and a Happy Mother's Day!!

xoxo

Favorite Five Frames

Family time was in full force this past week!  We had a somewhat impromptu family reunion at our home that was planned and put together in just a little over 2 weeks time.  That's how we roll.  It all came together and there were family members from as far as Florida, Tennessee and Colorado.  The idea was to honor my 93-year-old grandfather, and I think we managed to do just that quite well.  Lucky for us, the weather warmed up and we were able to enjoy the sunshine!  

My Chelsea even made it home for a few days!!  She's in Colorado these days working in tourism management.  The girls were all together again and it was so good for all of us.       

Chelsea had years of softball as a kid, playing catcher.  She gave Emmy some pointers since she has just begun playing this spring.  

Family group shot!  The in-between, set-up shot, at least.  Just for the fun of it!  What a crew we are!    

This sweetheart was center of attention for an evening with "adopted" family.  Chelsea's best friend (close enough to be a sister) from the time they were 5 is now a momma!!  And I'm officially a "Gigi" - I'll take it and love my new title!  Thanks, Jen!  We all loved clapping along as Miss Juliette danced, took more and more first steps, and stole our hearts.  That's okay, she can keep mine.  <3  So fun!  

And we're off and running!  This was Emmy's first game and run towards home base!!  She's loving softball!  

It's a super full week ahead:  preschool photos, head shots and Mother's Day events quickly approaching.  Does anyone else feel like May brings us the 2nd busiest month (next to December) of the year?!!  We've got this, friends.  It's all welcome hustle and bustle especially since spring is here and with it, warmer temps!  Enjoy your week ahead!