Practicing social distancing ~ zen and the art of gardening

I was weeding the other day which I find very relaxing and zen-like (it is my favorite gardening activity) when I remembered the title of a long ago book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I don't have a motorcycle to maintain but I do maintain a garden that is full of weeds. I decided that a state of zen isn't a bad place to be right now, Hooray for weeds!

The crabapple allee along my driveway is just coming into bloom. I have never been able to capture how pretty it is with a photo. These trees are not supposed to do well in our area but so far they haven't found out...and I am not telling them!

My new gym.

 A couple of weeks ago when it became apparent that going to the gym was not a good idea I ordered a set of exercise bands from Amazon, now I think they are all sold out. I already had the weights. So now an area of my living room has now become the 'gym' where I can exercise and do yoga. When it gets warm enough I will move out to my deck, but for right now this is fine. 

 The white Lady Banks rose, Rosa banksiae 'Alba Plena' is covering the old greenhouse in blooms. The flowers are larger and a more typical rose form than the yellow and more common Lady Banks which lags a bit in its bloom time behind this one. I have both of them, to me they always say, "Spring in here".

Pasta has been completely sold out in our markets so yesterday on a lark I decided to get out my old pasta machine and make some. I can't remember when I did this last, and now I know why - it was a bit of a chore. However, it did turn out well and there is nothing better than fresh pasta. I put together a sauce from a couple of foraged tomatoes from a bush that had over-wintered in the garden. It really was quite a nice dinner. I vacuum packed and froze the rest (it made a huge amount) for later.

Lastly, I will leave you with this lovely yellow iris in bloom, I don't know it's name but it is extremely hardy, prolific, and repeat blooming. It is like a ray of sunshine and who doesn't need a ray of sunshine right now.

Thank you for visiting, I hope that you are following the guidelines and keeping safe. This is a very stressful and difficult time for our country but most people seem to be rising to the occasion and realizing how important the way they behave is effecting us all.

Take care and stay well

Adrienne 

At home - practicing self-distancing.

I have lived in my home far too many decades than I wish to admit to and I can never remember a time that I have appreciated it more than now. My home not only offers me a sanctuary and a place of peace but a way to spend the day - gardens in particular always need attention and now I certainly have the time to give it some much needed care.

Like the salvia pictured above this lovely Rose of Sharon is also putting on quite a show. You just can't spend time in a garden and not feel some sense of promise, even in times such as these.

Other than gardening there are a couple of other activities that I am currently enjoying. I always have

 a small jigsaw puzzle like the one below set out on a table, but I think that I am going to order a larger one to get me through the next few weeks. Amazon has some great ones. They are fun to do during that random moment of boredom. 

And,

I ordered this French language series from The The Great Courses over a year ago and never got around to taking it out of the package. I have been studying french for quite a while and I think this

will be helpful in increasing my french language skills. Now I am kind of happy that I saved it. I also have a course on photography, but that will be for later. 

So between books, gardening, leaning new skills, and home projects (I am building a new gate) the days are going by quickly. I can only hope and pray that this  illness which is devastating the world will be over soon and we can go back to our normal activities without fear.

Meanwhile in the midst of chaos...my lilac is blooming.

Peace, stay well and take care.

Thank you for visiting

Adrienne

March news ~

~ March news ~

A new bouquet.

The altromerias are starting to bloom in the garden. Each year they are more abundant as they easily re-seed, often in the most unexpected places. Mine are all in shades of pink but I just planted a  yellow one that I hope will take hold and provide me with pale yellow blooms. They make the most beautiful and long lasting bouquets.

A new needlework project

I have started crocheting this afghan for my daughter. The room it will be going in is decorated in shades of gray and white. I really enjoy having a needlework project to pick up at that odd moment - or when watching television. This pattern is so simple that it requires little attention allowing the mind to wander...in a nice way.

New lily bulbs

I wasn't going to plant any more lily bulbs this year but these were on sale and I couldn't resist. I am not sure where they are going but I will manage to tuck them in somewhere. They are the tall variety which I prefer and the colors are so pretty.

A new little friend

I have developed a bit of an addiction for gnomes. I have a special enclosed, and somewhat secluded area in the garden for them them - a secret gnome village. I put them out in the spring along with my umbrellas and store them away in the fall. I have been trying to think of a name for this village and my sister suggested

Adrienne's Folly and right she is, it is a folly...but they are so cute! And this little guy holding a butterfly was absolutely irresistible.

A new return to the past

I have recently realized how much I miss having a few hens clucking and scratching about, it is almost a dozen years since this chicken coop in the far, far back of the garden has been occupied. Although it is basically still in okay shape it needs a some repairs and I want to add a roof to keep it dry in rainy weather. I hope to have it ready for this springs crop of new chicks.

And that is the new news for March!

I hope your spring is full of fun new ideas and projects.

Take care and stay well.

Adrienne