The kiss of the sun for pardon . . .

Gardening advice from a novice gardener:

1.  Throw out the gardening gloves.  Dirt feels good between your fingers.  (Gardening gloves will definitely save a manicure but it's just not the same).  There is something almost spiritual about getting down with the dirt and leaves and just digging.  Toss the gloves out and dig in.

2. Take cuttings/bulbs/plants from family & friends.  I'm not suggesting sneaking over in the night and stealing hostas from your neighbor.  Offer up something that you have in abundance and see if you can make a trade.  I have hostas, daffodils, lillies, lambs ear, autumn joy and much more that came from many other gardens.   Mature plants can be quite pricey and I love looking around and remembering where some of my garden dwellers came from.

3. Use your imagination.  Gardening is so much more fun if you get creative.  Use something unconventional as a planter (My aunt has old work boots filled with Hens & Chicks and once planted an old bathtub.  My dad has a fire hydrant).  Use something old that you were considering throwing away - a rusted out bucket, a rickety old chair, etc.   Make something yourself: stepping stones, mosaic decorations, bird baths. 

4. Get out there early.  My mom & I used to get a hot cup of coffee and walk thru the garden in the early morning.  The smells, the sounds, the sights . . . they are different in the early morning light.  That is one of the things I miss the most about my mom. 


Some pictures of my gardens this year . . .

 Honeysuckle & clematis climbing up our arbor

The clematis loves this spot in my butterfly garden

 Lola's favorite drinking hole . . .

 LOVE these giant hostas

Bleeding hearts. My mom's favorite.

I am a very sentimental gardener.  Most of my hostas came from my Aunt Gloria and Aunt Gilda, who got them from my mom's gardens over the years.  I LOVE knowing that my mom's green thumb once tended to them.  I try to use things in my garden that have personal meaning to me or that I have made by hand. 

 This fountain used to reside at the Graham home at Lake Tapawingo in the 1950's.  My mom had it in her yard for many years.  It had a ton of cracks and leak and was getting difficult to keep it running after all these years, so I decided to use it as a planter this year.

 Erica & I made these cute little lady bugs.

 This turtle shell is made from my Grandmother Hilgedick's wedding china.

 Memory garden stone

This statue came from my Grandfather Hilgedick's garden

 I made this gazing ball from a bowling ball that my friend Erica found at a flea market

My garden stepping stones.  My mom & I made most of them more than 10 years ago.


I have found so much serenity and healing in my garden.  Just wanted to share my little corner of the earth.   Also,  I can always use a partner on my early summer morning walks 'round the garden.  I promise you'll love every minute.

Tulips in bloom

MY RUNNING PROGRESS:
January miles: 31.6
February miles 23.64
March miles: 62.14
TOTAL: 117.3
MILES TO GO: 382.7

It's been such an amazing spring.  My gardens are so happy and there are so many things blooming already!  The tulips in my GGG Memorial Garden were incredible this year.  My mom would have loved them.

We had an amazing day filled with family fun this weekend.  We were in the Blue Springs area and decided to take the kids to The Bass Pro Shop. There's a great little park right next to the store with walking paths, a playground and a gorgeous lake with tons of wildlife.  We checked that out first . . .  ate a picnic lunch, fed the geese, played on the equipment and walked the paths. 

Then we went inside Bass Pro and the kids were mesmerized by all the sights!!  We took turns having "target practice" at the shooting range, then looked at all of the animals (stuffed & living), fish tanks, waterfalls, etc.  And just guess who we ran into???  The EASTER BUNNY!  The kids each did an Easter craft and they sat on EB's lap for a photo.  They were so excited.  Such a fun day.

P.S.

Spring is such a magical season.  I love watching the earth come alive with new life.  There's a mama robin in our redbud tree out front waiting on some baby birds.  I love watching her get prepared, she is such a busy little bird.  And very protective of her little nest.  The real miracle of spring, for me, is watching the world through the eyes of my children.  Graham has to jump in every spring puddle and point out every wriggly worm.  Sophia loves flowers and is always picking something to bring to me.  She pointed out "the most beautiful meadow of yellow flowers" which was actually a dandelion patch.  Ava is learning the names of so many flowers and plants and points them out to me.  

They fill my world with sunshine.