It has been a very productive summer for us. We had over 170 people visit our gardens over July 11th and 12th. Two lucky ladies were recipients of two large elephant ear concrete leaf impressions. The gardens were beautiful. Rain on Saturday didn't deter the dedicated gardeners. People walked the gardens with umbrellas! Sunday was beautiful and everyone enjoyed themselves. We virtually sold out of concrete leaf impressions.

Normally, I am frantically casting leaves once Open Garden Days are past. I have had limited time to work since we have a few other projects requiring some time. Presently, no rain and watering wands are out. That takes up a lot of time during the day. The early summer gardens are looking a little worn right now from the heat and the dry conditions. The ornamental grasses, japanese anemone, late daylilies, lespedeza "Gibraltar", helenium and crepe myrtles are starting to shine in our late summer gardens.  

We are also in the process of preparing a building site for an official showroom/shop. That means lots of trees are gone and my shade plants are literally frying in the sun. We didn't have much notice before the crew showed up to cut down the trees. I hope to start moving them in the next day or two to save as many as possible.  I seriously underestimated the amount of sunlight that would reach into the woods once some of the trees were removed.

I hope to find some time to work on concrete leaf impressions before the good leaves are gone for the summer. I hope all my new and old gardening friends are enjoying their summer days.

Well the Spring shows have started. We enjoyed our first show in Charleston and EIU's Celebration of the Arts. The weather turned out to be beautiful with a decent turnout. The live music was great! Very eclectic and all accomplished musicians. We met a terrific new friend, Dianne, and she makes BEAUTIFUL jewelry. Needless to say, we had to get a couple bracelets which we have dubbed our Celebration bracelets.
 
Yesterday, our show at Fairbanks park was a pleasant surprise. We were so tired when we got home though, that we slept for 12 plus hours! I was worn out and so was Steve. The Spring show in the garden is breathtaking as well. We sat by the pond today and marvelled at the beauty surrounding us. The weeds are growing like crazy as well as the flowers, so it looks like time on my hands and knees next week. It is all good, though. Consider each day a gift from God. We do! We hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Mother's Day.

Okay, now this is ridiculous! We have gone from cold, wet, dreary, grey days to 84 degrees. Wait a minute. Spring was supposed to happen somewhere in there, I think. I hope everyone is enjoying the new found sunshine and warm temperatures. I saw my first 2 male hummingbirds this past week. They were looking for the feeder out back and seemed to chastise me for moving it up front this year. After I explained that it would be easier for me to be sure they ALWAYS had food, they seemed to come around to my way of thinking. I just love these little guys.

Our first Spring show is this coming weekend and it will be my first juried show. I have to admit I am a little nervous about it, but am stll looking forward to meeting some new friends. It is supposed to storm both days, but ever the optimist, I am hoping the weatherman is wrong or maybe just misguided.

The gardens are looking so beautiful! Right now, I am looking out the front window at the pond. There are forget me nots blooming their little heads off and a drift of white anemone sylvestris behind them with a few iris thrown in for good measure. some of my favorite rock garden plants are blooming. The lewisia are looking adorable and the viola pedata are charming as always. I just love this time of year! I had several hypertufa planters to sell at shows this Spring, but have commandered several of them for my own purpose. That is why I started making the tufa pots in the first place, so I guess that is okay.

Happy gardening all!

It has been a while since I posted and LOTS of things are happening here. We have so much color in the yard already. Thousands of daffodils blooming near the barn, winter aconite and snow drops are about done. Looking around the yard, I see windflowers, hellebores, leucojum, jacob's ladder, species tulips, bloodroot and more all doing their spring thing.
 
It has been an eventful month! I sliced my left index finger open on a pasta machine and it required stitches. Naturally, I am left-handed. I get my stitches out tomorrow. Hooray! I did some nerve damage, so the vote is still out on how much I will be able to do with it. I have been trying to paint, but was unable to even THINK about making any hypertufa. Hopefully that will change before the weather gets too warm.

We are looking forward to our spring shows. Please look at the Upcoming Shows page if you are going to be anywhere in our area in the month of May. We look forward to sharing our love of plants and all living things with you. Have a GREAT spring and maybe we will see you in the garden.

We love to hear from our customers and new gardening friends. Let us know what you would like to see on our website or how we can improve our products. Tell us what you are doing to pass the time until Spring arrives. Thank you to so many for your kind support!