Thanksgiving

Although the calendar still says it's fall, by the time Thanksgiving arrives the chill of winter has usually settled in. And we have done the same. Thanksgiving always draws us close to home and family. The day itself finds our homes dressed in full finery. Candles lit. Silver polished. Center piece built. Linens pressed to crisp perfection. Amid the fall splendor, there's also a nod to winters pending appearance. We draw the drapes at night to fight the evening chill. There's a quilt on every bed and a warming fire crackling in the hearth.
Sandwiched between two spirited holidays, Thanksgiving is the quiet reflective one. Ideally it involves no major agendas or grand performances, save that of the cook. Rather it gives us that rare relaxed moment to focus on the blessings we've received in the past year and to welcome family and close friends for the sheer pleasure of their company. Before time consumes me again....Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Beautiful Hydrangeas

Well, its been some time since my last post. Life here at Bountiful Home is moving forward with many new prospects and events that have carried me to this Fall. After a very successful retail show at Ruffles and Rust in Monroe, I returned to the shop to begin the Holiday Decor set up. But it is this season of repose, one of rest and change that I really crave. Autumn is truly my favorite of all seasons. Rich color floats under foot and the rustle of the leaves make the walks in the park more desirable. In my garden, it is the hydrangeas that were spectacular this year. Today before the rain set in I clipped and bundled the beauties so to share them with those who desire the same. Grab a cup of tea and go for a stroll in your own garden....You'll be amazed at what beatiful treasures you will find...perhaps even some Hydrangeas.

Silent Beauties

I'm not sure how often we really slow down during our days, and recognize that we are people with great passions and loves. What are your favorite things? Some will acknowledge foods or sports but I will always tell you that my favorite things lie in the garden, the earth, surrounded by growing plants and flowering trees and vines... These are my silent beauties!

Gardening as Outdoor Theater

Some gardeners, I believe, use gardening as outdoor theater, with themselves as directors. Some prefer the security of repeating a similar production year after year. Others prefer the challenge of new tableaux each year: the thrill of learning about new plants and how to fit them into the gardening environment is what gives them satisfaction. Some in order to understand the plants who are the players imbue them with human characteristics. They talk to them, praise them, interact with them, move them around the stage, changing the lighting....but, ultimately, if they fail to perform, they reach for the stage hook. I love this idea of gardening and I find myself very much in the midst of this thought. This is a wonderful season we are approaching, Fall. Embrace the season of change.

Re-purposing Furniture

For several years now, I have watched and marveled at my dear friend CoCo, as she loved on cast off furniture. Schlepping old chairs and tables into her garage, only to emerge from an ugly duckling as a swan, these new found pieces would sing. Hundreds of objects would enter her sanctuary, disappear for a time and then debut as wonderful old world treasures. Book shelves, Hutches, Tables, Chairs, frames, to name a few, have been given a second chance at dwelling in someones home as a loved object. Soon, I became infatuated with the process and time that goes into these pieces. I was bitten! I now have become someone who sees things, not for what they are, but what they can be. And oh the joy that comes from watching these forgotten loved ones, transform before my eyes. Such joy that comes to the finder of these newly refurbished pieces of furniture. So let the art of re-purposing begin, continue and live on. Happy hunting

Lavender, Lavender Lavender!

This is one of my favorite times in the gardens at Bountiful Home. 54 steps off Main street, this is Garden and Nursery is known to some as Edmonds 'Best Kept Secret.' Greeted by a rose-line walk and arbor heavy in rose petals the sweet scent of the day follows your footprints. Passing through the second arbor covered by Cecil Brunner roses, you'll brush a hydrangea that will take your breath away. Pure White blossoms with a tiny azure blue eye, smile back as you pass this old growth wonder. Previously formal gardens have fallen into a more 'informal' setting as your view widens into the Nursery behind the shop. It's a confetti of color everywhere! And the voices who see it speak, "Look at the Lavender." Huge mounds of Hidcote and Grosso lavender flank the entry of the side gardens which house numerous types of Succulents, Sempervirens and Sedums. The white bells of the Kiwi vine dangle freely over a newer plot of gardens boasting a study of Lime green, blue-green and Burgundy. Then the row of hydrangeas under the apple tree, scream out in shades of blue to whitish-green. It's Stunning.... if you slow long enough to take it all in. Perch yourself on a bench or step in the garden and breathe deep, and watch for the bevy of dragonflies that sporadically fly through the Nursery darting after bugs and each other. Its Lavender time..... and I'll see you in the garden.

The Rose on the arbor!

  So many passerby's have slowed their walks to admire this great beauty. Flourishing in blush pink roses, this nameless rose speaks volumes of her time here on the property of Bountiful Home. Planted by the former tenant, lovingly known as The Weed Lady, this rose has been moved, chopped, hacked, picked and neglected. Planted some 30 years ago, she has seen customers grow and bring their children back to admire. Drought tolerant, this rose rambles up from the soil to be seen. Over night this rambler springs forth with smaller canes, then over night rockets higher and higher setting bud and getting ready to show off. Then as the summer heat sets in, utter joy is spoken to those who walk by and bend long enough to smell her lovely scent. What a welcome! What a rose! the sweet remembrance rose on the arbor.