The BIG project - ReNew~ReCharge~ReVive

I wish I could show you some pictures...
I wish I could view it myself....
But...the project is ongoing without me while I am in Florida snuggling with the grand kids.

Before I left we pretty much gutted the gift shop at the nursery. It has been 11 years now since we opened the Creative Garden, and it was in serious need of a make over. The party started with me there in full swing, the music going, the liquids flowing (coffee), everyone laughing and talking all at the same time throwing out ideas and suggestions.

Over the course of a few days, the walls were emptied, the cabinets moved out, holes patched and hooks taken out of the roof, product donated to our local thrift store that we no longer were going to carry, decorations for the winter season packed up and put away, walls washed down........and then.......I GOT ON A JET PLANE AND HEADED EAST.

So just like you, I will be TOTALLY SURPRISED, and amazed when I get back to Fallon. The creative souls I am surrounded with have been incredibly busy. Throw in some amazingly talented friends that assisted them and you get the picture, a huge change IN STORE.

Friday, January 20th,

THE BIG UNVEIL!

 Don't miss it!!!

Where in the world is Susan...

Morning walks......

and

birthday cake (Sara's 31st)


makes me 1 Happy Nana

ps, I'm in Florida :}

It's a New Year

I watched the fireworks at the fairgrounds last night from the comfort and warmth of my sitting room. As each "boom" lit up the sky I reminisced about the past year, and thought about the coming one. I think that every year I think of the new year as just that ...a new beginning. A chance to take this one day and reflect on where my life is going and what I intend to do with the next few months as we progress into the new one. I have a lot to be thankful for, as evidenced by my health and almost complete use of my left shoulder (those new to these posts will note that I had rotor cuff surgery last Spring). More important I am thankful to be surrounded by the most positive, hard working, incredibly talented group of women probably EVER grouped together in one small garden. This year as we walk down this path together ~ once again I hope that I can be even half of supportive of them, as they are of me.

The holidays are behind me, and the seed catalogs and garden magazines that stacked up by the chair in November & December are back in my lap. The absolutely beautiful Christmas tree we had this year is stripped of its ornaments and lays outside in preparation of becoming a winter bird habitat and quiet has once again descended on our house.  The black eyed peas are simmering on the stove, the dirty rice done and the cornbread ready to go in the oven .....it's dinner time Southern Style.

The days ahead will bring much activity at the nursery, but most of you won't be able to see it for a couple more weeks. We are in the very important task of ReCharging ~ ReViving ~ ReNew'ing both the gift shop and OURSELVES.  We have some small and big Gift Shows to attend, and I will be heading out to Florida in a few for some HUGE hugs with the kids.

What more can you ask for on the first day of the year.....temperatures were cold, but the sun was shining, there was no wind ~allowing the perfect opportunity for a long walk and a chance to do a little watering. As I raised my face to the sun, just as the flowers have always showed us to do, I gave thanks, for my life, my husband, my family and my friends. Happy New Year to one and all!

Christmas Eve for Harriet

'Twas the night before Christmas,
And all through the store,

Not a creature was stirring,

No one came through the door.

Harriet was safely sleeping,

On her bed on the floor,

When outside in the trees

She heard quite the roar.

She ran round the table,

And put her face to the glass.............

To see what could be causing

This loud sounding crash.

"It's just us", we exclaim,

As we open the door

We've coming bearing gifts,

Catnip, treats and toys galore!

We picked up sweet Harriet

And cuddled her well,

Filled her food and water

And pulled out her new bell.

We left with a smile

Harriet's blanket tucked tight,

Merry Christmas to all,

And to all a good night.

Merry Christmas from our family, including Harriet, to yours. May the season bring you good health and happiness.

Winter Solstice, Gardening Style

Today, December 21, at 9:30 pm. PST is the Winter Solstice. I could tell you all about the scientific explanation ~ that the winter solstice occurs exactly when the axial tilt of a planet's polar hemisphere is farthest away from the star that it orbits. Or.... I could list some of the cultural elements of the Winter Solstice also known as Yule, Christmas, and Saturnalia. It celebrates the birth of the new Solar year and the beginning of Winter. The Goddess manifests as the Great Mother and the God as the Sun Child. The God also appears as Santa Claus and Old Man Winter. Colors are Red, Green, and White. This is a festival of inner renewal, a time to strengthen bonds with family and friends by visiting and/or exchanging gifts and greetings. No one is really sure how long ago humans recognized the winter solstice and began heralding it as a turning point -- the day that marks the return of the sun to the northern hemisphere. Many cultures the world over perform solstice ceremonies. At their root -- an ancient fear that the failing light would never return unless humans intervened with anxious vigil or antic celebration.   But first and foremost, my life as a nursery owner revolves around gardening. I love the winter solstice because it means one very important thing. The days are going to start getting longer. The short days and long nights of winter are not my favorite time of year. I long for the sun on my face and  the warmth that the longer days of summer bring. So when the winter solstice hits it’s comforting to know that the days will be getting longer, and Spring and Summer are on the way. Something that also can be done on the Winter Solstice.....walk outside....today or close to it....and take note of where the garden is shaded. This is the shortest day of the year and if you are lucky, as we are today in our beautiful valley of Fallon, Nevada it will be sunny enough that you can use this time to do some planning. Remember last year when you came into our nursery, or perhaps you were at a friends garden looking to try something new,  and were looking for a specific plant, one that needed sun all year round. Something like lavender that really does require sun the entire year to stay warm and thrive. Either jot down in your gardening journal, you do have a journal don't you?, or place a rock where it will remind you that this area is shaded all winter, it's not the place to put certain plants. The sun in the sky today is not where it was in the summer, how quickly we forget that though when picking out plants in the gorgeous days of Spring and Summer. HAPPY SOLSTICE to all and beautiful blessings for the New Year!

Carson Robert turns 1

Happy  1st Birthday

Carson Robert Thompson!!!
You may be the "little" brother, but you sure are a "BIG" sparkle in our life.
Love Nana & Papa

Lucia's Winter Wonderland

Every year around the holidays we girls gather up some snacks and our creative spirits and we flow over to Lucias house. She does the holidays in a BIG way, a BIG VINTAGE way! and we all love it. We wander from room to room and marvel at the inspired way she has not only decorated her home, but her life as well. Most all of the decorations are vintage inspired, and at least half of them are handmade by Lucia herself, including this gorgeous wreath constructed from old ornaments. After touring each room we settle in either for an old movie, or a craft project. This year was a "craft" year - so with Mod podge and paper in hand we started creating an ornament. Many hours of laughter and good food later we ventured back out into the cold with a memory to hang on the tree, and a memory in our hearts. Thank you Lucia, can't wait for next year!

 

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.............