I'm really one to talk. My husband says I'd pay more attention to him if he had a laptop permanently strapped to his face.
I think we all burn out once in awhile. I think it's good. Time to reevaluate.
Do you know what I love... being outside. If you are looking for a way to get lost in something other than reading blogs... my suggestion is plant a garden. We may be scattered across the US and world, but certainly Spring is on the horizon where most of us live.
My mom has always been a gardener... and I decided to try my hand at it a couple of years ago. My garden is pathetic in comparison to hers - I like to blame it on the sandy Florida soil. It does make it quite difficult.
My sister took some amazing pictures last summer when she went home to my parents farm in Southern Illinois. I did not go because I had too much "work" going on. Looking back at these photos my heart sinks to think that "work" got in the way of time with my precious family. This is what I missed out on:
There's no hired garden help there. That's the work of my mom & dad.
Black & Blue Salvia {Salvia Guaranitica} & Black-Eyed Susans {Rudbeckia}
I have both of these in my garden, but they have NEVER been that big... maybe one day.
More Black Eyed Susans & a few Geraniums {Geraniums are easy to grow from cuttings- just get a little bottle of rooting hormone and stick them in some potting soil}
I use this rooting hormone:
The fence and gate around the patio, a plant called 'Purple Loosestrife' {Lythium Salicaria} - leave it to mom: this is one that she dug up on the side of the road - she said it's 'outlawed' in Illinois - supposedly invasive, mom claims it's not. She digs up all her plants each time they move. When I was younger my sister and I would hide on the floor-board of the car while she would stop alongside the road to dig things up. I've recently done this myself... mom would be proud.
This is my mom bathing my nieces (her granddaughters) in a bucket on the patio.
Mom & Paige swinging on the porch with Professor Bird Brown, PhD... aka "Prof" or "Bird", my first rescued dog that my parents stole from me.
And there is corn. Acres and acres of corn. My parents don't farm. They rent their land to farmers, who plant corn one year, soybeans the next.
This grassy area leads back towards the lakes... full of fish.
This doesn't even seem real does it? This is my niece with a "real farmer" who was riding by on his bike and stopped to chat. I'll see if my mom can send me some digital pictures she took of his garden last summer... you will be amazed.
This is a place where 'above ground pools' are not looked down upon. In fact, this one at the neighbors was the highlight of their trip!
She's going to shoot me for this one (below)... in her pjs (no make up) - but do you spy that little bouquet on the table. Mom always has fresh-from-her-garden bouquets around the house when we come home to visit. Always on bedside tables... but look how sweet, she even had one on Morgan's little dining table.
Okay, some from my garden: I'm in zone 8b
Mexican Sage {Salvia Leucantha}
Zinnias galore (easy, very easy - these are my favorites)
One year I did bird-house gourds. It was a mistake. They took over.
Coral Snapdragons and Blue Forget-Me-Nots
Seeds I started last year... basking in the sun in my guest bedroom.
My precious husband built me a potting table last year- I love it. It doubles as a great serving piece when we entertain in the backyard.
If you are intimidated by gardening, start out slow. I'd suggest some zinnias, herbs, and planters of geraniums.
A few of my favorite herbs, that I feel most certain any of you could tackle and fair quite well with:
Lemon Balm - great to clip a sprig for your Ice Tea in the summer months. Smells heavenly. Grows very big, suggest cutting it back early in the season.
Pineapple Sage- smells like Pineapple (hence the name). I love to put a leaf of this and a leaf of Lemon Balm in my hand together and rub the smells together - smells like a pinacolada!
Rosemary - smells yummy... love the gray coloring and the texture of the needle-like leaves.
Parsley - may be surprised to know that parsley is a member of the carrot family.
Basil - oh how I love the color and shiny leaves. I don't cook much with my herbs, I just look at them and enjoy their beauty... but of course it's key ingredient in pesto!
This is turning into a novel... sorry, there are so many others... but I've gone on too long.
Last but not least:
A WONDERFUL GARDENING RESOURCE (no matter where you live) is DAVE'S GARDEN. I joined 2 years ago and there is a wealth of knowledge on that site. Forums on everything from landscape design, fences, plants, pests, etc. Seed swaps galore... and gardening round-ups (where you can trade plants with other people). It was here that I learned about Lowe's slashing prices on plants. I love a good deal and if you have a Lowe's near you - there is always a 50% off rack - where you can bring something back from near-death... one of my favorite things to do!
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