garden — Page 217

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity-Jig

May 26, 2013 at 10:21 am by Claudia

mysterybush

Our white flowering bush, which I at one time knew the name of, is abundant with blossoms this year. It looks like something from the Spirea family. Some previous owner of the house planted it down by the road and it blossoms in the springtime. Oh, pretty.

Overgrown is a word that seems inadequate to describe the state of things here at the cottage. Don has been good about keeping up with the mowing. It’s a full time job in the spring as we have lots of grass on this almost 2 acre property. I didn’t get around to mulching the big garden bed before I left and it shows. Clover and other unknown weeds are everywhere. Yikes. I have lots and lots of work to do around here.

Today is windy after three days of rain and storms out here in the East.

I can’t wait to get outside.

catmint

Happy to be home.

Happy to be with my husband and my little scamp, Scout.

Opening night was a big success, with a wonderfully responsive audience. The biggest treat for me was seeing a former colleague from my days as a faculty member at Boston University. Jacques Cartier headed the directing faculty when I was there and I was the coach on several of his productions. I liked him enormously – he is a keenly intelligent director. But here’s the serendipitous thing: Hartford Stage is beginning its 50th Anniversary Season this fall and Jacques was the guy who started it all. He founded Hartford Stage. So he was the honored guest for opening night. When I stood in front of him at the pre-show reception, he did a triple-take. (I hadn’t seen him in twenty years!)

Lovely. Old friends, new friends, happy actors, happy director. And now, home.

Happy Sunday.

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Scenes from Home

May 1, 2013 at 7:27 am by Claudia

scenesmapletree

scenesjacks

scenesshed

sceneseggcups

sceneslawn

scenesscout

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scenesmorninglight

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The trouble with going home is that you don’t want to leave.

I awoke quite early this morning and that’s when I snapped these photos. The weather is beautiful, but still hovering slightly between winter and spring. Last night the temp went down to the thirties and today it will rise to the mid-seventies. Don and I worked outside most of the day yesterday. He mowed the back forty and I weeded the garden, hauled some things out of the shed and used the two bags of mulch I had that were leftover from last year to mulch a few of my garden beds. The day started out cloudy but turned very sunny and warm and, though my back and hip ache, oh, how glorious it was to be outside, working and tending to my garden.

I feel a bit as if I have come out of hibernation.

The stresses of our life seem to be holding steady; trying to pay the bills while freelancing and living paycheck to paycheck, wondering where and when the next job will come while trying to remain positive and open to miracles. Somehow, working outside helps me to forget all of that and just be for a few hours. Sometimes, even for a day. It’s the best kind of therapy and is certainly a lesson in gratitude.

Now I have to pack up my things and get ready to hit the road for Hartford. And not think about leaving my little girl again.

Happy Wednesday.

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A Quick Visit and a Gift

April 29, 2013 at 8:44 am by Claudia

How can everything be overgrown here in the one week that I’ve been gone?

It’s as if the grass and the weeds shouted, “Hey, she’s gone, let’s go crazy!” Yesterday, Don mowed most of the lawn that is right in front of the house and it was so long that the lawnmower kept stalling. That leaves a whole heck of a lot of grass yet to mow and it’s looking like rain today. Don considers the front lawn the only area that needs to be mowed. That leaves out the grassy area behind the kitchen and the whole back forty. We have this argument every year. Like clockwork. I insist it needs to be kept under control because it’s prettier that way, plus, there are less ticks if the grass is mowed. If you remember, I’ve had too many experiences in the past where I had to clean up overgrown areas that Don ignored while I was away. Sigh. I have to get some mowing in before I leave for Hartford.

I let Scout out this morning, walked outside and immediately came in and started to charge the battery for the weed whacker. I’ll be decimating some weeds later today. The garden, though, is filling in nicely – that makes me happy. Still only blooms on the daffodils, but the tulips are about to open. I imagine that as soon as I leave, blooms will burst forth everywhere.

There was a box waiting for me. It arrived in the mail when I was gone. I knew it was from Judy, who just might be the sweetest, most thoughtful person in the world. It was from One Kings Lane. You can bet I opened it immediately. Well, not quite immediately, I showered sleepy Scout with hugs and kisses first.

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Oh my goodness. Could these be any more adorable? Four egg cups that come with the eternal question: What came first, the chicken or the egg? They are designed by Keith Brymer Jones, who is a British ceramic designer.

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I’m thrilled. What a marvelous addition these make to my collection!

Judy, you are the best! Thank you. I love getting surprises in the mail. These made my day. Week. Month.

Don has been taking Scout for rides in the car every day. And walks. She’s been on several adventures. What a good daddy he is! I can see where this is going: Don will be the fun, exciting parent, while I will be the medicine giver, food deliverer, bath giver, toenail clipper, sort of boring but necessary parent. Ah well.

Happy Monday.

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Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity-Jig

Scenes from Home

A Quick Visit and a Gift

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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