Sun In My House

The sun has been spending a little more time this week melting the snow at our house.  A rusty garden trowel left over from fall’s last minute plantings appeared the other day along with a forgotten beverage glass.  We’re not sure what creature wintered itself inside it, but the glass will be recycled not reshelved.  Another find was the long green garden hose which will now allow water to flow from several different directions.  It offered its life to the snowblower for the rebirth of our front flowerbeds which we reworked last fall with newly planted 95% off discounted Charlie Brown shrubs , perennials, and lots of grass seed.  So far all we see from the fruits of our labor is a gully of black dirt and newly scattered granite chips from our driveway again thanks to our snow blower.

The dream is that by July 15th , 2011 this yard will be transformed into a magical treasure map of flowers, art, and alpacas.  Our home is one of nine to be featured on the 15th Annual Thomsens Greenhouse Summer Garden Tour sponsored by Avon Area Arts Alliance.  Being a part of this celebration of summer and gardening is definitely going to satisfy my creative demons.  However, my family is afraid of becoming the sacrificial lambs.  Yes, I indeed have my vision and my lists.  My personal goal will be to have beauty, fun, and a family that still loves me after July 15th.  I am a creative sporadic think outside the box gardener.  I plant purple beans in my vegetable garden every year and never eat them.  I really don’t know why but this really does happen every year. I plant eggplant and swiss chard with my flowers because they’re pretty.  I use weird old stuff (furniture, farm machinery, bowling balls) , handmade window boxes and trellises  and original art in our sometimes fertilized and watered gardens.  I love a beautiful garden but I am resourceful (code word for cheap).  I work hard but I quit when it’s not fun anymore (code word for a little lazy).  Check out my blog weekly to watch the transformation of an artist’s home and garden from spring mess to summer success!

My husband and youngest children had spring break last week.  It really is not spring-like here although I do think I saw the blurry fuzz of pussy willows blooming in our swampy ditches as we arrived home.  What tough and brave plants to be poking their heads out into this cold light searching for spring.  I would not be a good pussy willow along with a number of other things.   We had a very relaxing inexpensive visit at friends and relatives in the St. Paul/Minneapolis MN area and a chance to see two new condos and two new grand nephews– both were very impressive.   It is always good to get some distance from your life and the tedious operations that sometimes fill it up.  I must have been quite refreshed by this excursion because within minutes of returning home, I cleaned out our frig of abandoned leftovers and stray coffee grounds, changed kitty litter, did dishes, put away suitcases, sorted mail, and picked up my studio.  Whew! That’s usually two days worth of mania right there.  I do know one of the sources for this burst of energy did come from an appreciation for being home and the other just may be the anticipation of spring and the chance to welcome two new members to our household this May.  Stay posted for some Sun in My House.

This is the beginning blog of a new journey for me as a writer, artist, wife, mother, friend, and creative kook.  I look forward to sharing my love of writing and art with the tedious yet endearing moments of life.  I’ve spent almost all day playing with all sorts of options for design layouts, colors, and photos for this new creation called www.suninmyhouse.com.  With surprise the  cold winter day has turned dark and I am appreciatively warm  at the basement computer.  I’m hoping my work at this desk with a keyboard will help me balance my love of losing myself for hours in my window- filled studio.  It seems I need some right brain/left brain joggling. Good luck to me.