Life as I know It

My photo
San Luis Obispo, California, and South Bristol, Maine, United States
Author ~ Illustrator ~ Lecturer

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

To Persevere & Bloom


Wow, Madison, what a great city. I loved meeting everyone, especially the teachers, children, and blogger Brimful Curiosity, Janelle, and too many more to name. Thanks so much for making me feel welcome.


All of the kids wanted to show me the beans they sprouted in small pots

I am on a wild run right now and running along beside me is my amazing husband Jeff. I'm still on a central time clock and arise early to work in the garden in preparation for the upcoming photo shoot for Country Gardens. Yes, although I live in a city in California, our garden is strictly country– bountiful, overflowing, and filled with color and life. It isn't fancy or landscape architect designed, but is ours to the core–from the tiniest seedlings to the towering fig trees and grapes I started from cuttings only 3 years ago.


Getting ready to move decomposed granite, soil, and stones


A mess back here, but Jeff is setting the stones for the pathways and I see progress

Last night I collapsed onto ice packs with an aching back, sore hands, and a bad attitude. "I can't do any more," I said to Jeff, but he assured me that I could. As I looked at recent pictures of our trips, I spied these dear little violas struggling to grow in a slender crack in a town's concrete sidewalk. They not only managed to grow in that inhospitable spot, but they bloomed! I plan to keep struggling, to force myself to forge on, and to bloom.


I saw something in the crack of the sidewalk and got out to look closely



Bloom where you are planted!

All joys to you my dear friends,

Sharon

P.S. Please drop by and visit my new Urban Garden posting on the Lowe's blog.

P.P.S. THANKS to you my new book Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars just went into its 2nd printing. I never expected that to happen so soon. XX

26 comments:

The cottage by the Cranelake said...

I always thought that the most beautiful gardens aren´t designed, but made from the heart :-) They are usually much more interesting.

I´m longing to see how the violas look this year. They self sow a lot in my garden, cross breeding with the wild ones so they never look the same :-)
Have a great day now!
Christer.

Dawn said...

My dearest Sharon, you and I see with the same eyes...the eyes of the heart! I love that you noticed that little determined flower. It really is an inspiration. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Congratulations on the 2nd printing, that is so excited and must be celebrated!
Keep it up....I see your petals blossoming already!
xoxo Dawn

Erin | Bygone Living said...

How exciting to be featured on Country Gardens! I hope your back feels better ! ♥

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

My gardens are like yours - from the heart. You have an angel there beside you. Take care of yourself. May I say "I am proud of you".

Hindsfeet said...

Oh Sharon....

I can't tell you how timely your words were for me today....Persevere and Bloom......

Just was reading in Isaiah 27 this AM about Israel bursting into bloom and it filled my heart with such longing.....

I said to God...God, if this is for me from you, tell me in a million different ways today......

Thanks for being one in a million, Sharon...........

your friend,
"Hindsfeet"

Tonya Gunn said...

So wonderful to be in Country Gardens- congratulations!
I am happy to have found your blog. I am off to learn more about your last book.
Warm wishes, Tonya

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

Glad I renewed my subscription! It must have been ESP that I knew you would be inside some month soon! Congrats on the book into a second printing! Going to Kathleen's on Friday for her Herbfest! Should be fun!

Terra said...

My city garden looks like a country garden too, and even has a blackberry bramble patch that is a wildlife and bee mecca.
I see you liked Madison, I attended graduate school there, and agree with you, it is a world class city in my opinion.

Little Acorn Learning said...

to live a focused life, we have to continue to bring ourselves back to *center* - over and over again... I'm right along with you on the journey.

xoxo

Mr Brown Thumb said...

That's great how it is growing in that spot. I saw some snapdragon blooming in a crack in the alley a couple of years ago that just warmed my heart.

Zuzana said...

Your garden is lovely, just the way I like it; natural, not too styled, but filled with colours and scents.;) My dream garden.
Look at that sturdy little violet or pansy that decided to grow next to the wall. What a lovely sign and sentiment.,)
xo

Kristina said...

I've always love the saying, "Bloom where you are planted." I've had to say this to myself many, many times when feeling sorry for myself about all the shoulda, woulda, couldas I think about! I love your blog and the inspirations you give me! Thank you!

Kristina

Susan Freeman said...

What a sweet and precious little viola popping out to bring us all some cheer! I just checked out Sunflower Houses and am thoroughly enjoying it!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Mozart's Girl said...

Dearest Sharon, what a gorgeous, uplifting post. I hope the back is holding up...I know how that feels! I have little yellow & blue violas here, growning in the cracks of our old garden wall...love to see their sunny faces! Love to you xoxox Rachel

nocton4 said...

great post, beauty really is everywhere, if only we look xxx

rebecca Sweet said...

I had to laugh reading this, as my back is so tweaked right now from spending the week in my own garden...and my wrists are sore from pulling a gazillion privet seedlings. Thanks for reminding me I'm not alone in plopping into bed at night feeling overwhelmed and sore! Carry On, Sharon! Just a few more weeks to go....

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

Oh, do take care of yourself. Although I must admit the work is all worth it, what a garden (not to mention books).

I'm going to be buying a copy of your new book for my granddaughter Faith's birthday (on the 4th of July).

She is only five but she will love it.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sharon Dear, Congratulations on your second printing!! It must feel extremely gratifying. Hats off to you for providing such important information to those of us interested in smart gardening. On that subject, does your book have information on eradicating Spittle bugs? I know their season is short and I don't mind them so much on plants that bloom later but when they're covering and doing damage to a plant that has one short bloom time, I get kind of frustrated. Rinsing the plant works for about two seconds.

I used the canola oil trick on my Porcelain vine. So far so good.

Congrats on the magazine photo shoot too. I'm jealous. :) Do you know what issue the photos will be published in?

Unknown said...

I was visiting Vee and she mentioned her Dandelion Wish Jar and your blog. So nice to meet you. I will now browse a bit, your blog is lovely.
Karen

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

I'm visiting here, because Vee ["A Haven For Vee"] said to come over. :-) She showed a sweet "wish jar" she'd made, from your instructions. And said you have a lovely blog, as well.

Gentle hugs...

Lori ann said...

Dear Sharon,

i'm thinking some bath salts and a massage might be in order!

You already are like that dear little flower, blooming everywhere. Big hugs and congratulations for the book, and of course everything else you do. Off to Lowes blog now, take good care!

♥ lori

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Dropping by to say HELLO! Congrats on your wonderful book! Enjoy the weekend! ♥

Marcie said...

I hope you got some much needed rest. I thought I was busy, but I get out of breath just reading about your whirlwind days! It is good work you are doing... sharing the love of nature, the earth, and gardening with young hearts. I am inspired!

Courtney at SL's No Ennui said...

What a beautiful, inspiring metaphor those sweet violas provided!

I thought of you this weekend as we finished planting in all the pots on our little deck! I have lavender growing for the first time ever and I am so excited about taking "smell and relax" breaks throughout my day! What a treasure I feel I have...

From the Kitchen said...

Oh how I love gardens just like yours! Ours is showing promise but it's still a bit on the chilly side here in Chicagoland. The herbs are happy and that makes me happy. The basil is well on it's way awaiting local tomatoes to join it in a salad. I managed to overwinter, inside, a rosemary topiary that I purchased in a "farewell" visit to Smith and Hawken. The lavender is beginning to bloom. Come on sunshine!

Best,
Bonnie

Anonymous said...

Such a lovely post Sharon...from "the mess" where the path is laid to the hopeful pansy, blooming with optimism through a crack! I completely understand that bad atitude with the hurting back and ice packs...sometimes gardening is tough, but afterwards...pure pleasure!! Good luck on all the projects and paths and things an enjoy the hot bats at night!
Ronelle