Life as I know It

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

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Entirely Happy Under the Sun



This is my new, little book (front and back covers)

You get the first peek of my new bird book, My First Bird Book and Bird Feeder, for children (regardless of age). See how it is packed inside a neat, window-mount feeder? The back of the feeder has a round porthole so kids can look through it and watch the birds in action. Ask for it in October 2012 or order now.

Dear Friends,

Thank you for writing and sharing all the adventures that you're having in your lives. I want to answer all your letters, but the new children's novel and some other projects (not to mention the garden) are stealing every waking (and some sleeping) hours.

Jump on by and visit the Imagine Childhood blog, which features a fun and personal interview with me. Please leave a comment, and you'll be eligible for their great give-aways. You can choose any one of my books AND a pottery toad cottage for your garden. Enjoy!

Carla and others who have written to ask for another video–here it is. I'm not great at this though, so forgive me for the shaking hands and moving too fast. Just as you look I am already moving on to something else. This video features half of my garden.

"I was something that lay under the sun and felt it, like the pumpkins, and I did not want to be anything more. I was entirely happy."

My Antonia (1918)
by Willa Cather


I'll do another video in a week or two. I am more myself, whatever that self is, when I am working in my garden. Whether I am weeding or just sitting, watching, and listening to the life of a garden, I am happy.

Sending love across the miles,

Sharon

p.s. Come visit me on Saturday, June 2, at the Curious Cup Bookstore in Carpinteria (near Santa Barbara), California, at 2 p.m. for a free garden talk and Q and A about publishing.

40 comments:

farmlady said...

What a charming little bird book and feeder. I know that it will sell to children and to we who have that inner child inside of us.
The video is wonderful. Enjoyed taking a walk in your garden. I love what you said in your last paragraph.
"Whether I am weeding or just sitting, watching, and listening to the life of a garden, I am happy."
I completely understand. In my garden I'm an most myself.
Lovely post...

From the Kitchen said...

Sharon: Just a quick note to say the book looks like a real treat for little and big birders. I have several wee ones that I'd like to have a copy. I'm looking forward to watching your video. Right now, we are out of here to catch a plane to Providence. Maybe there'll be an additional video visit from you when we return.

Best,
Bonnie

Lori In Indiana said...

Hello Sharon! So excited to see the peek of your new book and your gardens. Thank you and blessings -

Claudia said...

Thank you, Sharon. I thoroughly enjoyed the tour of your garden! I could spend hours there. Your book looks delightful!

xo
Claudia

Susan said...

How Perfect for my grands! My father started me on watching birds; something I do where ever we live and with your help, I can pass this love on to them.
Your garden is just breathtaking and serene. I wish our weather would warm up a bit so mine would start to bloom. Love you, Susan

kj said...

OMG! here it comes--i can't help it:

sharon, this is orgasmic!! five minutes calmed by your garden, of course, but also by your sweet voice!

your book is fantastic. i'm ordering it. i'll probably learn some basics myself, which is about time. to have followed your little paintings is a special treat for me. xo

my mr ryan age 5 is coming for the weekend and he wants to plant seeds. i have saved him a space in a garden, plus we have rows ready to plant the lollipops and jellybeans. i don't know if the upside down cake will make it this year.

keep smelling those roses, my friend.

love
kj

Julie Marie said...

Good morning Sharon!... I just loved your video garden tour... your gardens are so beautiful, and your voice is so soft and soothing... Heaven on earth... I love your little studio nestled amongst it all... I am so excited for your bird book and feeder... I am going to pre~order it from you right away!... thank you so much for the stroll through your gardens... I am still learning so much from you... xoxo Julie Marie PS Miss BlueBelle is as "content as a cow chewing her cud" here... thanks again!

Little Bird said...

Oh, dear Sharon.
I don't know how you do it all! The new book looks just perfect for young and old - I can hardly wait to share it with our grand daughters, come October. You bring delight to the world!

Thank you!
love, Gaye Marie

As the Crowe Flies and Reads said...

THat book looks just wonderful and I will make sure that my store stocks it. October seems to be an odd month for a birdhouse book to be released, though, no? Unless you're in the southern hemisphere, of course!

Is it from Workman? It has the look of either Workman or Chronicle. very nice design values + good function, which both of those companies have in spades.

As the Crowe Flies and Reads said...

Never mind--I thought it was bird house, not a bird feeder. In which case October is the perfect release date in our hemisphere. Sorry!

Pat said...

Feeling so relaxed after our garden walk - such a beautiful blue sky and love all your watering cans!

Whether quilting or gardening - like you...either one takes me to my happy place.

Your new book for children with the birdhouse cover will be an instant success & I bet will make for lots of Christmas gifts!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dear Sharon ~ what a delightful book.

I enjoyed your video then watched on of you with the Central Texas Gardener. I could listen to your soft spoken voice all day. Very calming in today's hectic world.

Happy Gardening & Happy Living,

FlowerLady

nana pam said...

the book that Maddie and I have waited for-hurrah!!!
your garden is like fairyland-thanks for the video Sharon

Pondside said...

I will be looking for the book for our grandsons! Congratulations, Sharon!
It's a bit crazy here, with a wedding in a few days, and guests from your town arriving tonight - lots of fun!

Kay's flowers said...

Sharon,
Your book looks delightful. That's one for my favorites list.
Your garden looks like a place I could spend days in and I love your morning "office". Just so. It's always so charming to see how other people garden and I can't wait till the article comes out. Have a great week.

Blessings,
Kay

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Good morning!

In answer to Emily's question-I WANTED my bird book to come out in October, which is when so many birds need food. Also, this would be time for winter and would help kids see a smaller variety of birds, thus learn them more quickly. And, they can stir up some of my bird recipes to help get the birds through the tough times.

Happy day,

S

jerilanders said...

Sharon, Hurrah for the bird book, fini! I will be purchasing one, of course.

I think you did a great job on the movie. I have been practicing my video skills and yours are much better.
I received my little tin of seeds, their catalog is just full of beautiful little herb and vege paintings. Thank you so much for the contest

hens teeth said...

What a joy to not only see your book Sharon, which looks perfect but...to see your exquisite garden and hear you talking about your garden was for me a fabulous treat and so very inspirational. Thank you so much. xxx

Rachel - Mozart's Girl said...

Dearest Sharon, how lovely to have a 'visit' from you this morning! I love the look of your new book...how sweet & pretty it looks. I know that it will be a huge success! My little sister is currently growing a 'sunflower house' inspired by you, for her little son. I will send you a photo when it's ready! So wonderful to have S & J here, of course. they will be here soon, then London beckons - & it's hot & sunny at last, which makes sightseeing so much nicer! Love to you both xoxo Rc

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

"Thank you for all your wonderful imaginative books that add so such pleasure to our lives"! This new book of yours looks DO DELIGHTFUL! I thank you VERY MUCH for my "Peaceful Valley Seeds", I'm planning to BLOG about them.
Your video was SO MUCH FUN!
Have a wonderful week,
Big Hugs,
Donna

rebecca sweet said...

Hello Sharon! What a delightful book - I simply can't wait to get my hands on a copy when it comes out! And thanks for the garden tour. I'm glad to know I'm not the only child who loved to pop the fuchsia blooms. Though I was scolded for it by my parents for they were certain it would ruin the flowers. Who can resist popping those beautiful baloons!? Hope you're having a beautiful summer (and sorry if this posted twice - I seem to be having problems posting my comment today!) XO - Rebecca

Sharon Lovejoy said...

You are all so dear and supportive.

Rebecca Sweet, of course you popped those fuchsia blooms. They're so satisfying. Hope you're well and foot is fine. When's the next party?

Love to all,

Sharon

LindaCTG said...

I LOVE the book cover and your garden via video. What a talented, inspired person you are, and especially, how much you inspire all of us. XXOO

Anonymous said...

Sharon, what did you say in your video about the birdbaths - keeping the water moving - what do you put in? I couldn't hear that.
Your garden is lovely! thea

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Hi Thea dear,

I bought some of those mister/dripper kits from Wild Birds Unlimited. The dripper clips onto the side of the bird bath and is hooked up to a hose, which is hooked up to a faucet. You can regulate the amount of water that drips out of the little tube.

Birds like moving water. It attracts them. The good thing about the moving water is that it keeps the bird bath clean and discourages mosquitoes.

Sorry if you couldn't hear me. I don't have a very loud voice–unless someone steps on a plant or hurts a bird!

Love,

Sharon

The Unusual Farmchick said...

How exciting Sharon! It looks fantastic & I can't wait to get my hands on a copy {and I adore that it comes with a little window feeder}. I know this will be enjoyed by my children. Right up their alley.
Congratulations on another fantastic book.

Farmgirl Susan said...

The bird book looks wonderful! I LOVE the charming way it's packaged. So happy and cheerful. Congratulations on another beautiful accomplishment! xoxo

The Artful Parent said...

I can't wait to read this book! The girls and I are all enthralled with the birds around our garden these days, and love, love, love our current window-mounted birdfeeder. We could always use another!

Vee said...

That is a very charming, clever book. I will definitely be ordering it some wonderful day when I have a good book order going.

Hope that all those projects at your place are going well.

Claudia said...

I am a bird-nerd and spend way too much time outside watching the fluttering lovelies and not enough time inside. Love introducing this world to the young.

I will happily send you rhubarb in exchange for an artichoke. Try as I might, I cannot grow them here. I am off to Maine in a few weeks - lobster is calling.

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Hi Claudia,

I grew artichokes in a huge tub in Maine! Right beside the ocean. They were tiny, but great.

I want to be right behind you, journeying to our beloved little cottage, but family obligations and business have made us delay our departure.

Take me in your pocket,

S

Joanna Taylor said...

I appreciate it when you do your video and blog segments. You take me to another world that I love. Thank You.

Linda Hoye said...

Oh Sharon. I can't wait to purchase your new book. And the video? Heavenly.

Vicki Boster said...

Sweet Sharon-
Congrats on your beautiful book about birds!! You must feel so proud--- and relieved to have it finished! What a great success you have made with this amazing book-- I totally love the bird feeder- so cute!

The walk through your beautiful garden was pure delight-- more than anything- I loved hearing you say how happy you are in the garden.

I wish you the most wonderful success with your new book-- I'm off to visit the other blog!

Love
Vicki

sarah-jane down the lane said...

Oh Sharon I am all puffed up with joy and pride at your comment on my last post!(like a fat little robin!)
Thank you, you have made this Sussex girl very happy indeed -x-

How lovely to walk around your garden with you...I am planning to watch it again so I can take it all in.

Such a wonderful book...I know several "Littles" who will be entranced by their own birdy book...and long to know the names...might you do an English version?

Thank you again Sharon, sending love,
Sarah -x-

Zuzana said...

Looks like a wonderful book, congratulations.;)) And you seem to be doing very well under the sun.;))
xoxo

Mary Pellerito said...

I just discovered your blog. I look forward to reading about what is going on in your garden.

Bobby Jo said...

Hello again, Sharon!

Thank YOU for the blog comment; what a suprise!

I am looking forward to this new book of yours as well.

My almost 5 yo son is a bird lover. He asked that his b-day be bird-themed next month. Yes, I think it must take place beneath our big tree out back.

It is so fun to wonder at nature alongside a child!

Carol said...

Congratulations Sharon!! Wonderful book and you will inspire many adults and children to care for their backyard wildlife. A joyous cover . . . front and back! I hope it sells millions of copies and is translated into many languages. Best of Luck! Carol

Beth said...

Hi, Sharon,

I love how your little bird book is packaged in a feeder... brilliant! I haven't been here for a while and see that you are writing a fiction book. I can't wait to read it. love, Beth