As is expected in the lovely Pacific Northwest, we have had lots of rainy days mixed in with bits of sunshine and cooler weather. Fortunately we have been able to get out for daily walks in between the showers. My plants are loving this rain and beginning to show some real growth. But we are coming into some warmer days and that is exciting as then the plants will really pop. Oh plants….. I have rather an obsession with plants (like yarn, fabric, books, thrifting….well you get the idea). I love experimenting with a variety of different shrubs, flowers, veggies. Some do amazing while some are a disaster. But if you spend but bits on them it is not such a tragedy. I am the queen of discounted and “free range” plants. I stalk the plants discount racks and bring home a myriad of beauties. Currently I grabbed two lovely jasmine and two amazing peonies for only $5 each! Considering I had only recently nearly popped $50 for one larger jasmine, this was especially thrilling! I don’t know about you, but to me there is something so satisfying in watching shoots emerge from the ground, a flower burst into a beautiful bloom, and picking that first sun warm ripe tomato and popping it directly into your mouth. Pure and utter delight!!

The work in the yard continues on and on as I am constantly moving things about and again and again. In the back I have added the two jasmines against the back fence and did bit of rearranging. The fire pit mess is going away as I just grabbed a bunch of shade loving shrubs and tree and will be making a nice little arrangement in that area. I mean, why not make mounds and fill them with shade loving plants?

The herbs are growing nicely and I keep moving pots and plants around. I was going to take them off the patio, but I rather like them there. Oh that patio needs a major redo though!

Out front I have made several changes, and am sure I will continue to do so. I purchased a few peonies (again on a great clearance) and put them and a bevy of iris rhizomes in the space bordering the neighbors that was a huge weed bed. It just needs the bark chips. I love peonies and Iris, so this will be delightful next year when they all come into bloom.

This little area by the house is quite the work in progress and will continue to be so. I love my little wheelbarrow and it will stay. But I added quite a few plantings and this fountain. The fountain is a thrifting find that didn’t have a working pump so was pretty much given to me. The hubby added a pump and we fixed it up just fine and I think it is lovely. When I finish with all the plants how I want them I will add the bark chips to this area and call it good…..well at least for this year. Those little green bits in the front will grow up into huge flowering bunches as bee balm and the lupines should also put on quite a show. My little nasturtiums should provide some color to my salads as well at the flower beds! The large coreopsis provides a gorgeous yellow dye which I use to dye wool.

The hubby has been busy trimming bushes and trees and has found a few abandoned nests. We made sure they were old unused nest from the best we could tell. I thought they were so sweet placed just by the door.

• 

Speaking of birds, with all the bird houses, feeders, and baths the back and front yard have just filled up with so many lovely birds. My favorite have always been the little chickadees in so many colors. I love to sit at my desk by the window and watch them!

I have become addicted to gardening podcast and my knowledge has grown exponentially. I think my favorite is Epic Gardener. I learned from him that I can plant and grow turmeric and ginger! I currently have both potted and just waiting to see the first shoots emerge. It takes a few weeks. But OMG having my own fresh ginger and turmeric is an absolute game changer! You simply take the rhizomes that you purchase at the store to be consumed at home, stick them into a pot with just a light covering of soil, keep them moist and at 70 degrees, and just let them grow. Pick rhizomes that have numerous little buds (or heads) and they will bloom away for you. The important thing to remember is that they are a tropical plant so need warm moist environment. When it warms up in July I will place them outside. For now they are in front of a sunny window area indoors.

I did get in a bit of my thrifting monster fed the other day. Just down the street was an amazing yard sale. Donned my mask and headed out. She had so many lovely things and I purchased numerous country type decor for my youngest as she is in the process of buying her first home. I also got this darling antique crib for FREE! It needed a bit of repair, but it is just too cute. I have debated putting it out doors with plants, but it wouldn’t last more than a season, so instead my teddies have a new home.

As the temps heated up, I turned my attention to indoors. I had been thinking for a bit that I wanted to move the large white hutch out of the living room and move my large glass hutch into that space. That meant packing up most all my milk glass but bits and bobs and favorite pieces. The milk glass will be going to my youngest soon anyway as she buys a new home. The large white hutch is now in the hallway. I am still working on what will be placed inside and atop it.

My lovely basket collection is now center stage in my living room where I can fully enjoy them. I may play around a bit more with placement of the baskets and lovelies as well as the pictures on the walls surrounding it.

Well moving the hutches also gave me the inspiration to paint this little sweetie. I chose a color to set off my favorite hand painted Fenton milk glass pieces. It is quite chippy and the pink was almost too much, but I wanted to highlight the colors in the milk glass. I am quite delighted in the results.

Next up is a revamp of the bedroom. I have huge furniture that weighs a ton and with the bedroom being so dark, it looked like a deep dark hole. We took off the head and foot boards and just that simple act opened up the room so much. This meant moving the huge dresser and just doing an overall clearing out. When it is all done, I will share pictures. It is still a messy work in progress!!

And that is how I have been filling my days, busy nesting and creating, sowing and harvesting and what could be any lovelier than that when one must stay home and stay safe.