Dahlias and More Dahlias

This winter I decided I was going to splurge on dahlia tubers.  I was ready when the growers posted their tubers for sale and was determined to get some that always sell out quickly.  Well, let me say..  it was so worth it.  All the planning, all the digging, all the sweating, and all the waiting.. We are  in the first weeks of blooming and they are just so beautiful.  Come and let me show you what is happening so far..

Lily..our new Australian Shepherd puppy..14 weeks old and so loved

Winterpast

I could go on and on with pictures.  These flowers inspire me to learn my camera better and to use it!

I hope you have enjoyed these photographs and that they made you smile.

  Spreading beauty is a good thing.

Love,

Mona

Inspiration..my Blog Anniversary

Well, well...  it has actually been 9 whole years since the very small, scary beginning.
I knew I wanted to write a blog and share my life but didn't know much about doing that.  still don't..
I keep the blog up and limping along because I still love to share things but just don't have the time to sit in front of a computer anymore.   One of my favorite sayings is...

Since I have greatly expanded my gardens, they have become my priority over the last few years. Hopefully as I get them planted, I will have time to share. 
Enough of that...  LOL

Thinking back over the years as a blogger, I have learned so much.  photography, tablescaping, when to keep my mouth shut..haha  that was a hard one.  I have made some great friends ad watched as this blogging community has grown and changed.  some of it still baffles me.  I am not a computer geek at all.  not even a little bit.  It is all hard learned for me..

Words are not adequate for thanking you all..  Every single time any of you have told me that I inspire you, I am humbled and overwhelmed...and so happy that you saw something you liked..
 You inspire me..  E.V.E.R.Y time you tell me that..  I am very grateful. 

The sun is shining and the garden is beckoning.. but first, a few pictures.

 Really, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU

Little did I know that I was developing my style as I set these tables through the years..

And just like that, I have spent more than 2 hours putting this blog post together.  It is a joy, a time consuming one..But I am not going anywhere. 

Again, THANK YOU to all of you..

Love, Mona

Landscape Design

Come on in and let's look around..

so many possibilities

deodar cedar..my favorite tree

big pond

view from the house to the back of property

view from the garden 

dusk

our woods with magnolias

ardisia

I take a lot of pictures for the sake of studying our landscape and creating design that we like.

I have been the designer of this land we call Winterpast.  A lot of pictures and a lot of pondering and studying have gone into the last 16 years of gardening here.  There are still many dreams and plans in my heart.  I have done it all without spending a lot of money..My sweet husband doesn't really care what I do in the yard and helps me bring my dreams to fruition.  I had an idea and a vision for the  raised beds garden and he executed the whole thing with help from one man.. building all the beds and hauling in tons of compost to fill the beds..

As I look through the years of photographs, I can see the progress we have made.  I do love this land and dreamed of having a plot of my own where I could do whatever I wanted. 

I am from a long line of extreme gardeners and think of them all the time..especially my Grandmother Lewis. She was an extraordianry woman and won many awards for her flowers and horticulture work as a home gardener and hybridizer of daylilies among other things..

Grandmother

her daylily seedlings with hollyhocks in background

Oh how I wish I could have a conversation with her today...we share so much in common...

We have had really warm weather this week and it has given me spring fever.  Even the flowers are starting to wake up but...WAIT..winter is returning this weekend.  Before we know it, spring will surely be here and gardening will begin again in earnest.

What are your gardening dreams for this year?  I have enough to go around if you don't have any..LOL

Have a great weekend..

Love,

Mona