+ we removed some plants 

i was afraid to get rid of anything in the garden- some trees and bushes were not serving the space involved in terms of play area and i just did not want to kill them or throw them away- two bushes were easy to give away but we ended up replanting three baby pine trees in forest behind our home .

another good idea is have a garden party to exchange or give away plants

 + we added garden art  

top left: painted by the sun, bottom left: a fish by the moon with papa’s help

i had no problem removing the faux roman ruins clay pots everywhere cracked into pieces with grass, flowers, and vines growing in them. we instead added more painted stones- this has always been a fun family activity we enjoy together.

i love  the mood and atmosphere in

corey’s mom’s garden 

britt’s blue garden 

hillside garden 

find more inspiration and ideas for garden art here

+ planted a tree for someone we love

….and so has been the creation of the wish garden , the former gift garden . it is the first year i am intentionally gardening, with a plan and i am thoroughly enjoying it- it’s also very contagious.  

i have been very inspired by my very sweet neighbors across the street (they are gay men, recently moved in, adding charming diversity to our teeny tiny village).  i love their garden!

other gardens where i find inspiration:  

gisele’s 

andrea’s 

antita’s  

abenteuer garten

enjoy!

next week: i will join amy for vintage thingies thursday at colorado lady

i cannot remember a time before now that i was so grateful for the breaking of winter, its stillness, and silence.  i have never been so thankful for the inspiration of the spring light. i am in awe of the earth’s renewal like never before- it is pure magic. dreaming and planning along with mother nature…..preparing and clearing for something new…..new life and the joy it brings…. we are sowing seeds, planting wishes, and growing dreams

wild roses growing very wildly

i have a beautiful garden in the back yard. it’s not the most beautiful that i have seen but for someone like me, not a true gardener, it is perfect. i call it the gift garden thanks to the woman that it belonged to before me. many things that she planted bloom and appear magically everyday.

this is the east side of the lawn. it hugs the house in a L shape and has nicely paved walk-ways, to the basement guest apartment, the front, and inclines a bit up to the back or in german “terrace” of the house where we have coffee on sunny days.  

at first everything was just turning green and then we started to notice different spring flowers, a variety of roses, herbs, berries, a pear, apple, and cherry tree. i made it a daily routine to walk through and search for anything new everyday and when i find something it puts a big smile on my face and feel as though i just opened a surprise gift. i just love it! 

the lavender smells heavenly

there’s the sand box! it really is a gift of a garden. every discovery makes it fun to continue taking care of it and adding to it.

i will soon post  photos on flickr of the flowers and vegetables that i am experiementing with this year.