Sunday, June 5, 2011

Time out for gardening...


Recently I posted in The Ladies Club, one of my FaceBook Groups, that I've gotten behind in my posting and commenting but I'm scrambling to get caught up. My reason for getting behind is that our rainy season ended and I’ve been having fun working in my yard.




Several Ladies Club members asked to see photos of what I’ve been up to. A few said they live in the city and don’t have yards and would like me to share mine in photos. Sometimes I wish I lived in a big city! I love the hustle and bustle!
  
This is a great chance to share my world with you in photos. 

Then I would like you to post url links in the comments section of this post showing photos of your surroundings. What a fun way to get to know each other better! Take a photo of your yard, the street you live on, your city's skyline, a meadow, a local park, a pond, lake or river, beach, anything that represents home to you. You can post the direct url link to your photo or make a TinyURL on my blog's home page and post that. There is no time limit on this. You can post at any time in the future.

Hubby and I live on 1.5 acres in the Pacific Northwest woods, in the state of Washington, USA,



across the Puget Sound from Seattle, Washington:

Seattle Skyline and Puget Sound 

To truly give you an idea of our yard I must start with last year’s landscaping work. We'd been overrun with weeds so we decided to tackle mother nature head on. 

First I laid 5,000 square feet of landscape paper. I had to dodge the trees and plants we'd installed a couple of years ago. 


Then we had 30 cubic yards (2 large trucks) of bark delivered:



It took hubby 25 days to spread the bark. He wore a face mask for protection. See how nicely he's dodging my flowers! 




He rested only one day:


Now on to this year. The bark looks great - no weeds. I put chicken wire around new plants to keep the rabbits and deer from eating them. Once the plants are established the chicken wire is removed. 




My new herb garden and part of the hiking trail we made around our property:



And..... drum roll please..... summer is finally here and flowers are starting to bloom:



























Remember – I’d love it if you took a photo of your world and posted a url link to the photo(s) in the comments section at the end of this post. Then we can all share a bit of our lives with each other. Take a photo of your yard, garden, your street, city's skyline, a local park, a pond, lake or river, beach, anything that represents home to you.



I’m really excited to announce that I will soon be setting up an easier way for us to share url links to our photos!!! Stay tuned. 



































66 comments:

cookingvarieties said...

hi mari, the beautiful pine trees against the clouds and blue skies, reminds me of the first time i visited your blog.
at that time, the pines were covered with snow..
such beautiful images

Cloudia said...

inspiring shots-





Aloha from Waikiki :)

Comfort Spiral

><}}(°>


><}}(°>

<°)}}><

Lavina Melwani said...

Mari, great pictures! What a lovely way to live. Also think you have great twin passions - photography and gardening - both restorative and fruitful!

David said...

Love the photos, so vivid and beautiful. You are so lucky to live in such a scenic location, no doubt many folks are jealous of you. Never seen that much bark before, hope I never have to experience it as your husband did :)Look forward to more pics showing your lovely life!! Take care!!

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

@David - I've lived in many places, some beautiful, some definitely not beautiful or even nice. But it's all in what we make of it! If I can't have flowers I just paint them on the wall :D

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

@cookingvarieties - I lived at the beach for 25 years-very different from where I am now. The beach was full of tourists and traffic but I still loved it for the variety of people, the ocean and the warm weather. Here it is quiet and private but very rainy. Not sure which I like better though.

Of course there's that old saying "home is where the heart is". For me my heart is always where I live no matter where. :D

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

@Cloudia - thank you. I hope you keep coming back.

Melissa Tandoc said...

Oh I loved every photo you took. It was really like journeying with you all those times. I especially like how the flowers turned out in the end. Wow!I miss the garden where I used to live. Hmmm...I'm still working on the crop or not to crap assignment. But there is one photo I'd like you to see... perhaps, you could give me an advice on it. I'll write you in your inbox...THANKS MARI :*

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

From Kriti: Mari you do live a dream life! What a wonderful job and thank you for catering to our interest! I would have posted pics but mine is a new home that I am still setting up so there is nothing yet that I can post proudly. However, I promise to do so as soon as I have some kind of setting.

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

From FAYE = I love the pictures!! Everything around us is beautiful indeed. The garden , the yard, the flowers -- everything catches my interest. (smiles). This inspires me.

Sebab said...

I really envy you and in fact very jealous. You have beautiful and colorful things around your home.

We live in a big city in India now and since we do not want to live in the middle of the crowd we chose our house bit far from the down town and drive to work. We have a small yard and we maintain a small tropical garden. The climate is too hot and we struggle to keep the plants green and not yellow :D.

You have a beautiful Home!

sulekkha said...

What a heavenly place to live in and to be surrounded with so much beauty, is the icing on the cake. Loved the way your hubby took care of your precious flowers while spreading the bark and your flowers are truly amazing.

I hope to meet you someday and have my picture clicked by your talented self.I am sure you'll make me look as great as all your other subjects :)

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

@ Sailor - I bet your tropical garden is beautiful! Here it starts raining heavily in October and the rain does not end until mid-April - ugh! But it does make things very green. I'd love to see photos of your garden.

Swati said...

Spectacular!!! You're the luckiest woman alive....

lakwatsera de primera said...

You're lucky you got a a spacious place for your herb garden. My herbs are all on pots because we live in an apartment.

Aaron said...

Mari,
It looks like you have a wonderful property. I am sure that it is not hard to find relaxation and inspiration in your little oasis

Hilary said...

You certainly live in a beautiful area and I'm impressed with the work your husband has done for your plant life. Your photos are lovely.

Thank you kindly for your visit to my blog and for your thoughtful offer to do a guest post here on your own blog. I truly appreciate it but the problem is that I'm struggling to keep up with my own regular posts (and comment responses and blog visits) these days and to put aside time to do a guest post, no matter how tempting, would be too difficult at this time.

I took a good look around your blog and it appears to be a fine site with much to offer. I'll return to visit from time to time, and I hope you'll do likewise. And maybe sometime down the road, I can reconsider, if that's okay with you. :)

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

@ lakwatsera de primera - many of our veggies are grown in pots and containers - otherwise the rabbits and deer eat them all. They eat everything in sight!! But they are so lovely we don't mind and try to plant extra for them :D

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

@ Swati - I've lived in many places and many types of neigborhoods and have loved them all, no matter how large, small, noisy, quiet. It's not the house, it's that we make the house a home. :D

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Adding Disqus for comment moderation: I'm in the process of adding disqus and all my comments disappeared. Hmmmm.....I've obviously still in the trail and error phase.

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Well gosh darn - what I've learned so far is that when you install disqus all your comments are deleted from your posts but remain on your comments dashboard. Well shucks! I've had so many nice, warm, great comments. But new ones will appear. Onward and upward I guess. 

If anyone has any thoughts please let me know........please!!

Aaron Offord said...

have you imported the old comments in your discus moderation?  there is a process of importing all the old comments from blogger into discus so they show up

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Will check it out....thanks for the prompt reply. 

Aaron Offord said...

No problem. Do u see the old comments in. The moderator section of discus?

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

I found a section for export but it's not working. I looked in moderator but don't find a section on comments. Do you have the specific link? If not I'll keep looking tomorrow or just not worry about old comments.

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Ah ha!!! Now we can easily share images with each other. At least I accomplished that. Open a comments box, click the + symbol in the lower left corner and upload from your desktop, flickr account and maybe facebook. I haven't tried facebook yet. 

Click on the photo of my border collie, below left, and the photo expands to a larger size. YAY!!! 

Hilary said...

You certainly live in a beautiful area and I'm impressed with the work your husband has done for your plant life. Your photos are lovely.

Thank you kindly for your visit to my blog and for your thoughtful offer to do a guest post here on your own blog. I truly appreciate it but the problem is that I'm struggling to keep up with my own regular posts (and comment responses and blog visits) these days and to put aside time to do a guest post, no matter how tempting, would be too difficult at this time.

I took a good look around your blog and it appears to be a fine site with much to offer. I'll return to visit from time to time, and I hope you'll do likewise. And maybe sometime down the road, I can reconsider, if that's okay with you. :)

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

From FAYE = I love the pictures!! Everything around us is beautiful indeed. The garden , the yard, the flowers -- everything catches my interest. (smiles). This inspires me.

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

@cookingvarieties - I lived at the beach for 25 years-very different from where I am now. The beach was full of tourists and traffic but I still loved it for the variety of people, the ocean and the warm weather. Here it is quiet and private but very rainy. Not sure which I like better though.

Of course there's that old saying "home is where the heart is". For me my heart is always where I live no matter where. :D

David said...

Love the photos, so vivid and beautiful. You are so lucky to live in such a scenic location, no doubt many folks are jealous of you. Never seen that much bark before, hope I never have to experience it as your husband did :)Look forward to more pics showing your lovely life!! Take care!!

Cloudia said...

inspiring shots-





Aloha from Waikiki :)

Comfort Spiral

><}}(°>


><}}(°>

<°)}}><

Flame Heart said...

Just thought I'd let you know that I mentioned your blog in my latest post (don't worry- it's a good mention;) as a great place to find tips on taking better photographs:)

Your photography is really inspiring. I read some of your previous posts and tips and they definitely come in handy in my quest to become a better photographer. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge! Keep well:D

Flame Heart said...

Ooh, by the way. It's Heart from http://inspiratience.blogspot.com if you were wondering who just commented... :)

Cristina Del Sol said...

Great surroundings and fantastic pictures!. Your blog has lot's of pizzaz! I will take photos and post one another day. Fantastic idea.

Jpbrandanophoto said...

 When I saw gardening I knew there would be images. I love the first image, texture, color and great DOF a really wonderful image. Great composition also. Can you tell that I really like this image?? lol

http://jpweddingphotograpy.blogspot.com/2010/12/receptionwhen-fun-memories-starts.html

Sukanya C said...

Ah! How very refreshing ... this chlorophyll visual bath! Many thanks. Not all of India is this hot and humid. I recently clicked some in Assam (got lucky with the photos) and am sharing my tiny url - http://tinyurl.com/429zrb7

Syed Alfandi said...

love the flower shot...you have a nice yard too..

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

I remember that post, Wan. It has been so nice corresponding with you since then and trying your wonderful recipes.

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Lavina - my flowers are willing subjects! They don't become impatient with my asking them to pose like my family does :D 

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

David - I've lived in many places, some lovely some pretty bad. I learned long ago to make "Home is where the heart is" my motto. Can't believe my hubby got all that bark down in 25 days! Hope you never have to experience it either. 

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Send it along Melissa. I'll answer you questions. Then you can easily post it here in the new disqus comment box. See the plus sign (+) in the lower left of the comment box? Click it to upload a photo. Then click the small thumbnail photo for a larger view. :D

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

I would love to see a photo of your garden or of a single plant in it! You can upload photos here in a comment box. See the plus sign (+) in the lower left corner of a comment box. Click it and follow the instructions. It will upload a thumbnail photo. Click the thumbnail to enlarge the photo for viewing. :D

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Sulekkha - I would be honored to photograph you. I love doing portraits and make the posing very fun. Nothing stiff and formal. Thank you for the compliment on my garden. 

I would love to see some part of your world - your city, your street your job, even a pet. You can upload photos here in a comment box. See the plus sign (+) in the lower left corner of a comment box. Click it and follow the instructions. It will upload a thumbnail photo. Click the thumbnail to enlarge the photo for viewing. :D

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Thank you Swati - it's such hard work to maintain this yard. That is why we are putting down the bark - to make things easier. We are getting old lol.

I would love to see some part of your world - your city, your street your job, even a pet. You can upload photos here in a comment box. See the plus sign (+) in the lower left corner of a comment box. Click it and follow the instructions. It will upload a thumbnail photo. Click the thumbnail to enlarge the photo for viewing. :D

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

I have to do my veggies in pots and large containers otherwise the deer and rabbits eat them. They go through everything in one night! We keep chicken wire around lots of our plants and containers for protection.

I would love to see some part of your world - your city, your street your job, even a pet. You can upload photos here in a comment box. See the plus sign (+) in the lower left corner of a comment box. Click it and follow the instructions. It will upload a thumbnail photo. Click the thumbnail to enlarge the photo for viewing. :D

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Hi Aaron - Every morning in the nice weather hubby and I eat outside. Our 3 dogs sit and beg. Our Seattle winter weather is like yours - rain and cold. Then we look out the window and sign waiting for summer. 

I'd be honored if you posted one of your photos here.

Any one of them would work  - the swans, or one of your candids. You can upload photos here in a comment box. See the plus sign (+) in the lower left corner of a comment box. Click it and follow the instructions. It will upload a thumbnail photo. Click the thumbnail to enlarge the photo for viewing. :D

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Hi - please do keep following and learning. 

I'd love it if you uploaded one of your Photo Shop edits here in a comment box. Open a new comments box -  See the plus sign (+) in the lower left corner of a comment box. Click it and follow the instructions. It will upload a thumbnail photo. Click the thumbnail to enlarge the photo for viewing. :D

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Looking forward to seeking your photo! Thanks for your comment.

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Thanks Jim! 

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Thank you Syed. You know I love your blogs and your photography so this is a real compliment coming from you.

I would love it if you uploaded one of your photos here. You can upload photos here in a comment box. See the plus sign (+) in the lower left corner of a comment box. Click it and follow the instructions. It will upload a thumbnail photo. Click the thumbnail to enlarge the photo for viewing. :D

EMILYDOOKHOO said...

Wow I'm lucky i found such a lovely blog. I like the pictures, such great quality, i adore the flower and your home... sooo amazing!! I hope to see more of this soon

Emmy said...

Wow I'm lucky i found such a lovely blog. I like the pictures, such great quality, i adore the flower and your home... sooo amazing!! I hope to see more of this soon

Dawn said...

Beautiful outside space you've created, Mari! I so miss living out in the country.  I am currently in a townhouse apartment with no personality to it at all, and I dream of the day that I can have a home of my own with enough land to garden, have pets and just get out there and be creative with nature.  I am posting the link to my Snowpocalypse 2010 album on FB - it wasn't really that bad a snowstorm, as far as snow goes, but the ice created some beautiful images that I attempted to capture with my cheap little digital camera.  Some of them came out really well, but it did show me that I could do so much better with a professional grade camera. It's on the wish list!  


http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.282597707294.140560.699142294

Hope you enjoy the photos.  Thank you for sharing your wonderful nature world with us! 

- Dawn

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Dawn Sievers photo - a beautiful ice covered tree with the sun shining on it. 

Click on thumbnail image for large view of photo.

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

I added my fave photo but had to put it in a new comment box with a photo credit to you. Click on the thumbnail for a large image :D

Dawn said...

Thank you for sharing this, Mari!  I'll get the hang of the thumbnail link soon.  Btw, I am now following you via Networked Blogs and also via Feedburner Email Subscribe. :)

Flame Heart said...

Here's one of my photoshop edits.
It explores over-exposure and abstract effects:

Flame Heart said...

Sorry, that didn't quite work out. Here's the proper attached picture. hehe...
-Heart

Flame Heart said...

Sorry, I hope I'm not being a nuisance to this thread but I'm not sure if my comment worked just now so I'm just sending it again...

Here's an over-exposed image exploring abstract effects. Hope it works:)

Ravenmyth said...

Mari..finally getting back to visiting and commenting..how soothing to take a rest in your beautiful backyard. I had no idea when you said gardening...you meant Butchart Garden's...what a lovely place to be. A photographer's paradise...and you do not have to jump into traffic to get there. Here is a shot of my back yard...Deer Lake Park...which I talk about often in my posts...in the close up of the stream of the second photo..you see reflections of grass...and if you look closely to the right...a hidden little Duck..blending into her surroundings...

Mari...I love this " Add a Photo"...so much fun to interact with the professionals in this way...

Ravenmyth said...

Mari...not sure why the photo's did not show...they were there....

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

I love this photo! So mysterious and ethereal. Great digital art.

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Check your gmail - I sent you a message.

Ravenmyth said...

Mari..I will try and insert the photo' again here of Deer Lake Park....

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

These are stunning photos! Given the quality of disqus uploads vs actual photo sites these are amazing. You live in a beautiful area. I'll have to look up Deer Lake Park on Google. I love to research things. :D It will be nice to know more about your area of the world. 

Ckata54 said...

Simply beautiful. My son is taking Advertising and just about getting into photography, would like to link your blog to his fb? So many things he can learn from here. I too love photography, however more on potraits, as I love to catch the facial features and expressions.