my secret rooms

Yes, I'm at a loss for words today.... Things have been so hectic around the house recently between work, company, my step-daughter moving out, and working in the yard that I haven't had time to do much writing, or thinking about writing, or reading other's blogs, or taking interesting pictures to share. But not that there's anything interesting to share either. We've had a few really nice, sunny days--in the high 60's--which means I'm working long hours and hard hours out in the yard on those days I'm not working working. But we don't have any color yet, shrubs are still struggling to come to life. So much to do and so little time.

Here's a few of the outdoor projects I'm working on right now. My secret rooms.... I love secret gardens with little rooms independent of the other and pathways winding throughout.

This room is my Berry Patch with lingonberries and blueberries. I'm hopeful for a good spring crop.... although it may be more for looks....

And yard art is an important ingredient in my cottage garden but I have some wonderful old objects that I display in my gardens. This is an old garden plow that came from my kids' great great uncle's place. I love it!

This is my Room in Bloom. It's still a work in progress as I need to plant a few more perennials and then make it pretty with bark dust and a piece of yard art or two. It's hard to tell how much sweat and tears I've put into this little room and it's much prettier in real life than this picture. But I have a couple classic rhododendrons, a dwarf rhodie, a Tinkerbell Lilac (isn't the name cute?), a Marisee Pink dwarf rhodie (the white ones in front) which I bought strictly because of the name! Also a hydrangea, a red leaf rose, peonies (my all time favorite), azaleas, and so much more. This little room (about 20x15) has 24 shrubs planted and almost that many perennials, but it was necessary.... With up to four dogs in the yard at any time, running as if there was no tomorrow, I had to plant as dense as I could otherwise all I was doing was creating an agility course for the dogs to run through..... In time, shrubs will have to be rearranged as they grow and, hopefully, as the dogs learn this is not part of their playground! The best part about this little room, besides all the color and nice scents, is it's right next to a little sitting area and our fire pit. Ahhhhh, my favorite secret garden.

Yes, I love to garden! But I'm sad this year as I've come to the realization that I'm no spring chick anymore and I have way too much yard work for one person, or two or four! My husband has damaged arms and can't help much. So I need to keep him busy doing light work and leave the heavy and repetitive work for me. As sad as it is, gardens need to be removed but it seems for every one removed, one or two new ones surface....

So that's been my life these past few days. Hardly time to think straight. Tomorrow's another day.