Oh this is lovely! What a wonderful and plucky plant friend to have had for so long (I have zero ability to grow anything so I think it’s truly remarkable). Also that art journal! 😍
Nice post, Rebecca. I think of your garden quite frequently. When I head out to the chicken coop to cast some old bread to the ladies or refill water or feed,I pass by our little raised garden that's nestled next to the chicken yard. We planted garlic last fall there and covered the whole area under hay. Yesterday, I noticed that some green shoots have poked through the matted hay. Garlic.
Of course, it makes me wonder about your garlic plants, too. How are they doing?
And you'll be happy to know that I went back to the "expensive" chicken feed after some afternoon consultation with the old biddies. They like it better, I'm convinced. And our Oliver hens have rewarde us with much more richly colored eggs. Now that winter is subsiding (rather early, actually furiously early), the ladies are taking up their role again.
"And although the plant is gone, by golly it had done its job for over twenty years." Twenty years! I cannot imagine any potted plant living so long! You were, apparently, a loyal and careful steward. We all have life cycles and no amount of love and care can keep us alive. Such a beautiful little story- and the altered book art is brilliant. I have never heard of using a book in this way. Such a lovely idea -- so clever. Your watercolors are a delight, Rebecca.
"my horticultural helpline" : LOL. Another beautifully written and beautifully illustrated post, Rebecca. I sometimes sing to my plants -- not to encourage their growth directly, but as a threat: "Either grow or I'll sing even more".
I love the Art & Treasures series--drawing in the book is cool, but to aim to do one a month is brilliant! Something like that would keep me from biting off more than I can chew with an art journal. The illustration is beautiful, and for a brief moment I thought of getting my own “positive pink-petalled power”...but then I remembered that I suck at keeping plants alive!🤣
I would have been upset about that plucky little plant, too. Those drawings are beautiful! It lives on in your notebooks. Thank you for sharing them.
Beautiful words, as always - but my goodness that art journal and your creations. 🥰
Oh this is lovely! What a wonderful and plucky plant friend to have had for so long (I have zero ability to grow anything so I think it’s truly remarkable). Also that art journal! 😍
Nature, nurtured. “Mum”, indeed.
“positive pink-petalled power” hhhmmmm. it was also perspicacious, prolific, and photosynthetic. A paragon of P!
Nice post, Rebecca. I think of your garden quite frequently. When I head out to the chicken coop to cast some old bread to the ladies or refill water or feed,I pass by our little raised garden that's nestled next to the chicken yard. We planted garlic last fall there and covered the whole area under hay. Yesterday, I noticed that some green shoots have poked through the matted hay. Garlic.
Of course, it makes me wonder about your garlic plants, too. How are they doing?
And you'll be happy to know that I went back to the "expensive" chicken feed after some afternoon consultation with the old biddies. They like it better, I'm convinced. And our Oliver hens have rewarde us with much more richly colored eggs. Now that winter is subsiding (rather early, actually furiously early), the ladies are taking up their role again.
Oh those flowers are lovely! And your painting on top of a book page is just gorgeous! Definitely my type of art!
What a wonderful story, Rebecca. I have always liked cyclamen especially the dark pink variety. I have one on my kitchen windowsill too!
Really enjoyed everything about this, Rebecca. I love how you draw your art in too. Beautiful 💕
You made your plant into a real person. :)
"And although the plant is gone, by golly it had done its job for over twenty years." Twenty years! I cannot imagine any potted plant living so long! You were, apparently, a loyal and careful steward. We all have life cycles and no amount of love and care can keep us alive. Such a beautiful little story- and the altered book art is brilliant. I have never heard of using a book in this way. Such a lovely idea -- so clever. Your watercolors are a delight, Rebecca.
"my horticultural helpline" : LOL. Another beautifully written and beautifully illustrated post, Rebecca. I sometimes sing to my plants -- not to encourage their growth directly, but as a threat: "Either grow or I'll sing even more".
You open up a whole world right here with this post. I know nature is important. You show this human need with much illumination.
I love the Art & Treasures series--drawing in the book is cool, but to aim to do one a month is brilliant! Something like that would keep me from biting off more than I can chew with an art journal. The illustration is beautiful, and for a brief moment I thought of getting my own “positive pink-petalled power”...but then I remembered that I suck at keeping plants alive!🤣