It has been a quiet week, but a busy one!  We had new windows installed yesterday, and while I wasn’t the one doing the work, I lingered around to see the progress and take pictures.  I can’t wait to show you the results.  The back side of the house is looking amazing! And, thank you so much to everyone who has asked how I’m doing.  I’m doing well.  My arms are still red and splotchy in places, and a little itchy, but the allergic reaction is so much better.  I have bought gardening sleeves to wear when I’m back working in the garden, hoping to avoid whatever caused the problem in the future.  I’m also finding a new rhythm without Sebastian shadowing me all day.  Some days I’m fine, and then other days I cry when I get out a block of cheese!  I just roll with it, knowing it

I decided I would take a few days off from posting here on the blog next week to be gentle with myself.  I have some due dates for other work projects fast approaching, and I need to acknowledge that it’s okay to set a few things aside so I can get the work done while still having margin.  I knew losing Sebastian would be sad, but it’s affected me more than I anticipated.  I think a part of it is that I’ve had a lot of other small personal things pop up from strange symptoms that required a biopsy and ultrasound (everything is normal), a summer cold that had me in bed for a few days, followed by an allergic reaction from either insect bites or a toxic plant on my arms that are now infected.  It’s like the old balancing game, Block Head.  I kept stacking oddly-shaped pieces, trying

It was a slower week for me, but sometimes we need those slow weeks.  Life can be a constant flurry of work and activities.  Sometimes I enjoy those slower weeks, but this week of forced rest felt like an interruption.  My body appreciated it, though, and I’m ready to hit the projects again. My four things this week – Thatched Roofs, pondering, the beautiful idea, and little things. what I’m reading I got a new book in the mail last week – The Collected English Cottage.  It is such a sweet book with lots of great ideas to bring the feel of English cottages into your home.  It’s filled with patterns, antiques, collections, and even recipes. We just booked a thatched cottage in the Cotswolds for our visit to England this fall, and this book is whetting my appetite for the quintessential English countryside. what I’m watching I’ve been thinking

As I type this blog post, new LED panel lights are being installed in our basement!  I can’t wait to see that space properly lit and bright.  I put off my painting until the new lights were installed so I could see better.  I hope to have that done next week. My four things this week – Restoring Williamsburg, Alone Africa, regret & gardening overalls, and hiring out annoying jobs. what I’m reading My research of Thomas Jefferson’s gardens at Monticello led me to Williamsburg.  Jefferson was educated there and was influenced by the architecture, but departed from their formal English-style gardens when designing his garden.   I have a couple of books on Williamsburg, but poked around to see if there were any good ones I was missing.  This led me to Restoring Williamsburg, and it’s been an interesting read so far with lots of great images.  Would you believe

I usually enjoy the summer because of the slower pace, but this week has been busy!  We’ve just had a lot on the schedule.  Things should quiet down next week.  In all of the busyness (and the suffocating heat), I’ve still managed to get some good things done. Here are my four things – My Jeffersonian period, borrowed light, toning down the crazy what I’m reading I’ve been enjoying my book on Monticello’s garden so much (A Rich Spot of Earth) that I pulled out my favorite book on Monticello, Thomas Jefferson at Monticello, to read along with it. It is a gorgeous book with wonderful photography and great information.  If you can’t take a tour of the estate (or you just want to spend more time looking around and learning), this book is excellent. what I’m watching I’m currently in my Jeffersonian period, so Jeff and I watched the

Well, between thunderstorms and hot, sticky afternoons, summer is in full swing here in Maryland.  I’ve been spending mornings and evenings working on projects outside and staying inside for the heat of the day, working at the easel and writing.  While I’m not a “summer person”, I do love the longer days and the slower rhythm of summer.  I don’t have to get up early and rush the boys off to school, more of our evenings are free from obligations, and there seems to be a little more free time to enjoy.  Believe it or not, I haven’t gotten in the pool yet for one reason or another, but I’m planning on enjoying it in the coming weeks as a treat after working outside. Here are my four things – A rich spot of earth, more gardening, repairing failure, and summer rhythms. what I’m reading I’ve been reading A Rich

I must say, I am pretty proud of everything I’ve accomplished in the week since my last Four Things post.  I turned in my book manuscript, primed more pieces for building a few more panels to screen the A/C unit and propane tank.  I built another garden obelisk and completed a few commissioned paintings.  Jeff and I also worked together over several days to get the garage organized, and now I feel even more motivated to get projects done now that I have a covered place to work and can find the tools and materials I need.  The weather has been hotter than I would like, but I’ve been doing outdoor chores in the morning and evening and working inside during the hottest hours.  It’s been a good week! Here are my four things… what I’m reading I like to grab a book when I know I’ll be waiting, so

Whew, what a week!  I decided to try fitting in a bunch of projects to “beat the heat,” and I ended up working quite a bit in the heat, red-faced and sweat dripping off my brow.  It was only in the mid-to-high 80s, but I’m just not built for heat and humidity.  I got a lot accomplished, but it threw off my blog posting schedule, and my e-mail was woefully neglected.  I spent some time today getting caught up, so I won’t go into the weekend feeling behind. Despite my full week, I picked out four things… what I’m reading I had a few appointments on top of my projects, so I revisited a favorite gardening book from last year to read while I waited.  I try to always bring a book with me if I know I’ll be sitting around, so I can spend the time better than just