Saturday, March 20, 2010

What a Week!

This week has worked absolute wonders on my state of mind. I don't know about you, but I feel so much more like myself when I stop and smell the roses every once in a while. For me, this involves taking time to enjoy the little things, such as going for walks around the neighborhood, playing with plants and craft supplies, or taking trips to the park to wander hand-in-hand with my love through dusty forest trails. I pretty much keep my camera on me at all times, because there is just too much beauty in this world not to. Here are some snapshots of how I spent my Spring Break.

I mentioned my deep love for our new neighborhood in the last post. If you pictured old brick buildings, friendly shop owners, city parks, little benches along the sidewalk, and lampposts to light the way, you couldn't be closer to the truth.











The weather was really nice for the majority of the week (although it's a freakin' blizzard outside right now). We took advantage of the sunny days and headed out to one of our favorite local parks. It's not your typical short grass and playground type of park. It's a "nature park" with creeks, lots of huge trees, and signs warning of wild animals. In other words, it's my kind of place.





My collection of terrariums has doubled in size since I showed you what I had made so far in my last post. This one, made from a vintage snifter glass, is one of my new favorites.



I've also expanded my designs to include plants potted into old dishes, which I've been planning to do for months now. These little glass bowls were the perfect fit for the cuttings I took from my succulents. They look a little naked right now, but these hardy, ground-cover plants will quickly spread to fill out the dirt.





I definitely won't be stocking any of these in my etsy shop, because I don't feel like I can ship them without compromising the health of the plants. I do, however, plan to set up a booth at the farmer's market which takes place a few blocks from our house to see how they do. Until then, they will grace my new kitchen window. This is a big deal for me because we've only lived in apartments up to this point, and we've never had a kitchen window. As you can see, I'm taking full advantage of this wonderful spot.



If you're wondering about the funky contraption in the center, it's an avocado seed. The next time you make homemade guacamole, try this out:

-Save the seed.
-Poke toothpicks into the sides and submerge half the seed in water until it sprouts.
-Once it has a substantial amount of roots, transplant it into a large pot and grow your own avocado tree!

Mine never get large enough to produce fruit because the climate in Oklahoma is too cold to plant them outside, but it's still fun! And if you have things like dirt and pots sitting around anyway like I do, it's a free way to entertain yourself with something you'd otherwise throw in the trash. Click here for more detailed instructions.

These are the kind of things that help me escape when I need to just hang out and enjoy life. But I'm always on the lookout for new things to try with my experimental self, so tell me something: How do you "stop and smell the roses" when you really just need to feel like yourself again?

21 comments:

JUST ME said...

LOVE THOSE plants.

Weatherwise, we had the same thing: a beautiful week, then Friday, it snowed 13 inches. I cried. Just a little.

Pili said...

Yay for getting some rest and recharging batteries!!

Whenever I want to charge batteries and relax, I usually one of two things, either I hole myself up in the sofa with a good book and read for hours on end losing myself on the book or I go to my parents cottage in the middle of nowhere and play with the doggies and take photos all around!

Unknown said...

Do we live in the same town? :) Yours looks so similar to mine and I am just like you - I love taking time to enjoy all the little things.

Robin Thomas said...

I am glad you enjoyed your week and your town. You are frothy with positive and I love it. I admire it.

Megan said...

Gotta love BA :) All those pictures make me want to go to that awesome candle shop down the street.... and then swing down to Mr.Mambos for some queso and chips.. mmmmmm!

Glad you got to enjoy the sunshine & the outdoors before the snow storm hit :)

alexkeller said...

i have a kitchen window sill but it's very narrow. i was thinking of planting succulents in some tea cups and such. may i borrow your green thumb?

Rheea said...

I always have a strong feeling I wouldn't be living in Singapore or any other Asian countries in future, especially when I came across photos like these. Love the farm, cosy small towns, friendly folks.. away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Who knows, we might become neighbours someday!

I make yummy avocado drink! Let us know when your first avocado is born and I'll give you my recipe. hee.

Thanks for letting me know that the red queen is actually Johnny Depp's wife in real life! Oh my, that was a big big surprise! Yes, they are very very cute together.

Have a beautiful weekend, Holly~
Rheea

apparentlyjessy said...

Holly, you should make some miniature polymer clay creatures to live in your terrariums! I can imagine one of your dear squirrels living in there!

You have a lovely neighbourhood. I should probably take time to walk and explore mine for frequently.

Thank you for your well wishes for my Grandpa, I spoke to him this morning and he is picking up a bit now.

OliveStreetStudio said...

i love your posts! The terrariums are so cool....and the vintage glass is a great 'recycler'. I collect vintage glass - you have given me a thought for some of my pieces! I may try to force a bulb or two. I knew that was avacado - bc I'm always saving my seeds to plant. :-0 VERY COOL.

Rose said...

Hi Holly, Im happy to hear your enjoying your new neighbourhood so much, I bet its so nice to have your own place as well.
All of your terreriams look great! And im really intetested in the avocado seed. I LOVE avocados so I will have to try this.

Rose

Margie said...

Great avacado seed idea! I've never done that...I am thinking of getting into a rock climbing group this summer!? We will see how that goes. If I do, then I will be visiting lots of those Nature Parks! Sounds fun to me:) ~ Margie

icandy... said...

Hi sweet Holly!
Such a pretty downtown... makes we want to go walking around and shop til' I drop! :)
I LOVE your little captured worlds, now THEY look like Spring!!
oxox
Christina

Rhiannon Bosse said...

Lovely photos! Sounds like you had quite the time away :) xx

Melissa said...

Those plants are so creative; awesome. And your neighborhood looks really pretty!

Home Sweet Texoma said...

What beautiful pictures you take! Next time I'm up that way I must find your booth at the Farmers Market and get a plant. I love the idea of using the antique/thrifted glass bowls.

My mother in law has 2 avocado trees that she grew from the pit/seed. It took her 2 years to get one going but shes super proud of it haha. They are barely a foot tall now but she will proudly show anyone that will look haha.

I want to see more pics of your new home! I'm sure youve made it all cute and home-y-feeling ha.

cabin + cub said...

your town is so cute!
and all your plants are coming along really nicely... great garden!

ps. I am having a giveaway...come check it out!

Anonymous said...

I think gardening has become my 'stop and smell the roses' moment too really. I haven't done much gardening until we moved into this house so I'm still a total rookie, mostly because where we used to live the climate wasn't as forgiving for a beginning gardener like me. Nowadays, you can catch me literally 'watching my garden grow'. I love it. :D

Margaret said...

what a gorgeous post :D
amazing photos!!
love your blog
stop by some time! xx

Caitlin said...

aw, thanks for the comment Holly!
I went to cut a few daffies from our yard today to put in the dining room and they're all gone now. :(

Amy Perrotti said...

I'm not surprised to see you have a green thumb. You are so creative. I really need gardening lessons. Happy Spring! :)

Katrinshine said...

Beautiful photos!
Thank you for your comment on my blog! Your words are warm up my heart!
Buona Pasqua!