“To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter… to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring — these are some of the rewards of the simple life.”
― John Burroughs, Leaf and Tendril
A simple life is not impoverished…it’s knowing what is enough!
Here I made a board for jigsaws…something I love to do.
It’s simple…look closely and see how it was made…wood, glue and edging strip to keep the bits from falling off the board.
All these photographs were snapped today, the first day of July….a few last night!
A little record of a simple life… Enjoy!
Hi Colette! You’ve inspired me to attempt to grow a willow arch out in our yard. I took 2 small twigs and twisted them together like you suggested awhile back on your FaceBook page. One twig has literally turned into a small tree so far lol. On the other side I have a few more planted but they are behind because I had to replant them at the beginning of Spring. Do you have any other suggestions on growing Willow Arbors? I am assuming this is how you have done it also and then just weave them together after both sides are tall enough? Or tie them together to form the arch? Thanks again for all the pictures you share with us. You are truly an inspiration to many! Blessed Be!
The willow must be long enough to form into an arch. Start with about 10 7-8ft lengths.
Would you also recommend doing this to all the branches that are attached to the main ones Colette? Or should those just be cut away when it goes dormant?
I leave a few on and weave them into the arch or fedge…then cut back twice every year after that.
Twist each one around the opposite one. 🙂
Lovely photos colette,and don’t forget sitting with a cuppa tea and listening to the rain falling so simple but so lovely.
blessings
gail
Very much so…
July 1st. is Canada Day here and on our little island (just east of Halifax, Nova Scotia) the sun shone mightily. It felt like the first day of summer as we wiggled toes in the sand and cooked and shared a meal outside. Our growth cycles are obviously way behind yours. I notice your are already gathering poppy heads whereas ours have not yet budded but we always seem to catch up and produce many goodly harvests from Quackadoodle Farm. So far we have been feasting on Sunchokes, Egyptian Onions, Green onions, Chives, Rhubarb, many, many kinds of greens and any day now some berries (if the birds don’t beat us to it), We have asked them to save us a few at least 🙂
Happy days ahead…with lots of healthy food to enjoy!
Blessings
Colette
Hi Jenniblackmore, I am in Halifax too. Funny how a blog across the ocean brought two neighbours who don’t know each other close in some cyberway. Just thought I’d say hello from a fellow Haligonian/Nova Scotia 🙂
How wonderful…Bealtaine Cottage is about connecting to Mother Earth and each other!
And I am currently in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia for a few weeks! By way of Burlington, Ontario…Colette, I think you DIY puzzle board is brilliant. All of my relatives here in the Valley love to puzzle, I must show them this post.
I managed to start a 1000 piece puzzle that I can take to bed, or sit and work at by the stove…works great!
Hi Alana, I rather envy you being in Annapolis Royal. It’s such a beautiful place especially at this time of year. One of my fave. restaurants is there, on the corner of the main street… not that I can remember the name! And I imagine the gardens are at their most amazing best. Enjoy!
That is so cool, Trish! I love such serendipitous connections. Perhaps you would like to connect through my blog which is QuackaDoodle.wordpress.com
Wonderful photographs as always ,thank you ,they give such a sense of peace
Love your puzzle board ………please may I copy it ?
Of course…I put things ‘out there’ for ideas to flow.
Thankyou, a job for Sunday ,spinning all day tomorrow with our guild
That’s a lovely quotation. I also like your mosaics an love Dragonflylilac’s idea of making some in the garden. Another idea to save for my Permaculture garden. Blessings
Oh I had forget the word saunter. I intend to do this at the weekend and gather seeds if the weather stays dry. “Saunter” stills the mind…. lovely.
Thank you
I love that quote: A simple life is not impoverished…it’s knowing what is enough! That so resonates with me.
Have you ever tried the Wasgij puzzles Colette? They are puzzles that are quite different, and as the name implies, back to front. What is on the box is not the picture, but either in the past, the future or what the subjects are looking at. Quite difficult to do, but so addictive. I love the board you made.
I also love your mosaic floor, I do a lot of mosaics for my garden and a big one, door size, by my front door of a tree, because what other subject is so powerful? I have half an en suite completed, and when the floor is ready, I will try and mosaic it.
Thanks once again for all your inspiration. As you say, blessings.
Sounds interesting…I will investigate that!