My garden is my sanctuary. My Mum was the same, regardless of what life threw at her, she escaped into her garden, lost herself in her thoughts, gained strength to live another day.
I can't ever imagine not being able to garden, last year, so much of my time involved sitting with my Mum, I rarely got out there. This year, I've time to potter. I feel close to her whilst I'm out there, our shared love of gardening is our connection. A connection to my past, the memory of her planting flowers, pulling up weeds. A connection with one inspirational woman.
We're making lots of changes to our garden this year. It's scary. It's expensive. I'm having to put a lot of trust that things will work out well. I'm having to put a lot of trust in my body, that it will keep allowing me to garden. That's scary. We've a hill in our garden, some days it feels like a mountain to climb. I want to be always able to go up and down that hill.
The changes are very exciting. My little plot will become a nurturing, creative space, a place where I can build up my strength, physically, as well as emotionally. That's the plan, that's the hope. But it's scary. The idea of never being able to garden...very scary.
So once again, I have to rely on Hope. It's a good thing that Hope, it's what keeps me going...
Have a lovely week everyone,
Amanda :) xxx
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I feel the same way about crafting that you feel about gardening. Hope you are able to continue for many more years. Xx
ReplyDeleteSo true, craft and creativity is a wonderful place to escape to :) xxx
DeleteAmanda, your flowers are beautiful, I especially like the way fronds
ReplyDeleteof ferns gently roll out.
Yes, creativity is a wonderful place to escape.
Here's to many more gardening years for you.
luv
irene
xxxx
Thank you Irene, those ferns are a work of art aren't they! :) xxx
Deleteit is true that gardening is good for both the soul and the body (in spite of the aching muscles!). Such lovely images - Solomon's Seal is such a special flower, I think. Good luck with your gardening projects - I will enjoy reading all about them here.
ReplyDeleteThey always remind me of a necklace...we keep you up to date as things progress :) xxx
DeleteOh Amanda, I so hope your health will allow you to carry on gardening. Creativity in whatever form is so therapeutic, I too can't imagine how I would manage if I couldn't create. I think life with a chronic illness is so much more bearable with a creative outlet! Take care, I'm hoping for some nice gardening weather for you :-)
ReplyDeleteI think it's what keeps me sane Sharon ;) xxx
DeleteWhat gorgeous flowers. I'd love my garden to look and feel a little more like a sanctuary. At the moment it's very much a boy space, for football and running and chipping golf balls. It would be wonderful to have one of those exquisite calming green spaces though. I live in hope. I hope your new design goes well, I shall look forward to hearing about the progress. It will be exciting to have the space created into something beautiful for you. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteYou will do CJ, and it will be here all too soon! When we moved in 13 years ago I dreamed of a beautiful garden but because we had the girls a lawn to play on was the priority. They grow up far too quickly :) xxx
DeleteSuch beautiful photographs! Good luck with your garden plans.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda :) xxx
DeleteBeautiful flowers and a gorgeous cat too. :) x
ReplyDeleteShe keeps sneaking in there doesn't she! :) xxx
Deleteso colourful take care do not overtire yourself. not sure if the previous comment has gone on as having trouble with blogger!
ReplyDeleteLittle bit at a time Margaret, luckily I enjoy sitting in the garden too...just wish it would warm up! ;) xxx
DeleteYour garden is beautiful!x
ReplyDeleteThank you Gemma :) xxx
DeleteFingers crossed that everything falls into place easily ... a garden sanctuary is such a boon when your health is permanently under par and it must be a priority to keep it accessible to you :)
ReplyDeleteIt's is Annie, as you know! :) xxx
DeleteSuch a lovely thoughtful post dear Amanda and lovely images. My love of gardening also comes from my Mother, though her garden was far more beautiful than mine. Every time I see Sweet Peas I think of how many beautiful bunches she picked. I have terrible shallow soil here with sandstone just underneath so any garden plots have to be dug out from the rock and built up with soil and mulch. I have some beautiful Australian native plants but I would love a traditional cottage garden, a cutting garden filled with pretty annuals and perennials...still working on that. :)
ReplyDeleteI have three cats who were are all rescue cats and now have my son's cat who looks remarkably like your kitty, he even has white whiskers and a white blaze on his nose.
Have a lovely week!
xoxoxo ♡
Thank you Dianne, sounds like your Mum has been an inspiration to you, my cat was a rescue on too. Have you tried Lasagne Gardening? It's great for building up organic soil, I will post more about it in the future :) xxx
DeleteThanks Amanda, I haven't tried Lasagne gardening, I guess it is building up layers of soil and mulch? I look forward to your post on this method. :)
Deletexoxoxo ♡
Will try and do one soon! :) xxx
DeleteI hope you have a very long time to spend gardening Amanda. Beautiful photos as always, I look forward to seeing your garden evolve over the coming months. Hx
ReplyDeleteThanks H, me too! ;) xxx
DeleteAda my dad always said that without hope and dreams we would have nothing to live for and I think he's right. Our bodies may let us down from time to time but they can also surprise us and show us how much more we are able to do. Your Garden looks beautiful much better than mine does. My mum was a brilliant gardener when she was able to do it and everything she planted grew and blossomed. Salt I Did not inherit the same talents and most of what I plant withers and dies :( but I keep trying anyway in the hope that one day my garden will look a as beautiful as my mother's.
ReplyDeleteRosie xx
Your Dad sounds very wise Rosie! Keep at it, I have lots that just don't make it...it's a bit of knowledge, but also luck! ;) xxx
DeleteSuch gorgeous photo's and beautiful flowers. Good luck with your garden plans, it all sounds very exciting. I hope your health allows you many many more gardening years. xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm very excited Caroline, it's a bit of a long term plan though, no quick fixes here...however I wouldn't say no to Alan Titchmarsh landing in my garden to do all the heavy work! ;) xxx
DeleteMany of your flowers are the same as in my garden Amanda ... now I shall think of you gardening with your peonies, bleeding hearts, ferns & roses, Solomon's seal, columbine, etc. I think you and I have an old-fashioned taste in garden flowers ;) I to feel very close to my mom in the garden. Many of the flowers there were straight from her gardens! To think that she nurtured them along for all those years, and now it's my turn to care for them. There certainly is something very therapeutic when outdoors puttering in a garden (once all the hard work is done!). I do hope that your garden can become something more accessible to you again, and I'll bet you will devise ways to continue gardening in some way all along. Whether raised beds, hanging pots, whatever you can do, I'm sure you will find a way. A lot of times I just want to sit and enjoy it all! Take care Amanda, and enjoy your week :)
ReplyDeleteWendy x
I think that's lovely that you have plants from your Mum, I've a couple of plants from Mums garden, they will need moving soon, I'm really hoping they survive! There's always a way Wendy! ;) xxx
ReplyDeleteI hope you're able to have a lovely time in your garden this year. Mine was sadly neglected over the last couple of years due to helping care for my dad. I do feel closer to him out there & my grandfather too though I have no doubt they are glaring at my wonky planting style. I'm glad you feel a closeness to your mother in your garden x
ReplyDeleteBless you Jo, it's a honour to be able to give back the love and care we received from our parents, but also emotionally and physically very difficult. Take care, and enjoy your gardening time xxx
DeleteI hope for that for you too Amanda, what is it they so, go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Your plans sound exciting, and healthy! X
ReplyDeleteThey are exciting, and healthy...bit of gardening everyday, good for body and soul! ;) xxx
DeleteYour plans sound exciting, I've got everything crossed it all works out for you my lovely. Being out in nature can be so restorative - we all need a sanctuary xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Zoe, I've got everything crossed too! ;) xxx
DeleteIt is wonderful that you find sanctuary in your garden among your lovely flowers. I hope you keep well and can carry out all your exciting plans.....it sounds amazing.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a happy weekend, Amanda.
Helen xox
Thank you Helen, I'm very excited...fingers crossed I will have the garden I've been dreaming of! :) xxx
DeleteThank you for sharing your beautiful flower and plant pics. Just as good as the cChelsea Flower Show!
ReplyDeleteOh bless you! Now if only that were true, I'd love a Chelsea garden! :) xxx
DeleteAmanda how lovely to be outside, and how exciting are plans coming to fruition? wishing you well,
ReplyDeleteMy sewing room is my sanctuary come rain or shine....
bestest as ever
Dxxxxxxx
I know it is...and you produce the most amazing creations from it! ;) xxx
DeleteI'm glad you have a lovely garden to escape to and feel nurtured by. I'm planning on planting a few of my mum's favourites in our new space - that'll help me feel close to her, and honour her memory.
ReplyDeleteYou have some of my favourites growing in your garden. Fingers crossed you'll feel strong and able to get out there whenever you want to.
S x
I'm hoping to do my own little area just for Mum, by a bench and fill it with flowers she loved, good luck with your new space Sarah :) xxx
DeleteI feel the same about my garden being a santuary and a place I always turn too when I am facing difficult challenges. I hope the changes you make will be even more beneficial for you. Sarah x
ReplyDelete