You never know where the day will take you…. especially when you have nothing planned and nothing expected of you. The day is yours!
We enjoyed warm and beautiful weather during Thanksgiving and several fabulous days off. I really felt the need to be outside as much as possible. Nothing makes me happier than working in my yard.
It started out with this….. YUCK!
My flowerbeds were looking a little shabby. The summer sun had pretty much baked everything. It was time to clear the beds out and plant some pretty winter flowers to brighten my days. Even though it’s almost December, it’s the perfect time to plant these as it’s only just now getting “cold” in Texas. When I say cold I mean highs in the 60’s and 70’s and lows in the 40’s. Pretty pleasant, really.
Big improvement.
Their sweet faces and pretty shades of pink, purple, yellow and white were just what I needed. By spring the beds will be full and thick…. flowers for all to enjoy.
But I wasn’t done and decided to replace a plant in our saucer pot outside the dining room. Again…. the summer heat was brutal and many of my plants were dust. Snake Plants (or mother’s tongue) or whatever you want to call them, are almost impossible to kill. I went for it.
Turns out I ended up with too many beach rocks and had a handful left over. Here’s where the day took a strange turn. Maybe it was the pretty pansies, or the rocks themselves. Maybe all the butterflies, bees, and spiders that were out enjoying the day, too. I don’t know… but before I knew it I had taken the left over rocks and started painting. Again, you just never know where the day will take you. UNEXPECTED FUN!
I had painted on rocks before but quickly learned that inks are WAY better than paint. It’s much more fluid and easier to draw with. It started out with “nature”…. pansies included.
And quickly progressed to “modern – abstract”. ( one Eames inspired, of course )
I’m really pushing it here. I can’t draw worth a poop. WHO CARES!
I have no idea what got in to me… but I was totally BUGGIN’! I’m pretty terrible at drawing so I cheated a little and did a few with decoupage. I just LOVED THOSE! I really have a thing for beetles, bees and butterflies. Apparently roaches are out … but grasshoppers and dragonflies are definitely in!
What a strange turn of events! From pansies to painted rocks…. I totally enjoyed this day off!
Seems so weird at a time when I should be hanging wreaths and decorating for Christmas. Honestly I love Christmas at other people’s houses but I’d rather be painting bugs and digging in the dirt.
Okay, okay. I will put up a tree … eventually. More of that another day.
I scattered the rocks in the yard, in some potted plants, and around the house… on window sills and tables. I even decided to hang one.
Ummm, what’s that about not being able to draw “a poop”? Hello! I don’t think so!!! These are lovely.
(Pansies just coming to the end of their life here in Aus)
can’t draw for poop my ass! look at those! you never cease to amaze me. those are so much fun. if one of those was a scarab my sister would freak.out.and.die. you could make big money! love the eames tribute.
and i LOVE the snake plant, but i’m going to call it mother’s tongue because that’s just too much fun. really stunning arrangement. i’ll have to look for one of those.
i love this post and i’m so glad you got to spend time with plants (and rocks) over thanksgiving. and for sharing it with us!!
I love it! I wish I could be outside doing the same. But this year, fall has been unkind- we’ve had full winter here in southern Ontario for 2 weeks (okay, maybe only a week and a half but it feels longer)- I miss outside, I miss dirt & rocks, butterflies and flowers~sniff~
Really love the snake plant with rocks and the painted rocks also rock!
The line, “plant some pretty winter flowers” really hit home for me that we live in very different climates! I am sitting here by a fireplace wearing fleece – there’s a dusting of snow on the yard and all greenery is sagging and sad…
Those pansies really are beautiful – so intricate. And yes, my vote is with S&S to call that coolio plant “mother’s tongue.” Ha!
The rocks are so cool! When I saw the hanging one, I immediately thought it they would make good necklaces…but I suppose too heavy!? No need for neck injuries. I love the Eames chair – I think that would take me about 54,000 tries, and art class to draw that!
What a wonderful, creative day…ending up doing something you didn’t expect… simply delicious. Thanks for sharing :)
Let me join everyone else in saying – yes, you are such a terrible draw-er. Not a creative bone in your body. That hanging rock is not the loveliest, most creative detail I’ve seen in awhile. I do not love the delicate bee…
What?? You’re nuts. Don’t hide your light under a rock! Those are all charming and fun. And I’m impressed you have ink sitting around so that when the urge to be creative strikes you have all the supplies you need.
I envy your pansies like you do not even know. We’re settling in for a long few months with little greenery let alone actual flowers. The idea of being outside digging in the dirt, growing things, in nearly December is like heaven. I know you trade it for some super hot temps in July, but it’s a trade I would make in a heartbeat.
I think you need to come to Portland and help me figure out my yard… that would be so awesome! The Pansies are very pretty, but my favorite is that snake plant with the rocks. Gonna have to try that. Hard to kill plant – check. Lovely rocks – check.
And your painted rocks ROCK! I think it’s so cool that you have them sprinkled throughout the yard and home… like little artistic surprises when you least expect it. Yeah… I said artistic. I hate to break it to you, but you can draw. It’s true. Especially those flowers…. they blew your whole “I can’t draw” cover.
PS. The hanging rock is brilliant!
I’ve got some rocks over here up north that you can paint. I love reading your blog at this time of year b/c it’s so cool to see the climate differences for the winter season. You’re planting amazing plants and I’m staring at dead leaves in my yard wondering if they’ll rake themselves up. I know this is about rocks (which for the record are ridiculously Hannibal Lecter approved so of course my dark loving side loves them) but that plant…the Snake Plant. Umm that’s like the cool looking cousin of the Hosta. I don’t think they’re up here and now I want one.
Pansies were my favorite flower as a child and still bring a smile to my face. I LOVE the painted rocks. I have had it in my mind to make story stones for a while. That is exactly what yours could be used for. Here is a site that explains story stones if you haven’t heard of them. http://www.colourmethere.com/2011/09/02/guest-post-4-ways-to-play-with-story-stones/
Good for you for enjoying the day, the garden looks great and I love the rock art! You’ve brought me back to my former art days, ahhhh good old ‘speedball’ enjoyable times ;)
Okay these rocks are AMAZING. I absolutely love them. You my friend are totally talented!
You had a meandering day for sure. But accomplished a lot . The pansies look lovely, gives me a few ideas… What are you doing with all those clever rocks?
THANK YOU EVERYONE! I haven’t been on my blog much this week so I didn’t get a chance to respond to you all… but I appreciate each of you, as always. One more week of work and hopefully I’ll have more time for all this internet fun. Thank you for visiting!
-Stacey
Those are awesome! I’m making T some “story stones” which are not at all the same as the gorgeous art you made except they are stones with paint on them. Beautiful the way you have it hung on the wall!
Hey Christine! Thanks so much. Yes, I’ve heard/seen those “story stones” and love the whole idea. Thanks for looking at my silliness. It was fun.
Happy New Year to you and your family!
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