Monday, June 13, 2011

Hunting for buried treasure


We are here! Three days of travel, one night of air mattress bed, many boxes unpacked, and on the sixth day there was internet.  We are feeling very at home here in North Carolina. We have fantastic neighbors, one who even came over with his chain saw to help us liberate the gardens. This house we are in was empty for three years and nothing was touched in the gardens.

That daylily up there was a surprise yesterday morning. A beautiful house warming gift.


But finding these little garden gifts is truly like hunting for buried treasure. The good news about living here is that it is lush and green and the soil is beautiful. The bad news is that the vines and weeds and all of the not so lovely things thrive in this environment just as well as the garden treasures. That lovely daylily bloom was just peeking out of that mass of vines and grasses when I first spied it.

 

The side garden at the front of the house looked like this when we first got here. Completely overgrown and very hard to see what was in it. We knew from neighbors that the previous owner loved her garden. So we had high hopes that there would be a lovely garden lurking somewhere beneath it all.
 

A few hours later and lots of sweat and only just the tiniest bit of cursing, I found these beautiful hostas, a viburnum, iris, a hydrangea. I hope that I can help this garden to be happy again.



 
Setting up the studio is in progress. But for now there is nothing like getting my hands in the soil to make me feel connected to my new home. And I feel that given enough sun, water, and tender loving care that the work of the studio will flow from the work in the garden.

Life is good.


23 comments:

Mary Harding said...

So glad you had a safe trip and are settling in. Your gardens look truly exciting, a little like I imagine the Secret Garden. I know what you mean about green having lived in the Southwest so long. I still can't get over the wonderful lushness and the green color of spring leaves and grass. Your garden is clearly lucky to have you. Enjoy. And thanks for the post.

Barbara Lewis said...

OMG! Your place is gorgeous ... overgrown garden and all! I'm so happy for you ... starting in a beautiful new place! Good luck, LeAnn! Pace yourself!

somethingunique said...

Hi LeeAnn, glad your are settling in to you new home and i am sure your garden is going to keep you very busy, if you get a chance hop over to my blog later on today i am having a nice giveaway!
take care ttfn L:)

windrock studio said...

Hey LeAnn, I'm so happy to know that you are in your new home and getting settled in. What a perfect time of the year to be able to tackle that garden! And when the fall and winter roll around you'll be glad to spend time in your new studio. Sending you and your family peace and love and many years of happiness there in the green, lush South ... enjoy it all!

Pearl and Pebble said...

What a beautiful house and garden!!!! I love love love North Carolina. You are going to be so happy there. Best to you LeAnn, enjoy:)

jessememan said...

Congrats on your new home!! What lush gardens...I know you will "love" them back into shape:) Have fun!

moonlitfantaseas said...

what an exciting if tiring thingto be bringing your garden back to its former glory! It looks like a beautiful place, take your time and have fun and eventually your garden will repay you with a beautiful haven to relax in when you have the time!

Cristi Baxter Clothier said...

So glad you arrived safely! There's nothing like making a new place your own. Enjoy!

TesoriTrovati said...

Gorgeous, mysterious and the perfect place to call home! Congratulations LeAnn! I look forward to learning more of your journey. Enjoy the day!
Erin

Marsha of Marsha Neal Studio said...

Oh, how wonderful to find a house that has such a great garden - even if it is under a bunch of vines and aggressive growers!!! I am so feeling your happiness of getting your hands dirty (love my garden tools as much as my clay tools).

I have been thinking a lot recently about garden journaling and how homeowners should keep a garden book so that new owners can see the history of the garden as well as what is there so they don't have to wait that full year to see what will pop up.

Take lots of before, during and yearly growth photos!

So do you think you might head up this way for Bead Fest (Philadelphia) in August? Just asking...

Beth Hikes said...

Congratulations! I can't wait to see what transpires at your new home base :)

Judy said...

You have arrived YAY! There is nothing better than putting your mark on your new home and the gardens are just the perfect place to start. When we moved from Massachusetts I brought lots of my perennials so It would feel like home in my new yard.

sharon said...

There is nothing that makes me feel so good as working in the garden, it is like a drug to me, it just feels so good! You are already home !

stregata said...

Yay! You have arrived. Wishing you much happiness in the new home. I am sure the garden will be a jewel. It is sooooo good to hear from you.
Life is good.

My Life Under the Bus said...

That was a LOT of work but look at the pay off - I bet your neighbors are so glad to have someone move in they'll paint the house for you! Look at that holly hock!!! You are going to find all sorts of goodies : ).

Congrats on surviving the move!
Happy Tuesday : )

My Life Under the Bus said...

...and I laugh every time I see that skeleton! lol

Spirited Earth said...

your new place looks gorgeous,glad you arrived safely and are getting settled in.

Jen Judd said...

Keep those hands dirty and that heart warm!! Enjoy the transition no matter how crazy it gets. :)
Take care!
Jen

Pretty Things said...

Glad you had a safe trip!!!

Anonymous said...

The new place looks great, and the gardening sounds like just the thing to get settled in. Glad you made it there safely.
xo

Laura Twiford said...

Welcome Home LeAnn! It always feels good to work in the garden and freshen things up and excavate, such a feeling of accomplishment after it's done and a pleasure to enjoy each day! Life truly is good, enjoy each day there, the studio will happen in time.

Cindy said...

LeAnn, I'm happy to hear you are in your new home. I enjoyed your last humorous post... what a journey you have been on. And I feel like you are so close now that you are in NC. :-) It seems really exciting (although a lot of work) to find all that is hidden underneath the overgrowth. And look what you have already found - all of that beauty planted long ago. You're already making your new house quite a home.

Anna Lear said...

Welcome to your new home!! There's nothing better than discovering and reviving old gardens, and no better way to "root" yourself in your new home. Enjoy!