A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside. 
Denis Waitley 

What a beautiful day to work outside! My Dad helped me build new window boxes. They came out beautifully! 

Boooorrrring.......

Still not sure about the color though......

I feel like I am the only one still buying annuals, ;)))))) I just can't stop!!!!!

But if each man could have his own house, a large garden to cultivate and healthy surroundings - then, I thought, there will be for them a better opportunity of a happy family life.
George Cadbury

Did I mention how much I love July??? I spent a beautiful morning in my gardens. My peas are ready, blueberries are so close, and the best part is being able to have fresh cut flowers for the house all the time!

My kids are excited for Kale chips

"Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace."
May Sarton

Wow, I actually had a full day to spend in the garden yesterday and it was all that I thought it would be.....fantastic!!! This has been a very busy year for me, I'm going into my second year of grad school and trying to balance everything else along with it. Phew!!!!
I'm posting these pics and blogging for two reasons. One is to see the progress of this home which has become a shared vision for my entire family. Second, is in the middle of the long Vermont winter I can look back and think remember when..... ( when life was not a frozen tundra!!!)

We are enjoying the pond so much. It's nice in the evening to sit with a cocktail and watch the fish, yes we have coy and they are thriving!

Freshly painted table, and my hibiscus is blooming again!!!

The rose bush in the back is so beautiful. Difficult to see, I would like to move it but it does so well where it is!

I will officially be on summer vacation this coming Tuesday. My school just happens to be one of the last still in session it seems. I am so excited to finally have the time to work in my gardens!!! So today, I thought I would post some of the pictures of the progress so far.
Blueberries have a great start.... My husband planted several bushes a couple of years ago.

Lettuce and peas......

And finally flowers.....

Let the fun begin!

Well, I can't believe we made it this far. When we first started to dig it seemed like we would never get it done. My husband and my parents put so much work into this project! With my hectic schedule and running the marathon I put in as much time as I could. I am so pleased with the way this came out. This side of the house is so peaceful to sit by, relax, and just enjoy. We still have some work to do around the fire pit and with some more plantings. Also, the deck still needs to be painted so I will post pictures throughout the summer showing the progress. The fountain that my husband found looks so beautiful at night because it's lighted. I think the nicest part about the whole project was that my family built it together. Here it is.....

This weekend felt like summer!!!! Definitely hard to return to work today when I am already in summer mode. I think in some ways I am worse than my students! Ready for summer vacation!!
Well, it was a very busy weekend! Didn't get to go out on our boat because there is so much to do outside first. My vegetable garden is in!!! window boxes and most planters done! And..... the pond is really coming along!

My husband is such a dork...... He is however seriously excited about creating this water feature!
Below, my son working hard????

Ahh middle school the fun years..............

And here are some of the planters.... I hate the way they look at first though so I will be sure to post their progress.

And The progress of the newest shade garden, the forget-me-nots are beautiful

Wow another Friday!!!! It's going to be an amazing sunny and warm weekend!!! There is so much work to do outside of my house, so that's the plan. Resume digging the pond!!! I really hope to able to post some pictures of the progress..... but in the meantime look at some of these beautiful inspirational photos.

This will inspire me to also work on my sun room this summer when school is out. I love this green!

Beautiful baskets....

I can see this with some sap buckets!