a studio in the woods

I have been in the garden.

My idea of paradise is not sitting in front of the TV with remote in hand (although I do love to rent a good movie now and again) ... Going downtown and searching through antique shops or a bookstore filled to overflowing might tempt. Closer to my perfect is a good book and a warm fire on a rainy day. But if I was given the choice of how to spend a perfect hour ... For me it would be in a garden. Most any garden. But mine is the one I love most. This one came with a cottage (a place to go in case of rain or nightfall) and I added a studio because I always dreamed of having a window-filled studio in the woods in which to paint ... and I knew my imagination needed a place to play.

It is nearly dark outside now and I am sitting drinking a cup of tea on the back porch reflecting on what has been done over the past several days and if I think the storm that is brewing will hit tonight. Will it wait until I tidy one more thing or two in the east side corner of the garden tomorrow morning? I did not quite reach that far end yet and am worried that I did not uncover the strawberries nor clip the holly bush away from where I know the soon to awake, rhubarb crowns sit waiting. They no longer require the protection given for winter and will wake with the sun to warm them. They call to me now. I need to be in the garden more than I need sleep.

I could spend another three days out there and still wish for more. I am never happier than on days like this one. Long and filled with things I love. I took pictures tonight ... but am not sure if they are right. The cottage seems asleep now wrapped in a slummering garden. Only a hint of what it will be like later in the year appears visible now.

Perhaps it is just that I wonder how much I should reveal to the public. Anyone that has ever wandered about the little roads in the avenues of this town, will know my cottage on sight. It hides in the trees, yet stands out like something that was once built for children to play make-believe inside it's walls. It is a ticket into the past ... Of when tiny homes dotted the landscapes with white picket fences and Victory gardens were something everyone had. It sits in a time warp. Do I dare expose it?

Here at the bottom of the garden where the world of human meets faeries ... Spring has been peeking in the windows, giving a glimpse forward in time and pulling me by force outside and into the surrounding world beyond the cottage & studio walls. It has been in the 60s and 70s for several days. I have been intoxicated with the spring-like weather. I neglect nearly everything else.

Every year this happens. We will have a sudden warm spell and as if by magic, everything seemingly changes overnight. This year has brought several days of such warmth that every bulb and plant at once began to think of poking it's head out from under winter's lavender branch mulches. Trees and roses began to stretch their leaves just a bit from the constraints of bare twigs to test the air ... Something like a dove looking for a branch ... Each plant seems to be looking for a sign of spring. Is it safe to wake they seem to wonder? And every gardener knows what this means. If the weather warrants ... Drop everything and go outside! Spring is just around the corner & you won't get a second chance to beat the rush. Hurry. Go now.

I have been outside. Cat at my side watching. Hands in the soil. Digging, and pulling, raking and smoothing. Trimming and clipping, inhaling the dampness and being scratched as I haul armloads of prunings away to the green waste bins and compost piles ... And smiling the entire time as wide as you can imagine.
This is my idea of heaven. Pure bliss.

I am more than fine. I am exhausted and in need of a long soak in a hot bath when I finally come inside at night. This is proof that life is good. And I want nothing more every time than to do it all over again tomorrow.

I dreamt for years of a tiny white cottage in the woods. With flowers surrounding it, and a clearing to fill with a big vegetable patch. I knew that somewhere near there would be a little greenhouse (made of old windows) where I could putter in winter, ponds for frogs & birds to share and the cherry on top of this dream would be my art studio sitting in the middle of the woods overlooking the gardens.

Some day I will tell you how it all came to be.
For now I will leave you with this: Dream Big.

=^..^=zU

Comments

[phyllis]

Is that you Mama? You're blogging now? I know how you love the garden and nothing else compares! Amazing things happen in your garden too...I've seen them.

[clarice]

Well Zu I could see my girls and I could spend days in your garden having tea and making fairy houses. Just beautiful Clarice

[tea]

What a lovely post and beautiful pictures ZuZu! Your garden must be so magical and amazing.

tea
xo

[Rella (Cindy)]

Your post is precious and makes me happy to read it. Play, play away dear zUaU. Enjoy every precious moment in your garden. Hugs ~ Rella

[Sombra]

What a beautiful post!
I prefer spending my time outside, sitting under the trees watching the wildlife now and again, while writing in my journal, or creating some art.
Thank you for your wonderful comments on my blog!
You are so very kind, and you are always welcome to visit!
Have a FANTASTIC day!
:-)

[Britt-Arnhild]

How absolutely beautiful. Both words and images!
We will still have winter here for many, many weeks, but I have started the garden preparations. And blogging about them is part of the fun :-)

[kim]

what a beautiful place you live in...xox~kim

[Betty Jo]

What an incredible post. It made me happy just reading it. Share only with the public what you wish to. If you decide to share how your studio and gorgeous garden came about, I'll be first in line to read it. And yes, I'm dreaming big!

[Jill]

Oh my dear zU! You are making me swoon....time in the garden....Heaven.....
We have had a very warm week here...40's and 50's....not quite gardening weather....but beautiful just the same. nearly all our snow is melted...just in time for the rather large storm that is threatening to visit us this weekend....the word blizzard has been thrown around by the local meteorologists....so....spring is not here yet...so I will bask in the glory of your beautiful cottage garden in the woods....wish I was there!!!!
Enjoy getting your hands dirty...enjoy soaking in a hot bath...enjoy life...peeking out after a long winter's rest.
xoxox J.Bean

[Art Tea Life]

How FUN to get a peak !
(oh you just keep your cottage safe I say !)

I loved reading thru this post. I could almost feel what you were feeling and the relaxed way you wrote reflected the peace and accomplishment you were (are) feeling.

MMMm.....you inspire !

I have not felt that way in a long while (and believe you me ! our yard certainly reflects that !) But I do love that all day in the yard (especially this time of year) - muddied and happy tired , crisp air, BEAUTIFUL Clouds....mmm!

I felt I was there on the back step with you for just second.

Enjoy that warm bath ! sounds WONDERFUL.

Love, S.

[zanne]

hi zuZu! what a glorious way to spend the day! it is warming up here also, but will be a few months before we can put away our jackets..sun plus dirt plus favorite companions always make a magical combination! we would all gladly join you for a cup of tea and a tour of your marvelous cozy cottage habitat if we could! enjoy and recoup in the garden first, then the tub! PERFECT! ..zanne

[Maggie]

The garden is full of magic and I can hardly wait until the snow is gone and the spring takes its place.
A cottage and gardens in the woods would be my dream come true. Happy gardening ZuZu.

[Delila]

... Zuzu, i have missed you!
I WISH and WISH that somewhere the abundance faery would fly and i could buy or rent my own cottage. There is nothing else, than a wish for a peaceful place to live and a garden where i could have a secret tea parties.
the simplest thing in life, can be the most precious ones. The scent of an soil... divine!

[The Decorated House]

Hey ZuZu! Oh it's time for that spring miracle isn't it? It is always amazing. I'll be checking in to see how your garden grows.
Donna

[Lisa Oceandreamer]

ZuZu oh ZuZu - this post, your surroundings, your description, your feelings, your happiness, the faeries....it's all so completely magical. I will tell you that I am constantly visualizing a studio with loads of windows and a view of the ocean...OR in a setting like yours. You are indeed blessed to be living, creating and gardening in your little patch of heaven. Thank you so much for sharing it.

I have to say I really do FEEL the power of your magic!!
XO

[turquoisecro]

Springlike weather, in the 7o's??? and is that Lamb's Ear growing, I LOVE it, it is soooooo soft and wooly! I wonder ZUZu, do deer eat rhubarb, I would LOVE to plant some, my grandmother had it! and she made rhubarb cobbler!!! mmmmMMMMMM! xo Cinda

[Carol]

Oh ZuZu what a treat to finally got to see some pictures of your enchanted cottage and garden :D! I wouldn't have thought that it is white, but I love it! I'm really looking forward to hear how your dream came true! I feel exactly like you do about a day out working in the garden and I hope to have my first garden works day of the new season next weekend! Lucky you! Hugs and Kisses Carol xox

[Julie Brunner]

I like your world. It makes me want to build a separate studio when we move. Hopefully we will buy enough land to create a pond. And, next to quilting, I like to garden. Keep us believing...smile

[christine rose elle]

dear zuzu
thank you for such inspiring posts! Your garden is lovely! I wish i could sit there and sip tea!
xoxo Christine

dear zuzu
I am glad you understand the finer points of the art of kleenex arrangement. It is something I feel most passionate about.
woof
sabrina

[Silvia / Salix]

Oh for dreams to become real! What magic! What a lovely post this is. I too have been exhausting myself in the garden, doing odd jobs, digging, smelling the daffodils. Spring is most definately here, days are becoming longer and warmer, and all of nature is waking up, myself included!