“Earth is a wintry clod;
But spring-wind, like a dancing psaltress, passes
Over its breast to awaken it; rare verdure
Buds tenderly upon rough banks, between
The withered tree-roots and the cracks of frost,
Like a smile striving with a wrinkled face…
And God renews His ancient rapture.”
~Robert Browning, (British poet, in Paracelsus, 1835)
Jubilantly shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& expectant spring celebrant)
“It won’t be long until the springtime, when we may open the windows and breathe God’s fresh air… Soon will the birds come back… How cheerfully Nature greets them. She puts out her leaves to hide their homes, and kisses them with the wind, the warm wind… Ah, Spring, we wait for you; for as the sap mounts the limbs of the tree so hope rises and we become bright again.”
~Charles F. Raymond, “The Springtime,” Just Be Glad, 1907
Shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& eager spring seer!)
One of the Japanese garden concepts we prize and put into practice in every garden we create is the concept of an inside-out perspective. In other words, we begin to create a garden by first sitting in the favorite seat of the home owner and looking out at the area we will shape outside their windows.
It is our desire to build gardens that will increase value for those who live inside the home, bringing beauty into their lives whether they are sitting inside looking out or outside strolling along a garden path.
When so many gardens in our area are built with the goal of providing curb appeal to passers-by, our priority is the viewing pleasure of the people who live there.
The Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, San Diego, provides a great example of this inside-out perspective, as seen in this delightful garden built for those inside looking out.
Gladly shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& inside-out garden dweller)
“Long before the first piece of sod is turned, long before the seeds are ordered or the plants purchased or the first buds begin to open, the garden takes root in the mind, the heart, the imagination. And even after the garden has begun, it continues to be fed from the gardener’s dreams.”
~ Emilie Barnes (from Time Began in a Garden)
What garden dreams are taking root in your imagination this winter? Perhaps a more spacious outdoor entertaining area, or a water feature, or…. Whatever your garden dreams, we’d love to partner with you to make them a reality! CALL US NOW to get started: 717-653-1273
Since our oldest daughter and her family live near San Diego, California, James and I make it a point to visit her at least once a year. And this past December was no exception, especially since a new baby girl had joined her family in November!
We spent many happy days together, in and around San Diego, as we enjoyed being “close by grandparents” for a few precious weeks! One of our jaunts took James and I back to the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, San Diego. Here we spent a delightful afternoon strolling the garden and enjoying the sunshine, cultivated greenery, reflecting pool filled with koi, and the sound of water splashing over rocks in the hillside stream. We were reminded of ideal as gardeners: to delight the senses and refresh the soul with the gardens we create for our clients.
The photos shown here are examples of efforts being made by the Japanese Friendship Garden at Balboa Park to bring natural beauty, joy and peace to a very public setting.
Joyfully shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& grateful, once-a-year “close-by” grandma to Evie, Anna and Bianca!)
The wonder in our world is impossible to express with only words and pictures: the soft hush at sunrise; delightful discoveries of buds appearing; feathered frenzy at the feeders; invigorating gusts of March winds…
This is Winter’s final, blustery farewell before Spring’s vibrant regeneration. The beauty must be experienced! The invitation is extended to us every day: “Put on your gloves, grab your jacket, get your boots! Walk out into the garden and capture the wonder with all of the senses fully engaged!”
Are you ready to come along? We’re going outside!
Invitation joyfully extended by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& glad co-explorer!)