He who marvels at the beauty of the world in summer will find equal cause for wonder and admiration in winter.
~ John Burroughs (American naturalist, conservationist, and writer; 1837-1921)
Gladly shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& winter wonderer)
A few weeks ago, James came home with several large cardboard boxes and a secretive smile on his face. He was most likely already envisioning the delight potential of the surprise he had purchased and would soon share.
He went right to work outside, somewhere in the vicinity of our back patio and pathway. He came inside well after dark, so it wasn’t until shafts of morning sunlight filtered through our almost-leafless trees that I viewed with amazement the gift: a carpet of soft, emerald green moss under the Japanese Black Pine along the ‘nobedan’ stone path just outside our back door. Awed and speechless, I snapped photo after photo of the radiant, sunlit beauty of that glorious gift!
I wonder at the power of green in a landscape. This one color, in all of its iterations, elicits hope in the springtime, refreshes in the heat of summer, provides a balanced backdrop for autumn’s stunning leaf display, and radiates life on even the grayest, dreariest winter days.
On this winter day, I am grateful for moss, for green, for the thoughtfulness of my gardener-husband who anticipates the delight of those for whom he gardens . . . !
Joyfully shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& gleeful recipient of green garden gifts!)
“Let our New Year’s resolution be this: we will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word.” – Goran Persson (Swedish politician and former Prime Minister of Sweden)
Wherever your path takes you in 2023, may you walk with gratitude for the gifts all around you and with grace for yourself and others.
Shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& hopeful New Year grace-giver)
“Timeless thoughts of a winter’s stare;
eyes gazing over a landscape bare.
Memories drift on a blustery breeze;
dying light ushers in the freeze.
Future unknown, outcome uncertain;
brilliance shadowed by a drawn curtain.
Path now set, laid before me known;
closing light now emanating from home.
Enter my homestead, heart filled with glee;
two eyes of the future peering upward at me.
Trusting in him to forge forward until fulfilled;
Basis of strength, values I have instilled.
A wary mind at last permitted to rest;
reflecting on the realization of how I am blessed.”
~ Michael A. Barron, Winter’s Epiphany
As you reflect on the year that was and count your blessings, may you also rejoice in the possibilities of the path ahead! We appreciate your friendship and wish you joy in your garden in the coming year!
~ James and Betty Hanselman,
For the entire Hanselman Landscape team
“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” – Hal Borland (American author, journalist, and naturalist; 1900 – 1978)
Gladly shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (with deep gratitude for another good year)
Thank you for your trust and friendship this past year. We wish you and your loved ones much joy in this meaningful holiday season, and look forward to serving you in 2023!
Sincerely,
The Hanselmans
Photo shows James and Betty, with four of their children: Carol (with Scotty and Evie), Lisa (with Geoff, Rowyn, Norah, Marlowe and dog, Bronte), Ian, and Lowen. Unfortunately, due to illness and distance, Audrey (with Michael, Hanna, and Freyja) and Nicole were not able to join us for this year’s Christmas tree hunt.