Contessa’s Signature Service

Our ongoing clients usually have us four times per year. So what exactly does a Contessa Signature Service include?

• Weeding all beds
• Pulling and trimming along brick borders; we will reset stones, bricks and any border that has recessed deep into the edge or that has moved a from a straight position
• Trimming/pruning all bushes
• Deadheading all blooming plants
• Amending soil as needed and refreshing soil around existing plantings; giving them a boost.
• Transplanting/dividing and plant relocations as requested
• Deep Edging all bed borders
• Cutting back all dead growth
• Mulching beds upon request
• Fertilizing spring and late fall.
• Raking all lawns, removing dead grass and rejuvenating new growth after mowers have weighed them flat all summer.
• Complete Watering (watering maintenance offered by the month)
• Final “Tidy” to all the sidewalks; remove all leaves and gather all leaf, twig and branch debris in large paper debris bags; positioning curbside for PFX to pick up at your location.

Our clients pretty much know the drill now, and they completely rely on us to come, execute and “do our thing,” They trust us  They leave us to our work and usually they communicate by txt from indoors, if they have requests or suggestions.

We also offer “monthly maintenance plans” that include three day a week visits to water, complete “light tidy” and leaf removal and sidewalk tidy. Please  do call and inquire about this service. Once you get used to it, you will be hooked. Its way worth subscribing too. All of our last years clients retained us from June through the end of November. It’s our pleasure and we are pretty certain “their JOY.”

We love what we are doing and clients know that we treat their garden work, as if we were working in our own yard. A  personal but professional approach.

Please do contact us if you have questions or would like to book with us, for a 30-minute “free gardening consultation.”

“Contessa” says….. it’s a very good thing!

One job….for the record books (REVISED ) Wed – 1/4 – 3:10 pm

Day 1

36 degrees by 9:30 am on Thursday 12/29 and imagine that we are gardening today. It was in the mid/teens most of the days during the Christmas holidays.so the earth is fairly cold  but only two if the night were in the teens  so we don’t think the duration of intense cold was enough to freeze everything underground  

Our repeat client has had a bucket load of family issues. So for her the fall season slipped away from her radar. But…. Steady-Edfie, moi’ is going to her house this morning to dig up 200 Daffodil bulbs from years of being covered by deep dirt and mulch. Ha! They might just bloom this spring if we can dig them up and bring them more to the surface. Cover with, and add some new soil…. plus spread them out in the generous bed she has.

VA winter weather can be unpredictable. 25 degrees one day and 65 the next. And although we are not quite that warm, we are going to complete this task. And some very well established “Iris” need to be moved as well. Total will be around 5 hours.

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Day 2

Please stay tuned for a final wrap up and a video with the bulbs planted. We are positioning them about only 5 inches deep, because we will add more mulch. It turns out our client divided them up into large (32), medium (90) and very small, over 100. We will find neighbors to give them too. Typically when bulbs are tiny they just have become so overcrowded in the bed,  and are so compact they are unable to produce. So all in all,  this “dig and divide” process was way overdue. We are hopefully going to see the 32 bulbs produce lovely blooms come spring, which is really not that far off. Oh what a blessing. We can’t wait!

“Contessa”

(REVISED) Wed – 3:10 pm – 1/4

We promised a “final” video, so there you have it  32 latest bulbs spaced nicely in the bed and covered back up with the mulch that was originally covering the bed. I have  ordered  a 2 cu ft bag if the “black” Quail Ridge shredded mulch from the nursery in MD because supplies are low Post Christmas at the Alexandria location. It should be here Sat,  so we’ll spread in just in case we get a hard freeze in the remaining winter days. After all our hard work to recover the bulbs we surely don’t want to loose them …. and we must admit we are slightly out of sync with Mother Nature on this project.  But with a little luck and a prayer we will produce blooms come late March or early April. It was such a fun project and our homeowner admitted that first thing each morning, she goes right to her window to keep her eye out for any new “popping up.” from her little guys. Awesomeness!

Advent….a Study…Day 28

FELIZ  NAVIDAD

A folk tradition of days gone by was to bring the baby Jesus from the nativity at home to Christmas Eve communion and liturgy services. The baby Jesus is supposed to hear and take part in the rituals of Christmas, so families in days gone by took the baby out of his nativity and brought him to church with them. 

1 Peter 2:2-3

INNOCENCE OF INFANTS

Like newborn infants, we long for your pure spiritual milk, so that by it, we may grow into salvation – if indeed we have tasted that the Lord is good. 

 

PRAYER

….my Lord, please give me a taste of your spiritual milk, some of your bread and wine, your own body and blood, that I may have a hunger, and be satisfied with your taste of salvation. Refurbish and restore me…..and all of us, as new Adams and new Eves. 

 

A M E N 

May Peace, Hope, Joy and Love light our way as we illuminate our candles on this Holy Advent Wreath this Christmas Eve.

Advent…a Study….Day 27

A SACRED CENTER

Can I make a place of innocence my home? In that place, I will be loved. I know that I am called to live at this place of innocence. Jesus chose to live there and he asks me to make it my home too. There I do not have to be afraid. Can I chose to make my innocence my home; think from there, and speak from there?

I know that whenever I choose from my innocence I don’t have to worry about the next ten years. I can just be where I am……always sure that I am not alone, but with him who called me to live as God’s child.

John 17:15-17

I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask  you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

PRAYER

Lord God…help me to ground myself in a sure place where I will be safe. Away from the Herods of this world. During these days of rejoicing….as I await the babe in the stable, wrapped in the swaddling clothes, keep me safe and wrap your embrace around me in your love, just like the babe. 

… in peace, hope, joy and love

we now light the candles of this Advent Wreath….

•A M E N •

Advent…a Study…Day 26

FROM MORALS TO MYSTICISM

Our baptism calls us to a mystical life and communion with our God, and so mysticism is a calling for all, not just a few people. We need to claim it, to taste it, to feel it, and to trust that living deeply in communion with God, the more our behavior will be a witness to truth. For many people of faith beliefs, religion and our life is about what we are allowed to do, and not allowed to do. Truly, this does not bear fruit. We are challenged to discover that we, and all, are invited to participate in the divine life of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:3-4

His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants of the divine nature.

PRAYER

My Lord…. Come down into my heart and help me grow into your likeness, until I find eternal love and salvation in your presence here, and forevermore. 

….and the candles of peace, hope, joy and love are illuminated now….

A M E N

The Birth of Jesus

CHRISTMAS TOUCHES THE WHOLE OF CREATION

Sometimes we think a good Christmas is songs, good feelings, beautiful liturgies, nice presents, big dinners, and many sweet words.

Christmas is saying “yes” to something way beyond emotions and feelings. Christmas is saying yes to a “hope”which has nothing to do with what I think or feel. Christmas is believing that the salvation of the world is Gods work and not mine. And into this broken world “a child is born” who is called son of the Most High, Prince of Peace.

Luke 2:1-8

THE BIRTH OF JESUS

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered….All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

PRAYER

Lord, thank you Lord that you came independently of my  feelings and thoughts. Your heart is greater than mine. I welcome you.  

• A M E N •

….tonight we illuminate the candles representing peace, hope, joy and love…..

Advent..a Study….Day 24

AN INVITATION

Why did God come to us?

HE came because he wanted to join with us on the road, to listen to our story, and to help and encourage us, that this journey we are on…is for a reason. We may often feel like we are walking in circles, but not so. We are moving towards his house of true peace and joy. So we are not alone on our journey at all. This is the mystery of Christmas,  that brings us comfort and consoles our souls.  God is the God of light and love, and he sent us his son to be with us at all times and in all places, so that we never have to feel lost during our struggles. He wants us to feel that we can trust that he walks with us always.

Christmas is a time to renew his invitation to us, not to be afraid, and to let Him be our companion. Gods love is greater than our hearts and minds can comprehend.  He is with us every step of the way on our journey home.

Luke 12:32-33

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.”

PRAYER

Dear Lord I seek your grace. I am only “one” in your flock of people. You have told your disciples, “Be not afraid.” I pray for your message to sink deep into my heart.  I seek your assurance

…. let us celebrate peace, hope, joy and love by lighting the candles on our Advent wreath……

A M E N 

Advent…a Study…Day 23

BEING FORGIVEN

In forgiving we are still in control. “I forgive you.”….but to be forgiven by you, first of all I have to say, “I’m sorry. There is something that I didn’t do for you.” 

This is hard and puts me in a vulnerable position…in a dependent position. I have handed you over to suffering….somehow I have failed you. I am sorry I failed you. I am sorry I wasn’t the kind of mother, or father, or friend, or brother, or sister, or neighbor, whatever that I wanted to be. Can you forgive me?

It is not just asking the individual. It is having the ability to say, “God can you forgive me?” Can I be open to forgiveness? Then your heart can move from the hardened heart….to a heart of new flesh.

Luke 17:3-4

Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.”

PRAYER

Lord….. you are the God of mercy. You are in each and every one of us. You are in all of us. Help us to understand and admit that this is why we must forgive….and we must also ask for forgiveness. Let us see your face shine once again on the sin and the sinner. 

• AMEN •

…. I now light the candles of peace, hope, joy and Love…..

Advent/Sabbath Sunday..a Study..Day 22

BETRAYAL

Parker Palmer a spiritual writer of the Quaker tradition, says that community is the place where the person you least want to live with….always lives.

Community is not a place where you love each other warmly, freely and affectionately. Community is actually where you are cleansed, where your love is tested. It is a place where your “Child of God” is put through the real challenge of human relationships. So….in reality community is a place where Judas sometimes lives….and sometimes it is you also. 

Matthew 10:1-4

Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles; first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddarus; Simon the  Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. 

PRAYER

Lord I accept your journey of living, loving and serving in community as a necessary membership in humanity. I understand that my church, my family and my neighborhood  is my path, where I will find You in humanness along with imperfections, especially my own.

 

*AMEN *

…..this Sabbath Day I light the candles of peace, hope, joy and Love….

Advent…a Study…Day 19

PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD

Advent is our time before Christmas to pray and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. We must take the time to be really ready to receive him. He wants to be born in us. So we need to open our hearts, and focus our minds to be welcoming. So during Advent be receptive…. especially the last days before Christmas.

Our days can pass so quickly in this season, with many things to do to prepare for the Christmas in our homes. A day can pass and before you know it, evening can come and you have yet to pray and invite preparation into our heart. It’s often the difference between urgent and important. So make time to talk to God.

1 Peter1:22-23

Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth,  so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from your heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring world of God.

PRAYER

Lord lead me. Lead me out of my sin into your saving love. Lead me out of my darkest corners into the light of your grace. Lead me out of the shadow of death….. into your promise of eternal life.

•• A M E N ••

….and now I illuminate the candles of peace, hope and joy…