Our very own plants….. need care today

Sunday morning …..rest and giving our plants some tender loving care. In reality this task feeds our psyche and provides a mental rest, calm and peace for our soul. Plants are so grounding. We planted lettuce seeds about ten days ago and they are coming up in our window box. We need to thin out the seedlings today.

Our sched has been brisk lately and so a little break today is more than welcome. Maybe we will prepare a small supper and enjoy a little reading in between beginning to clear out some books and things we no longer need.

All in all…our goal is a simple day. Just relaxing and small tasks. We’ve a full week ahead with two jobs. One on Monday and Tuesday; a new couple who have been communicating with us by txt, and who have been following all our instructions to be fully ready for us once we arrive. And our second project will be Wed through Friday for one of our repeat and very good customers. So far two new beautiful yellow, full bud rose bushes. Both projects are going to be good ones. Looking forward to them. 

We are going to have some rain this week so if you are a gardener, it’s a perfect time for planting. The rain is predicted to be seasonal, but light, and so if you are inclined to be out there in your garden….it should be a pleasant experience. Soft, teeming rain is perfect for gardening tasks. And rain reminds us how important moisture is for the beauty of our world. Our spring season is still stretching her “roots.” While you are out tending your gardens we encourage you to listen for….. and observe our birds and creatures in nature. They will bring you good cheer, if you let them into your world.  

We trust you will renew your spirit today as well.

”Contessa” says……it’s sooo very important! 

Sunset right now….

Watching the devastation in Florida on the 7 pm news. So many in turmoil and fearing the impact of their near term future due to hurricane “IAN.”  A very rough ride.

And as I look at this “pink sunset” it’s hard to fathom how a few hundred miles can be such a contrast in weather.

Prayer …… my most Holy Father in heaven, please bring peace, hope and a special calm to those who are without….tonight. Please help them as you are able, by moving their spirit and their faith in You. Bless them Father. I pray. Amen.

Tomorrow feeling like fall …. High 68 degrees

It will feel like fall tomorrow. But a glorious sunny day with a high of 68. We know many of you will be out and taking great walks. It’s just going to be a cool….but perfect day. 

We wish  everyone…. a wonderful “first of fall day.”

Birds and Blooms – June/July/August/September

Birds and Blooms Magazine is an awesome way to learn about birds, houseplants, gardening, bushes, trees, climates, crawly creatures and plant identification. We have offered the opportunity prior for you to read this simple but very informative publication. It’s a great evening read. No TV and you learn so much. Let us know if you woukd like to view them. We can drop them by your location for a weeks lend. Then we can pick them up and pass them to the next location. Birds and Blooms is so worth your time. 

In the September issue we discovered an article about grasses. And we have a current client who wanted grasses as a backdrop to their newly established garden, which we actually planted. We visited the nursery and we selected six Pink Buhly Grass plants at about $75, and planted them last Friday. As you can see in the photo below they are lush and full and very attractive as a filler.

Please contact us to reserve your week of reading at:

ContessasHome@gmail,com or at 703-548-1882

“Contessa” says….., it’s all good!

magic…….

….. ending day sky. I think about 20 minutes to darkness. So breathtaking. 7:25 pm.  It’s a frame capturing sun, cloudy air, high humidity and the bluish sky fading. Today had it all. Sun, rain, clouds and blue sky.  Once it decides…. it fades quickly. Thinking about my day. My “Reflection” in a photo. Amazing…..

 

Gardening Today – ongoing project – 1400 block of Martha Custis (REVISED – 5:30 pm)

SUPER WINDY DAY – HANG ON  TO YOUR HATS!!

Our project today has been completed in phases, and today we return. The beds are large and no sun except for the back left hand corner. Today we are going to begin by creating a perennial flower bed across the entire back of the property. Then fill in with our newspaper and top soil treatment. No matter what our homeowner has done, even laying sod, it is simply impossible to grow grass in this yard. The yard has its benefits however. It’s large, very level and for summer it’s very shady which is a good thing. We have all week next – to work on it so no rush on this project. And weather is going to be great for doing this work. Our homeowner has given us a “carte Blanche” to do what we think is best for their lifestyle. A stay at home executive with two pets and one child. So low maintenance, with minimal plantings, most likely in some nicely appointed planters.  And the back flower bed will be well planned shade loving bushes and plants that are perennials. Some bright colored bloomers on the end that gets sun, and attractive greens or grasses at the more shady – right end.  It will come together, and we are looking forward to making a very nice “oasis” bordering her lovely patio area.  We love this work and “it’s all a labor of love” for us. We will post pics/video as we make progress.

Have a beautiful “warm but windy” Saturday!!

“CONTESSA”

BEFORE – back bed

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AFTER – back bed – keep in mind that we are doing this work in small chunks of time

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Gardening On Hold……….

Ya…..well after a morning appointment, we are giving it up for most likely, the rest of this week. It’s pretty tough out there. So now home for a light fruit lunch and a “nap snack.”

Snoops has the right idea!

Thankfully our two recent clients are good with this decision. And we are at a good stopping point at both locations. We will hopefully pick up work next week. It’s looking a little more promising in terms of temps. So 💤 is on our agenda now…….

“Contessa”