Japanese Maple, found in our front border in 2010 when it was a seedling, and nurtured ever since. April 2017
~
November finds me sifting through the year’s photos in search of our favorites for the coming year’s calendar.
~
~
Out of the thousands of photos I capture each year, sixty-one may come to be selected, re-cropped, and published in our limited edition ‘A Forest Garden’ calendar.
~
~
We set parameters. First, I use only photos taken here in our own Forest Garden. All of those photos taken while visiting and traveling never have a chance to make it to the calendar.
~
~
Next, I decide on certain types of photos each year. One year, I wanted a photo of a bird for every month.
~
~
I always want to use photos of butterflies, bees, dragonflies, and the other interesting creatures who have visited our garden during the year. We love watching them, and plant to attract and feed them.
~
~
Our 2018 calendar’s theme is ‘Flowers Every Day of the Year.’ I focused more on photos of flowers, and a little less on beautiful foliage. Selecting the year’s favorite photos requires a major investment of time and thinking.
~
~
It is instructive, as it illustrates the garden’s annual progression of growth. I watch the colors of our garden shift from month to month and season to season.
~
~
I learn so much about our garden by reviewing the year’s photos. This discipline of studying the photos also helps spark fresh ideas, and clearly shows where a little extra effort may be required!
~
~
Now that my holiday efforts are complete, there is time to look one more time through the photo file I compiled while working on our 2018 calendar.
I hope you enjoy this retrospective of the past year in our Forest Garden.
~
~
If you would like to have a copy of our 2018 “A Forest Garden” calendar, they are available through The Nurtury in Gloucester Courthouse, Virginia. As in past years, this is a working gardener’s calendar. Moons, solstices, equinoxes, and first and last frost dates in Zones 5-9 are noted. Each month features gardening tips and reminders.
~
~
This week between Christmas and New Year, this longest night of the year, remains one of my favorite weeks of the year. It is a time for looking back at fond memories, and also for looking ahead to those plans and projects on our personal horizon.
~
~
It is a time for favorite friends, favorite activities, favorite keepsakes, and favorite memories.
~
~
Woodland Gnome 2017
~
April 3, 2017, and our Magnolias have put out both leaves and new blossoms after a late frost in March.
For the Daily Post’s
Weekly Photo Challenge: 2017 Favorites
*
“A Forest Garden 2018” calendar is available,
should you wish to have one,
at The Nurtury, 6619 Main Street, in Gloucester Court House, Virginia.
Reach The Nurtury at 804.695.4417 for more information.
The Nurtury ships merchandise around the world.
I love how you described the week – to look back and look ahead….
ahhh
and wonderful photos – the slideshows were a good idea and it was like little adventures
I like them all – and the butterfly photo reminds me that I have an old photo to still hunt for (the one I have of a butterfly on lantana – in some potted flowers i bought from ukrops )
happy new year
Happy New Year, Yvette ❤ ❤ ❤ I'm glad you enjoyed the little slideshows. I still couldn't choose just one for each month! Stay warm 😉
stay warm over there too – brrr
and “see” ya in 2018
Absolutely! I’m headed your way tomorrow. Thankfully, it will be a bit warmer for a good day of travel. Maybe we’ll get to the GBGH again! Have you tried the Mellow Mushroom, newly opened on Huguenot Rd? Wonderful!!! Delicious food and great service.
well we almost went to the Mellow Mushroom in the fan on three occasions but the wait is usually an hour – and then last week down in fla – we almost went to the one in Destin (with my stepdaughter) but pizza is not on my list of staple foods and if splurging on carbs – I decided to go for seafood – and so glad I did.
anyhow, did not know they have one off Huguenot road….
and I hope to eat at one this coming year
safe travels
Thank you! Yes, just opened in the last few weeks. My brother arrived first and had a table waiting by the time I arrived with my mother. I’ll definitely order ‘thin crust’ in future, as ‘hand tossed’ is more than generous! But, oh, so good…. . Where is the one in the fan? Is Strawberry St. still open? That used to be one of my top favorite picks 🙂
I am not sure about strawberry street – but the one in the fan is on the main business strip and they have cool neon lights.
Carytown?
yes – I have a photo of it somewhere – will be right back
Wow!
And a beautiful one it is, too! 🙂 ❤
Thank you 😊
Thank you 😊 How much snow do you have?
Probably 6 to 8 inches. We’ve had a couple of snowstorms, then all that freezing rain on Sat. and 4 more inches of snow over Xmas. Layers!
Now it is getting super cold with windchills in the neg. dbl digits. Not fun to be outside right now!
May you stay warm and dry. I know you are accustomed to such weather, but it must still present a challenge …. And such beauty !
As long as my body is warm, I’m good. These lower temps are too wicked for comfort, however. At least it has been sunny! 😉
We can feel it indoors as the temps drop outside, and you likely can feel it, too. The heat is blowing, but near the windows the cold still creeps in. The sun this afternoon was a welcome sight!