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Before I pontificate on the topic of weeds, welcome to my current in-home retreat :-) While the painters continue to progress on the interior house painting, this newly painted room is where my favorite chair is and where my day/night bed resides. Note the suitcase that speaks to my commitment to get this house on the market by July 1, 2018, and be ready to rapidly move to a yet to be determined humble abode. Also, note that in order to create a sense of calm and order around me I have folded up on a footstool a twin size quilt that I think I have not shown you before. Either my Nana or Mom made it long ago. The now vintage materials are sweet to see and I find the quilt construction unusual. As far as I know, there is no batting in it. It is simply two patchwork quilt tops sewn together...no border. Is there a name for that? Over a thermal blanket, it helps me stay cozy and warm. Also note that in the baskets in the bookcase, there are assorted crafting projects and supplies which I don't want to pack yet just in case I can make the time to work on them before I move.
Now to the weeds. According to my online dictionary, a weed is:
noun
1.
a wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants.
verb
1.
remove unwanted plants from (an area of ground or the plants cultivated in it).
"I was weeding a flower bed".
The plants pictured above were plants I did not want where they were so I weeded them out of the garden.
Part of the property on which I live is a portion of a watershed project which offers some guidelines to what we "should" grow. Foxglove is on the invasive not wanted list, and I have not purposely planted it, but I have not made any effort to weed out the volunteer plants around the pond because I enjoy seeing them.
The red Rhododendron bushes on the east side of the house are in full beautiful bloom. I was startled the other night when I saw a British drama in which a character was assigned the task of digging up a Rhododendron bush because it was an invasive species!
The Grace Ward Lithodora ground cover is one of my favorites because of its brilliant blue blossoms and it helps to choke out things I consider weeds. The bees love it! I tried repeatedly to take a photo of a bee but did not succeed. :-(
Most of this assortment of plants I purchased from a plant nursery and I am thrilled they are thriving and also seem to help keep weeds at bay. So my answer to the title question is "Yes!" Weeding is a craft that I have not appreciated as such until thinking about it in this post. Besides crafting the choice of plants I cultivate, I enjoy the added benefit of watching bees shopping among the flowers for their sustenance, and I saw a pretty ladybug the other day, and I saw a huge blue heron swoop down into the pond!
As I looked at these plums, I wondered if I will still be living here when they ripen.
As far as stitching goes I have made just a little progress on the preemie blanket I am crocheting and the dishcloth I am knitting, but I enjoyed working on them when I could this past month.
So what do you think, does weeding count as crafting?
Like the bunny on my project bag, I hope you are having a nice day :-)
Gracie xx
Hello sweet Gracie! I was so glad to see your blog pop up. I’m sure you’re very busy with moving preparations. If it’s anything like here, your beautiful house will sell very quickly. And yes, I think working in your garden is crafty indeed. I pray the Lord will bless you with wisdom in finding your new home and that it will be the cozy place you need to find rest and renewal in.
ReplyDeleteBlessings always my friend,
Betsy
Weeding is creative activity in my eyes, it helps determine what your garden looks like:-)
ReplyDeleteYou are very well organised for your upcoming move, wishing all the best.
Rhododendron are native to the Himalayas. Many here in Britain consider them a pest. They are pretty but they can be very destructive when in wild environments. I would probably prefer to see none in the local woodlands but really love them in a garden... it is difficult. Have a wonderful week xx
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Whatever you want to be a craft shall be a craft, I say! :-) Thank you for posting so I can see how you are spending your days. I miss you at swimming! I think you are working very hard, my friend. I hope your house sells very swiftly and that you find the humble abode that will bring you joy and happiness! I look forward to visiting you there. My best wishes are winging their way to you now. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteRhododendrums are the scourge of the English countryside and very invasive. They are being removed and eradicated wherever possible. They are not native and poison the soil.
ReplyDeleteI think weeding is part of gardening, and gardening is certainly a craft! One I have little talent for.
ReplyDeleteWe were trying to get our house on the market this summer, too, but then my surgery came up, so we have another year to declutter. And weed!
Yes weeding sure does rate high up there with crafting. Lovely to see you here Gracie and may this transition be a smooth one in your life and look forward to seeing your future home. Love and hugs as always xoxo
ReplyDeleteYes weeding is a creative activity, and part of garden craft! I think your vintage quilt may be two quilt tops sewn together to make a reversible patchwork coverlet? Sometimes people used patchwork covers without wadding and quilting just to look decorative, and sometimes they didn't get round to the quilting but wanted to enjoy the patchwork anyway. Your quilt is a treasure trove of fabrics from the past Gracie. I hope your new home is found soon and the move and changes all go smoothly. Sending hugs xox
ReplyDeleteLove your flower photos! I feel the same way as you about foxglove, and thanks for naming Lithodora as I've always wondered what it was called. Where in the PNW are you? We live there, too.
ReplyDeleteMorning Gracie! I haven't been over here for ages and when I saw your comment it prompted me pop over. Your knitting and crochet looks relaxing and I was interested to hear about the quilt. Two layers of fabric would be very warm. Hope you are well. Jo xxx
ReplyDeleteSo nice to hear from you again, dear Gracie. I hope this period of uncertainty soon comes to an end and you are settled in a wonderful new home with a great garden. And I vote... yes! Weeding is definitely a garden craft.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Just catching up. Hopefully more of the painting will have been finished and that you are nearer to putting your house on the market. Hope you manage to find the perfect home and that all goes well. I am inclined to think that weeding is a craft as it is a creative pursuit. Take care.
ReplyDeleteHello Gracie! The patchwork quilt is charming! Moving is so very daunting. I feel for you! Great job on the weed hauling!!! Happy weekend and happy knitting to you!
ReplyDeleteXO Kris
Many weeds are actually native (or non native) plants which are valued for their medicinal qualities. We just don't know what our ancestors and the American Indians did about them.
ReplyDeleteI know it's a good time to sell in your area :) as I have been visiting my brother and sister in law. Home now and must weed my garden too.
I had NO idea that rhodies are considered invasive. I love all rhododendrons!
You see weeds, but I see wildflowers! ;) I do understand that they're not always welcome, though.
ReplyDeleteI hope everything goes smoothly with the sale of your house and your search for a new nest.
Oh - could the quilt without batting be a coverlet? That's the only word that came to mind from your description. It does look very home-like and comforting. Maybe that makes it a comforter! :D
Keep on working, great job!
ReplyDeleteHello Gracie I seem to have missed this post :-( but I have been very distracted by other things. I do hope that the house will sell quickly and all will proceed smoothly. I am sure that tour perfect 'humble abode' is out there for you. Things happen for a reason and God has a plan.
ReplyDeleteI love Rhododendrons and have one in my garden but I know they are considered invasive :-)
The quilt looks lovely and cosy. Work of any sort in the garden is definitely crafting. Take care Gracie. Hugs Anne x