Although still cold It’s that time of year when the sap has begun to rise and thoughts of Mother Nature’s bounty come to mind.
My Mother was a superb gardener, with an innate understanding of the rhythms and flow of nature. Consequently, I had grown up observing how a seed planted in soil is the same as a seed planted in my mind. Both need to be fed and nurtured so that they can grow in predictable and sometimes wonderfully mysterious ways.
My little cottage garden in the Magical Town of Crickadoon (Crickhowell, Wales) 
I was fortunate to live and work in the small market town of Crickhowell, Wales for twelve years. Crickhowell, (aka The Magical town of Crickadoon) sits in the Usk Valley where the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains meet.
During those twelve years I designed a small cottage garden, which gave me immense pleasure and taught me a great deal.
I saw this picture in a magazine and used it as the template for my garden….
The plot behind the cottage was small and had laid fallow for twenty years. The first thing I did was to clear and dig the garden over….and then lay flag stones.
Friends with established gardens gave me cuttings, and slowly but surely, the garden began to take on a life of its own.
Before my eyes, I watched the transformation from uncared for patch to a place that welcomed birds, bees, butterflies, cats and humans:)
Note Christeve the Cat climbing the ladder which took her into the neighbour’s garden….. 
Growing a garden from scratch requires commitment and patience.
The same principles apply to the creative process. We must be patient and consistent and at the same time learn the significance of ‘flow’ in our lives.
Mother Nature is our best teacher. – It is up to we humans to observe and follow her example.
As the garden began to mature, I was able to throw open the french doors and have all my senses fed, whether I inside or out.
Christeve the Cat relaxing on the shed roof…..A little. bit of Heaven..
This final sketch was one I painted in Monet’s Garden at Giverny….. He understood all about the flow of Mother Nature.
A very content Christeve the Cat….watercolour.
My Life as an Artist (2) 
I don’t have greenfingers and joke that plants have to have strong will and be survivors to make alive with me, but I do love a garden. Thanks for the photos and the hummingbirds.
Good morning, Olga….thank you – The garden taught me that I do have green fingers:)
Fantastic Janet.
Thank you, Peter. x
I have created a garden in my time so I know the amount of effort that took, and imagination to design such a beautiful space as that. The worst thing about leaving a loved space like that for me is that I end up worrying about some of my favourite plants and whether they are alright without my care and attention because I a silly and worry about needless things
Good morning, Peter. I am the same…I talk to plants and consider them as important as animals and humans, and so yes, I feel the same concern when leaving plants that I have lovingly tended. Thank you:)
When people speak of cats having nine lives, I think it’s much the same as what some of us know… though we don’t always know what to call them. I call them incarnations… Separate lives, they are. But all of them part of our long life in this world… and each of them a ‘stand alone’ book. Sometimes, a stand alone poem. I am so glad to peek into this garden of yours, Janet. xxx
Good morning, Shmon. This would mean that I have had several incarnations during this lifetime…..and who knows what’s to come:) I do hope that there is another garden in my future.
Have a lovely day with Nechame .xx
I really enjoyed seeing the before and after photos of your cottage garden, Janet. I know what a job that is, but what a wonderful result when it is completed. It is series of hopeful, colorful, and creative actions and a tremendous transformation. Excellent! 😀
Good morning, Jet. Thank you so much – 🙂
What a beautiful garden, Janet. Looking at it gave me a sense of peace so I can imagine how wonderful it must have been being in it. 🙂
Good morning, Carol – I felt a total sense of peace sitting in the garden, and at the same time all my senses were being fed. Pure magic:) Thank you…
Janet, thank you for giving us a look at your garden. I love it. Carol is right — it has such a peaceful vibe. Hugs! 😀
Thank you so much, Teagan – Have a Colour full day:)x
That garden is enchanting, I do wish I could have seen it in real life! I look forward to the day when you get a garden again, what fun you will have.xxx
Ah yes, I also look forward to that day…..and this time around you will come and visit my garden wherever it is:)xxx