Spring at the Lot

Here are a few flower photos from the house lot. These are a few weeks old, so much more color and bloom now. At the bottom is a picture of the clearing work that Tom is doing.

Tulips that we did not put in. Last year they bloomed. I'm hopeful for this year!

These crocus are another gift from former residents.

I think this is squill. We put this bulb in last fall. (We = Tom)

Some tiny, tiny daffodils that Tom put in.

He's been taking down a few trees that are either dead or in the way of the sun. The limestone chunks were buried in the back. We think "they" just dumped it at the back of the lot when they cleared the house, or it could possibly be from Banneker across the street.

Ground Breaking

Tom and I, along with friends, celebrated our ground breaking on February 1st. That's when we celebrate the first day of spring, and we thought it would be an appropriate ceremonial start.

Photos by Anna. (Thank you!)

Although it was a warm and sunny day (in the low 50s), the ground was frozen and covered in snow.

Friends brought things to honor the ground breaking, like this bird's nest and pine bough.

And cornmeal that we all sprinkled on the snow.

Tom and I always throw out lettuce seeds in February (usually on Valentine's Day), and we did so this year at our new lot. It's pretty amazing how they'll melt through the snow and actually grow!

Two sculptures on the lot that Tom has made from found materials.

Special thanks to all our friends and family in attendance, either in spirit or in the flesh!

Solstice at the Lot

Tom spent yesterday, high noon, at the lot...watching how the sun falls onto the property.
How cool is that?!!!?

Trees and Boxes

Tom has been clearing scrubby/dead trees on the lot and making a house model out of carboard.
More coming soon, including pictures.

From Alexandra Stoddard

Alexandra Stoddard is one of my (Steph's) favorite authors. I love how she approaches life and design. Here is a quote from her most recent newsletter. The quote rings true for me in our home creation process:

"The number one question asked us is, 'When will the renovation be over?' This is not a question to be answered with any accuracy. The restoration of our cottage will be finished when the necessary work is done. In the meantime we are enjoying life to the fullest, we are finding joy in our work and in our relationships with others, and we feel richly blessed by great people, known and unknown to us, who let us know that we are making a difference in their lives."

Cool gifts

Tom found some old blackberry and raspberry bushes on the property, buried in an overgrown area. He lovingly dug them out of the weeds and replanted them in the clear. Given that blackberries are on of his favorites, I'm sure he'll give them lots of T&C!

This lot has given us so many amazing gifts...

• Marbles and other treasures from the dirt
• The very cool limestone sidewalk/round space
• Surprise flowers - tulips and crocus and others
• The chance to love and tend the earth

Plant Thinning

What you're seeing here is part of the moving process! We, well mostly Tom, are turning our current yard (shown) slowly back into grass, as we promised the landlord. We're moving some plants to the new space, and giving away lots and lots. We certainly won't be out of the current house by next Spring, but Tom won't have as much time to spend on these plants. It's all part of the great, big organic process of building our new home. This process is moving slowly, but it is moving and at a pace that is comfortable for us....and our plant children!