Happy Birthday to Me

It's my birthday today. Last night I got caught up in a swirl of homesickness and emotion and had a proper little cryfest into some ice cream while watching The Man From Snowy River. Watching Tom Burlinson go flying over the edge of the cliff, riding with insane strength and daring always puts a grin on my face!

Today is a new day. Instead of spending it missing my Sydney girls, I am leaning forward.

During spring break I launched my small business Sap and Green. Through Sap and Green I am advertising my services as a Garden Coach, focusing on helping people grow their own fruit, veg, and flowers. I am also building fairy gardens and container gardens for patios and balconies. Lastly, I am available to design children's gardens (which I LOVE to do!). 

Here are a couple current projects to give you an idea of what I've been up to.

A little table top planter in a vintage pitcher. On the far side strawberry plants are spilling fruit over the edge.

 

A fairy garden for the school auction.

So far this Mediterranean herb garden is getting the most attention. I painted the pot with a gold dipped effect, and the plants include a hot and spicy oregano which really packs a punch. I also love the tiny thyme just falling over the edge. This and another like it are also for my children's school auctions.

Another school auction fairy garden. This is my favorite. I love the little tea cup shelter and the birds having a conversation on the fence.

 

Anyone else drink Mojitos all summer long? I thought a tabletop mint planter was a fun way to keep the mint at arm's reach. This features chocolate mint, apple mint, and spearmint.

Today is sunny, windy and gorgeous. My garden is exploding in bloom, and my calendar is full of coffee and lunch dates. My husband took me to breakfast at a french bakery, and while we were out my neighbor left a bunch of seedlings and cuttings on my front bench. Today I helped my son plant the lima bean seedling he grew at school, and I received a drill and circular saw as some of my amazing gifts. 

This weekend I sat at our new outdoor table and sketched garden plans for a potential new client. I miss Sydney, and I miss my girlfriends with all my heart. I am not going to let that keep me from moving forward, making plans, making friends, and loving the sunshine and excitement that today holds! 

As a birthday present to me, would you consider leaving a comment? If I don't know you, would you let me know where you're reading from? At this point I really have no idea who is reading here, and it would be a nice treat to know who is sharing this birthday with me!

Comments

[Erika]

Glad to hear your day was filled with loveliness!

[quietstream]

Happy Birthday from one of your very most enthusiastic followers.

[Susan Langager]

Happy Happy Birthday sweet girl! I LOVE reading your blog and am terribly excited for you and your new adventure! I think the business you are creating is amazing and perfect for you! Love and blessings to you on your birthday. May this be a year FULL of joy and laughter and fun and family and growth and depth and love! Love, Suz

[Tara]

You = fantastic!! I am not good at keeping up with blogs. But I read this one and I am so glad I did because I get to wish fantastic you a fantastic birthday!! I love that you are passionate about your work. It is contagious and inspiring. Love, Tara (in TN)

[mel baxter]

I love reading your blogs. It's the next best thing to having coffee and a chat with you. Love hearing about your life, your thoughts and your heart. You are one of my favorites. Keep writing precious friend. One day we'll be famous and have pen names and everything . xx
Melle (of Green Gables)

[Dyana Clark]

My dear sweet friend, happy happy birthday! I love your posts, they are always filled with comfort! I bet it is so hard leaving what feels like home. I hope this year brings joy and the many fond memories! Love ya! -Dyana

[carrie.d]

All the way from CT, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I love your gardens, they are absolutely adorable! You MUST come East next winter and we will go to the NY botanical gardens and their "train" show. The most unbelieveable teeny tiny landscapes. I love you seeing you be so creative, such a lovely, lovely gift to us all!

[Marianna]

Inspiring! Happy Birthday! - Marianna in TN

[Adelle]

Happy happy birthday! What a lovely day it sounded, and it makes my heart so happy to hear how you were embracing it. What a rich thing, to have a real April birthday back stateside where everything is eagerly pushing towards growth and life, helping you celebrate your amazing life.
To one of my heroes, I love you so much!

[Sarah Buckle-Dykes]

That was a fantastic birthday post - filled with inspiration and creativity and a love and zest for life, with all of the hopes, challenges, nourishing and fulfilment it brings.. Even the comments from your friends are fantastic! I think of you every time I drive past a beautiful bottlebrush or spy a vintage towel in an op shop or even a great decorating idea on the web. Thanks for sharing so much of your self and the richness of your life. Lots of love, Sarah B-D (Sydney).

[Geochick_1]

Happy Birthday! Love those containers - it's giving me inspiration to make something more of my container gardening attempts this year. --Geochick, from CO

[Doke]

Another birthday hug..Love your unique creativity! May it increase and increase and increase...

[Amanda]

Happy birthday! I've enjoyed your writing since we were both semi newly adoptive moms. Your gardens are beautiful. What a great business idea!

Amanda in WA USA

[Andromeda]

Happy Birthday Darling! Love your photos and all the green!

[Becky]

Happy belated!

I have chocolate mint and spearmint in my herb garden, but I've never heard of apple mint! I will have to look out for some to try! And I can't wait to hear how things go for you in the auctions.

Glad I can say I am one of your new friends with a morning date on the calendar soon :)

[Aleta]

Happy Belated Birthday Kohana! Hate to see your end to class but excited to see what grows for you and to keep in touch!