The Woman in the Bank
The other day I was at the bank. Sitting in the manager’s office waiting for some paperwork to be signed. There wasn’t much to do so I spent the time just watching people. One woman in particular grabbed my attention.
She was older and slightly hunched over but came through the doorway with such a sense of purpose. She marched up to the teller to conduct her business. After a few pleasantries I heard her ask about the teller. If it was her first time at the branch? Was she a floater? To which the teller replied yes. This woman then went on to say that she had been to just about all the branches and, “This branch is the best. The people here are so friendly and they really know what they are doing.”
Her compliments went on and on. I couldn’t help but smile as she lavished praise on this particular location.
As this woman left she passed a man at the ATM machine who was wearing an athletic jersey of some kind with a big W on the back. She walked by him she said “Does that W stand for Wonderful?” He smiled and said, “Yes.” She left the building, got into her car and drove off.
I was still waiting for my documents so I reflected on what I had seen.
This woman, with her kind and encouraging words, had just made the day better for two people. Three, if you include me.
The Bible says we should “encourage one another and build each other up”. (1 Thessalonians 5:11). That’s exactly what she had done. Our society is so quick to criticize and tear down; I contend we would all be a little happier if we followed the example of the woman in the bank. I am determined to try and do so.
I never did get her name, but as she left whistling, I wished I had.
Happy New Year 2019
Happy New Year!
Not that I need a new year, I kinda like the one I just had. I know, however, that things change and so will the calendar. Of course it will take me a month or more to stop writing 2018.
I am very grateful for the last year even with so many challenges. Especially the weather. I was telling the girls that it seemed like we only worked in excruciating heat and torrential rain. In fact statistics show that it was the rainiest September through November recorded at the local Blue Hill Observatory so I know I am not just getting old and grumpy. And it was HOT. Hats off to the crews that helped install gardens when the temperatures were well into the 90’s.
Then of course it got bitterly cold right at Thanksgiving and stayed that way which meant the winter containers were quite a challenge to create. Many more garden design jobs meant things were extra busy but that’s okay. I can always do laundry later.
I want to thank all my friends and family members who heard too many times that “I can only talk for a minute the client is on his way” or “Dinner is what you make of it – literally”. There were crazy busy days when I would arrive home so exhausted that I did not even have the energy to eat. And friends and family forgave me the busyness. They even called to just say they were praying for me.
I want to thank my clients who give me the privilege of working at something I love every day. What an incredible blessing to hear after a project that it is just perfect and I must have “read their mind”. Of course not every job ends that way and so I am also grateful to clients who allow me a second chance to get it right. Great design, like anything, requires communication and collaboration and the grace for a “do-over” is always appreciated.
2018 was the best year so far for The Captured Garden. And while the company is growing that is not the main focus. My focus is on developing relationships with clients and their gardens that will last. That is why we only take on a handful of select jobs each season. Good design takes time and that’s what I think it deserves. Quality over quantity.
I hope in your New Year you see the value of taking time for the things that are important to you.
2019 here we come!
Champagne, anyone?
During the holidays bling is certainly appropriate.
Not only for you but also for your containers.
In fact, I think winter containers are even more beautiful with a little sparkle. Especially since days are short and the dark is long.
We see lots of silver and gold but this year decided to celebrate with…champagne.
This unexpected color is an elegant bridge between cool silver and warm gold. Champagne goes well with everything and we’re not talking about the liquid variety (although the same could be said).
Champagne in a recent windowbox picked up the variations in bark color and was used as an accent in dried mushrooms and picks.
By spraying the brown of the fresh magnolia leaves silver we created a beautiful champagne color.
Champagne was a beautiful, elegant player in this composition.
Botanical bling…understated elegance.
We even snagged some gorgeous ribbon and can hardly wait to use it for the next client with a taste for champagne.
Could that be you?
Succulents and Pumpkins
These are livable centerpieces… It’s really just fun.
You don’t even carve the pumpkins. You just put the succulents on top and bring it to someone’s house.
It definitely beats a bottle of wine.
The centerpieces consist of normal pumpkins with succulents (juicy leaves) glued on top for decoration. We used a variety of succulents to the workshop of all different shapes and sizes and colors.
Thankful. Grateful. Blessed.
It’s that time of year again when we take time to count our blessings and give thanks for all we have. I am personally trying to do it on a more regular basis!
As a gardener I am thankful for many things: polar fleece, daylight savings time and warm gloves top the list.
I am thankful that I have eyes to see all the beautiful plant material I am blessed to be able to use.
I am thankful that my ears work well enough to hear the birds around me as I garden.
I can also hear when my knees pop when I go up and down but at least they do their job and for that I am thankful.
Ditto for my hands and wrists which get a little sore after too much pruning. But I am thankful for my Felco pruning shears which make the job that much easier.
As I travel far and wide in pursuit of great plant material I am thankful for a car that works. Even if it does, as my kids constantly remind me, “smell like manure.”
I’m thankful for gas that is available and still relatively inexpensive. I should mention, however, that if it ever hits $5 a gallon you will see The Captured Garden on a moped.
I’m thankful for my new GPS which means I will never get lost again – ha, ha.
I am thankful that I live in a country where I have the freedom to start my own business. Seems like just yesterday The Captured Garden was only a seed of an idea and now it is a real honest-to-goodness business venture. Just ask the IRS!
Lastly, I am extremely fortunate and blessed to have the greatest clients/friends in the world. I am grateful for each one of you and thank you for the opportunity to work with you.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and are surrounded by all that gives you joy.
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