Mandy Saile: Gardening

We didn't get as much done outside as we normally do...

BUT we did get our sweet front garden extended and I am so happy with how it turned out.

Every single plant etc in this space, I worked on and we worked on together...

Our whole neighborhood is open clean front yards etc but we like privacy & trees and greenery

so we don't care what our neighbors think of our yard, we do what makes us happy...

We took out lots of grass and put in two new beds (which we'll fill next season)

We built a little garden bed around our big front tree.

I've never been able to bear tossing our old gazebo top (because my honey made it for me)

so we moved it to the front and used it as a garden feature (I LOVE it there)

The front really has become a sanctuary as much as the backyard now & I am so grateful for that.

Hi everyone, I finally found the time to get some photos together about the North Bay Symphony Garden Tour I was part of a couple weeks back.

There are so many favourite shots from this beautiful day but here are a few to give you a feeling for the day, which was so wonderful. (and Jon is working on another mini site for this event so they'll be more to share there, I can't wait!).

I was in Arlington Hoffman amazing Garden & he had his fabulous watercolour work scattered in frames, on little easels throughout his garden, it was the perfect touch...

I was set up on a table underneath a tent, which I was so glad I brought because it got pretty hot that day. I decided to work with abit of watercolour myself & started in on a coloured bird with flowers...

Here is a beautiful watercolour of Arlie's I had never seen of a tasty loaf of bread. He has the ability to bring beauty & serenity to most quiet of objects...

I took so many photos that I think will be really lovely to work from in coloured pencil later on down the road & Jon took many great shots & lots of video as well...(thanks again babe).

There were musicians playing for a few hours in the morning & that was wonderful & added quite abit of charm to the day, especially these guys (Andrew Palangio & Erik Faucon) who played & sang more current & hipper songs...

Here is my pal Julie with my adopted grandpa Arlie & moi...Julie is one of my few local friends who I can always count on to come out in support & interest...Thanks Jules.

And Julie brought along her little sweetie-pie Poppy, who was a complete delight & really made my day extra special...

I had all of my work set up on a long table, under the tent. I decided to display mostly watercolour work as that was what I was demonstrating for the day. I also had a selection of art cards for sale & a book for people to sign up for my email newsletter.

It really was a great experience. When they asked me to join in on the event, I said yes without really knowing what to expect but I am so glad I did. The whole event & day was just lovely & completley relaxed (for a change) and I am already signed up to participate again next year.

This 16th annual event helped to raise over $2600 for our local symphony & more than 400 hours went into volunteer time including the time of the artists, musicians, volunteers & hosts. It was a wonderful event I am proud to have been a part of. Thanks for having a look.