We’re back to grey, chilly late winter days here in New England, but we had some really lovely sunny and warm spring days (which were a blessing after about 1-1.5 weeks of straight cold rain everyday).  These images of Grey Gardens as it stands now are making me really long for spring (found via quintessentially b).  I actually don’t mind the snow, and I’m disappointed that we didn’t have at least one huge snowstorm (I like a good blizzard once a year, one where everything closes and you have to “stock up” on your groceries and everyone gets a snow day).  However, after seeing a field covered in robins today (there must have been about 50 or so) I definitely think I’m ready for spring.

(PS: Before you dare watch the HBO version of Grey Gardens, you MUST watch the original documentary!  Big Edie and Little Edie were QUITE the pair.)

With all of the gorgeous spring weather the past few days, I’ve been thinking and wondering why on earth I never tried making another terrarium after my first attempt last year (I over-watered them and had an issue with mold, so I dismantled them and was able to salvage much of the plants and replant them in my garden).  These gorgeous terrariums from Flickr have my hands eager to work with loose soil again.

{images belong to helloyarn, koko studios, ex.libris respectively}

Hooray!  What a glorious way to start Monday but with a new Anthropologie catalog to flip through (even if it’s online).  I love the plants, ferns, and fauna found throughout the catalog, especially the greenhouse section towards the end.

{all images belong to Anthropologie}

Being inspired today by the colors, textures, and variations found in nature.  I’m definitely one of those people who can’t leave an experience in nature without picking up something small (*and not alive, mind you) to remember their experience by.  Just looking at these items I’ve collected I’m reminded an afternoon at the beach on Cape Cod, a hike in the White Mountains of NH, a walk through Central Park in NYC, a rocky shoreline on an island in Maine, and a path at my favorite nature sanctuary near my home.

Bringing the outdoors inside is definitely a good thing.

{for more of my at home photos, check out my Flickr}

Checking out the new space of Studio Choo (well, at least virtually) and love the open and airy feel of it.  I am such a big fan of their work, they certainly work wonders with flowers and plants.  It makes me wish I could have yet another career path, only as a florist (or even a gardener). Those flowers are making me very jealous of those who are already seeing their bulbs sprout in their garden!

For more photos of their new space, check out their Flickr.

{images shown belong to Studio Choo}

Today’s forecast for my area: snow.  Today’s visual bliss on my laptop: Quince Flowers + Events photographed by Chelsea Fuss.  Springtime dreaming…

{images shown belong to Chelsea Fuss}

(Margaret Roach’s gorgeous garden)

Today as I walked past the front garden beds on my way to the car, a hint of green caught my eye.  I took a closer look and discovered several of my tulip bulbs have already sprouted about an inch.  Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but it’s clearly still the middle of winter and I’m not suppose to be seeing those guys anytime soon.  The funny thing is that it honestly hasn’t been warm at all lately, so I’m completely perplexed as to why they’re peeking out so early.  However, tulips are hardy and I’m guessing they’ll hold put as is until spring emerges.  But it got me thinking about the garden and how much I miss being out there, getting my hands dirty and clearing my head.  Thank goodness for Margaret Roach’s blog and book, both of the same name, A Way to Garden.  It’s just the thing I need to cure my winter garden blues.  Of all my gardening books, that is hands down my absolute favorite (for it’s inspiration as well as it’s information).  It’s sadly out-of-print now, but if you love to garden then do yourself a favor and find one used.

{image shown belongs to Margaret Roach and A Way to Garden blog}

Had an amazing walk through the woods this afternoon and brought my camera along with me to capture the moment.  Foliage season is definitely over, but there’s plenty to still see.  Thank goodness I managed to enjoy the warm weather (it was 70°F!) while it lasts… temperatures should be going back to their normal chilliness by Thursday around here.

{for more of my november woods photos, check out my Flickr}

This morning I went outside to poke around the garden to see what was happening.  Not too much.  Fall is still slow on it’s entrance, but with the exception for the leaves of the strawberry plant there really is no burst of autumnal color yet.  The hydrangea still have blooms, although most are turning purple or have already died to wispy brown petals.  Most of the plants know that with the recent chilly evenings and cooler days not to produce anymore blooms (except for one rebel daisy, who apparently wants to hedge his bets).  I’m hoping that this fall we get a lot of good color since the last few years have been sort of a disappointing, muddy mix.  I’ll keep my eyes (and my camera) peeled for any good New England fall foliage.

{for more of my in the garden photos, check out my Flickr}

This morning my husband and I went out for a walk at a local Audubon Sanctuary.  It was glorious.  I wish sometimes that I could capture these moments with you all and post a “scratch-and-sniff” link, because the smell of the woods was heavenly.  Leaves are just beginning to fade and fall, and the mingling of them with mounds of pine needles while baking in the sun was incredible.  The forest was quiet, except for a constant little “pop” and small “thud,” about every minute or so, as the animals start to pluck the acorns from the trees.  The paths were literally covered in acorns as apparently they’ve been at this for some time now.  The only other noise besides their acorn gathering, were our footsteps and the quiet hum of crickets.  Next time I’ve got to bring my other camera to capture this sound and share it with you all.

{for more of my morning walk images, check out my Flickr}