We exhausted ourselves last weekend planting trees and shrubs. Our goal this spring is to fill in our big backyard so it feels more like a park.
We started with a magnolia tree. Isn’t she pretty?
We bought some holly shrubs to have foliage and berries in winter, when everything is dormant and bare.
We added a row of willow shrubs to the side of the house, where there is a hodge-p0dge of columbines, lilies of the valley and wood poppies.
We still have to plant the birch clump, which will replace a dyeing birch in our front yard.
I spent the entire day on Sunday in a drawing class for beginners at the botanical gardens. We started with the basics, from intuitive drawing to gestural drawing to blind drawing. Then we progressed to still life, where we focused on measuring and shading.
I’ve never really drawn still life free-hand, so this was exciting to learn how to really look at something and translate it onto paper.
I am hoping to combine our growing garden with a budding knack for drawing this summer. It’s exciting to turn another creative corner in my life!
Terri's Notebook 
I love planting season!
Your drawings are great.
Thanks for stopping by and saying hello as always! I love your comments and its so nice of you to say hi..and your drawings are amazing! I’m so not talented in that department. -Allison
Magnolia trees are my favorite!!
I’m impressed with your drawing. Sounds like a fun class! And I’m definitely on board with holly and magnolia — we had both in the yard at our last house. Lovely!
Look at all those great shrubs! You will have to post some pics of what your yard looks like once it’s all done! I love gardening but can’t do too much of it this year since we are trying to sell our house. Your drawings are great!
congrats on turning that creative corner. Your veggies look so real!
Those are wonderful shrubs! I do want to see pictures of it too when your garden is done! My dad loves garderning 🙂 Have a lovely merry happy day!
Beautiful plants 🙂
How exciting that you will be able to draw your garden! It’s always refreshing to be able to put in new plants. I’ve done a few this year, and still need to get a tree for my backyard myself.
Your drawings look great! Have fun!
Wow, love your plants. I’ve always wanted a beautiful, green, flowery back yard. What a great place to hang out! And your drawings are great!
Your magnolia tree will be magnificent! Unfortunately our climate is not suited to them. Looks like you are enjoying the start of spring.