Keeping With The Times

living, learning, and keeping with the times

Potting Bench Quandary

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If you’re ever going to be in a quandary, hopefully it’s as simple and light as trying to decide where to set up your potting bench!

This week I’m rearranging my deck; moving my potting bench here and there, trying to decide if the furniture we have is working for me (it’s not) and setting up pots and crates ready to be filled with herbs and flowers.

And while I’m enjoying being outside immensely … I’m a bit frustrated at my deck situation. It’s a partly covered deck (which is wonderful) and I want to take advantage of the space where I can work even when the weather isn’t cooperating.

Here the potting bench catches sunlight which is lovely for the plants, plus it’s still under the overhang so it’s out of the elements. But it’s a bit inconvenient as it sits against the railings and partially blocks the view of the surrounding forest:Potting Bench, Barb Brookbank, Keeping With the TimesHere the potting bench is against the house which results in flatter light, and no sun:Potting Bench, Barb Brookbank, Keeping With the TimesSo what would you do? I really don’t want to set it against the railings but I feel it’s too drab against the wall.

Wait! I might have another solution … I have two potting benches ;)

The other one sits on the ground and is exposed to the weather. I wrote about it in my An Inspired Barnwood Potting Bench post a few years back.

I guess I would simply have to time my work, and my photography around Mother Nature.

I think I just solved my own problem ;)

xo

Potting Bench Adventures

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From the potting bench this morning, I bring you my crabapples, clay pots, succulents, pumpkins, and mums, with a sprinkling of autumn leaves! #iseehearts

from the potting bench, texture tuesday, keeping with the times dot com

from the potting bench_3

from the potting bench_2

 

from the potting bench

Yesterday we had a “Be Still Connect”. I always look forward to them and inevitably come away with fresh new ideas.

One thing that struck me was how overwhelmed a lot of us feel with all our commitments. Everyone agreed that we should cut ourselves some slack, and then try to whittle away some of the stuff that isn’t working for us anymore.

I made a list and found one thing I could finally let go … it was a hard decision and has taken me over a year to finally get to this point. We resist change, but it’s happening to us every single day.

Our interests, goals, passions … they change … just like the seasons. I first needed to accept that, and now I can let go. I’m off to send that e-mail …

Have a happy Tuesday!

kk_within LR preset with adjustments

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

“app” happy wednesday #5

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Welcome to “app” happy wednesday #5!

If you’re new to the party, this is a weekly link-up to share your photos edited with “apps” of course!

  • Use any “app” you like and perhaps explain how you used it.
  • Did you use just one? Did you combine apps?
  • Simply create some art. Post it on your blog or Flickr or wherever you are uploading your work, and then come back here and link it up!
  • Visit a few friends to see what they are up to and perhaps learn some fabulous new tips and techniques.
  • Spread the word about the link-up, the more the merrier!
  • Each party will start at 5:00 am on Wednesdays and will stay open until the following Sunday night at midnight.

Spring is here and I’ve been busily potting up my bedding plants #fromthepottingbench of course!

So here’s my rustic ladle pot holding a cute little succulent. I think this one is a lot about perspective. After I had taken photos with my DSLR I picked up my phone and suddenly felt so much more creative. I think it’s because I don’t have the expectation that it needs to be perfect.

I used the Distressed FX app with Lora and Lade. Lora brighten up the focal point, and Lade added the texture and wonderful vignetting.

"app" happy wednesday, succulent, ladle pot, rustic, keeping with the times

So what have you been up to this week? I’ve seen a few samples of your work around blogland and Instagram – do tell how you accomplished it all!

Please link back with a text link or use the “app” happy wednesday button.

*sorry … this series is closed

An Inspired Barnwood Potting Bench

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wildflower bouquet

Yesterday I headed outside, fully intending to cut the grass.

Strangely, though, I found myself over by my new potting bench… it has become a magnet for me.

I think I’ve been dreaming about having a potting bench my whole life, and I’ll tell you how it came about. Last summer I wrote down in my journal that I would have one. Then I pinned a couple ideas, and voila…

potting bench

I’m a firm believer that if you write something down, there’s a better chance of it coming true. There are tons of books written about that theory but for the life of me I can’t remember where I read it first. I think it was Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach, or The Artists Way, by Julia Cameron.

Right now I’m reading The Secret, which of course teaches about the law of attraction. But I digress.

potting bench

So, early this spring I was at my favourite little country store which I frequent on a monthly basis. It’s there that I’ve been scooping up rustic, custom-made barnwood benches by the handful… I can’t resist them. Each one is so unique, with different colours of lichen clinging to them.

potting bench

Anyway, I simply asked the owner if the fellow who makes these benches would consider making a potting bench. She replied; not for the shop, but here’s his number. Hmmmm, I was expecting her to take an order or something. But I took it and ran.

After that it was just a series of fortunate events.

I called and asked this fellow if he would consider making one for me. He replied; well, I’ve never even thought of making a potting bench, but here’s what I think: it should be about 5 feet in height, 44-45 inches wide, with a 21 inch deep counter. Add a small shelf in the top part, and a large shelf on the bottom.

Ummm, well, OK (said I) as I crumpled up the little scrap of paper with all my measurements written on it … I could see there was no need to tell him what to do! But what would it cost me?

Well, this is just a hobby for me (said he) but I’d have to charge you $115.00…

… gasp… seriously people, I know of some places that would not charge any less than $250.00… I mean, this thing weighs a ton… and look at the colours of these fabulous lichens!

potting bench

… and it holds a lot of heavy pots, and gardening essentials…

potting bench

potting bench

It was here that I created my little cottage garden/wildflower bouquet. Could there be anything more charming?

So if you are dreaming of a potting bench, or anything else for that matter, I would advise you to get out your journal, or even just a scrap of paper and write it down.

I feel so inspired.

Oh, and yes, I did cut the grass.