Marypause50 ~10 years later still a blog about gardens, simplicity, friendships, gratitude, health,

Perception in the Garden

Perception ~ the state of being or process of becoming aware of something through the senses. 

    So today begins the first day of Autumn. For those of us lucky enough to enjoy the seasons changing (although most of us can do without the cold winter), the first noticeable change is the temperature. Why is it that 65 degrees in March feels warm, when 65 degrees in September feels downright chilly? It's our perception...
   So in the garden the same is true. We can change our own perception of the waning fall garden with a few cleanup measures to trick our senses. What we hate to see this time of year is the fading of our perennials. Our annuals, however, seem to rejuvenate without all the heat. So how do we fool our senses into thinking that things are still lush? We need to put in a bit of fall cleanup work now!

    Begin by removing any diseased (powdery mildew in particular) leaves & stems. Just cut down & don't compost but remove to the trash. Then continue cutting back the dried up stems/leaves from your other perennials. Retain the plants that are no longer flowering but have nice fall color in the leaves. Leave some texture in the remaining flower heads like coneflowers and rudbeckia. As you begin to remove, peeling back the layers of summer remnants, something beautiful begins to emerge. The remaining flowers that are trying to be seen become the stars! Let the phlox, obedient, daisies, asters, mums, sedum, rudbeckia, sage and your annuals shine! You may have fewer blooms from summertime, but our perception is simply a beautiful, richly colored fall garden. With just a little work now, you can enjoy a few more months of your labor. Then you can just leave it to the birds to enjoy!

Simplify, Simplify ~ Walking the Walk

   Simplify, Simplify. Yes, I talk a good game to you all, but am I doing enough to simplify my own life or do I just like to give (good) advice? If I am going to talk the talk I am hereby committed to walk the walk & share my findings.
   Well, in the spirit of back to school and getting all those ducks in a row I decided to walk the walk with a baby step. And with any worthwhile creative project (yes, even simplifying employs creativity to do it authentically) comes an 'inspiration piece...
   When preparing to simplify you must choose a small area of your world at a time (yes, the baby step). Otherwise, the overwhelming task may just put you in a stupor where you just reach for a glass of wine and the remote instead. This is where an inspiration piece comes in. For this area of my life, my makeup cleanout, my inspiration came in the form of a new eye shadow pallet from Maybelline, The Blushed Nudes. It had all the colors that flatter my skin tones and could replace all the small ones I had. Yes, the AHA moment!! So I went from eye shadows/pencils to lip to nail products and it is cathartic at minimal. The pics I show here are the fruits of my labor. Remember to be tough because you truly will not miss them when they are gone! They are things not people! So enjoy the process & revel in the results.
         So if you check out my photos to the left, if may seem to be an organized purge; yes it was. So what was my ever-important criteria? For eyes: all old mascaras go (now that I have the perfect one - Maybelline's Lash Sensational- piece of cake!) Eye shadow singles/quads: If you only wear one color from these you can do better. There are many expanded palettes now that are just waiting for you - remember not too shimmery. The lips: If it isn't staining with moisture it was tossed. I kept a few top layer glosses & lip balms (spf15 encouraged) Nail Polish: Well, gloppy was surely gone. Similar colors, ones not worn in a while - gone. I still have a few but it is better! A few eyes pencils & concealers that really never did it for me (Try Cover Girl's Tru-blend concealer stick, pretty amazing stuff!)
   For other areas of your life you may just need a cool organizational tub or basket. The nicest stuff is out there for the buying or upcycling. Remember there are ways to move your stuff along without tossing in the trash heap. I have blogged before about a girls night swap event, upcycling, selling at a garage sale, donating... there are endless avenues to move your stuff along. The important thing is to handle a small area of your life at a time, have fun with it, and be strong. You really can truly feel more authentic with less! I will continue to walk this walk & share my findings and inspiration pieces throughout the coming months.