April felt like the month everything finally started waking up!
After months and months of waiting, the tulips began blooming and the garden started filling in a little. There is something special about spring that makes you appreciate every flower, every warm day, and every bit of green.
Looking back through my photos from April, here are a few of the moments that made me smile.
The Tulips Arrived
Last fall, Isaac and I planted a lot of bulbs (nearly 200 of them!). To say they put on a show is quite the understatement!
This isn’t even all of them!
I need to go back to my notes and list out every tulip I planted. There are a few varieties I want to pick up again for next year. This orange parrot tulip definitely is one of them!
Working on the Front Garden
Along with enjoying all the tulip blooms, I spent a ton time thinking about what comes next. I had a vision in my mind to create a sort of cottage or woodland garden. I did all the research (which means I took to Pinterest and spent an exorbitant amount of time pinning ideas), made many trips to Platt Hill and Wasco (remind me later to show you photos from Wasco. I love that garden center!), and fawned over my dream plants.
The front garden is still very much a work in progress. Honestly, I feel like it always will be. But I finally started moving plants around and figuring out where things belong. I dug up and pulled out the roses (good riddance, roses!), dug holes for the hydrangeas and ostrich ferns, and removed SO MUCH concrete and gravel from my garden bed.
All those bags? FULL of concrete and rocks that were just under a thin layer of “topsoil” that the builder put in for us.
I have a vision in my head. Now I just need to convince the plants to cooperate!
Making Time for Art
I was also able to paint a little bit. I've been really trying to make room for creativity where I can, even if it's only a little at a time.
I worked on a super-secret painting for a friend (shhhh- I’ll share it later!) and I revisited a painting that I had finished a few years ago. Every time I walked past it, it felt a little blah and unfinished, so I took it downstairs and tried to add a little more depth.
I started adding darker shadows to the succulents in the bottom right section.
I also continued experimenting with gouache.
I'm still learning, but that's part of the fun. I even treated myself to a new set of HIMI Gouache paints. Once I open them, I’ll do a small review!
Isaac Things
Isaac continued to keep life interesting. Shotokan Karate has become a regular part of our routine now, and it's been super fun watching his confidence grow. I can't wait for him to be able to do his first kata successfully!
Look at that concentration!
And, of course, there was Mario Kart. Lots and lots of Mario Kart since he received a Nintendo Switch for his birthday.
I love how he’s playing the video game with his whole body!
April was a good month. My tulips blooming was definitely the highlight! I can’t wait to see what May brings!