Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Unifier of Opposites The Color Green
December 13, 2010
Unifier of Opposites
The Color GreenThe color green balances our energy so that in looking at it we feel confident that growth is inevitable.
Green is a combination of the colors yellow and blue, each of which brings its own unique energy to the overall feeling of the color green. Blue exudes calm and peace, while yellow radiates liveliness and high levels of energy. As a marriage between these two very different colors, green is a unifier of opposites, offering both the excitement of yellow and the tranquility of blue. It energizes blues passivity and soothes yellows intensity, inspiring us to be both active and peaceful at the same time. It is a mainstay of the seasons of spring and summer, thus symbolizing birth and growth.
Green is one of the reasons that spring instigates so much excitement and activity. As a visual harbinger of the end of winter, green stems and leaves shoot up and out from the dark branches of trees and the muddy ground, letting us know that it's safe for us to come out, too. In this way, green invites us to shed our layers and open ourselves to the outside world, not in a frantic way but with an easygoing excitement that draws us outside just to sniff the spring air. Unlike almost any other color, green seems to have its own smell, an intoxicating combination of sun and sky earthy, bright, and clean. In the best-case scenario, it stops us in our tracks and reminds us to appreciate the great experience of simply being alive.
Green balances our energy so that in looking at it we feel confident that growth is inevitable. It also gives us the energy to contribute to the process of growth, to nurture ourselves appropriately, without becoming overly attached to our part in the process. Green reminds us to let go and let nature do her work, while at the same time giving us the energy to do our own.
Unifier of Opposites
The Color Green
Green is a combination of the colors yellow and blue, each of which brings its own unique energy to the overall feeling of the color green. Blue exudes calm and peace, while yellow radiates liveliness and high levels of energy. As a marriage between these two very different colors, green is a unifier of opposites, offering both the excitement of yellow and the tranquility of blue. It energizes blues passivity and soothes yellows intensity, inspiring us to be both active and peaceful at the same time. It is a mainstay of the seasons of spring and summer, thus symbolizing birth and growth.
Green is one of the reasons that spring instigates so much excitement and activity. As a visual harbinger of the end of winter, green stems and leaves shoot up and out from the dark branches of trees and the muddy ground, letting us know that it's safe for us to come out, too. In this way, green invites us to shed our layers and open ourselves to the outside world, not in a frantic way but with an easygoing excitement that draws us outside just to sniff the spring air. Unlike almost any other color, green seems to have its own smell, an intoxicating combination of sun and sky earthy, bright, and clean. In the best-case scenario, it stops us in our tracks and reminds us to appreciate the great experience of simply being alive.
Green balances our energy so that in looking at it we feel confident that growth is inevitable. It also gives us the energy to contribute to the process of growth, to nurture ourselves appropriately, without becoming overly attached to our part in the process. Green reminds us to let go and let nature do her work, while at the same time giving us the energy to do our own.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
'Village Green Perennial Nursery' Holiday Gift Sale
Holiday Gift Sale at the Cove Normandy Park
Saturday 12/04/2010
Sat 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday 12/04/2010
Sat 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Come do your holiday shopping the fun and easy way. Peruse the high-quality handcrafted gift and decor items presented by 40 original artists. Doors open at 9 a.m., with refreshments available - come early to get your fresh wreath, as they do sell out!
I'm a mom
I'm A MOM
A woman named Emily renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's
office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She
hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is,"explained the
recorder, "do you have a job, or are you just a .....?
"Of course I have a job," snapped Emily. "I'm a Mom."
"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation... 'housewife' covers it," said the
recorder emphatically.
I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same
situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career
woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title
like,"Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."
"What is your occupation?" she probed.
What made me say it, I do not know... The words simply popped out, "I'm a
Research Associate in the field of Child development and Human Relations."
The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair, and looked up as though
she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly, emphasizing the most
significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written
in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your
field?"
Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I
have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't), in the
laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (the whole darned family), and already have four
credits, (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in
the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a
day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most
run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather
than just money."
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she
completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. As I
drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted
by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new
experimental model, (a 6 month old baby), in the child-development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and
indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom."
Motherhood.....What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on
the door.
Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research Associates in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations" and great-grandmothers "Executive
Senior Research Associates"? I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts
"Associate Research Assistants".
A woman named Emily renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's
office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She
hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is,"explained the
recorder, "do you have a job, or are you just a .....?
"Of course I have a job," snapped Emily. "I'm a Mom."
"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation... 'housewife' covers it," said the
recorder emphatically.
I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same
situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career
woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title
like,"Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."
"What is your occupation?" she probed.
What made me say it, I do not know... The words simply popped out, "I'm a
Research Associate in the field of Child development and Human Relations."
The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair, and looked up as though
she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly, emphasizing the most
significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written
in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your
field?"
Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I
have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't), in the
laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (the whole darned family), and already have four
credits, (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in
the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a
day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most
run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather
than just money."
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she
completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. As I
drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted
by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new
experimental model, (a 6 month old baby), in the child-development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and
indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom."
Motherhood.....What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on
the door.
Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research Associates in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations" and great-grandmothers "Executive
Senior Research Associates"? I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts
"Associate Research Assistants".
Thursday, October 14, 2010
The season of change...
It's time...
Get out there! Get dirty. Get in the Garden!
Every time I work in the soil I try to remember to give thanks.How fortunate...how blessed...how lucky I am...
to spend time so close to the Great Mother herself!
Trim back dead wood on trees and shrubs
build new beds
Dig and divide spring blooming perennials
Clean up evergreen foliage by trimming or combing away the dead leaves.
Old roses (pre-1849) remove dead wood and cut back lightly-remember they bloom on year old canes- so do not hard prune them.
Old roses (pre-1849) remove dead wood and cut back lightly-remember they bloom on year old canes- so do not hard prune them.
Modern roses- trim back by 1/3- do not prune back hard-any new canes will not be hardened off properly before it gets cold
If you are one
to clean up leaf debris (I am not) this is a good time to start a leaf compost pile or rake all debris and sheet mulch an area to be planted in spring.
I rake the leaves off of the lawn and into garden beds to let the worms do their work.
If you are growing Evergreen Huckleberries-the harvest season is here!
And a yummy recipe I tasted at my friends house yesterday.A tasty topping for fresh baked bread...
Huckleberries 1/2 cup
garlic 1tsp
olive oil 1/2 cup
salt to taste
chopped curly parsley 1/4 cup
See ya around!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Fall + Permaculture = Bounty!
Why is Fall the perfect time to use Permaculture in your home garden?
Come and find out!
Join Laura Sweany from Terra Flora Farm (http://www.terraflorafarm.com/) as she discusses aspects of Permaculture that are uniquely suited to fall implementation. What are the benefits of our climate in Fall? Can you start a garden in Fall? All this and more from 1 - 3PM for only $35.00
We have great stock to choose from, for those wanting to purchase plants and dive right in.
When:September 25 · 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Evergreen huckleberries
Black Elderberry
Blueberries
plus many other edibles and medicinals
Not to mention plants to attract wildlife!
Call 206-767-7735
to register
Come and find out!
Join Laura Sweany from Terra Flora Farm (http://www.terraflorafarm.com/) as she discusses aspects of Permaculture that are uniquely suited to fall implementation. What are the benefits of our climate in Fall? Can you start a garden in Fall? All this and more from 1 - 3PM for only $35.00
We have great stock to choose from, for those wanting to purchase plants and dive right in.
When:September 25 · 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Evergreen huckleberries
Black Elderberry
Blueberries
plus many other edibles and medicinals
Not to mention plants to attract wildlife!
Call 206-767-7735
to register
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Check out my @constantcontact newsletter archive
Check out my @constantcontact newsletter archive
Family fun- ice cream and music!
Full tilt and music of Squirrel Butter!
Family fun- ice cream and music!
Full tilt and music of Squirrel Butter!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Making Your Own Medicine: Oils and Salves
1 Day workshop
Making Your Own Medicine: Oils and Salves
Taught by J.T., Community-Centered Herbalist
Sunday September 26, 2010. 2-4 p.m..
Class cost: $35. Materials fee $7.
Pre-register, class space is limited
Description:
Come learn how to make your own healing oils and salves with local
Northwest plants. In class we will make an herbal salve effective for
cuts and scrapes, burns, diaper rash, eczema, and much more. Experience
the medicine-making process from gathering the herbs to infusing the oil
to storing the finished salve.
If you would like to take home some infused oil for later salve making,
please bring with you a small (no bigger than 1/2 pint) glass jar and
enough olive oil to fill your jar.
About J.T.:
J.T. has many years of practical experience gathering and making her own
medicine. She graduated from local herbal and ethnobotanical
apprenticeships with both Ravencroft Garden and Earthwalk Northwest.
J.T. wrote the "Slow Medicine" column for Ravencroft Garden and
currently writes the popular "Mystery Plant" series for the Seattle
Homeschool Group. She leads all-ages wildcrafting walks in the Seattle
area and teaches the "Making Your Own Medicine" series. J.T. lives with
her husband and children in Seattle.
To Register for class ....call or come in
Village Green Perennial Nursery www.villagegreenperennialnursery.com
Facebook page
10223 26th Ave SW Seattle Wa. 98146 206-767-7735
Making Your Own Medicine: Oils and Salves
Taught by J.T., Community-Centered Herbalist
Sunday September 26, 2010. 2-4 p.m..
Class cost: $35. Materials fee $7.
Pre-register, class space is limited
Description:
Come learn how to make your own healing oils and salves with local
Northwest plants. In class we will make an herbal salve effective for
cuts and scrapes, burns, diaper rash, eczema, and much more. Experience
the medicine-making process from gathering the herbs to infusing the oil
to storing the finished salve.
If you would like to take home some infused oil for later salve making,
please bring with you a small (no bigger than 1/2 pint) glass jar and
enough olive oil to fill your jar.
About J.T.:
J.T. has many years of practical experience gathering and making her own
medicine. She graduated from local herbal and ethnobotanical
apprenticeships with both Ravencroft Garden and Earthwalk Northwest.
J.T. wrote the "Slow Medicine" column for Ravencroft Garden and
currently writes the popular "Mystery Plant" series for the Seattle
Homeschool Group. She leads all-ages wildcrafting walks in the Seattle
area and teaches the "Making Your Own Medicine" series. J.T. lives with
her husband and children in Seattle.
To Register for class ....call or come in
Village Green Perennial Nursery www.villagegreenperennialnursery.com
Facebook page
10223 26th Ave SW Seattle Wa. 98146 206-767-7735
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Natural Bee collection
Chemical-free collection of hornets.The venom is used for allergy testing and homeopathy.
Honey collection
On a HOT, hot day
AND during the Sonic Boom of 2010...
we collected 2 gallons of honey....
While working the hives, we heard the huge KABOOM 2 times...
I was just thinking- ok-if this is it...I have some honey to eat before I go!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Best of White Center
Organic plants
Seattle Metropolitan magazine article...
Seattle Metropolitan magazine article...
Best of White Center
Organic Plants
Serious gardeners flock to the Village Green Perennial Nursery—nearly two acres of eye-popping perennials planted behind owner Vera Johnson’s lime-green home—to find collector’s roses or native ground covers, while small-scale growers snatch up pansies and pretty plant pots. Village Green Perennial Nursery, 10223 26th Ave SW, White Center, 206-767-7735;www.villagegreenperennialnursery.comWednesday, August 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Ice Cream Social- August 29th -2pm
Join us here at the nursery!
music with 'Squirrel Butter',
Ice Cream from 'Full Tilt' and fun!
Drawing for a t-shirt
kids activity
Special discounts
http://www.villagegreenperennialnursery.com/index.shtml
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Black leaved plants
Add drama...
Black plants offer foliage color, texture and depth to your garden
Perennials
(Eupatorium rugosum) 'Chocolate' hemp agrimony
(Euphorbia amygdaloides) 'Purpurea' wood spurge
(Heuchera) 'Chocolate Veil', 'Obsidian' and 'Plum Pudding' coral bells
(x Heucherella) 'Burnished Bronze' heucherella
(Ligularia dentate) 'Britt-Marie and 'Crawford' black groundsel
(Ophiopogon planiscapus) 'Nigrescens' black mondo grass
(Sedum)' x Bertram Anderson', 'Purple Emperor', and 'Vera Jameson'
(Hemeracallis) Jungle beauty
Shrubs/foliage
Physocarpus opulifolius) 'Diabolo' ninebark
(Cotinus coggygria) 'Royal Purple' smoke bush
(Clematis recta) Purpurea
(Sambucus )'Black Beauty'
(Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Ravenswing’
(Actaea simplex) ‘Brunette
(Coleus) Dark Star
http://www.timberpress.com/books/black_plants/bonine/9780881929812
http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s1-5-18-943,00.html
we have many varieties of black plants to choose from!
http://www.villagegreenperennialnursery.com/index.shtml
Black plants offer foliage color, texture and depth to your garden
Perennials(Eupatorium rugosum) 'Chocolate' hemp agrimony
(Euphorbia amygdaloides) 'Purpurea' wood spurge
(Heuchera) 'Chocolate Veil', 'Obsidian' and 'Plum Pudding' coral bells
(x Heucherella) 'Burnished Bronze' heucherella
(Ligularia dentate) 'Britt-Marie and 'Crawford' black groundsel
(Ophiopogon planiscapus) 'Nigrescens' black mondo grass
(Sedum)' x Bertram Anderson', 'Purple Emperor', and 'Vera Jameson'
(Hemeracallis) Jungle beauty
Shrubs/foliage
Physocarpus opulifolius) 'Diabolo' ninebark
(Cotinus coggygria) 'Royal Purple' smoke bush
(Clematis recta) Purpurea
(Sambucus )'Black Beauty'
(Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Ravenswing’
(Actaea simplex) ‘Brunette
(Coleus) Dark Star
http://www.timberpress.com/books/black_plants/bonine/9780881929812
http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s1-5-18-943,00.html
we have many varieties of black plants to choose from!
http://www.villagegreenperennialnursery.com/index.shtml
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
workshop 'mosaic flower pots'
Join us on July 17th and 18th
Turn an ordinary flower pot into a colorfully decorated pot covered with mosaic tile.
fee $25
includes all materials
2 day workshop
11:30 am-1pm
pre-register and pre-pay
206-767-7735
Friday, June 18, 2010
Solstice weekend sale!!!
Village Green Perennial Nursery Special this weekend! Solstice weekend sale!!! 15% off all regular priced perennials, trees and shrubs! 10% off all garden art, 25% off all Vietnamese pottery.
Color spot Annuals are 2/$5.00, veggie starts now 4/$5.00
Tomatoes now 3/$5.00
http://www.villagegreenperennialnursery.com/index.shtml
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
FLOWERS at Village Green Perennial Nursery
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=61707&id=1553210762&l=bd0228d712
Beautiful spring FLOWERS at Village Green Perennial Nursery
http://www.villagegreenperennialnursery.com/index.shtml
Beautiful spring FLOWERS at Village Green Perennial Nursery
http://www.villagegreenperennialnursery.com/index.shtml
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Friday, June 4, 2010
Wedding/Receptions/Rentals
Village Green Nursery is a beautiful urban garden on a 2 acre woodland setting, with tall trees, giant Rhododendrons, ancient rose bushes, bubbling pond, and winding trails leading you through the garden. The front garden is a beautiful place to have a wedding ceremony or for pictures.
Wedding Rental
Wedding party may choose caterer of choice.
Wedding party provides tables, chairs, tents and linens.
Wedding party is responsible for set up before, and clean up after the event.
We will have limited garbage containers/bags available.
Village Green does have basic indoor facilities-bathroom and sink. There is a small area for dressing.
We can accommodate 100-150 guests
3 hour rate is $1500 Saturday/Sunday 10am-1pm, 2-5pm, 6-9pm
6 hour rate is $2400 Saturday/Sunday Rental from 10am-3 or 4-9pm
$100 each additional hour can be arranged
This time includes set up and take down.
Reception fees vary.
$1500.00 deposit- upon removal and clean up of all wedding party items.
This acts as a damage deposit, as well.
Flowers and catering available upon request.
'Corkage fee' if providing your own flowers and catering.
Photos only.
$75 hour for use fee
Wedding Rental
Wedding party may choose caterer of choice.
Wedding party provides tables, chairs, tents and linens.
Wedding party is responsible for set up before, and clean up after the event.
We will have limited garbage containers/bags available.
Village Green does have basic indoor facilities-bathroom and sink. There is a small area for dressing.
We can accommodate 100-150 guests
3 hour rate is $1500 Saturday/Sunday 10am-1pm, 2-5pm, 6-9pm
6 hour rate is $2400 Saturday/Sunday Rental from 10am-3 or 4-9pm
$100 each additional hour can be arranged
This time includes set up and take down.
Reception fees vary.
$1500.00 deposit- upon removal and clean up of all wedding party items.
This acts as a damage deposit, as well.
Flowers and catering available upon request.
'Corkage fee' if providing your own flowers and catering.
Photos only.
$75 hour for use fee
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Garden patio installation
Some of our handy work…
Challenge: transform a drab front lawn into a cozy patio sitting area surrounded by a lush garden setting with lots of edible plants.
We achieved this by berming the garden beds on three sides to create a sense of privacy and installing an organic kidney-shaped stone patio with gravel paths. The mounded beds were planted with blueberries, rhubarb, antique roses, artichokes, lettuce, peas, red veined dock, oxalis, strawberries, kale, spinach, bee balm, rosemary, sage, tarragon, Evergreen huckleberries, raspberries & elderberries.
We also planted some ornamentals for fun like fragrant Viburnums, variegated dogwood, geums (for cut flowers), Karl Forrester grass (for some structure and privacy), Hellebore, Black bamboo, giant hostas and more.
Along the sidewalk edge, the owner installed rusted metal screens – planted with a variety of climbing roses & akebia – to further define the area.
Mounded vegetable gardens were added along the entry walkway and south-facing porch and provide a bounty of fresh produce right out their front door.
The clients still marvel at the transformation & receive many compliments from passers-by as they sit in their Adirondack chairs enjoying their glass of wine!
Before… hard packed lawn
After- ‘Cowboy coffee’ flagstone patio with mounded garden beds for privacy
Row of trees removed to make room for raspberries
Raspberries are planted in galvanized tubs along the side fence
Mounded vegetable gardens provide plenty of fresh greens
Add some colorful foliage and a beautiful container for a dramatic effect
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