Thursday, August 05, 2010

To Wander in a Garden Through the Fog




















































...taken between 10:30 and 11:00  on a foggy, refreshing morning 
in the gardens that were an adventure and a joy for John and I to imagine and create...


on the Bay of Fundy,
St. Martins, New Brunswick, Canada
photos by Gwen Buchanan,  Stone walls by John Ackerson, Fog and Flowers by Nature.


44 comments:

George said...

These are such wonderful, heart-filled, inspiring photos, Gwen. I could literally feel the misty, morning air. I especially like the contrasts created with the wonderful, angular stones. You and your husband have much to be proud of.

I also loved the title of your post, "To Wander in a Garden Through the Fog." If someone were to ask me what life is all about, I could comfortably respond that it's simply about wandering in a garden through a fog.

Have a nice day, and thanks for helping beauty to unfold.

Ruth said...

Gwen, utterly elegant and full of human ingenuity, like everything you do. When I look at these images and recognize that every touch - the stone, the wood, the house, the gardens, the walkways, all of it reflects your creations combined with Nature, it takes my breath away.

It's a privilege to witness.

Arija said...

There is nothing like a foggy garden with all the beauty taking on a dreamlike quality. You certainly are industrious folk to have created such a wonderful house and garden and I am still speechless at your new venture. I felt that that was what you were up to when you went off the blogging radar but could not imagine the scale of what you had taken on. When you two start building, you are like two terriers hanging on to a trouser leg and don't let go until the job is finished to your satisfaction and our astonishment.
Hats off to you!

I missed you in blogland and am more grateful for your concern for me than I can say. Thank you dear friend.

The Crow said...

There should a sign that proclaims:
"Lazy people live here" :)
How can you bear to have such a tiny garden?
And the fog! How do you find your way around?

You might want to consider doing a quick check to see if you are still alive:
This looks like heaven to me!
Then again: maybe it is possible to be in heaven without dying first?

Yes: That must be it :)

Priya Sebastian said...

Gwen, if these pictures are such poetry then the real thing must be sheer paradise. Thanks so much for posting these. I want to print them out and hang them around my studio walls.

Don Gray said...

Gorgeous photos of a gorgeous home and garden!

William R. Moore said...

You and your family have created a property and lovely home incorporating many beutiful castoffs in interesting and creative ways.Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Unknown said...

I've just spent two days going through your site! Wonderful! I love it all, especially that concrete floor, and your watercolors! (Watercolors, because mainly that is what I'm interested in!) I'll definitely be back!

rachel said...

Just beautiful, all of it. Thank you for showing us.

Marguerite (Tina) Smith Hart said...

So beautiful and peaceful! And so much inspiring landscape, an artist could go wild there!
Tina xo

Guillaume said...

Great pictures, as usual. I love fog.

Oldfool said...

You and Jack fill me so full of want that it would be painful if wasn't caused by such beauty.

Penny said...

Absolutely stunning garden and its beauty shows up even more in the fog.

Alina said...

Just beautiful.

Gwen Buchanan said...

George, you made me smile! I love your likening to the phrase .. yes life does feel like wandering through a fog a great many times.. but it does clear eventually....take care.

Thank you Ruth, it was so exciting to do ... Time helps... sort of like when we weave a blanket, when we wash it after coming off the loom the threads come together... it becomes a real blanket with fluffy fibers and lots of warmth and character... Time has that effect on a garden doesn't it... softening, melding, blending.

Hi Arija, Yes I was away for a while and I didn't want to post that we were working on the old structure unless we could follow it through, so when progress really looked like it was happening then I felt relieved to share it... you know, sometimes progress is happening but it is such a mess that it is hard to clearly see...
You take good care of yourself !!!

Crow, you are a Funny one...I have always believed that we live in Heaven and Hell every day on this earth... and I do love crows, and doves and bluejays etc ... in my garden..

Hi Priya.. wouldn't that be cute but you might waste too much ink... haha

Thank you Don.. it has been a while.. how are you?

Hi Bill, good seeing you.. how about that 10 cent deal the other day at the flea market.. hard to believe... it was good talking to you...

Raena, ahhh watercolors.. I just love what they can do.. I was especially taken with your Self-portrait #10.. and the story that goes with it.. good luck repairing the ceiling..

Your welcome Rachel.. good luck to you on your move.. moving can be so stressful...

Hi Tina, it would be fun to have garden painting days.. can't wait to trade the hammer for a paintbrush again... hope it is before the snow falls...

Hi Guillaume.. Thank you... me too..

OldFool you have a great way with words... and an ability to fix and adapt and McGuiver bikes I have ever seen.. You have imaginative, valuable talent..

Thank you Penny, I hoped others might enjoy going on a walk with me..

Thank you Alina.

Steven Cain said...

My gardens are burnt crisp at present, so it was a great joy to walk through yours, moist and in bloom.

The two of you...incredible, truly a gift.

Anet said...

Gwen,
Thank you for the lovely stroll through your garden. It does this heart good:)
I could just imagine Noah loving the big rock bench, where he'd spend hours and hours reading.

Gwen Buchanan said...

It was lovely to walk arm and arm with you both Anet and Stephen.. You were good company... please come anytime, in the sunshine too.. and I'll save that big rock seat just for Noah.. and he can sit there all day long if he wishes..

Lynne with an e said...

PS. Gwen, I didn't mean to ramble on about me on your blog! Just sharing our Fundy connection. Your place is SO beautiful. I really hope to get out to St. Martins, even though it mightn't be till autumn--which is my favourite time of year, anyway.
Lynne

simply blue said...

Gwen....you and your husband are what I would call a "renaissance couple"....leading a very interesting life that I can enjoy vicariously through your blog. Beautiful flowers....can't get over the greenery hanging all along the porch....having my morning coffee....enjoying your photos. Thank you for sharing!

Marie Alton said...

Oh Gwen ... what awesome gardens and what a joy it must be to be able to walk through them on such a morning! I can feel it through your pictures!

Congrats on your incredible new space! I don't think you two crazy ... I think you're both extremely amazing ... to have that kind of vision and bring it into reality ... meshing old and new ... few in this world could or would do that!

You keep us all inspired!

Love & Hugs ... Marie

Gwen Buchanan said...

Kathi, you are very welcome to paint it, if you like..

Hey Lynne, I love to hear what is happening with you and around your area... Are the sandpippers gathering at Mary's Point .. we went two years ago but they had already left... Stopped at Cape Enrage too.. those beaches are covered with fossils.. I see why the Cape got its name cause everytime we were there we practically were blown off the cliffs... Gorgeous though... How was the raspberry picking.. they are pretty plentiful out here this year... take care

Thank you so much Simply Blue... The vines on the porch are Virginia Creeper.. the first couple years after it was planted, it just sat there and looked like it was doing nothing... then after it had its roots established they took off like crazy.. I train them around the posts by wrapping them around each other and then they grab on with their little tendrils.

Hi Marie, Lovely to hear from you... What is your newest beadwork creation? Does your daughter have any plans now that school is completed? We can't wait to start using the space.. but it keeps going on and on...
All the best...

herhimnbryn said...

A true haven, your home and garden.

sandy said...

So beautiful Gwen. Your soul can be felt in these photos.

Morna Crites-Moore said...

Oh! Gwen! Such beauty .... for so long I have loved your house and the somewhat barren windswept beaches, never suspecting these lush gardens between. My heart swells.

Morna Crites-Moore said...

And I do mean "barren" in a beautiful, romantic historic novel sort of way. :-)

Gwen Buchanan said...

Thank you herhimnbryn and Sandy... Nature tries its best to wrap its arms around us all, doesn't she... or is it he...


Morna, I would only think the very best from you... I appreciate your thoughts very much... and it is true we do have times when we are quite windswept...and would have to hang onto our hats if we wore hats... mostly our hair just blows up in big knotty tangles...

Shayla said...

What lovely gardens you have, Gwen and I love your red door. You two have made your life a creation.

Lord Wellbourne said...

Beautiful and inspiring! I love my lawns when there's fog--it's ethereal. Makes all the sweat and swearing worthwhile. There's also the added bonus of seeing the footprints of the Wee Folk who've been about gathering dew drops.

Deborah Carr said...

You deserve the peacefulness that comes from a misty garden. You so deserve it!

india flint said...

beautiful images...i'd much rather wander a garden in a fog than on a brilliant blue day
it lets you see the small things rather than forcing you to acknowledge everything at once
and of course
it's romantic

Seth said...

Gorgeous gardens and I love the fog. I feel calm and relaxed just looking at these images.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Thank you Shayla, it reminds me of your ethereal paintings...

Lord W, Did you manage to click a few photos of those little folks.. They certainly are gathering dewdrops in the right place, their baskets will fill up quickly round this part of the world...

Hi Deborah, it has been a wonderful summer don't you think... busy with restful interludes... and it changes so quickly...

India, that must be what it is.. it isolates like a camera lens...

Seth it really does have a calming effect... makes you feel like you are the only one ...

Lord Wellbourne said...

They're very camera-shy and escape into the mist before the shutter closes. They also wear nature-threads so they're very camouflaged. I know they like the muffins I put out for them--the plate's always crumbless early in the morning.

ArtPropelled said...

I find myself breathing in that soft misty air and relishing the beauty of your garden.Gwen you have green fingers and some.

Valerianna said...

Hi Gwen, I just found your blog via Art Propelled.... I've been exploring your world and feeling inspired! Beautiful home, artwork and creative spirit, I'm now following, look forward to more inspiration.....!

Sally Stafford said...

so beautiful...such soft gentle light

Gwen Buchanan said...

Robyn, it's wonderful to share with each other, the differences and similarities in our worlds...

Valerianna, You have come to visit me by way of Robyn's extraordinary blog... I feel honoured! I love your free spirit...

Thank you Sally, I am always taken by your awesomely beautiful photographs and paintings...

leanne pizio said...

so so so lovely and mystical and magic. I imagine fairies and sprites love to dance in your garden trailing their secret whispers behind them...

alaine@éclectique said...

An exquisite garden of which you should so rightly be proud!

Gwen Buchanan said...

Leanne, it would be fun to imagine secret beings hiding in the tunnels of the rock walls catching rides on passing mice or on the wings of the Bluebirds...

Alaine... Thank you so much, I couldn't believe how green your grass was in the winter.. that must be very cheery!

Jasmine said...

You have such an amazing garden, there must be a delight of wildlife. Do you have many bees?

Gwen Buchanan said...

Hi Jasmine, yes we do have lots of critters roaming around at some unexpected times.. we have had coyotes, foxes, rabbits, skunks, raccoons, deer, moose, and many different birds.... fun to see them...

Debbi said...

Oh my these are the most beautiful photographs Gwen! I loved wandering through the garden. . .. something to store up for a cold winter's day and remember. I'm glad you are back blogging!!!! xo, Debbi