What is it about a garden that turns a house into a home? It’s like… when you have your own little backyard oasis, the world is okay? Even when I rented a small condo and only had a 16 X 16 plot of a “yard,” planning my Zen Garden was one for the first things I would do. Similarly to today, it’s something that is always in the forefront of my mind when I move int a new home.

For those of you who know me personally know that I love plants. Like… REALLY love them. They complete part of me. I owned a botanical shop for a brief time, have always been obsessed with decorating with plants [and not things], and landscape planning is a passion of mine. I do believe that in this season of my life, I will be able to really lean into my creative side for my landscaping, because I’ve I have the mid space to do it. This has opened a whole new world to me, and it’s been really tickling my happy bone.

Many of you have seen how I am absolutely in love with David Austin Roses, but I’m trying not to go too hard on the roses and explore different plants, as well. There is one plant in particular that brings me back to my childhood home like nothing else, and I bet it will do the same thig for you too!!!! HONEYSUCKLY. What in the…?! How have we all forgotten how incredibly fragrant, easy to grow, and nostalgic these bushes are? Tomorrow for my local garden store’s annual 40% sale, I’m driving my happy ass over and getting a few..

Current obsessions of ours can be all over the place, but this week’s obsession stemmed from sweet memories of playing in my backyard with my childhood dog, swinging from the branches of my huge willow tree, and watching tadpoles turn into frogs in a small kiddie pool that was right next to our Honeysuckle Bush. It was really emotional [probably because living alone gives me so much extra time to sit and contemplate way too much] to get a whiff of those flowers, and I’d bet my lucky stars that the smell of some flower will bring you back to happy times, as well.

Fall is for planning, planting, and reflecting. It’s the time when we shed our old selves and take time to make decisions that will affect our following year. Our new selves. This week, take a moment to reflect on a plant from your childhood and the memories and feelings that its smell creates for you. Maybe even plant one in yard or in a pot for your patio garden. If there is one thing that I learned this week, it’s this: Being outdoors in your garden and being around the plants that speak to you alleviates a lot of sadness, anxiety and tension.

If you don’t believe me, give it a try. You may be pleasantly surprised. I wanted to add an extra song link this week to get you feeling upbeat and happy!

Happy planning. Happy planting. And a very happy refecting.

Your Extra Song: https://open.spotify.com/track/7tqhbajSfrz2F7E1Z75ASX?si=3e31c64deeb94bbc