IDEA153: Create Anatolian Nights In Your Garden.

We come back from vacation and immediately start to reminisce how we lingered talking together with our travel companions into the sweet nights... Why can't we re-create this atmosphere back home!? Of course we can. For this we just need a few details to ensure a comfortable recline, delicious scent in the air, and sparkling lights inviting us to share delicious little secrets with each other. 

Let's get inspired by our Anatolian neighbors in Turkey to really enjoy the remaining summer days. 

• • •

1 - The comfortable recline.

After dinner one must recline on the left side as did the nobles back in the day. Why the left side? Hmm... apparently that leaves the area of digestion in the most comfortable position to digest. Happy stomach, happy soul? 

{ KilimDecolic Pillows }

2 - Delicious scent in the air.

Now this one can immediately transport us anywhere we want to go.
Strong musky night air filled with the incense of Frankincense and Myrrh. For an all day long scent rose petals from the Turkish Damascena rose will set the mood softly. 

{ Vintage Brass Incense Burner / Frankincense Resin Incense / Rose Petal Potpourri }

3 - Flickering lights.

They will guide your conversation, induce you to share secrets and not to mention will make your skin look wonderful and glowing. And now that we're in August and the sun is going down earlier and earlier, we can turn those candles on for a cozy glow. 

{ Hittite Figured Ceramic Candle Holder, Ceramic Houses, Turquoise Beads Votives } 

It's amazing how just three three simple ingredients can transform any regular night into an adventure to Turkey... And as the weather cools you can move the setting to your living room and continue to live like you're traveling to Anatolia throughout the year. Ahhh... now I'm in the mood for strong rosehip tea and a turkish delight!
 

• • •    LESSONS LEARNED    • • •

A destination is simply a suggestion to the senses. 

Get everyday adventure ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling  

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IDEA118: Transform Your Urban Garden

I kind of have a habit of popping up shop. A glutton for INSTANT GRATIFICATION.
Earlier the same day, the above looked like: this scene { the before }.

I couldn't wait. I bought a little of everything from a local shop that would be a staple. 
Not pictured are also batches of herbs, parsley, basil, thyme, rosemary and other greens, Arugala, lettuces... our garden was now becoming a reality! 

• • • 

In addition to the back garden, we also addressed the back porch which was a drabby open area. Using bamboo rollup blinds and hanging plants (5' long), we enclosed it for greater privacy outside and to warm up the space for breakfast on the porch and al fresco dinners.

From the inside... we like to open the kitchen windows wide open make it feel like it extends out towards the porch.

And now with a proper garden...a proper work space was in order. A similar potting bench was put together the same day I planted all the new veggies. Again...instant gratification! BONUS: It also doubles as a serving/side table for the porch.  

For more ideas on creating privacy, we've been getting ideas from: Landscaping for Privacy, by Marty Wingate

Next up for (part 3) - we'll take a closer look at the varieties of flowers planted and those planted just for the purpose of helping out the veggie garden!  

• • •    WHAT ABOUT YOU?    • • •

How do you create privacy in your yard? 
What do you use to organize your gardening tools & space?

Get everyday adventure ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling

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IDEA116: Get Rid of the Old to Make Room for a New Urban Garden

Pretty uninspiring no?

After a year of renovating the inside of the house, we were finally in a place to be able to focus on creating a garden in the back. I considered raised beds but since I had already witnessed a friend grow a bountiful garden last year straight from the ground...my eagerness pushed me to get started already. Prior to the scene above we had to clear away some awkwardly placed trees with the help of hubby's good friend. I think he enjoyed himself :). 

Then came some help of my own... (go team!) 

We weeded, raked and tilled... I also re-used the stone that was left over from the previous owner to create the two boxed in areas and integrated zen stones to be nestled within the flowers bed-to-be. One box for veggies, another for flowers. Paver stones were used to create a walking path in the middle of the boxed in areas for access to the plants. I decided to use a more organic shape for the path... what do you think? 

Preparing the soil

What I learned in this process:
Essentially the plants are only as healthy as the soil. Mind-blowing I know, but I never gave that much thought to soil and kind of expected plants to grow with sun and water. Now I understand that there are different types of nutrients that certain types of plants thrive in (ie. nitrogen rich etc.) 

Materials I used:
• Organic top soil to cover and mix into the top 6'
• Worm castings (worm poop) to enrich the soil. 

Next up in (part 2)...a transformation of plants, creating deck privacy and a new potting area! ~ M

• • •    LESSONS LEARNED    • • •

Not all shit is bad.

Get everyday adventure ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling 

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