Outside, among all my zen gardens and ponds and water basins and bamboo and ferns and wabi sabi pines, my husband has built me something wonderful.
Follow the path to the entrance to my outdoor haven of peaceful, quiet tranquility.
Part of the greenhouse was constructed with old, recycled materials. The red door is half of a french door with leaded glass panes. Some of the windows come from an older building. The sink inside cost $5.00. My husband has put in electricity to hook up a fan for warm weather and a heater for cooler weather. He built this greenhouse from scratch and even put a weather vane on the roof.
I found this sign in a second hand store. I think it belongs above the door to my greenhouse.The greenhouse, like all my zen gardens surrounding my home, has become an extension of my
art... surrounding myself with what I like and is pleasing to my eye.
Step inside. Perfectly tranquil, far removed from the world's turmoil....
To experience that elusive feeling of harmony and balance, we embrace our true nature and recognize the cycles of the natural world and our place within it.
Bird cages, small bonsai plants, gourd, seed pods, bird nests, all favorites and all pleasing to my eye.
Collections: driftwood from my beach below the cliff, rocks, bird nests, simply arranged.
Rain bamboos, wind pines: All Preach ZEN.
I have often been asked what I thought was the secret of Buddha's smile. It is--it can only be--that he smiles at himself for searching all those years for what he already possessed. Paul Brunton.
If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come. Chinese proverb
Ring the bell on the way out. Thank you for visiting.
"The only journey is the journey within." ---Rainer Maria Rilke
59 comments:
None broke the silence...
Nor visitor
Nor Host ... Nor
White chrysanthemum
Ryota
Harmony & Serenity in such a glorious place Donna.
What a great greenhouse! I particularly love the red bookcase with your nests....neat.
How lucky you to have such a wondrous place, beauty and sound and red!
lovely, peaceful yet intriguing! would that I could see it in real life. you are a lucky lady!
Is this a return
to the special
cubbyhouse
of our
childhood? Where all things were possible,
and nothing
was wrong with the world.
I love it.
Magical, peaceful and restful place. What a great addition!
Absolutely beautiful. I am jealous. To have such a place filled with light must truly be inspiring.
What a wonderful space, I think I would end up moving in permanently. Image the art that could be created in such an energy filled environment.
You've made this little greenhouse such a lovely place. I suppose it isn't actually a greenhouse so much as it is an indoor Zen garden. I'll now look at greenhouses in an entirely different light, not necessarily as a place where one pots up little plants but as a place to gather light.
Donna
your posts never fail to give me treasures, firstly the views of your new sanctuary and your intriguing collections and in addition the quotes...I had not heard the Buddha's smile passage before... thank you for all of the delights...
Happy days
What a peaceful and lovely sanctuary. I adore the red repurposed door..a perfect inviting space indeed. Thanks for the tour!
Everything is our art if we see it that way. We create ourselves, our spaces, our world. Both your art and your spaces have this wonderful tranquil feeling. I have a little book called "Zen Gardening" by Veronica Ray. I have a hunch you might like it.
So very lovely...
Donna--I love the greenhouse. I am curious about what the roof panels are made of? Are they opaque or is that just the way that I am looking at it? And, I am kind of jealous that you can have your Bonsai plants inside at this time of the year. I have to move all mine outdoors otherwise they will just cook. My greenhouse is attached to the house and faces south so lots of sun in the summer. Actually too much sun really. But, I still love it in there. Not as nice as yours but still nice! Thanks for the tour. You always amaze me.
Wow!! And how great to build it.
I wouldn't swop my husband of 37 years for anything but your husband comes a good second best! I love this space, you are very luckyx l am jealous but happy for you that you have such an amazing spacexxlyndax
http://tryingtocreatearteveryday.blogspot.com
http://chocolatelifeandjazz.blogspot.com
that is wonderful...everything about it! lucky you :)
What a wonderful retreat -- and lovingly built for you.
I'm wondering how the inspiration brewed up here will manifest itself. I'm sure more beautiful art is on the way.
Enjoy!
I'm overwhelmed by the beauty of your surroundings, Donna. You understand that every place is a canvas and that life itself can be art. Every visit to your site sends me away with a little more peace than I had before.
Such a wonderful space for you. It's great that your husband used recycled materials...that just adds to its 'specialness'.
magnificent zenful retreat! I wanna come and meditate with you!! how lovely.. and I have a small conservatory too I love it and use it for growing small ferns... just serene and beautiful, thanks Donna!
ah, to be a bird in a cage in your greenhouse.
What a great connection to nature--all artfully collected and arranged. It must be magical to walk in that door!
Such beautiful pictures....thank you for sharing your new space, and how wonderful that your husband built it for you! Looking at each photo, feels as if one is on a spiritual journey of contemplation and nature.
Your husband is a true craftsman...and the greenhouse reflects his talents. The red color is magnificent and all your 'things' that you love. Both sanctuary and working/growing space...magic for sure!
Who would not love a shelter built with love containing objects that nuture and ground? But the red door
...powerful entrance
I have this quote in one of my journal:
Let Zen wear you smooth,
like water dripping on rock.
Thank you for sharing
Hi Donna,
Thanks for your lovely comments on my blog. How lovely that you and Leslie are friends, both with such beautiful creative spirits...I think it would be blissful to spend time over a cuppa with you both!...xx..julia
Beautiful and easy to see why and how one can be creative in this environment!
Cheers!
word veri: colater
What a beautiful green house. I love it and your gardens!
How fortunate you are to have such a handy and creative husband and also the space and location. To me, it's more of a retreat instead of a greenhouse. Lovely!
What a lovely and romantic gift from your husband. Just for your heart and art spirit. I love the little bird nests and the Chinese proverb. May the singing birds come today... roxanne
Oh, I just ordered your book!
Beautiful, inspiring space! I wonder what my paintings would look like made in there? We have similar collections, yet place things each in such a particularly individual way... so I wonder what that would be like to work in - same collections, different art of placing. Hmmm...
donna, I'm having a problem with your email addy. so.. toni gave me the Masters Collage as a birthday gift. on friday. your work in there is wonderful! what a book all those who love to see excellent collage work should get it! lyle
How wonderful! I love all the delicious neutrals/naturals and the red touches in the door and shelves. What a sweet husband! Your new collage has just caught my eye.....Love it!
What a talented husband you have to have created such a wonderful space & you have filled it perfectly. Thanks for the tour.
Am really liking your new header & the new collage is striking.
This is the meaning of
"There's no place like home."
beautiful. what a lovely greenhouse. and a lovely husband to build this for you. the header painting is so interesting with the rain slashes and the graffiti on the wall.
Donna, I read your post last night and have been thinking about it as I gardened this morning. Somehow, the arrangement of objects, so gracefully placed in your "green" house made me look at the beds I was tending with new eyes. Instead of leaf drop that I had to sweep up, the golden curling Catalina Ironwood leaves became intriguing pieces of sculpture...
yes, paul brunton!
yes, "mr. donna watson" (that's his joke, i think?)
yes, to sanctuary, in the heart,
in the breath, in the outdoor decor!
Great new header. And as Neva said a tip of the hat to Mr. Donna Watson for his building abilities, but it is your arrangements that really make the space. I especially love the ferns. Also love the new collage in your side bar.
"The only journey is the journey within." ---Rainer Maria Rilke
And everything you touch demonstrates this sentiment so elegantly.
Simply. Beautiful. -j
Where do you live Donna? Is this paradise...I am speechless and envious of your riches. The magnificence that's in you, in your man, and surrounds you...
XOXOrly
love the structure, and all within.
Always the within!
that quote about the Buddha's smile, so wonderful. Perhaps there is a point where the heart overflows so much, the smile MUST be...
blessings.
What a special place!
What a restful space, Donna. I wish I could see it in real life. Isn't it wonderful to have such a creative husby;-)
If there was an award for #1 husband of a blogger..., I would give it to the artist/creator of THE most beautiful greenhouse ever! Congratulations to both of you and good wishes for continuous healthy growing in your garden...
Beautiful! I used to have a greenhouse similar to this, and I loved it. Being in there was like going into my own, quiet cocoon, where nothing could bother me. Enjoy it!
oh donna, it's just gorgeous!! and how fast your husband got that amazing addition to your wonderful yard completed -- you just mentioned it a couple of weeks ago. my husband is not so fast -- he's on year three of our garage/studio remodel and we might just have a floor by the end of summer if i'm lucky. i just adore all that you have put in there -- it's so you and gorgeous. so tranquil and wonderful!
It's all so beautiful and tranquil. Your husband has done such a great job. You must both love where you live very much, and get much pleasure with finding all the beautiful pieces you feature in the photos. What delightful pieces they are!
D - such peacefulness, suych space to find inspiration. B
Your little greenhouse is a real gem, it looks just perfect in your garden. Hold on tight to that husband of yours.
Hi Donna,
What an absolutely gorgeous greenhouse.. I rang the bell on my out, but I really didn't want to leave..
xoxo~
Abbie
Percy & Bloom
Hello Donna, what a beautiful peaceful place for you to arrange your beautiful collection of natural things. A haven indeed! I saw that little heart shaped pebble in there ... and I love the birds nest too. I've always wanted a birds nest but I don't really have room for it indoors
I hope you have a wonderful week arranging your lovely things
Carolyn xx
I can see why you love this place...so peaceful. Thanks.
So beautiful and a perfect setting for the journey within! And your collage work is exquisite!
Clever husband! Wondeful space, it's like a temple to beautiful creativity. I love your collections of course! All those fantastic nests! I also like the way the stones continue into the inside of the green house from the outside. Such a lovely space the 2 of you have created.
Wow he did an amazing job! I think it wouldn't have nearly the magic had he used all new materials. And what would it be without your energy and vision.
Thanks for sharing this very special hideaway, Donna! It makes me feel so great just looking at it. I can imagine how wonderful it is to be inside and taking it all in.
oh donna - what a very special place for you to 'be' - from the number of photographs you've shared of the spaces that you've created around yourself, i wonder how you choose - do you have a favorite 'chair' a spot that beckons you more than others...where you feel the chi radiate through you into the ground beneath?
we had dinner last evening at a tiny bistro here and half way through our dinner a friend who is also a japanese acupuncturist and of japanese descent arrived. within seconds, the energy of the entire bistro changed...the laughter increased and the colors brightened...it was undeniable her presence.
she is a receptacle for joy and has the most unusual way of laughing that is quiet and yet melodic - it sounds like a little brook or stream.
who do you share your spaces with apart from the photographs or are you happiest sharing them with yourself?
as i grow further into my own life here, i grow closer to myself...i wonder if this is true for you?
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