Serenity Lawn and Landscape

02/05/2026

Today was a beautiful day. Spring is in the air! I know it's a false Spring but no complaints here.

Take a gander at some flowers that are in bloom today at a wonderful garden I get to take care of.

Snowdrops, Camelia and a Hellebores.

09/17/2025

08/17/2025

I have recently attended another stone carving class, with this piece being the result. My goal is to one day acquire the confidence in my skills to provide custom commissions for clients looking to enhance their homes and gardens.

07/13/2024

I went to a sandstone quarry today. I walked up to the floor and was struck by the enormity of it. I could feel the history of the place. I was there for a sculpture class which was fun.

I thank The Tenino Stone Carvers for a wonderful experience.

06/22/2024

Finished the step into the greenhouse today. Next up is brick lined paths and flower beds.

06/08/2024

Trying my hand at something new. A bit of stone masonry! I'm building a step for the lovely greenhouse I installed pavers in a few weeks ago. This sandstone was salvaged from a yard in Eatonville and was likely quarried in Tenino a century ago and used in a building. Stay tuned for the result.

05/13/2024

Just about finished installing a paver floor in an absolutely beautiful greenhouse. Stay tuned as I work on installing paths and some landscape around it.

I can't believe how hot it was in there!

04/20/2024

A Japanese Maple exudes magic. This particular one had not been pruned well for years, so I took the time to remove dead wood and enhance airflow. The picture is of its early stages of leafing out, taken from the best viewpoint on the property, a client's patio chair. I am excited to see how it will respond.

04/04/2024

I had the opportunity to replace some rotten edging with another wattle fence. This time I used plum from another customer and hazel from this property for the stakes and some contrast. I think it's lovely. 😍

03/16/2024

Made a little wattle fence to replace some rotten landscape edging. Straight poles were slim pickings but I like the rustic charm.

03/13/2024

I’ve been a w**ding machine ever since I could reliably avoid pulling my mom’s plants in the process. That being said, I never gave much thought to what I was pulling, other than recognizing “that’s a w**d.” Of course, I knew the common ones: dandelion, buttercup, shot w**d, stinky Bob, cleavers.

It wasn’t until recently that I decided to learn more about them, and it’s been fascinating! Anyway, I’ve always had a soft spot for Stinky Bob. I like its smell (I know I'm weird), the color and shape of the foliage, and the cute little flowers. So, I took to Google and learned it’s also called Herb Robert, which has a fascinating history. However, I still pull every single one I find—there’s plenty of it.

Today, I did a second round of shot w**d patrol in a lovely garden I started cleaning up recently. You might know it as Hairy Bittercress. It’s interesting too (and yummy), but not enough for me to keep it around. I’m happy to report that my first round eliminated the vast majority of them, so yay for that.

Then, I had to use my phone to get an ID on a w**d whose name I’ve never known. It’s sprouting up like mad, and I’m determined not to let a single one go to seed. It’s called lapsana communis, or common nipplewort, another plant from the UK with a fascinating history—a hint lies in the common name.

I often wonder while I’m w**ding how these plants got here. Were they stowaways that came with a desired plant from a far-off land? Were they brought here intentionally? Hello, Himalayan Blackberry! Sometimes, I feel like cursing whoever is responsible for bringing them here, and in certain cases, I think I’d do worse than just curse.

If you've got w**ds right now is a very important time to get them out. They pull easily with our winter moistened soil. Get them before they go to seed! The shot w**d is blooming so go after those first. Or contact me and I'll do it for you. 😉

09/30/2023

While researching a pair of old shears I bought yesterday I came across this receipt from the 1880's. I think it's really cool. Look at that penmanship! On a receipt. Absolutely beautiful.

As a side note $1 in 1883 had approximately the same purchase power as $30 today. These are some REALLY nice shears. The only equivalent made today that I know of are of Japanese origin.