Somewhere around the end of the school year in June, I got really really bad at taking care of things outside around our property. I mean worse than I already was. I had no idea what I was in for with this property, and we're probably in over our heads in a lot of areas. Not that that's a bad thing. I'm enjoying every little second of it and I relish the fact that I'm learning all these things now. In 30 years, I'll have 30 years of experience and this place will be stunning.
For now... it's a learning experience. Still.
I'm fairly determined to get this place looking not-so-bad now that school's back in. This little petunia plant is one I saved from certain death by whatever bug was eating it where it was before. I put it up on the ledge by our side door so people can see it from the road. It's my little S.O.S.... I'm trying! Really I am!
A few months ago I told you about my 15 minute hallway renovation. Basically, I worked on it for only 15 minutes a day. Sure progress was slow, but progress happened. I find if I wait for the right day to jump in and spend a whole day moving mountains, it just never happens. But 15 minutes a day, or even 5 minutes. That I can do. So I'm taking this idea outside.
I think during the Summer, I was looking for that perfect day to get outside and work in the hot sun, creating memories and getting stuff done. With Kennedy home though, that never happened. So nothing happened.
Here's our garden now. Eek, right? The big dead branches are piled on top of plastic to try and kill off some weeds. It got a little out of hand. We still had a good harvest this year though, so at least there's that.
I've been up to my 15 minute game for the last couple of weeks and it's amazing what I've been able to accomplish, really not spending any time out there at all. One day I might pull a patch of weeds, one day plant one little plant, one day trim a thing or two, one day pick up some extra bricks laying around.
When you do this, you're not really tapping into the power of what can be done in 15 minutes, you're tapping into the power of the fact that there are 365 days a year and the power of a habit. If you do something, anything, towards what you're working on, just a tiny bit each day, you will make even more progress than you will if you do a "jump in feet first go all out Saturday afternoon then do nothing the rest of the week" kind of work session. I dare you not to impress yourself.
I guess I just forgot my own advice!
So now the last of the harvest if coming off and we're getting ready to till everything and start fresh next year.
Pumpkins are so rewarding even if you have ignored them all year.
In an attempt to make the front of our house look somewhat less abandoned, I moved this single urn out here. Maybe it doesn't look so stunning, but it feels better to me, and that's motivation to keep going, all year, 365 days. I'm betting I can even find things to clean up out here during the Winter months too.
If that doesn't happen though, and I forget again about the power of these 15 minutes, can someone remind me in the Spring?
I'm going to need all the 15 minutes' and the 365 days' that I can get!
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13 comments:
I love this idea! It is so true that you can get so much accomplished in just 15 minutes.
I love this philosophy and subscribe to it quite often. Quite often I put in the timer for 15 minutes or half an hour and see how much quick tidy or organizing I can get done. It's amazing what you can do when you are focused for a short period of time!!
A very good idea and one that I need to do. I am getting tired of trying to keep everything watered and alive. By the end of summer, you just get worn out. But 15 minutes is do-able. xx
Your property is stunning and I can imagine it would be easy to get overwhelmed! I like the 15 minute trick. Things don't feel so daunting that way.
Hey, who told you that you could go inside my head and hear MY pep talk? Honey, I feel exactly the same way about my yard but I think you forgot some other, important facts so I will remind you. In the spring, it is lovely, full of promise and the temperature is reasonable. Then summer comes and our yards suddenly become OVENS! I'm way older than you and I just threw up my hands and told all the plants about Darwin and the fittest surviving. See, in 30 years, you will have found the plants that can adapt and survive. The dainty ones will have died a long, long time ago.
Do I feel a little guilty? Yeah, but life happens. Like the other readers, I totally subscribe to the 15 minute rule, it is sometimes the only way I can keep on task. Plus, as you know, you are enjoying your little one and the time you spend there is the best! My "little" ones are 27 and 33, and those days disappear in the blink of an eye.
15 minutes, better than nothing. Hey, could that be a sign?
Well done Courtney. I am going to adopt your 15 min rule for the garage and my neglected abdominals.
I tried the black film with grass clippings on it...to keep weeds down...hahhaaaa that did not work. PS I just became a follower.
I love a beautiful yard, but I blame the hot summer months and my fall/spring allergies on my drab backyard. I like your 15-minute plan though. We should be able to find 15 minutes a day to work on our yard or some other chore for that matter. I'm going to try it!
Bonny @ thedomesticatedprincess.blogspot.com
You have a beautiful yard and garden. Love that purple petunia and your pumpkins. I do a version of the 15 minute rule. My bad knees sometimes try to turn it into a get things watered and get in rule, but sometimes they let me work longer. Every spring the plan in my mind's eye for my garden turns out to be completely different than what actually happens by the first frost of fall. There are always plant surprises. Things that are beautiful one year and not so much the next year. I have one perennial hibiscus that has come back for over 16 years now. It feels like an old friend. You probabably can't imagine it now, but the time with your kids really does go by in the blink of an eye. Problem is, you can't tell that while it's happening, but only while looking back from the future. I am so glad that I found your site today.
Oh, I am so with you! I love the idea of 15 minutes, I used to do that too but let it fall by the wayside. You've inspired me to start again. I have so many things to do but just thinking about them over-whelm me. I know that I don't have/make the time to just jump into it and spend hours, which is normally what I end up doing and other things get left out. KWIM?
I have lots of dressers and closets to clean out and have been putting it off due to the time it takes. I'm going to start today with the 15 minute rule to see how it goes. Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh no! Don't till! Leaving your garden exposed during the fall and winter will cause soil erosion. Wait until Febrauary/March to till so you can still get some freezing to help with soil compaction, but lessen the chances of erosion. It may be ugly, but leaving the plant residue will help improve soil health and quality. If you must till, please sow a cover crop, no matter how little the area. Sorry, this is my job everyday =)
I sometimes put time limits too! Thanks for sharing your thoughts at Potpourri Friday!
I heat coffee for 2 minutes in the microwave several times every morning while working in my office. I spend these little minutes doing daily clean up tasks in our kitchen and great room, two heavily used rooms in our home. It's amazing what can be done in two minutes! Thank you for sharing.
Nancy at maddalee
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