Green House Makeover for a window without a view

The inspiration for this project was that our dining room window looked out on the less than appetizing view of our overgrown side yard and the neighbors trash dumpsters.

We started with a stained glass window cling from a local home store which was under 25 dollars and 10 dollars worth of pine lumber which we used to build a shelf unit to insert into the window frame to give a home to flower vases and plants that we didn't have room for.

We haven't decided yet whether to stain or paint it and have decided to live with the raw wood while we decide. Whatever finish we choose we're very happy with the project so far and really happy with our new mealtime view.

Dining Room Plants

 I kept forgetting to water those tiny clay pots outside so I was pleased to discover that they were just the right size to drop into a teacup. Being in the dining room near the coffee pot will make them easy to remember now.

 I love the look of the orange tree in the day time and being able to share the view from my window with you.

Isn't it funny that my Christmas poinsettia is still with us? Someday I'd like greenhouse window in this room so I'd have space for more plants and could grow herbs and lettuce over the winter.

Plants and Flowers, keeping it fresh

 I like the way the light hit in this photo as I was washing, watering and re potting plants this morning.

 Yes, I just rounded up all of the plants and put them in the kitchen sink.

 Having done the regular work I became interested in the light and the composition as I considered more drawings and paintings of the poinsettia before it's finished flowering for the season. It's so nice to have a little fresh color around here to work with.

Now all I need to do is decide whether I'd rather work directly from the plant or benefit by the composition and lighting of the photo. I suspect I'll do both.

Climbing the walls

No, cabin fever hasn't set in yet but with the change of seasons and the cooler weather my garden is but a memory and I'm indoors with the houseplants so I decided to draw and paint the one I had sitting in the dining room. Over the course of the winter it will eventually wrap around the top of the room and because I don't get around (or up & down) very well or often it's going to be a slow and painful process but I'm enjoying the challenge and determined to make it work. It's already much better than the mural I did at my last house so I'm really happy with my progress.