Hello Lisa.

Welcome back to another beautiful edition of THE PENCIL CASE!  Each issue focuses on a theme to encourage a fresh look at garden design and graphics. Today's inspiration is Thanksgiving and the lovely experience of eating al fresco.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!

Thanksgiving is about celebrating the garden's harvest, acknowledging our gratitude, plus reconnecting with family and friends. I love these three principles and enjoy honoring them year-round in our own garden al fresco*.

.....

*AL FRESCO: IN THE FRESH AIR

We purchased our current home as the world shut down in March 2020 and like many of you, shifted our focus to the garden. It was important to create outdoor spaces where we could eat and eventually, gather with friends and family. This is part of our small garden above (with Gunther, our adorable, grumpy dog). ☺️

We started by taking photos of the backyard from our second story window (below), laying tracing paper over it, then sketching out "rooms", one in particular for a dining area. We then spent the next month digging soil, moving rock and installing plants to create our quaint spaces. BTW, I have to give a lot of credit to THIS GUY for doing much of the heavy lifting.

The result has been an outdoor dining space that we love and enjoy every moment we can during Iowa's warmer months. 

.....

FYI....we get many questions about that amazing geodesic structure in the above photo (way in the back). That is our neighbor's yard, Gabriel Lueders. He is super talented and I'm hoping to include more of his work as he helps us develop elements in our garden.

AL FRESCO DINING INSPIRATION.

When creating an outdoor dining space think about the FLOORS + WALLS + CEILINGS that surround it, plus make sure it's in close proximity to either an indoor or outdoor kitchen.

.....

Here are some tips on SIZING AN OUTDOOR PATIO.

.....

You can take a peek at our garden progress on Instagram HERE and HERE and HERE. :)

.....

We get tons of questions about where we purchased our table and fun orange chairs. You can find them at ARTICLE.

.....

For additional inspiration check out these OUTDOOR DINING IDEAS, plus 25 THRIFTY WAYS TO CREATE OUTDOOR DINING. 

LET'S DO THIS!

How have you incorporated outdoor dining into your garden? Please hit reply and share a photo or tag me on INSTAGRAM or FACEBOOK.

 .....

Speaking of connecting with friends, I wanted to let you know that the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) International Design Conference takes place December 1-4 this year...and it's online so you can attend from anywhere. Registration is now open. Can't wait to see you!

.....

If you know someone that needs design inspiration, please feel free to share this newsletter. Anyone can subscribe right here. I also keep a VAULT of past issues in this secret location.

.....

Thanks for letting me visit your inbox and have a lovely Thanksgiving day! Oh, and happy birthday to my mom too! You're super cool and I'm thankful for you. 💛

With warmest regards,

Lisa

.....

PAPER GARDEN WORKSHOP

PS. ANOTHER GREAT PLACE TO GATHER WITH FRIENDS

Many of you know that Garden Graphics Tool Kit is a course that teaches how to draw garden elements, but did you know it is also a thriving community of people like you? Awesome people that love gardens, design, creating and learning. I underestimated the power of this group when I first started teaching online and am now constantly blown away by the talent and camaraderie that grew during class and now monthly in our membership. I'd love to have you experience it too! LEARN MORE HERE.