Garden Time Again ~40 Years of Gardening~

Hello fellow gardeners and friends welcome to a little story of mine of how I started gardening and how years of experience and practice have gave me permission to continue on. You may think no big deal. If you are new don’t let anyone or any bug or any problems (not failures) stop you. Don’t think in the forty years that I haven’t had my problems and bugs. You just have to keep going and find out what can make it better the next time it how to find a solution to whatever it may be. I have so many stories I could fill a book of garden experiences and probably along the way a few problems that have happened. 

It all began when I was around 3-4 years old my grandma on my dad’s side gave me a package of seeds to plant which was Hanover seeds I can still remember this. The seeds were super tiny and I was like I have to plant these? I kinda threw them in and went with that. Within a few minutes I went to my grandma and told her I was finished planting, wow she said that was really fast. Needless to say I didn’t get anymore seeds to plant. I was very young then so that is way over 55 years ago. 

I had a neighbor whom planted everything this man was amazing and such an incredible influence to me on the gardening. I was always amazed and impressed with his dedication and kindness towards gardening. He was who showed me how much the love of a garden can be. I would stand at the fence and just watch in silence at the miraculous growth and progress his garden was. This was in the late 70s and once while I was standing there he asked me if I would like a radish 🫜 and I said yes. He wiped it off for me and I ate it like I had grown it myself. It was hot and spicy but so delicious. I would watch this man (I know his name but for privacy reasons) he has passed on now. His family was from West Virginia and every Christmas he would make the best brownies that I had ever had and they would freeze them when I would babysit for the girls I would always get a frozen brownie. 

I would wash J’s hair and I always would think why do I have to do this. I think it was because J wanted me to as I was gentle with the washing of her hair. 

I was an only child and my parents weren’t around so it was nice to see a family whom did all the things I would grow up to do. The garden has provided my family with so much love and nourishment that I am so thankful I was able to provide them with my love of gardening. 

When Bruce and I first got married I had tomatoes in pots. Then one time I was at another house and the neighbor was my landlord and he cut all my tomatoes down and told me the cut worms did it. I was 20 years old with three children. I ended up growing them in pots on the front porch that year and he hated it. The community was a little over the top perhaps. It was 1990. Then when we moved our family to the country we had the biggest gardens we ever had. We even shared gardens with our friends and the first year I canned 200 quarts of tomatoes. I was pregnant with Amanda. She was born in April of 1993. We had the biggest deep freezer one could buy at the time. It was an amazing experience. Every year since 1986 I have had a garden. I can’t imagine a life without one. Although the struggles are real with my back and it makes it difficult to move around I have found ways to keep going. Ruth Stout was in her 90s and she was still gardening. One can’t stop! Ruth has a lot of great books you may want to check out. 

In 1997 I took a Master Gardener class. Bruce actually found the class in the paper and said I got a class for you. Cody was just a baby and my friend Dee Dee babysat him while I was at the classes they were on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Most everyone was well off and we would have raffle tickets each time and we would win plants. Everyone donated plants. It was a wonderful experience. I leaned so much and had a blast each week. I hated to see it end. Plus I met great friends. We went on Arboretum tours and flower shows. Good times. The Greenhouse is a PlantaGreenhouse and the clay colored pots in the porch are GreenStalks. 

The garlic. Hardneck. 

Colten and Dusty picking the May peas. English peas. 

This was when I went much BIGGER 

Cooper in the greenhouse 2007

Colby and Cooper 

 Dusty letting us know how big the tomato plants have gotten. My children have all grown up with a garden. When my oldest ones were little we would work the garden then go to Sextons County Market and get a Peach Nehi or a Jungle Juice which I have been told they didn’t like those. Oh my goodness they were a .25 then and between the three of them they would share it. It was a quart of like a punch fruit (fake) juice. The Nehis were much better. They would also get an airhead. They liked the mystery ones. We were in North Carolina so it would be extremely hot. We couldn’t wait to be finished to get to the county market to drink that Peach Nehi. Later when we moved across the county we would go to William Umphletts and get a cheese slice and a Dr. Pepper. If he had them in the store a pink cookie to eat with the cheese. Oh the gardening treats!!! I can tell you all the good times. I feel like today I have shared some. As we continue on I have seedlings planted now. I have scaled back considerably. My children will have to carry the torch now. 

Much love and hugs, 

Happy Gardening, 

Dawn Gallop 

On another note pencils ready drum roll if you think I forgot…

National Crown Roast of Pork Day (actually Cody stayed up late last night and smoked a pork roast and brought it over for us to enjoy) it was very good and tasty. He accompanied the roast with a quart size jar of homemade bbq sauce. Colby was quite impressed and thankful Cody’s considerate donation of this delightful smoked pork roast. National Flapjack day, I made the twins blueberry waffles today. National Cereal Day. National Be Heard Day (I am screaming this one! Do you hear me now?) National Play Outside Day. 

Maple syrup Saturday (definitely got that one underway) we have completed almost two gallons so far this year. 

Plant power day. Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Day, National Sock Monkey Day (my mom collects these) I do love them too. I have two. They are Halloween Sock Monkey’s. Georgia Beer Day, Alexander Graham Bell Day, and Team tech week. Always a reason to celebrate. Much respect. 

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Granddaughter Briar

Hello and welcome. I wanted to share our adorable granddaughter, Briar, whom you may recall from her baptism back in January. She is now three months old. Amelia, her mom, sent me these latest pictures, and I couldn’t resist sharing them with you. Briar is simply beautiful, with those sparkling blue eyes and the cutest little outfits.

Unfortunately, we haven’t seen her much this winter due to the challenging weather conditions. Getting around in the snow and ice has been difficult, and we’ve mostly been staying home. Bruce, has been busy working in the woods, collecting sap for maple syrup. It’s been a demanding job, and he’s jokingly referred to the snow as quicksand as the melted soft slushy ice. Oh, and the mud! Is very hard and challenging to commute in. 

Last Saturday, the grandsons came over, and when Dad Cody was about to leave, they expressed their desire to stay. Then, Cody suggested they were not going to see Sissy, and they were all set to go. It was such a sweet moment, and it warmed my heart as a grandma. You may have remembered the story from last Saturday of the NEKOT cookies by Lance. I actually have more to share this weekend as they expressed some joy in them. 

Awww I just love her so much. 

The day of her baptism. 

Alexis and her family came too. 

Just look at how proud big brother Baker is!!! I love it! He’s the sweetest little boy. 

Here Briar is right after she came home. 

Thank you Briar for being our littlest granddaughter. We are so thankful and grateful to have you in our lives. We love you. Grandma and Papa. 
 

Celebrating today: Color of the day Rose, National Oreo Cookie day 

Skylar put this note on her Oreos one day. She was around six years old. 

Day of the Dude, National Dress in Blue Day, (that’s to match the Oreo cookie packaging) World Day of Prayer, National Dentist Day, National Frozen Food Day, Peace Corps Day, Women in Construction Week, National Employee Appreciation Day, and National Speech and Debate Education Day. Oh my goodness so much to celebrate. There were even more things to celebrate today or for the week. I enjoy these as it makes you aware of every moment to celebrate and share with others. Much love and happiness to you, 

Dawn Gallop (PEACE ☮️ PLEASE!!!!) 

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IX Chel Painting in the Mystic Space

Hello and welcome to my painting of IXchel, also known as eechel, the Mayan goddess. This year, I enrolled in a year-long immersion project that involves learning about a new goddess every three weeks. We commenced in January and will conclude in November. Our fearless teacher, Connie Solera, is exceptional. I have thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the other students in the class. Thankful Connie offered a payment plan to be able to financially afford the class. My husband bought it for my Christmas present. He paid for it in four equal payments. Thank goodness it’s over because it was a real struggle for us. I am so very grateful for being apart of the class. I love it.!! 

Our initial aspect of the Facets project is Truth. I have already completed Hekate, Hestia, and IxChel. There are numerous ways to spell their names, and even the goddess could have different meanings in various cultures. These are myths. However, you certainly immerse yourself in the energy of these goddesses. I have been astounded by their presence and energy. I cannot share all my thoughts, but I can share some of my experiences during the IXChel immersion.

I had not yet initiated my activation in the classroom on the Saturday following the class announcement. While moving some of my papers, I noticed a rabbit on the paper. See below.

In their culture, the rabbit represents the moon. How beautiful is that! That was my first sign. Subsequently, I was unaware of it, but I had a goddess statue I had purchased of Ixchel. Once we became aware of the activation, we learned all about her. I had a dream before I even knew she was a weaver. The dream depicted woven potholders. As a child, I used to create them repeatedly. I had purchased the kit at Heidi’s arts and crafts when I was six years old, and my Sissy (my aunt) and I traveled to Kansas to visit our families there. Being from the Arkansas City, Kansas area, we were in a very rural region as a child. However, when I returned in the 1980s, it had become less rural. It was a small town, and they had even added a Sonic Drive-In. Who doesn’t enjoy visiting a Sonic Drive-In? 

   She is known as Lady Rainbow 🌈, Lady All Embracer, she presides over sex, healing, childbirth, creativity, and weaving. Well in the immersion class my son Colten sent me a picture which he said I could share of his wife expecting. She is very early in her pregnancy but the energy is he shared it during IxChel which is pretty amazing as she is a goddess of childbirth. 

Ixchel represents the waters of life whether oceans or amniotic fluids. 

She is the goddess of hurricanes 🌀 and heavy destructive rains.

My teacher even went to her Statue/monument or shrine and left an offering of her paintbrushes. That’s spectacular!!! You go Connie!!!! I love hearing adventures like this. Not to mention other students went to other places like the Hestia house etc. 

Ixchel took the Sun as her lover. Her own grandfather took lightening and took her life. Dragonflies mourned over Ixchel and after 13 days she emerged alive. The Sun became abusive and accused her of infidelity so she left with the Vulture spirit and went to Cozumel her beloved Island. She started weaving and being creative and gardening. She is nurturing to women and has dominion over women’s menstrual cycles. She helps to guard pregnancy and protect women in labor. She has abilities to help with spider bites in the healing process. Invoke her powers if you need them for healing. She manifests in all the aspects of women the maiden the mother and the crone. She is often seen with a bone skirt and a snake headband. Planet the moon, element water, creatures the rabbit, snake, spider and of course the dragonflies. 

As she can see she is a powerful goddess. Thank you Ixchel for what you have shown me. 

Just made this the day I was making the rainbow in the scribble journal. 

You can see the IXChel in the orange before I drew her one there she appeared with me just using my paintbrush to make her seen. Her pitcher is depicted as her water symbol and which she empties to create storms and rain. 

If you see the green on there I took them from my old journals which I haven’t opened in years. This is the scrap journal or aka the scribble journal. 

As you see here this is the rabbit that appears to me while I am cleaning up some paper. You can see where I use the scraps I xeroxed from my old journals. 

As you can see I already had my Mayan goddess. As Cody calls them my knicky knacks. I also have a Cozumel skull that my oldest son Jr. and Kim brought me back from Cozumel. I hope to go there one day. Here is my manifest for that adventure. 

Today’s celebrations: Color is purple, National Absinthe Day, National Cheese Doodle Day, I can tell you a funny story Jewelee our oldest dog a pit bull she loves hot Cheetos. Colby used to eat the xtra hot flaming Cheetos and Jewelee would share them with him. I know crazy! There was a TikTok of me feeding her those. She loves them. She hasn’t had them in a long time now. Good memories! There are a lot of celebrations it seems of course there is Cinco De March always a good day to have a margarita!!! 
Well better close for now. Much love and happiness. 
Good Vibes, 
Dawn Gallop 

 

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Days 31-40 Scribbles Project

Hello everyone these paintings/drawings are from the 100 Days of Scribbles. It’s right along with the 100 Days Project. It can be one line one mark or whatever you like. It’s just about moving energy and creating. The journal is on a sketch paper that my dog had chewed up and it fell on the floor in the car one day and the floor was wet from the snow melting. I have had it probably since like 2010 and was always going to get rid of it but I didn’t and now I’m glad. It is close to being a full sketch journal now. Yay! With dog energy infused and water remembrance. 

If you would like to see the other scribbles go here http://creationsbydawn.blogspot.com/2026/02/days-11-20-scribbles-project.html

http://creationsbydawn.blogspot.com/2026/02/days-21-30-scribbles-project.html

http://creationsbydawn.blogspot.com/2026/02/10-days-of-scribbles-10100.html

You can see bleed through from other pages 

I am still practicing hands 

 She is one of my so called doodles the same girls I always draw. While on the phone or if you give me a pen and paper or a pencil. Well I better go not much to share today. Of course we need the celebrations of the day. Color of the day is white. National pound cake day, World Obesity Day, Snack Day, National dance waltz day. 

• Brain Injury Awareness Day: A day to raise awareness about brain injuries.
• National Vietnam War Veterans Day: A day to honor the veterans of the Vietnam War.
• Emancipation Day (Washington, D.C.): A day to celebrate the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia.
• Bunker Hill Day (Suffolk Co., Mass.): A day to commemorate the Battle of Bunker Hill. 

Enjoy celebrating!

Sending love and hugs, 

Good vibes 😎 

Dawn Gallop 

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The Fourth 10 Days of the 100 Day Challenge

Hello and Welcome this is 31-40 days. If you would like to see the first 10 days http://creationsbydawn.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-100-day-project-first-10-days.html

The second 10 days http://creationsbydawn.blogspot.com/2026/02/100-day-challenge-days-21-30.html

The third http://creationsbydawn.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-second-10-days-of-100-day-project.html

I have set my goals and aspirations and I am making them work. Each day I face a new opportunity to learn more about a different mushroom. It’s has been a great experience. 

Some days you feel inspired and some days you don’t feel like you’re going to be able to make it. On those days I just make little notes to myself-keep swimming- you can do it-ride the wave-you’ve got this- any words of encouragement and usually once I get started it all feels so good. 

I know my handwriting isn’t the best or the neatest but you know what it’s mine and it’s all I got so in my eyes it works. 

This was a day I really struggled asking myself was this really worth it and if I wanted to continue. I answered myself by making this picture. 

I loved making the morels 

This is one of my all time favorites. I make a bunch of different recipes with this one. Delicious. The project has helped me to learn more about mushrooms and to have it where my mind can absorb more information. As I continuously read and listen I have learned so much. Thank you for this 100 Day Project. It truly has been a gift for myself and others as well. More on that later. Another book I am reading. We need your Art! That’s the title. Love it. 

Today’s celebrations: Soup it forward day, start of the 250 years of independence celebrations the semiquincentennial. 

Thank you if you can try the 100 Day Challenge it’s totally worth it and so very possible!!  It truly is a beautiful commitment to yourself. 

Much love, 

Dawn Gallop 
 

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