As many of you know, I work from my home.  Two leather sewing machines and other leather equipment decorate what was previously our dining room. Wood shelves hold various types of hardware, thread and paints.  A small workbench with several anvils and hammers sits center stage and is shared with my husband for his clock and watch repair. I have also claimed other parts of the house.  An upstairs bedroom houses my hides. The end of our kitchen dining table is my tooling and leather punching station. Our family room has an early 20’s dresser drawer that holds my patterns and other smaller leather supplies. Basically you might find a little bit here and a little bit there of leather related paraphernalia.

The majority of my work gets done in the kitchen. My small kitchen island is the perfect height and size for cutting leather, gluing, assembling projects, painting and the like. I think a lot of people favor their kitchens over the rest of the house. A place for gathering of friends and families, the wonderful smells of cooking and a purpose with utmost function in mind. As a bonus my two kitchen windows reveal  a magical place for me. My garden and the Boise foothills.

The garden has developed into a beautiful place more by accident then design. After 26 years of trying different types of perennials, plants and trees, survival of the fittest ultimately ruled. The high desert sun is unrelenting in the summer months, especially with a south side exposure. Yet over time I became familiar with what works and what doesn’t. In general, any type of sage plants rule. They burst with growth and color in the spring, retreating during the hot summer months only to reappear with vitality in the fall. There are plenty of busy bees, dragonflies and hummingbirds with the usual garden variety of insects and small critters.  Hidden between the perennials you will find numerous vegetables planted. Mostly tomatoes and cucumbers. We also have a single grape vine and dwarf pear and peach trees. The garden/backyard is small but gives us an abundance of enjoyment.

So back to work I go. I just wanted to share a small space that allows me to create and re-energize, right outside my door.