Get Dirty, It makes you REAL.



My son Evan, models a saying I heard not to long ago.  .



 

“There are so many pressures that are put upon young women. Whatever we can do to alleviate that and help women feel beautiful about who we are inside, which is the only beauty there truly is, is so nice. Let's get down and dirty. Let's be a real girl”

-Drew Barrymore

Sugar Creek Garden Center - Where Growing Meets Growing

I promise I am not counting (yes I am).  But according to the calendar, spring is in 15 days, and with the warm weather we have had lately, those 19 days can't get here fast enough.  So this week I am excited to bring you Sugar Creek Garden Center, located on Hwy 160 in between Steele Creek and Tega Cay, SC.

Driving by you can't miss the beautiful handmade wooden sign, and their large greenhouse that accompanies an array of trees, shrubs, garden decor, plants and more.  I am sure there are 100 different names for them, but as I am new to all this "green" stuff please bear with me.  It is actually fitting that I write an article about them since there are not only a ton of different kinds of garden and nursery items as well as  landscaping services, they also offer plenty of knowledge and an ample amount of help for first timers (like myself).  I have always been intimated by Nursery and Garden centers for that very reason.  I was not born with a green thumb, but as learned from talking with the folks here you don’t have to be an expert at all.  In fact they focus on not only growing your garden but also "growing" your knowledge for plant life.
Behind the creativity and success, are husband and wife team, Jan and George Wallace, who are coming up on an exciting time as they get ready to celebrate their first anniversary of launching Sugar Creek Garden Center.  They broke ground in September of 2009, opened in March 2010 and have been going strong ever since. 
"It has been a great year." Jan says of reflecting on her first year.  “Everyone has been so welcoming,” From local potters clubs, garden groups even Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, the Sugar Creek Garden Center has been embraced by the community and has quickly grown to being a landmark in the Steele Creek area. 

Jan is no stranger to the agriculture lifestyle.  She began gardening as a child with her Mom, and received her plant biology degree from the University of Utah.  She has also worked with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources studying native fish and riparian areas and previously managed a local garden center where she was responsible for launching two new product lines including merchandising and creating point of sales displays. On top of all of that she  is also mother to son, Max and daughter Haley, ages 12 and 14. She tells me that being a Mom and a business owner is actually easier now that the shop is open.  For six months she and George came and went at different hours of the day and night, overseeing construction and business details.  Now that things are running smoothly she feels more of a balance between being a Mom and owning her own business.

While visiting with her, I took a good look around and could tell immediately that they are not fooling around with this place.  Both inside and outside offer a beautiful display and rows of plants, "baby" plants, potted plants, hanging plants, herbs, shrubs, trees, garden decor, gifts and much more.  The staff was extremely friendly and very knowledgeable along with excited about some new arrivals.  I could tell they really enjoy working in an environment where they can offer a great variety but also help each customer with specific needs.

Their location sits on seven acres of property located along the Sugar Creek basin which is where the name is derived.
“It felt like a good fit.” Jan says when I asked her about the name. 
“Besides, sugar is a staple in everyone’s family so it just made sense.”
One thing I did want to ask on my visit was how does Sugar Creek stays competitive with other stores Like Lowes that offer garden, nursery and landscaping options. 
“It comes down to habits.” Jan tells me honestly.  "Our struggle is breaking that habit - I want those customers to come here but it's hard to compete with their advertising - our plants are way better and we know what to do with them! ” 
Also, what sets Sugar Creek aside from the "Big Box Stores" are their unique selection and variety of plants and trees,  their hands on experience with personal design and installation along with their high end quality and knowledge. 

“If you have a plant and you are not sure why it is dying or you are not sure what to do with it, bring it in and we will help you.”  Adding plant maintenance and gardening assistance to their list of many things they provide.  They also offer free quotes on several other services such as stone edging, retaining walls, garden Beds and rock walls.
They also host space for several local natural artist's, their work and products making Sugar Creek a great place to find a unique gift as well.  Artist such as J.K Moyles Pottery, and delicious gourmet baking mixes by Rabbit Creek "offer a variety of items for your home, teachers gifts, holidays and more.

Local artist JK Moyles.

Rabbit Creek Baking Mixes and gifts

Being a part of the community is a big deal to both Jan and George and for that reason, they have committed
to being a family friendly operation and stay open year round. They offer fun things to do for kids as well as
adults. Future plans down the road include adding nature trails behind the Greenhouse and outdoor classrooms for summer classes and kids camps. They also offer a calendar of events coming up along with class scheduled if you are interested in learning more about gardening, or just want to do something fun this spring.
And of course I couldn’t leave without a little something “green” for myself. I thought I would start small and go with an herb (Basil, one of my favorites). So far so good, and with the freeze warning lifting April 15th soon I can add to my collection and maybe grow some more herbs, plants and of course grow so more green knowledge along the way.

For more information on Sugar Creek Garden Center, you can visit their link here:  http://www.sugarcreekgardencenter.com/

I Dunno...

When my sister and I were kids, I remember my parents watching Bill Cosby on HBO and laughing like they have never laughed before.  She and I would exchange eye rolls at our goofball parents, but we would laugh along simply because Bill Cosby just "sounded" funny.
Now that I am a parent, I laugh on a different level because I completely understand what Cosby is not only saying here, but enjoy his truthful and hilarious remarks because boy, I have SO been there.  How many times have you heard "THIS IS MINE...  I DON'T KNOW....."
Smart and clean comedy by one of the greatest comedians ever who reminds me that we are NOT alone.  Enjoy!

So, I write! You?

I don't know about you, but most of my blog posts come to me when I am not in front of the computer.  Mine come to me in random little bubbles throughout the day.  Certain ideas, stories, bits and pieces float in and out, flirting with me basically driving me crazy.

Because when I have the time to sit in front of the computer, all of those random ideas and thoughts that danced around me in all their "perfect blog post" glory - are gone.

Now, before you ask, Yes, I have a tried a few different things.  I carried a notebook and tried to write down stuff as it came to me.  I used my notepad on my cell phone when I couldn't find my paper notebook.  I would leave myself voice mails, I would even write things down on the back of a gum wrapper if I had to.

But do you know how hard it is to find a Gum wrapper when you own a 5 and 6 year old?

It is next to impossible.

So I turn to self deprecating...  It goes something like this.  "What is Wrong with ME??  Why don't I have I one of those photographic memories? Why can't all my creativity happen all at once? Why does it take me weeks to get a blog post perfect? Why do I have more blog "drafts" instead of actual posts, and speaking of posts where are all the comments?  Doesn't anyone Like ME? I wish I was better at this!  I wish I had more time in the day! I wish... I wish.... I wish... upon a star..

Sorry....Tangent....

I have a point- bare with me.

A while ago, during the famous self deprecation, I decided to add salt to the wound and spend hours Blog Stalking. This was extra fun considering I was also PMSing and every blog I turned to was cute, whimsical, sassy, funny, original and well PERFECT. 

Yet, one did stand out. A blog from a self proclaimed writer such as myself (I can't remember who to save my life adding memory loss to my other list of self complaints). Anyways this person compared being a "writer" to being a surgeon.  I thought this was a bit much at first, I mean a surgeon?  Really?  But as I read though the notion it became clear that this was a brilliant comparison.    

She said that as a surgeon you start with a procedure (lets say something simple like a gall bladder).  So you open up the patient and take out the gall bladder (first draft).  Then you close the incision, sew it up and apply a bandage (second draft).  The patient gets wheeled to the recovery room where follow up with antibiotics and surgical aftercare (third and fourth draft).  Then uh oh, the very next day an infection happens (the fifth draft and usually the draft of death that will either make you quit or somehow keep you going.)  But because you are a doctor (writer) you keep going because the patient’s life is at stake.  And so is yours because when you are a writer you don't have a choice. 

And so my point is this.  You do what you love because you don't have a choice.  

I love to write, I live to write, I have no choice BUT to write.

So I write.   The surgeon operates, and the singer sings, the crafter crafts and the musician plays.

And sacrifices get made, Lot's of them.

In fact here are a few of my favorites....

My horrificly messy and unorganized desk

On most days this is my lunch.

What the heck is this?

And for God's Sake this guy is still hangs by my front door.

Any of these look familiar? 

Thank goodness I have one of the most patient, understanding, and amazing husband in the world.  He supports me and my writing dream so I have that going for me.  I also have four hours a day for three days where I am kid free.  I have that going for me too.  I own a computer and a laptop and have an account with Goggle.

In fact what the heck is my problem?   What do I do when writers block plagues me? When a blog post comes to me in the shower, and I can't get to my laptop fast enough.  When days go by without new content on my blog, when the boys say to me, "Mommy, are you done on the computer yet?"

How does one balance all of this and still stay true to their passions?

I would love your input because I still have no bloody idea.

All I know is I write. 

Because I have no choice.

How about you?