On Moving From the City to the Garden

Trading Concrete for Green Spaces

As spring unfurls around us, we're reminded how deeply rewarding it is to work alongside nature, not to conquer it, but to gently guide it into something resembling an oasis. Gardening is a task of trying to tame nature. Moving from the bustling concrete grid of New York City to the wide-open green of Mississippi has been nothing short of transformative. Here, the soil is under our fingernails, the sun is on our backs, and life grows before our eyes in a way we never could have imagined in our apartment days.

Our little patch of land has become a canvas of sorts — a place where we can experiment, nurture, and create. Gardening and landscaping are lessons in patience and persistence, in embracing both the beauty and the unruliness of the natural world.

The Joy of Watching Things Grow

Patience, Perseverance, and Plenty of Citrus

We’ve tried to grow just about every seed we could get our hands on. Some flourished, some didn’t — but that’s part of the story too. Today, six fruit trees that we raised from seed anchor our yard, and two are heavy with citrus this year. And, in true ambitious spirit, we’re currently attempting to grow a date palm tree.

One of the most exciting additions this year is the greenhouse built for us by our dear friends and neighbors Jenny and Chris. Not only is it highly functional — housing tender seedlings for our vegetable garden and countless flowers — but like everything we do, it’s also designed to be beautiful. During colder months, it offers a haven for our ever-growing collection of plants. Many of these blooms make their way into (Jon’s) paintings, serving as vibrant, fleeting props.

We also ventured into a new frontier: mushrooms. Using mushroom growing blocks, we’ve cultivated a variety of delicious and fascinating fungi — from the cascading, brain-like textures of lion’s mane to the vivid blush of pink oyster mushrooms. Watching them fruit has been just as mesmerizing and rewarding as any flower or tree, and they’ve added a unique touch to both our garden and our kitchen.

The Greenhouse & The Path: A New Sanctuary

Built With Love, Filled With Life

Alongside the greenhouse, we also had a new garden path installed — a beautiful mix of pavers and gravel that winds its way through our space. Like so many things in the garden, making improvements is a never-ending process. Each season inspires a new project, a fresh idea, or a tweak to something that could be just a little more inviting. These small changes keep the space evolving and growing, just like the plants we nurture.

Our Garden Companion & Innkeeper

Lady and Her Love of the Outdoors

Of course, no mention of our home would be complete without Lady, our spirited and beloved dog. She is truly our baby and brings endless joy into our lives. Her enthusiasm is contagious — she always manages to put a smile on our faces. Say the word leash and she’ll dart off to fetch it, ready for a walk or a ride.

We also run a dog-friendly Airbnb, where Lady proudly serves as the unofficial innkeeper. We do have to gently warn our guests not to leave food unattended — Lady has a voracious appetite and won’t hesitate to help herself if given the chance! Guests love getting to know her, and many of them find as much delight in exploring our garden and greenhouse as we do. Whether they’re swaying in the hammock, wandering the paths, or simply relaxing with a refreshing drink on their own private back porch — complete with classic rocking chairs — our little oasis offers a quiet escape.

Growing Art and Beauty

From Seedlings to Studio Props

For us, gardening and making art are both acts of creation and renewal. They’re about cultivating beauty and sharing it — whether through a painting, a flowerbed, or a bowl of just-picked vegetables. Last October, (Jon) had an exhibition of new work at Arthur Roger Gallery in New Orleans — a project he worked on for nearly three years. It was a festive, vibrant occasion with an incredible turnout, and there are a few exciting group shows coming up this summer.

We love roses. Their structure, fragrance, and tenacity never fail to inspire us — and remind us why we do all this in the first place. Watching something grow, watching something bloom — it’s a simple thing that never gets old.

We also recently celebrated another quiet triumph in the garden: after three years of patience and care, we have our very first pineapple — grown from the leafy top of a store-bought fruit. It’s a small but sweet reward that reminds us that sometimes, the slowest projects bring the most satisfaction.

Jon’s opening “To Be Continued” at Arthur Roger Gallery

Painting “The Tide is High” magnolias from our magnolia tree

Here’s to more growth, more beauty, and more mornings in the garden.

Rooted and Blooming: Cultivating Life and Art in Mississippi

Spring into Action; Part Two