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Our Timeline
Jason started working at Marders late 2007 as their mechanic. He worked his way through the company eventually becoming a Landscape Account Manager. This is the position that really allowed him to shine. Naturally drawn to landscapes, Jason could always see something most people could not. He loved curves and color, hills and valleys, their shape, texture, and topography. Jason has a kinship with the earth. Like an artist to a canvas, he would create what was in his heart.
The only problem that tore at him was our family. He missed the children and myself to the point of heartbreak. Jason was faced with a hard choice. Stay safe at his job or take a leap of faith. In the spring of 2017 Jason left Marders, and together we created “Shine On Design”.
Throughout our years of gardening, little kids and dog playing, Jason worked. He worked all the time. Jason has his bachelor's degree in aeronautical science, is a licensed pilot and an aircraft mechanic. His passion though, has always been with nature. He’d spend his free time planning and drawing designs for our yard. He wanted the kids to grow up in a yard that was full of life.
​​ Jason and I have been together since 1997. He was an Ice cream man and I was a park worker. It was love at first sight. One month before we met, Jason had gotten his only tattoo... “Shine On”
(He is a huge Pink Floyd fan). We were married in July of 2001 and had our first of 3 children in 2002. After our son was born I was inspired to go back to college for ornamental horticulture. I’ve always had a huge passion for nature. I dug in the soil daily always finding joy in the earth.
Jason has always been a visionary. While I was very pregnant with our 2nd child I found myself staring at this huge yard and a tiny house with fear in my heart. Jason put his arms around me whispering gently “picture it...” All I could see was an empty yard compacted by 5 horses and a tiny house and the sparkle in his eyes. We bought our first blank slate property in Ridge NY just before our first daughter was born in 2005.
The next few years we built garden after garden. Our budget was limited, so I bartered my horticulture services to people as trade for plants. I took the kids all over digging and dividing perennials, teaching proper techniques, and started my own blog, The Gardening Mom. I used to say I put my frustrations in the soil, turning the pains of life into beauty.
In the winter of 2007 we were blessed with our 3rd child. It’s a beautiful thing to watch your children with nature. Our children grew up barefoot in a magical paradise we built one plant at a time. They ran around the many pathways we built, grabbing fresh fruit as they went. They swam in the freshwater swim pond we created. They learned about life, nature, respect for animals, plants, insects, and never minded being dirty.
We started rescuing huskies in 2008. I’ve always loved dogs and as a child I would rescue animals almost daily. I grew up with snakes, rabbits, dogs, birds and collected all types of insects. Our dog Floyd was getting older. We wanted to bring a younger friend in for the kids. We found an 8-month-old husky at Brookhaven animal shelter. Pink came home that day and Floyd loved her. Soon after that my sister found a husky puppy who needed a home. Shine On came home February 2011. Followed by Free Four, Vera, Eclipse, Hey You and our last addition a tripod, Fearless.
Our house has been furry ever since.
