AT THE REQUESTOF SOME

    At the request of some of my friends and blog followers, I am going to peck out a few more entries to this blog.

    Since I stopped posting on a regular basis some time ago, there has been progress on our house and, more notably, our yard.  For close to 2 years I put down my power tools and picked up my shovel and mattock, rake and pitchfork.


Hardscape was added and our antique brick got new life as colums and a circular planter.

The only plant life worthy of salvaging were the azaleas, the magnificent Magnolias, 2 tremendous maples, an old pecan tree, a very large holly and, of course, the bamboo!

 
    Heavy equipment took out years of brush and weeds, and I designed some curves into the landscape to soften the squareness of the large patio/basketball court.

My daughter and I tote water to the garden behind the garage,
at least until we get the rainbarrels connected.

My son gifted me with yardwork last Mother's day. This included
digging out the original but long neglected pond in the back yard.

 All this happened 1 1/2 years ago.  I've been digging and planting ever since.  Good thing I love it so much!  We now have grass and loads of plantings.

There is more to come.  Keep an eye out for more recent photos and coments.

WHILE I'M ON THE SUBJECT OF BRICK

While we had the mason here, we hired him to build an outdoor fireplace.  

I drew a picture and he capably followed my novice design to a T.

It was July,

and it was hot,

but 3 half-days of work later.....

                We have a stunning chimney; the centerpiece of a beautiful outdoor gathering spot.
(I'll let you in on a little special feature....the key at the top of the arch was cut from the original 1907 sidewalk leading to the front door.)

October 2014 - Ready for guests

A RENOVATION OF A DIFFERENT KIND

    To those of you who have been following our house progress you will note it has been numerous months since I have made a posting.  This is not to say I have been idle.  Since our Warren Road house sold last August, I have been enjoying our new home and all that it entails.
Let me attempt to catch you up in the next few postings.

Numerous weeks ago the yard renovation began!

Looking out my windows I saw all sorts of heavy equipment...

   

  

In addition to clearing the property of weeds and trash, the contractors are laying pavers between the garage and house for the future basketball court/entertaining area.

We were thrilled to have the yard work begin and RADA and Associates is doing a tremendous job.

If we just could get 7 or more consecutive days without rain or snow!!!! 

 In order to move forward the pavers must be dry.

 Just when they dry.....

Something like this happens.

The pavers are 100% dry today, but....rain is predicted for this afternoon and

more wet and perhaps frozen precipitation is due later this week.

Patience.

TRANS-ING

Over a month ago I mentioned transplanting my old yard.  To be accurate I was not transplanting I was just trans-ing.  The plants have been forced to live in garbage bags, ceramic pots and plastic containers since then.  

Korean boxwood, strawberry geraniums, lily of the valley, daisies, curry plant, hosta...

More boxwood, Lenten Rose, peonies, veronica, lavender.....

Slowly, very slowly, I have been planting them in what I have begun to refer to as 'foster homes'.  You see, our yard is not to a point where I can provide permanent homes to all my 'trans' plants.  Much of the yard looks like this..... 

North side

an like this....

South west side
Note: the leftover 4'x8' luan used to protect the floors during restoration now is our promenade to the garage

I have begun a small project in order to get some plants in the ground before the blistering summer settles in.  This spot on the shady north side of the house is to be a patio of irregular bluestone edged in  broken antique brick .

The small patio is off the screened porch

                                                          

Broken bricks outline the patio and crevices between stones are spots to snuggle in some foot-friendly plants

                                                              

Hosta, Helleborus, Aquilegia, and ferns find new soil to their liking

(Eddie, do you recognize the red, rope-handled watering can from your cottage outside C-ville?  It's my favorite one but it's yours if you want it back.  How did I end up with it anyway?)