It is satisfying to roll up your sleeves, work hard and then see the end results.
As we await the auction people coming to clear out the house of all of Grams things, Matt and I figure we ought to start working where we CAN. So we began work on the outside of the property.
I dug up all my perennials, over 20 of them and was sore the rest of the day. The children barely fit in the car the next morning as we took them over to the new house to dig holes...AGAIN....for them to be planted.
I placed the flowers between the existing rose bush and lilacs, forming a huge circle that will one day have an entrance of climbing clematis. (The clematis I have, the thing on which the clematis climbs I do not. Yet.) In my head is a sort of floral retreat maybe housing a bench or picnic table in the center (but for now, picnic blankets will do just fine) surrounded by lavish flowers and intermingled with herbs.
The neighbor has been coming to mow the lawn and so I ribbon-ed it off so my transplants would stay safe~(while it is very generous of him to keep the yard cared for as the house stands empty, he has been known to mow down peonies).
Adele' was a real help and did all the ribboning off. Her chubby little two year old fingers in the ribbon spool and her careful walking backwards were too cute for words.
I still have to transplant my strawberry patch and find a lovely little out of the way place where my mint can stretch out its little arms and bask in the sunshine, where it can grow and grow to its little hearts content.
While I did this~ Matt worked on fixing a barn roof and clearing the stubble from those left-to-themselves, bachelors of barns.
The end result of two very busy days....
Before:
Before:
After:
It really was a shame to see it go, I loved that part of the barn~ it had character. But it just had to go...it was just waiting for the right opportunity to fall on innocent bystanders.Before:
After:
~ Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. ~
The hard work you and Matt do is always an inspiration! Looks good, and although there is still much to do, by Christmas you'll have a great deal of it done and sit warm and cozy in front of a fire--satisfied!
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic!, Look at even the blessing of Matt starting a business BEFORE this move, and how that enables him to help shoulder more of the load of moving.
ReplyDeleteMowed. Down. Peonies? Can't. Breathe. Gasping. At The. horror...
Doing my typical "Oh look at what Rebecca's doing for their new house" weepies. Good motivation as I'm spending the day cleaning.
I'm such a sap.
You are doing it. One little bit at time, friend!!! Your "bower of flowers" retreat sounds WONDERFUL! Loved the picture of the van, stuffed with children AND plants! Is that road busy? I was just wondering as the house seems to be on the other side as the barn???
ReplyDeleteBless ya!
Great job! I love the picture of your flower retreat. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit behind with my blog reading, so I've only just read about your big news. Congratulations! When all the work is done you will know that not only is it all yours, you will have made it what it is with love and hard work and that you will have done it together. How wonderful! Nothing worth having comes easily, so they say.
ReplyDeleteWishing you my heartfelt best wishes on your new adventure. May you have many years of happiness in your very own home. I have the utmost admiration for you.
Absolutely lovely Rebecca! I love your saying at the end too. ;) So very true! I think it is time for me to start looking for overalls for all of us as well. Shhh! Don't tell my hubby I said that! He'd fall over in shock! LOL ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat Edison quote. :)
ReplyDeleteThe tree removal made a quite a difference. Are you going to save the barns, or are they past the point of saving? Hope not. :(
Wow, that IS an accomplished day! Way to go,both of you!!! :)
ReplyDelete