Every Day ~ A Step Further!

2014.06.17FrontWalk

The landscaper has finished with most of what they are doing for me, namely cleaning out all the grass, weeds and unwanted shrubbery right around the house.  To me it was an overwhelming job, but in two days, they came in, dug it all out, laid new ground cloth and new mulch down!  It looks fabulous now! 

2014.06.17FrontOfHouse
From the street it looks so much fresher, not only due to the new paint and gutters, but to have all that weedy mess gone!  I'm hoping it will be much easier to care for now!  They also worked on the bare spots where the huge old cottonwood trees were removed.  They added soil to the low areas and seeded it with grass.  In a few weeks, I hope it starts to fill in!  

2014.06.17ArborRoseBeds
As you can see, I did decide to paint the arbor white!  Even with just half of it painted, I'm so much happier with it!  I'll finish that job this morning hopefully!  Then my youngest son will be here to help me get it finished and help with some other things! I was able to get the beds planted with the roses I purchased earlier in the season.  From this end to the left I have planted Boscobel (David Austin - DA), Evelyn (DA), a pink Rugosa Rose, and Climbing Iceberg.  In the other bed, I've still to find a climbing rose for the other side, but will hope to order a Zephirine Drouhin for next year.  I've also got planted a white Rugosa Rose, Lady of Shallot (DA),  and Sharifa Asma (DA).

2014.06.17Cauldron
Where we had the big old stump ground out, we discovered a few big tough roots off to the side that didn't get ground up.  Because they are beyond my ability to deal with, we opted to place my mother's old iron cauldron over that spot.  It's so heavy that it takes two of us to lift it even when empty!  She had my father drill drain holes in the bottom of it years ago and it always sat on the slope by our back steps filled with Basket of Gold.  It looked lovely in the spring.  For my daughter's wedding, I've filled it with pale blue lobelia and white alyssum and will add a white geranium to it as soon as I can get to the store to get one.  

2014.06.17BirdBathFountain
On the other side, I've placed my mother's old birdbath basin.  I'd love to get a little fountain to fit the small space on the back of it but am not having much success finding anything other than spitting frogs, which I am not fond of.  Now if someone would just make a nice little songbird that spit water, I'd be all set!  

Every day sees measurable progress!  

Still much to do.  The arbor needs painted, the rest of the flagstone needs leveled and the gaps filled, the main flowerbeds/garden needs weeded, the side step platform needs more dirt, sand and flagstone placed, and there is a small flagstone path between the side terrace and driveway that needs finished.  There are more flowers to plant along the same path and around the flagstone terrace on the side.  Then there is a pile of old gutters, shutters and other debris that needs hauled away. The sprinkler guy still needs to come and adjust the sprinkler system to fit the new garden beds and the fence installer should be here any day to put up the low perimeter fence around the yard.  

Right now it still seems like a long way to go, but when I look at where it was just a few short weeks ago, it's really amazing how far things have come!  Once it's all done, I'm going to do a post of before and after photos!    

Comments

It's looking so lovely Lisa! Keep up the hard work, as you build your little sanctuary! xo Jen
I love everything so far, what an undertaking.
You've accomplished so much already and it all looks wonderful. Pretty soon the work will all be done and a happy wedding will take place. Afterwards you can sit back and enjoy it all for a long time to come.

FlowerLady
suz said…
your yard is shaping up really nice! your neighbors must be delighted as well. By the time of your daughter's wedding, it should be spectacular!
Anonymous said…
I've been gone and I'm now catching up. What wonderful progress you are making and I loved reading about your dad and all the pictures you share. I'll be looking for a spitting bird fountain on my travels this summer:) I like that idea.
Sherry said…
Just want to let you know how much I'm enjoying watching all the progress you're making in your "nesting" I'm really looking forward to seeing the before-and-after pictures!

Sherry on Little Rock
Suztats said…
It's looking fresh and happy and very welcoming! Such a lot of work accomplished.
hpk said…
I love how you've showcased Mommy's cauldron and concrete birdbath as I did with her resin birdbath. Very cool! The landscape work you've had done really shines! The decision to paint the arbor white looks great. You have a great eye for simple cottage style! Love it all. Love, H
Carole said…
Dear Lisa...I have followed your blog for a number of years now and have enjoyed your travels through England, then your remodelling and now the yard. It is amazing to see al that you have done with your your new home. When you do your before and after are you going to show all the changes you have completed on the inside? Well done my friend. Carole

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