Friday, April 20, 2007

Back Yard Makeover

I have huge plans for my garden.
I really need a rest.
-Paddy Ashdown

The back yard is getting a makeover this weekend. Gravel patio, outdoor cushions, tree-suspended chandeliers, a pergola. I anticipate breaking even more rakes and poking the fingertips out of even more gloves by Sunday evening. Should be fun. Thank goodness I have strawberry lemonade chilling in the fridge. And my herbal back wrap in the microwave. I may be half dead come Monday!

I wish, wish, wish I had the pictures handy of what the place looked like when I bought it. The back yard, that is. The first time I ventured beyond the garden gate I made my Uncle David go with me. Most of the yard was overgrown with shrubs and weeds that towered over our heads. There was a falling down screened-in porch, rotted stairs, a rotted potting shed, and heaps and heaps of trash. Not a pleasant place. (I'm going to find those pictures this weekend.)

But that's all behind me now. Yesterday I counted 31 rose bushes, four hydrangeas, 22 herbs, 16 vegetables, and countless assorted flowers (zinnias, gerber daisies, fire king pincushions, strawflowers, etc.) But it still looks unfinished. Nothing's had time to mature. Typical me, trying to run with the big boys ... the Cottage Living gardens ... in 2 months. Soo typical.


So if you need me this weekend, come around back. I'm sure you're in for a show! And if you can't make it out, don't worry. I'll have a picture of something ... even if it's me passed out in the potatoes... next week.

In the meantime, congratulations everyone! We've made it to Friday! Have a great weekend and I'll see you again on the other side. -Brin

11 comments:

Beemoosie said...

You're my hero!!! Can't wait to hear all about your work this weekend!! I plan on lots of yardwork too, yes, it is finally spring up here!!
~Blessings!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

A-ha! So, Brin will be working in her yard this weekend too! Glad you stopped by so we can compare notes. I'd love to see your 'before' pics when you find them. I am really getting into gardening now & it's so rewarding watching things grow...as I'm sure you know. LOL on being impatient with how fast things fill in. I know the feeling, but we have to wait these things out.

Do you really want to know how to build the stonewall? I promise, it was very easy and yes, I did it totally by myself. My hubby doesn't much get into doing yard projects, so if I waited on him, I'd be waiting forever, so I did it all myself. Went to Lowes, loaded all the stone in my trunk, brought it home & unloaded one at at time (since they weigh 25 lbs. each). I calculated how long I needed it to be, vs. the length of the stones & how high I wanted the wall. Then it was a matter of leveling out the space they were going & I did put in some leveling sand to keep the bottom row from rocking a lot. That area slopes which is fine, so once the bottom row went in & was fairly stable, then I stacked the top row. The very top is the cap stones & really gives it a finished look. These are called Olde Manor & Lowes sells them (at least they did last year, I don't think I see them in there this year). It's just a matter of getting that bottom row stable where it's not rocking back & forth (the sand really helps with that) and then you just start stacking. That part goes fast. I got it all done in about an hour or so. Then I glued the top row down with Liquid Nails & it hardly moves. That might be more than you wanted to know...but, you did ask!

Can't wait to hear more about YOUR garden!

Rhoda
Southern Hospitality

Unknown said...

Oh, I'd LOVE to see those before photo's, and I envy you, starting over in the garden can be so much fun, in fact, I want to add to the fun, if you'll send me your mailing addy, I'd love to send you some seeds for your garden, a token of friendship and support! I look forward to your blog each day!

Cindy said...

Hi Brin, thanks for the comment on my blog, now I've found yours! I was just reading through some of your posts and I can tell we have a lot in common. I too love Victoria magazines, coffee and the Girlmore Girls! Have fun working in the garden this weekend!

Little Penpen said...

Can't wait to see pictures! What a thrill it must be to find all those beautiful plants already growing there. I plan to hit the yard sales tomorrow morning, and then "maybe" do a little yard work. (even though I need to do a LOT)

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Brin, how exciting! You will be alive after this weekend, you're young!!:)

You have a lot on your plan for this weekend, but wow, won't your garden be sooo gorgeous! Love the gravel patio, I have a very tiny one by the gardenhouse. (It's really a "houselet"~not that big or grand or anything)

31 rose bushes, four hydrangeas...yes, those will be to die for gorgeous~how could they not be? Hope to see some great pictures, and don't try to kill yourself all at once. With God's help, your garden will become the refreshing oasis that will bless you and yours time and time again.
Lidy

Southern Heart said...

Hi Brin...I just discovered your blog, and have had a wonderful visit! I can't wait to see pictures of your garden! You are doing quite a few things in yours that I would like to in mine, so I'm sure that your projects will inspire me, too.

Fondly,

Andrea

Betty said...

Brin, can't wait to see what you accomplish this weekend. Sounds like you had a great start with all the flowers you found already growing.......

Southern Heart said...

Brin, thank you for your sweet message this morning. I find that you and I are a lot alike in both personality and life experience (we're even both Aries!), and I feel so at home when I visit your blog. I am adding you to my favorites, so that I can visit often and so that everyone can have as much fun visiting as I do! I'm also adding your etsy store to my "artistic finds" link list so that everyone can find your lovely things.

Love, Andrea

Anonymous said...

Goodness, you have so much already in the garden. THIRTY ONE rose bushes. Lucky, lucky thing. I love your wicker chair and table, I'll head over after breakfast!

Love Cherry xx

Tracey said...

Hope you had a good weekend! I took the master gardener class several years ago...it cured me of gardening, lol! But I do love to admire the work that others put into their yards.