rubyslippers
09-03-2009, 07:55 PM
Hello everyone, I haven't posted in a little while, but I thought I would give you a few updates from our little bird's nest in the dogwood trees of the ivy forest. (We still haven't named the house.)
Anyway, we are entering our first fall at "home" so-to-speak. Back to school has been pretty crazy this year. So, here are some of the little successes in recent weeks (months).
Thanks to some fabulous inspiration from CheapDiva, I searched all over town and finally managed to find liners for the hayrack style windowboxes that came with my home. I planted candy-cane multi-colored impatiens in all of the front windows. They have mounded and scattered beautifully in both the sun and the shade. They are a little wilty of late, but if I can get a good picture then I'll send it your way.
I planted a few Gerber daisies as a whim and they have bloomed off and on all summer; so, that has been fun. Our friendly neighborhood deer family dines on the weeds in our lawn. Yippee! However, they also ate my tomatoes. So, I managed to harvest some red and yellow peppers.
As for cleaning out old yard stuff, my husband and I managed to excavate most of the weed control plastic under the mulch that was really just disgusting. It is hard to start from scratch when your front yard seems filled with saran wrap under it.
We battled a lot of ants and I'm still not sure who is winning, but things seem to be improving for sure. The ivy is an ongoing battle. There is no "natural" alternative here. Chyna, your other post made me cackle - - I don't advocate introducing ivy into an environment intentionally. It is beautiful, but this is a BIG project. We are trying some pretty serious weed killers (but I don't even want to hurt my visiting deer). I believe this project may involve hiring some help. I believe the backyard area really needs to be excavated professionally. I prefer to do things myself, but when I returned home from my summer trip to San Diego, I discovered I need to have surgery on a tendon in my ankle. As a teacher, I can survive the work day because I am a "tough-cookie" - - but, the yardwork is pretty difficult sometimes. I still try, but I've been better in all honesty.
I am ecstatic about fall in my home. I wish all of you could be around to have a little evening dinner party.
I'll post more soon, but I'm watching the wedding Gigi. Chyna, I also want to paint. OH YEAH - - the kitchen - - please don't laugh at me too much, but I am waiting on the house to tell me what to do. Fall is my favorite season. I stumbled on some cool wine country decor options in some fall catalogs. So, my plan is coming into place. I will hop aroud on one foot and take care of it if needed. However, we decided to save some money so I can "do-it-right" - - I want to see some of Diva's pictures about her kitchen remodel.
Anyway, "Hi!" to everyone. I look forward to catching up with old friends and chatting with new ones over a proverbial cup of warm cider as we head into the fall.
Every best wish to all of you as we embark upon my favorite season.
Again, Happy Cottage-izing.
Bye,
Ruby-Jenny-Slippers
By the way - - I posted this in curb appeal thinking about my window boxes and rambled around the whole house.
Oh yes, are a lot of you making pesto now? Fresh bread? I'll be back to visit soon, okay?! - - Cheers
Anyway, we are entering our first fall at "home" so-to-speak. Back to school has been pretty crazy this year. So, here are some of the little successes in recent weeks (months).
Thanks to some fabulous inspiration from CheapDiva, I searched all over town and finally managed to find liners for the hayrack style windowboxes that came with my home. I planted candy-cane multi-colored impatiens in all of the front windows. They have mounded and scattered beautifully in both the sun and the shade. They are a little wilty of late, but if I can get a good picture then I'll send it your way.
I planted a few Gerber daisies as a whim and they have bloomed off and on all summer; so, that has been fun. Our friendly neighborhood deer family dines on the weeds in our lawn. Yippee! However, they also ate my tomatoes. So, I managed to harvest some red and yellow peppers.
As for cleaning out old yard stuff, my husband and I managed to excavate most of the weed control plastic under the mulch that was really just disgusting. It is hard to start from scratch when your front yard seems filled with saran wrap under it.
We battled a lot of ants and I'm still not sure who is winning, but things seem to be improving for sure. The ivy is an ongoing battle. There is no "natural" alternative here. Chyna, your other post made me cackle - - I don't advocate introducing ivy into an environment intentionally. It is beautiful, but this is a BIG project. We are trying some pretty serious weed killers (but I don't even want to hurt my visiting deer). I believe this project may involve hiring some help. I believe the backyard area really needs to be excavated professionally. I prefer to do things myself, but when I returned home from my summer trip to San Diego, I discovered I need to have surgery on a tendon in my ankle. As a teacher, I can survive the work day because I am a "tough-cookie" - - but, the yardwork is pretty difficult sometimes. I still try, but I've been better in all honesty.
I am ecstatic about fall in my home. I wish all of you could be around to have a little evening dinner party.
I'll post more soon, but I'm watching the wedding Gigi. Chyna, I also want to paint. OH YEAH - - the kitchen - - please don't laugh at me too much, but I am waiting on the house to tell me what to do. Fall is my favorite season. I stumbled on some cool wine country decor options in some fall catalogs. So, my plan is coming into place. I will hop aroud on one foot and take care of it if needed. However, we decided to save some money so I can "do-it-right" - - I want to see some of Diva's pictures about her kitchen remodel.
Anyway, "Hi!" to everyone. I look forward to catching up with old friends and chatting with new ones over a proverbial cup of warm cider as we head into the fall.
Every best wish to all of you as we embark upon my favorite season.
Again, Happy Cottage-izing.
Bye,
Ruby-Jenny-Slippers
By the way - - I posted this in curb appeal thinking about my window boxes and rambled around the whole house.
Oh yes, are a lot of you making pesto now? Fresh bread? I'll be back to visit soon, okay?! - - Cheers