calling Noah!!!!

so we needed some rain. I know there will be days I'm praying for rain, but now for, this can stop. and apparently it's supposed to. it's been raining for the better part of 2 days now. which I realize could be a heck of a lot worse. I hear Australia has gotten its fair share.

You know, this is such a wonderful hobby. How many hobbies are there that are great therapy, keep you active (real gardening is not for the weak), improves the look and value of your home and brings with it a great sense of community. You can start talking to strangers and the next thing you know, you have a new friend.

I was all prepared this morning for my morning commute. I didn't expect to see Kandi and I knew Terri was driving in so I went prepared and armed with a couple of , you guessed it, gardening magazines. Much to my surprise, after I got seated and comfortable, a woman sat across from me, we made eye contact, smiled and somehow got talking about I have no idea what. Next thing I knew, we were chatting about gardening. It seems she's as addicted as I am, except she never gets enough time. She's got a husband, a son 10 and 8 year old twins boys, all of whom are into sports. No wonder she loves gardening. We both had started small, and kept expanding and expanding.

Then I was talking to my girl Jen tonight and she said that she now talks about gardening a LOT .... didn't understand why I did the last few years ... now she knows. In fact, she's got a girlfriend of hers interested in it. She said she went to take her puppy for a pee and ended up outside talking to neighbours for 45 minutes. BTW girlie you gotta move out here soon. My garden's going crazy and I'm going to need somewhere else to put all the "extra" plants. Plus you can make me a latte and we can sit on your deck ... can't wait!

Anyway, gotta run. I can't believe this is our last weekend of work in the garden, then we'll be enjoying.... drop by sometime!

finally, some much needed rain

I'm not a huge fan of rainy days (unless I can sit in my living room and read with my hunny, my cats and my latte) but we desperately needed some rain. The rainbarrel Barry installed on Saturday. OVERFLOWING! Just one day of rain. I'm not sure how many gallons this thing holds but OMG! We have to adjust the overflow tube or I'm going to lose all the soil surrounding the barrel. So the entire garden is getting flooded. It can stop raining now... Even my window boxes are sufficiently moist. My poor hanging baskets around the deck are rather bedraggled looking. But things are gonna be amazing by the weekend with some sun and warmer temps. WOW! I can't wait!

Until tomorrow .....

bad garden mommy

I have a confession to make. I was supposed to water the window boxes and the hanging baskets that are under the carport. I didn't. Such a bad mommy. And it's supposed to rain for the next couple of days. Unfortunately they won't get any water so I'll probably be out there in the rain watering my plants ... go figure.

I do have sad news though. Our first fatality. I found a bird face planted in our pond. I don't know if he fell in and couldn't get out or if a cat got him (we have several strays, and not so stray) running around the neighbourhood. It was very sad. So I left the bird until Barry got home. He gets all the stinky (cleans cat litters), smelly (same thing I guess), yucky (cat yak), icky (general catch-all) jobs. Then one of the cats (I think it was Mandy - our senior cat) left us poopies (not puppies Kandi LOL) in the gym. First time that's happened. I don't expect she's going to be around for a lot longer. If she weighs 4 pounds I'd be surprised. And she's 16 or so.

On a happier note, the gardens are looking great (thanks Tony ... can't wait for you and Cara to see them) and yes, Barry, we're almost done.

Gotta get my beauty rest. I might actually get my blog entries done before 9 pm tomorrow. That would be good.....

A new clematis came home

This is my favourite (ok one of my favourite) flowers ... the Columbine. I could have a garden full of Columbine and Irises. There are so many types .... I just love gardening .....


So we got the final window basket planted and installed today. And we decided to grow a clematis (it was supposed to be red ... couldn't find a red one ... got a purple one instead ... goes with our colour scheme out front) up the new garbage fence. Hopefully it gets enough sun. It'll grow up behind the ostrich ferns and I'll just keep training it up and along the fence. It's supposed to get 12'H x 20'W which is perfect. I have 2 sides that need covering. A living wall as it were. And I unintentionally bought a blue (sky blue that is) cordylis (I don't think that's the right spelling) and another cushion spurge. I used to have a TON of purple in the garden ... almost as much yellow now with hits of red. A beautiful hybrid tea rose (red) is in the front near the window. It's supposed to be pretty fragrant so hopefully it'll smell wonderfully in the house. The allium are almost in full bloom. I think I need to fertilize my bulbs ... pretty weak showing ... many more flowers but they don't seem as high or as big. Or maybe it's because the Burning Bush has gotten much bigger all of a sudden. There are so many angles you can view the gardens from that I've totally ignored the "plant small in front, medium in the middle and tall at back" advice. Especially in the south garden at the front of the house. It's only 6 feet wide but it goes back about 50 or 60 feet so that type of garden doesn't make any sense to me. But I'm not your everyday gardener LOL. We bought a water hyacinth for the pond. And some new red lenses for the lights in the pond. Did I mention the LED lights on the pergola. OMG are they EVER cool! The outside is coming together so well. They were originally calling for rain tomorrow night so I didn't water most of my window/hanging baskets and containers. Unless it starts earlier than they now predict, I'm gonna have to come straight home and water. Barry's off to piano practice then lesson so I'm a little freer than usual. I can't verbalize (yeah, I know, first time for everything) how amazing it is to see all this coming together.





Thankfully next Spring's projects (that we'll be working on) are a potting bench/worktable/side board for entertaining that we'll be building in the utility area. I just really want to get the place all cleaned up, tidied and looking ready for a party at a moment's notice. I know I will!





It's almost time to check out the lights. Can't wait! Chat tomorrow!

What an amazing day!

I couldn't have asked for a better week. 8 days of working outside in the gardens, getting projects finished, getting the start of a wicked tan ...... We got the rain barrel installed, the garbage fence pretty much finished. Only 3 pieces of wood left ... got everything planted except for 1 window basket 'cause the liner was toast. We'll fix that tomorrow night. 2 ferns and a red clematis left to purchase and plant and then it's just weeding and watering. After next weekend of course. We have to fix all the edging in the backyard and the south garden in the front. and "re-plant" the stepping stones in the pathways. Once the gravel is added to the beds surrounding the deck, I'll re-plant some thyme and then it's party on! I could go on and on, and I just might tomorrow but it's past my bedtime so I must bid you all adieu!

let there be light ....

YAY! the lights are up on the pergola. they look so pretty!! we bought the stones, got some perennials, planted the front containers.... did more running around than actual work today but I think I needed a day like today though. Tomorrow will be busier. Goin' for brekkie at Cora's, latte at home, quick walk around the block then plant the last 4 window boxes, plant the balance of the flowers in the gardens, help Barry with the rain barrel base and the garbage storage base (Saturday and Sunday) and I have no idea what else.

It was a really good day. Great temps. started cloudy and looking like showers but turned into a really nice day. looking forward to tomorrow.....

planting day

3 hanging baskets, 5 window boxes and 6 containers later, all those annuals I bought yesterday got planted. What a gorgeous day. The potting bench made such a big difference. We're going be build a new one next year. Maybe even incorporate and serving bench and storage. We'll ahve to figure out how much space we need. We'll get the rest of the plants planted, the rain barrel set up, the lights up, and the garbage storage set up. I hope. I'll keep you informed. Pictures will come soon.

shopping for annuals ....

What a fabulous day! Sunshine ... warm temps ... spent all day outside, then spent 90 minutes in the garden centre. Couldn't believe it was that long. Got a great start on my tan. And another 4 days out in beautiful weather. But I'm so freeking tired I can't form a coherent thought. So we'll try again tomorrow. Hopefully the sun won't fry my brain tomorrow. Maybe I'll wear my hat. Chat later....

sunshine, wind ....

what a fabulous day! got a start on the tan, finished digging up the path, walked up to my massage appointment (almost 90 minutes), great massage, walked another 75 minutes home (tail wind ... sort of ... no pit stop). it was an exciting walk. fighting the wind both ways. the wind changed directions ... it was pretty strong. Barry turned the pond punp on tonight ... looks fabulous. Can't wait to see the lights on with the fountain. I am so excited about this summer. If the weather co-operates, we should be able to get our projects done so we free up June, July, August. Did I mention the new gate? it looks amazing! I've been trying to get my annual flowers sorted out for all the containers. I think I might be a little busy this summer watering baskets, boxes and containers. and I am so looking forward to doing just that. Yoga on the deck. Brekkie on the patio. Latte on the deck. I can't wait. The weather for the balance of this week looks OUTSTANDING! Bathing suit's coming out for the next couple of days. Not to mention the sunscreen. Have a fabulous week folks!

another awesome day

it was a little cool today but not nearly as windy. Great news ... the pond is done! the new gate installed and looks amazing! the drapes are up and the path is almost all dug up. the lawn is mowed and trimmed and looking purdy... best of all ... no work tomorrow! or the rest of the week so of course you know where I'll be. If I'm not working outside, I'll be outside chilling, listening to tunes and reading. but man I am tuckered! but i'll still be up at 5:30 with Barry tomorrow, do my workout, have brekkie and latte with my hubby, send him on his way, spend a little time with kitties, work outside, send I'm off for a massage in the afternoon. the outside of the house is finally coming together the way I envisioned. Still a lot of work to do but being off this week, and it's supposed to be amazing weather, so it should go a long way. Barry's going to drop me off at the nursery Wednesday night so I can take as long as I need to get my shopping for annuals done. Maybe get a couple of water lillies for the pond. The lights look great in the pond. I've still gotta get all my solar lights working. So much to do ... but I actually have time to do it now! Although I can see the rest of the week going fast. but it's still relaxing, enjoyable work. I feel SO good at this time of year. Right through to about October is great. I sometimes wish I lived in California, or Arizona or somewhere hot year round so I could garden all year round. But I love my life here and I have an awesome man to share it with so on that note I will bid you adieu ... gotta get my beauty sleep LOL

Awesome Day

Windy. Sunny. Warmish. Barry got the pond finished and operational. Got the new assembled and ready to install in the morning. I got a lot of the path dug up, plants planted, weeding. J&D came for a quick lunch and J needed some plants. Happily donated. It was great to see her. I miss her a lot. Got the birds fed too. Oh yeah, we have a robin who has nested near the top of the downspout, where is comes to the house. Very cute. J took this picture for me.

It was a good day. The wind was a little tiresome after a while. Still lots to do tomorrow. Hopefully we won't get any frost tonight. I am so freeking sore from the all the work. Hard on the back. Not as young as I used to be you know. LOL

Tomorrow's supposed to be a great day ... sunshine, temps in the teens. Hopefully not nearly as much wind. I can't wait to see the gate installed. Barry said it was looking like it wasn't going to happen for a while ... but he prevailed! My hubby the handyman. Who knew? Love ya B!

Rainy Saturday

I'm so glad it's a long weekend. Today was a total wash. Tomorrow we'll have to get at it. And Monday. Hopefully the rest of the week will be great. I'll be out there working away, but able to take breaks and just sit and enjoy instead of just working. And we've got the rest of the summer to just enjoy.

So I made a list of the plants I need for window boxes (9) and hanging baskets (9) and some patio pots. The gardens are looking so good! And lush. All this freaking rain is doing the gardens wonders. Other than making the weeds grow like mad. But oh well.

Gotta run. Stuff to do. I'll have lots to talk about tomorrow!

Odd day ...

started out pouring rain and cool. ended up warm and sunny. I was looking forward to a chill evening, but ended up digging up more of the path. Now I'm finally sitting on my rear and chillin'. Allergies are getting the better of me. I really can't wait until tomorrow. Forecast is amazing for next week. gotta work on the tan. weed, chill, tan, weed, chill, read. chillax.

until tomorrow!

Blue Himalyan Poppy ... my holy grail ....

So we went to Vandermeer to purchase lights for the pond and I was touring the perennials prior to Barry joining me and low and behond, there is was. So I snagged one. Only one. I bought 3 one year and nothing happened. So I'm going to concentrate on getting this one to grow. Then I might try more next year. I don't know what it is about that flower. Other than its sky blue colour and cool shape. Kinda poppy-like, but not.

It was so exciting in the nursery. I was afraid to look around inside. I won't purchase my annuals until a week tomorrow. Then there will be colour, colour and MORE colour! I am SO looking forward to being off all next week. Sitting outside on the deck, enjoying the sunshine, getting some work done, doing some chilling. And I'm going for a massage on Tuesday afternoon.

WOO HOO! Can't wait. I need it. I'm so freeking tired, physically and mentally, between work and my workouts.

So I shall bid you all adieu for tonight and check back with you tomorrow. Barry has his model builders meeting so I can come home, make a quick dinner, do a couple of things and then sit on my rear end and chill. Or veg. Or whatever.

Tomorrow!!!!

a better day all round

yes, the GO train was much better today. Although they did have trouble deciding what track to take us into the station on in the morning. C'est la vie!

I actually had energy tonight so I got home, got changed and got out in the garden and worked on the path more. Man, we need a really good 3 days. For everyone's sake. Barry and I have 8 working days in the garden before we go "on strike". Lots and lots to do. I can wait! Everything's coming together. Barry's going to get the pond together, we'll clean off the deck once all the work is done, scrub down the furniture, put the lights up on the pergola. I am so excited.

I don't know what happened to the time tonight. I got home at 6, next thing I knew it was 7:15, then 8:15 and now it's 9:30. I should be packing up going to bed! Yeesh.

See you tomorrow!

Mondays ....

Great Monday. GO train was a bust again. Pedestrian hit early this morning. Tied up the line. Coming home was better. Had problems in the afternoon ... got better for early rush hour but by the time I got home, they were really backed up again.

What does that have to do with gardening? Well, I was planning on doing some more digging tonight. Hopefully tomorrow.

Only 4 more days of work and then I'm off for a week. Can't wait. You know where I'll be....

Just a quick shout out to my sister ... HAPPY BIRTHDAY WOMAN!

Until tomorrow ....

Cloudy, Tuesday

Not much to report unfortunately. I am so blasted tired between the biopsy, working in the garden and ramping up my workouts. I was going to work in the garden some more tonight but I think I'm going to put the yard waste out when Barry leaves for piano, have a shower, settle in, get dinner ready and then veg in front of the TV for a couple of hours. Hopefully in bed by 9:30. I could use some extra sleep. We'll get back at it tomorrow if it doesn't rain. My plants need some water tonight though. Oh well. At least my little burst of sunshine (the forsythia) is still mostly in bloom. Not for much longer but man, it is gorgeous when in bloom.

Until tomorrow!

it only takes an hour ....

So I got home tonight, quickly got changed, grabbed a small bowl of fruit salad and some water and off I went outside. Started knocking the soil off the thyme. Would've been done in about another 20 minutes or so but it was 7 pm and we will had to eat so I thought better of it.

I'm trying to get the gardens ready as quickly as possible for a few reasons. My in-laws are coming for brunch for Mother's Day and I really don't want a total disaster. I should be able to get the paths completely dug up and flattened. I won't re-plant until after we get the gravel mulch in around the deck. I can't wait to see it. And with the water feature working. I promised Barry we wouldn't be working our fannies off this summer. 2006 was renovations. 2007 was my surgery so he had to take care of me and the gardens went all to hell 'cause I couldn't do much. 2008 was the deck. so 2009 ... party central... friends, family, neighbours ... hope to see you all at our place. LOL Plus, it's my tribute to my mom. It's my first Mother's Day without her. So if you still have your Mom, no matter how much of a pain in the rear she is at times, don't take her for granted.

Only 4 days of work left this week, 5 days next, then I'm off for a week! YAY! Lots of planting planned. Barry's got the Monday off for the long weekend and he's taking that Friday off with me too. So we'll spend the next 4 weeks working our fannies off and then sit on them for 3 months. Not really, but we'll be able to spend 2 or 3 hours over latte in the morning without having to get moving to do anything in particular.

Let's hope for good weather, at least 1 or 2 weekdays this week and DEFINITELY the weekend!

Until tomorrow ...

Sunday ....

What a beautiful day! Got to work a little late. SOMEBODY has something else on his mind ...

But we got to work. Barry got the top of the pond finished. Took about 4 hours to cut and fit 4 pieces of wood. Word of warning. When you buy cedar, take a measuring tape with you to ensure the pieces are the same size. Hence 4 hours... But he got it done and in typical Barry fashion, it looks fabulous! I'm so proud of him....

I, on the other hand, continued to dig up the path, knock off the soil, move some daylillies, catmint and blue fescue, plant new plants, helped Barry.

Thankfully, no rain today. Another great day ....

Saturday....

So we got up early, had brekkie and latte and went for a walk and got to work. Barry's building a removable surround for our water feature. Last spring (you can't rush genius you know) we bought a pre-formed "patio pond". You could just stick it on a patio or deck, fill with water and Bob's your uncle. Of course, if you know us, you know that just wouldn't do.... So we bought some more cedar and Barry set about building a frame that we could just lift off of the pond if we need to do some maintenance and for winter storage. So Barry was a happy camper ... he was in the garden but using "manly tools ... mitre saw mostly". 'cause Barry doesn't garden.

I, on the other hand, as you know, am a rather avid gardener. So I started digging up another portion of the path, planted some new plants, and one of our neighbours came over with a pot full of perennials for our garden. So of course I gave her a tour of the gardens. Funny how everybody comments on how much work it must be. I don't generally consider it work although spring is generally work. I'm usually rushing to get plants moved, planted, amend the soil, etc.

Biggest challenge was the freeking rain! Barry was ALMOST done when the rain started. Then it stopped. So went went out and finished. Then it rained again. Brought back memories of last summer, trying to build the deck around all the rain.. I really hope this summer's a lot better weather wise. But we finished as far as we could. Then went to Home Depot and got some 2x8's for the top of the pond.

It was a good day.

Friday ...

Word of warning. Nylon does NOT breathe! OMG ... I was so freeking hot on Friday (or should I say I felt hot) it was ridiculous and it didn't let up until I had a shower that night at home. Yeesh!

Total waste of an evening but oh well ... Saturday is another day. Lots planned for Saturday.

I'll be in touch again....