Monday, April 25, 2005

Weekend projects

Over the weekend we planted 10 shrubs along the property line in the backyard, made a water feature out of a whiskey barrel and planted another mini-garden. Whew! We thankfully did it all between Friday and Saturday b/c the winds and COLD on Sunday kept us inside.

Flowers along the path


Dahilia up close


Flower (can't remember the name...)


Redbud tree


Shurbs



Paul and the new fountain (he bought a WHOLE whiskey barrel, with whiskey STILL inside, cut it in 1/2 and then we put in the fountain kit we bought last fall for 1/2 price and found a cool nozzle at Lowe's) We've still got the other 1/2 that we aren't totally sure what to do with - maybe a container planter for a small tree?

Friday, April 22, 2005

WRAL-TV Azalea garden

Paul and I had lunch at the beautiful WRAL azalea garden. The size and color of these azaleas were amazing. Here, you can see for yourself!

WRAL azalea garden


Yellow azalea


Red azalea in the sunlight


Pink, freckled azaleas


Up close


Pink in the noon sun


Crazy yellow flowers


Orange flame


Up close


Elizabeth Gardner doing the noon weather


Pink & red as far as the eye can see...


Clusters of white


Last days of the daffadil

Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Weekend projects (that carried through Monday afternoon)

The new garden and backyard path - it's still quite a work in progress! We had a blast planting and building this past weekend. I've got the sunburn to show for it (yes I did wear sunscreen, just apparently, not enough!)

Patio flowers, herbs and fruits (patio tomatoes, basil, parsley, rosemary and key limes)


Pathway from patio to birdfeeder and eventually the garden. Paul designed and built the bridge - he is awesome!



Although it is hard to see, this is the freshly planted garden! The red plastic stuff is to help the tomatoes (we have 7 different plants and 5 varieties!) The second row is peppers (green and banana) as well as some carrots (seed). The third row is broccoli (never grown this before!) Fourth row is lettuce and spinach (from seed). The fifth row is squash.


Blueberry bushes behind the garden - they are blooming! Can't wait to see those berries!


Looking from the garden to the house - the pathway will lead to the garden and also "t" off to the birdfeeder. A project for another weekend!


One of the planters with dwarf spruce trees on each side of the garage

Monday, April 11, 2005

Blooms

Loving spring in North Carolina(besides the pollen part and the crazy weather). Everything is in bloom and color is finally returning to the dull landscape. Check out the what's blooming -

Little cute pansies (or Johnnie Pop-ups)



Giant pansies (in basket)



Bird in the redbud tree (with hydrangea in background)


Spring storm moving in


"fascination" azalea in bloom


phlox in bloom

Thursday, April 07, 2005

Spring is here - so it was time for spring cleaning and pictures

Hmm, this blog thing is more about pictures these days... but in so many ways, they are much more fun than most anything I could write (esp. without coffee). Spring has been around this week (temps near 80!) with the Daylight Savings Time, the sea of yellow pollen and once again everything is growing and greening up, you've gotta love NC spring (usually lasts about 1-2 weeks before winter returns and then the summer bullies its way in and humidity takes over).

Paul is in Florida this week and I have had some time to take some pictures (after my spring cleaning kick!).

Kitchen to dining room (a little dark, but you can see the magnetic board Paul made me on left)


Full kitchen, we love all the counter space and the light, we soon will replace the light over the island with something much prettier. (my pitcher collection on the cabinet tops !)


Kitchen Curtains! Yes, the ones I was *so* excited about earlier! There will be more curtains hung in the near future... just gotta wait on Paul, he's handy with hanging things.


The monster goldfish - he's 5 years old, he's survived MANY moves and now he's out growing his 10 gallon tank. ACK! We think his name is Milo. Long story, you can call him, "Fishie" (that's what my mom does).


1/2 bath - mirror and fixtures. You can sorta see some paint chips on the sink - we're thinking about orange/gold. That sounds very 70s like... may rethink that.


The happy tuilips - although bent from the wind - they are beautiful and fragant!


The backyard - Paul's handiwork around the birdfeeder, a redbud tree and 3 hydrengea bushes along the fence (probably can't see those).


The Tuscan print over the piano in the dining room.


Detail of dining room (and other Tuscan print).