Working in the Gardens

Several followers wonder why I take breaks more often than I used to...

I have slowed down on projects since I closed my antique mall booth...

And am enjoying life more at this slower pace.

I still keep very busy...

And this time of the year, you can find me in the gardens slaving away at all that needs to be done.

Here are examples of what hubby and I have been up to the past two weeks...

In the fall of last year, we purchased a new arbor for the honeysuckle growing on the back fence row. This year, we have added a gate.

As the days are warmer and the rains come, I find that I mow about 2 or 3 times a week. Thankfully I have a riding mower for our 1/2 acre.

Sadly, this cute bridge over our dry creek bed is rotting away and is no longer safe to walk on.

I love that I can find deals on FaceBook. I got a new used bridge to replace the old one.

This new one is Amish made and is much bigger. We took off the railing because we didn't like it and will be fashioning a new, better looking one. With that comes rebuilding the rock dry creek bed which is almost finished.

Also, we discovered that our huge custom made birdhouse was a problem in the wind. It was like having a huge billboard and came crashing down even with bracing, so we bit the bullet and cut down the vintage pillar and placed it along the side of the new garage, out of the wind. Below is how it was positioned before.

Here it is at night with the landscape lights on.

Every year brings new challenges. Because of the pitch of the waterfall, the rocks kept falling off.

Therefore, after cleaning out the pond, I actually used landscape stone glue and reinstalled the rock. I moved a barberry bush from where the pot is now placed, in anticipation of my granddaughter wanting to play with the waterfall. The barberries are pretty little bushes but have thorns. Now you can see it to the right of the fireplace below.

And this will be the first full year we get to enjoy my painted patio since I finished it last fall.

 I took out the roses along the patio and moved them out to the burms. I transplanted some hostas to take their place.

One half of the back burms below. These were treated to fresh mulch after weeding.

 
Out past my window cupola, I have a little garden. I have planted tomatoes, green beans and am trying my hand at acorn squash this year. I am not planting my usual Zucchini since my daughter has a garden and will share with me. No cucumbers this year either.

 The front porch has the fern planted but still needs to be power washed. I need to wait for a really warm day since I get soaked in the process, though it is fun to do.

 The front rock wall beds have been weeded and are looking good.

 I've gotten the pots all planted and waiting on the flowers to get big and pour over the edge.

We removed the ornamental grass along our lot-line a couple of years ago and have planted these evergreen scrubs. It's odd that they were the same size when planted but are growing at different rates.

 Interesting picture of before we added this new two car garage about four years ago...This was taken right before they removed the three crab apple trees and started on the foundation IN DECEMBER.

The flowerbed down by the mailbox is weeded and everything is coming back to life.

 I try to place things in different locations than previous years just to switch it up and keep it fresh. This year, I put my chicken wire chicken on one of the back burms.

 I sold my little yellow table and chairs since this round brick area was never used...

 and replaced it with a large flower pot and birdhouse.

Mr. Squirrel got a new home inside the red lantern.

My 78 year old wagon...once my mother's at age one, has been planted and moved to the back/side instead of front.

 I've got my vintage wheelbarrow planted but still need to clean up the maple seeds that fell into the landscape rock. Yes, we pick up every one, every year.

 It's early and with the mild winter, everything is looking good but that does not happen on it's own.

We truly love spending hours beautifying the yard and gardens...
                                                           and getting ready for this little one to play this year...

These parties I love to link up to or check out my Blog Parties tab
Monday
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps On The Porch
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple 
Show and Share Party @ Coastal Charm
Tuesday
Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
Create Link Inspire Party @ The Crafty BlogStalker
Show & Tell Party @ Flamingo Toes
Project Inspired Linky Party @ Cupcakes and Crinoline
The Inspiration Board Link Party @ Homework
From Dream to Reality @ The DIY Dreamer
Tweak It Tuesday @ Cozy Little House
The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life 
Tuesdays at Our Home @ Our Home Away From Home 
Be Inspired Party @ Elizabeth & Co.
Wednesday
Talk of the Town @ Knick of Time
Fall into Fall Wednesday @ DIY by Design 
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Work It Wednesday's @ The Happy Housie
Wow Me Wednesday @ Ginger Snap Crafts
Thursday
Link Party Thursday @ Bloom Designs Online
Thoughts of Home @ White Spray Paint
Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch To Yours 
Create It Thursday @ Lamberts Lately 
Wildly Original Wednesday @ I Gotta Create!
Thursday's Favorite Things @ Peonies and Orange Blossoms
Vintage Charm @ Thrifty Rebel Vintage
Friday
Home Matters @ Life with Lorelai
Handmade Hangout @ Too Much Time On My Hands
What To Do Weekends @ Crafts A La Mode
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Flaunt It Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
Creativity Unleashed Link Party @ One Project Closer
Freedom Fridays @ My Turn For US 
Shabbilicious Friday Link Party @ Shabby Art Boutique
Junkin Joe @ The Cottage Market
Fabulous Friday Party @ Simple Nature Decor

Saturday
Weekend WrapUp Party @ Tatertots and Jello 
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Sunday
Share It One More Time @ One More Time Events
That DIY Party @ DIY Show Off

Sunday's Down Under Linky Party @ Natasha In OZ