Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Sweetie Is Full Of Surprises

I hope you all had a fabulous Mother's Day Weekend!

As much as I tried to take some time to relax, it didn't happen....there's just far too much to be done around the gardens at this time of year.  

Lucky for me, I have a wonderful man who loves to use power tools and big-boy toys and really loves to get things done!

Last evening when he picked me up for 'date night' Sweetie asked me if I noticed anything different around the house.

Well, no, I hadn't....unfortunately it was a stormy day and I didn't get to do my usual 'walkabout' when I came home. 

Do you do that also? Every morning and every evening I grab the pups and we walk around checking all the garden beds to see what grew. 

Well, I check out the gardens.....the pups go on a monster sniff-about, chasing anything that squeaks. 

But I digress. 


Sweetie was surprised I hadn't noticed anything, and with good reason!

Even without a proper walkabout I should have noticed that my garden steps went from the view above....


....To this! Aside from all the greening up (yayyyyy!) do you notice the HUGE change? 

Let's look at it from down below, looking up. 


My view from the garden bench in the corner of the front garden went from this.....


....To THIS!!  What a massive improvement that is!

Please tell me you can see the change now? I can't believe I didn't notice this straight away when I got home...I'm sure I must have glanced down the garden steps as I was walking from the garage door to the kitchen door! 

Sweetie spent the day taking down the big pine shrub/tree at the entrance to the front garden, which was quite the task! 

The tree was special to the previous owners as they had pulled a sapling from the side of the road by a beach in Long Island many years ago and planted it in their front garden. 

However, the tree had outgrown the area it was planted in, and had suffered serious damage during Winter Storm Riley.  Sweetie had cut off the damaged limbs a few weeks back, and we had discussed trying to prune it back into some sort of shape. 



But when I sat on the bench in the evening sunshine on Monday, I realized it had no relevance to the landscaping, and it really had to go. 

I love the conical form of the spruces, and I'm a big fan of evergreens in general, but this wild tree had to go. 

I happened to mention it briefly to my sweetie over dinner, and the very next day he surprised me by making it happen!

 
What a wonderful difference it makes already having that big tree gone!

Obviously the ground is torn up and will need to have some work done to repair it, but I love that I can see my garden paths and steps more clearly, as well as the pretty landscape around my home. 


Even the view looking towards my neighbors' house is prettier with that tree gone! It feels 'right' now, as it was always supposed to be like this. 

Some of the torn up area will be turned into an extension of the existing flower bed, and some will be reseeded as lawn. I just have to mark out the parameters of what I want and I can get started with that project. 


While I was wandering around taking photos, the sky was putting on the most glorious post-storm show.

We were fortunate up here on the mountain top - we got heavy rain, thunder, lightening, winds....but nothing like down in the valley where trees were downed, and many homes are without power. 


I stayed out another little while enjoying the show, and then made my way inside to relax for the rest of the evening. 


All this garden work has me worn out - my body lets me know it's not as young as it used to be.  I'm ever so glad to crawl into my cozy bed at night and let my muscles relax - they need to be rested and ready to do it all over again the following weekend.

Meanwhile where are my little helpers? 


Yup, that's about what we can expect around here!

50 comments:

  1. I always hate to see trees goes, except for circumstances like this where the tree was obviously ill suited for the spot it was in. Nice work!

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    1. I'm the very same, Karen Ann, but I know this was a good move all around! I'm sure it was fine when it was a tiny baby thing and not blocking the path to the front garden but it had definitely outgrown that space. Now I can walk into the front garden without ducking!

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  2. You "sweetie" is a real keeper, removing that tree made such a difference. It looks so much better. Your gardens are looking amazing.

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    1. He really is a keeper, Marty - I guess that's why we've been together so long! The gardens are really greening up, soon the blooms will start and then the weeds will be out of control....but it is what it is, it's a country garden!

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  3. Wonderful things done, by your husband!

    Yes, it is nice to have a "handy" husband!!!

    What a lovely area and yard you have. Lots of work, but lovely to enjoy.

    What a sky show. Amazing colors. So nice to have captured them. :-)

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    1. It is wonderful to have a handy sweetie who actually wants to do things for me, it's such a blessing!

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  4. What a great difference! You have a great guy that listens too you.

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    1. He is a great guy, Penny! This was a real surprise, and I am completely delighted with the results! I can't wait to clean it up and get some flowers planted in that patch....I see a visit to the garden center in my weekend plans!

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  5. I agree. It looks better now. He took a big chance on your approval I assume.. Im glad you like what he did. I was thinking a little patio area but I like your flower bed idea. You got a good man.
    Lisa

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    1. It looks so much better, Lisa! Yes he certainly did take a big chance on my approval, but he got it 100% !!! :)

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  6. OOOOH! I love it so much!! he really is such a sweetie <3

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    1. What a difference, right Ellen? I couldn't believe how awesome that area looks now, even before cleaning it up and reseeding/planting!

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  7. That Sweetie sure loves you! What a great improvement!

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    1. He really does, Debbie, doesn't he? He's an amazing man and I am truly blessed!

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  8. I noticed it right away! What a huge difference. Another pretty spot for a garden.

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    1. I can't wait to get to the garden center to pick out a few new plants for that area!!

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  9. Great job and what a pleasant surprise for you.

    FlowerLady

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    1. An amazing surprise, Lorraine - I felt like an idiot that I hadn't immediately noticed it!! :)

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  10. You're right. That tree did nothing for that area and it looks better now. I know you get every bit as excited over your gardening spaces as I do. You've got a good man there!
    Brenda

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    1. You're right, Brenda, I do have a good man! Yes, I get so excited about my gardens, and I'm always looking for ways to make them even more glorious! If I could only get on top of the weeds things would be perfect!

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  11. Wow!
    That is an incredible change....and a lot of work removing a tree. What a guy!
    Can't wait to see your makeover of the site with that tree gone.
    You've done a lot of work transforming your property. I love reading about your journey

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    1. Thanks, MJ! We have done a lot of work - I'm lucky to have a man who loves helping me out, I couldn't possibly tackle some of these projects on my own!

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  12. Well that man is surely a keep! How sweet of him to do that for you.

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  13. I laughed out loud when you said that your body lets you know that you are not as young as you used to be. Girl, my body lets me know too, in the cruelist of ways. I am hobbling around here. I am not kidding! Hobbling! I did manage to buy all of the plants that I think I need for my deck garden, I have huge pots at the ready, now I need soil. And, I need help with that. You are so lucky to have such a handy and helpful man. Your garden steps look fabulous. Also, I have to tell you that I love your bedroom. Particularly that picture over your bed. Very nice, and totally my style.

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    1. I was wondering about your deck garden, Pattie! I'm excited to see what you do with it, I hope you'll share your progress? That picture over the bed I found at Home Goods, and I fell in love with it immediately. I knew it would be perfect over my bed, and for less than $40 there was no way it wasn't coming home with me!

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  14. Those are the best types of surprises and gifts, aren't they? Lucky you and what a view. Wow...enjoy it!!

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    1. He had another surprise for me the very next day, Kim, but that's a whole different post!

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  15. I am right there with you. My body screams now. Not any of those gentle reminders I am getting to old for all this hard work outside. Nope it screams at me now! The area with the tree cleared out looks so open and beautiful. Your sweetie is a keeper. Your property is just so beautiful. Just think in less than a month that mountain top home of yours is going to be gorgeous with all the new flowers and plants filling in.
    Have a great Friday and wonderful weekend.
    xoxo
    Kris

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    1. My body screams at me also, Kris - after I weed whacked over the weekend I couldn't straighten my left arm for two days!!! I hate weed whacking, ugghhhh, but things sure do look better after it's done!

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  16. I agree that in this case, having that tree removed was a big improvement! How does your BF have time to do these things - is he retired?

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    1. Yes, he is retired, Melanie! He retired young, lucky man, and is the busiest retired guy I know!

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  17. At first I had no idea what you were talking about and then when you said it, duh! I said Wow! I know exactly what that is like....you live with something without realizing you don't really like it and that you could probably change it. I just realized that about a very old holly bush that is just plain ugly. I just mentioned it to my husband....how it needs to go.....let's see what happens :-)

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    1. Yeah, that's exactly it, AnnMarie - I lived with it, I had to duck and bend to the side to get by it and get into my front garden, yet I never thought of taking it out! Plus a spider kept building a HUGE web right in between that ugly tree and the spruce, which I walked face first into more than once - ewwwwwwww!!!! Good luck with the holly bush, maybe you need to have your hubby read this post!

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  18. Taking the tree down sure opened up the view. Beautiful pictures of the storm and the furbaby looks so adorable in that picture! Nancy

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    1. She really is so adorable, Nancy, we love her so much and can't imagine our little family without her now!

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  19. You made the right decision on the tree removal. What a difference it makes! I always walk around the house (usually in the morning) with my Gracie to inspect the little flower beds and shrubbery I have.
    Your bedroom looks like the perfect place to relax! I have to mention the picture of the pup....what can I say she looks so content and happy.
    Take care
    Jeannette

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    1. My walkabout is one of my favorite times of the day, Jeannette - I usually try to do both morning and evening, but sometimes the mornings are too hectic, sadly. There will be more to check now that I've started planting the veggie garden!

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  20. Gosh, Debbie what a wonderful gift that man delivers over and over again with his hard work! It looks so open and beautiful. It makes it so much more enjoyable to be able to work alongside someone whose work ethic aligns with your own! I completely understand about the tired and aching body after a hard day's physical labor too. I simple have to take a break (today, an example) the day following (yesterday, in my garden) really hard labor.

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    1. I was sore as heck yesterday, Rita - we were in the car for two hours as we went to NJ to visit Sweetie's mom and when we got there I literally hobbled to the door! I nearly had to borrow her walker, I was so sore! It's nearly good to go back to work to get a bit of a break, give my poor old body a rest!

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  21. It's so pretty out there! Removing live trees is one of the hardest things to do but so often, it makes more room for other/better things. Enjoy your mountain spring. ;)

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    1. I can only imagine the choice words that were being uttered during the process, Stacey....it's just as well I was at work while he was tackling the tree!

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  22. It does make a wonderful difference and how thoughtful of him! :)

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    1. He's always thinking of ways to help me out and make me happy, Deb - he's a good man!

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  23. Glad I happened upon your blog. Lovely home and garden. We removed about 6 trees and so happy with the sun shining into the yard now. People never thought these forest trees would grow up and take over but they did.
    betsy

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    1. I'm glad you did also, Betsy - welcome!! I often don't think of taking down trees as it's beyond what I can manage on my own, but I'm sure glad my sweetie took it upon himself to take care of that scraggly old pine!!

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  24. That tree removal makes a huge difference, it will allow so much more light into that space !
    Like you, I'm not a fan of tree removal, unless it is necessary.
    You have a beautiful garden, so serene and peaceful.
    ~Jo

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    1. Thank you, Jo! It's a lot of work, and the weeds are already out of control, but I do love it!!

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  25. You were right to take that tree out, Debbie. It's amazing how just one change like that can make such a huge difference. Your Sweetie is a super guy. So glad you have him in your life. Your place is stunning, and I LOVE your bedroom. Very pretty. Have a great Memorial Day weekend! Hugs.

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    1. Awww thanks for all the amazing compliments, I really do love my home, it makes me so happy to pull into my driveway at the end of a long day at work! As for my sweetie, he really is a super guy, I'm so blessed to have him in my life!

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