Monday, April 28, 2014

The outdoor project that is consuming our lives


I can't help myself. I have many projects going on with business and inside my home, but my LOVE is working outside at the moment. This spring is so delicious.  Is it because of the extreme , cold, harsh winter? Maybe. But the blossoms, the colors, the fragrance, the grass- all are looking like I'm viewing it for the first time.

My husband and I are working on an enormous project of fencing our pool yard.  We have had chain link that I painted black (lipstick on a pig?) but with recent wobbly posts and a dilapidated gate, we had to make emergency repairs which led to a total re-do.

This is way more than 2 aging people  (in our 60's but feeling 100 with this hard labor) should have undertaken, but we are game. We were remarking today how working on our 6 acre mini farm has been the joy, in addition to raising our kids here, of our last 20 years.  We love this place.

             
 Hubs encountered a nest of bees who had bored holes in the brick and was stung multiple times, poor guy. I'm allergic, so he always "minds the bees".



 I got to put my wood carving skills to work, a topic I loved in college art classes, and haven't used much since, until today.  Im ready to start carving logs!


Partial fence up. Thank God we have to wait 'til fall or next spring to paint it all, since the wood has to cure.



  Lots of dwarf boxwoods being planted this spring in all my pots. I'm opting for greenery all year long as opposed to short lived flowers, although I will incorporate some on our deck and around the pool.

What are you up to lately? I hope you have a wonderful, sunny and spring filled week.  We are expecting tornadoes and rain here in Northern VA. mid week- of all the piggy things, my kids used to say! This extreme weather fluctuation around here is wild. Hang tight, the promise of summer is around the corner.

Congratulations to Bethany and her family on Seamus's dog show winnings this weekend. They are spending the spring "campaigning" him on the weekend dog show circuit to build his championship points!



18 comments:

  1. Seems like VERY hard work, Nancy, but also a labor of love! Have a fabulous week (and let's hope that bad weather passes you by)! xoxo

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  2. Happy Monday! Looking fabulous, Nancy!! Love your new fence - worth all that work. We are just back from a week in Maine and I can't wait to work in the gardens. Hope the rain holds off. xoxo

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  3. I look at the work you do and instantly feel so lazy, like I never do anything. You amaze me! The wood fence looks so nice.

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  4. The fence looks amazing Nancy and I know first hand what a lot of hard work a wood fence can be, especially on the painting end, so I feel your pain. Enjoy the weather when it's good, because tomorrow it will be crazy right?!!!

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  5. looks amazing. as does your lush lawn :) your husband rocks by the way!

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  6. Oh goodness, you really are busy, and I am sorry to hear about the bees. Kepp some tobacco or a cigarette in a zip lock. Takes the sting out.
    I can't wait to see everything finished. My hat is off to you.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  7. You think two people in their 60's is nuts, Ha......MC and I are now in our 70's ! This is why I think MC went for the IKEA wall unit!!!
    Everything looks great! Keep up the work.

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  8. We started an outdoor project for the back yad-as in started talking about it and went to Lowe's- and literally I had a melt down. It's such a crazy hectic season in life, and I just didn't want a huge project this spring. My husband, wise man that he is, told me it can wait until fall. I made a smoothie, sat on the back porch, and suddenly our back yard project didn't seem so urgent. Hah!

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  9. I love the boxwoods- I would opt for those over flowers any day! We have been soaking up all of this great weather as well!

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  10. I can't believe you did this much fencing already all by your two loneseome Nancy!! amazing and I know the effort will be worthwhile in the end.I too am trying to work on our back yard, its just so nice not to sit out that despite my 'condition' I just had to start too! Good thing I have more help on that, but yes, I'm ready to stay outdoors and enjoy. We're already opening our pool tomorrow too!

    Congratulations on Seamus' wins! No doubt he was gonna nab some prizes!

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  11. Oh Nancy, what a huge project ~ it will be stunning when you're finished! I love coming in at the end of a long day working in the yard. We always get our wine, take a tour and relish in the progress! :)

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  12. What an undertaking! I can't imagine caring for 6 acres, it must be beautiful. Certainly all the pics you posted are. I love the idea of boxwoods everywhere, I'm simplifying my floral scheme this year too. Looking forward to lots of green! Congrats to B and her win!

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  13. How smart are you…it looks amazing!! We planted dwarf boxwoods in planters this weekend, too and I love them!!

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  14. Hi Nancy, I can relate to the "hard labor" issue as we clean up the property of the 30 year old home we are rebuilding .. which of course includes lots of PNW wild blueberry bushes that have vines that are 50 feet long ;) Your fence looks great and I love those little dwarf boxwoods. They will look so pretty as they grow in the containers. Enjoy your day!

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  15. Wow that looks like a huge undertaking Nancy! Homeownership is a lot of work isn't it? But I'm glad to hear that your home has brought you and your husband much joy over the years - makes all the grueling labor worth it! Your yard looks so lush, green and beautiful…….no wonder you love it!!!!!

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  16. You have such a beautiful yard. This is giving me inspiration as the hubs and I have major outdoor projects ahead of us as well.

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  17. Nancy can't wait to see what you come up with. I adore working outside as well just wish I could squeeze in the time...I feel your pain...we are too old to be doing what we are doing as well. But maybe that is what keeps us young (hopefully)

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