I’m sitting on the glider, having a cup of coffee. As I finished FaceTiming with Don, I thought, “Why go inside? Bring the laptop outside!” And so I did. I’m writing to you from my comfy seat on the glider.
It was very foggy this morning and now the sun is making itself known, though it’s in and out. We’re due for big thunderstorms today, perhaps serious storms. That makes me nervous, of course. I want the lilacs to hang in there until Don gets home this Sunday. I stood by the lilac bush this morning and just inhaled the scent. Oh heavens, there’s nothing like it.
I gave up trying to do something with the bed behind the kitchen. When I worked on it on Sunday, I found poison ivy everywhere and it’s a far bigger job than I had imagined it would be. Maybe we’ll hire a crew to clear it out next year. I would like to change it, to have control over the bed and not have it control us, but it will have to wait.
Consequently, I had to find places in the other garden beds for the plants I purchased for that area. Thankfully, there weren’t a lot of them. I spent the morning digging holes and plopping plants in the gardens. I’m not sure about the new hosta. It may be getting too much sun where it is – if so, I’ll have to move it. The jury is still out.
Then I mowed the corral and the back forty. And then I was exhausted, so I went inside, took a shower and took it easy for the rest of the day.
The lavender that I planted in this pot is really taking off.
And the catalpa is finally showing new growth. These leaves will eventually big huge and heart-shaped. Mother Nature is extraordinary.
While chatting with Don this morning, I started crying as I spoke about this house and this garden. I have to remind myself occasionally that having a cottage in the (sort-of) country was a dream of mine that I didn’t think would ever come to fruition. But it did. And then, when I look around at the porch and the garden beds, I am humbled by what we (but mostly me) have managed to create in the past twelve years. The only bed that was already in existence was the big garden bed and it had two plants in it. Oh, and there was the big hosta in the bed beside the porch entrance. That’s about it. A few hostas, some sedum Autumn Joy, the peonies down by the road and the daffodils, spread here and there on the property. Everything else came in the last 12 – almost 13 – years.
The gardens aren’t manicured. They’re sort of wild and very cottage-like. They suit the cottage and the uneven, hilly property on which we live. I’m so grateful for all of it; the cottage, the porch that is the porch of my dreams, the gardens, the critters and birds who live here. It’s a lot of work, and this year I really feel it, but it’s so, so worth it.
Happy Tuesday.
Beautiful gardens and yard! The lavender and that pot are a perfect pairing. It will just get better and better as the season wears on. Yes, you’ve “done good”! And Summer is on its way.
Sometimes it’s overwhelming to reflect on your life and accomplishments and dreams come true. I know that it makes me teary-eyed to think of all of the places we’ve been and things we’ve done and where we are today. Being back here, at the lake is always a mixed rush of emotions—grateful, relieved, joyous, anxious. So much work to do, still too tired to do it, but basking in the glow of a beautiful family weekend in the city and priceless memories made.
I must thank you, too, for being a part of our weekend—Escape to Margarita ville and Don’s performance, especially! Lots of laughs and fun and music from our Wayback Machine! Too, too, too much!
Well, it’s cold in here, and I have bread to bake. Happy Tuesday!
Don was disappointed that he didn’t get to meet you. I think he would have made arrangements for you to come backstage if he’d known you were going to be there. Ah, well. So, so glad you had a great time at the show and with your family and that you’re home at the lake.
I would love to have met him, you know, but we had the ‘boys’ with us and there were so many parrotheads wanting to meet the cast afterward. I still think that one day we will meet. Maybe you’ll be in our neighborhood or we in yours, one day! xo
It is wonderful to stay in one place for years and improve it to be part of yourself. Good for you, Claudia!
It is – especially after moving around a lot before that.
We have caught up to you here in Minneapolis. Spring is in full and colorful bloom! Like you, my body aches from all the gardening but that just means I can sit back for a day and just enjoy the view. Spring is my favorite season.
Mine, too!
Claudia, I wonder if the reason we are feeling the enormity of the job getting our flowerbeds going this year is because winter made us so weary. We had lots of rain and dreariness all winter and it just wore me out. And now the work to get our plots ready is wearing me out, but it sure a wonderful feeling being out in nature and watching the plants come to life. We are due for rain and thunderstorms starting tomorrow and stretching through the weekend. I will use that time to get the house back in shape after spending so much of my time outside.
That might well be true, Susan.
And I’ve been neglecting the inside of my house, too!
It’s lovely when a dream comes true, and I’m so happy you enjoy your gardens and cottage so much. You are blessed.
Thank you, Karen.
Your sweet cottage and porch are a dream of mine also. Maybe one day! I love seeing how everything is blooming.
Thank you, Linda.
I’m glad you left the poison ivy alone! Unfortunately, I did not and I am presently nursing a left arm full of poison ivy rash. I still have the garden where I acquired the rash to finish. It will have to wait. You are such an inspiration to me sitting here in this small, 1/3 acre yard in the middle of a neighborhood. I have many fewer gardens to care for but reading your blog has greatly helped me become motivated to start each day! Thank you!
I didn’t leave it alone! I was careful, but I was pulling it out of the ground. I’m so sorry you have to deal with it, Jane! Feel better.
Developing, nurturing and maintaining gardens is a tough task…but, oh so worth it. And…unfortunately, as we get a tad older…it hurts a bit more. But, there is nothing like sitting on your glider…or wherever….and admiring your handiwork. You can see the results…they are tangible.
I do believe you are getting our rain…it is drier here…and the sun is shining! About time. I’ve got a ton of weeds that have sprung up…oh joy. Better get at it! ;)
The results are worth it.
“We” (ha! you know it isn’t me) are tilling the veg garden beds this morning. I had him till up a separate small area where I am just going to spread all kinds of flower seeds. We will see what happens. I’m sure the weeds will keep them company, but I am hoping the flowers will be strongest! I think that is the best part of gardening ~~ trying something new every year and then waiting to see what happens.
I think you are getting the rain we had that went on and on for several days. We finally have several days of sunshine ahead this week, so we are thankful. I know, however, that the rainy days do help us get some things done on the inside of the house, which seems to slide at this time of year. Have a great Tuesday!
We had a horrendous storm and tornadoes. You can read about it in today’s post.
such a lovely post. i have never felt that way about a home.
i think it must be a very profound feeling! xo
It is, Tammy.
You have done a marvelous job on both your cottage and garden. The lavender is doing great! It is one of my favorite plants and it looks great in your pot. It is hard to do any housework when you enjoy working in your garden. I figure that maybe I will be better at housekeeping when it gets too hot to enjoy my garden.
I’ve been neglecting my housework! That’s for sure.
Dreams that come true are sweet, Claudia. It’s wonderful that you love where you are and can feel you’re right where you need to be…and the old adage that hard work pays off is also true.
I am so intrigued with lavender in a pot; I didn’t know you could grow it in a container. I’m having no success growing bougainvillea to a container. I’d spent a lot of time reading about how you could tame one to a pot. Well, I’ve now lost three of them so ’tis I who’s giving up, on that. They’re meant to be in the ground, must be. But there’s some weirdness in my neck ‘o the woods right now – – as I’d mentioned, no jacarandas blooming, my roses aren’t yielding, my sage appears to have gone dormant; makes no sense.
A lot of excitement around here last night at 10pm. Went to let the dog out for the last time for the night and I heard what sounded out back like a vigorous, babbling brook/stream. Determined quickly it was the neighbor, not us. Nobody home. Water rushing down their hillside and into their yard which potentially could fill up like a swimming pool. Thankfully, my husband was home and turned off their water at the street (where house connects to the main/City). Got hold of the owner who was out of town. He finally got home, with friends in tow, and they were out there at midnight trying to fix a broken line; faucet popped right off a hillside watering system; they’ve clearly got a pressure problem they need to figure out. Was a homemade job which could have affected us, too.
We once lived in a rental house two doors down from them and the other neighbor had the same sort of issue, same type of hilltop water faucets with hoses, but she was on vacay and we didn’t notice – – until we woke up one morning to a LAKE in our rear property. And shortly thereafter, a huge length of block wall (6-ft wall/privacy fencing between us) snapped, crackled and fell to the ground in massive rubble. I happened to be back there when it happened and I’ve never heard such a sound or seen such a sight. You wouldn’t think so, but water can be THAT destructive. As a tenant, it was a real pain in the tush. I had nowhere to put my dogs outside and had trucks & work crews working on that dang fence for FIVE months afterward, with zero regard for MY comings/goings or life. It was nearly an acre-length of fencing. It took them ‘forever’ just to clear the debris and the fence took with it a lovely stretch of golden bamboo which was contained and nice, softening the effect of the block/concrete wall. What a time.
You can read about our excitement in today’s post.
Your post today almost made ME cry. You have every right to be proud of what you have. You’ve invested a lot of sweat equity in it. Our own backyard garden us now 12 years old – will never forget the weekend my husband churned every blade of grass under and tore out the existing beds which had been neglected for years.” A landscape architect friend drew a plan and it was Dean’s bible as he ordered truckloads of plants (whenever I used to ask what he spent, he’d say, “don’t ask.”). And updating with new stuff every year is so much fun. It was worth every penny – every spring we are newly amazed as it grows, spreads, and changes.
It is worth every penny. I consider it an investment and one that pays me back almost immediately!
Your garden makes you so happy. Seeing all your hard work paynoff is so sweet.
Thank you, Wendy.
We’ve heard so much this year about what you’re doing in the garden, Claudia. I hope at some point you’ll consider doing a post – or maybe even a week of posts – about the whole thing as it’s coming along. I know I’d love to see it all in its full midsummer’s glory. I love stories about growth of any kind – your garden with your very personal stamp on it would be great. PS – am just LOVING that lilac photo today. Can virtually smell it too. I grew up with lilac bushes in both of my childhood homes – that smell always beams me back! Enjoy the rest of the day. It’s brightening up here in Rochester after a dismal gray & showery morning & afternoon. Peace. 🌞
#Resist
#ProtectMueller
Oh, you know I will post pictures of the gardens. I always do!
It’s wonderful that you can look around and see all of the things you have accomplished and know that you have realized your dream. SOunds wonderful. xo Laura
Thank you, Laura!
Claudia, you have such a lovely house and garden. I enjoy hearing and reading about your gorgeous home.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn!
i enjoy your posts … the writing and the photos … but especially this one for hearing you bubble with pride about your beautiful gardens (and home). after all your hard work, time and money spent on your property, it’s great to hear you rightfully toot your own horn!
kathy in iowa
Ah, thank you, Kathy.
Your home always makes me feel cozy, comfortable and welcomed. You have so much to be proud of including all of the work you all have done to make it your own.
Have a great day.
Judy
I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately, Judy. We are long overdue for a phone chat. Once I’m done with all the heavy work outside, let’s talk, my friend.
I do hope the lilacs hang on until Don gets home…I love your pot of lobelia and I’m anxious to see your pot of lavender when it blooms…You certainly should be proud of what you have accomplished at your cottage!
Thank you, Nancy.