On Saturday, May 27 we had a yard sale, the climax of our decluttering project. We got rid of oodles of odds and ends and made a nice chunk of change. It was well worth the effort.
The next day I scrambled eggs at the annual Memorial Day weekend fundraising breakfast held at the senior center. We had a great turnout and raised about $1,000 for the senior center. That's a lot of made-to-order eggs, sausages, biscuits and gravy or all-you-can-eat pancakes, and oj and coffee.
At the same time Dennis started a remodeling project. No, not on the cottage. He's creating a clean room in the white shed for custom framing, gallery, and other art related work. What? You don't remember the white shed?
It was the on the property when we bought it. Wow, looking back at that
Dennis is doing all the remodeling himself. He removed the metal siding, replaced the window on the right and put in a door. There'll be shake shingle cladding over all of the new construction.
Where the new portion ends and the original metal starts is a storage room for things like tools, winter tires and the lawn mower. Dennis plans to build a trellis to hide the old window which is pretty much covered up on the inside by shelves he's installed.
I really like the detail on the new portico.
The cottage garden is transitioning to summer. The Iris and Lady's Mantle are in bloom. The Ajuga on the right still has some color, but not as spectacular as it was in May.
Our Ninebark shrub is starting to flower.
The spring blooms are fading. I'm glad I took photos in May when they were in their prime.
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| Creeping Phlox |
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| Starting from the back: Ajuga (dark blue), Rock Cress (purple), Leopards Bane (yellow), Lewisia (pink) |
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| Oriental Poppies |
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| Lilac |
I was very pleased to see my little Lilac bushes produce flowers this year (we planted them last year).
This pink one is blooming right now.
I finished a custom order rug yesterday. I hope my customer likes it.
I'm working on a new project for the backyard garden. It involves this rusty cart Dennis brought home for me.
I'll share it with you next week.
Welcome back, Nancy!!!!! That shed Dennis is sprucing up, OH I can see that as a SHE SHED! I'd make it all white, with interior beams and timbering, a chandelier, airy curtains...goodness, I'm dreamin' on his shed!!!!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy yourselves.
Wow, you two ARE busy! I like all of your projects going on and your gardens are lovely as are your woven pieces.
ReplyDeleteHave a glorious day ~ FlowerLady
Hi...Love seeing progress..an the gardens..it's amazing that it looks so established already..I bet the dry rock looks wonderful when it rains..looking forward to seeing what you do that fabulous cart..have a nice weekend..see ya next week.
ReplyDeleteWhen the rock is wet it takes on a very rich look. I'll try to get an after-the-rain photo to post.
DeleteI'm not sure which I'm most jealous of - Dennis' project, the rusty cart, or the oriental poppies! ♥
ReplyDeleteWow Nancy you have been busy. Beautiful garden, especially the lilacs, love lilacs. Trying to figure out what that cart will become but haven't a clue. Looking forward to seeing the finish. Hugs my friend.
ReplyDeleteYou are a busy lady, my friend!! I love the scroll on the white shed and your garden is dreamy. I bet your client will love the rug. It's perfect!! Hugs to you and enjoy the day!
ReplyDeleteYou really have transformed the place! That shed is going to be darling!
ReplyDeleteYou have both been busy! I love what Dennis is doing with the white shed and your yard is gorgeous! You've come a long way from the day you first started making this your own. Love the rug - why wouldn't your customer love it? It's good to hear from you again. I always love to see what you are are doing.
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
Gorgeous photos of your garden. My pink lilac is blooming now, too. I always blooms in June; whereas, the purple ines bloom in May.
ReplyDeleteAhhhhh loving the shed and Dennis doing the work to re love it into a new place. It is going to be fabulous. I love the rug it is very pretty and I know you put a lot of work and your heart into your creations. So I know your client will love it. Love seeing all your beautiful flowers in your garden.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
Wow, another shed to play in!? Love it...Dennis is quite the handy man...lucky you. Your gardens are gorgeous as is the rug. My heart stopped when I saw that rusty cart....you won't be taking too much of that rust off now will you??!!
ReplyDeleteThe colors you choose for your garden flowers are beautiful together. And I'm sure you enjoy the bistro table in the middle of all that loveliness.
ReplyDeleteNice to have a handyman, like Dennis, around!
So glad to see you back! I've missed your posts so much! Everything looks wonderful and am loving your gardens with the beautiful flowers and the rocks here and there to add interest. Pink lilacs? wow would love one of those! And you are SO lucky to have a handyman in the house! The shed will be gorgeous and I'm so so envious. He is so artistic, even in his "shedwork"! I can see why you're too busy to blog and tell us how busy you are.... you guys must never slow down! It must be so neat living in a smaller community like where you live.. that breakfast at/for the Senior Center sounded fun (but also alot of work!). Take care and am looking forward to seeing more from you! Hugs.. Marilyn
ReplyDeleteNancy this is such a lovely post . . . it's nice to see what you are both doing to your property. The shed is looking amazing, what a difference Dennis is making. Then there is your garden . . . you could be a landscaper. You have worked magic, it is absolutely wonderful. I'm glad that today we got to see your Joyful Cottage . . . it's perfect and you both have put so much of yourselves into it . . . you have a right to be very proud.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend and welcome back to blog-land.
Connie :)
Oh, how neat! I can't wait to see what you make of the cart! Everything looks so pretty around your place. God bless you, sweet friend. :)
ReplyDeleteYou and Dennis certainly make a great team Nancy - the garden is looking splendid, so many beautiful plants and flowers - and that is going to be an awesome shed. I knew I should have married a handy man, and an artistic one at that - oh well too late now after 53 years, so guess I'll stick with my great guy and be thankful for his other good traits, haha!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend - Mary
Having FUN is what I love about this post.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the cart. :-)
Carla
May was a super busy month for us too! Glad you were so successful at your yard sale, that is always exciting! Your garden looks amazing! I love all the gorgeous colors you have blooming, and your iris is gorgeous! I love that rusty cart, and sure can't wait to see what you have planned for it :)
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing your flowers, garden areas, hearing about your "busy."
ReplyDeleteAnd the shed looks like it will be a charming addition . . .
Welcome back . . .
Your garden is absolutely charming!
ReplyDelete