A couple of weeks ago my grandma and her friend, Carolyn, came over from Arkansas to do some landscaping in our yard. That's right. My grandma, who is about to be 78 (we think...she's not actually sure how old she is - there was a bit of a birth certificate mistake, so she could be 80), and her friend came in a non-air-conditioned mini-van completely packed to the brim with plants, trees, dirt, etc. all the way from Arkansas. They got here on a Sunday night around 5:30, immediately started working, and didn't even come in the house until 8:30. Then they got up and started working by 6:30 the next morning and didn't stop except to eat until 8pm. They finished up Tuesday morning, and hopped in the van to drive home. These women put my work ethic to complete and utter shame. I have seriously never seen anything like it. We're talking about 85 degree days of non-stop work. So, although I doubt they'll ever see this, I want them to know just how much we appreciate their incredibly hard work. They planted 200+ plants of 50+ varieties in the front and back yards. It already looks great, but in a year or two it will be amazing. I also have to thank my dad, who was here with my mom before he went to Together for the Gospel in Louisville. He spent all day Monday digging and pick-axing and then came back Friday in time to do some mulching.
A
Sophie "helping"
Taking a break to put George down for a nap (which apparently requires surgical gloves)
They planted multiple plants all along the inside of the fence
This is about as much work as I did - they said it was because I was pregnant and I wasn't allowed to help, but it could also have had something to do with my being horticulturally challenged.
Carolyn brought several things that will climb our fence, which I'm really excited about
Our gorgeous knockout rose bush - when they planted it it wasn't blooming at all
Unfortunately you can't get a great idea of the amount of plants in our front bed, but believe me - it's amazing. And just ignore the boxwoods that we need to trim.
My herb / vegetable garden
There are hostas and hydrangeas in the back. And a cute little blue picnic table that Erik and I made last weekend. I have been obsessing over this blog,
Knock Off Wood, and on it the creator has plans for a preschool picnic table. I've never built anything, but have wanted to learn carpentry since high school. So my parents bought me a drill for my birthday and I bought the wood and had it cut at Lowe's and Erik and I went to work last Sat. The table was super easy to make, with one caveat. If you're going to do this, don't rely on your amazingly strong husband to cut your angles with a hand saw. Poor Erik sawed for 2 hours for me, and the next day we found out that pretty much everyone we know has a skill saw we could have borrowed. But it's done, it's cute, and Sophie loves it!
P.S. - If anyone is interested in making one of these, the wood probably only cost about $18, and I have at least 3/4 quart of paint leftover for someone else to use.
A
Sophie "helping"
Taking a break to put George down for a nap (which apparently requires surgical gloves)
They planted multiple plants all along the inside of the fence
This is about as much work as I did - they said it was because I was pregnant and I wasn't allowed to help, but it could also have had something to do with my being horticulturally challenged.
Carolyn brought several things that will climb our fence, which I'm really excited about
Our gorgeous knockout rose bush - when they planted it it wasn't blooming at all
Unfortunately you can't get a great idea of the amount of plants in our front bed, but believe me - it's amazing. And just ignore the boxwoods that we need to trim.
My herb / vegetable garden
There are hostas and hydrangeas in the back. And a cute little blue picnic table that Erik and I made last weekend. I have been obsessing over this blog, Knock Off Wood, and on it the creator has plans for a preschool picnic table. I've never built anything, but have wanted to learn carpentry since high school. So my parents bought me a drill for my birthday and I bought the wood and had it cut at Lowe's and Erik and I went to work last Sat. The table was super easy to make, with one caveat. If you're going to do this, don't rely on your amazingly strong husband to cut your angles with a hand saw. Poor Erik sawed for 2 hours for me, and the next day we found out that pretty much everyone we know has a skill saw we could have borrowed. But it's done, it's cute, and Sophie loves it!
P.S. - If anyone is interested in making one of these, the wood probably only cost about $18, and I have at least 3/4 quart of paint leftover for someone else to use.
8 comments:
The yard looks great Catherine and the picnic table is adorable!
Ok, so I'm happy about your yard, but where is your belly?! We're roughly at the same point in our pregnancies and my baby belly is huge!
The picnic table is amazing! The landscaping was such a great gift. One that you all will enjoy watching grow and change. Thanks for the pictures!
I'm wondering where in the world your pregnant belly is as well (someone else mentioned that), but anyways, the picnic table is awesome. I'm thinking Addie will be asking for that for Christmas this year! So, are your grandma and her friend looking for other places to landscape? That's awesome they did that for you guys!
Okay, that picnic table is so cute! Jonathan and I want to make one now. You and Erik did a great job! And your grandma is amazing. I still can't believe she did all that for you!
It looks fabulous! That is a lot of plants and I can't wait to see it all in a year or so! Congrats on making the picnic table. I love that blog too and want to make the Brady Entryway Lockers. I'm feeling ambitious.
Wow, you have really good size yard! And that table is super cute. I'm hoping one day to have huge one.
You will love your clematis (the ones that climb up the fence). I am amazed at your grandma!
Also, I just looked up the plans for that table. I love it and want my husband to make one for Lulu.klro
Post a Comment