Friday, 1 May 2009

Springtime Garden

Lily of the Valley arrived just in time for the 1st May...

I love this time of year in the garden ~ not that I can claim to be a gardener...I am to gardening what a back seat driver is to driving ~ I can imagine how I would like the garden to look, but not sure exactly how to get there! I can just about tell the difference between a weed and something more valuable that should be left alone (or perhaps watered occasionally!) I always start the year off with great enthusiasm for cottage style gatherings of pots and containers filled with lavender, geraniums and the like, but sadly by the end of summer my promises of watering every evening have quietly fallen by the wayside and mutterings from my husband of 'I told you so' which makes me so mad I could go and trample across his azaleas (if we actually had any!) This year no doubt, will be no different because already I am teetering on the edge of a shopping precipice to purchase some more floral lovelies...

I do have a husband that thankfully loves gardening (giving him a very valid reason why he cannot be inside doing any other kind of jobs...) and is good at it, which in return lets me off the hook a bit...I am better in a more supervisory role, explaining that of course the garden is an extension of the house and therefore colour schemes, planning and design all come under the main heading of 'This Is What The Wife Wants'.

The latest project has been a small decked area on which to place a bench we have had for ages and recently painted white. Husband made a raised deck as this small patch of garden is on a bit of a slope and created some little steps at one end. He painted the deck a soft sage green colour and here it is in all its glory...it just needs a pot or two with maybe some hydrangeas?

We wanted a bench in this little spot as it faces the sun in the evening and looks out across our rose garden ~ I am imagining the month of June sitting here peacefully after gorgeous girl has gone to bed slowly sipping a glass or two of fine wine and taking in the wonderful aroma of the fragrant roses.

I am of course romanticising ~ in reality gorgeous girl will have probably got to bed later than hoped after a mad day all ending in tears (mine not hers) and I will be clutching a much needed extra large gin and tonic. The sun will have all but disappeared behind the trees and with flailing arms; having forgotten that I was standing on a raised deck will lurch backwards into aforementioned roses. The following morning will be spent contorted into some ungainly pose whilst poor husband has the unenviable task of removing the thorns from my perforated derriere with a pair of eyebrow tweezers. Ho hum, well it wouldn't be the first time...

Have a lovely bank holiday weekend everyone ~ I promise to do some more catching up with your blogs over the next few days...

Ali x

44 comments:

  1. What a beautiful setting, you will be drawn to this spot for morning coffee and evening drinks. From the looks of it, your "gardener" is doing a very good job....I would give him more hugs.

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  2. Snowdrops are one of my favourites ... reminds me of my old nana's garden many years ago ... what a beautiful house and garden you have ... I aim to find a tranquil spot in my garden this year which will be a child-free one ... been striving for this for around 25 years so no hurry :-)

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  3. I love your deck, and the bench looks just right there. I can just picture it with big pots of geraniums or something..perfect!

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  4. What beautiful pics. I love the smell of lilies of the valley. Have a great Bank Holiday. SueX

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  5. Oh my goodness....what a beautiful yard and home you have......I should love to sit and chat a while with you in that very spot! Your words made me smile today....your gorgeous girl is darling ....treasure every moment...my gorgeous girl turned 23 today....it goes by so very fast...Blessings to you...
    Be well, Laura

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  6. I'm laughing so much reading your post. I've had a very trying day with my Gorgeous Girl who has been not so gorgeous at times with Tantrums Galore (my crime at one point was wanting to change a very full nappy. She screamed so loudly you'd have thought I had told her I was about to remove all her teeth with a pair of pliers or something. I've told her, use your potty and the nappies will go!) I've just poured a nice glass of (not so fine) white wine, and feel it's well deserved! A trying day!

    Love your bench and the surroundings. What a glorious part of the world you live it. We have a white bench too, with a roofy bit on top that honeysuckle grows over. My only regret is I never seem to have enough time to sit and enjoy it.

    I love Lily of the valley. One of my favourite flowers and definintely my favourite spring flower. I used to have it growing in my garden, but haven't seen it for a couple of years. Must get some bulbs and try again next year.

    Time I was off. Have a lovely weekend :o)
    xx

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  7. Hi Ali,
    I'm with you - better at the supervisory roll (someone's got to do it ;) Your garden is lovely, the Lily of the Valley really caught my eye as it's one of my favorites. Have a lovely weekend, hope the gin and tonic isn't too, too big - thanks for the giggle!
    xo~Tracie

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  8. Ooh yes ...a gin and tonic would go down very well at the mo! Lovely garden..I'm very good at killing plants which means that the garden looks like a neglected wasteland at the moment..must try harder this year!Have a great weekend.

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  9. My goodness what a fantastic garden. I'm so impressed with the formal boxwood hedges and the white painted bench. What an inspiring place to still at the end of the day and relax. Your story made me laugh....I love that you don't take yourself too seriously...it's what makes your blog so endearing.
    Enjoy your weekend,
    Carole

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  10. Wow!!!! I just love your garden it's soooooo BEAUTIFUL! I love your deck with that sweet bench...Love all the pillows you added to the bench...You really have such a BEAUTIFUL home..
    Stephenie

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  11. What a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful garden you have.........
    Nice evening

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  12. What a lovely little scene there with your bench! We are getting ready to have decks built off our new two walls of French doors in our dining room. More outdoor rooms to decorate!
    Brenda
    http://cozylittlehouse.blogspot.com
    http://viewfromthepines.com

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  13. I absolutely love Lily of the Valley! Your new garden bench area is so lovely...not to mention the stunning house in the backdrop! Amazing!!! I would love to wake up and be you for a day...hehe!

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  14. Hi Ali, What a gorgeous garden you have. Wow, that picture of the Lily of the Valley is stunning. I just love that little flower. I went to the nursery the other day and bought more of the little things to plant in another area of my garden. Mine aren't even up yet. You lucky girl, having your own personal gardener. The only thing I can get Hubs to do in the garden is dig a hole or two.
    Hugs, June

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  15. The bench is beautiful and what a beautiful setting....How gorgeous!!!!!

    I had a find another word to discribe the setting....gorgeous is perfect. May you see many sunsets from your new deck.

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  16. This bench will be perfectly placed for those balmy summer evenings, xv.

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  17. Hello Ali! I'm without words! Your home and garden are marvellous!!! I love your bench! Lucky you! Your husband is great gardening! Unfortunately I have nobody who can help me...no husband anymore...I'm happy of this! I hope to learn some more about plants and flowers, but my problem is that I often get tyred quickly...watering may be a problem for me!
    Have a nice evening!
    Hugs
    Vale

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  18. STUNNING pictures of your garden! oh my!

    I would love to have a tea out there....

    just gorgeous.

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  19. It's me again! It's ok for you if add your blog to my list???
    Hugs
    Vale

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  20. Hello Ali
    Thank you for your kind words and good wishes re: Larry. He appears to be getting better. For various reasons, I have been really behind with blogging! It is nice to be able to catch up again. Your bench looks perfect in the beautiful surroundings of your house and garden. Our back garden is being completely re-done. It is just bare soil at the moment. I can't wait to have it all beautifully done then sit down and relax of a summer's evening! I have to be patient as it will need to establish itself first...
    Take care
    Isabelle x

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  21. So pretty Ali!!
    thanks for sharing and hope you are having a blessed weekend!

    kayellen

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  22. Your garden is divine and the sweet bench in its perfect location is simply wonderful!
    xxx
    Maggie

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  23. I'd love to have a gardening husband to share the joy of it all - what a beautiful garden you have

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  24. Oh i love your beautiful garden...it will be so lovely to sit on that bench with a cup of tea and enjoy the lovely surroundings...ah bliss! Thanks for sharing your little piece of heaven!

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  25. I would love to sit on that bench to enjoy a proper afternoon tea - gorgeous!

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  26. Your blog is gorgeous so I decided to become a follower...number 101 so let's go for the next 100!!

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  27. Beautiful garden! My husband can't even bring himself to mow the lawn!

    Hope you have a lovely weekend.

    Mel xxx

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  28. Wow, you live in a beautiful spot. Your home, your garden, it is all so gorgeous. I love the bench and I think hydrangeas are a good choice to surround it.

    I culdn't stop laughing about the thorns in your derriere. Too funny!

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  29. I'm in love...Your garden is divine! If you ever put a shed at the bottom of you garden, call me, i would happily live in it!
    Emma x

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  30. What an absolutely gorgeous spot you have! Looks like a lovely place to sit on your bench & take in that beautiful garden.

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  31. Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog about the shop closing and all, and I am sorry to take so long to reply, it's all a bit mad at the moment as the closure itself is Saturday. Gosh, scary. In two days time. Anyway, thanks for your kind wishes. You work from home don't you? I'm nervous about it - am not the world's most disciplined person!
    Your home and garden look lovely - love that bench!!
    Lots of love,
    Charlotte
    xx

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  32. Hi Ali!
    Your Lily of the Valley is just beautiful! I've never seen one in person. I had forgotten how pretty they are. Your DH did a splendid job on the deck and I love the paint color you chose. Your home is like a dream getaway!

    Deanna :D

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  33. That bench is gorgeous. I had to let you know that I had a great laugh reading this this morning.

    I hope the thorns don't hurt too much!!

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  34. Oh, it's been awhile since I visited and I forgot how much I enjoy your posts! So, how has the "deck sitting" gone so far? Any ideal evenings or are the thorns still making fluffier cushions a necessity? In all sincerity, your garden it just lovely.
    Robin

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  35. You have me laughing out loud ~ so much so the kids are asking if I am talking to them!
    I am so happy I finally had the chance to stop by, everything is gorgeous. ~ Rebecca

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  36. Just dropping by to say hi! Hope you are doing well.

    Deanna :D

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  37. Hello... just saying hi and wondering how you are. I have been neglecting blogging again and am secretly rather thrilled to see you haven't posted for a month either, makes me feel better, lol!

    Hope you are well though?

    If you get a mo have a look at our new website which I finally - one month behind schedule! - launched on Friday. It's at the same address www.cottontailsbaby.co.uk.

    My hope is to stay on top of blogging a bit more now!

    Lots of love again,

    Charlotte
    xxxx

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  38. Ahhhhh beautiful!!!

    Happy 4th:)

    smiles,
    kayellen

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  39. Just stopping by and say Hello. I hope we will have the pleasure to read a new post soon.

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  40. You have a beautiful garden. I would love to sit on the bench and just relax. I hope the thorns did not hurt you that much.
    Have a pleasant day!!!

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  41. Hellooo

    Noticed you hadn't posted for a while so thought I'd pop by and say hi, hope all is OK.

    Mel xxx

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  42. Your Grandmother Violet is beautiful! Do you have any other pictures of her? I would love to see them on your blog. What a wonderful blog you have, I have enjoyed it very much. Blessings Pearl

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