It’s hard to believe it has been three years since we bought this house.
I love my house. The moment I walked in I loved it. On the other hand, it took quite a bit of convincing to get D on the same page. I had been under the illusion that we’d be completely synced up when it came to what kind of house we wanted to live in. I know better now! I have also learned to never go to IKEA/assemble furniture together. It’s the small things, really.
Granted there are some “space issues” i.e. no closets. He might have been right about that. Apparently no one believed in closets in 1897. Sometimes I feel like I’m going to be consumed by plastic trinkets I can’t seem to throw out quick enough.
The other issue is we have zero time and even less money to actually make the changes we want to the interior. Annnnnd we won’t even make a temporary change (like wall paint) because, why invest in temporary when we know it will change significantly in the future? Sanity might be a good reason. I haaaaaate the yellow paint & schizophrenic living room colors and weird embossed wallpaper to the point that I find myself apologizing for it when we have guests over… so sorry about the yellow paint. We do have a new water tank, though. It’s very pretty.
So it is our garden that I take great pride. D built a new shed and moved it into our tall cedar hedge last summer, and it has made all the difference. We re-painted our porch twice to get the color right. We’ve set a stone path & stone garden walls. This year we added solar-powered garden lights. ($2.99 at Canadian Tire). I’ve been making lanterns out of used soup cans. I made a little reversible round table cloth at the shop. And the garden. Third year garden has been so rewarding.
Here are my rules in gardening:
- just plant it. (Forget about starting your seeds in March. Psssht.)
- try everything, try it again, and don’t be afraid to rip stuff out and try something else. (I’m giving up on gladiolas for now)
- plant vegetables you can eat in abundance or pawn off on someone (this year it’s shallots, green onions, beans, asparagus, & hot chilis).
- put mint in a container
- never grow tiger lilies (even as a favor to future buyers! The BANE of my existence.)
- plant geraniums & sprinkle cayenne pepper to ward off cat poo
- invite friends over often & eat dinner outside for as long as you seasonally can
And you? Any tips to share when it comes to outside spaces?
Leah
/ July 5, 2011Echinacea & Nasturtiums! They are low maintenance and both attract butterflies (and bees too, but not angry ones, just drunk-with-pollen ones). Echinacea self-propagates with abundance, so it’s good garden-barter currency. I think you can eat the petals fresh, and you can definitely make an immune boosting tincture. Nasturtiums are pretty, and delicious in salads, with some medicinal benefits too!
The other thing I’m glad to have for outdoor spaces is a really good tray.
Annabelle
/ July 5, 2011I’m trying the nasturtiums out this year – very excited! Will definitely try the echinacea – although does it over-propagate itself tiger-lily styles? Annnnd a good tray is great advice. In fact, Emeline might know a little something about trays…
Victoria
/ July 5, 2011I like the yellow :) No patio, and I am jealous ;)
Victoria
Annabelle
/ July 5, 2011Ah Victoria – you need to see the yellow in its full glory. I’m too friendly a photographer and always trying to make things look nice. I hope you get a little back patio/garden some time soon.
emeline
/ July 5, 2011I just burst out laughing at the yellow paint comment (do you remember the AWKWARD paint comments I made about your place on Old Orchard? I’m still embarrassed about that p.s). It’s funny how we see the little things that others would NEVER see! Your house and your garden and your family are gorgeous…I can’t wait to spend an evening out there with you- better get the guest bedroom for me!
Annabelle
/ July 5, 2011hahahhaha! I totally forgot about that! And *cough* it WAS awkward. THE LOOK on your face! hahahahahhahahah! And thanks for the compliments – you need to be over here soon!
Sarah
/ July 5, 2011I have no tips..your outdoor space (and indoor space for that fact!) is soo lovely and welcoming!
(Also, did you know i ran into your finacé today?!)
Sarah
/ July 5, 2011*fiancé*
Annabelle
/ July 5, 2011Noooo I did not know that! You need to invite me over v soon btw.
Nancy
/ July 6, 2011lavender! we went last summer to a lavender farm outside of st eustache for a picnic outing and I was so inspired. I waited for the end of the summer when all the little perennials are on sale and bought 11 plants. Planted them in a row along our front walkway and get a smile every time I walk by. Drying the buds would be perfect to add to bean bags, and the very best reason to get lavender: in one of my gardening books, the phrase “thrives on neglect” Wouldn’t life be so much easier if more things thrived on neglect!?
Annabelle
/ July 6, 2011Hahah! So true! I do have some lavender growing and I love love it. It gets bigger every year so I must be neglecting them very well! (ps. great idea for bean bags)
Meghan
/ July 6, 2011We don’t really have a garden as such… well at least not one with grass… so i’m looking at these pictures with a tinge of envy. It really is so lovely to be able to sit out, enjoy the summer amidst something green and grow things. ANY THINGS. However, the last few years we have been growing things in pots (lots of pots) and last night we had peas for dinner that we had grown ourselves. And they were delish. All eight of them!
(ps. Am i the only one who wants to know more about the awkward paint conversations?)
Jess W
/ July 7, 2011I am so stealing the soup can lantern idea. They will add the perfect spark to my balconies. And conveniently sized too. Genius!
Annabelle
/ July 7, 2011Totally! I love them. I got the idea off of Pinterest and just found a tutorial here: http://pinterest.com/pin/1370081/- sooo easy and green conscious! I used a square tip screw driver to punch my holes, but I bet there are easier ways. My other tip is not to punch the holes too low other wise candle wax can seep out (if you’re not using tea lights).
Jess W
/ July 8, 2011Thanks for the tips! First I have to eat some canned food to get me those empty cans. Will report on progress.
Annabelle
/ July 8, 2011I wish I had READ the tutorial before I did mine! So much safer to freeze the cans with water then to try and hold them down and puncture them with a screwdriver.