Friday, May 20, 2016

Spring Spruce Up

Due to my life-of-leisure lately (laid off, collecting EI and working casual), I am way ahead of my usual spring spruce-up game. The gardens have been weeded, fed and mulched; they are looking mighty pretty for Nova Scotia in May!
The front bed is bidding goodbye to the last of the tulips and hello to the primrose and grape hyacinth. The planter under my Newfoundland flag contains basil, thyme and Italian parsley. I don't get a lot of direct sunlight, but I'm hopeful that the herbs will continue to grow throughout the summer.


 









The side bed next to the brook is filling in. The sunlight only reaches the tree-garden bed for short periods during the day, but the creeping phlox is beginning to bloom and Astilbe, faux Sunflower, sedum and other plants are showing their wee faces. In that area, it's a futile fight against nature, I know; but somehow, I love its wildness.

I've also been painting the entire main floor, ceilings and trim -- something that's not been done in total in the 8 years I've lived here.   I've had some help with that; also, because I want to retain some feeling in my hands and fingers (carpal tunnel), I've made sure there were 4-5 days off in between painting sessions. I choose a lovely light, airy color called "Bluegrass White" by Dulux. (A lot of color for white, huh?) I've been gathering new cushion covers for the past year or so with the intention of changing up my color scheme a little; and I've shopped my house for other "new" do-dads. 
The 2 red cushions were thrifted. The elephant is from Wicker Emporium ($12 on sale); and the anchor was a recent purchase online from Rosegal ($5)








And I just found this beauty at Frenchies last week for $4, cushion included.
What a difference a color change makes! Besides the downstairs looking clean and fresh, I feel more energetic and positive every time I look at it. As they say:  "A change is as good as a rest"!

Next chore are the 3 decks. I'll hire someone to scrape and then I'll tackle the staining. And when I "shopped" my paint can area of the basement, I was lucky enough to come up with just enough stain and paint in all the right colors. Nice to know that won't cost me any money. (Must keep in mind the summer wine supplies, huh.)

Now to get back to sprucing myself up! Several weeks of painting and gardening have ravaged my hands and nails. I guess I need a week of soaking in the bathtub with wine spritzers. 

Not a problem at all!
Get me out before I'm pruny!











7 comments:

DUTA said...

Good for you!
I'm also contemplating a change: painting the walls and making the place easy to move about and clean.This is the trend now - light and functional; not to compete with museums and antiquities' stores. Perhaps this trend is due to climate anomaly which is expected to do a lot of damage to homes in the following years.

TARYTERRE said...

Your garden is lovely. keeping busy has never been my strong suit. I prefer the relaxing with a drink. LOVE that pic. Like what you found shopping.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Visiting from Yvonne's...work is always hard on the body and nails but your work has yielded beautiful results! Lovely pillows...always freshen a tired scene.

La Petite Gallery said...

June is bursting out all over in MidCoast Maine.
Just remember to PACE yourself,
I did some weeding for 2 hours and can't walk today.
yvonne

La Petite Gallery said...

I need a hot tub, and a glass of Bordeaux wine too.
My yard is getting a change, happy Summer.
yvonne
drop over sometime

La Petite Gallery said...

My husband and I went to Nova Scotia, it was lovely.
I have done a lot of gardening this spring. yvonne

La Petite Gallery said...

Hope you did not have a hot summer. yvonne

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