The backyard is well on its way to looking more like a yard than a mud pit. I went out Wednesday morning for a bit and I returned just in time to see the bulk of the work get done. Can you tell I’m just a little bit excited to finally be getting a backyard?!
But first can I show you my deck planters one more time? I promise this will be it. I know to some of you these are no big deal, but it’s the first time since we bought the cabin we’ve ever had any flowers at all. Previously as part-timers it was virtually impossible to maintain them, but I’ve taken really good care of them this year and have been justly rewarded. They were nice when they were first planted a few weeks ago (you can see them here), but they’ve gotten even more beautiful and it makes me smile to look at them.
Just look at that parsley?! I honestly can’t give it away fast enough. Clearly, it likes where it is and I’ll have to remember that for next year.
If you look closely, you can see some of the rocks that were delivered in the backyard.
The hostas came with the house, so they are least 10 years old, but they’ve never bloomed like this before. We practically need a machete to make our way up the path!
Here’s a peek at what’s going on right now. By next week, we should have the topsoil in place and then we can start working on the firepit.
This is the hanging plant where there was a nest a few weeks ago. We saw the babies shortly after they hatched, but sadly about a week later they were gone. The only thing we can thing of is a predator got to them. One day probably shortly after it happened I saw the mother in the planter and we just stared at each other for a minute or so, then she flew away and I don’t believe ever returned. Makes me sad…
In other news…
I’m typing this late Friday night. What a day we had today. We picked up the RV and brought it to the place that’s getting it ready to tow our car. Everything took longer than expected and there’s still a glitch or two with the RV (the heat comes on spontaneously). It will get fixed, but they’re having a hard time finding the part because the RV is a ’97. We brought it back to our community where there’s a rustic campground and have it parked there for the weekend so a few friends can see it plus it will be good to practice driving it before we take it to Florida this winter.
The backyard is almost leveled off, but I got back too late to take a picture. By next week I should have more progress to show you. The weather’s been gorgeous, so we’re full speed ahead :).
Last but not least, the GoFundMe campaign for Brenda will be taken down shortly. Thank you all to those that have donated. It has been appreciated more than you know!
Dewena says
Doreen, your deck planters are doing beautifully! Well worth showing us their progress.
I would take plenty of that parsley, ours hasn’t grown that well, it needs to be moved more into the sun, I think. And I use fresh parsley on everything but ice cream. I put it in foods while cooking and save some to snip on top when serving. We don’t even like mushrooms without James Beard’s “acres of parsley” anymore. I wish I could get cilantro to survive as well. Can you grow it there in your cooler climate?
That’s exciting that the yard work is progressing!
Doreen says
One thing about herbs is they definitely needs tons of sun! I love cilantro, and I had a small plant near the parsley this year but it didn’t do too well. Seems to be a common problem for some reason. Tends to get leggy.
xxx
Brenda Kula-Pruitt says
I do believe your flowers like full-time inhabitants living there! They’re gorgeous!
Brenda
Julie says
Wow Doreen, your deck flowers and herbs are really growing nice. Good luck with the RV. Yes a little sad about the birds.
Wishing you a nice Sunday and week.
Julie xo
tammy j says
i love posts about your beautiful cabin and life!
why would you ever think we tire of such beauty? 🙂
just don’t ‘throw your back out’ dealing with the huge rocks!!! LOL!
Jane says
I’m so happy things are truly underway with your yard. And the flowers—gorgeous! Blogging is such a great way to keep track of what worked and didn’t work from year to year.
What sort of birds did you have in the plant? In my experience with all sorts of birds building nests all over my house and the lakehouse, for most birds there is a lot of time sitting on the eggs and then just a short time before they are booted out of the nest. That always surprised me.
The RV adventures are coming up soon! Good luck ironing out all the glitches.
Jane x
Doreen says
The birds were Junkos Jane. I never even heard of them until this year. I’d like to think they flew away and it’s possible, but being barely more than a week old I’m not optimistic.
Marilyn @ Pink Paper Cottage says
Your planters are just gorgeous! I love when they just spill out of their pots….. when I have a good year with planted annuals, I take tons of pictures of them. Some years they don’t do so well. Where I live now, can hardly have any flowers as the deer come for visits and eat them for dinner (usually at night when I’m sleeping). I’m surprised there are no deer there… but of course, your planters are up on a deck maybe? I’ve had deer walk up our deck steps and eat plants that I had pulled over close to the house. Sigh…….. it’s fun to see the progress on your yard. When did you move to your “cabin” full-time? Must be so fun and exciting.
Doreen says
Hi Marilyn, we do have deer (and bears, and bobcats and foxes and snapping turtles and moose lol). It’s funny, because as you may know they love hostas and we have tons but this year they’ve left them alone.
We bought the cabin in 2005 and became full timers in April of last year.
Marilyn @ Pink Paper Cottage says
Gulp… bears and moose? oh boy.. that should be interesting! congrats for full-time residence in April… it will be a “fun” (maybe???) winter there…. I suppose that area gets a ton of snow! Your cabin is so so homey and sweet inside.
Doreen says
Thank you Marilyn! Last winter was our first winter here (we moved here full time in April of 2014) but we left for two months so that helped. This winter we will be leaving for three months! We did get a lot of snow this winter, and came home to a little bit of water damage. We just installed roof coils so hopefully that will help.
Cathy, 1929 Charmer Cottage says
It’s so good to finally get things moving. Love your planter flowers and herbs look so pretty. Sorry to hear about the whoas of your trailer and we’re having a few ourselves! As far as Cilantro, when you take some off, take it off to the ground and keep going to you’ve used all, then it will regrow, I usually keep 5-6 cilantro plants and harvest this way keeping me supplied all summer.
Doreen says
I knew I could count on you for herb advice Cathy. I’ll be sure to try that next year.
Have a great week and thanks!
Cecilia says
I love your planters- they look gorgeous. It’s sad about the baby birds…I had a snake get into a birdhouse once and eat the babies. The parents were frantic but there was nothing they could do to help.nature can be cruel.
It’s very exciting the work on your backyard is finally happening! I’m looking forward to seeing how it turns out. And good luck with the RV. Have a good week, Doreen.
Doreen says
That must have been awful to witness Cecilia, and yes, nature can be cruel. We saw a nature show a few weeks ago where a woodpecker was wrestling with a snake who was trying to eat her babies. It looked unbelievable and for a minute I thought the bird was done for but she escaped and I think saved her babies :).
Hope you are having a good summer!
xxx
Cecilia says
Well, let’s just say I’ve never climbed down a ladder so fast in my life! I couldn’t figure out why the babies weren’t chirping so I climbed a ladder to look in. Imagine my shock when a snake poked his head out. Yikes. I guess they have to eat too, but I sure would like for them to stick to rats and the like!
Carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
Your planters look mah-velous my Dear! So pretty. I also have parley going gangbusters. Lol
So sad about the baby birdies. I bet in one look you gave the Mama true comfort. 😉
Hope all your RV issues get resolved once & for all.
I’m happy progress is finally moving forward On your back yard. I can’t wait to see it!!
Sending you warm summery progress filled thoughts. Xo
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
Your planters look fantastic, Doreen! So sad about the birds 🙁 Glad you are happy with how the backyard is shaping up!
kelly says
your flowers are doing great! they’re so full now. I’ve about given up on flowers on my back deck because it gets too hot and they don’t do well on my front porch because their is too much shade. So, I just have ferns there and that’s it. I’m excited to see your fire pit when it’s complete. My husband assures me that we will have ours by Fall. Hmmmm……….. I will share your photos with him to motivate him. LOL!
Doreen says
We get full sun on the deck too Kelly, but for sure the southern sun is more intense than here. We should have our hubbies get into a friendly competition to see who can finish first. That should get their competitive juices flowing ;).
Feral Turtle says
Such gorgeous planters!! So sad for your dear little birds 🙁 but I am looking forward to your new backyard progress. Looks like things are happening back there! Cheers.
Vicky Hunt says
I’m glad to hear your yard is shaping up! I know you are thrilled! Poor little birds. Nature can be so cruel sometimes. I have a hard time thinking about any living thing suffering. Your plants are grogeous though. I know you will enjoy having your own RV this winter…how fun! Have a wonderful week!
Pattie @ Olla-Podrida says
I LOVE those deck planters. This has not been a great gardening year for us. Way too rainy, so things tend to look soaked and soggy. Geraniums that I usually have great luck with are spindly, the calibrachoa is leggy and sparse. I think I need to rethink what I do next year and concentrate more on foliage than flowers. Lovely.
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
Your planters are lovely, so lush! We’ve had rain on and off for the last two weeks so it’s difficult to get anything done in the garden.
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Glad your weather is cooperating for your yard reno…the flowers on your deck are gorgeous!…good luck on the RV and hope that the problems are resolved….looking forward to the yard progress.
rue says
Yay for boulders! 🙂 The flowers and herbs look wonderful.
I can’t wait to see the yard when it’s done and I’ll bet you can’t either lol
xo,
rue
Jemma says
Hello Doreen!
Back home after assisting my daughter and her family with a move and helping out with Molly. It is good to be “home,” even though it is an apartment-for a few more months.
Well, miss, you have a green thumb! I so enjoyed scrolling through these photos of your thriving and happy plants. Your photos, are very nice, Doreen, I especially like the angle you took of the hostas. Isn’t cilantro a lovely herb, we enjoy it in fresh pico and salsa on top of our grilled chicken or fish.
So happy for you and I could feel the joy in your writing.
xo
Jemma
Patti says
What fabulous plants you have, your yard is going to be gorgeous! And because of your awesome green thumb, it will stay that way! lol
Hugs
Patti
Red Rose Alley says
Your deck planters look wonderful, Doreen. I bet you’re so excited to get a back yard. We have such a small area in my back yard, but I still loving going out there and seeing my roses. I love that picture of the hostas. It’s so soft and pretty. I look forward to seeing your back yard when it’s completed.
~Sheri
Alicia@ Eco Friendly Homemaking says
Wow your planters on your deck look awesome! I love planting herbs also and our parsley is doing great as well.
Sue says
We are doing so much inside work this year and making more progress now that himself bought a table saw, so I do appreciate your flowers a LOT. I admire you for learning to drive the RV and tow a car behind. I know a blogger who lived in an RV for a year or so while saving money for a house and buying a house.
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Hi Doreen! Your yard is coming along beautifully! I love your planters. There’s nothing like being surrounded by plants, trees, and flowers. I love it! There’s nothing more soothing than nature and flowers are just divine. 😀 xx