Garden Watch - Day 14

Day 14 Sunday

Lots of holes.....lots of compost and long life feed in all the holes!!

.....shrub compost on top too...this Oleander was the first to be planted :)

...I ran out of time to do all I really wanted :(
I've left the canes in till the rest of the plants arrive to remind me of the eventual heights.

There were quite a lot of big holes to dig and although the soil is fairly easy to work...those back ache rests came into play! LOL
I got nowhere close to attempting the bulbs and I was working from 9.30 till 5!!!

The phormium had to be dug up from the veggie patch/nursery bed ;)...
...where it has been for the past two/three years waiting for the make over to happen! It's a great size though and would have cost me quite a bit if I'd bought it this big!

Still to move the carnations, the poppy and the redcurrant.

Still to plant this evergreen winter flowering clematis to clad the wall behind the veggie patch

Still to plant these as the man who can still needs access to the wall to finish off the bamboo bed yet and I can't quite make up my mind if they are in the right place till my other plants turn up ;)

All in all I'm pleased that I got as much done as I did ;)

I'll just have to be patient and hope this Saturday and Sunday will be as forgiving weather wise!

Garden Watch will be tailing off now......I'll post about my gate when it's done I'm sure....and when I plant the bulbs and the roses etc....so until then....

...."enjoy your garden" as dear old Percy Thrower used to say...
...yep I started watched Gardening Club/Gardeners World way back when in the 60's with my Dad...
...and all these years later I've been able to tap into some of the knowledge I've gleaned and create my very own little oasis (with great help from the man that can of course!) that will be easy to maintain now I'm on my own.
Happy Days ;)
Thanks for sharing my garden make over.....it's been great fun having you along :)

xoxo Sioux
P.S. I can feel my back today but it's not as bad as I expected it to be :)

Diet Watch Monday

Last week I was stuck on 74 kilo!!!
But great news..........this week I'm now 73 kilo :)

I should darn well think so too with all that digging in the garden yesterday! LOL
I'll try and get some photo's at lunch today.......I ran out of time as it got too dark yesterday!!!

Sioux xoxo

Garden Aura Watch! - Day 13

Saturday Day 13
A lovely sunny day :)

I went to the garden centre bright and early to get some bone meal, planting compost and bark chippings. I want to get the plants off to the best start I can :)

First I used a bag and a half of bark that has been lingering for quite some time in my garden to make a narrow pathway at the back of the large border......I even found some sort of fungi growing in them that look suspiciously like the start of chanterelles...
...we will have to wait and see! LOL

Then I laid all the plants out to get a feel of where they should go (that took more time than I thought).....the canes are to give a bit of visual indication as to the eventual height that the plants might...and I do say might! achieve ;)...

..I have got some more to come as the roses, a peony and some other bare root plants have not been dispatched yet!

Oooh er.....I must remind myself that they are going to grow into the space but it does look a little bare at the minute!!!

The cane seats were given to me by my bestest friend up North...really they are not meant to be outside all the time, but I have nowhere big enough to store them inside for the winter so they just have to take their chances under the green cover that is drying out on the washing line!!! LOL. It does not look like I've achieved much today but what with going to the garden centre, moving the pots back and the furniture and having to feed myself too, it did not leave a lot of spare time to plant...
...that and I have to take breaks along the way to ensure I don't put my back out!!!

Now.....you know I mentioned the Gods on Mount Olympus yesterday?
Wellll........what do you make of this? Please do enlarge the photo for a better look see ;)

I've "hearted" the strange blue/purple globe on the picture!
Is it the late evening sun catching the camera lens and causing it to flare or is it an aura?
If it is an aura then those colours are supposed to signify peace (I googled it!!!)...
....I've always had a very positive and yes.....peaceful vibe from this back garden...sooooooo...
....I'll leave it for you to decide :)
Thanks for looking.....Sunday....today.... will see me actually digging the holes and planting...
....Oh and I have lots of bulbs to do too!!!! I hope my back holds out!! LOL
Will I get it all done today? I'd really like to try as otherwise it will be next Saturday before I can get to do any more planting.
xoxo Sioux

Garden Watch - Day 12

Day 12 Thursday
I had a bit of a lie in as it was raining so I did not have to move my car off the drive to give access to the man who can!!!
As I was just setting off to work he turned up even though it was looking a bit dodgy weather wise...and said he thought it was clearing but was waiting for the up to the minute weather forcast.
Well....the Gods on Mount Olympus must have been watching....because what was destined to be a bit of another wash out turned into a fine and at times bright sort of day!!!
So apart from the gate, the top for the old coal bunker and the retaining blocks for a bed to control the roots of a bamboo I'm planting (because the wall and cement needs to go off properly for a couple of days before he starts drilling etc.) most all the rest is done :)
The wall is complete...(the boards and loose bricks on top are to protect from the downpour that was forcast....and happened....on Friday.

...those eagle eyed amongst you might have noticed that the "wild wood" stone wall had gaps in the stones.......no need to worry it was on Gary's to do list.....he's good at the to do list no prompting either (unlike experiences with other work men in the past...I'm sure you know where I'm coming from!!! HOL)...so the pointing was done on the stones...and the last two slabs put down as stepping stones (even though they do not have good edges ...why waste them? You won't see them much when everything grows)....it's to be able to get round to the back of the larger bed easily in the future...(needs a little more gravel to finish but time ran out!)

...my washing whirly-gig re sited...

...the brick work and cementing done to make good the tatty old coal bunker thingy (and the rubbish piled up inside taken away :) )....I'll paint it to match the house next summer...

...

It's really up to me now to get those plants in and in the right place....although I rather like the minimalist look it has at the mo...LOL!

...I hope I don't go and ruin it!! ;) 
Thanks for joining me on my Garden Watch....I'll get back to you just as soon as there is some planting to show ;)
xoxo Sioux

Garden Watch - Day 11

Day 11 (Wednesday)

Again it was a grey day in a weathered wood sort of way!!! LOL

It did rain a bit though!

The gravel path was finished and a lovely new brick step made to take care of the different levels...

...with a little brick edging to the drain to stop the gravel clogging it up...can you tell I love everything about this make over yet?!!! HOL ;)

...the drive/pathway at the front was also topped up...although not quite finished due to the rain!

...well it would have been silly not to have that little job done whilst the man who can was here ;)

The pointing to the slabs was finished and the lower patio has had smaller gravel used as infill to really tie the different slabs together ;)

...the last lot of steps finished off...

...the enclosing wall that will make the back garden secure was started ;)

There are a couple of things still to do...but we are almost there!

If you ever want any landscape gardening doing and you live in the South Devon area then I can thoroughly recommend Gary who can be contacted on 07973 839363 afraid he does not have a web site he's too busy doing great jobs like these to set one up!!!

Thanks for looking and if you were wondering where my Artistic Stamper post for today is click here.
xoxo Sioux

Art tag for The Artistic Stamper

I'm sharing a tag today over on the The Artistic Stamper Creative Team Blog

Curious? Then just hop on over to The Creative Team Blog for all the details.

Thanks for looking and happy stamping
xoxo Sioux

P.S. I appreciate each and every comment here but time is short in all our lives so please do not feel obliged to comment both here and on the creative team post.
...I'll see your comments and share the feed back all at the same time if you use The Artistic Stamper Creative Team Blog post ;)
Thanks

Garden Watch - Day 10

Day 10 (Tuesday)
Prepare to be amazed!!!!
(I got all emotional!!!)

It was a full day with no interruptions for weather...Hurrah!!

It was getting a little tight on the slab front i.e. there were not really enough left!!!
....It could have been a disaaaaaaaaster dahling ! LOL

So Gary (the man that can) suggested taking up the four in front of the small shed...

...and filling that area with gravel.........he's a star!

I am really, really pleased with the layout of the lowest patio...

...I had been a little worried that it would not look quite right as the square slabs, a donation from my dear neighbours that were surplus to their requirements, were not quite the same size or depth but Gary to the rescue again....he certainly knows what he is doing ;)

The retaining bricks around the veggie patch were completed, membrane put down and the gravel path made with the bird table re-sited too...

...top soil added to the beds and the arch in place...
...(I've got a pink rose "Times Past" and a lovely purple clematis "Romantica" on order)...
...I have plans for this garden to be full of symbolism...
...that only I (and of course you!) will be aware of ;)

Fingers crossed that Wednesday sees the rain holding off till after 5 as there is still the enclosing wall to be built, finishing the gravel path, a back gate to fit, pointing to be done and a lid to be made for the old coal bunker that we both agreed could cause more problems than it was worth if it was broken up!!!

 I'm crossing my fingers for Saturday and Sunday to do the planting...but...I'm not prepared to get a soaking even if the plants might like it!!!

Thanks for looking
xoxo Sioux

Garden Watch - Day 9

Monday was a very so so sort of day weather wise.......it started very grey and gloomy with a bit of mizzle/drizzle but the man who can turned up anyway bright and early as usual ;)
Unfortunately that flippin' weather keeps getting in the way and it rained hard from about 10 to 12.30!!
Got back at lunch and the rocks for retaining the wild bit had been sorted...

..some levelling of the ground where the gravel is to go...

...there just seems to be lots of different levels! LOL...

...and then I had to project manage...oooh get me!!! LOL...
and decide on the layout for the lower patio to make best use of the remaining slabs and to catch the last rays of the sun in the evening :)
When I got back just after 5 it looked like this...

Ha..Ha...my little joke there, it was not quite pitch black but I could not take photo's it was that dark!!!! So I had to take my piccies on Tuesday morning bright and early and I just did not have time to post them yesterday :(
So when I got home it really looked like this. :)

Tuesday was fine and dry all day so I'll try and post those tomorrow (prepared to be amazed!).....but heaven help us on the following 3 days as the weather is closing in although it's possible it might not rain till 6 at night on Wednesday!!!
xoxo Sioux

Bunch of Windmills for The Artistic Stamper

"Backgrounds"

That's the November challenge over at The Artistic Stamper Creative Team ;)

I went to town and got out all nearly all! my Artistic Stamper backgrounds to make some windmills :)

I cut square pieces of card ranging in size from 3 inch by 3 inch to 5 by 5.
The added challenge given to the design team was to use Distress Stains in our work too.
I do believe they are on special offer here ;)
I used dried marigold and broken china to colour the back and front of the squares and then just stamped backgrounds with gay abandon LOL in a variety of inks over the top.....some Archivals...sepia, jet black, aquamarine, coffe and chrome yellow and some Distress Inks weathered wood, peeled paint, spiced marmalade, walnut stain and rusty hinge.

A couple of close ups of the backgrounds used.....the windmills are held together with a variety of brads including the screw top brads now back in stock over at the Artistic Stamper.

You really must take a look at the "Background" creations the rest of the team have made and here are the DT member links for you.

Alison, Hels, Jennie, Kat, Minxy Tina and Emma

Minxy is recovering from an operation at the moment so please send her some hugs and well wishes :)

So don't forget.............the monthly challenge is "Backgrounds"

The rules are simple... all you need to do is make a piece of art, be it a card, ATC, wall art, altered art, scrapling, a windmill perhaps LOL ;)... just remember that it must include some rubber stamping and the theme... and... if you use Artistic Stamper stamps on your entry you will be entered into the draw twice! The prize is £15 worth of stamps from the Artistic Stamper shop... along with the KlingOn to mount them onto.

I hope you get chance to play at the challenge... it is open until November 30th and the winner will be chosen by Random.org shortly after :)

Thanks for looking and happy stamping

xoxo Sioux

Diet Watch Monday

Another week and what do you know I'm still 74 kilo!!!
No loss...nada....ZILCH!!!!

I only had one slight lapse when I met for coffee with Nicola....but we were only half bad as we shared one portion of cake!!! HOL


But I'm not giving up just yet.....I shall persevere another week.....what I don't understand is that I weighed myself on Friday morning (just for interest sake!) and the marker was hovering just above 73 kilo not quite slap bang in the middle of the marker but not far off!
Now one half portion of cake on Saturday cannot possibly result in me gaining nearly 2 pounds in 3 days!!!!!

Sioux xoxo

Garden Watch - Day 8

Thank goodness!..........Day 8 dawned bright and fine :)

The coping stones arrived today and were installed...do you like?

I certainly do....just that bit of rustic charm with the dark splotches here and there ;)

Building the steps to access the top patio from what will be the back gate into the garden.

Steps from the middle terrace to the lower one...

...and the time consuming task of pointing all those slabs!!!

Love my new step from the back door....it does away with what was an awkward drop that was difficult to negotiate when you are a person that is vertically challenged!!!! LOL

If the weather holds the next Garden Watch will be Tuesday :)

I'm due to meet Nicola aka Sunshine Girl today.....she is in Torquay on holiday so she is coming over and we plan to have coffee and cake.....or maybe just coffee....depends on how steady both our willpowers are!!! HOL

If you are ever in Torbay or surrounds let me know like Nicola did...
...I'm always up for coffee and cake! ;)

xoxo Sioux

Garden Watch - Day 7

Day 7 was a fine day although it looked like rain quite a lot of the time!!!

Today the top patio had the slabs laid...well most of them...the wheelbarrow upturned is for a reason....it's to shelter the newly built access steps from the downpour that is forecast for the whole of Thursday!!!! So I doubt there will be a garden watch here on Friday...

...the lower patio had all the slabs laid :)...I love that they are my old rescued slabs (It was hard work for Phil at the time but he managed it ;))....and I love that they have a great patina already :)

...I also had delivery of two more plants in the post today...

...a bamboo Fargesia murieliae (supposed to be not as invasive....I'll let you know!!! LOL) and the autumnal coloured one is Nandina domestica....otherwise known as Heavenly Bamboo....I love that name and I used to have one in a previous garden and I missed it so ;)

I can recommend Gardening Express if you are after postal plants...very quick and good quality.

xoxo Sioux

Garden Watch - Day 6

There was no garden watch yesterday as Monday was a total washout here! :(

But hurrah! The man who can is back and managed to get a couple more courses done on the higher patio and the cement down ready for laying the slabs....

...built the retaining wall for the new wider path to the greenhouse...

...and wow! I have the start of steps down from the greenhouse :)...

...all that and there was an almighty rain storm in the middle of the day!!!

Just to lighten the never ending brick work ;)

....here are the plants I bought on Sunday at Trago Mills...

these will eventually grow into much larger shrubs.....I'll just have to be patient...

...these two are a bit larger...

...and these are two large oleander that I decided to invest in to help give a bit of structure now.

xoxo Sioux

Diet Watch Monday!

Not as interesting as Autumn Watch I'll grant you!!! LOL

This marks the end of my third week on this £#%%*$ diet!

So last week I was 75 kilo and this week I am 74 kilo.

That's another kilo less or 2.2 lb in old money LOL

I am sort of happy 'cos it's what was indicated the weight loss would be and I was only loosing that in a whole month before I hit that plateau after my trip to France...

...but I can't help but have a little wish for it to come off a bit quicker...

....and then my target weight can be reached...

...and then I can have jacket potatoes again!!! Yeh ;)

xoxo Sioux