Deck Completion & A Woodland Garden

Shall I remind you again what the 'monster' deck looked like before? Now that it has been fully completed, the comparison is quite something.

We were so pleased with our contract or, Iron Owl, and their work. We could not have envisioned a better result!

 

We had a few days before the glass would be installed, so we worked on planting a woodland garden in the dirt space that was exposed by reducing the deck size. Initially, we thought it would be  almost impossible to dig in this area, but it was quiet easy and only took us a couple of hours. The best part: some ladies walking by asked for my business card. They thought I was a gardener for hire! It made my day!

 

 

Bertie's kitty gate turned-out beautifully. Justin, owner of Iron Owl, created the gate so that Bertie could not get to the deck from the backyard area when we take him out for his romps in the back garden. In the past, he had been sneaking onto the deck and escaping onto the front street. Yes, if he really wanted to he could jump over it; but, he seems uninterested and it's an obstacle for him to consider.

 

Rejoice!

Spring, or I should say, 'Summer', arrived in our city within a week. It's true. About two weeks ago, it was snowing on a Monday, and by the end of the week it was 20+ degrees Celsius and hasn't really stopped since. We've had a couple of cooler rainy days which has added a lovely emerald hue to the neighborhood. Buds are bursting, flowers are blooming, and the birds are rejoicing. Overall, an incredible start to the Spring/Summer season! I couldn't buy my container 'spillers' fast enough in preparation for some long overdue gardening.

The best part of all is that the monster deck is gone. The beast was removed last Monday and a new smaller, tidier-looking deck is underway.

Lastly, to brighten up the front and back garden, I had placed a large order of annuals, assorted containers and hanging baskets through a community fund raiser. I picked up my order on Friday and I'm so impressed with the quality. The highlight, was a 10 pack of incredibly fragrant organic assorted herbs, including oregano, mojito mint and onion chives (my favorite).  My only regret is not ordering enough of their organic soil - I never learn! I always need more than I think I will. Please remind me for next year.

 

A few of my containers are currently standing-by waiting for placement on the new deck. Meanwhile, others are placed through backyard and front door. The colors are such a welcome sight!

 

 

 

~  Wishing you a beautiful spring day and a pleasant week ahead! ~

 

Spring Treat

To beat our winter blues, I made a Victoria sponge for my mom's birthday a couple of weeks ago. I thought it would be a spring-like uplifting treat. I needed to transport it to my brother's house, so I placed it in a quiche pan to prevent it from sliding around. I wrapped it up tightly with plastic wrap and it transported perfectly. Andrew has already requested I make another. I will after the snow has melted - in celebration!  

Apparently there is great debate over calling it Victoria 'Sponge' or 'Sandwich'.

~ Which do you call it? ~

 

Winter Beasts

There are two beasts in my life right now. One is our 'monster' deck - which has been with us since we bought this house. The other beast is this frigidly cold looooooooooong winter-spring. This year, it seems Old Man Winter has decided to become a permanent resident. He is an unwelcome visitor.

This spring or summer (when the snow finally melts) the monster deck shall be tamed. Work was estimated to begin in April (ahem) The deck, you see, is far too large. I often compare it to  a vessel from a cruise line docked beside our house. The deck will be removed and replaced by a slightly smaller version.  We are reducing the depth by almost 4 ft so it won't protrude towards the street so much. Between this adjustment and some privacy glass, sitting on the deck will be a far more private experience.

 

Usually by April, the deck is clear of snow. A few snow showers usually happen, but it's welcome moisture. My annuals and some select perennials are stored in the garage by now; while we till soil and tidy-up garden borders. By the end of April, I typically have all of my containers planted and simply cover them at night until end of May or early June. At 3000 ft above sea level the nights can still be quite cold.

But alas, this year is different. The golf courses are behind opening, the ski hills are closing as their seasonal staff have taken other jobs, or are returning home to Europe or Australia.

I have NEVER EVER experienced a winter here that has been so cold for so long and with this much snow accumulation. I believe we broke a record at one point, and then broke our own record. Hooray?

 

~ Wherever you are, be it warm or cold; take care of you and yours tonight, ~

and look forward to the good things to come..

 

 

Lilac Season

 

It's our city's Lilac Festival on 4th Street today! Perfectly timed for an abundance of sweet smelling white and purple-hued blooms to pair with the festivities.

 

I love filling the house with their fresh fragrance each year. I hosted a bridal shower at this time a few years ago and needed flowers for the event. I filled the house with large to small arrangements of lilacs. After all, the brides' wedding color was purple!

 

Be sure to stop and smell the lilacs today!

 

In the Mews!

 

 

It's been weeks since I've written a post! So much going on. We've been busy sprucing-up the garden and our deck, (more on that to come!), as well as planning a trip to Paris!

 

In the meantime, not sure if you are familiar with a 'mews' house. Essentially, the 'mews' house is where the chauffer used to live above the garage or 'carriage house' located behind the towering upper middle class to upper class townhouses of London.  I think this would be my preferred style of housing in London for many reasons: quiet back lane streets, privacy, and off-street parking - practically unheard of in London!  In my mind, the value is incredible. And for a cool 4 to 8 million GBP, one of these could be yours... :) Truly still a bargain in London.  

 

 

 

 

This last one is my favorite!!

Easter Yellow

 

 

There is no more surer sign of spring than a bounty of yellow blooms and handsome birdlife.  (Even if photo-bombed by a pigeon). Yellow is the most uplifting color this time of year. Even on a dreary day in London, daffodils bursting with the deep yellow flowers brighten-up all of St. James's park. These photos are from last month, so by now, London is bursting with green foliage.

 

~ Happy Easter! Hope you're enjoying a beautiful Easter Sunday. ~

 

 

V is for.....Victoria!

It's Victoria Day here in Canada, in celebration of Queen Victoria's birthday on May 24, 1819. This silhouette of a grand statue of Victoria presides over the harbour in the city named her honour; Victoria, B.C.

The weather here in Calgary has been cool and rainy all weekend - which is somehow appropriate for the Victoria Day long weekend. Hope you had a chance to do something to celebrate despite the weather! Camping? A Barbeque? Last night we prepared a feast of English pub food for a bit of fun in celebration of the occasion.

...On the Beach!

We stopped by Shutters on the Beach recently for a nice breakfast and a walk along the ocean. I adore the look of this hotel and would love to re-do the exterior of our house by removing the horizontal wood planks and adding shakes.  I'd finish the look by adding some white metal deck railings in the x-cross style

 

 

 

 

Have you been inspired by a hotel interior or exterior?

 

 

~ It's Victoria Day long weekend next Monday and I can hardly wait! ~

 

 

Kitchen Window Freshen-up!

I just couldn't stand it anymore. The hideous dark brown horizontal blind hanging over the kitchen window that is. So when I woke up early yesterday morning I grabbed a screwdriver, removed it, and promptly threw it in the garbage. Andrew had hated it from the day we moved-in but we became distracted by other improvements and eventually we just ignored it.

After the removal of the offending object....

I made my way to Bed Bath and Beyond and selected a simple valance and tension rod to lighten-up the room. Privacy isn't really an issue. The window faces our neighbor's guest room that's rarely used.

The softer window treatment has added such a fresh, uplifting look and has added so much light to the kitchen. Our new buddy, Bertie (more on him to come!) just loves to lay in the sunlight that has been streaming in.

~Did you tackle a small project this weekend?~