garden98011's Blog

Oh So Close
Jul 22, 2008 | 10:23 PM PST

We have been living in the midst of a huge remodel (interior & exterior) for over two years.  This last week has seen more progress than the previous two years.  The fact is, my brother-in-law and family will be here Saturday and my DH is racing to get little things done.  Seems my complaining about the infinity edge deck didn't matter until big brother was on his way...then the schedule of completion went on steroids.

You have to understand, I am not slamming my DH, I am constantly impressed with his designs.  His mind is full of new ideas for everything he sees.  We just approach things much differently.  I am a plan it, finish it German gal.  He is a plan it, replan it, discuss it,  start it, change it,  do other things, dabble at the original project and then go on vacation type of guy and it doesn't phase him.  Being a designer, he sees the vision and is fine if something else comes up. (thankfully his clients are handled differently!).  Plus we have had a ton of major life changes occur, the biggest being, my mother w/Alzheimer's moved in last October.  He designed a "Grammy Suite" for her and had that built, etc.   Anyway, I get frazzled living in remodel chaos, clutter makes me nervous-so I have spent a lot of early morning hours on the trail and worn through several pairs of shoes!  He is wholly supportive of my time on the trail, he holds the fort sleeping in bed-though does join me occasionally. DH & I are a great balance for the other.

I am so over the top excited the outdoor projects will be done this weekend.  We really enjoy entertaining in the garden and missed all last year.  My sweet friend and her infant son dropped in last week-I love drop ins, it was so fun sitting in the garden enjoying her company.   We will have a small outdoor family party on Saturday then the following Friday a group will be over prior to an event we will be attending elsewhere.    Woohoo, summer has finally begun!!

~Andrea

P.S. I should have emphasized, we did not have a deck, steps or ramp to the backyard for ages that's why we couldn't entertain outdoors.  Then we had a deck w/o railing-not very safe! Posted photos of the remodel in a new album ~A

New Blue Garden Addition
Jul 16, 2008 | 10:39 PM PST

We knew our seventeen year old liked trampolines, she had mentioned it over the last year or so.  What I did not realize is how much she liked them....When my heart finally heard her words, I jumped on Craigslist and found this monster.  We picked it up last week...Oh well, the grass can be reseeded when she leaves for college next year and the blue monster is relisted on CL.  The yard really is not suited for the thing-but she is happy, she loves it and we have had a blast on it as well.  If you have not jumped on a trampoline-DO IT, my friend and I laughed so hard we felt like teenagers.   I was a bit alarmed when the 17yo started moving a deck chair toward the roof this afternoon-reminded her to think twice about her intentions and then remember what she learned in physics class....good grief!!! (photos in today's album)

It is so nice to have consistent heat so our blooms start to pop and we have color.  The agapanthus and crocosmis are starting to open as well as a few leaves on the plumerias.  My neighbors are enjoying fragrance from their brugs, so I should get some blooms soon (mine are in more shade).   Took a few photos of our courtyard this morning, as well as some mini (haha) EEs & brugmansias for Bugnut & Stereoman to see (tiny compared to theirs),etc-all posted under a new album "July 16, 2008". 

On the enjoy life note (outside of gardening :)  ), I say that because I recently received a small inheritance and was told to "Enjoy Life" with it...so I bought a tandem kayak yesterday and soon will be spending some quality time navigating Lake Washington.  The "we" can be DH, my children, friends (I was also told to not share the inheritance goofy deal-no explanation coming!)-it will be so fun!  There is a bald eagle that sits in a tree on the trail I run on near the lake.  I can hardly wait to pause and watch him on HIS tree as we quietly sit in the water.

Our remodel is almost done, my husband is going nonstop trying to finish all the little things that don't get done until a relative visits.  I am soooooooooo thankful his brother (older!) and family are visiting next week.  Amazing how quickly everything is wrapping up NOW!!!!  :) The new garage doors, deck railing and rebuilt ramp will be done by next week...more photos to follow.

~Andrea

My darling girl is in blue: