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Relax and unwind, you’re on patio time!

Our very talented niece, Renée, and her husband, Félix, created two beautiful signs for our deck planters. My husband, Peter, came up with the slogan. I think they look great!

First, the wood is burned to preserve it and then the text is carved out. I added a coat of Varathane for further protection and Peter put them up with his trusty drill. And, now, it’s time to relax and unwind, it’s patio time!

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Summertime, and the living is easy

I’ve been so busy with gardening and other outdoor work (like sitting in the gazebo with a good book) that I haven’t had time to do much blogging. So, here’s an update on our yard…it’s starting to take shape, finally. When we moved in here in January of 2013, the entire property was hidden under snow, so we had no idea what we’d find come spring. Well, spring came, and it wasn’t pretty. But, enough about that. Here’ what we’ve created over the past few years…a new deck, gazebo, flower beds, plants and shrubs, outdoor lighting…

When we cleaned out the garden shed we found this old baker’s rack. I spray painted the metal part a nice shiny black, added new boards for the shelf and popped some plants onto it. It sits on the deck, right outside our back door. Everything old is new, again!


Our new planter boxes. This photo was taken in May…you should see them now! The boxes are overflowing with blooms.

The gazebo at night is so pretty with the lights in it.

The big old stump from a giant Norway pine that we had to cut down. Peter hollowed out the centre and I planted some flowers in and around it. It’s so pretty now.

Our pretty garden shed.

Peter showing off his big-man muscles.

I found the metal base of our birdbath in a neighbour’s trash one day when I was out for a walk. I lugged it home and painted it black. Peter added a board to the top of the post which I then painted in teal to match the birdbath. I put a few rocks in so the butterflies can land on them and have a drink, too.

I just love this birdbath.
So many hostas!

Yep, more hostas…and there are lots more, too!

While every garden has weeds, have you ever seen a dandelion this big? I found it way underneath our Silverleaf Dogwood. What a monster!

I could go on and on about our backyard, but I think you get the idea, right? Anyway, we feel very blessed to have a yard that we can enjoy and relax in.

Happy gardening to you!