new house – New England's Narrow Road

fence and rock garden — Trying to Beautify the Yard

Well, I am all moved into the new house and I’ve been busy trying my best to get the place fixed up. Some things I am doing myself, such as yard work and planting. I’ve already weeded and made a small garden in the rocks by the driveway and along the old fence which I decided to keep. At first I thought I might paint it, but I’m not sure, and that would be something that can wait anyway.

Fall is a great time to plant perennials so I’ve been checking out the local farms and stores for some to add to the yard. Tenney Farms (one of my favorite places) has a bunch of perennials that are overgrown and not so pretty, but I’ve picked up some good stuff in the past few weeks. I added a red rhododendron to the side yard and a couple of peonies (one is white) to the fence garden, along with tall, red daylilies and little stella d’oros (which I love too), and a white phlox.

I found a great looking Astilbe at the farm too and that is in the front near all the trees. I have a lot of shade in the front from the tall trees that line the road and the sunny, but small, back yard was full of blackberry bushes that I have been pulling out. Not fun! I’ll keep the raspberries which are not in the way, and not as nasty.

I planted a red coneflower and yellow daisy back there which will grow among my veggies next spring. Fall is a good time to get ready for next years growing season so I feel like I am accomplishing something and in the Spring there will be at least some color in this yard.

The only plants worth much that are already here are a few leggy lilacs, and I found two, small azaleas that look like they are barely surviving. I’m moving them into more sunny areas so hopefully they will do better. Already I am looking forward to next Spring, for the first time in years.

This is what I have spent most of my time doing, that and getting my son ready for school which starts next week.

How to Plant Perennials (homeandgardenideas.com)
Planning A Garden: Sunny Spots (hydrangeasblue.wordpress.com)

green and yellow bathroom — Camp style bath

Now that I have moved, I have to get used to new things all over again. Or should I say, “old things” that are new to me? I love that I have windows in both my bathrooms, even though the one downstairs only opens a few inches, due to the fact that I am not strong enough to shove it open more. Almost all the windows in the house are old and balk at being opened. A bathroom without windows is pretty dumb. It’s the one room that gets steamy and needs fresh air the most, so why is it that houses are built without considering that? I lived for 3 years in a rental with a tiny bathroom and no window, so having windows now is like heaven to me!
The upstairs bathroom (in my picture) reminds me of being at camp. Why on earth anyone would paint their bathroom bright yellow and dark green is beyond me. Even the stall size shower reminds me of going camping and taking showers in the hideous camping bathrooms – except that I love my shower. It’s small, but the water gushes out and it feels so good. Then I put up my window fan and pull in the fresh air and give thanks that I am standing in my own house – camp bathroom and all.