Why, hello there :)
I know I've been MIA, but I've been a busy bee.
Last weekend, I attempted to claim the jungle that was once my backyard, that I pretty much ignored while I worked on the inside of the house and the front yard.
I'm nearly done, but it took three days of back breaking labor and I still have quite a bit to do, but at least it's cleaned up for the most part and ready to be turned into what I would like, which is a fruit and vegetable garden.
It's about two thirds of an acre back there and most of it is on a hill, but I think I can manage it. I'll show you pictures of the before and after when I get some more of it done. Right now it just looks like a lot of dirt and rocks with some random plants.
All that work outside has made me put off all the other things I need to do inside the house, so.....
I still haven't done the rest of the tile in the bathroom.
The walls of the tiny mudroom are still unpainted.
The rest of my furniture still needs to be polished.
Not to mention all the rest of the cleaning around here that has been set aside.
Starting tomorrow, this room will be getting a thorough clean out...
Do you find your house getting messier when the weather gets warmer?
I sure do.
Procrastination is my middle name anyway, but most especially when I can get my hands in the dirt.
Now I'm off to see what all of you have been up to and maybe get to answering some of your emails and questions :)
Have a beautiful evening my sweet friends.
xo
rue
Hi Rue! I am "itching" to get outside and start working in the yard but our weather has still been so cold! It actually hit 50 today and tomorrow, 66 - so I will be outside attempting to at least clean out some of the perennial beds. It'll be more near the end of April and beginning of May where we're busy planting veggies and flowers and setting up the patio. Can't wait to see your new outside area!
ReplyDeleteI worked outside and inside today. One section at a time. I love your Kitchen nook, there is a wonderful movie with Cary Grant (dipolmat) and Ingrid Bergman ( an actress) lives in London and they have breakfast in a nook like yours. Love it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're not Super Woman, Rue! But it does sound as if you haven't been procrastinating so much as prioritizing, and dust can wait when you have the chance to be outside digging in the dirt. I bet you can just see rows of vegetables growing!
ReplyDeleteWow. Three-quarters of an acre sounds labor intensive in many ways. Are you feeding an army? Running a farmstand? Your kitchen is wonderful...that dining nook is very, very cool.
ReplyDeleteYour dining nook is so adorable. Sounds like you have been pretty busy outside. Can't wait to see your garden. That's a lot of garden.
ReplyDeleteJudy
Heehee, I say God created rain and snow so I would clean my house:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful nook.
Working on the backyard must of been rewarding amongst the trees. Are you going to build planters for your veggies and fencing to keep the deer away? House chores put aside for the moment to make you yard a retreat. Kathleen in Az
ReplyDeleteThere's already a back fence and a few planters, thank goodness :)
DeleteYard work is so difficult, and physically challenging to take care of. We have a couple of acres in the back - my hubs and some hired help do the greater part of it. I take care of the deck, the "zen room" covered patio and the flower garden, they do the rest, which is a lot. Hubs has a HUGE vegetable garden portion. Yum.
ReplyDeleteI don't like to clean my car either - inside or out. But my house I have "issues" and clean often - every day and once a week really deep clean. I have a long haired cat and a hatred for dust. : - )
So I will put off things like taxes and shaving my legs but don't procrastinate seasonal decorating or cleaning. We all have our vices though.
It's been nice getting to know you again, Rue. Have a blessed weekend coming up.
If I can find ANYTHING else to do - I will, because I don't like cleaning. Although when I DO clean, it feels so good to see everything nice and clean! It doesn't make sense to me, but that's how it's always been!!
ReplyDeleteI do understand...after a long winter, when it gets warm, I'm outside! Looking forward to seeing your garden!
ReplyDeleteHi Rue!
ReplyDeleteWe had a very warm week in the 70's so I took advantage of it and planted about 100 Iris bulbs and many summer rhizome perennial plants in my garden. Hopefully something will come up and bloom in summer. We have very poor caly soil so it was backbreaking work. I get many rabbits and deer visitors so I've given up on a vegetable garden or planting many annuals. They eat it all!
Have a wonderful Easter!
Good morning Rue! I do know how you feel, both the yard work, and the messy kitchen. Given a choice, I'd rather be out in the garden, then cleaning; especially when the weather gets nice, to feel the warmth of the sun on my face, than chasing dust bunnies any day! Have a great day! Have a blessed Easter weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing your back gardens. I'm sure it will all be lovely and a joy for you to work in.
ReplyDeleteI am a procrastinator too and being sick this past week I've not felt like doing anything but resting and napping. I am looking forward to pressure washing and painting my little cottage, one wall at a time. :-) Finally mixed up a color I really like.
Happy Easter week ~ FlowerLady
Hi Rue! How exciting that you're able to dig in the dirt! I can't wait to see what you're doing. We still have tons of snow but folks keep telling me it will be gone one day! I'm excited too to be able to work in our new to me backyard and plant some flowers and things. Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Rue - looking at your kitchen makes me smile. It's so wonderfully cheerful. We're going crazy with Spring plans and I'm sure only a few of them will actually get implemented. March up here in the snowy North is fun - all of the dreaming and none of the work yet. April will help get us moving though.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your back yard is going to be wonderful when you finish! There is nothing greater than having your own veggie garden!
ReplyDeleteYou are a busy bee! Can't wait to see the before and after pictures of your backyard. A vegetable garden is something I would love to have, unfortunately not a possibility with my back issues. I do however manage to plant tomatoes and herbs in big pots, so I do get to dig around in dirt a bit...lol This type of work is so much more fun that cleaning inside.
ReplyDeleteJeannette
I'm glad you at least have some pots to dig in Jeannette! :)
DeleteWell my Dear, your kitchen does not look messy, to me! It looks as precious, as it always does.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the work you have done, in the back. From a bitty picture, you posted before, the back yard is very interesting. Can't wait to see it, 'for real.'
And congratulations on all that work. Not easy, to reclaim a piece of land. Not one bit easy.
that floor ... that arch ... the dining nook ... LOVE it all!
ReplyDeleteThe kitchen looks wonderful. That tends to be my pattern. I keep thinking someday I will make a schedule like straighten one space a day, but then I remember that as small as my home is there is more than seven places, so I do nothing.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you have been having a lot of fun!! xx
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the dirt...in the yard, that is! I would much rather garden, rake and plant than dust or polish.
ReplyDeleteHi Rue, we've been digging in the dirt too and it has been so nice to work outside again. You are right, the inside takes a back seat when so much has to be done outside. I know you are enjoying your garden and it will be special.
ReplyDeleteLove your inside pics too and have fun cleaning out tomorrow.
Wishing you a Happy Easter.
Hugs, CM
Yes...I procrastinated too! I was supposed to be continuing my spring cleaning...but with the weather so nice today...I went to my first garage sale of the year! I can always clean tomorrow when it's raining! ;)
ReplyDeleteWe've been going to garage sales too! It's so much fun :)
DeleteHello my sweet young friend..sorry I have also been MIA..I love working outside and seeing my flowers in bloom..Did I ever tell you I love your home?? only you Rue could take a house and make it into a home..I always said "hands build a house..but hearts build a home" and you have done that with each home you have had..I know that's one reason I love you so..How proud your kids must be of you Rue..Weather is just beautiful here on my mountain top..All the deer have new babies now following them around haha!!..I went and spend a week at my youngest daughter home in Nv..I always love spending time with her..
ReplyDeleteMay you have a Blessed Easter my friend..Always remember someone in California loves you girl..Many hugs and smiles Gloria
Love you too, my friend :)
Deletexo
My house is only dirty when the sun shines. And then OMG!!! :)
ReplyDeleteMy house is only dirty when the sun shines. And then OMG!!! :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, once the outside stuff begins, the inside starts getting neglected. Guess it's inevitable until we get the outside spruced up enough to our liking! I worked on an area of our front yard yesterday and it whooped me! Gotta get into shape for this!
ReplyDeleteRue, that little cove is just adorable! Love it and can't wait to see more of what you do in the house, including the jungle. :)
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I have found the answer to making sure we keep the house clean, even when the outdoors and beautiful weather beckons...just have my parents plan a visit and we are in full on cleaning mode! LOL! ;) But seriously, it is hard to keep the house clean when a. you want to spend as much time outdoors as you can b. there is all that yard work to do and c. all the dirt and mud gets tracked in from both the human and furry members of this family.
ReplyDeleteOh! I hear ya! We have a huge tree just outside the back door. I could vacuum everyday and there would still be little tiny leaves in our family room. :( I procrastinate too. I hate it, but then it makes the anticipation of a finished project even sweeter. :) (I tell myself)
ReplyDeleteHope you are getting ready for a wonderful weekend!
~Liz
Rue,
ReplyDeleteSpring is my favorite and inside is not where I want to be. But it seems there is always things to do inside.
Blessings,
Amy Jo
I love the chequered theme.
ReplyDeleteI think Spring is a time which almost likes to try and cut us in half ! Half in the garden and half inside !
Have a good Easter
All the best Jan
There are only two kinds of days when I don't clean...sunny and rainy. :/
ReplyDeleteYou have a heck of a chore ahead of you, but no doubt you will be rewarded with lots of yummy veggies!