Ouch!...

 

 

 ...it's almost been a month since my last post! I've missed blogging, but with the death of my mother-in-law, everything seemed a bit off this September and I feel like it's taken me quite a while to settle into our new fall routine... I think I'm finally getting there -- my energy's better and I've started on a few projects I've been meaning to get going on. I've been working on some new crochet-trimmed pillowcase styles like the one above and as I finish them, I will be putting them into my Etsy shop. I'm also making more crochet-trimmed cushions which I will show you soon. The other big project I'm still working on is our cottage by the lake -- as you can see in the mosaic below, a lot of progress has been made...  

 

 

1. I've started thinking about how to landscape the bare spots on the property which there are several of like the ones you can see in photos 13 and 16. This is a great time to be buying trees and shrubs for there are great fall sales on now, so I've definitely started making the rounds of the nurseries and thinking about how I all want it too look: very natural, no formal gardens here! So, I planted my first tree - a pine tree - a couple of days ago.

2. The cedar exterior of the house is being painted at the moment -- we opted for a lighter color, a mellow blue-green-grey which I think blends nicely with the natural surroundings. I like the color a lot because it's always changing depending on the light -- sometimes it seems more green and other times it tends more towards the blues.

3. Mmmm... my kitschy olive green crushed velvet loveseat -- what do you think?! The wood frame was originally painted a very icky brown so I covered it with a coat of yellowish green paint which I think has given it a whole new look! I sure do like quick makeover projects...

4. and 10. More trees that need to be planted -- a mixture of birch and maple. I do like the way the autumn leaves of these trees look against the color of our house!

5. A gardening rule that I've never had to consider before: if you want the plants to still be there the nexy day, they must be deer-resistant!  The deer may not like the plant in the photo, but the bees adore it and so do I ... Verbena bonariensis, a wild-looking self-seeder is a definite keeper!

6. and 15. Is it possible to be in love with a shower? Yes, I think so... maybe it has something to do with the rain shower fixture and the pebbles underfoot, but taking a shower in this stall is a lovely experience and this is coming from someone who loves baths and not showers!

7. The house as seen through the neighboring trees... I really do like its color!

8. We've finished putting up the interior walls and ceiling on the first floor -- all tongue and groove pine boards which give it a nice light country look. Now, we have to put up the boards on the second floor...

9. There is so much rock lying around the property as a result of the rock-blasting that had to be done to get access to the house site, so I decided to make a rock wall between our property and the neighbor's. It's a slow process because the stones that are around have a lot of irregular edges, but I'm enjoying it because it's like finding pieces to a jigsaw puzzle.

11. I planted one lovely delphinium and so far, so good: no deer nibbles...

12. It blows me away how much wood is scrapped when a house is built... 'Hope to recycle some of it and make some furniture with it.

13. One of the property's seriously bare spots is where the septic field is and where I've already thrown some  alternative to grass seed mix -- can't wait to see what comes up! I'd like to level this area a little bit more, plant some shrubs around its edges, so that one day we could play volleyball here without the ball rolling down the hill you see in photo 16!

14. When I saw this vintage eiderdown at a local thrift shop, I thought it would be a perfect fit for the house, so I couldn't wait to throw it on the only bed that's in the house at the moment!

16. I already seeded this hill with some wildflower mix this summer and was so excited when a lot of different flowers popped up -- I hope to continue seeding it with some deer-resistant wildflower mix which I recently got my hands on and turn it into a densely-planted wildflower meadow... 'Hope to be twirling (or maybe tumbling) on it next summer to "The Sound of Music"!

So that about wraps up the house update for now... I hope to start blogging more often again very soon as I do have so much to show you... Talk to you soon!

Comments

[marian]

What a dream coming true! A beautiful by the lake cottage with a wildflower meadow. Lots of work I'm sure but what a feeling it will be once it's all finished.
Bye,
Marian

[GerryART]

This post more than makes up an your absence, Beata.
Here's hoping all is going well and that you are taking time for yourselves.
Your place is such a homey, comforting location.
hugs
Gerry

[Evelyn]

Nice to see all the lovely progress on your new other home. Lobe the velvet couch and the vintage quilt.

[leanne]

It is really coming along...so beautiful! We have the deer here too. They don't like black-eyed susans, lavender, russian sage or bee balm. They do love hostas and lilies!

[Anne-Marie]

Your cottage is wonderful and so are your pillowcases! I would love to see more soon.
Bye, Anne-Marie

[Bebe Rouge]

It's looking really good I was instantly drawn to that green couch I love it. It's awesome what a great fix up xx.

[noknittedknickers]

I think I might be in love with your shower too! And love the colour you've chosen for the exterior. C.x

[Allison]

It looks like such a lovely retreat!

[Regina]

Oh it already looks lovley, and if by next year your hill won't be "flowerwise" alive with the sound of music, I can send you some photos from here :-) And although our hills are beautiful, I love your pines!
Greetings from Salzburg,
Regina

[Donna]

This is seriously fabulous!!!

[krista - Poppyprint]

Wow, you guys, the cottage is amazing!!! I love your shower, too and the interior walls are perfect. You're going to have so many fabulous family years in this gorgeous home. Nice to see it coming along and hearing all of your ideas for the garden - which I know you'll create beautifully.

[Holly]

So sorry for your loss. Your pictures are beautiful! :)

[Rosehip Hill]

Hi from one rosehip to another,

I like your crochet pillow cases. I am making throws like your pillow cases for Chrismtas this year. I found chenile type throws last year after Christmas for $2.50 each and I am adding a crochet edge to give them a homemade look. Your blog caught my eye by the name rosehip, which is what I use on my facebook account.
All the best on your cottage.

[קידום אתרי אינטרנט]

Gardening rule that I have ever had to consider first. Deer may not like the photo of the factory, but the bees love it.