Spring Cleaning
What have I been doing that I could not post or come visit much this past week? Well, it has been spring break here and I have had kids home from school and a lot of spring cleaning going on. Most of the work has been outside the house.
That is not a ghost on my porch. It is Colby sitting with the baby.
This is what my house looks like with spring all here bright and shining. The boxwoods in front of the house that we took a couple feet off the height last spring have recovered and the inside that was bare is now filling in with nice green limbs and tender leaves. But they are still much too high and block a lot of the front of the house. So we decided it was as good a time as any to pull out the chainsaw and set to work around the house and yards.
I told Steve to cut down anything that crossed the fence or cause the fence to break.
There was little to nothing to be seen of this fence. Last spring we cut back about 7 feet of brush and undergrowth. Then I found out I was pregnant and the heat and the all day long morning sickness put a very quick stop to the cleanup. This week we cut everything down and completely exposed the fence so we can repair and replace it as needed.
This pile is really bigger than it looks. I don't have anything to give perspective on it except to say it was about 7 feet long and over three feet tall. The porch is just over breat high on me and I stand 5'11".
After cutting down everything along the fence we started on the boxwoods in front of the house. After Steven took down about a foot and a half I went back with the trimmers and clippers and took off almost another foot of their height.
toy peice of equipment. Yes, a chipper shredder has joined our vast array of tools and motorized equipment that can leave you lame.
He has fussed and worked in this pond for several weekends now. He can be like a pissy old wiman aboutit some days. I won't complain too much there are worse things in the world.
Steven also gave the pond its spring cleaning. He has pulled out buckets upon buckets of muck and vegetation. Now it is nice and clean and the koi fish love their spring cleaned home.
Why do weeds grow like wildfire and you have to beg and plead with everything else to grow?
While Steve worked on the pond I worked in the garden plots around the pond. I weeded the areas and made them all tidy and ready for the flowers to grow and bloom.
I could totally eat him up.
Doesn't this make you want to have another baby?
*Sigh*
OH that is just lovely!
You have such a beautiful home and a wonderful family. I know it is all a labor of love to get the work done. But the results are so worth it. Now you need a rest from spring break!
~K!
P.S. that little 'sprout' in the swing is such a dolly!
He is getting so big! Time to have another one, eh? ;)
Everything looks beautiful, Angie. I know well how much work it is to maintain that much land. My parents used to have 11 acres. DH took the chainsaw to our VERY small back yard several weeks ago (we are further South than you, remember) and the results are FABULOUS! I really need to take pictures. I wish I had before-and-afters.
You have so much to be proud of. And I don't know if I've said this before, but Colby looks JUST like you. You have an absolutely beautiful family. And house!
Double that *sigh* - I think you live in paradise. What a beautiful home and grounds you have (and a lot of work to keep it looking so beautiful as well). And such a beauty of a boy. He's absolutely gorgeous. I am always amazed at how much you accomplish. You're superwoman!
Yes.
Even though it's a ton of work and a pain in the ass, I love taking overgrown areas and making them nice again. (Too much reading "The Secret Garden" as a child, I suppose.)
I'll trade a turtle for the pond for the baby on the porch.
Stunningly beautiful, and the property ain't bad either. Thank goodness you appreciate what you've got. Too much complaining in most blogs....look at this life you're living. Don't ever complain.
I don't. Ain't life great? WOOHOOO!
No, it doesn't make me want to have another baby or even plant boxwoods- I ct all ours out yeas ago and replaced them with garden. But this post reminds me of why I love coming by here- I love YOUR baby and YOUR house and garden and enthusisasm. Thank you kindly, dear Angie.
Beautiful Angie! The house and of course the baby!
Yes, and mine is still young.
Yes, and I already have three under eight.
I adore your house. You've done a beatuiful job on the grounds, too.
oh that baby is just like your spring growth: all fresh and pretty and amazing after a long winter! You guys have put so much work into making everything so beautiful...
And now I am sure that spring is really here, because Angie is back in the garden.
You and I have been doing the same things... Only our yard is MUCH smaller then that :) Bless your heart.
Yes that last picture really does make me want another. But in a small * very small way* I'm glad my test came back negative yesterday.
Maybe another grandchild - but the thought of having another baby around all the time is sort of off-putting (LOL). Your home is lovely, Angie, and the grounds are to die for. This children have a wonderful place to grow up!
I meant "these children", of course. Steven looks so peaceful there on the porch!
Yes.
Oh, you got so much accomplished. Good for you!
I see your sweet baby and long for the days when I could leave mine in her bouncer while I worked around the house. Now at two she's running me absolutely ragged!
Great set of pix, Angie. Thanks.
I love it when you take us through your grounds & garden. You always inspire me to get down and dirty in mine. I planted my first flowers at the new house today - 2 hydrangea plants that were given to me by my mother and grandmother on Easter Sunday.
And to answer your last question - YES!
Not another, but yes yes and yes. I cannot wait.
Beautiful work, Angie! Your house is lovely!
Angie, I did the meme last night.
Your yard is gorgeous!
LBC
WOE!!! that cow nearly jumped out and bit my head off. ahaha I was so surprised to see it. I like it though. But my honestly I like the other template better.
Ahhhh!! I love it Ang!!!!