After a fantastic weekend of Mother's Day indulgences and perfect gardening weather, a lovely spring storm passed through yesterday and gave me a chance to rest up and recuperate. Oh boy. Did I need it. Always, and without exception, the first few days getting re-acquainted with my yard after a long season of neglect, and the physical toiling required to whip it back into shape is sheer torture. Along with whipping myself back into shape. I think it rains weeds here in Oregon. Yes, I'm convinced of that. We maintain a lush organic environment and using harsh chemicals is not an option; the same weeds re-emerge year after year without fail and need to be dealt with face to face. A territorial battle ensues. I put up a good fight, but the weeds always take-over. Eventually, it pays off (for a season or two), but getting there requires honest-to-goodness back-breaking work. And it just seems never-ending at times.
Hauling in over 700 lbs. of river rocks for borders didn't help my back situation either, but it brings us closer to creating smaller low maintenance solutions. This little corner is shaping up nicely now. You may recall, it started out like this. I love the look of natural stone for borders and ground cover. The trees that we had trimmed and chipped earlier in the year made a nice dressing to cover the soil inside the beds. The deer no longer bother the azaleas, rhodies, or the 'Harlequin Glory Bower' (peanut butter tree). But everything else that's tempting, has been sprayed with the *magic concoction* . For those who have been asking about it again, you can download my DEER REPELLENT RECIPE and print it out for safe-keeping.
Last year, we added another section to the herb garden the length of our fenced-in veggie garden. This is so much bigger than it looks here, at least it felt bigger when I was weeding it; it got the rock and chipped bark treatment as well. I'm so tickled with how it all turned out. I threw myself into a 2-hour salts bath after this project though. And, I'm still hobbling...
Which is why I picked up some fresh new fabrics yesterday to tackle some tame inside sewing while my muscles knit themselves back together. Besides, I can always use a few more gardening smocks. It's actually quite possible that this may end up being my summer wardrobe at this point. And I actually couldn't be happier about it.
BTW thank you all for the baby doll dress LOVE. I'm already thinking about the next one, for big sister this time, who turns 5 this summer.
And, on another note...if you're looking for a little vegan romance--get out your embroidery needle and floss and check out sweet surprises. Those veggie heads are rocking.
What are you going to make with that lovely spring like fabric?
I can so relate with gardening aches and pains...my back side is screaming each time I go to sit down!
Posted by: Nancy | May 13, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Oh my! I'm in love with the fabric that you are showing off. Would you be willing to tell where you picked it up at?
Posted by: Tami | May 13, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Your yard looks amazing. It is evident that you have been doing some back-aching work! I hope the hobbling goes away soon.
As for the new material... WOW! I can't wait to see what you create next. A wardrobe of gardening smocks sound like heaven to me.
Posted by: Velma | May 13, 2009 at 11:32 AM
The gardens look beautiful! Can't wait to see how your sewing projects turn out!
Posted by: Nadine | May 13, 2009 at 11:44 AM
I thought you'd like to know that Sweet Surprises is still the tea set.
Posted by: Darlene | May 13, 2009 at 12:36 PM
The veggie dancers are the bomb. The one driving the cart looks a little scary though. Your fabric is so pretty.
Posted by: Babette | May 13, 2009 at 01:54 PM
You do have such a lovely garden!
Posted by: xue | May 13, 2009 at 03:03 PM
Your garden is looking lovely...hard work pays off!
Stay Cozy * "Pain Free",
Carrie
Posted by: Carrie | May 13, 2009 at 05:37 PM
Love the fabric...I can't wait to see the one for big sister. Your garden looks lovely.
Posted by: Judy | May 13, 2009 at 06:30 PM
Your garden is lovely! What is that fabric on the top? It is so sweet!
Posted by: Alissa | May 13, 2009 at 09:07 PM
I feel your pain!!! Your story sounds too much like mine! But I'd rather not be anywhere else, but in the garden.
Posted by: Diane | May 14, 2009 at 05:45 AM
Your garden is beautiful. And a lot of work.
I use pots for my gardening as I live in the thick...messy...woods.
I was potting the other day and just doing that my body ached.
The deer think I have created a buffet for them...although, over the years I have learned to use plants that is not on their candy list.
Posted by: Mo'a | May 14, 2009 at 06:41 AM
My goodness...I so love your blog!
Posted by: cathleen | May 14, 2009 at 07:07 AM
Hi Vicki. Your garden is lovely. What a wonderful garden you gave us in the Sweet Surprise section. Thank you for a happy visit. Gardens, fabric, and embroidery are my favorite things. I should include quilting because I can use all three in quilts. But I will never live long enough to use even one quarter of my fabric, garden patterns, or embroidery transfers in quilts.
Again, thank you.
Posted by: Cgirl | May 14, 2009 at 09:16 AM
Your garden looks beautiful! Great job :)
I love the fabric you chose too! I hope you will be feeling better soon :)
Posted by: Sharon D. | May 14, 2009 at 09:24 AM
oooh, pretty fabric. i know that post-work hobble. i do it myself. at the time, i'm thinking, oh this is good, then i'm crippled for a few days. :o) my brain is still 21. your yard looks lovely.
Posted by: robin | May 15, 2009 at 03:21 PM
Absolutely LOVE the veggie people. I will be making something for my son and dil, who are vegetarian. I love a free download! Thank you so much. Mona
Posted by: Mona | May 16, 2009 at 09:38 AM
Well your hard work paid off. Your yard it looking lovely indeed!!! I love the stone wall you have, beautiful.
It rains weeds here too. My son has been experimenting trying to find a natural weed killer..hee. We found out that pickle juice mixed with I think it was sugar??? Anyhow, it will make them wilt. :) That's a start.
Posted by: Gina | May 16, 2009 at 01:22 PM
I love your rock border! It's gorgeous. I'm lucky enough to have a nice bed out front under my aspens that's edged with local stone, thanks to the previous occupant of my house. And thanks for the deer repellent recipe. My lovely deer ate my bushes one winter a few years ago and they have still not completely recovered!
Posted by: Elizabeth | May 17, 2009 at 07:03 AM
It looks like you will be busy for a while! LOve your yard!
Posted by: Claudia Rohling | May 17, 2009 at 10:49 PM
beautiful garden and those fabrics are just pretty!
Posted by: Christy | May 18, 2009 at 04:45 AM
I love the addition of river rocks to a garden, and I'm familiar with hauling them around, as I've put many around my pond. One very helpful tool in the garden is a ...oh gosh, senior moment....one of those thingie bobbers with wheels that they haul appliances around on. My dad gave me one, and now I use it to move heavy pots, big rocks and even my soil filled oak barrels. It's terrific, and may be something you can find at a second hand store sometime.
There is just something about pickets and old fruit trees in blossom that speaks to me of spring, and romance. Lovely photos Vicki.
Posted by: Lena | May 18, 2009 at 01:47 PM
Beautiful garden. Love the river rocks - just something so charming about them, isn't it? And, the weeds, - it seems if I'm not on them constantly, they take over in too short a time - infact, one of my patches looks like a jungle right now.
Great birdbath. I'm on a search now for a vintage one for my garden.
Beautiful fabric. I'd love to see photos of your garden smocks.
Hope your back feels better soon.
Posted by: Jennifer | May 19, 2009 at 03:48 AM
Beautiful Irises (my favorite) and beautiful sky. Love your blog!
Posted by: Sandy Shirley | May 19, 2009 at 03:30 PM
Beautiful garden, you have inspired me!
Posted by: Mrs Bizzie | May 24, 2009 at 02:08 AM