Steve and I drove to the local bakery that makes really good sandwiches. We shared a Reuben sandwich and they gave us each a slice of chocolate cake.
The food is so good and the sweets are delectable.
Trip To Outdoor Nursery:
Then we went to the outdoor nursery just down the road from where we live.
I picked out 2 combo plant pots and one Boston fern. Plusa few little pots of English Ivy to trail down the sides of the combo plant in the wash tub.
I waited until Greg got here that afternoon and we planted them together. He does all the lifting.
Saturday he’s going to try to get my water fountain out of the storage closet just off the patio. I’ll probably have him put the fountain on the patio in the same place as last year.
Greg got out my swirly hose (what are those hoses called?) that has a sprayer nozzle. We were lucky that the plain hose that’s hooked up way down the side of my apartment fit into my hose.
Then he dragged all this up to my yard. It’s probably 25-30 feet away. After we were finished watering the plants, he took my hose and sprayer off. Ron said someone always steals them if you leave them attached.
I called to Pat across the sidewalk to tell her she could water her plants with it while we had the two attached.
Since we don’t know when they’ll have the in-ground water sprinklers on, we need to help one another water our little gardens.
My Multi-level Yard:
I never cared much for my yard with the different levels before. But now that most of the yard is landscaped I’m feeling much better about the yard I ended up with.
It’s nice having the shade on hot days for sure. And I love that tall cypress tree. It has the most delicate leaves that look like lace.
Yesterday I walked over to Ron and Pat’s porch and sat down with Ron in Pat’s rocking chair. She was doing something inside.
We chatted about the hummingbird he’d seen that morning, the trees, the plants. And we watched and commented on the birds coming to his feeder.
It’s so nice having neighbors who care about nature and gardening like I do.
When I got back to my patio I saw that Ivy was in a little distress on the other side of the patio door. It must have been because Mama was out of sight.
I could see her meowing on the other side of the glass, but couldn’t hear her. Ivy rarely ever meows. And when she does, it’s usually just one meow and that’s it.
But I guess she was upset because she couldn’t see me. Once I got inside and reassured her, she was off to the couch for a nap.
A Little More Landscaping:
I’ve decided to have another little landscaping project done.
I talked to Roberto about it when he came to shave off that sharp corner of edging yesterday. He gave me a good price and I told him to schedule it.
I had Roberto buy a purple clematis, and he is going to plant it in the ground behind the two green pots. There is a little alcove there, and it will be against the wall behind those pots.
I love a purple clematis. He sent me a photo of it from his phone. From the photo it looks like a Clematis ‘Jackmanii’.
I had one for a time at the other apartment, but it was the white clematis that came back year after year.
The clematis flowers symbolize the beauty of ingenuity or the trait of artifice.
Many experts think that this is because of its wonderful and clever ability to climb around walls and trellises.
Roberto is planning on planting it tomorrow unless it rains. I also asked for gravel for the odd space between the Boston fern and the patio.
I’ll take photos to show you once he’s finished with this next little project.
The photos you see above are ones I took at 7:30 this morning.
What routine do you follow during this challenging season of epidemics? pizza tower is a terrific game to keep you occupied over the winter, as I recently discovered. Come come over immediately.
I’m excited about your yard and such. It’s your little slice of Heaven – enjoy!
I wish I had someone like Steve to help with various things. He’s definitely a blessing. And, let’s not forget about Greg – another blessing!
I hope your Friday was full of bliss, Brenda!
The yard and patio are a perfect little oasis for you Brenda! so glad you have Roberto to carry out your visions and plans, and who would have thunk that your (very sweet) physical therapist would be helping you plant things! I love all the layers and raised beds, etc. I know it does make it more difficult for you to walk on it, but it’s oh so pretty. What a step forward to be able to walk over to your neighbors and visit! That’s progress! Marilyn
You had me at chocolate cake! What’s the name of the bakery? We have family in Tulsa (Don’s side), and I’m always game for trying a place that has good sandwiches!
It’s Merritt’s Bakery.
Thanks! Just made a note of that for future reference!
Your yard looks wonderful! I knew you’d do an amazing job, as soon as you were able to. Look at the bright side… since your yard is so shady, you’ll be able to comfortably sit outside and enjoy it on those warmer days of summer. You are truly blessed with such good friends and neighbors! And of course, Miss Ivy too!
My post just disappeared before i could send it! But i love the yard. The gecko is wonderful on the rock!
Lunch and shopping with a good neighbor/friend, sounds like a wonderful day. A Boston fern plus the Clematis makes it a Day+ wonderful day.
Everything looks so beautiful already, and getting better each day.
Ivy probably felt a little left out, and wanted to let you know “Don’t forget about me”. Cats tend to do that, as you have found out (grin)
Have a nice Weekend…
So happy for you Brenda…you deserve all the peace this will bring you💕
The fern is so beautiful. I think your garden is lovely, you have transformed it completely since you moved in. And so nice to have good neighbors who share your interests. It’s horrible that somebody would steal hoses so you can’t leave them out, I never heard of such a thing, but I suppose people will steal anything and everything. At least they’re not stealing your beautiful pots and plants, and your outdoor decor – knock on wood.
So happy for you. Looks lovely and welcoming. A place of rest.
What a lovely green space you have created there. I like the (what looks like) iron fence in the tree picture.
So much pride in ownership there! You’ve done a lovely job in that challenging space. What a nice spot of fresh air respite when summer heat arrives. Just be sure to tell Ivy, “I’ll just be out here on the other side of the door! No need to fret, baby!” 😘
I think it’s so neat that the complex allows you to create a yard on their property! I wish you had a spigot by you. It would make things so much easier, but I’m guessing you don’t always need it. (I live in AZ so…) Looks lovely!
Yes ,,,,, you 😀 sure do!!!!
Wow wow ,,,, EVERYTHING looks really beautiful ❤️ Brenda!!!
🪴 🌿 🪴 🌿 🪴 🌿 🪴 🌿
Looking forward to seeing what else is planted!!!
With all this new, spectacular ✨️ landscaping, summer ☀️ will be so enjoyable for you and the great friends in this apartment complex!!
Keep us posted! 😊
Brenda everything looks so pretty. You have such a vision for garden and home. Enjoy
Great job on the garden, Brenda! It really looks nice…and I think the different “layers” and stone elements just add to the interest. You have some good helpers with Roberto, Greg, and Steve, too.
Sweet Ivy..missing mama! 🙂
You have a lovely garden Brenda, it looks so good! I am glad Greg is helping out and also Steve driving you to the garden centers.
Poor Ivy must have woken up and realized that you were out of reach.
I have a Clematis Jack Manii. they really are spectacular. You must have a nearly full garden now.
Your garden looks so welcoming and lovely:-) I am so happy you are enjoying it. Your neighbors and Greg are the gold standard! Glad you have Roberto to call about your garden – he has done a very nice job so far. And sweet Miss Ivy is so accustomed to you always being around these days – she didn’t know what to think when you weren’t there! Have a lovely day! Enjoy your garden:-)
I’ve been having trouble seeing the rest of your blog! I think I have it figured out now. Your landscaping looks great. I’m so glad you were able to get it done. I’m also very happy to hear that you and Steve went out to lunch and to the nursery!
I think its incredible that you have landed in an apt with so many nice neighbors who all seem to enjoy gardening too!! Wish we could move…I continue looking online…considering another town that years ago we used to go to for yummy meals…we are thinking to maybe drive over today to check out the restaurant anyway. It is close enough we could still drive to our doctors etc…though so far, it would cost more than it does here, but I am tired of the criminal living over us etc. Your meal out and plant shopping sounded very fun by the way!!
Everything looks so nice in your yard. Worth the effort to see it now almost completed for awhile I am sure. I remember how hot you said it got on your former patio without shade so this will be a welcome relief to enjoy the good weather.