Pacific Northwest Gardening: Laurie's Garden Tour, 1 by Laurie1

Laurie1 wrote:
Jan23, welcome to the thread. As you can see, PNW has a very flexible designated area - so hopefully, you too will take a turn creating a garden tour. I'm sure all of us will be more than happy to examine, exclaim, admire, and suggest in detail on a NJ garden! Welcome.

Working back up the list:
Gwen, you are right - old houses are fab, but isn't it funny how we all hanker after something else - I absolutely long for an uber-modern, ultra minimalist house - loads of glass over looking the Chilean coastline. Given the opportunity, the truth is, I have said 'nooooooooooooo, can't give this up'. So, in some ways I think yearning for architecture is one of those lovely lovely fantasy, like imagining 'if Geo Cloney met me.....', well you know. As far as drafty, I actually find those a blessing. My DH's idea of heavan is to fire up the woodburner enough to roast potatoes on the sofa and deplete all oxygen. If it weren't for the drafts I would instantly fall asleep everytime I sat down to read. The fireplace is a funny story - and I definately do not reccommend doing this - we found this house, feel in love and started negotiating. I went to an auction, saw that fireplace and instantly knew it would fit that space (there was a ghastly little repro something or other, much to small for that space) - I bought the fireplace and stored it in the hallway of our house until we moved. Thank goodness it worked out, it takes 3 men and a lot of grunting to move the thing - its lead lined on the back. No maker name, Edwardian period. I think the faeries knew it would be mine. DH just tolerates all things Laurie. Very good man. We do shop in Burwash, there is a grocers, a butchers, we just lost our farrier (he is in the next village now), a gallery, newsagents, hairdresser, florist, and three pubs. Also a lovely church, scout hut, and a great health centre.

Katye, that is a lovely story - I'm not sure how I got interested in gardening, just one day I realized that I had my own trowel and a load of potted plants in London. Onward and upward from there. I do know that Goliath effect that wee English ladies can have.

Pix, it is true, I just marvel everyday that I am there, that no one asks for the keys back. I don't think a day has gone by (or at least not many!) when I don't stop and just bask in the great good luck I have had - my work, my DH, my home - I can't ever remember in earlier years ever imagining this outcome, but here it is. And I do cast a lot of genuine thank you to the stars each night. Just to stand in the land, it is a marvel. But I think most of us on this thread share that. Its nice. We do have a file that the previous owners did on who owned the house and when. What I find interesting is whether the listing is just the man's name, and when it is husband and wifes name. There have been some good generous families here. I know what you mean about ghosts - but I always have that feeling that this is a house who has only known contented people. That's my fantasy, and I'm sticking to it.

Thistledown, I'm looking forward to seeing a 104 year old American Farmhouse - another period of architecture I fancy living in, right alongside my chilean uber-moderne.

Redchic - I know what you mean about digging things up - we are very lucky that farmers just desginated an area the tip, and there you find allsorts of Heinz bottles - I've come up with several ink bottles, putnam's paste, and several medicine bottles along with loads of shards of blue and white pottery, several pieces of cutlery, a decanter top, one ice skate and......well it goes on and on. And guess what - I keep all of it. Another thing DH tolerates.

Sally and Tills, you dilligent souls, 2x around - I'm going to have to find you some really good spots so you can sit and rest a bit. I'll bring you a glass of something refreshing.

Now I must get back to the tax returns, so I will leave you with this - this is my desk, and surprise, look what is on the screen - back later.

One of you photohounds: why are all of my photos doing that pixel crinkle? I'm only stepping them down once - I definately need a new camera. Fed up with this one. Any opinions on the Canon EOS450D?


This message was edited Jan 6, 2009 3:46 PM