My Cottage Home Fire and Rebuild

Hi There folks :) I haven't been on Dave's for a long while, but wanted to post what I've had going on. I didn't know where to post this, but this was one of my favorite forums. If you've never seen my garden before, here it was in better days: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/774521/

I had a fire on June 17th of this year and my family was safe, but it was devastation as pictured here:
http://gallery.me.com/susanmccoy007#100077

My home was not a total loss, but it was gutted down to the studs. We are rebuilding and making improvements as well. This home was my husbands childhood home and we have lived here for 13 years and raised our children here as well.
My rebuild pics: http://gallery.me.com/susanmccoy007#100055
I will continue to post to this album as progress is made and will update this thread :)

While the home will be a great home, but the yard and garden have really taken a hard hit- despite my efforts to protect it. Its been difficult to watch, but I know I will bring it back :)

Merry Christmas :)

Susan

Susan~ so sorry to hear about the fire....your home will be quite lovely and comfortable when the crews are done. Knowing your gardening love and skills ( your past cottage gardens are a strong testimony of that) you'll have those new garden beds whipped into shape in no time at all. Be more than happy to send some cottage flower seeds your way....Best of all, I'm so glad you and your family are safe and well. Merry Christmas!

Susan - Same here ... if you need seeds, just ask all of us. I would certainly share whatever I have with you. {{{hugs}}} It is a blessing that no one was hurt (or worse). Gather your family close this Christmas and thank the good Lord for keeping y'all safe despite what happened. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Edited to add: OH WOW! I just looked at your rebuild photos and the house looks gorgeous!!! How exciting! I see you did make some major changes and it just looks amazing! Congrats on the new look! When is the estimated time for completion?

I can see where many of the garden beds right next to your house were damaged due to the fire and construction crews. I would bet that many of your plants will come back ... maybe even better than before! I know that was the case with me. :-) Isn't ash good as a soil amendment? ;-)

This message was edited Dec 23, 2009 11:07 AM

Hi Susan, I'm so sorry about your house and yard!

My computer won't let me view your pics but I imagine it was a devastating experience. Your place was sooo lovely. Let me know what kind of seeds you are looking for and I'll see if I have them. I'm getting a lot of seeds in the Piggy Swap that I'll be able to share as well. Hopefully, a local plant swap will happen this spring too so your garden and Girlgroupgirl's tornado ravaged garden can be replenished.

I'm mostly glad that you and your family are safe. I know you'll have that garden drool-worthy in no time!

Danita
P.S. Just remembered you like heirloom roses. I have a 3 gallon Nastarana rose that you are welcome to if you want it. Someone gave it to me and I'm never going to get the poor thing planted. JLMK if I should save it for you.

Hi Susan,
I'm so sorry to read you've been through such a tragedy, and so glad to see the gorgeous rebuilding. It's going to be so wonderful when its all done, and you can get back into the garden. I know how rough construction going on is on a garden. Last year we had a new roof put on and new septic system installed, considering how destructive that was I can only imagine what you're seeing happen to your garden! Just remember, plants are amazingly resilient, and a lot of things will show back up unexpectedly. And as you redesign parts of the garden, it will be with all those things in mind you would like to do differently.

And as you figure out which plants you've lost, let us know- I'd be happy to send you divisions of perennials and seeds galore. DGrs are so astoundingly generous, I'm sure others will be happy to do the same. I lost a special Lily to the backhoe, and another member sent me 3 of hers!

Wishing you a very merry Christmas, full of hope and promise of better days!
Neal

I have extra seeds to just post a list of what you're looking for and between us all I'm sure we can get you set right up!

Susan, sounds like your home & gardens will be rising from the ashes like a phoenix!

I'm going to ask Starlight to get in touch with you... she's hosting the "piggy swap" that's going on right now, and if you get a wish list to her I think she'll be able to put a nice assortment of seeds in the mail for you.

Duh now why didn't I think of that Critter...LOL

Actually, I'm not sure whether a house fire is considered a natural disaster or not (extra seeds from the swap have been pre-designated to help survivors of natural disasters, like the hurricanes or the wildfires out west)... but SoulGardenLove is definitely a survivor! :-) One way or another, I know we'll get seeds to her.

yep we sure can...would be easier on me though if I had a list to go by...unless she WANTS some tropical seeds too...but not sure they'd fit the 'cottage feel' Darn maybe I should have saved all the mystery seeds my neighbor gave me...she has a cottage garden, no doubt about that, but she forgot to label the bags...so I sent them all to mekos for Arejay and Cajun, in her annual seed auction

Susan.... Send me your addy and also if ya have an ide a of what thinsg ya looking for or woudl like post it on her for us. : )

Hello Susan. I'm sorry to hear about your home. Glad you and your family is safe.

I would love to help you restock anything you need. When everything come up in the spring, I can dig some stuff out and give you whatever you need. I also have alot of seeds too.

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Nicole

You all are the best!! I am so touched :) I really appreciate the kind words. Thanks so much!

I would gladly welcome seeds.. I am not particular about which kinds. The kind of seeds I like and grow are "cottage" Ha Ha.. If it can go in a cottage garden, I will grow it :)

There is something so special about seeds..The hope of new promise. New beginnings. My new home.. and I think the seed analogy is something only gardeners can understand.

I'm off to spend this evening at the home of great friends and I wish you all a Great, Merry Christmas :)

Susan

I knew Ella would come thru.... she's got a huge heart and LOTS of seeds. That's why I also send her a lot of my extras... all go to good homes.

Susan... have fun this year rebuilding your gardens.

Happy Holidays

Terese

I am so sorry to hear of that fire, and I can imagine what your garden has gone through. But am glad at the same time that everyone is safe and sound.

I'm holding off sending you seeds until Ella sends the piggy swap seeds out - might be some surprises for us both :)

Wishing you much Hope and Fun scheming winter dreams with your new *cleared* canvass, and I hope you're laying in lots of wintersowing supplies.

Karen

and hope you keep us posted on how things come along



This message was edited Dec 28, 2009 10:26 PM

I am a new gardener, but I have lots of extra yellow French Marigold,yellow African marigold (they match) and purple Star of Yelta morning glory seeds from my garden. I will send som to you if you wish. I also have some vitex tree seeds form the unusual seed swap - enough for a forest - glad to share if you want some.

I am glad that you and your family are safe, but it must be difficult to lose your home to fire. The bf encouraged me to pack emergency bags. One of emergency supplies, one of personal things like jewelry, papers, pictures etc. It is difficult, but a good idea. We were evacuated last winter when local chemical plant had a spill. I grabbed my dog and my emergency bags and hopped in the neighbor's car. I have a wonderful neighbor that is a volunteer fireman. He even shovels my sidewalk. I don't drive, so it was great for him to think of me. I was also greatful that the local school (the emergency shelter) allowed us to bring our pets. Tiffany loved meeting the neighbors and having a McDonalds hamburger. Luckily, the spill was cleaned up and no one lost their home or life.

Amazing story. Beautiful rebound. Great additions. You have a beautiful home and garden.

Susan - your home and gardens were beautiful and will be again!

So much beauty arising from all that devastation already!!

Kelly

Susan, I have a lot of cottage-ish plants in my gardens, and would be happy to mail you some divisions in the spring if you'd like me to.
I should end up being able to share some of these with you . . .
-Digitalis purpurea
-Digitalis grandiflora
-Alaska daisies
-Crazy daisies
-peachleafed bellflowers
-Stella d Oro day lillies
-Sedum "Autumn Joy"


I know I'll have more on the list in the spring when I head out to my gardens and see what could stand to be divided. But, thought I'd give you a short list if you are interested.

I'm so sorry about the fire. What a nightmare.

I remember seeing beautiful photos of your garden, and I hope that some if it comes back for you.




This message was edited Dec 30, 2009 2:49 PM

You all are giving me so much hope for a beautiful garden this upcoming year. I am so encouraged and appreciative of your kind words :) and offers of seeds and plants too! :)

This will be a great new year with a fresh, new start for me. My garden will come back and grow gloriously again :) and Thank You for your help with that!

I'm excited about my future garden :) Thank you for the support.

Happy New Year!!

:)
Susan

Susan, wishing you a wonderful new year filled with bountiful blooms!

Thanks you! :)

Garden6.. I got your seeds and left feedback for you. Thanks so much :) They got here, but it looks like someone checked to see if you were sending me money!! :) Thanks again and its so nice to have some seeds to look forward to growing again :)

:)
Susan

Wow! desperate people do desperate things...

LOL Soulgardenlove! Glad you received your seeds just the same! I know they will bloom gloriously in your gardens. ;0)

Starlight, thanks so much for including me in the seed swap. I got my seeds and it was soooooo sweet! I really really appreciate it!! Thanks :)

My home is coming along and we are hoping to be in around March, which will be perfect to sow seeds :) I have put more pictures in my home rebuild album.

http://gallery.me.com/susanmccoy007#100055

It so nice to see it coming along :)

Susan

It looks like it's coming along. I have your seeds ready to send. Just trying to get a few more in. ^_^

Susan - I love all the up-grades you are adding. It is just beautiful! :-) It looks like it's coming along rather nicely! I hope you will be in it before you know it! :-) I can't wait to see your garden photos this Spring/Summer! :-)

Hi Becky

Long time no see................... how are ya doing these days?????????????????????/

Mark

Well ... hello, Mark! :-) It has been a while hasn't it? :-) How's your beautiful garden?

Its not looking beautiful at the moment............................ we have had lots of snow and ice............... but we have made some real changes to it ready for the coming season!!! Should be looking good come spring..

Hows yours doing??????????????????????????

Mine is brown and dead, too. We got hit by a record freeze that lasted an entire week. Spring will be here soon, so I may have a clean slate with which to plant new plants/seeds! :-)

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh dear................. didnt think you got frosts where you are!!!!!
I guess stuff happens and we all have to start again........ i may lose some crocosmia this year due to record frosts

Looks like some unusual weather around the world this year. I don't want to hijack Susan's thread. Sometimes even unexpected things happen that greatly affects our gardens... such as the fire that Susan had that sure made a mess of her lovely home. The good thing ... we will survive and Spring will come and new plants will be planted and thrive in our gardens as did the old ones. :-)

Lili and Becky- Thanks :) Yes, it is coming along and it is going to be a great home and garden :)

Hi Susan, are there any kinds of seeds you have not gotten yet that you'd like to have? The plow finally just came by (still can't see if it got our side street yet), but we're not going anywhere with reports of local tricky roads - got 30" last Saturday and another 10" - 20" forecast for later today and tomorrow. And the power came back on late Saturday - woot.

Soooo, since we still can't travel around here, this is the perfect time to root around in my seed box. If you can't give me a list, then how about letting me know what your favorite color is, what kinds of gardens...companions for roses? borders through a sunny meadow? etc

It would be nice to know before the power goes off again - not looking good for tonight and tomorrow.

Mark - so you're breaking weather records, too, where you are? Well, grrrr. Hope your crocosmias fool you and come through all right. I always wanted to see how your garden dreams developed, so look forward to pictures. Hello to Laurie, too - glad to see you back.

Karen

Karen

Hi Karen, Sorry I did not get back to you sooner! I really appreciate your offer :) I am so not picky about seeds and just am really grateful for them.. and if they are cottage seeds, (and how does one define that :) !??) I will grow them! I was unable to collect any of my own seeds, so I'm just going to take steps to start growing again and I am so glad for any help :)

Becky and Lili- Thank you so much for the seeds. I am soooo looking forward to making you proud with them!! :) I am leaving you feedback :)

It appears that our move-in date has been pushed to April. I have sown seeds as late as May and have had terrific success with them, so it still gives me hope that the garden will be great by summers end. I am doing all I can to minimize the damage done to my yard, but workers inadvertently drive up on beds and grass and it will just all have to be fixed when I move back in. I know this is every gardeners lament, but people that don't actually do the incredible amount of work or never have....well, they have no appreciation for how much energy, time and love goes into it. My garden will return :) I've done it before and it can be done again :) The painters are there now and it's always good to see progress on the house. We are itching to move back in, but this isn't extreme makeover, and it takes time. I should be taking more pictures and updating the album soon :)

Susan

And Starlight!!! Thank YOU for the seeds!!! :)

Susan, have you tried wintersowing? You could be getting a jump on sowing that way and have seedlings ready for the garden about the time you move back in.

Hi Susan, we had no mail delivery for a couple of weeks due to the Mid-Atlantic storm of the century and our steep, narrow winding roads (48" snow is unheard of around here), still no garbage pickup into week 3 (other snow storms preceded the biggie). I'd write a book about all the consequences of this...we've been lucky in that we're uphill of where the front-loader dumps snow when clearing the street - house in front of us is 16' below us and I'm not exaggerating when I estimate that that neighbor might be well into April before digging out her Magnolia grandiflora - of all the plants in the world to dump tons of road salt, snow and ice - worse than living off cat food, imho.

Sooo, am still accumulating seeds in your envie - just wanted you to know I've not forgotten you, either. Just so pooped and sore after days of moving and shoveling snow around - looks like weeks before we can get the deer barricades back up, let alone evergreens dug out, and this is a small .17 acre lot. I have begun at the back door and to clear a path beyond there, I've been filling a bucket with snow at a time and walkign it through the house to the front door and dumping it over the porch - hard with spinal arthritis etc.

Neal has a great idea about wintersowing - would it be possible for you to allocate a 10' x 10' area for a nursery to be growing out seedlings while your house is worked on? You could be germinating seeds bit by bit, but continuously, and changing from wintersowing to spring sowing to summer sowing, etc., as the weather changes. As the seeds germinated, you could be planting out seedlings in the nursery.

We went through something like your rebuilding experience a few times and one crew that was rebuilding part of the house was very conscious of taking care with our garden. But they couldn't help some damage to the garden, and the looks on their faces one time when they thought they had been particularly destructive and were feeling guilty and apologetic was priceless - we just told them to relax, do what they had to do and share our cosmic view of the universe. I think they took extra care.

Yes Neal, I have lots of experience with wintersowing and trust me when I say that I can't care for them at my rental..no supplies here, and they would not be properly cared for at my rebuilt home as they do need water and temp regulation.. I am barely taking care of the house stuff with all the other responsibilities in my life. We make almost daily visits to the home to check over work even though we have a builder. There are things we catch that need to be changed. I halted tile work in my upstairs bathroom when I saw the different tile sizes were not the same color even though they were supposedly from the same color lot. They were markedly different and I was surprised the tile guys didn't notice. They thought it was the way the light was hitting them..It wasn't. Up until now, we have had to make so many trips and decisions about what to buy for the house..windows, paint colors, fixtures- lighting & plumbing, tub, garage doors, tile, vanities, hard wood flooring, carpet, shutters, iron stair railing, trim, & mouldings.... I'm having furniture restored and have had to find fabric to recover several chairs and on and on it goes.. It has really been a full time job. If I don't go and make decisions, they are made for me and I learned that the hard way when I was a Cub Scouts and wasn't present for the discussion about closets. Thankfully, I was able to still make changes once I saw the way they were being configured. I will do a form of wintersowing..but just more directly and into prepared soil :)

Karen, you are fortunate that you had a crew that cared about your garden! I had a total meltdown when I saw the power company guys had been given permission by my forewarned foreman to pull up stakes and barrier tape to run right through the very wet grass (with irrigation underneath) so they could get their bucket up my power line. There were about 5 guy from the power co and not a single one of them could climb the pole? or use a ladder?? and my guy couldn't tell them not to do it ?? Not a one of them will forget my reaction so long as they live. I got there 5 minutes after they had done it. When I saw the truck and my trenched yard-- I tore them all up. The framers and roofers really aren't use to doing work around gardens, and they destroyed a baby camelia I had been growing for 5 years :( I've tried to calm down some since then and know that it will all be fixed. it just seems like so much more effort to fix some things than if they just had a little more care to start with.

All will be well. Sorry to sound like I'm complaining! This will all end well-- It's just a process is all!

:)

Susan





This message was edited Feb 20, 2010 10:00 AM