Remodeling House

Agave at Vacation HouseMay 19, 2010
There is a large cactus with a few baby cacti in the front garden of our vacation home.  It is an Agave that I think is Agave guiengola from the descriptions I found.  The leaves are thick, broad and triangular forming a rossette.  They have a bluish powder that gives the leaves a pale greenish grey colour.  The leaves have marginal spines that are quite small.

Vacation GnomesMay 22, 2010
As the happy keeper of Gnome Empire in Ontario, Canada I was anxious to have a few gnomes volunteer to help establish a Gnome Empire Outpost at the vacation home.  I looked high and low to no avail.  I was becoming quite discouraged ready to put out an SOS for any gnomes willing to join the Gnome Empire Outpost.  Just when I was giving up hope these 2 friendly gnomes

I mentioned here a few times in the past couple of months about learning to garden in a different zone.  Our permanent Canadian residence is in Zone 6A that should remain the same if we move although we would have less of the direct warming effects of the water.  Our vacation home is located in US Hardiness Zone 9A so that will present quite a difference in what I can grow.

Pictured is the front

If you've got lots of bugs and want a super bug killing solution without resorting to dangerous chemicals, let a few herbs help. I put this herbal bug spray together last year and certainly helped with whitefly, mosquitoes and aphids.

Bugs hate it. It uses five super bug-busting herbs that are easy to grow in the garden. Another bonus is that just having these plants growing in your yard can

We have been enjoying the new to us vacation home complete with gardens.  The gardens wrap around the house with a wider section to the front.  This is the first time we have ever dealt with an HOA but in this case I really don't mind.  Vacation homes are significantly different from your permanent home in that the vacation home may or may not be rented out or it may be empty for a good portion

Marigold bug spray, and organic bug spray made with French marigold flowers(Tagetes patula) discourages asparagus beetles, whitefly, tomato hornworms, mosquitoes, and lots of other crawling and flying bugs.

It's a nice alternative to stinkier sprays like garlic or catnip; both are effective but can put a damper on a patio party if you happen to be down wind.

Marigold can attract spider mites,

My gosh, I was so excited when I got the news that the vacation home was finalized!  In terms of gardening it meant I would be learning how to garden in a totally different zone from our permanent home of Zone 6A.  When we arrived here to finally check out what we bought almost a month and a half after signing the final papers I was overwhelmed at the work involved.  It wasn't the work as in the

A Couple of StumpsMay 10, 2010
A couple of weeks ago we did a massive ripout which is rather on par for this property.  We have definitely been doing more ripping out than planting since the property was so over planted and poor planted with inappropriate plants.  This time we got smart and hired out the work.  The guys came in with a small backhoe.  Within 2 hours the two gardens being ripped

A long time dream client, Robin, lives almost two hours away. Out in the countryside.



LOVE those back roads!


Everyone collects for our annual Spring visit to her "Gentleman's Farm".

Suddenly we are all transformed...........WE WANT TO LIVE ON A FARM!

We want to be farmers, have horses, chickens with fresh eggs, Jersey Cows, bee hives.............you know, the works! ( love that big lower lip)

We suddenly need long scenic views, total silence, privacy, and.....and.......the dreams are rolling in, all romantic and totally unrealistic

Envisioning total peace, calm and simple days of serenity with everything managed by a full staff
.

Guess what the girls are thinking on lunch break?  "Why don't we live on a farm?!"

 But since this is closer to my reality..............back to work it is

Ok, where was I........yes, wanting to share some of our projects here over the years.
This is the cutting garden. Someday there may be a fence but for now this vintage arbor/gate draws the eye and makes a statement.

Inside the cutting garden looking back towards the outhouse via the 'crazy quilt' path.

Outhouse turned potting shed. We added the 'L' shaped old street bricks to frame it's garden. Each corner is punctuated by my favorite crab apple trees, Malus 'Cinderella',  perfectly formed diminutive topiaries.



With the vast acreage we have created English "rooms", intimate settings that lead from area to area which allows for an element of surprise. By adding the concrete newell posts and bench it is creating a focal point that carries the eye deep into the garden.

Come up the antique street brick walkway, go behind a hedge and surprise! A checkerboard bed.

Playing with texture is critical. Above was set a burgundy leafed Colocasia into the silver Artemesia. If ever you have a bed that feels messy add a large leaved specimen.........instant order!

A developing parterre of Boxwoods in varying shapes and sizes

Hope you enjoyed a small peek into Robin's many gardens. But the best part is we get to come back and soon............next up, the interiors!

 Thanks for coming along...............

Debra

Raspberries are one of my favourite fruits so I feel quite lucky to live quite close to a U-pick raspberry farm.  Raspberries even at the U-pick are likely the most expensive local fruit at $2.25 per pint.  The reason for this is raspberries deteriorate rapidly after picking with a refrigeration life of about 2 days.  I usually buy the amount of raspberries I will use that day.  I have never

You can make yourself, and your yard, less sweet-smelling to mosquitoes by employing four traditional herbs:

Parsley
Garlic
Catnip
Marigold

You can use them as a spray with either a vinegar or water base. A garlic and pepper spray follows, but in a pinch you can just rub the leaves of any of the herbs above on your skin (marigold could stain if you're not careful, though).

Garlic Pepper

Our ADLF has past so thought have turned to planting the garden beds.  Ideally cold loving plants such as chards and lettuces are planted 2 weeks before ADLF but my beds will be planted a bit late this year but well within the time frame for a good harvest.  I will be planting tomatoes on the May 24 weekend.  According to gardening legend here gardens need to be planted by May 24 for corn to be

Okay well I finally had some more time to spend on the guitar this week.  I the neck blank glued up.  Sadly the wood moved while clamping and I have some changes to make to get everything lined back up.  Unfortunately I am at a stopping point until all my hardware comes in and then I get to route the truss rod channel, cut the neck out and start getting the neck pocket routed out.  Then it will really start to look like a guitar.  I’m super excited like a kid on Christmas only Christmas is like a week away but I know what I am getting and mom and dad told me I can’t have any of it until then. 

Oh well.  I am pretty surprised at how I am taking messing up on this build.  I am somewhat of a perfectionist but my ultimate goal for this build was to have a playable guitar.  That’s my main focus.  I would love a good finish but that’s secondary.  As long as the thing plays and I am having fun that’s what is important. 

Here are a couple of pics of the neck build.

Here is the neck glued up. 

 

 

 

 

Here you can see where I goofed up.  You can see the angle goes slightly off from side to side. 

Fortunately I can fix it.  I just need adjust the fret board placement and figure out how to get the nut set in there.

 

 

 

Laying out the centerline and fret board outlines.  I need to layout the neck profile on there and then wait for the truss rod so I can get that taken care of. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a Great Day!

If you've been playing around with the idea of companion planting herbs, I have a few ideas for you.

Herbs Make Amazing Companion Plants

Here's why:

They're easy to grow, and most varieties will adapt to the soil that's available.

Many herbs are fragrant in a way that bugs absolutely hate, too. One herb variety can also protect against a number of different insect invaders, so if you don't

Geraniums May 13, 2010
The common garden geranium is likely one of the most popular of gardening plants perhaps tying in popularity with petunias.  I think every home gardener has at least one geranium growing in their garden.   They do nicely in pot, hanging baskets and in garden beds.  The reason for their popularity aside of their showy blooms is for the most part geraniums are rather low

Strawberries, Grapes & TomatoMay 8, 2010
I love plant shopping anytime but in the spring it is even more exciting!  I seriously will shop for plants wherever I can find them ranging from the big box stores like Canadian Tire to specialized plant nurseries to farm stands.  I stopped at Canadian Tire to see what they had in stock knowing full well it is really to early to get much in the ground as

Columbine(Aquilegia)May 10, 2010
I recently posted about 2 clumps of unknown plants coming up in the gardens.  I knew I had identified them previously.  They are Columbine (Agilegua) and thanks to a recent rip-out (more to come on that) it looks like I am now down to one clump.  It is quite pretty so hopefully will spread in the current location.  I may pick up a few more to plant along with

Gnome BathMay 11, 2010
The Gnome Empire now has a population of twenty and growing.  What many don't realize is gnomes enjoy having a nice bath at least one a year whether they need it or not.  In between baths they also enjoy a shower much the same as humans do.  They also enjoy a liberal spraying of Krylon® clear coat that acts as a sunscreen to keep their colours bright and cheery. 

Pictured

There is no such thing as too many herbs!  The beauty of herbs is they can be grown indoors and outdoors without much effort.  If growing indoors the main requirement is light followed by proper watering.  Herbs tend to like to be on the dry side.  Many will grow nicely on a window sill or on the balcony.  A couple of our kids gifted me with two potted herbs for Mother's Day. 

The first potted

Volunteer VioletsApril 29, 2010
I love finding volunteer plants in my garden even if some of them are more in the weed category than plants.  Even some weeds are beneficial though as some act as companion plants, others are edible and others still are both.  On one of the paths between the garden beds I discovered several violets.  Now this doesn't surprise me as the new beds and paths on on part

New Gnomes & SpriteMay 8, 2010
I am pleased to announce that the Gnome Empire has new residents!  Four new Gnomes and one Sprite have become inhabitants of the Gnome Empire bringing the population to 20.  Rumour has it that other Gnomes are considering moving to the Gnome Empire.  Construction is planned for the Gnome Empire as well that will see the smaller Gnomes with their own entrance door so

Garden Netting and Twine
Gardening can be as expensive or as frugal as you want to make it.  Most serious home gardeners turn to starting their own seeds which is considerably less expensive than buying plant plugs and potted plants.  At the same time there is a wide range of gardening supplies needed to help get the best yield possible.  There are several sources for getting gardening supplies

 I have never sent a post twice but when a new reader forwarded this photo, i said to myself.....YES!!!
What a gorgeous detail..........the fireback built in...........don't you love that?
The reader. designer and blogger, Mona,  is one of the talented sisters of Providence Design 
Welcome these new bloggers. Thank you Mona for the photo


New Ideas for a Fireback? Are you asking yourself................"I never had an old idea for a Fireback!"

                    OR  "What is a Fireback?"



In brief.............Dating back to the mid 15th century, these thick iron plates were used to protect the firebox (fireplace) from catching on fire and spreading to the rest of the building.

Initially only royalty or the aristocrats could afford such a luxury. The above example is dated 1728 and has the initials A.H.



Today's fireplace use is not only decorative but serves to keep the heat radiating back into the room increasing efficiency by 50%.

Are you now wondering if I have lost my mind?  That this might be a timely post in winter? Well........yes, I have lost my mind but that is another topic............I love to see the use of firebacks in interior decor and in the garden.


Think of this as an interesting design element behind your stove, something out of the ordinary.



Up a stairwell?

But my favorite use is in the garden as an accessory. Have a blank wall that could use a weather-proof architectural element?


This is the best use I have ever seen. Two years ago I was on a private tour for landscape professionals sponsored by the organization APLD. The home above was in Connecticut and was the weekend enclave of the Broadway producer of the musical 'CHICAGO'.

Access from the front to back was via this portico. Both sides were lined with firebacks of varying size and designs. Very effective.


Just be certain the wall is adequate, these pups are HEAVY!
                                                    
                                   LOCAL  NEWS!   




My shop in Geneva, IL is participating in a citywide event called 'Gardenology' Saturday May 15th from 10am to 4pm. Interesting topics for the novice and experienced gardener will be on the courthouse lawn and sprinkled through town.

We will feature the following at the shop;

Book launch from the Geneva Garden Club, 'From Garden to Table'. The ladies will offer recipe samplings from the book, display several tablescapes and of course, the book is for sale.

Heritage Prairie Farm, of LaFox, IL. will bring their renown honey from the farm; cinnamon, chocolate, lavender, rosemary or mint plus beeswax candles and bee skeps.

Through out the day I will be doing container planting demonstrations.

The weather looks ideal and this is a fun kick-off to gardening 2010!


               An evening event (7pm to be exact) with Eddie Ross, what could be more magical?
Well........an evening with Eddie Ross in town with Jaithan Kochar and learning the elements of hosting the
     WOW party...........(Without the Work)

Learn to throw dazzling parties, without spending a lot of dough and with only an ounce of effort! And after wards, we all dig in and dine together.
RSVP; 
-via Eddie Ross
-via Scentimental Gardens

ARE YOU A FELLOW BLOGGER?  Contact Eddie Ross for the reduced rate.

Coming in from out of town? The Dunham Woods Riding Club has a limited number of guest rooms. Contact Scentimental Gardens to arrange your stay.

A couple of days ago I was pondering the problem of container plants drying out and wanted an inexpensive solution to ensuring houseplants were adequately watered when we are away.  Houseplants are as problematic if we are gone for 2 or 3 days but outdoor container plants can easily become too dry in the period of a few hours.  I recently wrote about a gravity fed watering system that I am

I was able to take some more time in the shop tonight and get the body cut from the blank.

I did have to spend some time with the hand plane bringing the blank flat.  I am super happy with the joint.  You can’t really tell where the joint is unless you look REALLY close.  I really love my hand planes.  It is a great work out.  I got everything nice and flat and to the thickness I wanted.  I was really worried about the weight when I picked up the blank but as I cut chunks off of it thing began  to really lighten up.  I think once I take a chunk out for the electronics on the back that will help even more.  I’m debating some comfort contours.  I’ll have to think about it some more. 

Here is the the blank all glued up with the cut out of the guitar from the plans.  If I had not mentioned before this guitar design is from Chris over at http://www.eguitarplans.com he has some great plans.  I have two of them and will be purchasing several more.  He has at least 3 or 4 other guitars that I want to build. 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the blank after some progress on the band saw.  I took off big chunks around the outside of the guitar body.  This made it a little easier to cut in the curves.

 

 

 

 

 

Here the blank is at the final rough cut.  There are lines that I will sand to on the plan.  To do this I am using the spindle sander that my brother got for me.  I love that thing.  I can’t wait to build more guitars and I haven’t even finished this one. 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the body sanded to shape and size.  I am extremely happy with the way it is turning out so far.  I think it is going to look awesome.  I am thinking that it is going to get painted.  There are just a few small blemishes that I don’t really want to show through, so now I need to figure out what color I want.  Anyone have any ideas?

Have a Great Day!