Remodeling House

UnknownAugust 28, 2010
A few days ago I was on my daily walk when I spotted this gorgeous tree in bloom.  I would have stopped in to ask the owners what it was but the house is their summer cottage so they aren't there very often.  As it was they weren't there that day since the house was all closed up.  I love the whispy look of this shrub.  I would like to identify it so I know what to ask for

A kind reader pointed out that I glossed over the seed part of basil harvesting, so I thought I'd give you an easy visual. The first photo is a basil spike after the flowers have dried up and the spike itself has turned brown. This will typically occur in the early fall in most plant hardiness zones in the U.S. If you need to check the zone for your area, there's a handy link at the bottom of

Choosing a method for harvesting parsley is always a judgment call. Parsley is the little black dress of the herb patch. It can work with lots and lots of dishes, is a very green, bushy little plant that looks good in the garden and is relatively easy going, as in not fussy. It's also available for snipping all summer long.

It is so ubiquitous, in fact, that around the holidays some grocery

Funnel SpiderAugust 30, 2010

One of the first things we noticed when we moved here were the large funnel spiders (grass spiders).  As spiders go these are about the size of a quarter.  Their webs are a thin whispy sheet with a characteristic funnel shape that the spider hides in.  They were everywhere to the point that we resorted to spraying to knock down their numbers a bit.  The risk to

Harvesting basil for winter access is fragrant fun.  Your patch of fresh basil, catnip, parsley, oregano and rosemary can be bountiful contributors to your winter herb stash if you have a few hours to spare.

Over the next few weeks, we'll cover some gardening ground as it relates to fall and winter herb harvesting projects, culminating in a step-by-step tutorial for making herb wreaths.

The admonition ". . .and don’t let the bed bugs bite." was never truer than it is today when super pesticide resistant bedbugs are taking a bite out of a record number of unprotected sleepers. Barring a few super noxious and possibly illegal chemical treatments, bed bugs can be a challenge to get rid of. I wrote a blog about it a while back that you should review if you're having problems.

Japanese Beetle
(Popillia japonica) 
Aaugust 26, 2010 
A couple of days ago I posted about velvetleaf that is considered a noxious weed in some locations.  I noticed that despite a bad reputation with reducing yields in cash crops that my peppers didn't seem to be adversely affected by the velvetleaf in the beds.  I have been pulling before the velvetleaf was able to flower.  Upon closer

Yesterday I wrote about my experience so far with velvetleaf.  This weed is classified as being noxious in British Columbia and several US states.  To be classified as a noxious weed the plant has to cause harm to human via toxicity or cause an agricultural loss however every municipality has their own definition of noxious weeds.  In some localities a weed (eg. water hyacinth) can be classified

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)August 25, 2010
As a gardener my style is not to get too bent out of shape with respect to weeds.  Some weeds act as companion plants in a garden while others are edible.  I only get concerned if the weeds present the potential to choke out the fruits or vegetables.  My preferred way of dealing with weeds is pulling.

Earlier this year I noticed a suspected weed

We all know the saying about the importance of first impressions. Our homes, like ourselves speaks volumes about who we are.
If you were to pull into my driveway at the moment, you might think I am lazy.......weeds, drooping plants and yes I am a Landscape Designer .................. maybe you might think an overly busy Landscape Designer. Your initial image is lasting.

The presence of a gate, to me, is an enticement, a lovely bit of ornamentation.

And of course the other intent is additionally loud and clear.
But today's post is about the beautiful first impression you can create.
Last February I was in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California for a biz conference. Stolen time was a drive-through this fairy tail community.
Consider the placement............a no-nonsense stride to the front door
Think about the effect. No this is not derelict but a local style of the community adding to it's charm and casual lifestyle
Think of the style and it complementing and enhancing the architectural style of your home. Hints of adobe make this gate and fence appropriate.
 My personal favorite for many reasons;
The overhead arbor makes the gate very important
Love a double gate
The weathered wood blends with the homes colors

AND LOOK AT THAT MAILBOX!! 


Live on a busy road? Or in the case of this town.........gawking tourists?
Have something to say? Look closely, inside the gate and arbor
The mystery of what beauty this gate contains
A rustic mix of materials and styles; the gate remains special with stone sentinels supporting it. The wood carries on but in a different pattern.
Not necessarily a means of securing the property but as an element of charm for artistic expression

Love it, but when it speaks to me it says.............."no surface unadorned" and that would be carried forth indoors, no doubt with good taste and a specific theme
This could go two ways, as is in the rustic style of the town, not particularly calling attention to itself. Or a classic white picket gate and fence mirroring the trim and style
SPANISH!   Loud and clear.........vintage sun bleached door with stone and stucco. The home has underlying tones of Tudor but who am I to judge :-)
Pure cottage..............the rounded undulating form of the stone wall, the wood fence capping and arbor perfectly mirror elements of this home
Enticing! Stone and iron............notice the curving path beyond. Curves say to me "slow down and enjoy". Also take note of the stone backdrop which highlights the gate.
SHEER PERFECTION! Don't you agree?
What I see that is so spot on;
-the stone adds weight, all iron would disappear otherwise. It's colorways compliment the roof
-the iron is a taupe/gray that blends. Take particular notice of the subtle arch in the fence, repeating the Tudor timbering on the house
-the separation of the "street garden" and the "interior garden"
-the personalization..........see below
And..........the sense of humor. I want to know these people!
Formal and curvy and subtly French
A nod to it's Spanish Architecture
The same stone as the house is carried forward creating the illusion of a more expansive home. The gate color is repeated on the house trim
"Look" but do not enter................
An artistic whimsical mindset...........a conformist does not reside here.
What about a set of gates for the drive?
This would be my absolute favorite............
-The gates repeat the style and materials

-Maybe they are always left open..........the effect is so good
-The planted drive
-The enticement of the "long view" and what lies beyond

The gates and the fencing need not match
Repetition of the garage door lines...............and........if one material is good (wood), two or three are better (stone and stucco).
  Lastly a moment of shameless self-promotion.
Back in Illinois..............this is one of my landscape clients' home with their free standing gate. Here is what we were attempting to achieve;
-Bring the garden "out" towards the street with repeated architectural elements
-The concrete posts are from my friend and artist Richard Taylor
-The gate is custom made by a local iron worker
-The gates do not function.............purely ornamental
-When the Hydrangea's mature and bloom the gate will stand out with the flora behind it
-WINTER INTEREST..........mandatory in Illinois.

Do you have a gate, want a gate? If you need help in deciding style and color send a photo of the front of your home, we can all learn about the process together.
"He who wants to do good knocks at the gate; he who loves, finds the gate open"
by
Rabindranath Taqure


xo
Debra

Herb BedAugust 22, 2010
The lack of rainfall certainly hasn't hurt the herb bed that is overflowing with beautiful herbs.  Even with using fresh and cutting for drying there is still an abundance!  The more I cut the more the herbs grow.  That is one of the secrets to growing herbs.  They love to be trimmed!

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010

Over the weekend, I posted about the looming fall gardening season and my personal herb gardening journey. To be honest, every time I write something personal -- as in not dealing exclusively with how to grow and use herbs, I feel a little guilty. In some ways, it seems self-indulgent, although I try to write these pieces as well as I can.

That's why it always amazes me that they're the most

Vegetable BasketAugust 22, 2010
We had a bit of rain overnight the night before so yesterday I went through the garden to do a clean pick.  My 14" diameter wicker basket is overflowing!  I am so very happy with the California Wonder green peppers.  This heirloom variety is really performing nicely.  Everything in the basket as well as the cucumber are heirloom varieties.  I will be saving a lot

Honest to Betsy this has been one of the most frustrating growing seasons I've dealt with in the past few years.  We had a wet, cool spring despite predictions.  Then the weather turned hot and dry to the point the local farmers are begging for rain.  We sure could use a few days of just a nice, gentle down pour!  a couple of days ago I looked out to see a bit of yellow.  Well in the heat of the

Raccoons and CornAugust 19, 2010
Our neighbours to the north put in the most amazing raised bed system I've seen.  It consists of 3 larger beds joined together forming a flattened Z shape.  They are not growing using the square foot method.  In one of the runs they planted corn and they even added a really neat support system that I will use if I decide to grow corn next year.  I haven't grown

One is my favorite home featured on this blog once before. I never thought Sam and Suzy could move from their home but they are. Will be fun to see "what's next?"

                     YES THIS ONE!
 Go to the old post for a tour here  
  Or see the realtor listing here

A beautiful garden can be yours................for less. All of our outdoor accessories are now on SALE; 

benches.............urns.................statues..................fountains.........accessories

                               40% off

Scentimental Gardens
428 W. State Street
Geneva, Il.
630-232-1303
www.scentimentalgardens.com

SG Too
116 Cedar Avenue
St. Charles, Il.
630-584-7474
www.sgtoo.com
  Did you know this is our consignment shop?

XO
Debra

 
    
 
   

Another summer will be winding down soon. A few mornings this week I could even smell fall in the air. Although every season has its rewards, I can't help but stop and think about time passing as I start rummaging around for envelopes to store seeds in.

I've been growing herbs for decades. It's funny, because in some ways they've become so familiar that I take them for granted - the chives on

Retro look is so much fun and beautiful to create. I love the colors and quirkiness that it brings. Retro is the way to go if you have a love for design that is distinct, colors that add to dimension and style that is unparallel. A far cry from classic or understated, it is a design that has to loved totally before you recreate it in your home.

I have put together a set of ideas for home design, dining area is specially the soul of the home, with family enjoying meals together and entertaining friends and building memories. I specially adore the clean lines and curved shapes of dining chairs, while the simple table with  basic shape and color provides the perfect foil.

California Wonder PeppersAugust 19, 2010
I am more than pleased with the performance of the California Wonder sweet peppers!  This is an heirloom variety of sweet peppers.  Most will be familiar with California Wonder sweet peppers as it is the most common variety sold in grocery stores.  So why am I excited?  In the past I have had major bad luck growing sweet peppers other than sweet banana

Overgrown Garden BedAugust 19, 2010
This morning I ended up watering the raised beds again.  Rain is predicted this evening but I'm not taking any chances.  We've had rain all around us but not actually hitting us for the past couple of weeks now.  Despite the cooler weather the last couple of days the heat and humidity have shot right back up there today so watering was a must.

As I puttered in

Monday we got a much welcomed break in the high heat and humidity.  Thunderstorms were all around us and we had a tornado warning yet got pretty much nothing as far as rainfall.  Tuesday the weather radar looked down right ugly all day to the point we cancelled going out on the boat.  We didn't get so much as a drop of rain!  This morning we saw just enough rain to dampen if that a few leaves on

Hey Guys/Gals….  Sorry I haven’t been posting much this summer with the heat, the day job and trying to spend as much time with my son as possible this summer it’s been a little lacking in the woodworking and blogging department.  I will be back at it more when the weather starts to cool off.  In the meantime my Dad built an amazing Pie Safe for my sister and did a write up/story on it and I wanted to publish it for him.  I hope you like it.  I have a feeling I will be having him guest blog for me more so we can bring you additional content over the months. 

--Grover

 

It’s funny how things sometimes happen. A couple months ago, Grover decided he was going to build a Jelly Cupboard (Grover is my son). Well about that time, my daughter, who works for a public library, decided she would like to have a pie safe. I thought that would be a good project, so I told her to find the plan she liked and I would give it a try. So a few days later she brought home from the library a New Yankee Workshop plan book written by Norm Abrams. I looked at the plan and thought, this could be more than I could handle. Dado’s, biscuit joinery, and so on, seemed a little much.

Well, Grover started building the jelly cupboard. We discussed the pie safe, and before I could say, “Table saw dado blade” three times, he had ordered the plan from the New Yankee Workshop, and had bought a great set of Freud dado blades. Next thing I knew I was being instructed on the use of a dado blade setup and Kreg pocket hole jig. He handed me a set of plans and a video on how to build the pie safe and said “No excuses, build it.”

Grover patiently explained to his “old dad” that it would be easy. Since he was building the jelly cupboard, it was the perfect time to explain the similarities in the two projects. Dado’s, pocket hole joints, and door construction. So, I brought the plans, video, and dado blade back to my shop. There they set for a couple of weeks, until my daughter asked “How’s the pie safe coming? Uh, Uh, well I gotta get the wood, then I can get started. Next thing I knew, we were at the home improvement store, with cut list in hand. Loaded the truck with the need lumber and back to the shop we go. A few days later, I made the first cut, then the second. “Hey this ain’t so bad.” Guess Grover, was right, this is easy. Then it happened. There’s and old saying, measure twice and cut once. Well, I read the other day a saying that more fits my situation. “Measure twice, cut once, scream loudly, reach for another board.” But I guess that’s why you buy a few extra boards.

Woodworking is suppose to be a learning experience. Anyway, since this is turning into a family project, my daughter, had at this point, seen the progress and said she would like to help. She wanted to punch the tin that would go in the doors. No problem, first find the pattern you want, second find a supplier for the tin, third order it, and fourth build the jig that will be needed to hold the tin so it can be punched. Well, she got the pattern, found a supplier for the tin, and even ordered it. I didn’t really think she would build the holding jig for the tin,   so since it was only a 20 minute project, I made the jig. I told her 3 out of 4 wasn’t bad. That’s when she informed me she got three out of three, said she never intended to build a jig. “Would you be interested in punching the 6 panels of tin that will be needed to complete the project.” She said “sure” and started on the first one. Well, you know a big hammer and a punch can really work on the wrists. So the next day after completing one panel, her wrist were so sore, I like a good dad said, “Hey, that’s gotta be rough on your arms, let me do the next one. Ooops, before the day way done, I had finished the next 5.

 

 Well, all during this time, I would go to my son’s shop and and get a few hints, watching the progress on his jelly cupboard. I even liked the Kreg Pocket Hole Jig so much I bought one. The plan called for biscuit joinery, but the pocket holes seemed to be much simpler. In hind sight, either would have been simple. Grover also taught me how to use a biscuit joiner. It’s very humbling to have your son teach you, after a lifetime of teaching him. But he made me feel better about the situation, when he said my four year old grandson (Grover Jr.) came in the shop a few days before and corrected him on a woodworking project he was working on. Now that’s humbling. So the pie safe started to take shape. I ordered a small plaque that said “Happy Birthday” and wood burned an inscription on the bottom of one of the drawers. Anyway attached are some of the pictures of the pie safe progress and also a finished picture sitting in the house. Hope it will inspire many of you to give something like this a try.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Happy Woodworking”

Grover’s Dad.