At our new house, Grandpa and I made quick work of the stump by the front door and planted the most beautiful garden. I keep forgetting to take pictures of it during the day. It takes me a few extra minutes to go in and out of the house because I stop and stare at it lovingly each time I walk past. The flowers are blooming and it's just stunning. I'll show you soon.
We have also utilized our balcony space for our growing garden obsession. The other day when we were at Home Depot (for another house project) I spotted some awesome summer chairs. "Peter, I think we might need these. What do you think?" After much evaluating and deciphering between color options, we decided we needed them. Peter asked his typical question, "How are we going to get these in the car?" I gave my typical answer, "It'll fit. Civy can do anything!" We checked out with our freshly cut wood (for the bookshelf), the flowers I couldn't resist, and two big huge red chairs for the patio. At the car, we began loading. I opened the sun roof, you know, just in case we needed the extra space. Problem number one: "Laura, they won't even fit through the passenger door." "Oh yes they will! Hold on, let me get in first and you can put them on top of me." "No that won't work". Oh.
We did eventually get them in the door but the chair rails were pressed hard against the gear shift and their was little room for movement. Peter stood outside. "Guess it's me or the chairs, huh?" No! That's not what he said but he did say, "I guess you'll have to come back for me." Nah! Civy can do it. Since the back seats were already folded down because of the wood, Peter climbed in through the trunk and laid across the top of the folded down back seat. I wedged myself in the driver seat and tried to buckle up. No can do. The chairs made it impossible to get the seat belt out. Next, I tried to shift my automatic car into drive. Almost a no can do. I got it but nearly punctured a hole in the roof in the process. Alas, we were on our way. We rolled down Crown Valley illegally and in great discomfort but with the chairs! I'm tellin ya...Civy can do anything. Grateful to be home, I forced the car into park and let Peter out of the trunk.
The next patio improvement required hanging baskets. Peter had been admiring the neighbor's hanging baskets and suggested we do the same. So, when I was at Home Goods with my friend Brittany (Home Goods is right by the gym which is so good but so not so good at the same time), I saw lots of hanging basket options and snagged two. I also found a table to put between the two chairs.
After closing the store down at 9:30, we finally went to the gym.
I was eager to show Peter my golden nugget finds since it was partly his idea. They were a "go" and the next day we went to Armstrong garden to get some plants. We discovered it is right around the corner from our house (Peter called this "a problem" being that it is so close). I asked the employee what he recommended and then we completely disregarded his suggestions minus one and got some beautiful seasonal spring flowers. Peter loved the snap dragons and I couldn't stop starring at the ranunculus. Peter had to go to work that night so I planted alone in the dark after he zip tied the baskets to the railing. We ran out of dirt but I managed to scrape up (literally) enough from the other planters to keep them upright.
The big reveal...
Our new red chairs (just $16 each!)
I also got some striped cushions for them at Home Goods.
Can you tell the new flowers from the existing flowers?
The baskets.
Grandpa T said our vine was getting too much sun; that's why some leaves are turning yellow. Well, today, we noticed the basket was providing some shade so hopefully that helps. The succulent (pinky on the table) is one of the original Victoria plants and he is loving his new home. Victoria was too shady for him but he loves the balcony so much we had to upgrade him to a bigger pot last week because he has become such a big boy!
OK, too far? They're not my children; they're just plants. Sorry. I'll stop. I hope the right basket's shade doesn't negatively impact him though...
Today we sat outside and enjoyed the sunshine + our garden. Yesterday when we were returning at Bed, Bath & Beyond Peter found the table that now sits between the chairs for $20 - 20% off coupon. It was happy to hold his chocolate milk and kiwi + strawberry snack (I am really enjoying the farm just two freeway exits down from us). Remember I said I found a table at Home Goods too? Well, while Peter was deciding if he liked it or not, we kept it inside since it was pouring outside and didn't want to damage the price tag if he decided against it. I set it next to the purple chair in the corner and it was a match made in heaven. Apparently we had more than two chairs that needed a table.
Not the best picture for showing off the table but you get the idea...
More on the bookshelf later.
Back to the patio.
Could it be cuter? I think not. Also, can you read how much rain we got? Peter's love for weather is still strong.
This is the one plant he did recommend that we went with.
Our view from our new red chairs. It was a lovely day. We slept/cuddled until 2pm, got up and made breakfast- smoothie for her, bacon for him, fruit for both, and then sat on the patio with slippers, blankets and books all while sneaking peaks at our growing garden. Peter had music playing which was easily enjoyed through the opened window. We then saddled up and went for a motorcycle ride. I hadn't ridden since September (no particular reason for this long lapse). Peter drove down to his hospital and I saw his other life and met some coworkers. Always nice to meet people for the first time in bright neon matching jackets and wind blown hair (the unkempt kind, not the sexy kind). Oh well. He then showed me some beautiful San Clemente homes with amazing ocean views at sunset.
It was a pretty spectacular day.
And that is how our garden grew.
xo, p&l
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