As I've mentioned we are having our home painted inside and out. We hired wonderful painters that are doing a great job. All this being said, we still are working quite hard at doing all the prep that needs to be done with our possessions. All pictures, mirrors, china and drapery has to be taken down and stored where they are not painting. I'm washing the curtains and hanging them on the line to catch the breeze and the sunshine. They smell amazing off the line! I consider myself to be a pretty good housekeeper, but do you know how much dust can lurk behind furniture and pictures? Whew, what a big job! Painting really can be an eye opener! I know why we don't do this as often as we should!
Meanwhile the garden is keeping me centered. Even with our awful freeze, we have lovely blooms left on our dogwoods.
Our resident cardinals always brighten our days. How could you not get a thrill when you see their beauty! The dogwood is the state tree of Virginia and the cardinal is our state bird.
The winds have been blowing and the cardinal was dancing up and down on the limb.
He finally decided it was time to move on.
The garden flag features some of my favorite friends.
Pretty soon I'll be busy potting up some annuals for the patio. I can hardly wait. My potting shed will be getting a paint job as well. You can see it needs it!
Meanwhile the bunny and I are waiting for warm days ahead spent in our garden.
Meanwhile the garden is keeping me centered. Even with our awful freeze, we have lovely blooms left on our dogwoods.
Our resident cardinals always brighten our days. How could you not get a thrill when you see their beauty! The dogwood is the state tree of Virginia and the cardinal is our state bird.
The winds have been blowing and the cardinal was dancing up and down on the limb.
He finally decided it was time to move on.
The garden flag features some of my favorite friends.
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| Ajuga reptans |
Pretty soon I'll be busy potting up some annuals for the patio. I can hardly wait. My potting shed will be getting a paint job as well. You can see it needs it!
Meanwhile the bunny and I are waiting for warm days ahead spent in our garden.
Ahh the joy of having your home painted! We've done this too so I know how much work goes into prepping for the winters. The cardinal looks beautiful on the dogwood branch- two state icons! I'm itching to get outside and play with plants but we've just begun to melt down (again) from the snow. Spring comes on fast here once it starts so happy days are on their way! Enjoy the newly painted rooms and have a great upcoming weekend!
ReplyDeleteIt is so much work, Liz! I'm sure sleeping well these days. Pretty soon it will be done and we can put it all back together. It's like moving in our own house. Enjoy a relaxing weekend! ♥
DeleteWhat beautiful colours in every photograph - I love that first one.
ReplyDeleteThe blossom trees make a fabulous back drop for all the bird images.
Here's to warmer days ahead.
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. We love our blooming dogwood trees. I hope your spring days are filled with joy! ♥
DeleteWow to get the entire house painted inside and out is quite a feat! Particularly for you. I know when we got new carpeting it was similar. Books had to be packed up--it really was like a move. But you will love it when it's finished and all is fresh and new!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dotsie. At least when you move the items go outside. We are moving things from one room to another ahead of the painters. I'm trying to keep the end results in mind. Enjoy your afternoon! ♥
DeleteNow I have wondered how that works with the painting. It is good to know that the furniture does not need to be moved out and stored. Everything is going to look so fresh and wonderful! Many of my windows have no draperies so I have just one set to get taken down and laundered. I think that there will also be some mending involved.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful spring truly seems to have arrived in your corner with the blooming dogwood and the cardinals zipping all around. I have heard the call of cardinals...the territorial thing that they do...the pwee...pwee...but have yet to catch a glimpse.
I, too, am eager to pot things up, but must wait for another five weeks or so. I did get a new box for my railing, though. I love those things! Your potting shed looks adorable to me!
Vee, I've been wondering if our living room drapes will still be okay. They are ancient, cabbage rose Waverly Fabric swags made on a board which is bolted onto brackets. They can't be cleaned because of that! I will vacuum them and see if that works.
DeleteYou will be enjoying Spring after our's is but a memory. Your railing box is going to be great all potted with blooms. ♥
Just think....you'll have your Spring cleaning done before real Spring actually arrives! We are still getting freeze/frost warnings at night here. My Dogwoods are not in bloom yet, but the Redbud is. I love your Cardinal shots. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteCathy, Spring cleaning is taking on new meaning this year. It has been so cold here as well and tonight is another frost warning. You are lucky that your plants are not blooming and freezing. ♥
DeleteLovely photos, as always. I especially like seeing the Cardinal. I guess I get as excited over them as Americans do over our British Robins ~~~ swings and roundabouts, roundabouts and swings!
ReplyDelete~~~Deb xoxo
Deb, I had to look up the swings and roundabout phrase---so true! Have a great day! ♥
DeleteOh what beautiful and lovely Cardinal photos! And the bird tones in the back ground is a perfect selection!
ReplyDeleteIt's gonna feel great when all the painting is done!!
Have a lovely weekend dearest Martha xx oo
Love Joy and Blessings, Linnie
Thank you, dear Linnie. We're really in the thick of things now! Have a lovely weekend! xoxo ♥
DeleteYes, it would be best, to keep eyes on the Spring outdoors, during the upheaval of painting! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing Cardinal photos you got. We have them around here, but I have never managed a picture. -sigh-
Gentle Spring-time hugs,
Tessa
Thank you, Tessa! We have bird feeders up and full of tasty safflower seeds that the cardinals love. There are several pairs that visit for their meals. Have a wonderful weekend!
DeleteAnd new Spring time banner/header pic!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteI've set that second pic of the cardinals and the dogwood as my desktop background at work. That really makes me think of home.
ReplyDeleteHome is thinking of you! XOXO ♥
DeleteMartha Ellen, what a beautiful sight to see that cardinal in your yard! Did I ever tell you that it is my dream to see the red cardinal someday? We don't see them here in California where I live. Wow, the picture of the red cardinal with the white blossom tree is a beauty. It is a picture to be framed for sure. Good luck with the paint job. I know it's a lot of work, but it's going to look so nice when completed.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to rest a little this weekend in between painting, Martha Ellen.
~Sheri
Thank you, Sheri. I don't think I'll be resting this weekend. The painters have finished the living room and now I need to wash all of the china cabinets and put the glass and dishes back in. I am taking little breaks here and there and putting my feet up. Have a nice weekend. ♥
DeleteOh Martha Ellen! What glorious photos! I adore dogwood!!! I agree, when you see that vibrant pop of red in a sweet Cardinal....it is just a gift! You are going to so enjoy newly painted rooms...so uplifting!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, sweet Betsy! I can't wait to have this job finished! ♥
DeleteMartha Ellen, your dogwood and cardinal are so beautiful and cheering. Your whole site is alive with color. I'm sure it's an enormous task to prep for painters. At least there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and then you can enjoy all the fresh, lovely beauty of your rooms. At some point, we'll be replacing upstairs carpeting with hardwood, and there again it's moving everything out of one space into another and back again. A daunting task. I hope you take some nice breaks and relax, but maybe that's not feasible until it's all over? Looking forward to the finished product. I know it will be wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying very hard to take one day at a time and focus on the job at hand, Judy. Taking a few breaks here and there is must for this tired gal. We had the hardwood in our home replaced quite a while ago and even though I was much younger I remember all that work of moving all of our furniture. Have a lovely day! ♥
DeleteWith disorder and upheaval inside your lovely home, you are wise to look for inspiration outside...and there are certainly some beautiful things to inspire there in your yard!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing more pics of your progress!! Happy springtime!!
Cheryl, I'm so ready to have our home back in order. I must continue to practice patience. I'm afraid that doesn't come easy to me. Hopefully your move is progressing well. Happy springtime to you! ♥
DeleteSuch beautiful photos of the cardinal and dogwood. I love seeing the birds, so many varieties. I know you want your painting done. It can be tiresome. We all want it done now. I worked in the yard today and my back is letting me know.
ReplyDeleteYes, Linda, it is a huge project and I'm ready for it to be over! It is coming together and maybe soon it will be normal around here. I identify with the aches and pains. Hope you are feeling better soon. ♥
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