Chez Larsson

Tucking In

On Sunday I did the last bit of gardening or rather I tucked it in for winter.

 

I had already tucked the patio furniture in under a large green tarp and pulled the pots in under the balcony to protect them.

 

A couple of weeks ago I removed the gooseberry bush which stood in front of the composts and made them hard to reach. This is the clematis that covered the bush and also covers the compost bins. I cut it all off now and in spring it will grow back. Will sow new grass in front where there is now just dirt.

 

Bonus was on hand to supervise.

 

I’ve raked the lawn already but the apple tree is late dropping it’s leaves so I had to rake some more.

 

Now what’s left is to figure out where to put Christmas lights back here this year. Last year there was no deck and there was a large rose bush on the left hand side which I wrapped in lights. This year I’m thinking either in the apple tree or a wreath of some sort on the fence. We’ll see.

Painted Plates

Here’s another fun craft I did using the Martha Stewart Crafts paints from the goodie box I received.

 

It’s so simple. I just painted the backs of some charity shop finds in three different hues of the satin paint.

 

Two coats was all it took. I used a sponge brush to apply and left each coat to dry over night.

 

The paint’s even dish washer safe on glass!

Cutting (H)edge Tip

Just wanted to share a little tip if you like me have gravel + hedge. Instead of cutting and letting the clippings fall on to the gravel which makes for pretty difficult clean up, lay a tarp along the hedge and drag it along with you and let the cuttings fall onto it. When you’re all done, pick up the sides and funnel the debris onto your compost heap. I learned this the hard way. And my hedge is super prickly.

Happy weekend!

Front of House Trellis

I badly needed a trellis by my entrance. It’s not that I don't like my neighbors, I really do, they’re the nicest possible, but it was all a bit too open.

 

So I jumped on my bike, trailer in tow and went to the local lumber yard and got some materials for this type of trellis that i spotted and pinned on Pinterest.

 

It was all pretty straightforward. I measured and hammered the galvanized plinth thingy into the ground and placed and painted the upright.

 

Then I proceeded to cut all the horizontal pieces and painted them.

 

After that it was just a matter of getting the top first one straight with a level, screwing that in and then adding the rest using a cut off as a template.

 

Here you can see one of the things that will be hidden away, the neighbor trash can. Also being hidden, their recycling bin.

 

After finishing I noticed that the upright which I used wasn't 100% straight so I got some steel wire and pulled the top of it towards the house. I don’t mind it at all although it wasn’t in the plan to begin with.

 

And look, now straight as can be.

 

As you can see you hardly notice the wire.

 

I’m really pleased. My entrance feels so much more private now.

 

Bonus has also given it his seal of approval.

Now I’m just waiting for my rose to climb and hopefully cover it. Climb, Rosy, climb!

Sis n' Bro

 

Awww, how cute are sis n’ bro at the end of the garden? I love you kitties!

I have next week off work. Yay! There will be a Monday post as normal but I will take the rest of that week off blogging in an attempt to finish off some of the projects on my list. Also my contractors are scheduled to come and finally switch out the skylights.

Happy weekend!