It's the written words that matter...

The Gayla Pink Apple

 

I returned home from NYC yesterday.  You know that stack of mail waiting for you upon returning from travels?  I seldom pay much attention to it - seems seldom does the stack contain too much that is of interest to me.  But, yesterday two envelopes stuck out.

 



One was a note from a friend - thanking me for a token gift.  It was written on a very high quality cream colored embossed personalized note card - perfectly written!  Beautiful handwriting and addressed with a touch of class!  Note "city" - very southern, isn't it?  Speaks classy lady with Southern impeccable manners and charm.  I adore it - I admire the beautiful handwriting and the gracious words.  I love my friend, too.

 

The other envelope was a birthday card.  I'm not really surprised it's a card, but I am most surprised who the card is from.  It was from O u i d a!  I'll explain...

 

I moved to Little Rock when I was 22 or 23 years old.  I was starting a job at Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Inc. for their in- house magazine called Rural Arkansas.   The editor was a lady named O u i d a  C o x.  I worked with this lady for a few years and then moved on.  Never saw her again until last December. 

 

My daughter was home visiting and we were getting in the car about to leave Kroger.  A car came barreling in the parking space next to us.  At first I thought the car was about to hit mine.  Lordy, it was an old lady - in her 90's - OMG - it's O U I D A   C O X.  I immediately recognized her.  I hadn't seen her since I was about 25 years old.  She asked me if I could get in my car - that's how close she parked to my vehicle.  I told her who I was - that I had worked for her in my early 20's - and introduced her to my daughter.    

 

O u i d a   didn't really seem to recall who I was - so we exchanged small talk and went on.

 

The following week a mutual friend told me O u i d a  had remembered who I was as she had shared with her our meeting in the Kroger parking lot.  The lady never could drive worth a darn.  She always drove too fast - but that was just O u i d a.  Everyone talked about her driving.  Some things never change, huh!

 

I took my first airplane trip with O u i d a.  We traveled to San Francisco and she showed me the city!  I loved the week we spent in San Francisco.  I was 23 or 24 years old.  It was definitely a little country girl goes to the big city trip.  Ironically, I took my daughter to San Francisco when she graduated from college last May.  She was 22 years old.  I thought so fitting -- I had just taken my young daughter to San Francisco and then a few months later run into the lady who took me to San Francisco when I was about the same age.  Just cool, I think!

 

This sweet birthday card sitting in my pile of mail is from  O u i d a!  Now, that's a nice surprise!  It's a cute little teddy bear - holding a stack of gifts - with a kind note inside saying that she had run across an old address book and saw my birthday listed in it. 

No fancy embossed or engraved stationary - no printed engraved return addressed envelope - but, indeed a return address label sticker of the American flag.  Trust me, she can afford the finest engraved note cards -- she walks the walk in Southern charm and graciousness - just in a little different way.  The card not even Hallmark - LOL - but is priceless to me.  Thank you O u i d a  H.  C o x!  What a wonderful surprise.  I'll be giving you a call soon. 

 

Both of these ladies are my friend.  I adore and love each.  It doesn't matter to me if it's a nice engraved note card or a no name ordinary card - it's the hand written words inside which touch my heart and bring me joy.  Both of these did exactly that.  And, I love both! 

 

 

 



Prepare for takeoff....from The Big Apple to The Little Rock

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

It was great to spend ten days -- and in the mix my birthday -- with my daughter, Blair, in NYC.  

I arrived on Sunday (July 14th) ...

Need I say more?  I love a girl in her pajamas!

My visit included numerous hot days with metro rides to various places - shopping - dining out - staying in and piling up on the bed with mother/daughter chats. Dining at local neighborhood restaurants and picking up items at the corner market. Trips to the park where it was too hot to do anything but sit on a park bench.

 ************

We love the corner diner a couple blocks from where Blair lives - especially for breakfast. 

C & C Time With Blair

(C & C = Coffee & Chat)

We love to sit and drink coffee there - chat - and stay as long as we like. I call it our C & C time - coffee and chat!

 

Me and my doggie bag! 

Do people even use the term doggie bag anymore? 

 *************

My new "New York City" running cap 

 We normally would enjoy running/walking in Riverside Park - next to the Hudson River.  Running / walking next to the water is usually very refreshing. Frankly, it was too hot to run this week.  In the other direction from the apartment is Central Park.  It is indeed beautiful.  Personally, I do not think running in Central Park is as nice as running in Riverside Park because the designated running trail/path/area (whatever it's called) in Central Park is not pavement and a girl's shoes get dirty.  :)

*************

Happy Birthday to me!

The 'birthday' photo - July 17, 2013 - 58th Birthday

Gayla in Gemze's apartment in NYC

I spent my 58th birthday in NYC!  I guess it should be said that I celebrated the entire week - not just one day!  Blair had to work on my actual birthday, but she took off on Friday.  The following evening, Gemze and I celebrated with a glass of wine and dinner at a favorite neighborhood restaurant. 

 

Gemze and me - July 22, 2013

Gemze and I have our own girl talks.   It's as though we have known each other for years. 

************* 

I could be the only Mother who has fun hand washing a few pieces of clothing in the bathroom lavatory or sitting in the basement laundry room with their 23 year old as the laundry machines gurgle and slosh water and soap together.

 *************

I maneuvered the metro on my own successfully. Walking down the stairs to the train is like walking into an underground sauna - fully dressed, of course! It's so loud and people zoom by like you're not standing there. I'm not a big fan of riding the metro, but a NYC taxi - uhhhh - is almost like dangling your life over a bridge holding on for dear life. You're pretty sure you'll be ok - but - it's a gamble. Taxi drivers are generally ridiculous and due to the traffic it takes  f o r e v e r . You can sit in a taxi a very long time to go a really short distance.

I think NYC is a stressful city.  Everyone seems to be stressed and in a hurry, etc.  Oh well, one thing I've concluded is that if you don't expect too much from people - you won't be disappointed! 

Prepare for takeoff - I'm going home -- from The Big Apple to The Little Rock! 

 

 



 





My Cap

The Gayla Pink Apple



My new "New York City" Running Cap

My new "New York City" running cap - I love it!

I GOT MY CAP!!!! It says "New York City" not "I heart NY"

Last September when I helped Blair moved to NYC, I wanted to buy a running cap. But, believe it or not - I couldn't find one except at one of those street vendors or souvenir type cheap stores. We were not in a tourist part of town and I never happened upon a CAP. Everytime we walked down the street, I'd say "now, help me look for a cap." I think I said it to be point of being a little annoying. When I left the one thing I didn't get was MY CAP! 

Well, this time I got my NYC CAP -  I love it too! 

It's Hotter Than a New York Minute

The Gayla Pink Apple

 

It is so dang hot - sweat is running down my boobs!  My hair is curling from the sweat on my head and my feet are moving in my shoes from the bottoms of my feet sweating too! 

 

I guess this is what is meant by the saying "it's hotter than a new york minute."  Being in NYC with Blair is great - but, it's great because I am with her - not because I'm in NYC.  As for being so dang hot - yelp - it's hot and everywhere I turn somebody stinks!  Oh well, maybe I do too!!  Anyone sweating this much is bound to be a little stinky. 

 

Blair worked last night and I decided to meet her in mid towne for her dinner break.  She gave me step-by-step instructions how to get there on the subway ALL BY MYSELF!  Oh my! I'm going from the Upper West Side to Mid-towne,  She says it's easy - just get on the correct train (number so and so color such and such) and go five stops and exit - take a left here and a right there - over so many blocks turn left and you'll see this and that and you're there.  Come in the door, turn left and wait for me. 

I bought a 7 day pass - I can zip my metro card as many times as I want.  Off I go!  Easy as pie!  Now, don't tell anyone - but, I sat there all alone - trying to act like I knew exactly where I was going - trying to look like a New Yorker - well, not really caring if I look like a New Yorker - but didn't want to look like a tourist, ya know!! Someone might steal my purse! LOL   I was secretly counting each stop.  I got on the correct train - rode five stops - and turned left here and right there - over so many blocks and turned left and I saw this and that and I was there! 

Well, this isn't hard!  Cocky me - - I can do this every day!  Oh no- now I've got to get back home by myself too.  Hey, if I can get there - I can surely get back home!  Just go down 7th avenue to Central Park  - but don't do this - don't do that!  Ghee!  Turn left and follow all the way to the metro stop.  Get on the correct train (again number so and so and color such and such) and go five stops - exit - turn right - then left - then up the stairs - then left and you're just a couple blocks from home.  Yelp, I did all that - but I did end up on the wrong side of the street from where I was suppose to be.  But, hey, I didn't just fall off the turnip truck yesterday - I am smart - I figured out exactly what had happened.  Strutting my stuff back to the apt. 

I did it!  Yay me!  I did it!  :)
Gayla

P.S. - these are not actual directions - I made them up due to blog posts being public.  FYI



Flying High in the sky...

The Gayla Pink Apple

I consider myself an experienced airplane traveler.  I've flown many times.  So, why then does it never seem easy?  I know the routine - I know the system.  I used to say it was never easy to fly anywhere because - of course - I flew out of Little Rock.  And, to get to most places from LR requires a connecting flight - sometimes more than one.  Generally, though, I can get to my destination changing planes only once. 

 

I'm not scared to fly.  I'm not afraid that something bad is going to happen.  But, I just always dread it.  The night before usually means a restless - tossing and turning night.  Seems it is most often a long tiring day for me. 

 

Checking in is never easy - yet, there's nothing hard about it.  I am a seasoned packer, too.  I've packed many pieces of luggage.  I have my system down - but, my mind races - do I have my flatiron?  Where did I put it?  Did I forget it?  NO, I got it - it's in the pocket of the brown bag.  Whew,  Where's my spanx?  Yes, spanx!  Lordy, do you go without your spanx?  Heck, NO!  Not this gal!  I remember, my spanx is in the Ziploc bag next to my undies!  :) 

 

Where did I put my cash?  Did I get enough cash yesterday at the ATM?  Wonder if I should have gotten smaller bills.  Oh, gosh, do I have tip money?  Hope I have some small bills to give the doorman?  Should I use my cash for the taxi from the airport or use the cc?  CC - that way I'll have my cash for smaller things.  Afterall, the taxi from the airport will be at least $60!  Yes, use the cc!

 

Hope my carry on bag will fit easily in the overhead compartment.  Gosh, I hate to struggle to lift it up and in that overhead bin.  I hate it when people are standing behind me like I'm the only person in the plane putting a darn bag overhead.  Why do I care, anyway?  The man in front of me stood there 30 minutes - so it seemed - putting his bag up there.  He didn't seem to care that I stood there waiting and holding 50 lbs in my arms. 

 

Oh dear, hope I don't sit next to a crying baby!  Awwhhh, but if I do - it will be OK.  I am not bothered by it, really.  So, I'll just smile and tell the parent/s how gorgeous that baby is - even if it's not very pretty.

 

Today, I didn't sit next to a crying baby.  A man sat next to me on my flight out of LR and he talked non-stop.  But, he was delightful.   His wife and ten year old daughter were sitting a couple rows behind us.  The little girl's first time to fly - they were going to Florida for vacation.  He kept yelling back at her - "love bug, here we go" - "love bug, you all right?"  He didn't mind that everyone on the plane could hear him yelling back at his little love bug daddy's girl!  Cute, I thought.  I felt their love.  Man oh man, he could talk too - he told me about their house flooding six times - his job - his friends - his hurt knee. I switched seats with him so he could have the isle - due to his knee.  He was a tall man and needed the isle space for his long legs.  I told him I was going to NYC to visit my daughter and would celebrate my birthday this week with her.  He sang Happy Birthday to Gayla!  He didn't care that everyone heard him singing to me.   He told me how high we were flying - when we were descending - when we were over the clouds - when we were not over the clouds. "Do I talk too much?" he asked.  I just smiled - he didnt' let me answer the question.  The answer was yes - but doubt I would have told him.    He entertained me the entire flight.

Before I realized it we were landing - wow,what a quick flight.  Now, get to my connection...then landing in NYC.

 

Now, it's make my way to the baggage claim.  I'm HERE - I'm finally here!  Whew, I'm so tired.  Why?  I didn't do anything but sit on two different planes.  It's exhausting though!  Thank goodness I am taking a taxi and I don't have to fuss with a shuttle.  Is that snobby of me?  Nope, it's not - just do it!  Well, the shuttle would be much cheaper.  I don't care - not going to take a shuttle - I am taking a taxi, period!!!

 

Baggage claim merry go round finally has my bag.  Just get yourself and both bags to the taxi line and all will be good. 

 

A private driver in a NICE black escalade says "you need a taxi?  where you going? $55?  
Sure! But, $55 is maximum I'm paying you - no other charges!!!    Nice taxi (LOL) and the air conditioning works great! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Prepare for takeoff --- I'm off to the Big Apple...

The Gayla Pink Apple





I'm flying out in the morning to NYC to visit my daughter.  I haven't seen her beautiful face since Christmas and this Mother's heart is definitely yearning to see her. 

My beautiful daughter

My trip to NYC is not to tour the sights in the city, but to spend time with Blair.  I anticipate runs in Central Park and/or Riverside Park - girl talk with a lot of laughter - and  "m a y b e"  a little shopping. :)

All throughout my daughter's young years, I vowed that I would not be a parent to control her life and future - but, that I'd let her go and live however and wherever she wanted.  Even though my heart was breaking when she left for college in Boston, I was very proud of her courage, strength, and adventurous spirit.  Then, when she spent six months in London, I was internally in somewhat of a panic mode most of the time she was there - but, again, very excited for her and proud for her to have the opportunity. 

My creative photo of Blair

I'll explain the photo.  I bought the pink dress as a Christmas gift, thinking she would wear it for graduation the following May.  I ordered the dress from Neiman Marcus and was concerned it wouldn't arrive in time to go under the tree.  So, I cut out the picture of the dress from their catalog and attached Blair's face to the picture -  attached it to the red paper and wrapped it in a gift box.  When she opened the gift, this is what she saw.  A dress from the NM catalog with her face/head wearing the dress.  Cool, huh?  I think so! By the way, the dress arrived on Christmas Eve, but I still gave her the wrapped package with the picture - it was already under the tree - and, she did wear the dress under her college graduation robe.  OK, I rambled off topic. 

After graduating college last spring, Blair made the decision to move to NYC - I supported her decision.  I knew I'd miss her, but frankly, it was more important to me that she be able to LIVE HER life.  Now that she is quote - "living her own life" - so to speak...I'm thinking, dang, why did I do that - why didn't I try to influence her to stay closer to home. LOL!  

All of a sudden realization sets in - she won't be home for Spring Break - she won't be home for the summer - she most likely won't be home for Thanksgiving in November or Christmas in December. Young professionals working full time, trying to establish some sort of a career, can't just jump on an airplane to fulfill Mother's empty heart and soul. 

But, Mother can!  This Mother will jump on an airplane with a very short notice.  Yay - time to pack!

Prepare for takeoff --- I'm off to the Big Apple :)

SSSHHHUUUUTTT UP

The Gayla Pink Apple

Open Mouth - Insert Foot...

 

You may recall, I have four lovely dogs next door.  As lovely as they are, they bug the heck out of me when I'm in my - repeat MY - yard and they all four bark nonstop "AT" me!  Argggg!!! Ugggg!  So irritating and frustrating!

 

Their owner often comes home around noon and that means they get to go outside - and, yes, bark at me!  If the barking doesn't stop fairly quickly, I can yell at the top of my lungs - SHUT UP - and they stop!!  I know, I know, that's not very nice.  Normally I wouldn't say that to hardly anyone or anything, but for some reason, this thing inside me just boils and I yell "SHUT UP!"

 

One day last week just as I belted out a big SHUT UP, my neighbor stepped around the corner.  OH SH-T!!! 

 

Well, I confessed.  I told her that I didn't mean to sound so harsh but four dogs barking was a little unnerving to me and very frustrating.  I am a dog fan - I think they're pretty dogs - but the four barking at the same time is too much.  We had a fairly nice chit chat about it.  Her telling me how she thought they were getting better - when I'm on the upper level of my yard, they don't seem to bark.  They're getting used to me!  But, when I'm in the lower level of my yard - which is next to their property - they are not as agreeable.  Maybe if I gave them a treat, she comments.  But, don't try to pet the little Jack Russell terrier - he will bite!  The other three are friendly.

 

Hmmm, well, he didn't keep the burglar out a month or so ago when your house was broken into.  Shame on me!

 

Okay, I'll buy some milk bones!  I'll talk sweet to them next time!  How's that?

 

WOOF WOOF - BARK BARK -- WOOF WOOF - BARK BARK -- WOOF WOOF - BARK BARK!  "it's OK - hi guys - treat?  treat?  here's a treat!  Good boy!  Good girl!

 

WOOF WOOF - BARK BARK -- WOOF WOOF- BARK BARK - WOOF WOOF!!!  They can't hear my sweet little southern voice - the barking IS so loud!

 

Throw the damn treat over the fence and hope they SHUT UP!  And, if they don't - YELL "SHUT UP!" 

 

Smiling,

Gayla

 

 

 

 



Welcome to my Garden Great Room

The Gayla Pink Apple

 

Welcome to my Garden Great Room!  My backyard garden is finally complete - well, phase I is finished.  This should be my last post about my gardening renovation.  Whew!  Perhaps a phase II next year.  It is time to sit back and enjoy the fruits of my hard labor.

My backyard garden is what I call my garden great room - one big space with designated areas defined by the layout.  What that really means is that you can see from one side of my backyard to the other instead of small private spaces.  It is not garden rooms divided by mature trees and shrubs, creating a path to stroll, leading you to quaint intimate garden rooms.

 

The bones of the yard are three fence lines with mature plantings of trees and shrubs along with a few perennials.  Five large mature layland cypress trees died several years ago and were removed.  New baby trees - saplings - have been planted in their place, but it will be several years before they will fill in and offer their beauty to the space.  That's just part of planting young trees and shrubs, etc.  My father gave me the little saplings.  I planted:  1) two crabapple flowering trees - the birds will love them;   2) a Goldenraintree, which is also a flowering tree;   3) a Washington Hawthorn, also a flowering tree; and   4) another crepe myrtle. 

What started it all...

Focal Point to my Garden Great Room

The focal point to my garden great room is a large concrete fountain converted to a planter which houses summer flowers in memory of our precious shih tzu, Casey, who died in February 2013.  This is what actually started the whole renovation.  I wanted to sit outdoors and reminisce and think about her joy and love.  The concrete fountain/planter is located in her favorite area of the yard. 

In addition, I wasn't working outside my home and therefore had the time to get into gardening.  Man oh man, did I ever dive into it.

~~~~~~

Main walkway... 



First walkway edged with bricks

and ground cover planted between pavers. 

 First was edging the main walkway from the gate to the patio with bricks from my brick pile, along with planting hydrangea shrubs with a few perennials and annuals.  The pavers were placed there about 15 years ago and weeds had grown over them.  Rolling my eyes as I say that, too! 

Hydrangeas anchor the bed, while cladiums offer summer color.

~~~~~~ 

Curved walkway...

Second, a curved walkway was added -- extended off the main one, to lead you to the brick steps that take you to the lower level of the yard.  This curved walkway is made of old pavers we had on hand, I moved them to create this walkway.  The pavers were placed by my very hands, and edged with bricks carried by me and placed by my very hands, too.  Frankly, this is several days/weeks of back breaking labor.  Rhododendrons were planted along its' side as well as a few perennials and summer annuals. 

~~~~~~

Walkway to the focal point...

 

Walkway to Focal Point of the Garden

Third, a double walkway was created leading to the focal point - the large fountain planter.  Boxwoods outline each side of the walkway.  Begonias were planted in the planter for summer color.  Today,  it's very pretty, if I do say so myself!  And, yes, another walkway where each paver and brick were placed there by me! 

Another view of the focal point and side section

~~~~~~

Birdbath...

 An old abandoned birdbath pedestal renewed

with paint and a new birdbath bowl.

Since grass is impossible to grow, I decided to give up on grass - just too much shade to be successful with grass.  A old birdbath pedestal got a new birdbath bowl.  It was then welcome birdie birdie!  Liropre was planted around the base of the birdbath to accent it.

  ~~~~~~

Accessories (pots) to accent...

 Various pots were added for summer fun and accents...

  Coleuses with asparagus and plumrose ferns

Yellow coleus with dill and purple accents

 

Ivy Trellis Tower

I have this thing against ivy.  A friend convinced me ivy is not all bad.  So, I planted this ivy trellis tower to give ivy another chance.  This is the small ivy - a green needlepoint variety and a variegated ivy.  This was just planted on July 4th so it will need time to grow and climb the trellis.  Wish me luck! :)

~~~~~~

Just a Swingin'...

 

A new swing was added which created a relaxing space to sit and enjoy the outside space, thus, creating a sitting conversation area.

Phase II of my garden great room - next year - will be expanding this area, but for now, the swing grounds the space.

~~~~~~

New chairs...

 New club style patio chairs

The patio table and chairs received a new umbrella (not pictured) with blue tooth!  A couple of club style patio chairs were added to enjoy a morning cup of Joe.  This created the main gathering space on the patio. 

~~~~~~

The Garden's Little Black Dress...

 The Little Black Bench

The Little Black Bench was added which created a little sitting area to admire the birdbath and planter.  It sits in a very shady area and is quite cool and nice to stop and sit for a few minutes.  I call this the Little Black Dress to my garden.

 ~~~~~~

The Sundial...

Brick sundial

Brick sundial was added in front of the birdbath.  Standing water was an issue here, so creating something to combat the water and lack of grass were my purpose.  The goal is to let the ground cover fill in the area, creating coverage in lieu of grass, and offset the standing water.  This will take time to fill in, so mulch will carry the burden for now.

Brick sundial with summer pot of coleuses and dill in foreground

~~~~~~

Hosta Hill...

 (No photo available of the hosta hill. The area is too wide to capture it all in a photo, so I gave up) 

Two small hills were cleared and renovated.  Both were overgrown and weeds were pulled and removed.  Fifty hostas were planted on one hill - I call it Hosta Hill now.  The Hosta Hill is edged with liropre and a few boxwood plantings with a little bit of ground cover here and there.  This hill will be very striking as the hostas mature, but right now they're pretty small and getting watered a lot. 

Solid green Hosta on the Hosta Hill...

A few little baby Hostas planted on the Hosta Hill

Blue Hosta - growing nicely on the Hosta Hill...

Variegated Hosta on the Hosta Hill

I tried to get a good photo of the hosta hill, but it didn't cooperate - just couldn't get a good shot.  Anyway, this creates a really nice backdrop for the lower level of the garden which also allows a view from the upper level as well.  An old swing frame was given a new swing and painted.  It creates a sitting area for the lower level allowing you to take a moment to just sit and admire your surroundings, hopefully one day to be in awe of all the beautiful hostas and flowering trees. 

~~~~~~

Rock Hill...

Rock Hill as of July 4, 2013-photo is side view

Still a little work to be done, but all rock are in place.

The other side of the small hill is now a Rock Hill.  I hauled rocks from my grandmother's old home place as well as rocks from my parent's property to completely fill this space.  Plantings of several different ground covers were planted between rocks.  This creates somewhat of a maintenance free area as well as holding the dirt.  I'm very please with the way it turned out.  I'm humbled by the fact that I personally hand placed the rocks and the rocks came from my family.

 ~~~~~~

The Gate...

A fun update to the gate with a little concrete bench and a coat of black paint.

As you probably know, I've said, the garden club ladies always said, "Every Garden Begins With a Gate."  I didn't have a pretty gate.  A quick fix was to paint it and accessorize the entry.  A little concrete bench says hello and gives the entry to the garden presence. 

So, finally...it's finished.  I've put my heart and soul into creating this garden.  I already enjoy the space a lot.  In a couple years as the plantings grow and mature, I think it will be quite nice.   

With that said...Welcome to my Garden Great Room...

Gayla

 

 (I started my backyard renovation April 4th and finished it yesterday, July 9th. Seems I've literally worked non-stop 24/7 for the past three months on it.  I've never enjoyed gardening - still don't, really - but I do think, today, I can call myself a gardener.  This blog post summarizes most all of the projects involved in creating my garden. This should be my last blog post on this topic! - at least for a few  months, anyway. ) 

 

 



Every Garden Begins With a Gate

The Gayla Pink Apple

 

 

My garden club friends always say...every garden begins with a gate.

As you know by now, I spent a lot of time with the Garden Club ladies at the Little Rock Council of Garden Clubs (LRCGC.)  At the time, there were 20 different garden clubs associated with the organization.  You can imagine how many gardeners that equals.  Being with these dedicated gardeners and flower show judges, etc. with so much knowledge and expertise was a real blessing - yet, sometimes it's a little bit of a curse, too.  I'll explain...

 

I will always remember the ladies saying "every garden begins with a gate" which meant that the entrance to ones garden should be addressed.  Kind of like interior decorators addressing the front door -- entry to your home.  So, the curse for me is that the gate to my backyard was pretty hideous.  I couldn't ignore the fact that the garden club ladies always said attention should be given to the entry aka the gate.  Therefore, I couldn't let my gate go unattended, now could I?  Of course not, so I attempted to improve on a gate with few good aspects from which to work with.

Before Photo - pretty pitiful

The old chain link fence and gate are an eyesore for sure.   Years ago, I planted trees and shrubs on all three sides of our yard for a quick fix to create privacy.  I guess since we didn't see the fence, the gate didn't seem to matter.  I'm not sure why we didn't later put up a wood privacy fence - probably same reason our yard was neglected for some many years.  No one spent much time in the yard - therefore, it wasn't a priority.  Kind of out of sight, out of mind. 

At this point, I'm not interested in putting up a wood privacy fence - I have privacy via greenery - trees and shrubs.  Besides, I like the somewhat 'natural' look and feel of trees which create privacy.

Installing a new gate was not an option right now.  So, not to be out done, paint!  Why can't I paint an old chain link fence and gate!!! 

A coat of black paint is an improvement, but still needs something...

So, I painted it black.  Frankly, for a quick fix, I like it.  I see this as doing the best I can with what there's to work with!  A decorator once told me, if you can't do fine (expensive), go fun (economical!)  So, that's exactly how I look at this.  I couldn't install a new gate, so painting the old one with a coat of black paint was how I decided to give the gate its' redo. 

Bench added, but....

A little concrete bench - a gift from a dear friend -is added.  The bench looks new in the photo, but it's not.  I guess the sunlight makes the top of this bench appear very white - when it's really quite worn. 

The entry to my garden is looking better, but...  maybe a couple pots to finish off the redo and defining the space.

The new entry...

I feel like the garden club ladies would be proud that I addressed the entry.  Afterall, "Every Garden Begins With a Gate!"  Even if it's not a fine gate, it says hello, welcome to my garden.

Gayla
 

   

 

Slope Ivy's New Do!

The Gayla Pink Apple

 

 Slope Ivy has become a rocky slope...

All rocks in place...photo side view 

A short while ago, I talked about transforming a slope/hill in my backyard which was covered with ivy. I pulled up all the overgrown ivy. It has taken me quite a few weeks to do it, but Slope Ivy has a new do.

Photo of ivy in process of being removed. 

Ivy is gone - 3 shrubs planted

Slope Ivy is receiving a facelift.   Rocks were hauled in and placed one-by-one on this slope/hill. These are the rocks I picked up from my grandmother's old home place.  She had them around a big tree to edge her flower bed. 

Photo of work in progress...

A combination of rocks, some pretty big ones too -- along with planting a few shrubs, and ground cover poked here and there is revamping the slope/hill.  

Pile of rocks --- This is about how many rocks I can haul at one time.

It took about four loads of rocks to fill the area.  In addition to rocks from my grandmother's old home place, my parents gave me the rest of the rocks from their property.  I personally placed every single rock, so I definitely have my sweat and tears in this one.  I had help with hauling the rocks and unloading them, but the placement was me.  Until now, I've never really been a fan of rocks - but, I am liking these.

Still a work in progress...

I am not a big fan of rocks in landscaping / gardening - particularly the little pebble type - but am going to embrace these in hopes they will help hold the dirt.  Hopefully the area will be pretty maintenance free too!

It's finished!

One good thing I can say... the little hidden roots of ivy that think they're going to pop back up -- they will have a heck of a time popping up through the big rocks.  HA HA Ivy, take that!  Ha Ha to me - she will find her way back through the gaps, so don't fret.  I haven't won the battle yet - I haven't seen the last of Ivy, no doubt.

Up close view - little bit of ground cover planted.

So, I guess I can call the redo Rocky Slope or Rock Hill?  Whatever it's new reference is, I am glad it's finished. 

Lordy, hope I don't someday have a grandchild named Ivy...nor Rocky, for that matter.

Gayla