So we’ve been in the house about 2 years now and the renovations continue. Why does it seem like things always need to get worse before they get better? We’ve made lots of progress, but you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking. As spring 2018 approaches, I look out the window at the muddy, yet snowy, dilapidated mess that is our yard and wonder….did I really accomplish anything last year?
Ugh, motivation I suppose, but honestly, we have been at it. The past year has been a busy one. We’ve been weed pullin’, lawn mowin’, deconstructin’, you name it…it’s been getting done! The buildings on the property have been a definite focus. A hazard at best, we’ve torn down the worst and started renovating the salvageable.
Sadly, one of my favorite parts of the old Benjamin’s Greenery, this uniquely designed greenhouse, had to come down. Held up by a few posts standing on brick pavers, the infrastructure of this building was too unstable to leave. Once again, my superhero dad and his trusty sidekick ( my youngest brother Casey,) tackled the job and brought this once state-of-the-art architecture to the ground.
Unfortunately we decided to start this adventure late in the fall, so although it was progress, it remains an unsightly project beckoning for someone to clean it up. Oh daddy dearest……….
This unused shed was no match for the mighty Casey Wilcox. He single-handedly tore this down in a day, while painstakingly saving every nail and tin panel. If we ever get the posts dug up, this one will be reassembled in the backyard to house all of our campfire wood. (After all, what’s summer without an occasional bonfire?)
Remember this one? A wire brush and a little paint go a long way.
Now if I could just get the roof to quit leaking……
and then there’s this…the place where all the planting begins. I’m determined to bring this one back to its former glory.
The foundation and the metal frame of this greenhouse were still in great shape, so I’m just slowly cutting new wooden supports, one by one. This will probably continue through summer 2018 before all of the rotten stuff has been replaced, but we’ll get there. Can’t rush perfection, right? Once we get that done, we’ll decide what type of roofing to use….the plastic has long since ripped and blown away.
So much to do, but we’ve still found plenty of time to enjoy all that Shadow Wood has to offer. (I suppose eventually I will still need to explain the name Shadow Wood and how we came into the lavender business…)
There’s been no shortage of beautiful sunrises
and sunsets….
and critters….
and apples….so many apples.
So I guess the year was actually pretty productive. I just can’t wait until the snow melts and the world starts looking green again; but until then I guess I’ll just hang out on my couch with a blanket and a piece of warm apple pie!
