“He had had a nice, good, idle time all the while – plenty of company – and the fence had three coats of whitewash on it! If he hadn’t run out of whitewash he would have bankrupted every boy in the village.”
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Remember Tom Sawyer? Go here for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer to read that part of the story if you’re not familiar with it. I tried to to use his technique to get my daughter to help me paint my picket fence that goes around our main vegetable garden.
No luck – she said she knew that story and wasn’t falling for it. I think I’m going to have to bribe persuade her to help me finish it!
Here’s the section I finished so far. I just need to put something on the gate – I had a garden tours sign on the gate but I think I’ll put something else.
Do you see something someone in the bushes?
Maxie! He’s such a sweet boy. He was really hot and found a cool spot under a hydrangea. He’s always my faithful companion outside.
Some other things I’ve been doing. I painted this
red. I have a lot of red and yellow daylillies in that bed in the summer, so I think the red will go nicely with those. Plus those are all red rose bushes behind it.
I weeded and put out 30 bales of pinestraw on this half of the front yard.
I still have the other half of the front yard to do. The joys of being on a corner lot! I used to love all that land – now not so much!
Went up and down a ladder numerous times with a hedge trimmer to trim this huge hollies. They’re over 6 feet tall!
It’s not all playing with dishes and fluffing the nest around here! Especially not in the spring! There’s so much work to be done outside and often it’s just me doing it. My daughter will take care of stuff indoors but she’s just not an outdoor kind of girl!
I’ve also started planting some veggies which I’ll show you next week.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
The plate fence is….I'm speechless…Love it! May have to borrow that idea 🙂
Have a fabulous weekend Manuela!
Oh I remember the sweet spoon markers! You were so sweet and told me just how you made them! Your yard looks great, and Maxie is a handsome lad, isn't he?
Now if I could just convince my neighbors to paint their fence that I have to look at, we could both be happy with our fences!
You have been busy and it shows. Your yard is beautiful! I need to get out and work on mine too. I have thought about doing the plate border like that. I'll have to see how many plates I have that I'm willing to put outside!
I am just plum crazy about Maxie!!! So sweet!!!
Once again, you are both inspirational and motivational! Such a lovely yard.
Hey there sweet one…I think your yard and fence look wonderful. I adore picket fences and have a little bit of one around my patio to keep the dogs, sheep and chickens out….they seem to love to eat my flowers and bushes! Big smile. I learned the hard way! everything looks so wonderful I can't wait to see more!
Blessings,
Debbie
My goodness! You've got a lot of work on your hands. I was going to say that Tom had it wrong then?But, no, you're just being cute…it isn't one lick of fun unless you can do it with a can of spray paint. Hmmm, what about that? Just but a nice big chunk of cardboard on the other side so that it doesn't go all over the place. It's looking great!
The plate fence is so sweet! What a fun idea! Your yard is beautiful! This is my favorite time of the year…it is so much fun cleaning up the yard and helping it come into bloom! Our Lily is my faithful companion outside, too!! Have a great weekend 🙂
Wendy
Cool shots. I forgot about the spoon markers til now. Rats.
I love the fence and what a great, overall post for the season!
Like you, I seem to be the one to take care of all the outside beds and such. You did a really good job on your hedges, Manuela ~ mine would be lopsided! I used to try and get my kids to help, but that was a no go. It's raining here today but supposed to be sunny and 60 tomorrow. That's my designated day this weekend to work outside. Hopefully the weather cooperates.
Your yard is beautiful and Maxie looks so sweet tucked under the hydrangeas! :o)
I had to laugh about your white washing the picket fence and no way your daughter would buy into it. :o) I would love a picket fence around my gardening area, but glad I did not put one up, we are moving the garden next spring, so will have to make plans for then. :o)
Isn't it amazing to be outdoors and working in the yard? I love it! Ie … no crafts or quilting done right now! Or much blogging for that matter.
Enjoy these wonderful spring days! Soak it in. :o)
Sincerely ~ Tricia
Your white fence is gorgeous painted so white. I "got it" right away from the title of your post. Love that reference. It takes me right back to middle school and a play that was done one year. Of course all of the cool kids got the best roles…lol.
Your yard is shaping up very nicely.
Now I need to spend some time in mine. We have hosta and other perennials to move.
Becky K.
It looks like you have been very busy in your yard. All your hard work has paid off as it looks beautiful. I love what you have done with the plates and spoon.
The white fence, plate border, flower beds and wonderful green lawn are all terrifc…happy gardening.
You have been busy! Everything looks neat and fresh.
Don't work yourself to death. Your yard and beds look great. Looks like your daylillies are already blooming. I know what you mean about not loving the huge yard anymore.
Two of my daughters and I primed our picket fence in our front garden last Saturday! It was a lot of work, but so worth it. Perhaps tomorrow we will get it painted!
I kept talking about Tom Sawyer as well!
I'm exhausted just reading this post 🙂 Girl, you have energy plus so come to my house…your yard is so nice!
Oh, I use to have a fence like that and my boys and I would paint it, we also had a lovely goldfish pond near the arch way. I love the piece painted red…I have one of those and it is going to be painted and moved outdoors…a garage sale find. Enjoyed!
It's looking good!!! I still haven't done anything outside. Or should I say, hubby hasn't done anything outside. Except that he cut my rose bushes back. I think too much & too late. I do hope they come back or I will be so sad.
You can tell Tom Sawyer is a work of fiction, I could never get anyone to fall for that either! Lol, It looks beautiful, and your yard looks so lovely with the fresh mulch and beautiful flowers!
Manuela, You are a busy girl! I love your veggie garden. And do I see a plate border? So adorable!
Yvonne
Very pretty. Love the plates and the fence is so cute!
Robin
I could not do that much yardwork Manuela. You are just amazing to work that hard. It sure is paying off since everything is looking gorgeous. Love the red painted garden ornament and the white picket fence is precious.
We are on a corner lot as well but not that large of a lot. Yours is huge!
Guess what is on the agenda for tomorrow? Yep yardwork. Hehe! At least my hubby is doing the majority.
I absolutely love your idea of lining your garden with floral plates! Gorgeous!!! ♥
Such a lovely garden and Maxie is too cute!
Give her time, you would be surprised how they change their minds when they have their own place! I know my daughter did!! Shocked me!!! I love corner lots! My old house was a corner lot so it was a lot of fun, and yes, a lot of work! Have a great weekend!
I know it is very hard work! Your outside is as lovely as your inside Manuela!
Hugs,
Penny
Manuela…Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to leave such a sweet message. Your garden (yard) is so lovely! I can't wait to get out into mine this week. Have a terrific day! ~Nancy~
Oh, I love your plate border! How pretty! I need to get cracking on those vegetable seeds. Our weather has been rather crazy here too. My, you have a big yard. We're on a corner lot too. I'd just as well not have all that grass on the other side to deal with. I only spend time on the side that you see in my photographs.
Brenda
Oh my Manuela, your garden is lovely! That little plate fence is so sweet. It looks like it is right out of a story book 🙂
Hugs,
Dena
It's all so pretty… love Maxie!
Hi Manueal
I know that it's a lot of hard work to get a yard ready in the spring, but it will pay off later on when you can sit back and look at the rewards of your work. I love the garden ornament painted red!
Hugs, Rhondi
Adorable post…Sweets. Love all your flowers. Love your doggie hiding in the bushes. Love that you had to paint that yard art red (so you). I'd have left it. I have a thing for off-white and rusty. lol
Your garden looks spectacular. It is a pain to paint picket fences. I'm trying to hold out until next year on painting ours again. I love the blue finial on the post. Such a whimsical little thing!
I know what you mean-
I am happy and exhausted.
And I have more to do.
Yikes!
I am painting a section of fence in my side yard tomorrow in a periwinkle color!
Laura
White Spray Paint
You've been busy, and your yard and garden look so nice! I've been busy pruning bushes too…way too much hard work! Maxie looks so cute hiding in the garden.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Hugs,
Donna
Hahaha…you are so funny Manuela!! I am envying all that wonderful land…at the same time I don't think I'd be up to all that maintenance…you must be in amazing shape (frugal workout…no need for a gym membership ;)!! I know I sure enjoy ALL your posts, but I do love what you do in the garden especially!!! Thank you again for sharing it with all of us.
Love,
Tracey
x0x
P.S. Your garden companion is so charming…such a sweet dog…what a blessing.
Manuela, It looks like you have your work cut out for you, but what a gorgeous yard and gardens you do have! Our lot is so small, but it is easily maintained, that is one good thing. I so enjoyed seeing your lovely yard, and now I'm looking forward to seeing it all in bloom. Be sure to show it to us then! Thanks!
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, you make my day. You are such a sweetie! Hugs, Cindy S
The yard looks great! We just moved into our home in November and we have a lot of work ahead of us. Your yard makes me happy! Have a good Sunday.
Your garden is so beautiful. Well I understand your daughter and would need bribing to paint also
😉 xoxoxo Clarice
As usual Manuela your garden looks great! I can't imagine keeping up with your lot! You are a Wonder Woman! You are.
Thanks for your cheerleading on my post..I'm actually feeling a bit better since then, now I have sore throat but mood is better. have a great weekend.
I love your vintage plate border!! I need to paint my picket fence too. I know that once it's finished I'll be happy, but I'm not so in love with the process, but you have inspired me! Your garden is looking absolutely lovely.
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Your fence is looking great, but I've also read Tom Sawyer, so I'm not running over to help you paint it! Your yard looks so pretty. You've been working hard, and it shows. laurie
I love your yard…so pretty! And i love that thing hiding in the bushes, you know the one that looks like mine! Come say hi 😀
Not having a yard for several years now I just can't wait to paint fences, plant flowers and get into the dirt!
The plates are brilliant! your garden looks amazing. Mine needs some work!
that's a beautiful garden
I just luv your fence…it's sooooo CUTE! You have a beautiful yard with all your flowers…I luv to play in my yard too…I have been planting flowers for the past week…luv the outcome:) I thought you might want to come by and check out my NTT HIGHLIGHTS…you will see why:) Hope you have a FUN week!
Blessings,
Linda
I'd love to come paint your fence with you 🙂 it looks gorgeous. I would love to 'pretty' our veggie garden up a bit and I'm trying, but it's a slow process. I painted one of the beds this weekend just to clean it up a bit. I'll try to remember to show pics on Wednesday.
You have a beautiful yard!
Love the plate border! I want to copy you in my yard!!