Monday, April 21, 2008

Adding More Rustic Charm

Boy, did my family need Spring Break this year. We planned on sleeping in, snoring until noon, watching movies, eating popcorn, sitting on the couch and generally giving in to the laziness we haven't had time for. But the danged weather refused to cooperate! Who can sleep in on mornings that look like this:
And who can resist temperatures in the50's at sunrise? Not me... or my children! So we were up and at 'em by no later that 7:15 every morning. We enjoyed checking to see when the daffodils would open and were very happy when they finally put on their show.

The week was thoroughly enjoyable despite realizing that the bright sunshine is yet another trigger for gardengirl's seizures. A good pair of polarized dark sun glasses were the best buy of the week.

The unusually warm weather also led to an unusually helpful hubby and since winter hit while I was in the midst of starting a rock garden I was more than happy to recruit him to help me get the project underway...again. But sadly, he is easily distracted.

Wait...

Could it be?

Yes, he's finally going to build my Rustic Arbor! for my Rustic Garden! I've dreamt about having a arbor frame the entrance to the rock garden. {wipe a tear} I've waited so long... and now hubby has done all the hard work and left me plenty of space to do the twig work that I so love. This is how my new arbor looked late yesterday:


And this is how my brand new Rustic Arbor looked just seconds before my daughter ran into it will the tractor:









And After...
No damage Done.

15 comments:

Giddy said...

The arbor is great and I love the rustic look. I just made a rustic trellis yesterday out of cherry and birch saplings. Now if the clematis would just start greening up!

Melanie Chopay said...

That is a beautiful arbor! Wow, your hubby is a darling for building it. My own hubby cleaned up my whole potting bench and area yesterday so I'm not complaining, still, I wish I had an arbor like that!

Can't wait to see it after you've "twigged" it.

Gardeness said...

That's a wonderful arbor. And obviously quite durable! I'm also waiting for hubby to build arbor/fence so I can expand the kitchen garden and keep dogs out. Wonderful sunrise. 50s! We're barely seeing those temps at the peak of the day. Lucky you!

CanadianGardenJoy said...

CJ ... what a beautiful arbor .. and we both were working on that type of thing on the weekend .. good thing you couldn't hear me ! LOL
Poor hubby had to put up with a lot of opinionated hot air .. but still managed to get it up and waiting for some great vines to green it over. What are you going to grow on it ? what a nice entrance it makes !
Joy

Unknown said...

Whew! I felt my heart sink seeing that wonderful arbor and the words "ran into it with the tractor". I'd love something like that in my garden.

Doesn't it feel great when you finally get something big like that completed?

Unknown said...

Giddy~It seems our contribution to Earth Day...The Trellis! Hey, we're thinking green, right?

Melanie~Hubby is a darling but ssshhh don't tell him I said that. He'll get all, "See how great I am..." and be impossible to live with. LOL.

Gardeness~We're getting close to breaking a record here for consecutive days over 70 degrees in April. 2 more days and we'll have it!

Joy~My sister-in-law just gifted me a climbing white rose bush so... perfect timing! Now, I just need to break my current record of consecutive killed rose bushes (8 in a row now). Wish me LUCK.

Cinj~She was so moritified! The look on her face was hilarious. I laughed so hard I thought I'd fall over. My hubby...not so much. LOL.

garden girl said...

Love, love, love the arbor! I'm looking forward to seeing it when you've finished it.

Good luck with the climbing rose! You're a more determined gardener than me - I give up more easily on things that don't grow for me - not necessarily a good thing. Determination is an admirable quality I could use more of, and not just in the garden :o

Unknown said...

garden girl~You're so sweet to call it determination. My hubby calls it being as stubborn as a jack...well, you get the point. LOL.

Anonymous said...

Love it, love it just like all others who commented. Want to steal your idea if okay.

My first season here in Colo Mts. I did make a big arbor out of pine posts that have smaller branch cross posts and a curved top of willow branches. So far, so good in that it's still standing & I'm no carpenter (unfortunately neither is my husband!).

I've been trying so hard for 2 gardening seasons now to get clematis or any vine to grow up it. Gardening here is a struggle in that all plants must be deer resistant and make do with not quite enough sun. Clematis grow but only to about 3' tall at most so far. Even tried the invasive trumptet vine I wouldn't dare plant in Texas...even it won't invade me here! Any ideas for vines for my existing arbor & the one I hope to build like yours?

Dave said...

It looks great! Nice and sturdy and rustic looking, a perfect fit for your garden!

Sugarplum Cottage said...

Simply love this arbor. It looks like it would be easy to make. How wonderful it will look with a climbing rose bush. Love ther name of your blog.

Hugs, RoseMarie

Becky said...

What a great arbor! I've been looking for something to make for the entrance to my cutting garden and I think a replica of yours is just the thing! Thanks for sharing online!

spookydragonfly said...

Hi again - just going over your blog again! I always wanted an arbor, too. We built one out of dogwood branches leading into our wooded paths - I have roses growing up mine - well somewhat - we should've chosen a better spot! It was built on my fathers' birthday after he passed away. I agree - love the arbor!

Susan Graham said...

Oh my goodness, I just love those floral bags with the wood handles. Those doors are super too! Very cool! Great blog!

rustic bedroom furniture said...

Ah! I bought the exact same shelves from Target and had the EXACT same problem! I actually tore up my receipt from Target, rolled it into a few small balls and shoved it in the holes on the back of the shelf. Worked like a charm. Great minds....

Susan Graham