garden progress





hello friday.

so i thought i'd give you a front garden update b/c some of you like these sorts of things.

the top pic is one we took shortly after moving in 5yr ago.
i have a worse one but i cannot find it this morning which is too bad b/c showing the worst picture you have has more of an impact.






so even though it never really feels like i'm getting anywhere while working on it,
i can see i have gotten somewhere.









happy mothers day weekend to all you mothers out there.

next week i'll be talking about packing
for a big fat exciting trip that is only 10 days away!
i'm super stressed about the whole thing.
so if you have good travel/packing advice i'll want to hear it.



have a beautiful one.

xo
janet



47 comments

  1. Your yard is beautiful and perfect for your cottage.
    Can't wait to hear about your upcoming trip. I'm interested to see how you pack too. Didn't you get rid of your leather luggage?

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  2. Beautiful!!!

    As far as packing, don't take everything, not that I think you would. Dress comfortably and don't worry to much, instead, enjoy the trip. Get lots of pics and hydrate. ;)

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  3. Your garden is just lovely, I can smell the flowers from here! Don't stress about packing, there's nothing you won't be able to buy when you get here! xxx

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  4. Not sure what the flower is in the last photo but it is lovely. Can't wait to hear where you are going. Part of the fun is the planning of the trip.......have fun. (Finally figured out what I had done wrong on my phone settings, so now I can comment with my phone)

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  5. Not sure what the flower is in the last photo but it is lovely. Can't wait to hear where you are going. Part of the fun is the planning of the trip.......have fun. (Finally figured out what I had done wrong on my phone settings, so now I can comment with my phone)

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  6. I spy Foxglove! Makes me happy seeing them in bloom. I'm headed out Sunday night. I'm going to miss you by mere days. I'm super stressed about mine trip too--possibly on the verge of a breakdown right about now :) Look forward to hearing all about your trip. Happy weekend

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  7. I love the foxgloves, too and the whole darn thing!!So excited for you about having a trip - you have had a long winter and it is well-deserved! and Happy Happy Mothers day!

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  8. Beautiful! I love your garden so much. Haha I will be of no help on packing. I just got home from a week-long trip on which I brought 5 huge suitcases.

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  9. It looks like you've done a ton of work! I can't wait to have a yard where I can carve out little secret areas like yours.

    Happy Mothers Day! xoxoxo

    p.s. I haven't forgotten you...I'll write when I get home from the shop.

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  10. Looks like it's progressing well, I love the foxgloves!

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  11. Happy Mother's Day Janet!
    Why are you stressed about your trip? I wish you could have been at my house this past Tuesday. My friend Dannie came over with her suitcase to show me, she leaves for Paris tomorrow. She packed like a brilliant genius! Khaki jacket, black pants, leopard pencil skirt, colourful floral pencil skirt. White linen shirt, black cardigan, 3 bright tops, 3 neutral tops. Two pairs of flats, a scarf, red handbag.
    Carry on luggage! You're super good at minimal wardrobes so I know you're going to pack up like a champ.

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  12. Happy Mother's Day! Your garden looks idyllic, just the place to sip an Agatha Christie type cocktail and look out onto the flowers!

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  13. Check out Janice's wonderful travel/clothing advice over on http://theviviennefiles.blogspot.com/ if you haven't already. Search on the right hand side under "Packing". I have completely changed how I think about clothes (and how many I have) due to her blog. I went for a week's vacation in Maine in the late fall (cold - so think bulky sweaters and coats) with one duffel bag! And your garden looks wonderful! Much nicer than mine even after 15 years!

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  14. I stress out of my mind about every trip, I 'm with you.

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  15. Your garden is a delight, I never tire of the photos. You've come a long way, pride in ownership is evident. I've just started the gardening here now that the weather has warmed up. it seems like it will take a herculean effort but it is the most enjoyable type of work, isn't it?

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  16. I think the before is a major difference from where you are now. It's so pretty, now. Love it. Have a wonderful Mother's Day. My Mom and I are going tree shopping.

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  17. It's good to look back to the beginning sometimes, and give ourselves credit for what we've accomplished. Most things tend to happen in such a gradual way that it's easy to forget where we started. Happy Mother's Day to you, too!

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  18. Gardens are a continually changing works in progress. They are also a good reason not to be a minimalist with flowers. Your's is lovely! My tip for summer trips and sight seeing would be a nice straw tote bag instead of a purse. One with a flat bottom, so you can sit it down easily. Lightweight and easy to sling over a shoulder. Have fun on your trip! :)

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  19. That garden bed looks nice. Are they foxgloves?

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  20. The garden is beautiful and you sure have put your heart into it. One word of advice for packing--Layers!

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  21. You really have made a LOT of progress Janet! Your garden looks beautiful!!

    Can't wait to hear about your trip. I have no advice though...I am the worst packer, always overpack and never have the right thing. I've heard layers are good though :)

    Happy Mothers Day to you too...have an awesome weekend!

    xo
    Karen

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  22. Hi Janet! I love the really bad before photos the most! But either way your garden is wonderful and beautiful and the best part is that you enjoy working in it!

    Have a great vacation

    xxx's kelley

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  23. What a transformation! I think your home is becoming even more the Gardener's Cottage under your care. I love the transformation of your house too, and I can't tell you how many times I've gone back and looked at your kitchen and pantry. Look forward to hearing about your trip!

    Jane

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  24. I think your garden is lovely and in regard to packing - Pack simply and smartly.
    Traveling with less can be so liberating.
    pve

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  25. Happy Mother's Day Janet!
    I love your charming garden...

    As far as packing goes I am a terrible packer and a stressed out traveller unless we are cruising on our boat.

    I hope that you get some expert advice by one of your faithful readers.

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  26. Oh looking at your yard makes me really wish my yard was finished already!
    It seems that I will never get it to look like a cottage garden....
    Would you possibly do a post on what you planted for your gardens and what grows well in the shade??

    xo Brandi

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  27. LOTS of progress on the garden, it's lovely! I have one non-clothing packing tip: if your liquid containers tend to leak, place plastic wrap between the bottle and the cap. I was so happy when this worked for me.
    Hope the trip is wonderful, can't wait to see what you'll be packing.

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  28. Lovely! The simplicity of your posts is inspiring, though I know the work that goes into each project isn't that easy. Thank you for sharing your beautiful garden.

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  29. Janet,
    Your garden looks magnificent! Mine is in the state of your first photo...a before! But we are moving in the direction, slowly of your current photos! Only 10 days until you leave? I'm sure you will pack perfectly, look gorgeous and only have a carry on....Can't wait for the details.
    xo
    annie

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  30. Your garden looks wonderful. I should tell you not to stress about the trip but I did too! You'll wonder why you were so stressed when you finally get there.
    xo

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  31. Um. Gorgeous.

    Packing? Just lay stuff out in advance, over a couple of days. Put the open suitcase next to your stuff. The universe will sort it out:). I mean this.

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  32. Hi Janet,

    Your yard is looking just great!

    I hate packing because I have to do it all. My husband will lay his clothes out on the bed and it takes him 10 min. One thing that has helped me is I make a list of everything I need to bring, especially the small stuff like toiletries, etc. However, there always seems to be that one item I forget. So I decided I am going to type up a master list and keep it in my carry on, and then I don't have to make a new list every time I travel. Also a couple days before we leave I start packing in my carry on any travel size items or things that I can pack ahead. It saves me so much time at the last minute when I'm running around like a lunatic.

    Have a wonderful Mother's Day!

    Linda
    xo

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  33. a beautiful garden for a cottage!
    Happy mom's day to you.

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  34. I just got back from a trip where I had to pack for all circumstances: warm days, cool nights, dressy occasions, and casual occasions. It was a challenge. One good thing I did: took along a simple black travel dress (from Eddie Bauer) that didn't wrinkle and was able to dress it up with jewelry and heels for an evening out, or dress it down with nice flip-flops and a cardi during the day. I really liked this dress. The bad thing: forget appropriate underwear to wear underneath a lighter colored clothing. :/ I wish I had some magical packing tips. But I don't. All I can say is, for me, it was worth it to buy this good quality shampoo/conditioner/hairspray travel set in the the little bottles. Those big bottles take up a lot of room.

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  35. If you are flying have ear plugs and an eye mask in your handbag.

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  36. Happy Mother's Day Janet! I hope the day is a very, very special one for you! :)

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  37. I just read taking Wet Ones with you and swabbing the arm rests on the plane can prevent a lot of
    unexpected health issues. The arm rests are worse than the toilet. Have a good trip. kb

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  38. Janet,
    Love your garden. Happy Mom's Day. I also adore the chair you scored! What a find!

    I stress out before travel too. Just remember you can usually buy what you forget. Don't overpack, but bring something cozy for cool weather even in Summer. Scarves and accessories are the best because they give you versatility and you can wear the same things and they feel different. Comfy shoes and melatonin in case you can't sleep. You can buy it over the counter at CVS. I got the chicest and cutest sandals from believe it or not, REI before my last Italy trip and they were what I wore every day. I think they were Patagonia brand..

    Hope it's wonderful and can't wait to read about it!
    xxKim

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  39. Happy Belated Mother's Day to you Janet!

    I'm getting butterflies FOR you for this amazing trip!!
    Packing is always a nightmare, let's not kid ourselves.
    Start piling up your stuff now and put on great music really loud when you pack your bags-it helps take the stressy edge off.
    xxSP

    PS. 5 bags for 1 week? I think I love Stephen Andrews

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    Replies
    1. Haha well I'm glad someone appreciates my excessive ways :)

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  40. Your garden is coming along beautifully! Have fun in your trip! My only advise is to pack classics that will go well from day to night because you never know.

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  41. Your garden looks amazing! I think comfortable shoes are the number 1 priority for me when I travel. I'm leaving for England in a couple of days, and for shoes, I picked merrell clogs. You can hike in these things. They are a vegan friendly. Also, I like them because you can wear a skirt or pants with them. If I were home, I would pick something more stylish to go out, but when I'm traveling and have limited space, these are a good compromise. In addition to the clogs, I bring a waterproof windbreaker with a hood. It takes-up very little space and if you pair it with a sweater, it is very warm. I travel a lot in May and seems to always rain a couple of days. I don't know where you are going, but I hope this helps.

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  42. I really think it's about time I did a gardening post - but I can use the same photos for before and after - or maybe I could reverse the photos to fabricate some progress. I do try (well sometimes) but I am just not a gardener. As regards packing for UK, I would advise Layers - here has gone rainy and windy and slightly cold but we have had some sunny spells too, last week was glorious, so you need to be adaptable - cardigan, sweater, cotton shirts, raincoat, shoes suitable if it rains but it's not long boot weather anymore IMHO....English weather is such a pain!! Don't stress about your packing though, we are quite civilised so you can always buy things over here xx

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  43. Your garden looks beautiful Janet... And I am excited about your trip.. VERY! i would say pick one or two colours and wear lots on the plane - i.e. jacket and light coat. Then use accessories to ring the changes. And no shoes that you couldn't run in!! S XXX

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  44. I love your garden spot. I want so much to carve out one place like that. In a house/property I rented for years, the backyard was rambling, with little paths lined in stones, one to the iris patch, another to the veggie patch in the back. I'd walk it and walk it, wishing I had a little footbridge. I love the way your stepping stones lead to the bench. You've done a great job; it's intimate and tranquil. Lovely.

    By the way, what a steal with that amazing estate sale chair. I love it so much; you LUCKY spy, you; you have the eye. OMG, do know what that would have cost you new at Pottery Barn? I guarantee you, I absolutely NEVER find stuff like that at sales in my vicinity; I live in a poor town where nobody has any money to buy nice things (apparently). The chair goes perfectly where you have it, with the light from the window; btw, love how your white curtains pool at the hardwood floor, and I love a bamboo roll-up on a window; it looks so great against the white. You have the CLEANEST, most soothing home. You're making me want to finally get rid of more and more stuff, which is making my husband very, very happy.

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