Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas!

I thought I would take you an a small tour of the front of the house. I still have a great deal of work ahead of me but it has come so far!
Still such a long way to go but the house is slowly becoming our own!  I need about 500 arborvitaes to block the views of the neighbor's houses!  We are getting a new concrete driveway in the Summer.  See how this one angles in on the right?  What is the purpose of that?  It drives me absolutely mad, I tell you!  The boxwood parterre is to the right, although I cannot seem to take a satisfactory photograph.

Here is the boxwood parterre from the right...please note my neighbor's LOVELY trash cans to the left of our garden gate.  *sigh*

This photo is from this past Summer.  The boxwood "bronzes" in the Winter but it regains its color in late Spring!

Another angle of the parterre.  We had curbs installed this past Summer.  Hm.  I wonder if I can mow my lawn in the Winter?  Looks shaggy!





I wanted twinkle lights out here but I needed them for the Christmas Tree because I could not find them anywhere this week! When the lights burned out on the tree, I had to rob them from here!  I decided to use battery operated candles in lieu!

I used faux oranges that I studded with cloves.  


I have a set of French doors in the garage, from Craigslist, that I will be replacing this door with.  The asymmetry (and the nickel hardware) will be the death of me!  LOL!  


We had stamped concrete sidewalks and patios put in this Summer.  I labored over the color combinations! Another story for another day... I love the slate look, however!

Craigslist bench on front patio.  See the dog heads on the armrests?

One of our lions with his new wreath.  I tried the wreath on Handsome Husband in the store to check for a good fit!  LOL!  Newly planted boxwood encircles the base.  I just planted 100 tulips around each lion last week! Better late than never, I suppose!

Left Lion...



Craigslist gates finally installed this Summer!  I am aching to plant 50 foot trees all around our house to hide the neighbor's houses...and trash cans.  :(



So easy to make with two metal hanging planters wired together, placed atop a fresh wreath from the grocery store and wrapped in battery operated twinkle lights!



Merry Christmas to all my Blogland friends!

xo

Andie


23 comments:

  1. Good Afternoon Andie, I love boxwood and I am also growing some small plants....they are slow growing, but when they reach maturity they will be fabulous. Like you, I stud oranges with cloves, they leave a delicate "Christmassy" perfume in the air.
    It takes time to make a house a home, and you are doing so well. Once your trees are planted you will forget the view of your neighbours gardens.
    Have a lovely Christmas, with warmest wishes, Daphne

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  2. Thanks for the tip of using fake oranges with the cloves. I make them with real and every year they juice and rot. This is a great thing. I have tons of wax ones. next year. Your home is taking on your character. Looks like an European estate. Maybe some day, Sissy and I can make a visit. Richard from My old Historic House.

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  3. Merry, Merry my dear friend..Girl the outside is as impeccable as the inside..I love your home..Many Blessings to you and your family..Hope Gracie gets all she wants from the BIG night..Hugs and smiles Gloria

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  4. Your decoration and your garden looks wonderful, Andie!
    I remember the time when you started with the design, well done!

    Which you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and all the best for the NEW YEAR! Also for all your beloved "four-legged" ones and I do hope that they all do well!

    Hope is a most precious gift, found in people like you...with an inner light that always shines bright, not just at Christmastime, but all year through.

    Warmest greetings,
    Karin

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  5. ANDIE! What a splendid home you have! Everything looks magnificent. You will get your 500 shrubs eventually; we finally got all the boxwoods we wanted and we are so pleased with our gardens. I will send you an email of our house in the snow!

    SENDING YOU THE BEST WISHES FOR A WONDERFUL CELEBRATION!!!! Anita

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  6. Wonderful decorations and a very Merry and Blessed Christmas to you and yours!

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  7. Andie, I'm catching up on your recent posts this afternoon while I take a little break from the kitchen. It all looks wonderful. You are a busy lady. I admire your energy and creative vision. Merry Christmas........Sarah

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  8. Your home is always beautiful, and I adore your use of fresh greenery! Your blog is such an inspiration; think I've read all your posts. I have so much admiration for your talent! Merry Christmas!

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  9. Andie your home is gorgeous! You would think your neighbors would take a clue from you and build something nice to hide their ugly trash cans. Hey how about you and Gracie drive out here next summer and you help me put in a parterre and I'll teach Gracie her lessons and cook for you both. Huh, huh? Every year when our boxwood go bronze the husband always thinks they're dying and he won't listen to me so now I can show him your yard. Go decorate your tree and have fun!

    Merry Christmas!
    XXXOOO
    Debra~

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  10. Hi my dear Andie,

    I came to wish you a Merry Christmas en there it is, your palace on the outside. I did hope you would let us see it.
    You must be a happy girl, to live so beautiful..
    Thanks for this year, and hopefully many blogposts in 2013!

    OX Petra

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  11. Merry Christmas! your house looks terrific! Your neighbors are the lucky ones :-) xxx z

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  12. Your home is Beautiful and you gotta love that craigslist.Merry Christmas and thanks for the prayers for families who have lost their loved ones.Simply Senseless~Blessings Kim

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  13. Love your house and how you have enhanced every inch of it! I LOVE that gate!!!! If it goes missing one day...you can find it in joja..Georgia! ;-)

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  14. Love your house and how you have enhanced every inch of it! I LOVE that gate!!!! If it goes missing one day...you can find it in joja..Georgia! ;-)

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  15. Andie your home is coming along beautifully!!

    May your Holidays be filled with Love and Warmth during This Wondrous Season!

    Love and Hugs,
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  16. Linda sua casa. Vai ficar linda com as 50 plantas para esconder os vizinhos. Eu não tenho vizinho moro numa fazenda, mas mesmo assim eles me incomodam.
    Tenha uma ótimas festas de final de anos junto de sua família e que seu ano novo seja cheio de boas realizações.
    Anajá Schmitz

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  17. Merry Christmas Andie! Thank you for your inspiring and heartfelt posts, I always enjoy. Your home is beautiful in and of itself, but it resonates more deeply because of living an authentic and caring life. Some day your neighbours will "get it" and join you in caring for their property just as you do. Until then, know that you give life and healing to all those that are fortunate enough to experience it as they drive by, look out their window or stroll past. All the best, xob.

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  18. Oh, Wow!! Andie your home and garden are gorgeous! I love the patio stone, your beautiful gates, the parterre, the...everything! I hope your Christmas has been wonderful! I look forward to more of your fab posts in the new year.

    Much affection,
    Linda and Jeannie @ The French Hens Nest

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  19. Hi Andie! Your outdoor decorations and yard are beautiful! Sorry about the view of the neighbor's trash cans. Some bushes or trees or even a fence will take care of those! Hope you and your family had a very Merry Christmas! Hugs, Leena

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  20. Where did you find the black crowns used in the urns?

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    Replies
    1. Hi! I found them at Hobby Lobby about three years ago but I have seen them in Wisteria Catalog.

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