Monday, April 16, 2007

Time for Gardening....

As any of you who work for yourself will know, it can be very difficult to 'switch-off' and take time out. It is all too easy to work every day, every spare minute and for your business to be on your mind all of the time. This year I have been trying to 'allow' myself time off and to have a proper weekend, doing things that I want to.

On Saturday morning I went for a walk in the woods. The Bluebells are just beginning to appear. In another week I think they will be stunning.

It was so peaceful and relaxing and there was no one else to be seen. The birds were happily singing in the trees and I saw Squirrels and a Hare.
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After a quick visit to the car boot sale on Sunday morning, I returned with a large array of new plants; so a day of gardening lay ahead. I was inspired by Clare's post to share some shots of my garden. I sometimes feel that I am fighting a loosing battle to keep my rear garden tidy, as my chicken have the run of it! I have quite a few old chimney pots; these help keep plants out of their reach!

I also have several seating areas in my garden, so intend to find more time to use them!



The front garden is a 'chicken-free' zone!! It's a bit more 'me' - I love the full, cottagey look, with plants jostling for space. Hollyhocks and Aquilegias are allowed to seed themselves and grow where they wish.


(The rose wreath is pottery and is extremely heavy. I found it in a junk shop a few months ago.)



I hope that you found time to enjoy your weekend.

29 comments:

  1. You are so right about the need to take time off. I find it very difficult as even when I am supposedly off duty I find that I am running over in my mind a talk I have to give or planning wedding arrangements.
    At least we both have businesses we love - it would be awful to become workaholics in the daily grind.
    Your garden looks beautiful, very soft and lush - it pointed up 2 things that are lacking in ours. We don't have enough seats - well I'm not sure that we have any that aren't broken - and we don't have a special garden that is ours (rather than the business's).
    Well there are things to plan for the future,
    J
    x

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  2. Beautiful, Niki! Your garden and yard are absolutely beautiful!!! And hollyhocks I think are my all time favorite! My little outdoors play yard when I was a toddler was totally surrounded by hollyhocks, and I can still see it in my mind's eye. If I had your lovely yard, I think I would give up my crafts and stay outside all day long! I am glad you took some time for yourself! =)

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  3. Hi Niki,

    What really lovely photos; your garden is beautiful! The seating areas are so inviting, I LOVE your hen house - the sign is brilliant! Your variety and mix of plants are perfect, exactly what I like! I think I would enjoy sharing a cup of tea with you in your idyllic garden one day!

    Your bluebell wood is a very special place too!

    Clare x

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  4. Thanks a lot for sharing your garden photos. I especially LOVE the door on the last one, it looks very British!

    Isn't it great to be back to gardening?

    Happy spring to you!

    Anita

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  5. Your garden looks so beautiful. I loved all your pictures. Your chickens are so beautiful too. If only i had more time , I would have chickens too.
    But lets enjoy spring and our gardens. I had a really good time in my garden this weekend, doing just hard gleaning work, but still - so rewarding.

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  6. Anonymous7:41 pm

    Your garden is beautiful! I can't wait until it's warm enough for me to get out into mine. Glad you took some time for yourself and shared these lovely photos with us! ♥

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  7. My weekend was so-so but I really enjoyed yours! Thanks for sharing it! Your garden looks very inviting and you must find some quality time there with the chicken! Only the tips of green plants are peeking through in my garden at the moment. I would really love to have a swathe of bluebells to usher in spring!

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  8. Where do I begin? These gorgeous photos of your garden look like they are right from a magazine. Love love love the color of your front door! Thanks for sharing these lovely photos.

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  9. This weekend is slated for time in the garden...climbing to 70 degrees...yours is so soothing.

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  10. Hi Niki - Your garden reminds me of a lovely rambling one we left a few years ago. I'm hoping to have enough time to get this bland one transformed ...

    I love all the corners of yours, but I think the area in front of the hen house, with the galvanised cans etc would be where I'd spend the most time! Sue xx

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  11. Anonymous6:14 am

    I hope you take time out in your beautiful garden...I don't have a garden at the moment and miss it terribly.

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  12. Anonymous8:23 am

    What a beautiful garden, seating areas are so important as they give you somewhere to pause and enjoy all your hardwork, bit like weekend really. Glad to hear that you are managing to get some time off I now understand how difficult this can be.

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  13. Wow - what a beautiful house and garden. Love the fact that your chickens have the run of your back garden!
    Tracy x

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  14. Your garden is so beautiful - you must take the time to enjoy it! It looks idyllic. Love the rose wreath as well! Hope this weather continues for us too.
    Kim x

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  15. Anonymous4:50 pm

    What a lovely garden, my favourite picture is the decking and what a good idea to have the screen in the corner....is it trellis or a special find? It certainly gives you some privacy. We have a similar area and it would work well there too! Who needs magazines, I get my inspiration from my fellow bloggers!

    Love
    Jane

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  16. Your garden is beautiful and so inviting.

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  17. It looks as if your home is up on a hill with an amazing view...am I right?
    I love the stone house.

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  18. I'm glad you were able to take some 'me' time Niki.
    I love the bluebell wood..!
    I hope you are able to go back for another visit when it is at it's best.
    Your front garden is beautiful, very cottagey, and just as I would have imagined it.

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  19. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE your garden. It looks so peaceful! It looks like something out of a magazine! Gorgeous!

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  20. I think there are a lot of us around who like cottage gardens, your seating areas look very inviting. The bluebells in the woods here are beginning to bloom as well. How lovely to see a hare - they are a favourite of mine.

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  21. Anonymous1:53 pm

    Niki-
    What a pretty tranquil space you have. I adore the chickens having the run of it. I'd love to have a garden like that one day!
    In urban areas in America,we have to be content with boxy little yards with virtually no personality. This year I'm trying to make it a bit more cozy.
    Thanks for sharing those beautiful pictures.

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  22. Thanks a lot for the tour around your beautiful garden! I enjoyed it very much!
    Kind regards, Monika

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  23. Your garden is truly beautiful, and I agree with you about "making" time off from work and responsibilites. We have to sometimes fill our souls, too.

    Thank you for sharing your garden and wonderful photos~

    Andrea

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  24. Niki, thank you for the relaxing walk through your lovely garden. I can just see wonderful places for all your flowers to grow. I understand what you are saying about always being busy. Like you I want to take the time to smell the flowers along the way

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  25. Hi Niki - Thanks for your faith in my shopping skills!! I've just posted my photos although they're not very bright. I finally got out my sewing machine today and made bathroom curtains! Sue xx

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  26. Hi Shabby!
    Yes, you are right. We live on the side of a valley. Our back door is one storey up in the air, as we have a cellar beneath, so we bulit the raised decking area as a large balcony. We have wonderful views across the village to the church and hills.

    Thanks to all for your comments,
    Niki x

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  27. Anonymous11:28 am

    Hi Niki,
    Your home is extraordinary. You are a wonderful decorator. And I love the chicken.

    Thank-you for sharing.
    best
    Robin

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  28. Anonymous6:07 pm

    jardin champĂȘtre : il y fait tout simplement bon vivre

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  29. Oh Niki your house and garden are all so beautiful! I love your blue door and blue window! And the Pulmonaria in your border looks stunning! And I so want your white iron paravent!!! I also love the chicks running through your garden cause that's so country! Ah I'd just love to come over and see it all in reality! And that blue bell wood oh my! Enjoy! Carol xox

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Thank you for finding the time to visit me...
Niki xx