Earlier in the week, I hit the sale racks at Hobby Lobby. They had all their wall art 50% off. I got the Simplify sign above as well as the two signs shown below.
I got a couple of other bargains, but I'm not ready to photograph them. As I was playing with my new treasures and deciding where to put them yesterday, Jesse (grandson) showed up and announced that he was ready to cut down the holly bushes in front of the house. I have been wanting to get rid of them since 1996, when Vann and I moved into The Yellow House. They were just little things then. They had finally grown to an enormous height that no one could reach to prune.
So Jesse worked all afternoon getting them chopped down. I helped by dragging them across the street to where the city picks up trash. Well, I drug some of them; Jesse drug most of them. Even so, I was exhausted and soaking wet when we were finished. But Jesse was more tired and wet than I was.
All the hollies are down now, but I still have to kill the stumps, prepare the ground, have the brick pressure washed, and plant some other shrubs in their place. Anybody have any suggestions for good looking, low maintenance plants for landscaping the front of The Yellow House? I'm thinking maybe a combination of boxwoods and nandina.
See how the photo of the house looks a little foggy. That's not the focus. That's how humid it is outside. My camera lens fogged up. I think it rained all night; I woke up several times and heard thunder and rain.
Skipper is checking out the pile of holly bushes that now await the trash pickup truck.
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It has finally happened. Sophie has been dethroned.
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Ooops! Forgot to add that I'm taking part in Cindy's Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home. Be sure to pay her a visit and see all the showing and telling.
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On 08/20/2010, Sandy said ...
Poor Sophie. I know the feeling.
On 08/20/2010, Helen in Switzerland said ...
Wow Susan, that's a lot of holly! I bet it feels good though now that it's finally gone. I would suggest hydrangea for in front of the house. I know you already have some, but I think they are great - low maintenance and those great big flowers just go on for ages!
Love Helen
PS Miss Sophie doesn't look like she is suffering too much from her dethronement. Isn't Skipper just a total 'man' though!
On 08/20/2010, Melinda said ...
We have holly in front of our house and completely cut it out about 10 years ago. It is about 5 feet tall now and we have given up on getting rid of it. At least we can trim it.
On 08/20/2010, Melissa's Heart and Home said ...
Beautiful home and photos! Love the precious animals. :)
On 08/20/2010, Penny @ The Comforts of Home & Lavender Hill Studio said ...
Boxwoods and nandina sound great! What a job getting rid of that holly!
On 08/20/2010, Nicole said ...
What a generous soul she is for not making a fuss when Skipper took her favorite spot by the window!
On 08/20/2010, Sandy said ...
Absolutely LOVE your star quilt in the first picture -- you're such an inspiration....have a blessed weekend..
On 08/20/2010, Carol said ...
Oh, yes! Hydrangeas are lovely! Spirea is nice. Boxwoods are always nice.
Isn't it something how Skipper has just fit right in? I love seeing that!
On 08/20/2010, Barbara Anne said ...
I give a big two thumbs up to nandinas as we have them and they produce lovely color year around and red berries, too. They're no trouble at all. I'll add a vote for althea (your choice of white or red/purple blooms) and hydrangeas are lovely but I cannot grow them for some reason.
Love the peaceful kingdom photo and your new signs, and the lovely quilted wall hanging!
Thanks for the link to more fun!
Hugs!
On 08/20/2010, quiltmom( anna) said ...
Poor Sophie- dusty our dog ( the one that looks like Sophie) thinks that she is the queen dog but really Mars the cat is the boss. It is funny how they have a pecking order.
You have been very busy these days but the house sure looks nice in the photos. I am sure that you will find the perfect plants to replace the holly.
Have a terrific weekend.
Regards,
Anna
On 08/20/2010, Linda said ...
Whatever kind of shrubs you choose, make sure to look for those that will only grow so tall --whatever your limit is-- so you won't need to be always cutting them back. Nandina, for instance, can be a low growing variety, or not. I have fought the ones already in our yard when we moved here 8 yrs ago. I know that nandina stems should be cut at ground level, rather than topped, but that can be a chore requiring standing on one's head in the middle of a large bush. This week I lopped off 8 foot stems that were so heavy with foliage they were arching over into the path. This may be an older variety. There may be "new improved" varieties available. A nicely growing nandina has much to appreciate. My point is to check the varietal characteristics before plunking them into the planting site.
How nice to have a grandson able and willing to dig out one's holly bushes!
On 08/20/2010, Linda said ...
PS. Being the front of the house, evergreen foliage would be nice; might even trump flowers, if a choice must be made.
On 08/20/2010, Debra said ...
Boxwood is boring.
On 08/20/2010, Brenda Kula said ...
That Skipper is a character. I LOVE your house! And I LOVE your quilt on the wall. As well as the one Sophie is on. You might email Tara at Landscape Design and ask her what plants to use. She writes books on it. http://taradillard.blogspot.com
Brenda
On 08/20/2010, Kai said ...
Your signs are AWESOME! So is the pile of holly! Oh, my GOODNESS! We had tons in front of our old house & it was atrociously out of control! I'm not very flower or plant savvy so I can't suggest a replacement! Had to laugh over Skipper! Next thing you know, he'll take over the remote and bark for you to bring him a beer while he watches doggy shows on tv! LOL!
On 08/21/2010, ugg classic short said ...
Great post - I'm thrilled I discovered your blog today. This is part of the problem with mainstream, national media trying to discuss events and people that they really don't know the details about, and don't bother to research. Not to mention their biases that you and some of the readers listed. And no question that there is a double standard between the NBA and just about every other sport, especially the NFL.
On 08/21/2010, Rebecca said ...
I just love that little skipper dog-the signs are fun too! I know what you mean by bushes overtaking a house-we've got that here! Happy PS!
On 08/21/2010, Renee said ...
What a pretty home you have.
I was so glad to hear the rain here the other day.
I love Hobby Lobby's sales. Great signs.
I was just looking at your book lists-we read a lot of the same authors.
On 08/21/2010, k&c's mom said ...
I love the "foggy" look of your home...except that it's so humid there! I put on my sunglasses today and they fogged over in the humidity of central Texas. Fall: where are you?
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