Yard Work and a Winner

Over the weekend, my husband and I spread pine needles around all of the beds in our yard.  It was actually on the to-do list last fall, but thanks to our crazy schedule, we are just now getting around to it.  I used my edging tool to get that crisp line around the beds.  We did yard work all day and then walked around the garden in the evening to admire our work (the best part if you ask me).

Here are some shots of the yard now.  What a difference a little TLC makes.

Above are the boxwoods I use to make wreaths during Christmas.  I'm guessing they have been there since the 1930's when our house was built.

I love it when the annabelles are just coming out and are still green.  They remind me of broccoli. In the background you can see the oakleaf hydrangeas.  They really glow in the afternoon shade.


And oh my goodness, the magnolias are gorgeous and the fragrance is one of my favorites.  You can smell them all throughout the neighborhood now.



~~~~~

OK, now for the winner of the pillow shams by Fabulous But Frugal.....


Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads,  May 23, 2011 3:12 PM  
I am a subscriber to your wonderful blog. If I won, I'd choose the mod turquoise dandelion fabric. Love all the other selections and thanks for introducing me to your sponsor.
Congratulations Jane!  Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway!

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41 comments:

  1. Looks great-- you got it in just before the bad heat! I love your hydrangeas-- I have to wait till fall to plant now, but I have just the spot for a row of Annabel's.

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  2. Rene your home looks so wonderful and inviting! We did a ton of yard work this weekend too, and it is nice to wander around and appreciate it all at the end of the day!

    Congratulations to Jane!

    Kat :)

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  3. LOVE your home and your yard....absolutely & beautifully manicured!

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  4. Your garden looks wonderful - love the hydrangeas!

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  5. Gorgeous Rene! My hubby built a bird feeder just like yours, we love watching all the different varieties of birds come to eat at it. Enjoy your week, Martina

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  7. Positively charming! You have a great eye for garden design.

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  8. wow, rene! your home has incredible curb appeal... i absolutely love it. the gardens are gorgeous!

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  9. Oh your yard and home are just beautiful! All your hard work has really paid off!!

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  10. Isn't it a great sense of accomplishment to get those mundane, but important tasks done?! Your yard and gardens are beautiful!

    Cathy

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  11. Your lawn is gorgeous, Rene. It is obvious much work has been done there.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  12. What a beautiful garden and exterior, Rene! Talk about curb appeal. I love the climbing vine in front too. I wish my sad little gardens looked halfway as nice as yours :)

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  13. All your hard work has paid off, Rene. Looks gorgeous!!

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  14. Your home is gorgeous!! My husband and I need to get out and do yard work - you have inspired us! Take care, Caroline

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  15. you have the perfect cottage garden...just beautiful Rene. Thanks for sharing.

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  16. Your yard and gardens are so pretty! Your home looks like something from a magazine!
    be a sweetie,
    shelia ;)

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  17. So pretty, Rene. I did a ton of yard work too--and can hardly walk today!! What edging tool do you use/recommend?

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  18. Hi Rene! Your yard and house look so beautiful! I love your flowers and all your greens. It looks like your yard backs into the woods as well. Do the Annabelles do well in the shade?
    I hope you had a wonderful weekend and have a great day!
    XO

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  19. Hey Rene,

    Love your landscaping! I'm jealous that I can't have Magnolias in PA. :( Your plants are coming up beautiful this year. I'm working on getting our landscaping up to par this year. While everything is coming up nicely, I have to get some new mulch to clean up the gardenbeds. I'm working to add more to the backyard this year. I really don't have much back there. I added 4 roses bushes so far and 2 raspberry bushes. I have a lot more to go. It was so nice to stop by your blog and say hi! Talk to you again soon.

    Jessica
    www.jessabellstamps.blogspot.com

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  20. Ah, the ironies of life...here in the great Northeast we spend many hours getting rid of the pine needles in our garden beds to "clean up" the areas before spreading mulch. Makes me wonder...

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  21. Beautiful Rene, your home is gorgeous. It makes me miss the south :).

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  22. Thanks ya'll!

    Casey, the tool I use is similar to this http://www.gemplers.com/product/139085/WOLF-Garten-Half-Moon-Edger

    Michelle, we have annabelles in both the shade and full sun. The ones in full sun bloom more, but they droop in the middle of a hot day. The ones in the shade bloom less and are leggier.

    Janet, lots of people here use mulch too, but we like the long leaf pine needles from South Carolina. A guys trucks them in for us.

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  23. love it! I just had my husband make me some shutters for our little cottage. Is that Wisteria you have over your door? I want to start some. I wonder if it is too late. I tried climbing Jasmine and it failed.

    xo from brittany @ www.myabcsoup.blogspot.com

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  24. This must have been a work weekend for many of us. Your gardens look so lovely and inviting!
    I have annabelles growning around my front porch. They are striking aren't they? YOur detailed touches like the feeders and the bird bath look wonderful tucked away in all the profuse green.
    Now, can you come to my house... my outside needs a lot of work!
    Beautiful, as usual.
    Yvonne

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  25. Your home is absolutely beautiful! I love how lush everything looks. You sure do have a green thumb.
    XO,
    Heather

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  26. So much charm and so beautiful! Our magnolias are in full bloom as well and I just love them. Luckily, they don't require my love and care. Not so much a green thumb over here!

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  27. Rene, your home and garden is beautiful! You have a green thumb! Your house has a real charming and very welcoming feel. Lovely curb appeal and as you know I think your front door color is gorgeous. I'm hoping our magnolias bloom soon! Congratulations to Jane!

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  28. Your landscaping is very pretty. I love hydrangeas and boxwood and yours are lovely and mature.

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  29. * WOW!!! It all looks SOOOOO PRETTY~~~ and SOOOO LOVED & TREASURED by y'all, the owners of this most darling of homes!!!

    Your pic of the magnolia, too, is absolutely MAGNIFICENT!!!.... (Actually, EVERYTHING was magnificent!!!)...

    So glad you shared!!! Many thanks,
    Linda in AZ *
    bellesmom1234@comcast.net

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  30. White and green -- totally classic. If I had that many hydrangeas growing in my backyard, I'd die of happiness!!!

    Your house is gorgeous with its black shutters and symmetry. Just gorgeous.

    Camille

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  31. Your home is just beautiful! I love the color of your front door!

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  32. I love your garden! Hydrangeas, magnolias, ferns -- my favorites! We have ferns around our bird bath too. And moss is growing in our front garden which is shady. I love moss! Your house is adorable.
    Claudia

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  33. What beautiful curb appeal.......Gorgeous,

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  34. Ahhh, the fruits of your labor, it is absolutely beautiful! We always 'tour' our yard, wine in hand, after a long days work.

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  35. Your gardens are gorgeous! The hydrangeas and magnolias are so pretty, and I love the delicate ferns around the bird bath. Thanks for sharing.

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  36. simply beautiful!! now if you'd so kindly come to our home for a repeat performance I'd be ever so grateful!! xo

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  37. What a beautiful yard and home you have!!!

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  38. Your house is absolutely beautiful! And I'm kind of excited about your boxwood wreaths... we have three huge boxwood's that we need to get rid of. I'm going to try making a wreath! One question, how long do they last?

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  39. Rene, your yard is looking gorgeous. Love all those hydrangeas. I wish I had more. I will have to find some annabelles. love the white.

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  40. Rosa, the wreath remains green as long as it is inside a sheltered area. I usually make mine around Thanksgiving and take it down after the new year. Boxwood wreaths are pretty any time of year.

    Rene

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  41. Wow...your home and gardens are beautiful. Love the hydrangeas and the design of your landscape, so warm and inviting. Well done

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I love your comments and read each and every one. Your questions will be answered here or you can email me at cottageandvine@triad.rr.com

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