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Sunday, September 20, 2015

What Happens When I Read Your Comments!

   


   
Sunday is a good day to think about things in life, don't you think?!

Today I was thinking about blogging and how it has changed since the arrival of Pinterest.

In some ways the changes are great, and in other ways, not so much!!

One of the ways I think it has changed, and not for the better, is the lack of communication between bloggers, and their readers.


I know I have found myself not reading as many blogs, and commenting less, and less. On my own blog I see fewer comments than ever before.

Comments are a bloggers life-blood, it is one of the things that keep us writing. We need to know that our audience is out there, and that they are enjoying our efforts.



This all came to mind today when I was visiting Joni at Cote de Texas. She always does such a thorough job on her research, and always gives us such insight on the subjects she is writing about.

I realized I had not visited her wonderful blog for awhile. I also had not left a comment for a long time. I truly felt a bit guilty so today I left a comment telling her how much I appreciated the time and effort she put into the post she wrote.


I looked back at some of my old blog post, and I found a post about non-bloggers commenting. I would like to share that with you all today, if you don't mind.....




.........Sometimes we just need to talk about blogging. You know the ins and outs of this mysterious and wondrous place we call blogland.



While visiting with a couple of my friends a few weeks ago a discussion about blogging came up. One of my friends has a blog, and the other loves to read blogs.

Little did we know there would be many questions that would come up from time to time that there just would not be any answers that made any sense. We all agreed.


 There was one question that came up that did have an answer……  
“Is it alright for a non-blog author to make a comment on a blog?”

Let’s face it, we were all readers before we were writers of blogs. I think we all became captivated about what we were seeing and reading in blogland, and that prompted our own desires to become blog authors.



My answer was, “Of course!” After all, comments are like food to blog authors. Without comments it is hard to have enough energy to come up with what it takes to write a blog.

At first I was a bit surprised at the question, but then I had to think back when I first discovered blogs.
 I remember thinking that I did not have the right to have an opinion since I was not part of this new found group of people called, “BLOGGERS!” 
 It all seemed so special and wondrous to me.

I honestly felt that I should just keep my opinion to myself, after all they were the one’s that were putting all the work into writing the blog, I was just sort of a voyeur looking in on their world, unbeknownst to them. 

I could quietly enjoy looking on, and  I could have an opinion, and no one would ever know. It just seemed to be the right thing to do at the time.


As time passed, and I read more, and more blogs I realized that maybe, just maybe my comment, or opinion would be valued by the author. Still unsure I was hesitant to comment.

Once I finally felt as if it was alright, and the only reason I felt it was alright is because I discovered that other non-blog authors were leaving comments. 
 I finally started leaving comments, and making my presence known to the blog author, and fellow readers. 


A wonderful thing happened!! I actually developed some amazing friendships with like-minded people. Now this is something that is missing when commenting does not occur.

Eventually, as you all know I started writing this blog. I am now on the other side hoping that my readers will feel comfortable here, comfortable enough with me and what I am writing about to leave a comment to let me know they were HERE!! 




Whether you are a reader, or you are a blog author, “WE!” need, and want your opinions, and comments.

You, the readers are  what keeps me writing! Without you, and your feed back this journey would pretty much be meaningless. 




I for one have had so many wonderful experiences here, in blogland because of you wonderful readers.

So, I am here to tell you. Yes!! by all means, please leave a comment whether you have a blog or not!!



Readers are what gives me the energy, the want-to, the desire to keep writing.
If you feel you need permission, please feel as if you have been given permission………

I so appreciate all of you that take the time to not only read, but to let me know how you feel about what I am presenting here on my blog.


I actually find it a bit hard to express how much it means to me.
Just know this……. As long as you are reading and commenting I will be writing.

I can only hope that you are still……..



“Enjoying the Process” Of:

Following along with me in blogland,

 
 

Friday, September 18, 2015

NEW HOUSE UPDATE: WE HAVE PAINT!!!

 

The Post I Have Been Anxiously
 Awaiting To Write!

I know I just did a New House Update post, but folks things are really starting to move fast and it is a good thing since we are suppose to get the keys in less than a month.

One of the changes I could hardly wait to see was the paint on the outside. Earlier in the week we saw them prepping for the trim color and then they painted the trim….

P1150620 (800x600)This was exciting to me because I knew that the whole house would be painted very soon. I figured probably by Monday. 

Well I was wrong, we went last night to see the progress and there she was in all her glory. Painted, house number and lantern. DONE!!!

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I don’t think I could have smiled any bigger when turned the corner and saw it.

First I got excited for the neighbor on the corner who had paint, I don’t even know any of these people but I have watched all the other homes being built and just know the excitement they all must be feeling is just like what I am feeling.

Then we saw it PAINT!!!

The color changes according to the lighting. It was getting a bit darker and last night it looked more blue. It changes from gray to blue/gray, to a blue/green/gray color. It is a Sherwin Williams color called Tilting.

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Here is the color board for the whole house scheme.


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Isn’t she pretty? Yes, it is a she!! I have a tendency to think my houses have a gender and a personality. This one is definitely a darling little SHE!!


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You can see in this lighting it looks more gray/blue.

My hubby checking out the paint, he thinks it needs another coat on this side. He is somewhat of a perfectionist.

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This is in the evening and the sun is going down and now it looks more gray. See how lighting changes everything when it comes to color.


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This is our covered patio at the side of our home, it has a door that leads out from the great room.


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Here is the door looking into the great room.



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Next should be the driveway and walkway, I think? She will be getting her black shutters, and black door soon. The garage door will be getting some black iron hardware applied to make it look like a carriage door. Then she will be all dressed waiting for her plants!! Pretty exciting, huh?
 

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There is the happy, proud owner aka: My hubby!!

Until next time! I will be…

……“Enjoy the Process!” of:

Every single, big and little step to
the completion date!!

 
 

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

NEW HOUSE UPDATE and A CHANGE IN PLANS

 




26 Beautiful Townhouse Courtyard Garden Designs | DigsDigs

The sound of water flowing has always been so soothing to me and I have discovered it is a requirement for my well being. 

In our previous home we had a pool that had a fountain in it, a bubbler, and a small fountain on my front porch. I could see and hear all of the fountains if my windows were open, and it gave me such peace of mind.

the Polished Pebble: Just A Bit of News:
In the planning of our new home I knew that having a fountain/fountains in our backyard would be one of the main features in our backyard. 

Since I am working with Debra Phillips in the planning of our backyard landscape I know I am in good hands when it comes to the final outcome of our yard.


I like the pergola, with the center fountain, the flowerbeds except for the arbor vitae, not a huge fan, it gets a bit over grown but like the variation of greens interspersed with flowers:

I love sourcing, and I have looked, and looked for fountains. I have several pinned, and I seem to go for the more simple designs, no surprise there. I do like simple lines without a lot of frills.

CHANGE IN PLANS

Originally I had a trough style fountain in mind, but Debra brought up the point of having to have a masonry type wall built to house the spigot.

Brick Walkways All Lead to a Central Point One of the great things about brick is that pavers come in a plethora of colors and finishes. Create an old-world look in your backyard by mixing colors and withholding mortar typically placed between each paver. Have your pathway lead to a beautiful focal point, such as the water feature in this garden. To add to the mature appeal, this landscape boasts aged cypress fences that blend beautifully with the old brick.:
She is keeping my budget in mind, now that is what I call a good landscape designer. The other detail she brought to my attention is the style of my home, and what will look best with its architecture.


All green....but lovely!
This is my first time ever working with a designer on one of my own projects, and I can see how Debra is keeping me on the straight and narrow if I waver with the budget or the overall design. 

She does it ever so gently always followed with an alternative, and good advice. She is a joy to work with!!

What's New?  Things I'm Liking At The Moment!!!:
Since there will be two fountains, one on our side patio, and one in the back they need to pair nicely together as far as the styling goes. 

The side patio will have a wall fountain since space is limited and the backyard will have a larger fountain that can be somewhat of a focal point.


Courtyard Sanctuary - Birmingham Home & Garden - May/June 2013 - Birmingham:
Throughout this post I will show you some fountains and tell you what I like about each of them, then you will understand why it is hard for me to make this decision, and why I am so pleased to have Debra as my guide and garden designer.


Borghese in Basin Fountain - Garden Fountains & Outdoor Decor:
This would be used as the focal point in the back yard. 

I like it’s simple lines, it is not too massive for my cottage style home. I think it looks like a happy fountain that would make a wonderful sound.

I also like the bowl around the bottom. I can see myself planting a ring of pretty flowers and plants around the base.
Garden Fountains:

This looks very classic to me with it’s simple lines. I love the way it is sitting on a rectangle base, and then the fountain itself is round in shape.

I could see a circle of boxwood around this beauty with impatiens planted inside the ring of boxwood. 

As much as I love this one I am wondering if it’s scale is too large for our small yard. This is where having Debra on board is so helpful, she will know exactly what scale I need in our yard.


Provence Fountain - Garden Fountains & Outdoor Decor:

Simple lines with a bit of interest in the curves of the bowl, and it has spigots.!

For some reason I have a thing for spigots, who knew?

One of the things I love about sourcing and design, is I discover new things about my taste, and style all the time, and I am always on the learning curve.

I can see boxwood and simple flowers around this as well. I bet this makes a wonderful sound. This one seems to be just about the right size in my minds eye.


Concrete Tiered Water Feature: Giannini Garden Ornaments:  Carrara Urn:
This is somewhat typical for a tiered fountain, however what makes it a bit different, and what I like about it, is it’s lack of ornamentation, clean simple lines, and instead of a finial it has an urn with several holes for the water to come out of, which I think would make a lovely sound.

This is the perfect size for our yard as well. Again, boxwood and flowers in a ring around this fountain.

SIDE PATIO AREA

Since we have a side patio I will also be using a wall fountain there. I have to keep in mind the amount of space, the style of my home, and the style of the main fountain out back. Each fountain needs to marry well to the other.

Behind this fountain will be a vining espalier as a backdrop.

I would like to have a small planter where I can plant ferns and shade loving plants for a cool atmosphere on the side patio which will be in the shade most of the day.

Definitely want an espalier and I like the small leaves on this vine, not sure what it is though.:
Espalier vine will be the backdrop.


Colonna Fountain - Garden Fountains & Outdoor Decor:
via
Simple lines with a nice curved bowl for the water to drop into and look another spigot! I am getting my spigot one way or another, LOL.

This is a nice size, and can make a statement without becoming too in your face. Just a pleasant sound, and simple look to soothe away the hours.


Column Well Fountain - Garden Fountains & Outdoor Decor:
This is a bit more of a statement, but still has the simple clean lines that I love, and of course a spigot.

It is about 36 in. tall and a bit deeper than the last one. I would probably do somewhat the same planting around this fountain, but for some reason I see some begonias around this fountain. Hmmm? I wonder where that came from? I will have to see what Debra says.

Once we choose the main fountain, then I will be pairing it with the side patio wall fountain.

HOUSE UPDATE:

I have lots to think about and to do. We will be moving in to our new home the end of October. We are scheduled to receive the keys on the 13th, my birthday!! Pretty nice birthday gift I would say.

This week they have put down the gravel and started the framework for the concrete outside. Soon we will have a driveway and a walkway, plus the side patio!!

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Yesterday we went to see what progress had taken place and we noticed all the windows are taped and papered. 

They are getting ready to paint the trim. The exterior paint will be coming soon! That is the one thing I can hardly wait to see!! Stay tuned for more updates and plans!!