Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Saturday 20 April 2019

The Mess of Alterations

We are in a mess, no ceilings in places, walls out, doors off, one replaced, and carpet taken up, so I can see the Rimu floorboards. They would have been laid in about 1951.
The two builders work so well together, laughing, chattering and discussing the finer points of all carpentry matters. We had a folding platform with a drop-saw on the back lawn, lots of power tools all the same brand and using the same batteries, and then along came the new one, a power screw  driver . I was fascinated with this, so easy to use.
" Do you want to try it"...No thanks, it looked very dangerous. Their one was a similar one to the Internet photo below.  I guess it will be used once the gib board goes onto the framing.This is what will be the storage room, with shelves on the left hand side.



Hitachi Cordless Collated Screw Driver 18v (Bare Tool)




  The smaller bathroom is taking shape, wiring is in place and it too will get lined, painted, an, can you imagine  a toilet for over $1000, not even a heated seat at that  price,   We left it there!!!
This is a view from the hall, of what is a short hall, and the door into the smaller bathroom.The windows will be replaced with safety glass, and it will be obscure at the lower half!!!






Vanity units come in all shades, styles, and sizes, white seemed to be popular and will not date.
Meantime the gardens are looking good, veges are growing, and the flowers continue to show lovely colour. Nicotiana, the Impatiens at the back continues to show off those bright pink blooms, and slightly to the right the Dianthus continue all round the edge to the front gate.





The white Gaura is delicate, and the Maple transplanted so well, it has grown so much.




Petunias show off in bright pink, and other shades further along, Day Lily leaves look good, and the Gossamer Grasses are slowly taking place.



The Nerines are almost finished, and bulbs, freesias, and other green spikes are starting to show.
Spring will give us a garden full of colour.
Thank you for all your lovely words after the Christchurch tragedy. A lot of families are struggling to manage, and I am hoping the quilts will comfort them.

My thoughts are with each one of you when life is not easy, illness hovers, and a loved pet is not well.

I hope that each day, you will find some  sunshine,   some  laughter and a heap of love.

Quotation of the day, author unknown

" A garden with flowers and greenery is like a heart full of love"

Greetings from Jean.












16 comments:

Jenn Jilks said...

What a project! It sounds like things are going well, though. Your garden is lovely. We've never done this kind of renovation. Just a new roof, furnace, etc.
cheers!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

By the time you place is done you will have a new home. I am sure it is not easy living with all the reno work being done. Your gardens are looking beautiful. Enjoy your day and weekend. Happy Easter!

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Your gardens look lovely. Sounds like there is a lot of work to do yet on the home. No, I cannot imagine a toilet costing that much!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Your remodeling projects seem to be moving right along and you have great workers doing the work.

Your flowers are lovely. I hope to get out this morning to divide 2-3 gardenias that came in one pot. I already did that with one that had two plants in it and they are both doing well and I am enjoying the wonderful scent of the flowers. I've got flower seeds to get started also and more clean up in garden spaces.

Have a lovely Easter weekend ~ FlowerLady

Unknown said...

Everything in it's season. I hope that the renovations move along smoothly. You definitely have a knack for appreciating the beauty around you. :)

Carol Mattingly said...

Your post was filled to the brim with your news of remodeling. I loved it. Taking something old and making it new again. Is there anything any better. Your gardens are beautiful. Your hard work and toiling in the dirt has paid off and I know you are so very proud. Thank you for sharing all of this with us. I truly enjoyed it. Happy Easter to you and Hugh. Be safe, happy and at peace, and of course, well. Carol

Susan Heather said...

Happy Easter. Your garden looks wonderful - obviously a lot of work has been put into it. I hadn't realised quite how much work you were doing on the house. I am sure it will be wonderful when it is finished.

Lori Skoog said...

You have been very busy! The gardens look beautiful and I can't wait to see your house when the workers are finished.

Fundy Blue said...

Happy Easter, Jean! At least you are into the renovation process. Before you know it, renovations will be behind you and you can enjoy a new place adapted to your needs. I enjoyed seeing your lovely flowers. We have a few daffodils, crocuses, and snowdrops around here, and yesterday along Piney Creek I saw dandelions. We're at the point where it is hard to hold back spring. All the best to you and Hugh! Big hugs to you both!

Tish Stemple said...

Remodeling is a process, but it looks like all is going well. The flowers are beautiful <3

Julie Fukuda said...

Oh, that power screwdriver looks like the one that might have been used to put those wood-screws into my car tires. Hope you survive all the construction and enjoy the results. Certainly the garden is to be treasured.

Heide said...

Moving right along with the rebuild. Looking forward to seeing it all finished. The gardens look great! In my neck of the woods, things are starting to bud. Weatherman says snow this weekend...UGH!! I so want to get my root veggies planted, I dont mind digging in the dirt, I do mind digging through 4 inches of snow to get to my dirt! lol.

Sharon - IN said...

I've been wondering about your progress with your move. How exciting to see your plans taking shape! Love your gardens and today's quote.

R said...

Hi! Lovely gardens. Can you tell what you used for the the flower bed edging and where you got it? I need something for more practical reasons. To fill the gap at the bottom of the fence and keep cats from coming in and doing their thing. So far everything I find is rather unattractive & yours looks nice! & what is gossamer grass & would it grow in Hawaii? Thanks.

Nancy J said...

Thanks to you all, Rm I don't have your email, but the edging is wired together, we buy it in a big roll, pine, and maybe quarter rounds. They are put into a narrow trench and then back filled and tapped firmly down. anemanthele lessoniana or Gossamer Grass is hardy, has lovely purple fronds in summer, and waves in the wind. I would think it might grow everywhere, except in freezing climates. I would Google " Garden Edging" and see what you can get where you live.

Susan Zarzycki said...

I find your blog interesting especially the quilting bits!