My guest poster for today is a sweet friend of mine, Janet. Janet and I have never met, but we have connected thru our blogs and have so much in common….I really think we may be long lost sisters! Janet and I have become close over the last 5 month while her son, Brandon has been in Afghanistan………….Janet will have the BEST 4th of July this year, as you are reading this, Janet is packing, because this weekend, on the Fourth of July in fact, their Ranger will step onto a plane in Afghanistan to end his deployment and come home!!
Those words made me cry!!! Please, after you read her a guest post here today, pop over to her blog and tell her how much you appreciate her son and her family as, we American’s, celebrate our freedom this weekend!
Isn’t this a picture to be proud of?
***************************************************************************
Hi there, Tidy-Mom fans!
My name is Janet and I author the blog, From Captain’s Daughter to Army Mom. I am relatively new to the Army Mom part, and Proud but Terrified pretty much sums me up. In fact, as I write to you today, our son is making his way back to the United States from his deployment in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, I’m thrilled to join you here at Cheryl’s blog as today’s guest blogger, and humbled to follow my friend and couponing-mentor, Melanie of The Coupon Goddess. Ever since Melanie taught me how to get paid to buy my favorite shampoo, I can’t shop for it any other way! Throw in the fact that she has supported my son’s Ranger battalion with care packages and it pretty much makes her a perfect angel in my book.
When our mutual friend Cheryl invited me to guest post for her, I was quite happy to accept. For over a year now she has inspired me, through her blog and friendship, to become more organized in almost every aspect of my home and office life! And have you checked out her recipes and photography? I find both equally delicious!
Since we are in the throws of Summer and spend every waking moment outside in our gardens, I thought I would share a little gardening how-to with you. Not because I’m this terrific gardener, oh no! I most certainly am not!
About all I know about proper gardening is how to enjoy it. Fortunately, I am married to a Brilliant hobby-gardener. He plans, he executes, and Everything he plants thrives, and in most cases, multiplies!
I titled this post Solving a Garden trouble spot because it’s exactly what he did… In a Big way! The addition of a koi pond and shade garden in a spot in our back yard that almost never gets any spring or summer sunshine, and is almost always damp, was the perfect solution for a space that was otherwise unusable. Having said that, my husband insists I tell you that there are, No garden trouble spots… Only plants put where they don’t belong.
This slight disagreement between us aside… I would like you share with you what I believe was a trouble spot in our garden solved in a most delightful and entertaining way.
In this area of our rear Garden behind the house, there are no less than
eight huge trees. Their spring, summer and fall Canopies makes this
a decent place to hang out to Escape summer heat; however, the shade
created by the trees makes it next to Impossible to cultivate a lush,
green lawn. So what to do? He suggested a pond. I said no pond!
I just couldn’t see it…
But he could. And so, the Pond and
shade garden that would Frame it began
It was quite the project… And, I had absolutely nothing to do with
it. Except to come home every day and Marvel at the progress!
Pretty soon, his Vision
came to life and I began
came to life and I began
to see exactly what he was so Excited about
With the addition of a deck, this area became More than just a koi pond
and shade garden. It became another Outside room. A place to hang
out and Relax apart from the pool, firepit area and deck off the house
It was at this point I began to see the Error of my ways. And,
when we went Shopping for our first bunch of fish, I was all in!
The fact that the View from the house was improving helped too!
And, it’s only gotten Better over time!
With the addition of fish and water plants, our pond was complete
Speaking of plants! While a lawn is a No-no back here… Other plants,
such as Ferns, hostas, creeping jenny and Japanese maples, love it!
An added Bonus of having the pond is the wild life it attracts all year long
In summer, when the Hostas bloom,
their sweet fragrance fills this area!
I didn’t expect so many plants to bloom in this Shady, moist
garden. But the fact is, there is something Blooming from early
spring, right into late Fall. Here is one of my favorites – Toad Lily
It’s the perfect compliment to the ferns and hostas that surround it
And speaking of Hostas!
Hostas fascinate me. They disappear completely from the
garden following the first Frost, and return faithfully each
spring to produce these wondrous bouquets of green
Deer love Hostas too! The secret to having both is to offer
the Deer something else to munch besides your hostas!
We offer cracked corn. And plenty of
it, since it’s also what the Ducks like!
Of course, it’s important to keep Feeding after the hostas go to sleep too!
In winter, the pond shade garden disappears. However, the pond
and trees continue to offer plenty of Visual interest and appeal
Early spring, as things awaken and in summer, when things
are at their peak, are my Favorite times of year at the pond
But honestly, there isn’t a bad time to be at the pond. Even in
a heavy down-pour, the Trees high above act as a natural
umbrella so that we can continue to Enjoy time by the pond
I especially enjoy the little Visitors!
They come. They eat. They swim, and they Nap. Right at our feet!
If you have a shady, moist area in your garden, ferns and Hostas are for you!
And of course, a pond too. If you’re so inclined…
I assure you… You’ll never regret the initial effort
it takes for such tremendous and Continuous reward
Aside from feeding the Fish and cleaning the
pond filter, this Garden takes care of itself
No weeding. No trimming. All enjoying!
Which is exactly what I like in a garden!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this Tour of our koi pond and
shade garden. I’ve certainly Enjoyed having you along!
About TidyMom
I love Janet and I'm so excited for her that her Ranger is coming home, her post made me cry too. She has a gorgeous garden, I always loves when she posts about it. Along with all her other delicious treats!
Happy 4th!
I love Janet and I'm so excited for her that her Ranger is coming home, her post made me cry too. She has a gorgeous garden, I always loves when she posts about it. Along with all her other delicious treats!
Happy 4th!
Me too! I'm so excited that he's coming home! What a perfect 4th of July for her and I hope she has a big ole celebration in that beautiful garden when he finally gets home!
Me too! I'm so excited that he's coming home! What a perfect 4th of July for her and I hope she has a big ole celebration in that beautiful garden when he finally gets home!
What a beautiful spot you have made. I hope you have a very happy 4th of July with your son.
What a beautiful spot you have made. I hope you have a very happy 4th of July with your son.
Your garden is beautiful, Janet…as are YOU! So nice to see your sweet face here at TidyMom's place!
Give that Ranger a big hug from all of us in bloggy land!
Your garden is beautiful, Janet…as are YOU! So nice to see your sweet face here at TidyMom's place!
Give that Ranger a big hug from all of us in bloggy land!
This is awesome! You have such a gorgeous yard! How exciting to have your son coming home!!!
This is awesome! You have such a gorgeous yard! How exciting to have your son coming home!!!
Wow! That is amazing – what an absolutely beautiful and peaceful area!
Please extend my gratitude to your son for his service! I'm very happy for you that he's on his way home.
Wow! That is amazing – what an absolutely beautiful and peaceful area!
Please extend my gratitude to your son for his service! I'm very happy for you that he's on his way home.
This is a simply beautiful spot! All the pictures look so inviting and I love the way it was captured through the seasons as well. Beautiful. We have a pond in our front yard and I just love it. We filled it with small gold fish to start it off but over the past few years, they've really grown. Fun to see the frogs who come and visit too. Great post!
This is a simply beautiful spot! All the pictures look so inviting and I love the way it was captured through the seasons as well. Beautiful. We have a pond in our front yard and I just love it. We filled it with small gold fish to start it off but over the past few years, they've really grown. Fun to see the frogs who come and visit too. Great post!
I forgot to tell you how much I appreciate what your son does for our country and our safety. May God bless and protect him!
I forgot to tell you how much I appreciate what your son does for our country and our safety. May God bless and protect him!
Absolutely beautiful! I can only imagine how peaceful and relaxing it must be to spend time there.
Thanks a million to your son for his service! So happy that he is coming home ~
xoxo
Pat
Absolutely beautiful! I can only imagine how peaceful and relaxing it must be to spend time there.
Thanks a million to your son for his service! So happy that he is coming home ~
xoxo
Pat
Gorgeous! Wish I had a spot like that in my yard. Grateful for you and your son's sacrifice so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have.
Gorgeous! Wish I had a spot like that in my yard. Grateful for you and your son's sacrifice so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have.
Right now I would love to sit in yur yard and pretend to be a statue. YardArt is so free to just be…. Love your gorgeous surroundings.
Right now I would love to sit in yur yard and pretend to be a statue. YardArt is so free to just be…. Love your gorgeous surroundings.
Oh my goodness. I'm so excited about this post! I am a hindered but hopeful gardener who is trying desperately to improve my gardening skills as well as beautify my surroundings.
You can read all about that here:
http://www.mommytopics.com/category/garden
AND!!!! I have been struggling with a shady area for years that I just can't get anything to grow in. I've never thought about Hostas, and I've never considered ferns. Thank you, thank you… oh thank you.
I'd love any more info you have on planting this shaded area. I'm going to go search Hostas right now. Your garden is BEAUTIFUL!!!
Oh my goodness. I'm so excited about this post! I am a hindered but hopeful gardener who is trying desperately to improve my gardening skills as well as beautify my surroundings.
You can read all about that here:
http://www.mommytopics.com/category/garden
AND!!!! I have been struggling with a shady area for years that I just can't get anything to grow in. I've never thought about Hostas, and I've never considered ferns. Thank you, thank you… oh thank you.
I'd love any more info you have on planting this shaded area. I'm going to go search Hostas right now. Your garden is BEAUTIFUL!!!