Saturday 2 January 2016

Garden Hopes, Plans, Dreams, Wishes...

 
 
My Mum always said its good to have a dream, a hope, a plan, a wish. She felt it was what kept you going. She was a great daydreamer, even though she was very much stuck in the reality of here and now, of getting on with life, whatever it threw her way. Mum always had something up her sleeve, there was always some dream up there, something she aspired too.
 
 
I'm a great daydreamer, I've got this from her. Even though I feel extremely lucky with the life I have, I've a few dreams up my sleeve too. Some of them became a reality in 2015. So on this grey, wet and cold day in January, when I'm full of cold, sneezing and sniffling, I wanted to share them with you. Is that ok? If I share them on here, maybe they will become reality. What do you think, does it work that way? Hope so.
 
 
I've just taken these images, it shows what a grey day it is...but I'm dreaming of colour, of beautiful flowers and delicious things to eat. Yes, those raised beds will be used to the max this year, I've got six, one at the moment is being used as a containment area for Otto, but as he can now climb out of it, perhaps it ought to be put to its proper use!
 
 
Anyway...on with those plans. As you can see, just before Christmas we had the patio laid in front of the garden studio. This has been brilliant, it makes access to the studio much easier for me. It's going to make a fab place to sit in, and a great party area. I'm planning a few parties too!
 
 
Most of you who read this blog will know how much I love gardening, it's my sanity, as well as my sanctuary. Most of you will also know I have Mulitple Sclerosis. This has greatly affected my balance and mobility. Gardening is becoming more and more difficult, and as my desire to garden is still as strong...well I need to make it as easy as possible. So that's what I'm doing, unfortunately it's an expensive task, so it will need to be done in stages, over the next few years.
 
 
My garden is on quite a slope, perhaps not best shown in these pictures. For most the slope wouldn't cause any problems, but to me, some days if feels like climbing Everest. Ok, slight exaggeration there, but some days it does feel like quite a battle getting up and down that slope. So this year, the plan is to build some wide, shallow steps, with a handrail...and a even path all the way to the lower patio. All level, all easy to negotiate, for those days when the world is spinning and my legs won't lift that high. I might have to yarn bomb the handrail!
 
 
The landscaper is also taking about retaining walls using railway sleepers. Now whilst that sound fabulous, it also sounds expensive...but I do love the sound of that. I've started collecting ideas on Pinterest. Did you know if you collect images on Pinterest, then they become a reality. I know, it's amazing isn't it ;)
 
 
Now I really, really want a greenhouse too. If I had a retaining wall built, then it would actually give me more room for a greenhouse. I really, really love those brick based, timber bespoke greenhouses. I've got a Pinterest board dedicated to those lovey bespoke greenhouse too...so you never know. And when all this has been done, well I shall redesign the top garden area, and put in cottage garden boarders, that are easy to maintain. Might be a few years away, but there's my plan. An area full of colours and smells...a delight to the senses.
 
 
So there you have it, I've wrote a blog post on it, I've got Pinterest boards. My Garden Hopes, Plans, Dreams, and Wishes have to come true now, don't they? ;)
 
 
 
What are your wishes for 2016? I'd love to here them.
 
 
 
Amanda :) xxx
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

36 comments:

  1. Dreams do come true, they do.
    Julie xxxxxx

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    1. That's what I'm banking on Julie ;) xxx

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    2. They do, my good friend Delia proved it! http://deedeesvegetablepatchdiarys.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/cottage-transformations.html You will need to go back a few post , but she found a house and is now living in it.

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    3. Wow, that's brilliant...looks like Dee has put so much work into her house :) xxx

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  2. They sound like wonderful plans, I cant wait to see the progress in your garden over the year. Don't think I'm following you on Pinterest, off to find you now!

    Happy New Year Amanda, I hope 2016 is a good one! xxx

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    1. Thank you Caroline...will keep you all posted! ;) xxx

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  3. Yes, I see your dream and you've made a great start...I love your 'She Den', that would be my dream one day (or a conservatory). We are planning to downsize our 'empty nest' this year so I'm off to see the Pinterest Fairy with a very long list. Happy 2016 xx

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    1. He! He! Pinterest Fairy, like that idea! Hope all your wishes come true in 2016! :) xxx

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  4. Good luck with all your garden plans - may 2016 be the year they all come true!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  5. Happy 2016 for you! I hope you can kick your health a little :-) My husband was just gushing over your tree 'pots' and was wondering if they are drums of some kind? I am in love with your shed!! It's gorgeous. We have a spacious balcony (20 m², more like a roof terrace) and I have a little veggie garden on it. I hope this year I will have some more time with it, I was way too busy last year. So happy gardening!

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    1. Your roof terrace sounds brilliant! The containers are Dolly Tubs, they were used for cleaning clothes...I've got a couple but plan on getting more as I see them. Happy gardening in 2016! :) xxx

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  6. Such a positive post.I hope all your dreams come true.After a difficult year health wise for my OH I am just hoping for better health and us to be able to have some holiday dreams come true.We had to cancel so much last year.Just aquicktrip to France would be great.

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    1. Oh Sweetheart, I do wish you both good health and that you get your trip to France in 2016! :) xxx

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  7. Your Mum was right, it is very good to have things to look forward to! Your plans for the garden sound wonderful, I hope that they all come true and that you can spend lots of time out there and that it will be of great benefit to your health! Happy new Year! xx

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    1. Thank you Amy, I'm hoping I spend lots of time in the garden this year...got to also work out how to stop a little puppy digging up everything I plant! ;) xxx

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  8. Hope all your dreams and wishes come true xxx I am with you on having a green house, I would love one. I have to say I love those raised flower beds. Xxxx Leah

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    1. Thanks Leah...the raised bed are much better than I hoped, I love them! :) xxx

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  9. Oh my! I am so happy to hear that Pinterest dreams come true! And yes! You really must yarn bomb a railing or two. It is very good luck.

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    1. I hadn't realised that...I will be yarn bombing everything in that case!!! ;) xxx

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  10. What lovely plans you have, I'm wishing that they become a reality, I know you will make a very beautiful garden, and I'm looking forward to following along. I'm wishing you and yours a very happy and successful 2016. CJ xx

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    1. Thank you CJ...I'm looking forward to making the area more manageable for me over the next few years :) xxx

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  11. a good dream you have and I am sure it will work out for you, look how much your garden came on in 2015. The garde parties on the patio sound great fun

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    1. Yes I'm looking forward to q few summer parties...I'm hankering after a pizza oven, mainly because I feel I really need a log pile in my garden! Going bonkers now I'm 50! ;) xxx

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  12. It looks great, and I love the sound of your garden plans and dreams.
    I hope I might start to tame my garden this year, I say it almost every year but I have a feeling that I will actually make a start in 2016!
    Happy New Year. Fiona x

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    1. I'm sure you will Fiona...I look forward to seeing the results! :) xxx

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  13. Ada as you know from instagram i love your patio and its perfect for summer gatherings...Happy new year to you my Dear!
    bestest daisy xx

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    1. I'm thinking carnival lights, music, good food and great friends Daisy! Happy 2016 to you too :) xxx

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  14. I can confirm collecting your dreams on pinterest do help them come true and also they provide an instant reminder of what you want. Your dreams sound wonderful even if it may take a while to achieve. Sarah x

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  15. Oh Amanda, I am chuckling here - if you pin it it will happen...love it. I don't pin anything these days but that doesn't stop the endless day dreaming (for me, to knock the wall down between the kitchen and the dining room - one day, one day...)

    I love your garden plans. If anyone can do it you can, and I know you're going to make it look fantastic. Like you say it might take a couple of years, but it will happen. Happy new year to you, I hope 2016 brings you good health and lots of happiness. xx

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  16. Some lovely dreams, I shall enjoy seeing them come true :-) I have dreams of selling what I make right now but like you I have limited mobility and energy and don't want to commit to something I can't keep up with!

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    1. We can only do what we can, don't stress Sharon, that's what I'm learning but it is hard! Happy creative 2016! :) xxx

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  17. Happy New Year Wishes.... here's to a year filled full of daydreams in 2016!
    Tilly x

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