Green Avalon Gardens
Ideas, Info, Tools & Technology to Create Your Dream Garden
Early Spring Bloomers
Jan 26th
Right now many of us gardeners are champing at the bit to get back out in the garden. If there is a warm moment, and the ground is clear of snow, we may find ourselves pacing back and forth in front of areas we know contain crocus, daffodil, and tulip bulbs, looking for signs of growth. There are other plants that bloom in very early spring, that you may want to consider including in your landscape.
Everyone knows about Pussy Willows (Salix discolor), the wonderful fuzzy harbingers of spring. Every time I seem them blooming I have to laugh, though. When More >
What Gardening Means To Me
Jan 23rd
What little girl could resist growing a Beauty Bush.
Today is my birthday. So, I thought I’d take time to write about what gardening means to me, why I’m such an avid gardener.
In all honesty I think I’m an avid gardener because my mother was, also. She loved to be outside planting things and started me off at a very early age. I remember helping plant pansies at around the age of five.
Not too long after that, maybe a year or two, I had my first garden. It was a flower garden and had all my favorites: pansies, marigolds, dahlias, snapdragons, More >
Getting Ready To Make Window Seat
Jan 19th
I’m psyched! I got the last piece I need in order to be able to make my window seat this weekend. Yesterday I stopped in at the home improvement center and bought 4 pickets, which are going to be the seat back at the end of the window seat, so I can sit and look out the window and read or study (and once I get a laptop or iPad I’ll be able to work there, too!).
Looking a little rough. My half finished reading nook and window seat.
Here’s a before shot. I got a decent start on the corner piece. More >
Dreams of English Cottages
Jan 16th
Who wouldn't want to walk up to something like this for their next vacation home?
Even though I live in a recently built home I have always believed I was meant to be born in the Baroque period. I just love the beautiful wood carvings and ornate clothing of that era. So when I found Period Living magazine on the Internet I felt right at home. Looking at how carefully space is used in these small cottages always gives me good storage ideas.
I used to read a lot of historical romances. The descriptions of the manors, gowns, artwork, etc., from England and Europe More >
Which Wood Is Right For You?
Jan 12th
Bamboo, cork, oak, pine, know that the woods qualities match your lifestyle before you install.
Wood floors are all the rage right now. However, each type of wood has it strengths and weaknesses. We chose bamboo, because I thought it was beautiful and it is sustainable, since bamboo grows really fast.
I read all the information from the company and was convinced this was a great flooring for us. The guarantee was for 15 years on the finish, everyone was touting it as harder than oak, etc. It’s been in for three years now and it still looks as beautiful as the More >
Etsy Mama
Jan 9th
Posted by Virgil Burks
Maybe you can turn your craft into a home based business.
I started making things in my home years ago but it was more for my own pleasure than for any other reason. I certainly didn’t expect at some point to start making money off all my creations but here I am cashing in on that site Etsy! My husband got us a CLEAR wireless internet package last year and since then I’ve been online a lot more than before. I love that there are so many sites dedicated to crafters now and this all started when I realized I More >
Getting Projects In Order
Jan 6th
OK, here’s the lineup, as it stands today. First, we need to get the temporary storage finished outside, so that we can move some of the boxes cluttering our laundry/pantry room out where they belong and actually be able to use that area for its intended purpose. Second, I need to build the window bench for my office, so that I can make the pillow cushions and get all the bags of foam off the floor in here. Third and fourth are to redecorate the small bedroom and get the greenhouse up.
My plans are to video building the window bench, More >
Preparing For The New Year And New Focus
Jan 2nd
Remodeling/redecorating both inside and out.
I’ve been contemplating what I want to start including in my blog for the new year. I’m thinking of doing a series of videos on my redecorating/remodel of the extra bedroom. That will give me the opportunity to hone my video skills, which I’ve not used for a while, and get some really good information out to people wanting to spruce up a room.
In looking at the schedule for the coming year, here are a few of the things on my to-do list: remodel/redecorating completed for rest of house; greenhouse up and functioning; storage buildings in More >
Finding The Right Address
Dec 30th
We live in the country. Not way out there, but far enough out that at night it is quite dark. One of the biggest complaints we get when people are coming to visit, is that they can’t find the addresses on houses in the dark. I’ve been considering getting a new address plaque, one that is large enough that people can’t miss it. Online I found that they have what are called estate plaques. That may be just the thing I’m looking for.
House address plaques can actually be very important, should you ever need the assistance of an emergency crew. If More >