Last fall, Jay started a new company. And, while things are going really well, it is also true that:
1. House reno has been non-existent. I don’t see how anyone could manage a start-up AND renovating a house.
2. Self-funding a start-up is expensive. Unless you’re Beyonce (and I assure you we share only a passing resemblance) I don’t think too many people who are starting a company also have a lot of spare cash lying around.
But, despite a lack of funds and a broken-down kitchen, there was absolutely no way I was going to let Jay’s 50th birthday go by without an appropriate amount of hoopla.
We’re having the party outside at the casa which is not a big house, but has lots of fun outdoor spaces. Although, it’s looking like Saturday afternoon is going to be furnacey. Considering if having a sprinkler available for everyone to jump through would be kitschy, icky or just plain smart.
The challenge is how to do it stylishly (not negotiable) and largely with the change scraped from under the couch cushions. I’ve been pondering and researching this lots the past few weeks and, with the party coming up Saturday, think I’ve landed on some pretty brill ideas for the decor. Not sure how it will all turn out so, for now, will only tell you that it includes this ream of red paper, twine, and some old white sheets. Intrigued? Yeah, me too.
One of the things we love most about the casa is the garden. Over a period of almost 100 years, people have added tulips, lilac bushes, peonies, Irises, Allium and ivy. Spring after spring it has been a surprise and delight to see what the sun’s warm rays coax out of the earth. I’ve only planted a few things since we’ve been here and really love the unruly English feel of it all. But, after almost a century, there are things that need to be moved and thinned and re-grouped. Namely flowers that appear randomly, some groundcover in odd spots that could certainly be used to fill in at more visible areas, and some greenery that is quite possibly weeds.
The yard, in its current state
I’d like to take these random pink tulips.
And move them next to this random pink tulip.
I also want to move some of this groundcover around. There’s Sweet Woodruff, Vinca and Geranium Johnson’s Blue:
This Grape Hyacinth is cute but sparse. I’d love to fill in with more of it.
I tried to cut this Spirea completely down last fall but it came back all springy and vengeancey this year.
There are also groupings of Irises which only bloom intermittently, apparently they’re stubborn like that.
I really like this Jack Frost framing the gate but, overall would like for the fenceline to be neater and feel more purposefully landscaped.
I’m not a natural gardener. My grandmother was, and my mom has built an adorable potting shed to support her habit, so I’m thinking, with some research and gumption, I COULD become one. Turns out, most things I need to wait until Fall to move. But, I’m taking note of them now so, when September comes around, I can remember what was where and contribute to making next spring even more fabulous.
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