Garden of Eden… well ok.. our Eden

I meant to post this a little sooner, but it got a bit busy and I just never found the time to sit and type.  Now as I wait for Frank to fire up the bbq and get dinner going, I’ll get some blogging done. 

Last year we started to do some work on the backyard,  but unfortunately the summer wasn’t the best for us to work in and we really didn’t get a lot done except I did manage to grow a few beans and a couple tomatoes.  The flower side never really amounted to much because the sun is blocked by these hideous trees that are between the two houses.   The patio area had my huge herb garden; which I did get some good use out of, but that was the extent of it. 

This year we decided to dump some money into the garden since we are going to be here for at least another year, and we both enjoy sitting in the backyard when the weather is nice.  We still have a garden with just tomatoes and beans, but we made it a bit bigger and so far so good.  I took the lavender out of the “flower garden” and put that into my big herb pot, then moved my herbs into two smaller pots.  I have to say my favourite part of the garden is the new “rock garden” where the flowers use to be.  Since nothing grew there to begin with we decided to just cover the area with rocks and put some nice decorative lanterns and keep the raspberry bush and bleeding heart bush.  The two top pictures are the work in progress.

Here is the finished rock garden… 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think Frank did a great job with the backyard and we definitelyenjoying it, at least when I don’t have laundry hanging up!   But new we like to sit in the back and read or listen to music and more then once we will have dinner outside, especially if it’s bbq.  

I would like to get a statue or something else for the rock garden, but nothing has caught my eye just yet.  But I’m sure that very soon Praxis will have a sale and I’ll see the pièce de résistance and add it to the garden.  But as for now it’s nice to see Stoney follow the sun around the yard and try to get to the warm spots.   After a hard day’s work, he found a comfy spot on Frank.

The Prince and the Pea

We brought the cushions in from the outdoor furniture because it is raining.  So we just pile them on the floor in the living room for a temporary solution since we don’t have a shed in the backyard.   Well Stoney has taken to sleeping on the cushions.  He reminds me of the story, “The Princess and the Pea”, only my little Prince isn’t so delicate!   But I have to admit, he’s still adorable.  It is funny watching make is nest on the cushions, then turning around 5-10 times before he plops his little butt down and passes out cold for his nap. 

OH MY GOD!!

My friend Danielle sent me this website!  I don’t know how many other Canadian expats have seen it but it’s my first time and I’m in an online Heaven!!

http://www.canadaonly.ca/

mmmmm… coffee crisp…… ketchup chips… lime doritos….

Moederdag

Today is Mother’s day around the world, and here in the Netherlands it isn’t any different.  This is my first real Mother’s day here since last year I had gone back to Canada for a short visit. 

This morning I woke up to Ashley and Brianna bringing me breakfast in bed, a kaas broodje cut into the shape of a heart,  a glass of orange juice and a card they made from the two of them thanking me for everything.  Then once I was able to wake up fully we went downstairs and they had presents for me.  Brianna bought me two very cute photo albums and a little make up kit which will be great to keep in my purse.  Ashley bought me a bath backscrubby thing and bath gel, plus a red rose.

I was very nice and sweet for the girls to think of me today.   Afterward they went out the day and Frank and I stayed home enjoying the sunshine.   I managed to get the laundry done and he finished off the backyard, pictures and blog to come!

It was a very nice mellow Mother’s day and two sweet girls helped make it that way.