Saturday, April 16, 2011

First Bloom

First waterlily bloom of 2011

 
I was going to try to post this yesterday, but the week continued to throw its curve balls.  An early morning call from the floor guys (refinishing the original hardwoods in a unit of one of The Old Girls) had me adjusting to a budget and schedule change.  Seems there are always surprises when you renovate.



This particular surprise was a hole in each of the bedroom floors the size of a full sheet of plywood... well, not a hole exactly, since the plywood was there... but the hardwood had been "replaced" with plywood, subsequent to some repair in the past, and covered with carpet.  This required the adjustment for cost of repairing the holes (large project) and staining the floors as well as sanding and coating with polyurethane.  Cha-ching.  I could have opted to just cover them up again with carpet, but my goal is to get them back to their original glory.  So, we are another week behind on finishing... and over the initial budget.  Life in the lovin'-The-Old-Girls stlye.


At any rate, we had our first waterlily bloom this week!!  And, the Fish Boys are growing and enjoying the warmer weather.


I, myself, enjoyed some sunshine and a Coke Zero earlier today right in this spot.  I was celebrating finishing a report for the Historic Tyler on Tour committee!  yea!  Still have one more report before passing on all my duties to the next in line.
 

Hope you are having a swimmingly fine weekend!! 
blessings ~ tanna

39 comments:

Just a Girl said...

What beautiful pictures, you have been blessed with such a great eye for photography! Your pictures make me want to come sit in your yard. ;)

Thanks for sharing, it's fun to see what life is like in other parts of our great country, and it's nice to see someone enjoying their outdoor space!
Have a lovely weekend,
~Just a Girl

Just a Girl said...

p.s. would you mind if I saved your waterlily image to my computer to use as a phone background? I know that probably sounds silly, but it's just so pretty. I promise not to use it anywhere else, and will wait for your permission before I save it. Thank you! :)

Tanna said...

It would be my pleasure for you to use the waterlily anywhere you would like, JaG! blessings ~ tanna

Christine said...

Those "Old Girls" are so blessed to have you and your husband love them so much!

And what a perfect spot to rest.
This first flower is important.

TexWisGirl said...

love that koi pond! just gorgeous! i'd camp out there too!

sandy said...

WOW Love the photos..

renovating - i feel for you..will you post photos.

still typing w/one hand..aarrg..

Betsy Brock said...

I love, love, LOVE your pond. Oh my!

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

I just thought I'd let you know....I'd enjoy a Coke zero with you in that garden.......sigh

Deb said...

renovations always cost more than expected...love your pond...I would have a heard time leaving it..

:)
Deb

Anonymous said...

I know what you're talking about. We've repaired a few old floors like that, ones that had the old floor furnaces. Lots of work! But totally worth it when it's finished. The pond and koi look beautiful, and the water lily is lovely. Enjoy these cool days with the Coke Zero. Someday, I'm coming down there!!! :)

Beverly said...

Love the pond.. wonderful spot

Dana said...

Looks like the perfect relaxation spot. I would have loved to sit by the pond and enjoy a Diet Coke with you!

Wanda said...

Can just imagine sitting there with a drink, just soaking in all the beauty. What a lovely pond you have, and your fish look so healthy.

We visited some local gardens Friday, and I posted picture similar to your back yard. So now I have a place to go and sit, and watch the fish.

Amanda said...

Hate when the reno projects run you more time and money. So often seems to be the case with Mirabelle...

Love the pond shots. Glad you got a small treat with sunshine and Coke Zero in the midst of a curve-ball week. Stocking up my pantry for your visit. =D Love you!

It's Just Dottie said...

Oh so very ,very lovely. I can only imagine how peaceful it must be to sit in the sun by your pond.

Jo said...

Such beauty ~ I'm so ready for newness and fresh blooms. Your pond is amazing.

Jo

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Wow Tanna, we are just getting the lillies coming back on our pond, but no blooms yet. I love your koi. I wish I could get some here, but we just have two many great blue herons and hawks ready to eat them and they aren't cheap.

Susan McClaskey said...

Tanna,
Your waterfall & pond are gorgeous! I'm loving your home more and more! I'm hoping you're going to share your finished work on your latest "old girl." After the initial sticker shock, I'm sure it will all be worth it.
Best,
Susan

The Little Adventures of LueLee said...

awwww AUNTIE!!!! Your pound is so BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I love the first bloom it is so crisp and white. It is like Spring Freshness :) You Koi fish are STUNNING!!! Love yall and hope all is well xoxoxoxoxox pass on my hugs and loves to Uncle Evan :)

Aquascape Your Landscape said...

Love your water garden! My blog is all about watergardening. If you care to visit, it's Aquascape Your Landscape at www.aquascapeinc.blogspot.com.

Debbie said...

These old homes are full of surprises! When we pulled the carpet up in our huge dining room, there had been a big patch done on the east end of the room. We bailed! Went ahead and installed wood flooring instead of patch and refinish. I loved the wide planks used in the flooring, but most have been ruined by the installation of subflooring from years gone by.
Love you garden and little fish. I think I could enjoy sitting there often.
Deb

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

The pond is nothing less than spectacular. I think I would like to sit by it for HOURS watching the water boys swim around.

From the Kitchen said...

Beautiful! When I was growing up, our neighbor next door had a wonderful fish pond. Such memories!!

I, too, love visiting the National Cathedral. In fact, when we lived there we occasionally attended services. And, my last trip, I got to take the tour of the newly completed cathedral. AT LAST!!

Best,
Bonnie

Mary Bergfeld said...

Your photos are just spectacular and I'm amazed you already have a water lily in bloom. I hope the hardwood repair went well and wasn't too costly. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Blessings...Mary

theUngourmet said...

I have hardwoods now but the home we are moving into has carpet. I'm going to miss my floors! I hope your repairs are finished soon.

I love you pond photos. Gorgeous!

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Your pong is absolutely awesome and the water lily's are beautiful. I am new to your blog. So glad that I found it!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Oh I love your pond...mine is really small with goldfish, but we enjoy it, and yours is wonderful...how peaceful. Now I must talk my home builder son into finding me a house to re-finish...they just don't build them with the same character...enjoy!

no spring chicken said...

What stunning pictures! A coke by the goldfish pond... dreamy. I don't have the pond but for a little sunshine I would settle for a coke by the hose spigot!!

Blessings, Debbie

Brenda Pruitt said...

I use to have a pond in Oklahoma with koi. Now my pond has been changed last fall to a pondless waterfall. Far less maintenance. And my two gold fish had died.
Brenda

Catherine said...

Dear Tanna, Thank you for visiting. You sound like you have a labor of love going on in this post. Just glad that you found time to rest in such a beautiful spot and hopefully dream a little dream. Many blessings, Catherine xo

Emily {Frilly Details} said...

Absolutely gorgeous!! If I had a pond like that I wouldn't get anything done. I would just sit there all day long!

Melissa Miller said...

Oh I adore your fish Tanna. I would love to have some like that. They are gorgeous!

I'm so sorry about your floors. I hope everything is okay very soon.

Warmly, ~Melissa

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Wonderful photos, Tanna! Love your fish pond. I hope the repairs on the hardwood floors are finished quickly and easily.

podso said...

Wonderful photos, You should paint that water lily! You sound very busy and challenged with those floor rennovations. Meanwhile, that beautiful pond is there for peace restoration. Lovely.

Chatty Crone said...

The lily was perfectly formed. Exquisite. sandie

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

Hi Tanna...thanks for visiting my blog. Look for a give away Barbara and I are doing later this month. I am intrigued by The Old Girls. On Main St. here in my town we have several blocks of historic homes. One of them is a set of 3 townhouses built in the early 1900's by a gentleman for his 3 daughters. They have been restored and are beautiful. I'm looking forward to seeing pictures! ~Ann

nanny said...

Your pond looks like it survived winter with much beauty.....I love it!
I know you are counting your days....until.....hugs and kisses!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Youe pond looks so pretty and soon your wood floors will too! Hang in there --it will be worth it when it's done. I love my wood floors even if here are some imperfections here and there.

Stacey said...

What a special place to sit and enjoy a relaxing moment. Your pictures are gorgeous! I am sure the hardwood floors will be gorgeous as well.

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