Saturday, February 21, 2015

On Golden Pond




My husband has always wanted to create a pond. Though we had a small pond in Sydney it really wasn't anything to write home to mother about. He wanted to create a special place; he wanted to create a BIG POND!!

After moving into our humble abode, it was his mission to put his dream into fruition. But in order for this desire to become a reality he had to extricate trailer load after trailer load of old car parts, debris, junk, concrete slab after concrete slab and whatever else the previous owner decided to bury in the backyard. Why is it that some blokes have a need to cover large expanses of rich fertile soil with junk?? The previous owner seemed to have a penchant for concrete. It seemed his mission in life was to plant concrete everywhere.....yukkity yuk!! The clearing of the miscellany of rubbish  and concrete took my husband a good year to accomplish.

The tragic thing is that the previous owners lived here for forty years!! I can see in my mind's eye the previous owner thinking "mmmm.....what shall I plant here......car parts, concrete, junk.....or will I plant  some glorious green as green trees, sucking up all that yukky carbon dioxide, replacing it with good clean oxygen, so that we might breath a li'l easier?? Perhaps some beauteous flowering rhododendrons, buddleias, or perhaps, exquisite Magnolias?? Now here's a thought (and it is just a fleeting thought)......a gift that keeps on giving....an ever bountiful, producing orchard. ......nah.....I think I'll go with the junk"!!!

As is always the case in this far rural outpost word had got around of my husband's "one day" dream. Our friendly (and very generous), farmer neighbour appeared in his bulldozer one afternoon and declared that today was the day to dig a very, very big hole!! Not wanting to waste any of the farmer's time (farmers don't have a minute to spare) my husband went to supervise the excavation.

Okay........so the bulldozer began to dig, and dig, and dig.......until what stood before us all was an 'olympic' sized cavity for my husband's pond. Farmers love their big boy toys don't they?? Feeling chuffed at his good deed, our farmer waved us goodbye as he and his bulldozer idled rather noisily off into the sunset. The thought did cross my mind if only my husband had a bulldozer, he could've removed the graveyard of rubbish in next to no time. Oh well, not to worry, removing all that heavy junk was cheaper than a gym membership! Alas, there are no photos, as the burrowing into the earth by the earth moving equipment took place before I happened upon the "Land of Blog".


So......my husband began to slowly transform the rather large hole in our backyard into a "golden pond". He covered the bottom and sides with metres and metres of old carpet, then covered the carpet with silage plastic (a generous contribution by the aforementioned farmer) and began to build the sides of the pond with hundreds and hundreds of rocks, which both he and I collected from our friendly and benevolent farmer's rocky outcrop.

My husband begged, borrowed and stole acquired oodles of plants and trees and began to landscape and fill the gaps with bountiful specimens of the plant kingdom; Iris, Poppies, Lilies, Water Lilies, Foxgloves, Daisies, Gladioli, Cosmos, Agapanthus, Ajugas, Dahlias, Daffodils, Jonquils, Lupins, Ixias, Tortured Willows, Chinese Elms, Maples........you name it, he has planted it.  Oh....and I must not forget to mention that Miss Maisie is always on hand to supervise!!


My husband has created an oasis with it's own micro climate happening. He has created an atmospheric area where plants thrive and flower joyously all year round. Each season produces it's own beauty. There is always something to see.....pretty butterflies flitting from flower to flower, dragon flies zipping around and around and lately there has been a frog croaking at high decibels to his lady love. There are times when the croak becomes very ebullient....mmm...a little romance amongst the lily pads! Oh...and there are sizable gold fish playing catch and chase, darting in and out amongst the water lilies and reeds.

I have watched my husband with amazement as little by little he has turned what once was an eyesore into a lovely pond....pure gold......surrounded by vigorous growing plant life. Just a 'few' happy snaps to show the beauty of our li'l paradise!

Beautiful Irises.



Elegant Foxgloves.




Ixias and Water Lilies.



Glorious Dahlias dressed in pretty tutus.











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The beautiful Fruit Salad Plant.


Tall spires of Gladioli.



Miss Maisie can never resist a photo shoot!!


















































 









Just to think that a little over 3 years ago this space was a monument to the junk god.....but today it is a paradise filled with oodles of  life, happily existing in it's own li'l micro climate, giving much pleasure to whomever sits a while on our swinging seat, to just dream or take a little moment to enjoy a cuppa. 


Yes indeedy, my husband and I can always be found at various times throughout the day, sitting on our swinging seat, enjoying 'his' golden pond!


It's toodles from me.....have a lovely weekend everyone. I intend to steal a few moments to sit and swing, whilst drinking in the bounteous life in, on and around the golden pond!


34 comments:

  1. Absolutely stunning! your hubby...wow what an amazing transformation he has made. The plants are thriving and oh how I wish I could join you for that cup of tea on your lovely seat! Ali x

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  2. That pond is stunning. And the work is impressive - what a wonderful thing to create.

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  3. Amazing...so beautiful. That is someplace I would always want to be. I hope you can view this from the windows of your home as well as sitting in your swing. It is so nice to hear about turning something less than pleasant into such a gorgeous place and helping earth as well. Thank you so much for sharing all your pictures. Just reading about it would not tell us just how pretty the pond is. Enjoy many, many hours, days, months and even years in your lovely spot.

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  4. All I could think of was, your poor backs moving all those rocks! What a monumental task!

    You've given us a private tour of your lovely garden. Thank you. I can hear the frogs in the evening, feel the stillness of an early morning there--witness his dream come to fruition. Please think of me while you sip your tea.

    Julie--expecting another 5-8" of snow today

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  5. What a wonderful story - accompanied by such beautiful photos. Your husband should be so proud of what he's accomplished! A cup of tea with that view would be heaven.

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  6. Absolutely beautiful, and your photos are stunning. Too bad the previous owner had no regard for the land, and all that work to clear it up. What a shame. But it is beautiful now.

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  7. Congratulations or making such a beautfiul pond!AriadnefromGreece!

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  8. I love seeing what You and Hubby create. Your home and garden looks like a little piece of heaven on earth.

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  9. This is fantastic,stunning looks, a little paradise to enjoy, beautiful pictures!!
    Congratulations for your husband and you!
    Happy weekend.:*

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  10. I would start my day there with a cup of tea and end it there with a cup of wine....truly a Golden Pond.

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  11. Glorious! Such beauty and inspiration in every photo. It is not hard to imagine one sitting on the swinging seat with a cup of tea and a good book!

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  12. This is just amazing! Obviously your husband views this whole pond endeavour as a labour of love. The photos of all your beautiful flowers is spectacular! It will be a source of joy for you both for many, many years. I'll bet there's more wildlife attracted to those refreshing waters than just frogs! My son has a little pond in our yard that he dug with his dad's help. It grew from a summertime science project. A couple of years ago he added a trickling waterfall. I love it ... we have a bench set beside our pond too, and I will now think of you sitting by your pond while I sit by mine ;)
    Happy weekend to you & your husband!
    Wendy

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  13. OMGeeeeee! Miss Kim, this is absolutely fabulous. It does look like a resort spot that would be very relaxing after a busy day/week. I so enjoy you sharing your home and life with us. Mr Sarah Lizzies is a very talented garden gnome! Massie is such a help, too. I only wish that I was close enough to come over to sit and chat with you on your garden swing.

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  14. It's a beautiful addition to your environment and no doubt a wonderful sense of achievement for your DH. I saw that temps in Tassie today will be in the mid-thirties so a watery oasis will be just what you need.

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  15. Oh my goodness, what a glorious piece of heaven your husband has created. Enough to steal one's breath (and heart) away.

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  16. Oh my goodness, what a gorgeous, gorgeous pond! Bravo for all the hard work put in. It is truly amazing the transformation. I don't think I'd ever want to leave the swinging front-row seat!

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  17. Oh WOW, Kim!!! This is fantastic!! A perfect oasis!! So much work with cleaning up the mess left by the previous owner, but what a reward at the end for all that hard work...And a lovely farmer to come and help you out too. Fantastic!!

    -Soma xx

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  18. Absolutely idyllic!
    What a wonderful spot for some r& r.

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  19. Hello dear Kim, I have been away & am just playing "catch up" on some blog posts. Your Golden Pond is absolutely beautiful, what a wonderful place to just sit & soak it all up & enjoy life. Just perfect I think :-) Your husband has done the most amazing job of it. We put a pond in one winter .... it was wet muddy & pouring with rain & I told my husband to STOP digging, thats big enough. Now in hindsight, we both wish we had made it double the size that we did. A pity I hadnt stayed inside & not said anything - it might've turned out as big as yours. x0x0

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  20. It was fascinating to read about creating the Golden Pond your husband's dream and the hard work involved and then seeing all the richness and abundance of all the flowers well done! And a lovely seat to view it perfect :)

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  21. That was a LOT of work but it has turned out so beautifully. A really stunning feature in your gorgeous landscape. Well done to your husband and Maisie. They've done a grand job :)

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  22. What a lovely post! All those glorious flowers and the colors... sigh. You both must be so proud. Who would not want to sit and enjoy God's glory right there. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Thank you, Heather. Yes it is a favourite place to sit and drink in God's glorious handiwork.

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  23. OH my goodness Kim. What an amazing job your husband did with that pond. I am quite envious I think. We did have a good sized pond at our house in Maine. But it never came close to the glorious amounts of color with all the plantings he did. I know you must love to sit there and enjoy it!

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  24. Hello Kim

    I thought I was reading the pages of Australian Country Style for a moment, such gorgeous shots of your garden. I can only dream of a garden like this, 41 here today and tomorrow, roll on Autumn.
    Happy days.
    Bev.

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  25. Just wow. So very beautiful. That pond is huge ! The rolling hills beyond look so lush. The cosmos are always a favourite. Your pond is certainly an acheivement. Hats off to hubby

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  26. Ahhhhh! So very different from all the cold, white stuff I'm seeing out my window. We live in the green house in the picture. Son #3 took that photo. Wishing for a walk and sit next to the pond though! I admire his tenacity and commitment! The picture of him with mud on his pants, as a mom of all boys, made me smile!

    Please tell him a jealous soul in the US is absolutely in love with the scenery he has sculpted from the earth! All that time and planning and work! Beautiful and soothing to a snow bound quilter! Enjoy and tell him our neighborhood had no frogs until my boys brought home a box of them to live in our bird bath!

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    1. I am in love with your gorgeous home, Dee!! It is picture postcard! I read your comment to my husband and he told me to say thank you so much!! I have just had an early morning meander around the pond and picked a HUGE bunch of sun-filled Dahlias. Flowers warm my soul...amongst other things. ;)

      I did laugh at your comments re your sons and the frogs in the bird bath. How cute. I actually picked a Dahlia just before and a frog was sitting on the leaf smiling at me. He was completely unperturbed....he sat there for ages looking at me, obviously knowing I was no threat. I gently put him amongst some other leaves. Thank you once again, Dee for your lovely comments. Have the most wonderful day over there in your picture postcard li'l world! Kim xx

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  27. Beautiful pond Kim, I don´t think we can really appreciate just how much work went into the making of such a lovely spot, just the clearing of all the junk must have been an enormous task. Wonder what the previous owner would think now?
    Marvellous husband you have, I bet you snapped him up quick.

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  28. Your husband has done an amazing job - beauty in every season for you both to enjoy.

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  29. love the colour ,love how it's heaven on earth amazing and beautiful

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    1. You are very sweet, Karen...thank you! Pete's pond is a glorious place to sit and just be.

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  30. Oh my, oh my, oh my. What an undertaking but what a reward...a golden pond. I'm so pleased to hear about the beginnings of this plot of earth. Sometimes, I think, people are just plain lazy...they just throw things about rather than take care of them properly. Perhaps, since they thought they had lots of land, others were invited to just give it a toss onto the land, too. Thank you, Kim and Pete, for making such a lovely place on Tassie. Five years since the pictures that show Maisie. Five years in the life of a dog...such a long time. She only shows a bit of growing older.

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