Spring garden projects

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cool weather garden projects, fences, garden, home, home renovation, sod, Virginia, Virginia spring flowers

Old man winter finally moved out of my gardens, and two long-awaited updates took place this week. I invite you to sit back and enjoy the labors of others.

Despite manic weather, the months of March and April are always brightened by the smiling faces of my heirloom daffodils. These beauties that formerly went to market as revenue bouquets are now filling my home and herbaceous borders with color and scent. I retired the end of December and now wonder what life holds and whether the transition will be smooth. As long as I remain a homeowner, my “needy box” beckons.

The fifteen year old split rail fence developed issues last summer, when the center line post rotted off at the ground, causing a lean that had to go. Propped up for weeks this winter, I was glad to see my talented fence men arrive with a new post. Unfortunately, they brought the wrong post (a two-hole rather than a three-hole post) which required a return visit. While they were here, we examined the rails. We agreed that they also should be replaced. After they left, I spent some time on the phone with the West Virginia post manufacturer to file a claim under warranty. They did not warranty the rails, but the office approved a $50 credit towards the purchase of six new rails. That reduced my expense to $40. Good start!

Days later, while the two men removed the old post and rails, I enjoyed standing back with my camera. This same company built my “Great 90′ Privacy Wall” fence a few years back (see that blog), and they continue to make any effort look easy! The man on the right is the owner who has built fences since he was a boy, and now his son-in-law (seen left) is learning the ropes. Neither wear gloves, despite the rough, pressure treated timber.

The new line post and rails: Three of the six rails were not acceptable with obvious flaws for this highly visible location, and those will be replaced ASAP. At least the old, rotten timber is history. By the way, if you noticed the lichen covered privacy fence in the rear of this photo, it was built years ago by my neighbor who is a juggler not a fence builder…and it shows. The “Great Privacy Wall” fence you see in the background below, was built in 2015 by these professionals seen above.

Meanwhile, the “Slope from Hell”, is finally getting sod. For the past 22 years, I tried many plants and perennials here, and most failed to thrive. Mulch always ended up on the attached patio, and pea gravel failed to smother weeds. Therefore, both materials are being raked and removed, to expose clean dirt where the sod will lay. If you recall from recent posts, this “Slope from Hell” was home to a dozen peony plants that were dug/sold and relocated to another garden in November. No wonder my hips are toast.

Shifting a few border rocks, and much grooming, in an hour, the bed was prepared for sod.

The blessed sod, grown locally, and harvested recently.

These men constructed my lower patio retaining wall in December (see post), and they enjoy their work; smiling, joking, and talking in melodic Spanish as they labor. I am SO grateful to have this team for garden projects!!! Joy is so absent in much of life these days; anytime I witness a genuine smile my hope is restored.

Less than two hours later, the transformed “Slope from Hell” displays fresh sod. Regular watering on my part until established, will hopefully encourage healthy turf for years to come. The strimmer will keep it tidy and Virginia Green will zap it with their monthly brew, killing any weeds, while nitrogen will green it up to match the established turf. Rain before and after sod installation allows time for blogging today and eliminated the chore of linking/dragging hoses to water this patch by hand. Completing as many garden chores as possible early in the season is my goal, as spring too quickly fades into summer…delivering the good old unpredictable hot, humid central Virginia climate.

Next on my list of home chores for 2022 is the staining of the new patio retaining wall. The day after I purchased the stain the end of December wet, cold, icy winter weather set in. So again, Mother Nature dictates the timing for exterior projects. The 300SF concrete patio also needs restoration with a pressure wash and applications of Rescue It! by Olympic. I normally enjoy exterior painting/staining, yet weather conditions remain the challenge. Do you think I will get it all done this year?

I always enjoy your comments, so please take a moment to send a note.

Copyright 2022 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

when pie sales reached 2000 …

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"Best Key Lime Pie on the Planet", Charlottesville, Citizen Burger Bar Charlottesville, food, home renovation, key lime pie, one woman operation, restaurants, Virginia

I quit counting. Yes! At last annual count, two-thousand of the best key lime pies on the planet have left my inspected kitchen, made by moi, a one-woman operation since 2000— the pie was introduced in 2005!

Now mind you, I never planned this occupation. However a love of memorable food is what I exploited — in order to manage contractors during a long, and often painful 6.5 year home renovation — and delivered me to this point in life. Presently, a growing, discerning following quietly blooms in my hometown, while these pies have traveled as far north as Maine and as far south as Georgia, lovingly tucked into coolers by guardians of my KLPie.

named by locals as The Best Key Lime Pie on the Planet…made one at a time, every time.

It seems to be the crust that hooks them first, then customers order repeatedly, and then tell their friends. Then their friends become customers.
As a humble one-woman operation, I do not advertise, yet I am the first hit on Google when key lime pie Charlottesville — is searched. Ahem, awesome!

Last July one local restaurant (Citizen Burger Bar) began carrying these pies, and they continue to be the only dessert on their menu. As of last week, weekly orders increased, taunting me with the fantasy that perhaps I can stash enough pie money to 1) take a real vacation, or 2) replace my 13 YO MPV, or 3) really retire, or 4) hire garden help.

This same restaurateur plans to open a sister eatery in Clarendon (Arlington) in 2014, and already inquired if I could keep up with demand. YES! Until my final breath.

So folks,  if you are reading this for the first time, and crave some of the best key lime pie on the planet, you are close. Stop by the restaurant in Charlottesville, or contact me (info on Facebook page) and order your very own. My inspected kitchen is open year round and folks come from all over the state with coolers to fill.

the crusts hook them

Those of you who follow my blog might like to see photos of the completed kitchen countertop renewal. Nice huh?

completed countertop restoration

oh so sleek and baby bottom smooth

my reward for all my effort, grilled Irish cheddar cheese with Irish butter. Yum!
Where is the Guinness???

Life in the foothills of central Virginia is blissfully peaceful, allowing creativity to flow.
My mission is sustainable, my food goal memorable.

 

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

the thing about passing muster

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carry a big stick, contractors, home renovation, passing muster, walk softly

For nearly two decades, contractors were a daily part of my professional life. I fondly remember one project where thirty contractors followed my instruction with a surgeon’s precision and rhythm of the baton. The outcome resulted in high accolades for all. I began to think I had a golden practice. In 2000, I returned to my small hometown, and rather than designing my dream home, I chose to be “green” and purchased a fixer-upper. Undaunted by the red shag carpet embedded with grime, and thirty-year-old kitchen, I forged ahead. After all, I am a professional multi-tasker and was only two-hundred miles from where I found endless competent artisans.

The day I closed on the property, ten contractors were lined up ready to rip and tear and make my move-in possible two weeks later.

That same month I also began a full-time job. No problem, I thought. Meet workers early AM…give detailed punch list…check progress eight hours later. This will be a piece of cake.

Lesson #1: One must grasp childlike optimism like flotsam for a drowning victim. Get a grip!

Reality check: Shall I create a home or have a cush job with benefits? Optimism strike two! I quit the job and moved to manage the “serene” countryside abode.

What a difference two hundred miles makes. As weeks turned into months and months years, I witnessed the following:

A pair of “contractors” installed exterior doors with nary a shim. An others hands were shaking so badly, he could not turn a screwdriver. One “professional” backed his macho truck off my driveway into newly landscaped beds and spun the tires like a teen! Roofers did not speak a word of English, and installed two different dye lots. Insulation “experts” returned three times to get the job done right. Cabinet designers failed to place a proper filler strip next to the wall, and the pantry door would not fully open. When a trim “carpenter” wanted to blow nails the size of Kansas into the crown molding, I protested, and he stormed off the job.

To this day, deck boards pop up like ivories on a spent piano because an unprincipled pair took shortcuts with hardware. Enough! Remedy? I grew a beard and strapped on a 45…just kidding, yet more than once I had the noose flung into the tree. The real kicker…these “capable” men came from local shops that rely on repeat business. To this day, I NEVER leave a contractor unattended.

Lesson #499: I am now an expert at changing horses in the middle of a stream.

I did locate an excellent electrician, HVAC specialists, a backhoe operator, stonemasons, painters, and as a special homeowner bonus, a radon mediator. My neighbor’s adolescent kids were eager to see what this madwoman was up to, and spent many an hour, working shoulder to shoulder with me in the gardens. This time was especially rewarding, as I had an opportunity to teach fertile minds life skills.

Nearly seven years later, I have a home to be proud of…a home that works efficiently and demands less energy to operate—a home that passes muster. Not the home of my dreams, mind you, just one that shelters kitty and me in style and comfort and will leave a smaller carbon footprint on the planet. New -fangled, efficient appliances replace the energy-guzzling ones and snazzy casement windows with solar film dazzle the leaky aluminum double-hungs of the 1970’s. The new hybrid hot water heater resembles a former dance partner while the size of the lawn is reduced by half, requiring a mere fifteen-minute mow. The reverse osmosis water system provides a pristine water source, eliminating the need to purchase or transport water. Gardens are managed organically, many in raised beds, therefore consuming little water. Low flow, baby. I am walking the walk. Do you?

Now to dream of that perfect climate, the ultimate home, and easy living where maintenance is never required…a gal can dream, right?

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Copyright © 2011 Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved