28 October 2024
We have another black bird nest and the cherry tree which is delightful. Tom popped to Taupo with poppa to do some more sorting and bought home some stuff - felt like Christmas!
We have another black bird nest and the cherry tree which is delightful. Tom popped to Taupo with poppa to do some more sorting and bought home some stuff - felt like Christmas!
24 October 2020
Parents to the rescue! We were starting to look like trailer trash...
Parents to the rescue! We were starting to look like trailer trash...
17 October 2020
Finally planting my native Iris’s along the driveway... 3 years late!
Finally planting my native Iris’s along the driveway... 3 years late!
18 August 2020
Treehouse gets an airing! With a new blackboard and ladder... afternoon tea by basket.
Treehouse gets an airing! With a new blackboard and ladder... afternoon tea by basket.
Juniper: 3 years and 2 months
05 April 2020
Lockdown day eleven: diy central. Concreting steps and weeding everywhere! Disco and apple strudel to finish.
Lockdown day eleven: diy central. Concreting steps and weeding everywhere! Disco and apple strudel to finish.
03 September 2018
Maggie has put on a nice show while we try to get through this flu!
Maggie has put on a nice show while we try to get through this flu!
22 January 2018
Stage one of the much talked about “tree†house complete! He girls loved the platform and spent all afternoon up there. Now we got to start on stage two - the actual house!
Stage one of the much talked about “tree†house complete! He girls loved the platform and spent all afternoon up there. Now we got to start on stage two - the actual house!
12 November 2017
So after 5 years of attempting to spray and walk away we decided to call in the professionals. It is so great to see the color of the bricks again. Money well spent.
So after 5 years of attempting to spray and walk away we decided to call in the professionals. It is so great to see the color of the bricks again. Money well spent.
17 April 2017
Another weekend, another planter built! This one has been on the cards for years to stop the cheeky chickens from kicking stuff onto our path.
Another weekend, another planter built! This one has been on the cards for years to stop the cheeky chickens from kicking stuff onto our path.
01 April 2017
What's this? The start of another planter?!?
What's this? The start of another planter?!?
16 January 2017
My cheap $20 'old lady rose arch' wasn't built to last and blowing with the wind and I was at a lost what to do but randomly our Neighbour was getting rid of their super heavy duty one so all solved! I have finally managed to make my top tier garden with hostas around the cherry tree. Job satisfaction, tick.
My cheap $20 'old lady rose arch' wasn't built to last and blowing with the wind and I was at a lost what to do but randomly our Neighbour was getting rid of their super heavy duty one so all solved! I have finally managed to make my top tier garden with hostas around the cherry tree. Job satisfaction, tick.
04 January 2017
Jungle after two week holiday! Lots of weeding!
Jungle after two week holiday! Lots of weeding!
13 November 2016
The hedge numbers are planted! Just need a new letterbox and it's another project done!
The hedge numbers are planted! Just need a new letterbox and it's another project done!
28 September 2016
Maggy the magnolia has finally flowered! I was thinking of chopping it down (not really) after 3 years of no flowering so it must have heard me. 6 flowers and 4 to come. I'm overjoyed!
Maggy the magnolia has finally flowered! I was thinking of chopping it down (not really) after 3 years of no flowering so it must have heard me. 6 flowers and 4 to come. I'm overjoyed!
23 February 2016
We often forget to check our inca garden, and we finally got around to taking a photo of Olive and her massive kindy sunflower. Tomatoes are amazing! Lots of beans and the carrots are ready.
We often forget to check our inca garden, and we finally got around to taking a photo of Olive and her massive kindy sunflower. Tomatoes are amazing! Lots of beans and the carrots are ready.
Olive: 4 years
09 February 2016
Olive brought home a sunflower seedling from kindy and look at this bad boy now!
Olive brought home a sunflower seedling from kindy and look at this bad boy now!
Olive: 3 years and 11 months
07 February 2016
The corokia hedge plants are all in! Big hedge, big pressure. A project finished! Not to worry plenty of others to be going on with.
The corokia hedge plants are all in! Big hedge, big pressure. A project finished! Not to worry plenty of others to be going on with.
31 January 2016
And the back fence & planter is finally completed! Tops on the fence and planter are on (unfortunately at the loss of half a peonies due to a wayward saw). Only waiting on the plants to put in the planter now.
And the back fence & planter is finally completed! Tops on the fence and planter are on (unfortunately at the loss of half a peonies due to a wayward saw). Only waiting on the plants to put in the planter now.
27 January 2016
Wow. We have nearly been in our house 4 years and never cut back the trees. An unwanted guest of the furry ratty type in our roof forced our hand to do something. It was decided the branches was how it was getting into the house so with the big help of Grandad and Tom they cut back heaps in a short time while Nan kept the kids happy in the paddling pool. Thank you nan and grandad! It now has raised another problem of the clay bank which is very visible... Punga trees?... Yet another project!
Wow. We have nearly been in our house 4 years and never cut back the trees. An unwanted guest of the furry ratty type in our roof forced our hand to do something. It was decided the branches was how it was getting into the house so with the big help of Grandad and Tom they cut back heaps in a short time while Nan kept the kids happy in the paddling pool. Thank you nan and grandad! It now has raised another problem of the clay bank which is very visible... Punga trees?... Yet another project!
20 January 2016
Just needs a top on it and the back fence/planter wall is done! Gini is itching to start planting.
Just needs a top on it and the back fence/planter wall is done! Gini is itching to start planting.
17 January 2016
Second year of poppies, so I tried the retaining wall planter this time and wow! About 600mm tall! So didn't work that well with my hedge behind! So will maybe try behind... Worked well up around vege tier, some even self seeded. Sweetpea self seeded too.
Second year of poppies, so I tried the retaining wall planter this time and wow! About 600mm tall! So didn't work that well with my hedge behind! So will maybe try behind... Worked well up around vege tier, some even self seeded. Sweetpea self seeded too.
21 November 2015
We have a planter! Unsure if "Olive Mountain" is going to fit back in at this point but crossing fingers. It's all coming together finally.
We have a planter! Unsure if "Olive Mountain" is going to fit back in at this point but crossing fingers. It's all coming together finally.
11 November 2015
The fence posts go up! Slowly but surely...
The fence posts go up! Slowly but surely...
06 November 2015
This Iris deserves a mention. Tom bought it off trade me when Iris was born. He was a little baffled when it arrived as a bulb stump, but it took a year and it has doubled and now flowering! Worth the wait.
This Iris deserves a mention. Tom bought it off trade me when Iris was born. He was a little baffled when it arrived as a bulb stump, but it took a year and it has doubled and now flowering! Worth the wait.
Iris: 1 year, 4 months and 17 days
11 October 2015
Pink tulips! They all came out and look great. Now what to do with them next year?
Pink tulips! They all came out and look great. Now what to do with them next year?
16 August 2015
The baby iris's are out!
The baby iris's are out!
13 June 2015
And so another project begins while many others are unfinished... In my defense the bush died it was an eye sore! Boring road ahead before I get to plant the hedge and plum trees!
And so another project begins while many others are unfinished... In my defense the bush died it was an eye sore! Boring road ahead before I get to plant the hedge and plum trees!
22 March 2015
What have we just done!? Start of the almighty back retaining wall / fence project. Temp fence up and ripped out the old hedge/fence.
What have we just done!? Start of the almighty back retaining wall / fence project. Temp fence up and ripped out the old hedge/fence.
18 March 2015
The Life of the Monarchs - Rosie, Freddie and Sam. A compilation of the footage we took of our little while friends, Rosie, Freddie and Sam (as named by Olive).
The Life of the Monarchs - Rosie, Freddie and Sam. A compilation of the footage we took of our little while friends, Rosie, Freddie and Sam (as named by Olive).
11 March 2015
And all of a sudden, Rosie Butterfly emerges! Incredible!
And all of a sudden, Rosie Butterfly emerges! Incredible!
10 March 2015
Rosie Chrysalis has been making some serious color changing today!
Rosie Chrysalis has been making some serious color changing today!
05 March 2015
We play the waiting game. It's incredible how identical the chrysalis' are - right down to the gold dots.
We play the waiting game. It's incredible how identical the chrysalis' are - right down to the gold dots.
01 March 2015
4 fingered carrot!
4 fingered carrot!
01 March 2015
The freakiest thing watching Freddie transform into a chrysalis.
The freakiest thing watching Freddie transform into a chrysalis.
28 February 2015
Sammie going walkabout while Freddie hangs in his J formation.
Sammie going walkabout while Freddie hangs in his J formation.
25 February 2015
This morning we visited our swan plant to check on Freddie, Theodore, Leo, Frankie (all my baby boy names) but it was Rosie (Olive's choice) who was just hanging there ready to turn into a Chrysalis, so for science we brought Rosie inside so we could watch. Wow. We didn't check for an hour or so and she was mostly covered up! This is Olive's drawing of Rosie the caterpillar.
This morning we visited our swan plant to check on Freddie, Theodore, Leo, Frankie (all my baby boy names) but it was Rosie (Olive's choice) who was just hanging there ready to turn into a Chrysalis, so for science we brought Rosie inside so we could watch. Wow. We didn't check for an hour or so and she was mostly covered up! This is Olive's drawing of Rosie the caterpillar.
Olive: 3 years
01 February 2015
We have Monarch caterpillars! Yay! They are tiny but there are lots of them. Mummy is more excited than Olive at this stage. Olive did enjoy watching videos on the process to butterflies, should be interesting. Hope our swan plant can cope.
We have Monarch caterpillars! Yay! They are tiny but there are lots of them. Mummy is more excited than Olive at this stage. Olive did enjoy watching videos on the process to butterflies, should be interesting. Hope our swan plant can cope.
13 January 2015
Olive LOVES the carrots straight from the garden. They do taste sweeter.
Olive LOVES the carrots straight from the garden. They do taste sweeter.
Olive: 2 years and 10 months
11 January 2015
The poppies have started to come out! Most things in the Vege tier are doing well, tomato's look a little small but flowering, didn't string up the sugar snap peas fast enough but they are still producing. Courgette is still alive!
The poppies have started to come out! Most things in the Vege tier are doing well, tomato's look a little small but flowering, didn't string up the sugar snap peas fast enough but they are still producing. Courgette is still alive!
10 January 2015
Patio in a day. A warm sunny day hanging in the garden. Iris had her first swing and Olive enjoyed pushing her. Olive enjoyed helping with the sand collection and watching daddy working from the swing chair.
Patio in a day. A warm sunny day hanging in the garden. Iris had her first swing and Olive enjoyed pushing her. Olive enjoyed helping with the sand collection and watching daddy working from the swing chair.
08 January 2015
I've got the garden bug again! Twiglands had some great plants which sparked ideas for the steps, the fuschia standard which took a battering (lost its top) has been given a new home (also had another battering getting there) and has transformed into a baby standard.
I've got the garden bug again! Twiglands had some great plants which sparked ideas for the steps, the fuschia standard which took a battering (lost its top) has been given a new home (also had another battering getting there) and has transformed into a baby standard.
16 December 2014
A few of these should be ready to eat in a day or so! Surprised that the birds haven't got to them yet - perhaps it's because Lyon scared them off.
A few of these should be ready to eat in a day or so! Surprised that the birds haven't got to them yet - perhaps it's because Lyon scared them off.
11 December 2014
A perfect spot for the new swinging chair. Just need to finish the bricking!
A perfect spot for the new swinging chair. Just need to finish the bricking!
13 November 2014
The Vege garden is in full swing again. Potatoes, tomatoes, chilis, beans, snow peas, carrots, beetroot, herbs. The apple tree is looking great and the raspberries are forming. Hoping for a good yield this year!
The Vege garden is in full swing again. Potatoes, tomatoes, chilis, beans, snow peas, carrots, beetroot, herbs. The apple tree is looking great and the raspberries are forming. Hoping for a good yield this year!
11 October 2014
A beautiful day spent in the garden. So much weeding and clearing to be done. Olive helped by covering a freshly groomed Lyon in dirt.
A beautiful day spent in the garden. So much weeding and clearing to be done. Olive helped by covering a freshly groomed Lyon in dirt.
Lyon: 3 years and 5 months
04 August 2014
Even though I was late with planting the tulips, they are still good! All growing well! We popped outside while the sun was shining and olive said to me 'mummy why you wearing your jammie's? That's a bit strange' (I was in fact wearing trackpants), getting fashion advice from a two year old, it is sad day.
Even though I was late with planting the tulips, they are still good! All growing well! We popped outside while the sun was shining and olive said to me 'mummy why you wearing your jammie's? That's a bit strange' (I was in fact wearing trackpants), getting fashion advice from a two year old, it is sad day.
23 July 2014
A bit slow off the mark with my bulbs again this year! They had started shooting in a container under the house! Should be more on to it with the Lilly's. Hydrangeas are all trimmed now!
A bit slow off the mark with my bulbs again this year! They had started shooting in a container under the house! Should be more on to it with the Lilly's. Hydrangeas are all trimmed now!
18 May 2014
My little garden helper. Olive was always up for helping with the gardening. Loved spotting potatoes too.
My little garden helper. Olive was always up for helping with the gardening. Loved spotting potatoes too.
Olive: 2 years and 3 months
25 April 2014
We pulled out a few more potatoes and thinned the carrots out a little! Also cleared out all the old plants ready to start again.
We pulled out a few more potatoes and thinned the carrots out a little! Also cleared out all the old plants ready to start again.
01 April 2014
We decided to dig up some potatoes and carrots - finally ready!
We decided to dig up some potatoes and carrots - finally ready!
15 March 2014
Not a bad vege garden haul. Olive went straight for the lone raspberry. First taste of our apples - they were yum.
Not a bad vege garden haul. Olive went straight for the lone raspberry. First taste of our apples - they were yum.
26 February 2014
We finally have some juicy edible tomatoes! So sweet.
We finally have some juicy edible tomatoes! So sweet.
Olive: 2 years
20 February 2014
BIG mamma daddy cucumber - ripe for the picking.
BIG mamma daddy cucumber - ripe for the picking.
18 February 2014
The tomatoes are finally changing colour! Soon we will be inundated by juicy morsels. Baby chillies and beans have arrived too!
The tomatoes are finally changing colour! Soon we will be inundated by juicy morsels. Baby chillies and beans have arrived too!
02 February 2014
The pavers are mostly down on our little vege garden hideaway.
The pavers are mostly down on our little vege garden hideaway.
28 January 2014
Enjoying our pebble vege paradise. Sugar snap peas are doing really well, radishes are too. Potatoes & corn have got so high it's a jungle in there for olive! Olive has taken to helping herself to the peas, as the raspberries are all but exhausted.
Enjoying our pebble vege paradise. Sugar snap peas are doing really well, radishes are too. Potatoes & corn have got so high it's a jungle in there for olive! Olive has taken to helping herself to the peas, as the raspberries are all but exhausted.
25 January 2014
Trying to decide what material to have on the steps leading up to the vege garden and surrounding the vege garden.
Trying to decide what material to have on the steps leading up to the vege garden and surrounding the vege garden.
13 January 2014
Trying out the nearly completed top tier seat. Room for the whole family!
Trying out the nearly completed top tier seat. Room for the whole family!
12 January 2014
Tom was in need of some RnR building style after two weeks away from the backyard. Third planter nearly complete with a seat to boot!
Tom was in need of some RnR building style after two weeks away from the backyard. Third planter nearly complete with a seat to boot!
11 January 2014
We have a purple Cauliflower! Geeze it takes a long time for them to heart up. The rest haven't yet so hopefully they will one at a time.
We have a purple Cauliflower! Geeze it takes a long time for them to heart up. The rest haven't yet so hopefully they will one at a time.
04 January 2014
Inspecting the vege garden after a week away. Everything growing nicely! Snow peas have appeared. Potatoes have sprouted.
Inspecting the vege garden after a week away. Everything growing nicely! Snow peas have appeared. Potatoes have sprouted.
21 December 2013
The early vegetables of our labour. 3 week old radishes.
The early vegetables of our labour. 3 week old radishes.
15 December 2013
Another speed purchase at mitre 10 with mama's Christmas present! Picked up a baby olive at a bargin price too.
Another speed purchase at mitre 10 with mama's Christmas present! Picked up a baby olive at a bargin price too.
07 December 2013
Geeze the nights have been hot! 22 degrees in Olives room most evenings. So naturally you start thinking things should be growing in the garden. My first raspberry! So proud take that $6 punnets at the supermarket. Apples are plentiful too, might need to clip off a few!
Geeze the nights have been hot! 22 degrees in Olives room most evenings. So naturally you start thinking things should be growing in the garden. My first raspberry! So proud take that $6 punnets at the supermarket. Apples are plentiful too, might need to clip off a few!
03 December 2013
The seedlings have sprouted. Radishes and Carrots, Basil and Coriander. Exciting!
The seedlings have sprouted. Radishes and Carrots, Basil and Coriander. Exciting!
29 November 2013
Broc broc! It has finally got heads! Baby broc as Olive explained to me.
Broc broc! It has finally got heads! Baby broc as Olive explained to me.
Olive: 1 year, 9 months and 14 days
17 November 2013
We have vegetables! And a semi working sprinkler system. Sweet corn, tomatoes, rhubarb, eggplant, courgette, cucumber, chillis, sugar snap peas so far. A bit of an experiment this year.
We have vegetables! And a semi working sprinkler system. Sweet corn, tomatoes, rhubarb, eggplant, courgette, cucumber, chillis, sugar snap peas so far. A bit of an experiment this year.
16 November 2013
Our top tier vege box is finally nearing completion. Just need some more soil and it's planting time!
Our top tier vege box is finally nearing completion. Just need some more soil and it's planting time!
12 November 2013
My dark purple iris has finally come through, 4 more to come hopefully! The light purple and white ones have finished.
My dark purple iris has finally come through, 4 more to come hopefully! The light purple and white ones have finished.
09 November 2013
Olive helps as the vege box takes shape.
Olive helps as the vege box takes shape.
Olive: 1 year, 8 months and 25 days
08 November 2013
I checked out our grafted apple tree and she had plenty of flowers -yay! We have had her nearly a year, must feed her for fruit! As for my raspberry, I thought they lived in 2 year cycles so she surprised me with lots of new growth.
I checked out our grafted apple tree and she had plenty of flowers -yay! We have had her nearly a year, must feed her for fruit! As for my raspberry, I thought they lived in 2 year cycles so she surprised me with lots of new growth.
08 November 2013
This deserves a mention. A year ago I planted some grannies bonnets as they like semi shade. No flowers when spring & summer passed but a year on and they have grown up to 70cm and flowering! Finally! Lucky I kept them.
This deserves a mention. A year ago I planted some grannies bonnets as they like semi shade. No flowers when spring & summer passed but a year on and they have grown up to 70cm and flowering! Finally! Lucky I kept them.
10 October 2013
Olive helps to measure up where the vege boxes are to be built on the top tier.
Olive helps to measure up where the vege boxes are to be built on the top tier.
Olive: 1 year, 7 months and 25 days
26 September 2013
One pot of tulips flowering, the other two a wee way off!
One pot of tulips flowering, the other two a wee way off!
11 September 2013
Day 9 and we have tomatoes popping through. Radish was first followed by beet root and then cucumber.
Day 9 and we have tomatoes popping through. Radish was first followed by beet root and then cucumber.
05 September 2013
My beautiful magnolia!
My beautiful magnolia!
02 September 2013
Finally my gorgeous magnolia flower has arrived!
Finally my gorgeous magnolia flower has arrived!
02 September 2013
Planting our heritage seeds, not sure which seeds went into which box though!
Planting our heritage seeds, not sure which seeds went into which box though!
Olive: 1 year, 6 months and 18 days
20 January 2013
The gummies are getting a new home with our new planter!
The gummies are getting a new home with our new planter!
04 January 2013
Just enjoying another blue and sunny day on our grass. sigh….
Just enjoying another blue and sunny day on our grass. sigh….
17 December 2012
The sand goes into the sand pit!
The sand goes into the sand pit!
29 November 2012
The top lawn grass, 18 days old. Really getting some height now - but rather patchy.
The top lawn grass, 18 days old. Really getting some height now - but rather patchy.
21 November 2012
The new babies - day 10.
The new babies - day 10.
19 November 2012
8 days after chucking the grass seed down on our backyard, these tiny suckers have appeared! (Not to mention the odd weed ..). Much relief in the Tang household.
8 days after chucking the grass seed down on our backyard, these tiny suckers have appeared! (Not to mention the odd weed ..). Much relief in the Tang household.
09 November 2012
After three trailer loads of topsoil, the grass is ready to sow! We think. Or is it?
After three trailer loads of topsoil, the grass is ready to sow! We think. Or is it?
26 September 2012
The completed deck, in all it's glory!
The completed deck, in all it's glory!
25 September 2012
The deck builders extraordinaire. A job well done.
The deck builders extraordinaire. A job well done.
22 September 2012
We prep the 90% completed deck ready for the day's visitors.
We prep the 90% completed deck ready for the day's visitors.
20 September 2012
Dave works out the angles on version three of the steps! Sorry Dave!
Dave works out the angles on version three of the steps! Sorry Dave!
19 September 2012
The decking almost all down! Looks amazing! Seat and steps construction begins.
The decking almost all down! Looks amazing! Seat and steps construction begins.
17 September 2012
Dave creates us a landing strip as the deck takes shape.
Dave creates us a landing strip as the deck takes shape.
17 September 2012
Bearers and joists all laid down for the deck foundations.
Bearers and joists all laid down for the deck foundations.
12 September 2012
The piles all concreted in and ready to go on the deck.
The piles all concreted in and ready to go on the deck.
10 September 2012
Work fully underway on the deck with the pile holes being dug with the help of a pile hole borer!
Work fully underway on the deck with the pile holes being dug with the help of a pile hole borer!
26 August 2012
So instead of one of the million things we had to do around the house, we decided to relocate a tree. Will it survive the move? Who knows!
So instead of one of the million things we had to do around the house, we decided to relocate a tree. Will it survive the move? Who knows!
11 August 2012
Backyard Pano #1. Retaining wall number 1 is complete, a muddy mess remains. A deck at this stage feels a long way off.
Backyard Pano #1. Retaining wall number 1 is complete, a muddy mess remains. A deck at this stage feels a long way off.
09 August 2012
The drain proves it's worth - as it diverts the torrent of water away from under the house. Quite chuffed we are feeling today after a torrential downpour puts it to the test. Here's hoping the office stays dry!
The drain proves it's worth - as it diverts the torrent of water away from under the house. Quite chuffed we are feeling today after a torrential downpour puts it to the test. Here's hoping the office stays dry!
05 August 2012
A great turn out for digging our drain to stop leaking water into the office and the start of the deck prep work!
A great turn out for digging our drain to stop leaking water into the office and the start of the deck prep work!
22 July 2012
The stage is set as we get underway on the first task for the back yard - the second tier retaining wall. The posts are now in place!
The stage is set as we get underway on the first task for the back yard - the second tier retaining wall. The posts are now in place!
27 June 2012
The wood fits in the new wood shed! That's a relief. Just have to re-do the roof (not enough over-hang) and we're done!
The wood fits in the new wood shed! That's a relief. Just have to re-do the roof (not enough over-hang) and we're done!
24 June 2012
The office and the woodshed take shape on a DIY extreme weekend.
The office and the woodshed take shape on a DIY extreme weekend.
24 June 2012
Lyon helps daddy with the framing!
Lyon helps daddy with the framing!
Lyon: 1 year, 1 month and 28 days