Backyard Becomings and Long Haul Learnings

 

The New#2 Shed

If you have to leave the beauty of Georgian Bay, it's a very good bonus to come back to this.  

Over the past two weeks while we've been gone, our landscapers have begun the first phases of what will be a two or three season plan.  Shout out to Wildlife Gardening www.WildlifeGardening.ca. for their design, knowledge, careful listening to our ideas, and plain old grunt work in creating the unique spaces and natural look we were hoping for.

Before

Now

(To the left of the pail we will build up the grade for a ramp that will be level with our front door.)

Before

Now

(Behind the red umbrella there will be a fence to separate our yard from the neighbours'.

Can you see the massive rhubarb plant right at the bottom?)

The beginnings of the ground cover that will fill in the spaces.

A 'rain garden' is also in the plan for this year, and I can't wait to see how that not only makes best use of the downspouts and general water flow over the property, but how it adds to the overall look as well.

Also this year is the laying of patio stones to finish off the hoped for eating area, and leveling off  and expanding the driveway.

Another shout out to "Shed in a Day" who lived up to their name and had this built and ready in under two and a half hours yesterday.  Literally, there was nothing there in that space when they arrived.

Now for the fun of sorting and rearranging the contents of the old shed (which Ken and I will inherit by virtue of proximity), and storing the common tools etc. in the most convenient spaces.

Existing#1 Shed

Development of this space, into a private outdoor place to sit and relax, 

is scheduled for next season.

Can't help but consider where I was at emotionally last year at this time, particularly when it comes to the whole process of 're-nesting' that we've done over the past, well, two or three years actually.  

Last June we had just signed back on the offer and were working towards the July 18 closing date.  It was all about uprooting and leaving.  And oh, let's throw in a ruptured appendix at this point, just for fun.

This year we are settling and planting again, and breathing again.  I can hardly express how good it is to be where we are now.  How 'normal' it feels.  How, frankly, relieved I am.

Because in between there was a lot of letting go, of not knowing, and of white knuckle faith that we were doing the right thing and that we would find ourselves 'at home' again.

And here we are.

Psalm 138:8 (ESV)

The LORD will fulfill His purposes for me.

Your love, O LORD, endures forever --

do not abandon the works of Your hands.

Freeze Frame Midnight Blessings

Between the two,

old and new,

I'd like to freeze the moment.

Before the ball drop,

before the fireworks,

before the horns and bells and whistles.

Here's the countdown, 

so exciting,

but 

just before we all holler "three, two, one!"

Hold it.

No one move.

Except slowly turn to

look back first.

Thank you, Last Year.

You were abundant,

as promised

in a John 10:10 sort of way.

So let this suspension 

between the two,

old and new,

be flooded with remembering,

and gratitude,

for all the tears towards wisdom

and joys towards life-transforming hope.

Thank you.

And then,

turning again,

face forward now.

Still frozen in the moment.

Considering.

Quiet for a bit.

Breathing slowly on purpose.

And then,

saying this time,

(and meaning it)

Welcome, New Year.

We barely know each other.

But here we are.

Here we are,

frozen in this moment.

where the uneasy unknown

and the hilariously possible 

meet

head on.

So let this suspension

between the two,

be flooded with resilient confidence.

Yes!

Welcome!

And then,

let the ball drop,

light the fireworks,

shake the bells, 

blow the horns and whistles.

And also,

pray.

Like happy.

In whispers.

With singing.

In confidence.

And humbly.

Because,

"The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;

Your steadfast love O LORD

endures forever"

Psalm 138:8

May we often pause between things, to say thank you and to say welcome.

May the memories/lessons from 2023 be the building blocks of strong things for 2024.

And may the new year be filled with the wisdom and purpose of God for you and yours.