Building a Gazebo

Several people have asked for information on building a gazebo - that quintessential Victorian garden structure which evokes thoughts of English teatime, gazing out at the wonders of Nature......and clinking a glass of wine with good friends on a Summer evening. Because it appears I will never be able to tolerate mosquitoes - having not grown up with them in England - and to enable me to dine outdoors in the Summertime, we decided to replace the little original deck on the back of the cottage two years ago, and add a screened gazebo big enough to seat four for dining.

Above is the original deck - below the finished deck almost double the size with the gazebo incorporated into the deck structure.

The gazebo, custom designed and partially assembled, was purchased from Pennsylvania and shipped here to North Carolina by truck - shrink-wrapped and looking like a small iceberg! (If anyone would like the name of the company, or further info. on the product, I will be glad to share - they were excellent to work with and we had no problems with them or their product). We chose Western Red Cedar and opted for the cedar tone sealant to prevent it from aging to grey. We had the cedar deck pickets built by our carpenter to match the gazebo pickets, along with the trim around the steps and base of the deck to tie the two elements together. The decking itself, and the top rails, are the beautiful Brazilian hardwood called Ipe.

The floor is screened underneath to prevent bugs from entering and has been very successful - very few creepy crawlies get in! The entire structure including deck was built over a bed of gravel for drainage.



We purchased the finished screens - a rather expensive option but it was the only way to go for me - and they fit perfectly. The double roof is also screened and I can honestly say I've never been bitten by a mosquito while in the gazebo - only when making the mad dash with the tea tray from the back door has one decided it wanted my blood!

Above, the construction in progress - deck pickets yet to be stained to match gazebo (Cabot Clear Cedar 3002). Below, the outdoor ceiling fan/light fixture which is great - dimmer on the light, and we had two extra outlets installed to enable plugging in a portable heater on cool days, and fairy lights for year-round decoration and a tree at Christmas.

The finished gazebo and deck really made a huge difference to our back garden, both visually, and by giving me a space to sit and read, sometimes use my laptop etc. It makes breakfast, lunch or dinner an enjoyable time - after all nothing beats dining al fresco without having to battle flying insects!


.............and today, seen in the pic below, we are having the deck and gazebo power washed to ready it for a re-stain to freshen it up after the horrendous pollen season we just experienced. Even with the cedar sealant it still starts to fade and it's recommended that it be refreshed every few years to keep it bright looking. We have also decided it's now time to also use a clear oil made for Ipe on the deck floor - this will help bring back the natural color.
Never a dull (or inexpensive!) moment is there....... when you have a house and garden to keep up?

Market Morning

Early light showers, cool air, threw on casual clothes and sneakers................off to the Summer Farmers' Market that sets up just a few minutes away on Saturday mornings.

Nothing beats farm fresh eggs..................local sweet strawberries.................just snapped asparagus................hopefully flavorful tomatoes (still hothouse - too early for field ones)..........also bought sugar snap peas from the egg farmer but forgot to photograph them!

But look at this fabulous goat cheese from the famous North Carolina Celebrity Dairy - the sample was delicious so I had to bring one home.....................must go now, need to pick up a fresh crunchy baguette from the bakery. Wow! I feel like I'm almost back in France!!!!

Celebrating with Friends

Sometimes life just throws you a curve.......and when you round the bend you're pleasantly surprised at the view. I discovered SuzAnna's Antiques just over a year ago and since then have become an avid hunter and gatherer of vintage treasure. Over the railroad track, a quick right into the stony driveway/parking lot, and there you will discover the original building now with a new addition..................and last night it was the place to be!

Of course I was armed with the camera - here snapping that fabulous glass glitter PARIS sign which is now hanging in my French styled guest room - one of just a few small treasures purchased last evening. Shopping was secondary because we were all having so much fun at the ribbon cutting for the new shop addition.

Susie, the gorgeous tall blonde (I love to stand next to women even taller than me, the only way I get to feel petite at five-eight!), and the ever funny, perky, adorable Anna - impossible to catch her without a radiant smile. Dressed in vintage, including the cutest aprons, they introduced the dealers who have filled this new space with wonderful things, then cut the colorful 'ribbon' banner. A wine tasting and snacks, meeting fun people, the perfect May evening weather wise - thanks gals for putting out the citronella torches, not a single mosquito attacked me - made it all special and memorable.

Above, the lovely Linda on the left, she just has to be 'employee of the year' - Susie and Anna's amazing 'go to gal' who will locate, paint, hammer, hang, and organize anything with such gusto and design - and my new bubbly Brazilian friend Vanessa (see last post) whose great dh took care of their baby so she could come party with us - thanks Ryan!

You can also spy the fabulous Sam in white cotton embroidered, pintucked shirt (I want it!) who brings us beautiful European treasures.

Jeannie - dark hair, white skirt between Susie and Anna, is the owner of Uniquitiques, another delightful shop full of cottage treasures in Hillsborough, NC, and now shares space in the new addition here - I recently showed several of her pretty pink pieces in a post, and thank her for getting me the Paris sign.

Tracy (hugging up with Vanessa), who's creative and artistic endeavors with furniture and accessories have found permanent homes around my cottage.

And............there's Bob (my always patient dh) centered between Anna and Bruce, (Susie's strong, wonderful dh who carried the secretary up my stairs to the 'French guest room'). Many other fun people I didn't manage to catch on camera - but it was obvious all were having a good time throughout the evening.

Thrilled my very good friend Deborah (front right in the pic of four of us) joined us - her blog Pictures, Pots & Pens

many of you already visit...... and it was fun to meet another local friend who always leaves nice comments on my blog, Vicki from Durham - wearing the neat vintage hat!

These are just the nicest shopkeepers ever and I can't imagine my life without them in it!

Thanks to both of you

for bringing joy

to so many people - SuzAnna's Antiques is the best place to be any day of the week so if you're anywhere close to Raleigh, North Carolina be sure to stop by, and tell them Mary sent you!

New Friends ~ Partying at SuzAnna's

VANESSA - a sweet name for a lovely new friend!

I recently met Vanessa via my blog and as we live just half an hour apart we've already met in person to shop at SuzAnna's Antiques. Later we enjoyed tea here at the cottage.

This evening we'll meet again for the grand ribbon cutting party celebrating SuzAnna's new addition. Susie and Anna will introduce the new dealers who are bringing in such fabulous merchandise. The fabulous Linda, queen of organization, has assisted in editing and displaying all the great merchandise - now if only I had more room at the cottage................!!!!

The weather is grand - Sam's Country Porch will also be open for more antiques, plants, fresh vegs. and local strawberries - there will be wine tasting and camaraderie among a great group of people who love to treasure hunt for antiques, vintage, and shabby chic - wish you could all come along.

Do stop by and introduce yourself to Vanessa, originally from Brazil, at Vanilla Lavender. I know she would enjoy hearing from you.

These old magazine images of lavender from my file seem perfect for today ~ imagine painting a wagon this shade of lavender - how wonderful it would look in the garden on the green lawn.

Sometimes hire a professional.....

They arrived early one morning, the professional crew who would build 'the great wall'. Actually it's a small wall but what a difference it makes in the front garden. This bed running along one side has always been a problem. While trying to keep the earth from eroding on the slope, it spent several years buried in ivy that eventually climbed the huge double trunked oak - and required professional removal! We then edged it with bricks, packed it with mulch, planted it with edging creeping and crawling plants. Nothing would keep it in place and looking attractive so a wall was the only answer.

The wall last evening as the thunder boomed and the rain came down.

Above and below, views of the wall constructed of Belgard stone topped with stepped capstones - comfortable enough to sit on if the party moves to the front garden!

Now the bed is contained and mulched I'm adding more plants - think they'll do well here and hopefully a few edging plants will eventually creep over the top for a true cottage look.

Mountains to Molehills

Whew, that was a job...............and he was my salvation! Thanks dh for working side by side for almost two entire days as we spread the ten cubic yards of cypress chips! That old wheel barrow was filled so many times we lost count. Here you can see just a small portion of the mountain dumped on the driveway Friday morning. As dh loaded and transported, I raked and smoothed. Luckily my recently healed shoulder didn't hurt from all the raking. Have to admit the old back needed some TLC by Sat. night.............and yesterday afternoon I relaxed in a massage chair while a sweet lady gave me a fabulous pedicure.

Well, I am worth it, aren't I?

This huge amount of lovely golden clean wood chips covered our entire back and side garden areas - nice to walk on and makes the grass, shrubs and beds look good too.

Even had enough to go around the potting shed..........................

........................and the benches where I like to stop and sit a while when watching the birds and squirrels.
Here's dh putting the last load around the arbor. The wisteria is at last growing - but no flowers yet even though this is the 4th year.


Yeah! - it was hard work but well worth it..........................this is me snapping the very last of the mountain.

Later I'll show you what went on in the front garden last week - we left that job to professionals!

Sorry I'm Late Mother.....

Today I'm dressing up - my son is taking me to a belated Mother's Day brunch at a very nice restaurant. Hopefully the crowds will be smaller, the decibels lower, the fish fresher, and I can enjoy a conversation with my 'boy'.

Beautiful Victorian framed print at SuzAnna's Antiques.