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Friday, October 19, 2012

this and that, and OH- we found my GATE!!!


So...yesterday we had a large fertilizer spreader delivered to the house.  Since we moved in we've been paying a lot of money each year to have the property fertilized and treated by a small local company.  When Dan realized that the cost of the spreader could be paid for in what we normally pay for just two of the five yearly applications, he bit the bullet and bought a spreader for Big Blue.  (For the husbands, whom I am told read the blog ;),  it is a Land Pride FSP700.  It is a 563-lb. capacity broadcast spreader that runs off of the PTO from Big Blue.)
We purchased the spreader from the same local company where we bought Big Blue.  The nice salesman delivered the spreader in his company pick-up truck on a pallet.  As he and Dan were unloading the spreader he showed Dan this huge wasp nest...  
Just that very morning as he was driving along it fell into his truck!   Dan asked what he was going to do with it and he shrugged, not knowing.  Sweet-husband Dan told him that I collect nests and the man then kindly handed this gem to Dan for me!   I came home from a walk with Ella to find this on the dining room table!   Upon close inspection it had a couple of "live" occupants, so it is outside until I am sure they are gone.  This is the first one I own that is completely intact, so I am thrilled!  You might recall me coveting this one from last year here.


And, speaking of going on walks with Ella...  this is not her pumpkin costume for Halloween (I do not condone dressing up dogs ;)  though I do call her "Pum-kin" when she's wearing it , and it is not Ella dressed as a "school crossing guard" which is what Dan thinks she looks like, but is instead how she is attired for safety on our walks in the fall.  We are surrounded by trails and turkeys and hunters with bows and guns, and since we walk often in the woods it is always good to be safe.  To watch her run at full speed is like watching a pumpkin being shot from a cannon!



I just ordered, and received, some additional note cards from the very talented Patricia of pve designs.  I love having personal "house" stationery and if you would like your own house as art I highly recommend contacting Patricia!



And last, but not least.... we found the gate for the vegetable garden!  While out antiquing two days ago we ran across a fabulous table that would be perfect as a work table in the loft.  I was a few steps ahead of Dan and at the very second he was saying... "Now, if we could just find your gate," my eyes landed on a gate and I gasped!  It was tucked into a booth and after pulling it out I realized that it was the exact "vision" of what I had initially wanted- it was tall (64") and had an arched top.  It was priced a little over budget at $275, so we made an offer of $200 and the dealer countered with $225, which we accepted.  After further examination we came to the conclusion that my "gate" wasn't a gate at all- instead was an antique iron window frame that had been cut out of it's original iron frame work.  Since we love to repurpose things this only made it more perfect!   Luckily we live down the street from a man who does welding and he'll be able to attach the iron hardware so it can be used as a gate;  and let me just say- if you don't have a welder down the street I suggest you put your house on the market immediately and move a street where you have one!!! :)  I had no idea how much we would use a welder and it is so nice to have him close by!



Have a fun Friday.... Ella is!

(photo taken yesterday as it is raining and foggy and fabulous today!)

54 comments:

  1. Ella is my "happy" for today!! Oh, and your gate with a neighbor welder is right up there, too. Thanks for the grins!!
    xo Heidi

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  2. Hi Joan,
    Congratulations on "your gate" find !!! I will be most anixous to see the finished area. I had to laugh at the thought of Ella running like a flying pumpkin....too funny! Best regards, Wenda

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  4. Ella, is one happy dog. Love the gate and my step son is a welder. Yes, he comes in handy.

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    1. Oh Kim- lucky you, a welder in the family is a very good thing!

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  5. Congratulations on your new spreader! Isn't it funny the things we get excited about?

    Awesome gate too.

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  6. Love your posts. Love, love your home. Your life seems idyllic to me.
    Looking forward to that time in my life.

    Enjoy!

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  7. Did you ever imagine that Ella and Big Blue would have such a following?

    It makes so much sense to put a bright marker on the dog and hopefully other people living in area's with hunters will think to do the same. Now about that nest with the live house guests on the dining room table ........... ahhhhh!

    Have a wonderful weekend enjoying the rainbow of leaves around you.

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    1. I did NOT Katherine!!:) I should have said the husbands who read the blog "when Big Blue is mentioned" as that is more accurate!

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  8. What fabulous finds! I can't believe that wasp nest fell into the delivery man's truck and was basically delivered to your door. It's funny how you can wait so long to find some things and then all at once it all comes pouring in. That's why I have a secret "home improvement fund" for those times ;)

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  9. Joan,
    Ella looks like I hope to feel once I get off of work today and Mr. B and I head up to our friend's house in Big Bear (local mountains). :-)
    I love the gate and know it will look fabulous in your herb garden. The wasps nest is amazing, I've never seen one that large in California...maybe I'm relieved at that.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Karen

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  10. Joan, Dan, and Ella: First, love the pics of Ella! I am so glad that you noticed that there were still inhabitants in the wasp nest and got it outside before they stung. I was doing some garden clean up and was attacked by nine; the pain was unreal. Yeah for the two of you finding treasures. I knew that you guys would find the right gate. Enjoy your weekend. Cindy

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  11. I had to smile when I saw your first picture in this post. Just yesterday, I was walking down my driveway and saw a huge nest (like the one have) hanging in a tree above our garden. It must have been there all summer and now that the leaves have fallen off the tree we finally noticed! I am hoping to have some time this weekend to try and rescue it and give it a new home!

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  12. NOW....How you can have a wasp nest with LIVE wasps on your table (as lovely as it is) AND still be afraid of little ole' lizards, that mostly do their own thing is beyond me! ;~)

    LOVE the gate....you lucky girl you!

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  13. ok, the for sale sign is up. the pics in your last post did it!

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  14. What a sweet man to give you that large nest! I cant wait to see where it will go in your house, well after the last few occupants leave :)

    LOVE the new gate, its going to be the perfect addition! If there is ever a NH house tour you just have to be in it, I'm dying to come soak up all the lovely details of your stunning house. Either that or you can be my own local Bunny, and I'll have my husband plan a lunch at your house :)

    PS- did I ever show you the armoire in my kitchen I found? It was inexpensive and kind of a "fill-in" piece in my mind. Fill-in as in, it's filling in till I can afford a real antique linen press.

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    1. LindsB- I need to google 'nests' to see when I can bring it inside! House tour... now that's a fun thought! And, no I don't think you did send the armoire!

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  15. Oh, Ella! I wish she and our dogs could get together for a play date. She's precious. I love your gate!! Have a great weekend.
    Claudia

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  16. Your gate is an amazing find! Love the last pic of Ella.

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  17. Love Ella in her safety vest. A very good idea, Joan. Especially walking our pups at night in the city with cars going too fast. Awesome gate. We have a talented and creative welder, Francis.
    xo
    Loi

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  18. much older sister SusanOctober 19, 2012 at 5:10 PM

    Love Ella in her orange warning jacket, smart idea too! Vince and Roxi loved their treats from her and the maple syrup for us is beyond fabulous!!! So is your homemade granola! I loved getting my note from you on your personal notepaper. It is even prettier in person!

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  19. Hi Joan
    Love Ella's safety vest but with guns,bows and arrows in the woods do you need one too.The gate is beautiful. What a find!
    Kind Regards
    Karen

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  20. Joan, thank thank thank you for the fall pictures of Ella! I spent the first 35 years of life in the mid-west where fall was actually cool and the leaves fell off of the trees. I have spent the last two years of life living in Florida and I desperately miss fall! In your pictures you have captured the essence of exactly what I miss! Enjoy those crisp clear days for those of us who can't!

    P.S. I do realize that living in FL is not exactly torture but if you love the change of seasons as much as I do, then it can get to ya sometimes.

    Lexi

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    1. Lexi- I do understand, but you can send me pictures of your 80 degree yard when it's 8 degrees here this winter;) We'll call it payback!!:)

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  21. Do be careful with that nest! It looks like a hornet's nest that we found in some trees in our backyard. They are no fun as they swarm together. Congrats to Dan for Big Blue's spreader and Ella looks like a little doggie crossing guard but at least she's safe out in the woods. I really do enjoy your blog and your home is absolutely beautiful!

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    1. Thank you Mott, we will. There only looked to be two "live" occupants and they were seen departing the nest for good;)

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  22. You live a charmed life. You seem to wish for something and lo and behold it appears (sooner or later). You've got that Law of Attraction thing going. I'm happy to report that we have a welder down the road from us in the mountains. Love his sign, "Weld to Do". :-)

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    1. Carolyn- we are both huge believers in the Law of Attraction! It seems to work really well in regards to antiques- that, and lots of shopping;) Dan and I both love your welder's sign... very cute!

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  23. It has been a week of finds for you guys! You'll have to tell Dan this-my husband spreads fertilizer by pulling a spreader behind a golf cart. Of course, I'm the one driving and getting the weird looks from the folks passing by!!!

    Your gate is P.E.R.F.E.C.T!

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    1. Too funny Jane! But where is Leo when you're driving the cart?!!

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  24. I can't wait to see your garden with the gate installed. How fun. And Ella looks so sweet with her costume. Hee Hee.
    Lisa
    Leeshideaway.blogspot.com

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  25. That gate is totally awesome and I am green with envy over the wasp nest :0)

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  26. You say that Dan "bit the bullet" and bought the new spreader for the tractor. I'm sure that "champing at the bit" is the more apt expression; he was probably plotting this move ever since the original purchase.

    Let us know when brochures for acetylene torches start crowding your mailbox.
    --Road to Parnassus

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    1. You are probably correct sir! We do have one of those small torches already and it is moi who "loves" to use it; I have blackedned bamboo for curtain rods and softened candles with it! I have a post in the works on the latter. Dan has wanted to learn to weld for years now. He is fascinated by the process. I would happy buy a big torch and one of those snazzy helmets they wear for him!!

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  27. I love any post that has that adorable Ella in it! What a great idea (her school crossing guard outfit that is). Beau wouldn't slow down long enough for me to put one on!

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  28. Ella is sooo cute, and I am loving the gate!! Cannot wait to see it in its place.Happy weekend to you!

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  29. Looks like you hit the jackpot with that gate! Ella looks lie one happy girl!

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  30. You are a good Mommy to Ella!:) LOVE the gate!

    Elise

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  31. Your gate is beautiful!

    Kathy from Tasmania

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  32. Your gate is gorgeous - it'll be perfect! Unfortunately, I don't know of a welder anywhere in my area, much less down the street. But I've never needed one either! My grandpa was a welder way back when and made the most beautiful railings, gates, even tables. It's a lost art.

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  33. Love the fall foliage pictures!!! And I have been looking for a manure spreader (I'm going to use compost in it) for a while, I bought an aerator for the tractor, I'm green with envy right now. The gate is perfect, my husband has a Tig, Mig, Arc and a gas welder...it does come in handy, I'm sure Dan isn't too far away from that "hobby". Happy dog days of Autumn to Ella! And you and Dan also!!! Enjoy!

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  34. Seems that the nest was serendipity! It is fabulous! Hope all the "occupants" have flown the nest and it is n your home in the perfect spot! LOVE the gate and hope to see it in place soetime in the future................ SO going to miss you! XO, Pinky

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  35. I'm so thrilled you found your gate, especially in light of the fact that you will be taking a blogging break for awhile. Now, we don't have to worry about that!! ha ha
    All good things come to those to wait, right?

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  36. Am soooooooooo delighted that you found your gate and at the right price .... woo-hoo!!! My husband (now retired) is a Mechanical Engineer (not to be confused with an Auto Mechanic) and YES he knows how to weld and there is seldom a week that goes by he doesn't have a small job to do as a favour. As his hobby is restoration of old cars, he is well equipped for welding etc. in his hobby garage.)

    Also, I think Ella looks very chic in her 'school crossing guard' attire.
    -Brenda-

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  37. I always love the pictures of Ella - she is just precious! And yes, she does look soooo happy enjoying her "fun Friday" :-)

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  38. That much large wasps nest! It is amazing. I love that gate and I am sure it will look very nice in the herb garden. xo
    ~ Herman Swan

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  39. i love that gate - so pretty! but what i really love is that hazard orange dog coat. must.find.one :)

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Welcome! Thank you for leaving a comment; you have no idea how much your comments inspire me to keep writing- I appreciate each and every one. Comments are moderated by me prior to publishing on the blog, so if you don't see your comment post immediately it will be posted as soon as I receive and read it. joan