tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404847464369238465.post1690222200459648892..comments2023-06-19T01:26:33.260+10:00Comments on home, in a heartbeat: Oasis in the cityVickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023748614942747415noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404847464369238465.post-38929100888022280522015-10-20T23:46:10.347+11:002015-10-20T23:46:10.347+11:00We knew we wouldn't be there for more than a f...We knew we wouldn't be there for more than a few years. But, I couldn't leave it the way it was without doing something about the exterior - it was so desolate, and I was determined for it not to be another Stepford property, with chemically fertilised lawn and no soul.Vickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16023748614942747415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404847464369238465.post-73698890651212443502015-10-20T15:46:15.530+11:002015-10-20T15:46:15.530+11:00It's so beautiful! How could you bear to leave...It's so beautiful! How could you bear to leave it?<br />I had similar plans for my first Adelaide home, a pond, vegetable garden. The veggie garden at least , was begun, but not properly planned and failed to thrive, hubby and I weren't "together" in our planning, then other things happened and the dream fell apart. <br />Now I'm trying a different style of garden, succulents and other hardy plants in a very small patch. As I watered it early this morning I noticed several plants that had new growth going on. One more year and I'll know which empty spaces I'll need to buy plants for to fill in. Riverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14794655013673748992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404847464369238465.post-59660238985924491532015-10-20T08:39:47.327+11:002015-10-20T08:39:47.327+11:00Thank you Tracey :)
And, I so look forward to you ...Thank you Tracey :)<br />And, I so look forward to you finding that special place to create your haven – it’s out there waiting for you... and you'll make it beautiful.<br />xx<br />Vickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16023748614942747415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404847464369238465.post-73231134138798489592015-10-20T00:02:08.359+11:002015-10-20T00:02:08.359+11:00You are an amazing inspiration!! I have been lucky...You are an amazing inspiration!! I have been lucky to move into houses over the past 20 years that had nice enough yards, not what I loved or really wanted but they were ok enough. I never felt inspired to put forth the energy that you obviously put in to your city place, because I always knew we would move again. Instead I created that environment inside and made it cozy. I now long for a permanent place where I can create an outside to match the insides I create. These photos will be an excellent reference for me one of these days when we find that home we are looking for!!Tracey Broomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14560971496423789576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404847464369238465.post-62438021269109811532015-10-19T15:15:26.693+11:002015-10-19T15:15:26.693+11:00Thank you Victoria. Yes, lizards and birds - of a...Thank you Victoria. Yes, lizards and birds - of all varieties would come by to visit. The lizards loved the edge of the pond.<br />I would spend time watching the birds sit on the fence and call out to their friends to drop in :)<br />The red and white tailed cockatoos were very scarce, and the trees weren't tall enough then. But, I hope the odd one is sighted there now.<br />I'm sure the wildlife has multiplied in great numbers by now, as long as the people look after the garden.<br />xxVickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16023748614942747415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404847464369238465.post-52477198923960392102015-10-19T14:53:02.487+11:002015-10-19T14:53:02.487+11:00Vicki, what a beautiful garden you created from a ...Vicki, what a beautiful garden you created from a man-made disaster. Did the lizards and birds come back? I hope so...and I hope whoever has that beautiful garden now is taking care to maintain it. What an oasis you made! <br /><br />Blessings, <br /><br />VictoriaVictoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10851516387194415387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404847464369238465.post-26805029696790439902015-10-19T14:15:56.015+11:002015-10-19T14:15:56.015+11:00Dear Cindi, you work so hard taking care of animal...Dear Cindi, you work so hard taking care of animals at work, as well as your own sweet fur crew, and then, there's your fabulous artwork that's taking off! There's a lot on your plate right now.<br />I think the time will come when you'll feel totally inspired to work on your garden and create your own oasis - let it happen when the time is right.<br /><br />Jack never entered the pond the whole time we were there. He's a 'fraidy cat when it comes to water and hates getting wet - especially baths, dear old thing he is. But he did love watching the large goldfish swimming around leisurely, and they would come up to watch him too :)<br /><br />I would love to be a landscape designer, but no one would take me without a horticultural degree, sadly.<br />Never mind. I look to the future, and hope it presents another wonderful opportunity, so that my thumb can go back to being green again :)<br /><br />XXX<br /><br /><br />Vickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16023748614942747415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404847464369238465.post-55275381861392581872015-10-19T13:29:31.710+11:002015-10-19T13:29:31.710+11:00OMG! Vicki!!!!!!
You have SO much vision!
Every Fa...OMG! Vicki!!!!!!<br />You have SO much vision!<br />Every Fall I say that I'm done with gardening, that I just don't have time and then every Spring, I'm sucked back in.<br />I always have grand plans but they never seem to develop into what I want, or I change my mind or something derails me.<br />But to see what you did just stuns me.<br />I don't know why it should, I mean I know that you are amazingly creative but Whoa!<br />You should be a landscape designer!<br />That must have been so so hard to leave. But I can understand the pure satisfaction of creating magic for all the wildlife.<br />A true gift that you left for them.<br />I just know that your next move will take you someplace that is perfect for you.<br />Some place that will allow you to create another fabulous garden, something that will bring you great joy.<br />I'm going back now, to look at all the photos again<br />and make sure I missed nothing.<br />Pure magic!<br />Thank you SO MUCH for sharing!<br />XOXOXOXO<br /><br />PS- I love that pond so much but my dogs would never be good like Jack and stay out of it! LOL! Cindi Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404847464369238465.post-59352032727405542092015-10-19T09:25:15.794+11:002015-10-19T09:25:15.794+11:00Indeed. And, at the time, I attributed no labels t...Indeed. And, at the time, I attributed no labels to what I did. Nor do I like to still.<br />I simply listened to what nature cried out for, and hoped that I could work in tandem with her to give back just a little of what man tries so hard to destroy.Vickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16023748614942747415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404847464369238465.post-74056499135554650432015-10-19T09:22:13.188+11:002015-10-19T09:22:13.188+11:00Thank you Charlene. I was a wrench to farewell yet...Thank you Charlene. I was a wrench to farewell yet another green sanctuary.<br />I just hope that there is yet still another one in me to create, for it gives me much joy to work with nature - her rewards are truly immense :)Vickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16023748614942747415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404847464369238465.post-31204816794132947802015-10-19T06:48:50.714+11:002015-10-19T06:48:50.714+11:00Permaculture!!!!!!!
And the huge amount of work w...Permaculture!!!!!!!<br /><br />And the huge amount of work which went into the water effect and all.<br /><br />But as you said, native plants will respond, it given the chance...<br /><br />With again, much work in preparing the way for them. Since "their way" has been obliterated by the rape of the land.<br /><br />Amazing, what vision and work, can do.<br /><br />TessaTessa~ Here there be musinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13661988938395877761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404847464369238465.post-64510348132689144442015-10-19T02:15:24.506+11:002015-10-19T02:15:24.506+11:00Such wonder and magic and solace...your gardens ar...Such wonder and magic and solace...your gardens are your canvases and they are such masterpieces...it must have been heart-breaking to let them go, but it seems you are on a gifted journey, Vicki, and have changed many landscapes, external and internal, from desolate, barren and thirsty to endless bounty and quenching beauty. Charlene Doiron Reinharthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06645689953689581574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404847464369238465.post-70422749524984162212015-10-18T23:26:51.489+11:002015-10-18T23:26:51.489+11:00Yes, you know the pain I felt, leaving my darling ...Yes, you know the pain I felt, leaving my darling Hollow.<br />I honestly didn't think I could be remotely interested in another garden - my heart was elsewhere.<br />But, that's the thing about gardening, once it gets under your skin, and into your blood - into the very fibres of your being, it never, ever leaves.<br />As the incredibly talented Gertrude Jekyll once said, "The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies."<br />So true.<br /><br />It filled me with great joy to know that we made a place of refuge for the wee creatures of the stark suburbs. Somewhere to rest, for sustenance, shade, fresh water and food on the fly - a smorgasbord for all who wished to come.<br />And come they did :)<br />I'm humbled and grateful to have created that. And, I couldn't have done so much without my boys :)<br /><br />Hugs furever ♥Vickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16023748614942747415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404847464369238465.post-71419243276496877392015-10-18T22:09:03.326+11:002015-10-18T22:09:03.326+11:00my god.
i have nothing to say.
why tears are strea...my god.<br />i have nothing to say.<br />why tears are streaming i do not know. not tears of sadness. but awe. <br />finding my voice now. <br />to take a virtual wilderness... <br />no worse than wilderness. that indicates lush overgrowth of nature's own design.<br />you took MAN MADE nothing and created heaven. <br />oh vicki. <br />you could have grown bitter. and as dried up and desolate as you found it. but you didn't!<br />to create that kind of beauty and then to move on and let someone else reap the joy of your unbelievably hard work...<br />to leave an oasis for the little creatures of life that needed such a home... <br />my heart is full to the brim with love for your brave spirit and vision and sheer ability! anyone can create a garden in a normal place... <br />given enough good soil... enough water... etc...<br />but to take NOTHING and turn it into THAT! how i love the color panels. the perfect colors. the fountain... the paths... the faces. oh ALL of it. ALL!<br />i have to go back now and look at each picture and read it all again. and smile at your little furry supervisor and wish i could hug him...<br />and while hugging him... hug my darling sister vicki. XOXOXOXOXOOX♥ and tim? well. tim. another bob. my highest praise! LOLOL!!!tammy jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16568939993585811311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404847464369238465.post-11610476940943405602015-10-18T22:04:40.015+11:002015-10-18T22:04:40.015+11:00Ah, I remember when it was the other way 'roun...Ah, I remember when it was the other way 'round. When the ice cream van (and the bottle-o) was the noisiest vehicle which one was happy to hear every weekend in the summer. Those were the days.Vickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16023748614942747415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404847464369238465.post-38787624109065458172015-10-18T22:00:31.170+11:002015-10-18T22:00:31.170+11:00Thank you EC. I wanted to show that anyone can cr...Thank you EC. I wanted to show that anyone can create a garden from seemingly lifeless sand. It's achievable, with work and persistence - and faith in oneself and mother nature :)Vickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16023748614942747415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404847464369238465.post-39344928391922763892015-10-18T19:09:57.027+11:002015-10-18T19:09:57.027+11:00I enjoyed this wander along the lane. I, too, am s...I enjoyed this wander along the lane. I, too, am surrounded by the irks of suburbia, a place where we see the pest control truck more often than the ice cream van. <br />Thank you for your hopeful story.dinahmowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00052642938090553088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404847464369238465.post-90013255252408239132015-10-18T18:36:50.359+11:002015-10-18T18:36:50.359+11:00Awe and wonder. Love your vision, appreciate the ...Awe and wonder. Love your vision, appreciate the work which went into making a small slice of heaven out of such unpromising material.<br />Take a bow.<br />How lucky were the people who bought that home from you. So much beauty to sustain them,Elephant's Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06650565833097914052noreply@blogger.com