We had been wanting to put up a building for Gary's wood shop and for storage for the last few years. He still had all his machines and tools in the space he rented to convert the bus. We spent the winter months doing research and deciding on what we wanted. The primary and first decision was whether to have it built or do it ourselves. After much searching we found a company we liked and figured that it would probably cost as much to do it ourselves as to have it done. Plus it would go up a whole lot faster. We decided to go with Carolina Storage Solutions. This page is primarily about landscaping and gardening but you can see a detailed account of the barn raising by clicking on the BARN link at the top of this page.

We arrived at Houndhill by mid January after a fun holiday season in Rochester. It was a pretty mild winter. Gary started out by finishing off the porch and I did a variety of outdoor clean up jobs. 

We did get some pretty cold and snowy weather in mid February. Love those crazy icicles. 

By mid April things Spring had burst forth. The beautiful Trillium above was a transplant from my good friend Bob in Rochester. It is one of the first things to bloom in spring. So pretty. Below are more images of spring.  

Fire Pinks are shown in first image to the left above. They grow plentifully in the woods above the bus and cabin. Also growing in this area is white star chickweed in the photo above right. The center photo is on of my favorite daffodils, obviously not wild.  

This Cobra Lily is not wild, but is seems pretty happy here. I saw it in a catalog and loved it. Comes back every spring.

Virginia Blue Bells are a spring favorite. Yes, I know I featured them last year. (And probably will again next year!)

Ajuga, (Bugle Weed) is a must have. I have both the varigated and black leaf variety. I transplant this constantly to all my shade and semi-shade areas. When in bloom it is wonderful cut and used in small vases. 

Violets and Blue Phlox both growing wild at Houndhill. I love blue and purple/lavender flowers. 

Bleeding Hearts and strawberries planted by me. We do have tons of wild strawberries but they are so tiny. Good for the birds. 

Food crops, rhubarb and asparagus.  This is the first year we could pick asparagus after the 3 year wait. So tasty and fresh, love 'em.

Redbuds due well here. They are one of my favorites and I planted 3 on the top of the hill behind the forsythia. 

The top of this the road is where the barn will go. You need to visit our BARN pages to see what's going on up there. I put this in here as a reminder that this was going on at this time.

This is my favorite Clematis. I bought it in Hilton Head when visiting friends. It brings me joy and good memories every year. 

?? another favwirite. I bought this a a twig in a bag on sale at Walmart for $2 and look what it turned into. 

Just thought we needed a break from plants . . . Bob, Jack and Marge. 

Stunning and coveted pink Lady Slipper growing in our woods. They are plentiful in one area I found up on the ridge. 

The foundation for our barn was built by Gary. Check out our BARN page to see more detail. 

Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Galax and Black Cohosh all grow in the woods on our land. 

Blue hydrangea did great this year. This is the garden near the cabin. 

Hearty hibiscus stands alone in the  middle of the field and is a stunner every summer.

Angel, the white piebald deer, who frequents our land had two beautiful fawns this year. 

I added some sunflowers in with the asparagus and pole beans. 

Our pups have complete freedom to come and go. They love their doggie door. That's our Jack coming out. 

The barn is done! We sure enjoy sitting on the porch. 

Time to move on to . . . 2014 Full time on Houndhill.