Before and After...23 years After that is...

15 years ago

23 years ago when I built my house with Therese, I constructed this concrete slab that is shown in this 2007 pic:

During 2008 I started this major project of constructing a screened room over the slab (we call it the "Florida room")...did all the rough work, and once the roof was done, I experienced my Pulmonary Ambolism...followed by my cancer...and had to obtain help from a contractor to finish the job. The final result is shown on this next pic. This screened room is something that DW Therese wanted for a long time...and I'm happy that I could deliver her request during 2008....the year of our 50th marriage anniversary,,,and all is nice on Therese's 72nd birthday last October 9:

Papou

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

newhostaaddict
15 years ago
very nice Papou...

hope you are doing well...

and...Congrats on the 50 years you 2 are together...

praying for many more...

jill
jel48
15 years ago
Papou, you have created a fine room for Therese. I wish the two of you many happy hours spent together in the new Florida room!
Related Discussions
Figs resprouting after -23deg F with no protection!
Q
Comments (3)
Try the FIG Forum. I have had a brown turkey die back for 3 years, before it stop tiring to grow. I know you have to harden them off, old wood will stand up to the cold. I am buying 4 kinds of figs from "Pedals of the Past". The 1 gallon cuttings are $09.00 & $10.00 shipping for the first plant & $2.00 shipping for every plant after that. I will put the plants in 3 gallon pot this Fall, 5 gallon next Fall & 20 gallon pots next Fall to keep in my basement. Then the fifth year in the ground. I am trying to find a way to protect the tree from anything under 20F, once they are in the ground. I have been told this should not be a problem, but I think a lath house would be of help here. Maybe a clear plastic cover to use winter sun to warm the gravel mulch around the plant bed.You would use this only in the coldest weeks of winter, so not to force leaves before Spring.
...See More
After 23 years with a 682, I need a new tractor. Help!
Q
Comments (3)
You won't touch a new tractor that meets those requirements for $7000. Probably the least expensive machine that could be had new would be a Simplicity Legacy XL 2wd model with an air cooled engine. The used market opens up some possibilities, including JD 400 and older 300 series garden tractors. These are plentiful and powerful machines which would certainly be excellent replacements for your 682.
...See More
After 2-3 months of plant-sitting, two of my AV-s no longer bloom
Q
Comments (2)
Thank you so much. The plants definitely got smaller after the lower leaves fell so I WILL go to a smaller pot because, like you said, even the previous one was slightly big, but they seemed to do OK. I just never understood how the roots would deal with that. I mean, my plant got smaller because the lower leaves fell, but the roots certainly didn't change, right? However, it appears the consensus is that the pot should be 1/3 of the diameter of the plant (so it's about how big the leaves are, not about the roots). As for blooming again, I read that some AV-s do take a break from blooming, particularly in the summer. I also read that a good plant blooms for 9 months and rests for 3. Maybe these two of mine went through their rest period over the summer. Who knows? I'll go back to doing everything by the book and we'll see what happens. Thank you again!
...See More
Gardens for next year...or maybe the year after :)
Q
Comments (9)
My mom loves lasagna gardening, but I don't think it will work for me. The clay soil is so CLAY that the grass has roots at least 8" - 10" deep. When we take out the grass, we have sunken gardens we have to fill in with cartloads (like 20-30 each) of soil. Thank goodness, we can cheat and take it out of what was the pasture. Originally, the potager was going to be on a slight slope...not anymore LOL. The good thing is, this soil, mixed with the clay is going to make great garden beds. Old hay, aged manure and lots of clay...did I mention I have the "nephews" out helping every weekend haul dirt? They've been great, but I'm still running out of time to finish one big bed before I pick up my roses this weekend! Once the beds are in, planting is easy. I've got the bed in front of the porch done and the one under two small fruit trees. The two beds against the house for the fairy garden are done and just hauling dirt in the front bed. The two bigger beds in the fairy garden is all that's left to pull out grass...I'm so glad there's no grass in the future potager, or it would have to wait for next year. Once I finish "stealing" the dirt, it's a quick rototill and ready to layout beds :)
...See More
Janice
15 years ago
What a wonderful commemoration of your 50th anniversary and Therese's birthday! I hope
and PRAY you are enjoying your 'Florida Room'! I grew up in Florida and lived there till we
married in 1968, so I know 'Florida rooms' and yours is really FINE!!!

BTW---did you do the faux brick job on the slab yourselves?
Very nice job!!!
greenthumbz4mn
15 years ago
Papou, I remember seeing another thread showing this new room, but these pictures show the wonderful detail from the beginning to the wholly finished project. I also remember the entire sweep of steps that featured some of your favorite Hosta from your gardens. Now you can sit in your new room and view at least some of the outstanding gardens that are within view. And the inside of the porch must look gorgeous also with that stone wall as a backdrop. I want to extend to you both the best of wishes on your 50th anniversary and also hope you are feeling good. :O) Mary
just1morehosta
15 years ago
Happy 50th Anniversary Papou & Therese,how nice to know a couple have been married as long as the two of you have, a true reason to celerbrate your annivesary for sure.
Were you able to go any where,of course, with such a beautiful setting as yours, one really does not need to go any where, you have done an amazing job with all you have accomplished over the years,and to share it all with us is so very kind of you.
I raise my glass in toast to the both of you.:0)
Carol
papou
Original Author
15 years ago
You guys are so nice! Many thanks!
Joyce, Therese and I will be using the Florida room next year...and we look forward to it. The area is not heated and the days have gotten colder lately. We have laid down on the 2 lounge chairs which we got as a gift from my family and friends.
Janice, the flooring is made of ceramic tiles which I have laid with my son Marc.
Jill, I'm doing just fine. I have adjusted to my new lifestyle. Inasmuch as I do not like to inject myself each day with Lovenox, nevertheless I got used to it...and this is part of my daily routine now. I dont feel sick, I eat well, somethimes my bones ache but nothing serious that I cannot endure. I keep busy, and take life one day at a time...Who knows?...I may live many years yet!
Mary, you remember well. I have transplanted my best looking hostas on one side of the concrete steps, so Therese and I will have a perfect view next summer.
Carol, we went to see my brother Mau in Montreal...and when we got there...surprise...all members of our families and friends were there to celebrate our 50th. It was a wonderful gathering! Thanks for your toast....

Papou
Janice
15 years ago
Awesome *tile* work, then!!! Either way--looks wonderful!

Yes, you will live as long as the good Lord has assigned you Papou,
no matter what those in the medical industry may tell you!

Psalm 139:13 For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother's womb.
14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand
When I awake, I am still with You.
playinmud
15 years ago
Beautiful room Papou, I would spend my mornings and evenings there. Does it have a view of the water? I don't remember where your patio is situated.

And I too keep you in my prayers. I am glad to hear that you are faring well. May God keep you well.

PIM

PS: Congratulations on your 50th anniversary, what a blessing to live so long with the one you love and cherish. May you celebrate many more years together.
hostasformez4
15 years ago
Well done and Congratulations on 50 years with your bride. Glad to hear you are doing better. Life should be savored one day at a time as you are doing.

Wishing you many wonderful days enjoying your new room with a view!

Connie
chevy57red
15 years ago
Beautiful room to remind the 2 of you of your winters in Florida!! Which I hope that you may still do.
Congratulations on your 50th. Such a huge milestone now a days!!
I wish you all the best!!
Don't forget, you were the one that answered my first question on GW back 5 years ago now.
Tokudama Flavo Circinalis or not!!!
And my collection still grows!!
Sheila

Before and After...23 years After that is...

Comments (10)

newhostaaddict

jel48

Related Discussions

Janice

greenthumbz4mn

just1morehosta

papou
Original Author

Janice

playinmud

hostasformez4

chevy57red

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Before and After...23 years After that is...

Comments (10)

Related Discussions

papouOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

papou
Original Author