Friday, March 29, 2013

MY BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

Guess what I got for my birthday?  A fence!  Huh?

Yep, 2nd Man hired a contractor and just told me to figure out what I want around the raised beds and make it happen.  He's been saving up for it over the last few months, even before I got the raised beds built.

I'd love to have something like this handmade "Hobbit style" fence that I mentioned once in an Inspiration Thursday post:

Photo courtesy of ferncreekdesign.org
But alas, I DO have a budget to stick to, ha.

So I've been back and forth about the design, trying to figure out what I want.  It's still subject to change before work starts, but I think I'm just going with something simple, a picket fence, like these:


It will be big and rectangular like this one...


And might have an arbor entrance like this one, but...


...not painted white, I think that's too formal, so it will age and weather like this one.  And I'll plant flowers all around it.

I've already called the contractor and sent these photos so he'll know what I want.  He's going to call and/or come by this weekend and go over everything.

If you had told me 15 years ago that I'd be excited about a fence for my birthday, I might have thought you were crazy, but it's exciting now!  I'm finally going to get one of those fences I've always wanted.  Of course, I still have acres more space for other fences later on, so this won't stop my love of all types of fencing.  Besides, there's always Christmas and anniversaries and future birthdays, LOL.

P.S. I've gone through and thanked each of you for your birthday wishes, how kind you all were.  It warmed my heart.  Thank you again!

30 comments:

  1. Congrats on such a practical gift. Be sure to have them include wire mesh behind the slats to keep some of the critters out.

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    1. Yes, definitely. I thought about having them do it but then I thought I might just grab the staple gun and do it myself. I want to feel I contributed somehow, ha.

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  2. What an awesome gift! (Both 2nd man AND the fence)

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  3. What a lovely gift! Happiest of Birthdays to you

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  4. i can't think of a more wonderful and thoughtful gift...well, except for a koi pond, a hand-made stone fire-pit or a cobb oven - bahahahahahah! but those can be gifts for future birthdays right? your welcome 2nd Man.

    1st Man - 10 years ago if someone had told me that i'd be living in a crappy little cottage and growing my own food - i would have laughed my head off. i can't wait to see what design you choose for your fence. and i can't think of a more thoughtful gift...well except for the ones i mentioned above - bahahahah. naw jes' teasin witchya.

    congrats my friend. i am sure that you will love the fence when it is completed. and so will we. it is going to be so much fun figuring out the design as well as deciding which flowers to plant all around it. make sure to include some herbs too.

    your friend,
    kymber

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    1. Ha, great suggestions. Actually, the cobb oven will be on my list to give to HIM for all his baking, ha. And I've got a great idea for a fire pit, if I can find the pieces I need. We'll make that a sooner rather than later thing, ha. Love the pond Idea, I'll put that on my 'wish list', ha.

      I'm so excited about the fence. Yes, I want flowers all around (marigolds especially, I know they ward off bugs) and then some herbs most definitely.

      Thank you as always for your kind words!

      All our best to you and J

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  5. Awesome gift 2nd Man! It's exactly what 1st Man wanted. Nicely done:D

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  6. A fence for your garden is a very thoughtful gift. I can't wait to see what you decide to do. Belated Happy Birthday Wishes!

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    1. Thank you very much. Yes, I'm sure what I picture in my mind won't be exactly how it comes out but we'll see what we can do. :-)

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  7. I think 2nd. Man is a keeper!

    I love the weathered picket fence, and I agree with Marcia, do have them include some wire mesh on the inside, it won't even show but will keep the critters at bay.

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    1. DEFINITELY!

      Yes, I like the weathered as well. I think painted has it's place, maybe a cutting garden or something, but for the veggies, I think the future weathering would be best. Definitely wire mesh.

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  8. May all your birthday wishes come true.

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    1. Slowly but surely they are!! THank you much!

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  9. WOW, don't you just love when the person you love REALLY puts thought into a gift and you get something you really love even when it is not the run of the mill birthday gift. Got to say 2nd man is a keeper. Tell him "well done"
    I think you have chosen the perfect fence!

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    1. Awww, thanks so much, that means a lot. Hoping it comes to fruition soon!!

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  10. I once asked for a small gate for a birthday. I got an expensive store-bought gift that I had no need or desire for...sigh. Good for you on getting what you want. Happy Birthday!

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    1. I hope you get or eventually GOT your gate. :-) Yes, I understand, I drop hints all year long about things, sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn't, ha.

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  11. I can empathize - this year, with housebuilding looming on the horizon, MY man got me a front door and a kitchen sink. I was so excited I cried :) Enjoy your fence!! (and yes, chicken wire or something is a must unless the slats are super close together...)

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    1. Ha, that's awesome!!! I bet your friends, like many of mine, go "huh? a door? a sink? a fence?" LOL!

      Thanks again!!

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  12. Happy bday.

    I'd personally ask for either the first photo or the one with the white Arbor. ;)

    wait... this was your birthday present. Alas.

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    1. Ha, I hear ya. I do love the one with the white arbor, but I think it might be a bit too formal. Love the arbor though. I might incorporate a bit of al into it. :-)

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  13. Stunning gift - and could be perfect for growing peas (or sweet peas) up :)

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    1. Thank you! and I DO love peas, one of my favorites. Thanks again!

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  14. Absolutely fantastic. It's great when a plan comes together. I'm sure it will look wonderful, and the picket is timeless so you won't be wanting to change it in a few years time when Hobbits are old hat! ;)

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    1. THANK YOU (and welcome back). I will reply to your email soon. LOL about the Hobbits, you are so right. Pickets are timeless huh? It should be ready for it's unveiling this weekend (weather permitting).

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