As disappointed regular readers will have noted, I stopped blogging some time ago – in mid-July of last year. I received a comment today from a reader named Steve, who said, “Please don’t stop blogging! I still check in for new posts and beautiful pictures.”
Our house from the road
The reason for my silence: what happened is that last June we decided to put our property on the market. And once there was a “For Sale ” sign at the end of the driveway, for some reason I found it very difficult to blog. Of course, when we decided to list our property, it was with mixed feelings.
Looking at the house from the naturalized farm pond
I have been identified with gardening for more than 20 years and with this property for almost 14 years. The view from our windows, the privilege of living so close to nature and the privacy that we have enjoyed here is priceless.
The view from the front door on a late summer morning
Creating this garden paradise from a neglected acreage has really been the creative venture of our lives. I don’t really know how I’ll cope with living in a more urban environment. But I’ve lived in cities before, and I can do it again, even though I’m sure it will not be an easy adjustment.
The side entry garden looking out over the lawn and weeping willow
Why did we list our property? My husband John will be 65 next year, and we decided that when he retires we would like to simplify our lives. Managing a 10-acre property with extensive gardens is energy and resource intensive, as you can imagine.
The meadow on the mid-summer morning
We also understand that large country properties with extensive gardens take time to sell, which is why we decided to list well before John’s retirement date.
We have made some changes to one of our gardens (see below), and my next posts will be about that particular makeover, which is a story in three parts. The goal was to simplify maintenance, and it has been a great success, but the transformation took a season.
Our renovated 4-square garden, with less complicated plantings
PS: Here is the listing if you’re curious.
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
So glad to hear from you again! While I can totally understand why you’re moving, it must be so hard to leave all that behind. I look at your photos and dream that someday I might get to have something like that! If I had the money, I’d buy it today! Good luck finding a buyer…there is someone out there who is going to be thrilled to get your property, it’s stunning
I do understand – even though I feel how difficult it has to be for both of you to let go of that very beautiful place.
Please stay in touch!
Lene
Will do, of course, Lene.
Wow, Yvonne, I can only imagine the mixed emotions you must be having about this sale and move. I’m sure you’ll bring your creative vision to whatever adventure comes next. You’re braver than I am. Nothing could make me live in a city again, or even in a town like Wolfville or Canning. I plan to have my ashes spread on my land, someday. We readers will be with you on your adventures, if you choose to share.
Ah, you’re a 100% country girl. If it was 100% my choice, I would buy a smaller country property, but my sweetie yearns for a more urban existence. My compromise is to agree to renting a house in a town on the GO-Train line (we don’t want to commit to ownership for at least year or two to keep our options open), but not moving to the big city. We can’t afford the horrendous price tag of a good property in Toronto, and I couldn’t take the noise level in any case.
What a privilege Sarah and I had to see your garden with you in its full glory. What a dreamspace! My heart goes out to you as a gardener. But an exciting new challenge is ahead of you. I know you’ll make something special of it and, like Jodi, I hope you’ll share. Wow. If only I were a multimillionaire.
Goodness, Helen, we are not multimillionaires. When we bought the property it was a run-down bargain. What it has become is the result of money spent over the years on house improvements, landscaping and plants, and tons of sweat equity.
What a beautiful meadow property you have! in Ontario, right? You must have lots of butterflies. Just wonderful photos. I could never leave there. I do hope you find someone who will love it & take good care of it.
Yes, indeed, southern Ontario, close to Hamilton. I have tons of butterflies in the meadow. Here’s my website where I have written more about our meadow.
“Must be seen to be believed is right!” Your place is just astonishingly beautiful, a really special, and astoundingly beautiful environment that you’ve created. I’m so glad I’ve gotten to see it so many times. But I know how much work is involved, just the grass cutting alone. It will be heartbreaking to leave it, and what a hard decision to make, but maybe you can get “meadow walking visitations” from the new owners?
Thank you, Sarah. One never knows about gardens. They usually do not survive their owners. When I was younger, and free from repetitive strain injuries, I didn’t understand why someone would buy a property with a lovely garden and remove it all. But the truth is: gardens are only as sustainable as their gardeners.
It’s always hard to leave behind a garden, especially one you’ve poured so much of yourself into. But I’m sure you’ll make where ever you wind up a beautiful place, too. Best of luck. I wish I could be the lucky person to inherit your masterpiece.
Thanks, Marie, for your kind words.
Yvonne:
I have been so enjoying your telling of the story of the incarnations of your four-square garden. Great to know that we can do major garden renovations over a few seasons and have a low (not no maintence) garden. Loved it especially your photographs. Thank you. Cheers, Joyce
Great to hear from you, Joyce. We both know that there is no such thing as a no-maintenance garden.
Oh my goodness, my heart stopped when I read your post! I honestly can’t believe it. I’ve been reading quietly for years (including your former blog site)- I’m pretty sure I’ve seen/read every post. Your gardens and property are my number one source of inspiration, everytime a new garden bed is created I think “what would yvonne do?” that almost always translates to masses of ornamental grasses! If I lived south and not in Muskoka I think I would seriously consider moving! Who ever purchases your property is getting a magnificantly designed space (whether they realize it or not!). Please keep us updated on your future plan, and for my personal joy I hope you post many many many many more pictures before you’re gone completely. Also I hope your blog continues on- if not I will literally have to copy and paste every inspirational photo on to my hard drive! I hope I haven’t been too dramatic! I think I may be sadder then you are. I can’t believe I never took the time to come down to go on one of the many garden tours you’ve hosted.
Oh, Steve, you are a sweetheart. Why don’t you come for a tour? It’s really not too late at all. Send me another comment with your email address, and I’ll contact you directly.
Thank you so much for your kindness, that sounds wonderful! I’m looking forward to your upcoming posts about the 4 square garden. It is perhaps what I’m most envious of- I yearn for a small plot of formality.
-Steve
Oh Yvonne! I know how hard it is to sell a property that has so much of your love invested. Your beautiful photographs will keep you close to it for the rest of your life. You and John will be on a new adventure and as we know even a small space can entertain a lovely garden! Good luck with your sale and my hope is you find an owner that will love and enjoy the space you’ve worked so hard to create.
Your house is a treasure.
Thanks so much, Eve. I know that you did it — made a big move — with great success. Lovely to hear from you again.