“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” ~John Steinbeck
Those bricks! I can’t get Lucy off of them. 😉 Isn’t it funny how they’ve been there all along and even though we’ve been using the wood stove full time now since October, Lucy has just now starting to lay to the bricks? I can’t figure it out. What a silly dog.
We need to find Lucy a good sweater. One that will keep her warm for a long walk when using her heavy LLBean winter coat would just be too much. If you have any recommendations, I’d love to hear about them.
So apparently chickens aren’t to keen on parsley. The HH had a little extra after whipping up some homemade meatballs yesterday and thought he’d bring the leftovers to the girls. I don’t think they were too impressed with it though and walked away after a few bites.
Firewood Jenga continues…. Only 2 more cords to stack. 😉 #NotMyJob
Now take a look at this!! The HH and I were in Wells, Maine last week and popped by an antique store to have a look around {everything was waaaay out of our price range, but wowza, what a beautiful store it was}. Anywho, when we pulled up to the store there was the most amazing set of espalier trees growing alongside the house and I just had to snap a few pictures to show you.
The trees were planted over 40 years ago by the father of the antique store owner and obviously they have been meticulously taken care of over the years.
Don’t you think a set of espalier trees would look amazing growing alongside our house? OH MY WORD…. I think they would. I guess now the only questions are…. Should I plant apple or pear trees. Or maybe both? Do I plant espalier trees along just the main portion of the house or along the shorter side of the wall as well?
I think seeing those espalier trees was meant to be, don’t you? I love it when that happens.
Wishing you the merriest of December days,
~Mavis
Jillbert says
I love espaliered trees! My one attempt at them failed (apple trees got some kind of disease) but I keep thinking of trying again. I think they would look so nice along the big wall and the small wall — apples on one, pears on the other!
Indio says
Planting the trees along the south side wall would probably help keep the house cool in Summer. I don’t think I would plant them on any other side but south. The house foundation may not be able to handle the tree watering. Mature trees need a lot of water so if you have water that naturally moves toward the house then it might be a benefit but if it doesn’t you don’t want to create a problem.
In all of the Victorian gardens, especially the one at George Washington’s house, which I know you’ve seen, the espalier trees are always along a brick wall because the stones hold in the heat which helps the fruit trees in Spring cold snaps. Speaking of bricks, maybe that’s why Lucy likes the bricks by the stove??
Peggy says
I think you’re spot on Indio!!
Indio says
Forgot to mention that critters will probably use the trees as a ladder so be prepared for that too.
Jlllbert says
OK….looking at the photo again. Those are fruit trees? They seem awfully tall to be fruit trees. But maybe espaliering non fruit trees on the big wall would be easier to maintain (no spraying for fruit).
mim says
I still am scratching my head at how much wood you’re going through. Something must be wrong here. We have been heating our 2,600 sq ft house 24/7 since October and we are not quite through half of the second cord. We use three cords a year (burning into May 24/7) and usually have wood left over. Are you sure you’re burning hardwood? And, not to cast doubt on the good folks who supply your firewood, are you sure you’re getting full cords and not face cords? I just can’t stop puzzling over this.
And yes, go for the espalliered trees. I have been dying to do it, but we just don’t have a good wall for it.
Em says
Mavis, you’ll have to use your judgment, but there are lots of cute dog sweaters on Etsy! I can’t make a recommendation because I don’t know what would work best, but I’m going to browse for my pups.
Mama Cook says
To save a ton of money, you can train standard trees into an espalier, you probably already know this! My vote is for pear. I love eating apples more, but if they become diseased, that wouldn’t look as pretty on your house! Plus the contrast of the fruit would be beautiful against your red paint!
Andrea says
Super YES to the espalier trees!
Regarding dog sweaters – I have an idea to share as I had issues finding a small dog sweater without it being petite. My pup is 9 pounds – just mentioning as a point of reference. I took a worn fleece jacket (size XL) and cut off both sleeves. No fraying and bam, I ended up with a fleece vest. I cut the wrist banding off the sleeve making that the neck opening. You can also cut the length according to your dog (dachshund vs. poodle). I used the seam as the underside, and held the sleeve against the pup to eyeball the openings for the front legs. A few snips later and absolutely no sewing resulted in 2 warm sweaters. You can even thrift a fleece in a size that would accommodate Lucy! Merry Christmas Mavis!
Andrea says
and they’re easily washable!
Pam says
My daughter buys hoodies and sweaters for her dog in the kids section of goodwill for pennies (her pup wears a 3T, but of course there are much smaller sizes too) … she has an enviable wardrobe!
Jamie says
I had 6 bottles of vanilla stocked up from COstco when they were still $5.99 a pint. Down to my last bottle, so I ordered 2 pints today! Thanks for the heads up!
Karen says
I tried to get the vanilla at 9:15 Pacific time this morning and it was gone. Third parties were selling it for $50+. Boo! I have about an inch left of my last Costco bottle.
Jamie says
Boo!!!! Do you live in the Seattle area? Business Costco in Lynnwood has a QUART of vanilla for under $50. Good luck and happy baking!
Bec B. says
Those trees are beautiful! I would second thinking about vermin. Our neighbors have an apple tree that towers over our fence and drops inedible fruit in our yard from late summer through fall. I have to get out there every couple of days to pick them up or our backyard becomes a haven for mice. I’m sure you’d stay on top of it, but could be a mess! If you do decide to use fruit trees there, you might consider putting decorative rock along your foundation. We had to get a pest inspection for financing and the inspector said that the rock path that goes around our house help keep mice out because they hate digging in it — almost four years here and we’ve never (knock on wood!) seen any evidence of critters and it helps keep weeds down too.
LaToya says
I’ve never seen trees like that. That picture scares me. The little branches look like ants or something. But it’s cool – and your house looks like the side of that one, so yeah, do it!
E in Upstate New York says
Fourty-year old trees!, well the building looks like it’s paint job is not that old. Wonder how the tree is supported by the house, and how much more it took to paint [& $]around the tree. Also agree with the comments about the trees being a ladder for the four footed neighbors you have.
Yes, they look spectacular! Have always liked that method of growing fruit trees.
Tamara Reid says
I would have to advise you NOT to put espalier trees on the side of a building, especially your home.
The roots can mess with your foundation and/or cause drainage issues or worse yet, septic or sewage problems if you plant near where those pipes exit your house.
Plant along a fence. They are much easier to repair or replace!
Teresa says
I agree with Tamara. What about the pruning? They just don’t grow like that on their own. I live not far from orchards of espalier peach and apple trees. Rows and rows of them. Posts with heavy wire running through to support the branches. Drip irrigation. I would worry about the foundation breaking down with the water needed for fruit trees.
leslie says
If you’ve ever been up to the tulip fields in Mt Vernon, WA (which I’m sure you have) there is a farm along I-5 that has acres of espalier trees (can’t remember the name) they are along wire and posts. They look so pretty as you drive down the freeway
Marie says
Would poison ivy find a new, tall home on the fruit trees?
Holly says
I do not think it is a good idea to grow those trees against your home. Too many negatives!!!
Diane says
I like espaliered trees against a fence or wall but wouldn’t do it against a house for several reasons. 1 ) How would you ever paint your house? It’ll need it eventually! 2) Is there a basement at that spot? I’ve had contractors warn me to never plant a tree close to a basement because little hair-like roots will find the tiniest cracks and then grow until you have cracks & water damage. 3) Critters, both furry and the insect kind right up next to your house.
bobbi says
what do you put in the bottom of your coop? I am using small shavings, but am not sure it is working well for them. They seem to dig a lot too, (in the coop) is that normal? lol #newchicknemama
I like the idea of the trees against your house, but don’t know much about it. 🙂
Love your home and thanks for sharing with us!
Lucy is adorable too!!
Vicki in Birmingham says
At first, I thought the espalier trees WERE at your house…I was thinking, now I know this Gal has a green thumb, but holy Toledo!!! 🙂 I see all the pros and cons about planting them there, but looking at the picture of the 40 year old trees and that building being wooden as well…it doesn’t seem to have done any harm there.
Maybe you should talk to the people and see if they have had problems that are unseen that could help you decide.
By the way, Aldi had some dog coats/jackets and I bought one for Miss Priss. It has fleece on the under side and those “bubble” things (I don’t know what they are called, but I think you have a jacket made out of it) and it fastens at the neck and the waist with Velcro straps…no having to put legs in. I ask if she wants her jacket before she goes out and she starts dancing around and barking. I think she likes it! I would send a picture, but I am not sure how to do that.
By the way, they were only $10 too.
Shelley Briley says
Both my Olde English Bulldogges wear the following stretchy polar fleece vests. They go on easily, keep them warm, come in many sizes and colors, and wash and dry easily. On really cold days they wear them under their heavy LL Bean jackets. My bulldogs chill easily in our cold, wet Maine winters.
https://www.amazon.com/Gooby-Every-Fleece-Weather-Medium/dp/B00OZV5FRI
suzanne says
Espalier trees would be awesome. Tho you may not enjoy them fully your lifetime. I don’t see why you couldn’t plant them a foot or two in front of your house and tie them into a framework not attatched directly to home. It would give you the same look without siding worries.
linda says
Growing trees against your house is not a great idea. Those branches and trunk will hold moisture against your house and speed mildew,and rot. A house needs to breathe to stay healthy . Not to mention the root issue next to your house that others have mentioned, and the yearly clipping and trimming required. If this is your forever home, you are going to age in it, and when you are my retired age, you will be very unhappy you have created this maintenance problem for yourself.
Debbie - MountainMama says
Those trees, oh my gosh, awesome!!! I wonder if they do damage to the siding, though? hmmmm.
As for the coat, we picked up a great fleece for my littlest pup in LL Bean last time we were there – might be the perfect thing for Lucy. It’s this one, but you may have to actually go into the store and look for it as it doesn’t seem they have Lucy’s size online:
https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/134?originalProduct=113453&productId=1568137&attrValue_0=Rustic%20Blue&pla1=0&mr%3Adevice=c&mr%3AadType=plaonline&qs=3108008&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl-LO4PWu3wIVT1mGCh3ZpgzuEAQYASABEgK67_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Denise says
I follow the blog, Head in the Clouds from Tasmania, mentioned a few years ago in one of your posts, and saw a beautiful picture of Ruby with one of your ornaments! She is the cutest little old lady ever! And her garden is amazing. Thanks for the recommendation, I love seeing gardens from Down Under, their seasons opposite of ours. Inspires me that Spring will come again. Their summer is just beginning so they are harvesting peas and garlic. Here is a link to the blog with her picture.
http://www.headintheclouds-feetinthedirt.com/?p=14952