Happy New Years Eve
photo takes at St. Lawrence Market, Toronto
Does this look a bit like the Times Square New Years. Just waiting for the ball (or star) to drop.
I hope that you all had a lovely Christmas and will have a Happy and Healthy New Years, (and get slightly polluted).
I thought that I would take some time and list what I have accomplished this year. Sometimes, all you see is what you have to accomplish, not what you have accomplished. It took a regular reader, thank you BarbaraH, to point out how much my hedges have grown since I first planted them, all I could see, is how much more they need to grow, before they hide the Deliverance house.
What did I accomplish in 2009? (I am only listing the large projects, not the day-to-day weeding, lawn cutting etc.)
1. I planted (finally) the lindens that I want to pleach (wish me luck on this) in the Lime Walk. 
2. Two yew hedges were planted to create another garden room, I have no plans for this at the moment, but I am referring to it as the Yew Garden, so Ian knows what I am talking about.
3. The Serviceberry Allee was started.
4. The line of Emerald cedars on the north side of what will be my path leading from the driveway to the front door, has been planted.
Our one day path
5. The Peony Walk (all I seem to have is walks, couldn’t I come up with another name?) has been started. The peonies on the north side have been planted.
6. A new bed was built on the west side of the Kitchen Garden for Teza. 
7. The stone stairs up to the cedar berm.
After
When I look at this list, I do feel proud off all that Ian and I have accomplished. It is just a weekend home (and not every weekend). We do have to take some time and smell the flowers as well as plant them.
I am a floral designer living in a tiny condo in downtown Toronto, Canada's largest city. But on the weekend, I am a gardener/frustrated architect trying to keep up with a 3/4 acre garden in Owen Sound, Ontario, a warm (to Canadians, Zone 5b, and a cold (to Americans, Zone 4b) garden.
Green Theatre 
Joy said,
December 28, 2009 @ 8:36 AM
Deborah you should be proud ! .. You have accomplished so much, and the on going potential will be fantastic for you even as a weekend home ?
It truly is a garden soul quenching oasis for you : )
I can’t wait to see how it progresses and how gorgeous it is going to be !
Well done girl : )
Joy
kilbournegrove said,
December 29, 2009 @ 6:40 PM
Thanks Joy, I was anxious to get the “bones” in as soon as I could, they take so long to grow. Then I can have fun and play with the perennials.
greenmtngardener said,
December 28, 2009 @ 9:11 AM
Deborah,
It is so rewarding to step back and see what we’ve accomplished. Sometimes it is difficult to see past what needs to be done, and just enjoy what is. Your garden is beautiful, and I can’t wait to watch the transitions that take place in 2010! Best wishes for a wonderful new year!!
kilbournegrove said,
December 29, 2009 @ 6:42 PM
That is one of the best parts of gardening blogging, following your progress in the garden, thru words and pictures. And getting kind and constructive comments as well. Hope you have a great 2010.
heather @ what's blooming this week said,
December 28, 2009 @ 9:40 AM
Wow – you really accomplished alot! You really must sit back and enjoy the results once in a while. I hope that’s on your list for 2010.
Happy New Year!
Heather
kilbournegrove said,
December 29, 2009 @ 6:43 PM
When I look back it does seem a lot, (not at the time tho)! Enjoying myself is always on the lost, lol!!!!
kiki said,
December 28, 2009 @ 10:30 AM
Fabulous work…such a creative garden…it is super lovely and there will be years to enjoy from it! You have a touch of magic in all you do..Bravo!!
kilbournegrove said,
December 29, 2009 @ 6:44 PM
Thanks Kiki, I am looking forward to it “maturing” a bit. Hope the hedges hide the Deliverance house.
Barbara H. said,
December 28, 2009 @ 11:47 AM
Thank you for the credit. But many more thanks for the inspirations you give us all. You’ve changed the way I think about my property. i won’t do all that you’ve done but I’ve definitely shifted my planting plans.
A long time ago I realized when looking at a partially crossed off list that no one could have possibly accomplished everything on it in the day or weekend that I had alloted to the tasks. It was a life changer – looking at what was done rather than what was left to do.
kilbournegrove said,
December 29, 2009 @ 6:46 PM
I think that is a lesson that everyone should learn, for their everyday life as well as their garden.
Thank you for all your kind comments about my garden. I am glad that I have inspired you.
The Garden Ms. S said,
December 28, 2009 @ 12:49 PM
You have really laid the bones for a great gardening space.
Enjoy it! And a happy new year to you and yours!
kilbournegrove said,
December 29, 2009 @ 6:47 PM
Those bones, they are the foundation of any garden, and hard to get in afterwards. (I know, I have tried in other gardens!)
Happy New Year!
leavesnbloom said,
December 28, 2009 @ 3:42 PM
congratulations – you’ve really achieved alot in one year especially with your time commitments. Oh I can’t wait to see those Lindens maturing. Happy new Year
kilbournegrove said,
December 29, 2009 @ 6:48 PM
Thank you, I am looking forward to those Lindens as well, I hope to start pruning them this spring!
Happy New Year
Anna said,
December 28, 2009 @ 5:26 PM
Hi Deborah – well done you ! It’s always encouraging to make a list of what you have done and especially rewarding when you have recently embarked on a long term project. May 2010 be just as productive. Best wishes for the new year !
P.S. A small package will be on its way soon – have been sidetracked by Christmas 🙂
kilbournegrove said,
December 29, 2009 @ 6:50 PM
Thank you Anna, I hope that some of my hedges really start growing this year.
Hope you have a Happy New Year.
Deborah Elliott said,
December 28, 2009 @ 6:43 PM
Hi Deborah, You have certainly accomplished a lot with your beautiful garden. Gardening does teach us patience, doesn’t it? But in a few years those hedges and other plantings will be maturing, and everything will gorgeous. However lovely the future may be, the present is also very nice. I look forward to seeing what 2010 will bring to your garden.
kilbournegrove said,
December 29, 2009 @ 6:51 PM
Deborah, I am learning patience all right, Hope those hedges start maturing this year, I am craving privacy!
teza said,
December 28, 2009 @ 8:33 PM
Deborah:
The list of achievements is endless…… I am greedy in my happiness that you became part of the Blotanical family, and that I can count you as one of my true friends….. still falling in supplication at the idea that you have reserved a spot for me to come and add some of Teza’s treasure to Kilbournegrove…… not often does a certified plant geek get an opportunity like this!
I am confident that your garden escapades in the coming year will bring forth bounteous results…. I cannot wait to see them come to fruition! Also looking forward to your contribution to Teza & Friends Garden Forum! Happy New Year dearheart!
kilbournegrove said,
December 29, 2009 @ 7:01 PM
Teza, I am sooo looking forward to setting up a nursery for your kids at KG.
Hope you have a Happy New Year!
Rebecca @ In The Garden said,
December 29, 2009 @ 12:37 PM
Hmmm..I was sure I posted here yesterday. Anyhow, your progress post looks great, you’ve accomplished so much. It’s going to look amazing as it grows this year. I really look forward to watching the development! You & Ian should be very proud.
kilbournegrove said,
December 29, 2009 @ 7:02 PM
Thanks Rebecca, I am proud, Ian is just tired! I do not know what could have happened to your yesterday comment, I was away, but did not see anything amiss… computers!
Wendy said,
December 30, 2009 @ 12:01 AM
You’ve done a LOT this year – it all looks fantastic! Funny that you say all you have are “walks”. I think you should make each area rhyme, or start with the same letter – peony pass? peony portico? peony path? 🙂
kilbournegrove said,
December 30, 2009 @ 6:35 PM
Great names Wendy, how about peony promenade or peony parade. However, I am thinking about planting fragrant shrubs behind the peonys, so you walk through a cloud of perfume. Now I am going to need something starting with an F.
Barbara said,
December 30, 2009 @ 8:09 AM
Great idea for a post, and it was fun to see this summary of what you’ve done – a lot. How about “Peony Lane” as an alternative name? Although Wendy’s suggestion of alliterative names is certainly more poetic. Happy New Year!
kilbournegrove said,
December 30, 2009 @ 6:36 PM
Thank you Barbara, it is great for me as well. I sometimes I feel I have not accomplished enough.
I hope you have a great New Year as well.
fairegarden said,
December 30, 2009 @ 9:08 AM
You have done well, Deborah, and Ian. The walks and rooms and berms all will give you a future of enclosure and pleasure. These are the backbones of the garden to be and seem well thought out and executed. It will be exciting to see the changes each month and year of what has been planted and how you move forward towards achieving the vision! Too exciting. May your new year be wonderful, and all subsequent ones as well. 🙂
Frances
kilbournegrove said,
December 30, 2009 @ 6:39 PM
I am so looking forward to the enclosure, and especially the pleasure, lol. The backbone is certainly the most time consuming, but now that it is (mostly) planted, I am looking forward to playing with some perennials.
Hope you have a great new year, Frances.
Tatyana said,
December 31, 2009 @ 11:22 AM
If I could, I would give you a medal! Great job Deborah! Happy New Year!
kilbournegrove said,
January 3, 2010 @ 5:56 PM
Thanks Tatyana, it would be very special, coming from you.
I hope you have a great New Year!
redstudio said,
December 31, 2009 @ 2:13 PM
What an inspiration you are! You have worked so hard and accomplished much. I love the paths in your garden. I think of parties, people strolling, drinking libations, and marveling at your design genius!
kilbournegrove said,
January 3, 2010 @ 5:57 PM
From your lips to Gods ears! That is exactly what I want in my garden (especially the marveling part, lol).
Janie said,
January 1, 2010 @ 12:08 AM
You are far more organized that I am, Deborah. I do a lot of things on the spur of the moment, and I am looking at my garden now with thoughts of changing it. Just the first little ideas have popped into my head…..My poor husband is shaking his head, but he knows it is too late already. LOL
I hope you and Ian have a very Happy and Healthy New Year!
kilbournegrove said,
January 3, 2010 @ 5:58 PM
Janie, thank you for the compliment. Only this last garden has been organized, the others certainly have not! I get the head shaking alot as well!
miss m said,
January 1, 2010 @ 4:51 PM
You (and Ian) have accomplished so much, Deborah ! Laying the bones is so important (and we’re not talking about the ones the Doctor might have discarded !). Tackling a project of this magnitude is no small feat ! Especially on a week-end schedule. Well done, you ! 🙂
ps. I crack up every time you mention the ‘Deliverance’ house. 😀
Have a wonderful and prosperous New Year, Deborah. Best wishes to you and yours and continued success in your wonderful garden endeavour.
kilbournegrove said,
January 3, 2010 @ 5:59 PM
Thank you miss m, (still finding bones, of both sorts). Lots of new ideas up my sleeve, of course, it would probably be good to maintain the ones I have planted first!
puppyparents said,
January 2, 2010 @ 8:44 PM
Way to go Deb!
Can’t wait to see what you’ve got planned for next spring!
Here’s an idea for you, how about calling the Peony Walk the Peony Promenade?!
Haha I love alliteration!
xoxo
kilbournegrove said,
January 3, 2010 @ 6:00 PM
Thanks Kelly, you know me, always thinking about the next project!