Monday, October 22, 2007

Fred's Garden




Warning - photo-rich post.


I'm glad a picture's worth a thousand words, because there's very little I can say. The Knight spent his whole weekend on this project, and I spent several hours trying to find the right flowers too. Mugsy stuck right with us, and even went to the local nursery with me on Saturday.


Yes, we know Fred's not centered. Fred and Mugsy were constant companions and "brothers" in life, and one sad day, it will become a two-dog garden. Just as Fred always hung out on the front porch until Mugsy came out with him, he's saved a forever space for Mugsy too. (Yes, our front walk was torn up for this project, but it needed to be replaced anyway.)













Would that it was a better photo, but it's a beautiful stone, with a picture many of you might recognize.















'Nuff said. Sniff...






Mums have a special place in our hearts; they were EVERYWHERE at our wedding ten years ago. We drove all over Charlottesville and Waynesboro looking for the perfect mums, and the Knight's mother was gifted four we settled for from Waynesboro Nursery. On the way home, the Knight recalled a farm-style nursery, off the beaten path just outside of Afton. I don't even know the name, but they had the most beautiful, monster mums I've ever seen. She also gave us a very generous discount. I don't know whether that came from buying in bulk, or because the Knight had on a fire department tee shirt. At any rate, if you're in the Charlottesville area and need a great spot for pumpkins or mums, leave a comment with an email address and I'll get directions from the Knight.


He selected this one. I guess my mother inlaw's love for purple rubbed off on her son, because a few of the bulbs he planted are also purple. I think there are four or five varieties of tulips, freesia, and crocus. The little grassy looking shoots are the day lilies that used to live about where the garden is, all divided up. One clump was lost in the Knight's grave-digging, so we're curious to see if it manages to push its way to the surface.






I don't know why we selected two large and two extra large plants, but that's the way it worked out.










Likewise, the Knight selected this yellow one too, but it's nice and cheerful, and I like that.









Winter pansies are another favorite, and are special because my mother and I also planted them on my paternal grandmother's grave when I was about five. I'll have to look up my flower lore meanings and see what our selections have to say...




The whole front of the house will now get a make-over, as the Knight and a couple of friends are going to add a large deck-style patio and replace the wooden front porch with some of the new, synthetic decking materials. The Knight and my uncle will be shopping for that this Saturday while my aunt and I do our thing. They just replaced the decks and porches around their home two winters ago (or was it last year?) so my uncle will be a great resource, because I know he did his homework before he made the final selection.
So, there's your tour of the garden. The squirrels and deer had better stay away.

22 comments:

Michelle said...

Oh Chan, it's beautiful! The flower selections are so nice, and have such wonderful family meaning... and I love the stone... when our time comes I'm going to ask you where/how you found that... and I love love love the saved space for Mugsy... the two buddies in life and over the Rainbow Bridge...

Sue J. said...

Tears are streaming down my face. I don't know what to say. What a loving tribute. And to have Mugsy in the photo, too, just did me in. Wonderful, Chan. Just wonderful. The Knight must be one terrific guy.

Virtuous said...

Everything is just so beautiful! It looks even better than you described to me. Fred would be so honored!

Devonshire said...

Perfect just perfect!! It looks gorgeous and a wonderful spot for your lovely dogs. The flowers are perfect as are the plaques.

Lapdog Creations said...

Simply beautiful... and Fred's stone is gorgeous! Give The Knight a good pat on the back and a big hug... wonderful job, wonderful tribute to Fred... I can't wait to see how it looks in the spring when everything is in bloom.

Sue H said...

A beautiful memorial garden for a much loved pet and family member.
I love Mums too, and I think they were my M.I.L's favourite flower.

Süßstoff said...

How wonderful! I don't know what to say.

Unknown said...

That is one fabulous tribute garden. A real tribute to everything, Fred especially, then your parents. I love that Mugsy knew you needed her while working on it. g

Bubblesknits said...

The memorial garden looks beautiful. Give Mugsy a rub for me. :-)

Terrie D. (StarSpry) said...

What a beautiful garden! It's so great that you and the Knight can have this wonderful memorial to Fred.

Hunter Rose said...

What a beautiful garden! It makes me sad, but at the same time, it is very beautiful! The marker, the flowers - all of it ... just beautiful.

Unknown said...

sorry - that was me (hunter rose). I'm on Tina's computer and I forgot to log her out.

vegasangelbrat said...

Oh what a great job the Knight did with the Memorial Garden!! Its absolutely beautiful! Gorgeous Fred headstone too, where ever did you find that? Beautiful monster mums, love the colors!!Can't wait to see the rest of the bulbs when they come in, should be breathtaking. I love that poem :)what I wanted to do when my daddy passed. Big Hugs to you and the Knight for sure for as they say in vegas, Its Fabulous!!

Donna said...

Dear Chan, I have been offline for awhile, so I didn't know about Fred. I am so sorry for your loss of a beloved member of the family. Your memorial garden and stone are very touching and I'm sure will help to ease the pain. Remember, Fred is your forever dog and you are his forever person. Sometimes they cross the bridge before us, but you know that he will be waiting on the other end of the bridge for his forever person.

Anonymous said...

It's beautiful. I can see both of you in it, and just know how much it must help you both to have such an amazingly gorgeous resting place for Freddy. I can't wait to come down and see it, and the new porch, and howl at him once more. Much love and many prayers to you all, my dear.

Holly said...

That garden is gorgeous, and that picture with Mugsy staring on is so sweet. That headstone is perfect, where did you find it?

Sharon said...

I think you found the perfect memorial for Fred and found a place for you to always remember him

NH Knitting Mama said...

What a beautiful garden for your beloved pup. Thanks for sharing with us, it is a loving tribute.

mommieofdrew said...

How beautiful. We are working on a garden for our dog that we lost in May. So I got some great ideas.

Paula said...

Oh Chan that is just the most beautiful post!
I love the garden!
I am so sorry about Fred.
My heart just aches for you.

Nancy @ the Jersey Shore said...

Oh...just Oh. That's beautiful. Tears here.

Criquette said...

wow, this really caught me off guard and now I'm sitting here in tears. What a beautiful tribute. and where, oh where did you find the stone with Fred's picture?