Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Day two...maybe I'll get the hang of this?


Today I'm going to ramble on about one of my favorite things. I can't count the hours that my sweetie and I have spent lounging in our comfy chairs in front of our koi pond. For those of you who have ponds you know exactly what I'm talking about. It's the sound of the running water. It just soothes and relaxes you. It's like those little pink pills our mothers used to take but without the side effects.
And then there is the opportunity to do some "water gardening" Now the cool thing about water gardening isn't the lovely flowering plants and the unique plant selection....it's that there is NO WEEDING! That's right...all the joys of a beautiful garden with no weeds!

And this year my cattails even "cattailed" or whatever you call it when they bloom errr...you know...make the brown thingies.




There is also the upside of all the little critters that are attracted by a pond. Within the first week the frogs arrived. I have no clue where they came from...but come they did. Between the fish, birds, butterflies, bees, and dragonflies...well there is never a moment when there isn't something to look at. (We won't talk about the snakes).
These are our fish...I didn't name them this time. Because last year all of my koi became a delicious seafood dinner for a dirty rotten mean ole heron. I figure if I don't name them maybe they'll survive. We currently have koi, shebunkens, and comets. And their favorite treat is watermelon and frozen peas. Oh and the occasional cricket that gets lost in their neighborhood.





We spend so much time out here just enjoying the solitude that we decided to add a gazebo this year. That way when the bugs get bad we can just go inside and continue lazing away our evenings.


If you have the space in your backyard and a few dollars tucked away. I highly recommend water therapy. It not only lowers your blood pressure...but while you're sitting there your spouse actually has to talk to you! It's pretty awesome. And now on to the good stuff. I saved the best for last. Here are pictures of some of my favorite ponds...

this one is brought to you by catnabarn from rms...can you believe how creative this is!>




chalieb from rms


check out the additional views on rms helawrence13



I have a special place in my heart for this one. It's in my home state of Utah and it brings my mountains here to massachusetts. SDEP from rms



Watergardengirl from rms This one is HUGE!

check out the looong stream. stainedglassnut rms





jdisanto from rms


Now I'm off to watch So You Think You Can Dance and Project Runway....water gardens are great but they can't compete with my favorite shows!

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

At first I thought that first picture was a painting... WOW was a peaceful lovely place you and your hubby have created.... it is wonderful.... by the way welcome to the world of blogging.
Linda

Unknown said...

Hi Nikki,
Welcome to the world of blogging! You will love it I'm sure. The outer door spaces are so lovely. Thanks for sharing!

artis1111 said...

I have one for the fish and one for the dogs to drink . I had a larger one for the fish . but the tree roots kept punching holes in it. So we moved it and just got a pre formed one. I still enjoy the sound. Loved the pictures.My brother has one coming down the hill from the barn into a 20 ft. pond. It is nice. Kathy

Sweetie said...

Your pond is beautiful. You and your husband have created a work of art. The pictures are so life like that I can almost hear the gentle sound of the water.
Sweetie

Kathleen Grace said...

Welcome to blogging Nikki. I just came over from BJ's place. Your pond is beautiful, I love the sound of the water.

Cathy said...

Nikki.....I remember first finding your pond on RMS....and putting it in my favorites, so I could build one just like yours! Thanks for posting mine....it has changed a bit since last year.
It sure looks like you have been blogging for years!
Cat NA Barn
Cathy

Anonymous said...

If BJ says you're cool - then you are definitely cool. ;-)

Welcome to the blogging community. You're going to wonder what happened to your "spare" time.

Judy said...

Nikki: I'm so glad I found you again thru BJ! Do you remember judy51 from RMS last summer? You made quite a few wonderful comments on my posts of my outdoor room and other rooms I posted. I have thought about you a lot and wondered when you'd get on the "blog bandwagon"! Come on over to my place www.gracioussouthernliving.blogspot.com for a little visit anytime!

Hugs!
Judy

Picket said...

Nikki!!!! You little doodlehead...you didn't tell me you had a blog..read it over at BJ's! lol Welcome to blogland sweetie! Your outdoor spaces are beautiful as always and I love you new furbaby Ozgood and you know Crumpet will always be a fav to me! lol You will love blogging girl and blogworld will love you....I will add you to my list...so I can find my way back!!

Rue said...

Good morning Nikki :)

I see some of the sweetest bloggers in blogland have found you!

Great pictures! I love the one of the real frog next to the fake one LOL

hugs,
rue

twintoo10292 said...

Hi, I'm here thru B.J.'s blog. Although I don't have a blog of my own I read way too many daily. They are so interesting. Welcome to blog land. I remember your kitchen from RMS as one of my all time favorites. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Twin

onlymehere said...

What a beautiful pond you have! I love the fact that you added a gazebo to it. SIGH, some day, some day when the kids are grown we might have five seconds to sit down and talk in a gazebo! We're on 1/2 an acre so we certainly have the room. Our youngest son tells us he's going on a mission next May (he'll be 19 then) so it will be at least 2-1/2 years before we can do this but my husband and I both have a pond on our wish list!

Anonymous said...

Nikki, I came over from BJ's post. I am glad I did. I love your pond, the fish and I wonder if I would use a gazebo. We love the sound of running water too.
We installed a three tiered fountain below our bedroom window, and in close view of our deck.

Your ponds were fun to see and it gives you an idea of how many different things you can do with water.

Best wishes to your blogging journey.

Jeanne

Unknown said...

Gorgeous yard, of course! And I love that you already have a Shelfari up! You go, girl!

Carole Burant said...

Hi Nikki:-) I'm here via BJ's blog in which she mentioned that you are new to blogging and to come welcome you!! I'm so glad she did because I can tell you're a natural at this...isn't it sooooo much fun!

I love your pond...sigh...that's one thing I've always wanted and I have a huge back yard but so far a pond hasn't materialized! lol Hopefully "one day"!! I can well imagine how peaceful it is to sit there...I bought myself a little fountain and just love how soothing it is.

Welcome to this wonderful world of blogging...please come by my place if you get a chance:-) xox

Randi said...

Hey Nikki-
It was great to hear from you. My Mom always gives up updates when the two of ya get a chance to do such updating. I love the blog- the dogs are adorable and your Garden is stunning. I am trying to get Erin and my Mom to start blogging. I think I am making progress with Erin. My Mom..... Yeah, I'll stop dreaming!
Keep in Touch! Tell the kiddos Hi for me! Love you guys!!

bj said...

I LOVE your water garden ....
I WANT ONE, TOO.....
love, bj

Ocean Hammock Residents said...

Oh Nikki! So glad you found my blog so I got a link back to yours! Great to see your beautiful environment here - I'm going to link to you so I can experience peace and tranquility on a moment's notice!
MK

Barb said...

Hi Nikki,

I just came over from Bj's. Welcome to blogland. You are in for a treat!

Your haven is heavenly.

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Nikki, How did you know that just today I walked into a "pond" store to see about getting a quote for a large back yard pond? I've also been thinking about one of those "Pondless waterfalls", but I love the idea of the fish, too. Although, while I was standing there waiting my turn to talk with the owner, I heard the couple in front of me telling him that a blue heron ate ALLLLL of their fish from their pond in one afternoon...they were not happy! Wonder what you do to prevent that? I hope your nameless fish don't suffer a similar fate this time. Enjoying your blog and your sense of humor! :-) Susan

Cottage Rose said...

Hello Nikki; I was reading BJ's post and she told us about you, so here I am. I love your post. you are a funny witty gal. I love your pond, what a great place to sit and wile away the hrs. Welcome to blog land.
Hugs;
Alaura

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Hi Nikki!
Welcome to Blogland. Your pond is just beautiful! When we lived in Fl we had a Koi pond. I really miss it. We live in the middle of the mountains in NC and have so much wildlife, I think a bear or raccoon would east the fish - so now I just have a water fountain.

BJ from Sweet Nothings sent me your way. I hope you have time to come visit me soon.
Penny

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Nikki, This is Terriedj/doxieluvr from RMS. Welcome to blogland!! It's a pleasure to see you here. Your pond is beautiful. I haven't been around very much because it's a busy time of the year for me. Please stop by my blog when you get a chance. Hugs, Terrie

Unknown said...

Thanks for stoping in , I love relaxing by a pond . I'll have to check out your Blog again , looks nice .Mary

Anonymous said...

Hi again Nikki! I just had to comment on this post because my hubby and I have had water gardens koi ponds for the last 15 yrs. and he had some gorgeous fish that a damm Heron came down one day and cleaned almost the whole thing out. Then he perched in a nearby tree where I proceeded to throw potatoes at it because I couldn't find any good rocks! My husband came home and couldn't believe what he saw and was heartbroken about his fish too! You brought back a memory which I had almost forgot!lol Sincerely, Jeannette

 

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