The weather in Maine has been absolutely lovely the past few days. Today the forecast calls for temperatures in the mid 70s, which feels perfect after a long spring. The rest of the fence went up yesterday—Yee-haw! The crew will return next week to hang the gates.
They don’t install the gates until the main fence is in place so they can measure for a precise fit, which makes total sense. In the meantime I’ll use the extra few days to paint the front fence and finish a pin cushion flower border along the street side.
Part of me wanted to leave the wood natural, but I adore a classic white picket fence. It feels inviting, matches the white studio, and gives the yard a crisp, cohesive look. While the fence crew worked in the front, I spent the morning staining a section of the side fence. My plan was simple: paint early, let the stain dry, and then HH could start planting the arborvitae once the crew left.
The plan worked. HH managed to plant six trees before calling it a day. We bought a dozen arborvitae at Costco about a month ago and they’ve been patiently waiting in their pots for the fence to be ready. We’ve been diligent about watering them every day it hasn’t rained to keep the roots from drying out.
Arborvitae wasn’t my first go-to, but it’s a fast-growing evergreen and will give us a nice, dense privacy screen between our yard and the neighbors. We bought twelve trees, but it turns out we’ll only plant eleven—one of the pots has a tiny bird’s nest tucked in it with newborns snug inside. How sweet is that?
Between the bird babies in the arborvitae and a nest tucked into the flower pot and twig garland over the door, our little studio is becoming a real bird haven. We painted the colonial door last fall a soft bird’s-egg blue, and at this point I’m tempted to stop calling the space “the studio” and start calling it “the bird cottage.” It feels like the wildlife is choosing the name for us.
Other weekend plans include planting zinnia seeds I recently uncovered behind the canning cupboard—somehow the packet slipped under there and I only found it yesterday. I’ll sow those in the garden and look forward to the bright blooms this summer. I’ve also been listening to the audiobook Chasing Beauty: The Life of Isabella Stewart Gardner while I work on my giant whale rug; it’s nice to have something interesting in my ears while I hook away.
So my weekend is shaping up to be a mix of painting, planting, and hooking. I’ll finish staining the front fence, help with the remaining arborvitae, and get seeds started for zinnias and other annuals. It’s satisfying to move from big projects—like installing a fence—to small finishing touches that make the yard feel complete.
What are your plans this weekend? Anything fun or unexpected on your calendar? Whether you’re tackling a home project, gardening, or enjoying a quiet break, I hope you have a great few days.
—Mavis