Never actually showed you how our greenhouse came about...
Of course, husband Pieter built it himself and I helped.
First the foundation got built.
Pieter had built the roof part together and I helped him lifting it on top of the aluminum frame!
Just the two of us... 😉 on Wednesday, November 17, 1993
Good team work!
Thursday, November 18; proud greenhouse builder! Putting the aluminum Alcoa parts together.
This was a gift from Krijn Leendertse, Voskamp.
We had to move to Pennsylvania at that time so now it finally got build!
Monday, November 22nd, Pieter was in a happy mood, doing something that he'd done before, as a young man.
Immediately after the war, Pieter worked for a few months in greenhouse construction, glazing in his area.
Pieter's Dad, after WWII bought two greenhouses in the West of The Netherlands (Westland area) due to urban expansion they had to clear. Pieter and his brother Toon did break them down and carried them to the road. Lots of water ways where no truck could go! Pieter and Toon had to cross a narrow bridge.
They had stuffed wood wool in their jacket, to support their shoulder! Also for carrying the iron rods and ledges.
Final segments...
We're getting there!
We almost got a greenhouse...
Friday, November 26 we have a greenhouse!
First resident for winter...
Inauguration...
Yep, it is DONE!
Plant table is done!
More residents got moved inside...
A Minimum–Maximum thermometer hangs down on the left near planter.
Another wood trail as a walkway towards the greenhouse.
Let the weekend begin!
Only 8 years later, on Tuesday, April 17 of 2001 Pieter did rebuilt the greenhouse with the help of my Dad.
Somewhat bigger this time!
Pieter dug up the entire foundation and built it all new, from scratch.
Mom is watching as Pieter is caulking.
Dad standing in front of the greenhouse, wearing a Campbell cap and one of Pieter's old work shirts.
Did you notice our roses?
We always have had electricity in our greenhouse as well, for our heater in winter time.
Pieter installed it all.
Thursday, April 19, 2001. Being creative...
I was weeding and did serve some Dutch rusks with chocolate flakes and coffee.
The wheelbarrow with the old greenhouse door on top functioned as a table 😜
So happy for having archived all those photos...
Related link:
{Fall & Winter Preparations} | previous post by me where Pieter added brick patio and addition
{SHATTERED Winter Dreams...} | previous post by me where addition got shattered...
{New Heater for Greenhouse} | previous post by me
Bravo Pieter sei sempre al lavoro!Buona giornata dal Friuli.
ReplyDeleteCara Olga,
DeleteGrazie e c'è veramente 'ora et labora' da casa nostra!
Abbracci,
Mariette
Es muy habilidoso. No hay trabajo que se le resista.
ReplyDeleteBesos
Querida Antónia,
DeleteRealmente no hay nada que no intentaría hacer él mismo.
Abrazos,
Mariette
Pieter certainly was (and is) very handy and capable, Mariette! No male in my family, and not my ex either, has ever been handy to have around for anything practical. LOL.
ReplyDeleteDearest Kim,
DeleteThank you and he has a tremendous willpower and is very intelligent.
My family has been rather handy also.
Hugs,
Mariette
A beautiful souvenirs of past times. So clever of you to build the greenhouse. It took me ages to put a greenhouse together. It came in kit form and had to be just assembled together. Got it all wrong.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteFound this just now in the spam... don't know what Blogger is up to but we ought to check there frequently!
The very first little greenhouse was a kit in aluminum from Alcoa. A gift that Pieter received in the 1980s but we had to move to Pennsylvania and then never had time to actually build it.
Due to its mini size, he decided to build a new, larger one.
Hugs,
Mariette
Is there anything Pieter can't do??? I love your greenhouse, Mariette. It reminds me of the many times my father took me to the greenhouses of Emory University. If I close my eyes, I can imagine the sights and smells all over again.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
DeleteDon't know of anything... he surely got raised well and not having sisters, he also got taught a lot of other things most male don't know...
Both of us had Parents with greenhouses as they had to make a living from growing fruits and/or vegetables in them.
Pieter introduced for the two newest greenhouses at his Parents' the growth of Japanese plums and peaches under glass when he studied Secondary Horticulture Vocational School after WWII. That was way before he became a Horticultural Teacher...
Oh, the special smell of earth, warmth and growth of plants and such is so typical indeed!
Would recognize that even when blindfolded!
Hugs,
Mariette
A wonderful memory.
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteYes, it is and one that is still around today.
Hugs,
Mariette
"Die Axt im Haus erspart den Zimmermann" fällt mir bei Deinen Fotos ein, liebe Mariette. Toll gemacht von Pieter! Habt Ihr das Gewächshaus heute auch noch? Wir haben keins, unser Garten ist zu klein, aber auch ich habe eine "Axt und einen Zimmermann" zu Hause, der vieles macht, ist sooo schön 😍
ReplyDeleteLieben Gruß nach Georgia von Traudi.♥
Liebe Traudi,
DeleteJa, das stimmt und es ist immer noch wahr.
Ja sicher das Gewächshaus ist immer noch da und funktioniert noch jeden Winter um einzige Topf Pflanzen überwintern zu lassen. Unter das Label 'Our Greenhouse' sieht man es öfters.
Liebe Grüße,
Mariette
👍😍
Delete💞
DeleteSure you could have hired someone to build the greenhouses, but it's always a pleasure to do things ourselves. When it was finished I'm sure you all felt proud to see the construction.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Coisas de Feltro
Dearest Christina,
DeleteMost times you can do a far more meticulous job yourself as time is not the issue. But you just want to do it right.
Yes, the satisfaction is always great and as of today, it still serves us well.
Hugs,
Mariette
Oh, herrlich das Gewächshaus und selbstgebaut, vor allem. Großartig. Und auch die Rosen und die Fotos mit Mama. Ich muß sofort an meine Mama denken, sie wäre diesen Monat 100 geworden...
ReplyDeletenun wir haben es gefeiert.
Herzliche Frühlingsgrüsse und habt eine schöne Zeit. Hug Viola
Liebe Viola,
DeleteDanke und deine Mama war dan nur zwei Jahre älter als meine...
Ja, die Rosen waren meistens duftige Sorten.
Das Gewächshaus steht immer noch aber leider haben wir alle unsere Rosen verloren.
Liebe Grüße,
Mariette
He did good, the post made me think of my dad which is always good
ReplyDeleteDearest Jo-Anne,
DeleteThank you and glad it brought back fond memories of your Dad; always good indeed.
Hugs,
Mariette
Nice to photo document the project to look back on. Also nice when it has family members in the photos. I don't have room for a greenhouse -
ReplyDeleteDearest Debby.
DeleteYes, it is for sure nice for looking back over the years.
Also with Mom & Dad on one of their stays with us. Dad always wanted to do something, he's been active till his death at age 98.5.
Our lot is big and rather deep, from the house to the back.
Hugs,
Mariette
Good evening Mariette. Peiter can do anything. Seeing your posts and the things he and you have accomplished together is a joy to read. I don't have a greenhouse. I still want one. I have a metal frame with a plastic cover. It worked for the days in the sun when it was chilly out still.
ReplyDeleteYour roses I bet were gorgeous when they bloomed. Your Mom looking on and your Dad helping with the process, what wonderful memories you both have. Hugs, Betsy
Dearest Betsy,
DeleteThank you and yes, Pieter sure can do anything!
Oh our roses were such a dream, always enough for having vases full with fragrant fresh roses... Not anymore.
Memories are wonderful; that is the only lasting thing.
Hugs,
Mariette
Creating something is so satisfying and the greenhouse has come out perfect. That wheelbarrow doubling up as a table is such a good idea.
ReplyDeleteDearest Joe,
DeleteYes, the greenhouse got built in an excellent way and still is serving us well.
Always when looking around, you have to use what you got and make the best out of it.
Hugs,
Mariette
I love it. it is like a Dutch "kas"
ReplyDeleteDearest Aritha,
DeleteYou bet it IS one!
Both of us grew up in the 'kas'...
Hugs,
Mariette