Future project = a cement bench (or four)

A pile of blue insulation board awaits cutouts and other such prep in order to be made in to cement bench molds:



There are at least two places near my hosue that just beg for creative seating. This summer, I hope, is the summer I actually *make* these benches.

Future project = create custom frames

I have nifty frame making tools:



Why not use 'em?

Future project = torch work

This has been neglected the past few months:



Bonus future project: There's also a broken gargoyle in the background - he's supposed to be used as a "template" for making a new one out of super lightweight concrete.

Future project = signage! printing!

Here's a nifty sign machien my parents found and saved for me:



It needs a little clean-up, and then it will be fun to play with, I think!

Future project = two wooden benches

I have some sturdy shelves that I never intend to use as shelves. They came with part of the new cabinets in my kitchen. I think that each of these shelves will make an excellent wooden bench top.

Future project = a coffee table

This photograph does not do this piece of wood justice. I think that this will be a verrrry interesting coffee table someday.



(I almost feel like posting a picture of the scar on my arm that I have from attempting to move this large large piece of wood out of the trunk of my car all by myself. Lesson learned. Will ask for help next time.)

A Blue Bag

K, a Latvian friend of mine who's an accomplished quilter, suggested trying out a sewing project....



Turns out my sewing skills have neither increased nor decreased for lack of use. I am still an average seamstress..... but I *can* follow directions! (the part that tells me what to sew together with what --- I obviously did NOT listen to the part in the directions that said to choose stiff fabric)

Installing the path!

First the digging up of sod and sod and more dirt. Luckily J came over and graciously helped me accomplish this in less than 1/2 the time it would have taken if I were by myself:



Then a layer of pebbles:



Then a layer of sand and the first few rocks:



Then more rocks:



Then dirt!



And this one doesn't really need to be posted - I found some "stepables" --- plants that can be walked over, but even splitting 8 containers of various tough, low ground cover type plants .... it still looks mostly like dirt around all the field stones.



AH well. At least all this rain has helped enormously in the "settling" of these rocks. I may try seeding the cracks if I can decide on what exactly I want growing there. Any suggestions?

Getting ready to install a (real) fieldstone path

First, you need to collect the rocks....

Little Laura's two dogs + a ride in the trailer of a riding lawn mower = great fun!!


Some of my field stones are actually .... tree stones?



A rather weighted down car:

A small territorial stake

Here is baby step #1 to getting a fence up around my front yard:


It's the far end that was the crucial bit to my territorial stake. SO far, no news from the neighbors. Is this good? Or the calm before the storm?

Pink roses!

Here's a picture of the rose that (finally!!!!) likes where it's been planted. This rose has been moved no fewer than 5 times in the last 7 years. phew! and this is the very first year it's bloomed.

Yesterday:


Today:


There are at least 10 more buds just waiting to open! Yay!!!!

Honeydew

The first print of 2009!





Created as part of Four Oceans Press' Fruit Alphabet exchange.

Winter sowing

Laura asked how to be able to identify seedlings when you are growing your own from scratch . . . . I suggest winter sowing. . . . not only is it low effort and it makes you feel better about the winter (because you're doing a spring-ish activity in the dead of winter) but it also keeps all your seeds together in one place so that you can definitively identify what's what before planting them elsewhere in May/June.

I got a little carried away this winter (15 of 'em!!! yikes.)

Tiny daffodils!

Check out what sprung up in my yard in the last couple of days!






I did not know that any of the bulbs I bought last fall were for miniature narcissus..... but these are definitely in the newly planted part of my yard.

Latvian Easter Eggs

Here's the only picture I have to prove that I colored some easter eggs this year. This was done entirely naturally using onion skins, rice, barley, pasta, and plant material (like grass and bush clippings).

April Flowers!

Speaking of April flowers --- does anyone know what this one is? I got the plant out of a friend's garden, it's pretty low to the ground, has spotted leaves, and apparently it blooms with little pink and purple flowers!