September 8 2017

I find that when I think about posting I wonder what to say. Which, for those of you that know me, is funny because I'm not usually at a loss for words. But really, same old, same old!  However, I also find that going back and reading what I've posted in the past reminds me of the interesting and enjoyable things I've done. 

The weather has been unusually cool. The trees are starting to drop leaves and my tomato plant finally bit the dust having taken quite a long time to bud a measly 3 tomatoes - then it got bumped when Honey took off around the planter and I crashed into it bending the tomato cage. So yesterday I cut it down and pulled the roots out. The patio looks much better!

It was raining off and on all day. B was busy doing stuff in his office and working on the iPad. I started to bring out the fall decorations - why fight the weather? Fall wreaths are up and I washed towels and table cloths that were stored downstairs. We have a lovely LARGE storage area at the bottom of the lower level steps. The rest of the lower level is carpeted and there is a large TV and very comfortable sofa that I enjoy using at night when I binge on Netflix. But off to the side is a huge space that we have set up for storage. And as well as shelving, I store seasonal things in totes.  I also vacuumed the tile floors on the main level and the steps going down to the lower level. Honey takes her numerous walks out back using the slider that open onto the back yard and then tracks dirt up the stairs. I change shoes so my outside shoes rarely go beyond the shoe/boot tray. 

While our weather has been cool, we are fortunate that we are not dealing with hurricanes and earthquakes!  I follow several FaceBook groups that deal with crafting and one of the major topics has been how those living first in Texas and now in Florida are preparing for the terrible weather. We count our blessings.

Summer Cleaning

We have been enjoying outdoor living over the past month - warm but not too hot temperatures have encouraged us to use the deck for morning coffee and paper reading. I've planted flowers in containers on both the deck, front porch and patio while B has been feeding the lawn and shrubs. Some outside furniture from the Lake house was brought over in the early spring. 

After washing a few outside windows, we noticed not only how much the windows needed cleaning but also how dirty the front brick was. The sidewalks, front porch and back patio also needed cleaning. Having had success with having the roof washed, B suggested we again contact Apex Soft Wash. A representative came out and we ordered a home exterior soft wash that included the entire house, front walks and back patio. They came this week and we are amazed at the difference! And of course, I was out with the camera taking pictures.

All the furniture had to be moved off the patio along with the potted plants

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The two deck boxes were emptied and moved

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And a very dirty patio was left

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They first sprayed the cleaner on the house including the windows. The spray was "soft" enough that spraying the windows presented no problem.

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Honey supervised from the master bedroom window

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The spray reached the top and got all the windows

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The brick on the front was done

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And the front porch as well as the front walks

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Here they are using a round scrubber to clean the back patio - this was also used on the front patio and sidewalks.

An amazing difference!!!

We are so happy with the results! The lawn guys will be trimming the overgrown shrubs within the next few weeks. This summer we are looking forward to enjoying outdoor living at our Park house. 

Rainy Memorial Day 2017

As many of you are experiencing, our weather is wonky! We had 90 degree temperatures for two days earlier in May and this past week has been cool....and today we again have rain! Thankfully the past two days were partly sunny and the temperatures did get into the 60s.

Yesterday I went out and cut some plants - the rhododendrons are in bloom and one of the perennials is flowering. I also cut a few twigs off the shrubs to fill in and ended up with several nice displays that I've posted below.

One of the things I like about this kitchen is the small island. And lately I've been trying to use it as a display area. The reddish "flower" is from our rhododendrons and the fill is shrubs. We have a red maple tree in the front that is just lovely - and one or two branches are sticking out. So, I liberated them for this display. This shot is toward the breakfast area.

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Same bouquet other side of the island shot toward stairs to the lower level (the door is closed) and the dining room. See the picture on the wall? A close up from the Lake house. I've always liked to take flower pictures.

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To the left of the sink is a long stretch of counter topped by a "shelf" that is wide enough to use as a display area or a holding spot. This bouquet has some rhododendrons and a flower branch from the perennial planted two years ago. Anyone know what that is? The yellow and red go well together.

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And to the left of the vase above, is the final rhododendron flowers. You get a better view of the breakfast area. 

We are thankful to those who served and enabled us to enjoy this day.

Where are the May flowers?

While the calendar says May, the temperatures say very early spring. It's been abnormally cold the past several days - and cool temperatures continue into the weekend. The band of storms that caused so much damage earlier this week only gave us winds. While nothing you could call "damage", there was a lot of twigs and small branches down. I bought herbs and put them in a crate and have brought them in on two occasions due to low overnight temperatures. But, it is Spring and the trees are in bloom as are the azaleas and other flowering shrubs. 

B has been buying mulch by the car-full and we did put a lot of it down last week when we had warmer temperatures. We dumped a few bags over the past several days. These pictures were taken last week when the mulch was mostly in the bags. We are just about done!

 This lovely tree has both pink and white blossoms

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And you can see the bags of mulch all ready to put down

We replaced two azaleas and are leaving the one on the right in and pruning it. Spring wreath on the front door The front door can't be considered a "porch"!

 This pretty, small red maple is so lovely. We had a red maple at the South Jersey house. 

We have never had a "front porch" before. And even though it's facing front, it's really the side door that is next to the driveway and opens to the kitchen. It's the door we use the most. I've started on the decorations and still have a way to go.

And around the corner you can see a different view of the porch as well as a bit of the garage door. This is where we had all the mulch. 

We are anticipating warmer weather and look forward to putting some flowers in and getting those herbs planted! 

The Blizzard of 2017!

I don't remember ANY storm dropping as much snow as this one did! We have drifts that are 40 inches deep on our deck. Yesterday as the storm progressed we went out to snow blow using the big blower - first we used it this year. Thankfully it started at the first try. B and I took turns as I can't turn the darn thing around. The wind was whipping the snow into major drifts. So we went out again this morning. I've got  pictures to show the progression of the storm and what we were doing. Right now there is a path down the driveway but the SUV is not dug out. More pictures later.

I opened the door that leads to the deck - OMG look at the snow! Honey was also amazed The high mound of snow on the left is where the grill is. The hump on the back right is the table.

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And here is the same view around 5 PM. We hadn't shoveled this area - the wind had re-arranged the snow! 

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And the SUV on Tuesday after we did the driveway for the first time. You can see it. The mound behind it is my red car. Probably see that in April!

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