Three Word Thursday

GUESS WHO HELPED?

A tribute to Grover

I think Grover is my favorite. He's a straight forward kind of guy who gets down to the business of things without messing around.

For instance, his lessons on "NEAR" and "FAR" quickly teach children the difference between the two perspectives. Looking out into my backyard today, I thought I'd channel a little Grover as I took some pictures. Keep in mind, the windstorm was Monday. Today is Saturday.

Ready?

Near...

FAR!

That was really fun! Let's do it again! Nearrrrrr....

FAR!

Now, how about we learn some colors. That sounds like fun too!

Orange...

Smokebush "Grace"... isn't that great fall color?

Red...

More of the Grace smokebush

 Green...

Grey!!!

I'd like to add "before" and "after" but the concrete has to set for 6 hours before the panels can be re-attached. Oh well. You all know what a finished fence looks like and if you don't, then can just do like Grover and use your imagination!

On your mark, get set, GROW!

I love love love to dig in the dirt. There is just something great about getting my hands in the soil, putting the seeds in the little holes, and waiting for the harvest. I haven't had a garden in a couple of years, and then the raccoons ate all of my corn! Well, this year will be different! We have a fence and a dog. No raccoons this time!

Jack built and filled three 12x4 beds for me. I adore that man! Last weekend, when the sun was out, I was able to get everything planted: giant pumpkins, zucchini, carrots, beets, butternut squash, corn, a variety of sunflowers, basil, peas, beans, gourds, tomatoes... I think that's it. No lettuce; I like the kind from Costco too much and I hate the bugs it attracts. Now comes the watering and waiting.

I tried my hand at planning a square-foot garden. Hoping for more veggies and less weeds.

Annie is always a lot of help

Happy Birthday House!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HOUSE!

Today is the 1-year birthday of our new house! We were feeling many mixed emotions a year ago: sad to leave our old house and neighbors, but very excited about moving into the new place and meeting new people. It was one year ago that we drove to our new home, van and truck busting full with packed boxes, and received our shiny new house keys. We took a quick tour of the place with the builder as he showed us things like where the water main was, then sat down to our first meal: Papa Murphy's pizza, eaten on the floor. We felt like kings and queens eating on that pretty new wood floor! Well, many memories have since been made in this pretty new house and I know there are many more to come!

The old house... 3123 60th Loop SE.

We lived there for 14 years.

Leanne's help in getting us moved was bitter-sweet and very much appreciated. She even painted a wall and cleaned after the movers had taken everything out! Leanne rocks!


Many "firsts" have happened in the new home. Here are just a few...

First Christmas cookie decorating bonanza




First Easter Egg dying




The first birthday celebrated was Thomas turning 6

The first New Year's cake... traditionally chocolate, and eaten just after midnight

First cornet lesson, given by Grandpa Dave

Major yard work

This was the scene in our backyard on January 24th. The goal was to have stumps and a few ugly trees removed, level out the bumps and holes, bring in 60 yards of soil, and shape the mounds that we will plant in this spring. The excavator was so fun to watch, especially when it carried the gigantic rock from the empty lot next door and placed it into the area which will be our fire pit. Now, if the weather would just cooperate a bit, we could get planting!

Before

Pulling and clearing stumps

Soil is in, but not shaped yet. They hauled away 4 dumptruck loads of stumps and junk vegetation!

Here comes the BIG rock!



After! Mounds shaped, stones placed.