We've been doing a lot outside lately, so I thought a little update in that arena might be appropriate. However, summer ARRIVED yesterday in Bakersfield, so progress may slow substantially in coming weeks . . . where is that lovely spring weather we've been enjoying so much?!?
Frilly white irises from the back yard--they are just so pretty!
This was our kitchen countertop last week (please ignore the window sadly in need of washing). It just seemed so bountiful, I had to take a picture! We have since enjoyed the artichokes (from Brent & Julie's yard) and the pineapple . . . as well as bits of other things. :-)
The roses and jasmine in the front yard are in full bloom. We discovered on Easter weekend that the red and white roses have distinctly different smells! I finally got a rose bush to plant in the 3rd circle (not pictured here), but didn't take a picture. It's quite small yet, but will grow!! I'm not at all sure it's the same type of bush, but the roses will be white.
On the other side of the entryway, Erik got rid of The Bush! We have been trimming it since we moved in, trying to keep it from taking over the walkway, but I think it hadn't been trimmed in a long while before that. We could only cut it back so far before the totally dead inside started showing--not at all attractive! And when left large enough to cover that, it was always LOOMING. Now it's gone! :-D
Note the lack of LOOMING bush on either side of the pillar as you gaze out our front door! (happy sigh) I actually planted our bird of paradise there, but haven't taken a picture yet. It was not doing well in the back yard and I'm hoping it will take off here.
Our artichoke is growing!! It's slightly smaller than my fist now.
Our asparagus, which went right to seed but will hopefully be edible in coming years!
The beans I planted . . . without reading very carefully that they are Pole Beans and will get quite a bit taller than the measly 24-inch stakes I put next to them! Oops.
Our corn, which is already well above knee height, is starting to sprout seeds and also tassles!
Our zucchini, now thumb-sized:
And I finally put up some trellis along the far side of the patio for the grapes. The two I'd planted got moved out toward the edges a bit, and we bought another plant with some leafy growth to get started! (happy dance)
Here's the other Big Project Erik has been working on--getting rid of the larger of the two sheds in the backyard!! Words cannot express how exciting this is . . . The walls are all down now, and mostly separated. After we get back we'll hopefully find a place to recycle the metal and then tackle the floor. We are hoping, hoping, hoping that there is not a concrete slab underneath. It appears that he laid a foundation of bricks and built wooden floor over that, which would be awesome. We'll see!
And in other news, sister April is graduating from college this weekend! We're excited to be going to celebrate with her and family!
I spent a 'Girl's Day' with my good friend Michelle doing some much needed spring shopping today. I wish I'd taken a picture of her in her new poncho--so cute!! We were out longer than anticipated, but had lots of fun!
This was our kitchen countertop last week (please ignore the window sadly in need of washing). It just seemed so bountiful, I had to take a picture! We have since enjoyed the artichokes (from Brent & Julie's yard) and the pineapple . . . as well as bits of other things. :-)
The roses and jasmine in the front yard are in full bloom. We discovered on Easter weekend that the red and white roses have distinctly different smells! I finally got a rose bush to plant in the 3rd circle (not pictured here), but didn't take a picture. It's quite small yet, but will grow!! I'm not at all sure it's the same type of bush, but the roses will be white.
On the other side of the entryway, Erik got rid of The Bush! We have been trimming it since we moved in, trying to keep it from taking over the walkway, but I think it hadn't been trimmed in a long while before that. We could only cut it back so far before the totally dead inside started showing--not at all attractive! And when left large enough to cover that, it was always LOOMING. Now it's gone! :-D
Note the lack of LOOMING bush on either side of the pillar as you gaze out our front door! (happy sigh) I actually planted our bird of paradise there, but haven't taken a picture yet. It was not doing well in the back yard and I'm hoping it will take off here.
Our artichoke is growing!! It's slightly smaller than my fist now.
Our asparagus, which went right to seed but will hopefully be edible in coming years!
The beans I planted . . . without reading very carefully that they are Pole Beans and will get quite a bit taller than the measly 24-inch stakes I put next to them! Oops.
Our corn, which is already well above knee height, is starting to sprout seeds and also tassles!
Our zucchini, now thumb-sized:
And I finally put up some trellis along the far side of the patio for the grapes. The two I'd planted got moved out toward the edges a bit, and we bought another plant with some leafy growth to get started! (happy dance)
Here's the other Big Project Erik has been working on--getting rid of the larger of the two sheds in the backyard!! Words cannot express how exciting this is . . . The walls are all down now, and mostly separated. After we get back we'll hopefully find a place to recycle the metal and then tackle the floor. We are hoping, hoping, hoping that there is not a concrete slab underneath. It appears that he laid a foundation of bricks and built wooden floor over that, which would be awesome. We'll see!
And in other news, sister April is graduating from college this weekend! We're excited to be going to celebrate with her and family!
I spent a 'Girl's Day' with my good friend Michelle doing some much needed spring shopping today. I wish I'd taken a picture of her in her new poncho--so cute!! We were out longer than anticipated, but had lots of fun!Our pets, who sense that something is up, are less excited. But a wonderful friend of ours is going to house/pet sit while we're gone and they'll be FINE.
Here they are, in all their glory:
Ate a lot of goodies . . .
(How excited does Pei look?!)
We just had a nice, laid-back weekend.
Collin played some piano for us; he is quite good and recently auditioned and joined a band!
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