I wanted to share a couple of the projects that have been ongoing at my place in addition to all the other 'goings on' that I seem to try to squeeze into 4 months every year.  It is no wonder when winter finally rolls around I just am glad to be able to pause with purpose!   

First we got real fence around the front flower bed.  The old stuff had disintegrated into dangerous wires without coating so I installed the same fence I have around my yard and it looks so much better!    This fence also is containing the raspberry patch.    Of course that all involved moving rocks - AGAIN which seems to be the norm this summer.   Moving around the rocks I've got from front to back to front to side to...well you get the drift.   

My Mom had been busy as always weeding my crazy flower beds and they always look amazing when she is here!

Once the fence was done in the raspberries I decided it was time for the potentella bush I've had for years by the front deck steps to be gone.   It was pretty dead in the center anyway and boy did that clean up that area.    I replaced that entire area with natural rock and some pavers by the steps.   After discussion with Mom of how to fill the vacant spot by the stairs she suggested a big pot of plants.   I of course got on the internet and found an idea that I loved.    It resulted in this lovely planted sculpture and a second will be installed on the yard side of those steps (same idea just shorter).    The rocks have also become my new metal dog sculpture garden.

As you can see in the above photo I created probably one of my favorite things of the projects this summer in a terracotta pot sculpture.  The super cool thing is it will be able to be dismantled this winter as all the pots are supported by one rod up through the centers.  I got the one by the house done and when the project plan for the other side of the steps didn't work out - Mom and I put together another shorter one for the other side.

Out in the back on the side of the steps to the Back40 where there is no garden, rocks were moved to hold down the dirt and discourage some certain poodles from using it as their landing pad coming off the hill.    That is done and a few plants have been put in.  Now (as of today) I got the stairs done as the old wood risers had rotted and it was freaking dangerous!   Mom also wants to start putting down some posts in the back slope garden to hold the soil and of course there is always more mulch to be put down!   

Still on the agenda - a new "sculpture" for the center of my driveway (there is a big pine tree there) involving tires.   I think you'll be surprised!

Too many fun projects and I wonder why I still don't have my chainsaw going to cut the pile of wood I have to get done!  Hmmmm another thing for the list!   But the back steps are done and other than some more rebar to be pounded in the fronts THAT was the project I really wanted done so I won't feel "too" guilty if we go do fun stuff on the weekends now.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the lovely comments you all left this past week on Paqui's passing.  It is an odd quiet around here now but things don't stay that way for long as you know.   :)    You all are so very caring and loving and that means so very much!