"Before" Pictures

Recently, I've been working hard in our yard.  Included here are four views of my backyard playground.

Unfortunately, due to septic system problems, some major digging will be going on tomorrow.  The pipe that leads from the septic tank to the dry well will be replaced which means the area to the right of the birdbath (as viewed in first photo) will be invaded to a depth of over eight feet.  If I liked playing in piles of dirt and gravel, I'll have plenty to run up and down after the hole is dug, but that's not my thing.

Hopefully, I won't even see the piles since they'll be used to refill the hole before I get home from work, unless I'm brave enough to zip home during my lunch break for a peek at the horror.

View from back deck.

We were warned that we'll have a big mess after the excavation is done.  Thus, I'll have an extra challenge ahead of me as I assist in getting our views back to normal.  Thank God, my husband-Lon enjoys playing in the yard too.  In fact, I'm sure he'll do the reseeding.  I may focus more on the front yard in order to avoid observing the slow process of regrowing grass.     

I'll be back with the not so lovely "after pictures" later this week.

This will either break my love of yard work or I'll rise to the challenge.  Wish me luck, please.

View from storage shed.

View from southwest corner of yard.

View from southeast corner.

Busy Outside

I've been having a blast working outside.  I hope to tear myself away so I can share some of my life with you.  When I'm on a roll, I can't stop the momentum.  I hope you're all well and doing things you're passionate about.

Shaddy Goes Out For Lunch--Original Post

This afternoon, after working for a couple of hours in the yard, I was hungry.

I was so hungry that I opened this can of Campbell's Spaghetti, grabbed a fork, took a seat on the front porch and gobbled it up.  I didn't heat it up or even put it in a bowl.  I enjoyed it tremendously right from the can.

Dang, it was good, so good that I ate the entire contents, two servings.  Besides that, I ate out without waiting in line, dealing with a waitress or being obligated to leave a tip!      

Now it's your turn.  Share with me something outrageous that you've done lately.

Blogger lost this temporarily so I reposted it and now I've got two similar posts.  Oh well.  

Shaddy Goes Out For Lunch--Second Version

Blogger temporarily lost my original post on this subject, so here's my second version.  My bad memory is evident!!

After working in the yard yesterday, I was good and hungry.  I searched high and low for a quick meal and eventually found this can of spaghetti in the cupboard.  Aha!  It was exactly what I needed.

I opened the can, grabbed a fork and took a seat on the front porch.  I ate straight from the can until the last bit was gone and, by golly, I savored every forkful.

It's like this:  When I'm hungry, look out.  I can't take the time for heating and eating from a bowl like a normal person.  Yesterday was one of those days.  I was starving and couldn't take the time for preliminary preparations.

Okay.  Now it's your turn to share something you do that's kind of unmentionable but fun to laugh about. 

Can You Come Out and Play?

Saturday and Sunday, Lon and I spent many hours outdoors planting flowers in our yard.

As we sat drinking coffee on the front porch early Sunday morning, I decided our yard light needed some company.  After a trip to Menard's, we came up with this grouping.  I like it!!

Shucks!!  I just realized that Lon and I won't be able to give each other rides around the yard in this wheelbarrow anymore.  Bummer!

I planted impatiens around this tree in the back yard and around another tree in the front yard.  After a few weeks, these plants with their red blossoms will be pushing and shoving each other and overflowing the sides of the planter.  I can't wait!

Uh, oh!!  These fellows and all their buddies are going to get mighty thirsty during the next several months.  Something tells me I'll be toting a hose and a watering can to all four corners of the yard on a regular basis.  That's a must if I want to keep all of our flowers alive and thriving.

I put a fresh coat of red paint on this cardinal yesterday.  The harsh winter weather and the sun had faded him to a pale purple color, totally uncharacteristic of a vibrant cardinal.

The potted plants below add life and vibrant color to the table on our screen porch.

Do YOU take time to play in YOUR yard?  If not, I suggest you try it.  It's great for the soul.

Our Hospitable Chipmunk

We added this colorful and whimsical mushroom to our backyard decor last week.  On Saturday morning, I was tickled to see that our resident chipmunk took time in his busy day to be the first to make our newcomer feel welcome.

Aren't they the cutest!!