Stop and Smell the Flowers

This year, I am trying to remember to slow down and enjoy the summer! It can go by so fast and there are so many things we have been waiting and planning to do. And now helping Becky with her house June is speeding by. 

 Mandy and I planted a variety of our favorite flowers in the backyard pots. This year we kept them all the same and just packed the plants in! There are petunias, zinnias, snapdragons, vinca vine and we still have to plant dahlias and gladioli bulbs.

And one pot, which was a last minute decision, holds tomatoes and marigolds. Since tomato plants take up a lot of space in the garden beds we decided to try them in a pot this year.

 Mandy decided to try the "Square Foot Gardening" approach this year. It is very tidy will all the squares.

I meant to get a post up two weeks ago on the garden, but time escaped me. Now you can see how much it has grown in those two weeks! It always amazes me.

 The garden freshly planted two weeks ago..........

...........and here it is already turning into a jungle!

Basil and marigolds happily tucked in the corner.

We also decided to put up fencing around the raised beds this year. We had a mamma bunny try to make a nest in the strawberries this spring. So far the fencing it working, we still have beans!

 And strawberry season is already here! We have already picked about two quarts.

The little apple tree is also doing very good. I counted 67 little apples on it!! Not all the apples will grow to maturity, but even if only half make it, that will be a lot of apples!

I hope you all are having a lovely June. Don't forget to stop and smell the flowers!

The Farmhouse

 Well, here she is! My sister Becky's lovely old house! The farmhouse was built around 1900's and has some lovely features. Right now she needs lots of love..... and Work!!

We spent the weekend helping them get started!

 One of the loveliest features is the front staircase. Everyone who walks in the front door can't help but exclaiming. The banister has already been restored, but the walls certainly in need of  a little sprucing!

This is looking back toward the living room from the dining room. There is new drywall that needs to be plastered and hardwood floors that need to be refinished through out. 

It already looks like a construction zone doesn't it?!

The kitchen is also in need of a bit of work.

And here is the new bathroom tile floor we laid! It took awhile to get all the prep work done. As with most old houses, one always comes across previous owners handiwork. The bathroom floor had two layers of plywood and a layer of vinyl, which all takes time to remove.....

I will keep you updated on the progress. We will be heading up a couple more times this month to help with projects.