Weekend Warrior

I don’t know about y’all, but we had a BEAUTIFUL weekend here in Northwest Arkansas.  The housework would just have to wait because  ‘Not No Way! Not No How!’  was I going to stay inside and not take care of a couple of things that needed to be done and enjoy the outdoors. 

With that being said, the hubster was a bit put out that I wouldn’t shelve everything and just go do whatever he wanted to do.  Let me set the record straight – that always means fishing.  So, I struck a deal with him.  I said, “Help me install the new microwave and then we’ll take the old, dead hot water heater (that has been in my garage since March) and the dead microwave to the dump.  After that is taken care of, I’ll be happy to go do ‘whatever’ (aka fishing).  He agreed and we took care of the appliances on Saturday morning, then to the dump and then over to the Kings River (again).  It was beautiful and he caught several fish (again). 

If the water was a bit warmer, I would have gone swimming.

Sunday Morning – yard work!

Welcome to my backyard!

I had several shrubs that needed a good pruning and weeds that needed pulling.  A patio that needed sweeping and grass that needed mowing.  And, if I get out there early enough the sun filters through the trees and it is quite comfortable (temperature wise).  

I love the shade in my yard.

When we moved into this house three years ago this week, the flower beds in these photos were void of any plants and full of rocks.  Yep.  Rocks!  I guess the previous owner didn’t enjoy gardening or yard work.  So, two summers ago I shoveled all the rocks out of these beds.  I had enough to build a boat pad in the backyard for the hubster, but that was another project.  We brought in more top soil.  Filled the beds and purchased a few plants.  Mostly, we were gifted plants by family members who  A) were ripping out plants they no longer wanted or  B) they needed to divide some plants.  See all the ‘monkey grass’.   Original plants came from my grandparent’s home in Louisiana over  20 years ago.  My mother planted it in her yard and after 20 years of growth, she has enough to landscape several yards.   We dug some up and now I have enough growth to start dividing it, replanting it and sharing it with others.  (note – best to divide monkey grass in the fall).    When I shoveled all the rock out of the beds I found several Hosta plants that were planted, but the poor things couldn’t push their way through all the rocks piled on top of them.  I saved them and now I have several Hosta plants growing in my flower beds.  Hosta is the perfect shade plant and grows well in my yard as the beds around the house are mostly shaded.  I also have a few ferns gifted by family / friends and a few plants purchased from the local Wal-Marts.

See how far my yard goes back. Dog heaven.

I have three dogs.  The big, white Alaskan Malamute is Gus.   Jack and Rylee are my sibling labs.  You can only imagine the poop patrol I have to do in this yard.     With three dogs, I have to landscape for dogs.  They do have areas they have destroyed the grass and that just comes with the territory of owning dogs.  I have plans to make ‘trails’ where they run so it will look like a nice path rather than destroyed grassy areas.   That’s if I can get anyone to help me. 

Most of the time, if I start working – the boys will eventually come outside and help me.  Mostly because if I’m to tired from yard work – I won’t cook for them.   I figure it is a fair trade. 

See the base of the tree. Dog area. I need to build a flower bed around it.

I guess these three are worth it.  Just look at the way they posed for the photograph.  Well -Rylee and Jack posed.  Gus just ignored me because I wouldn’t let him go inside.  What a priss! 

Hope you had some beautiful weather in your neck-of-the-woods.  I’m going to enjoy these cool mornings on my patio while I can.  The summer heat will soon be here.   Y’all have a great Monday!   I’m going to round up some Tylenol for my sore muscles and get to work. 

Later Taters! 

Aspiring Gardner

I was not born with a green thumb.  Undoubtedly, I should have been given the fact that my grandfather had one of the biggest yard gardens I’ve every witnessed in my life.  But, none of the ladies in my family where big flower people.  I love flowers, outside, in summer, in pots where big dog feet cannot trample them to death. 

I slaved Saturday morning, planting a profusion of pink and white in my flower pots on my back patio.  I guess you could say it was my Mother’s Day gift to myself.  I dared to plant a few in my beds, but Gus trampled them fairly quickly.  Oh, well! I tried.  Then, I proceeded to tackle the oval bed on the right side of my driveway.  The Bermuda grass had taken over after the Japanese Maple tree died last year.  I spent 4 hours chopping and ripping my way through grass and rock and really rotten weed mat.  I paid the price.  My right hand is mangled, cuticles ripped – torn- shredded.  Blisters on first two fingers from pulling grass stalks.  My right hand looks like it was put in a paper shredder.  I should/could have worn my gardening gloves, but I haven’t any grip while wearing them so I didn’t – wear them, that is.  (Idiot! Idio! IDIOT!)  I had to cut my nails down to nothing and my hands still look wretched.  My right shoulder is killing me today.  Dang! I hate getting older.  Gardening is rough of the hands, rough on the back and shoulders and rough on the knees.  I just hope all the pain pays off in a beautiful patio “in pink” in the coming weeks. 

In the meantime, I’ll be visiting Cindy at “Cindy’s Nails” this week for a manicure and pedicure (believe me, I deserve both and need both).  They have lovely massage chairs that you sit in during the pedicure.  I’m really looking forward to that.  I’m sure Cindy will take one look at my nands and feet and say “Why you not come see me more often?”  and then scowl at me and my feet.  (and she’ll be right to do so).