No more Fence!

The Fence that needs to go!

Last fall Debra (my next door neighbor) and I discussed taking down this fence that divides our property.  They put the fence up years ago to keep from looking at the trash and debris the previous owner would always have out.  Since we've moved in we have cleaned things up, planted Japanese maples, shrubs and plants and she thought it would be nice to take it down so she could look out her window and see plants instead of a fence.  So last Saturday we took it down so she could do just that.

Back side of Fence that needs to go.

No more Fence!

As you can see it really opens it up.  Debra loves it!  She said "it nice to look out my window now and not see that old fence and to see plants and those maples".  I have to agree with her, that fence needed to go and open things up.  I took the boards from the old fence and fixed up their existing fence and made it look more decorative.  We planted some more English Ivy and I hung another bird feeder which you can see better in the picture below.  We also planted some pumpkin seeds from some pumpkins I had last fall.  We have this grand dream of having a pumpkin patch this year.  We will see, they are growing in are front flower bed so we figure what the heck lets see if they grow here too. 

New and Improved Fence

Debra loves how the fence turned out, it kinda anchors the flower bed and gives a nice backdrop to all the greenery.  We have not yet seen any birds at our new bird feeders, I would imagine it will take a few days without all this activity before they find it and decide to feed.  Over time we plan on planting more shrubs, plants and understory trees.  We've would like to see maybe some wood ferns, hostas, oakleaf hydrangeas, even more Japanese maples.  We also want to make small pathway to a bench towards the front of the garden.  All in due time, we just love the way it's starting to take shape.

First Day of Third Grade

Both were excited about going back to school (even though Avery isn't starting school yet) they were in a good mood and ready for the new school year.  You can tell Mallory is still half asleep, but awake!  Our girls are by no means morning people, they are more evening types.  We have the hardest time getting them to go to bed and an even harder time waking them up.  Getting to wear new clothes always helps making getting dress a little more appealing.  Mallory had a wonderful first day and loves her teacher and her class.  She is going to have a wonderful year and are so looking forward to her progress.  She is so smart and we are so proud of her and Avery too...next year will be really neat with Avery starting kindergarten.

Doesn't she look so cute with her new backpack that she picked out.  The night before to chose the clothes she was going to wear.  She also dressed herself and did her own hair.  She has been looking forward to this day all summer, she loves school and loves to learn.

Sod Update

I wanted to update everyone on the sod we laid back in May.  Both sides of the driveway are looking like they have been there for years and are holding up to this heat.  It has been near or over 100 degrees everyday for the last month and half; and during this time we have had 24 days over 100 degrees. This week it will be at least 105 or higher everyday...come on Fall.  Also during this time it has rained only once and that was this morning for about ten minutes and it didn't amount to much, but we will take it.  Our water bill was $177 last month and I'm afraid it's going to be even higher this month.  The price you have to pay if you want thick green grass in August in The Lone Star State.

I need to water!

Watercolor of our House

A lady by name of Ramona Murphy painted this picture of our house that won second place in a art contest held by the Terrell Heritage Society Museum that located in downtown Terrell.  She is a native Texan and reside in Wills Point, Texas.  She began her art career over 30 years ago and has given watercolor workshops and demos at clubs, libraries, and businesses.  She has won awards, ribbons and recongnition of all types for her artwork. These include awards from the State Fair of Texas, local art shows and displays in public, private and corporate collection throught out Texas.

New Sod and Flowers

I had leveled the ground out in median last year and in the process killed the grass because I did it too late.  I was tired of looking at it like this and have decided to put down new sod.  It took the whole day to do, but I think it was well worth it and in a month it will look like it has been there for years.

We also planted Begonias and Caladiums in Mallory's garden.  We also have some pictures of our Hydrangeas blooming and the process of our sod being laid.  So click on the picture above to see.

Spring Cleanup

We have done some cleaning up in and around the house.  We made a big pile of trash in the backyard that we will haul away in the summer on a free dump day.  We put in some new flowers along the drive way and started on adding some steps leading into the backyard.  Also as you can see we moved down the wildflowers (actually I think they are wildweeds) in the backyard.

More Snow...need I say more!

Another foot of snow has fallen this year...I feel like we live in Colorado.  The girls are loving it.  Enjoy the pictures.