Gardening Dreams Coming True

This area used to hold, at different times, a dog's kennel, a swingset, and a swimming pool. We hauled away the yard of sand by hand in buckets and wheelbarrows (you can see the pile of it in the background) and are calling this our garden this year.

Grampa Schmitt came over with his tiller and prepared the ground for us. Only two different times did he come across a Leaverite rock. You mean you don't know what a Leaverite rock is ?? It's a rock so big that you "Leaverite there" !!

My very sweet and generous neighbor donated some extra strawberry plants she had in her garden. I worked the sod out and made this little square for them. I'll put in a short fence with a covering because I do not want to share with the birds !!

Piggy-Back Fun

I won't be able to do this much longer....but it sure is great fun to piggy-back my princess while I still can !!

It's the Kitchen's Turn !!

Last year, we did some remodeling on the living room. This year, we chose to start on the kitchen. It's definitely a long process....Not enough funding to go full speed ahead, but, a little at a time is better than no progress at all !! Francesca is painting the wall white with her mini roller. She loved to help !!

Todd is tearing out the old drywall....and Faithful Tootsie is nearby, lending her "calm submissive energy."

Oh The Remodeling

The wall behind the fridge has been on the list of things to do for about 5 years now. Well, the whole kitchen for that matter!

Never far away from the people is the dog. Tootsie is so great. LOVE having her around. She loves her people !! We wuv you Tootie-toot !!

Working at the hospital has taught him to be real neat and clean. I guess that's a plus !!

Baruch Atah Adonai

The Hebrew blessing over the new wine is repeated by all. "Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p'ri ha-gafen." Translated : Praised are You, God, Ruler of creation, who creates the fruit of the vine. Glasses are "clinked" each with all the others, and Shabbat (Sabbath) is welcomed in !!! Yay !!

Candles always make the ambience more holy, and a special "treat" is served, either store-bought or homemade(even more special!) Happy Sabbath to all...even if you're not Adventist or Jewish, it's STILL the Sabbath :-) Shalom !!!

FINALLY

I have ALWAYS wanted a swing hanging from a tree somewhere in our yard for the kids to enjoy.....And now we've got one !!! FINALLY !!! we've only lived here 8 years :-) Happy mommy and happy children---Thank you Daddy !!!

Fencing Anyone?

The money from the sale of the puppies has to go to puppy things, or so says my better half anyway. So, we opted for a sturdy fence around the backyard where the dogs hang out. It has been fun so far, and with Todd's fencing experience, it is turning out to be quite impressive. It will be a couple days before it is all finished, but we will keep you up to date on our progress.

Super-sized Swing Set

As the children grow, so must their toys! They had an 8 foot high set that they grew out of last year, so this year Todd is adding new legs that are 12 feet high. It is a big project of engineering but it is fun to watch it all come together. Now if we can just keep them from launching themselves across the yard....:-)