Path to Progress

It has been a couple of weeks since I posted to the blog.  The last two weeks of teaching school and graduation is always extremely busy and hectic.  I'm in my second week of summer break, and have so enjoyed my time to rest, drink coffee on the back porch, and watch the world go by.  I have also still been working on my garden and studio project.  So here are some updates on progress.

I really like these Mad Mats that I found on Amazon.  They are made from recycled materials, and I bought one for the back porch and one for the front.  Totally outdoor friendly and easy cleaning and maintenance.  

The front flower bed.  I enjoyed finding the bird bath and solar light at Aldi's.  I am planning to plant some caladiums in the large pot for now.  

The beginning of laying down the border for the path from the patio to the art studio.  I ran two extension cords from the patio to the studio, and plan to cover with pea gravel.  This is a much less expensive solution versus an estimated $4000 to have electricity run out to the studio by an electrician.   I think that this will work just fine for me with a power strip on patio and one in the studio.  I also unpacked the air conditioning/heating unit and moved it down to the studio.  That still remains to be hooked up and vented out of one of the windows.  So that is next on the list.


The recycled Mad Mat for the front patio.

Detail of the mat - I love these bright colors.

We have been adopted by a cat that was abandoned in the neighborhood.  We have named her Queen Lizzie, and she is very much at home on the back porch.

An addition of some comfy outdoor pillows.

I ordered these telescoping skewers from amazon - perfect for roasting marshmallows and making smores down at the firepit.  We will try roasting hot dogs next!

Baby birds - baby finches on the front porch waiting to be fed.  It is fascinating to watch their progress.  And how both the mom and dad take turns feeding and protecting.  

16 bags of pea gravel put down on the path over the extension cords today.  My friend Missy helped me with her larger vehicle to get these this morning.  Fortunately the weather was in the 80's instead of 90's today - but it still got hot this afternoon.  

I did have to go back for three more bags to finish up - now it is complete!  I also got more top soil for filling in some low places in the yard, and some potting soil.  I will be potting  caladiums and wandering jew plants tomorrow.  I still have some lanterns to hang, and some window baskets for the front of the studio.  The heat has slowed my progress a bit, but I'm excited to be this far along.  

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