The Dog Bubblier

If you are from WI you will know that I am talking about a drinking fountain, like the ones that you had way back in elementary school. It took me awhile and several students to take me out in the hall and point to the 'bubblier' so I would understand that the kid was asking to go get a drink from the fountain. Just one of those strange things from up north. We had a small family birthday dinner for Emmy on Sunday. Bryce and Tini brought all the dogs...Seau, Tobi and Parker. They ran around the yard like crazies. Bryce and Michael threw baseballs into the neighbors yard and the dogs jumped like rabbits and horses over the flower beds and raised vegetable beds. It was a blast to watch.
We have been working on the yard getting it ready for Sarah's graduation party. The fountains are up and running. This fountain is made of rice grinding stones that Mark unearthed at a going out of business garden center. Thery had no idea what they were so, we got them for a really nice price. I could hardly contain myself. We decided that we needed a more powerful pump this year to make the fountain look right. I wasn't expecting a 7 foot water spout. So Mark and I fiddled with it for awhile and now I think we have it just right. According to Parker it is the perfect size 'bubblier' for all dogs. They just have to watch those big paws and not trample the flowers.

Old Windows

My nephew and his wife moved into their first house last year. A really cute house with wood floors arched doorways and glass doorknobs.They decided to replace the old drafty wooden windows. Someone suggested, or Tyler thought that his Aunt Jan might like to have those windows. Yea Baby! I was so excited to get them because I knew just what I (we) could make out of them. So today in trying to get the yard ready for Sarah's graduation party in about a month, Mark and I made our very first hot house.

















Sometimes our minds just aren't on the same wave length but today we were in the same groove. We got it finished rather quickly and we didn't kill each other. I'm not going to lie, there might have been just a few 'discussions'. Mark is trying to get me to paint and distress it but I think the weather will do all the work for me. We haven't quite figured out the best place for it but I know it will go in the way back flower bed...it is the biggest bed and you will be able to see the house the minute your drive to the top of the driveway. I love it, love it, love it! Now what to do with the rest of the windows.....

Rocks, Rocks, and More Rocks

The kids and I have been to the river bank looking for just the right rocks for the yard. Then we hit the mother load. Emmy was babysitting and the family is getting ready to move. They had torn out a rock wall and just thrown the rocks to the side of the house. Somehow Cookie got wind of our search for rocks...we got to go pick up all their rocks. It took two day the van and the pickup to haul the all home. Our fire pit has been int he backyard for about a year now. I am always worried that a little one might fall into the first because the sides weren't high enough to warm them of danger. But now that we have added larger rocks I think it will work nicely. I kinda like the little artistic flair with the rocks turned on their sides. What do you think? Next time we make s'mores, you all are invited!

Family/Friend Request

I love to blog. It keeps me in touch. I love to use my camera...still learning how. I love sharing pictures of our yard and all the things in it. So we have the birth of yet another blog...Trash Pickin' Treasures. I hope to keep track of trash pickin' trips and then what we end up doing with the stuff that we pick. I plan to make this blog look like something all by myself...can't afford for a professional to do it. It will be short and sweet. So the first treasure I want to share actually is two. Mark and I have been looking for grinding stones for a long time. I have asked everyone when they are out to be looking for them. One day my Dad calls to tell me he has found one at an old house close to his house. One problem...he can't lift it. I said don't lift it...sit on it until I can get there! Really, he had to get some help and they dropped it off in his driveway. The stone made its way to Cincinnati and its new home is right by the front door. The second find was actually a trip to see the lot on the lake. My nephew, Dustin, and Emmy hiked to the top of the hill and over. They brought back rocks from the summit. So I am using the rocks as a brace for the grinding stone that is set in between lots of little geranium plants.