Yes, I Can Dress Up (once in awhile)

One of the girls I work with got married last evening. Seeing that I rarely include myself in pictures I thought I would go out on a limb. The top photo is before we left. I also very rarely get dressed up. I tend to prefer sweat pants to anything else. The above photo is from the reception. Yesterday was day #3 of a heat wave and even though it was air conditioned it was very hot, hence my matted hair. The majority of you don’t know the bride, just in case below is her pic with her son.

Strawberry Festival 2012

Yesterday was the annual Strawberry Festival in Topsfield. The weather couldn’t be more perfect especially after the cold, rainy week we had. Greg, Emily and I went.

It’s always held on the common and consists of craft booths, local town happenings, demonstrations etc..

This year a Civil War reenactment camp was set up at the historical Parson Capon’s house behind the commons.

It seems that everywhere I went there were reminders of my wonderful sister-in-laws, it felt like a touch of home.

We enjoyed walking around the encampment thinking of how life might have been so many years ago.

Greg posed in front of his fantasy barn, maybe in his next life…

The hit of the festival was Jasper, a three year old Irish Wolf Hound. Clearly the largest dog we have ever seen. Emily wanted one. NOT

Last weekend Mark purchased a used commercial mower. Hayden Landscape Services has launched.

Walk Around the Yard

Every other year we get an order of red hemlock delivered. Above is the pile just after we started. It was 5 cubic yards, below is what was left. This was the first year we did it all in one day. It helps to have Mark pushing us along. He’s amassed a supply of good tools and excellent skills.

We start the tour in the front. Above and below is the bed that runs in front of the porch. I love the flowering broom plant. It gets so pretty this time of year.

I think I mentioned in a previous post that we added an extension to the driveway. Below is the area that Greg and Mark created for the relocated gazebo. Eventually we’ll add more shade loving things that flower.

The tour continues with the left photo along the front step which continues along the front of the house. Below we’re moving to the right side.

Above continues down along the right side. Below is a little bed across from the above bed by the little barn.

Above is along the back. The first plant you see will get very large. It’s an ornamental grass. Below continues along the left of the deck up along the garage side. Greg is adding the finishing touches.

Below is a little patch at the end of the driveway. There is one more bed at the back of the lawn but we ran out of mulch.

Below is the added driveway extension. It has stone as its base and easily parks 3 vehicles. I hope you’ve enjoyed our little walk about. It was a lot of work, but now we get to enjoy it. Click on any photo for a larger view.

Boys and the Toys

I know I’m way behind on blogging… just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day. Hopefully I can slowly get caught up so be patient with me. This activity took place the first weekend in April.

It’s becoming painfully clear to us that we are outgrowing our yard. Mark rented this tractor for the weekend so he and Greg could get some things done. We’ve decided to expand the driveway because at some point probably everyone will be home with vehicles. They also wanted to take up the stumps from our recent tree removal. Unfortunately the stumps proved to be too much for this tractor so we’ll probably have to get a stump grinder in. Mark did that for the area he parks his truck in.

We had a load of fill delivered and between the three of us moved the little stone border that was around the flower bed, moved the gazebo and plantings. A new garden is in progress and will make for another update.

 

Sad to say the above was the before. It will be nice to have the extra space.

This is the end product that will either be paved or covered with crushed stone like the area Mark’s truck is parked on. We wanted to get some quotes before we make up our minds.

The Annual Burn

March 11th was our or should I say Mark’s annual burn. We had an exceptionally large pile this year because of the recent tree removal. I guess it’s a guy thing but Mark really seems to enjoy this. 

Of course every job needs to have a foramen. I think we’re both enjoying the fact that Mark does pretty much all of the major yard work. Last week when it was so mild I got a lot of beds cleaned out, which was incredible to have that much work done so early.

Too bad we don’t have a fireplace.

Yard work is always more fun when the toys get involved.

As a side note, yes I did.

I stood in line 1.5 hours at a mall in New Hampshire (no sales tax) and got the latest ipad via Christmas and birthday money I have been saving. Yes the display is unbelievable and I am enjoying it.