outdoor projects

As we picked the last of our apricots, cleaned out the last of the garden, and fall/winter was fast upon us, Shad was hard at work outside, finishing up a bunch of outdoor projects, before it started getting too cold.


Thank goodness for apricots (and friends who help use them up)!



Shad had been wanting to put in a little flowerbed in the corner of our front yard for a while. Here's the best before shot (before he got too far into it).



And the completed work of art (with our two little hams).



Shad trimming some lower/annoying branches from the pine tree out front.



We (I mean Shad) planted a cottonwood out back, for shade in the far future (who knows if we'll still be here to benefit from it). Graham was usually right there helping Shad.

Our pheasant friend from last year came back for a quick visit.

We (or rather, just Shad again) planted a maple tree out front in the other corner of the yard.

Graham was determined to help, even in the rain and mud.

Shad and his dad spent most of a cold, wet day fixing our back patio roof, and I can't tell you how wonderful it has been ever since to not have water dripping everywhere from underneath. Thank you again Brett!!

This is proof positive that the new roof prevents leaks. Snow was melting like crazy, and the patio stayed dry---every last bit of it. Have I already said thank you? THANK YOU!!

We also tried planting some grass a while ago underneath the pine tree...



... and much to our delight, it's actually coming up!! (We tried once before in the backyard and had zero success, so we were thrilled to see this much grass).

This is just a picture of Drake who got dressed and ran outside, right after he woke up, the morning we had our first snowfall. Graham joined him soon thereafter.

There are still other projects on the list, but they're smaller, and I've probably bored you enough. Happy Autumn!!