Trouble in Paradise

Yes, just when I think I have it all settled and all is well in my little paradise, my backyard... Don fixed a bad sprinkler head and now there is another leaking. But, I am not too concerned --- yet. I had to cut down the remaining Yucca plant. It is okay because there is lots of new shoots growing. These plants are original to the property. The new issue is a bug problem with the Yellow Bells and Honeysuckle. I will call Robert (the landscaper) on Monday to see what he thinks. Most likely the Honeysuckle which is a beautiful bush will have to be removed. The Yellow Bells I will cut back if that is what he suggests.
I have  yet to tat or stitch...my mind just is not going in that direction. I really miss that creative side of my days. I did bake bread yesterday...

This is French Country bread. The texture is so nice and tasty. My house was filled with such aroma last night. So far this is my favorite to make. I do want to get a bread machine recipe book for more variety. I know I can go on line, but baking from a book is so old fashion and nice.
I went to Hobby Lobby to get the suggested supplies for my on line art class. I have other supplies already. Debbie and I are ready! I plan to sit outside this morning to work on my writing class. This is a very casual class...no grades, basically no rules. You will get what you put into it. I have been trying to use my tablet for the writing but I am having trouble getting it to save to my computer. I did manage to figure out how to add my printer and can print from the tablet. My honey friend Keith who helps me with my computer is away on vacation...I know how dare he when I need him! All will be okay because when he returns there will be Pizzelles for him when he helps me...I know the way to win him over! I am sure he will figure out how to write, how to save so I can edit and then send to the desk top. I sure do not understand the instructions.
I found this cute little chair at the thrift shop

It is perfect condition. I passed up on a nice little table and when I went back it was gone...of course. Let that be a lesson to me!
The laundry is finished, my coffee mug is empty so it is time to grab my writing and sit outside until it gets too warm. The temps are still high. Today is expected to be in the upper 90s. Right now it is comfortable to sit out on the front porch so that is where I will head. Glad you stopped by today. Thank you so much for the kind words and for your friendship.

This and that

Went out shopping yesterday and for lunch with Dianna

found this cute wood bench...it has the words Boyds Bears burnt into the back and is about 14x12x15 and has the Fox couple sitting on it

So far it has moved to several locations..... These are the Foxes that we bought last Christmas and they have been cuddling ever since. At least moving this furniture is less painful than my regular furniture. Let's hope I am finally finished with that.
Today I really get to enjoy my new front porch.

That is if by the time I finish in the yard the temps are comfortable. One of these days these 2 Adirondack will be replaced. For now, they are comfortable and will do nicely. I will be adding a few pots of annuals soon.
Now about my writing class...

As you can see, my writing will be in long-hand in class as I do not have a lap top. Then I will put into the computer for editing and or corrections. On the hand out is a quote: "Whenever and old person dies, a small library burns."--Alex Haley. We will start with a life list.....and to wrote a food memory. As I had to leave early this is it for now. During the week I will work on this. Also thanks to or curse friend Debbi Burke for letting me know of an online class, "Into the light" an art workshop, I will have something else to occupy my time. Maybe this will eliminate the furniture moving business. I should mention something here about Debbie. Everyday since the first posting about Dennis' diagnosis and continuing now, she emails me everyday. At first it was total encouragement to deal with the day to day dealing of the eminent prognosis for Denny. Now, our emails share the day to day happenings of what we are doing. Debbie has been a caring friends and a life line for me. Yes, there are others who have encouraged and offered the virtual hugs and I am grateful to them also.
Today I will dig up the grass plant to investigate the leak with the irrigation system. I am not sure if I can fix it myself, but the landscaper has not gotten back to me and this is something I do not want  to let linger. I will get out there early as once the sun rises above my wall it will be very warm. Yesterday the temp reached 100 and today they predict high 90s. I am hoping to pick up Alice today or even my tatting.
Bet you are surprised to see an early post...well, I have been up since 2:30 and I am sure the irrigation issue has something to do with it. I hate to not have a fix to a problem-- right now. So, glad you visited and thank you for your kind words and most of all your friendship. Let's have a good day.

My Trip...

As everyone is aware we just returned from Arizona. Usually I get creative and like to post several times while I am there.

Everyone can see from Grace's posts we had a great time accomplishing much, yet relaxing even more.

First time in the many years that I arrived was bittersweet, for 47 years I have always enjoyed my quiet conversation and movies with Dennis. With his passing comes an emptiness, a deep void, not hearing "the kids" or "your brother" with his dry sense of humor. The Iron Wood box we found is fitting if not absolutely a perfect resting place for him.

As I have stated before Grace is doing remarkably well and will continue to maintain her dignity and sense of humor (did I say we laughed a lot) which pleases me.

We will be traveling back and forth to Arizona more than we have in the past and I hope to once again relate adventures (whether real or my imagination) to all of you.

Thank you for your support that you have given to Grace.

Until next time..........................Alan

The finish

Went to the writing class but left early. It was just to get started with introductions of who we are and where we are from and why we are there. I probably will email the instructor to see what I miss for the last hour.
It was important that I be here to meet with the crew doing the porch/walkway. We talked about the color the day before and I asked him to tone down the green which was looking tooo bright. And it is exactly as I like it now.

This is how it looked while drying. Again, all is hand mixed and applied. The colors are changeable at the very start but not once the work progresses.

Once dry they wash off the dry haze and then began to add the grout. A crew is usually the leader and one or 2 guys. I had 3 crews and what guys.

When that phase dries the sealant is applied then dry time again. I had them sprinkle some Fairy dust (fine grit) to prevent it from being slippery when wet.

This is how it looks this morning. I was hoping for a not new look and it is just that. I will be able to walk on it later this morning but as I am meeting a friend for lunch it will be later today. I am so pleased with the crew and the company and already sent an email off to them.

Before they left I asked them if I could take a picture and of course they obliged. These guys were polite and fun and very professional. They work well together and their work is only perfect. They set standards and met them.
Tomorrow morning I will enjoy sitting in my Adirondack with a cup of coffee. Now if this weather would only start to cool even more....today is expected to be in the high 90s again. the landscaper was unable to check the irrigation but I suspect he will soon. In the meantime, tomorrow I will dig up the small grass and look to see what is going on. I am becoming adventurous.
Must have my morning coffee and then get a few things done before leaving the house for a few hours. Thank you for chatting with me today and for your kind words. thank you for your friendship.

Part one finished

The irrigation issue is almost solved. I do know where it is but because I have the class to go to this morning, I am not going to dig up the plant to investigate. Rather, I will ask the landscaper to check it maybe later today or tomorrow.
Yesterday the first part of the porch/walkway was started

The guys showed up and went right to work prepping the area. Then another truck came by then a third stopped by. I had quite the workforce.

They were a fun group of guys...this one posed for me while I was taking pictures. There is the supervisor, then the one who puts down the texture and

Because it is all done by hand no two jobs could look the same. They used a special fan to speed up the drying and then it was the design time

Using a tool much like what you would use in pottery, he cuts the pattern of the flagstone. Carefully deciding where to draw the lines and again no two jobs would be the same.

Voila! The flagstone is taking shape. Today they will do a clean up and prep and add the color of the stones. The color is hand mixed to the chosen shades  and then applied and the grout lines will also be added. Once again this will be my unique flagstone because doing it all by hand means no job is duplicated. I hope to be here in time to see some of the work being done. Class is 10 to 12 but I will leave early.....I do have to pay for this job! I think the first meeting will be to explain the program so I should not miss too much. And I do have to talk with the landscaper.
That is about it. Tomorrow I will share the finish and try to be patient before I can actually walk on the flagstone walkway. Thank you for taking the time to visit and for the kind words. Most of all thank you for the friendship.

Just when things seems to be going good.....

Things are going well around the Horton House. Until I discovered that the irrigation system is watering without my help! For some reason it is running on it's own  but with a leak somewhere. I guess I will have to call Robert  to check it for me. This is not a gracie can fix thing.
I did fix the Blue-ray DVD player. Your are reading correctly; well, I unplugged it and replugged it and it reset itself. That I learned for Denny. I did pay attention most of the time. Not looking to spend anymore money right now. Today is the start of the front porch/walkway. It should be completed tomorrow. Ah yes, tomorrow.....I start a writing class at the library. It will run for 6 weeks every Tuesday morning from 10 to 12.
The garden is really looking good.

This is my Cherry Tomato plant and it is nice and healthy. I always have Marigold with the plant. By January I hope to be munching on freshly picked gems. I will take a picture of the Snail vine which is climbing up, up away. Blooms have been opening and I think it will do okay.
The mail brought a few good packages last week

Sis Linda sent me my pepper biscuits....one package is just about finished. I do wish I could get them out here. I know there are recipes to make them but I really am addicted to these. I grew up munching them. I ordered a replacement for a gift that Denny gave me years ago...a Dream Pillow. I was going to replace just the insides, but it was less expensive to just buy a new one.

It is the same company...they have been around in Taos NM for quite sometime.  This time the cover is Celestial but the scent is the same wonderful herbs. I also bought a sachet of Desert Sage...to ward off negative spirts. It also smells nice. You know this will be put by the doors!
The garage was my work space the other day. I told my sis that I would stop and relax for awhile...but I remembered putting something of Denny's out there and when I went to find it...well, well one thing lead to another. First of all the other day when I rearranged the Kachina/tea cups, I could not find the lighter weight of the 2 hammers out there. Obviously The Brother Alan when he used it put it someplace else. So that was what caused time to completely re-do the tool section. I found 6 indoor extension cords (various lengths), 9 outdoor extension cords and at least 5 outdoor spotlight posts. Denny was going to be prepared for anything.

Look how everything has a place and a label and all is right. I have asked my garage Faery to watch over anyone who opens these doors! Easy to find and easy to put away.. I like to be organized. As a result of this I have gained another shelf in the other cupboard for my crafts. I hate to search for something. Looking for and needing to search are two different things.
Well laundry #2 is in the dryer and I need my morning coffee. Then it is off to the bank early to be back for the workmen for the front walkway. It has been nice chatting with you today. Thank you for the kind words and most of all thank you your friendship. 
There are friends who wander in and out as it is convenient for them but then there are those who are always with you.