There was another large table of family members that included Tom's wife, daughters and partners but this photo has the birthday boy front and centre so the best choice. A fabulous day on the veranda.
We have been quite successful at completing our outside tasks. In fact we have pretty much finished what we had hoped to.
First, the back step extension and railing are done. The finished project is a compilation of ideas from Linda, Pat and the internet. We are pleased with the finished project and really glad to cross it off the list.
The railing is just the right height to lean on, drink your coffee etc. and look out over the ravine.
Second was the front step. We had the deck but it was a big step up. We had stacked patio blocks for the short term, but it is surprising how a step gives it that finished look.
Third is the front of the house, we (Pat and his skid steer) have been moving earth. Our thoughts changed about the driveway and we now have a circular one. The circle is a little tight but all in all, we much prefer the look and function of this one.
Pat has moved in a lot of topsoil in preparation for planting next spring. The next step will be to fine tune it and that "we" will be Pat and Linda with their shovels and rakes, no skid steer.
Planting ideas will be fine tuned as well. We know it will include a variety of fruit trees, berry bushes, flowering shrubs and perennials.
We have a vegetable garden expansion that needs to happen this fall and don't anticipate it taking too long. ( I hope I don't regret those words). We will go with the cardboard base to smother weeds and grass, then buckets (Bobcat) of topsoil. We used this method for the original garden,it was quite successful so why mess with success.
Lastly there is the south side of the house and that is on the next year list. One can only do and decide so much.
Not much to look at but this represents quite a few skid steer hours. As we complete these projects we are reminded that we made the right decision when we chose skid steer over tractor.
Drainage issues and the road were a problem last spring. We had been muling around a few ideas as to how to deal with this. When we were in Scotland we saw a great idea for an open culvert. A simple concept that we hope works as well for us. Pat just finished that project yesterday, I'll let you know next spring as to how well it worked. Another tick on the list.
Lastly, we have been doing a little trail maintenance and building, a task we actually enjoy. Pat runs the brush cutter and I come behind with one of the best tools in the world. It is a gas powered weed wacker on wheels.
It was originally purchased to tame the ground level foliage around the house. I am aiming for a gentile wildness for our yard and this seems to be the perfect machine for that look.
We discovered that it works very well on the trails and consequently we are able to have a gentile wildness on the trails as well.
This is the trail just below the house.
Can you smell the aroma of forest, that sharp smell of leaves in the autumn? Do you hear the wind rustling the leaves, do you see the leaves as they drift to the ground? The trails are tidied and it is glorious in the woods at this time of year.
