Another grindstone path...

A few years ago I inherited some grindstones that had originally belonged to my grandfather. I shared HERE how I turned them into a path to my storage shed at the Lankford House.

When we sold the Lankford House it was one of the things I wrote into the contract that DID NOT convey. We dug them up and moved them to the Bogey House and set them under some potted plants.

When we were making the side yard pathway a few weeks ago, Brian suggested we use the grindstones to make a path in the large back flower bed.

Outstanding idea. You could hardly see them under the pots and using them for another pathway would really highlight them. Bonus: I have wanted to make a little path in that flower bed.

The original plan was to set them and then fill in with rock…like the rock we used in the side yard.

We raked out the area where we wanted the path…not difficult since it was mostly decomposed mulch from last year. We bordered the area with metal landscape edging then proceeded to set the stones as I did at the Lankford House.

When we were putting down the cedar mulch I decided we should save a few bucks this year and just fill it with black mulch…just to create a contrast.

LOVE!!!

Truth be told, I think I like it better than I would rock. I know it will take some annual maintenance, but it only took 7 bags of black mulch, which is waaaay cheaper than the $250 worth of rock it would have taken.

The hostas are popping, the dogwoods are just starting to bloom and in a few weeks I will fill the other pots with colorful annuals. As I mentioned a few years ago I do most of my summer flowers in pots and just a few in the ground. Saves on my back and knees!

Spring is just around the corner. We have had a few days of “window open” weather but the heat still kicks on every once in a while.

Any day!

Spring has arrived....

I wish I had the time, patience and photography skills to share a "Spring Home Tour"...but if you want a peak at some very talented lady's homes, start with my bliend's (blog-friend...guess it could be flog...lol!) home tour here...Cristina has a beautiful home. While it started out as your typical "builder grade" house, she has transformed it into a warm and inviting home. She is a champ at featuring the "how" on any DIY project! While I am more about the "doing" she is a champ at "doing" and "froo-frooing."

Truth is, I feel like I have been inside all winter. so when the temps climb above 60, I have to be outside working in the yard! It is time to start prepping for summer!

First, raking the beds AGAIN! Naturally I rake leaves and pine needles in the fall...then I do a little at some point after Christmas. Then a few weeks ago I did another 20 bag rake. So honestly, there isn't much to clean out...but there are always those stragglers that have to be cleaned up!

The hostas are popping their little heads so it is time to mulch. While not fun and glamorous, a necessity. 

A fresh topping of mulch dresses the beds and helps insulate the early bloomers from any freezes we might have in the next few weeks. Later in the year it is a must for moisture retention and weed control!

Still way to early to plant annuals but the spring blooms are coming alive.

The Bradfords are blooming...

and the vinca is coming to life... 

The daffodils were in full glory the last few weeks, but the blooms are beginning to wilt.

This picture popped up on my Facebook memories...eight years ago we had snow! This year the daffodils made it through their season so I didn't have to bring them in to enjoy them!

Next up, tulips.

Years ago I planted about 100 tulip bulbs...the first two years they were glorious! But tulip bulbs tend to rot easily so now I only have 2-3 left.

Sarah's birthday is the first week of April and I always know when the tulips will bloom...the week of her birthday!

So while I would love to be inside "prepping" my house for spring, there is no place I would rather be than outside soaking in the sun and digging in the dirt!

And Cleo agrees...

Her 4th birthday is tomorrow so she is definitely a spring baby!

The temps are suppose to be in the 70s for the next few days and I have plenty more to do. Cleaning and prepping pots for planting, cleaning out the water feature and planting summer bulbs! 

I notice the pictures on the "Landscapes" link several years old so maybe this year I can get them updated! 

Spring is ALMOST here!

Almost...who knows. Last week I was in shorts putting down mulch. Sunday we had sleet and snow. Go figure.

Here I shared some tips for prepping for spring...it will be here before you know it! 

If you plant in your beds, now is the time to compost and mulch. Empty and clean your pots. I have a pond to clean out and new sod to put down and a new fence to seal. But all that will happen over the course of MONTHS rather than weeks...getting old sure slows you down.

The only thing growing in my beds now are perennials! No more crawling around in the beds digging holes! I am a big advocate of container planting  Over the years I have collected everything from clay and plastic containers to galvanized buckets and old tea crocks.

This little chair has been in my garage for months....

It had a rattan seat but it was busted...I could have replaced the rattan but I decided to do something a little different.

I turned it into a little planter....

I cut the hole in the seat a bit bigger, trimmed it with some scrap wood (old fencing boards!) added some little slats (again, scraps of wood) on the bottom with glue and nails....

...and then chalk painted it a bright yellow! Distressed and sealed and it is ready for a little potted plant!

This is what I mean when I say "think outside the pot." You don't have to plant everything in boring old clay pots. This was a simple little project that would be perfect for a porch or even stuck in the back of a flower bed somewhere.

Simple...