Sad news . . .

That rotten little rabbit found it's way back into my garden last night and really had a feast.  I said sad, not devastating .  . .  but boy was I disappointed when I saw so many plants that had fought so hard to stay alive, and then thrive wiped out so quickly.  There is a small shed back in the "farm" area and I have to wonder if it got in while the fence was open and then hid under there to get away from the dogs. We tried to scare it out, but nothing happened so maybe we are just missing where it can still get through.

Jon was going to help pick the grape vine holes because I have had virtually no luck getting them deep enough to plant.  I was pretty relieved/grateful.  I feel they would do better in the ground, even though I put them under the shade cloth but .. .. .  I have had a hard time knowing just how to put the "big trellis" up in  the front.  I asked him if we could just carry it out there and lean it up on house to see how it would look if the top ended before it reached the eaves, come up with some ideas and make decisions. . . . . . it went on and on from there, change of plans, which he apologized for (huh? really?  you're kidding, right?) and a fresh pair of eyes (Jon's) solved everything.

Jon even cut the wood at an angle.

We found out one side was too tall, went past the roof line and the other was too short.  He started making suggestions and got to work.  It is now up, attached to the house and looks better than I would have been able to do.  He can measure straight, cut straight and turn big ole' lag screws while balancing on a ladder.  I love it. . .  he just likes it, a lot, but will never love it . . .  a Jon thing.   It definitely will look a lot better when it has green growing up it.  I guess I have been picturing it with that green and so it was a little plain when it did get up . .  but time will take care of that little problem.  Now I can start nipping stray branches and letting all the energy go to a few branches to get the vertical going  more quickly.

The Cape Honeysuckle is also trying to go a little bushy so it needs a trim as well.  All of the bushes have double and tripled in size so this picture was a little surprising to me, they all still look so little and puny.  Big wall I suppose.  The ladder will be moved when it cools down  ;-}

It was a lot of work, but the blasted thing is up, it isn't going anywhere and it is safe from little kids running amuck in the backyard.

Next, it is time to build the box to go under the window to hold flowers... because all windows deserve one.  

They are planted and waiting to get off the ground . . . into their new little home.  That will fill in the great big gap under the window.

I almost forgot!  I started this path across the front of the house so long ago.  Here is when and where I started this little project.  While Jon was cutting and splicing the trellis, I finally got the last little piece of the barrier cut and in place.  Now for the gravel.  The truck is here and I can hardly wait to get a load and spread it far and wide . . well maybe not wide, the path is only 3' wide.

That will bring the time to do something the rest of the yard . .  what to do, what to do.  I hope to rent something or hire something to scrape off the gravel and contour the yard.  that will at least make it look clean and neaten it up a bit.  I am looking at ground cover options, it will have to require strength, elbow grease and determination.  That is all we will have now that Jon is leaving his employment . . .  we will see what comes along . .  soon we hope!

The big question, will I recognize my own home when driving up the street or will I just drive by?