Vacation 2009

It's been a while since an update. We spent a long and relaxing vacation in Oklahoma and Missouri visiting with family. I was able to get in three good days of golf; but then any day I can play golf is a good day no matter how bad my score is. We then traveled up to Shawnee, Ok. to spend time with Sandura's family at their annual reunion. There was a lot of food and good conversation as well as completing some work on mother's house and yard. From there we traveled to Missouri to visit our youngest son Bryan, wife Annette and our newest baby girl Cameron. She is truly a bundle of joy and growing like a weed. I will add pictures as soon as I get them downloaded from the camera.
Speaking of weeds, we got home late Monday night to find the Tennessee rain has really got the grass growing. I have been able to get part of it cut down but still have a long way to go including pullling the weeds in the flower beds. The gnome garden as also taken off and looks more like a rain forest. The foliage we planted around the fountain has covered the gnomes so they had to find a new home. We are ready to start leveling the area adjacent to the fountain to put in our pergola. That is going to be a chore within itself. After the leveling, comes digging the holes through our rock-infested ground, setting the concrete to mount the corner poles, re seeding the area around the outside of the pergola and then filling the center with patio stones or more concrete, depending on what Sandura decides she wants. But once it is completed, it will look great. Hopefully, I can have it complete by early September as we have family coming in toward the end of September. That will be a post all by itself.
For those who have continued to follow the blog, thanks for staying with me and for your kind comments.

From The Rose Garden

A glimpse from the Rose Garden. We began by planting 9 roses of assorted varieties and colors along with a climbing baby yellow bush that was planted last year. Much to our surprise they have flourished beyond our wildest imagination. Two weeks ago, we added 6 Knockout Roses, a very hearty variety that grows well in full sun and can be trained to climb, pruned as a bush or grow to form a full hedge.

A Work In Progress

When we bought our house several years ago, there were a few improvements we wanted to make. A work was being finalized on the inside, we began making plans for the outside. Now, we have numerous flower beds of roses, azalias, and a multitude of color in the front along with a thriving community of gnomes.
We have installed a fountain and added floral accessories; and have more gnomes to protect our floral fountain (even though the flowers haven't yet bloomed.
Also added is a white picket fence and custom designed gate to separate the patio area from the back area. Additional plans are to add an L-shaped pergola with seating for 10. We have a fire pit that will be set on stone and a separate area of grilling and smoking.

Welcome To Our World

As this is my first attempt at such, I have no idea where to begin or where this will go. Actually, this isn't about us, it is about our world; that is, our family and friends. We hope you enjoy what you find and hope you will return whenever possible.