My husband's project

While I spent my summer in the garage sanding, sanding and sanding some more, Mark spent his summer outside in the hot sweltering sun constructing his garden. As you could see it was a diamond in the rough. Myself having no vision whatsoever really had no opinions with regards to what he should do, shocking I know. So Mark headed to the computer for some research. 

In our lovely back we have a grassy hill that climbs towards the TUC. It was a pretty pathetic hill to tobbaggon so I didn't care what should happen to it. Mark thought of building a retaining wall to grow fruit, perennials, herbs, and some trees and shrubs. 

Our side of the house really had nothing except weeds weeds and more weeds. This is a to be continued project as it will be the vegetable garden and we moved in to late to grow any veggies. 

After a bit of research Mark started digging out the trenches sort of speak. First levelling out the ground and digging it out. Once that was completed he layed out road crush for the cement blocks to go down. 

And here they come. Let me say. It was a wonderful July day when I found out that the new driveway/garage that we had just acquired was out of use as two planks of cement blocks, a pile of dirt and a pile of road crush were now in the occupied spot. Sad times. But I was happy that no one tried to recruit me to do the project. Yes, the only victim was my brother. 

Once the cement blocks were in place Mark filled them in with road crush. To ensure the stability. Look at that hot beaming sun. 

And along the blocks was piping that had holes in it so that when it rains water won't pile up on the wall and push it over. Gravel to cover and hidden by dirt. 

After a while Mark derived a system with a ramp for the wheel barrel to drive up on and to unload the haul of dirt. Before the dirt was laid he ripped apart the grass that previously occupied the ground. 

Looks like it is almost done! Most days Mark chose to do this work in the evening when the sun was slightly going down.  Even though it was going down on that side of the house. But the days and nights were hot, plus the bugs. He he. I did not envy him but he was happy with his iPhone music and headphones. 

Side of the house did get weeding done and a mock layout of what will come. Stay tuned next years post. 

Now the fun part, for Mark. Looking for plants. He had his heart set on Alberta grown plants. I think he succeeded for the most part. Although I may have just picked flowers that caught my eye. He he. 

So once home he got some landscaping fabric, and poked holes to let the flowers, plants, grass out and stuck them in the cement holes. He is unsure how these will hold out next year but he has some proactive plans if they don't hold out. So far they are doing pretty good. More dirt may be needed in the back and a little sprinkler system to ensure they get healthier doses of water, but we will see. 

There is the whole wall in a nut shell. Ooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaa

And up top are some cranberry, Saskatoon, and other various perennials. I think there is dreams of pies in the future. 

And this future garden had two singular raspberry bushes for the future. Poor things all by their lonesome. But the food will be coming next year!

There you have it. Mark has been working hard and thus ends our busy summer. It will be nice to veg out in the winter. As I feel planting, harvesting, pickling and pies in my future. He he. Well maybe not the first two. 

Love

Just call me a....

Domestic goddess. Some thing quite remarkable happened this week. I didn't go back to school. And all those fall things that I had wanted to do for the past few years...I did. 

You know what I am talking about. You go to the market and you see all the fabulous BC fruit. It's ready for a pie. Or you see those itty bitty cucumbers and you think I really wish I could find the time to pickle. But then you start the semester and the assignments are due in one week and a midterm is doing in three and then all of sudden it's snowing out and you need to buy Christmas gifts. 

But not this year! With mom/Grammies little trick of making pie crust I did a second attempt of a pie, this time peach without mom's presence. And it worked. And it took all my restraint not to eat all the pie in one sitting at that moment, but to freeze it for company at a later day. 

Next attempt was the pickling. I had never done it ever. Sterilizing jars. What's that. Well thank goodness for google and the power of the Internet. And Casey and parents. (And a bit of Martha). Jars canned and popped with market veggies of carrots and cucumbers. Yum. Hope they taste good!

Love

It was fun

As summer vacation wound down I was lucky enough to have a visitor. It was our very first stayover company in our new place. My mom.

When she first landed all I wanted was her not to see the place before I got home from work. I know selfish me but I was just really excited to show off our place to my family and I wanted to be present. He he. So Mark took her on a tour of Edmonton, because she had never been here before. Ha ha. But I got my wish and could show it off. 

I have to say. It was lovely to have her around. And I think she enjoyed it too. There was loads of space for us all to roam about. And mom got in daily walks while I was at work. She may know West Edmonton Mall better than I do. 

We got to shop, visit Aunt Elizabeth, go to Calgary, the market and then another market. Visits to the grocery store, quilt store. Make pies and learn how to really roll out the perfect pie crust. Explore our neighborhood, visits with moms friends and trips to the library. Movie dates, rental movies and hanging out in our pajamas. All and all a fantastic first visitor. 

Love you mom!

So glad I met you

I worked a job and met you.

You seemed quite quiet and shy when I first introduced myself. 

I wasn't sure what to make of you. 

But I was deceived. 

You told me to come closer by the wave of your finger. 

And then gave me a "wet willy" in my ear. 

Then proceeded to laugh hysterically with snorts in between.

That was when I knew you were trouble and 

We were going to get along marvelously. 

I would prank you on occasion. 

Pretend to take your shoes, or your lunch kit. 

But I never would get away with it. 

"Tell Anita" was your response. 

And then giggle in your hands. 

You loved life. You were a doer and up for most anything. 

I remember we both went for a walk to the grocery store. 

We were in fits of giggles trying to maneuver your chair. 

On top of that we were both frazzled in figuring out what to buy. 

"O my gosh!" You would cry. 

You were a wonderful artist. 

Drawing and painting to your content. 

Always there to sing in karaoke. 

Do any scrapbooking or baking. 

And you were an excellent fighter in our water fight wars. 

I feel you are gone too soon. 

You will be sorely missed in many people's hearts. 

In your short life you have achieved so much. 

The most important is what you have taught all of us. 

That anything can be done even when all obstacles are against you. 

I am so glad that we met. 

That we worked together. 

Shared joy. 

And that I can truthfully and honestly call you my friend. 

Love you.