• Around home - Blog - Outdoors

    Project complete

    July 13, 2026 - By 

    In my garden tour 2 weeks ago I mentioned I had a new project…moving the compost tumbler. Lucky for me Mini-me came for a visit so I tackled the project with a helper.

    It was so hot that morning that we only got the new spot prepped and the rock removed before we had to call it quits.

    Here it is…moved to its new spot. It’s not perfect but it’ll do. We ran into the issue of tree roots when trying to pound in the stakes that hold the edging.

    The next day I added soil to bring the space back up to grade, planted lots of wildflower seeds…all perennial. I covered the soil with Alfalfa’s Secret. (not being sponsored or anything…just a happy customer) I also used it as ground cover in my shed garden. If I happen upon any discounted plants I’ll likely add them as I’m not sure any plant will have time to establish itself enough before winter arrives. Seems silly talking about winter when we are under an extreme heat warning but it comes really fast.

    I noticed my first sunflower is beginning to open. I have both “cutting” sunflowers and Mammoth varieties.

    I can’t believe how much the garden has grown in 2 weeks…

    June 29

    July 13

    Despite the heat, I had to take Marvin for a his perimeter patrol or “walkabout” as we like to call it. He is my shadow and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

    After mowing the lawn this morning and showering…again…I’m sitting in the lower level at our game table while blogging trying to stay cool. Yes, we have air conditioning…thank goodness… but it’s always nicer on the lower levels.

    T stands for Tuesday

    What are you doing today?

  • Art - Blog - Creativity

    AJJ: Nineteen

    July 12, 2026 - By 

    I’m having so much fun creating new pieces for my July challenge on Art Journal Journey. I feel like they are potato chips…bet you can’t have just one.

    The background of this page is a piece of coffee dyed paper that I made myself 2 summers ago. Check out the post.

    The next piece I decided on was a paper cluster I made as a scrap busting project. I had expected to use the yellow daisy/green polkadot cluster on a greeting card but I loved how the color popped on here. I played with different papers and the strip of beautiful green fabric until I was happy with my composition. At this point I thought I might be done. But no I was not. There was too much empty space near the top of the page and I needed more texture. A chipboard square frame fit perfectly around the 19 and I layered a sticker and butterfly to round out the design.

    I had the tiniest length of the green fabric leftover and I couldn’t help myself…it had to be stapled to the top for another bit of texture.

    I’d love it if you’d play along with my theme of Fabric, lace and trims…oh my! over at Art Journal Journey.

    Art Journal Journey
  • Art - Blog - Creativity

    AJJ: The book

    July 10, 2026 - By 

    I’m stretching it with this one.  There is just one small piece of fabric on here but it actually helped shape the page. The use of all the dark colors came directly from this tiny scrap.

    Once again I used a many layers to create a focal point.

    I didn’t care for the stark dictionary page in the background so I used a bit of napkin backing to tone things down. There were also some words I didn’t care for that remained seen…nothing a bit of acrylic paint can’t handle. Layered on top is a piece of digital art I created long ago. The Book seemed fitting because of the dictionary page. I probably could have done without words but that is very difficult for me…but I’m trying.

    The bottom could have used a bit more paint had I noticed but oh well. It just makes me laugh.

    Won’t you join in on my Art Journal Journey July challenge theme of Fabric, lace and trims…oh my!

    Art Journal Journey