FREE TREES UPDATE

We blogged HERE about the free tree giveaway back in March when we got them from our local Master Gardening group.

This is the Nuttall oak...it hasn't budded out yet but we're still hoping.  It does seem taller, so there's that.

This is the Shumard oak.  It was the first to leaf out.  So, it's obviously doing well.  For about two weeks it was the only one that had any leaves.  We were most worried about the pecan but...

...this week, we got leaves!  Yay!

We'll keep watering them and they are on the back porch getting watered regularly and cared for.  Then this Fall, when hopefully they are bigger (and leafier), they can go in the ground in a special spot.

We've always loved this quote.  Yes, it's never too late to plant a tree!  We hope we live long enough to see the results but planting a tree can be a lasting thing for future generations to enjoy too.  Win/win!

IT WAS A WORKING OUTSIDE WEEKEND

 I wish I had more pics of before but suffice to say, no mowing for the better part of three weeks with lots and LOTS, of rain, it was out of control.

Here is a great before.  This is part of the side yard next to the well shed.  It was like this all over the yard; front, back, side, driveway etc.

And here is that same spot after.  Much better.

Here's a side yard shot next to the garage.  That's Barnabas, our old mesquite tree.  I need to do some clearing there but the mower can't get closer and there is debris like rocks, etc. that will have to be cleared first (while watching for snakes, ha).

Yep, over two hours on the Zen Machine.  Covered 7.2 miles, ha.  That's because I had to mow a lot of areas first with the mowing deck up so it wouldn't bog down and then mow the same spot again with the deck at normal height.

After mowing, I had to edge and trim.  This is the orchard area, and the mower can't get in between the beds.  But the trimmer works great for this.

Here is the well shed.  After I mowed all around it, I had to edge it to keep it looking neat.  And that is why we had the slab poured to be a little larger than the shed...I can safely edge without damaging the building with the trimmer line. 

Now to get it painted, ha!

But in the end, after mowing AND edging, it looks so much neater.

Here is the back of the house (and our pile of septic excavation dirt that they use to fill in low spots, ha).

Here is the front from the barn/shed area.  Lots of clippings but most of it blew away in the storm that we had come through Sunday night.  

It's done and I feel accomplished.  Now I just need to get into the mindset of remembering that I can mow anytime now, if it looks like extended rain is coming, I can mow on a Wednesday night after work or early Sunday morning.  Or I can edge on Friday night and then mow Saturday evening.  Before, it was a 45 mile drive out here and I had to time it to get back into town and had to pick and choose my yard battles.  Now I'm here for all the battles, ha!

A new strategy awaits! 

GOOD FOOD AND KITTY CAT SUNDAY

 Another week has flown by.  We were busy doing stuff after 5pm the last few nights and I didn't get a change to post.  Today we'll have the semi usual post, while I'm outside mowing and edging.  It's a NIGHTMARE because of the rains we've had but hey, we live here now and I can work outside as often as I need to, ha.

Weekend is easy with some roasted chicken and veggies.  We remove the skin before eating of course, but it looks "prettier" for the picture like this, ha.  Carrots, sweet potatoes and beets.

Babygirl loves hanging out on the porch.  She lets us pick her up briefly now, so baby steps. She follows me all over the yard, except when I get the mower and/or trimmer out.  Then she disappears until I'm done, ha.  Understandable.

#catdistributionsystem

OK, time to go outside and get some stuff done before rain comes (again) later this week.

BIRDS ARE OUR NEW THING

 Is it an age thing?  Or a slowing down in life and enjoying nature thing?  Because we are starting to love birdwatching and taking care of the birds around our property since we moved out here!

Went in Tractor Supply the other day (love that store, ha) and they have a whole section devoted to wild birds and everything you could want!

Seed, houses, feeders and everything.  We didn't get much, but we got lots of ideas.

I had already picked up a few feeders at another store and some bird seed (a Texas blend) at the grocery.

We got them hung up in various places.

We repurposed a large canister jar we had at the old farmhouse for use as our birdseed container.  It's got a rubber seal, and we put a scoop in there and it works out perfectly for filling the feeders.

We also have an awesome birdhouse that was made for us and gifted a couple of years back by an amazing friend, so that's our next step, creating specialized bird sanctuary areas.

We have a bunch of books that were given to us by a very sweet friend and these two have already been invaluable and helped us identify quite a few. 

The birds are happy, that's for sure.

And we are happy...

GOOD FOOD AND KITTY CAT SUNDAY

 It's been a good weekend.  After Friday of course, when we had another insane rainfall amount (a little over 5").  NO mowing this weekend, which is a shame because it is definitely getting out of control.  

But at least we had some good food.

2nd Man roasted us mahi-mahi and then glazed some carrots in agave syrup.  SO good.

I made an arugula and mixed greens salad with shaved Parmesan, homemade vinaigrette and sunflower seeds.

Caught Babygirl "hiding" behind a weed, ha.  We will be honest though, she does blend in with the grasses and ground at times, ha.

Hope you all are having a good weekend!