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Sorry I'm late with this. I am up to my neck in a bunch of projects.

Project #1: revise the raised beds for the vegetable garden... my previous revision was not working, so I've come up with a new design. I've got things taken apart and the boxes put together. I just got a load of compost to add to the boxes and once that is done, I can figure out the revised trellises for climbing plants and get things planted. I'm way behind... but I think if I get it done before tomorrow (the end of the month) then it will all be good.

Project #2: Finish the key/mail holder that I started before the compressor broke.

Project #3: mudroom in a box... I now have the lumber- and I plan on getting that going as soon as the other projects are done.

Project #4: help my daughter with the nursery for the baby... that just keeps getting put off

Project #5: replace the ceiling fan in the family room. (or hire someone to do it)

Project #6: general cleaning/organizing

Yeah... I'm busy- but I had to come in and post about it because it's too hot to work outside without taking breaks.

So... thanks for the break time! I'm back to work now!

What are you all up to?

Every spare minute I have I am spring cleaning. Not my favorite thing to do, but I like the result!

I'm working on my backyard oasis. I have a small narrow lot -- about 60 x 100 or so with close neighbors -- and I am kind of a recluse, so I am working on encapsulating my kingdom. Last week, for the first time ever, I hired someone to build a deck over my broken, heaved, concrete slab that I have lived with for 11 years and he built a pergola on an existing small deck off my kitchen slider. (It is so much cooler inside now -- but darker!).

Currently I have a picket fence out there but over the weekend the neighbors had a party and while I was sitting on my new deck I felt like I was sitting on my new stage with me as the star. So I am getting the contractor back to put up a semi solid six foot fence on both sides, leaving the back picket in place so I can see to the back of the property.

While I am waiting for him to come I will be planting trees to screen me from neighbors in the back -- I have waiting to be planted a Cleveland pear, a crimson dogwood, an apple tree and a curly twigged willow, plus two blueberry bushes, a ninebark bush and a viburnum bush.

Now that the heat has passed I hope to get them all in the ground by Sunday.

I am also having a spur of the moment yard sale on Friday and Saturday to take advantage of the advertising and traffic of the neighboring street's yard sale.

And TQ I had never heard of a Tardis shed til you mentioned it last week so I researched it and even watched an episode of Dr. Who. I am anxious to see your's completed and I just may give it a try this fall.

I have nothing going these days..I am on hold till I get new LR furniture...next year hopefully.

I'd like to at least replace the accent pillows I have on the couch now. They are getting pretty worn. I have a cheetah/animal skin print and solid green pillow on each side of the sofa. I'd like another animal print but haven't found anything I like so far. and another solid color pillow as well. I think I'd like either teal or a burnt orange for the solid color pillow.

My son says he'd like a desk area in his room, so that gives me something do work on. So I've been kickin' around some ideas of what will work in his room. His room will also be due for paint, so that will be fun to put a new color in there.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Always1StepBehind,

We've been hitting the yard as much as we can before it gets too hot. Other than that, I've got some serious carpet cleaning to do! Spring cleaning is easier one step at a time, isn't it?

TQ - very happy to hear your compressor is home!

My Life - careful! The Doctor is addictive!

Always - we found a fantastic Herman Miller desk on CL for only $50. Heavy duty, great lines, functional as can be - one of our best finds. Something like that will take your son through school and well into adult life. I've also seen a large number of drafting tables available in our area too - use that as a search term. Drafting tables are smaller options if space is an issue.

My entire house inside is going to wrack and ruin *smile* as I'm spending all my time in the garden. Haven't even had a single thought on any decorating I might do. A couple of weeks ago I threw covers over my loveseats so the cat hair will be easier to clean. That's about it until August or whenever guests come.

I hope that enlarging my garden is the last dumb idea I ever get. Just made a lot more work for myself.

Coco- I have to agree about the Spring Cleaning- but for me it seems to last year round!

My Life- Your yard changes sounds wonderful! And yes, I've been a Dr. Who fan for almost 30 years- so I've long wanted the Tardis garden shed. Glad to introduce the Dr. to more people! We have a spot all picked out- but it will be awhile before we actually start construction. Too many projects, not enough time.

Always- replacing accent pillows is a great way to freshen up the look on a budget. Good idea!

Junk Collector- Yes, I am happy to have the compressor home. It will make my projects so much easier. (and yes, the Dr. is addictive!)

Joyluck- I totally relate to neglecting the indoors to take care of outdoors! So are you enlarging the garden for more flowers, etc. or for vegetables?

Update on my projects: I got an order of compost/soil mix delivered today. They dumped it in the driveway, and I moved it to the back one wheelbarrow load at a time. The boxes are not-quite-full, but I'll try to work it out. Meanwhile.... it looks like the motor finally went on the table saw. Not sure yet if it would be worth it to have this one fixed or just get a new, bigger one for my husband for Fathers Day. I may or may not be able to get the mudroom project done without it.... we shall see.

It's always something.

Hi TQ,

Oh you are busy with all those projects. I admire you moving all that compost.

I am trying to garden but its been in the 90's here. The new flowers I planted yesterday were all wilted by this afternoon. So another good drink of water this evening for them.

Too Funny about the Father's Day presents. I started looking at new tool carts for our garage. Nice to have a reason for the purchase. Thanks for the reminder.

Good Luck Everyone!

quote:

revise the raised beds

TQ do you know how deep these are? Well of course you do. How deep should I make one for flowers?

Our plans are centered around what we call the "24 hour" summer! The weather has been yucky but today and tomorrow will be nice. So lawn cutting, laundry hanging but not enough time to clean and arrange the furniture on the screened porch nor wash the patio furniture.

Maybe I'll get some plants (herbs) in and a impatiens window box.

Packing! DH and I are off to Bermuda tomorrow for a week. Work has been crazy this past week with me trying to get everything done so I've haven't had time to read all the threads.

Have a great week everyone and I hope you get your projects finished!

quote:

TQ do you know how deep these are? Well of course you do. How deep should I make one for flowers?

Well.... my boxes are not typical- and they are for vegetable gardening.

But I would think that flower boxes could be anywhere from 6-12". If you think of the depth of a flower pot- then I'd guess that a box depth would be about the same.

Some things to consider- the box/planter as a decorative element should fit the proportions of the yard/space. Also, the deeper the box, the more garden soil needed (unless you are working with a false bottom)- and generally speaking, the flowers don't use a lot of depth- so it doesn't make sense to have a really deep box if the flowers only need a few inches.

There are so many beautiful, creative ways to create flower beds! Have fun with it!

Hopefully my response was helpful- I'm not an expert, but I do try to learn as I go.

Wanda.... I'm jealous.

DH and I have been planning our trip to the Vegas and the Grand Canyon all week, looking for the best airline prices, booking rooms, reserving tours and buying luggage.

We aren't leaving till November, but DH likes to get things done early. LOL!

quote:

Originally posted by Tomatoqueen:
Joyluck- I totally relate to neglecting the indoors to take care of outdoors! So are you enlarging the garden for more flowers, etc. or for vegetables?

It's always something.

I no longer do veggies as in this climate it's more work than it's worth to me so I only do flowers and herbs. It's always something - you sure got that right! LOL I'm already tired of watering my garden and the season has only begun up here. Looking like rain today and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Gotta turn my compost pile and haul mulch today - what fun! LOL

If the rain subsides the beach and as a backup a trip to Ikea for some Ribba frames will do as I have some old 1950's of The New Yorker Magazine to frame for my den.