We try to write a blog post every day, but some days are too beautiful and warm for us to be inside. So this will have to do for today since we stayed out on the patio until almost dark enjoying the 78° temperature and a couple of cool ones. 😉
Arizona
Mailbox Project
The Mailbox Project is almost complete. We brought an antique milk can from California and had a hole cut in the bottom to allow a mailbox supporting post to pass through the milk can into the ground. The landscape crew, when they were working here, dug the hole in the ground and poured some concrete to secure the post in place.
We added some finishing touches to the project. First, I got a Stars and Stripes magnetic mailbox wrap to continue the patriotic theme. Second, we bought some brass numerals to put our address (inset) on the post.
We didn’t stain the post because natural aging process will eventually make the wood look rustic which is what we want. The brass numerals will also acquire a patina over time.
Dogs on Alert
We sat on the back patio again today since this is our fourth consecutive day of eighty plus degree temperatures. When we’re outside, there is always something for the dogs to show a lot of interest, like birds, critters, various noises and something to eat. Cabela is looking at the hillside critters and Bear is looking at the Kitchen door. Click on the image to enlarge.
Courtyard Gate Preview Slideshow
We drove out to Congress today to have a look at the finished courtyard gate at Mike’s studio. Mike called this morning to advise that he would be finished shortly and to come have a look if we wanted.
When we got there, we were both amazed at how good this was looking. I took photos of the gate on the workbench and Bob put this slideshow together. Mouse over to stop and out to resume.
Our New Compost Bin
Yesterday, we went to pick up the new compost bin for the Arizona house. Today, we assembled it and put it in the new place on the west side of the house behind the courtyard.
To get the compost going, we added topsoil and a bag of potting soil in the bottom of the bin. We already have put kitchen scraps and such to the mix in the bin.
Image – the new compost bin – click on the image to enlarge.
Bob ordered 250 red worms on-line and when they arrive next week, we will put them in and cover them with more topsoil and scraps. We should have a good compost going within a few weeks to produce our own worm casting garden soil for use in the vegetable garden this summer.
Progress Report – Landscape and Sun Screens
We completed our landscape and sun screen milestones yesterday and today, respectively. The landscape crew finished cleaning up the vegetation and spread the rest of the rocks yesterday. They also lined two small washes that run through the west side of the lot with river rocks to avert erosion. One of the washes runs across the RV pull through, so they dug a small ditch across the road and leveled it out with large river rocks.
The sun screen man came out this morning and installed the screens on all exterior windows. He was done with the job just a couple hours after he arrived in the “screenmobile.” He constructed all of the screens on site.
Although it wasn’t a milestone we named before, Verna’s unique rural mailbox design is also complete and installed. We got our first mail delivered to it today.
Watch the slideshow below to see the entry arch (gate coming soon), one of the sixty six rosemary shrubs planted on the “wall” behind the house, the new mailbox, both washes with river rock, the RV pull through and one of the newly-installed sun screens. Roll over the image with your mouse to stop the slideshow and roll out to resume.
