Out of Doors

We have spent the vast majority of the past three days outside, enjoying the end of May and a lovely start to June, weather wise.

Above, Annabelle works on prettifying the alley behind our house. It is now full of colorful chalk ponies

Saturday, we worked on our garden, washed an intricate fence for repainting (which took place today), and we went hunting and gathering supplies to make mosaic stepping stones for our parking strip. We'll have four stepping stones, one for each of our house numbers. We're working on the two first, and decided to use recycled glass from Bedrock for the numbers.

After weighing several options, we ultimately decided just to go with glass pebbles from Dollar Tree (hooray! cheap!) around the number.

This morning, we set the first stones in mortar.

It should be ready to be taken out of the form tomorrow, and we'll get busy making the next number, 8.  As I looked at this and its colors, I couldn't help but think I should be making "12" stepping stones for Seahawks fans! :)

While we were looking for supplies, one of our stops took us near the Bitter Lake reservoir and park. There was a great climbing structure there.

There was also some neat-o fitness equipment, and a really pretty P-Patch.

A couple of 70-something ladies working the patch were VERY pleased that we were admiring their patch, and taking photos. We learned from one of them that the wire cages containing stone used for terracing the place are called gabions. We're thinking we might do that on our hillside. 

Sunday, we spent most of the day at Rick's place, helping him with his yard. We planted dozens of plants on his hillside, and did a little logging, which is always exciting.

Monday afternoon, Christian took the kids swimming at the local municipal pool. When I stopped by to say 'hi,' they nearly had the deep end to themselves!

METER READERS: For the kids' science class homework this week, they have been reading our electric meter each day.  It's interesting to watch those dials turn and wonder what we could do to slow them down or stop them.