Walkway Completed and End of Summer Ventures

As August came to a close, we strapped down to finish up some projects outside.  And we did!  Our list of what we want completed before winter is nearly complete now (we still have a couple of things to go).

The river on the front hill is now completely planted.  I am so delighted with the way it turned out.  Two years, more rocks than I care to count, and 30 some grass plants later, we have one stage of the landscaping complete with the front hill.  Let's go back first to the hill as it started:

The hill, before we did anything

And now the after.

The River from the top

Another top down view

Completed

So nice, and pretty low maintenance

Couldn't be happier with the way this turned out!

We also completed the walkway out back.  It is so nice to have this done and I'm sure it will save our grass getting trampled by the dogs this winter.

Cutting angles for the Window

Cutting blocks for by the window

Building the steps to the dog run

Steps nearly completed

Cutting the support beam for the walk to go over the Window on the edge

As a reminder, here was what the back looked like before.

Note the rough condition of the grass and that the yard slopes toward the house

And the completed project!

Looking towards the Deck

Looking towards the Dog Run

Turned out so nice, now just to finish up the egress window!

Finished step into the dog run

Next project to level the sod to the edge of the path.  Hopefully this fall.

Cassie approves!

Another project crossed off the list

Oh, and here's the newest craigslist bargain (I couldn't pass this one up!):

Not sure this is it's forever home, but I'm certain I will find a spot for it

Red Canoe Shelf

And some miscellaneous pictures from the last few weeks:

Aria loves her soccer ball

Our first harvest of peppers, we'll get one more off the plants at least this big if not bigger.  

We used the fresh peppers for a fresh taco salad, yum.

Red Mums I planted out front for the fall

Labor day weekend we had a wonderful visit from my best friend from high school.  We enjoyed her company very much and kept quite busy with ventures in peach picking and fresh sweet corn, hard cider tasting, wine tasting, a late lunch and a movie.  The next day some shopping of course.  The weather was perfect for her visit which made it even better!

Look at all that delicious fresh produce and local hard cider!

After she left my hubby got to be my helper to can the rest of our peaches.  What a nice way to end the summer by putting some fresh, local produce on the shelf for the winter.

 

Fall is beginning to show her colors here at the lake with brisk mornings, shorter evenings, and the delightful crisp air I love, and while it's my favorite season, I hope she holds this mild transition for a bit as there are still several projects on my list that I need decent weather for!  More to come as these come to completion.