Outdoor Living and Garden Renovation

Lot's of changes have been happening at our house.  In my previous post I was sharing my garden with you.  I was doing that so I could preserve my memories, because this is what my view was a few days after that.

Our beautiful old gazebo is now gone because it was falling apart. It had survived several years through three different families who loved it so much! We will miss it but have many photos to remind us. 

The next two days of progress on the new deck and it was fun to see it coming together.  We cut down the yew bushes and will be changing the landscaping later.

This is my view on the third day. Our poor dogs were in a little bit of shock because they couldn't figure out where the stairs went off the back of the deck.  

The following day it was really coming together.  Don't you just love the smell of fresh cut wood?

Our deck designer/carpenter Adam Park at AP Custom Works, LLC put up our pergola and started the railing. It's really coming together.  I can not express how much Rick and I love this!

That's my old climbing rose bush in that red bucket that was growing up the gazebo.  I need to figure out where it's new home is going too be in our yard.

This is my view before all the railing is up.

This is what it looks like now.  I love it!

I've got some new landscaping to do.

  

The dogs are still confused about the step situation even though there are stairs on all three sides of the pergola, they still go over to the stairs by the back door.  

My new view from the back door!  I can't wait to get my deck chairs up there.

Our view from our upper stairway landing. Now if the torrential rains will stop washing all our grass seed away, I'll be even more happy!

Thanks Adam for the beautiful new deck!  Rick and I love it and can't wait to share it with our family! 

An Evening With Susan Branch in KC

Do you ever have one of those days where you can't wipe the smile off your face?  Yesterday was one of those days.  My daughter, Amber, and I spent the day together shopping, having lunch on the Plaza in KC, and then we (drum roll please) went to hear Susan Branch talk about her new book, Martha's Vineyard Isle of Dreams.  I have been a huge Susan Branch fan for years!

I have so many of her books:  Sweets to the Sweet, Vineyard Seasons, Christmas Joy, The Summer Book, A Fine Romance, Fairy Tale Girl, Girlfriends Forever(I've given this one as gifts too), and now this new one!  I've been charmed by Susan's artwork from the first time I saw her illustrated recipes in a magazine (I can't remember if it was Country Living or Country Home).  I used to tear them out and save them.  Then I got hooked on her handwritten and illustrated books and calendars.  

The new one is very special because it's now autographed and because we got to meet Susan and her husband, Joe.  

Amber looks a little jealous that Susan is extending her hand to me.  Not sure what that look is all about, but we both thought it was funny, so I'm sharing it!

I hunted outside for their van before we entered the building and couldn't find it.  Joe was kind enough to tell us where it was parked so we could take pictures.  They are traveling the country on their book tour in this beauty!  I've seen it on Susan's blog which you should definitely read.  Also, go to her website and sign up for her newsletter Willard.    I adore the whistling birds on her website!  

Sorry about the pictures of the van, but I have a new cell phone and still learning to use that camera.   Such a fabulous day!  Thanks Amber!

Here's a few of my Susan Branch collection along with a few other favorites on my hutch.

There is so much going on at our home recently and I will share it all with you soon hopefully!