We have a few projects to do. You know how projects go. Lots of trips to Home Depot. Arguments over how it’s done. At least one redo because it didn’t come out right.
I like when things come together.
When things fit.
When there are no leaks, no fights or an obscene amount of trips to a home center for obscure tools or miscalculated supplies.
Two small projects are planned for the pond area. One is to build a very short paver walkway joining the patio with the pond. This allows access to the pond without walking through flower beds. Aside from not squashing flowers, debris won’t get into the pond.
The other is to change the location of the waterfall and build a spillway. The current waterfall is all bubbly and agitates the water over the entire surface. Water lilies like peaceful still water. A spillway will aerate the water without the turbulence.
The weather has been weird. That means cold and unsuitable for outdoor work by my standards. I don’t like to be uncomfortable. We have been able to complete one project. I am elated.
Nothing went insanely wrong. (I don’t know how that happened! Something always goes wrong!)
There were only two trips to Home Depot. Woo hoo! There is nothing worse than going there when I am dirty and my hair is sweaty and flat under a hat. (I am more troubled by the hair than the dirt. I’m a girly girl. Dirt gives street cred whereas sweaty hair is just yuck!)
I convinced the beloved husband that he should go while I worked on prepping the site. It worked.
We used leftover pavers. That meant the project was almost free. (I love free!) We only had to buy gravel for the base.
We didn’t have enough of any one size paver so I had to create a pattern using three different sizes.
It worked. No one fell into the pond or worse yet, knocked dirt into it. Everything fit together.
I like it. (There is nothing worse than redoing a project you just devoted two days completing because doesn’t look right. Everyone gets cranky!)
The biggest issue was keeping the robins and frogs out of the hole. The worms were quite the attraction – big and juicy. I felt bad for them. We should name the little byway after them. Wormy Way? Slinky Street? I’ll have to think on that one.
Yard work- as I try to convince Charley -IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION!. He’s not buying it for a minute. But what a beautiful water feature you’ve created. Nice job!
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The first projects are always fun and exciting. After that it’s just work and too hot.
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Weeding tomorrow. I know what you mean!
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Looks fabulous!! I’m with you on making sweaty trips to Home Depot. Is it me or on those trips everyone else looks gorgeous? Your camera is getting great use, I love the frog photo.
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When I work, I get those dirt smudges all over my face. I look like an escapee from the chain gang. (smell like it too)
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Hahahaha!
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Lovely garden and so much hard work! I think the picture of the cat is phenomenal with the high definition effect.
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Thanks!
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Go you! The walkway looks great. So does the waterfall . . . I can hear it now.
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The walkway was definitely a success.
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Kate, your pond looks so inviting even I’d want to dive in. Nice job and that’s coming from an amateur. But don’t let that throw you, we amateurs can still appreciate when someone does a better job than we would do. ‘o)
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Us amateurs are great problem solvers because we never have the right tools, right amount of stuff, etc. You have to be creative.
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Yep, band-aids and baling wire. 😀
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I love your little pond and the walkway fits right in. No wonder the frogs love your place too….
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I keep it up for the comfort of the frogs.
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My husband watches that show “Yard Crashers” and I always say, “The whole, ‘wandering around Home Depot looking for people for their show’ is staged.” He didn’t believe me. My point was, people don’t go to Home Depot in full makeup, with their hair perfect. Sure enough, I looked it up and they place ads looking for people whose yards they can cover. They location scout first, of course. I’m not sure he believes me but we women know we don’t look like that when we’re at Home Depot on a random weekend!
Stephanie
http://stephie5741.blogspot.com
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I live in fear that I will run into someone I know there. Of course they will look as bad as I do because they will need an odd sized screw in the middle of a project too.
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How lovely — I’m impressed!
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I am too.
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😏
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Congrats on the completed job! The walkway and pond look awesome. “Wormy Way” gets my vote, Kate!
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I’ll have to get a street sign made!
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Loved the way you laid the pieced-together bits in the walkway. Very harmonious and natural looking. Always feels really good to get a project finished, especially when it was almost free. I absolutely love free. My favorite kind of project! Looks good!
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Thanks! I love mostly free too.
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What a glorious photo of what the pond will look like! I think hubby would love this project. Too bad we are in the desert. Sad face….
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The desert has a different kind of beauty.
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I suppose. Sometimes. But it’s not MY kind of beauty.
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I like a lush and green environment myself but home is where the cats are.
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I like the pavers’ color blend and pattern.You did a puzzle without a picture – pretty amazing.
Never realized you had to adjust water activity to suit the plants, but thinking about it, waterlilies seem only happy in still waters (Do they are don’t they know what it good for them?)
Congrats on all this!
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Water plants can be finicky. They will grow in almost anywhere but don’t like the rapids.
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Lovely work! I like the three different sized pavers – much more interesting. Our projects often take several trips to Home Depot too – and then of course one more to take back any purchases we didn’t end up using (we call that “anti-shopping”).
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We did the second project today and it was one of those do-overs. Post to come.
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So pretty 🙂 Want to come redo my backyard? It’s looking pretty lame in comparison lol. I could sit outside all day if that was my view.
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When it’s done I will do a lot of sitting and looking.
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Great job…. looks great …. and no wasted time traveling back and forth to Home Depot (I usually incorporate a Tim Horton’s stop when repeat visits are necessary!) 🙂
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I’d do that too but my husband just wants to get done.
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Your pond and pavers are gorgeous. I love waterfalls. Can’t wait to see yours when you finish. Would a request for a video with sound be out of bounds?
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I’d have to figure out how to do it. I did it with Jake once so if the technology hasn’t changed, maybe I can.
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Wow! I am totally impressed by both the pond and the walkway. I would not dare approach Honey with such a project. He would leave me.
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We are a project couple. Not too many or not too intensive but we like small projects that have a visual impact almost immediately. It’s one of our connections.
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good communication
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Very pretty, a job well done. My God but you have plenty of frogs!
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We do. Our pond is small by pond standards 5×11 with 700 gallons but we have a very healthy eco-system with plants and wildlife. We don’t get water issues except for the occasional algae invasion. I saw 4 plump tadpoles that will morph this summer and my last count was 9 big frogs. They do disappear. Things eat them or they go visiting. The fish, however, could use some tips on contraception. (Or I need some sushi recipes!)
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That’s a beautiful walkway. I’m impressed by your ability to do this– and remain married. A gold star for you!
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Each project we have has a “leader.” I was the leader on this one. The leader shouts out directions and the other follows. Depending on the project, the leader is different each time. We both enjoy simple projects and that helps.
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Walkway is awesome. I have been showing CH your pond posts. I would love a small pond but it would kill me if anything came to harm and it would out here in the wilds. But I would just love the water feature and the plants. AND we would have you to consult on the best location and tips… 😀 Your pond area is wonderful!
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It has part shade and part sun and that works. It’s much easier than you think. My only regret is I didn’t do this 20 years ago.
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Geez that’s so pretty it almost makes me want to go outdoors. Almost.
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You can get an aquarium!
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The pathway is a beautiful compliment to a beautiful pond. Good work Kate.
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Thanks!
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It looks lovely!
Ha, I never considered the joys of no extra trips to Home Depot, but you’re right — it’s an indication of proper planning and efficiency. I shall judge all future projects by Kate standard.
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Yes indeed! Only two trips is the top of the rung for us.
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I applaud your pond efforts! I have extensive gardens; no water features other than the hose and a bird bath that I must scrub frequently. And sometimes I forget. Yuck.
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I too have a birdbath or as I call it a bird toilet. It requires daily cleaning. The pond is a lot easier and many birds do there washing in the shallow area.
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Wow, you are devoted! Daily cleaning for the birdbath! Impressive!
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The poop in it is disgusting. It’s as big as goose poop.
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Looks great, Kate! Love the frog!
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Thanks! He sat there posing. They often jump in the water when I get too close. Obviously he was curious.
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Looks great! Good job.
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Thanks! Pond projects are labors of love.
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Very nice!! Looks so serene.
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The frogs thought we were too noisy. They are happy that it’s done but we will do the waterfall project this week.
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Hahaha poor frogs.
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“All’s well that ends well.” An over rated statement IMHO.
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Yes, no arguments, big mocha latte. What else can you ask for?
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