The Backyard Saga continues...Chapter 2

How would you like to see this out of your french doors in the morning? This was the heavy duty bucket truck that was used to take down the cottonwoods.

We put ribbons on the two trees that were to be spared. I *love* this eastern redbud tree.

A little later in the day...

This was the next day. All the fruit trees are down at this point, and just trunks are left of the cottonwoods. The tree company came a third day to finish them off and grind the stumps. The back yard looks completely different now! DH and I were *amazed* at the level of work it took to get all the trees down. So thankful we hired this job out! The saga continues....

Welcome to the Jungle...

Well, okay...maybe not jungle, but Tarzan sure could've swung around our back yard for a while, before he ran out of tree branches! Say hello to a monster-sized cottonwood, or poplar. Look at all the havoc those roots are creating! I hate these trees with a passion (but only in a residential setting, you understand.). I thought I'd share a few "before" pictures of the back yard project. We are in the "during" phase of the project currently, and I'm afraid it will be quite a while before we get to the final "after". Although we have a professional landscape plan we are working from, we will be doing most of the work ourselves. I'm still open for the HGTV fairy godmother option.

We had another cottonwood on the other side of the property by the treehouse. A third was mercifully removed by the city some time ago, as it was rotted clear through and a danger to life and (ahem) limb. (Sorry, couldn't resist.) We also had more than ten fruit trees. We never could keep up with these overgrown trees and come July and August, we would have rotting fruit everywhere. Bleh. Don't get me started on the bees and wasps this attracted.

An overgrown cherry tree, pear and peach tree and a raspberry patch flanking our garden shed. Oh yes, Mr. Shed, you're up for a makeover, too.

Wow. I still get goosebumps looking at this picture. Both trees had been pruned this way by the power company to avoid those power lines. Guess which direction they were leaning? Yep -- toward our house! Yikes! More pictures tomorrow...

The Lazy(?) Days of Summer

We had a busy weekend. The 4th was just the beginning... Saturday, DH and I devoted ourselves to yard work. We trimmed, mowed, pulled weeds, edged -- pretty much polished up what we've got done so far in the yard. With major projects underway or waiting in the wings, it wasn't perfect. (But as my friend, the Nester, says -- it doesn't have to perfect to be beautiful.) Our front flower bed is still empty (awaiting some shrubs later in the season), but the red geraniums on the porch and hanging baskets were blooming. Old Glory waving and red, white and blue buntings on the porch railings rounded out the decorations.

Our neighborhood and ward are one and the same, and this summer we've been having 'walkabouts'. This is where after church (and after our Sunday dinners) we all get to come out and walk around to our neighbors' houses and sit and visit (and hopefully eat, LOL) in their front yards/porches. I love this! Three to five families are chosen to host each time. We were one of the walkabout families this time. (Hence the sprucing up.) We laid out quilts on the lawn, pulled out all our extra chairs, including the wicker, and set out a rectangular table covered with my linen colored and red tablecloth, layered. Cookie platters and two large jars filled with Jen's Water Punch, 2 ladles and 4th of July napkins were laid out on the table. Why am I describing in detail? Yep, that's right! I forgot to take pictures! Too busy...too much visiting. But, really wasn't that the point of the whole thing? We actually had some folks stay so late, the porch lights had to be turned on! I would say it was a success -- I'm so pleased people felt so comfortable staying and chatting.

One of the secrets to our success was the water punch. People strolled up, *asking for it*. It was perfect for a July evening, and it *did* look very refreshing in the huge glass jars I used. I found these 'Heritage Hill' jars at Walmart, for $12 each. 12 bucks, people!

I wish I took a picture of how the punch looked on my serving table. Here's a picture of someone else's version to give you an idea of how it looked. (picture credit: sisterscafe.blogspot.com)

I like my sister's recipe better, with the citrus fruit cut up smaller and loads of pebble ice... Ours was filled to the brim (and refilled, and refilled...) Thanks, sis! You rock! Here's the recipe: enjoy.

Life is good... and busy... and not lazy.

Jen's Water Punch
This is a delicious citrus party punch. Make sure to make enough; everyone will refill their glass!

2 ½ quarts water
2 ½ quarts pebble ice (get this at the butcher block or a Sonic restaurant)
2 ½ cups sugar
1 T citric acid (get this in the pharmacy area)
1 T lemon extract
2 limes (diced, do not peel)
2 lemons (diced, do not peel)
2 oranges (diced, do not peel)

Mix the water mixture first, then add ice. Add other ingredients next. Dice the fruit bite-sized, so that the fruit will fit in cups or glasses. Stir. Serve. Get ready to refill glasses... : )

Words to live by

And I'm proud to be an American,where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.

~Lee Greenwood

Fun on the Fourth

We had our annual fireworks show in front of the house again. We were joined by several neighbors (the more the merrier!) who helped us ooh and ahhh. Our little show lasted about 2 hours, which is not bad for less than 40 bucks!



The spinners were crowd pleasers...several of the fountains were pretty impressive. The "smoke" bombs proved to be the lemon of the night; oh yeah, there was smoke, but also lots of stink! Due to an unfortunate timed shift in the wind, we had toddlers crying and kids and grownups running at one point. P-U!

While other animals were safely tucked inside and hidden during all the fireworks commotion, our Bijou watched the show from beginning to end.

What's in a Name?

It's hard for me to name things. I think it's a perfectionist thing. My baby daughter was 2 days old and still waiting for a name. Pets? Same story... I could go on. Out of all the wonderful things you can name a person, place or thing -- you must pick *one*. Aigh! So, here I am again. Starting up the blog was the easy part... but a blog must have a name!

So, why did I pick the name I did? Not very original. Not very catchy. Not incredibly witty, cute, or homey. A few reasons. First, "bends in the road" have been a constant in my life. There have been twists and turns in my life's road that I never expected. Another reason -- you will learn I am a big Lucy Maud Montgomery fan and find a kindred spirit in her character, Anne Shirley. Anne's words about 'the bend in the road' speak to me:

"...my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I don't know what lies around the bend, but I'm going to believe that the best does. It has a fascination of its own, that bend, Marilla. I wonder how the road beyond it goes--what there is of green glory and soft, checkered light and shadows--what new landscapes--what new beauties--what curves and hills and valleys further on." -- Anne of Green Gables, Chapter XXXVIII, The Bend in the Road

The bend *has* been fascinating so far, and I *do* wonder how the road beyond it goes. Add in a banner for the blog: a painting of a bend in the road that hung in my dear Omi and Opa's house, and there you have it. Kismet.

I hope you will enjoy the posts and pictures, and my adventures. As for now, I'm off for neighborhood fireworks. Happy 4th of July, everyone.

How To Leave a Comment

Here's a quick tutorial on how to leave a comment on my blog:

HOW TO LEAVE A COMMENT:

1. Go down to the bottom of the current post, and you'll see (in small letters) the word "comments". Click on that.

2. (a dialogue box might pop up at this point, just click yes) Now you see the comment page. Start writing your comment in the box provided.

3. When you see "Choose an Identity", don't worry. With this blog, you don't need to have any special identity. If you have a Google username from your gmail email, great -- use that. Look at the other choices. If none of them matches up with you, then choose "anonymous". (Do me a favor and sign your name at the bottom of your comment if you're choosing anonymous, so I'll know who is leaving a message.)

4. Now just click on "Publish Your Comment". (you can also click preview if you want to preview your comment.) That's it. Your comment is posted!

Okay, now you know how to comment -- so let me hear from you! :-) See you on the blog!