Plans can change and often do - in the blink of an eye. The beer was on ice, the truck packed, the dogs loaded and we were heading northeast. I called to check on the events and discovered it was raining and chilly up at the cutting and at that point it started to sound like not the funnest thing to do - hang out getting wet, dealing with wet dogs and a lot of driving for a marginal weather day. Rain was not forecast for home and there are always a gazillion things to do around here so I, being the one in charge of our day, changed my mind. We stayed home.
First things first, the dogs got a walk and a swim. That kept them cool enough to run my errands in town. The runoff has begun and all the creeks and canals are full of refreshing, cool water. I have to be a little careful where I take them to swim since the current is so strong right now but swimming is such a great energy release and it keeps them smelling fresh and clean.
The afternoon was devoted to starting in on the backyard and patio. This is actually the time of year when we use it the most - JC is back and forth, it isn't too hot to be out there but warm enough, the evenings are getting longer and it becomes our place to have a cocktail at the end of the day.
This is the chair purchased down in San Diego a few months ago - JC's cigar-smoking chair. We are having the cushions recovered so for now just making do with the chaise lounge cushions, but what a comfortable chair. Our patio really is complete now.... plenty of seating for friends, family... I'm loving it. Now, if just some leisure time would appear.
The water feature is back in service and what a chore that was. So many leaves, and bird seed from the feeder - it took quite a while to get this cleaned out and filled. We now have three kinds of water plants in here and I'm hoping to see some blooms this year. I have a love - hate relationship with this thing - love the sound of the water and how it attracts birds, frogs, the cat and the dogs - but hate the maintenance and the fact that it still leaks or absorbs or something... I still have to have a minute flow into it when the pumps are running. It might be evaporation or perhaps a combination of evaporation and just soaking into the porous tuff.... but despite repainting and sealing the bottom it still will not retain a full pool of water. Now I just run the pumps when we're out there enjoying the patio and the rest of the time let it settle to the level it wants.
This is the black grass we picked up at Koby's swap meet last weekend. I read up on it and many people complained that it got lost in a garden so it went into white pots for contrast. There are two of these on our front landing and there were grasses in them last year - hoping the elegant, spare look of bunch grasses will balance the overgrown and abundant hollyhocks that come up everywhere.
Planted the other two grasses in the backyard beds along with all the crocus and muscari from the winter forcing. In a few years this bed will be filled with winter bulbs. Most of them make it and come up to flower again and the ones that don't? Well, at least they had a fighting chance out here. To try to survive the summer in a pot with my erratic watering habits would be certain death.
The hammock got a new pad this year. Rachael Ashwell of Shabby Chic inspired this look. I do things like this that require paying attention, though.... this cannot live out here all the time since the sprinklers hit the hammock. So having this involves folding it up and storing it inside unless it is in use. This is not the only thing that requires paying attention. Candles have to be moved out of the sun or they'll melt into a useless puddle of wax, cushions have to be flipped over so the cat is sleeping on the backside and my guests won't get covered in cat hair, the water feature has to be constantly cleaned and skimmed. But I love it. It is a Martha Stewart workload without the 'help' and it is crazy but I still do it.
Last but not least is the decorating - the little 'things' that I like to put out. The most fun for me. Again, rather shortsighted since all of this has to be kept cobweb-free or it starts to look really shabby but I just can't help myself.
She was a bizarre find at our local thrift store - I think she might be Kali the goddess of time and change, the consort of Shiva. I loved the color and this frosted resin she is cast in.... and she has a bright red stone in her forehead. She's been living in the art room waiting for a permanent home but for now she'll grace the front porch.
This is a collage of elements found in the art room - I love these fisheye mirrors you can buy at any auto section of the big box stores - they come in different colors and just stick on.The tin hearts are from Mexico, the fun pompom trim picked up at Art & Soul.
And then there is this. I found this the day we found the hawk on our walk.... and I dragged it home. I like it here but it looks a little lonely... needs more work. Maybe I'll build up around it.
Ended the day with horses - cleaning, feeding, scratching. I'm going to start my day with horses today... and weeding. JC picked up a hula hoe for me last week and I'm working on sprucing up the corral. Slowly. Everything takes so much time. Rhea's corral needs lots of work... with it sitting empty the weeds have popped up and it looks forlorn and neglected. Lots to do. Too much for one weekend. But I'm riding today.... really. Mule Days is right around the corner and Smokin' Joe and I need to be ready for it. He's fat and I'm not in riding shape and we just need to get out there.
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