Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Outdoor Wednesday - 2/24 - The Project continues




Welcome to our crazy home...where projects seem endless! Today is Outdoor Wednesday and I think we're all ready for Spring! I'm just betting if you go visit Sweet Susan at a Southern Daydreamer, you will see more flowers than you ever dreamed!

We are still working on the arbor outside. It is built and has been primed. We still need to paint it.

The sidewalk is finished! Yea! I'm so proud of Mr. Dumpling. He has done a great job...with proper supervision of course! OnlySon said he's just becoming Bob Vila isn't he?...and Mr. Dumpling asked "Who's Bob Vila?". We've got to get him out more don't we?


After much deliberation and many phone calls to Lowe's, Home Depot, Stine's and local stores, we settled on PaveStone. I couldn't get the exact one I wanted but I love the Flagstone look.



We mixed the light and dark Flagstone to get a more weathered look. We used River Rock on the outside and sand on the inside of the stones. Interesting note...we still have the sandbags from when Hurricane Rita came thru in 2005. Talk about re-using things eh?



Yes, Boo Boo is tied to the fence while we work. He is an notorious car chaser!



We still have the landscaping to finish, paint the arbor, etc. Shhhh, I already have another itsy bitsy project in mind. Don't you think I need a little patio to come off the sidewalk and go in front of the fence? We won't tell him just yet.



And this is our sidewalk finished!








The flowerbed needs a little more prep. We just got back from the nursery and bought two full size yew and some abelia. We will add some knock-out roses and then work on the arbor planting



This week is hectic. We're hosting a 90th birthday party for my sweet MIL here Sunday. She is the last surviving sibling out of 13 children. We have invited ALL of her nieces and nephews (and many of their children). I'll post pictures of the decoration next week.

Anyone have a great non-alcoholic punch recipe you want to share? I have an email link on the side if you prefer to use that. It can be pink, lavender or yellow.

33 comments:

Lois Christensen said... Best Blogger Tips

I love your walkway!!! We currently just have a gravel one, but hubby wants to do something better this spring. I am going to show yours to him! It's perfect!! Great pictures, have a great time with your party!

Tardevil said... Best Blogger Tips

I think I saw a non-alcoholic punch on Foodie Friday @ Gollum's, but I believe it was green. Your DH did a great job on the sidewalk. I think you're smart to hold-off on hitting him w/ that patio project, if he's anything like my DH.

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said... Best Blogger Tips

Happy Outdoor Wednesday Judy Bug! I love your sidewalk...it is gorgeous! It is going to be fun watching your yard develop... I know you must have ideas swirling around in your head. I can't wait to see what you have to show us next! Thanks for sharing your photos.

Susan

♥ Kathy said... Best Blogger Tips

Your walk turned out soooo nice Judybug! And your yard is lovely :) Happy OW!

Glenda/MidSouth said... Best Blogger Tips

Really like the walkway - everything looks so pretty.
Glenda

Beth at Aunties said... Best Blogger Tips

Judybug,

Your walk turned out fabulous... thanks to talented and hardworking Mr. Dumpling! And of course the Supervisor and Boo Boo:) (Aren't we lucky to have such men in our lives?)
When it is landscaped and say in about two years it will be simply gorgeous. Your hard work has made your yard incredibly a show stopper.
Truly the patio is a must:)
Have a wonderful party and Happy Birthday to your MIL.

Have fun and don't over do!

♥♥♥

Olde Dame Penniwig said... Best Blogger Tips

A pretty pink punch is one that you make from pink lemonade, with ginger ale added and a whole jar of maraschino cherries JUICE, you can also turn it into a Floating Island punch with the addition of a pink or white sherbet. (none of that looks spelled right...) Save the cherries and drop one in each cup before ladling in the punch itself.

The Quintessential Magpie said... Best Blogger Tips

Judy Bug, it looks great. Boo did such a good job helping you lay that sidewalk. He needs to be proud of himself! ;-)

Love it!

Happy OW...

XO,

Sheila :-)

The Quintessential Magpie said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh, and happy B-Day to your MIL! I know the party will be fun!

Tealady said... Best Blogger Tips

I always enjoy a visit to your blog to see the latest project. The flagstone path is amazing. Great job. And a wonderful happy birthday to your mother-in-law!

Kim @ Forever Wherever said... Best Blogger Tips

Your walkway is so pretty! Everything is! Thanks for sharing your project with us! You might like my husband's blog - http://remodelingguy.net - You seem to have lots of projects! :-)
Have a great time at the party!
-Kim

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh, the sidewalk turned out just gorgeous, and I so love the fence and arbor. When it's all planted it will be just stunning. A really simple punch is mixing pineapple juice, orange juice and 7-up and floating pineapple rings. You can also add sherbert if you like. Everyone seems to like it. Hugs, Marty

BECKY said... Best Blogger Tips

The elements for your walkway are just perfect together!! You did a beautiful job!! We have so many things to finish up around here!!

How wonderful to give her a birthday bash!! My Mom's last one was her 75th birthday and 50th wedding anniversary together...we're so glad we did it!! Even with her Alzheimer's she knew what was going on, and teared up. Precious!

You have a lovely home and I think the new little itsy bitsy project sounds like a winner, too!

Blessings,
Becky

Blondie's Journal said... Best Blogger Tips

Judy,
Love the sidewalk! It looks professionally done with all the detail. And yes, do a patio. One can never have too many places to relax! :-)

I don't know many punoch recipes but you can try Semihomemade.com~Sandra Lee really knows how to kick up a party and prbably has some great non~Al punches and a few other good ideas as well.

Happy birthday to your mother~in~law!

xoxo
Janie

Jewel Sauls said... Best Blogger Tips

I love your walkway! Great job!!!! My standby pink punch is a tub of raspberry sherbet, sprite or 7up and a whole jar of maraschino cherries.:D Jewel

Kat said... Best Blogger Tips

The walkway is gorgeous. You are doing a great job of supervising! Can't wait to see it with the plantings, this is going to be a traffic stopper. And I love that you used the sandbags - talk about repurposing and making something nice out of something horrific. Kathy

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

that is an really cool walk way, I love the stone look. Great pictures too!!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said... Best Blogger Tips

Wow! That looks like a LOT OF work, but it did turn out beautifully! Did you see Christine's recipe for the punch that you can add either liquor or clear soda to each glass after you make it? I think it is kind of a pale yellow color. How nice of ou to have the party for your mil. Have fun! laurie

Susan B said... Best Blogger Tips

Your sidewalk looks wonderful. You have a lovely home. My MIL is visiting us this week, she turned 90 at the end of December. I hope your MIL has a wonderful birthday party!

2 Dogs said... Best Blogger Tips

That looks GREAT!!!!! My son knocked down our old arbor for me. Well it really went crashing over. John has promised to build me a new one.

ellen b. said... Best Blogger Tips

Your walkway is just wonderful. Great choice you made!! There's a great punch you make with lemonade powder, lemon-lime soda and frozen rasberries that is really pretty and refreshing. Here's one that I copied
INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate
3 cups water
3/4 teaspoon lime juice
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage
1 cup crushed ice
1 cup fresh raspberries, garnish
18 Mint leaves, for garnish (optional)


DIRECTIONS
In a large punch bowl, combine raspberry lemonade concentrate, water and lime juice. Stir in lemon-lime soda and crushed ice. Garnish each glass with a fresh raspberry and a mint leaf.

BECKY said... Best Blogger Tips

Hi again, I'm sorry about your Mom, Judy. Mine passed in 2004, and I still miss her so much. There is just something very different and almost surreal about not having your mom any more. I think it's a sisterhood of sorts...no one who still has their mom can really understand what it's like.

I've prayed for you, and am here if you ever need someone to listen.
holidayinthesun_1@yahoo.com

Gentle blessings,
Becky

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

Such a nice walkway.It's going to be fun to watch the rest of the project come together.

Kathy b

Teresa Jane said... Best Blogger Tips

Judy Bug,
I enjoyed reading a lot of your blog. I don't have one but visit others via my BFF's blog (Miss Janice).
Teresa Jane

Nola said... Best Blogger Tips

The sidewalk looks great!
How sweet of you to host the mil bd party. Here's a great punch recipe. You can make it whatever color you want by picking a Jello in that color; I like the taste of black cherry best myself.

6 cups sugar
1 (6 oz) Frozen Pink Lemonade
4 cups hot water
2 (46 oz) Cans Pineapple Juice
2 Large Pkgs. Jello (any flavor)
1 oz. Almond Extract
1 (6 oz) Frozen Orange juice
1 Gallon Water

Freeze the above. When ready to serve add two 2-liter bottles of ginger ale. Great recipe for showers, etc.

Crafty Niche said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh my gosh, that is so pretty! I can't wait to see the rest. I would love something like that in my yard!

Linda (Nina's Nest) said... Best Blogger Tips

That is a gorgeous walkway....love the stone you used. Linda

Runner Mom said... Best Blogger Tips

Just visiting! Love the walkway! Y'all did a great job! Have fun with your party!

Blessings,
Susan

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Great blog post.....Good
Sydney Plumber

Lalchand Khatri said... Best Blogger Tips

This is really nice blog post, willing to by tv cable connection we provide excellent service as in lowest rates..
Satellite TV

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

I love the walkway. We put some flagstone in our yard with rocks between them. I love the look. Am looking forward to the next stage of your yard development.
Charlotte

Nicole ~ said... Best Blogger Tips

Wow, that looks wonderful!! He did a great job.

I have a simple punch recipe, and I always get raves over it. It is simply equal parts of Ginger Ale & Pineapple/Orange Juice. I love to chop up frozen strawberries & use them as ice. Super simple & very good.

English Cottage in Georgia said... Best Blogger Tips

What busy bees you guys are :-)
The sidewalk to wonderful...cannot wait to see your arbor in full bloom.