Spring weather is finally coming on . . . and so the growing begins in the garden . . . April 2018

we expanded the garden area just outside the porch . . . and all those snow drops!

The moonlight hydrangea is leafing out . . .

and the Lentil Rose is looking good this year, we may need more of these . . .

The Virginia Blue Bells not only survived the porch work, but are expanding in this little corner . . .

and behind the blue bells in the space between the porch and the west fence our pachysandra have survived . . .

using the original stone steps I've got one up on a set of feet, looking for another set of feet for the other bench.

The plan is to take out the lawn, so I have started that . . .

Did someone say tulips? . . . we have a few . . .

and a few more . . .

the scilla is looking good . . .

The fritalaria are ok, though a couple have decided to be pretty weird . . . twisting along the ground . . .

The rose bush is looking really good!

overall look at the budding backyard!

Japonica, bleeding hearts and lambs ear . . . all intertwining this year . . .

Locked in on the porch furniture and drapes . . . need some lamps, but we are working on that . . .

Much more to do, but we have a good start on it . . .

I need to do a better job of blogging! . . . getting ready for xmas already . . .

Our row of houses . . . mine with no decoration, Jo with wreaths in each window . . .

I know, I know . . . long time since the last post . . .

There have been a few significant changes since the last post . . . things are moving along . . .

It all starts with water undermining the kitchen and porch . . .

and it continues into the backyard . . . where it is time to get rid of the stepping stones . . .

with the new base we are putting in the new old walk

with some help from our native friends . . .

The view from the front through the alley . . .

ok, so another front view . . .

And putting the porch back together . . . very close to done

and the halloween decorations accumulating getting ready to decorate . . .

So, here is the new backyard . . . the grass will go away and let the planting begin!

I've been a bad boy . . . so long since I've posted anything!

Well, lets start with Jo's house . . . we finally decided on new plants for the front!

And we have been working on the back porch . . . a bit more to do, but it is looking good . . .
Curtains are back to be hemmed right and that gutter and facia are pending replacement.  And notice the stucco is painted! . . . still have the siding to replace, but the whole back of the building is all one color now!!

Then there is my house . . . it is painted! the downspout is straightened out and the trim is all repaired.
So much nicer . . . still haven't chosen and door and shutter color . . . and the next picture is the back . . . just showing the painting done all around. 

Construction finished . . . we have a kitchen . . . pending painting . . . and curtains . . . and . . . etc.

Coming in the back door you see . . .

Then turn to look at the stove . . .

Walk in and look back toward the door . . .

This is the wall you are following in from the back door down the hall . . .

as you head down the hall toward the dining room . . .

here is the hall down between the butler pantries . . . the kitchen pantry, broom closet and a half bath.

a decent sized half bath

with fairly comfortable area . . . and curtains are coming!

The broom closet pull out . . . with storage closet above.

Dining room as you come in from the kitchen hall

Dining room looking back from the living room

The laundry has moved to the second floor . .  in the current master bath.

A good amount of linen closet space.

With more closets on the other side . . .

and the machines in the middle.

It has been a long time coming . . . still have the bathroom to finish, but I think painting the kitchen and dining room is the first priority . . . and perhaps the outside stucco painting . . .

Mom's ol' house . . . new look . . .

 Keeping it looking good!!