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I can't think of a cohesive title for this post, mainly because the topics are not easily cohesive-able, and I think my brain is a little fried from finals week grading this weekend. Let's march forward anyway.

For my birthday, I received a gift certificate to our local True Value, and last weekend I cashed it in for mulch (not pictured) and a Dappled Willow. We set out the dappled willow last weekend in the rock bed on the East side of the house. In theory, if the willow likes this spot (and fingers crossed that this spot is part-shade/part-sun enough), it should grow to 5' x 5' and take up the space between the bedroom and bathroom. The picture does not do it justice; I really like the way the tips of this little bush looks against the brick.

The castle continues to be a source of wonder and delight for O. With the leaves on the tree, it really feels like you're in a jungle, and O. really wants to have a snack here most evenings.
Last night, E. the cat was out with us, and I threw her into the castle with O., thinking that this would be a short-lived experiment. I was wrong. E. likes the castle too. In spite of the annoyed expression in the photo below, she quickly realized that the castle is prime spot to survey the neighborhood.

Year 2 of the Herb Garden. The oregano, lemon balm, lavender, thyme, chives, sage, spearmint, and catnip all came back from last year. The rosemary is hanging in there, but just barely. I'm told that rosemary usually does well here but they're not as cold-hardy as other herbs, and this winter was colder than usual.

I've replanted several basils, marjoram, and cilantro. I've also added nasturtiums and marigolds that I started from seed. The red pot just off center of the photo below is a yarrow, and the purple ball flowers are allium, called Purple Sensation.
I've been trying to be outside for as much as possible right now, before the mosquito season begins. We're already beginning to see them. The photo below was taken last week, and I've included quarter next to the mosquito for size reference. Huge, and these are just non-biting kind.

Return of the Tipsy Pots

The tipsy pots are back! This time I used a 3/8" by 48" piece of rebar instead of fencing material I found last year. Much better this way. Easier to put together, seems sturdier, too.

It's hard to tell from the photo, but I went with a purple and green theme this year, choosing some deep purple petunias, some lime green sweet potato vine, and some other perennials that were $1.39 at our local hardware store.

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My latest wishlist item: a Canon EOS Rebel 40D. J. has been issued this camera for work purposes. He asked me to help him get acquainted with it and now I can't seem to keep my hands off of it. It lets me do things like this:

The focus isn't great (it was windy and I was rushing it), but there's no way I can get that with the Powershot. Ah, for a spare $1500.

The Castle

The number 2 project in our queue was completed this weekend, due to the efforts of Dad, Mom, Uncle B, and Aunt M. Why the "The Castle?" That's O.'s word for it, and he defends it with enthusiasm.

We began with this: a pile of treated lumber and recycled deck wood, a wily three-year old, obliging parents/grandparents/aunt/uncle, and a dream.
A couple of days before the project began, a rare (we hope) series of earthquakes occurred. Minimal damage in our area, fortunately. The most severe quake in the series kicked around the wood pile a bit, shown below. Must have been the midwestern-raised in me again, but I was impressed.

We lucked out with the weather, but early afternoon showers forced the first steps of the project indoors. Here's J., Dad, and Uncle B. assembling the base.And here's Mom, documenting the process.

The next step was to attach the vertical beams. The horizontal 2x4s acted as temporary support, by the way. Aunt M. is shown below, holding it and us together.We learned that power saws and naptime don't mix. O. came outside to express his displeasure at the racket. O. quickly realized that the result of his noise is to his benefit.
The floor of the deck was installed next.

It was clear the deck is the best place to be. We basically built it around O., with Aunt M. for comfort/safety/entertainment.
A test run of the slide. Uncle B. later mounted about a foot off the ground, which makes it easier to climb into at the top. O. can land on his feet, which gives him a good running start. I think a swimming pool will reside at the end of the slide this summer.
Dad and Uncle B., putting their heads together.
Mom giving her assessment of the progress.
Uncle B. seems satisfied with the climbing wall installation.
As you can see, O. needs a little help to climb into it yet, but he'll learn. Kids need goals.

The finished product, or at least finished for now. Plans for future modifications and improvements were tossed around, including a roof, some seating for the sandbox below, a bucket and pulley, and swing.

The Big Easy

Last week I was here:



I had a conference in New Orleans, and I was able to squeeze in some sightseeing along with work. Good conference, but an even better trip. I lucked out with flights and juuuusst missed all of the American delays last week. I learned about barbecued shrimp and lattes with beignets. I even took a morning off, and a friend from college and I went on a cemetery tour. The tour began in the French Quarter and we walked to St. Louis Cemetery #1, which is the oldest still-standing cemetery in New Orleans. We had a real gem of tour guide, both knowledgeable and a real advocate for cemetery preservation.


The blue sky in cemetery photo is no Photoshop trick, it really was that beautiful that day: 80 oF and low humidity.

I stayed at a Hampton Inn that had been converted from a cotton factory/warehouse. Check out the entrance, covered in tropical vegetation.


In fact, I was fascinated by the palm trees the whole trip. Must be my Midwestern upbringing.


A paddlewheel boat docked on the Mississippi River:


One of my favorite spots: St. Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square.


This was a surprise: the gates to the cathedral close before dusk and minutes after the gates are closed and after the tourists leave, a group of cats came out. They lounged on the sun-warmed cement and played. It was like they were relieved that finally! those pesky people have left and we can relax!


The miniature Bunsen burners inside the gaslights in the French Quarter. I'd never seen these before, always figured they were from another era and long gone.


I couldn't resist a mardi gras hat for O. He calls it his dragon hat, which makes more sense and is easier to explain than mardi gras, so we're going with his words for it.

The Queue

We seem to be in a phase with projects planned and materials purchased, but not enough time to complete the project. Three projects are coming up soon, but I don't know when they're going to happen due to our spring travel schedule.

1.) This box contains the O.'s headboard for his big boy bed. We need to assemble it, stain it to match the bookshelf, finish, and install.



2.) This is the wood the Mom and Dad brought down several weekend ago, which will become O.'s castle. Fortunately for us, we will have help for this project (Dad and Mom again), but the weather needs to improve so that the help will travel.



3.) I don't have an actual picture of the last project, because it's just a cardboard box next to the garbage in the garage, and I think you can imagine that without a visual aid. Instead, here's a photo of where the box's contents will go. A storm door will be installed here, plus painting the front door white.


Until we have some time to tackle these projects, I'll leave you to ponder these mystery plants: What the heck are these, and why are they there?

These two plant appeared this spring in a hanging basket pot that held a Eucalyptus plant last summer. I left the pot outside all winter next to the house.




And this one? It appeared where the tarragon grew last year, but it's not tarrgon.

Easter Weekend

A blustery Easter weekend, but it's not raining, so we'll take it.



A lego kit was the big gift this year.



O. is learning about letters right now, so this special egg below was a big hit.


O. and I made an Easter cake yesterday. O. is my sous chef in training, and doing well. He can break eggs with the best of him. He's best at tasting though.

(don't worry, the lotion was not an ingredient)

A bit sloppy, but not bad for an inexperienced cake decorator who was fending off a monkey from eating the cake on the spot. However, he was heartbroken when told that no, we wouldn't be making the rest of the cake rabbit, ie the arms and legs and bunny tail.

Teaching the Old Chairs a New Trick

We finished reupholstering the dining room chairs last weekend. I think two months, five days for project conception to completion is our new personal record.

After much debate, we chose the Ebbtide patina print, at $45/yard. I had to order two yards instead of the measured amount, so it was a bit more than I wanted to spend. At least there was a sale for upholstery fabric when I ordered in January. Plus, Dad lent us the staple gun, and I don't think I used enough of his staples to put a dent in his supply, even. I think the whole project cost $62.



And $62 dollars well spent, I think. This dining set will be ten years old this summer, as it was purchased with wedding gift money. The table was the perfect size for our apartments of the past, but it's a little small for the current space. Some day we'd like to replace it with something bigger. But what? We don't know. That choice depends on the hypothetical flooring replacement, and there's no sense in trying to replace the dining set until we know what we want in the rest if the dining room/living room. And with the exception of the stained seat chairs, the set has held up well. Heck with the new seat covers and if you turn your head sideways and squint, from a distance, the set looks new again.

I tried to get a photo with accurate coloring, but I'm not having much luck. It looks grey/brown in the photos, but at home, in our light, you see more of the greens. In fact, I think I've subliminally chosen a fabric similar to the Dad's college chair fabric.



The new chair covers have been popular with cats and children alike. The photo below shows O. and E. sharing a chair and the warm sunshine. Neither are happy about having to share, but tolerating it well.


And finally: I've learned that Murphy's Law also applies to chair reupholstering. In the two days since I've finished his chair, O. has spilled most of a glass of milk on the chair. Twice in two days. I can't remember the last time he's spilled that much. Oh well, now I know that the extra fabric that I had to buy will be used eventually.

Signs of Spring

I'm always impressed by opportunistic plants, like these crocuses. One week ago, these were freezing beneath an inch of ice and a couple inches of snow.


I stamped the first two robins of the year. And I hear frogs in the creek. I don't think spring is here yet, but at least it's around the corner.

Ice Storm of 2008

I hope it's not too early to call this one THE Ice storm of 2008. There is still the rest of February and March to go, plus October, November, and December. But I'm confident that if nothing else, I can come up with additional nomenclature. And it was a doozy after all. Schools everywhere canceled for days, even the university and local government was closed for a day, thousands without power even still.

Dogwood tree.

We have about two inches of ice on the ground, I think. Very little melting so far, though today may change that.

Giant bonsai tree.


One of the nandinas.

Owen is having a great time checking out this alien ice world. He asks to go outside and go ice breaking. That involves snapping off every single icicle he can find and throwing big chunks of ice on the ground to watch the impressive shattering.

O. inspecting the damage to a dwarf crepe myrtle.