It’s now been a year since we closed on this house. We’ve worked hard to get things done and as most any homeowner would say, we still have a lot to get done. While our neighbors were visiting the other night, they were talking about how much we had done. When you have your list and you’re just checking things off, you don’t realize how much you truly have done til you stop and think about it. Here’s a little rundown on what we’ve done so far.
All the gutters got pipes added to keep them from draining against the foundation of the house. I remember when Vince first did this and I was complaining about them being white and blog readers told me I could paint them, or I was going to plant something around them. You can see how far I got with that plan.
Since watering is such a huge chore around here, I think in almost every picture, you’ll see water hoses stretched across the yard. And yet, even with lots of watering, there’s so much bare dirt with no grass growing. We’ve done our best to keep the fruit trees, blueberries and garden alive but we just can’t spare enough water to keep grass growing.
We (mostly Vince) has planted 12 fruit trees. We have a dozen pomegranates ordered. We have one pomegranate, four figs, three peaches, one cherry, two sugar pears and one regular pear. I deserve a little credit because I’m the one who keeps them watered and that is important, right?
Several of our fruit trees are a bit confused. The pear tree is covered in little pears and the fig trees all have small figs on them.
Vince got my garden spot ready, got it fenced and we had a spring garden and now a fall garden. Everything is doing great! There are 2 rows of beets, 1 row of lettuce, 2 rows of carrots, 1 row of chard, 2 rows of mustard greens, 2 rows of kale, 1/2 row of broccoli, and 1/2 row of cauliflower. Somewhere in there is spinach . . I think it’s at the end of the chard row.
Strawberries are in a permanent location. If you enlarge the photo you’ll see that they’re blooming. I get a few strawberries per day from the plants. They never make it inside the house. I usually eat them right out in the garden!
The asparagus is in a permanent location too. Now that the grasshoppers have stopped eating the tops out of the plants, it’s doing so good.
When we got here, we had two outside faucets – one on each end of the house, but they both go through the water softener. As much as we water, it was crazy using softened water so Vince added several freeze proof (or resistant) hydrants around the yard. I do keep soaker hoses attached to the faucets at the house and use those to keep the foundation watered. I wish it wasn’t softened water but . . it is.
The faucet for the cows’ tank leaked so Vince re-did that one. You can see the trench still open. That’s for water lines to be run to an area where we’re going to plant more trees.
There were two chicken coops built, along with the chicken runs. There was a driveway built and the gate maker is still working with us on the design for the gate. Hopefully he’ll start working on that very soon. And, the big item was getting the sewing room built.
I can’t imagine that we could be happier anywhere . . right here is where we belong. I’m not even sure what we plan to do in the next year but you can bet it will be something and we’ll have fun doing it! 🙂
Freda Henderson says
You two have been busy! That is a lot of work to get done in a year. Great job cause everything looks great.
Diana Glasspool says
All your hard work has paid off, the house and garden look great and your now about to become grandparents again to some chicks.. things could not be better for you.
Kristin says
Time flies!!!
Pam says
Looking good. In addition, you did all that canning and still managed to quilt, visit surrounding towns and new granddaughter.
So glad that you found your ranch and your little piece of paradise. You never have to worry about the little flag guy again!
Janna says
Good for you guys–I’m glad you are so happy there Judy!
Patsy says
Happy Anniversary! Seems like yesterday y’all were looking for a house and land to buy.. Thanks for the photos,, everything looks great.
shirley bruner says
You and Vince did a lot of work in a year…..good for you. feels good, doesn’t it? hope your second year is just as successful.
Mary in VA says
Wow – that’s a huge list of accomplishments! Congratulations! I keep before and after pictures of our house and surroundings just to remind myself of how far we’ve come. It always amazes me to look back at where we were and compare it to where we are.
carolyn says
We have been so dry in the Midwest, that waterbarrels are becoming more and more popular. Groups are decorating them and selling them for fund raisers.. I have yet to get one, but plan to.. Do you use them? convient to water shrubs and flowers near the house w the water collected off of the roof.
Ellie says
You have accomplishes a huge amount is one year. Congratualtions and Happy Anniversay!
PS It’s good to have your happy blog posts back. I enjoy them so much!
vickie van dyken says
Hooray for you!!! There was a lot accomplished, and some left to do…but you are where you should be, your happy and healthy and that is good 🙂 I just want you to know that, for me, you have also been an inspiration 🙂 I look and see what you have done and I try and do more! It’s a good thing….once again….I really love your blog….and all your boundless energy and enthusiasm. THANKS for a great year 🙂
Linda Steller says
Wow! A year already? You have done a whole lot to that place, and I’ve enjoyed reading about all of it, especially the chickens. I’m so glad you love the place and that you’ve finally gotten rid of most of the grasshoppers!
Ranch Wife says
I think it’s safe to say that you have had a productive year and are living a life well-lived! Lots of hard work, but I’m betting every bit of it was worth it.
Sheryl says
Now that I’ve read your post, I think I need a nap!
Doe in Mi says
You have kept me so intertained with all your comings and goings and work and fun with critters and quilts that I can not believe its been a year already. WOW.
Tinkerfeet says
Looks like you two are doing a great job making it the perfect home for you. Enjoy it.
Linda in NE says
You have a great place there.
Laura says
It’s good to reflect on your accomplishments, and you have many! I should do the same. I tend to think I don’t get much accomplished in the sewing room, so I need to be better about photographing and journaling my work.
Becky G says
Too bad that huge accomplishment of completing your sewing room is only one short sentence… Deserves a big applause! I seem to remember you also had microwave installed; tons of sewing, several free quilt instructions, weeky linkies, week-end quilt marathons…etc., etc. Honestly, getting so much unpacked would be a big deal to me! Thanks for your inspiration, generousity and good hunor! Congrats on last year and best wishes for the coming year!
Rebecca says
No more grasshoppers? (Or at least manageable?) Hooray!
Yes, that is an impressive list. It’s so nice to see how you’ve thrown yourself into living there. That backs up the words of how much you like it!
Donna K. from N. TX says
So glad you are happy with your little piece of heaven in Texas. You both have accomplished so much in a year. It’s truly amazing.
Donna F says
We want a place like yours someday soon, except without the snakes and grasshoppers. I guess you take the good with the bad.
Denise :) says
Congratulations on one year! Here’s to many more happy years, Judy! 🙂
Pratima says
Happy Anniversary! You’ve got so much work done around the house and garden… It looks great! Your fruit trees are beautiful!