I almost feel like, as quickly as we’re getting things done around here, that I should do a recap at the end of every day.
The tree cutters showed up again this morning.
The Capital Pear we had planned to save ended up being hollow in the middle. The tree cutters noticed that when trimming it yesterday so that had to come down too. They cut part of a river birch that was leaning over the solar panels, ground out the stumps, cleaned up their mess and they were gone.
Just a day of seeing the trees gone and it already doesn’t look so bad, especially with the mess all cleaned up.
The arborist/landscaper came out today and he agrees with planting cherry trees at the end of the driveway. We’ll have to put a fence around them til they’re big enough for the deer not to devour them! I’m never moving again but if we do, I hope it’s where the deer don’t eat everything and the cell phones work inside the house!
We did find a place downstairs where I can plant a kitchen garden – a few peppers, parsley, basil, rosemary (which will be an annual here) and things like that.
We’re going to plant two cherry trees on each side of the driveway but far enough away from the driveway that the cherries won’t fall on the concrete. Optimistic, aren’t I . . that we’ll eventually get cherries!
Vince is going to run the gutter downspout drain away from the house and he either has to dig under this walkway or dig up a shrub (or two) to get the front bed lower.
I made carnitas. It was a full pot; probably a bit past the “max” line in the Instant Pot but it worked.
As far as I know, the only thing happening tomorrow is someone is coming to measure a couple of windows for replacing (again – measure twice/cut once!). Hopefully we’ll stay home all day and not go anywhere.
Liz says
In the pic with Vince, there is a fir tree which is very sad looking and bush that is going wild. Can you get rid of those and plant something easier to take care of?
I think both will cause problems in the future.
Liz says
And what is growing up the window? Ivy or a different bush?
A neighbor had a similar size space and she put in a large pot with a water feature and gravel. Simple and low maintainance. You could skip the water feature and just have a large decorative pot.
Judy Laquidara says
If I’m seeing what you’re seeing, it’s a reflection of a shrub in the window. Nothing is growing up any of the windows so I think that’s what you’re seeing.
That area is about 14 x 16 so it may be a different size from what you’re thinking.
Judy Laquidara says
The fir tree is actually new and looks fine in real life. The bush is overgrown and the landscape guy will take care of it.
Sue says
Have you considered a microcell for your phones in the house? It solved our problems.
Judy Laquidara says
I think AT&T stopped supporting those about 3 years ago, unless they’ve started doing it again.
Nelle Coursey says
Maybe the landscaper has one of those tools that digs under sidewalks, streets, etc. people to run new water, sewer, etc. lines. That would be a lot of help if he did. Then you could run it under the sidewalk and put the drain pipe there. I am not a landscape architect so don’t follow my directions! LOL The drive does look a lot better now. So glad you got the trees down before they fell and hurt someone or property.
Judy Laquidara says
Vince has one but there’s a lot of rock under there so he has come up with an alternate plan. Also, someone told him he could use a pressure washer to get a “trough” under there for the pipe.
Linda Garcia says
I know I am late to the comment party, but what do you have in the instant pot for carnitas? I love to use the instant pot so would love your recipe if you don’t mind sharing. I love reading your blog but sometimes I get behind by a few weeks.