First sketches of a water trough and how it might tie into the retaining wall. We had to step down the wall and already had these notches where the level changes happened. It seemed one of those “aha” moments when the thought occurred to put a steel channel spout at the notch above the water trough.





Here’s my first sketch trying to work out how the water circulation would work.





I faxed the sketch to Teresa at Hill Country Water Gardens and she graciously fine tuned it and sent it back to me. I had thought to run the pvc inside the concrete but Teresa’s recommendation was to run it all on the surface for easy access. It definitely cuts down the “oops” factor — concrete is pretty permanent. I had also thought the pump could be behind the retaining wall but it turns out it has to be inside the water and also has an optional filter attached to it.

I especially like my note, “they have a lady who can come out and do this…”






Here are the guys pouring concrete.

On a different note, on the tv show “Bones” there was a great moment when someone refers to concrete as cement and Brennan corrects him, saying no, cement is a component of concrete.

I always want to correct people when they say cement but usually let it go because nobody cares. The guy’s response on the show is exactly what I would expect in real life — annoyance, bewilderment (like, why are you wasting my time) and disgust — well, maybe not that bad.

We would get a pair of them to replace these k-mart target specials (see below). I think they were like $15, or something. I gotta say, the cats have gotten 4 years of good use out of them. But don’t they look like they belong in a college dorm?



On the other hand, jojo is on this thing like 70% of his day so we may have to keep one tucked away somewhere for him. He needs his own room with all his kitty crap!

UPDATE:

Here’s the version of the stool that we are going to order.  I photoshoped it!

These are HUGE – like 2 ft diameter and the stalk and underside have thorny barbs. They’re pretty amazing.



They sell koi and goldfish (above). I believe the difference is the koi just keep growing and growing.



Crossing the bridge.

But here I am again!~ I have created a new page called “Glamour Shots” where Alex’s photos will have a permanent home and I am going to get this blog moving again.

Exciting news is that we are going to be on this fall’s AIA Homes Tour! More to follow on that later.

This upcoming event has finally kicked Scott and me into some action, especially regarding the landscaping. This is the landscaping plan that we are working with and Colleen from Red Wheelbarrow will help us implement it.

I’ve also ordered a tray of 20 mixed succulents from Annie Appleseed in Pleasant Hill, CA. These will give you an idea of what viagra will look like. Like candy!

Today Scott and I went out to Hill Country Water Gardens and purchased the water pump. They have several beautiful ponds set up with lots of great water plants and koi and goldfish as well. If you are thinking of putting in a water feature it is well worth a trip up to Cedar Park.

Our big decision is whether to have a living pond (w/ water lilies and goldfish) or a fountain that will feature the water and water movement as the star attraction.

I will post some pics of the ponds later.

Lastly, here’s just a random (and precious!) picture of Rocket’s damp little nose. It wouldn’t be out of place in that succulent garden I think.

to be continued…

viagra

The rug that we inherited from Scott’s grandfather Nicholas is a good example of the prolonged, snail-pace, slow-mo process.  Scott’s mom, Kathy, has it packed up and shipped to us from California. It is delivered to Scott’s work.  Scott takes it to rug cleaners.  We pick it up in a few weeks.  It sits around – does it fit?  Where should it go?  Should we have taken it in the first place?  Needs a rug pad – look around on different websites, compare prices, call Home Depot, Loews, BBB (Bed Bath and Beyond), finally go to Home Depot, but wait, the guy said they had this size but they don’t, so you buy two smaller ones instead.  Bring the pads home, now we’re too tired can’t do it tonight.  Okay, now is the time, move the couch, lay out the pad, get it straight (!), cut it down before the rug is put on it or after?  After.  Lay the rug down, crawl around all on hands and knees around the rug trimming the pad, move the couch back, wait move it again it’s not straight (!), okay we’re done.

Here is Scott riding his new (used) bicycle to the bakery down the street to get us some pastries.  Bon appetite!

And for some reason I am really into velvet these days. Anything I look at – chairs, drapes, pillows – I go straight to the velvet. Mohair too… soft… I wonder if kitties like velvet too… like are they going to tear these apart?’

I guess we’re lucky that we found some pretty perfect light fixtures. Here is the first one that arrived. It is the glass disc Vistosi fixture. Each disc is separate and gets hung (loose) on a metal armature.

When you open it all up and start hanging it this is how you feel:

Almost done….

Ta Da!

When my sister and brother-in-law (Alex) were visiting I asked Alex, who has a professional grade digital camera, to take some photos of the house. It turns out that we’re not nearly ready and so this is what he ended up taking. (Yes, he is doing what you think he’s doing)

Oh, and not to be outdone, here’s a really cute Joey walking down the Hallway:

1. we really enjoy cooking in our sparkling new kitchen and cleaning up in our HUGE sinks and

2. we have to save money so that we can pay for the major landscaping (concrete planters, pavers, water feature, gravel), decorative lights and necessary (and I emphasize NECESSARY) furnishings, like stools at the island.

I have been looking all the time for all the loose bits we need to fill the house and this last week I hit pay dirt!

We bought this 1960′s Murano glass disc chandelier by Vistosi for the dining area. There are bigger and crazier versions out there, i.e.:

We also bought this sputnik fixture for either the Entry or Master Bath (over the tub)

We are going to get these old, beat-up, chipped paint (just the way we like it )metal stools for the island. Unfortunately the colors were sold out, so I am getting 3 grays and a white stool. I love the four pronged feet.

Update:   These stools were sold out from under us.  I am so sad.  I did manage to get the last one – a gray…  sniff…

Thonet side chair – vinyl upholstered. This one I’m not sure about. They might be hard to reupholster and I think they are a bit overpriced at $495 (for a pair).