Wednesday, July 03, 2019

Krista Settles in to Alaska

Krista came in this morning and asked if I'd like to go for a walk after devotions. What a great way to begin a day! It was fun to steal a few alone moments with her to catch up.

 The Fireweed are up. The legend is the first snow will fall 6 weeks after the Fireweed blooms reach the way the top of the plant. I love the Fireweed. I am not ready to begin thinking about winter again.  It is reassuring our Fireweed is not yet at the top.

"I" was watching Benny today. Usually, I play with him downstairs in "his place." TODAY, there were so many around to help watch - and so much to do -  we joined the others. We helped unload Krista's car.

We helped set up the mobile Guest cabin for the girls. They will "live" here until CoRielle are able to move into their new house. Then Krista will rent CoRielle's room and the living area of their apartment will become an exercise/game/craft room. G Dog is currently in Stacia's room and she's been sleeping in the very crowded library.
Benny LOVES honking the horn
Look! Bre and the kids came by to welcome Krista home. 

They were the first to enjoy the picnic tables. 

Jamin dropped by to welcome Krista home. 
Uncle Jamin and Gideon match!
I AM working on child-friendly toys for our yard. I've missed several swing sets on the sales lists... 

Sweet Annie

Jamin saw a rock, a piece of lumber....and the memories of teeter-totters were shared. Back in the day - they did not have springs under the seats. ::snort:: He suggested a balance beam.  Alex found it funny to balance with Jamin.
This actually is a common gesture of humor from Alex
Balancing with Krista didn't go so well. 

They did finally work it out - and then began launching balls and such. 

Cousins
Gideon (about 26 months) and Benny (about 19 months)
I gave Michael a greenhouse tour - it's amazing how things grew in the two weeks he was gone.

I picked a lunch salad and here is the dinner salad I picked. I'm still thinning things out so picked roots and all.

When I thinned radishes last week most were the size of the one on the left...look at them this week. They are quite a bit more peppery too. 

Stacia made a patriotic cake for tomorrow - it's red and blue inside. 
She thought it was a disaster - we liked it. 
Arielle came home. She, G Dog, and Benny helped Krista wash her car. 

It didn't take Benny long to figure out how to turn the hose.  GG (dad) and Krista got wet. 

Sprinkles too
It's like a year round Easter Egg hunt around here. 

I think we are ready for the 4th of July tomorrow. 

A Tale of 3 Picnic Tables

Michael and Krista were due to arrive in 1 1/2 hours - I had one last thing to do before they arrived. This is me, driving Michael's truck for the first time. ::snort:: 

I have wanted some sort of outside sitting area since we moved in. Designing and creating the area hasn't moved to the top of the list....being able to relax, gather, and enjoy meals outside has moved up my list. I began pricing patio furniture and it was simply more than I was willing to pay...unless we  paid a HUGE amount for several amounts, we would not have enough seating for the whole family to enjoy a meal outside.

I began to talk about getting an old fashioned picnic table or two or three.  There were none around town. Lowes in Anchorage had some - but I didn't want to drive to Anchorage. As the 4th approaches, seating for the family for an outside meal moved to the top of the list. LOL

I called our local Lowes today to be sure they didn't have any. They had 17 - five assembled. By the time I arrived, I had a few questions.

"How long does it take to assemble these?"

Ten minutes. (Hmmm.....)

"Can we fit 3 into the truck?"

Sounded sketchy to me.

"If I assemble them will you give me a discount?"  And by "I" I mean "Alex."

Yes.

I got three tables for 1/2 the price of a patio set that would seat 4 people. Michael had told me at full price he thought it would cost the same to make himself as to buy....I felt good about the price. 


Thanks to road construction, we made it home about 10 minutes before Michael and Krista arrived. Today, Alex set about assembling tables. It takes longer than 10 minutes. He did have a lot of help and a big cheering section as he worked. 





People began to arrive - and look - a natural place to gather - outside.....we've also set up a mosquito magnet - and the mosquitoes are much more manageable this year. One had to be willing to give a pint of blood to sit outside in previous years. I'm working to make our place more inviting - small steps.


I had a gracious offer from a friend to build a table for us, you know who you are.  I knew Michael would build the other two if I nagged. I was happy to get them for a good price and save both men the extra work.  I debated right up until I got in the truck and started for Lowes. LOL I purchased top of the line exterior paint and will paint these shortly. The wood needs to dry a bit.

Colors - will turquoise is my favorite color. Stacia and I have discussed painting one as a flag - stripes with one corner being blue/stars. I am partial to the natural stained look as well. I did purchase some paint - I'm still not 100% sure all the tables will be painted the same.

Eventually, I'd like to place on in the orchard in the front yard....at this point there is no shade in the front.  However, I'll eventually have a table up front....and one by the fire ring for easy s'mores and garden watching. These are "light" enough to be moved to the shade when a group arrives.