To The Island & Back, Part X

Back to work on the landscaping. By this time it is the 8th and we head for Nebraska on the 10th, and there is still a lot to do. 

Lawrence helped Dad with cutting up the trees that David and I previously cut down, and shortening the stumps. 

In the meantime, we found a carpenter to help out on the interior finish work.  He and I spent the morning installing the handrails in the back stair. I had purchased the brackets and mailed them from Lincoln, and we found wood rails at Home Hardware in Montague, so Mom primed and painted them over the previous few days to have them ready to install.

We spent the afternoon at Pantings Shore beach. First time to the beach this vacation for me, with only one day left!

The next morning, Monday the 11th, we were all up early and went straight to work. Lawrence, Janice, James, Sarah, Dolly and David worked on the wall at the driveway...

...while Dad raked out the yard, leveling it out to plant the grass, and picking out all of the rocks...

...and I built the brick walk to the kitchen porch. Turned out pretty good.

 

The trimmed stumps

The wall looks fantastic!

We were satisfied that we got it all in place, and said good-bye to Sarah, James, Lawrence and Janice. Thank you so much for your hard work. We could not have pulled it all together without your help.

In the afternoon, Mom, Dolly, David and I visited Sandy. She dug up some rose bushes for us to transplant. She has a beautiful garden. Thanks Sandy!

The spectacular view of the Northumberland Strait from Sandy and Arthur's front yard.

Mom and Sandy

As soon as we got back to the house, we planted what we got from Sandy, which also included Irises. Below is a row of roses at the kitchen retaining wall which will hopefully grow into a hedge.

David trimming the Irises to plant along the walk

A yellow rose bush at the corner of the "parking lot" wall. I have to think of a better name for it.

Everything is planted

time for a drink

This is a white Hydrangea. According to Mom and Dad, it is doing well and is now loaded with blooms.

The corner garden with Irises, two Hostas, a deep red Peonie, some Day Lilies, and Bishop's Weed for ground cover.

Dad also cleaned up the little yard between the garage and the new driveway. This is where all of the sandstone had been stacked. The two stones left over are too large to move, so we decided they make a nice bench just where they are.

We used up a lot of the brick from the chimneys as well.

It's Monday evening. Everything that I wanted to do has been done. Time to relax and enjoy our vacation. The problem was, we had to leave the next morning.

 One more barbeque

To The Island & Back, Part IX

On the 6th, Jim and Marcia left, and Janice, Sarah, James and Lawrence arrived. We worked in the yard, getting plants planted around the house. Below are some of the plants I got for Mom for Mother's Day. David bought some Day Lilies 2 years ago and we had them growing down by the outhouse. David separated them and planted them around the house as well.

This retaining wall is complete

We got started on the retaining wall at the new driveway

On Saturday the 7th, we went to the annual car show at the Brudenell River Resort. I went only once before, when it was held at the old Lobster Shanty North in Lower Montague, in 1983 with my grandparents.

Dad and I are both 1960's Ford fans

 This car is very similar to Mom's very first car, a 1950 Plymouth.

My favourite car, 1964 Galaxie. This is what Dad had when I was born. 

Dolly's favourite was this 1960 Impala

Dad likes the tractors

Another '64 Galaxie

Sweet

Mom's maiden initials were MG, and she always wanted the car with her initials.

James and a '57 Chevy

Yet another '64 Galaxie, this time a convertible, with it's original paint. This is my dream car.

We got back to the house and David worked some more on the retaining wall.

 hard, dirty work

 It's a good thing we have a tub now

I started work on the walkway to the front door. We reused the concrete pad that used to be at the front door. We had it placed further out from the house so the steps land on it. I'll eventually replace the steps with a more permanent stoop, with railings. I am using old chimney bricks for the walkways.

I placed the birdbath in the center of the well yard

The retaining wall at the back is looking good.

We planted Mom's garden. It can be seen from their bedroom, the dining room, Butler's Pantry, back hall and upstairs back bedroom.

Lilies and Bishop's Weed at the back of the house

That evening, James brought out his guitar and sang Johnny Cash songs. He is really good. Sarah also sang and is also truly talented. It was a great night. Thanks to you both.