Countertops Are Done

Last week our countertops were installed. They are Absolute Black, 3mm, with a plain edge. Just like we installed in 2005 at our last house.

We also ordered granite for the corner cabinet counters. We immediately set the uppers and installed the faux leaded glass in the doors so we could use the cabinets.

You may remember how I made these glass panels with actual lead strips, but they are simply adhered to the glass and burnished with a plastic tool.

So while the Handyman finishes the upper cabinets for the kitchen, I'm finishing the painting of the crown molding and trim in the breakfast nook. And touching up all the little scrapes and gouges from the cabinet and countertop installation.

Next comes the exhaust hood, upper cabinets, and backsplash tile. Then, finally, the stove. We've been cooking on a camp stove since May of 2019, and it's really getting old.

We might actually have a real kitchen soon - stay tuned!

July Garden Report

Normally the heat of summer is not considered prime transplanting time. But I'm a rebel, so while it's predicted to be 104 degrees today, I'm transplanting azaleas and ferns.

I've found that if they're moved to a shady area, watered twice a day, and given plenty of mulch, it can work.

Whatever you do, don't do this! I've found several with buried pots in my garden. No wonder some of the azaleas failed to thrive.

Yesterday I moved two azaleas and lots of maidenhair ferns. I eventually got tired of fiddling with the darn ferns and ended up throwing lots of them away. I feel a little bad about that because normal people would love to have maidenhair ferns, but they're like a weeds here, so I need to get over that.

I'm removing the ferns because I'm hacking my way through the azalea beds to create a parterre garden. The plan is to have brick walkways between the azaleas, ferns, rhododendrons, and camellias, with perhaps a fountain or birdbath as a focal point.

With all my watering and lots of decomposing roots in the garden, mushrooms are popping up everywhere: some real, some fake. Here are some real ones. The first ones are so tiny! I think they're called Coprinellus disseminatus, or Fairy Bonnets.

We got a new driveway recently and I finally tackled the uneven grass next to it. I had to dig out a lump, and fill in a dip. I've come to the conclusion that this yard will never be "level", but if I can smooth out the irregularities a bit, I'll be happy.

June Garden Report

I'm late with my June Garden Report, but not much is happening flower wise. However, we got a new driveway!

The straw bale garden is producing nicely. We're harvesting tomatoes, squash, beans, chard, kale, basil, and herbs.

I've been working on a mossy little garden under the redwood trees that I'm calling the Fairy Grotto.

And the pruning, weeding, watering, and transplanting continue as we creep forward with our master garden plan.