Well it seems like forever since i've posted, or had the time to post… I really need to get back to monthly blog posts at MOST….we'll see how that goes.
Summer is well upon us, Especially now that the 4th is this weekend! Before we know it it'll be fall and we'll wonder where the whole summer went. I don't know if everyone's schedule is like mine, but i seem to have something to go every single weekend of the summer. Before i have time to blink or sit and relax it's already september and everything is winding down. I'm giving you the sob story, but in all reality its actually all good, I enjoy going places and doing things.
Just a small point before we get started, You may have noticed a new layout. I was tired of the "out of the box" template i was using before. I wanted something a little more personalized to my blog. The header graphic is one that a gentleman had made for me of my property, I did some digital changes but the original is his… So thanks again Craig, Although we have not spoke in a while…hope all is well! The new layout is cleaner and straight to the point… I also have plans on developing additional pages in the header for a photo gallery of my favorites, A Plan Page to view the House Plans, Perhaps a Project List and much more!
Today I'll give you a massive post about whats been up at the Usonian Automatic Household. It's been moving along somewhat slow, because of all those fun weekends as I told you before. Most of what we have been going relates to outdoor projects, being spring and all.
Outdoors Projects
As soon as the temps started to warm, we were outside getting a head start on moving some plants from one location to another, cleaning up the yard, cutting trees, bushes, and all the normal spring yard work things. Overall we were in a much better place than the previous year! Far less crap in the yard |  The pool EARLY Spring |
The plants alongside the pool were a real problem last year. The tall grass totally took over the pool deck and leaned into the pool.. That needed to go! There were other pool plants that were moved and new ones added.
 Moved the grass to the front |  most plants removed from left of pool |
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Garden Planters
Instead of tilling the gowned up for Dawn's garden this season, We decided to build some garden planters… Thanks to Ana White and her plans, we did these done for about $12 per planter! I purchased cedar fence pickets and cut them up for a final size of 6'x3'. Dawn and I get everything and got it all setup in just a few hours.
 Dawn Helping |  Planters Assembled and in place! |
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 2 Yards of Dirt to fill them up |  All filled up! |
 Extra Added to Planter | |
Tree Removal
Since I moved in, we have had a dead tree in the front yard, and i had been meaning to cut it down but something else always came up. Well once day we came home and i noticed that the tree was leaning more than normal…so instead of cutting i just enlisted a few friends to help push it over so i could cut it up…as you can see, it must have been dead for a long time!
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The Pool Planter
Another small project that has been an eyesore for a long time has been the planter near the pool…This spring I made it a point to do something with the planter. I decided that i wanted to have a small Rock/Zen garden with a Bonsai type Juniper. After we removed the old stump and some of the dirt, we got the tree and gravel and put it all together. I think it came out perfect!
 "The Before" |  Nasty stump in the background |
 Tree in! |  Gravel in too |
 |  All DONE! |
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Pool
Opening the pool for the season was a much easier project this year than last! Upon removing the cover you could immediately see to the bottom! A vacuuming and some chlorine and we were good to go!
 Vacuumed Shallow End |  See to the bottom! |
Another addition this season to the pool is a solar heater! I did lots of planning on how to get everything setup and purchased the panels, built a frame for the panels, and re-plumbed everything. After using this heater for a few months, I've gotta say it is a great addition! We were swimming in 80+ degree weather starting early may! The previous year it was near the end of june before it was that worm. The ting works great and was totally worth the investment. These photos are during, Now everything has been secured down and has been wind tested multiple times without fail!
 unpacked and laid out. |  Set up and within frame |
 All Plumbed, still some work on the frame to do. |  Ski rack came in handy for connection tubing! |
Patio Furniture
I decided to build a patio sectional to match the lounge charrs i make last year…Again Thanks to Ana White for plans! The couch is a total of 6'x12' and can be arranged in different layouts if needed, I just decided on a long L. I still have a coffee table to assemble to place within the area. There are 4 armless sections and 3 armed corner sections. These were pretty easy to put together and work great for sitting lots of people. I also got some cushions for them so they are nice and comfy!
 Everything cup up |  |
 Corner Done |  Put 2 together for a love seat! |
 All Assembled |  |
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 Dawn And I |  Fits lots of people! |
Indoor Projects
indoor projects have been much slower going. Really all thats been going on is the kitchen backsplash…Well just the tiles actually. I've got all the tiles up with the kind help of my friend Matt. We decided to go without grout lines to get a nice blend. After cutting the rail, all the tiles were cut and then put into place. I must say that it looks great! after an oil it really blends nice with the counters…here's some photos:
I just got in the stainless backspalsh for behind the range, so hopefully we'll be completing the kitchen very soon. Other than this area, we still just have to encase the beam support, and the overhang above the island and we'll be done!
Additions to the house
I've also got a new addition to our family….You probably saw him wondering/helping in some of the photos above but i'll formally introduce him. He's a Golden Retriever and his name is Ferguson! He's been a pretty good boy, Training is going well, and he is starting to fit in well! Here's some photos of him…WARNING, he's pretty cute!
 The day he came home! |  Posing for the camera |
 chew chew chew! |  |
 record craigslist sell: 1:15min! |  |
 Guarding the swimmers | |
While were on the pet subject….Mishka has been going outside to enjoy the summer…and as most kittens do, She climbed our tree, TO THE TOP! Needless to say she spent the night up there and she has yet to do it again. Here are some photos of her WAY up there.
 Can you see her up there? |  There she is! LOL |
Misc Photos
That gets us up to speed about all the projects…I'll finish up with some random images of whats been going on. Some of which include photos from our annual Colorado trip, Dawns Birthday Bash, Flowers in out yard, and some random house photos.
We'll that'll about do it with all the images i've got so far. I'll try and keep them shorter and more often…
Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!
-IM
2 comments:
I like all the pics!! Can't wait until the kitchen is done!!!!
Ridiculously awesome. Good for you!
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