Late summer, early fall project

The path off our deck not only doesn't have much grass, it gets very soupy went it rains or when the snow melts.  We have talked about what to do there and the thought was to put in stepping stones or lay some type of bricks/pavers to create a walkway.

I've been dragging my feet and waiting to set aside some money and also wishing I could come across some extra materials to help make this happen.  Well, a friend of Steve's was going to build a brick fireplace but I believe he is now moving, so Steve said he would take the bricks for me to use.  I now have 405 standard-size modular bricks.  Yes, you will get the play-by-play on the blog once the work commences, but for now, here is the area in question and here are the beautiful bricks....

The plan is to come out from the steps and follow the curve you can see.  It will end up maybe 19' by as many bricks wide I can go (once I figure out my pattern).

I still need to get some type of gravel compound and some sand.  Being in Iowa, I will have to dig down maybe 7" to lay a foundation so they don't move around too much.  The goal has always been to have something functional not something that will end up in a magazine.

Stay tuned...

Pella is also pretty in August!

Here is a picture of Gene and Ruth's house in Pella yesterday.  You think of tulips in Pella but August is very pretty as well.

Three frog rescue

It's frog and toad season which means rescue season.  Had three in the deep window well this morning.  They have very strong legs.  I don't catch them, I herd them into a coffee can and toss them out.

Here is before and after...

 

Butterfly sighting

No pictures, but yesterday afternoon I saw a Yellow Swallowtail and a Black Swallowtail.

Maddy got her license today!

Maddy celebrated getting her driver's license today by making a solo drive over to see us.

Congratulations!

 

A selfie before she got here...

 

Reluctant toad

I spotted this toad in our deep egress window well.  I'm sure it liked the cool spot in the rocks.  I pulled it out and then tried to shoo it toward our deck area.  But it hopped back toward the window well and proceeded to drop about four feet to the bottom.  It was unharmed and I brought it back up and persuaded it to go a better direction.  I always wondered what it looked like for a frog or toad to end up down there and now I've seen it!

 

Indigo Bunting sighting

I'm pretty excited.  No picture because it happened so fast (had my camera out looking at other things)...but I saw an Indigo Bunting next door along the wood's edge.  I've seen them down on the bike trail but not this close.  Early evening seems to be a busy time so I will keep my eyes open and hopefully will be able to share a picture.