by the chimney with care.

Karen carved with the kids this year, we have a Jack O’Lantern.

I worked with TJ to brew hard cider this year. I re-sugared the last batch for in bottle carbonation and packed it up. Should be sparkling in 10 days.

I thought LEGO blocks were expensive! I live on a hillside. The water was puddling on the lawn and making it swampy. I wanted a curb to keep the water flowing around the lawn not through the lawn.

Photos: Curb

Abby is looking much cleaner and happier after her visit to the Puppy Pretty Parlor. Remember dogs smile with their tails!

5 years and several failed purchases later, Karen is determined to get the Family Room right. This new sofa is the first piece to arrive. The flow is definitely better. I just hope it last better than the last sofa. It looks 20 years old in about 3 years. Well, the dogs immediately approved of the new piece!

“Daddy, I am shabby, take me to the Puppy Pretty Parlor!”

Abby is getting a little long in the hair and nails department. It is time for her and the boys to visit Jen at the Mutt Hut.

“Honey, get me some fresh parsley” does not include driving!

Often these rescued mutts are too cute for words. That is why every smartphone has a camera.

I got a call from my niece. She needed to be rescued. I have an open deal with my niece and nephew set:

If you are alone, broke and facing jail, call me I will get you.

-Uncle Jim

I got one of those calls. She was stuck in Ocean City with no cash and no ride home. I fetched her and the puppies gave her love.

Pam harvested beans this morning. This is the first of the 2013 crop.

The Closet Guy was here!

We are over another hurdle in the ‘tern Room!

Photos: ‘Tern Room

The middle bedroom is having its turn with the renovation budget. Karen is shopping furiously and I get to paint. Closets by Design gets to organize. I get to install lighting and furniture.

Photos: ‘Tern Room

The neighbors had a useful, but dilapidated shed in the driveway. It was not pretty. It was not maintained.

Now the property is bank owned and they did not like the shed either. They sent a crew to remain all traces of it today. Thank you mystery bank owner. Now, could you hurry up and finish this project so we are not another block with a bank owner property?

The Fabled Garden Project has another phase this spring. I cut in an edge to encircle about 10% of the back yard. The garden boxes are now in a sea of this pea gravel.

Plenty of Landscape cloth went down to prevent weed growth. Hopefully it will still look good at harvest time.

Photos: Garden Boxes Season Two: Getting Stoned
Photos: Garden Boxes Season One
How To: Behind the Scenes

The Crocus has Spoken!

Now it is Spring, so get out there and look at the sunshine bounce off the lake. Put more mulch on the beds (Jim!). Power wash winter off your garden boxes. Slap a coat of water seal on it and set the front porch furniture up.

I was folding the laundry today and the dogs started barking like crazy. I looked out the window to see who had come to the house. Not the neighbors I was expecting.

Normally I like to post the crocus announcing Spring. Unfortunately, The crocus is merely clearing its throat and has not yet Spoken. Soon?

Happy Spring at any temperature!

Bears!

Yes, we get deer at Cedar Lake, but we get bears too.

I was watching the dogs this morning and took this picture in the side yard. The fresh snow caught the morning bear visit in tracks.

When is your next visit to the lake?

The Big Picture: Bear Sign