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!

Moe’s is coming to Denville! Walgreen’s Plaza, next to Denville Cleaners.

“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.

If you are going to be stranded at your Crazy Uncle’s with no hope of seeing your friends for days. It should at least be during Denville’s Sidewalk Days! Caily is enjoying my favorite Quick Chinese place while ANOTHER pizza place holds their Grand Opening. That makes 5 in Downtown Denville alone.

My Niece was trapped in Jersey after her rescue. She did her best to not be a pain in the butt. She even did some chores, really, I have proof!

“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.

Pamela turned 21 today and we went to Morris Tap & Grill for the first drink and Chef’s Table meal. We ate for 2 and a half hours! So much food and topped with a great dessert.

Photos: Chef’s Table

Brett and Katie got married. The wedding was in and around Hershey, PA. The Hershey Theater, Hotel Hershey, Hershey Country Club all got involved at some point.

Note: No wedding photos available per request of the Bride and Groom.

Photos: Hershey, PA

Fran’s curtains are up. Still much to do in the tiny trailer, but the living room curtains are done.

It was a long battle but she won! Caily graduated from Conrad Weiser High School! Proud of you!

The ‘tern room is complete, had to wait to reveal until after she saw and approved. The move in has begun. It will be a summer full of tales, I can just tell!

Photos: ‘Tern Room

I have some bad news for Ridgway fans, I found another reason he can’t move back to NJ. Someone has his license plate!

So this was on my McDonald’s bag today. Big enough to read while I tried to merge with traffic. Knowing what I know about Google Analytics, I was overcome with Orwellian fear.

When I could stop and read it later, they were discussing another Jim. No browser tracking nightmares. No custom bags from the Big McD. Nothing to see here, move along.

For those who care about trivia...

The Closet Guy was here!

We are over another hurdle in the ‘tern Room!

Photos: ‘Tern Room

Before and after I stoned the full garden area.


The Oakville vision was not yet realized! I needed to define the garden area with a bed of pea gravel. I hope it helps with the erosion problem that was moving Box 6 away from the fence and downhill.

Finally, 2 yards³ of pea gravel and 50 feet of plastic edging later, the garden is defined.

The chive plant liked the change. It tripled in the time it took to edge, gravel and refill. I connected boxes 2 and 3 and boxes 5 and 6 together to cut down on irrigation time.

Inspiration: Oakville
For Hire: Garden Box

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