Hello:

The gardens are blooming all over the place.  We have been very busy putting in the crop for this year and trying to thin flowers.  The rain garden is taking shape.  I will call it West Virginia Chic with a touch of the Flintstones.  We have done a lot of transplanting and a little bargain hunting to come up with the plants in the landscape.  The advantage to plants from here is you know they tolerate or enjoy the soil and water conditions.  The chances of success are greatly improved. 

I bet you can see the part we call Flinstones!?!.  Why move the perfect table, ottoman, and fireplace mantel?  This photo is a month old.  Today, the giant ferns are sprouting randomly and towering up to four feet.  They aren't done growing, yet.

I need to research the best type of grass for the area.  It needs to be an easy maintenance low grower and good ground cover that can stand up to foot traffic when we move the grill down there.  I want a grass like a golf course might use.  I'm also still looking for a great statue.  My husband has put up a collection of found treasures from the sheds and creek.  A mill stone looks wonderful in a native setting.

Slowly, but surely.  The neighbor's grandson thinks the stone work is just way too cool.  He wants one on his side of the creek.  Grandpa may not be so hot on the idea of moving one ton (or heavier) boulders.  We're a bad influence, but they can come and roast hot dogs with us to christen "Bette's Place" at "Swallowtail Lane" on the corner of "Frog Leap Point" in a couple of months when we get it all finished.

I wish I would have bought the whole display of butterflies and dragonflies that are a battery powered light that changes color constantly.  They look fantastic hiding in the plants or trees with some tulip solar lights.  It creates great ambiance.

Bette